Marcus’s hand gripped Cyrus’s tightly. “I know. And thank you, I really appreciate you, Cyrus.” He nuzzled into Cyrus’s neck after kissing his cheek.
“You can help, how well are you at dealing with people? You can talk down the next few schemes they plan on doing to your patients.”
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Cyrus nuzzled Marcus back, pressing his cheek into Marcus' soft hair.
"I have to do it all the time. I ought to be half-decent at it," Pollux replied, "What do I need to do?"
Cyrus' expression shifted to one of discomfort. He really didn't want to drag this guy in any more.
Marcus hummed happily at the touch, looking over at the other male in the room with them.
“Talk with Thomas. He’ll help you fix it all… your patients will be safe after this is over.”
Marcus looked at Cyrus and bit his lip.
“But you don’t have to, you can stay here.”
"Of course I want to do what I can to help," Pollux said, "Except… I want to prevent additional future patients, so the ideal would be to stop fucking killing people."
Cyrus frowned. Of course he wasn't going to say no to that.
"Good luck. They're hard to deal with. Don't get killed. And uh… don't overextend yourself, please."
Marcus bit his lip, looking away from the others. “Killing would stop… I don’t want to kill anyone. I don’t like killing anymore than you do.” He replied, burying his face into Cyrus’s neck.
“Don’t hurt yourself, too Cyrus, you both be careful.”
“Of course,” Cyrus murmured, “I’m just… concerned about him…”
“Hey, look, I only have to talk to people,” Pollux reassured him, “I’ll be okay.”
Cyrus bit his lip. “I’m not stupid. You stayed home today, didn’t you?”
“Thomas is a decent guy. He’s not going to hurt anyone.” Marcus reassured Cyrus, pressing a gentle kiss to the spot his lips met skin.
“But if you’re sick, you shouldn’t be out and about. It’s not good for you. Resting is better.”
“Well, I know that,” Pollux sighed, “But I’m not contagious at least, so like… eh… I guess I could just communicate over the phone or something. Might have go to the doctor. Also need to get my meds refilled… ugh… what a pain in the ass.”
Cyrus crossed his arms. “O-okay. If you two think the idea is alright.”
He tilted his head.
Pollux pursed his lips. “When did you two start dating?”
Cyrus looked to Marcus nervously. Two days? About?
Marcus laughed softly at the complaints, nodding his head. “It is a pain, isn’t it? I hate getting sick.”
He looked to Cyrus and smiled happily. “It’ll be alright, Cyrus. If this goes well, I won’t be hurt and neither will Pollux.”
And then came the question Marcus knew would pop up. He blushed a light pink and slid closer to Cyrus.
“Yes, about two days.”
Pollux’s expression changed to one of concern.
“Two days, huh? Look, if you’re actually a good guy, you won’t take this personally,” he turned his gaze to Cyrus, “Please, for the love of god, do not get your ass used again.”
He started coughing again and walked back to his bedroom, obviously trying to hide it as well as he could.
Cyrus let out a heavy sigh. He walked back towards the coffee table.
Marcus flinched internally at the words. He wasn’t using Cyrus was he?! Is that what it looked like?! What if he actually was…? What if Cyrus left?
Marcus bit down on his tongue, watching Pollux leave. He shifted nervously, not following Cyrus.
“I don’t want to hurt or use you. I hope you know that’s not my intention…” he whispered quietly, hoping it was loud enough for the other to hear. “I like you. If I ever treat you wrong please tell me.”
“I know… That wasn’t targeted at you. It’s not really about you so much as it is my tendency to… you know, get attached to people, and often have them be the wrong people,” Cyrus reassured him, “I really think you’re a good guy, and I feel comfortable with you.”
Cyrus reached for the inhaler on the table and followed Pollux into the bedroom.
“Hey, you need this?”
“Nah, I’m gonna do a breathing treatment. You two can leave if you’re done, or wait for me. I don’t really care. So uh… insurance screwed me over and I haven’t had long-term control medicine for like two months, is all,” Pollux explained, “I’m trying to sort things out. It’s okay. Go on, now.”
He shooed Cyrus back into the living area and closed the bedroom door.
“Did you want to head out, or do we have more to say to him?” Cyrus asked Marcus.
Marcus nodded gently, slightly relieved that Cyrus didn’t think lowly of him.
He watched as he walked off, biting his lip. Marcus didn’t do much while he waited, mostly rocking back and forth in anxiety. He was waiting for the text he’d receive from Marx, and was mentally preparing for the worst.
He glanced up when Cyrus returned, flashing a small, sad smile.
“We can go. I don’t have anything else to say. Just that I hope he does okay.”
“He’ll be fine. I’ll message him later to make sure. But uh… are you sure you’re good? You look worried,” Cyrus said, ruffling Marcus’ hair a bit.
He led the way out, reaching out to hold the other’s hand.
“I’m scared. I really don’t like being with Marx… he’s terrifying and rude and forceful.” Marcus took the other’s hand and held it tightly, linking their fingers together.
“Where do you two meet? I can be on standby to finish the job or help you home, or whatever you need,” Cyrus offered, “I know this must be awful, but… it’s near an end.”
He squeezed Marcus’ hand in reassurance.
“At the house. In his room. He has enough decency to make sure it’s just us but I think he also doesn’t want anyone else looking at me. He’s possessive.”
Marcus leaned into Cyrus, kissing his cheek gently. “I can’t wait for it to be over… i can’t do it anymore. I need it to end.”
“I know… but I can at least be in the area in case things go wrong,” Cyrus said, “I don’t want to like… witness any of that. The mere idea pisses me off.”
He leaned into Marcus’ touch.
“And if shit hits the fan, I can just be there to shoot him or something.”
“If I get called would you stay in the area…? I’m sorry you have to deal with all of this, it’s not fair to you. No one wants a boyfriend who’s sleeping with someone else regardless if it’s consensual or not.”
“I’ll do whatever you need me to,” Cyrus agreed, “but you know I chose you despite your situation. Don’t worry about that. I’m only concerned for your safety.”
Marcus turned his head to hide the water in his eyes. He bit his lip and nodded gently, unable to get full words out.
After a moment he gently tugged on Cyrus’s arm. “Thank you.. let’s go back.”
Cyrus reached a hand over to rub Marcus’ arm.
“Anytime, love.”
He kissed Marcus’ ear.
“We can cuddle while you wait for something to happen, if it does. I know it won’t fix things, but it might keep you a little calmer.”
“Please… I like your cuddles.” He murmured, nuzzling against Cyrus with a small smile.
“They feel good and help me relax.”
“Alright, I’ll gladly do that for you,” Cyrus agreed.
They drew closer to Marcus’ apartment, and Cyrus waited for him to lead the way and open up the door.
Marcus couldn’t shake the feeling of dread that rose up in his chest as he approached his apartment. It felt wrong.
He was about to slide his key into the door when he noticed that it was already unlocked. He groaned internally.
“Marx is here. Act like we’re just talking business.”
Cyrus nodded firmly, but in his left hand, he clicked the safety off his gun. It was just loud enough that Marcus may have heard. He wouldn't necessarily go in for the kill, but he was considering it.
Shit, my stuff is in there… Cyrus thought, Hopefully the bastard doesn't catch on.
Marcus flinched at the small sound, turning his head to look at Cyrus for a moment. His face paled but he still turned to open the door.
Marx had laid himself out on the couch and was watching the door intently. Marcus immediately went tense as the bastard sat up, grinning wickedly.
“I hope you don’t mind that I let myself in. I just wanted to pay my Marcy a visit~” Marx grinned patting his lap.
His grin vanished the second he saw Cyrus behind Marcus. “Who’s your friend?”
"Friend is a bit generous, I'd say," Cyrus replied, "Remember me from a few days ago? I'm a hitman from Nightshade. Lazarus has requested that I keep up with some of the Silence members. Keep relations good and whatnot."
He leaned back in the doorframe.
"Am I intruding?"
Marx nodded, tilting his head at the other with a curious look.
“Ah, so is that your stuff here?” He asked, nodding towards the bedroom.
“Yes! It’s temporary! I gave him the room. I’m sleeping on the couch, it’s purely for work.” Marcus squeaked out, taking a hesitant step towards his leader.
“No, you’re not intruding if you’re living here with him.” His eyes flashed dangerously as he looked over Cyrus. “Mind your business. It wouldn’t be good if you touch what’s mine.”
Marcus whimpered, knowing for a fact that he was the subject of the matter.
Cyrus scoffed.
"Christ, I've been here because I'm gathering intel on a hit that your guys handed over to my father," he said, "I don't know what you think I've been doing, but you could really afford to back off on the hostility."