(no subject)
All right! So this is the last of her things. All she has to do now is find Becca and tell her about moving out and she'll be all set. Oh, and one other thing. She has to make sure Mark's ok with the kitten. She'd hate to give it away, but she will if she has to. All of her things are piled at her feet as Nev pulls the little calico kitten free from the pocket it was more than happily riding in. "All right Mimi, make your cutest face." She states and knocks on the door. She holds up the confused looking kitten to eye level of where Mark will be as soon as he opens the door. "Mew?" Poor Mimi, so undignified.
Saturday's are something of a favorite to the boy, since he doesn't have to wear the shackles of work. He in a grubby work t-shirt and shorts which are smudged with old paint stains. He glances up at the knock and his brow creases slightly. After all, who would be knocking? Mark clicks the TV off and pushes himself off the couch, almost falling down as Roger staggers up to running barking at the door. He steadies himself with a hand on the coffee table, and finally gains the balance to move forward. "M'comin'" He mumbles sleepily and leans forward, pulling the door open only to see a... cat? Mark almost jumps back, but instead leans over on his heels. "Woah. Hello there... Nev?" He questions, seeing the girl for the first time.
Nevaeh waits patiently in that position. It's only when he calls her by name that Nevaeh's head pops up next to the kittens, eyes wide and pleading, sparkling with silver. "Hi sweetie pie." She whispers nervously and moves the kitten closer so that the cold, wet nose nuzzles against Mark's cheek. Mimi sniffs twice before deciding it's a face that needs cleaning and begins to lick at his cheek. Nevaeh giggles but quickly returns her face into the cutest of pouts. "Her name is Mimi and she's adorable and I love her."
It doesn't take long for Mark to figure out what is going on. His eyebrows fall into a flat line, though occasionally one ticks up slightly. His eyes barely move as the kitten noses him and licks his stubble (since he hasn't bothered shaving today). Mark turns his cheek and rubs at it, giving the kitten a look. "No." He says in a dull response to her pleads. "No no no." Mark responds, holding up his hand. "Roger would eat it." He motions down to the dog who is... wagging his tail and grinning? Stupid dog.
Nevaeh's face falls from a pout and right into sadness as her lower lip trembles and her eyes fade from silver to gray. "But.." Then come the three other no's and she falls quietly. "K." She promised she wouldn't argue with him if he didn't want her. "I'll find a shelter to bring her to then. One that doesn't kill the animals." Ooooh guilt. Vile woman! She leans down to pat Roger, holding the kitten protectively as she lets the puppy sniff.
Mark rolls his eyes as Roger gives the kitten a huge lick. "See? See there! He just got a taste to ze kitten!" He stammers, trying to curl a hand around Roger's wagging. Mark grumbles as Roger noses Nev's hand. "Pathetic. Some dog." Though his eyes tick down to the cat. He wasn't any macho guy, and cat's have always been a favorite of his. And this one is /cute/. Mark fidgets and sighs. "Just come in." He finally grunts, stepping aside.
Nevaeh watches and holds back a sly smile Roger licks the kitten. She slowly let's the kitten go and watches as it stalks around Roger, eyeing the wagging tail with avid curiosity. Oh! Moving thing! The kitten leaps up in an attempt to grab at the tail but simply falls flat. It's quick to hurry back to it's feet, tail high, expression screaming 'you saw nothing'. Nevaeh laughs to herself before offering a quiet look to Mark when he tells her to come in. "I luff her." She whispers again and nuzzles his nose with her own before kissing the tip. "And I love you." She has to pause her cuddling to scoop up the rest of her stuff still scattered on the floor.
Mark wrinkles his nose up at the kiss, her eyes crossing as he watches the gesture. "Do not be zinking I am so easily swayed by flirting, Neveah!" He says, watching her pick up her things and head in. Mark shakes his head in frustration and closes the door, letting himself become interested in the cat. Mark lets out a laugh, and quickly tries to form it into a cough. At the moment his face strangely mirrors the cats in the 'you heard nothing' sort of way. "So... Mimi, huh? Why did you get ze little chat?" He asks, the last word thick in his French accent.. since, well, it's a french word.
"Yup, Mimi. We already had a Roger. I figured why stray from RENT names when they work so well." Nevaeh keeps her expression and tone unflirty as she takes her things right into the bedroom, deposits them for later organizing and comes back out of the room. If he won't be swayed than she won't flirt, hmph. "Tyanna gave her to me as a gift."
Mark sighs and leans up against the back of the couch, his hand running through his hair. He watches the kitten as it weaves through Roger's legs, the puppy looking rather delighted at the new little thing. Mark barely glances up as she leaves into the bedroom and reenters. He remains silent for a moment as the kitten comes over, looks up at him, and starts to rub up against his leg, purring. The boy looks rather defeated as he looks to Nev. "In Europe, one of ze greatest insults is to not accept gifts." And that's the closest to yes she'll get.
Nevaeh watches silently as the two play with each other. She just knew that Roger would enjoy the kitten. He's a big, dumb, sweet, softy. And she loves that about him. As the kitten rubs up against Mark's legs purring that tiny little purr, once more silver eyes lift to study his expression. She can't help but grin and walks forward to kiss his cheek. It's not flirting, just an honest peck. He just melts her heart sometimes. "It's pretty much like that here to."
Mark grumbles and tries his very best to act macho about it. "Sure, yeah. How you say, 'whatever'." He steps over the cat, looking worried as it follows him. "All right. Yes... you can stay. No more need of sucking up!" Mark scolds the little thing, bending down and scooping it into gentle hands. He holds it out at arms length, studying it. "Mimi." The boy says, as if matching the name up with the kitten.
Nevaeh giggles. "You're so cute when you're trying to be so mean and manly." But it's awfully hard to be manly when you have a cute kitten wiggling in your hands, then pausing long enough to lean down to sniff the hand, licking it with affection. Who needs to suck up when you're naturally the cutest thing in existence?
Mark looks slightly annoyed that his act was caught. "It has been too long since I was on stage, it seems." He comments dryly, holding out the kitten to her. "Well, all right. But she is /your/ er... ah, I have forgotten ze word, but you will be taking care of her!" He mumbles, feeling a flash of annoyance in him. "And make sure zis chat a été vacciné contre la rage, et l'analyse de sang donnait un résultat positif!" Without relizing he has slipped, the boy continues into the kitchen. "I will not having her get Roger sick!"
Nevaeh frowns at him quietly at the annoyance that seems to be sprouting up from everything she says today. Maybe this was a bad idea. "You want me to make sure she has her shots and can't get pregnant?" She guesses quietly and follows him into the kitchen. She steps up close and pries the kitten from his fingers, holding it to her chest watching as it snuggles in against her and sighing. "It isn't worth annoying you this much. I'm sorry I brought her here. I should have known it was too early. I.. I'm sorry." She turns to walk back towards the bedroom where she dropped her shoes.
Mark cracks open the fridge, his eyes widening as he realizes he's just spun off some French. "Erm.. no! No, I meant zat she needs to get... ah, vaccinated and her blood tested." He calls over his shoulder, grabbing a beer and turning around to find her retreating. "Chéri..." He says sadly, setting the beer down. "I am sorry... I just... did not expect. She is very cute. Here, let me have." Mark goes to jog around and in front of Nev, offering to take up the kitten. "Very sweet, yes?"
Nevaeh is clinging to the kitten still, cuddling it against her chest, cheek pressed into soft fur. "I know you didn't expect it. And I've only just moved in I shouldn't have expected you to welcome her with open arms. It wasn't fair of me to spring her on you like this. I can find her a good home if you're only doing this for me." She reluctantly releases the kitten to him. "I just want you to be happy." Which he most certainly does not seem to be. "Very sweet."
Mark cradles the kitten gently, his left arm hooking over and his right hand pushing the kitten onto her back. She lets out a tiny mew and reaches a paw out to press against his nose. Mark smiles carefully, stretching his lips to kiss the pink paw pad. "She is not so bad. I am sorry... really, I just was not thinking about it. Zis is your place too." He admits. "Do not be worrying so very much!"
Mark laughs and looks up to her. "Mimi. It fits, yes pookie?" He says, trying hard not to smile.
Nevaeh watches Mark play with the kitten and feels like crying, her arms wrapping around her stomach and clinging to either hip. Bottom lip is quickly pulled between her teeth as she fights back the tears. It's so sweet that she can hardly stand it. "But it was your place first, and I didn't have the right to intrude." She whispers, afraid to lift her voice any higher than that. His laughter brings a light smile to her lips as a soft pink tear rolls down her cheek. "Yes pookie." She sniffles. "It fits very well."
Mark wiggles his fingers gently into the kittens stomach, looking pleased with himself as she lets out a satisfied purr. "Do not be silly. It is fine. It is not like I even own ze place myself." Mark reminds her, letting the kitten flip over as he gently sets her down. "Ah, she can stay of course. But only if she gets along with Roger." Mark warns, refusing to look at the two pets sniffing each other. Mark looks up in time to see the tear, his face falling as if on que. "Nevaeh! What is zey matter?" He demands, stepping forward to embrace her. "I am sorry! I did not mean to hurt you..."
Another tears follows the first, still pink and leaving a softly hued streak along her cheek. Happy tears, they're pink. He looked so sweet with the kitten, in his arms, wiggling his fingers against it's tummy, just as if it were a little bab.. no, she doesn't allow her thoughts to go there. Not now. "Nothing is wrong." she whispers, her words a promise as she wraps her arms tight around his waist. "I just love you so much is all."
Mark frowns for a moment, squeezing her into his arms to make sure she's not going to break down on him. He finally pulls her arms length and gives her a good looking over. "Well, ah, if you say so." The boy mumbles, though he does not sound sure. "You love me... and I make you cry because of it? Ah, you make zis French boy feel guilty, you do." Mark says with a small laugh. He hefts her up gently, bending his back for better balance. Mark smiles up at her, looking very pleased with this position.
Nevaeh returns the squeeze before blushing at the look he gives her. "You shouldn't feel guilty. They're happy tears. Happy that I have someone in my life that lets me feel this way." She replies, tone sweet before her eyes suddenly widen in surprise. "Mark!" She squeals, giggling and doing her best not to wiggle as she's hefted up. She doesn't want to be dropped after all.
Mark twirls slightly, though his movements are exactly quick due to the added weight. He brushes his nose up against her chin. "All right! I do not feel guilty, no no." He assures her, his grip tightening slightly. He chuckles as she says his name. "Oh? Do you not like? What are you going to do, fly away?" Mark jokes, but then realizes he's talking to someone who can /fly/.
"Well I could! But why would I want to leave you behind?" Nevaeh asks with a bright sparkle in her eyes. But she will help him out a bit and float just enough so that he's not forced to hold up so much body weight. "and I do like it. I was just surprised." She blushes.
Mark narrows his eyes, waiting for the que that comes. After all, he's taught himself to remember such things. "Leave me behind? You could go on to somezing much better!" The moment that he feels her weight let up, he unwraps his arms and pushes up on her as quickly as possible, attempting to send her up into the air. "Oh... yes... surprise!" He calls out, hopping back with a huge grin.
Nevaeh shakes her head defiantly. "There is nothing better in this world for me, than you my love." Nevaeh assures before she finds him pushing her backwards. It only takes a moment for her to catch herself, surprise lighting her eyes. "Boy! Don't make me bring you up here! Because I will drop you!" she states and takes off through the air, circling around him like a shark in water.
Mark bends his knees slightly, clamping his hands over his head, his black hair getting pressed down at odd angles. "Hey now! Remember! I am important! Because... I, erm..." Mark pauses, peering up at her. "Because well... because I'm good in bed, zat's why." He jokes, sticking his tongue out. "Besides... I'm a fat one. You could never be lifting me!"
Nevaeh laughs out loud as his excuse for being important, continuing to circle around him in mid air. "Are you? I can hardly remember. I think I'll need proof." A wicked gleam in her eyes as she stops in front of him and reaches out to wrap her hands beneath his arms. "You are not so heavy." She whispers and strains for a moment, lifting him in her grasp as they both begin to float.
Mark stands up straight and crosses his arms. He tilts his chin up and closes his eyes. "Is zat so? Well, it just so happens I think you should work for such an honor!" Mark says pompously. He cracks his eyes open to catch the wicked look. "What? Wait!" He calls, but it's too late as he finds himself in the air. He slaps his hands over his eyes and tucks his knees into his chest. "Ahh! I... well... huh..." Mark at first sounds panicked, but after a moment he opens his eyes and peers at the ground. "Cold... no, cool! Yes, cool."
Nevaeh pffts and shakes her head. "Aint gonna happen sugar, not after the way you walked out on me the other day to walk the dog. That was just mean!" Nevaeh points out, smiling as she nuzzles his ear. "Don't worry, I won't drop you." She whispers. "Wraps your hands around my waist." She informs him as they begin to float a bit higher, she takes them dancing across the air.
Mark relaxes and hooks his feet under hers, his eyes turning back to Nev. The boy frowns, looking guilty. "Nev... you said I should take care of Roger! And... wait, did I miss out on getting some?" He asks, his eyes rounding. "Merte." He grunts, and wraps his arms around her waist. "Ah, this is quite fun. Hold on! I have an idea! Lemme down... I feel adventuresome." Mark growls playfully.
"I was going to screw your handsome, French brains out dear. But you walked out." Nevaeh sighs, wistful for the lost love making it seems. As he growls at her, Nevaeh giggles and slowly begins to lead them back towards the floor. "Adventuresome hm? I'm intrigued!"
Mark feels a hot blush grace his cheeks as he averts his eyes. "Ah, so you aren't as innocent as you pretended to be!" He says, giving her a cutting look with a smile. He stretches his legs out, planting his feet on the ground. Mark pulls away from her as he connects with the ground. "All right, all right! Step back... hold on..." He holds out his hands and backs up, watching her with a grin. The boy heads over to the large window and fiddles with the bottom, tugging and pushing it open with a grunt. He leans out and looks down at the five stories below him. "Perfect." Mark mumbles and turns to look at Nev. "Play a game of catch, no?" He asks, climbing out the window and slinging himself over the fire escape railing.
"Of course not darlin'. It's all for show! I'm quite the actress though aren't I?" She giggles. and watches as she pulls away, confusion lighting in her eyes as he steps towards the window. "What on earth are you doing?" She asks as he leans to look out the window. And as he climbs up onto it, she feel her stomach twist and is already shooting after him like a bullet. Quite speedy when she wants to be it seems. So fast in fact that as she darts down she's actually below him, grunting with the strain of having to catch him before he can impact with the ground. Her grip is precarious, but she manages for the moment, silent strain showing on her face as she lifts them both back up towards the window.
Mark feels the split second of panic as he falls, but he's more than prepared. Mark watches the ground coming closer, twisting to fall with his back down. He closes his eyes quickly and tucks himself into a smaller ball, feeling the flood of relief as he finds himself in the arms of Nevaeh. Mark's eyes open slowly, and a ear-to-ear grin lights his face. "Ah! Now zat his what I call a rush!" He exclaims, wiggling his fingers happily. "Can we play again?"
They're up in the air and through the window in seconds. Damn, she's /fast/. Mark is unceremoniously dumped on the floor as a trembling Nevaeh whips around to slam the door closed, fiddling with the lock over and over until it's finally closed. What was fun for him just scared the living daylights out of her, and her legs, wobbly from the shock refuse to hold her any longer as she collapses into a sitting position, taking guard against the window so he can't do that again. "No. Never again."
Mark finds himself in the living room again, and also find himself falling a much shorter distance towards the carpeted wooden floor. He lands with a grunt, rolling a few feet before sitting up. There is a moment before he sits up, feeling slightly dizzy. "Ow." He mutters, kneading the heel of his palm into his forehead. Of course, he still feels the pumping blood and can't help but look delighted. A look that is only deflated slightly by Nevaeh. "Aw, but it was fun, Nev!" Mark retorts, keeping his eyes on the window.
"It was fun? FUN!?" Nevaeh asks as she suddenly back up in the air, her feet floating a few inches off the ground, hair and eyes blazing red. Even the air molecules around her body seem to be blazing a faint glow of red. Hell, even she didn't know she could do that. "You threw yourself out a window! You could have died!" She could have been a few seconds slower and he would have died and it would have been her fault. "I already lost one person I love. And you think it's fun for me to almost lose another?"
Mark cowers back as she flips, his eyes widening as far as they'll go. His very favorite color! Mark feels himself shaking all over. If he was paying more attention, he'd hear the scampering of cat and dog claws across the floor as they shoot into the bedroom. Animals always know what's up. Mark bites his bottom lip, his feet tucking in together. "Nev! No.. wait.." He says, trying to interrupt her with no avail. Finally the boy holds out his hands, his fingers spreading out wide. "But I am not dead! I am very much alive! I knew you would get me, zat is why I did it!" He pleads, trying his hand at a nervous smile. "Adventure! Adventure and your Marky is still alive!"
The aura of red around her seems to be the first to fade as she falls back against the ground and crumbles to her knees, a soft whimper as she lands on the right one. "And what if I wasn't fast enough? What if I didn't catch you?" She asks and looks down at the floor. "You would have died because I failed you. Nobody else can die because I failed them. Nobody else Mark." That wasn't adventure, that was the snapping of a very delicate psyche that had finally begun to reheal itself.
Mark suddenly feels the weight of guilt fall onto him. He frowns to himself, shrinking back from her rather delicate looking form. He glances to the ground, then back at her. "Nevy..." He says, getting up on his hands and knees and crawling over to her. Mark attempts to wrap his arms around the kneeling girl. "Shh! Shh. I am fine! I knew you would not fail. I was not worried. You should not be. Shhh." Mark tucks his head down to look into her eyes. "You caught me! No need to dwell on anyzing else, yes?"
Nevaeh looks up as he calls her name, deep blue having long since replaced the red. "I'm sorry." For her weakness. Sorry to take away the joy he found in such an act. But he could have died, and she would have been the one to blame. "I don't want to lose you." She whispers as she collapses into the arms that wrap around her, her own clinging tight around his waist.
Mark gazes down steadily into the blue eyes. "Do not be." He replies softly, rolling onto his rump and pulling her into him. There is a moment or two of silence, and Mark presses his cheek against the top of her head. "You are not. Even when I die, I will still very much be with you." He points out carefully, planting a gentle kiss to the top of her head. Mark begins to rock very gently. "You did not fail me. You could never fail me. Never."
All that joy and happiness that has finally began to bubble its way back into her heart, now gone in a downward spiral as she clings like a child to the one stability in her life right now. "I don't want you to die." Ever. It's not allowed, she has to go first. He tells her she can not fail him, and she can't believe. But she can take comfort in the words.
Mark gently uses his hands to rub her back, letting her take full reside in his lap. "Hush. You know I am going to. Even mutants do not live forever." Well, most of them don't anyways. "You have to promise me zat if and when I die, you are going to be okay?" Mark asks, sounding very concerned. He slips his hands to her arms, leaning back and looking her over. "Nev? Will you?"
Nevaeh eases against him after a time and does as she's told. She hushes. She isn't sure it's a promise she can make. Not so soon after all of this. "I .. don't know. If you died tomorrow I'm not sure I would be." Her mind could easily snap if she lost Mark so soon. "But maybe in time, once other wounds have healed.. maybe then I would learn to be ok."
Mark draws her back in and nods. "Really, Nev. I was just having fun. Please, I did not mean to be upsetting you." He mumbles gently into her ear, looking worried. "You were just starting to act like ze old you. Please, do not be so worried! I am only a boy. You could do /much/ better, I assure you!" He protests, chuckling carefully. "You will learn, of course. But even if it does happen tomorrow, you need to promise you will keep on living."
The thought of losing him forces that tremble to be a little longer lived than she might like, but the gentle assurances, and her own stubborn thoughts are quickly forcing it to subside. "I'm sorry. I was so scared. I'll.. be better in the morning. I promise." She whispers, even if she has to fake it. For his sake. "You are not just a boy, and you /are/ better. You're perfect and I love you." She doesn't want anyone else. "I will continue to live until I avenge my daughter's death." But if he died tomorrow, she could not promise anything more than that.
Mark reaches his down, sliding it just behind her knees. The boy squints his eyes as he pushes himself up, keeping her curled into his arms. "I love you, too." He assure the girl, presses a kiss to her forehead. He seems grim as she mentions their daughter. "Zat I do not doubt." Mark mumbles and looks down at her. "Do you want to go to bed? Or shall I make you some tea?"
Nevaeh tilts in against him, resting her head in the crook of his shoulder. "I would just like to go to sleep please." She whispers. Go to sleep and forget this day ever happened. Perhaps tomorrow she can find joy again.
Mark nods and heads towards the bedroom, letting the girl down on the bed gently. He slips down into the bed with her, making sure he's gently placed at her side for easy access. Not thought is given to PJ's, they probably should just pass out right now. Within a few moments Roger and Mimi have both clambered onto the bed, curling up together at the foot of the bed. Mark sits up and smiles down at them. "Look, ze whole family is here." He whispers, leaning down to give her a soft kiss.
Nevaeh pulls his arms around her. Tonight she wishes to wrap herself inside of him and just know that he isn't dead. And most likely won't be for a good, long time. "So it is." She whispers, fixing a smile just for him, long lashes fluttering closed at the kiss. "I love you.." she whispers before letting the gentle sway of sleep claim her.
Mark is completely fooled by the smile, his chest swelling in the joy of thinking she's already getting over it. He allows her to wrap herself around him, fully acknowledging her need to hold onto him. He nestles back into the covers and the bed, letting his arm lay over her and his forehead press against hers. "I love you too, Nev. We all do." Mark watches her fall asleep, a smile still on his features. "You are going to make a wonderful mozer." Mark whispers, before closing his eyes and following her into sleep.