Author:novel_machinist
Story: Deadland Boy
Prompt/Challenge:Vote Meme! [24. I Hope Senpai Will Notice Me]
Rating: PG13
Word Count:250
Warnings: None
Notes: Merrick and Marcelo are reoccurring characters who show up in a lot of what I write, it's only natural that they showed up when and where they did in the Jealous of Hero's Universe. Merrick has an ability to read the minds of the people he touches. Unfortunately, he can't really control it.


It was getting difficult to not notice when Merrick was around. When he'd nearly crashed into the boy in the Deadlands, Marcelo didn't think that he'd grow up so tall or handsome. He couldn't have predicted the way that Merrick's shirt would pull against his chest and stretch across his biceps.

The lounging around was worse than the working. He absolutely couldn't have foretold that Merrick wouldn't wear shirts when he was draped on the couch reading a book with his dark brown hair falling into his crystal blue eyes.

Something had to be done. "M-Mer?"

Merrick looked up and smiled in that soft manner he had. "Yes?"

"I-I have been thinking about courting."

Merrick put the book down and looked shocked. "I'm … you?"

"No! No no. Not me." He cleared his throat. "I… mean a boy your age shouldn't be spending all his time hanging out at home with a man ten years older than he is."

"I like spending time with you." Merrick stood up then and walked across the room. He smelled of a recent shower and that one bit of hair wouldn't stop falling into his eyes.

Marcelo resisted the urge to push that hair out of Merrick's eyes."I mean…"

Merrick reached out and took Marcelo's hands. "Celly?"

He can tell what you're thinking. Marcelo yanked his hand back. "Y-yes, I'm… fine. You should at least start wearing shirts more often. You're a grown man now." He turned away before he could see the look of confusion on Merrick's face.