The Palette Pt. 31: Free
Prev.
CW: recovering whumpee, collar, no other warnings really! Just happy boys!
Mark couldn't help but smile when Jesse came into the room with a flourish; his long, purple scarf trailing behind him and grinning like the Cheshire cat. He was so damn excited. Mark was much less so.
They'd had a conversation.
A very, very long and tearful conversation.
They were both pretty happy at the house but Mark was desperate to show Jesse the world that surrounded him. He wanted to give him a life worth living and if anyone deserved to not be cooped up in a house all the time, it was Jesse. But that meant they either had to pull the trigger and get his papers, or Mark would have to allow him to use a collar.
In the end, Jesse chose the collar. It sunk a pit into Mark's stomach but he had promised to abide by whatever Jesse decided.
So they went online and Mark let Jesse pick out whatever collar he liked and they agreed that he could wear it while they were out in public.
For now.
Mark wanted Jesse to be able to behave as much like a human as possible and not be forced to adhere to some crazy pet decorum so he made one rule. No kneeling unless Mark, and Mark alone, tells him to kneel. If they were confronted or bothered in any way, Jesse was to stand behind Mark and Mark would handle it.
Mark didn't like any of it.
The collar arrived today whether Mark wanted it to or not and, he had to admit, it actually suited him. Jesse had picked out a delicate collar with silver links and a small, silver tab with his name and Mark's phone number on it. He wore it loose around his neck with the tab resting right over the dip below his throat. If he squinted, it almost looked like a necklace and not the symbol of ownership and power over another human being that it really was.
Mark sighed. He really needed to stop bristling whenever he thought of putting any kind of ownership over Jesse. This was what Jesse had asked for and Mark was going to swallow his repulsion over the entire situation and deal with it. The last thing he wanted was for Jesse to feel bad about one of the first choices he's made as an adult in his entire damn life.
Plus, Jesse wanted to go for a ride.
Mark ended up almost maxing out one of his credit cards buying Jesse all the proper gear he was going to need to stay safe on the back of a motorcycle. Call it guilt, maybe, but Jesse couldn't be more thrilled.
Jesse twirled in the living room and Mark pulled in another deep breath.
This was so dangerous.
“You look like a rainbow threw up on you. How do they fit?”
Jesse sputtered out a laugh in between twirls, “Great!" He jumped a little in place, "Heavy.”
He stumbled to a stop, half tripping over Cami as she tried to jump up on Jesse and play.
Mark sighed heavily and took one more look at Jesse. He had picked out all the colors. These god awful salmon colored leather riding pants, his very own royal blue leather jacket with way too many buckles, and a bright red motorcycle helmet. Oh, and the purple scarf with only the tiniest bit of the silver collar poked out from underneath.
Mark looked down at himself in all black, head to toe.
“And how do I look?”
He twirled once for good measure.
Jesse's grin about split across his face it was so bright.
“You look cool!”
“Yeah?” Mark's eyebrow shot up, “Well alright then. Let's go for a ride.”
“Yes!”
Jesse slapped his hands together and ran for the door, shooting out of the house.
He wont get hurt. He wont get hurt. He wont get hurt.
Mark took a deep breath, again, and followed him outside. He can't get hurt.
This was so stupid. If Jesse gets injured, he'd have no choice now. He'd have to take him to the pet clinic.
Stop. No.
Mark bodily shook himself.
He wont get hurt.
Mark looked up and couldn't help but smile. Jesse was already on the bike, feet up and helmet on. The kid was radiating nothing but pure joy.
He walked up and flicked the helmet, grinning at the face beaming back at him from inside the helmet.
“You okay in there?”
“Yep!”
Mark reached under the helmet and Jesse tilted his head back, letting Mark tighten the straps under his chin.
“Good?”
Jesse gave him a thumbs up. Mark had told him to communicate with a thumbs up or a thumbs down while on the bike and well, he guessed Jesse took that to heart.
Mark allowed himself one more slow breath before sliding in front of Jesse and kicking starting the bike.
Jesse immediately wrapped his arms so tight around Mark's waist and tucked in close. He could practically feel his heart beating wildly at his back.
“Ready?” Mark yelled over the motor.
Jesse gave him a thumbs up and clamped right back onto his waist.
“We'll be okay,” Mark whispered under his breath and eased the bike forward.
Jesse stayed quiet until they got off the bumpy driveway, squeezing Mark tighter and tighter with every bounce.
Then they hit the main road and Mark kicked it into gear, and Jesse practically shrieked with laughter. He screamed and squealed as Mark sped down the road as carefully as humanly possible with his precious cargo plastered to his back.
Mark couldn't help but laugh as he took a turn and Jesse just about squeezed the life out of him, laughing hysterically through the curve.
It didn't take long for Mark to settle into the old rhythm and feel of riding. It had been so long since the accident. The rumble from the bike and the heat coming off the engine was a familiar balm to his nerves and he kicked it up a notch.
They sped happily through the back roads and soon came up to an old mom and pop shop that sold some of the best ice cream around. He didn't want to overwhelm Jesse too much on his first ride so he decided to keep it fairly short.
He slowed and eased into the parking lot, feeling Jesse's chest heaving against his back. Mark kicked down the stand and leaned the bike over slightly. He pulled his helmet off but couldn't quite turn to check on Jesse with is arms still locked around him. He patted one hand and leaned back, catching the sight of that big red helmet and two massive green eyes looking back at him.
“You okay?”
He heard a small “yeah” and felt Jesse's grip lighten up slightly. He let Jesse hold onto him while he managed to turn and unstrap the helmet, pulling it off.
The face that met him looked wild and deliriously happy, with his bright red cheeks and mussed up hair. He was breathing so heavily but grinning ear to ear.
He looked so completely free.
Mark cupped the back of Jesse's head and pressed their foreheads together, waiting for him to catch his breath and find his words again.
They sat like that for a few minutes before he heard Jesse's whisper.
“That- that was amazing. Thank you.”
Mark pulled back and gave him a wet kiss on the forehead.
“Want some ice cream?”
Jesse's eyes lit up and he finally released his vice grip on Mark
“Oh! Yes please!”
Mark laughed and eased off the bike.
“You okay waiting here? You can see me through the window but just press here if you need me,” Mark pointed to the little button that set off the horn, “and I'll come running.”
“Yeah, okay.”
Jesse slid forward, planted his feet on the ground, put two hands on the grips, his eyes wide and full of wonder.
Mark laughed and turned to the little store, calling over his shoulder, “Don't leave without me!”
He stepped inside, the little bells above the door ringing softly, and he headed straight for the ice cream. Jesse would have been happy to follow him inside but Mark just didn't want to risk running into anyone who might try to interact with Jesse. Not yet.
He ordered two cones and went right back out.
Jesse looked so ridiculous and adorable at the same time. He smiled at Mark as soon as he stepped through the doors and slid off the bike.
“There's a table over here, by a little stream,” Jesse pointed to a spot just over in the grass.
“That's perfect!”
Mark caught up to him quickly and bumped his shoulder.
“I got us a rocky road or praline pecan. Which one do you want?”
“Oh,” Jesse leaned in to look at his choices before sitting down at the table, “I don't think I've had either. You pick.”
God. Mark forgets sometimes just how much they took from Jesse. There's no chance in hell that he grew up never tasting rocky road ice cream.
“Here,” Mark held both out in front of him, “Taste, then you can have whichever one you like most okay?”
Jesse nodded and leaned up onto his elbows, taking a small bite of the rocky road.
“Ooh. Mmmm, I like that one," Jesse licked his lips looking up at Mark, "No way the other one is better than that.”
Mark laughed, “Try the other one just in case.”
Jesse eyed the rocky road as he took a taste of the praline pecan. His eyes went wide and his hand immediate reaching out to take the cone.
“God, how is it better!?”
“Wow. Okay, praline it is!”
Mark sat back to happily enjoy his ice cream, wondering how anyone could ever choose praline over rocky road.
They ate their ice cream in companionable silence, watching the little ducks swim lazily in the stream until one of them started talking. Mark doesn't even remember who broke the silence first but once they started, they couldn't seem to stop.
They talked about all the places you could go from the back of a motorcycle, all the things you could see. Mark told Jesse about all the different hiking trails they could ride to, there and back within a day. He told him about all the best spots to camp and fish and see the stars. He told him about the rivers and waterfalls in Oregon, the warm beaches of California, the sheer vastness of the Plains. The noise of New York. All the things he used to love.
It felt like hours went by before they finally fell silent again, watching the water.
"Is that just a dream?"
Mark turned to Jesse, confused by the question.
"What do you mean?"
"Can we actually, um, would you actually take me? To see all those things? The waterfalls and the ocean? Is that real, for me?"
Mark reached across the table and grabbed Jesse's hands. He might not have believed it this morning, but right now, he knew it was true.
"Yes. It's real for you. It's real for me. We can pack up and go camping this weekend if you want to. I don't know why I haven't taken you until now. I'll get Mitch to watch the dogs, or we can take the truck and bring them along. Whatever you want. I know a great place with a really pretty waterfall not too far from here. You'll love it, Jesse. It's all real. I promise."
Jesse watched him as he spoke with more intensity than Mark had ever seen before. He wanted to believe him so badly, but Mark could see the doubt, just behind his eyes.
"Hey, why the hell not, huh? Just you and me, Jesse."
Jesse nodded, quietly taking a deep breath.
"This weekend?"
Mark nodded, "If you want. Yes."
"We'll go see a waterfall this weekend."
Jesse said the words like he was telling story he didn't quite believe was true.
Mark smiled, "We'll go see a waterfall this weekend."
Jesse finally grinned back, nodding faster now, "Okay. Okay. Yes, I want to. I want to go camping and see the waterfall."
"Then we'll do it! I'll show you the map tonight and we'll go get all the supplies tomorrow. Sound good?"
Jesse nodded, that spark finally gleaming bright in his eyes again. Mark had to wonder if he was starting to feel a little spark of his own coming back to him. One he lost a long time ago.
"Alright. That's settled," he proclaimed, standing up from the table, "You ready to get back home?"
They tossed their napkins and hopped easily back on the bike. Jesse rested his chin on Mark's shoulder and held him tight.
"Can we take a long way back?"
Mark grinned back at him, "Hell yeah we can."
He started the bike and patted Jesse's helmet, giving him a thumbs up. Jesse gave him a thumbs up back and they were off.
Mark felt a knot in his chest, one he thinks he might have been holding onto for a little too long, release like the snap of a guitar string.
He put his hand over Jesse's and smiled into the wind, swearing he had never felt so free.
Taglist: @whumpsday, @hold-him-down, @maracujatangerine, @pigeonwhumps, @boxboysandotherwhump, @darkthingshappen, @octopus-reactivated, @whumpzone, @unicornscotty, @melancholy-in-the-morning, @keep-beach-city-werid, @whumpthisway, @pumpkin-spice-whump, @whump-for-all-and-all-for-whump , @onlybadendings, @canislycaon24, @joeywhumpsitup, @thebirdsofgay, @mylifeisonthebookshelf, @whumper-soot, @whumpworld, @haro-whumps, @whumpcereal, @scp-1296, @writereleaserepeat, @the-magpiesystem, @espresso-depresso-system
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Disney Channel Tag (created by caitlovesdisney on YouTube)
I was really out of ideas for new content and my very hectic online ed schedule isn’t really leaving me with a lot of time for an AWAE rewatch, so I decided to do something different this time. This is a tag created by the amazing caitlovesdisney over on YouTube, and if you’re a Disney fan and haven’t seen any of her videos, you should go check her out now:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uc4JrxVE-t4
So here are my answers to her 30 questions:
Favourite Disney Channel show: This is a hard one. The Suite Life of Zack and Cody was my first favourite from the network, but Austin & Ally got me through some really tough times, and then there’s Girl Meets World... so I guess it’s those three.
Favourite Disney Channel movie: Another very hard one, probably Lemonade Mouth or Avalon High.
Favourite Disney Channel ship: Why are these so tough? I’m gonna go with Lutteo or Binuel.
Favourite Disney Channel ship that never was: Riley and Farkle, definitely. No, wait, Riley x Farkle x Maya as a poly relationship.
Favourite Disney Channel friendship: This will be an unusual answer, but – Austin and Ally. I recently rewatched 1x3 and came to appreciate them as friends so much more than as a couple. I still don’t ship them with anyone but each other, though. Although Dez and Austin would have made a lovely couple, too.
Favourite Disney Channel siblings: The Diaz family. I really like Coop and Cami Wrather from the more recent shows, too.
Favourite Disney Channel animated series: Nothing can beat Phineas and Ferb, that was a culture of its own.
Favourite Disney Channel show that is airing right now: International: BIA, hands down. American: Sydney to the Max. It’s unlike anything else.
Disney Channel show you wish had another season: Andi Mack. Also, Girl Meets World. Those were two of a kind and better than most shows on the network imo.
Favourite international Disney Channel Show: Soy Luna. I also really enjoyed Alex & Co.
Favourite Disney Channel theme song: Another tough one. The Suite Life on Deck and Pair of Kings themes are certified bops. But one theme that I really wish had a longer version is the theme to Mighty Med.
Favourite song from a Disney Channel movie: Currently, Flesh and Bone from Zombies 2.
Favourite Disney Channel character: How do I possibly pick just one? Going with my gut feeling, Farkle from Girl Meets World.
Favourite Disney Channel actor/ actress: Actress – Sabrina Carpenter, no question. Actor – I really don’t know, but Jackson Dollinger from Sydney to the Max reminds me of my little brother for some reason.
Favourite Disney Channel kiss: Lutteo’s kiss from 2x41, mostly because of the moment preceding it.
Favourite Disney Channel Movie dance number: I have a soft spot for the ending number from Teen Beach 2.
Favourite Disney Channel parents: It’s a three-way tie between Bob and Amy, Bex and Bowie and... Cory and Topanga. I also like the kind of dad that Max from Sydney to the Max is.
Favourite quote from a Disney Channel movie: “I wanted to remember this summer, but not like this, Troy.” This one has stuck with me since I was 10 and saw HSM2 for the first time.
Which Disney Channel school would you like to attend?: Seven Seas High, definitely.
Favourite Disney Channel Duet: “Nadie como tú” by the glorious duo of Matteo and Simón.
Disney Channel character you’d switch wardrobes with: Andi Mack.
Disney Channel song that makes you cry: “More than a band” from Lemonade Mouth.
Disney Channel Song that makes you want to dance: “Flesh and Bone” from Zombies 2.
What DCOM do you wish had a sequel?: None, actually. I might have said Teen Beach 2 at first, but even with that ending, I do think they work better as a pair. The ending just had to be better.
Favourite Disney Channel recording artist: Sabrina Carpenter. I’ve been following her since she was on that one episode of Austin and Ally.
Last Disney Channel show and movie you watched: Show – BIA. DCOM – Lemonade Mouth.
Name a Disney Channel character you ship yourself with: I’m aroace, so I don’t ship myself with people. But I’d really like Big Red from HSMTMTS as a best friend. Or Farkle from Girl Meets World.
Which DCOM have you seen at least ten times: The original HSM, for sure. If you could have any item from a show or DCOM, what would it be?: Either Luna’s sun & moon necklace or... Ally’s book. When I’m told not to touch something, I really want to see what it is.
Pitch a Disney Channel show or movie: I’ve had a sort of obsession with the thought of Voltage, but what about Sing it Loud? I’d love to see that.
I’m tagging: every single Disney fan who sees this! xx
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