Chapter 7: Retribution

Fear, that thing that seemed to have kept me alive so many dark, cold days on the street, could be the end of me.

He wants to talk to you. Cottia texted Marcus.

Marcus groaned as he read it. That was good. He was glad Esca wanted to talk, but he needed a little more time. One more fight and all their problems would be solved. He was at the park, the place where he'd first spotted Esca. It was strange being back. The sun was out like it had been that day, but it seemed in the distance a storm was threatening.

Marcus figured if he ignored the texts he could buy himself a little more time. Perhaps just the amount he needed.

He flipped his phone shut and shoved it back into his pocket. He took a deep breath, letting the air fill his body. He was hoping to replenish it as best he could for tonight.

The fight the night before had been easy. A piece of cake. Strangely so in fact, he hadn't had such an easy fight in a long time. Still, Marcus had to focus on let his body recuperate as fast as it could so he'd be ready for tonight.

Tonight was the night. The last fight and he could quit. Maybe, if Esca would talk to him, he could do something nice. They could move, get a nicer place, he could get a job. A job… he missed the interview. Fuck. Cottia was going to hate him.

Marcus shook his head clear. All that mattered was winning the fight tonight. He had to win the fight… for Esca.

Cottia fed Esca. She was much better with food than Marcus, but Esca still missed meals with Marcus. She gave him warming smiles now and then and he tried to return them. However it seemed he was never successful, as she always seemed to frown when he thought he was smiling.

"Thank you," Esca said as she prepared to leave for work.

"Of course, Esca," Cottia replied. "Any time. Now I'm leaving, are you going to be okay here?"

Esca nodded.

"Okay, I'll lock the door. Don't open for anyone, I'll be back around seven. I know I go in late, but I get out late too."

Esca flashed what he thought was a smile. Cottia frowned again… nope.

"Marcus has a key to this place so it'll either be me or him coming through that door."

Esca nodded again. He'd be okay if Marcus came over. He desperately wanted to see him again.

"See ya, Esca," Cottia cheered as she ducked out of the apartment.

The minute she left Esca crushed the lonely feeling rising up inside him. He wasn't going to allow it to take over. Not again. He could go to Marcus's. Marcus would likely be there, and if not, chances are his door would be unlocked.

Esca had to. He opened Cottia's front door twice before shutting it quickly. Damn. He was still nervous about going outside.

Let cooler minds prevail. What are the chances that High Roller even saw where he was going when he ran from the New York Minute? What are the chances that today would be the day he'd try to go there to get Esca? What are the chances he even still gives a shit about Esca?

So the third time Esca opened the door he was able to walk right on out of the apartment. He'd basically paid attention to how Cottia had driven them back to her apartment. She didn't live far from Marcus, though her apartment was much nicer.

Esca felt good to be outside again. The sun was shining, though he had that second sense that let him know there was a storm brewing. When he looked at the sky he could see the dark clouds in the distance.

Esca was beginning to feel like his old self again. Like a mixture of the man he was before Marcus had found him and after. Esca was feeling good.

Harvey seemed nervous. "Hey Marcus."

"Hey Harvey," Marcus chuckled.

"What?"

"You're nervous," Marcus winked.

"Yeah, so what?" Harvey got defensive.

"I got this."

"I know you do, Marcus," Harvey hung his head.

Maybe Marcus should have picked up on Harvey's strange behavior, but he was already getting prepped for the fight. Jumping up and down getting his blood flowing. He'd seen his matchup and it was going to be easy. Easy money.

They were in a run down school, the crowd made a noise circle and Marcus and the other guy faced off in the center. He was very energetic and young. What Marcus could no longer do in energy, he made up for with experience and brute strength.

The other guy tried attacking from down low, which Marcus easily countered. He hadn't expected the guy to go for it again, tackling him low and pushing him across the makeshift circle of people.

Marcus wanted to end this now. He wanted to get his money, get out of the business, and go see Esca. He had a lot of apologizing to do, and maybe Esca would listen someday.

Marcus landed a good punch on the side of the guy's face. He hadn't even seen it coming. Marcus barreled down, attack fast and strong. He was done. Marcus stood up, letting the adrenaline seep out slowly. The guy would be fine, but he wouldn't fight for a month or two.

The crowd cheered, some booed, Marcus didn't care. He went to go sit down, bleeding a little here and there. Sitting he could think a little more clearly. He was already thinking about how to apologize.

"Hey, good fight," Harvey said sitting next to him. Marcus flinched, he was still sounding nervous.

"What is it, Harvey?"

Harvey looked at the ground. He seemed ashamed, scared, and something else, Marcus just couldn't tell.

"Please don't kill me," Harvey cowered. "Here's your money. It's all there."

"What is it, Harvey?" Marcus almost growled this time as he snatched the money from the sleazy broker's hands.

"It's that boy."

"Boy?" Marcus felt a pang of fear.

"The one in your place."

"How do you know about him?" Marcus was clenching his fist a bit too tight.

"This fight…" Harvey was seriously nervous now. "This fight was all a set up."

"What?"

"Some guy recognized you as a fighter. He's a big shot in the business and he saw you. Apparently that boy was his and you stole him. So he planned this whole fight to get him back. When you didn't let me in yesterday, I knew it was true and I told them someone was there. And when you didn't bring him to the fight last night, we knew that you'd leave him alone at home."

Marcus slammed Harvey against the wall. "I'm going to fucking kill you!" Marcus threw him to the ground. He couldn't bother with Harvey now. He had to make sure Esca was okay.

Marcus could only pray that Esca had stayed at Cottia's. Marcus wondered if he should go there first, but he decided against it. He had to get home first just in case Esca had left.

Of course Marcus left his door open. Esca chuckled a little. They still needed to have that talk about apartment safety. Esca clicked the lock behind him and stood in the room for a second. It was nice being back in Marcus's apartment. Felt a bit like being home again. The drawings hanging on the wall made Esca smile.

Esca blushed, he was going to forgive Marcus. He had to. Esca fell onto the couch, cozying up with a pillow under his head. He wouldn't sleep, but it was nice just being comfortable.

A few hours later there was a banging at the door. Esca held his breath praying it'd go away. There was no way it was Marcus. It was too harsh, too angry. Plus Marcus had a key, and if for some reason he didn't, he would have called out to Esca.

Esca clenched the pillow hard. The door began to rattle as the person on the other side threw themselves against it. It was not a strong door. It was going to break down.

Just as Esca thought that the door flew off its hinges on the third smash. Esca stared in horror as High Roller adjusted his suit as if he hadn't just broken down a door.

"Hello there," High Roller smirked.

Before Esca could get off the couch, he was on top of him, pressing his body hard into the cushions.

"No one says no to me," High Roller pushed harder on Esca's back causing him to cry out. "And no one takes what belongs to me."

He pulled on Esca's hair causing Esca to cry out. "And just so we're clear, you belong to me. I'm going to make that perfectly crystal tonight."

His low grumble of a laugh caused Esca quiver with fear. High Roller threw Esca's head back into the cushions, before he began ripping at Esca's jeans. The button of the fly popped off as he tore them down hard. Esca tried to wriggle free, but it was no use. High Roller had him pinned.

"Come on. Just relax. It's not like you haven't felt it before," he said with a darkly calm voice. "I guess I'll make it extra special tonight."

"No," Esca squeaked.

"Oh, don't fight it," High Roller laughed as he began to pull Esca's shirt up. Then he grabbed at the back of Esca's boxers and pulled down hard, Exposing Esca's entire backside.

"Perfect," High Roller whispered in a harsh growl.

Esca could hear the metal clinging of High Roller's belt being unbuckled.

"GET THE FUCK OFF HIM!" Esca and High Roller froze. The interruption was too brief for either to react as Marcus threw himself at High Roller and yanked him off of Esca.

High Roller seemed unusually calm to be facing such an enraged Marcus. Even Esca was scared and he was the one being saved. Marcus was soaking wet from the downpour of rain outside.

"Your little whore boyfriend wanted it. He loved it," High Roller smiled. Marcus landed a hard punch to his face causing blood to spray. Esca was sure he saw it this time.

High Roller smiled with blood pooling in his teeth. He must be on some drugs because he didn't seem fazed by the onslaught of Marcus's fists. Marcus pummeled the man out of his apartment.

Esca watched as High Roller fell backwards down the apartment stairs and landed at the bottom in a pile of suit and blood.

Marcus stared for a moment until both Esca and Marcus heard High Roller's unmistakable groan. He was alive, but he'd be out of commission for a good, long while.

"Esca," Marcus said turning back to Esca. His rage and anger seemed to be fading, but slowly as Esca could still see it on Marcus's face. It made him uncomfortable to see the anger and the rage. It made him think of why he'd left. It made him think of their fight. And it made him think of Marcus's fighting. He was a fighter, a man who used his fists.

"Esca?" Marcus sounded more helpless now, as Esca hadn't responded to his rescue.

Esca stepped away from the angry Marcus. The anger and rage completely filled out and was replaced by the old Marcus. With watering eyes Marcus held out a hand.

Esca wanted to smile but he thought of his smiles with Cottia and he didn't want to make Marcus frown anymore. So instead he ignored the outstretched hand and went straight for one of Marcus's bear hugs. The kind that Esca could get lost in. The kind where Esca's sense of smell was invaded by Marcus's manly scent and Esca's entire body could be enveloped in Marcus's. Esca didn't mind that Marcus was so fucking wet. He was still warm some how.

"I'm so sorry," Marcus choked. "I'm so fucking sorry."

"It's okay," Esca replied. He hadn't realized he was crying too.

"I'm so sorry," Marcus pleaded again as he held Esca close to him. "You're just all that matters, okay. You're all that matters to me." He said tearfully.

Esca and the Giant stood that way for a long time, neither caring to break apart. Had everything that had just happened not been so intense it would've been funny: a door just lying on the ground next to two men hugging and crying with another down a flight of stairs groaning in pain. Okay not funny, Esca thought, but strange. So strange.

"Esca," Marcus said finally breaking off the hug. "Esca I understand if you can't forgive me. But I swear, I swear that I will never…"

Esca placed a hand over Marcus's mouth causing him to stop talking. It seemed Esca just wanted some silence. Removing his hand, Esca stared at Marcus for bit longer. Marcus shifted uncomfortably in his gaze, not knowing whether or not he was forgiven.

The groaning at the bottom of the stairs had stopped, or Marcus had just started to ignore it, but in the silence and in the moment Esca and he were sharing, Marcus knew what he had to do. He slowly lowered his head to Esca and their lips met.

It wasn't anything super intense. There'd be time for that later. Marcus felt his heart pumping just as fast as the first time he'd kissed Esca. He wondered if his heart would race like this every time. He wouldn't mind if it did.

Esca returned the kiss and he was glad for it. He could feel Esca wanting more, but Marcus just couldn't give it to him. Not right now, so he pulled away and gave a weak smile instead.

Esca whimpered slightly as the lips left his too early. "Esca?" Marcus said staring into Esca's beautiful eyes. "I'm so sorry."

"Stop fucking apologizing," Esca grumbled.

"Sor…" Marcus stopped himself from apologizing once more. Esca smiled at that. They were going to be okay.

Marcus was so happy. This was what Cottia had been talking about. His hobby, his purpose, whatever the fuck it was called, it was Esca.