Mark's eyes flutter open.
What is this place? It's bright.
He looks down. I'm in a bed?
He feels a gentle squeeze on his hand. He looks over to the source of the squeeze.
It's a guy with dirty blonde hair, and some scruff on his face. He's got blue eyes, and there are tears leaking out of them. "Marky," he smiles. His teeth are perfect. "We almost lost you."
He's cute. Like, really cute. "Where am I?"
"The hospital, baby. You got into a pretty bad wreck." The blonde sighs. "Oh. The doctor told me to ask you this. Do you know what day it is?"
Mark thinks. "My head hurts."
"Don't think too much, sweetheart." The blonde kisses Mark's hand, "It's December 18th."
"Can I ask you something?" Mark asks.
"Anything." The blond smiles.
"Who are you?"
•••••
"Kirst, he doesn't know who I am." Scott says, more tears slipping down his face. He's got Kirstin on the bluetooth speaker in his car.
"Scott, I'm sure it's a temporary thing. Remember that he almost died, Scott. At least he's alive." Kirstin sighs. "But...about his memory. What did the doctors say?"
"They're testing him to see what the cause of it may be." Scott says, "He didn't even recognize me. What am I gonna do if it's a permanent thing? I was going to propose to him for Christmas."
"A Christmas proposal?!" Kirstin squeals. "That's so cute!"
"It's not happening if he doesn't know who I am! Let's focus here!"
"I don't know. Have you contacted his parents?"
"It's going to take them days to get the news. Remember? They're in India with no access to social media or phones."
"That's right," Kirstin says. "All you can do is make him feel the most comfortable you can."
•••••
"Mr. Hoying?"
"That's me," Scott says, standing up, and walking to the front desk.
"Mr. Manio is ready to go home. His test results regarding his memory will be here in 2 weeks." She gives Scott a packet. "He's in his room ready to depart."
Scott goes to Mark's room. "Mark? I'm taking you home. It may not be the most comfortable for you, but it's your only real option."
Mark stills. "Okay," he stands up, "Let's go."
•••••
"This is our home?" Mark asks, in awe. "This is huge!"
Scott bites his lip as he leans against the wall. Seeing Mark so in awe makes his heart swell.
"How do we afford this place?"
"Well," Scott walks towards Mark, "I'm in an acapella group called Pentatonix."
"Oh! I think I've heard you guys before. You did that....what was it called?" Mark thinks for a moment. "Evolution of music!"
"That was us," Scott smiles, "We've even won Grammy's and everything, so money hasn't really been a problem."
"Wow," Mark says, and then his face falls.
"What's the matter?" Scott asks. "Wanna sit down?"
Mark nods, sitting down on their couch. "I just can't imagine how hard this must be for you."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, I'm your boyfriend of three years, and I only remember you from a 4 minute long video." Mark says, "I don't even remember coming out," Mark holds his face in his hands.
"You never really did," Scott says. "You kind of just introduced me to your parents as your boyfriend," Scott laughs. "They were very supportive."
"That sounds like something I would do." Mark says.
Scott stands up, and comes back to the couch with a photo album. "This was going to be part of your Christmas present," Scott says. "I think it'll be more use to you now, though. It's a photo album with pictures of us."
Mark opens it.
dec 16 2017: i took you to new york for the first time. a week after we got back, you insisted we move there, so we did. ❤️
february 14 2016: you surprised me by visiting me on tour (for the first time). i didn't think that you were nearly as happy as i was, but seeing the smile on your face clearly proves me wrong❤️
july 4 2017: kevin's pool party for 4th of july. this was the day that i told you that i was the happiest i've ever been, because of you, and the last thing i ever expected was for you to tear up. i love you more and more every day❤️
september 15 2018: the day we went to the jurassic park ride and you said you would start a family with me. you know how much that means to me, and i cannot wait to start a family with you. ❤️
june 17th, 2015: we made love for the first time. you kept on placing little kisses everywhere on me afterwards, (just like you always do). i love you in every way possible, inside and out. ❤️
february 2nd, 2018: our first rockefeller center date after moving to new york❤️
july 27th, 2018: our 3 year anniversary. i've never seen you smile so much as you did on this day, and i never want to forget it. ❤️
Mark wipes the tears from his cheeks. He's not even halfway through the album and he already feels so loved.
"Are you remembering anything?" Scott asks, gently rubbing Mark's back.
Mark shakes his head no. "I wish, I wish I was. You really love me. But you don't love, love me." He sobs. "You don't love who I am now."
"Hey," Scott says, looking Mark in the eyes. "I am still in love with you. You may not be in love with me, and that's okay. You don't know me now. But I'll make you comfortable this christmas. I promise."