Chapter Text
He didn't really have any sort of plan. In all honesty, he'd just walked out house and let his legs carry him wherever they wanted to go. At first, he'd been confused about why he'd found himself at the park, but a quick survey of his surroundings made him realize that it reminded him of back home.
In this part of L.A., there weren't many nature landscapes. It didn't take long to find an empty bench to sit down on. The day was still early, so most people were generally at work. What had started off as any other day quickly took a turn.
Jack couldn't believe his eyes. It had been years since he'd last seen him. Twelve to be exact. He'd been fourteen when he moved back to Ireland and away from all his friends in the states, away from Mark. Sitting in a park, now twenty-six, he watched with wide eyes as his once best friend grinned at a tiny little boy, maybe six or seven, running around with a toy plane in his hands.
Mark had...grown. It was the only thing Jack could think of. Mark had once been the stereotypical geek with glasses and braces. His tall but skinny stature and participation in band hadn't helped his status. Now, however, Mark had filled out. He was broad, muscular, and his pasty skin was now vibrant and tan.
Also, his hair was now red. The boy he was watching looked like a miniature version of him without the glasses which Mark seemed to retain. Jack didn't know exactly how he'd recognized his old friend in the first place with the drastic changes in appearance. Maybe it was the smile. It looked almost identical to the one he had in high school when Jack would whispered stupid things in his ear just to get a reaction.
Jack could still remember when he'd confessed to Mark. He'd watched as Mark's usual grin slipped away into what had been shock. Jack, having mistook it for something else, tried to take off but didn't get far before Mark pulled him back into a hug and returned the feelings. That day had been the best day of Jack's life. Leaving had been the worst. The long distance thing hadn't worked out, and after two months of trying, they'd decided to just break it off with no hard feelings. Of course, they hadn't talked since.
Jack snapped out of his thoughts when he felt something solid and plastic hit him in the leg. He looked down to see the same toy plane Mark's son (he assumed it was Mark's son) had been playing with. Carefully, he picked it up and looked around only to have a forty pound child throw himself at him before climbing on top of his lap as if he had every right to be there.
Jack couldn't move. He was in too much shock to even try. Seconds away from attempting to move the boy off his lap, the kid turned around and grinned at Jack, his smile so innocent and pure, Jack wanted to melt.
“Hello, mister. I’m Lukas. Unc’ Mark’s been looking over at you for a while so I thought I say hi.” Jack didn’t know how to respond. He’d never met such a forward kid before, especially not one this young. Something in his chest had unclenched when he realized the boy was only Mark’s nephew.
“Uhh, hi. My name is Sean, but most people call me Jack…” Is what he decided to go with. A dark shadow loomed over Jack and the boy which almost scared the crap out of Jack. Looking up, he was met with the sight of a frazzled looking Mark, who watched him with eyes full of both fear and bewilderment.
He was about to speak, try and defend himself, but before he could, Lukas spoke up.
“Took you long enough, Unc’ Mark.” The boy chastised. Jack wanted to laugh but then he saw the tension seep out of Mark, realizing how scared the other man really had been at the prospect of losing his nephew somewhere in the park. Jack didn't really know what to say. After all, it had been a long time since they'd seen, let alone talked, to each other.
With a shaky voice, he said, “H-hey Mark. It’s been a while.” Mark just grinned at him and nodded before moving his right hand in an odd but purposeful way. His pinky stuck out while all his other fingers were held in a fist and his curved his wrist.
It looked as though he were writing the letter J into the air. Slowly, Jack realized Mark was signing his first initial to him. They’d taken a class together back in highschool to learn sign language. Though Mark had definitely been better, Jack still knew how to recognize most letters and some simple phrases.
Confused, he looked back up at Mark and finally noticed the rather jagged scar that ran the curve of his neck. The skin looked a though it had been ripped rather forcefully apart with something rough rather than just simply cut with a blade.
Jack had to force himself not to stare. Mark knew Jack could see the scar and just gave a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck as though he had done something embarrassing. He lifted both hands to sign this time, moving slowly so Jack would have time to read each word.
Been awhile, hasn’t it? He asked. Jack could only nod. I missed you. Jack grinned.
“I missed you too, bud. It's been too long.”