Week Nine: excerpt of chapter eight

At 12:18 tomorrow morning,

                                    alcohol dripping from our

mouths

                                                      you taught me

                  { all your tricks. }

                                    So I could share them.

Once school started up again, they started hanging out less. Alex was expecting this; most of them were in year twelve, when university entrance was in the front of their minds and the work load was heavy. Mark and Aiden were in year thirteen, Aiden shouldering head boy duties and Mark trying desperately to catch up to his classmates. They all ate lunch together out on the field when the weather was nice enough, often going back to Carlos’s or Aiden’s or Jaemin’s houses after school or during free periods. Despite what everyone thought of him, Alex valued his education, so he stopped smoking and started studying hard. He passed all of his assignments with flying colours.

When the first term ended, they were all relieved to be free of their uniforms. Jaemin invited their group over to his to stay the night, promising an empty house and plenty of alcohol. Alex was eager to have a break, although he was still planning on doing a lot of studying over the two-week holiday.

When he got to Jaemin’s house, over the other side of school from Carlos’s and Aiden’s houses, he dumped his overnight bag in Jaemin’s bedroom and set in on the alcohol, pouring himself a vodka and lemonade that was probably too strong, but he drank it down anyway. Mark, Carlos and Aiden arrived together, walking over with snacks and more alcohol in tow. Carlos immediately attached himself to Jaemin’s side, but Alex found he wasn’t as bothered about it as he had been.

Things soon got out of hand, which was impressive seeing as all they were doing was watching movies. They decided to play a drinking game with The Room, which got them all drunk very quickly due to bad script writing. At some point during the second half, Mark went to the bathroom and didn’t come back until the movie was over. Alex, although his mind was clouded by alcohol, thought he should go and check on him.

“You guys start the movie,” he said, stumbling to his feet and picking his way across the mattress. “I’m going toilet.”

It took Alex a moment to remember which door was the bathroom. Once he found it he slumped against the wall and knocked feebly on the door.

“Yeah?”

“Minhyungie.” Alex’s voice sounded whiney even to his own ears and he closed his eyes. “You’ve been gone ages, are you okay?”

On the other side of the door, Mark sighed. “You can come in, Alex.”

The door was unlocked, but Alex still locked it behind him. When he turned around, one hand on the sink to steady himself, Mark was sitting on the toilet with the lid down. His hair was tousled, brushed back from his face as if he’d been running his hand through it a lot. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, and Alex’s eyes trailed over his forearms before looking at his thighs, spread out a little as he was sitting down. After a moment that probably lasted a bit too long, he lifted his eyes back to Mark’s face. His brows were furrowed, making a slight crease between them. His bottom lip was a little swollen, making it look like he’d been biting it.

Before Alex could think it through, he was moving forward and straddling Mark’s lap. He wound his arms around his neck and pressed their lips together, enjoying the soft sound of surprise that Mark let out against his mouth. He gave Mark a moment to adjust to what was going on, but was soon moving his mouth in a rhythm he hoped wasn’t sloppy. When he started running his tongue over Mark’s bottom lip, Mark started to pull away.

“Alex,” he murmured, words muffled by Alex’s lips. “Alex, stop.”

Alex pulled back. “Oh shit, oh my god, Mark I’m so sorry.”

He started to climb off Mark’s lap, but Mark placed his hands under Alex’s thighs and hoisted him up. Alex yelped and gripped onto Mark’s shoulders as Mark walked them over to the sink, sitting Alex down on the ledge.

“It’s okay, Alex,” Mark said, ghosting his lips over Alex’s. “I just didn’t wanna make out on the toilet.”

Alex threaded his fingers through the short hairs at the nape of Mark’s neck and tugged on them a little. He smiled as Mark’s eyes fluttered shut at the feeling and leant in to press their lips together. Mark was quicker to respond this time, digging his fingertips into Alex’s thighs and nipping at his bottom lip. Alex pressed his chest to Mark’s, still trying to stay perched on the sink as he tilted his head to deepen the kiss.

Kissing Mark was different than how Alex had imagined it. He had expected him to be more like Jaemin; a little rough around the edges and tasting like cigarettes. In reality, although he did taste a little of ashes, he mostly tasted of alcohol and strawberry lip balm. He was more fluid in his movements, more soft than Alex thought he was capable of being. His hands on Alex’s thighs were firm and warm, something to anchor Alex as his head felt light and his chest felt full. Slowly, Mark’s hands moved to Alex’s hips, his arms then wrapping around his middle to hold them together more closely as their tongues slid together.

Mark pulled away, only to start mouthing along Alex’s jaw, speaking against the skin of his neck.

“I’ve wanted to do this for so long.”

Alex blushed, tightening his grip in Mark’s hair as Mark sucked hard on his collarbone. His breath hitched and he tightened his legs either side of Mark’s hips and Mark left hickeys along the length of his collarbone. Alex just kept tightening and releasing his fingers in Mark’s hair, breath hitching when Mark pulled back and blew cool air over the trail of saliva he’d left over Alex’s sensitive skin. He lifted his head and returned his mouth to Alex’s. Their lips slotted together and they continued to kiss almost lazily, Mark’s hands soft as one held Alex’s hip and the other ran up and down his spine.

Just as Alex felt his head start to spin, there was a knock on the door. Alex pulled away and put a hand over Mark’s mouth.

“Yeah?”

Jaemin’s voice was muffled from the other side of the wall. “Are you guys done making out or should I piss in the garden?”

Alex felt his face flush as Mark just laughed, moving away from Alex to the door. Alex hopped down from the sink and went to join Mark by his side as he opened the door. Jaemin smirked at them, reaching out to ruffle Mark’s hair.

“Cute. Thanks guys.”

He shut the door behind him, leaving Mark and Alex in the dark hallway. Alex’s head was starting to swim a little, and he leant against the wall for support. Mark rubbed the back of his neck and cleared his throat.

“That was nice.”

Alex hummed. “You’re a good kisser.”

Mark beamed and Alex’s heart clenched. “Thanks, you’re not so bad yourself.” He looked down and kicked lightly at the skirting board. “Odds on it happening again?”

“Pretty high.” Alex reached out, grabbing onto Mark’s collar and pulling him down for another kiss. He held onto either side of Mark’s neck as Mark placed his hands on Alex’s hips again, but it only lasted for a moment before they heard Jaemin washing his hands and decided to go back to the living room. Mark sat down on a couch and pulled Alex almost into his lap, letting Alex cushion his head against his chest.