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[img]https://i.imgur.com/FUwkTQM.gif[/img][color=#2e2c2c]xxxxxxxxxxx[/color][/cell][/row][/table][/center][hr][center][sup][color=silver]An Awkward-Fun-Silly Collab with [@LovelyComplex] & [@metanoia][/color][/sup][/center][hr][/center]
[indent][color=CA8643]Everything in Marco hurt.

As the bright morning rays hit him on his face, practically blinding him, the brisk chill that came with it only served as a reminder that Mother Nature was often unforgiving to those who abuse it.

Or in his case, Mother Nature was living vicariously through [i]his[/i] mother, Marlena Castillo-Brady.

He stayed up long past when his body was begging him to sleep. He remained awake long past when his brain advised him to sleep. Both were screaming louder than a bloodhound when it was upset, more violent than an abused pit, yet he couldn’t bring himself to quit the game. 

And then another. And another and another.

Before long, Marco was neck-deep into double digits when it came to how many games he played, how many matches on Summoner’s Rift and even ARAM just for the kicks. He loved that game so much that when it came time for him to finally sleep and when he decided he had, had enough, that’s when all hell broke loose. And that’s why he had just come back from taking Buster, the family Golden Retriever back in.

[i]Woof woof[/i]

[color=b8860b]“At least [i]someone’s[/i] having a good morning,”[/color] Marco commented, looking down at the slobbering hound as he let him back inside through the side gate door that led to the backyard.

As he closed it, he could hear the not-so-silent footsteps Buster made against the concrete, the relieved sounds of his barks filling the silence of that his immediate presence left behind. In some way, that provided Marco with the peace of mind as he dangled the mail keys around his left index finger, twirling successfully and slid it into their mailbox when he got there.

Looking inside, there was nothing but junk.

Well, Emil’s Muscle Fitness came in, but Marco wasn’t in the mood to fetch that for him.

As he turned around, the scent of something familiar in the air, though it was probably just the brisk summer morning air, Marco found himself gawking at a familiar sight.

Across the way, wearing a simple tank and shorts, albeit doing way more than it should have, there he was: jogging through the neighborhood like clockwork.

Danny Belmonte.

How long had it been since Marco saw him? Well, probably not long since he’s seen him jog regularly for the past few weeks. Of course, Marco never stopped him. The wound from when he left Marco in a state of deceptively-hidden heartbreak, though not as fresh as it was last year, was very present. But time healed that wound somewhat and he was in a place emotionally where he could see Danny without being painfully reminded of that day when his former lover rejected him.

And as he ran by, off in the direction of Godmother’s Sandwich Shop, which was a bit of ways away but it wasn’t [i]that[/i] far of a walk, jog, [s]wobble if you happened to be recovering from a savagely bad leg injury[/s]. But really! Who is actually keeping track?

With a curse escaping his lips like the breath that Danny stole as he strutted by, Marco grimaced into a pace that was at least three-times faster than his doctor recommended he walk. Coming off of his injury, he was advised to take it easy, to not put so much pressure on his leg.

Trust me, Doc. It’s not his leg that’s having the work out here.[/color][/indent]
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[indent][color=silver]Maybe a half mile later and practically all of the excess energy that Marco had leftover from the three or four cans of Dr Pepper now gone, a bell dinged over him as Marco rounded the corner.

Out of breath and leaning against the brick foundation of some building, Marco had to take a breather. Brisk walking wasn’t something he should be doing, but in the few weeks he’s actually been able to walk without a cane or crutch, it was freeing in a way. But that didn’t mean he was in any condition to keep up with a hell of a jogger that his ex-lover was.

Speaking of which, Marco took in a few deep breaths and scanned for him.

And low and behold, sitting about ten feet away, at a table that had an enticing chair opposite of him, Marco sighed as he took off into a walk again.

And as the chair screeched across the concrete pavement of the sidewalk, Marco plopped down onto it like his entire body was a sack of flour that was carelessly dropped on the floor.

[color=b8860b]“Whew.”[/color] He breathed out, lifting up the menu, scanning it as if it was why he took an uninvited spot across from Danny. [color=b8860b]“I’m-po-oped!”[/color] He commented, his words spacing out as his racing heart didn’t allow him to speak his thoughts completely without deep inhaling and exhaling.

Up until this point, Danilo Belmonte had no idea there was a puppy tailing him. Even at this point, he thought this was all coincidental. His sister’s shop was open to the public. It wasn’t like he could claim it as his own private sanctuary of sandwiches. Still, was he expecting this? Was he mentally prepared to hear his ex’s voice? [i]Especially[/i] this close in proximity. As his mind stuttered, his attention going from his phone to the boy hiding behind the menu, Danny found himself at a loss for words. Instead of saying anything, he paused Hail & Fire’s new single on SoundCloud, placed his phone on the table, and reached forward. Letting his hand have a mind of its own, he steadily pressed the menu down so he could see his face. 

When his eyes confirmed the person in front of him, because even though Danny knew who it was, he still had a hard time believing it, the once great Casanova stood still and stared. He found himself unexpectedly in shock and there was a stillness within him. His inability to react made him feel all the more stupid. He should’ve known this day was coming. He [i]did[/i]. He just didn’t think it would be today, or tomorrow, or this week even! 

His eyes locked with his ex’s over the breakfast table and for a moment, he could imagine some of the best memories he shared with him. Memories Danny did a fantastic job on burying up until today. The boy in front of him was a goofball, with a phenomenal smile. Marco put his whole heart in whatever he set his mind to. Most importantly though? He looked past Danny’s flaws, which unfortunately, were many.  

[i]Fuck[/i]. 

As if God knew he needed a savior, Cat came out and hit the back of her brother’s head. [i]Whack[/i]. [color=9f1b3e]“Marco! It’s so good to see you!”[/color]

[color=005d9e]“...”[/color] 

[color=9f1b3e]“I seem to be interrupting something...”[/color] [url=https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f9/82/f7/f982f74d0081cd3fe2f4146c7ab3848c.gif]Caterina[/url] was quick to deduce, all the while smirking with her natural sex appeal. 

[color=005d9e]“You’re not,”[/color] Danny was quick to interject. He wasn’t going to let his sister get carried away with her [i]theories[/i] of how her baby brother spent his days and all the drama that ties into it. Leaning back, trying to hide how uncomfortable he felt, Danny cleared his throat and tried to speak up. Unfortunately, he was too slow and his loquacious, minx of a sister was back at it again.  

[color=9f1b3e]“It’s been so long since you’ve visited the main house. Mom asks about you all the time! Did you know that Danny—”[/color] 

[color=005d9e]“And that’s enough from you. I’ll just have the classic, porchetta di ariccia. As for him,”[/color] Danny glanced over and instinctively found himself going back to old habits, [color=005d9e]“Irish reuben? Or… something new?”[/color] Internally, he found himself screaming. He [i]remembered[/i] his usual AND he was acting like junior year never ended. Instead of showing any signs of panic, he simply gleamed a forced smile at this evil woman that liked toying with him. 

[color=9f1b3e]“Is that what you want, hun? Seems like my BROTHER forgot his manners,”[/color] Cat sassily crossed her arms, not really wanting to hear Danny talk. She heard enough of his voice daily. It was clear that this Belmonte woman, who exuded dominance and temptation, had not seen Danny’s friend, at least not like this, for months. A year even. Probably even longer. She lost track of time, seeing how her home life wasn’t perfect and she was too busy using her business as an excuse to not deal with her problems. 

Relieved. Danny was relieved that his sister lost her train of thought and was back to focusing on her job instead of spreading LIES. Or whatever it is she wanted to tell his ex. Danny knew it was nothing but trouble. SHE was nothing but trouble. 

[color=b8860b]“Has he?”[/color] Marco laughed, taking a moment to platonically admire the beauty that was Cat. Hard to believe she was only his sister. It was truly a wonderful thing, life that could have people so far in age yet connect them on the same branch. Marco being the oldest between him and his two siblings, he didn’t necessarily have the pleasure of having such an older sibling. [color=b8860b]“But yes, your brother knows me like my Ma does.”[/color] Another laugh and he set down the menu. [color=b8860b]“Irish Rueben with extra sauerkraut.”[/color] He was already imagining consuming that sandwich the minute it was set down in front of him.

With a comforting family vibe and a charming yet firm way of speaking, Cat grabbed the menus from the two boys and politely asked, [color=9f1b3e]“Water for the both? I don’t want to take up too much of your time, Marco. I’m sure you and my brother have a lot to talk about—”[/color] 

[color=005d9e]“—we don’t,”[/color] Danny exasperatedly sighed. 

[color=9f1b3e]“Danilo Valerio Belmonte.”[/color] Curtly, the older woman hissed. What has gotten into him? Their mother taught him better than this and if she was here she would be utterly disappointed. There was no reason for her baby brother to be uneasy and on edge. It was just her and Marco. [color=9f1b3e]“And I thought I was on my period.”[/color]  

[color=005d9e]“Oh-my-god,”[/color] Okay, okay. Chill. He needed to chill. Marco seemed too distracted by his need for food to notice Danny’s plight. [color=005d9e]“Just get us water [i]please[/i] and [i]thank you[/i].”[/color] At this point, the siblings had electricity releasing off of them, as they both coldly stared at one another. 

Clearly ignoring her brother’s pleas for her to disappear, bringing her attention to the sweet boy across from him, Cat went from a glare to a beaming smile as fast as she could get a guy off, [color=9f1b3e]“Just water?”[/color]   

Marco was doing his best to contain the excess bits of laughter that passed through his lips as Danny and Cat exchanged banter that only siblings could, but hunger and exhaustion made that a difficult task. Nevertheless, looking up at Cat, he nodded, seemingly agreeing with Danny’s water-only solution. [color=b8860b]“Yeah, I’m fine with just water,”[/color] he said, smiling at Cat.

With Marco’s response, Cat was [i]finally[/i] satisfied and went on her way back into her place of business. Thank Christ. At least while Cat was present, Danny had forgotten about the heartbreak he caused to the boy in front of him. The further she walked away, the more he realized why he needed her there. He was now alone with his ex, who probably had plenty of questions for him. Pulling out his wireless earpieces, placing it on the table where his phone was, Danny could feel his nerves building from his chest to his throat. 

[color=005d9e][i]Get a grip, Belmonte.[/i][/color] 

Absentmindedly cracking his knuckles, a little tick of his when he’s stressing, Danny did his best to break the ice, [color=005d9e]“So running, huh?”[/color] They both were involved in sports at one point in time. Marco getting back into running wouldn’t be off the table if they were still in school and he didn’t suffer from a severe injury. It still felt kind of soon for his ex to put that much pressure on his leg, but Danny had no right to jump to conclusions so instead he simply watched the boy in front of him with care and concern. 

[color=b8860b]”Oh, yeah…”[/color] 

There came something of a laugh that staggered between slow breaths. Even as Marco had been sitting there for a few moments, he still was trying to catch it and Danny’s half-question didn’t help. And he knew it wasn’t his intention. Danny never meant to make Marco feel awkward. He wasn’t that kind of person. But what could Marco actually say? [i]I saw you across the street and decided to follow you[/i] would only go over so well. Especially with how things were left off between them, but Marco never was [i]angry[/i]. Hurt, sure, but never angry.

Another series of slow inhales later, Marco found himself able to speak without being interrupted by his stupid lungs. [color=b8860b]“I thought I would test how much I could do.”[/color] Another laugh.

[color=005d9e]“And?”[/color] Danny firmly asked. Not one to hold back his worry, he pressed on, the nerves dying out at least for the time being, [color=005d9e]“Are you in pain? Do you need an ice pack? I hope you warmed up before you ran. Do you have a physical therapist?”[/color] Before any more questions could leave his mouth, his sister brought out the waters. 

[color=9f1b3e]“Your sandwiches will be out soon.”[/color] She read the table and saw how… serious her brother was staring at Marco, so instead of intervening, she let them continue their conversation. 

[color=005d9e]“Drink,”[/color] Danny eagerly demanded, even going out of his way to push the glass closer to his ex.  

Save for the echos of Marco sipping from the glass of water, silence was the only thing that remained after Danny’s rather...assertive suggestion came following Cat’s second departure. It was strange. With the questions about how he was feeling and then what he knew Danny caring about his hydration levels, Marco felt like, that is to say how Danny was acting reminded him back when they were together. The way he was interested, how he seemed, and just.., God just how it was like nothing had changed between them.

And Marco smiled at that thought.

He set down the half-full glass, which if that wasn’t symbolic to the way he was feeling right now, then nothing would. [color=b8860b]“But, uh, to answer your earlier questions, nothing hurts. I mean, nothing that I can’t handle.”[/color] Technically, he wasn’t lying. His leg hasn’t been aching since he sat down and his chest wasn’t feeling heavy since he was able to take a few dozen relaxing breaths. [color=b8860b]“You don’t need to worry about me, Danny!”[/color] He smiled cheerfully at his ex. [color=b8860b]“Really, I’m not in any pain!”[/color]

Leaning back in his seat, crossing his arms, Danny muttered, [color=005d9e]“Is that so…”[/color] Clearly not buying the high-spirited act. Was this meeting actually coincidental or was there some ulterior motives? Danny wasn’t clever enough to read between the lines but he had this deep-seated feeling. Something telling him that things weren’t right. 

Why would they be? He didn’t give this kid closure. He dumped his ass like he tossed that mystery meat away without much thought or care. Why was Marco sitting with him? Why was he giving him the time of day? Their relationship junior year was intense and passionate, but that doesn’t mean it was perfect. It was far from perfect. The culprit to all their problems? It was Danny. 

Danny couldn’t come out. Danny was the one who purposely toyed with girls in front of Marco, knowing that an hour later they’d both be in the janitor’s room getting down and dirty. Danny was the one who asked him out to prom only to take it back and break up with him the day before. To add salt to the wound, he had a random girl linked to his arm for an event that they should’ve celebrated together. After Decker went mad, and Danny came back from camp, instead of checking on his ex, he pretended he didn’t care. 

Now that he was thinking about it, this. Whatever this was. He just didn't get. Danny’s eyebrows furrowed in frustration, getting more and more annoyed by the minute, as his ex just sat there. [i]Smiling[/i]. This stung more than he thought it would. He would prefer if Marco cut the bullshit and just interrogated him, or yelled at him. Anything that wasn’t this. They were dancing around the tension as if it didn’t exist and Danny had no idea what Marco expected from him. [color=005d9e]“Well, good to hear.”[/color]  

Before both boys knew it, their sandwiches were in front of them. Danny had been so stuck in his head that he didn’t see his sister come and go. Grabbing his food, he took a giant bite out of his sandwich, but ultimately kept quiet. Munching away and just looking at the neighborhood around them. 

[color=b8860b]“Oh boy!”[/color] Marco’s eyes lit up when he saw the dripping reuben in front of him. He practically had his tongue out, panting with excitement. Food was something that was close to Marco’s heart. One of his great passions and, well he had a soft spot for sandwiches. Almost anything could be made into a sandwich if you were creative enough. And as he took a bite, sounds of approval left his lips as he took that first bite. The tangy crunch of the rye bread, the sour, yet-kind-of-sweetness of the kraut, and the meatiness of the cornbeef — honestly, Marco was in heaven. 

With a mouth half-full, he said. [color=b8860b]“-is s-o food! -at rwafy oufid ferself!”[/color]

As much as Danny wanted to stay grumpy, he couldn’t. All the questions racing through his mind halted the moment Marco started devouring his sandwich. After deeply sighing, his lips rose into a smile. Some gazes were emotionally distant and cold but Danny’s eyes, the type of green that reminded anyone of new spring growth, bright and soft, were protective and kind. 

Once a minute or two of silence passed, as they both ate their sandwiches, Danny glanced over to his vibrating phone, seeing his cousin spamming him to bring her a sandwich. Rolling his eyes, he shoved the rest of his food in his mouth, chewed, and swallowed. Quick to run and quick to eat, he cleaned his hands and mouth with a tablecloth and replied, [color=005d9e]“I mean, she does make the best sandwiches, but you knew that already. Now, what’s your plan? For today, I mean.”[/color] 

After he finished, Marco wiped away the excess of mayo and deli mustard off of his lips and glanced down at his empty plate. Drippings of kraut and the cornbeef resting on a sloppy bed of crumbs was all that remained. [color=b8860b]”Oh, probably not much,”[/color] Marco admitted, leaning back. He felt twice as fat as his slight gut implied. [color=b8860b]”Spent most of the night gaming. I’m pretty much ready for a nap.”[/color] Marco laughed as the laugh was exaggerated into something resembling a relaxed moan as he stretched his arms over his head, cracking limbs releasing their gathered pressure. [color=b8860b]”How about you? Anything special you’re gonna do today?”[/color]

[color=005d9e]“I’m going to walk you home,”[/color] Danilo said calmly and matter-of-factly. That would be something different and [i]special[/i]. Not part of his usual routine. In addition to that, there were those letters that practically the whole town got. The most recent one of his was on his bed and there seemed to be something tonight that he felt like he needed to go to. Or he felt too guilty to avoid.  [color=005d9e]“Then I’m going to pick you up tonight around 7:15 PM, so make sure you’re up and ready.”[/color] 

Standing up, too impatient to wait for his sister, Danny looked at Marco and ordered,  [color=005d9e]“Don’t move.”[/color] Once he did so, he went inside the shop to pay the bill or maybe get two free meals for him and his ex. 

He tried to get a word in. Both to decline that obviously-gracious offer that Danny made about walking him home. He felt fine and could make it back, but there was a moment when their eyes met that Marco knew it would be a losing battle. His ex had a way about him that made it nearly impossible for him to fight him on it. He was stubborn, passionate, and just amazing in the way that he could be so stern like a brick wall, but as caring to Marco’s not-so-well-hidden fragility. That in itself made Marco accept the defeat in silence with a nod. 

And when his ex left and came back from paying, he couldn’t help but smile as he grunted standing up. Beside him, Marco was brought back to when they had been [i]together[/i]. Back to a time that neither of them were reeling from the tension brought upon them nor the terror that Marco went through after getting shot.

It was just them and Marco weirdly, though probably so much, felt like he wasn’t even thinking about how tired he was. [color=b8860b]“Well, I’m ready when you are.”[/color]

Swiftly, Danny grabbed his cellphone and his headphones. Once his things were pocketed, he proceeded onward to the stop sign, right at the corner. Maybe tonight would be the night he could properly apologize and give the Puppy the explanation he deserves. Then again, who knows what was waiting for them at Edenridge High at 8PM. The truth? What the hell did that even mean? He’d need to ask Quinn what his theories were. Looking back at Marco, over his shoulder, the Italian lover boy boasted with finality, [color=005d9e]“I’m [i]always[/i] ready.”[/color] [/color][/indent]