Chapter Text
“Luchino?” Finsen repeats the name name as if it were some kind of poison. He is jealous.
“What?” Marcus snarls and narrows his eyes as his glare darkens even more. “Got something against that?” The Cueist turns towards Finsen again and lifts his chin a little. In this moment he feels as if he were above the Dentist. Right now he has the upper hand; Finsen is very welcome to feel small in front of him.
“It’s just a shame. And here I was, thinking that you’d have better taste.” Finsen grins gently but as usual, it doesn’t reach his eyes. This man… What about him isn’t fake?
Marcus scoffs and rolls his eyes. “You… You say you like me, yet your words feel like poison, meant to put me down. But I won’t have it. Neither will Luchino. He knows what you did. And he will hear of everything you’ll do. So if you don’t want to be in trouble, I advise you to listen to what Oroheus told you yesterday - or keep what you promised. Our relationship is strictly professional. So keep it that way.”
And with that, Marcus leaves, practically hasting up the stairs towards the second floor. His heart is beating rapidly against his ribcage which makes him feel like he’s about to vomit. Hopefully the Dentist will take his warning to heart, or he’ll try everything in his might to bring him down.
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The word about Luchino’s and Marcus’ relationship spreads quickly and despite the Cueist’s idea to tell Norton, Ithaqua and Grace about their plan, Lily and Luchino want to keep it a secret, even from them, for reasons of trust. The less people know, the better. Although it felt bitter at first, Marcus understands the reasoning.
The less people know, the better.
At first, Marcus and Luchino can’t save themselves from the congratulations from others regarding their ‘love’. And while Luchino is very eccentric and credible in his acting, Marcus has his difficulties. It does in fact not come very naturally to him to fake a relationship because he just doesn’t know how it truly feels. Lucky for him, he has that very uptight image in front of others, so no one is expecting anything when he can’t act his part. As long as he doesn’t let anything slip, all is well. But even through the stress and exhaustion the staging brings him, Marcus feels like he can finally breathe again. He feels safe with or without Luchino’s presence and can go about his day like before plus some extras with his ‘partner’. After all, to make their act believable, they have to appear as a pair in front of others by coincidence and during little events. Marcus won’t lie, it’s quite tiring but the positives outweigh the negatives. After all, Luchino isn’t a bad guy to be around. He finds himself enjoying the other’s company - often shared with Lily. They are forming a little trio one might say.
And hey, at least this plan is bearing fruits; Finsen leaves him be. Of course that man can’t help himself but look at the Cueist but he hasn’t tried to assault him again so far - even when they talk they stay relatively professional. They bicker from time to time, yes; Marcus throws underlying insults at the dentist and hints at his creepy behaviour while Finsen tries to flirt and downtalk the other but nothing more.
Without the worries from before, Marcus can finally concentrate on what is truly important - like the hunts and Billard and keeping his friendships up. He socializes more now since Luchino and Lily are social butterflies and because of the very nature of the whole plan so naturally he connects to far more people this way or another. Hells, some even show interest in his profession, just as much as he is willing to learn about those of others.
So, after almost nine months, he is able to truly partake in this little community of misfits, all sharing the same fate.
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“Ah, you still have to get your prosthetics fixed!” Lily calls out as she and Marcus are sitting in the dining hall, eating lunch with a few other residents.
Marcus raises his eyes towards her, wondering where that suddenly came from, but she’s right. How could he have forgotten? It’s been almost a week now.
“Or have you grown used to your costume so much that you don’t want to get them fixed anymore?”, the Cheerleader adds with a mischievous smile as she rests her chin on her hands. Marcus furrows his eyebrows and shakes his head as he hurries to gulp down what he has in his mouth before he speaks.
“Gods, no. It just didn’t come to mind. I was busy with other stuff.”, he replies with a lowered tone, to which Lily giggles. She wiggles her eyebrows up and down, apparently hinting on something.
“Oooh? What ‘stuff’?” Mary asks from the side and leans over towards the Cueist who turns red at the implications of her emphasis on the word ‘stuff’.
“N-not that ‘stuff’! J-just hunting and sports, that’s all.” Marcus stutters all flustered while turning his head away in embarrassment to hide his face that turns bright red. But his behaviour only seems to egg on the woman even more who laughs amused.
“You’re forgetting someone~” Lily chimes into the joke while grinning from ear to ear.
This makes Marcus’ heart jump in his chest which in turn drives up his blood pressure, making him feel hot all over. “We-well, we are together, doing just normal… couples stuff I guess.”
“Mon dieu, you are so adorable when you’re this flustered! Look at you~ all rosy on your cheeks!”
A few others join into the laughter as well while Marcus only feels like wanting to disappear into the ground. This is so embarrassing! //Please, somebody save me!//
“Come now, leave that poor man alone. Any more blood in his head and he will faint.” All heads turn towards Alva as he speaks to lift some weight off the Cueist's shoulders.
Marcus praises the Hermit in his thoughts for his kind rescue. Any more of that teasing and his head would have exploded indeed.
“Sorry, sorry. How ill mannered of us. But really, these reactions were just too cute.”
“Stop it now, please. This is so embarrassing!” Marcus sighs heavily while rolling his eyes. “Really, the details of mine and Luchino’s relationship are none of your concern. And for the record: I don’t like to be called cute or adorable.”
But instead of getting another apology, Mary only grins and stretches out her tongue for a short moment, as if to tease him even more. It takes everything in him to not jump onto the childish behaviour of his colleague to mirror her action. No, he stays composed and clears his throat as he looks away from the devilishly smirking Mary, Lily and Mike, instead turning his attention towards the Hermit. His presence might be the whole reason why Lily remembered that topic. “Speaking of my prosthetics, I would like to speak to you, Alva, about the repair of them. Since Miss Nightingale told me she wouldn’t be able to solve the issue, I thought about coming to you with that matter.”, he explains across the table, since Alva sits almost at the other end. The man eyes him in silence for a moment, before nodding once.
“This we can do. But why not ask Burke? He might be better versed in that matter than I.”
“We’ll see about that. But I think that you’ll do just fine.”
“Very well. I’m free from five in the afternoon onwards. Just come to my room then.”
Marcus nods and says his thanks before he picks up his plate and gets up.
“Are you leaving already?” Lily asks in slight confusion to which the hunter nods. “Yes. I’m still busy after all.”, he says. “As much as it was a delight to sit here, I got to beat a few of your colleagues up.”
Lily giggles but there is a hint of concern in her demeanor. “Oh my. Please don’t wreck them too badly. I don’t want them to cry the whole time afterwards.”
The Cueist smirks and shakes his head. “I’ll try but I can’t promise anything.” With a last wave he leaves to head to the kitchen to take away his dishes. The sun shines brightly through the great windows of the entrance hall but quite the strong wind rattles against them, even though there seems to be no cloud in sight. Maybe a storm is approaching. Would be the first in a while, he thinks, before he pushes open the kitchen door. He is met with the sight of Luchino -in his hunter form- and Finsen having a staredown. What a coincidence that he has to find these two once again in the kitchen. The air is thick and he can only imagine why they are staring at each other like they want to tear each other’s throats out. At first they don’t even seem to notice Marcus who wants to take advantage of that and quietly sneak his way to the sink when he is noticed by Luchino first in whose line of sight he steps.
Marcus apologizes silently for intruding but is quickly asked to leave by a quick, almost hidden gesture with his partner’s hand, almost as if to prevent Finsen from noticing Marcus’ presence but it’s unsuccessful. Once Finsen knows that something is up he turns to look at the intruder. His gaze is as sharp as a knife, making Marcus freeze for a second. He swallows a hardening lump down his throat before straightening out his back to regain a little bit of posture. “What are you glaring at me like that for? Did I murder someone you like?” the Cueist asks cynically to which he earns a low growl from Finsen and a silent sigh from Luchino.
“No, but I don’t appreciate being lied to.”
Marcus’s eyes widen in disbelief and confusion as his voice gets stuck in his throat right when he wants to reply something.
“How often am I supposed to tell you this: We really are a couple! It’s not our fault that you seem to be incapable of accepting the truth!”
Gods, for a moment Marcus had feared that Luchino had let something slip, but apparently it’s just Finsen’s natural distrust. But that doesn’t make anything better.
“Wait, don’t tell me you’re still in denial just because you would like me to be by your side instead?”, the Cueist adds with a sly smirk on his lips. He crosses his arms in front of his chest and chuckles lightly which seems to drive the Dentist mad. “It’s just as Luchino said. I don’t even know where you would get that idea from that we could be faking. Absurd.” It takes him every ounce of acting skill he possesses to lie so confidently in front of his colleague but in turn it drives up his nervous system. He can’t keep his heart from racing as he looks up at the man he dislikes, keeping up his fassade by all means. Sadly, Finsen doesn’t seem to jump in on their little spiel - at least not anymore.
“I just find it odd that everyone I asked said the same thing; that they didn’t think that you’d be the type for something like this yet here you are, with a curious timing and a very convenient partner at that.” His eyes wander towards Luchino. He must hint at their talk the night before Marcus and the other got together. “Of course they’re happy for you two but some can’t help but wonder where this suddenly came from. It makes me doubt the sincerity behind your relationship. No, there are other motives behind that, I am sure of it.” Now Finsen looks back at Marcus while crossing his arms in front of his chest.
Marcus can feel his face heat up - he’s probably turning red from the sheer panic and anger he’s feeling.
“You dare-”, he mutters and steps closer towards his sworn enemy. So close, only a small gap is left between them. “Can you prove it?”, he spits with a lowered tone.
Finsen stays quiet.
“Tse. I knew it; you can’t.”
But instead of Finsen backing down, he leans towards Marcus, shortening the distance between their faces until he is close enough to hear Marcus’ beating heart.
“No, but can you prove that you’re sincere?”
Marcus’ eye twitches at that question ever so slightly and his hands tighten into fists. There is a coil in his chest, a storm and it threatens to break out. Were it not for his commendable ability to stay calm.
“Shut it, Finsen! We don’t have to prove anything to you!” Luchino argues back before stepping towards the two to get between them, but Marcus raises his hand, making the other stop in his tracks. Right now this is a thing between him and the Dentist. The Cueist doesn’t avert his eyes from Finsen even for a second.
“Luchino is right. But you seem so adamant to know the truth. How could I possibly prove to you that I really do love Mr. Diruse?” Marcus replies.
//Alias: What can I do to piss you off the most.//
Finsen starts to bite his inner cheek, probably thinking of something that would make Marcus break down but there is one thing: he will never break down easily. At least that’s what the smaller man thought.
As soon as Finsen thought of something, he started to grin wickedly, making Marcus’ heart race even faster against his chest.
“Well, there are many things only couples do. But I can’t help but wonder if you have already danced the devil’s tango if you know what I mean.”
“Adesso basta!”
Luchino’s voice is raised as he rushes towards the Dentist who is taken aback by the sudden outburst. He’s grabbed by the collar of his coat, just to get dragged towards the kitchen door which the reptilian man pulls open before practically throwing the Dentist out. Luchino doesn’t even say anything else as he throws the door shut again.
“He… Is really something else.”, the taller hunter growls before turning back towards the Cueist again. His face softens as soon as he looks at his partner who nervously bites on his nails.
“Smettila. You’re gonna break them.” he says softly as he walks over to the Cueist before gently taking Marcus’ right hand away from his face.
“Sorry…” The smaller man apologizes and shakes his head. He lost himself in his thoughts there for a moment.
“His implications got to your head, hm?”
A nod, followed by a deep sigh. “I thought of everything but that possibility. It was stupid of me to entertain him. I was just so… curious what would piss him off most if we did it and it seems like… this would be the ultimate proof.”
“Apparently, but we don’t have to do it, Marcus. Look, I know for you this is all just to get back at that… Stronzo, but this goes too far. Not because I don’t want to do it with you but because I know that you don’t want to. You don’t have to pressure yourself to do something you ultimately don’t want.”
When Marcus averts his eyes to look towards the ground, Luchino gently lifts his face back up by the chin while cupping his right hand with his taller left hand.
“Save your bodily innocence up for someone special; who you truly love. In the end, we can always lie to him. How does he want to prove us wrong? By stalking us to witness it?”
This picture seems to lighten the mood a little. At least it brings out a soft chuckle out of the Cueist who smiles softly. “You’ve got a point. That would be very creepy though.” Again he chuckles which makes Luchino’s heart melt right then and there.
“Oh yeah, very creepy. In fact, it would be another low.” The taller man adds to which Marcus laughs even more. It might just be his nerves that make him react this way because it isn’t really that funny but this sight means a lot to the reptilian man. He raises his right hand to gently pat through Marcus’ light blonde, soft hair. It’s so fluffy and adds a lot of volume, so when he presses down he’s reminded of how small and delicate Marcus really is in contrast to him. It’s then that he notices that his and Marcus’ tails are swinging in sync again; from left to right. Is it a coincidence or… could it actually be more? He looks down at Marcus who looks up at him with that soft smile and once again his heart melts to a happy little puddle. Did Marcus always have eyes this cute? Is it the shape or the expression or maybe everything at once?
“Hey, Luchino? Are you listening?”, he suddenly hears Marcus’ voice ring through to him. The reptilian hunter blinks a few times while looking a bit perplexed.
“Sorry, I spaced out for a moment.” He mumbles and scratches his head in embarrassment. Marcus hums in response and leans his head a little to the side.
Luchino seemed quite strange for a moment there - but not in a bad way. Rather… in a good way. The way he looked at him; with that admiration, or even adoration. It made his heart flutter slightly. “I said that I should get going. After all, I have to retrieve my cue from my room and then participate in a few matches. I’ll see you later.”, Marcus explains as he takes his dishes to the sink to put them in there. “I only went here to bring this away anyways. Who would have thought that I would meet you two by pure coincidence. You talked about me too. Just like last time - although, last time I didn’t enter.”
“Nah, instead you just eavesdropped.”, Luchino replies with a sly smirk and heads towards the kitchen aisle where he had put a cup of coffee for himself. It has cooled down quite a lot already. Lukewarm coffee… Great.
“Luchino?”
“Hm?”
“Can we try something?”
“Sure. What is it?”
Marcus steps in front of Luchino and beckons him with a small gesture of his hand to lean down to his level. When the unsuspecting hunter does, the smaller man presses a soft kiss on his scaly lips. It’s short; almost shy and unsure but endearing nonetheless.
“Thank you.”, the Cueist mutters, waves and leaves quickly through the door, leaving a perplexed reptilian hunter standing there.
Considering that they are only acting all this out, it feels surprisingly real at times.