<span style="font-size: 15px"><span style="font-family:Open Sans">“Considerate,” Marcus corrected evenly, “That's the word you're looking for.” They moved on to another topic of conversation. That being Luca cooking. Apparently, he had no intention of doing so, and that struck a cord with Marcus. He looked to him with a frown.<br/>
<br/>
“You'll learn,” was all he offered. He wanted it that way, and so it would be. Luca would have plenty of free time on his hands, and he would strive to become what Marcus wanted in a partner. He would make it that way, regardless of Luca's protests. “After a few times eating bad food, I'm sure you'll get more inventive.”<br/>
<br/>
Sitting on the bed, Marcus thought Luca had been inviting. He thought he'd wanted the intention. He wasn't the best person at reading body language, but he was sure Luca was giving him signals. He crossed a threshold and Luca's demeanor changed, and suddenly it must had been too much for the young man because he launched himself off the bed and at the door. Marcus' eyes followed him in surprise before he sprung up as well, giving chase to the young man who'd been being placid only just before this? Had Luca been leading him on for this very moment, or had Marcus pushed too far too soon. He didn't have the time to contemplate any of it just then because one thing he knew in absolute certainty; Luca could not get away.<br/>
<br/>
Marcus stumbled as he tried to get down the stairs, catching himself on the banister, but it didn't seem to slow the man who would resort to recklessness if it meant catching Luca. He crashed into a side table at the ends of the stairs as he spun around, knocking into it and sending a lamp shattering. He propelled himself forward and to the door as Luca turned the lock and threw it open. It was late now, dark outside with limited lighting. Marcus still hadn't gotten all the bulbs changed, and the porch light hadn't been one on his priority list. It was a frosty evening, not yet the time of year it would snow, but late enough that it made the old wood slick across the porch. For as cold as it was in the cabin it was far chillier outside. What was Luca thinking?<br/>
<br/>
“Where are you going to go?” Marcus snarled as Luca made it off the porch and to hard ground. Marcus wasn't stupid, and he'd always been quick to think. Instead of trying to catch Luca he swung wide, instead herding him towards the right, exactly where he wanted him to go. Luca didn't spend his childhood here. He wouldn't know how to navigate in the dark, unfamiliar place. He wouldn't know Marcus was pushing him towards the icy stream that ran across their property. There was a bridge but Luca was nowhere near it.<br/>
<br/>
No doubt he was surprised when he stumbled across wet stone and crashed into the chilly water. It wasn't deep, but Luca would have to make a conscious effort to go forward or try to figure out which direction wasn't bone-chilling water. Marcus used this time to catch up to him, fury making the cold not feel so bad. He crashed down across Luca and there was a moment where Marcus considered holding his head beneath the water for betraying him. Instead, his hands came up around the slender throat and pressed, closing off his airway and any ability he had to make noise. Not that it mattered considering their location. Gravel dug into Marcus' knees where they were positioned partly in the shallow water, but he didn't get off Luca straight away. He did let go of Luca's throat.<br/>
<br/>
“Why, Luca?” Marcus demanded, snatching him up and dragging him back towards the cabin. It wasn't pretty, but Marcus didn't seem to care at that point if Luca got a little banged up. He didn't give him a chance to get his feet underneath him as he started up the stairs of the porch, hauling him across them instead.<br/>
<br/>
“I've been good to you! Why did you do that?” Marcus shouted, pushing Luca through the door first, keeping a solid grip on the slim young man. Thoughts towards how he was going to have to handle this were already filling his head.</span></span>