Work Text:
The last possible thing Abe expected to receive was news that Mark was getting married. Least of all did he expect to be told as a footnote in a letter he got right before he was set to travel across country to Mark.
Abe had been busy setting up a private investigative practice in LA and was finally ready to make the trek from Boston when he was sent one final letter from Mark. Most of it had been business details and arrangements for his stay but at the very end Mark casually signed it off with:
Also, now that you’ll be staying with us in LA you’ll have the chance to come to my wedding. Safe travels and best wishes!
—Mark
Abe had stared at the letter for what must’ve been an hour, pacing back and forth between his desk and his mirror. Him and Mark hadn’t seen each other since the latter graduated college but they’d always managed to keep up a casual correspondence. It’s not like Abe held any romantic feelings for Mark but one might expect that something as important as an engagement or marriage might’ve popped up in their past conversations.
Abe suddenly didn’t know if he wanted to go through with it. Mark had never been known for his tact but Abe found it rather strange to be invited across country by an old hook up partner of his on the cusp of the man’s wedding.
But Abe had little choice in the matter. He’d quit the police force two weeks prior and began the work of gathering up his belongings for the move. His apartment had to be empty the next day or he’d have hell to pay. Either he’d go stay with Mark at his mansion until he had a place in LA set up or he’d have to find somewhere else to stay.
So, despite his gut telling him he was better off driving in the exact opposite direction of his destination, he set out for California the following morning. He’d have about a week and a half trip if he was pushing it, but Abe had never been one to shy away from the rough and tumble lifestyle.
It was later afternoon, bordering on evening, when he pulled up to the manor. He was tired and sore, and his car was filthy but he’d somehow made it. He’d have to have the servants help unpack his things but he’d made it in one piece. Which was more than he could say for his poor car which had stalled out on him a few times on the way there.
Abe shuffled out of the roadster, grabbing his main suitcase, and headed for the front door. He knew Mark had come from money but he had never imagined simply how much until he was standing under the stone archway of his mansion. He leaned over as he rang the bell on the pull chain next to the door. He could hear it chime from the other side before waiting quietly in anticipation. He felt his stomach churn a little as he adjusted his tie and ran his hand down his vest.
One of the doors swung open and a tall, curly haired man in a butler’s uniform stared back at him with a jovial smile. “Ah, bonjour! Sergeant Lincoln, I presume?” The man was backlit by the warm inviting glow coming from inside the foyer.
Abe blinked, furrowing his brow as he flipped through the dossier in his mind of people he knew. He had an excellent memory for faces and it would be hard to forget about the man in front of him. He distinctly remembered a photo of this man when he had a beard but it would be hard not to mistake the sharp features of his face.
“Uh, Abe. You can just call me Abe.” He pursed his lips as he stepped through the entryway. One might’ve expected him to take in the space around him but his eyes were locked on this servant.
“Yes, Master Mark said you’d be arriving. Can I take your bag?” The man held out his hand with an expectant look on his face.
Abe didn’t move to give him anything, opting to point at the figure instead. “I’m sorry if this is an impertinent question but is your name Ben?” His eyes were burrowing into the man across from as he stared.
“I… yes.” Benjamin furrowed his brow in calculation. “I apologize, do we know each other?” He was wracking his mind for some recollection of Abe.
“Not as such.” Abe hesitated but held out his suitcase for Ben. “Mark mentioned you a long time ago.” He blinked again trying to shake the growing sense of dread in the pit of his stomach.
“Oh! Only good things I hope.” Ben laughed, shaking his head.
“You could say that…” Abe had a serious expression on his face but went to give Ben an awkward smile when the butler made eye contact with him again.
“Ah! Abe!” The familiar voice carried down the stairs with a warmth Abe hadn’t been aware he’d missed until it was enveloping him again. “Welcome, welcome. It’s so good to see you again.” Mark was quickly descending the stairs, a red robe replacing his usually much more buttoned up appearance he remembered from college. His once neatly middle parted hair and clean shaven appearance was replaced with light stubble and his hair brushed off to the side. Mark came over to give the man a hug before he put a hand on Abe’s shoulder. The memories of their nights together flooded his mind in an instant. “How are you, old friend?”
“Dirt tired but otherwise fine. The trip wasn’t too terrible. My car might need to be looked at though. Kept stalling on me. I’ll need help unloading my belongings too.” He waved toward the door with a sluggish arm.
“Ah, yes. Ben will be able to handle that for you. I’m sure you’d like to rest in the meantime. Get cleaned up. We have much to discuss!” Mark had a bright smile on his face, and it practically radiated across the whole room. Abe had never seen the man more in his element. His cheap studio apartment had never done justice to his beauty, even when he had been laid out in all his glory.
Mark let his hand slide up Abe’s back softly as he directed him towards the stairs. “Let me show you your room.”
Abe took one last glance back at Ben who was already hurriedly headed towards his car. Abe frowned as he watched Mark guide him through the many halls of his manor. There was a stifling silence that surrounded them and he couldn’t help but feel like a pressure had settled onto his chest the moment he stepped into the manor.
“It’s nice to finally see you again, Abe. It’s truly been too long. It’s good to get you into clothes that aren’t a police uniform for once.” Mark lightly ribbed Abe as he walked, laughing to himself.
Abe looked down at his clothes, the dark brown tweed and blue shirt covered in dust from the drive down. “Yeah,” Abe's words felt hazy as they came out, not fully paying attention to what Mark was saying. “Good to finally have a private practice.”
Mark waved his hand forward as he pulled on one of the many handles that lined the hallway. The two figures stepped forward into the bedroom as Abe took in the space. The room was twice the size of Abe’s old apartment and lavishly decorated with stunning silver wallpaper and a queen bed with more pillows than he knew what to do with. The setting sun was casting beautiful light across the warm accents in the space.
“This will be your quarters for as long as you need. You were always good to me in college. About time I repaid that.” Mark turned and put his hands gently on either side of Abe’s shoulders.
A serious expression crossed Abe’s face as he met the man’s gaze. “Mark, why did you invite me here?”
Mark furrowed his brow, shaking his head but still smiled it off. “I don’t know what you mean, ol’ friend. We’re setting up your PI business.”
“No, no, no,” Abe pushed away from Mark. “Why did you invite me here.” He pointed down at the floor with a forceful gesture. “You’re getting married, Mark. You know damn well what our relationship was.”
Mark glanced around with an apprehensive look in his eyes. “Abe, I haven’t seen you in years.” He lowered his voice as he looked over Abe’s shoulder towards the door. “We haven’t been intimate since college. I wanted to rekindle our friendship, nothing more.” Mark waved his hand in front of him. “You’ve got something good going with this business of yours, I can tell. I really think you—“
“Mark, you’re not listening to me.” Abe shook his head harshly. “You’re getting married. You didn’t even think to mention that until your last letter.” He sneered a little as he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out the letter, wrinkled and folded. He waved it in front of Mark’s face. “I’m lucky it arrived on time. How do you think that made me feel? I know neither of us were ever romantically involved but that’s not just something you throw at someone the day before they’re relocating across the country for you.”
Mark frowned as he stared at the letter in Abe’s hand. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think it would affect anything. I thought you’d be happy for me.” Mark looked back up at Abe, blinking, unsure what to say. “You know Celine. I’m sure you two will get along swimmingly.”
“Wouldn't affect anything?” Abe scoffed in disbelief, rolling his eyes. “Okay, yeah. You understand what our dynamic was, right? I can’t remember the last time we hung out that didn’t end with us in bed together. Also, christ! What about Ben?”
“Pardon?” Mark seemed so taken aback by what was being thrown at him.
“You stopped mentioning him after college. I assumed he’d graduated and found work out in Massachusetts somewhere, but what do ya know,” He laughed in frustration, “I come knocking on your door and Ben opens it for me. You think I’d just forget the man who’s name you moaned the first time we ever had sex. That’s burned into my brain.” Abe tapped his temple hard enough Mark could hear his finger make contact. Abe had never held that moment over Mark in all the years of their friendship but it certainly was pertinent now.
“Benjamin’s my butler, what of it?” Mark crossed his arms, his eyebrows threatening to invade his eyes. ”I don’t like that you’re treating this like some kind of interrogation.” He tilted his head at Abe with a leer on his lips.
“As if I wouldn't have questions about Ben being here, when our entire friendship started because you couldn’t have sex with him. He was dating that girl. What was her name again? Myrtle?” Abe raised an eyebrow at Mark. “You were so infatuated with him, and look,” Abe put his hands up in acceptance. “I was content being your boy-toy in the meantime but now you’re marrying a woman with him as your employee? How would I not have questions?”
“Ben and I are purely friends and that’s all it’s ever been.” Mark’s tone was getting defensive. “You and I are friends and that’s all it will ever be. You get me?” He pointed a sharp finger at the man in front of him. “I’m getting married, Abe. Whatever arrangements we had in college are over.”
“You better get your head screwed on right, buddy.” Abe was shaking his head laughing in disbelief. “Cause come hell or high water this whole mess is gonna blow up in your face. I can guarantee it.”
Mark took a deep breath, putting his hands on either side of Abe’s arms again. “Abe, trust me. You trust me, don’t you?”
Abe gave Mark a side eye, “Against my better judgment.”
“Good. Good…” Mark took a step back nodding as he ran his hands down his robe. “I’m glad you’re here. I’ve missed you.” He gave a weak smile and for a moment Abe could’ve sworn he caught a glimpse of the boy he’d first made friends with all those years ago. “Now, get settled in. You’ve had a long trip. We can discuss details more tomorrow. For now, make yourself at home.” He motioned to the open air as he stepped past Abe.
“Just be careful, Mark.”
“You know me.” Mark looked over his shoulder with a smirk on his lips. It was a devious expression and it sent a chill down Abe’s spine.
“That’s what I’m worried about…” Abe muttered to himself, letting the silence of the manor steal his last thought away from Mark.