Fandom: The Eagle- AU.
Title: Young Blood: Bits
Rated R: For language and stupid boys in love.
Warnings: Short little unbeta'd AU written because my new meds give me weird dreams, completely self indulgent, choppy style/format, guys who love guys, resolved angst, potty mouths, etc.
Disclaimer:Marcus and Esca belong to Rosemary Sutcliffe. The abuse of these belong to me.

He's not sure what wakes him, at first.

Marcus blinks into the darkness and frowns. And blinks some more. Dim, gray light spills into the bedroom. Soft, deep shadows laying heavy on the sparse furnishings, in the corners.

Soft shadows covering, accenting, sharpening, Esca's features; wiry body nestled against his side. Shadows moving with him.

It's the whimpering, Marcus realizes. Tiny little hitches in Esca's breathing, an almost childish sound escaping his slightly parted lips. Pained, lost. Marcus eases further onto his side, looking down at his sleeping lover. Esca twitches.

A glint in the low light. A trail from each eye, streaming down into Esca's ears. Crying. His Esca is crying. Marcus splays his hand on his chest, feeling the heartbeat thundering inside. " Esca... Wake up, Esca." He watches, careful not to hover too close, not to startle or frighten.

The grey eyes snap open, blinking stupidly. Expression infinitely hurt, hands grasping tightly.

Esca gasps and sniffles quietly for a moment as Marcus soothes and pets. " Shhhh, you're okay. Just a dream, Esca. You're okay." He rubs gentle circles in the center of the younger man's chest.

Now Esca looks bewildered, and almost amused. A quiet chuckle between sniffs. " F-fucking weird dreams." He wipes his nose with the back of his hand. Smiles shakily up. " Sorry I woke you up, Mar-marcus. "

Marcus shakes his head, slides both arms around the trembling body, pulling Esca closer. " Don't worry 'bout it." He brushes the flushed face, thumb attempting to wipe away the tears. " Tell me about it?" He offers, though he doubts Esca will tell him. These kinds of things are so... personal. Even after all this time together, it's hard to expose these silly weaknesses.

Esca turns onto his side, into Marcus' embrace. His hand grips the back of Marcus' t-shirt. Tight, seeking strength. Presses his forehead against Marcus' chest. " Just, stupid. Don't remember exactly what happened, I think..." Sucking in a deep breath, laughing again. " I think we were fighting. You wouldn't talk to me, I remember that. Pissed or maybe you just never- and-" Long pause. Marcus knows Esca is trying hard to remember. " We were leaving, or something, going away. Different places. But you wouldn't talk to me. " Blatant hurt. " I remember riding a long way beside you. Looking out the window. Lots of countryside. And just wanting so fucking bad to turn around and tell you something."

It hurts Marcus, to hear this pain. He rubs Esca's back, kisses the top of his head. Encouraging, comforting.

" And then some house- didn't recognize it- and a thunderstorm. Grabbed a bottle of whiskey, outside, screaming at you. " Esca moves his head, nose brushing against Marcus' shirt. " Just a bunch of ' Fuck you's and totally pissed at you and me both. And I think I fell. I... I was on the ground, looking up, bottle still in hand. Just giving up. Crying like a complete bint and then you came looking for me and I just kept saying I was sorry, over and over. "

Marcus squeezes tight, fingers slipping into the mussed hair. Cradling his lover. After everything that's happened between them, it's a bit ironic that Esca is the one having nightmares of abandonment. It's also utterly heartbreaking. Marcus presses his mouth against his lover's crown. " Esca... I love you."

" Silly sod. I know." Esca pulls away, tilting his face up. Marcus kisses him, tender and slow and tainted by a desperate need to reassure. It breaks apart softly and Esca merely settles in place, his grip relaxing as his breathing evens out. " Love you. Sleep."

Marcus chuckles this time. He closes his eyes, though he resists sleep. Instead, Marcus enjoys the quiet warmth of Esca's breath on his neck.

- end