I’m going to be fucking late on my first day.

Sean was running through the street, swerving through crowds and around people. He was met with many profanities and shouts of anger that he did his best to respond with a ‘Sorry!’ and a bright smile. His alarm hadn’t gone off this morning because like a dumbass, he had set it for 7 P.M. rather than A.M. He was just lucky enough to have loud as hell neighbours that woke him up around 7:30 with a bout of morning sex. As soon as he had the money he was getting the fuck out of that crummy ass apartment. After he whizzed through his morning routine, which he managed to cut himself shaving and bang his shin against his bedpost, he booked it to his bus stop only to see it pull away before he could get on, driver pretending to not see him frantically waving his arms, hollering out. Sean let out a frustrated groan and checked his phone. It was 8:10, the next bus wasn’t scheduled until 8:50, and his shift started at 9. After throwing some swears around in his head, he turned on his heel and started booking it to Cinnamon Ken.

He stopped at the lights, hands on his knees as he caught his breath and checked his phone. 8:58. Sean cursed under his breath, he was still a good ten minutes away. He hopped from foot to foot, waiting for the little white man to pop up before taking off again, many dirty looks being thrown his way. At one point he misstepped around a construction pylon and took a nasty tumble, shouts of alarm reaching his ears. Sean groaned loudly, just loving how this day was going and prayed he’d just get hit by a car and at least have an excuse for being late. He was about to hop back up when a hand popped into his view. He looked up to see a woman, a gorgeous woman, holding her hand out to him. He accepted the help, the two shuffling off to the side near the mouth of an alley way to avoid the pedestrian traffic.

“Thank ya for that. Seemed like the only one to bother giving a shite.” Sean brushed his pants off and readjusted his bag on his shoulder.

“Oh please, don’t worry about it, I’m glad I could help. Highlight of my day.” Her voice drew Sean as he took her in. She had black hair, cut in a short bob, with large sunglasses covering most of her face. He was stunned for a moment before he shook himself, and smiled.

“Glad someone’s day is made.” He looked at his phone again and saw it was five after nine. Shit.

“Sorry, I gotta run. Thank you for helping me with my rather graceful goof.” He smiled bright as he turned to run again.

“It was my pleasure, Jack.”

Sean stopped, whipping back around to face the woman, only to have her vanish. What the hell? Where did she go? And how the hell did she know his name? Sort of. He was a little freaked but he didn't have the time to ponder that now. He was already late to his shift. He would worry about it later. God it wasn’t even noon yet and he was already done with today.

It took another two minutes of running and shoving through crowds before he finally saw the store in view. He did a quick scan of the road before sprinting across the street and practically fell through the front door. He stood up straight breathing heavy as he was met with a full view of his new boss who basically beat his back with his hand. Jack did his best not to show his reaction.

“There ya are. We were just talking about ya. Meet my good friends here, Felix and Mark. You two, this is my newest employee, Sean McLoughlin.” Well, he didn’t seem to be angry about him being late, though Ken had seemed like a pretty laid back guy the few times he had been in the store before he was officially hired. He looked at the two men in front of him, Felix, a tall, lanky, white haired guy, who had an easy smile on his face, and over to Mark, when his breath caught in his throat. The man was gorgeous, raven black hair, golden skin, and deep brown eyes. His chiseled jaw and defined body was just perfect and so unfair. Sean straightened up a bit, and berated himself for not choosing something a little nicer, rather than his current band tee and skinny jeans that had seen better days. Maybe this day wasn’t going to be so bad after all.

He extended his hand to Mark, hoping it wasn’t as sweaty as it felt, and put on his best smile.

“Nice to meet ya! My names Sean, but most people call me-”

“Jack”

It took Sean a minute reveling in the man's voice, another perfect aspect to this perfect looking man, to realize that he had said ‘Jack’ at the same time as him. He looked at Mark, taking in the way the man stared at him, eyes wide and his mouth slightly agape. Did he seem pale? Felix’s head snapped over to Mark, then back to Sean, his eyes widening as well before he nudged Mark with his elbow. Mark snapped his head over to Felix and the two shared a look before Mark looked back over at Sean, who still had his arm partially outstretched, looking confused along with Ken.

“Uh, sorry about that, uh. Hi, I’m Mark, obviously.” Mark went to accept his hand then pulled back and settled on a small wave. Sean retracted his hand, a little slighted, but still mainly confused, feeling oddly energized.

“Yea, uh, hi.” He shoved his hands in his pockets and rocked back on his feet. “So, did Ken here tell ya my nickname then? Seeing as you interrupted me and beat me to the punch there.” He gave a lopsided smile trying to keep his tone light in what was very quickly becoming an awkward as hell situation.

“Oh, uh, no, he didn’t. You just remind me a lot of someone, a Jack, I used to know, and it just took me by surprise. You two are basically identical, really. Sorry if I came across as rude. It wasn’t my intent.” Mark had seemed to regain whatever composure he had lost earlier.

“Really? Huh. Small world.” He didn’t do a very good job of keeping the doubt out of his voice, at what seemed like a really crappy excuse, but something in Mark’s voice sounded sincere. Last thing Sean needed was stalker, even if he was attractive.

“Yea, it really is.” Sean felt Mark's gaze resting heavily on him, and he felt an odd sort of excitement and warmth. Other than the weirdness that just happened, he seemed like a nice guy, one who was still hot as hell, and Sean sincerely hoped he’d see more of him, which was very possible if they were good friends of his boss. Score one for America.

They all stood there for a moment in silence before Ken clapped his hands together.

“Well alrighty then. Introductions are done, it’s time to get to work boys and girls.” He started on his way to the desk, followed by Felix making some fuss about how Ken looked at him when he said girls. Mark stepped aside, arms sweeping to the side as he gestured for Sean to go forward with a smile that made him weak at the knees. He wanted to see that smile in its full glory. God I hope you like men.

“Why thank ya, what a gentleman.” Sean thickened his accent as he walked by, giving his hips an exaggerated sway, to be taken as flirting or joking around, and felt quite pleased with the small gasp he heard behind him. He got up to the front and walked behind the counter, shoving his bag underneath before addressing Ken.

“Sorry for bein’ late, about everything that could have gone wrong this morning did, an’ then some. I promise it won’t be a reoccurring thing.” He threw on his best puppy dog eyes, something he learned at a young age being the youngest of five. Had to get your way somehow.

“Don’t worry about it dude, as long as it doesn’t keep happening, a little tardiness here and there never killed anyone. Just don't be late for any scheduled appointments, ‘cause I’m the one that will have to deal with the dissatisfied customer.” Ken waved him off.

“Eh, can’t that bad, you deal with a dissatisfied wife every day.” Felix shot at Ken, then immediately ducked at the hand that came swiping at him.

“Watch it, ya Swedish meatball, or you won't be getting anymore ink from here, and that means full price somewhere else.” Ken glared, but there was no real threat in his words. Felix snickered behind his hands before putting them up in a sign of surrender, With Mark coming up behind shaking his head and muttering something under his breath. Sean tried his hardest not to stare, he really did.

“Alright, I give. Let's get this done then, ya Irish potato.” Felix turned to Sean as he spluttered, redirecting his attention that was starting to drift.

“Irish potato? Who the hell-” He stopped, realizing he was talking to a customer, friends of Ken or not, and looked back at his boss a little frightened, but he was just laughing.

“Come one Felix, give the new guy a break from your shit for like a day.” He turned to Sean. “Feel free to beat this guy if he gives ya any issues. I swear he’s nicer than he looks. Smarter too, sometimes. You’ll be starting with him today, in studio two. Felix, just come on back when you’re ready.” Ken started on his way back. Sean turned to the others, about to give a signature smile to Mark, as Felix and he interacted, his smile slipping. Felix had his hand on Mark's arm, and the other on his shoulder as he leaned in and talked quietly with Mark, who responded with a nod, and a couple murmured words before Felix leaned in to hug him tight with Mark practically nuzzling his face in his neck.

Sean turned away, feeling heat run up his neck along with disappointment. They seemed to be more than just friends, by the way they just interacted. At least I know he likes men. He made his way to the studio feeling dejected, where Ken gave him a quick review of the equipment and locations of things when Felix entered the room, and the door chimed at the front.

“That's just Mark,” Felix said to Ken as he was going to check the front. “He had to run some errands, I’m gonna be picking him up later.”

“Alright, I’ll leave you to it. Just holler if you need anything.” Ken waved them off and he walked back to the front. Sean looked over at Felix and gestured for him to take a seat on the chair there. They discussed the design he wanted, which would be located on his left forearm, then Sean prepared the stencil and started the machine. While he worked they made small talk, discussing family, where they were from, why they moved, etc. He had to admit, Felix was pretty cool. He was funny as hell, and a total goof but had the wisdom about him. Sean asked a lot of questions on what it had been like adjusting to a totally new country and got some helpful tips from him, even gave him his number if he ever needed anything, said him and Mark would be more than happy to help.

Sean hesitated a second before continuing. “So, you and Mark, you guys a thing?” Sean flicked his eyes up to Felix before back down to concentrate on his work.

“Why, you interested?” Felix said looking at him with a coy smile. "I mean I understand, my meatballs have tempted many a’ lads. Not to mention Mark. God his wurst is just... Bellissimo!" Felix said kissing his fingertips with teary eyes. Though the small exaggerated jacking off before resting his arm did not go unnoticed. Sean had to keep himself from spluttering and fucking up the ink. He pulled back for a sec to wipe the arm and composed himself a bit.

“I was just asking, from what I saw earlier, you two hugging and... yea. Just curious is all. You two look good together” Sean could feel his neck heating up as he kept his head down and focused on Felix’s arm.

“Mark and I do live together,” Sean deflated at the comment before he continued. “But we are just roommates, and very, very good friends. Been through a lot together, him and I, he basically family, but no, we aren’t in a relationship.” Sean felt a seed of hope flare back up, and maybe, he had a chance here.

“So, uh, is he seeing anyone? Mark I mean?” Sean tried so very hard not to sound too forward, he was essentially talking to the man’s best friend and would be the first line of defense for potential partners.

“Nope, Mark is as single as they come. Many people have tried to score that piece of fine ass but none have succeeded.” Felix paused and Sean could hear a smile in his voice. “But something tells me that might change soon.”

Sean’s eyes flicked up to Felix’s again, and he gave a small smile before focusing back on his work. I think I’m going to like it here.

Mark ran, ran as fast as he could through the desert area outside L.A., pushing himself as hard as he could. Jack, it was Jack. His Jack, his first Jack. In all the years that he has met him, they never looked the same, other than they eyes, and they had never been from the same place. But now, Sean, Jack, he looked exactly the same, save the green hair and tattoos. Mark came to a stop, he was in the middle of the desert and he threw his head back and screamed as loud as he could. He fell onto the ground and heaved heavy breaths, on the verge of panic.

He knew he would find him sooner or later but not this. He wasn’t expecting this. And when he spoke, Irish accent heavy and thick, it sounded just as he remembered, Jack’s voice clear as day in his mind like it was yesterday.

Why was this happening? Why was he being punished this way? He always loved every iteration of Jack he met, but none had ever been as strong as his first, as Jack McLoughlin had been to him, and he could already feel the force of his pull to him as strong as ever. Mark choked on a sob. He couldn’t watch him die. He couldn't watch Jack, Sean, die the way he did all those year ago in that cabin. Mark didn’t think he would survive it. He wouldn't survive it. He couldn’t get close to Sean. He needed to get away, far away. Maybe this was a sign, maybe this curse, his hell, was ending, going full circle and coming to a close and Jack would finally be at peace and live his life how he was supposed to live it; without Mark there fucking it up.

But Mark had a life here now, friends, a job, Chica. He couldn’t just get up and leave, with no reason, no notice. And Felix had just found Marzia, and he knew Felix would never let him leave on his own, and he couldn’t do that to him. Mark couldn’t leave. But he could still avoid him. They didn’t go to the shop all that often, and as long as Mark didn’t take too many unnecessary adventures, he could easily avoid him. He had to. If this was the end to the curse, maybe this was the last time he would find Jack. The thought sent searing agony through his heart but it would be for the best. He was poison to him, the reason for his deaths, basically a murder weapon wielded by fate to rip him from this world only to repeat the process, to punish Mark for his misdeeds.

He stood back up, looking up into the sun. He knew what he needed to do, what he would do, to protect Sean. What he wanted didn’t matter, and he stamped down on the desire he had to run to Sean, to grab him tight and never let go, to whisper apologies and confessions of love to his ears. He wanted his touch, the feeling of his skin and the electric pulse that accompanies it, to hear that Irish lilt as he whispered his name, to hear what it sounded like when he gasped his name, if it matched the ways he had imagined it so many times, based on the memories of other Jack’s through the years that he had lain with.

Mark shivered and let out another choked sob out. He wanted it so badly, so much that it physically hurt, but he couldn’t. He had to protect Sean, keep him away and give him a chance to live his life and maybe finally break this damned curse that had been plaguing him all his life.

Mark looked over the horizon at the city below that housed the man he loved. He made up his mind. This time, Sean would live.

And Mark would never see him again.