A/N -

Warnings! - Putting a smut tag on this because sex is implied and something smutty happens towards the end. Also implied drug use.

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Renting a hotel room was not exactly what you had planned for your time off but your friends had convinced you to come down to Santa Carla with them. Despite the tiniest bit of reluctance at travelling, you had to face it that you didn't really have anything else planned. Your friends had dragged you to one of the cheaper hotels just in the outskirts of the seaside town. The very seaside town all three of you had visited two years prior for spring break. Your memories were vague but overall happy from the last trip. To say it was a party town however was an understatement. Jessica had gotten her hands on weed ridiculously easy and that was in the more touristy spots. Sandra had been wild every night, to the point where she had a pregnancy scare and what a night that was. Then of course there was you, you had a great time over all, relaxing on the beach, buying jewellery and dabbling in the nightlife when all three of you got dolled up. Planned nights usually resulted in you three splitting up for the night in all different directions.

Only this time it happened again and you ended up high as a kite. Sunglasses pushed hair out of your face, resting in your hair as you wandered around. It was full of bright lights and loud voices. You had to hold onto the railings at some point when a bunch of people ran past, knocking into your clumsy self.

Despite almost tripping and landing on your face, a smile tugged at your lips and a giggle broke out. Maybe it had been the thought of prat falling even if it were you doing the falling or just because you were feeling it but tears soon streamed down your face as you leaned into the current support structure. You were having a brilliant time as a hand wiped at the trail of tears.

An amused voice was by your ear, “You okay girl?”

It took you a second to function properly and when another voice chimed in, you thought you recognized it. “Marko?” You asked, giggles dying down but a bright smile still remained as you twisted around. A hand rested on your shoulder as your suspicions were confirmed. Same unique jacket tapestry, same golden curls and same mischievous grin on his handsome face.

The other you didn't quite recognize, tall, rocker looking and unique.

“Y/N.” Marko pulled you into a hug. He still smelled the same, not to mention looked the same. Then again, two years wasn't a lot of time, at least now it didn't feel that long compared to before.

“Bud, you gonna introduce me to the giggly babe?” Marko's friend asked.

“Sure dude, this is Y/N.”

“Oh.” His eyes shone and he raised a finger gun, “Oh.”

“And this buffoon is my brother or sorts, Paul.” Marko explained ending your curiosity.

“Oh. Wait, wait, wait, this is the Y/N? Oh man have I got some stories for you girly.” Paul laughed as if this was big news and Marko shoved him. “You talked about me?” You asked and Paul nodded, receiving a slap to the arm.

“Not like that, doll.”

“Definitely like that.” Paul rebutted.

“Paul, the village called, they want their idiot back.” Marko retorted, giving him a look that screamed not now. Whatever was going on it was too much for your buzzed mind to process and an uneasy smile appeared on your face. From the looks they exchanged, you definitely would have asked if you were not still buzzed from the hotel.

“Okay, okay.” Paul backed away, still looking quite amused with himself. “I know when I'm third wheeling.” Twinkly blue met yours and he winked.

The sudden admission had you flabbergasted and put on the spot. It wasn't everyday you ran into a fling of sorts and then to have his, “brother of sorts,” to imply something else. The ground could just quake and swallow you up and you would be none the wiser.

When Paul was out of eyesight, Marko brushed a stray curl from his forehead, sighing as he laughed it off. “Don't pay attention to him, he's always like that.” He excused almost too soon as if you knew him but you didn't remember meeting Paul...

“Oh.” Maybe he hadn't been thinking about you like you thought. You weren't sure what to feel at the moment. A part of you did like him, but the part presented to bumping into him again was doubtful. It had been a while and he surely would have done his own thing then and not waited for you.

There was a little pause before Marko asked you,

“Hey you never mentioned you would be back, I thought.” Marko was leaning next to you and keeping you balanced. There was a twinkle in his eye as he casually checked you out. It was your usual style, not quite as audacious as you had been before but it suited you nicely, at least you liked to think. It was almost tender the way his arm curled around your shoulders.

Despite the gesture, you couldn't ignore the weight in his words. Despite rethinking the encounters over and over again, you never really thought about... well about what would happen if you did come back. From the way he was speaking, you were beginning to overthink just how serious he might have been back then. The feistiest blond on all the boardwalk and he so happened to like you.

“I thought you were coming back a lot sooner.” He admitted when you didn't say anything.

What could you say to that?

“Well, you know. Life gets in the way and just.” You explained as best as you could but you both knew it was a non committal answer. The only real answer was that you got scared and well, university had started. It was just natural, what happens after a good holiday.

“Whatever it is, I’m glad to have you back, cutie.” Marko squeezed you into his side.

“Been boring without you, you know?”

“Same here.” You smiled, knowing that much was true. Part of you missed your nightly excursions.

“Then maybe we should go and have some fun?” Marko suggested, a hand pushing a stray hair behind your ear. His touch was cool and tingly a contrast to the warmth of your skin.

Your eyes widened.

“Not like that, mind out of the gutter.” Marko laughed, hand tapping your nose playfully as he snickered.

“Hey! From what I remember that would be you pal.”

Marko hummed, allowing a smirk of his own, if only you knew.

Holding his hand out you took it and he lead you off to get food. It was the same little American restaurant at the edge of the boardwalk. It was the one that did the good burgers. The best he had proclaimed out of everyone. The decor was bright and resembled something more old fashioned, almost 50’s themed. You two sat by the window and neither of you had noticed that he had yet to let go of your hand, not that you would have wanted him to. It felt nice and you almost did a double take with how much food he had ordered.

“Marko how are we going to eat all this?”

“Relax, I’m friends with the owner I can get doggy bags to go plus I have a feeling the boys are gonna want a bite to eat later too.”

“The boys? Do you mean your brother?” You asked and he nodded, resting his chin on his hand.

“Brothers.” Marko's eyes crinkled when you became more curious. Whilst things had been getting serious, he had talked about the three when you remembered him mention Paul and then the two others. It made sense all of a sudden, how rowdy Paul was after you thought back to the times Marko laughed about all the dumb shit he had gotten up to.

You two ate and talked about everything and anything until you were both kicked out. It was getting late and there wasn't much left open but Marko made do, bringing you to spots he had before and relieving some old memories, and they weren't so pg either.

The tree that always had fairy lights around it had been put to good use, your back naturally finding the wooden base and Marko's lips kissing the life out of you. At one point he had pocketed your sunglasses for safe keeping but you also suspected he did it so he could brush the hair from your face.

Then there was making it back to his bike, there was no walking back and whilst you didn't exactly want the night to end, you took the ride when it was offered. It had been a while since you had been on the back of one of those, and ever since you always associated motorbikes with the biker you met one summer.

But of course there was one thing you forgot about Marko, and that was trouble usually found him more often than he found it. As you were making your way hand in hand to get to his bike, an older teen on a skateboard had cut in front of the both of you, half an inch away from knocking into you too. Marko really didn't want to get in a fight tonight but the other person had definitely started it, hence why you found yourself running with him from the boardwalk security guard threatening to call the police.

-----

Sandra had yet to show up, Jessica having met you at the hotel just as Marko dropped you off. With a kiss to your knuckles and another night planned, he was off but not before leaving you a heated mess. Jessica was too dazed to care, clutching her water bottle as she searched her pocket for keys.

The bored receptionist gave you both a glance as Jessica clung to you, laughing about her night. You assumed it was likely the usual they had as you had not received a noise complaint nor a knock at the door.

“Oh my God. I freaking love this place.” Jessica drawled, lifting her head from the toilet as you scooped her hair into a ponytail. The smell of vomit assaulted your nose and you pulled a face, agreeing with her before grabbing another bottle of water from your bag.

“I saw so many people and look.” Jessica rubber fingers over her ear and then you saw it, slightly red skin around a fresh looking stud.

“You got a piercing? It looks so nice on you but are you sure you aren't going to regret it in the morning?” You asked, admiring the little jewel in your friend’s ear.

“Hell no!” She disagreed, fiddling with it until you nudged her hand away.

“You know you’re not supposed to touch it right? Germs and stuff.”

“But it's mine.”

“Yes it is yours.” You smiled, knowing Jess was likely to listen to your advice on rejection when she woke up more herself.

“Who was the guy you were with? Motorcycle man with the mullet... oh my fuck that rhymed, I’m so proud.”

“Who was the girl you were with?” You countered, flinching when she emptied her stomach again.

Jessica wiped her mouth and took the glass you gave her.

“I asked first.”

“Marko.”

“The Marko? Hot stranger from last time you joined us- Marko?”

Chewing your lips you nodded, hardly keeping your pleased smile at bay. You were like a love sick puppy as sad as it was to say but you had felt a lot with him. A lot of things had happened last time, but now whilst it felt the same you couldn't help but question if he still felt the same.

“Ohh.”

“Things aren't weird are they?” She asked, sitting back and her head leaned back under your chin. You knew full well what she was referring to and you decided you wanted to get your mind off it, you were starting to feel more down, the more you thought about it. It wasn't as if you two were serious-serious but at the same time you knew Marko was hoping you would stay, mainly from how he was stuck to you like glue and talking about your future... when he wasn't tugging you under the sheets or against a tree.

“Fuck... I don't know.”

The both of you stumbled to the bags, getting changed slowly and climbing into two of the three beds stuffed in the small room they gave you.

“What time is it? I broke my watch.” Jessica mumbled from under the blankets.

“3.45pm.” You answered after taking a peek at the curtesy alarm clock they had in your room.

“Sandra still isn't back yet?”

“Nah.” You yawned into the pillow. You couldn't help but think it was a little unusual for her to be out so late but then again she probably got caught up in something else. Sandra was careful so you knew she wouldn't be in trouble. The worry still nagged at you, fighting the sleep winning over you, “If she's not back in the morning, we'll ask around. It's Sandra she'll be fine Jess.”

-----

Sandra as predicted had stumbled in, way too early and woke you up in the process. “Shhh.” She groaned quietly, sunglasses over her face and a rather harsh tan all over. Hair tousled and tangled and her shoes were simply not on her feet.

Jessica rolled onto her side but had yet to wake up.

“Jesus, Sandra where have you been?” You asked sleepily.

“Time got a head of me, I think I went to a party and then I woke up on the beach.” She explained slowly, shutting the door quietly as possible as if perhaps the sound would send her flying. You knew that look, hungover, but hungover and sun burnt didn't go well together.

“I need that chamomile lotion. Everything is out to kill me today I swear.” She complained and made her way to the bed.

“Think you put it in the drawer.” You said, rolling over to point at the drawer by her bed.

She muttered a thanks and your eyes soon closed, sleep crusting up in the inner corners of your eyes. You felt the full force of sleep wash over you as Sandra fumbled around in the bathroom quietly. You were content that she was safe and now your body let you properly rest instead of waking every couple of hours or so.

The next night had been less eventful to say the least, you had all spent the morning getting over your respective ailments. Being the less hungover of the bunch, you offered to go out and pick up some food and snacks. For being three metres potatoes, you had felt much better. The same day hadn't been too eventful, takeout and movies on the shitty small TV they had in the room. It took all two days to actually get to what you had all planned on doing aside from partying the semester away.

It was now after noon as you all began to feel like part of the living again after last night's concert. The sun was beginning to set as you stepped out of the shower, feeling fresh and good. No more sweat coated your skin and your hair felt nice and soft now that you had detangled the slight amount of teasing you had done the day prior to your crown.

“Do you wanna go out tonight?” Sandra asked the group.

Jessica hummed and you gave a non committal shoulder shrug.

“I wouldn't mind going to get food but other than that, I don't want anything like yesterday.” You said, brushing your semi dry hair.

“Maybe that's a good idea.”

“We ran out of cheezits guys.”

“Guess dinner would be nice, but I think I might head off again.” Sandra agreed, looking up from painting her toenails. The chamomile lotion had since done it's job in calming down the itchy pain along with the tinted moisturizer in covering up the visible lines.

“Just a suggestion, I don't really mind. Besides we still have 4 days left here.”

“I’m not touching this stuff for a while.” Jessica waved the small baggy of weed before dropping it into her bedside drawer with disdain.

You picked out clothes as Jessica skipped the next song on her portable music player. There was a sense of calm as you picked out a good combination of jeans and a crop top, worn with maybe a small heel or flats, although your toenails would have to be painted for your flats and you were getting quite hungry as was everyone else. They talked and sang along until Jessica had to be ushered out of the door, unable to decide if she wanted purple or red earrings, her new statement ones.

-----

“Oh ho ho~ look who it is, Y/N.” Jessica nudged your side and her eyes kept looking to you and then off to behind you. Sandra twirled the keys, jingling the door to make sure it couldn't open and placed the do not disturb sign on the door knob.

Marko was waiting for you out front? Unexpected yes and you felt happy about it.

“Sorry girls, wanna steal Y/N tonight, that cool?” He asked, charming as always.

“No problem.” The two exchanged looks and smirked.

They teased you under their breath and Jessica had the gall to make kissy faces at you. You waved them off as you made your way over.

“Hope your hungry.” Marko greeted you pretending not to notice the two behind you but you knew he knew. He looked so cocky about it too, like the cat that got the cream.

“Starved, we were just about to grab food.”

“Guess I’m like your personal saviour then.”

“If you want to call yourself that. Are you sure I'm not being a bother?"

It was Marko's then to be confused, "You? Never and I'll remind you sweet cheeks, it would be me inviting well not so much inviting as stealing you."

Marko had Chinese in a bag hanging from the handlebar as he helped you on the back. The girls screamed a chorus of wolf whistles as the two of you rode off. The heat in your cheeks died down with the slight chill of the breeze. Marko wasn't known for being so safe on the roads, even now as he seamlessly rounded corners and threaded through stray cars on the late night road.

Marko took you somewhere nice but cut off from the public. Not the bluff, like you expected but a hill sitting high above the light up town. He parked his bike and lead you to a grassy spot under a large tree. The smell of Chinese food made your stomach grumble and you couldn't help but enjoy this little gesture all the more when he brought out a container of your favourite.

“You remembered?” You smirked, noticing he had gotten you Char Siu rice with extra vegetables.

“I remember everyone's orders, yours is quite tasty though.”

“You're not gonna go back are you?” Marko asked out of no where, his other hand up at his lips and chewing on his nail, a nervous tick you noticed because he certainly wasn't covering a smirk.

“What makes you think that?”

“It was last time wasn't it?” You asked, tilting your head at him. That had to be it. To be honest you had still thought about going back but you felt like home here, with Marko.

Marko hummed, still looking at you as if he was waiting, waiting for rejection perhaps. His hand was over yours, thumb brushing over the soft flesh of your knuckles and rings, one of which he gave you. A large cat eye on a silver base.

“I don't think I want to go Marko, can you tell me why?”

He looked incredulous, brows furrowed and lips slack as he looked down.

“Is it because you feel it too?” Marko cupped your face, the feeling of strange leather and a soft thumb brought you to him again when you looked down.

“What we have going on?”

“I feel like I’m being set on fire when you’re around babe. It was strange at first but once I got to know you I was hooked and lost at the same time.” Marko carefully said as if he was still thinking it over. There was a fierceness in his large hazel eyes that was hard to ignore.