Lavender & Gold - 12. The Homecoming

CHAPTER TWELVE

The Homecoming

Lillies—a huge bouquet—entered Mark’s hospital room, with Ben just barely visible behind. He was pleased to see Mark sitting up in his bed, solving a crossword puzzle. It had somehow entirely failed to surprise him to discover that Mark, with all his wild punk sensibilities, enjoyed crosswords.

Mark looked up when he entered and smiled widely. ‘Hey!’

‘Hey.’ Ben put down the bouquet and sat on the edge of the bed, placing a kiss on Mark’s forehead. ‘How are you feeling?’

‘Not too shabby today,’ Mark replied. ‘They tell me I’m healing well, so I should be able to go home soon. Also, what kind of kiss do you call that? Come here.’ He grabbed Ben’s upper arm and pulled him in to capture his lips. The kiss was more demanding today than it had been since before the assault, and Ben allowed himself to be pulled into it. When they both came up for air they were panting slightly.

‘I’m so sick of being in here,’ Mark murmured against Ben’s lips. ‘I’m bored senseless, there’s no privacy and to be honest I am really, really horny.’ Ben felt his stomach leap at the words and let out a shaky breath. ‘Can’t wait for you to take me home and shag me silly, Ben . . .’

Ben gave a low chuckle, glancing sideways down the row of beds in the room. Mark had been moved to one with three other people in it after a couple of days. There were screens, but privacy was indeed scarce. Ben had been visiting him every chance he got, but he couldn’t deny that he missed having Mark in his bed. ‘I’d take you home right now if I could, love,’ he said softly.

Mark gave a sigh. ‘Yeah, I know you would.’ He sat back against the pillows again. ‘It’s not all bad,’ he admitted. ‘Jimmy, in the bed next to mine, he’s pretty cool when he’s actually awake. He was in a mountain biking accident, has more broken bones than I do. Still . . . I miss you. A lot.’

‘You’ll be out of here soon,’ Ben promised, stroking his cheek. His bruises had turned into a magnificent rainbow of blues, reds, yellows and violets. ‘And then I’ll take you home and do whatever you want to you.’

Mark laughed. ‘Damn right you will. Anyway, how’s work going?’

‘Not bad. I kind of missed being Hathaway, doing all that other stuff . . . I always enjoyed this part. It makes me feel clever, playing in crime dramas.’

‘You are clever, Ben,’ Mark pointed out with a smile. ‘You don’t need to play a role for that.’

Ben shrugged. ‘You know what I mean. I’m not stupid, I know that, but there are different kinds of smarts . . . One of the best things about acting is getting to pretend like you know things you don’t.’

Mark gave an impish grin. ‘True. That’s why the writers are the real fucking heroes, right?’

Ben gave his shoulder a gentle shove. ‘Yeah, yeah, make fun of my craft!’

Mark leaned over and placed his lips on Ben’s, giving him a slow and sensual kiss. ‘I love you.’

‘I love you too,’ Ben whispered.

* * *

‘And that’s it! You are hereby discharged, Mr. Harrison. Congratulations!’

Mark gave a whoop that was slightly too loud for a hospital reception area. ‘Finally! Not that everyone here hasn’t been perfectly lovely,’ he added to the receptionist. ‘But, you know . . .’

‘There’s a reason we don’t say “Thank you, come again”,’ said the receptionist with a grin.

‘Indeed.’ Mark nodded seriously. ‘Thanks for everything, but now I need this man to take me home and do something naughty to me.’

Ben felt his face heat up slightly at the remark, but the receptionist laughed good-naturedly. ‘Would you like us to call you a cab?’ she asked.

Ben shook his head. ‘No, I’ve got a car waiting. Thank you.’

The receptionist looked around. ‘Listen, I have to ask . . . Would it be possible to get your autograph, please?’

‘Of course. Who should I sign it out to?’

‘Laurel. That’s me.’

Ben signed a page in Laurel the receptionist’s notebook and then turned to Mark, who rolled his eyes at the display. ‘Need a hand?’

Mark shook his head. ‘No, I have to get used to the crutches. Just, you know, catch me if I tip over so I don’t break my other leg.’

They waved goodbye and set off towards the exit at a leisurely pace. ‘I’ve been meaning to ask,’ said Ben, ‘I’ve got an invitation for a Halloween party tomorrow night. Stage actors, mostly. Fancy dress. If you feel up for it . . .’

Mark grinned broadly. ‘Fuck me, yes! I’m dying for a party, seriously.’ He glanced down at his cast. ‘Got any gauze at your place? I could be a mummy!’

Ben chuckled. ‘I’ll get Alice to sort out a costume for you. She’s good at that stuff.’

‘Ooh, look at you, Mr. Fancy Celebrity, getting your PA to fix a Halloween costume! What are you gonna be?’

‘I’m thinking vampire. Got a friend who’s a make-up artist to make me custom fangs once upon a time. I still have them.’

Mike was waiting for them in the hospital car park.

‘Agency car just to get me from the hospital?’ Mark raised an eyebrow as Ben opened the door for him.

‘Don’t look at me,’ said Ben, going round the car and getting in on the other side. ‘I was gonna take a taxi. Liam’s the one who insisted. I think my whole team has developed a soft spot for you. Too bad Liam doesn’t represent musicians, really. Take us home, please, Mike.’

He held Mark’s hand the whole way home, almost afraid to let go, and the moment they got in he pulled Mark into his arms and kissed him fiercely. He had an urge to say something cheesy and possessive like, ‘I’ll never let you out of my sight again,’ or something equally stupid, but thankfully his mouth was busy with other things. He needed to kiss every millimetre of Mark’s neck, touch every inch of his body, and soon Mark was pressed up against the wall, panting.

Ben’s hand travelled up under his shirt to caress the skin of his belly, and then down, down into Mark’s trousers, and Mark threw his head back and swore.

Looking deep into his lover’s impossible eyes, Ben finally allowed himself to speak. ‘I’ve missed you so much,’ he murmured. ‘I was so scared, so worried, and then so relieved, and now . . .’ He took Mark’s cock in his hand and began to stroke. ‘Now I just want you. I fucking need you, Mark.’

Mark gasped. ‘The . . . The feeling is mutual. Shit . . . Ben, please!’

‘Please what?’ Ben growled, surprised at his own dominance.

‘If you’re not careful I’m . . . Gonna come if you keep this up.’

Ben stroked faster. ‘Please do. Be a good boy and come for me, love. Let me hear your voice.’

‘Oh, fuck!’ Mark clung to Ben’s shoulders, his breath hot on Ben’s neck. ‘Ben . . . God . . . Please don’t stop! Shit . . .’

And Ben found his lips, kissed him with all he had until he fell apart in his arms.

‘Welcome home,’ Ben whispered, and Mark gave a breathless laugh.

‘I should . . . get hospitalised more often.’

‘Don’t you dare!’ Ben put an arm around Mark’s waist. ‘Now. Bed. I need you naked, and sooner is better than later.’

* * *

He took his lover’s cock as far into his mouth as he could, and Mark uttered a long drawn-out whine. Words had long ago failed him, once Ben had shot down any attempts at reciprocating. Today he wanted Mark to lie back and take it. He wanted to fill him with his love until he could take no more. Ben had already made Mark come twice, but his own cock was still untouched, tucked away in his underwear, straining against the fabric. He knew that when he finally did come it would be explosive, and the thought made him groan around Mark’s prick.

Mark finally found his voice again. ‘Please . . . Slow down for a sec, I don’t . . . Can’t . . .’

Ben took his mouth off him and looked up into his face. Mark’s cheeks were flushed, his eyes lidded and pupils blown. Mark reached down and stroked gently through Ben’s hair.

‘Don’t you want . . . ?’

Ben smiled. ‘Oh, I want. Believe me. But what I want most of all is for you to feel amazing.’

Mark laughed. ‘Mission accomplished, then.’

‘Nuh-uh.’ Ben shook his head and crawled up the bed to lie next to Mark. ‘Mission is not accomplished until you are a shivering, shuddering wreck. I’m making up for lost time.’ He ran his fingers over Mark’s bare chest, stopping to squeeze at his left nipple. It turned into a hard bud beneath his fingertips and Mark hissed. Ben licked a trail up Mark’s neck to his chin and sucked his bottom lip into his mouth.

‘Mm . . . Fuck, Ben, you make me so hard . . .’

Ben chuckled. ‘Likewise.’

Mark’s deep grey eyes connected with Ben’s own, and the rare autumn sunlight beaming through the crack in the curtains made them shift in shades of blue and purple. ‘Please,’ Mark breathed. ‘I need you inside me.’

‘Well, when you ask so nicely, how can I refuse?’

Mark lay in his arms, eyes half closed, and Ben stroked his hair gently. Ten days in the hospital had turned his hair almost back to its original dirty blonde, the same colour as his mother’s, though it still shifted in greens in places.

‘Well,’ Mark murmured after a few moments, ‘that’s definitely the most enthusiastic homecoming I’ve ever had . . .’

Ben laughed softly and kissed his neck. ‘Well, I missed you.’ He paused, considering his next words with care. ‘About that, though . . . I’ve been thinking. And there’s no pressure, if you don’t feel ready or if you’d rather not I totally understand—’

‘Ben, you’re rambling.’ Mark turned his head and grinned at him. ‘Spit it out.’

‘Well, you have a key, and you practically live here already, so . . . Would you like to move in with me?’

Mark raised both his eyebrows. ‘What, seriously?’

‘If you don’t want to, I totally understand!’ Ben continued quickly. ‘We can go on just the way we are, and I won’t mind at all. I get the feeling of wanting a place that’s your own. I’m just saying, if you want to you can move your stuff here. I’ve . . . I took some time this week to clear out the spare room . . .’

Mark looked up at the ceiling and nodded slowly. ‘I could sublet my place. Earn some cash for studio fees . . .’ He met Ben’s eyes again. ‘All right. You’re on.’

‘Really? You . . . You’ll move in?’

Mark grinned. ‘Yes. Yes, I will. I’d love to.’

Ben captured his boyfriend’s lips in a passionate kiss. ‘I love you. So much!’

‘I love you too,’ Mark told him, and kissed the corner of his mouth. ‘So, how long have you been wanting to ask me that, then?’

Ben smiled wryly. ‘Since I got back from the States.’

‘Silly man.’ Mark grinned. ‘I would have said yes then too, you know. It sounds stupid to say it out loud, but . . . I’ve never been with anyone and had it feel this right before.’

Ben pulled him closer, careful not to squeeze his ribs too hard. ‘Me neither. You make me feel like . . . I dunno. I feel like with you, anything’s possible. You make me brave.’

Mark shook his head. ‘Dunno how you can say cheesy shit like that with a straight face. Dunno how you can make me feel this happy, saying cheesy shit like that.’

‘Yeah, I’m surprised too,’ said Ben with a grin, and nuzzled into Mark’s hair, breathing in his scent. ‘You make me say the silliest things.’

‘Shit that would sound like a corny line coming from anyone else . . . When you say it, it sounds sincere.’

‘Maybe I’m just a great actor,’ Ben joked.

‘No. I mean, yeah, you are, you’re a fantastic actor, but . . .’ Mark rolled over on his back with a sigh, and Ben scooted over to accommodate his broken leg. ‘But I can tell the difference between Ben the actor and just Ben. I mean, I believe you in the moment, when I see you playing a part, you’re one hundred percent that person. But that’s just it. You’re that person, you’re not you. I know when you’re you. And the truth is, you’re a shit liar. When you’re being insincere it’s so fucking obvious to a person who really knows you. So when you say stuff like that, I know you mean it. That turns corny into romantic, and silly into beautiful.’ He glanced sideways at Ben. ‘I think that’s why I love you. Part of why I love you.’

Ben kissed Mark’s shoulder. ‘You’ve a way with words too, you know. My darling poet.’

Mark snorted. ‘Yeah, no, that crossed the line from corny to romantic and back into corny again. You can only get away with so much.’

* * *

‘How do I look?’

Ben looked his boyfriend up and down and grinned. ‘Like you’ve recently risen out of an Egyptian sarcophagus.’

As he rang the doorbell, Mark frowned. ‘I’ve been here before.’

Before Ben had time to answer, the door opened to reveal a smiling Catherine dressed in an 18th century period costume complete with powdered wig.

‘Ben! I’m so glad you made it!’ She kissed Ben on both cheeks before turning to his companion. ‘And you must be Mark! So pleased to finally meet my party crasher.’

Mark glared at Ben. ‘I fucking hate you.’

Ben only laughed. ‘Mark Harrison, may I present the enchanting Catherine Carlyle. Catherine, this is my boyfriend Mark.’

‘Pleased to meet you,’ Mark said, shaking her hand. ‘I, er, loved you in Singularity Sky.’

‘Thank you!’ Catherine smiled and kissed him on both cheeks as well before stepping back to allow them entry.

‘Mostly stage actors, you said,’ Mark muttered under his breath to Ben.

Ben shrugged. ‘That was true. There will be mostly stage actors here. I just omitted the detail of who was hosting the party.’ He smiled sheepishly. ‘I worried that if I told you you wouldn’t want to go, or you’d spend all day fretting about it.’

Mark looked like he was about to argue, but then he said, ‘No, you’re right. Better this way.’ He grinned.

They approached a sofa group and sat down, Mark resting his crutches up against the wall. Ben got them drinks, and introductions were made as more people started to arrive.

‘Just awful what happened to you!’ said Martin, an actor who had played a minor role in The Crucible and was about the gayest person Ben had ever known. ‘It’s so good to see you’re back on your feet. Are you in a lot of pain?’

‘A bit,’ Mark admitted. ‘I’m on some really great painkillers, though.’

‘Have the police had any luck tracking down the guys that did it?’ asked Catherine, taking a sip of her bright green umbrella drink.

Mark shook his head. ‘Short of dragging every skinhead in London into a line-up, I don’t think there’s much they can do to find them.’

‘Didn’t you say you recognised one of them, though?’ Ben asked, suddenly remembering.

‘Yeah, but do you have any idea how many EDL counter protests I’ve attended? Besides, guys like that, they’ll be caught for something sooner or later. Karma will chase them down eventually.’

‘Well, I think they should be locked up and the key tossed in the Thames for harming a beautiful face like yours!’ Martin declared.

‘Stop flirting with my boyfriend, Martin,’ said Ben with a grin.

Martin made a dramatic gesture of mock outrage. ‘Why I would never! Love your costume, by the way, Ben. Where’d you get those fangs?’

‘My friend June made them for me. They’re great, I can eat with them and everything.’

‘Well, you look gorgeous, darling. You should vamp it up more often. That leather jacket is hot!’

‘Stop flirting with my boyfriend, Martin,’ said Mark and laughed.

‘Did June Everard make you those fangs?’ Natalie asked. She was a freelance seamstress, who created costumes for everyone from the BBC to small independent theatre troupes.

‘Yeah,’ Ben replied. ‘You know her?’

‘We worked together ages ago. She mentioned how she couldn’t help making wigs and noses and fangs and things for her friends as presents.’

Ben nodded. ‘Yeah, she’s pretty awesome.’

‘Talented, yeah. Make-up is her whole life, it seems. She has no hobbies. I think she’s bloody weird,’ said Natalie with a grin. ‘But then, who isn’t in this business . . .’

‘I heard you landed a TV gig again, Natalie,’ said Catherine.

‘Yeah, it’s a new Saturday night adventure thing for the BBC. They’ve put me in charge of the wardrobe department. Decent budget, so I should get to create some neat stuff.’

Ben took a sip of his wine and turned his attention to Mark again, who was now speaking to an up and coming young actress named Julia.

‘So, what do you do?’ she was asking.

‘I’m a musician.’

‘Cool! Are you in a band, or . . . ?’ Julia took off her pirate hat and ran a hand through her dark curls.

‘Nah, not at the moment. I go it solo.’

‘What do you play?’

Mark shrugged. ‘Guitar mostly. And I sing. Do mostly folky, punky stuff.’

‘Working on anything in particular?’

‘Actually, I’m going in the studio to record this Saturday.’

‘You never told me that,’ said Ben.

Mark turned towards him and grinned. ‘I only got the call from Rob to confirm it today, while you were out. It was up in the air before I got discharged from the hospital.’

Ben smiled. ‘That’s great! What are you gonna record?’

Mark’s grin turned impish. ‘You’ll see. It’s a surprise!’

‘Ooh, I’m intrigued!’ Ben plucked a strand of hair away from Mark’s face. He had taken off his mummy mask. ‘When do I get to hear it?’

‘When it’s finished,’ Mark replied unhelpfully. ‘Don’t worry, you’ll get to hear it before anyone else, I promise.’

‘How long have you two been together?’ asked Julia.

‘Since this summer,’ Ben told her. ‘Feels longer, though.’

‘Sometimes,’ said Mark. ‘And then sometimes I can’t believe it’s been nearly six months since we met.’

Julia smiled. ‘You seem really happy together.’

‘I certainly am,’ said Ben.

Mark smirked. ‘Yeah, it’s all right.’

Ben poked him playfully in the shoulder before pulling him in for a kiss.

‘It’s weird kissing you with those fangs.’ Mark traced the line of Ben’s bottom lip with his thumb. ‘Kind of hot, though. And Martin’s right about the leather jacket.’

‘I’ll keep that in mind for future wardrobe choices,’ said Ben and smiled.

* * *

Mark’s breathing came in short, ragged bursts, occasionally interrupted by rhythmic moans. Ben bit into his shoulder, harder than he usually would have. Something about what had happened to Mark had made him more possessive than he had been before. He felt a need to mark him, inside and out, make it clear to both of them and anyone who could see them that they belonged to one another.

He could feel his own orgasm begin to build, his lower abdominal muscles tightening along with his balls, and he picked up the pace, fucking Mark with more intensity, and Mark groaned and swore. Reaching between them, Ben took Mark’s cock in his hand.

‘So beautiful like this,’ he whispered in his ear. ‘And you’re mine! Come for me, love.’

Mark didn’t need telling twice. As he came, Ben kissed him, swallowing his moans, until he too was pushed over the edge.

After a few minutes of gentle kissing, Ben finally pulled out and lay next to his boyfriend, pulling the covers over them both without caring that they’d be stained with cum.

‘How are you feeling?’ he asked softly.

‘Mm, wonderful!’ said Mark and smiled. ‘Also a bit sore. You’ve been going at it pretty hard since I came back from hospital.’

‘Sorry,’ said Ben, not feeling especially sorry at all. ‘Want me to slow down next time?’

‘Fuck, no.’ Mark kissed his cheek. ‘I love it. Makes me feel . . . I dunno. Wanted. Loved.’

‘Good. You are. And I’ll keep proving it to you until you ask me to stop.’

‘Fat chance of that, love.’ Mark shut his eyes and sighed happily. ‘That was a fun party.’

‘Glad you enjoyed it. I told you Catherine was nice.’

‘You did. All the others were cool, too. That Julia’s a sweetheart.’

‘Yeah, she’s lovely. She’s about your age, I think . . . Honestly, I think everyone was glad to have you there, if only because it gave them a reason to talk about something other than theatre. We can be a fairly single minded bunch.’

‘No kidding. Anyway, I had fun.’

‘That’s good. Guess we could call it a rehearsal for the Country Sunsets premiere . . .’ Ben stroked his fingers through Mark’s hair. ‘We need to get you a suit.’

‘I have a suit,’ said Mark.

‘You don’t think your first movie premiere as my date deserves new clothes?’

Mark shrugged. ‘I think it’s more romantic if I wear the one I wore when we met . . . Unless that’s not good enough for you, Mr. Fancy Celebrity.’

‘You can wear whatever you like as far as I’m concerned,’ Ben murmured and kissed Mark’s neck. ‘You know I prefer you naked, anyway.’

‘Think the press would be pleased if I walked down the red carpet with no clothes on?’

‘Extremely. But I also think Harry would kill me.’

‘Would be funny, though.’ Mark rolled over and nuzzled Ben’s shoulder. ‘Sleepy now . . .’

‘Okay. Night.’ Ben switched off the bedside light before putting his arms around his boyfriend and hugging him tight. ’Sweet dreams.’

‘G’night,’ Mark murmured.

Ben listened to Mark’s breathing even out as he fell asleep.