Jack groaned as his alarm began to go off. Sliding his hand over the couch cushion, he blindly tried to find his phone. The noise was bothering him. It was too loud, and it was making his head sore. Finding his phone, he pressed the button to shut it off with a groan. He felt too tired and drained to get up. Shifting to lay on his other side, he felt a strange warmth beside him and snuggled closer. The strong musky smell of sweat and heavy cologne filled his noise, but his brain couldn't process what that meant. At least until someone brushed his loose bangs away from his eyes and whispered to him so serenely. "Good morning, Jack." Jack groaned dismissively, then his eyes sprang open to discover Mark laying right beside him. Mark flashed him a wicked smile and Jack jerked his head up. Mark wasn't just lying beside him. He was lying beside him naked! His hair was messy, and his body had thin raw lines down his chest and shoulders. None of them were deep and most were already fading but they were distinctly claw marks from fingernails!

With a startled yelp, Jack misjudged how close to the edge of the couch he was and rolled off it with a loud thud. Propping his head up on his hand, Mark chuckled out coolly. "Boy, you're spry this morning. Where do you get the energy." Scrambling to sit up against the coffee table in a flail of limbs, Jack sputtered out. "What-? Why are you-? What happened last night?!" Wincing as his head got a sudden sharp pain through his temple, he hissed and glanced around the living room for hints. Seeing only a discarded towel and an empty jar of pickles. Not even the juice was left inside. Staring at him with half-lidded eyes, Mark grumbled out. "You don't remember? I thought you Irishmen could hold your liquor?" Scowling at him, Jack retorted icily. "That's an insulting stereotype! By that logic, shouldn't you be a straight A student! You're Asian!" With a smirk, Mark uttered with amusement. "Part Korean. Actually. Good to know you haven't lost your sass." Jack's face paled and he glanced down at himself to see that he was just in his underwear.

Crossing his arms over his nipples and shutting his legs, he stammered out a little shaken up. "What...? What do you mean by that? What did I lose last night?" Mark raised an eyebrow, his eyes finally opening enough to take in Jack's terrified features. After a moment of silence, Mark asked him groggily. "What do you think happened last night?" Swallowing, Jack hugged himself into a tight mess as he shrugged out. "I... I remember waiting up for you... but... it's all a blur after that. Did I...? Did we...?" Mark's lip curled into a wicked little grin that made Jack drop his face into his hands. Only to hear Mark tell him genuinely. "Nothing happened. You were asleep when I got home, and I was going to take a shower... but decided against it." Locking vulnerable eyes with his, Jack blurted out reluctantly. "Where are my clothes? Why didn't you dress yourself?" Yawning, Mark gestured to the bathroom before answering. "You got up to throw up. Stripped yourself down and fell back asleep. I was going to dress myself... but you kept getting upset every time that I got up. You kept telling me that you didn't want to be alone."

Slowly sitting up, Mark stretched and added through another yawn. "You even apologized for cheating on me with Kyanna." Shaking his head, Jack mumbled out in a voice filled with doubt. "No... I did say such things..." Chuckling to himself, Mark teased back lightly. "Ok. You got me. You didn't apologize for Kyanna. But you really should. You are technically engaged to me." Blinking, Jack asked perplexed. "What? How did you know about Kyanna?" Sliding off the couch, Mark headed for the kitchen, answering gruffly. "You weren't at lunch. Someone from your class said that you were headed to the nurse. I got worried... Went to see if you were ok." Jack's cheeks burned so hot that he thought he'd melt when he mumbled aloud. "You thought...? Oh..." Preparing the coffee to brew it, Mark shot back. "Ya. I saw. I'm not upset. Just... be more careful. If someone sees you cheating... you could get put into solitary confinement or sent packing." Easing up onto his feet, Jack asked cautiously. "You aren't mad?"

Mark paused what he was doing, refusing to look at him when he answered softly. "You caught me kissing Chad. I'd be a hypocrite to yell at you for the same thing. You told me you're straight. I get it. Why would I be mad?" Walking around to lean against the kitchen wall, Jack guiltily told him. "I don't know. I just feel like... like you're upset with me. I wasn't going to hide it from you. She... She wants to switch with us." Mark didn't look at him as he pressed the button to start brewing the coffee. Allowing him to continue uneasily. "She's getting a new partner at the end of the week. What do you think?" Mark was silent for a time, then finally turned to tell him. "It's what you want, isn't it? Do whatever makes you happy." Walking passed him, Mark collected his towel off the floor and headed into the bathroom. Following him in, Jack nervously blurted out as Mark climbed into the shower. "This affects you too. Do you want to or not?" The water roared to life, before Mark called out to him. "It doesn't concern me. Now go get dressed or join me."

Realizing that he was still in his underwear, Jack blushed and quickly retreated from the bathroom. Getting dressed for the day; Jack met up with Mark to get coffee before heading out together. It was hard to ignore the awkward silence between them, but he hoped the day would turn around. Today there was a meeting for the entire college in the assembly hall. Which they were a few minutes late for. Yet, Mark was a pro at slipping inside unheard and unseen. Coaxing Jack to sit on an open bench before joining him quickly. The principal and staff of the college were all seated on the stage at the front of the large gym, while someone paced along the stage informing everyone. "This is an event that is held every year. You will dress appropriately, partake in dinner, and dancing. You will mingle with other couples and play games. It's meant to be fun and allows you to bond with your partner more." The person stopped suddenly at the podium, stating seriously. "This carnival has a history of revealing a couple's issues. Cortana will be watching. This is not graded... but we will monitor your behavior. We want you to have fun and get to know each other in a neutral environment."

The principal then stood and added loudly. "Every carnival we have at least six couples slip into solitary confinement. The temptation for sexual actions in public will be high. The temptation to cheat will be high. Resist it or end up isolated and psychoanalyzed for a few days. People have been permanently removed from society during these events. You don't want to be one of them. You have been warned. The event starts today at four pm and ends at midnight. Dismissed." Jack swallowed and looked to Mark. Beside him, Mark looked both irritated and bored as he scrolled through his phone. Getting up, Jack heard Mark grumble out. "Great. That's going to be an issue..." Following him to a distant corner to let others rush out of the gym, Jack asked him curiously. "Why is that?" Sighing, Mark admitted openly. "I've got another show tonight. Starts at eight." Shrugging, Jack told him confidently. "Well, it didn't say that we had to stay for the full night. Honestly... it didn't say we had to go at all. It's more or less... free time."

Crossing his arms, Mark gave him a narrowed look, but Jack told him honestly. "It's not graded. Just an observation of character more or less. It won't hurt us to skip it." Huffing, Mark told him a little dryly. "Kyanna's partner was put in solitary confinement. She won't be able to participate... Unless..." Mark didn't finish and Jack's jaw dropped in shock. Beside him, Mark avoided his eyes as he told him a bit sharply. "Don't look so surprised. I won't be here, and you'll have a better time with her. Talk to our teacher. Get special permission. I told you. It doesn't bother me. It's what you want." Without another word, Mark stormed off through the crowd. Leaving Jack feeling a bit crushed and alone. Was he imagining it or was Mark angry with him? He could hear the venom in his voice, but his words and actions were confusing. Pulling out his phone, he contacted his teacher to ask for permission and then asked Kyanna after it was approved. Kyanna was so excited that she dropped her phone with a curse during the call and told him she needed to get ready.

Within the next two hours, Jack was dressed and ready. The carnival had been set up in a large field beside the college. While a long pavilion had been set up with fancy tables inside for dining and dancing. There were even rumors of fireworks later on. Mark had refused to even come out for the dinner portion. Locking himself up in his room and clearly recording something vulgar if his moans and grunts had anything to say. Leaving him to leave for his sanity. Meeting up with Kyanna, he smiled brightly. She was dressed in tight leopard leggings with a flowing black short skirt over it. She wore tall black boot heels with a matching leopard off the shoulders top. Her hair had been left to flow down her back allowing her large golden hoop earrings to stand out. She was gorgeous and shined when she saw him. Together they enjoyed dinner and talked about their day. Engaging in little more than just friends having a nice time out. It felt good to just talk about random topics and walk around.

Escorting her to a game, he watched her play and encouraged her until his eyes caught movement behind the row of stall games. Tapping her arm to tell her that he'd be back, he slipped away to investigate and felt his heart freeze over. Behind a stall, Mark stood with his back pressed against the wall. His face looked brokenhearted as he stared at the grass. Standing in front of him, Chad placed his hands on Mark's shoulders, his voice low and loving when he told him. "I understand why you don't trust me. I wouldn't trust me either. But I still love you, Mark. Deep down you know that." Mark nodded without looking up but uttered out grimly. "I'm so confused... You love Stacie... I... I shouldn't have come here." Mark pushed off the wall to leave, but Chad pulled him back against his chest, telling him with a sickening lovey voice. "Don't go. I'm glad you're here... There is no shame in being lonely. I'm stuck with Stacie... I'd give her up if I could... but I can't. But... that doesn't have to interfere with us. I can make you happy again."

Jack locked his jaw, shaking his head at how manipulative Chad sounded. Yet, if Mark heard it in his voice... he ignored it. Bowing his head, Mark let out a heavy sigh. His voice broke when he strained out. "No one will ever understand you as much me. I've known you longer than anyone. I know what you need..." Mark shook his head, but let Chad turn his chin toward him. Capturing his lips in a greedy kiss. Jack's breath caught in his throat as he saw the tears running down Mark's cheeks. Had he hurt Mark? Had he made a mistake to drive him into the arms of this snake? Chad pushed Mark up against the wall, his hands sliding down Mark's shoulders to his waist. Mark didn't put his hands on him. He didn't resist. Even when Chad's hands possessively groped his ass to pull him closer to his crotch. Mark almost looked relieved and emotional dead to it. While Chad grinned into their kiss and drew Mark in like a predator! Jack took a step closer but stopped himself. Internally he was at war with himself.

Part of him told him to go back to Kyanna and forget Mark. While the other part of him was in agony at the sight of Mark falling victim to this asshole. Mark was clearly in pain and Chad was taking advantage of him. His mind started to win as he stepped back to leave and let Mark sort himself out. Until he saw Chad's hand unbutton Mark's jeans before sliding his hand in with a sinister grin. Mark gasped, tilting his head back, his eyes were closed as Chad's hand gripped him and kissed him eerily. Something in Jack snapped and without thinking, he dashed out toward them. Grabbing Chad's throat and shoulder, he shoved him away from Mark. Chad fell onto his ass in shock and Mark jerked up straighter against the wall. Unable to stop himself, Jack stomped up to Chad and grabbed the front of his shirt. Landing a powerful punch to his face that hurt Jack's knuckles, but he was too mad to care. He even managed to land a second punch, before Chad grabbed him and flipped him to the ground hard. Knocking the air from his lungs.

Dazed from the fall, Chad quickly rolled on top of him and began punching him so hard that his vision blurred. Mark rushed to their side to stop them, but Jack used Mark's help to his advantage to punch Chad in the balls before shoving him off him. People started to yell and gawk, but Jack ignored them as he leapt onto Chad. Resulting in both of them beating each other in a tangle of libs until teachers rushed in to force them apart.  To Be Continued...