lights out ! markos

Why did it have to be a night that he had a terrible dream that the weather decided to go crazy and make it start thundering and lightning with the snow and ice. It was crazy, and Izzy really just wished that it would stop. He really hoped that the lights would kick back on at any moment and was pretty terrified standing there in the hall... in the dark. There's nothing in the dark that isn't there in the light. Once again, that phrase that was supposed to be helpful only had Izzy even more on edge. The sound of thunder had Izzy jumping a little, still shaking in place as he struggled to keep his breaths even, though they were a bit shallow. The small boy's attention was pulled away from the storm when Markos' door opened and the teen lowered the beam of light from the flashlight in his hand. Izzy could not help but wince a little at the sound of his full name. He never had been fond of it. He went into the dorm room, though, when Markos told him that he could go in, and he relaxed a little, though he was still tense and freaked out. "What's wrong? Are you alright?" At the second question, Izzy shook his head and walked over to sit down on the bed next to Markos, still all but trembling where he sat, though it was not from the cold. He jumped and gasped at the thunder and lightning that Markos noticed, leaning in close to the other teen, hugging Teddy to his chest while still clutching the flashlight. Markos had learned by that time that Izzy was scared of the dark. The thunderstorm bit, though, he was unsure if Markos actually knew or not. "I-I don't know," he replied in a soft, shaky voice. "I-I don't... St-storms... uh... I-I... bad dream..." Izzy broke off in a faint whine as he could not get the words across that he wanted to use to explain why he was there. "S-sorry," he hastily added after a moment, feeling bad because he had woken up the other boy. He had not meant to. He just did not think being alone when he felt near a panic attack from everything was the best idea. He struggled to keep his breath regulated, though that was quite difficult when you already felt like you could not breathe. "I-I c-could go..." Izzy did not particularly want to go anywhere, but if Markos wanted him to leave, he would. Izzy's fingers curled and uncurled around the arm of the stuffed bear he clung to, the highly annoying itchy feeling of the leggings he wore pressing against the few cuts on his thigh completely overshadowed by the tightness in his chest as he struggled to focus on just breathing. "I-I'm s-sorry," Izzy apologized again, though that time he was honestly not sure why he was apologizing. For being there, maybe. Yeah, that sounded close enough. Isa had such a habit of apologizing, he often did it way too much and in occasions where he really did not need to. It was a reflex. There was a chance he had done something wrong, though, so there was no harm in apologizing. Of course, he was sure that the apologizing got very annoying, and he almost apologized for that, but instead, he just sat there, biting his lip lightly as his breath seemingly got caught in his chest.

Izzy gasped inaudibly as Markos pulled him close and he tensed for a few moments before finally relaxing. He set his own flashlight down on the bed so that he could wrap an arm around Markos in turn, the other one continuing to cling tightly to the stuffed bear he'd had forever. He honestly could not remember who had given him the bear or where it had come from, just that it had always been there. He had always clung to it during thunderstorms or when he was alone in his room while his dad was angry downstairs. Isa never asked his father about it. He'd been too afraid that if he showed a particular fondness for it, that it might get taken away. It would have left the reserved teen heartbroken as it was the only thing he had had an attachment to. "Now, don't you worry, alright? I promise that you're safe here, alright? I won't let anything or anyone get to you." Izzy whined faintly as thunder sounded once again, but he nodded a little, instinctively pressing a little closer to Markos. Typically he really was not a fan of touching, but Markos calmed him enough that it was not an issue after he had gotten past the initial shock of it. If the other teen was anyone else, Izzy probably would have been hyper-aware that Markos did not have a shirt on, and it probably would have made him a bit more uncomfortable; but, none of that ever crossed his mind. Izzy focused more on the elder teen's comforting words than anything. Izzy continued to cling to the other boy as Markos pulled out a second, brighter light that made the room a bit easier to handle in general and Isa relaxed ever so slightly. He was still fairly tense and freaking out, however. "There we go, that's better. Now I can see you." Izzy attempted a faint smile in return, though it did not quite work out and he ended up hiding his face against Markos' shoulder as he noticed lighting beyond the window in the room. He listened as Markos told him that he did not have to leave. It was definitely a relief to hear, and he could not help but smile slightly when the other boy said that he liked having Iz around. That was a nice thing to hear, something that he honestly did not get too often. Most people were indifferent to him. "I-I don't want t-to leave," Izzy replied softly, shaking his head a little as he absently tightened his hold on Markos. He really did not want to go, finding that even though he was was still scared, Markos really did make it easier to handle.

Izzy nodded a little when Markos mentioned being cold. He was always cold, though, due to his smaller stature. Even though he wore a sweater, and leggings under his shorts, Iz was still really cold. He was sure his hand was rather cold against Markos' skin as well. It was something Isa was used to, though it was highly annoying. Of course, it gave him more of an excuse to wear layers and hide the cuts and scars on his thigh that he was repeatedly told was no good. They just did not understand, though. Iz closed his eyes for a moment as Markos brushed his hair out of his eyes for him before looking back to the other teen, absently wetting his lips before saying, "I-I don't kn-know. M-make it stop a-and the li-" Izzy broke off mid-word with a gasp as there was a particularly loud crash of thunder, absently pressing closer to his friend, unable to be any closer without actually shifting onto the other boy's lap. "S'too loud," he mumbled, meaning the storm. He was not overly fond of loud noises, especially sudden ones, as thunder was known to be. Bad things always happened when it got loud. Of course, he generally associated touch with some sort of punishment as well; but, there was something highly comforting about Markos' arms around him. It just did not feel like a bad thing, though a part of him was still on edge because of all the touching.

The smaller teen bit his lip lightly as Markos told him that he should know he would not be turned away. He probably should have known that, yes, but at the same time, it was just a worry he could not push aside. He did not like intruding on peoples' space. Of course, that went right along with that whole touching is bad thing. Getting in someone's personal space often meant getting hit, which was never a good thing. "Th-thank you," Izzy mumbled as he hid his face as best as he could, continuing to cling to Markos and Teddy. His bear was all but pinned to his chest by the arm draped over it and his knees pulled up so his legs were pinning it in place. He did not think he could get any smaller if he tried. He felt safer, though, there with Markos' arms around him than he had before. He still jumped almost every time thunder sounded, though and he hid his face so that he could not see the lightning. If Markos had been wearing a shirt, Izzy's fingers would have been clinging tightly to the material as he held the elder teen tightly. As it was, though, he simply kept his arm around Markos' waist, his other hand resting against his friend's chest as that arm continued holding Teddy close to his chest. He slowly relaxed, though, uncurling a little bit as Markos sang. He listened silently, a soft smile tugging on his lips. He did not recognize the words that came from the other teen's mouth but they were pretty, and comforting. There was something soothing about Markos' voice in general, but Izzy really did like his singing voice. It was nice, if not a little different than what he expected. The pale teen was not even really sure what he had that Markos singing would sound like, but that was not it. By the time Markos finished singing, Izzy had uncurled himself, though he was still clinging to the other teen. His legs were draped over Markos' lap, but he was still not really sitting on the other teen. He was pretty much completely distracted from the storm and could not keep from smiling slightly. "Never heard you sing before," he commented softly with a shake of his head, absently wetting his lips while flicking his hair back out of his eyes. "Should do it more often." Isa was still trembling a little, though it was nowhere near as bad as it was before and was probably more from the cold than anything by that moment. With the aid of Markos' flashlight, Izzy almost forgot that the lights weren't on, almost. He was pretty much completely distracted from the fading storm outside, though; but, he found himself almost wishing it would not fade, if only for him to have a continuing reason to be pressed so close to the other teen. He liked being close, even though, typically, closeness would have him all freaked out. Maybe it was simply because of who Markos was, though Isa was not sure what about him made it different than when other people tried to get close. It was... odd, but not unwelcome in any way.

Izzy easily moved with Markos' lead to lay back, staying close to the other boy all the while as they settled into place. "I do not typically sing very often, its not exactly my thing." Izzy smiled softly, absently nuzzling against the other teen's shoulder a little while closing his eyes for a moment before looking back to Markos. "I-I love to sing, not... not in front o-of people, though," he stated with a slight shake of his head. He had never really been able to make himself sing in front of other people. It freaked him out too much. He hated it because it would often make him fall into a panic attack. He was told by the people that heard him without him realizing it that he could sing really well, but he did not think so. It was him, after all, so how could that be? Izzy laughed softly when Markos wrapped the blanket around him more and he smiled with a nod at the other boy's question. "Mmhmm, th-thank you," he replied softly with another nod. Iz closed his eyes for a moment as his friend brushed his hair back out of his face, before looking back to Markos with a soft smile. He never really went anywhere without makeup on, but he had not had the time to put any on before going to Markos' room, something he did not really let himself think on because he just did not like that thought. He did not like going places without his makeup. It made him feel way too exposed.

The younger teen nodded a little in agreement as Markos stated he was glad that Izzy had come there. Despite everything, Iz really was too. He enjoyed spending time with one his few friends. He felt a lot closer to Markos than he did to anyone else. "I am, too," he said softly, nodding a little once more with a soft smile. "You know, Isa... you really are so very beautiful." A flush immediately colored Izzy's face as his eyes widened. No, he wasn't. Was he? Something just did not seem right about that statement, at all. Maybe it was because no one had ever said anything like that to him before. He did not really think that Markos would lie to him or anything, but that still could not be right. "I-I am?" he replied softly, absently shifting his hold on Teddy, holding the bear closer. A few moments later, the color returned to his face, and he inhaled sharply as Markos leaned in and pressed their lips together, making Isa instinctively tense just a little. He had never been kissed before or had anybody try. He absently tightened his arm around Markos when the other teen held him close again and lay there for another few moments before he said, "Wh-what was that for?" Isa did not think it was a bad thing that Markos kissed him, he just was not sure how to react to it at all. He didn't pull away from Markos any, not wanting him to think that he was upset or anything by the kiss, because he wasn't at all. He was just... confused. He was just very confused.

Izzy smiled softly at the gentle touch, though he bit his lip lightly at the mention of maybe him singing for Markos sometime. He did not know if that would ever happen. He could barely speak in front of people, let alone sing. Maybe if Markos snuck up on him when he was singing or something, but past that Isa really could not see a reason that the other teen would be able to hear him sing. He would like to be able to, simply to be able to return the favor; but, Iz just could not see it happening since he felt himself starting to panic at the thought alone. Which was why he turned his thoughts away from that idea rather quickly. The last thing he wanted was to get himself all upset again, especially after Markos had just gotten him to calm down. He really was not sure at all just how Markos made him feel safer than he did with anyone else. It was a bit... odd, but in a good way. It was good to have someone he could relax around, after all. It was nice, anyway. Iz was not sure why Markos wasted his time, but he could not say it was not appreciated. "Yes... you really are, Isa. The most beautiful creature that I believe I have ever had the pleasure of laying eyes on." Izzy's eyes widened slightly in surprise at the other teen's words, his face coloring a deep red once again. That was not true. How could it be? He was just... him. There were definitely people out there more beautiful than he was. If he was so beautiful, then how come the only people he had ever really known hated him so much? Wouldn't his dad like him better? His dad had called him "disgusting" so many times, that it was really all Iz could think about himself. After all, it was his fault his mother had died. His dad had made sure that Isa knew that. "I-I'm not," he replied softly, shaking his head a little. He was not someone who fished for compliments by arguing them; he just literally did not see it. He had pretty eyes, but that was about as far as Iz would agree. It would take a lot more than one boy's word to change that; though, if he were truly honest, Markos made him want to believe it, so he guessed that was a start, at least.

"Wh-why?" Isa replied softly, still confused as to why Markos would want to kiss him. Nobody ever had before. It was something completely foreign to him, but not completely unwanted. It felt nice to have Markos that close to him, even if he had no idea what to do other than just... stay there. He inhaled sharply as Markos kissed him a little more firmly, his own eyes falling closed as he absently let go of the teddy bear to rest his hand on the other teen's shoulder. The younger teen let out a faint noise of surprise as Markos nipped at his lip and he absently tightened his grip on Markos' shoulder, opening his eyes again as his friend pulled away from him, his face flushed once again. "You've th-thought about that b-before?" Iz was really just so confused about everything. He did not know what to do, or what to think. He was not sure what was going on, really, or just why the other teen would want to keep kissing him. He did know, however, that he really liked when Markos kissed him. It felt nice, though completely new and a little nerve wracking.

Izzy was not sure how they could get closer, but he did not resist Markos somehow finding away to do just that. His face was still flushed as he listened to the other teen. He really just did not know how it was possible that Markos thought that. After all, Markos was one of the popular kids. It was odd enough that the other boy wanted to be his friend and to help him. To think that the other boy actually thought he was beautiful was absurd. It was just... it could not be right. Could it? He bit his lip lightly for a moment as Markos mentioned a song on the radio. He was a little cautious, because it could not be good, right? However, Isa nodded a little and released his lower lip as he softly said, "Y-yeah." He was not sure why he agreed, but he was not going to try to take the statement back as Markos tried to remember the lyrics. He had almost forgot that he was not wearing makeup until the cosmetic item was mentioned in the song, and he almost wanted to pull away from Markos' touch, but instead he just took a deep breath and closed his eyes for a moment before looking back to the other teen. The more Markos sang, though, the more visible the coloring on his face got. Izzy was pretty much bright red, and almost wanted to hide his face away. However, he did not, though his grip on Markos' shoulder tightened just slightly as the elder teen kissed him once again. He almost did not want to let his friend pull away any, but he laughed softly with a slight smile as the other boy nuzzled against him. He continued listening quietly as Markos resumed singing, his face still colored red as he listened to the words. Despite it being difficult to fully believe that the words actually reminded Markos of him, he found the whole idea to be really sweet. He was sure many people wished that someone would do something so nice for them. He bit his lip lightly when the elder teen stopped singing and closed his eyes for a moment as his friend kissed his cheek and then along his jaw. It was odd, having Markos that close to him, but he enjoyed every moment. "Nobody's ever called me beautiful before," he said softly, shaking his head a little, though he was surprised that he had managed to get all the words out without stuttering even once. It was pretty much a milestone right there. Isa was always stuttery when nervous or scared or facing new situations; and, the entire scenario he was in at that moment was definitely new. He had feelings for Markos that he had never had for someone before, and he willingly let the other teen closer to him than anybody ever had been before. That in itself was a huge thing for the generally withdrawn teen. Isa absently bit his lower lip for a moment before releasing it in order to actually lean in enough to press his and Markos' lips together again, the hand on the other boy's shoulder shifting just slightly to rest on the back of his neck. Izzy was not sure what compelled him to want to kiss the other boy again, but he did not regret it either. He really, really liked when they kissed. It felt nice in a way completely new to him. Iz really had no idea what he was doing, but tried not to dwell on thinking too much. He overthought a lot of things, and that was usually how he messed stuff up, by thinking too much. He did not want to mess this up. He laughed softly and smiled as he slowly pulled away, though he stayed close to the other boy, honestly not liking the idea of distance after breaking the typical personal boundaries and being so close to the elder teen.