I’ll Always Be There
Summary: A Darkstache Valentine’s through the ages. Enjoy~
Damien liked chocolates.
William asked him months ago, in passing, while they were on their way to French. Maybe he was just being over cautious in asking so far ahead, but it was better to be safe than sorry. William had then set out to find the richest, best tasting chocolates he could.
He ended up ordering from Swiss catalog that their father had picked up while out on a business trip.
Mark had seen the order and gave his half brother a friendly punch to the shoulder. “Who’s the lucky gal then?” He grinned.
“No one you’d know.” William huffed, counting out dollars and eventually grouping up his quarters.
“Aw c'mon Will. It’s me, your brother, good ole Markiplier-”
“-a preposterous nickname, by the way. And one you gave yourself.”
“No it’s not.” Mark frowned. “Anyway, you can trust me.”
William shook his head. “No. I think I should pursue this adventure alone.”
Mark shrugged. “Fine by me I guess… but I’ll find out! I always do!”
William brushed him off. By the time he finished counting out his allowance, he was pleased to see that he had just enough for the Swiss chocolates.
When Valentine’s Day came, William had asked Damien to meet him by a very specific tree, far from prying eyes, at two in the afternoon. Will was of course there by one, nervous and panting and shivering from the cold. It was all worth it as he watched Damien walk towards him, the cold tinting his cheeks pink, and his smile the warmest thing for miles.
“Hello Will.” He greeted, eyes soft. “How has your Valentine’s been? I saw many cooing over your desk and leaving gi-”
“I threw it all away.” William said suddenly.
Damien gaped at his friend. “Surely you’re kidding.”
William shook his head. He presented the box of Swiss chocolates from behind his back. “Damien… I want you. I don’t want those silly girls and their cards…” He watched Damien shakily take the box, tied with a red ribbon. “I’d like you to be mine.”
“Wi-Will…” He whispered, and William smiled. It was in Damien’s eyes, that shine that said he was happy, and his smile was one of joy. “William…” Damien finally faced his friend, still smiling. “If… if we do this, it has to be done in secret, you know.” He was blushing now, really blushing. “No one can know.”
“And no one will.” William wrapped his arms around Damien’s waist, making the smaller man squeak as he was pulled closer. “Happy Valentine’s Day.”
“Happy Valentine’s Day.” Damien replied, and nuzzled into his neck.
Later, when Damien was tutoring Mark for their math class, Damien casually started to munch on the chocolates. Mark raised an eyebrow at the box; the same one William had bought. “Where’d you get that?”
Damien’s cheeks tinted a light pink. “Oh, a secret admirer at school.” He replied.
Mark knew better, but never told a soul.
~
Celine liked flowers.
The Colonel, careful as he always was, had taken Celine to a florist shop in late October, claiming it was just a routine visit and that he was trying to decide what flowers to have planted on the Manor grounds. He made a note of every flower she liked.
In early February, he was putting together a bouqet, planning, deciding what flower would go where, and how that would work in contrast with the others. As he sketched, a knock came at his door. He opened it to see a postman. The Colonel, now living down the way in a small home, was being requested to be at Markiplier Manor.
God how he hated that name, that man.
All the same, he went.
By the time he arrived, Mark was passed out on the couch and Damien was the one to greet him. The Colonel swallowed down any old flares of feelings that they both agreed would never foster anything good.
“While I’m glad you came,” Damien sighed. “Unfortunately, there’s no need now. He’s done being violent.”
“What started all this?” The Colonel asked.
“She’s cheating on me William! I can feel it!” Mark bellowed.
The Colonel actef as he usually did. He rolled his eyes and shook his head. “Damien, I have some sketches I wish to work on. Call me if he gets too much for you to handle.”
Damien nodded and let the Colonel retreat to another room. After twenty minutes, Damien joined him and smiled at the drawing. “I’m glad to see you’ve moved on, Will.” He said quietly.
“Have you?” The Colonel looked up at him, and Damien looked downcast.
“I’m afraid women hold no interest at all for me…” He said quietly. “And given my profession, I doubt I’ll ever find a love.”
The Colonel frowned, feeling sorry for his friend. He hugged Damien, a gesture appreciated and reciprocated. They spent the rest of their time in silence.
When the Colonel presented Celine with the bouquet, she had gasped and hugged him tightly before kissing him. “These are gorgeous! Thank you dear!”
The Colonel smiled proudly. “You’re so very welcome, darling Celine.” He kissed her again, slowly, deeply. “Oh my love… let’s run away. You and I, this Valentine’s night.”
Celine nuzzled into the crook of his neck. “How I wish we could, William… you make me feel loved and desired, as well as free.”
“I’m so happy I could do that for you, darling, darling Celine.” He kissed her cheek, making her smile.
“I can’t take these home. Mark would be livid.” She sighed. “I think I know the perfect place though…”
Damien came home to see a large, beautiful bouquet of flowers on the mantle. His heart skipped, wondering for just a moment if William had in fact designed them for him.
“I’m sorry to intrude, Damien.” He jumped at the sound of his sister’s voice. “I needed a place to store these.”
Damien was confused. “Did William send you these?”
Celine hadn’t meant to give it away with a look. She hadn’t meant to look petrified, unsure how Damien knew. Then Damien understood, and he held his cane tightly in his hand.
“Damien-” Celine started.
Damien cut her off with a wave of his hand. “Celine, you are my sister. I won’t always be in support of what you do, but I will always support your happiness. If Mark does find out, I won’t be the one to tell.”
Celine smiled and hugged him tightly, Damien returning it with just as much gusto. Neither spoke another word on the matter.
~
Dark liked both.
Wilford didn’t need to ask. He knew. He remembered. Before Valentine’s Day he went online and ordered those Swiss chocolates, and went down to the florist shop, recreating that same bouquet from memory. He wasn’t sure how Dark would react. He and Dark usually didn’t so gifts on Valentine’s Day, but this year… was different.
He set up their usual dinner, and when Dark entered the room, aura low and ringing softened, wearing one of his best suits, Wilford smiled.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, my darling.” He said as he kissed Dark’s cheek. Dark smiled and returned the peck with one of his own.
“Happy Valentine’s Day.” He murmured.
“I have a surprise for you.” Wilford ran around to the other side of the table. Dark watched in curiosity first, then awe as Wilford presented the display of flowers.
“Wilford… they’re gorgeous.” He whispered, and dashed over, taking a deep breath and taking in all the different auromas. “Thank you, thank you my dear.”
“That’s not all.” Wilford presented Dark with the chocolates, and Dark’s eyes held that shine to them. A shine Wilford hadn’t seen in a long time. His smile was soft, joyous, content.
Then Wilford was being kissed, kissed happily, passionately. Wilford kissed back, and held him by the waist. “You remembered. It’s been so long, and you remembered.”
“How could I forget two of the happiest Valentine’s Days of my life?” Wilford grinned.
It was strange, seeing Damien’s bashful nature and Celine’s giddiness meld on Dark’s face; cheeks flushed a dark grey, while he grinned wide enough to show his teeth. His eyes were wide, filled with love, and still had that shine.
“I love you.” Wilford whispered as he kissed Dark’s cheek.
“I love you too.” Dark smiled, and nuzzled into his neck. The two stood there, enjoying each other’s company, neither minding that their dinner was getting cold.