Jack had paused on the corner of the busy, Manchester (Virginia) street to wait for traffic to let up. Every few minutes his stomach would grumble noisily like a revving motorcycle, and he knew he would need to stop for something (cheep) to eat before heading back to his apartment. He'd meant to get groceries on his usual Saturday stroll into the inner city across the bridge, but had gotten caught up with by a man hissing at him for drugs because he somehow knew Jack knew somebody. That had been enough to sever his shopping mood and he'd stuck his hands deep into the pockets of his shabby hoodie as he'd warily sulked off through the streets. He'd walked aimlessly for hours, and it was becoming dark by the time he found himself near home again.

What a waste of time. Fuckin' asshole couldn't've gone dry for another day? He thought disgustedly as the cross walk signal changed to allow him access to the other side. The cars lined up on either side acted like run way lights in the darkening evening, making Jack feel too revealed - too noticed. He could feel eyes staring at him, surely furious they were forced to stop for only a crude little string bean as himself.

Once to the other side he continued to keep his head down, anxious to be rid of any kind of public eye. It was as if they knew what he was and what he did - though not out of the ordinary (still not very acceptable) - and was judging him with hatred and disgust that he also shamefully acknowledged in the mirror everyday. What a sewer rat.

A door jingled a block ahead of him, causing him to look up and see a man and woman exiting the local mini restaurant "Papa's Pizza". He'd been in there once or twice after a deal had gone well in order to treat himself; it was a little pricey, but had good quality.

The man and woman laughed at an unheard joke as the door closed smoothly behind them. Jack stood at the corner of the next block over with choices pacing around in his mind. He shouldn't be planning on spending anymore money on anything before getting his groceries, but he most likely wouldn't be able to get what he needs from across the bridge until tomorrow after daybreak; it was a rule. He didn't really like it, but he'd promised...

Shaking his head to dispose of the deepening thought, he stepped off the curb and headed for Papas. As he stepped inside, he nearly feinted from the thick aroma of pizza and garlic, allowing it to swarm his senses and gnaw at the ever growing hunger in his stomach. He hadn't eaten anything since the night before, and that had been the last of his Wheaties with week old expired milk.

The man at the counter sported an all black uniform with slashes of white powder (most likely dough) slung across the front. Jack smirked as his mind wandered to the inappropriate sanctum of his imagination before he gathered himself and approached the man.

"Hello, welcome to Papa's Pizza - what would you like to order?" the man whose name tag read "Wade" asked generously, a goofy though knowledgeable smile showing his teeth and upper gums. He seemed nice enough.

Jack squinted up at the board, having known for a long time that he's needed glasses, but not having the money or insurance to afford the prescription; he also didn't see the point since he was only ever needing to see things up close. Barely being able to make out "Lasagna : $9.99", he sighed and pulled out his tattered wallet (with a detailed vintage eye drawn in green, fine-tip sharpie by his old friend back in Ireland) and rattled off what he wanted while handing over a ten and a one.

Wade nodded and suggested he sit at one of the many tables to wait. Jack obliged and slumped down into a table up against the street facing window, watching mindlessly as traffic piddled by. Eventually his order arrived and he dove on it like a starved dog. The rich, thickly textured sauce and stringy cheese stung his tongue, and he played around with pieces of soft noodle in his mouth like it were a second tongue to try to dampen the smart. It also made him feel somewhat giddy inside if he did this with his eyes closed and at a slow tempo.

The sudden jingling of the door piqued his curiosity enough to open his eyes and glance up to watch a rather cute guy flaunt in, the top of his hair a striking scarlet. Jack raised an eyebrow and smirked again, his interest in this new man causing his cheeks to burn slightly.

"Hey, Mark! Haven't seen ya for a while. Things going OK at the new apartment?" Wade asked less formally to Mark, his general and kind question laced with the concern of a close friend. Mark shifted on his feet, seeming too anxious and tangled up in thought to give a sufficient answer, seeing as he muttered, "Hey, Wade. Yeah it's alright. Look, can you just take my order and shut up?" as his eyes were most likely dancing to and fro at the menu above.

"O-ok. Well, what can I getcha, man?" Wade tried his best to push past the awkward moment, placing his hands on the counter to steady himself. Jack bit at his lip from where he sat, hundreds of things he was aching to say simply piling up at the tip of his tongue.

"I'd like a small supreme pizza, extra toppings, a side of bread sticks, and a medium Pepsi." he listed as he pulled out a surprisingly neon pink wallet with a black mustache printed on the front. Jack gripped his fork as he watched him pull out a wad of cash before fingering through for the correct amount and stashing the rest away.

He has enough to buy groceries for a month or two, he thought - not with disgust, but amazement. If only Jack had that kind of profit...Mark had taken a seat at a table in front of him, and was facing Jack, although his face was buried into his phone. Typical...

Jack didn't own a phone, though that had nothing to do with his financial issues. He not only didn't feel he would ever need one, he also didn't want one. He couldn't see the point. He guessed it couldn't help that he had no one to communicate with in the first place - that definitely made his other reasons more viable.

He didn't realize he'd been staring at Mark for an inappropriate amount of time until a terse "Hey! You! What are you staring at?!" was shouted at him. Jack shook his head with wide blinking eyes and a slightly slack jawed frown before stuttering out, "Uh-uh- you?!" which earned him an odd smirk from the red headed wonder.

"Yeah alright - fair enough." Mark stood swiftly and sat himself in a chair in front of Jack, stunning him and spiking his annoyance. Why couldn't Jack just eat his meal in peace? He knew he'd started this by staring at the stranger, but did it really call for an advanced personal conversation? Jack sat back in his chair as he took another bite of his lasagna, taking his time to properly look the man up and down.

"So, what's your name - 'Leprechaun from down the street'?" Mark jumped into questioning him with a coy grin as he leaned forward, folding his hands together on the table as if they were in a formal meeting. Jack raised an eyebrow and swallowed his food, heart beat picking up against his will. Something about how forceful this guy was somehow caught in his throat and clenched at his stomach - or maybe that was just the lasagna talking and Mark was actually just a giant dick bag. Jack wouldn't mind either situation considering he was quite familiar with both.

"Jack from down the street, actually. And you're Mark, right? I heard Wade call you that so I figured..." he quickly followed up when he was given an odd look from his questionnaire. Not a moment had passed before Mark cracked a kind smile, and suddenly stretched his hand across the grey linoleum table. Jack's eyes widened for the second time that day and slowly reached out his own hand, gripping Mark's and producing the correct amount of pressure to somehow communicate that he was gladdened to meet him. The shake was firm and moved with a friendly jaunt, but was soon ended by Jack pulling away after meeting Mark's curious and secretive gaze. His chocolaty brown eyes were filled with an odd sense of warmth - something that made Jack feel both uneasy and somehow comfortable. Either way it unsettled his nerves, and when they were separated he pushed both hands below the table, cradling the one that had been electrified by Mark's touch.

"Uh, nice to meet ya, Jack from down the street. Pardon me, but your name sure is a mouthful.." Jack smirked as dirty images flashed through his perverted mind as he continued to listen, "...where about on this street do you may dwell?" Mark asked inquisitively, straightening in his chair as he feigned a posh accent. Jack rolled his eyes, allowing a stupid grin to show his teeth.

"Oh I live in the sewers and only come out when I think there'll be a rainbow nearby. Luggin' around my big ol' pot o' gold is a hard not life for such a little guy like me'self." he explained, trying to sound as completely believable as he could in spite of his usual 'fuck off' attitude. He was starting to like the idea of Mark's company.

"Holy shit - that's awesome! Dude you should let me visit some time. I loooove gold." Mark strung out, giving Jack a playful wink and causing him to blush. Suddenly Mark was standing again and Jack wasn't sure if the last few minutes had even happened. He watched Mark slightly sashay his way to the counter and mutter a few things to Wade before shouting his goodbyes to the both of them on his way out the door.

Jack blinked hard as Mark jogged across the street between traffic and continued on towards an apartment building just out of view. He let out a heavy sigh he hadn't realized he'd been holding for the most of his encounter, and dragged a hand down his face to relieve some tension as he attempted to collect his thoughts. His mind was still reeling at what had happened when Wade came over and set a large take out bag on his table along with an empty medium sized cup.

"Wha~"

"Mark said for you to have his order. He had something he needed to take care of and figured you'd appreciate it more than him. He's a nice guy - once you get past his hard ass shell - and can be pretty humble when it comes to helping people out. He also asked me to keep an eye out for you and if I ever see you milling about the streets looking like you're starving again, to put a meal on his tab and give it to you." Wade explained simply, a caring grin complimenting his funny features. Jack was stunned into silence, his mouth running dry and his hands becoming clammy as he mentally took a step back and assessed the situation.

So this stranger whom he'd just met was now practically his care giver? What made Mark believe Jack was a totally poor apartment renter (who paid off his rent with money he got from selling drugs and working quick, dirty jobs) who'd decided for a warm delectable meal instead of a couple weeks worth of shitty groceries? Was it the way he was dressed? Had Mark seen how ravenous Jack had dove into his meal? Maybe that feeling in the pit of his stomach had happened to Mark too...

Jack shoved the thought away with a sneer and grabbed the cup before clambering past chairs and tables to fill it up with Pepsi. He was only able to afford water wherever he went out to eat (including his current meal) so being able to gulp down something as artery clogging as a simple Pepsi really upped his game; for some reason or another. He wasn't keen on buying packs of the stuff with his groceries simply because he needed nothing else to get hooked on to ruin his life - just a taste here and there was enough for him.

After giving himself a generous amount of the sticky bubbling liquid, he thanked Wade several times while pushing his empty plate into the man's hands and setting off with his goodies. He couldn't be more befuddled by what had transpired in the span of 15 or so minutes, but decided to keep Mark in mind as he headed home to stash his large gift in his small mini fridge, hoping it holds out long enough to keep the meal cool for at least a few more days - hopefully even a week.

Mark had no idea how grateful Jack was, and as Jack laid his head down to sleep that night he couldn't stop thinking about him. Not just in the "man, thank God for that guy - he saved my ass for a while", but also "shite he was somethin' or other - if ya know what I mean". Jack felt in the wrong thinking such odd things about someone he didn't even really know, but it felt...correct. Oddly acceptable.

He fell asleep with the word 'scarlet' slung in the arms of his dreaming mind.