Marco leaned against the counter of the apartment his arms folded. He tapped a finger against his arm keeping an eye on the coffee pot next to him. It bubbled and gurgled as the hot water ran through the grounds. It wasn’t that early in the morning for them but he didn’t work so he was allowed a late rise.
Looking down at his neck he stared at the necklace that rocked back and forth. The black cord and the red stone hanging at his throat. It glowed as he looked at it but not as bright as it usually did. But maybe that was because he was just staring and not trying to armor up.
Raising his hand, he touched it, dragging his thumb across the smooth material and he truly wondered what it was made of. The otherworldly material created the stone. If it was really from space or maybe it was a piece of the celestial whose power channeled through it. Though calling it Ley’s power at this point was a misnomer.
He remembered when it was first given to him. He remembered the power that coursed through it. It had felt alien like driving someone else’s car. Maybe that was because it had belonged to Jack before him. But it didn’t take long for it to feel more familiar, for it to respond to him specifically. For it to become his. Every time he donned the armor it felt more like him and less like the celestial’s.
Glancing back at the coffee maker he listened as it dripped one more time. He waited a second longer before going to the cupboard. Grabbing two mugs and a cup he set the mugs on the counter and then got the pitcher out of the fridge. Filling the cup with ice water he filled the two mugs with coffee.
He looked around for a tray when he tensed feeling something behind him. Taking a slow breath he looked over his shoulder and watched Jack limp his way into the kitchen. “Smells good. Well, as good as coffee can smell.”
Marco glared at him and Jack was already laughing, “Don’t fucking laugh. Get back in bed.”
Jack shrugged and both his hands had bandages on them, and around a few fingers. There were a few on his neck and Marco knew from having to wrap and set them up that he had more all over his body. On his finger his ring glowed an energetic green.
“Come on Marco. I’m hurt not dead,” he thought about it for a moment. “Well not this time at least.
“Not yet but you might be soon,” Jack winced and looked over his shoulder as Sarah arrived. A blanket trailed her feet though she was wearing an over sized t-shirt that had belong to one of them. “He got me tangled in the blanket and snuck off.”
He looked back at her and made a face, “You guys keep acting like I’ll fall apart if I even walk to the bathroom.”
“Because you almost died you idiot,” Marco walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder and squeezed hard, enough to make him wince and try to pull away. “We had to drag you out of the water after that explosion.”
“I know. Swimming wasn’t exactly easy.”
“You weren’t conscious,” Sarah said her glare not easing up. “You were barely even breathing. If you didn’t have all six of our stones you probably would have just died.”
“It’s been a week and you’re still recovering,” Marco also added.
Jack sighed and nodded looking at the pair of them and let his head hang, “Fine fine. I’ll go back to bed like an invalid and wait for you two to take care of me.”
He trudged away from the kitchen and Sarah watched him go, looking back at Marco, “Normally he’d love being spoiled.”
“He’s getting restless,” Marco said filling the last of the coffee cups. “I don’t blame him but he almost died. Again.”
Sarah took one of the mugs from the tray and Marco took his own along with Jack’s water glass. Sarah kept her gaze down for a moment and shook her head, “We almost lost him. Twice now.”
“Especially after just getting you back,” Marco mumbled. “And yet we’re still wearing these.”
Sarah glanced at her bracelet and then at his necklace. “Yeah we are.”
Bending down she picked up the blanket and wrapped it around her arm as they both walked back to the bedroom. Another blanket and a sheet were still there but for the most part the room was at least still in a pretend working order. At least working order for the three of them.
“We must have a death wish or something,” Marco said setting his mug down on his side of the dresser.
“Well you’re the only one who hasn’t taken a borderline dirt nap,” Jack smiled. “We can make jackets once that happens.”
“Don’t joke about that Jack,” Sarah said sharply. He expected her to hit him but it was the look she gave him that made him guilt flinch away.
Reaching over to her he squeezed her hand, “I’m sorry. You’re right. Not funny. Have you been having more nightmares?”
She wrapped her arms around her legs, “No. Not since a couple days ago. Maybe they’re getting better. Going away.”
“I hope so,” Marco kissed her forehead lightly as she slid across the bed to the middle as Jack lay his head against her shoulder. “Maybe we’ll get another year off before something insane can happen.”
“After all this I want another vacation,” Jack groaned softly as he shifted and cuddled closer to Sarah. She looked at him stroking his cheek slowly and he looked up at her and then at Marco who turned once he realized he was being stared at.
His bad joke echoed in his head. He and Sarah were lucky that they could come back home. But they couldn’t be lucky forever. The next time something bad happened it could be permanent. Their happy trio could get broken up for good. Sitting up slowly and grunting the whole time Jack looked at the two of them.
He shook his head seeing them both start to protest. He could remember the conversation he and Jason had had. “I love you guys. More than anything. I’d do anything for both of you. And so before the next major crisis happens from this planet or from space. Marco. Sarah. Will you marry me?”
The Harlequin Library 