You Don't Know Me

When Marcus woke up the next morning, he saw that Michelle was already awake. She was lying on her stomach, with her chin resting on her hand on his chest. He watched as she gently stroked his arm with her fingertips, watching the movements of her hand carefully.

“Good morning,” Marcus said softly, causing Michelle’s eyes to look up toward his face. “What are you doing?”

Smiling, Michelle slid up, resting her head into the crook of Marcus’s neck. Her hand rested on his opposite shoulder, rubbing gently. “I was just looking at your tattoos,” she told him, her voice shy. “Do they mean anything?”

Lifting his arm, Marcus angled his forearm towards her. “I got this on my nineteenth birthday,” he explained. “I had been clean for over a year, and, as cheesy as it sounds, it was sort of a slay-the-dragon metaphor. And this,” he twisted is arm to show the old-fashioned sailor-style tattoo of a heart with ivy and a banner reading ‘Mom’ that decorated his bicep. “This was my way to remember the people who helped me through my worst times, especially my mom.”

“Oh, I just thought you got them to look cool,” Michelle said. “You know, to lure innocent girls into bed with your toughness.”

“Worked pretty well on you,” Marcus chuckled and jumped when Michelle slapped his stomach. “I’m just kidding,” he told her, kissing the top of her head. “I could’ve gotten you into bed without the tattoos.”

Leaning up onto her forearm, Michelle smirked at him. “You’re a jerk,” she said with a grin.

Sliding his hand into her messy hair, Marcus smiled. “I’m I jerk that loves you,” he reminded her. He watched Michelle’s cheeks tinge pink before she leaned down and began kissing him softly.

“I love you,” Michelle murmured against his lips. She lifted her head as she slid her body on top of his. “And thanks again for last night. Everything was perfect.”

“I’m glad,” Marcus told her honestly as he slid his hand deeper into her hair and pulled her mouth down to his. Michelle put up no fight, kissing Marcus hungrily. She nibbled at his lower lip and stroked his cheek with her hand.

“Are you ready for another round?” Michelle smiled as she pulled her mouth from his.

“You will learn quickly enough,” Marcus raised his eyebrows. “You will never have to ask me that question. You can always just assume the answer is yes.” He grinned as she giggled.

Sliding his hands over her bare back, Marcus closed his eyes as Michelle’s mouth moved down to his throat. She kissed him softly and nibbled nervously, growing more confident as Marcus let out small sighs of contentment. Moving her mouth further down, Michelle kissed Marcus’s chest, leaving moist trails all over the skin. She could already feel his erection against her stomach, and she looked up at him with a smile. “Should we change positions?” she asked nervously.

Shaking his head, Marcus gently pulled at Michelle’s shoulders until she shifted her body up and her face was hovering over his, her eyes questioning. “I think you should try being on top this time,” he whispered.

“I don’t know,” Michelle protested, a blush coloring her cheeks again. “I wouldn’t know how…”

“I’ll help you,” Marcus told her kindly. “This way, you can move however it suits you best. But I promise, I’ll guide you first.”

Nodding in trust, Michelle pulled herself up to her knees. She reached into the drawer she had seen Marcus retrieve a condom from the night before and picked up one of the packets. Silently, she opened the wrapper and removed the condom. Biting her lip, she slid the condom carefully over Marcus’s erection and then looked up into his eyes. He was smiling, his face warm and caring. “Okay,” she said. “What now?”

Reaching for her hips, Marcus led Michelle’s legs around his waist until she was straddling him. “Come here,” he whispered, and Michelle lowered her top half until her hands were on either side of Marcus’s head and their faces were very close. She felt Marcus take one of her hips in his hand, using his other hand to lead himself to her, and then move that hand to the other hip. “Now, whenever you’re ready, you can press down. Go as fast or slow as feels good.”

Nodding, Michelle closed her eyes and lowered her mouth to Marcus’s. At the same time, she let her hips drop slowly, feeling him enter her. It now felt comfortable, and she pressed down farther, her body wanting to be filled with him. As she slid completely down, Marcus let out a small moan into her mouth.

“Good?” Michelle smiled, but her eyes were hazy. She wanted him, that was clear.

“Very good,” Marcus smiled back. He gently pushed at her hips with his hands, raising her body, and then pulled lightly bringing them back down. “Now you go,” he told her as he slid his hands up to her lower back.

Closing her eyes and resting her forehead against his, Michelle began tentatively moving above Marcus. She moved slowly at first, while she got used to the feeling, and gradually began increasing her pace. She felt Marcus slide one hand between them to cup her breast, running his fingertips over the nipple. He was whispering encouraging words to her, giving Michelle more confidence.

Marcus watched as Michelle slowly sat up a little. His hand was still on her breast, and he rubbed it as he watched her begin moving with self-assurance. He carefully began lifting his hips to meet her movements, allowing himself to thrust more deeply into her. Her body was responding well, and she was warm and wet around him. Marcus felt his own breath getting shorter, and he allowed his hand to slide down from her breast, over her belly, and to her clit. She let out a small groan at the first touch. He watched her face, eyes closed and skin flushed, as she rode him. All the while he touched her, teasing her with his fingertips.

Once again, a heat was taking over Michelle’s body. Marcus’s touches were sending bolts of pleasure through her, and his body inside her was a welcome invasion. Michelle lowered her mouth to his again, and began to feel her muscles tightening. This orgasm came over her more slowly, but just as intensely, and as she felt her muscles contracting deep within her, she heard Marcus let out a muffled groan. His body trembled beneath hers as their movements finally slowed to a stop. Michelle rested her head against his shoulder, trying to slow down her breathing.

“You definitely have potential, miss,” Marcus chuckled a moment later.

Raising her head, Michelle smirked at Marcus. “Yeah, at this rate, I could go pro by next year.”

Pulling her back down to him, Marcus wrapped his arms around Michelle and held her close. He tried to think of the last time he felt this good, but nothing would come to him. This was the happiest he had ever been in his life.

-----

“So, my parents want to meet you,” Michelle told Marcus on the phone later that night. He had had a two-to-eight shift, and as usual, had called her as soon as he returned home.

Shifting his position on his bed, Marcus grinned to himself. “Ah, so they finally want to string up the boy who violated their daughter, do they?”

“Shut up,” Michelle laughed. “No, we actually had a really good talk today. After I got home, they told me that I’m twenty, and therefore don’t owe them explanations when I want to spend the night out. But they said they would consider it a courtesy that, if I am seeing a particular young man – their words, not mine – that they would like to meet him.”

“Don’t make me feel nervous or anything,” Marcus said, half-jokingly. “So how do you think they’re going to respond to the tattooed ex-addict?”

Biting her lip, Michelle didn’t know how to respond to Marcus’s obvious nervousness. She had always considered him to be a well of never-ending self-confidence. “I was thinking we might just start with the knocking-a-girl-up-at-sixteen thing, and work from there,” she teased.

Sighing, Marcus leaned back into the pillows. “No, I’m being serious,” he told her softly. “Are they going to hate me on sight?”

“What happened to the cocky arrogant bastard I met last semester?” Michelle asked. “The guy it took me months to feel like I deserved to be with?”

“You can be dumb,” Marcus said plainly. “You’ve always been too good for me. I knew that from the start. I’m just afraid you’re parents will see it too…”

It was incredibly endearing, the way Marcus spoke. “I love you,” Michelle reminded him. “I think you’re so wonderful – the closeness you have with your mom, the issues you’ve worked through, the way you handle Peter. My parents aren’t ogres. They’ll see all that too.”

“I hope so,” Marcus admitted. “Because I love you, too. And I don’t want anything to come between us.”

“I won’t let anything come between us,” Michelle promised. “But I have to go now. My parents have some sort of birthday cake waiting for me. So, would you be able to come by for dinner on, say, Thursday at seven?”

Marcus smirked. Michelle knew his schedule so well. “Yeah,” he said. “That’ll be fine.”

“And Marcus,” Michelle added. “I just wanted to say again that I had a really great time last night. And this morning.”

Chuckling, Marcus agreed. “And happy birthday, Michelle.”

“Thank you.”

“I love you.”

“I love you, too. Goodnight.”

-----

Marcus had to chase Sean halfway across the campus on Tuesday before he caught up with him. “Hey, Sean,” he greeted him, out of breath.

Crinkling his eyebrows, Sean smirked. “Did you just run a marathon?”

“No,” Marcus laughed, falling into step with him. “I just saw you, and you were a ways away, and I needed to talk to you…”

Putting his hands up, Sean shook his head. “I know nothing. Michelle wouldn’t give me any details. I have no idea if you were good in bed or not…”

Grinning, Marcus bit back a laugh. “I wasn’t going to ask about that, thanks,” he smirked. “No, I, um… I just wanted to ask you about Michelle’s parents…”

Seeing the serious expression on Marcus’s face, Sean motioned towards a nearby bench. Once they sat down, Sean looked at him inquisitively. “What do you mean?”

“Well,” Marcus was blushing. “You know them pretty well. And I’m supposed to have dinner on Thursday with Michelle and her parents-”

“Sounds serious,” Sean interrupted, seeming impressed.

“Yeah,” Marcus said wryly. “That’s why I’m so nervous.”

Shaking his head, Sean put a friendly hand on Marcus’s shoulder. “Really, don’t worry about it, Marcus. You’re a good guy, and Michelle’s parents are nice. They’re a little… well, boring, really. But they want Michelle to get out in the world, and they are probably just as nervous about meeting you as you are about meeting them-”

“Well, looky what we have here,” a voice came from behind Marcus. He saw Sean turn a bit pale and pull his hand from Marcus’s shoulder quickly. Turning around, Marcus saw Luke and a couple of his friends approaching. “Well, fag, looks like you’ve turned yet another straight guy gay.”

Immediately, Marcus stood up and faced Luke. “Seriously, dude, you just want to shut up now,” Marcus’s voice was warning.

Taking a step even closer to Marcus, Luke stared him in the eye. “You know,” he said with a smirk. “I always thought you were a ladies man. Turn’s out, you’re more of a man’s man, isn’t that it?”

Full of rage, Marcus clenched his fists at his side. “Tony already kicked your ass, and your friends did nothing to help you,” he reminded Luke. “Are you ready to go oh-for-two?”

Clenching his jaw, Luke was visibly jarred by Marcus’s words. Apparently, he wasn’t very confident about his chances in a fight with Marcus, nor the support of his friends if he needed them. “Just stay away from me,” he said in as menacing a voice as he could muster. “And keep your boyfriend away from me, too. You never know what could happen to a weak fag when he’s alone…”

“Touch Sean,” Marcus whispered, staring straight into Luke’s eyes. “And I won’t have to lay a finger on you. Tony will kill you all on his own. Just like he kicked your ass all on his own…”

Sneering, Luke took a step back, knowing he had no comeback. “Enjoy your date, boys,” he commented lamely as he and his friends wandered off.

Sitting back down on the bench beside Sean, Marcus calmed down enough to give him an apologetic look. “It amazes me how idiotic some people can be,” was all he could think to say.

Shaking his head sadly, Sean shrugged. “I’m used to it,” he admitted.

“You shouldn’t have to be,” Marcus told him.

“Yeah, I know,” Sean was blushing, his expression sad. “But shit happens.”

“Ah, words of wisdom from a bumper sticker,” Marcus knocked his shoulder against Sean’s in a friendly manner, eliciting a small grin.

“Anyway,” Sean seemed eager to change the subject. “Just bring flowers or something for Michelle’s mom on Thursday. That’ll get you into her good graces.”

“Thanks, Sean,” Marcus said. They spoke for a few minutes more before Sean headed off towards class. As Marcus watched him walking, he shook his head in anger. It was so unfair that jerk offs like Luke could make the lives of great people like Sean uncomfortable.

-----

“You brought flowers?” Michelle asked on Thursday night as she answered the door.

Smiling shyly, Marcus shrugged. “Sean recommended it,” he admitted. “I may have asked his advice on a few minor details.”

Standing back, Michelle ushered Marcus into her parents’ house. “You look really nice,” she whispered encouragingly as she closed the door. Marcus had worn a light grey dress shirt and dark grey pants. “You didn’t have to dress up.”

“It couldn’t hurt, could it?” Marcus looked adorably nervous.

“So, Michelle, this is your friend, Marcus,” her mother swept into the hallway eagerly.

“Hello, Mrs. Campbell,” Marcus focused his smile on Michelle’s mother. “Thank you for inviting me to dinner. I thought you might like these…”

Obviously impressed, Michelle’s mother took the flowers from Marcus appreciatively. “They’re beautiful. Thank you so much. Come inside now; Michelle’s father is eager to meet you.”

As Marcus began following Michelle’s mother, he suddenly felt himself held back. Without warning, Michelle grabbed his wrist and shoved him towards the wall. She drew herself up onto her toes and kissed his lips softly. “Relax,” she told him in a whisper, looking into his eyes. “I love you. They will, too.”

Lightheaded from the kiss, Marcus followed Michelle to the dining room. As nervous as he was, he could handle this. He would do whatever it took to make it easier for him to be with Michelle.

-----

Marcus was greeted outside of work on Friday by Michelle, Sean and Tony. They were all planning on hanging out after he got off work, but he hadn’t expected them to be in the parking lot. “Hey,” Michelle smiled, leaning up to kiss him.

“Hey,” Marcus smiled back at her. “What are you guys doing here? I thought I’d go home and change before we all met up…”

“Well, after going through the third-degree last night,” Michelle smirked. “And, may I say,” Michelle added proudly, turning towards Sean and Tony with a smile. “Even after grilling Marcus for the better part of last night, my parents were still talking about how wonderful he was at breakfast today…” Turning back to Marcus, Michelle grinned. “I thought we could all use a break. How does the first bonfire on the beach of the season sound?”

Ignoring the fact that Sean and Tony were standing right there, Marcus wrapped his arms around Michelle’s waist. “Sounds perfect,” he whispered against her lips before kissing her deeply. “But I was planning on showering and changing before we headed out…”

“Oh,” Michelle smiled, leaning up to put her mouth to his ear. “I don’t plan on you wearing your clothes for very long tonight,” she whispered.

Pulling back, Marcus looked into Michelle’s eyes. They were water-colored pools right now, happy and relaxed. And her words were more than enough encouragement…

“Let’s head out,” Marcus grinned at Sean and Tony.

“Let’s do it,” Tony smiled back, and they all headed towards Tony’s SUV. Tony had his arm wrapped around Sean’s waist, and Marcus had his arm in the same place on Michelle. Yes, Marcus was tired from school and work. But the idea of hanging out with such good friends and the girl he loved… there wasn’t anything that could have kept him away from the beach that night.

-----

“Here’s to finals being over,” Tony held up his glass. Classes had ended that week, and he, Sean, Marcus, and Michelle had gone out to celebrate. They were at a nightclub that rarely carded, although Michelle and Marcus were abstaining as usual.

“And to my best friend, Michelle,” Sean added. “Younger than the rest of us – at least by a few months – and yet the first to get her Associate’s degree.” It was true – while Tony, Sean and Michelle had started college at the same time, the boys had opted to take four courses per semester, versus Michelle’s five. Therefore, they both had one more semester left, while Michelle was done for now.

“Yes, she’s that weird mix of hot and smart,” Marcus grinned. “I’m a lucky man.” He leaned down to kiss the blushing Michelle before she could argue.

“As am I,” Tony said, his slight inebriation coming forth. He reached for Sean’s waist and pulled him close. “I love you,” he whispered softly before his lips pressed against Sean’s. Marcus and Michelle both looked towards the other, smiling that their friends had found each other.

Pressing back against Tony’s chest reluctantly, Sean’s face was flushed. “Okay,” he said, his happiness obvious in his expression. “I hate to be the downer, but I have to get out of here. I have an interview for that internship at nine tomorrow.” Sean was hoping to get an internship at a local television station over the summer, and had been given an in by his favorite professor.

“You’re a nerd,” Tony grinned. “But you’re right. You want me to walk you to your car?”

“I’ve only had one drink,” Sean declined. “But I’ll call you tomorrow after the interview, and tell you how it went.”

“Okay,” Tony grinned, pulling Sean to him once more. It had only been a couple weeks since they had admitted how much they cared for each other out loud, but it had been a wonderful couple weeks. Resting his head against Sean’s forehead, Tony couldn’t have cared less who was watching. “You’re going to do great tomorrow,” he whispered into Sean’s ear. “And if you do, I will reward you tomorrow night.”

Pulling back, Sean smirked. “That’s all the encouragement I need,” he chuckled, wrapping his arms around Tony’s neck. He looked his boyfriend in the eyes for a moment before continuing. “I’m so lucky I found you,” he said softly.

“You had very little to do with it,” Tony teased. “I’m the one who saw you, remember?”

“I saw you before that,” Sean ran his hands through Tony’s hair. “I just didn’t know if you would ever-”

“Well, I do,” Tony interrupted, and then he pulled Sean close to him. Their lips pressed together, forgetting that they were in a packed club. All they could feel was the other person as Sean ran his tongue over Tony’s bottom lip. With his hands running over Sean’s back, Tony slid his tongue into his mouth, happy to feel Sean’s tongue eagerly awaiting his. They kissed deeply for a couple minutes before they heard Marcus clearing his throat audibly.

“Sorry,” Sean blushed, pulling back from Tony. “I forgot anyone else was here.”

“I didn’t,” Tony admitted without shame. “I just didn’t care.”

Laughing, Sean looked up into Tony’s eyes. It had been difficult in the beginning, with Tony being nervous to admit the truth about himself to people. But in the last six months since they had gotten together, things had become wonderful. “Well, I really do have to go,” Sean repeated regretfully. “Congrats again, Michelle,” he pulled his best friend into a hug. Looking over, he didn’t think twice about hugging Marcus. He considered him more than Michelle’s boyfriend now – Marcus was a good and true friend. Turning back to Tony, he rose to kiss him lightly once again. “Don’t forget your promise for tomorrow night,” he grinned mischievously.

“It only holds true if you do well tomorrow,” Tony grinned back.

Giving one last look at his friends, Sean waved. As he worked his way through the crowded club, he thought about how happy he was. His best friend was finally becoming confident, thanks to a fun and wonderful man Sean was happy to call his friend. Finals were over, and summer was on its way. And Tony… well, Tony was all that he could have hoped for and more…

-----

“Damn it,” Janette said out loud, stopping. “I stood in gum,” she grumbled to herself, leaning against a nearby car to inspect her shoe. Looking around, she saw a rock and picked it up, using it to wipe away the intrusion.

Stepping down again softly to see if there was any problem left, Janette took a moment to straighten her skirt. She hadn’t been out in a while, but she was looking forward to tonight. A few of her friends were meeting her, and there was sure to be a few guys there who would help her forget about her recent humiliating rejection.

“There are a couple now,” Janette thought, recognizing Jake and Alex across the parking lot. She furrowed her brow as she tried to figure out what they were doing. Looking beyond them, her eyes grew wide, and she began stalking towards them. “Sons of bitches,” she thought to herself.

Just as Janette was about to approach the group, she saw exactly what was happening. Jake and Alex were standing aside while Luke harassed Tony’s boyfriend. She couldn’t remember his name right now, but she knew he was a sweet guy. She was about to approach and say something when she saw Luke shove him.

“Not so tough without your boyfriends to protect you, are you, fag?” Luke shoved the boy again.

“Back off, you jackass,” Janette called out, but Jake grabbed her by the waist before she could get to Luke. “Get off me, you asshole,” she demanded, but it was obvious that the three guys had been drinking for quite some time. Jake just held Janette tighter as she yelled at Luke. “Don’t be a dick, Luke,” she called out, trying to worm her way from Jake’s grasp.

Looking over his shoulder, Luke sneered. “Hey Janette,” he said in a sickeningly drunk voice. “You know this fag? Knowing how much you like cock, I never would have guessed…”

Her face heating with color, Janette struggled from Jake’s grip. It was too late, though. Luke had taken a swing at Tony’s boyfriend. Janette watched in horror as the boy stumbled back, tripping on a rock, and smashed his head into the rearview mirror of a nearby car. She barely felt it as Jake let go of his grasp of her in shock, letting her body drop hard to the ground. All she could see was the now-limp body of this innocent boy hit the pavement, blood gushing from his head…