“It’s okay, darling, we’re okay,” Francis whispered against his lips. “Come on, Deputy, let’s do this thing.”
That was when Mark remembered that he’d come there in the cruiser, was on shift, and that he had the sheriff’s station’s reputation to uphold. Great. Well, at least there was nobody to see how he almost broke apart, eh?
“Okay. Lead the way.”
Francis gave him a look that suggested he took the words to mean more than one situation, and smiled.
“Only if you follow.”
Mark smiled. And followed him inside.
* * * *
It became obvious that Henrietta and Charles liked the idea of Mark and Francis dating, and they even said that if they chose, sleepovers were fine. That had Mark blushing something fierce, and Francis cackling with delight.
Things got… easier. There had still not been anything more than some kissing between them when April rolled around. Long weeks of no sex when Mark had almost gotten used to it were… well, rough, if he were completely honest.
Having Francis so close and yet so far was the sweetest kind of torture.
They did have a handful of sleepovers, although at Mark’s place. Mark had tried to initiate more than kissing, but Francis had told him he wasn’t ready, and Mark had given the reins back to Francis.
From now on, it would be Francis’s responsibility to decide when they’d have sex again. Giving that decision to him, taking it off his own mind, was somehow liberating. It took him a few days to realize that it was exactly how he felt whenever Francis had dominated him in the past.
While Mark still took his parents’ calls, he was more tolerant of their bullshit now, and knew that it was because of the distance his mind was putting between him and them with each passing day.
Francis stayed at the Grahams’ house for a few nights each week, more if he thought it was needed. The rest he’d spend with Mark or at Padraig and Kaos’s place.
Mark had also had some almost-real-therapy sessions with Evy. That was where he got the idea that turned out being a bit of a catalyst for him and Francis.
“You know they’re putting together Kaos’s shop on Saturday, right?” Evy asked on Thursday when they sat at the diner having lunch.
“Yeah, I was invited by Francis.” Mark made a face, feeling conflicted. “I said I wouldn’t come. It’s… there’s still too much bad blood because of me and I don’t want to bring that to Kaos’s shop.”
“Mark, this is an opportunity for you to come and spend some time with them. You’re not working on Saturday, so why not stop by?”
“I don’t know….”
Most of the LGBTQ community of their little town was going to be there, apparently in shifts. It meant potentially facing Emil and Makai, for one, but it could also mean that Lotte and little Joie would be there as well.
“Whatever you decide, Erin and I will go in the afternoon and we’ll take things to eat for them. Leah and Stuart are contributing food and some drinks. So maybe bring some more drinks or shakes if you’re coming.” She made sure her hands were clean and drank the last dregs of her tea. Then she got up. “Got to run. Talk to you later!”
* * * *
On Saturday afternoon, Mark sat at Tripod, having a late lunch, and watched the building over the road that had Padraig’s veterinary clinic, and soon Kaos’s souvenir-slash-tattoo shop. There were cars parked in the lot, and Mark could tell at least Evy, Erin, Makai, and Emil were there. Possibly Padraig, too, but definitely Francis, because his car was next to Evy’s.
Mark felt nauseous, but at the same time, this was what he needed to do.
When Leah came to ask him if he needed anything more, he cleared his throat and looked at her earnestly.
“Leah, I need your help,” he said, hoping she’d be understanding.
She tilted her head. “Oh?”
“I’m going to go across the road and apologize to some people. Could I get some milkshakes and coffees for the people there? Maybe something sweet, too?”
“A peace offering?” She smiled at him in what he thought was a motherly way. “I’m sure I can do that. I’ll put together something for….” She took out a notepad and wrote down names in her pad, while figuring out who was there based on the vehicles in the parking lot. “Okay, give me a moment.” Before she left, she looked at him and said, “You’re a good man, Mark Forrest.”
Feeling more than a little choked up, Mark exhaled and watched her go to make the drinks. He might’ve been a good man, but it didn’t mean he’d always been or that he hadn’t lashed out at the best people. He was ashamed, but maybe this was enough of a first step to take?
