Marcus Hall was the last person Colin wanted to think about and yet, he couldn't get that obnoxious blond out of his mind.

It had been like that for a long time. A time when Colin had first seen a withdrawn guy who always roamed the halls with his head bent and headphones plugged in. A time when Colin had hopelessly crushed on a golden-haired boy who offered him a ride home a summer after. A time when he wanted nothing more than to forget all that happened between them until the pain finally stopped.

It had. He had been okay. He had forgotten.

But it was back...

Colin ran both his hands through his hair as he let his phone drop onto the bed. He heaved out a breath, letting himself fall onto the bed, only to tense up a second later and grab his phone again.

Before he unlocked the device, the brunet took a moment to allow himself to breath, closing his eyes. When he opened them, he scrolled up to the conversation with Peter and stared at the pictures one more time.

It was just like the first time. Peter's face filled the photos at the top, smiling, laughing, staring into Colin's soul with the prettiest eyes the universe had given him the privilege of seeing in his lifetime. But with the next swipe of his thumb, another face appeared. Also smiling, also laughing, also staring into unthinkable depths. But the tingles Colin felt this time around, wasn't sweet and freeing.

Everything about Marcus was bittersweet, Colin had had far too many encounters with him and could confirm that without batting an eyelid.

A date? Marcus would arrive an hour later, when Colin had already pep-talked himself into staying so many times after waiters kept asking if his company was going to arrive. A date? Marcus would show him the absolute best time, unquestionably and inarguably the best.

That was just how things were with him.

He dialled Peter and while he was waiting for the Asian to pick up, he breathed deeply and tried to calm his nerves. It worked, a little.

"Hey, Pikachu..."

"Yeah," Peter said. "Why'd you hang up so quickly?"

"I-- nothing."

"Nothing?" Peter spat out. "You sound that shaken over nothing?"

Colin cleared his throat and breathed deeply again, holding it for a moment before he spoke. "I was just... surprised with the fact that you and Marcus were in the same photo. Together."

"I know!" At once the suspicion in Peter's voice was replaced with excitement. "It's so mind-blowing. He even takes us out for drinks after, sometimes. Can you believe that?"

Colin really couldn't. "No."

The suspicion returned, accompanied with concern. "Are you mad at me for some reason?"

It would be better if Peter didn't know about the history between him and Marcus Hall. Colin hated having to keep that information from Peter, but things were going great for the dark-haired boy's career-- Marcus had a great influence in the industry and he could easily bring a rise to Peter's fame just by being in the same photo. It would claw at Colin's insides and eat him up if he ended up as the cause of a break in Peter's work life, not to talk of the drama that would arise if Peter knew that he and Marcus used to have a thing.

Drama from Peter wasn't a concern, really. It was drama from Marcus he was worried about.

"I can't be mad at you, you haven't done anything wrong." Colin sighed. "I'm so happy for you, baby. You deserve every good thing life brings in your way." Even if those good things turned out to be a nightmare for me.

°

Throughout the following week, Colin had to tune out the constant reminders of Marcus Hall that seemed to never stop popping up.

At work, Leo kept bragging about how the 'greatest and most powerful genie in all of Agrabar' Marcus Hall, had started working as a 'wee lad in these here parts.' Of course, Leo hadn't spoken those exact words. He might have as well said them though, he kept going on and on about how he had worked with the guy over seven years ago. Seven years.

As if that dose of slow poison wasn't enough, Austin also hopped on the fan club trend. It took Colin all the strength he could muster to stop himself from going off on Austin because his patience had run out.

He wouldn't have to worry about biting his tongue today though. It was Lily's play date.

Colin could forget about the endless Marcus Hall chatter. Even if it was for only a couple of hours, he could throw away all the pesky thoughts and just live in the moment.

Ivy rang the doorbell just as he stepped out of the shower. They were here earlier than he expected.

"Good morning," Colin said as he smiled at mother and daughter when he went to answer the door. It was one of the few genuine smiles he had conjured this horrible week. The only other reason he smiled was Peter, and that was it.

Ivy responded with a tired "G'morning" as she wiped her hand over her face and held back a yawn.

"You two are here early."

"Yes. Someone threw a tantrum and wouldn't stop crying until I brought her here." Ivy glared at her daughter, hoping it would send some sort of telepathic waves to Lily so she would know the level of irritation she looked down at her with.

Colin nodded with understanding, and as he walked the little girl inside, he whispered to her. "Great job, flower."

Lily beamed. It made Colin realize what he just encouraged her for. Shit, he was beginning to sound a lot like Peter.

Turning to Ivy, he asked if she would like something to eat. She declined at first, but deciding that a caffeine boost was much needed, asked if a coffee was okay.

Some hours after Ivy had left, Colin and Lily also walked out of the apartment. They headed directly for the pond as soon as he parked his car, hoping to find Rocco and Elaine.

None of them were there. While they waited, Lily occasionally swept her hand back and forth in the water while she mumbled "Blue," over and over. Colin smiled, a genuine one.

"I hear him, I hear him." Lily whipped her head around, prompting Colin to also search for a dog that resembled a converted wolf-bear.

He heard it, and saw it-- after a whole minute. Lily had exceptional hearing if she could make out Rocco's bark that quickly.

The dog spotted them and ran over, making Colin shift to the side even though he was sure Rocco wasn't going to jump at him. Still, it didn't hurt to be cautious. Lily stretched out a hand which Rocco quickly placed his head under, receiving several pats of appreciation.

Satisfied, Rocco started to move away, throwing them a glance as an indication for them to follow. They did, the dog led them to a guy on a bench who he tried to hand a small ball to.

"Rocco, my hand is tired. I told you that was the last time I'd throw you a ball." He didn't look up from his phone as his fingers glided over the screen.

The dog retreated with a whine as it decided that giving the ball to Lily would be a better option. "What colour is this?" she questioned, rolling it in her hand.

"Red," he told her. To the guy, Colin asked, "Excuse me, do you know any Elaine?"

"Yes, though I wish I didn't know that particular one."

He looked up from his phone's screen and Colin froze. He stopped breathing for a moment, head pounding as he felt the air in his lungs squeeze out in a raggedy breath.

Marcus Hall hadn't changed a bit, however, he was so different. He had the same head of golden curls, a shade lighter now. Same smooth voice, but at a lower tone. Same inquisitive twinkling green eyes, except the mischief that laced them showed clearly this time.

"You look familiar," Marcus said quietly as he stood. He shoved his phone in his back pocket and sauntered towards the brunet.

"I don't think you--"

Lily interrupted, lifting the slobber-covered ball. "Can I go play with Rocco, Colin?"

"Colin?" Now Marcus was looking at him a little closely, narrowing his eyes and taking in the brunet's appearance. "Oh my God! Mitchell. I haven't seen you in so fucking long." Now his arms were around Colin, enveloping him into a hug. His head went in the crook of Colin's neck and he patted Colin on the back fondly. The brunet wasn't in the mood to reciprocate.

He gave Lily permission and watched quietly as she spun around, trying to figure out the best place to throw the ball. She threw it a short distance away-- almost hitting a squirrel-- before she sat down and waited for Rocco to fetch it.

"That's because you left me," Colin said without a trace of humor in his voice. "Oh wait, you abandoned me." He didn't mean to sound so bitter-- that made it seem like he cared about what had happened in those past years. He didn't... at least not until now.

"I didn't leave you, much less abandon you Mitchell." Marcus stared at Colin as he released him from the one-sided hug, one eyebrow turned up higher than the other.

"Oh wow. Then what do you call me having to find out you were in Italy through, I don't know... a fashion article?"

"It was on short notice," Marcus grumbled.

Colin let out a scoff. "You didn't call. You didn't text. You could've but you didn't. Spoke volumes, don't you think?"

"I seriously didn't know you're still so butthurt about that."

"You think I'm butthurt? Because of you?" Colin laughed with even less humor. "Keep flattering yourself."

"You don't feel anything for me anymore?"

It was like Marcus seriously believed that he'd still be hanging onto him like once he hit him with the "I'm sorry' card. Come to think of it, he didn't even sound sorry, nor did he apologise. Not much of a surprise.

"No." Colin shook his head.

"That's good then. We can finally have sex without any feelings getting in the way." He rubbed at his clean-shaven face, looking thoughtful. "It was always a bore having to listen to your rambling after I fucked you."

Colin didn't want to be reminded of those times. He had been naïve, stupid, reckless. Both in his heart and in his head. Marcus had been his first everything and he had initially thought what they both shared was love, actually. But he had been wrong. He had fallen deep while Marcus had only been tethering at the edge. And where had that ended him? Alone. With a broken heart for company.

"Excuse me while I go retch."

With pursed lips, Marcus said, "You always had too much of a gag reflex."

"Jesus, I almost forgot how much of a jerk you are. I can't believe I fell for you."

"I was kidding. Dang." He laughed. "Where's your sense of humor, Mitchell?"

Colin gave him a blunt reply. "At home, where I'm going."

"Colin, wait. I didn't mean to sound insensitive." His face fell and he ruffled his curls before his hand slid down to his neck and rubbed at it.

"Oh, you didn't mean to, huh? Well, you're doing a splendid job at being an asshole right now." His eyes flitted over the blond's face before he started to move away.

"And you know what, Marcus? I do feel something for you." Once the words left Colin's lips, his ex looked at him with a newfound glimmer of hope. The brunet was about to crush it so hard. "Hate."

~~

What are your thoughts on Marcus and this chapter?? Bet you weren't expecting him to be Rocco's owner? :,)

Special Mentions: Sassyspeedy and Fujobait for adding to their reading lists! Catarina- feh_vor and layvirago for voting!!

I'm a wattpad ambassador now so that's there =D
I also made a new account where I'll write an post fanfic so go give theficguru a follow!♡♡

The Christmassy, fluffy, LGBTQ novella I spoke about is up on my profile. Check out "Holiday Away" and lemme know your thoughts on it! It would mean so so so so sooooo much to my little dark soul.

●Vote if the plot twist caught you by surprise. In fact, just vote because I'm not sure any of you expected this.

I love you guys xo.