Take It Off
They go back to Esca's apartment for the night. Esca orders Chinese and they eat out of the cartons, standing up in the kitchen, before going to bed.
Esca falls asleep almost immediately, but Marcus can't settle down. He slips out of the bedroom quietly and goes down the hall. He wanders around the apartment, staring out the windows and wondering what is happening to his life. He doesn't know any more. Paulo's not going to pay him back. Deep down he knows this. There's nothing he can do.
He could keep stripping, and hopefully do enough VIP room appointments that he'd manage to save enough again, but how long would that take? He leans his head against the cool glass of the window.
At last he turns his attention to the room around him. Esca's apartment is comfortable, but devoid of anything personal. Chairs, desk, couch, stereo, TV, paintings, potted palms...that was it. Not that Marcus's place is any better. It's a shithole with no personality. He doesn't really have a home. The only place he's been happy is in Scotland.
At last Marcus flops down on the couch and stares at the ceiling until he finally drifts off.
In the morning he's woken by the sound of Esca talking on the phone in the kitchen. His voice is too low to hear what he's saying. Marcus just turns over and lets himself listen to the murmur. He doesn't want to wake up and deal with the day.
Esca hangs up. He glances at Marcus, and then grabs a pen and a piece of paper. He scribbles a note and leaves it on the coffee table. Dimly, Marcus hears the door open and close. Then he's left alone in blessed, peaceful silence.
When he wakes at noon he reads the note. Food in the fridge. Eat something. See you at the club tonight. E.
Marcus showers before finally going to look in the fridge. There's fruit and half a gourmet pizza. Marcus eats two peaches and three pieces of pizza. He also finishes off Esca's milk.
When he's done, he goes home to his own apartment. He doesn't want to be there.
He goes to the club early and practices backstage. Cottia watches him with amusement.
“Save it for the stage.”
“Why?” Marcus does a little shimmy and she swats him with her t-shirt.
After his shift is done, Marcus waits by Esca's office door without being summoned. Esca gives a look when he comes out, but says nothing.
“Come on then.”
Esca drives them back to his apartment where he pours them both large glasses of red wine to drink while he cooks the pasta.
Marcus has finally discovered the one personal item, at least he assumes it's personal. It's a print of a street in London, startling real in its detail, hanging in a corner of the living room. He stares at it while he finishes his wine.
“Do you miss it?”
It takes Esca a moment to realize what he's asking, and even then he stays silent until, finally... “Yes.” He takes his plate and silverware over to the sink to rinse them.
“You never want to go back?” Marcus doesn't understand why anyone would move to L.A. when they could be in London.
“I can't go back.” Esca bites out fiercely, glaring at Marcus over his shoulder.
Marcus looks at him in surprise. “Why,”
Esca's already turned away. “Talk about something else or be quiet.”
Marcus stares down at his plate, shoulders hunched. He'd thought they were past moments like this. Esca making him feel ridiculous. Esca's moved over to his desk, he's not paying any attention. Marcus sighs every softly to himself. Maybe he should go back to his place.
He doesn't want to.
At last he goes over to Esca's stereo system and looks over his music. Esca has a varied collection and it takes Marcus a little while to find something. At last he does, and puts the CD in.
“What're you doing?” Esca asks without looking over at him.
“You don't want me to talk.” Marcus hits play.
He starts swaying slowly, rolling his shoulders, stretching his body until he can't help it any more and just dances. There in the middle of Esca's living room. He doesn't care that Esca's leaning back in his chair now, watching him. Marcus turns to face him, simply dancing. It's loose and easy and comfortable.
Esca's got his legs spread wide, hands on each arm of his chair as he watches silently. Marcus makes his way over to him and drops to his knees between Esca's spread legs. He crawls up over Esca, straddling him, bending all the way back so his crotch is rubbing against Esca's, while his head's nearly on the floor, before pulling himself back up.
“You are fucking flexible.” Esca murmurs.
Marcus smirks, arching against him. Esca's hands slide into his back pockets, pulling at his ass. They grind against each other, breath coming faster and faster, as Esca sucks hungrily at the curve of Marcus's neck. Marcus's heart is pounding in his chest. His dick is so hard from the friction, and then he's coming in his pants, like some fucking kid, and Esca's just leaning back in his chair, grinning up at him.
“Fucker.” Marcus says. Esca's still hard.
Marcus slides off him and presses his mouth to Esca's crotch. Esca stiffens, his hands holding tightly onto the arms of his chair. Marcus licks across the dampened material. He can taste a hint of pre-come, and he licks harder, nuzzling at Esca's cock.
“Marcus.”
Marcus carefully licks along the outline of Esca's cock, the sucks gently at the head. Esca utters a sharp, pained, growl and comes. Marcus sits back and watches the stain spread across the front of Esca's trousers. He knows he looks pleased and he doesn't give a shit.
“You.” Esca just shakes his head and pushed Marcus back, standing up. Slowly, he unbuttons his shirt, dropping it on the floor. His ruined trousers go next, and then his shorts until he's naked. Marcus just sits there, watching.
“Your turn.” Esca says.
Marcus gets to his feet and reaches for his shirt. He pulls it over his head and lets it fall. His hands fumble with his jeans, because Esca's just standing there, naked. So fucking gorgeous, it makes Marcus's heart stop.
He pushes his jeans down and steps out of them, then kicks his boxers off.
Esca looks up at him, raising a hand to trace a bruise on Marcus's chest. “What was the fight about?”
“My roommate...” Marcus winces at the memory. “He stole my savings.” Every last cent. His dreams are much pretty over. He'll never get that money back from Paulo. He doesn't want to talk about this, doesn't want to even think about it. Instead he leans down and kisses Esca before he can anything else. His hand cups the back of Esca's neck, pulling him closer.
Esca's chest is against his, Esca's hands are on Marcus's hips, holding him and Marcus just keeps kissing, taking everything Esca's got and more, he needs more, he's fucking drowning. He wants so much, and he knows he'll never get it, but this right here, this with Esca is all he has. And it's only for right now. Marcus isn't an idiot, but he's willing to take right now for all it's got.
Marcus breaks the kiss, reaching down to lift Esca up. He half expects a fight, but Esca goes with it, wrapping his legs around Marcus's hips as Marcus carries him over to the wall.
Marcus just holds him there for a moment, pressed against the wall. His breath is shallow. He wants...what does he want? Then Esca leans in to lick carefully across his right nipple, before biting it.
“Fuck.” Marcus roars.
Esca ignores this as he takes hold of Marcus's cock, positioning himself over it. “Come on, Marcus.”
Marcus responds by thrusting inside him. Esca's legs tighten around Marcus as they fuck, muscles straining. Marcus is sweating, fingers digging into Esca's ass. He feels like he's never going to come, and they'll just fuck forever until he collapses. Then Esca bites his other nipple and Marcus comes with a shout, gasping as he sinks to his knees, Esca still wrapped around him.
Marcus is bruised inside and out. He can't take anything more tonight. Esca slides off him, somehow still able to stand. He rests a hand on Marcus's neck. “Come on, Marcus.”
And Marcus goes, pushing himself up. He follows Esca to the bedroom where they fall asleep, stretched out in Esca's bed, limbs tangled together.