Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

April 19, 1987

10:16am

The breeze this particular Sunday morning was an especially harsh one. Even so… a little wind wasn’t about to stop Greektown’s annual Easter Egg Hunt from occurring in and around Henry Ford Commemorative Park.

The plethora of maple trees scattered throughout were practically bursting with luminous shades from chartreuse to emerald. Each whiff of air provoked most of the trees’ strong branches to swerve and sway in a captivating tango to a musical accompaniment that only Mother Nature herself could hear.

The temperature was pleasant enough that the park was already bustling with activity by the time Simon and the Williams family arrived. The twins had just turned 13 and were now ‘so over’ such childish things like egg hunts, but the girls still enjoyed the holiday’s general charm and the anticipation for an overabundance of chocolate.

Even though the girls were grown enough to not require a nanny anymore, Simon was still often invited to accompany the family to special celebrations such as this. He cherished every single one these moments, since most of his own family were long passed or off so far away that family get-togethers were nigh impossible.

Children dashed back and forth as small hands toted around brightly colored Easter baskets. Giddy laughter followed tiny footsteps as they combed every nook and cranny of the park for plastic eggs of various pastel shades housing any manner of mysterious treats inside. While many were dressed in their Easter Sunday best, the youngsters would in no way be deterred from their search due to a random grass stain, smudge of dirt, or tear of otherwise pristine fabric.

The twins and their parents strolled down the sidewalk with Simon following a short distance behind. Slender hands delved inside the soft cotton of his trouser pockets as eyes closed tightly to block out an especially fierce gust of wind. Blonde waves took the worst of the airy punishment with loose bangs flopping every which way across his pale forehead. A second breeze stung across the emerging whiskers upon his jaw, which provoked the man to wince and turn his head in an effort to avoid further abuse.

Eyelashes flickered open if only for his pale gaze to spy a familiar bench just off to his right that was momentarily unoccupied. Lips quirked upwards as thoughts brought him back to that fateful morning over 3 years ago. A morning when he discovered the hunched over form of an artist who’d absently dropped one of his drawing utensils on the ground.

He could never forget those exquisite eyes of blue and green as he kneeled to hand the thin charcoal stick back between smooth, mocha hued fingers. He could still smell the cologne Markus wore that night at the art exhibit. His thumb had memorized every single callous and crease on the other man’s palm when their hands touched later that evening as they sat together admiring a particular watercolor painting.

He hadn’t seen or spoken with Markus in months… and yet he secretly wished to one day come to the park and find such a handsome figure sitting here working on yet another of his magnificent drawings.

“Simon?”

Alice tugged at her former caretaker’s sleeve if only to beckon him further along with the others. Brown eyes glanced up at him curiously even as he eventually returned her gaze. “You alright?”

The man answered her inquiry with the gentlest of smiles. “Yes, honey. I’m fine.” He patted her hand lightly with his own and then nodded in the direction of the others. “Let’s go.”

 ----------------------------

May 4, 1987

12:13pm

“Looks like rain, Carl. You sure you want to be out here?”

Strong hands clasped tightly upon the handles of Carl Manfred’s wheelchair as the pair rounded the corner and found the entrance to Henry Ford Park. He hadn’t been able to visit in months due to his mentor and requiring additional aid to get around as of late. With Leo now off at college and despite the older man’s resistance to the idea, Markus felt obligated to assist the one person who had cared for him when he was younger.

“You worry too much. I’m not going to melt.” Deep wrinkles twitched upon the artist’s brow as he released a bark of a laugh and waved off toward the direction of the park proper. “Ándele.”

A car accident a few years back had cursed the other man to live out the rest of his days as a paraplegic, but the predicament had done nothing to diminish his spirit. Cynical outbursts were quite common, which often evoked the younger man to simply roll his eyes and briskly change the subject.

For once, however, a trip to the park had not been met with outright protest… at least until they caught a steady thunder echoing from the clouds above. A pit of doubt filled Markus’ stomach even as a growing breeze shifted through the nearby maple trees, causing their bright green leaves to flutter amongst thin branches.

Carl folded rumpled hands across his lap as grey-blue eyes flickered between the clouds. His full lips turned upwards as he caught a flash of lightening prance amongst puffs of dark grey. “I still remember when I was a boy… running home from school in the rain.” A few tiny strands of brown defiantly stood out from his otherwise silver hair which caused Markus to faintly smile in thought at how a younger version of the man sitting before him may have looked.

“At the time I was so angry that I got soaked on my way home,” the old man reminisced as the sky above them grew even darker. “Suddenly I just… started to kick at the puddles under my feet and moved to my own rhythm.” Eyes rolled shut as his chest rose and fell with the deepest of breaths. “It was exhilarating.”

The younger artist propelled the wheelchair along as they travelled across the sidewalk. “Do you miss it?” he eventually asked as faint sprinkles of water touched down upon his forehead.

“Miss what?” Carl replied in kind with his own question. “Dancing in the rain without a care in the world?” His neck turned just enough to offer his caregiver a sideways glance. “Yes and no. While I am now confined to this infernal contraption, that doesn’t mean I should just stop appreciating what I have or could still have.”

Those words forced Markus to pause in his footsteps, dark brows creasing as he spied an all too familiar bench just off to the right of them both. “Yeah I… I guess.”

A faint huff emitted below him. “You used to come here to draw…” A wrinkled hand reached out with the pads of his fingertips brushing across the edge of a weathered wood plank. “What made you stop?”

“To be honest, Carl… I stopped when I knew you’d need some extra help.” It wasn’t a total lie, but perhaps he also had another reason to avoid this place. A reason with eyes as blue as the calm summer’s sky and a smile that could brighten even the darkest of days. His right palm twisted upward as if he could still feel the intricately soft touch of Simon’s fingertips against his skin.

“Bullshit.”

The younger man’s thoughts reverted back to reality as a visible flinch soon followed.

“Markus, you have no reason to be ashamed.” His mentor’s words grew quiet and the usual growly resonance in his voice was gone. “Love can be… complicated. Trust me.”

The rain drizzling around them had since grown in intensity, but Markus couldn’t will himself to move. His heterochromatic gaze stood fast on the other man as his mouth fell slack. “What do you mean?” was uttered with his voice struggling to remain steady.

The dulcet drops falling all around them did nothing to phase his companion in the slightest. “Lucy told me about… you and Simon.”

“Carl…” the younger man endeavored to speak as his face betrayed the guilt he’d otherwise kept buried inside.

“No.” A forefinger sliced through the air and rain as grey-blue eyes narrowed. His face contorted from that of a sympathetic friend to one of a scolding parent. “I understand you’re confused. I get that you may not be completely comfortable.” That anger gradually dissolved as a hand reached to grasp the smoother one resting above his shoulder. “You can’t keep avoiding Simon like this. You need to talk with him. Figure things out at the very least.”

The rain continued to beat down on the both of them as various other residents sprinted past in dire need of shelter. Markus felt the warmth of the older man’s hand as he breathed slowly… carefully. His thoughts were set ablaze with all sort of scenarios that could occur if he chose to continue his pursuit of the endearing man he’d become so infatuated with.

So infatuated that he’d hid himself away out of fear. Fear of disappointment. Fear of the degradation that often follows being outed as a queer. Most importantly… a fear that Simon may have moved on.

No... Carl was right.

“Markus?”

Carl’s other hand was now tugging lightly at his sleeve with a touch of concern upon his brow. ”You gonna be alright?”

The younger man replied to his friend’s question with the faintest of smiles. “Yeah… I think I’ll be fine.” He patted the offered hand before tugging it away and once again surrounding the wheelchair’s handles with slim fingers. Blue and green eyes sought focus toward a familiar coffee shop nestled across the street. “The rain’s died down, at least. Let’s go.”

Chapter Text

July 4, 1987

8:12pm

Both of Markus’ shoulders were all but in knots as exhausted fingers began dismantling his travel easel for the evening. Eyes circled around before his lips curved up into a gentle smile at the sight of children playing and laughing on the nearby swings At least the weather this Saturday had been pleasant with just the tiniest breeze circulating through the air.

As part of many Independence Day celebrations across Detroit, Carl had offered the suggestion for Markus to set up at his usual spot in Henry Ford Park and create caricature drawings and the like for those passing through. While it had been a lucrative endeavor overall, it was quite clear that his mentor’s true intentions were much more personal.

While Markus was not altogether adverse to resuming communications with Simon, he’d been hesitant due to an ever fulminating uneasiness muddling his mind. This growing infatuation for another man certainly made things all the more complicated… and unfortunately the typical watercooler chatter about homosexuality these days was generally less than pleasant.

And yet Carl, of all people, had remained unconditionally supportive… encouraging whatever sort of relationship may culminate between them. Regrettably, the younger man had experienced terrible luck with most of his past romantic relationships. Perhaps Markus was subconsciously sparing them both from inevitable heartache by avoiding Simon in the first place.

His chest exhaled a fatigued breath while kneeling down to slide the easel and pencil box respectively inside the long canvas satchel. Eyes squinted within the sliver of sunlight up above as he attempted to feel around on the ground for anything else potentially left under the bench. It was far too easy to lose a pencil or two in the grass if he wasn’t too careful.

Fingers brushed back and forth through brittle needles of grass for a few fleeting moments before he finally shuffled around the sit on the ground instead. Knees elevated to his chest from the dirt while his chin lifted to observe the sun’s last few rays disappear behind the brick wall partitioning the Park from the rest of the area. He couldn’t help but smile just a touch as several fireflies flickered in the growing darkness all around him.

Markus was so mesmerized by the serenity of it all that the warmth of a secondary slender figure sliding down beside him almost went unnoticed. As an elbow smoothly brushed down past his shoulder, green and blue eyes in turn shifted if only to discover that the one person he’d quietly wished for had drifted down to the ground by his side.

His companion’s somewhat grizzled jawline was an interesting change along with his blonde hair sporting another inch or so of waves. Simon’s soft blue eyes, however, were still as exquisite and unforgettable as ever. He was wearing a heather grey t-shirt, pale blue jeans with a small bit of fraying on the left knee, and a pair of white Nike sneakers. Attire perhaps a bit mediocre compared to the more neon-centric fashion of the time… and yet it seemed absolutely perfect for him.

“Hey…” the blonde nearly whispered once the other man could see him. Full lips then upturned into a smile that seemed brighter than any ambient light provided by the insects fluttering nearby. “Fancy meeting you here.”

Markus’ nostrils inhaled deeply to capture the scent of his companion. He detected a peculiar blend of shampoo and a light sprinkling of Old Spice. A lopsided grin soon followed as he soon realized that this perhaps was Simon’s attempt at ‘sprucing up’. “You always knew where to find me,” he remarked before fingers slowly lifted in the direction of the blonde fuzz along the other man’s jaw. “Working on a beard, I see…”

Pale eyes focused upon the darker hand as Simon remained otherwise perfectly still. “Yeah. I um… wanted to try a different look for a while.”

Perhaps it was the exhaustion from hours of drawing which fueled the artist’s hand to suddenly hesitate in mid-air. A long swallow followed instead as that same hand plummeted towards an uprooted knee. “I…” he began as his expression took on a look of pure embarrassment. “I should probably apologize for not calling you.”

The other man folded his legs in front of him as shoulders leaned back against the wooden seat of the bench. “No… I get it,” he answered with that smile faltering just a touch.

Dark brows lifted above a heterochromatic stare as Markus waited for Simon to continue.

“I’ve never been attracted to a man before either,” the blonde stated as he looked off to the night sky. “My upbringing since day one has told me that it’s… unnatural.” A gentle chuckle followed. “Besides, I’m not what most would consider a ‘hunk’ by any stretch but…” A slim hand lifted with his thumb and forefinger soon grasping Markus’ pointed chin. “You are absolutely bewitching to me.”

A few shades of red warmed freckled cheeks. “I’m just an artist,” Markus replied with a nervous smile. “An artist who’s been lucky enough to find one of the most radiant of angels in Detroit.”

Before Simon could even continue their conversation, both men were startled by a rather abrupt explosion followed by a series of crackles as first few fireworks of the evening had finally begun. After watching the first few dazzling rounds of light and color, the hand drew Markus’ chin in much closer as their eyes met.

“You sure you want this?” tenor words whispered from dark lips once they were mere millimeters away.

The blonde’s answer was to silently terminate the gap between them with petal soft lips soon touching the quivering pair across from them. A shutter of relief in Markus’ chest followed by the gentle parting of his own mouth made his companion fully aware that they shared a desire for... whatever this was to continue and evolve.

Simon scooted his frame closer… savoring the warmth and growing insistence between them as his hand curved around to cup the other man’s cheek and thumbed across dark prickly stubble. A tender smile emerged as they slowly parted. “I have no idea where to go from here but… I’m willing to try if you are.”

A pale hand was soon enclosed within his new lover’s darker one. “I guess we’ll just have to figure this out on our own, huh?”

The blonde’s hand then fell and slowly slithered its way around Markus's waist as they both turned to once more enjoy the bright fireworks up above. “Yeah...” was their mutual response as the other man’s head carefully descended to rest along his shoulder.

Chapter Text

October 10, 1987

7:03 pm

Simon yanked his navy-blue jacket tighter around his frame as footsteps carried him down the otherwise empty sidewalk of Henry Ford Commemorative Park. Despite the crisp feel of the air on this unusually chilly evening, he couldn’t help but hesitate in his journey to admire the bright orange leaves of the nearby maple trees.

Full lips rolled upwards as he recalled that fateful morning when he first saw the most handsome artist sitting on a wooden bench about halfway down the path.  He remembered the precise moment when their fingertips brushed past each other as he lifted a discarded charcoal stick up from the ground. He would never forget when those beautiful blue and green eyes first looked at him.

It felt like a lifetime ago… and yet it was nearly 4 years later from the first time Markus and Simon met in this very park.

The butterflies in his stomach were aflutter with activity as to whatever Markus planned for the two of them this evening. The only hints he’d received were to dress nice and to ‘expect something extraordinary’.

Simon had recently started a new nanny position and while it certainly paid the bills, didn’t afford him the extravagant income required to procure a nice suit to wear for a supposed special occasion such as this. Instead, he’d chosen a pair of black Docker slacks and a matching long-sleeved button-down shirt. Wavy tresses were slicked back while the whiskers upon his jaw had been trimmed down just enough to keep them manageable.

The blonde had always been somewhat insecure about his appearance, and the exquisite presence of his new boyfriend only moved to heighten that self-doubt. Despite reassurances from the other man, Simon couldn’t fully dismiss the horrible thought that Markus could always be drawn toward someone else. Why he’d ultimately been drawn to someone like Simon was a mystery in and of itself.

Finally reaching the far street corner, hands dug deep inside his jacket pockets to fetch those ever-faithful brown gloves. Lips parted if only to release a relieved sigh as he felt the knitted fabric of each slip over shivering palms. A flicker just off to the left then caught his attention as a pair of headlights casually turned the corner and headed forward in his direction.

Simon swallowed hard and drew in a piercing breath through his nose as the dark grey automobile with an unmistakable Mercedes emblem eventually paused at the curb. The passenger side window drew downwards with a distinct rumble as an all too welcome sight appeared behind it sitting in the driver’s seat.

“Hey…” Markus smiled as he leaned over and unlocked the door. “Was almost worried you weren’t gonna show.”

Simon smirked as he reached for the handle and slid his fingertips underneath to flip it skyward. “Wouldn’t miss it,” he answered before climbing inside and quickly shutting the heavy door. “This isn’t your car, is it?”

Once the blonde clicked his seatbelt into place, the darker man grinned before turning the steering wheel just enough to slide the luxury vehicle away from the curb. “Mine? Nah. A friend of Carl’s owed him a favor, so she was persuaded to let me borrow it for the night.”

“Oh…” replied the passenger. “You… didn’t have to go to all that trouble f-for me.” Eyes lowered to stare at his lap as fingertips anxiously toyed with a frayed string along the lower hem of his jacket.

A black leather glove soon found its way atop of his own as that soft tenor voice echoed within the car’s compartment. “Simon. Let me do this for you. Just trust me, alright?”

Simon’s cheeks reddened above blonde whiskers as he nodded and returned his pale gaze towards the front window. His own fingers offered an affectionate squeeze atop the other glove before letting that hand pull away and return to the steering a path to… wherever their destination was.

The two men exchanged occasional silent glances as Markus eased them through one dimly lit street after another. Eventually the Mercedes turned left onto a residential street occupied with older houses in various states of wear. Simon could barely make out that each property was partially hidden thanks to various brick walls covered with various layers of lush ivy leaves.

Ultimately the car came to a stop in front of a two-story red brick house with a large glass door and a small scattering of green strands creeping along its exterior.

“Before you ask… this is Carl’s house. I occasionally stay here to help take care of him,” Markus quipped as he shut the engine off. “He’s out for the evening with his son Leo, so we have the place all to ourselves.”

Blue eyes blinked rapidly in acknowledgment of this confession. “He’s gone… all night?” His voice nearly cracked while pushing open the car door and stepping up onto the gently weathered concrete curb.

The darker man paused with gloved hands smoothing his grey trench back into place. An eyebrow raised curiously at the inquiry. “Is… that okay? I mean… we could go somewhere else if…”

“No!” Simon parried the suggestion without so much as a thought. His nose wrinkled visibly before a shake of his head removed any lingering reservation he may have portrayed. “It’s… perfect.” He advanced further until he stood beside Markus and affirmed his appreciation with a bright smile. “Can we go in?”

That smile was soon mirrored by his compatriot and accompanied by a hand waving on towards the front door. “After you, then…”

Once the two men passed through the entrance, Markus turned at the waist to flip on one of two light switches along the nearby wall.

It was only then that Simon’s gaze was able to truly appreciate the charm of Carl’s home… at least in part.

The blue and white tile floor. The stretched zebra rug. The delicate crystal and gold accents of the overhead chandelier. The unique pink and green shades of the stairs’ carpeting. Even the soft brown of the far wall’s wood paneling seemed to radiate with a warmth that no doubt was reflected upon the house’s owner.

“Carl can be somewhat eccentric at times, but this place… it’s just got a specific feel to it. It’s like… being wrapped up in a soft blanket of color and light,” Markus offered with a hidden grin as he helped remove the blonde’s jacket and tuck it away inside the adjacent coat closet.

Simon slowly nodded in agreement as he removed each glove from slender hands. “It’s… wow,” he finally answered with the gentlest of chuckles. Feet slowly spun him around to offer his gloves as well with a silently mouthed ‘sorry’ bolstered by the tiny bit of color reaching his cheeks.

His embarrassment was all but cut short at the sight of a sudden lopsided grin from his freckled companion. He has chosen a thin V-neck sweater in a deep navy blue complemented by a pair of grey slacks. Teeth bit along his lower lip while pale eyes dropped to follow the exquisitely exposed dip of his collarbone.

A finger crooked in a sly beckoning motion soon enough grabbed his attention as the darker man moved in an almost mesmerizing dance… gliding backwards toward the living room door.

“What? I… where are we going now?” Simon asked with a noticeable swallow.

Markus parted the wooden doors leading towards the living room and then glanced back over his shoulder with that confident grin still present on those lips. “It’s a surprise.”

Surprise? Now that had the blonde even more intrigued. After huffing out another soft chuckle, he followed along… barely noticing that the living room was even more opulent than the foyer. Bookshelves lined with dusty tomes, a Steinway grand piano, and various works of art all around them could not steer him away from the other man’s fluid form leading him past it all.

That is until he caught sight of a life-sized giraffe standing by the spiral staircase with its regal neck and head extending all the way up to the second floor.

“Is that… real?”

The freckled man paused and followed where Simon gaze has wandered to. “Huh…” he mused with hands raising to his hips. “You know… I’ve never asked. I just got used to Gerry being here.”

Simon’s chest then burst into a rich laugh, shaking his head in mock disbelief that Markus had gone so far as to give the stuffed creature a name. The sound soon had his companion’s own face darken before joining in with the jovial gesture for a few blissful moments.

“Anyway… he’s not the surprise.” A mocha hued hand soon reached out to Simon as if silently requesting to take his own. A request which was readily answered as their palms connected and one man soon led the other towards another door just off to the side of the piano.

Markus’ other hand then carefully slid one of the slim wooden doors open to reveal an even more beautiful sight for Simon’s pale gaze to drink in…

This appeared to be a converted porch surrounded on 3 sides by clear glass. Golden teardrop baubles hung from the ceiling emitting a gentle orange glow. Shelves housing various paint cans, brushes, and other artist supplies were in the back left corner while a myriad of white canvases were lined up on another.

As the two men stepped inside, Simon then let out an audible gasp as he looked over to the right and caught his portrait… now on a much larger canvas and strewn in a palette of gentle watercolor tones.

It was then that he felt his hand squeezed with only the slightest amount of pressure and that melodious tenor voice speak next to his ear.

“Happy Birthday, Simon.”

Chapter Text

October 10, 1987

8:42pm

Markus had been secretly planning this evening for weeks now. With Carl’s encouragement, he’d reproduced Simon’s original charcoal portrait as a somewhat larger version in full watercolor. He’d not been entirely sure if or how his new boyfriend would react such a gesture, but ultimately resolved himself to paint it all the same.

Ever since they first met, something about Simon’s presence that stirred up a whole new side to his creativity. Those pale blue eyes, cheeks with the faintest hint of color, and lips that send chills through him even upon the sight of the smallest of smiles.

“Happy Birthday, Simon…” he’d uttered near the shell of the blonde’s ear as his hand clutched just a little bit more.

When Simon didn’t let go, all doubts melted away with Markus soon pulling back with a hushed breath.

The blonde seemed to stare at the painting in sheer awe of it for some time before he finally swallowed and lowered his eyes towards the concrete floor. “It’s… thank you, Markus.”

The darker man’s brows faintly knit with concern before his free hand reached across and gingerly lifted that whiskered chin. “What’s wrong?”

The gentle motion betrayed the beginnings of tears appearing in the other man’s eyes. “I just…” Simon then bit both lips hard as the words faded away. A single tear then tumbled down along his cheek which concluded the quiet thoughts he kept locked inside.

This would be the first time Markus ever witnessed Simon cry. A vulnerability that most men had been taught to never expose. And yet… this simple moment further compelled him to soothe his companion by drawing him around and into a warm, comforting embrace.

His own thoughts moved at light speed as Simon’s chin settled upon his shoulder. He eventually sensed a pair of slender arms snaking their way around his waist as they both stood there in a serene silence. Fingers lazily shifted to slither up and down the other man’s spine until words from recent past recurred in his mind.

“I’m not what most would consider a ‘hunk’ by any stretch,” Simon had stated right before he’d been so bold as to lean in for their first kiss.

How stupid had he been all this time?

Markus’ eyes fluttered closed and turned his head just enough to once again whisper in his partner’s ear, “You’re beautiful to me.”

Simon’s form stiffened before retreating just far enough to spy the other man’s face in the near dark. His full lips parted as if a retort for the compliment was hanging in the air, but it was all for naught as they were ensnared by Markus’ own.

Dark fingertips once again tiptoed up the slim man’s back and around to prudently slip the top button open. Those same fingers creeped beneath ebony cotton fabric if only to discover a dusting of hair hidden within.

This motion was halted by a pale hand grabbing his own as Simon finally spoke, “I don’t want… to disappoint you.” His gaze shifted towards the new painting then back. “I’m still new to... this.”

“You think I’m not?” was the freckled man’s reply as he slid his hand away and instead pressed it lightly upon Simon’s chest. “Please let me see you.”

The color of Simon’s cheeks noticeably darkened even as curled fingers eventually retreated to his side. Eyelids fluttered closed and his chest puffed out with notable nervousness as he stood there… patiently waiting for Markus’ explorations to continue.

Even though the blonde couldn’t see it, a soft smile had formed on the other man’s face as both hands began the meticulous machinations of loosening each button with utmost care. Once he’d reached the last one at Simon’s waistline, the shirt was tenderly untucked and drawn apart like a grand curtain with a heterochromatic stare soon drinking in the sight of his lover's bare torso.

Light curls of dark blonde ran across the man’s chest as a similar scattering of hair began at his navel and traveled down just below his waistband. The cloth was slowly trickled down along his arms… uncovering a narrow frame with just a hint of musculature no doubt harnessed from years of accommodating various young children under his charge.

Blunt fingernails reached to massage Simon’s chest as Markus closed the gap between them with a brush his lips across the pale skin of his partner’s neck. He felt the other man’s head tilt and the faintest of moans emit from his throat as arms once again reached around the darker man’s waist.

“Won’t others see…?”

The question didn’t seem to deter Markus’ movements in the slightest as he grinned against soft flesh. “Not unless they have x-ray vision.” A thumb coasted over a pink nipple on its way southward. “And I don’t care right now even if they could,” he purred with his nose nuzzling against coarse chin whiskers.

The delicate quivers of Simon’s stomach beckoned a soft rumble from the other man’s chest as a forefinger traced around a small navel and then teasing down even further until the pesky button of the blonde’s Dockers was hoisted up and open. Each set of teeth of the pants’ zipper was patiently loosened, with the elastic band of white briefs soon peeking though.

Markus had never explored another man’s anatomy before like this. The only other man he’d even seen completely naked before now was Carl when he’d assist his mentor in the bathroom. And yet here he was… fingers and lips traversing greedily across such immaculate skin in an almost vain attempt to memorize as much of it as he could.

But he was not one to be a selfish lover. There was just a long enough interruption to his tactile gluttony for the man to reach down and pull his own sweater up and off to the side. Soon enough, flesh met flesh as bare chests touched and Simon’s eyes popped open in surprise.

“Wouldn’t be fair if I did all the exploring, right?” he mused and leaned in to once again devour parted lips.

The blonde’s only answer was a wordless ‘mmmm’ followed by his own somewhat calloused fingertips climbing at an intoxicating pace along Markus’ spine. A gesture which drew both a shiver and muted chuckle from the freckled man.

Markus’ own orchestrations led him to tuck a pair of fingers beneath the briefs… testing to see just how comfortable Simon would be to further disrobing. Perhaps to his own amazement, he soon felt his own slacks unbuttoned and zipper lowered with a fairly brisk yank.

“I want to see you first…” Simon whispered breathlessly as blue eyes twinkled with mirth. “Call it a birthday wish.”

Markus’ grin only grew in intensity even as he moved back just far enough for his lover to observe him in full. Shoes were slid off at the heels first, followed by his slacks cascading down to the floor and kicked off behind him. He knelt down to slide off one sock and then the other, leaving only a pair of cotton boxers as the one thing hiding the ultimate prize from Simon’s field of view.

His eye remained fixed on the blonde’s face as thumbs tucked beneath and drew the fabric down along his legs and then off to join the rest of his discarded attire. Standing up fully, arms dropped to his sides if only to grant his partner the spectacle of his now naked form.

While Markus was not blessed with nearly as much body hair as his companion, he did have a few thin follicles on his chest and a small patch of curls at his pelvis. Light freckles emblazoned his shoulders, chest, and upper thighs. His overall physique was trim yet athletic… like that of a runner or swimmer. His manhood now hung free; long, semi-hard… and waiting in pure anticipation.

Simon timidly bit along his lower lip yet smiled in appreciation of this gift. He, in turn, repeated the same motions partaken by the other man just a few moments prior. Pants followed shoes. Socks were pulled off one by one. Finally, he bent down far enough for his briefs to skate past thighs to his feet. Finally, he let loose a resigned breath and stood back up so Markus could embrace the sight of his naturalness as well.

The blonde hair from his navel did indeed continue on down toward his pelvis. However, slender hands covered one another in effort to conceal himself below the waist. This attempt at obfuscation only provoked the freckled man to stride closer until his own fingertips found and descended along the flesh of Simon’s firm belly. Nails traced through the spirals of hair until finally his hands gingerly tugged the nervous ones away.

“An angel should never feel shame,” Markus murmured with one hand reaching forward to administer a tantalizing squeeze.

The stimulation of that hand caused quite a stir as Simon drew in a sharp breath and then pressed his lips to Markus’ with greater intention. A soft moan followed as his mouth opened and allowed the moistness of his tongue to flicker across his lover’s own delectable lips.

Emboldened, the other man acknowledged such bravery by snaking his free hand around to grasp blindly at the smooth skin of Simon’s backside. The both of them panted and gasped through teeth and lips and tongues that conducted an intricate, lust-filled tango as the pair slowly stepped backward in tandem toward a nearby painting table.

“Gods… this can’t be real,” Simon uttered once his backside discovered the wooden edge. His own palm rising up to touch Markus’ cheek while pale eyes drank in the sight of his lover’s face in the near darkness.

The artist’s expression shifted into a somewhat sly grin. “Oh it’s real,” he countered with a hand once again seizing the length between Simon’s legs and treating it to a series of moderate strokes. “I want you… right here… right now.”

Simon’s head rolled back as near breathless cries escaped from his lips as Markus’ fingertips traveled over hardening flesh. His lover replied in kind by retuning his own soft lips to devour the pale skin of the other man’s neck. Bare skin was flush with arousal as his back arched and hips jerked forward.

It was then that Markus felt both of the blonde’s hands reach for his shoulders in tandem. “Maybe you do,” he whispered. “But I have no desire to be an angel tonight…”

The next few moments were a complete blur as suddenly the darker man was spun around and shoved backward against the table. A plethora of bottles toppled around them as his back landed firmly upon weathered wood. Muscular legs were pulled apart before he felt the heat of Simon’s body plummet on top of him.

The pale blue eyes were far from calm as lips fell to suck on one dark nipple and then the other. All of his lover’s doubt and hesitation had suddenly evaporated into the ether, and the man was now more than willing to demonstrate just how much he craved this after years of unrequited desire.

Simon soon raised back up… a pair of fingertips teasing across the tight bud of Markus’ entrance as his face shifted into one of silent questioning.

As much as he’d assumed that he would be in Simon’s position for their first time, Markus was not entirely opposed to this. His right hand reached for a nearby bottle of hand lotion Carl had forgotten recently and silently offered it with a warm smile.

At first, the blonde appeared confused as to the purpose of this offering. His eyes then blinked as the cogs of his brain eventually caught up and softly chuckled at the concept. Fingers reached up to pump some of the scented cream into his palm, then smooth it up and down before leaning in close once more.

Soon enough, Simon breathed a deep sigh as pelvis propelled forward at an agonizingly slow pace. The sound alone would have made Markus’ head spin, and yet this unfamiliar sensation caused his back to writhe with the initial pain to such an intrusion.

“Are… you okay, Markus?”

His lover’s concern brought forth a smirk despite the discomfort. His head nodded briskly then fell back against the table. “I’ll… I’ll be fine.” A hand then came to rest on Simon's hip... silently encouraging him to continue.

Markus was then all but paralyzed beneath as the other man proceeded to consume him with a relentless patience he’d never encountered before. The pain diminished if only to be replaced by an intense searing heat as their hips met again and again. Simon’s clear intent was to draw out Markus’ ecstasy along with his own.

And that ecstasy was personified by each and every wordless vocalization and face contortion that each of them would betray as their lovemaking continued. Simon’s lips fell open… begging to be kissed once more. The freckled man obliged this silent request by pulling the blonde down on top of him and inhaling the soft mouth above in emphasis of his own pleasure.

The intensity of such a hungry mouth served to spurn the man above him to quicken his movements. Blunt fingernails dug into the pale flesh of slim shoulder blades as the legs of the table jerked against the nearby glass wall. Simon’s sudden urgency was all but intoxicating… to the point Markus utterly neglected to notice when various open paint cans tumbled onto their sides.

Vivacious hues of red, blue, green and purple intermingled across weathered wood… their aqueous journey only interrupted by Markus’ skin quaking against the grain. This would be quite the thing to explain to Carl later, but he was not even cognizant at the moment to anything except his lover’s movements and the unbridled fervor building between them.

Simon’s head pulled away with his entire body writhing in near agony in a vain attempt to hold on just a little while longer. The other man, sensing this struggle, simply tugged him close… strong arms and legs cradling him as his own body shivered with the delight of it all.

Soon enough, the blonde buried his face against Markus’ neck and chest flush against him as his entire form shuttered with rapture. A series of unintelligible sounds pierced his ear soon enough before Simon all but crashed on top of him and dispersed all the air he still held in his lungs.

Dark fingers traveled upwards to calmly massage through damp tendrils of blonde hair as lips slowly smiled. Legs loosened their grip as he inhaled a series of breaths and turned his head just a touch.

“Definitely not an angel tonight, no…”

Simon lifted his gaze and let forth an almost boyish giggle. “Yeah I… I guess not.” He raised his stomach just enough to perceive if his partner had equally enjoyed this moment… only to instead observe a giant blot of blue and purple paint emblazoned upon both of them.

“Crap…” he began to say before a finger touched his lips.

“Shhh...” It was only now that Markus happened to notice the disarray of color splashed all around them. “I’ll clean it up later. Don’t worry about it.”

A pale nose wrinkled as Simon stood up a few centimeters more. “Not the paint. I mean… you.”

The artist pushed himself up on both elbows as dark brows furrowed. “What about m-?” His heterochromatic gaze then caught sight of his own length still lying against his pelvis… unsatisfied. “Oh...” was all he could say in response to that.

Before he could even further respond with another ‘I’ll be fine,’ all of his senses were flooded by Simon’s fingers enveloping him and commencing a steady rhythm that caused his fingers and toes to clench and curl in turn. His new lover was more than willing to reciprocate… and continued to do so until finally Markus let loose a cry that would assuredly wake the neighbors if their houses were any closer together.

Not that he cared at that particular moment, either. Fuck them all.

With the both of them now covered in an unusual recipe of body fluids and paint… Simon offered a much more chaste kiss before pushing himself up and offering Markus a hand to stand up as well.

“For the future, though… I think we should invest in some condoms,” Simon quipped as he grinned.

His partner huffed a laugh and muttered, “There’s one in my pocket over there. I just… well plans changed obviously.”

The slender man’s face fell slack before a punch found its way toward a green splotch on Markus’ upper arm. “You could’ve said something.”

“Would’ve ruined the moment.” His hand found Simon’s face once more and grazed the pad of his thumb along the bristles of his lover’s beard. “Why don’t we go shower and then enjoy some much-needed coffee?”

Simon’s smile was almost blinding in its radiance as his own hand cradled the other and offered a gentle squeeze. “Thank you… for all of this, Markus.”

The other man drew him in close… wrapping his free arm around them both. “You deserve it.”

Cleaning up the splattering of paint could wait. For now, Markus simply wanted this night to never end as he basked in their closeness… mess and all for as long as possible.

Chapter Text

The wind bitterly rustled unkempt blonde hair as Simon raised a hand to shield his eyes. His throat captured an especially unforgiving gust which in turn induced his lungs to cough uncontrollably. His shoulder pressed hard against the sturdy brick wall leading into Henry Ford Commemorative Park to otherwise shield himself from such a vicious attack of air and cold. 

His slim frame shivered harshly as he looked down with chilled hands drawing a dark trench coat even tighter around his torso. Fingertips absently combed across the thick tweed fibers as his head turned to catch a hint of Markus’ cologne along the pulled-up collar.

Not even the winter air could hide that magnificent fragrance from his nostrils. Lips turned upwards into a gentle smile while shaking hands descended into warm pockets for further protection.

Finally, the breeze rescinded its wicked torture just long enough for him to peek around the corner to further observe what may have further occurred within this once beautiful Park.

To Simon’s dismay, what he saw was as if shadow, color, even life itself had been washed away with only a vague resemblance of the area left in its wake. The gnarled visage of each tree loomed above him with branches void of either leaves or wildlife. The ground was covered in a mixture of snow and dark ice, and the sidewalk was riddled with cracks and cervices due to acute disrepair.

The blonde bit both lips hard and chose to defy the harsh gusts as he forced himself away from the wall. Meticulous steps were taken along such a perilous walkway even as his gaze drank in even more of the blanche scenery before him.

Footsteps paused once he took notice of the depreciated playground off to his left. The once bright tones of each apparatus had been stripped away as fractured paint along with metal afflicted with rust shown through patches of crystalline frost. An invisible breeze brushed past the one remaining swing which caused the most pitiful shriek to emit from its upper joints.

The man tucked his chin further inside the uprooted collar even as he turned to catch sight of the bench he’d first found Markus sitting on that calm November morning. Like the rest of his surroundings, the wood was riddled with decay and the once polished steel bolts holding each plank in place had all but sunk into the wood due to corrosion.

His chest brought forth a heavy sigh as his blue eyes absorbed each centimeter of decomposition… until he noticed a small lump along the seat blanketed with pristine snow. He brushed enough off the seat to expose both a place to settle into and whatever could be hiding underneath.

His hand discovered the rectangular shape of this elusive item as he sat down. He pulled it free from its frigid prison only to catch the series of large spirals along one side. Brows lifted curiously as a finger curled under the hard cover… prying the book open and immediately identifying one of Markus’ many still life pictures on the first page.

Simon felt tears prick the edges of each eye as he proceeded to flip through each page. Each drawing was more intricate than the last… with charcoal sketches chronicling just about every nook and cranny of beauty within this space. With anticipation, fingers turned the last page to his once again observe his portrait.

He breathed in yet another lungful of freezing air as an orange maple leaf came into view atop the crisp paper. His free hand began to shake even as the pad of his forefinger rubbed along each delicate fold and crevasse.

The irony of such vivid color present within this dreary setting… and yet his touch was no match for the swirls of wind which soon kidnapped his prize and whisked it away. Simon’s face fell slack with shock followed by panic as he stood up and took one step… then another as his slender form pushed back against the torturous breeze.

Determination soon took full control as the blonde sauntered forth into the pale void as thoughts focused on never letting go of such beauty ever again…

----------------------------

January 1, 1988

3:14am

Simon’s eyelids fluttered open as ears took notice of a police siren a block or so away. His tongue ran over a pair of parched lips as stiff shoulders attempted to roll backward. Such movements were stunted, however, by the realization of the warm body pressed up against him and an equally welcoming arm tucked around his waist.

Portions of their New Year’s festivities were still a bit hazy in his mind, but there was a vague memory of Markus and himself slipping into one of Carl’s guest rooms. His head lifted just enough to glance down and see that the two of them were still dressed, and the prompt throbbing of his temple was a dutiful reminder that he possessed a much lower alcohol tolerance than previously thought.

At least now he knew to not touch Tequila ever again. For better or worse.

A long breath exhaled from his chest as he shifted against the man sleeping behind him, which in turn caused his lover to let out an appreciative hum diffused by blonde tresses. Soon enough he felt that hand tug him closer in silent defiance that he wasn’t allowed to go anywhere else just yet.

Apparently, Markus wasn’t asleep either…

“Morning,” purred the other man spooned behind him as he scooted closer still.

Blue eyes squinted toward the far curtains. “Still dark outside,” he murmured just before those same fingers traced slow circles along his stomach.

“Don’t care,” was his lover’s response as Simon sensed an appreciative lump pressed up against his backside. A warm breath brushed along the back of his ear as those exquisite hips rolled forward just enough to proclaim Markus’ intentions.

Despite such pleasant circumstances, the blonde’s head was swirling from the aftereffects of far too many drinks earlier in the evening. “How much did you have to drink?”

The inquiry did nothing to deter those dark fingers from trickling on down beneath the waistband of Simon’s jeans. “Not nearly as much as you,” he whispered as the top button was popped open with his thumb and forefinger.

A pale hand clasped his lover’s wrist, holding it in place as Simon craned his head over a shoulder. “I’m serious.”

Markus groaned in faint annoyance and stretched slightly as his touch was paused for the time being. “Couple glasses of whiskey. Nothing I couldn’t handle. Why?”

The blonde frowned with his head thumping down against the comforter. “I barely remember anything after Leo dropped that second shot of Tequila in my hand." Said gesture did nothing to quell the pain inside his skull. "Probably should have said no after the first.”

The man behind him shifted and propped his head up against his free palm. “Let me tell you something about Leo. Carl didn’t even know he had a son until a few years ago which caused the kid to develop a lot of issues. The accident and me subsequently moving in to assist with Carl's lack of mobility has only broadened the rift between them. Occasionally he’ll act like an ass to get his father’s attention… often at the expense of others.” His other hand slowly raised to rest upon Simon’s hip. “Unfortunately, you became his target tonight.”

Simon’s fingertips massaged against the tender flesh of his forehead as eyelids fell shut. “I didn’t make a complete fool out of myself, did I?”

He then felt his lover’s chin lean forward as lips planted a gentle kiss against his temple. “Quite the opposite, as a matter of fact,” Markus answered in a soft tone tinged with just a smidgen of mirth.

Blue eyes flew open with his head turning just enough to see Markus’ face hovered above him. “What d’you mean?”

The warm smile on the freckled man’s face was enough to make Simon’s heart melt as he spoke further, “After your third drink, Leo decided it was time to dish out some homophobic insults in front of everyone at the party. Complained that his father had invited a pair of ‘fucking faggots’ to his house.” The smile faded just a touch. “The whole room then went quiet as he began pushing me… saying that I must be tired of getting so much pussy that I now suck dick instead.”

Simon’s entire body stiffened. “I hope you punched him or something.”

“Didn’t have to,” as that smile gradually returned. “I distinctly remember a slender blonde storming right up to him and saying, ‘Have you been in love, Leo? Ever? And I mean beyond the typical playground crush… where you knew for sure that someone loved you too. You see… love isn’t simple or pretty. Love… is complicated and messy, which is what makes it so extraordinary. Just because Markus is in a relationship with someone like me doesn’t make it any more or less important. So… think hard on why you have to reflect your misery on someone else just because he’s happy. Maybe then you’ll treat people with a bit more respect.’”

“I… said all that?”

“Word for word,” Markus replied with a gentle chuckle. “Leo’s face before stomping off had me wishing I'd taken a Polaroid.” His hand then softly grasped Simon’s chin. “You truly are an angel...”

Simon had been in awe all this time that Markus had chosen him. For all his fumbling affections and self-doubt, here was someone who so fully appreciated who he was… warts and all. This man had also miraculously encouraged Simon to discover a sense of confidence he'd never shown before.

An arm lifted up to curl around Markus’ neck and draw him even closer until mouths met for a lingering yet sensual kiss. Only when those selfsame lips pulled apart did he finally speak again.

“I love you…”

The pair of heterochromatic eyes above him blinked a couple of times before a thumb brushed across the smooth follicles of Simon’s beard. That tenor voice then fell to a whisper as foreheads met, “I love you too, Simon.”

Simon bit at his lower lip with a tender smile in response. A hand then carefully guided his lover’s own down along his torso until finally returning those irresistible fingers back below parted denim fabric. Markus pushed his hips against him once more and emitted a satisfied moan near his ear.

A shiver then ran between them as bodies joined and the whole world around them fell still. Such delicious intimacy soon encouraged both men to fully explore without judgment or fear for what felt like eons until each of them was fully spent.

As Markus once again drifted off to sleep, Simon's own tired gaze spied the closed sketchbook upon a nearby table and the delicate orange maple leaf resting atop its cover. The blonde released a content sigh as fingers reached down to intertwine within the darker ones snug against his waist... wrapped up in his own soft blanket of color and light.