Fandom: The Eagle- AU.
Title: Young Blood: It's a Long Road to Recovery
Rated M: For potty mouths, implied sexual goings-on, nasty habits, etc.
Warnings: The usual stuff.
Disclaimer: Marcus and Esca and Cub and Uncle belong to Rosemary Sutcliffe. The abuse of these belong to me.
Notes:Occurs a couple years after the events of YB, perhaps a year after Cub moves in with Marcus and Esca. Some parts are NC-17 and those parts are posted at chikatai DOT livejournal DOT com.

So It Begins- Day 1

Esca and Cub made up that afternoon, of course. Esca's plan to quit smoking was made public, enlisting the help of Cub and Uncle Max in his endeavor. And adding another level of accountability.

Marcus had watched Esca reach for his back pocket numerous times. Had watched the faltering hand smooth down his jeans or ruffle his wild hair before Esca set his jaw and moved on to something else. Had seen the surreptitious search of the bottom of the bin. He'd woken up several times due to his lover tossing and turning in the bed, grumbling and groaning quietly, hands unable to stop twisting in the blankets. Each time, Marcus had soothed the best he could. Distracting with kisses and touches until they were both able to settle down to sleep.

The next day was tense, but full of promise. Esca ingested two pots of black coffee, chewed gum with enthusiasm, and did not join his coworkers on smoke breaks all through his clinic shift. Cub had gone out of his way to keep Esca's mind off the cancer-sticks by pleading for help in his studies- something the young man rarely asked for.

Marcus watches Esca walk back and forth from the front room to the kitchen; listening to the fridge and pantry doors open and close at regular intervals. A small cough, an aching head. A moment of dizziness upon rising from the couch too quickly. Cub looks up from his books each time Esca walks by, holding out his own bag of teriyaki beef jerky in offering. The older man gives a tight smile and shakes his head, flops back onto the couch beside Marcus.

The process repeats every quarter hour until everyone retires to their rooms.

Marcus completes his nightly routine first and reads a magazine in bed, waiting for Esca to finish brushing his teeth. It seems to take him longer than usual. Perhaps trying to scrub away the craving for tobacco. Esca eventually shuffles into the room and wearily crawls under the blanket. Marcus puts the mag away, turns toward him. Studies the drawn face, the rueful smile given to his inspection. Esca's voice is rough. " I hate this."

But you can do it." Marcus is all about encouragement.

Remind me again, why I'm doing this." Esca buries his face in the pillow. His thumb and first finger continue to worry the corner of the pillowcase. Knuckles white, veins clearly defined.

For Cub's sake, I believe it was. Encouraging healthy habits and whatnot." Marcus speaks quietly, smiling at the bent head.

Bollocks. So what do I get out of the bargain?" He turns his face, one eye and cheek exposed. Esca's fingernails are very close to actually scraping a tear in the fabric.

I'd have thought that was enough reward." Marcus teases. He knows how fond Esca is of Cub, how responsible he feels for the young man. Setting a bad example has always weighed heavily on Esca's conscious. At his lover's pathetic groan, Marcus tries again. " Well, you've never had too much trouble with your health, but maybe those summer colds won't plague you so much. Save your quid for petrol or pints. Won't have to stand outside in the rain, cold, or heat just to have a fag. A few extra years of my company. "

I can barely breathe. My chest is about to implode. My head's killing me. " Esca gripes plaintively and pushes his face back into the pillow. His fingers are visibly shaking on the case. " Nothing is worth this misery."

Marcus' heart aches for the man. He quirks his mouth in deep concentration and gently combs his fingers through Esca's sweaty hair. " What if... what if I made it worth it?" He isn't exactly sure what he can offer Esca in exchange for not smoking.

Esca looks back up. Confused. " How?"

Marcus shrugs. Still wracking his brain for ideas. " If you stay with it..." When bribing Cub, he uses a long-term promise; the young man aces his exams, he gets a mini-holiday to Dublin. But, recalling his own experiences in these matters, Marcus knows long term won't work. Esca is holding on minute-to-minute. Easily overwhelmed by larger, abstract amounts of time. So, this will have to be a daily reward, given as often as needed for an indeterminate period. Hmmm..." All the mini-Snickers you want?"

Already going to gain weight as it is."

No more paperwork duty at the clinic?"

Not practical."

No more laundry duty, here and at the clinic?"

A slight pause. " Again, not practical." Esca rubs his forehead against the mashed pillow.

Marcus frowns, getting desperate. " Back rubs every day?"

A longer pause. Esca shifts slightly. " Well..."

He's on the fence, Marcus can tell. He makes a split second decision and pulls out his only ace. " Blow job every day?" He's ashamed of the unpleasant reluctance even as he says it.

Esca freezes. Marcus holds his breath. It's a risky move and he's not sure how Esca will respond.

On one hand, Esca loves them, Marcus knows this. Loves Marcus' lack of finesse and his clumsy fumbling during oral sex. The shamefaced blush, the aroused flush, painting his face red as he licks and sucks. Loves it when he's able to catch Marcus' gaze flickering up to watch.

On the other hand, Esca knows that Marcus doesn't really like to do it. Knows Marcus has certain hang-ups from his upbringing that cause a great deal of discomfort during the act. Understands the guilt involved. And understands Marcus' determination to make Esca feel good simply because Marcus loves to make Esca feel good despite his dislike.

So, Esca will either accept the offer, appreciating this little gesture of Marcus'. Or, Esca will consider it too great a sacrifice for Marcus to make for what is essentially Esca's problem.

That's... thanks for offering, Marcus." Esca closes his eyes. Fingers clench in the sheet." But you don't have to."

I know I don't. I want to do it." Marcus is set on it now. Convinced this plan will work. " Every day you go without cigarettes, I'll suck you off to the best of my ability." He smiles broadly, tweaking Esca's nose, trying to lighten the mood and get him to agree. " You try your best, and I'll try my best!" He can do this. For Esca's sake. " Deal?" Marcus leans in, bumping his forehead against his lover's temple. Staring at the closed eyelid. Hoping.

Why are you so maddeningly helpful?" Esca's smile is evident in his rough voice. His hand raises, smooths along Marcus' jaw. Shaking slightly. Lingering scent of onions on his fingers from cooking dinner.

Marcus grins and tilts his face, catching a finger between his teeth for a moment. Sucking, teasing. The onion doesn't taste as strong as it smells. " Because you're so adorably stubborn." Esca chuffs a little laugh and Marcus softens his expression. Folds his hand over Esca's, holding it firmly. Stills the trembling. " Not a single puff all day? I think it's time for your reward."

Esca's breath hitches noticeably.

Marcus takes a brief moment to reach behind him and turn off the light.

- tbc

naughty stuff posted to chikatai DOT livejournal DOT com.