thinking about an alternate mark whose first and only objective in the invincible war is to get to you. you were his first love - his only love, and he's missed you desperately...
in your universe you were too nervous to make a move and now it's too late since mark and eve are basically meant for each other... so when chaos hits and all the invincible variants come to wreak havoc and mark rushes to make sure you're safe, you don't understand why he's not out there saving the world with eve.
you're in his suffocating embrace when you ask him this and he stiffens briefly, before pulling away to look down at you. his eyes so full of adoration and he asks: "who's eve?"
🃁 Mark Grayson x fem!reader (both implied to be college-aged or older)
🃁 synopsis: Mark Grayson is really bad at geography, but he’s a quick study when it comes to learning your weak spots.
🃁 cw/word count: fluff, super brief angst, makeout sessions, lots of talk about Mark's puppy dog eyes, references Science Dog. 1.7k+ words
🃁 h's correspondence: where I once had a brain that could do math and stuff, I now have an undeniable urge to write invincible fics (this is not a complaint)
When you open your window to let Mark inside, he’s already talking. His apologies and his excuses run together, your name discernable every few words.
“Mark,” you call, leaning back on your bed. “Did you get lost on the way over here again?”
He tenses, then exhales when he sees your smile. “Maybe,” he admits softly.
“Where were you coming from?”
“Uh, somewhere that started with a C or a K.” He nods once, then adds, “It was hot.”
“How did you pass any geography class?” you wonder.
“It- it’s not that bad.” He moves toward you, running his fingers along your arm as he looks down at you. “I mean, I’m not helpless.”
“Mark, sweetheart, you know I like you, but you can’t even tell me what continent you were on,” you murmur, lifting a hand to capture his. “Luckily, I’m not in this purely for your directional capabilities.”
Mark hums, watching you trace his fingers. He swallows, fails to speak twice, then asks, “Why are you in this?”
You sigh, tugging his arm gently. “You’re so cute.”
“Thanks.”
Laughing, you stand, keeping your hand in Mark’s. “What are we doing? You’re late enough that pretty much everything is closed, but we can watch a movie or order something.”
“Sorry,” he offers. “I could go get something?”
“You don’t have to make up for being late with authentic foreign cuisine,” you remind him. “You’ll be late, I get it. Saving the world takes precedence over rewatching Magnum P.I.”
Mark narrows his eyes, his fingers tightening around your palms. “You started without me,” he accuses.
You don’t bother denying it, pressing a kiss to his chin before you say, “Just one episode.”
“You mean the two-part premiere?”
“Okay, two episodes. You went to Hawaii last month and didn’t even bring me back a shell.”
Mark considers your argument, then tips his head and fixes those irresistible brown eyes on you. “Even?” he asks.
“Even.”
Mark leads you to your living room, more comfortable in your space than you thought he would be. The first time he came over, he kept his hands in his pockets and looked like he thought you were going to dump him every time he took a breath.
“You never answered the question,” Mark remembers as he opens the fridge.
“Because you’re smart enough to figure it out on your own,” you murmur.
Mark gives you a look that makes you second guess if that’s true.
For all the little kisses you’ve given Mark, he’s never kissed you back. He’ll trail off mid-sentence when you kiss his jaw, freeze when your lips find his bicep, and hide against you when you kiss him in public. Though you can’t decipher whether or not it’s because the affection is too much for him or if he’s holding himself back from taking something more, you enjoy it.
“Mark,” you begin, flipping through his back issues of Science Dog.
“Yes?” he asks, scrolling in search of a movie William recommended.
“Are you happy?”
Mark drops the remote, unflinching when it crashes to the floor. He turns toward you, staring at your back.
“Uh,” he mumbles. “That depends on what you say next.”
“No, not like that,” you explain, still looking away from him. “It’s just. We hang out all the time, and you- you get me. But you never... you know.”
You shrug as you say you know, and Mark’s mind goes into overdrive. His eyes trace your body while he tries to determine what exactly he is supposed to know.
“If you want me to stop, just tell me, Mark,” you continue. “I’ll understand.”
“Stop what?” he questions softly.
Sighing, you close the comic you’d been perusing and move to Mark’s side. “The affection,” you respond. “Say the word, and I’ll keep my hands to myself.”
“No!” Mark exclaims, reaching out for you. He catches your arm and pulls you forward to stand between his legs. “I don’t want that.”
“Okay,” you soothe. “You never initiate anything, so I just wanted to make sure I wasn’t pushing you.”
Mark tips his chin up, his eyes glassy and round as his thumb traces circles against your arms. He drops his hand, tracing your veins like he’s trying to get absorbed into your bloodstream. You soften when he blinks slowly, his eyes one of your many weaknesses.
He shakes his head, arguing, “I don’t know my own strength sometimes and when- when I get emotional, it’s so hard to control everything.”
After lifting your free hand, you push your fingers through Mark’s hair. “I trust you,” you repeat.
Mark closes his eyes and leans forward until his head is against your stomach. He sighs, shuddering when he exhales. “You smell good,” he says against you.
“Thanks,” you reply through a laugh. “Did you find the movie?”
“I… got distracted.”
He wraps his arms around your hips, and you get distracted too.
You’re waiting at Mark’s back door, absentmindedly examining your nails. A strong gust of wind draws your attention upward to Invincible, who has a broken goggle revealing one of his eyes.
“I’m so sorry,” he apologizes.
Pushing to your feet, you smile and wave a hand. “It’s fine. I ordered pizza like five minutes ago, so it’ll be here soon.”
Mark nods, dragging his fingers across your back as he unlocks the door and lets you in. You drop your bag behind the door and exchange your shoes for the Science Dog slippers Mark claimed to have ‘accidentally ordered in the wrong size,’ though you’re fairly certain he got them for you.
“I’ll be right back,” Mark says. He returns less than fifteen seconds later looking far softer than when he arrived. “Thanks for getting dinner.”
“I think I’m going to make you give me a manicure as payment,” you muse.
“Sure,” Mark agrees without hesitation.
You hum, dropping your elbows to the counter. “I’m thinking something artsy and unique. Maybe yellow and blue.”
“That’d look nice,” Mark agrees, watching your lips.
“You know, as my boyfriend, you have certain privileges.”
Mark blinks rapidly, then meets your gaze. His head tips to the side like a confused puppy before he inquires, “What?”
You take two steps forward, close enough that you can see his individual eyelashes. “Kiss me.”
“Yes,” Mark responds quickly, nodding as his hands flex at your sides. “Absolutely, I do want to do that. Uh, where? Like- like a friendly, on the cheek thing or-”
“Oh my gosh,” you breathe out before cupping both sides of his jaw and kissing him.
Mark’s eyes snap closed the moment your lips meet his, his arms winding around your waist to pull you flush against him. He takes control quickly, moving against you like he’s an expert in you despite never having been here before. It’s unfair really.
When you separate, you panting for air and Mark smiling like he just discovered his new favorite thing, you realize that Mark may not have been completely unfounded in his worries about losing control while kissing you. Your legs have turned to jelly, your mind gone fuzzy. Mark says something, so you nod, but you’re only thinking of how perfect he is. Mark steps around you, then returns with the pizza you ordered.
“You can do that whenever you want,” you tell Mark. “And you’re still doing my nails.”
Mark smiles, murmuring, “Okay.”
Strolling through the comic bookstore, you scan the shelves for something Mark might enjoy. The bell over the door chimes behind you, prompting the man at the counter to greet the new customer. You step closer to a display, tapping the spine of a compendium.
Before you can decide if it’s worth looking at, someone wraps their arms around your waist and presses their chest to your back. Their lips find your neck, pressing a long kiss below your ear before brushing over the point where your neck meets your shoulder.
“Mark,” you breathe out, leaning into him as your eyes close.
He says your name, matching your tone, and asks, “What are you doing here?”
“None of your business,” you reply, your voice soft as you press your weight into him. “You’re getting too good at that.”
Mark laughs against your shoulder, then reminds you, “Boyfriend privileges.”
It took Mark less than a month to find your weakest spots. Now that he trusts himself to be affectionate toward you, he knows exactly where to kiss, how to hold you, what to whisper, to make you unravel in his hands. Hence, why you’ve made efforts to remind him that you held that power first.
“That’s a dumb hero name,” you grumble. “Why would you just add man to the end?”
Mark doesn’t look up from your arm to agree, “Exactly!”
You shift, pressing your chest to his side and spreading your hand over his chest. He takes a deep breath, then wraps an arm around your waist to keep you close. When you kiss his jaw, he swallows.
“Mark?”
“Yeah?” he answers, dropping his chin to see you.
“I love you.”
Mark doesn’t give you a chance to see his reaction. Instead, he pulls you upward to lay on top of him, holds your chin, and kisses you. You hum into the kiss, holding his shoulders.
“We should go somewhere,” he suggests. “Let’s go get dessert.”
You’ve yet to go on a long flight with him, yet you smile and nod. “What were you thinking? Crème Brule? Macarons?”
“Both,” he answers, standing without releasing you. He moves toward the door, then slows. “Uh… where can we get that?”
You drop your forehead against his shoulder and groan, then laugh. “France, mon amour.”
Mark nods, though you know he has no idea where France is. You’ll have to tell him to fly until he sees the Eiffel Tower — but not the one in Vegas. He’s made that mistake once before, and his dad was ready and willing to tell the story regardless of Mark’s embarrassment.
“You going to talk like that the whole time?” Mark questions.
“In French?” you clarify. “Doubtful. Why, you like it?”
Mark launches into the sky, patting your hip when you tighten your arms and legs around him. “Something like that,” he admits to the stars.
── .✦ from my reading nook: monthly fic recs // something fun i'm gonna try to do every month to give love to all the scrumptious fics and amazingly talented writers on here, and to motivate myself to actually get through my tbr lol. enjoy <3
DC COMICS ⟢ ˎˊ˗
bruce wayne
soft love by @luviery
dick grayson
library crush by @eunoianss
“i’ve had bigger thrills leaning up against my dryer.” by @clarknsun
hard to impress by @t1mbits
drive me crazy by @batwngs
kisses and memories by @/luviery
dick x figure skater!reader by @kooriandr
jason todd
jason x reader who also died and came back by @starr-jazz
intimacy issues by @/eunoianss
kiss or miss by @bloomcissa
unusual scene by @edawgz
ride it by @honeyroots
split knuckles you kiss by @moonologyy
1-800-smitten by @smllvlle
tim drake
a love born under an ill-fated star by @champagnesbiggestproblem
damian wayne
"internet girl." by @geniusgirlalert
runnin' back to you. by @fawnindawn
barbara gordon
on call by @/batwngs
first kiss by @moviecritc
cassandra cain
can you help? by @/batwngs
stephanie brown
stephanie reapplies your lipstick (& kisses it off) by @froggibus
clark kent
everlasting light by @gemmawritess
roy harper
escape room au by @milkybbun
outlaw to loverboy (with the help of lady luck) by @lechelovestoyap
mango flavored by @cherryvvave
happy trail, happy man by @that-dumb-bunny
wally west
chem wiz by @smllvlle
selina kyle
two beds by @sozzoe
talia al ghul
ruining the mood by @/bloomcissa
INVINCIBLE ⟢ ˎˊ˗
mark grayson
complicated by @pluvoia
sending bff!mark a lewd photo by @sunaskura
Info : Reader is a healer, canon typical violence, slow burn, one sided beef to lovers type beat
W / C : 1.6k.
A / N : silas actually uploading an entire fic??? this is unheard of!! uncharted territory!!!!! jk though. i was burnt out for NO reason and suddenly got a surge of spite against my depression and wrote this. lol. it WILL in fact be a series, this is only part one i fear
The first time Mark meets you is after the fight with his dad.
Cecil had told him he’d be fixed right up—in the physical aspect, at the very least.
“The kid hates sob stories. Try not to say too much.”
So, he took the old man’s advice, and hadn’t said much to you while you were healing him. He’d argue that the silence was awkward. Foreign and strange, and he didn’t know how to not sit there and manage to not look out of place. The room you primarily worked in wasn’t like a hospital room, no.
It didn’t have those weird posters of kittens with something that said ‘believe in yourself,’ or something dumb like that, it wasn’t just pristine white walls with blinding fluorescent lights that gave patients headaches, and it didn’t smell like pure bleach and chemicals. No. It smelled of something floral and sweet, almost like fruit; but not quite there. The walls were more a peach color than anything, easier on the eyes than the standard American hospital. Not to mention that the walls were decorated.
All in all, it was strange. Like someone as bruised and bloody as Mark didn’t belong in there. Somewhere sweet and almost gentle, and the wounds that had made him feel as though they’d stay forever—stay etched into his skin, down to the bone, alongside the blood that wasn’t just solely his—mended themselves back together. The bruises and aches faded away.
The smell of blood lingered.
“Well,” the sound of your voice nearly startled Mark off the bed you’d had him laid across. “Take a shower and do a rain check with Stedman, and you’re all good to go, Invincible.”
“. . . What? Just- that’s it? That’s all?”
You’d stared blankly at him, arms crossed in the chair you were seated in. Though you were a healer, you did look as though you belonged amongst the official medical staff that’d be seen literally anywhere else. The slightest tilt of your head had him shifting uncomfortably.
“Did you want there to be more?” The question comes across as somewhat annoyed. Mark could see why you’d probably be agitated—but it was a genuine question!
“It’s just, uh,” he starts, swallowing nervously. “I expected it to take longer or something. Like an actual healing process, precautions I’d have to take and stuff.”
The hum of acknowledgment you let out as you nod your head makes him look at you again, and you speak. “Not when I’m the one healing you. My power is called that for a reason, and it’s so heroes like you can get back out on the playing field. To skip the healing process. If I hadn’t been here, it would’ve taken you months.”
Right. A healer. Mark himself had never really thought someone like you could exist. He’s seen powers like that only in his comics, and there weren’t any other supers capable of doing whatever you just did. The way you move is skilled and practiced, years of experience and heroes in and out of your ward showing through it.
“Huh. Okay, wow. Thanks?”
“Go home, Invincible.”
“Invincible.”
Mark grimaces. “I am begging you—literally just call me by my government name.”
He doesn’t miss the way your nose scrunches ever so slightly as your eyes never leave the clipboard in your hands, clearly focused; but not too focused. “You and I are not on friendly terms. We’re associates by definition.”
“Okay, okay,” he puts his hands up slightly in mock surrender, contemplating his response. Over the past few months, he’s noticed that you don’t quite like him. At all. You’re annoyed by how thick his file has grown in such a short amount of time, annoyed by all the times you’ve documented the amount of injuries he’s had, how much energy it takes you, and whether or not you want to quit working for the GDA after making his acquaintance all those months ago.
“. . . But hear me out.” Mark adds on, noticing the way your hands clutch even more at the wood and paper. “We’re associates when we’re on duty. By definition.”
“And I am on duty,” you retort, setting your papers down and pressing a hand to the bridge of your nose. “Constantly. The same way I’m on duty while watching you get your ass beat on live television, all because you seem to love pulling your punches. Like a fucking idiot.”
He winces at that, unable to deny the blatant distaste in your tone as you remind him of all the times Cecil has sent him your way, all the times you’ve scolded him and downright berated him because you watched as he actively held back.
“Your strength went up over one hundred percent, and you don’t even use it properly. Every fight you have, your file gets ridiculously thicker, Markus.” The way you say his name—
“Don’t say it like it’s a slur.” Mark pleads, a slight tinge of pink on his cheeks, “and it’s Mark. Just. . . Just Mark.”
“Get. Out.”
“Markus.”
“Mark.”
“Why are you here?” You sigh out the question with exhaustion, annoyance, and a dire need to rip your own hair out as Mark sits there on one of the patient beds, uninjured this time—shockingly. He’s sitting there like a lost puppy, just. . . Much larger, more awkward, and disgustingly pathetic.
He hesitates for a moment, choosing his response carefully. “I’m benched for a while. At least until Cecil figures out what to do with me.”
The sound you make is unsurprised. “Good. Sick of seeing you bleeding whenever you come here.”
“I know.”
“So stop doing it.”
Mark’s lips purse into a thin line. You’re so mean, and it’s not like he can’t see why. But you haven’t asked him to exactly stop talking to you (yes you have), and it’s not like you genuinely hate his guts. . . At least, in his eyes, you don’t. The Teen Team would beg to differ after seeing the way you speak to him.
“I’m just wondering,” he starts, unwilling to leave. “Are there like, any other heroes you’re sick of seeing? Besides me?”
You pause at that, and turn your head towards him. As always, your eyes are narrowed and tired, a little scrunch in your brow and a slight frown on your lips as you look at him. He’d really give anything just to see you smile—just once. He wonders if you have dimples. What your laugh sounds like, what you look like when you’re peaceful and calm for just a moment.
“Why?”
“Morbid curiosity,” Mark states simply. And to be fair, it is just that. Surely you don’t just dislike him and solely him, there has to be another hero you hate. Maybe even multiple. Mark likes hearing your voice, even if you’re just talking about the things you dislike.
He wonders what you do like. What you find solitude in.
“Hm.” For a moment, you exhale, and push away from your desk to think about your answer. “. . . Immortal,” you hum, thinking about it. “Can’t seem to keep his head on. Or stop charging into fights he can’t handle.”
“Like me?”
“No,” you shake your head and go back to focusing on your work. “You can handle your fights. It just seems to be a deliberate choice of yours not to handle them.”
“Ouch.”
“I hate it when Rex comes in here.” You ignore his little comment and continue, actually giving some thought to your responses. Usually, your conversations with Mark consisted of you insulting him endlessly before telling him to go home and sleep it off. Rinse and repeat.
“He can talk someone’s ear off. It’s sickening, really,” the last part is a mutter as you sort through a barrage of papers, clearly going back to focusing on what you were doing before he’d come and interrupted your rather quiet day. He’s been dropping by more often, and over time, you’ve began to hold actual conversations with him that didn’t involve you telling him how you should let him heal on his own, and him begging you to not leave him stranded in such a state—
“What’s your favorite kind of food?”
You pause for a second, pretending to not have heard, before ultimately you set your papers down again and turn your swivel chair to face Mark. “What?”
“Your favorite kind of food,” he repeats, staring right back at you. “Like, do you like spicy, or?”
“Wouldn’t you like to know, weather boy.” You grumble, rolling your eyes as you shake your head. Just for a moment, you glance back up at him, watching him pout ever so slightly at your answer.
“I’m serious. It’s just a genuine question, y’know?”
The two of you enter a staring contest of sorts when you glare at him, looking genuinely offended at the fact he was asking about something so minuscule and stupid. As though the two of you were friendly.
. . .
“Fruit.”
Mark blinks at your response, opening his mouth to say something before closing it again, gears turning in his head. “Okay. . . So, sweet stuff?”
“Sweet stuff,” you mutter, turning back around. “Not artificial sugar. Natural. It’s better for my energy, helps me heal better.”
He nods as though that makes sense. You seemed the type to prefer natural things over the overproduced, sickeningly and overly sweet candies that left a bitter aftertaste. It makes sense in Mark’s mind—as though he should’ve known, should’ve been able to tell. The room you work in smells soft and sweet, just like honey and strawberries.
You smell like strawberries. Ripe, sweet. Tinted a dark red and soft when bitten into.
“Okay.” Mark whispers, more to himself than anything. A confirmation. A new alignment in the stars, the very universe itself as a whole. “Yeah, that seems like you.”
a collection of fics i’ve read and thoroughly enjoyed all in one spot! read each warning before diving in and please give writers some appreciation for all their hard work by reblogging and/or commenting! ꨄ
our turn pt1 pt2 pt3 pt4 pt5 pt6 pt7 pt8 I @/sobbingscripter I F + A + S
request I @sanguineterrain I F
request I @thewritetofreespeech I F
hello, you I @earlgreylatte I F I Of course he would come to see you. You’re the reason he’s here, after all.
second chance at love pt2 pt3 pt4 I @tokoyamisstuff I A + F I ...in which another version of Mark invaded your world to claim something he once lost.
payback I @/tokoyamisstuff I A I In his timeline, Mohawk killed you for rejecting him - and now he seeks you out to do it again.
variant!invincible I @himik0-0 I A I Multiple versions of Mark Grayson from different dimensions find the reader, each desperate to keep her because they lost their version of her. Now, they refuse to let her go.
invincible!mark x reader x variants I @/himik0-0 I F
mistaken devotion I @/himik0-0 I C
i love you, but i need boundaries I @/himik0-0 I F
i can feel it in my bones I @couldeatthatgirlforlunch I H/C + S I Being Invincible’s pet is cruel, but you manage to find comfort in it.
fail safe I deactivated I F
bluff I deactivated I ~A I when mohawk mark doesn't find debbie at his childhood home, he goes after the next best thing: you. he thinks you're together in this world too, and when he realizes you're not... well, how could he possibly give up such a perfect opportunity?
smut I deactivated I S
running into invincible variants I deactivated I F
keep away w/ invincible variants I deactivated I A
mohawk!mark I deactivated I A
viltrumite!mark I deactivated I S
the only exception I @sugarhoneyylovee I F + A I in every universe, mark grayson turns into his father and seals his destiny as a true viltrumite. what if things are different this time?
u love me and i love you I @controld3vil I A I Mark accomplished what his father couldn’t – he conquered Earth. Accepting that wasn’t the hardest part; living with it wears you down.
drabble I @halcyon-writings I F
scenarios / bestfriend!reader I @radlovesfics I A + F
third wheel trouble I @cherryyluvs I F
starfire!reader I @/cherryyluvs I F
don’t wake up my parents I @/cherryyluvs I S
you’re all i think about I @/cherryyluvs I ~F I Mark becomes obsessed with you, stalking your social media, learning your routines and slowly inserting himself in your life.
mark loves his best friend pt2 I @starzyangel I F
streamer!reader pt2 I @/starzyangel I F
a different kind of star I @acenanxious I F
right there pt2 pt3 pt4 pt5 I @/acenanxious I A + F + S I neighbor!reader x invincible variants
shattered affections I @wordsofwhimsy I ~S I All surviving Variants have been brought to the Main Universe as a means to help defend and protect Earth.
cut deep, kiss hard I @/wordsofwhimsy I S I Your dangerously unhinged not-boyfriend threatens to “take care” of the friends of yours that keep trying to pull you away from him, and you are having none of it. literally a crazy stand-off
if i was your girlfriend... I @/wordsofwhimsy I F I Mark just needs to be close to you dammit and he can’t stand that you’ll be that way with your girl friends but not him
takeout mishap I @0bticeo I F I mark stumbles in, looking wrecked—bruised, bloody, barely holding himself up—but guess what? he still has a takeout bag. the paper’s stained red, but he just grins like an idiot and goes: "still hot." priorities.
and they called it puppy love I @sqgeism I F
a man’s greed I @/sqgeism I F
snip it/sneak peak I @ay0nha I A
one-shot I @swightops I ~A I "in every dimension, Mark Grayson falls for you, but not this one."
superhero drabble I @rainydaygotham I F
mark being down bad I @tiramissyoucake I F
mohawk!mark I @/tiramissyoucake I S
different roles!reader I @/tiramissyoucake I F
reader!doesn’t know I @/tiramissyoucake I A
omnimark I @/tiramissyoucake I A
drabble I deactivated I H/C
a girls first love and heartbreak I @tamayakii I A
mark grayson dating hcs I @angelltheninth I F
wonder boy I @serensho I F I au in which mark is hercules in ancient greece! and he saves a sassy damsel who changes everything.
invincible variants pt2 I @mirai-lunar I ~A
healer!reader I @thegr33nc0met I S
touch I @grimmsbride I F I mark grayson doesn’t give a damn what you can do, or how fear hurting him; he would touch you again and again no matter the consequences.
invincible variants x reader I @mocharyc I A
cockwarming I @aaph3lion I S
lucky! lucky! lucky! I @/aaph3lion I F + ~S I hey siri is it gay to want to crack the female version of my dead best friend
doomsday arrives I @certifiedlovergirlsstuff I A
retro invincible/ goggles invincible I @stareiiez I F
you’re dead everywhere but here pt2 pt3 I @readingbunny44 I A + F
“a” 4 effort I @slutla I S I mark, smart, awkward, and far too soft-hearted, made the mistake of doing one too many assignments for you. a bully in heels, unhinged and relentless, you’ve taken a liking to him in the worst way possible.
batboys but they witness a stranger pull f!reader into a hug and claim to be her boyfriend pt2 pt3 I @damselneedssaving I F
for you I @lumineya I A I while you are protecting the world during the Invincible War you come across one of the Invincible Variants
midnight sun I @suprsnupi I S I going 0-4 on successful relationships, you decide to blame it on the hero life and swear off dating—but now the bff you haven’t seen in months is hot. oh, lament!
synopsis : in which thragg wants to show you affection but he’s always awkward when doing so
word count : 0.9k
Thragg was never known as 'gentle', he never thought he would need to be. But since he got married to you, his human wife, he knew he had to be gentle with you. Thragg couldn't accept his feelings the first time he realized he fell for you, knowing he should be with someone of his kind, but he couldn't help but want to marry you.
Since your marriage, he has accidentally given you a few bruises here and there due to the fact that you bruise easily. He realized this when he had held your hand a little too tight, leaving your wrist lightly bruised. He had spent the rest of that day apologizing and spoiling you, in hopes that you'd forgive him.
Thragg didn't know how to properly show any sort of affection, due to his only teaching being training to become the strongest Viltrumite there is, so he made his attempts to learn how to be affectionate toward his wife. I mean, it wouldn't be that difficult right? If he could learn to become as strong as he is now, he could learn to become affectionate.
It began with simple gestures; once you arrived home from your job, he had greeted you with a small peck on the lips, doing his best to be gentle toward you. You wrapped your arms around him, feeling him close to you as his hands went to your hips, holding them under his palm. "You're…being gentle. Very." You chuckled.
"Does it please you, wife?" He asked, his eyes darting away from yours.
"It does." You mumbled before pressing a kiss to his cheek, walking away from him to get to the master bedroom.
His hand went to his pocket, taking out his device which you had taught him to be a phone, going to his browser before searching up the words;
What affectionate gestures should I do for my wife?
Few days later, you were cleaning up the kitchen after baking once you felt your phone vibrate in your pocket. Your hand reached into your pocket, taking your phone out and seeing the notification on your screen.
Your husband had sent you a text message, asking for you to meet him outside the house, and per usual, he sounded ominous even when he wasn't trying to be:
"Meet me outside. Now."
You sighed and placed your phone on the kitchen island, wondering what your husband had planned now. You shuffled to the front door, putting your shoes on before walking outside, seeing your husband holding a fully grown tree in his hand.
"Thragg what the fuck?"
"It's a gift to you, my love. Why should a woman receive flowers when she can receive trees? Aren't they superior? My trainers said so." He uttered, holding the tree out to you. "Weeping Willow. Your favorite."
"This is really nice, but how am I supposed to receive that?"
His mind blanked.
"I'll put it in the backyard for you…?" You sighed, pressing a kiss to his cheek.
"You do that."
You began to walk back inside the house until Thragg called out your name, making you turn your head. "I—I know I don't say it often but I," He paused, taking a breath before continuing. "I love you."
You shuffled over to him before pressing a kiss to his lips, your arms wrapping around his neck. His hands gently were placed onto your hips, letting the kiss deepen. You muttered between kisses; "I love you too." Your hand cupped his face before pressing a light kiss to his nose. "Go put that tree somewhere then come upstairs. I haven't seen you that much today."
"Well your favorite type of tree was difficult to find."
"I didn't think you'd bring me a tree?!"
"My wife deserves the best I can give her. Why would I give you flowers when I can bring you a tree?"
"Just get in the house."
He flew quickly to the backyard, forced the tree into the ground before making his way inside, standing before you.
"Did you take a liking to my gift?" He asked, feeling a slight bit of nervousness go over him.
"Not what I would ever expect but I will admit, it was cute. I did." You felt his arms wrap around you, picking you up and lifting you close to his chest.
"Do you want your very own planet too? Although, it may take some time if there's individuals living on it." Your face lifted away from his chest, giving him a confused look.
"That's a little much."
"Thought so."
A week later, he wanted to try more ways to show his love for you; which he decided to take you out on a date.
He had asked you if there was anywhere you wanted to go, which you had picked the aquarium. Thragg agreed and found one nearby.
The night before, Thragg had kept his arm wrapped around you while you made an attempt to sleep, his chest pressed against your smaller back.
"I love you." He mumbled, his lips pressing against your neck. "When I first saw you, a week after I came to Earth, I knew I wanted to make you my wife."
"Mm…yeah?"
"Yes my love, you've taught me everything about Earth. If you wanted my heart, I'd give it to you."
You laughed and hugged him, his hand moving to pull the blanket up and over the two of you. His lips pecked your forehead. "You are the best thing that has happened to me. I owe you the world, sweetheart."
ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ/ᴀꜱᴋ: "It doesn't really matter what you do or say, I'm never going anywhere anyway" "Just tell me I am yours"Jealousy/possessiveness
Conquest seem dot me like an obsessive lover because he hasn't felt love properly since birth. Him with a sweet and loving male reader that helps him through his problems and reassures him constantly
Conquest had always been very, very protective of you since he had met you; you were the first being in the entire universe who had shown him affection and kindness and compassion and a gentle hand with an understanding heart. You were a simple man, you lived a simple life that most Viltrumites would have scoffed at and scorned, but Conquest adored it.
It was mundane and innocent to him; the closest thing he had gotten to violence when he was with you was that time that he had accidentally smashed a vase.
A simple man with a simple life, and he seemed to fit into it well enough.
Gone were his days of never ending melancholy, gone were his days of being alone all the time; every night, he fell asleep with you next to him, and he spent a while watching over you before he eventually settled down himself.
Often, he found himself waking up hours before you, and walked around the house just to be sure that nothing was lurking in the shadows waiting to hurt you. More often, he did it in the morning as well.
He didn't want anything or anyone to take you away from him; you had given him friendship and romance and everything between. People smiled at him on the street, greeted him warmly, he had friends and people generally quite liked him; eccentric, and a little odd, but they figured that he was harmless.
Just another man who wanted to be left in peace and quiet, nothing too unusual. Nothing unjustified.
Every Saturday, Conquest went to get flowers for you, as he had learned from the films you liked that, to be a good partner, he needed to get you flowers; he got you yellow daffodils every week, fresh from the florist who always smiled warmly and knew exactly what he wanted.
Every Tuesday, he went out to get you coffee from the little shop around the corner; he knew your order well, and liked the way that you smiled when he brought it to you right as you were getting up.
He knew your routines; you would wake up, check your phone for a bit, go for a cigarette, have a coffee, and go about doing whatever needed doing here and there throughout the day; at two in the afternoon, you would pause for a meal, then go back to doing what needed doing.
At six, you would stop for good, and sit at the kitchen table with him for tea before snuggling up on the sofa and watching something on the television for a while. Finally, you would shower, get your pyjamas on, and snuggle into bed with him.
It was simple and it was easy, and Conquest liked that.
His prosthetic had long been replaced thanks to a friend of his who knew about Viltrumites; she was a Martian, Conquest came to find out, and although their relationship had started out rocky, she was his best friend in the world besides you, and helped him with understanding humans as well as getting a prosthetic that was built for being a simple man instead of a weapon.
She was, in fact, the very person who had told him that you were flirting with him to begin with, and she along with her wife helped him to figure out how humans courted.
The simple man with the simple life was perfect for him, and he would have done anything to protect both that life and especially you.
It was rare, but sometimes you went together on what you told him was a date night, and he always allowed you to pick the place and the time.
Tonight had been one of those rare nights, and although Conquest was having a nice time, he froze; beneath the blue and red lights, with "Purple Rain" by Prince playing loud enough that he couldn't hear himself think, you looked amazing.
It took his breath away as he looked at you, standing and waiting for the drinks at the bar, and he couldn't help the way that his expression softened, and a lump formed in his throat; it was the exact same thing that had happened when you first kissed him and again when you first snuggled into him whilst you slept.
His heart pounded, and when you caught him staring, you grinned, and waved at him; it only made things worse, his stomach was fluttering and he suddenly felt hot under his collar and he didn't understand it or know what it was, but he knew he liked it anyway, and quickly asked someone what the song was, wanting to play it endlessly just to think about how you looked a moment ago.
It was suddenly his favourite song.
But in the moments that he had taken his eye off of you, a stranger had approached at the bar, and was smiling and laughing with you, and Conquest knew that he had to step in; he gently placed his hand on your lower back, trying to remember what he used to be despite the way that you immediately flashed him a reassuring smile and leaned into the touch. For a second, his resolve almost cracked, until he remembered what was at stake.
He waited for you to turn around and grab the drinks, when he loomed over the stranger, and curled his lip into a threatening snarl. "He's mine. Only mine. Look at him again, worm, and I will destroy your entire skeleton. Piece by piece, until I rip your head off with your spine connected to it."
The stranger went wide eyed, and suddenly dashed away after a shake of the head and a stuttered apology; you turned around, looked at how tense Conquest was, and sighed.
You took him outside into the smoking area where it was quieter, letting him trap you between his body and the cool, damp, brick wall as you rolled your eyes so fondly and hoped that he wouldn't knock over the drinks when you put them next to his feet.
"Carl, what did you do?"
"I can't let anyone take you away from me," he whispered, just loud enough for you to hear. "I can't let anyone hurt you."
You smiled, taking a long drag from your cigarette before you softly kissed him. "Nobody's going to take me away from you, and nobody's going to hurt me. I'm safe, I promise."
"I-"
"Carl," you put your hand on his chest, and he suddenly felt like it was going to burst from his chest. "It doesn't really matter what you do or say, I'm never going anywhere anyway, and I'm certainly not letting someone take me from you."
His brows lifted slightly as he flashed you the puppy dog eyes. "Just tell me I am yours. Tell me you won't go away."
"I promise," you told him so softly that it made his chest ache. "You're mine for as long as I'm yours. You've come such a long way, do you know how proud of you I am?"
Conquest froze. Biting the inside of his lip just to know that he was not dreaming. You were proud of him, and for whatever reason, that meant more to him than anything else he had ever heard.
"Proud?"
"Very," you nodded. "When we first met, you had an awful temper, and you hated everything... now look at you... did you... you didn't expect me to tell you off for being jealous, did you?"
He didn't answer, and you grinned.
"Oh, Carl," you tutted, lifting yourself up against the wall enough to rest your legs around his waist. He was quick to support you with one arm. "Can I tell you a secret?"
"Of course," Conquest breathed out.
You leaned in close, flicking the cigarette aside so you could whisper in his ear, clinging to his broad shoulders. "It's kinda hot when you're jealous... really revs my engine... maybe I should flirt with people, if this is how you're gonna act."
He perked up a little at that, gently pressing you into the wall as he let out a shaky breath. "Don't you dare. You are mine. Only mine. Always mine."
You laughed under your breath, trailing a hand down his chest and humming. "Why don't you prove it?"
His eyes went wide as he nodded, kissing you hard enough that you thought your mouth was going to bruise.
whoohoo! Walking up today with neighbor!reader x Viltrumite Mark! (the one with no mustache lol) A note, there won't actually be any smut or other provocative stuff in this one. This one will probably be more sweet/fluff than anything else. Probably some angst pitched in too!
Pt.1, Pt.2, Pt.3 - Reminder these are gn! and while this part doesn't contain anything like that, the rest are +18!
AN-We're shaking it up a little bit here, just a lil. For the Viltrumite Mark and Omni-Mark variants, I'll actually be starting in their dimensions with their versions of reader! I want to show the way they first interacted with reader because it sets up their feelings for reader better than if we started in the main one!
If you were to ask him who his mother was, Mark wouldn't be able to tell you much. A woman his father met years ago during the first leg of his mission to take control of Earth. Her name was Debbie. He's never seen a photo of her and his father seldom speaks of his life on Earth.
Mark couldn't describe her in any more detail than that. He has no memories of her, soon after his birth his father returned back to Viltrum and took him with him. From then on Mark was raised solely by his father Nolan on the planet Viltrum. Initailly, the mission parameters were like any other takeover. Infiltrate, weaken, and conquest. Nothing a skilled warrior couldn't handle. However, the changed when the something extraordinary was realized, something that would forever change the purpose of Earth in the Viltrum Empire.
The similarities between human and Viltrum DNA were remarkable. The differences between the samples nearly negligible in the grand scheme of things. And how quickly Nolan's mate fell pregnant was a good sign...
Nolan returned with an infant Mark in hand...He did Debbie the grace of keeping the name the pair decided on for the child. Upon further inspection back on Viltrum, it was revleaed that Mark's DNA was found to be nearly 99% like his father's. He was as close to a pure VIltrumite a hybrid could get...That was the only reason Mark was 'welcomed' on the planet.
The validity of Mark's lineage questioned as the years go by, the lack of powers casting doubt in the minds of the other Viltrumites as the boy grows. Each day he'd train, pushing himself to his absolute breaking point, and every night he would retire to his room, his body weak and battered.
From the moment he woke in the morning he would spar with his father, training his techniques as best he could. No enhanced strength, no durability, no healing. Just muscle and power his body built up over years of struggle. Each session more intense than the ones before. Mark didn't heal off the injuries in minuets or even over night, he got up in the morning with the pain from the days prior burning into his memory. No day without pain.
The bruises that painted his skin only getting worse over time, never having a moment to heal. Broken bones barely managing to heal before they were broken again weeks later, if they ever fully healed to begin with. His body held on to every ounce of pain that he was given.
Nolan was a harsh teacher. But he has his reasons...How desperate must a man be to push his son to the brink of exhaustion day in and day out?
He had his reasons...Nolan was given an explicit warning. A word of caution.
If on the day of his eighteenth birthday the boy was still without powers, he would be publicly executed. Mark along with every other Viltrumite on the planet was there when Thragg made the declaration.
The whole planet knew he was on borrowed time.
There's no need for a weak Viltrumite in their empire.
With every passing day that deadline got nearer. There wasn't anything Nolan nor Mark could do to stop the timer as the days ticked by. One by one, the time they had to together ever dwindling with each passing sunset.
When the day finally came that Mark got his powers, it was a relief to the father son duo. Instead of intensive pre-power training, Mark could now start transferring all he's learned and adapt it his new powers. Mark's training wheels were finally off.
Overlooking part of a pseudo-grassy pavilion, Nolan stood with his arms crossed over his chest as he watched his son. Off in the distance, Nolan watched as Mark honed his flying, the boy was fast but untrained. Unrefined. Sloppy. Looked almost like he was p-
"Seems like he's having fun"
The deep voice voice cuts through the otherwise calm moment. Shifting his eyes to the side just enough, Nolan sees Conquest float into his view with his own gaze trained on the young Viltrumite.
"Seems that way."
"Bet you were nervous. Weren't ya?"
"I knew his powers would come in. And if they didn't then it would've been handled."
"Don't pretend you would've been ok with it. I see the way you look at him."
"He's my son, Conquest. Of course I prefer this outcome."
"You can't fool me, Nolan. I've seen it before. You know aswell as I what might happen. Can't get too attached, even to your own."
"I know. And I'm not."
"Sure you're not...But remember, even we can get bleeding hearts. Don't forget that"
It's only a matter of months before Nolan and Mark are sent back to Earth. The next part of their reformed mission underway as the enter the Earth's atmosphere.
"You weren't lying. It really is shockingly similar"
Flying to the left of his father, Mark studies the blue green marble with the smallest hint of curiosity lacing his tone. A soft hum is the only acknowledgment Nolan gives as they approach. Mark fails to notice his father's slowing speed, only realizing Nolan stopped when he failed to hear the rustling of fabric following him.
Stopping just a few feet closer to the planet than his father, Mark turns to face Nolan with a raised eyebrow. Nolan's lips pursed into a line with narrowed eyes as he looks passed Mark, his blue orbs fixed on their destination.
"Father, what's wrong? Aren't we-"
"We are. But...not yet."
Mark straightens his back but relaxes his shoulders as his father speaks. Their mission was conquering this 'under developed' world as part of the Viltrum Empire, under set parameters of course. What his father was explaining to him well within those guidelines, just shocking for Mark to hear.
"You do understand what I'm telling you, don't you?" Nolan's tone low but sincere, his eyes mildly softened as he speaks.
"I...do. But, why? I thought that you said what you had with her was purely advantageous to your mission. I didn't think there was any emotional reason behind it?"
"These people Mark, they...they're the sentimental type. They form these lasting attachments and bonds quickly. I'm sure your mother would like to see you , even after all these years I'm sure she still thinks of you."
"I don't think it's necessary. I don't remember her and I don't know what good it wi-"
"Mark, it...This isn't just for you. I-I wan-Need. To speak with your mother about what happened."
"Why? What will it do?"
"Mark, I always tell you to get ahead of your enemy's attack. Get ahead of and deal with any problem before it is one. This is no different, understood?"
"Yes, sir. I...I do." It's a lie, they both know it. Mark couldn't possibly understand what he means. Viltrumites, his people, the ones Mark was raised with, don't do attachments the likes the kind Nolan is referring to. Neither dares say that out loud, both simply going along with the lie. Nolan comes closer to him. Reaching a hand out, he rests it on Mark's shoulder before a curt nod, patting his son's back once his with other hand before they continue on their path.
The only act of psychical contact besides training he's gotten from Nolan in all these years has been that gesture there. A shoulder grab with one hand or a pat to the back. Nothing more.
It takes no time for the pair to get to their small pit stop, even after all these years Nolan still had the address and the directions committed to memory. Following Nolan's lead, Mark drops down into the backyard and takes a cautious look around. No concern, just simple curiosity as he surveys his surroundings.
"Father, was this where you lived during your time here?"
"Yes, for part of it."
Nolan heads towards the sliding back door, holding his hand out for Mark to stop when he realizes his son is following him.
"Mark, wait out here...Give me a minuet to-to talk things over with your mother. Humans can be delicate and irrational beings...Let me prepare her, first, alright?" Looking back over his shoulder, Nolan tries to bury the emotion in his eyes to little success...Mark sees something in his father's eyes he's never witnessed before.
He can't even put a pin on it, can't find the way to describe the truly foreign look in Nolan's eyes. A sense longing? A twinge of loneliness? A pitiful display of true emotion for the first time...
"Yes, of course..." Stepping back off the porch, Mark settles for walking around the backyard, the lush grass giving under the weight of his body as he explores. Watch catches his eye first is the small partitioned wooden gate that's situated in the middle of the fence at the edge of the yard.
Seeing nothing else that might hold his attention, he approaches and without hesitation pushes it forward. Unlocked, the weathered wood door wings on it's hinges, a low creaking squeal coming from the corner as it opens. Another house similar to his 'mother's' home on the opposite side is the background while his eyes scan the newly opened territory. Hearing a distant slam, his eyes fall to the dwelling when he sees a person exit the home and enter the backyard.
Unaware of the figure lurking, you slip out of your house, flinching as the door closes behind you just a little too roughly for your liking. You head further into your backyard as you stretch your arms above you head and give a light yawn. The familiar squeal of the gate catches your ear. Looking over, you expect to see the gate lazily swinging in the wind, probably because you forgot to lock it after coming back from Debbie's house earlier in the day.
Instead you find a nearly 6 ft teenager in your backyard who is looking at you like you're out of place.
"Gah-ack! Hey! The fuck-who...you?" You stumble over your words, the tray of fresh cookies in your hand nearly sliding out of your grip as you take a quick step back. Whipping your head back to the intruder after you stabilize your hold on the cookies, you glare as the individual looks unphased by your question...Although in his defense, it could've been hard to understand since your words came out jumbled.
"Hey! Who-Who the hell are you!?" You take a few steps back towards your house, ready to run back inside and call the cops if this guy starts acting weird. Well, weirder than he already is...Like seriously, what the hell is this outfit he's sporting...
He doesn't speak, instead he watches you intently before he turns his head back towards Debbie's house. Your eyes follow his and your heart sinks, a sudden swell of panic washing over you as you realize that your neighbor could be in trouble.
"What-what did you do?! Where's Debbie!? Did you fucking hurt her?!" Slamming the tray down on the patio table, you rush off your deck and cross the yard in a hurry, no longer worried about this guy. Your only focus is on her. You get only about 10 feet from him before he looks back over to you, your approaching form nonthreatening as he ponders what might be being said in the other house.
"She's fine. Her and my father are talking"
You stop mid-step when you hear that, a small blush crossing your cheeks when you realize you may have overreacted and jumped the gun. Hand coming up to rub the back of your neck, you offer a weak apologetic smile as you look up at the male. He couldn't be much older than you, the strong features present on his face still holding a youthful look.
"Oh, sorry about that..I didn't mean to imply anything! It's just your uh-I mean you just...Uh..." You trail off as you give a quick glance down at his attire before you shake your head and look back up to his face. Watching you carefully, he says nothing and just lets you stumble through your apology, as unnecessary as it is.
After introducing yourself, you inquire about him, still more than a little confused at his sudden appearance and rather odd clothing choice.
"So...you are? Also, why did you wander my backyward? Kinda rude honestly." You let out a small chuckle, trying to be playful while still rooting around for some answers.
"Markus. My father told me to wait outside while he talked with mother."
"Markus! Nice! Do you go by Mark...? Wait..."
The gears in your head start turning, you remember what Debbie told you years ago...She had a son named Mark but he disappeared years ago with her husband...
"Are-are you...You said your dad is in there talking to your mom but that means...is your-is your mom Debbie?! Are you!-Holy shit!!"
You nearly squeal in delight, bouncing on your heels when you finally piece things together. Pulling yourself together quickly when you see the shocked, almost disgusted look splay itself over Mark's face at your reaction, you calm down, or try to, as you look up at him expectantly.
"Ok-Ok! Hold on...Is your mom Debbie? Are you her son Mark?! Like, little baby Mark that had big ole brown eyes when he was born?!"
Standing on your tip toes, you lean up to get a better look at his eyes. The color is a little lighter than the picture's you've seen, but it's fairly close. He rears back when you get a little too close, not even sure why he's done it. He's never reacted in such a way before when someone gets in his personal space, so why...why did he just do it now?
"Yes, 'Debbie' is my mother-"
Another excited squeal leaves you, your hands coming out to grab his arm happily before you speak.
"That's amazing! Come on! she-she needs to see you! Have you seen her yet, I bet she's so happy! Come on!" You try to tug him in the direction he came, your hands wrapped around his muscled arm but he remains unmoving. You turn back at him, your eyes soft while your lips are parted slightly, your brows furrowed as you look up at him confused. Your face showing the softest expression he's ever seen a sentient creature make...
"What's wrong? Don't you want to see your mom? I know she misses you."
He says nothing but he looks down at your hands on his arm, your grip is weak and unimpressive. He could easily break out of your hold but yet he remains there, the most gentle way someone's laid hands on him his whole life and he can't bring himself to free his arm.
Why? Why won't he pull his arm back from you? If he could, he'd be boring holes into your hands, his gaze unwavering as he subconsciously burns the memory of your gentle gesture into his mind. Your left hand brushing against the top of his and your right resting on his forearm as you hold him there. He traces over your delicate fingers as they testing run back and forth on his sleeve, the fabric assuredly foreign to you. His hand races and wanders...so much that they only thing that breaks him from his thoughts is the sudden recoil of your hands from his arm.
He quickly raises his gaze up at you at the sudden loss of your touch, his eyes widening slightly as his eyes meet yours. You have the same look in your eyes his father had before he went inside. That near glossy, low hued and sorrowful look...Like your heart is about to break just from looking at him. He can feel the smallest most minimal heat rising to his cheeks, something up until this point he's never experienced before.
"Are you alright?"
The saccharine voice you ask him in so jarring. It's sweet, calming, and so inviting. It feels...safe.
"I-I...I'm fine..."
"Are you sure? You look...spaced out. You were super lost for a second...Here, lets go sit on the deck, give you a second to rest while your parents talk."
You reach back out to take his arm and he happily lets you, his arm extending out as you to meet halfway. In a moment of weakness, he allows himself to be pulled in the direction of your house. You hold onto him in the same gentle way as before.
Following you up the steps, he sits in the chair you pull out for him as you sit across. He watches you with careful eyes, as in no uncertain terms he just doesn't quiet trust you. The care and compassion shown to a total stranger throwing him completely.
"Oh please! Help yourself! I just baked them..."
You gently slide the plate of cookies towards him while you relax in one of your deck chairs, taking on of them yourself before taking a bite. He accepts and gives a small nod as thanks.
"Your mom actually gave me the recipe. Said that she thought I might like to try it out."
"You sound...close...to her."
"Debbie? Oh, yeah..." Looking down, you kick your shoes against the woodgrain of the porch before you feel his eyes on your body. Lifting your gaze, you see him watching you expectantly, a raised eyebrow practically asking you to continue. But in the back of his mind, he can't help but shake a nagging question plaguing his mind...
Why does he care?
"Well, we moved in when I was like 9. There's no other kids in the neighborhood so I grew up just playing in our backyward. My parents got close with Debbie and she....I dunno. Just became a close family friend! She'd babysit me, we'd have fun together. I didn't know about...everything-" Taking a cursory glance at Debbie's home to detail your point- "until I was a bit older. She said that after you were born, you and your father both went missing. She said it was hard for her to move on but...having a kid next door kind of helped, in a cathartic sort of way, ya know? She just...kind of became part of the family! She cares about us and we care about her! That's just...how it is."
Mark can see the small etching of a smile cross your face as you speak but can't contain the rather rude remark he makes.
"Why?"
"Huh?
"Why? Why do you care?'
"Why wouldn't I? It's human nature....To want friends, family, to care? I think everybody wants to be loved and be cared about, atleast a little."
"Don't you think it's pointless? To care about people even though they'll leave you? Or hate you? Or die?"
"Jeez! Mr.Cynical over here! Damn man, no it's not pointless! It's...it's life! Every human cares about something or someone! People are naturally social! We're basically hella evolved pack animals...We love being with each other...even if some of the shit is bad! We're here for a short time...might as well make friends along the way, yeah?"
Your bright smile and the light giggle that leaves you does something to him. Such utter nonsense coming from you but you manage to make it sound so believable, so understandable...so real. His heart thumps in his chest as he listens to you, the glint in your eyes so bright for just a brief moment.
His eyes quickly shift towards a small bug flying towards him, the instant flinch back making you jump yourself. He raises his hand to swat away the creature but your panicked protests stop him.
"Wait! Don't dont!" You reach across the table and clasp his hand in both ofyours, trying to stop him from killing the small insignificant buggy that lands on his cheek.
"Why? It's on me."
"Mark! It's a ladybug! Those a good luck! Here..."
You move you hand to the side of his face, the back of your fingers gently caressing his cheek as you scoop the ladybug into your hand. You bring it down to table, gently pressing it off your hand before it flies away towards the Grayson house.
"Why did you..."
Bringing a hand up to his cheek, he rubs his fingers over the spot where you gently touched him.
"Don't worry, they don't bite and they aren't dangerous. It's just good luck to say them! I couldn't let you get back luck for killing one, now could I?"
You grin playfully at him, taking another cookie in your hand as you smile. The bright expression on your face, the gentleness of your touch, and the sweet way you've been talking with him almost too much for him to bear.
In such a short time he's learned why...Why Nolan had to see his mother after all these years. What his father meant by 'delicate and irrational', your overly optimistic and compassionate nature juxtaposing his ruthless upbringing...
Why would humans, who are so weak and feeble themselves, strain and exert so much energy to make meaningless, fleeting connections with others?
Simple...
Love.
Love for life. Love for humanity. Love for their fellow man.
You can always feel the strength of someone's love by how softly they speak to you.
The soft look in your eyes, the one fell so hard and so fast for, is one he thought he'd never see again.
An argument erupting next door, you stand up from your seat and Mark floats out of his. His body turning in air to face the back gate he'd come through himself not long ago as it's forced open by a woman screaming and cursing.
"Nolan, I said no! I'm not going with you and-"
Her voice wavers, dropping as she whips her head towards the pair of you. You've backed away from Mark when he lifted himself from his seat, your legs shaking as you move away from him and stare bewildered.
"Oh god, no...."
Mark stays silent as he looks at Debbie, a heated look, one interlaced with pain, fear, and rage as she took the first look of her son she's seen in 17 years.
"Debbie, what's going on!? I don't under st-"
Your panicked state and anxiety riddled question is interrupted by a well built male rising out from the Grayson's backyard and over your fence. Your legs buckling as you fall the ground, completely overwhelmed by the sights you're witnessing.
"I really had hoped with would go differently, Debbie. I really did. Mark, we're done here."
"M-mark?"
Your trembling voice twists something in his chest. His face dropping as he turns back to look at you. Those bright eyes, the ones that had shown nothing but some beautiful spell of light in them the whole time, now looking at him in terror.
"I...I'm sorry...I really am..."
That was the last time he saw you.
Until now.
You had called out his name. In the midst of all the chaos going on in the world. The pure carnage he was apart of spreading. And yet you still called for him.
He never thought he'd get a chance to see you again, but here you are. Right there in front of him.
Slowly descending from the air, he keeps his distance at first, trying to get a read on you. This you. A you he'd not yet hurt. A you he'd never hurt.
"Mark...Are...Are you ok?"
His feet land gently on the ground, a puff of dirt rising into the air before it settles. He doesn't move towards you but he looks at you with sad eyes. Ones that scream hurt, fear, loneliness.
You'd only ever seen Mark this broken before one time, after his fight with Nolan. Your heart broke seeing him like that, your best friend so abused and broken by someone he cared about, someone he still cares about... He might not be your Mark, but he's hurt and scared, and he just needs somebody to care. And he came to you, in all this, he still came for you.
Moving closer to him, you extend your hand and gently brush away a tear that's rolling down his face. Leaning into your touch, he presses his hand against yours to keep you there. His eyes slowly closing, savoring your gentle touch he's been missing ever since that day.
"Mark, hey...Talk to me..." You all but coo at him, speaking so softly as he nuzzles into your touch.
You aren't each other's you.
He isn't yours.
You aren't his.
But in this moment, you're all each other needs.
--------------------------
Holy cow this was much longer than I thought it was gonna get! Hope you guys like it! @artytiredforever tagging you in this because you actually requested this but I was already working on it lol! Hope you liked it!
