Blue Waterfalls

He never really knew what falling in love feels like.

Marc loved Layla.

He did, despite all the things he did that caused her pain and sadness.

There was a time where he would look her in the eyes and think; 'So, this is what it feels like to love someone.' When she would hold his hands and brush her thumbs over his knuckles, pressing a soft kiss against new scars inflicted by his Moon Knight missions.

In a way he still loves her. Maybe not like he did before but the love he has for her will never truly leave. It couldn't. Not after everything they have been through together.

But then they fell apart and the love between them shattered to dust.

Enter, Steven Grant.

Suddenly Marc's definition of 'love' got a whole different meaning.

He never expected to fall so easily and hard for someone the complete opposite of him.

At first it was just the small, barely noticeable things, during the time they were sharing a body. Marc would watch Steven from any possible reflection just to make sure he was safe because that was always his main priority. But then other things caught his attention along the way.

He didn't think too much of it when his chest would squeeze whenever Steven talked to Gus or when he smiled during reading. Marc tried to ignore the ache whenever Steven was sad and he just knew his alter needed a hug. And he especially didn't pay any mind to whatever emotions took a chokehold on him whenever he caught Steven getting off; a beautiful flush high on his cheeks and soft whimpers falling from his mouth.

Sharing a body felt safer somehow. Less intimate.

But after their separation there wasn't much room to hide anymore.

Marc hates it as much as he loves it.

He hates it because he misses Steven's voice inside his head wherever he goes. He misses them being whole together. He still catches himself looking into mirrors or windows in hopes of seeing Steven smile back at him, only to realise Steven has his own body now.

Another part of him loves it because there is nothing better than touching Steven. Marc loves wrapping Steven up in hugs whenever he feels sad. He loves running his fingers through Steven's hair when he rests his head on Marc's lap. He absolutely adores kissing his alter.

But nothing compares to having sex with him.

**

The thing is they haven't had actual sex together.

Yet.

Marc understands that Steven wants to take it slow since he doesn't have any experience. He would never push the man he loves into something he doesn't want, even if he admits that it gets difficult to resist Steven at times.

Especially when they're losing themselves.

Steven will always end up underneath Marc as they kiss. His body grows beautifully pliant, slowly relaxing the more Marc touches him.

Some days it doesn't take much, mainly when Steven is feeling riled up because of work. He'll completely lose himself in Marc's kisses and it's like his body does the work for him. Marc never asks questions because he knows what Steven needs, even without voicing it out loud.

He'll press his leg between Steven's for him to grind against, ignoring his own cock throbbing with arousal as he helps Steven reach his peak. After a while Steven stops kissing Marc in favour of moaning and breathing against his lips as his hips stutter to a halt, falling apart beautifully inside Marc's arms.

Marc isn't even ashamed to admit that Steven's innocence gets him going like nothing else. His head will grow fuzzy in seconds whenever Steven moans inside his mouth and his body trembles weakly. Marc will keep his hands to himself, mostly, but it's hard when Steven's so responsive.

They're at this point where Steven is comfortable with hand jobs and some dry humping, but the actual 'sex' part is still a big deal to him. And despite Marc being more experienced he never pushes. Steven means the world to him and the last thing he wants to do is force him.

Steven always feels the need to apologize for not being ready.

Every single time they get off together, Steven will seize the opportunity to express how sorry he is. He consistently grows quiet when they clean up afterwards. Marc never gets the chance to ease Steven's mind before he starts babbling about how sorry he is for not giving Marc what he needs, for 'being such a virgin', for acting like a prude.

There is nothing in the world Marc hates more than Steven blaming himself for such thing.

For something that he doesn't have to apologize for.

For drawing a line at what he feels comfortable with and what not.

For being scared Marc will leave him in search of someone who will have sex with him.

Marc does everything he can to comfort Steven and to make sure he knows Marc wouldn't hold something like that against him. Ever.

He understands Steven's insecurity, he does, but he shouldn't feel that way with Marc. Steven's feelings will always come first to him.

They are working on it but the main challenge is to make Steven believe his feelings and limits are more important than the imagine inside his head that he feels like living up to.

**

Marc is trying to focus while feeling like he is dying.

Despite having no experience whatsoever, Steven knows exactly what to do to make Marc lose it. He doesn't even do it on purpose and that's worse.

Steven's body is warm against Marc's. He is pinned against the shower wall with his legs wrapped around Marc's hips, head thrown back against the tiles in pleasure. The water is slowly running cold but neither of them care or have any intention of moving.

Marc has been teasing Steven for what feels like hours; jerking Steven off furiously and slowing down when his moans grow high-pitched, running his thumb over the slit that keeps drooling precum.

His right arm is cramping after pleasuring his lover for so long and his left arm is growing numb from holding Steven but there is no single doubt inside his mind about letting go.

If this is his way to go, it'd be fucking wonderful.

He pushes his upper body closer and slows down his movements again, smiling against Steven's lips when he whines in protest.

Steven looks gorgeous like this; cheeks flushed with heat, his eyes glossed over, and his lips filled with blood from biting at them. He is softly moaning every time Marc flicks his wrist just right and his body shakes against Marc's.

''Feels good, hm?'' Marc asks, pressing open mouth kisses against Steven's neck.

His alter moans again and nods, turning his head to the side to give Marc more room. He happily obliges by working the skin between his teeth, feeling Steven's pulse flutter beneath his tongue.

''Marc,'' Steven breathes, ''please-''

He gets cut off by a groan when Marc lets go of his cock that curves up towards his belly. The head is an angry red and precum is still dripping over his shaft, teetering on the edge of too little and too much.

''Please, what?'' Marc asks, pinching Steven's chin between his thumbs and finger to make sure he looks at him. ''Tell me what you want, sweetheart.''

Steven's eyes clench shut in frustration and he whines high in his throat. Just the sound alone is enough for another surge of arousal to shoot down Marc's spine and he has to force himself to keep breathing.

''Please.'' Steven repeats, curling his fingers around Marc's wrist. ''Make me come. I wanna- please.''

Marc pulls him in for a filthy kiss by the back of his neck, mapping out Steven's mouth with his tongue as if he's starving. He wraps his hand back around Steven's cock and grins in satisfaction when he moans in relief.

He wastes no more time in pushing Steven towards the edge of sweet ecstasy. After so long it doesn't take much for Steven to come but the sight of it makes Marc's toes curl.

''C'mon,'' Marc orders, ''come for me.''

Steven's moans grow needier and more desperate the closer he gets. Eventually his eyes roll back with pleasure as he comes, spilling all over Marc's fingers and chest. His thighs shake around Marc's waist and Marc can't stop looking at him.

''That's it.'' He praises, ''There's my good boy.''

Another spurt of cum drips from Steven's cock at the words and Marc grins again, bending forward so he can catch Steven's bottom lip between his teeth. He works his tongue over the soft skin as Steven comes down, body trembling underneath Marc's hands.

''Easy, baby. You did so good for me.'' Marc praises softly, kissing the skin beneath Steven's ear. It always takes a few minutes for his alter to come back down but Marc doesn't mind. He loves holding Steven in the afterglow.

Eventually Steven lowers his still shaky legs to stand. Marc keeps a hold of his arms to make sure he doesn't topple over, laughing softly when Steven groans in annoyance at his wobbly knees.

He's just on the edge of making a joke about making Steven's knees shake when suddenly Steven drops to said knees in front of him. His brain stutters to a halt when Steven takes his cock in his hand and his face comes dangerously close to his crotch.

''Wha- Steven. What are you-''

A small part inside his brain is screaming at him to shut the fuck up, but something's wrong. They haven't reached the blowjob stage yet and for Steven to throw himself down to his knees so suddenly is strange.

Besides, Steven's hands shake a little too hard while he's holding Marc's dick.

''Sweetheart,'' Marc curls his fingers in Steven's hair and carefully pulls his head away from his lower half. No matter how badly his body wants it, Steven comes first. ''What are you doing?''

Steven blinks owlishly.

''I- I'm .. doing- y'know.''

''Because you want to or because you feel like you need to?''

Steven falls silent and averts his eyes, worrying his bottom lip between his teeth. It's an obvious sign he feels anxious and immediately Marc's protective side flares awake.

He carefully kneels to level with Steven and softly cups his face, brushing his thumbs over Steven's cheeks.

''Hey, will you please look at me?''

At first Steven keeps his gaze stubbornly down, but after Marc whispered his name again he glances up. His face looks so incredibly sad and nervous that it makes Marc's heart clench between his ribs.

'''M'sorry-'' Steven whispers only to get interrupted by Marc.

''Don't apologize, baby.'' He turns momentarily to turn off the shower before turning back to Steven. ''You know I don't want you to do anything you're not comfortable with.''

Steven frowns but doesn't speak. Not verbally at least, Marc always knows what's going on inside his head anyway.

''Let's move this outside of the shower before you get cold.''

They shuffle out of the shower together and dry off, Marc making sure to cuddle Steven close as he wraps a fluffy towel around his shoulders. He knows their upcoming conversation will make his lover nervous, so he does everything inside his power to make him feel safe.

After they changed into comfortable clothes Marc makes them hot drinks (tea for Steven, coffee for himself) before they settle down on the couch. Steven curls up against Marc's side straight away and Marc answers by pulling him closer, pressing a kiss against his head as they go.

''What brought this on, hm?'' Marc gently noses over Steven's temple.

It's not like Steven at all to do something he doesn't want. He can be quite stubborn at times, especially when he wants to prove that he has a mind of his own, and it's one of the reasons Marc loves him so much.

''Is it so wrong of me that I want to give my bloody boyfriend a blowjob, then?'' Steven grumbles, a hint of defensive underneath. Marc knows he's not actually angry, simply insecure.

''Of course not.'' Marc frowns. ''But only if you want to and feel like that is something you want to do for yourself because you enjoy giving as much as I would receiving.''

Steven stays quiet. The only thing he does is sigh softly and cuddles impossibly closer, creeping his hand underneath Marc's sweater to touch his skin.

''Just- I'm scared you'll grow tired of me being a prude.'' He admits quietly.

''Hey, don't say such things about yourself. You're not being 'a prude' because you are setting boundaries, sweetheart.'' Marc protests. To think that Steven feels unworthy because of his likes and dislikes makes him feel uneasy.

''But I want to do .. that. And the whole sex thing. Just, I don't know.'' Marc stays quiet as Steven seems to gather his thoughts, simply kissing his head to show him he's here.

''I feel so unexperienced. Like a proper virgin.''

Marc huffs out a soft laugh. ''You are a virgin, baby.''

His partner groans but doesn't seem offended.

''And that's the whole bloody problem, innit? I can't even give you a proper blowjob without freaking out. How are we ever going to reach the sex-stage with me acting like a blushing virgin the whole bloody time?''

He can sense that Steven is getting himself worked up so he shushes him quietly and softly squeezes the back of his neck.

''Steven. Look at me.''

His alter does, tired eyes blinking up at him. Steven sleeps a lot better through the night ever since they got separated but the circles underneath his eyes are still a shade too dark for Marc's liking.

''If you decide one day that you want to give me a blowjob, that's okay. If you decide one day that you want me to give you a blowjob, that is okay, too. If you decide one day that you are ready for sex, then I'll be happy to.''

Marc brushes a curl from Steven's eyes.

''But if you wake up one day and decide that sex is something you never want, then I'll be perfectly okay with that, too. You never have to pressure yourself into something you're not comfortable with, especially not with me.''

He doesn't make a fuss when silent tears drip from Steven's eyes. Marc simply reaches up and brushes them away before kissing his alter softly.

''The only thing that I care about is that you are happy, safe, and cared for.'' He promises.

Steven smiles so soft and sweet that it makes Marc's insides clench. He's far too gone on this man, it's not even funny.

''You take good care of me.'' Steven agrees, ''Better than anyone ever could.''

Marc grins, gazing down on his lover with so much adoration he's sure that if Jake could see them, he'd straight up laugh at them. He loves to tease them about looking like love-sick puppies all the time.

''Yeah?'' he asks, brushing a hand over Steven's curls.

The other man laughs softly.

''Yeah.'' Steven agrees. ''Thank you.''

Marc can't resist any longer when he bends forwards to kiss Steven, keeping it sweet aside from teasing his tongue over Steven's bottom lip just to feel him shiver beneath his hands.

''Always.'' he promises before sealing that promise with another kiss.

**

A few weeks pass where neither of them really brings it up again.

They still get off together, that hasn't changed. The only thing that changed is that Steven grew a bit bolder in taking control and he doesn't apologize anymore for the things he doesn't feel comfortable with.

Marc is very fond of this new development.

Especially whenever Steven feels confident enough to take what he needs and wants. Of course Marc is always happy to cooperate.

Last week Steven pushed him back on the mattress where Marc didn't utter a single word while his lover settled on his lap and started grinding. It's out of this world to see Steven on top of him; hips moving against Marc's, curls plastered to his forehead, hands on Marc's chest for balance and desperate moans falling from his mouth.

The other day Steven was feeling particularly horny. He squeezed his legs together and guided Marc's cock between them, urging him to fuck his thighs. Marc came so hard his vision blackened and it felt like he couldn't stop coming.

And just this morning Steven woke up all soft and happy, wrapping his warm hand around Marc's morning wood the second he roused from sleep.

He can still see Steven's face, still feel his breath catch when Marc kissed him, still feel Steven's body shiver when he-

''Dios mío,'' Fingers snap in front of his face and pull him away from his daydream. ''Can you at least pretend that you are listening?''

Marc blinks the imagine of a flustered Steven away, only for Jake's annoyed face to come back into view.

''Sorry.'' he says, even while feeling not a single amount of regret.

Jake rolls his eyes as if he knows.

''Do not lie to me.'' Jake answers drily. ''I wasn't born yesterday.''

A thousand jokes flash through Marc's head but he keeps quiet, merely taking a sip from his coffee while shrugging.

''How are you and lover boy?'' Jake asks, grinning when he sees Marc's face. ''See? I know how to catch your attention after all.''

Marc resists the urge to flip Jake off. It's no secret he has a soft spot for his other alter but Jake is also really good at pushing his buttons. That's one of the reasons why Steven is also fond of Jake, they are so different that they click.

''We're fine.'' Marc rolls his eyes again when he sees Jake's grin. ''Go on. Spit it out. What is it?''

''Nothing.'' Jake shrugs. ''I was just wondering how it's going with the whole 'fucking but not really fucking' thing.''

Marc freezes, coffee mug halfway to his face. The words wrap around his core and squeeze until he feels like he can't breathe anymore.

''I- Did Steven say anything to you?''

His alter shrugs again, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms.

''Maybe. What's it to you?''

Marc supresses the urge to strangle Jake in the middle of a busy café. The way he talks about something so private and sensitive itches beneath his skin.

''It's everything to me.'' Marc hisses, bending over the table so Jake can hear him as he lowers his voice. ''Steven is feeling insecure enough as it is, he doesn't need to hear more degrading and painful words from you.''

Now it's Jake's turn to look hurt.

''Who said anything about me hurting his feelings?'' Jake mumbles something Spanish underneath his breath that Marc doesn't understand. ''I love Steven, you know that. Don't you dare accuse me of intentionally hurting his feelings, gilipollas.''

His eyes flicker angrily between Marc's as they fall into an awkward silence.

This is why they don't really talk a lot. Mainly they see each other when Steven is around. But Steven has been begging them to bond, to connect without him being there. They're trying, obviously for Steven, but it doesn't always go smoothly.

Marc holds up his hands in a peace offering.

''I'm sorry. I shouldn't have snapped.'' He sighs. ''But it's a sensitive topic and I just- I was afraid that Steven's feelings got hurt when he talked to you about it.''

Jake's eyes soften, even if it's barely noticeable.

''Steven came to me, a few days ago. He told me about his insecurity about the whole issue. I guess he just wanted some advice from someone who is not you.'' Jake explains.

He nods and hums in agreement. ''What did you say to him?''

''Not much.'' Jake confesses with a shrug. ''Just that he doesn't have to worry about such things and that I knew you would understand. I simply gave him some tips on what you could do together aside from actually having sex. Obviously.''

And-

Okay. That explains Steven's adventurous behaviour for the past days.

Not that he is complaining or anything.

A grin creeps on Jake's face when he notices the faint blush on Marc's cheeks. He bends closer over their table to keep the conversation between them.

''I take it Stevie listened, hm?''

Jake laughs when Marc rolls his eyes in annoyance, always happy to mess with him a little bit.

''C'mon, spill. I'm actually really curious; did he do the thigh thing? Because I told him how much guys love it when-''

Marc swats at his hand when he tries to poke his cheek.

''Alright, enough you.'' he grumbles.

His alter is not bothered at all. He smiles as if Marc actually answered the question (which, his face probably did that for him) and chuckles softly.

''Aw, look at you. Getting all flustered and shy.''

Marc shoots his alter a dry look and takes another sip from his drink. He isn't going to deny it because Jake is right. Simply thinking back to all the things Steven did to him the past few days makes him warm all over. He tries not to think too hard about the fact that Steven took inspiration from Jake.

''What about you?'' Marc asks, turning the conversation to the man in front of him. ''You seem to know every little detail about my life, but I know almost nothing about yours.''

Jake squints his eyes and a smirk pulls at his mouth.

''I'm getting my needs met just fine, gracias.''

Marc lifts an eyebrow. ''I wasn't talking about your one-night stands.''

''Who said I was?''

Silence falls over them once again and this time it's Jake who averts his eyes. Marc isn't used to seeing him so bashful and even a tad shy. This man who carries himself with such confidence suddenly seems to soften.

Marc needs to keep himself from calling Steven to ask what the fuck is going on with their alter.

''I don't even know how to respond to that.'' Is what Marc eventually settles for.

Jake snorts drily. ''Should I be offended that you think of me as someone who can't maintain a steady relationship?''

''No.'' Marc frowns because that's not his intention. Yes, he's confused but not because Jake seems to have a lover. He knows there is a weak spot inside Jake's demeanour, reserved for the people he loves and holds dear. Like Steven and even Marc himself.

''I just didn't know you met someone, that is all.''

The Latino pulls a casual face.

''They take good care of me and I love them.'' He says, easy as that.

Marc hums softly, a smile crawling over his face. He's sincerely happy for Jake, to know he has someone who makes him happy and takes care of him. To some it may seem like Jake is really self-absorbed but in reality, he's nothing like that at all. His number one priority is making sure his loved ones are taken care of.

Because Marc senses that Jake doesn't want to make a big deal out of it, he decided to play it airy.

''I'll assume they're also very fond of 'the thigh thing'.''

Jake grins, teeth sharp like a wolf.

''Dios, sí.''