Chapter Text
Even after the events of poker night, the Markiplier Manor was still lively with all the different people living there. With all the chaos and loud personalities, there was rarely any peace. However, there was usually peace in Dark’s office due to everyone’s fear of the entity. Even with all the meetings being held to discuss Mark’s new projects, everyone knew that Dark was in charge. The only two other people who could have any true input were Wilford and [Y/N], the Director’s Assistant. [Y/N] was the only one who had access to what Mark was planning, due to his mistrust of all the others. They were able to thoroughly explain Mark’s plans and take any feedback the others had. Just like in this current meeting.
“So basically, Mark just wants everyone to- '' [Y/N] is cut off in the middle of their explanation by a gunshot.
“Oops, it was loaded… Anyway, my dear, I know you’re in the middle of explaining whatever his dumb idea is, I mean who really cares; however, I for one think that maybe we need to ignore his ideas and just go with mine!” Wilford exclaims as he waves his gun around. This particular comment was very common to hear at these meetings, for very few of the people in the manor wanted to follow Mark’s ideas.
“I know that zombies may seem extremely dumb, but in his notes, Mark explains that-”[Y/N] is interrupted once more, but by a phone call. “Sorry, it’s Mark…” they sigh and step out of the meeting room.
Dark never liked it when anyone interrupted meetings, especially when Mark was bothering [Y/N]. Mark and Dark have always distrusted one another, but due to Dark’s care for the DA, he felt it necessary to help them whenever he could. Using the Void and shadows, Dark slipped away to eavesdrop on the phone call, and the first thing he heard was Mark’s displeased tone.
“Where are you?” Mark spat.
“I’m at the meeting, remember… for your next project…” [Y/N] says softly, trying to calm Mark down.
“Don’t bother trying to lie, I know you’re there with Him,” [Y/N]’s hands shake while holding the phone.
“M-Mark, you’re the one who always has me tell them your plan…” Mark sighs from the other side of the call.
“I’m coming to get you.” Mark hangs up and leaves [Y/N] on the verge of a panic attack. Dark comes from out of the Void and rushes toward [Y/N]. He engulfs them in his arms.
“Are you alright?” They shake their head and start crying as Dark strokes their hair softly. “What happened, dear?” Dark asks. “He’s upset with me… and I don’t know why,” [Y/N] chokes out as they try to stop crying. Dark fights the urge to go find Mark and tear him to shreds. How could Mark be such an ass to his dear District- Directors Assistant. Even though it’s been decades since Dark was the mayor and [Y/N], the District Attorney, but his feelings for them have never changed. So the fact that Mark had the gall to treat [Y/N] this way was astonishing.
Yet, this little interaction was cut short once Wilford stormed into the room.
“Sorry to interrupt your canoodling, but Mark is here. And he’s very much pissed,” Wilford states as he pulls Dark away from [Y/N]. As soon as Dark pushes Wilford away, Mark storms in.
“There you are, sweetheart! I was looking all over for you,” Mark says as he pulls [Y/N] into his chest. “Are you hurt? Are-” Mark stops his line of questioning once he realizes that Dark was in the room. “Were you in here with Him…?” Before they can explain themselves, [Y/N] is dragged out of the room by Mark. They glance back at Dark before the door closes, leaving Wilford and Dark alone.
“What was that all about?” Wilford asks as Dark runs a frustrated hand through his hair. He can’t believe he just let Mark take them away, without putting up a fight. He didn’t even have a chance to protect them. If only he had enough time with [Y/N], then they could remember how horrible Mark was and what he’s done. “Helloooo, earth to Dark,” Wilford waves a hand in front of Dark’s face, trying to get his attention. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Do you think Mark is hurting [Y/N]?” Dark asks, while staring longingly at the closed door. “Well… I do think he may be controlling… I know you fancy them, but they seem to be under a spell of sorts. It’s like they rely on him like a lost puppy,” Wilford explains as he goes to leave the room. “Do you think we can help them, Wil?” Wilford glances back to see Dark’s pained expression. Both felt helpless in this situation; the pair didn’t know what to do. [Y/N] has been with Mark since a little after everything that happened at the manor. Wilford has forgotten a lot since that time; he doesn’t even remember [Y/N] as the District Attorney. But the thing he does remember is that Dark once felt passionate about a specific person that Wilford can’t seem to remember.
“I think we just have to wait it out, Dark…”
***
The car ride back to Mark’s house was filled with a tense silence. [Y/N] was trying to think of things to say to start a conversation with the man driving, but they all fell flat when Mark refused to respond. Staring out the window, [Y/N] started to think of Dark and how he comforted them. He hugged them, like actually. They remembered how warm and cozy it felt in his arms. But they felt a twinge of sadness in their heart, feeling like they had forgotten something very important. Maybe it was someone they’d forgotten, but who could it be? Why does it feel like someone is calling out to them? A distant voice calling [Y/N], someone with slicked back hair and a cane… but why did they yearn for this unknown person?
In the middle of their thought, [Y/N] are snapped back into reality by Mark honking the horn of the car. “I’ve been trying to get your attention for 5 minutes! What could you have possibly been thinking about?” Mark asks as he gets out of the car. [Y/N] could tell that he was still upset about earlier.
“I feel like I forgot someone,” they confess
“Forgot someone? Like who,” Mark is a little on edge, but [Y/N] doesn’t seem to notice.
“I don’t know… they have a cane, slicked back hair, and… their name starts with a D… but I can’t remember who it is.”
“Well, I guess maybe they’re just a nobody. Someone of no importance. I think it’d be better if you forgot, wouldn’t want the extra stress over someone you can’t even remember,” Mark quickly walks into the house with [Y/N] trailing behind him. “Okay…” they sigh as they remember that Mark is upset with them. “I’m sorry for upsetting you earlier, Mark.”
“I’ve told you time and time again that I don’t want you hanging out with that freak. He only likes hurting people,” Mark explains.
“But Dark is nice to me! He listens and lets me explain your ideas. He’s only ever been kind.”
“See, that’s what he wants! He wants to take advantage of you, sweetheart. He wants to lure you in with his kindness and then he’ll hurt you! I’m only trying to protect you,” Mark gently cups [Y/N]’s cheeks. “I love you, sweetheart. I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”
[Y/N] smiles and nods, “I know, I lov-”
“Alright, let’s get to bed. We have a busy day tomorrow!” Mark walks away quickly, leaving [Y/N] standing in the foyer. This always seemed to happen when they had a heart-to-heart with Mark. He would get mad about [Y/N] being around Dark. He'd go on a spiel about how dangerous Dark is. He’d say “I love you, sweetheart” and then leave before [Y/N] could say it back.
Once they left the foyer, [Y/N] got ready and went to bed with Mark. Even though they stayed in the same bed, both slept at separate ends. Yet, [Y/N] always wakes up to Mark resting on top of them. They’d always move him back before he awoke though, just so he wouldn’t get upset.
While laying in bed, staring at the ceiling, that mysterious person made their way back into [Y/N]’s thoughts. Why couldn’t they remember? Why did Mark seem so dismissive when they asked him about it? Slicked back hair and a cane? They knew no one who used a cane. Well, Mark did for a while, but that cane is stuck in storage somewhere. Wait, Mark’s cane did seem familiar now that they’re thinking about it. Does Mark know more than he’s letting on? Mark has made it clear that he would never lie or hurt them, so why do they doubt him all of a sudden?
After what seemed like hours of staring at the ceiling lost in thought, [Y/N] fell asleep with Mark’s soft snores acting like white noise. Mark, who’s been asleep for the last 3 hours, cuddled up next to them. However, the person they had been thinking about was Dark and how they couldn’t wait to see him at the meeting tomorrow.