{"id":21,"date":"2017-03-01T18:06:13","date_gmt":"2017-03-01T22:06:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/?p=21"},"modified":"2023-05-26T15:14:09","modified_gmt":"2023-05-26T19:14:09","slug":"boys-with-sweet-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/21\/","title":{"rendered":"Boys With Sweet Teeth"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mark grumbles in the plush chair, pretending like he\u2019s not plotting against his sisters. The waiting room is low-lit and actually not that bad, what with one corner stocking kids\u2019 magazines that Mark grew out of by the time he was five, and a slightly bigger center in the middle with boring adult things like\u00a0People<\/em>\u00a0and the\u00a0Economist<\/em>. Mark will take\u00a0Time<\/em>\u00a0for the sake of current events, but magazines are annoying in general.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s where he\u2019s sitting, anyway, since the kids\u2019 corner is occupied by a parent and their two kids who are whining about how they don\u2019t want to have their teeth cleaned or checked, it\u2019s\u00a0scary<\/em>. Mark snorts. His dad is basically the opposite of scary, which Mark would say even if he weren\u2019t his dad. And getting your teeth cleaned isn\u2019t that terrifying, even if it does lead to a threat with a vegetable-only diet after he finds his fourth cavity because you keep eating too many Red Vines and drinking too much Red Bull. Mark doesn\u2019t even technically have four cavities; he had three on his baby teeth that had all fallen out, and only one now. And he\u2019s not really interested in the kids\u2019 section, even if he\u2019s pretty sure there are at least three issues of\u00a0Highlights<\/em>\u00a0for him to mark up the Hidden Pictures section and ruin the fun for kids to come in the future.<\/p>\n

He scowls and puts\u00a0Time<\/em>\u00a0back on the coffee table. There\u2019s a newspaper there; at least they have crossword puzzles. Mark props his feet up onto the table and ignores the glares he gets from his dad\u2019s receptionists, and grabs a golf pencil from the table and begins filling in the answers.<\/p>\n

As he does the puzzle, the door to the office rings back and forth; patients come, patients go. It\u2019s only eleven in the morning and Mark is confined to the waiting room because he doesn\u2019t have anything else better to do. Well, he\u00a0would<\/em>, but it\u2019s really not his fault that his hacking on his dad\u2019s computer\u2014the family computer\u2014messed up his entire patients\u2019 and records\u2019 system. Really.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not until someone plops into the chair near his side\u2014because Mark is in the middle of a sofa that could hold three people, if it wanted to\u2014that Mark jerks out of his befuddlement at the simple clue,\u00a09. Down:<\/em>\u00a0Recondite<\/em>. The person who\u2019s sat down near him seems to be a guy around his age, in a respectably out-of-place and formal-looking black overcoat, and has five issues of\u00a0Highlights<\/em>\u00a0in his hands and a golf pencil.<\/p>\n

He doesn\u2019t notice Mark staring for a moment, drawing\u2014circling?\u2014frantically in one issue. Mark knows he\u2019s really not one to talk, but\u2014<\/p>\n

\u201cHighlights For Children<\/em>,\u201d he says. \u201cReally?\u201d<\/p>\n

The boy glances up. When he sees Mark with his newspaper and own golf pencil, he merely grins. \u201cYou sneer, but the Hidden Pictures section is really fun,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Mark says automatically, then wishes he hadn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

The boy\u2019s own smirk turns wider. \u201cDo you, now?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not what I\u2014ugh.\u201d Mark huffs, turns his eyes to the ceiling, and then comes back down to this conversation he really did not mean to strike up. \u201cWell you shouldn\u2019t be defiling the magazines meant for other patients.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m pretty sure I\u2019m allowed to, that\u2019s why we\u2019re both holding pencils,\u201d the boy points out again.<\/p>\n

Somewhere in the back of Mark\u2019s head sounds like his fencing referee calling,\u00a0Mystery Boy: 2, Mark: 0<\/em>. Mark ignores it.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever,\u201d he says, and decides to ignore Mystery Boy, too.<\/p>\n

But Mystery Boy doesn\u2019t seem to pick up on this\u2014either that, or he barrels on, like he\u2019s one of those charming idiots in Mark\u2019s classes who aren\u2019t really his friends but like to talk with him even when he\u2019s rude on purpose and Mark has a stupid crush for all of three days. \u201cI\u2019m Eduardo,\u201d he says. \u201cHave you been waiting long to see Dr. Zuckerberg?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Mark says. He\u2019s not sure if saying that his dad is the dentist would make him look incredibly lame or\u2026 he\u2019s not sure what the other option is, but it\u2019s definitely not cool. \u201cUh. I\u2019m waiting for someone to come out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eduardo nods. \u201cI see,\u201d he says, and then drops the conversation, returning to, assumingly, working on all the Hidden Pictures that Mark could be doing himself. Mark doesn\u2019t know why he\u2019s disappointed by this.<\/p>\n

He tries to return to his newspaper, but now that he\u2019s aware of Eduardo, it\u2019s distracting to realize how fast he works them out. He speeds through the five issues in the span of what certainly feels like five minutes, laying the ones that he\u2019s finished onto the coffee table, tapping the end of the pencil against his chin if it takes him less than three fucking seconds to find something in the picture. Mark mostly hides his face with the newspaper like an old person, but he\u2019s stunned. Even\u00a0he<\/em>\u00a0can\u2019t get through them that fast.<\/p>\n

When he\u2019s done, Eduardo puts the last copy down and looks around expectantly. A few other patients have come in and out. Eduardo peeks at Mark, who is watching and quickly hides his face with the newspaper again.<\/p>\n

Nevertheless, Eduardo asks, \u201cAre you here with family?\u201d<\/p>\n

Technically, yes. Mark answers, \u201cUm, yes. My sister.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCool,\u201d Eduardo says. \u201cWhat school do you go to? I don\u2019t think I\u2019ve seen you around here before, but I\u2019m also new.\u201d<\/p>\n

New<\/em>\u00a0is pretty relative, but come to think of it if Eduardo was a new kid at school, Mark would\u2019ve heard sooner or later. Eduardo is annoyingly attractive, though\u00a0not<\/em>\u00a0the reason Mark has been pretending he hasn\u2019t been staring at his face for the past few minutes. And usually when annoyingly attractive new kids come to their school, both Dustin and Chris proceed to fawn. Over everyone.<\/p>\n

\u201cUh, I go to the local public school.\u201d Mark jerks his head, then realizes that that doesn\u2019t actually indicate anything. He tries not to blush. \u201cBlind Brook.\u201d Westchester is really just rich and pretentious white suburbia, but at least he does like his friends.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, that explains it,\u201d says Eduardo. \u201cI\u2019m going to a private school, I don\u2019t\u2014\u201d He breaks off and scratches the back of his head suddenly. \u201cI don\u2019t know why I assumed you would\u2019ve gone too.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I look like private school material?\u201d Mark says dryly, gesturing to his khaki shorts and Adidas flip-flops and hoodie.<\/p>\n

Eduardo laughs lightly. \u201cDefinitely,\u201d he says, brightening up in a way that makes Mark think that he doesn\u2019t take him that seriously. Which is good\u2014Mark doesn\u2019t want people he likes to take him very seriously. \u201cI\u2019m a senior,\u201d Eduardo continues. \u201cHow about you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark\u2019s about to answer; but then at that moment, Rachel, one of his dad\u2019s assistants, calls out, \u201cEduardo Saverin?\u201d from the door leading out from the waiting room to the back.<\/p>\n

Eduardo stands up and smiles apologetically at Mark. \u201cThat\u2019s me,\u201d he says. But before leaving, he actually extends his hand for Mark to shake. \u201cIt was nice meeting you\u2026?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark blinks, then supplies, \u201cMark.\u201d He\u2019d forgotten that he hadn\u2019t even told Eduardo his name.<\/p>\n

Eduardo\u2019s smile is even wider now. \u201cNice to meet you, Mark,\u201d he says, as Mark takes his hand and shakes it. He leaves to go back with Rachel, who is watching the two of them (well, Mark) curiously.<\/p>\n

Mark pretends he is not checking out Eduardo\u2019s backside as he leaves.<\/p>\n

*<\/p>\n

Some inordinate amount of time later, while Eduardo is still at his appointment, the room echoes with a bang. Ari bursts through their father\u2019s back office, which is in the back of reception but has a separate door on the side. She strides over to Mark where he is still working on the crossword puzzle, and demands, \u201cWhy are Audrey and Casey making jokes about your attempts at flirting?\u201d Audrey and Casey are two of their father\u2019s three receptionists today\u2014the third is an old man, named Jim, who doesn\u2019t do much except paperwork and grovel about lunch.<\/p>\n

Mark stares up at her. \u201cI have no idea what you\u2019re talking about,\u201d he says, even though he does.<\/p>\n

For a twelve-year old, Ari can be pretty belligerent, especially when she smacks Mark across the knee where his feet are still perched on the edge of the coffee table. \u201cOw, what the fuck,\u201d he says, rubbing it.<\/p>\n

\u201cMom says you\u2019re not allowed to swear in front of me,\u201d Ari says.<\/p>\n

\u201cMom doesn\u2019t know that you swear every time you read the Harry Potter books,\u201d Mark shoots back. \u201cAnd you know me, Ari. I don\u2019t\u00a0flirt<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s at that moment when the door to the back opens, and Eduardo comes out with Rachel again, chatting happily and grinning at something she\u2019s saying. \u201cI wish my kids had that kind of discipline on their oral hygiene,\u201d Rachel\u2019s saying to him.<\/p>\n

Eduardo says, very seriously, \u201cI have an expectation to live up to. All my grandfathers for the past five generations haven\u2019t gotten a single cavity,\u201d and Rachel bursts into laughter.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, it looks like you\u2019re on that way too,\u201d she says to him. \u201cWe have your paperwork and everything, so you\u2019re free to go.\u201d She hands him a plastic bag of the standard stuff the office sends to patients after appointments\u2014a toothbrush, floss, a small tube of toothpaste, and mouthwash\u2014and Eduardo says bye before heading toward the exit\/entrance door.<\/p>\n

Mark watches him, wondering if Eduardo\u2019s completely forgotten all about him, with how friendly and\u2014people-person-y<\/em>\u00a0he is\u2014but then before he leaves, Eduardo glances over his shoulder and catches Mark staring.<\/p>\n

Mark quickly casts his eyes down, but then back up.<\/p>\n

\u201cBye,\u201d Eduardo says cheerfully, wriggling his fingers at him. The door shuts behind him.<\/p>\n

Mark is still staring into space until he earns another whack on the knee. \u201cJesus, Ari!\u201d he says, but his sister apparently does not care about inflicting early arthritic pain on her brother.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat was that?\u201d she demands. \u201cThat was\u00a0flirting<\/em>, I know it, I\u2019ve read romance novels before, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cToo much, maybe,\u201d Mark mutters, rubbing his sore kneecap again. He refuses to answer Ari\u2019s questions, even when she tries to pester him over\u00a09: Down, recondite<\/em>. Eventually she leaves to play some stupid game on the computer again instead of something important Mark\u00a0could<\/em>\u00a0be doing. Mark pretends he\u2019s more irritated by that, than he is by the so soon and gone presence of a boy named Eduardo.<\/p>\n

*<\/p>\n

Weekdays\u2014high school\u2014is par for the course; in other words, filled with people much stupider than Mark and occupying time he could be doing more productive things, like working on the program he\u2019s been piecing together for his father\u2019s office. His own netbook has pretty shitty wifi so he only works on localhost and connects with an ethernet cable if he needs to go online, which is fine because he just might end up arguing with internet cretins until 2am on slashdot.<\/p>\n

The only good things about high school anyway are Chris, Dustin, and acing classes without putting in much effort. Sean, who\u2019s a senior and a year above Mark, used to make this qualification, before Mark realized that Sean had a pretty girlfriend named Amy who\u2019s a senior too, and that kind of made Mark\u2019s crush on him in AP Calculus fizzle away. Now Sean just looks rude and obnoxious, but Chris and Dustin had always told him he was rude and obnoxious.<\/p>\n

Mark considers Chris and Dustin not being included in the good things about high school, except Chris gets him an extra bag of baby carrots (the only vegetable Mark likes) at lunch and Dustin tries to do a dumb trick with his fish sticks and ends up snorting milk all over himself, so they\u2019re not that bad.<\/p>\n

So as far as high school goes, it\u2019s okay. Mark doesn\u2019t mind studying for the SATs, which are clockwork but systematic, and every so often AP Calc throws a question at him that he doesn\u2019t get within the first five minutes, which is annoying but fun. He\u2019s actually working on his math homework in his father\u2019s waiting room the next weekend, since he\u2019s still banned from the family computer anyway, glancing from his textbook to his notebook and scribbling in it, when the door to the office rings.<\/p>\n

Mark doesn\u2019t look up; for the most part, his father\u2019s patients are whiny or boring, not much for interest in between. So it surprises him when the weight on the cushion next to him sinks down, and Eduardo is peering over his shoulder to look at his homework.<\/p>\n

\u201cCalculus?\u201d he asks.<\/p>\n

Mark stares at him. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/p>\n

The moment the words leave his mouth, he realizes how rude they sound. He tries not to blush or give away about how apologetic he feels. Mark usually intends what he says, and if he had the choice, he wouldn\u2019t apologize to near-complete strangers.<\/p>\n

Eduardo laughs, anyway. \u201cThat\u2019s a fair question,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019m getting x-rays done. Why are\u00a0you<\/em>\u00a0back?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark blanches. \u201cOh,\u201d he says, half-remembering the lie he\u2019d come up with last week. Fuck, he can\u2019t remember the details\u2014if there even\u00a0were<\/em>\u00a0details. \u201cUm, actually\u2014\u201d he begins.<\/p>\n

And of course Ari chooses that moment to burst out of the back office again, this time with his other sister, Donna, in tow. \u201cI\u00a0knew<\/em>\u00a0I heard you talking!\u201d she says to Mark, or rather, shouts, getting the attention of the other patients in the waiting room.<\/p>\n

Casey, from reception, says, \u201cAri, shh.\u201d She\u2019s better than Jim, who doesn\u2019t like children and is glaring at Ari behind his eyeglasses.<\/p>\n

Usually Mark doesn\u2019t like Jim much either, but today he can sympathize. \u201cYes, Ari, it is something I\u2019m capable of,\u201d he deadpans, before turning back to Eduardo. \u201cThis is my sister Ari. And Donna, I guess. Our dad\u2019s Dr. Zuckerberg.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eduardo\u2019s eyes widen. \u201cOh<\/em>,\u201d he says. \u201cWell, that explains why you\u2019re here and not getting kicked out then.\u201d He turns a slight smile onto Ari, who blushes and shuffles her feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just that last time, I was telling Mark that he was\u2014\u201d she begins, but seems to think better of her words, either because she\u2019s magically generated a brain or has noticed the way Mark is glaring daggers at her.<\/p>\n

Donna slides in smoothly. \u201cBeing more social than he usually is,\u201d she finishes, for Eduardo. \u201cYou see, our dear brother is a social recluse and misanthrope.\u201d She\u2019s fourteen and was probably looking for a reason to use those words. Mark glares at her too, but Donna\u2019s usually the one capable of ignoring Mark best.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we can change that,\u201d Eduardo says. \u201cMark and I have become friends already.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have?\u201d Mark says dryly.<\/p>\n

Eduardo smiles at him. \u201cI was under the impression that we have,\u201d he says. \u201cThough if we\u2019re not, you can tell me to fuck off whenever.\u201d He adds the last bit cheerfully.<\/p>\n

Ari looks a bit scandalized (which is rich when Mark is pretty sure she\u2019s sneaking copies of Nora Roberts books under her bed) and Donna says, \u201cAri, let\u2019s leave Mark alone with his new\u00a0friend<\/em>,\u201d and drags their sister away, shooting Mark one last glance before disappearing into their father\u2019s study to abuse their computer privileges in Mark\u2019s face. Mark hates them.<\/p>\n

But most of all he hates how difficult it is for him to say, \u201cNo, I… we…\u201d He tries not to falter, to look more like he\u2019s finding the right words rather than gathering the courage to say them. He\u2019s pretty sure Eduardo is laughing at him, anyway, but he doesn\u2019t want him to get the wrong impression. \u201cWe\u2019re friends,\u201d Mark says. \u201cIf you want to be.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t mind,\u201d Eduardo says. \u201cI\u00a0did<\/em>\u00a0sit down with you again, after all.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did,\u201d Mark agrees.<\/p>\n

He turns his focus back to his homework, though the back of his neck feels warm\u2014whether it\u2019s at the proximity of Eduardo, or the establishment of something so\u2014bizarrely close as a friendship after barely really having had more than two conversations within the past week. Calculus distracts him, at least enough, and he scribbles down answers without really noticing that Eduardo has taken it upon himself to hover above his shoulder.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re really good at Calculus,\u201d Eduardo says, after some minutes have passed.<\/p>\n

Mark shrugs and tries not to be too pleased by the compliment. \u201cI like it,\u201d he says. \u201cThough I\u2019m pretty good at memorizing things I don\u2019t care about, too, like the periodic table of elements.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eduardo covers his mouth. Mark is pretty sure he\u2019s making fun of him and doesn\u2019t want Mark to know, even though Mark is pretty good on picking up on that kind of thing. \u201cYou clearly don\u2019t fail in the modesty department, either,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Mark nudges him, though in a friend way. At least, he\u2019s pretty sure it\u2019s in a friend way. Chris does it to him a lot. \u201cWell, I have to be good at basic things,\u201d he says. \u201cI want to get into Harvard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, that\u2019s\u2014\u201d Eduardo stops and squints for a moment. Mark thinks that he\u2019s said something wrong, but Eduardo doesn\u2019t seem to be mad or upset. \u201cThat\u2019s ambitious,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Mark shrugs.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd kind of coincidental,\u201d Eduardo adds. \u201cI applied for Harvard last fall. It\u2019s my top choice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark remembers him telling him that he\u2019s a senior; and Eduardo sitting here and talking to him is\u00a0intimidating<\/em>, suddenly, because Mark\u2019s just a lowly junior still studying for his SATs and keeping his GPA up. \u201cThat\u2019s\u2014wow,\u201d Mark says, trying to keep his voice casual. \u201cThat is coincidental.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re a bunch of nerds, aren\u2019t we?\u201d Eduardo says, grinning.<\/p>\n

\u201cI prefer using the descriptors \u2018intelligent\u2019 and \u2018capable,\u2019\u201d Mark says, but his facial muscles can\u2019t help from a dimpled smile flashing across his face. \u201cWhat makes you think you\u2019ll get into Harvard?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope you\u2019re not intimidated by\u00a0my<\/em>\u00a0intelligence and capabilities,\u201d says Eduardo, though not seriously. \u201cBut that is a fair question. I beat a chess grandmaster when I was 15, and I like charting economic algorithms. And in general.\u201d His eyes are sparkling, which Mark didn\u2019t think was possible for a human person to do. \u201cWhat about you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark shrugs again. \u201cI\u2019m still a junior\u2014\u201d he begins.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, right,\u201d says Eduardo.<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2014but I\u2019m working for a program for my dad\u2019s office. And I\u2019ll probably make something else before the end of this year.\u201d He looks up thoughtfully. \u201cI like programming and websites.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eduardo nudges him, so Mark takes his own earlier gesture as a connotative success. \u201cPerfect for the dotcom era we\u2019re in,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Mark groans. \u201cYou\u2019re going to be a business major if you get into Harvard, aren\u2019t you?\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

\u201cClose,\u201d Eduardo replies. \u201cEconomics.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course,\u201d Mark mutters, jotting down the answer to a problem he\u2019d been working on in his head while talking to Eduardo.<\/p>\n

Eduardo doesn\u2019t seem fazed, picking up a newspaper and flipping through it as Mark continues his homework. He grabs a golf pencil like last time, and scribbles something, while Mark does math beside him. It\u2019s strange, because an overwhelming admiration has hit Mark in such a large wave before\u2014but not in the way where it at least seems instantaneously mutual, or natural. Eduardo is content enough to do whatever he\u2019s doing with the newspaper, finishing writing whatever he\u2019s writing in it after a couple of minutes, before picking up the\u00a0Economist<\/em>. Mark can\u2019t help letting out a snort this time\u2014and Eduardo notices and flashes him a quick smile, but doesn\u2019t say anything.<\/p>\n

Eduardo gets called out soon enough, and heads off to his appointment. Mark thinks it\u2019d be weird to say goodbye to him, but Eduardo easily says, \u201cSee you later,\u201d before disappearing with an assistant again, this time a guy Mark doesn\u2019t really know the name of. Mark blinks and tries to return to his homework, but it\u2019s not as encouraging with Eduardo gone.<\/p>\n

Barely several minutes later, though, the assistant and Eduardo are coming back out, with the assistant saying, \u201c… so sorry, god, if we knew this would happen we would\u2019ve contact you right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s no problem,\u201d Eduardo says, but there\u2019s a slight frown on his face anyway. \u201cI can reschedule.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, please do,\u201d the guy says. \u201cI apologize again, it\u2019s just that you\u2019re our first x-ray for the day\u2014and our machine is usually in perfectly fine condition.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sure you\u2019ll get it sorted out,\u201d says Eduardo.<\/p>\n

Mark is impressed with how much he can sound like, well, an\u00a0adult<\/em>\u00a0when Mark knows he\u2019s a teenager. Usually Mark just huffs or blinks and says, \u201cOkay,\u201d but Eduardo is doing his best to look gracious, Mark can tell. The guy directs Mark to the reception desk, but as soon as he\u2019s gone Mark asks from the couch, \u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d<\/p>\n

Eduardo sighs and runs his fingers through his hair. It poofs a little and he flattens it back down. \u201cThe x-ray machine is botched?\u201d he says. \u201cApparently. They tried to reboot it up eight times and it just kept flickering.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat sucks,\u201d Mark says, because he doesn\u2019t know what else to say to that. On the other hand, Eduardo\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0rescheduling for another appointment.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt does,\u201d Eduardo agrees, but adds, \u201cIt\u2019s okay. I drive myself here anyway and I don\u2019t really do anything on the weekends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh,\u201d Mark says. He gets up from the couch as Eduardo heads towards the receptionist desk, and joins him. It must suck being the new kid, even though Mark has lived here all his life.<\/p>\n

Eduardo scratches the back of head, though, abashed. \u201cSorry, I made myself sound pathetic,\u201d he says. \u201cI do actually have friends, but two of them are really intense athletes, and one of them has been trying to get me to start a business monolith with him and take over the world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSounds difficult,\u201d says Mark. \u201cOne of my friends is an anthropomorphized golden retriever, and the other is much better-looking and more socially adept than me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eduardo quirks a smile at him. \u201cI think you\u2019re doing a pretty good job,\u201d he says to Mark.<\/p>\n

Mark has no idea what to make of that. Audrey the receptionist is watching them curiously, but Eduardo says, \u201cHi, sorry. I\u2019d like to make another x-ray appointment next weekend. The machine wasn\u2019t working today.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark feels kind of weird watching and listening as Eduardo gets his dentistry sorted out; as Audrey punches in some information, Eduardo says to Mark, \u201cI suppose you get check-ups every day, then, since he\u2019s your father.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately,\u201d Mark says.<\/p>\n

Eduardo raises an eyebrow. \u201cWhat\u2019s unfortunate about regulating good oral hygiene?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNothing,\u201d Mark says passively, but Audrey puts in, \u201cMark\u2019s diet consists of mostly candy and soft drinks,\u201d without looking up from her computer.<\/p>\n

Mark scowls, but Eduardo looks positively charmed. Mark is beginning to have second thoughts about his interest in Eduardo, even though he knows he\u2019s falling harder. \u201cOh god, now I understand,\u201d he says. \u201cDid your father become a dentist because of you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou overestimate my ability to change people\u2019s lives,\u201d says Mark.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think I do,\u201d Eduardo tells him sincerely.<\/p>\n

Audrey the receptionist tells Eduardo that his appointment is filed and made, and Eduardo thanks her and turns to Mark. \u201cI feel incompetent, most people don\u2019t usually come to the dentist\u2019s three times a season.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re not incompetent; my dad\u2019s machines are,\u201d Mark assures him. \u201cWell, you might be incompetent too, but I wouldn\u2019t know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI can\u2019t tell if that\u2019s a compliment or insult,\u201d says Eduardo, but his eyes are crinkling in the corners.<\/p>\n

He makes his way over to the door of the offices, glancing a few times back at Mark. Before he opens the door, he says, \u201cSee you next week?\u201d It\u2019s a question\u2014and it takes Mark a moment to realize that no, Eduardo\u2019s not reiterating that he\u2019s coming back again, but asking if Mark will be here again, too.<\/p>\n

Mark tries not to look nonchalant, though something inside his chest is doing tense flipping things. \u201cYeah, see you,\u201d he says, and Eduardo beams before he leaves.<\/p>\n

As soon as he\u2019s gone, Audrey the receptionist says, \u201cThat was very cute.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUgh,\u201d Mark says, storming away from the counter. He doesn\u2019t need his father\u2019s receptionists telling him that he\u2019s\u00a0cute<\/em>. Or that his talking to Eduardo is cute. Whatever.<\/p>\n

When he gets back to his homework, he instead picks up the newspaper Eduardo had been scribbling on earlier. It takes a moment for him to realize that this is the issue that\u00a0he<\/em>\u00a0had been working on the first time Eduardo had come in\u2014and flipping through the pages shows that Eduardo had been working on the crossword puzzle Mark had been doing. He hadn\u2019t finished it, but Eduardo had gotten\u00a09, down: Recondite<\/em>.<\/p>\n

The answer was\u00a0abstruse<\/em>. Instead of feeling jealous or competitive, Mark feels fond.<\/p>\n

Feelings are a disaster.<\/p>\n

*<\/p>\n

During the week, Sean offers for Mark to cheat from his paper during their exam, and Mark pushes back the offended flare rising in him and declines quietly.<\/p>\n

He tells Dustin and Chris in gym, the (depressingly) only class that they have together.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost people would love to cheat from a super smart senior,\u201d Dustin says, hitting the birdie with his badminton racket. \u201cAnd then there\u2019s you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark doesn\u2019t care for tennis-like sports, and doesn\u2019t even try as the birdie bounces past him. \u201cIt was an insult, he\u00a0knows<\/em>\u00a0how smart I am,\u201d he argues.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think it was an insult,\u201d says Chris, running to grab the birdie as Mark doesn\u2019t really move. He hates everything about gym. \u201cHe was probably just trying to be nice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, I took it as an insult,\u201d Mark says. \u201cI don\u2019t need to be friends with a stuck-up senior who talks to everyone like he pretends he\u2019s friends with them already.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo that crush is out of the question then?\u201d Dustin teases.<\/p>\n

Mark grabs the birdie from Chris and pelts it in Dustin\u2019s direction without even using his racket.<\/p>\n

Their gym teacher blows the whistle. \u201cZuckerberg!\u201d<\/p>\n

The three of them ignore it. Chris asks Mark, \u201cWhat about your and Erica\u2019s thing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark furrows his eyebrows. \u201cWhat thing?\u201d he asks. Erica is in his English class and sometimes they talk, though Mark isn\u2019t sure if they can categorically be regarded as friends. He usually doesn\u2019t think as such, because Erica can be pretty scary.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe comes to you during lunch and asks you to help her with her essays,\u201d Chris points out. \u201cI think that counts as a thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not a thing, I\u2019m just better at essay-writing than she is,\u201d Mark blurts before he can think about it. When Chris raises his eyebrows, Mark says, \u201cI didn\u2019t mean that. She just values my input.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201c\u2018Values your input<\/em>\u2014\u2019\u201d Dustin begins.<\/p>\n

Chris takes the birdie from where Dustin had half-heartedly hit it back over to them, and pelts it at Dustin again.<\/p>\n

Their gym teacher\u2019s whistle chirps again. \u201cHughes!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAside from Dustin\u2019s unnecessary comments,\u201d Chris says, ignoring, \u201cyou\u00a0could<\/em>\u00a0just ask her out and see if she says yes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI really doubt it,\u201d says Mark, because he\u2019s seen the way that Erica looks at Amy in English when they\u2019re talking about commonalities between romance languages, or writing about passions for college applications and Amy always brings up judo. \u201cAnyway,\u201d Mark continues. \u201cI\u2019m not interested in Erica.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen who\u00a0are<\/em>\u00a0you interested in?\u201d Dustin asks.<\/p>\n

Mark\u2019s mind immediately leaps to Eduardo. It\u2019s silly, because they\u2019ve only talked for only a handful of amount of times, and Eduardo is a really nice person who could probably go out with anyone he wanted. Mostly, that means he wouldn\u2019t go out with Mark, because he probably has standards if he goes to a private school and wears professional-looking trousers and button-ups like he did last time.<\/p>\n

And Mark takes too long to answer, because now Dustin and Chris are watching him curiously. \u201cNo one,\u201d Mark mutters, and runs to grab the birdie to avoid their questioning looks.<\/p>\n

*<\/p>\n

Mark definitely does\u00a0not<\/em>\u00a0look forward to the weekend, and when his grounding on the family computer ends that Friday, he astutely ignores the strange looks his parents send him when he marches down into the waiting room, instead, with another pile of homework because junior year sucks. Their house is actually right above the office\u2014or, more accurately, their house\u2019s basement is his father\u2019s dentist office, and it\u2019s a really big basement, big enough to fit large reception rooms and waiting rooms and the back where all the patient beds and machines are. It\u2019s kind of weird to think about how Mark sleeps three floors above where his father does his day job, which is pretty conventional, but they can afford it and his father emphasizes working at his own pace more than anything. Plus, even though they aren\u2019t that religious, they\u2019re still members of a local synagogue so a lot of the Jewish community around the neighborhood (and then some) tend to know about his dad and like him as their regular oral surgeon, anyway.<\/p>\n

By the time the weekend does roll around and Mark is sitting in the waiting room, doing AP US History homework, he hopes that Eduardo appreciates what he\u2019s doing to talk to him, or whatever. Only hypothetically, because Mark is way too embarrassed to ever really tell someone that he likes them, especially a hot senior boy who\u2019s really only just his father\u2019s patient. He reads through the textbook, but raises his eyes every time the door jangles. Finally, faithfully, Eduardo walks in, perking up at the sight of Mark.<\/p>\n

He checks in first, but then settles down beside Mark on the couch. \u201cHi,\u201d he says. \u201cMore homework?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark shrugs. \u201cHigh school,\u201d he says. \u201cJunior year.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI sympathize,\u201d Eduardo says, indeed sympathetically. \u201cI won\u2019t bother you, then.\u201d<\/p>\n

He gets up\u2014and for a moment Mark thinks he\u2019s going to leave him to sit somewhere else\u2014but Eduardo merely grabs several copies of\u00a0Highlights<\/em>\u00a0from the children\u2019s corner again before returning back to Mark. He brandishes a pen from his coat and opens an issue, immediately alternating between marking up the magazine and twirling the pen with his fingers. Mark tries not to stare, though both Eduardo\u2019s lively scribbles and long, slender fingers twisting around the pen are mystifying; staring is weird and, anyway, Mark\u00a0does<\/em>\u00a0need to read this chapter for school.<\/p>\n

After a few minutes, though, when Eduardo has breezed through two magazines, Mark asks, \u201cHow are you so good at that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI like puzzles,\u201d Eduardo says without looking up, tongue peeking out from between his lips as he scrawls a loopy circle onto the magazine. Mark peeks over his shoulder to see that he\u2019s found something that looks like a badly drawn toothbrush in the middle of a badly drawn fence. \u201cAnd these are for seven years olds, so they\u2019re easy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do strike me as the type to channel your inner seven year old,\u201d says Mark, and Eduardo knocks his knee into his, still while working on the Hidden Pictures puzzle.<\/p>\n

Mark\u2019s eyes rake over his APUSH textbook\u2014he does have a test, but he usually procrastinates for lesser subjects anyway. He closes his book and says, \u201cI like puzzles too. We can do a crossword together, if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n

He does his best not to sound presumptuous, but Eduardo lifts his head with his eyebrows raised, anyway. \u201cIs this to get me to stop doing the Hidden Pictures so you can do them yourself?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously,\u201d Mark says. \u201cYou can see how much I\u2019m angry at you for doing them for the past few weeks, haven\u2019t I emoted enough?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019ve emoted quite a bit,\u201d Eduardo says, and again Mark can\u2019t pin if he\u2019s teasing or sincere. He closes his own magazine anyway, and puts the few still in his lap in a pile with the ones he\u2019s already placed on the coffee table. \u201cAre we finishing the one that you were working on before?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark nods; it\u2019s the one he\u2019s grabbed and is still here because clearing out the waiting room is usually Ari\u2019s duty, for five dollars. Mark wouldn\u2019t do that for five dollars, but his sister\u2019s twelve.<\/p>\n

Eduardo doesn\u2019t say anything about having worked on it the last time he was in, and Mark doesn\u2019t say anything about how he\u2019d noticed; they just hover over the crossword together in Eduardo\u2019s lap, Eduardo holding the pen. Mark gets\u00a07 across: Fair weathered saint?<\/em>\u00a0with\u00a0clement<\/em>, and Eduardo impressively gets\u00a012 down: Eye of the storm<\/em>\u00a0with\u00a0war of the elements<\/em>. They actually get it finished, just before another one of Mark\u2019s father\u2019s assistants comes out, calling Eduardo\u2019s name.<\/p>\n

Eduardo stands up, but he says to Mark, \u201cWe make a good team,\u201d and it makes Mark feel more flustered than is fair.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, we are both nerds,\u201d Mark says, using his words.<\/p>\n

Eduardo throws his head back and laughs. \u201cTouch\u00e9,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019ll see you in a bit.\u201d He leaves to go for his appointment, and Mark pretends he\u2019s not riding on the high of making Eduardo laugh. At least this time there aren\u2019t annoying receptionists or sisters to tease him for being interested in another human being. Mark is a teenage boy, and he really doubts anyone in Eduardo\u2019s presence for longer than several minutes would dislike him.<\/p>\n

He goes back to his APUSH textbook, though as focused as he is, the back of his mind is acutely aware that Eduardo isn\u2019t present. It\u2019s not afflicting, it\u2019s just there, and also ridiculous since Eduardo isn\u2019t even in Mark\u2019s life on a daily basis, or actively. He\u2019s just… easy to be around, and nice to talk to, and also for the past few weeks Mark\u2019s been thinking about him while showering.<\/p>\n

But no one can know that.<\/p>\n

He makes it to the end of the chapter and quizzes himself with the review questions at the end, in his head. When he hears Eduardo\u2019s voice and the assistant making their way out, he keeps his head bowed down, so it\u2019s not obvious that he\u2019s eavesdropping.<\/p>\n

\u201c… three of them are clearly distal, so you\u2019ll want to get the removed as soon as possible,\u201d says the assistant, except it\u2019s not an assistant, it\u2019s Mark\u2019s dad. \u201cThe fourth is horizontal, and contrary to what people tend to believe it\u2019s actually not\u00a0that<\/em>\u00a0bad. But distal can impact your other molars much sooner. They hurt, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSometimes,\u201d says Eduardo, sticking a finger into his mouth to rub at a tooth. \u201cMostly they just bother me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark\u2019s dad nods. \u201cIf it\u2019s just an annoyance, it wouldn\u2019t be half as urgent. But the angle\u2019s also not very good to keep waiting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eduardo fidgets and bites at his lower lip. \u201cI would have to be drugged, right?\u201d he asks. \u201cIn some way?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d says Mark\u2019s dad. \u201cThere are also a few other oral surgeons in the area, but I also do wisdom tooth removals and my schedule isn\u2019t\u00a0that<\/em>\u00a0full, so if you\u2019re interested I\u2019d be happy to do yours too. But yes, you\u2019d have to not eat anything by the midnight before, and you\u2019ll be drugged so you need someone to take care of you for the day.\u201d He looks around the waiting room, skimming over Mark like he\u2019s not his son (which he likes to do to pretend to be professional), and asks, \u201cAre your parents with you today?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I drove myself,\u201d says Eduardo. \u201cAnd my mother is usually busier on the weekends, and my dad\u2019s out of town for business.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI see,\u201d says Mark\u2019s dad. \u201cDo you want to schedule sometime in the future? Maybe during your next checkup in the summer, where you can come in with one of your parents?\u201d He asks this gently, to Eduardo\u2019s increasingly worried expression.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could,\u201d Eduardo says, though he sounds slightly put out. Mark wonders why. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t be able to drive home either while drugged, right?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t recommend it,\u201d Mark\u2019s dad says kindly.<\/p>\n

Eduardo sighs, thinking. \u201cI don\u2019t mind scheduling a wisdom tooth removal for the future,\u201d he says. \u201cI suppose I\u2019d rather just get it done sooner than later.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWeekdays don\u2019t work?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cChess club and FBLA are after school,\u201d Eduardo says with a pained smile.<\/p>\n

Mark\u2019s dad pats him on the back. \u201cAn overachiever, I like that,\u201d he says. \u201cYou\u2019ll get along with my son.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI already do,\u201d Eduardo says, stealing a glance at Mark.<\/p>\n

His dad turns to him with surprise, and Mark continues reading even though his dad knows that he tends to eavesdrop even when inappropriate. \u201cMark never mentioned that to me,\u201d he says, while looking at Mark.<\/p>\n

Eduardo laughs lightly. \u201cSomehow that doesn\u2019t surprise me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need to tell you when I make friends with your patients, Dad,\u201d Mark says, still reading.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, they do pay me,\u201d his dad says.<\/p>\n

Mark raises his eyes from his textbook. Both his dad and Eduardo are standing in front of the reception counter, like they\u2019re about to make an appointment for Eduardo\u2019s next coming in here, in the\u00a0summer<\/em>. At the end of the summer, likely, since Eduardo has college (probably Harvard) then and won\u2019t be in for all the months until then.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd Eduardo can make an appointment for his wisdom teeth next week,\u201d Mark says. \u201cI can drive him home, if he wants.\u201d<\/p>\n

His father raises his eyebrows, but Eduardo positively glows. \u201cThat would be splendid,\u201d says Eduardo.<\/p>\n

No one says\u00a0splendid<\/em>, but now Mark\u2019s pretty sure it\u2019s going to be in his own regular vocabulary now because of Eduardo and this moment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith Eduardo\u2019s car?\u201d his dad asks suspiciously. \u201cAnd I\u2019m asking this as your dad, Mark, not as Eduardo\u2019s dentist.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have my license, I can drive,\u201d says Mark. He doesn\u2019t have his own car yet, though he\u2019s pretty sure he\u2019s going to get one for his birthday in a couple of months. \u201cAnd only if Eduardo trusts me, of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSomething like that,\u201d Eduardo says, smiling at him. \u201cI really wouldn\u2019t mind, Dr. Zuckerberg, it\u2019s fine. I do want to deal with my wisdom teeth as soon as I can, and your son\u00a0is<\/em>\u00a0a delight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wouldn\u2019t call him that,\u201d says Mark\u2019s dad, but he doesn\u2019t question Eduardo\u2019s judgment. \u201cI guess we\u2019ll make your appointment in the next couple of weeks then. Normally I\u2019d have to sit you through a consultation, but we basically covered all of that during your x-ray…\u201d<\/p>\n

He and Eduardo discuss business and appointments with the receptionist. Mark turns back to his textbook. He doesn\u2019t know what he\u2019s doing\u2014he certainly can drive, and he doesn\u2019t really have anything better to do with his Saturdays, but he doesn\u2019t really offer to take care of hot guys while they\u2019re doped up on laughing gas. Then again, Eduardo\u2019s whole face had lit up like he would like nothing more than Mark to take care of him while basically high. Mark doesn\u2019t want to read into it, because if he does, he\u2019ll get his hopes up, and when you look like Eduardo, you\u2019re not interested in guys who look like Mark.<\/p>\n

Eduardo does pause by the door again, though, as usual, to say goodbye to Mark.<\/p>\n

*<\/p>\n

\u201cMark\u2019s made friends with one of my patients,\u201d his dad says over dinner.<\/p>\n

Mark stoutly does not look up over his food. Ari says, \u201cAre you talking about Eduardo?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know about him?\u201d says their dad.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe saw him and Mark hanging out in the waiting room a few weeks ago,\u201d says Donna. \u201cI think Mark\u2019s got\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark kicks her under the table.<\/p>\n

Donna ignores him, even though she does wince in pain. \u201c\u2014a crush.\u201d<\/p>\n

Luckily, their parents are pretty supportive of all their pursuits, romantic and otherwise, like when Randi, who\u2019s now in college, wanted to be an astronaut when she was thirteen. She\u2019s studying astrophysics now. Mark is glad she\u2019s not here to witness this conversation.<\/p>\n

Mark\u2019s mom does say, \u201cOoh, tell me more,\u201d which is close enough.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat does make sense,\u201d their father says thoughtfully. \u201cMark did offer to drive him home after Eduardo\u2019s wisdom teeth approval, but now I\u2019m not sure if I want to give him permission.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou already made the appointment,\u201d Mark says, picking at his asparagus. \u201cIt\u2019s not an offer I can rescind. And why are we even talking about this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause it\u2019s good to remind me that my brother is human,\u201d Ari chirps.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy would you need that reminder,\u201d Mark mutters.<\/p>\n

His mother pats him on the shoulder. \u201cNext time you see him,\u201d she says, \u201cyou should invite him over for dinner sometime.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark says, \u201cI hate you all,\u201d out loud, but at their smiles and on the inside, he knows that they know he doesn\u2019t really mean it.<\/p>\n

*<\/p>\n

The next weekend is Eduardo\u2019s wisdom teeth appointment, so Mark wakes up later than he does during weekdays and earlier than he does on the weekends. Under regular circumstances he would have spiraled into a clickhole on his dad\u2019s office computer the night before and wake up just before noon, but then Eduardo just kind of happened and wisdom teeth appointments are even earlier than regular dentist ones, so Mark knows how early he has to be up to meet with Eduardo.<\/p>\n

He doesn\u2019t even technically need to be there when Eduardo comes in, just when he comes out. Still, he\u2019s standing in the middle of the waiting room with his hands stuffed in his hoodie pockets when the door jangles and Eduardo comes in, in a Northface and t-shirt and jeans instead of his regular weirdly formal attire. He still looks incredibly good, which is unfair.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey,\u201d he says, lightening up at the sight of Mark.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi,\u201d Mark says, observing his face. \u201cHow\u2019re you feeling?\u201d<\/p>\n

Eduardo chuckles. \u201cHungry,\u201d he says. \u201cUm, is your father in yet?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark shrugs. \u201cHe\u2019s probably still busy with something,\u201d he says. \u201cWe can look over the Hidden Pictures if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eduardo looks amused, but he says, \u201cOkay,\u201d and they make their way to the children\u2019s section, next to a large stuffed cow animal that was probably Randi\u2019s at some point.<\/p>\n

Mark doesn\u2019t know which ones Eduardo\u2019s already done, so he lets Eduardo pick as they sit next to each other and hover together. Their knees touch despite the armrests blocking the rest of their sides; Mark thinks about moving his leg away, but they\u2019re already touching so that just might even be weirder. He does his best to focus on the puzzle that Eduardo is enthusiastically marking up circle by circle, instead of the microscopic touch of their bodies.<\/p>\n

Another patient comes in soon enough, a child and a mother, the child whining as he clutches her hand. Both Mark and Eduardo don\u2019t say anything, though the mother and her child settle next to them, the mother trying to soothe her son. He tries to protest, but then he takes notice of Mark and Eduardo\u2014which Mark notices, though he\u2019s not sure if Eduardo does.<\/p>\n

Mark points out a drawn pancake on the Hidden Pictures page, and Eduardo elbows him and circles it, grinning. Mark smiles at the side of his face, more because he\u2019s pretty sure that Eduardo can\u2019t see him.<\/p>\n

The child is still watching\u2014and Mark realizes his eyes are actually fixed on Eduardo\u2019s pen and the magazine, like he\u2019s wondering what\u2019s so interesting about it. Also, Eduardo\u2019s holding the back of the magazine straight up, so its colorful back cover is on full display for the child to see. There are a lot of other Highlights magazines on the table, of course, but Mark knows that the average child doesn\u2019t care much for observational sense.<\/p>\n

Eduardo finishes the puzzle (he\u2019d been doing most of the work, anyway), but before Mark can mention anything about the kid to him, Eduardo closes the magazine, lifts his head up, and hands it to the kid. \u201cDid you want to look at this?\u201d he asks him eagerly, and the kid nods.<\/p>\n

The mother thanks them, and Eduardo says, \u201cIt\u2019s no problem.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t realize you were so generous,\u201d Mark says, as the kid grabs a nearby golf pencil and starts scribbling rapidly, complaints forgotten.<\/p>\n

Eduardo elbows him again. \u201cShut up.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou did most of that puzzle on your own.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not my fault you\u2019re slow,\u201d Eduardo says teasingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure if that\u2019s something you want to say to someone who\u2019s been taking care of you all day,\u201d says Mark.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy?\u201d Eduardo says, amused. \u201cWhat\u2019re you going to do?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember all the stupid things you say so I can embarrass you with them to you in the future,\u201d Mark replies.<\/p>\n

It may be his imagination, but Eduardo\u2019s eyes widen a bit at the mention of\u00a0the future<\/em>. Mark doesn\u2019t know why he said it, either, since they don\u2019t even go to the same school\u2014Eduardo knows where he lives, but only because he comes here for teeth checkups. And Mark doesn\u2019t even know if Eduardo wants to hang out with him outside of that context.<\/p>\n

\u201cI do suppose I dread that,\u201d Eduardo says, but smiling. Mark hopes that means what he thinks he means.<\/p>\n

An assistant, Ruby, comes out today, to get Eduardo. As he stands up, Eduardo says, \u201cI heard all the things about nitrous oxide are myths, anyway.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt only depends on how much your dentist gives you,\u201d Mark says, because he does know this. \u201cGood luck,\u201d he calls anyway, and Eduardo flips him off in only what can be described to be an affectionate way.<\/p>\n

The mother who had been so charmed by Eduardo before looks horrified.<\/p>\n

*<\/p>\n

Mark sits in the waiting room, raking through the Hidden Pictures Eduardo had gone through in the past couple of weeks\u2014he did really get everything, which is more impressive to see on paper. He goes upstairs to eat breakfast for a bit, and realizes that he\u2019ll probably have to feed Eduardo when he takes him home. He hopes Eduardo\u2019s already bought soft food for himself, because he doesn\u2019t particularly want to drag a drugged Eduardo to the grocery store.<\/p>\n

After about an hour, Mark\u2019s dad comes back out with Eduardo, who has his face wrapped in a tight band with an ice pack at the bottom, gauze in his mouth. Mark\u2019s dad is clutching him by the arm even though Eduardo seems to be fine standing on his own two feet. \u201cMark,\u201d his dad says, and Eduardo\u2019s entire face lightens up immediately.<\/p>\n

\u201cHi,\u201d Mark says, going over to them. His dad hands Eduardo\u2019s arm over to him, and the split second of hesitance shows Mark why he has to help him\u2014Eduardo wobbles, and Mark grabs onto his upper bicep right away.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s giggly, but fine,\u201d his dad says, smiling at Mark. \u201cHe can still do things and answer you, but with over-exaggeration.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am a good amount of exaggeration,\u201d Eduardo says defensively, and Mark tries not to laugh. \u201cHey. Hey Mark, you\u2019re smiling.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know the procedure, right?\u201d Mark\u2019s dad says, because he\u2019d done Mark\u2019s wisdom teeth when he was fourteen though Mark had opted out of the laughing gas option.<\/p>\n

Mark nods. \u201cSoft foods, replace the gauze until it stops bleeding, don\u2019t gargle, salt water, keep using the ice pack for twenty-four hours.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd here\u2019s his ibuprofen.\u201d His dad hands him the bottle of pills. \u201cHe shouldn\u2019t brush his teeth, too, because it can very easily irritate and infect the bleeding. If he wants to, he can do it\u00a0tomorrow<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d says Mark, because the look on his dad\u2019s face seems to be implicating a completely different message. \u201cI\u2019m leaving now.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDrive safe,\u201d his dad calls, as Mark hauls Eduardo toward the door.<\/p>\n

Eduardo stumbles, but only because Mark wants to get away before his dad can say something embarrassing that Eduardo would surely comment on. Eduardo is just staring at Mark, though, dopily. It makes Mark self-conscious, but not in a terribly bothersome way.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are you looking at,\u201d Mark mutters, as they break into the early spring air.<\/p>\n

Eduardo smiles. \u201cNothing,\u201d he says. And then, \u201cYou.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am nothing,\u201d Mark agrees.<\/p>\n

Eduardo crashes his shoulder into him with more force than necessary. Mark winces and Eduardo says, \u201cFuck, sorry. But you\u2019re not nothing. Really.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d says Mark. \u201cOtherwise you\u2019d have no one to take you home.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou make a really good point,\u201d says Eduardo, as Mark looks around the tiny parking lot around the back of his house and realizing he doesn\u2019t even know what Eduardo\u2019s car looks like.<\/p>\n

Eduardo points it out to him easily when he asks, though, a black sedan parked in the middle. As he pawns his keys off to Mark, he asks, \u201cDo you have a car?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t,\u201d Mark says, pretending not to be embarrassed.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh.\u201d Eduardo\u2019s face falls as Mark helps him into the passenger seat. \u201cI was hoping we\u2019d both be able to drive places to hang out when this is over.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark feels a flush creeping up his neck. \u201cI, I mean,\u201d he says, standing in the open doorway of the passenger side. \u201cI can get my parents to drive me, you know. Or you can pick me up, if you want.\u201d<\/p>\n

The smile returns to Eduardo\u2019s face. \u201cI do want,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Mark gets into the driver\u2019s seat and takes the directions he\u2019d printed out from MapQuest from his hoodie. By legalities his dad couldn\u2019t give him Eduardo\u2019s home address, so Mark just went on the system when no one was looking and memorized it. Eduardo doesn\u2019t live that far, anyway, just a fifteen minute drive, and though Mark does trust Eduardo to be capable of telling him the directions to his house, he doesn\u2019t want to put the doped up Eduardo through that.<\/p>\n

He drives them there, turning on the radio that Eduardo hums to\u2014or at least to something\u2014while the music plays. Mark feels kind of awkward, since he\u2019s supposed to be Eduardo\u2019s friend, or something like that, so he asks, \u201cHow was the treatment?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was fine,\u201d Eduardo says happily. \u201cYour dad\u00a0does<\/em>\u00a0use a lot of laughing gas.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople tend to prefer it,\u201d Mark says.<\/p>\n

Eduardo hums again. \u201cIt feels really good,\u201d he says. \u201cBut I think I just like being in my car with you. This is the first time we\u2019re not hanging out at the dentist\u2019s you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark bites his lip in amusement. \u201cI know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know you know,\u201d Eduardo says, beaming merrily. \u201cI guess it\u2019s not the dentist\u2019s for you, anyway. Except your dad is your dentist. So maybe he is. Do dentists dentist their own teeth?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you make no sense when you\u2019re high?\u201d Mark says.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have the same dentist,\u201d Eduardo says, then giggles. \u201cMy m\u00e3e said that your dad was the highest-recommended dentist in the area who also happened to be Jewish, so she liked him right away.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThose are interesting prerequisites,\u201d Mark comments.<\/p>\n

Eduardo doesn\u2019t seem to notice, and barrels on, \u201cBut I\u2019m glad she did, I liked you right away too. I\u2019m really glad I met you.\u201d He beams at Mark. \u201cI mean, I really like my friends from school, too, but\u2014you\u2019re\u00a0Mark<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am,\u201d Mark says, trying to focus on the road.<\/p>\n

Eduardo\u2019s finger is on Mark\u2019s lips, then, just very gently, resting across the seam while Eduardo observes his face from the side. \u201cYou have a really pretty mouth,\u201d Eduardo says, stroking it. \u201cAnd your face is so pretty, too. And your mouth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark is pretty sure he can\u2019t breathe, which he\u2019s also pretty sure is a hazard while he\u2019s driving. He wants to choke out,\u00a0You already said that<\/em>, but Eduardo\u2019s finger is still on his mouth and it might accidentally slip between his lips. Or on purpose. Oh god, now Mark is thinking about sucking on Eduardo\u2019s long fingers that can twirl pens.<\/p>\n

He just waits until Eduardo has withdrawn his hand, barely affected. Mark turns onto his street then, anyway, and doesn\u2019t even have to think about what to talk about next.<\/p>\n

\u201cHoly shit, your house is\u00a0huge<\/em>,\u201d Mark says, and it says a lot since Mark knows he\u2019s pretty wealthy himself.<\/p>\n

Eduardo shrugs and nods, but his cheeks are pretty dark. \u201cYeah, I\u2026 yeah,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s. I\u2019m rich.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark nods emphatically, going through the gate and down the drive. \u201cWhere should I park?\u201d he asks, trying not to be weird that Eduardo had just told him that he has a pretty face. And a pretty\u00a0mouth<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Eduardo cheerfully says, \u201cOver there!\u201d and points to a middle empty garage door in a row of who knows how many. Mark counts eight. He stops the car and helps Eduardo out, skin tingling with every brush and prolonged contact.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you so much,\u201d Eduardo says, as Mark steadies him by the elbow. Eduardo is looking less wobbly on his feet, but Mark frowns anyway.<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think you can walk by yourself?\u201d he asks.<\/p>\n

Eduardo nods. \u201cI think I\u2019m good now,\u201d he says\u2014but he tips over again. For a second Mark thinks they\u2019ve both misjudged him, but Eduardo just bumps Mark\u2019s shoulder and says again, \u201cThank you. You really didn\u2019t have to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark isn\u2019t sure how much people retain when they\u2019re drugged, so he mumbles, \u201cI wanted to,\u201d and Eduardo beams at him.<\/p>\n

Eduardo leads the way to the door, fumbling his keys out of his Northface and jamming them into the lock on his second try. \u201cMom goes to galas and parties for my dads on weekends,\u201d he says. \u201cSo she usually spends the day out shopping with girlfriends.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s fine,\u201d says Mark, because it would be immensely awkward to meet her. And also because he wouldn\u2019t have an excuse to spend all day with Eduardo in his house.<\/p>\n

He shuts the door to the garage behind them, clutching the bag his dad had given to him to look after Eduardo. Eduardo marches into the next room and says, \u201cI\u2019m hungry,\u201d which makes sense when Mark follows him and sees that they\u2019re in the kitchen.<\/p>\n

Eduardo has opened the refrigerator door. Mark asks him, \u201cDo you have enough soft foods?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBought them yesterday,\u201d says Eduardo, pulling out a packet of applesauce and frowning at it. \u201cWhy did I pick applesauce?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not that bad,\u201d Mark says, though he\u2019d eaten nothing but ice cream on his first day. \u201cC\u2019mon, go sit, I\u2019ll get food for you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eduardo pulls back and sends Mark what he\u2019s sure is meant to be a sly smile, though with the drugs in his system he looks more immensely pleased than anything. \u201cYou\u2019re going to take care of me?\u201d Eduardo teases.<\/p>\n

Mark rolls his eyes, pushing Eduardo away from the fridge and towards the kitchen table. \u201cThat\u2019s why I\u2019m here,\u201d he says pointedly, and begins to untie the ice band from Eduardo\u2019s head. \u201cAnd you should probably take the ibuprofen.\u201d<\/p>\n

They get Eduardo settled with his medication and a soup Mark decides on, since Eduardo had said that he wants something that tastes like a meal but had no particulars towards whatever soup that was stocked in the pantry Mark found. Mark puts the band and the ice pack in the freezer, too, takes out the gauze from Eduardo\u2019s mouth, and helps him rinse himself out with salt water before the both of them eat, Mark getting something microwaveable and easy for himself since Eduardo had told him to help himself. He watches as Eduardo eats; Eduardo is starving, clearly, but by the time he\u2019s done his eyelids are flickering like he\u2019s exhausted.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you tired?\u201d Mark asks. Eduardo shrugs but his drooping eyes give him away. \u201cThat\u2019ll be the aftereffects of the anesthesia. C\u2019mon, you can take a nap.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut,\u201d Eduardo begins, then stops.<\/p>\n

Mark frowns at him. \u201cBut what?\u201d<\/p>\n

Eduardo shakes his head. \u201cNothing,\u201d he says. Mark can\u2019t tell if it\u2019s the drowsiness or the laughing gas wearing off.<\/p>\n

He gets the ice pack back on Eduardo\u2019s head and lets Eduardo lead him around the house to his room. \u201cIf this were a normal circumstance, I would give you a real tour,\u201d Eduardo says as they march up the stairs.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can later,\u201d Mark says. \u201cJust take care of yourself and rest and shit.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eduardo smiles at him. The laughing gas is definitely wearing off\u2014it\u2019s dimmer than the ones he gave Mark in the car, but Mark tries not to worry too much about it. \u201cWhich one\u2019s your room?\u201d Mark asks once they get up the landing.<\/p>\n

He walks Eduardo to his door, though decides not to go inside (as much as he wants to) because that would be stepping into his privacy and Eduardo is too fatigued to really stop him or say anything about it. Plus, Eduardo probably has a giant bed for Mark to fantasize about when he\u2019s in the shower, so it\u2019s just really not a good idea in general. He stops outside, and Eduardo does too, swaying like he wants to say something before he goes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Mark asks.<\/p>\n

Eduardo chews on his bottom lip. To Mark\u2019s disappointment he doesn\u2019t even look at Mark\u2019s mouth again. \u201cNothing,\u201d he says. \u201cBut\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you\u2019re going to thank me again, just go already,\u201d says Mark, shoving him lightly.<\/p>\n

Eduardo\u2019s mouth slants upward for a second; then he disappears without a word.<\/p>\n

*<\/p>\n

Mark explores all of three rooms in Eduardo\u2019s ginormous house before discovering a dusty but impressive DVD collection and a plasma screen TV. Even though he doesn\u2019t consider himself a really avid movie person, snooping around the otherwise mostly empty house would make him feel like a burglar, and also might be weird if Eduardo\u2019s mom came home earlier than expected. Mark decides to watch some film that claims itself to be an Oscar winner, sitting on the couch and wishing that he either had his computer, or Eduardo sober and awake to keep him company.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s only an hour when Mark hears a thumping down the stairs\u2014well, down the flight that\u2019s in the TV room, not the same as the one Eduardo had showed him to his bedroom. Eduardo\u2019s making his way down, the band around his head lopsided and the two pieces of gauze out of his mouth and between his fingers. His face looks pink and swollen with sleep and his hair is a general mess, and Mark still wants to kiss him so much.<\/p>\n

\u201cHey,\u201d Eduardo says croakily. His lips twitch at the sight of the TV. \u201cThe Full Monty<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark shrugs. \u201cIt\u2019s not that bad,\u201d he says. \u201cHow\u2014Are you okay?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine. Sore.\u201d Eduardo rubs at his jaw. \u201cAnd the ice pack isn\u2019t cold anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s what happens when you nap for an hour,\u201d Mark says, getting up from the couch to help him.<\/p>\n

He takes the band off of Eduardo\u2019s head even though he\u2019s sure he can do it himself, even with the wet bloody gauze in his hands. Eduardo doesn\u2019t protest, though, and they walk into the kitchen. Eduardo throws his gauze away into the trash, and Mark shows him how to check if he\u2019s still bleeding, which thankfully he isn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, good,\u201d Eduardo says delightfully. \u201cNow I don\u2019t have to feel like a chipmunk anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n

They get him rinsed out, and then Eduardo grabs strawberry ice cream from the freezer before they return to the living room and the movie. Mark sits back where he was before, and like always, Eduardo sits right next to him. Their hips are close enough to brush if either of them move, which Eduardo does to hand Mark his spoon.<\/p>\n

He seems sane and awake enough and Mark\u2019s heart is thumping loudly in his ears; taking care of Eduardo had distracted him, but made that full feeling in his chest even bigger with all the smiles Eduardo had sent him. Eduardo laughs at something in the movie, and Mark fumbles with his spoonful of ice cream, shoving it into his mouth and keeping it there so he doesn\u2019t do something like accidentally drop it.<\/p>\n

He taps the cool metal against his lips and then decides, oh, fuck it. \u201cWardo,\u201d he says, the first syllable dropping off naturally like it\u2019s nothing.<\/p>\n

To his mild astonishment, Eduardo responds. \u201cWhat\u2019s up?\u201d he asks, turning from the TV screen.<\/p>\n

Mark nervously sucks the spoon into his mouth, and then out again. \u201cWhen we were in the car and you were drugged,\u201d he says, \u201cyou kind of said\u2014um\u2014you told me I had a pretty mouth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eduardo\u2019s face colors. \u201cI\u2019d hoped I\u2019d dreamed that,\u201d he says. \u201cI thought I\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2014It\u2019s not a bad thing,\u201d Mark says quickly. \u201cI don\u2019t mind\u2014I mean\u2014does that mean you want to kiss me?\u201d He asks the last question very fast.<\/p>\n

Eduardo is staring at him hard, his face unreadable\u2014and it\u2019s not uncommon, but after seeming so open and comfortable with Mark for the past few weeks, it kind of throws him off. Mark sucks back on his spoon, even though the ice cream flavor is completely gone from it.<\/p>\n

Then Eduardo sighs and takes it out of his mouth. \u201cStop it, that\u2019s really distracting,\u201d he says. \u201cAnd yes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark\u2019s heart stutters. \u201cYes? You want to\u2014kiss me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to kiss you,\u201d Eduardo confirms. He holds Mark\u2019s gaze. \u201cDo you want to kiss me?\u201d<\/p>\n

Mark could grin like an idiot\u2014so he does. \u201cOnly if you taste like ice cream and no blood or sleep,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Eduardo groans. \u201cOh god, I can\u2019t promise that,\u201d he says, but he\u2019s tilting towards Mark, anyway, pressing their lips chastely together.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a kiss. Not as much as Mark would want if Eduardo hadn\u2019t just had gotten oral surgery done; but it\u2019s good enough. \u201cJust no tongue I guess,\u201d he says against Eduardo\u2019s dry lips, and Eduardo laughs.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo tongue,\u201d he agrees, and Mark can feel every curve of his smile. \u201cDoes this even qualify then?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think it does,\u201d says Mark. Eduardo doesn\u2019t exactly smell fantastic, but it\u2019s good enough and he can forgive the lingering salty taste in favor of Eduardo pressed so close to him. \u201cIt meets my qualifications, at least.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose that\u2019s all that matters,\u201d Eduardo agrees. \u201cSo does this mean I don\u2019t have to go to your dad\u2019s office every weekend to see you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUnless you have serious dental problems,\u201d Mark says, and Eduardo laughs again, right against Mark\u2019s mouth, the slight tremor against his skin the best feeling in the world. \u201cBut my house is right above it, if you want a change of scenery.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d love that,\u201d says Eduardo, and their lips are still pressed together, having shifted so they can properly talk against each other, not\u00a0really<\/em>\u00a0kissing\u2014but breathing each other in in increments, sharing the same breath and smile.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A high school love story that is for some reason centered around dentistry.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[38],"fandom":[511],"rating":[675],"ship":[594],"relationship":[606],"minorfandomships":[],"class_list":["post-21","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-default","tag-high-school","fandom-tsn","rating-teen","ship-em","relationship-slash"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=21"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/21\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=21"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=21"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=21"},{"taxonomy":"fandom","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/fandom?post=21"},{"taxonomy":"rating","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rating?post=21"},{"taxonomy":"ship","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ship?post=21"},{"taxonomy":"relationship","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/relationship?post=21"},{"taxonomy":"minorfandomships","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/aroceu.com\/fic\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/minorfandomships?post=21"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}