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The grip on his whiskey glass tightens a bit as Mark listens to you speak. Why have you come here? Why now, of all times? Your voice floats around him, filling the air in the lounge, and your words are barely being processed as his thoughts spiral. "I'm sorry for the sudden visit. You weren't answering my calls and I got concerned." Mark gives a weak nod, keeping his eyes on you the entire time. "How long were you trying to contact me?" "... Two years, Mark. Benjamin kept answering and saying you weren't taking any visitors, but he'd forward my messages. He didn't answer these last few times, though, hence me getting worried enough to visit." Oh.
You give a small smile from across the coffee table, looking concerned. Mark lifts the glass to his lips, chugging the alcohol inside. He's going to need it, tonight. This entire ordeal has thrown a wrench in his plans. He might as well use this time to see how you've been, though. To get caught up on what he's missed. "I'm... Sorry for not answering. I haven't been doing the best, recently. However, I'm more interested in how you've been." You give a simple shrug. "Just... well, not the best either. Yet, I'm surviving." That causes him to raise an eyebrow.
Mark wasn't as... close to you as he was to Damien and William. He only met you through Damien, as Damien went to the same university as you. Meanwhile, Mark went to a different school... So, he met you during a party at Damien's house, and you both became quick friends. Hell, Mark even remembers having a crush on you, before those feelings faded as he fell for Celine. Yet, that doesn't change the fact the two of you were never really, really close, like he was with the others. That also doesn't change the fact that he remembers you being in a good place in life when you both fell of each other's radars.
"Oh, yeah...?" Mark says, slowly... carefully, even. Are you in as bad of a state as he is? A bit better? Heavens forbid, worse? "What has been going on with you, if I may ask?" You sigh, grabbing the bottle of whiskey and pouring yourself a small glass. Your first one of the evening. "I just... It's a bit stupid, but do you ever wonder if you made the wrong career choice? Like, I spent my life building myself up to be a district attorney. I was elated when I got the job. Very soon after I started, though, I feel like... it was a mistake." Mark purses his lips at your words, thinking everything over.
He can't say he has ever felt the same way about his career. The lights of Hollywood have always called to him like some siren song. Mark was born to be an actor and to devote his life to the limelight. If he ever wanted to change paths, going from an actor to a director or to writing his own scripts wouldn't be so hard. Just a slight pivot if he ever grew curious, and a safe return to acting if that wasn't right for him. He'd imagine the same couldn't be said for being a district attorney.
Mark looks to the side, feeling a slight buzz kicking in. There is one thing he does doubt, though.
"I can't say the same, but... If you ever need a change in career, I'll put in a good word or two to whoever you apply to work for." Mark says, trying to ignore the feelings stirring inside. If everything goes as he plans, he won't have to make good on that promise, anyways. No harm in making it, right? You give a weak sound, like a mix of a sigh and a scoff. Yet, a relieved one, at least. "Thanks, Mark. You're the best." He can't help but sit a bit straighter and let his heart swell with pride at such a small statement. When was the last time he heard somebody say that outside of a studio? "It's no problem."
Then, unfortunately, it's your turn to ask him something. "What has been dragging you down, Mark? I wasn't exaggerating when I said I am concerned, you know." He doesn't want to talk about it. Not just because it's humiliating to think about how Celine ran off... but also because it is much, much harder to keep his calm facade up. He's an actor, yes, but even actors have their struggles with getting into and staying in character. "It's... still Celine." You let out a little "ah" noise, nodding at his words. From your expression, it looks like you were expecting that answer. You take a small sip of the drink, before giving your response "I can't say I'd be the best to seek advice for that... I haven't had a relationship, before. Work has been getting in the way of that. But..."
Mark's curiosity is piqued immediately at the way your words trail off. It's practically like music to his ears. "But...?" "But, well... I don't know Celine all that well." Damn... not what he wanted to hear. Wait, what did he want to hear? He shakes off the thought, huffing at her name. That's right... you don't know much about her, from what he remembers Damien saying. He never introduced you to her. That means you will mostly have what he says to go off of about her... "She broke my heart when she ran off. Looking back, I can't help but wonder if she ever truly cared about me. That, and I... wonder what would have happened if I chose someone else, instead of her."
The words are simply pouring out, now, as Mark harshly places his glass on the coffee table and starts pouring himself another glass. He doesn't really care if they're true, at this point. He just wants you to have the worst possible opinion of her... be it to be spiteful towards her, or make sure you don't get your own heart caught in her crossfire, he can't tell at this point. "She is a liar... I know that for a fact. I don't even know how long she was dissatisfied with our relationship because she acted so happy and content up until the second she was out the door! Hell, if she were an actress, I'd be out of a fucking job... That's how good she is."
Mark looks to you as he picks up his glass and straightens himself out on the sofa, trying to tell if you're following along. You look to be listening intently, sipping away slowly at your drink. How in the world you're still on drink one, he doesn't know. "I heard her relationship with William had already fallen through after one year... I have no idea where she is now. Dropped off the face of the fucking earth like... like everybody else..." He murmurs, taking a gulp of whiskey to silence himself before he can truly go off on a tirade. He doesn't want to completely lose his cool exterior... not in front of you.
You swirl the contents of your glass around a bit, your expression turning to one of silent contemplation. It's different from the expressions he remembers you making back in university. Back then, you were a much more excitable, chaotic individual. You drank like an elephant, smiled like a cheshire, yet had more of a head on your shoulders than William. Now? The you in front of him seems much more reserved, quiet, and... well, he can't exactly say you aren't devious, anymore. Benjamin had told him that when he opened the door for you, you just about bolted in, fully expecting to be turned away and fully intending to disregard that. All out of mere concern. Perhaps you're just more devious in a grounded way?
Suddenly, you find what you want to say. "Well... Do you have anything to look forward to? Anything at all?" Aside from his revenge? No. Yet, he can't just say that. So, he simply shakes his head, taking another, smaller sip from his glass. He can feel that buzz getting stronger. "No... Nothing. I just... feel a bit empty, nowadays." "Same here." He's finally gotten an answer to his question, at least. You're in a similar boat to him. Not the same... just similar. "We should talk more often, Mark." His mouth moved before he can even think "Please talk to me..." You let out a soft laugh at that "I will. Just tell your butler to stop turning me away, please. If you don't, I'll have to call you ten times a day to tire out his resolve!"
There it is. There's that devious behavior he remembers. Mark lets out a laugh, his entire body feeling a bit lighter. His chest flutters once more, and by now, he can no longer deny it. Those feelings for you that he thought went away are still here. He was just too focused on Celine to acknowledge them, or maybe it was just because you went out of contact so soon after graduation that he just... didn't have an opportunity to be reminded of them until now. He can't deny it, anymore, because not only are they still here, but they feel stronger than before.
Before, he remembers it just being a fluttering in his chest from time to time. Maybe even some warmth in his chest and across his cheeks when you smiled at him or said something nice. In this moment, it feels like his heart is struggling to escape his chest to meet with yours. He's sure that you'd be concerned by how red his face is getting if it weren't for the fact he's now on his third glass of alcohol. The same goes for that stupid, needy plea for you to talk to him he said just moments before. His eyes keep trailing up to your own, before darting away as if their beauty burned his own.
Mark needs to say something, anything, in order to distract himself from his thoughts. "So... Do you... Do you like whiskey? This just happened to be what was out when you showed up... I can get Benjamin to..." He gestures towards the hallway, trying to signal that he'd call Benjamin to get you something else. His words are slurring, now... He probably shouldn't have drank so quickly, as it feels like everything is now hitting him all at once. "I'm fine. Whiskey is fine. Though you look like you should have some water, Mark. I don't want you to have too bad of a hangover, tomorrow."
You finally finish your first glass, before tilting to the side to look to the hallway. You give a smile, raising your hand. For a second, Mark doesn't know what you're doing. Then, Benjamin comes walking into the lounge, looking to you. You must have signalled him over. "Benjamin, may we have a pitcher of water, please?" "Why, of course. I'll bring it to you shortly." You look to Mark as Benjamin leaves, pouring yourself your second glass. Your face has a light pink hue to it, and as much as Mark knows it's probably just your first glass of alcohol that's painting your face, he's too drunk to care. Right now, he wants to believe it's because you feel the same for him.
"You know you're a lightweight, right?" You ask, sipping your drink. Mark waves you off, slumping in his seat as he chugs his glass once again. "Of course I do..." "And yet you've drank three glasses is under two hours?" Mark finishes it, placing it down onto the coffee table. He's tempted to get a fourth, until he sees that chastising look on your face. "Yes... I know. I'm regretting it." He sighs, pushing the glass away. Your smile returns as he does so. "Well, I just hope the water helps with tomorrow."
Mark runs a hand through his hair, messing it up a bit. He can't think clearly, now... Not after that realization and the alcohol. He doesn't trust his mouth to not run off into an awkward direction. So, he looks to you, waiting for you to say something. You're so... beautiful and/or handsome. Your voice chirps up "You look like you're going to pass out. Are you dizzy?" He's... well, the world is spinning a bit. Not that much, though. Yet... It's comforting to know you're concerned for him. "I'm dizzy... I might go to bed after drinking some water."
As if summoned, Benjamin returns with the pitcher of water. He pours two glasses for you and Mark, before placing the pitcher down between the two of you. Then, he quietly leaves, his expression one of someone who can tell that something is happening. Mark reaches forward, taking his glass and sipping it slowly. He wants to drag this out in order to spend as much time with you as possible. You let out a playful scoff, sipping your whiskey. "Are you even going to be able to make it to bed...?" Mark's eyelids droop a bit, his mind starting to wander a bit. He doesn't know if he will, but he doesn't particularly care, right now. He's passed out on the hardwood floor enough times to not care about passing out in his sofa. He places his glass down.
Mark needs to change his plans. You don't deserve to get tied up in his revenge plot. Damien? William? Yes. You? No. "Mark..." You should be kept in a nice, safe space far, far away from whatever plot he devises. Far away from William, especially. "Mark, are you alright?" He can feel himself getting a bit emotional... Is he always emotional while drunk? He should ask Benjamin. "Mark!" He looks to you, finally snapping out of his thoughts. That spot on the sofa looks cozy. He slowly stands up, swaying a bit "I... Sorry... Can I sit next to you...?" "I... Uh... Sure, Mark."
He practically crawls into the space next to you, rubbing at his eyes. He's definitely crying, now, even if he's trying to hide it. Yet, you don't point it out. Instead, you wrap an awkward arm around his shoulders. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry for crying. I just... I'm so glad you visited. I'm so glad... I..." "Don't apologize. I'm just glad I wasn't unwelcome here. I did show up unannounced." Mark relaxes a bit in your hold, before grabbing his water once again. "You... are never unwelcomed here. I needed this visit, even if I was so... against it before? I don't even know why I was."
He starts drinking his water again. Yeah... He definitely needs to change his plans. The world starts blurring together as he finishes his water. Your arms grab on to help him stand. You start leading him upstairs. He slurs his words, looking to you as he speaks "You know... If you quit... You could be in pictures... with me..." It elicits a laugh from you and your eyes gleam a bit. The last thing he remembers is you helping him into bed, then you leaving his room as he tried to reach for you.
...
The next morning, Mark wakes up. Alone, again. He sits up in his bed, rubbing his forehead with his hand. The memories of the night before are slightly blurred, but he remembers the conversations with you. Thank god that he passed out before he could say anything really stupid... Imagine how uncomfortable it would've been if he dropped some sappy, sudden "I love you!" during a friendly visit, after years of no contact? He was so close to getting too open and emotional for his tastes. Shifting a bit in his bed, he lets the silk sheets hug him. The clock says it is the afternoon. Benjamin should be in soon to check on him...
The second Benjamin checks on him, he's going to tell his butler to pass the phone to him whenever you call. He needs to talk to you again. Maybe, if things keep going well, he'd eventually tell you how he feels...