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I thought this was as good a time as any to make a bodyguard prequel! Read that one first!
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Am I a year late? Sure.
Get ready folks, this is a long one.
•
"Scott, this is your new bodyguard, Mark."
Scott looks at the man with wide eyes. Mark looks strong. He can see the muscles peeking through the tank top he's wearing.
"Uh, hi." Scott says shyly. "N-nice to meet you."
"What are you nervous for?" Mark asks. "I'm gonna make sure you're kept safe. I heard about some of your crazy fans, and I'm not gonna let them get anywhere near you."
Scott nods, then looks at his tour manager, Mitch.
Mitch smiles. "Told you I got the best of the best, Scotty."
-
the next day
"Hey, Mark?" Mitch asks, a few days later, as Mark is about to help load things on the bus. "Can we chat really quick?"
"Sure," Mark says, puts the box down, and walks over towards Mitch. "What's up?"
"I just wanted to brief you on Scotty. He's as sweet as can be and when he performs you'll see him at his happiest--but he came from a very bad home and when he left them, he was immediately in a toxic relationship. He was physically abused for a good portion of his life, I think that's why he looked at you like he was almost scared of you."
"Poor thing," Mark says. "Well, I assure you I'd never do anything to scare him intentionally."
"Yeah, of course. I think the muscles scared him a bit," Mitch frowns. "Maybe try to get to know him, get comfortable around each other."
"Good idea, Mitch. Thank you."
"I just love Scott more than anything. We've been best friends since we were eight," he smiles, "I'd do anything for him."
"That's really sweet, Mitch."
"You promise you can take good care of him?" Mitch asks. "He was really shaken up by that last interaction a few weeks ago."
"Was that the fan that went onstage and hugged him?"
Mitch nods. "The poor guy. He broke down in tears and we had to get him offstage, end the concert early."
Mark places his hand over his heart. "Oh my god."
"Mitchy?" A voice asks, and Mark and Mitch both look the direction the sound is coming from, and it's Scott, standing at the entrance of the bus.
Scott's eyes widen. "Oh, uh, hi, Mark."
Mark smiles, giving a small wave.
"Uh, Mitchy, do you wanna play Animal Crossing with me, whenever you're done?"
"I never don't want to play Animal Crossing, Scotty."
Scott smiles and giggles. "I'll be in my bunk," he says, before getting back on the bus.
"He's such a sweetheart," Mark says, and Mitch nods.
"I told you. Sweet as can be."
-
two weeks later
Scott looks down at his hands, playing with his fingers as he waits.
"What'cha thinking about?" Mark asks, leaning against the wall.
Scott jumps, startled. "Uh, I'm just nervous." He says. "Haven't performed since the summer."
Mark nods. "What's the worst that could happen?"
"I forget the words," Scott starts, "I trip over a wire, someone comes onstage again-"
"Let me stop you right there," Mark says. "No one is gonna make it onstage."
Scott smiles. "Thanks for being here."
Mark nods in response, and then it's time for Scott to go onstage.
"Oh gosh," he says. "Here I go."
A few minutes later he's onstage. "How's everyone doing tonight?" He asks, and the crowd cheers.
"I have a few songs I'm gonna sing for y'all tonight, how's that sound?"
The crowd cheers even louder. "Let's get started!" Scott says, and the band kicks in behind him.
A few songs pass, and Mark is in awe. "He's so different when he's performing," he says.
Mitch nods in agreement. "I'll never know how he does it," he says.
About two hours later, Scott is offstage, a smile on his face. He hands his microphone to the sound person, giving her a quiet "Thank you!" before heading to his dressing room.
"And just like that, he's quiet again," Mark says. "Unbelievable."
"Every time," Mitch says. "It's like he's two different people, I swear."
About 30 minutes pass and Mark is leading Scott to the bus. There are screaming fans all around them.
Once they're on the bus, Scott sighs, relieved. "Mark?" He asks.
"Hm?"
"I just wanted to say I felt really safe with you here today. Thank you."
Mark smiles. "Happy to help."
-
Weeks pass, and Scott loves having Mark around. He's never felt so confident on tour before.
Mark loves touring with Scott and his crew. He's toured with a few celebrities, but Scott is by far his favorite.
-
2 months later
"Mark?" Scott asks. "Mark, wake up!"
Mark sits up quickly. "Hm?" He asks, blinking his eyes open.
"Happy Birthday!" The whole tour crew cheers, and Mark is startled.
"Oh, thank you, guys!" He says, once he realizes what's going on.
"I remember you said strawberries and cream cake is your favorite, so I made you one," Scott says. "I hope you like it," He sets it on the bedside table.
"Thanks, Scott. I really appreciate it," Mark says. "How did you all get in here? I only got one room key..."
"I may have lied about how many room keys they gave you," Mitch says. "Oops."
"Well, do you want to go get brunch, Mark?" Scott asks. "My treat. Thank you for always making me feel safe. Happy Birthday."
"Sure, that sounds really nice."
An hour later, Scott and Mark are eating at iHOP.
"What's your favorite thing about touring?" Mark asks.
Scott thinks for a moment. "I guess I like seeing my fans," he blushes. "They mean so much to me."
Mark nods. "I can totally see that." He says.
"What's your favorite part about touring?" Scott asks.
Mark opens his mouth to speak, when-
"Oh my god, you're Scott Hoying!"
Mark pinpoints the source of the sound, and is quick to stand up.
"Scott Hoying! Oh my gosh!" The girl says. "I love you! I was at your concert last night-"
"Hi, I'm Scott's bodyguard, Mark," Mark says. "We're trying to eat if you don't mind. Scott has a very hard time just getting to eat meals like this with crazy fans."
"Oh," The girl says. "I'm sorry. I just love him! I hope you guys have a good breakfast."
The girl walks back to her table, stealing looks at Scott every now and again.
"I'm sorry," Scott says when Mark sits down.
Mark picks up his fork, cutting another bite of his pancakes. "Why?"
"It's your birthday and you just had to work."
"I'm happy to protect you, Scott." Mark says. "Don't worry at all about it."
-
Scott is eating breakfast on the tour bus the next day when Mark comes back from his daily run.
"Hey, good morning," Mark says, wiping his sweat off with a towel. "You're up early."
Scott looks at Mark for a moment. He doesn't have a shirt on. "Wow," he says.
"What?" Mark asks, opening up a protein shake.
"Uh," Scott thinks. "Uh, you run every day?"
"6 days a week," Mark corrects.
"No wonder you're so strong," Scott says.
Mark chuckles.
"Morning, boys," Mitch says. "We have an early day today, Scott has a benefit performance."
"Oh, that's right," Mark says. "Sorry, slipped my mind."
"The tour crew will get us checked into the hotel," Mitch says. "Mark, how long will it take for you to get ready?"
"Give me 10 minutes," Mark says, leaving to go grab his clothes from his bunk.
When Mark leaves, Scott blushes.
"What?" Mitch asks.
"Hm?"
"You're all flustered," Mitch raises an eyebrow.
-
About three weeks pass and Scott is having an amazing time on tour. He loves getting to perform for his fans and travel.
Today's a day off, and they're in a hotel.
Mark's phone rings.
"Hello?"
"Mark!" Mitch says. "Things are getting kind of crazy in the lobby. Can you come help?" Mitch asks.
"Yeah, I'm on my way."
Mark heads downstairs and there's about 8 or 9 fans talking to Scott. He's handling it, but reading his body language, he needs to get out of there.
Mark approaches the area that Scott's at, and realizes he's in jeans and a t shirt. He could handle this without making a huge deal.
"Hey Scott, it's time for your session with Mr. Parsons." Mark says.
Scott looks up from where he's sitting at Mark, and nods. "Thanks, Mark." He says. "I'm glad you guys enjoyed the concert," he says to the fans, before Mark walks him to the elevator.
When the elevator door shuts, Scott hugs Mark. "Thank you."
Mark is stunned. "Huh?"
Scott steps back from the hug. "For getting me out of there. And not making a big deal, scaring any of the fans."
"Oh," Mark says. "Uh, you're welcome."
"It's just overwhelming sometimes," Scott looks down. "I just wanted breakfast and then they wouldn't stop talking to me. I guess I should be thankful they weren't violent, but, it's still a lot."
Mark nods. "I understand." He says. "I want to make you feel as safe as possible, and not just because I work for you, Scott. I consider you a good friend."
Scott smiles. "I consider you a good friend too," he says.
-
2 weeks later
"You what?" Mitch asks.
"I think I like him, Mitchy..."
"Do you like him because he protects you or do you like him because you like him?" Mitch asks. "If he wasn't your bodyguard, would you still like him?"
Scott puts his face in his hands. "I think so. He's so nice, Mitchy. And he's sweet when he's off duty. I like him better when he's not being all tough."
"Oh, honey. What are we going to do with you?" Mitch asks, looking at Scott sadly. "You can't date your bodyguard."
"I know. I don't know what to do."
-
1 week later
Mark knocks on Scott's hotel room door, a to-go box in his hand.
Scott answers the door, and tilts his head. "Mark? What are you doing here?"
Mark smiles. "You said you didn't get to eat and I just happened to be at the restaurant across the street...you like quesadillas, right?"
Scott smiles. "Yeah."
Mark walks into the room, handing Scott his box.
Scott opens it. "Oh wow, this is a lot of food." He laughs. "Do you want half?"
"Sure," Mark says.
They divide up the quesadillas, and begin to chat.
"What made you decide you want to perform?" Mark asks.
Scott smiles. "I love music," he says. "It's been my dream for so long. I used to write songs in my basement when I was little." He says. "I never got to sing them for anyone, but now I do." He giggles.
Mark smiles. It's Scott's simplicity that he loves so much. "Did you ever think you'd be this successful?" He asks.
"No, never," Scott says. "I still don't feel like it's real. What about you? What got you into...bodyguarding?"
Mark chuckles. "I've always worked out a lot and, I love music." he says. "I've been doing this for about 10 years now and wouldn't change a thing. Although, I don't plan on changing tours anytime soon. I feel like I've finally found a group I...vibe with."
Scott smiles. "I'm glad you feel that way." He says. "I never want anyone who works with me to feel anything less than...happy."
Mark smiles. "You've accomplished that."
Scott blushes. He can't help it. "That means a lot." He looks down at his hands. "This might be weird. Can I have a hug?"
Mark chuckles. "It's not weird, Scott. Sure."
Mark pulls Scott in for a hug and can't help but notice...Scott fits like a puzzle piece.
"Thank you," Scott mumbles, stepping away after a few moments. "For everything."
Mark smiles at Scott. He's adorable.
-
3 days later
They're looking at the next venue.
"This is the biggest stage ever!" Scott giggles, in awe. "I get to perform here?"
Mitch nods. "I've been booking you better and better venues, Scotty. Do you like it?"
"I love it, Mitchy! Thank you."
"Look at this place," Mark looks around. "Scott, are you excited?"
"I am so excited." Scott says, quiet. "I'm gonna have such a big crowd tonight. Do you think you can handle it, Marky?"
Mark's heart melts at the nickname. "I can handle it," he says. "Just to think, tomorrow this place will be full."
Mitch and the makeup artist, Nicole, go backstage to tour the dressing rooms.
Scott smiles at Mark. "Wanna go up on stage?"
Mark has to admit. He's always wondered what it's like.
"Sure."
Scott guides him to the stage, and they stand in the center.
"Wow," Mark says, "You don't get nervous up here?" He looks at Scott.
Scott sighs. "When I'm performing, I'm a different person." He says. "I love performing. It's almost like I'm a superhero, in a weird way."
Mark nods. "I really like watching you perform," he says. "You thrive up here."
Scott smiles, and in a moment of courage, he grabs Mark's hand. "I couldn't do it without you."
-
The next day, after Scott's performance, Scott and Mark are leaving the venue. They stuck around for a while to let the fans disappear before leaving. Mitch, Nicole, and the rest of the team are already at the hotel.
Mark opens the doors and there's a mob of fans out there. Scott gasps, hiding behind Mark, and then Mark closes the door quickly.
"This thing locks from the outside, I think." Mark says.
The door rattles, proving Mark right. "Yep, no one's getting in here. On the other side...they all know we're in here. There's no getting out without dealing with them."
"They took down the railings," Scott says. "It's just a mob out there."
"The venue security is still here," Mark says. "We'll get you out of here. Let me tell them to put up the railings."
"O-okay." Scott says.
"You alright?" Mark asks.
"I'll be fine once we're in the car," Scott says.
"Okay," Mark says. "I'll be back in just a minute."
Mark goes to alert the security of what needs to be done, and he's back in less than 2 minutes.
"They said to give them a few minutes," Mark says, sitting next to Scott on the dressing room couch.
"Can I have a hug?" Scott's voice cracks, and Mark sees the tears in his eyes. Mark is quick to nod and Scott hugs him tight, crying into his shoulder.
"Oh, Scotty," Mark coos, after a few moments, once he feels Scott calming down. "Did the crowd out there make you anxious?"
Scott pulls away, wiping his tears. "It was just, performing in this big venue, the biggest I've ever performed at, and then that huge crowd outside," he says. "I'm sorry. I just...got a little overwhelmed."
"It's alright," Mark grabs Scott's hand, lacing their fingers together.
Scott looks down at their hands, and lets a sigh of relief escape.
"Hey, y'all are all set. Good to go."
"Thanks," Mark says. "You ready?" He asks Scott.
Scott nods. "I think so. Can he come with us?" He looks up at the venue security man.
"Sure," the man says.
Mark and Scott stand up, and Mark brings their joint hands up to about shoulder level so they can both see them. "I'm okay with...this, I just don't want the fans to start talking about anything. Okay?"
"Okay," Scott says. "That'd be a bad idea anyway."
"Not necessarily," Mark tilts Scott's face so he's looking at him, sees his fondness. "But, in front of the fans." He clarifies.
Scott nods. "Okay. Let's go."
They get to the car without anything happening. When Mark buckles his seatbelt, Scott can't help but smile at him and plant a shy kiss to his cheek.
"What was that?" Mark asks.
Scott shrugs. "Nevermind. Forget it happened."
Mark chuckles. "I didn't say I didn't like it," he says, bringing Scott's knuckles to his lips.
-
2 days later
Mitch is walking to the fridge on the tour bus when he passes by Scott and Mark on the couch, and he raises an eyebrow at them.
Scott's leaning his head on Mark's shoulder, giggling at whatever Mark is showing him on his phone.
"What are you two doing?" Mitch asks.
Scott lifts his head from Mark's shoulder. "Watching tiktoks," he says.
Mitch eyes them up and down. "Uhuh," he says, before going on.
It's about 15 minutes later when Mitch finds Mark alone.
"So, Mark," Mitch says. "What's going on with you and Scott?"
Mark sighs. "I'm not sure."
"What do you mean you're not sure?" Mitch asks. "Did I hire you to date him, Mark?"
"No. I'm sorry."
Mitch sighs. "I'm sorry. I'm just...protective of him. He's been through so much. I just don't want him to get hurt."
Mark nods. "I understand. I hate that he's been hurt so much. How could the world want to hurt something as precious as him?" He asks, looking out the tour bus window. He sees Scott with earbuds in, dancing to whatever music is playing.
Mitch turns around and looks out there too, puts a hand over his heart. "So you feel the same, then?"
"What do you mean?" Mark asks.
Mitch chuckles. "In case you can't tell, he likes you, Mark."
Mark's heartbeat picks up. "He does?"
Mitch smiles, nodding. "He does. He broke the news to me a few weeks back."
"Oh, my." Mark says. "Yeah, I do feel the same."
-
6 days later
Mark hears a knock at his hotel room door. "Marky? It's me," a voice says, and Mark is quick to identify it as Scott.
Mark answers the door, and smiles when he sees Scott all warm and snuggly in his pajama pants and Mark's hoodie. "Hi." Scott giggles.
"Hi," Mark smiles. "Did you wanna hang out, sunshine?"
Scott nods, and Mark invites him in.
They sit on Mark's bed together, and Mark turns on the TV.
They watch TV cuddled up against one another for a while, and then Scott speaks.
"Marky?" He asks.
"Hm?" Mark turns the TV down, turning his attention to Scott.
"Marky, I just need to tell you something before we move forward with whatever this is." Scott says. "I've been hurt a lot. My ex boyfriend abused me and Mitchy had to help pull me out of the mindset that I thought I was safe in. I guess I'm just saying...I'm scared. I don't want to get hurt."
Mark frowns, then presses his lips to Scott's forehead. "Scotty," he mumbles. "I couldn't dream of hurting you. You're the sweetest boy in the world. I know your parents and your ex weren't very nice, but I'm here to tell you that I like you a lot, and I want to treat you the way you deserve to be treated." He runs a thumb along Scott's jaw.
"My trauma," Scott starts, "My trauma gets in the way of day-to-day tasks sometimes." He says. "I might have a reaction to something totally innocent, and I want you to know that's not your fault."
Mark nods, taking this information in. "Thanks for telling me, Scotty." He says. "Thank you for trusting me."
Scott exhales a relieved smile on his face. Mark looks at him fondly and gets closer, closer until:
"Can I kiss you?"
Scott closes the gap between them and it's perfect. They kiss and it's wonderful. It's everything Scott and Mark wanted it to be.
They have to pull apart to catch their breath, and Scott is smiling so big, Mark can't help but audibly "aww."
"What?" Scott asks. "Was it not good? I'm sorry..."
"No, no, Scotty, it was great. You're just adorable and that's why I reacted that way."
Scott giggles quietly.
"God, I wanna bottle that up and hear it over and over again," Mark says.
"What, my laugh?" Scott asks.
Mark nods. "You're precious."
Scott smiles. "Can we kiss again?"