Beyond The Limelight ★ Markiplier X Reader

.*★ 19 ★*.

TW: smut

Authors note:
The one was gonna be a little longer since the last one was a little shorter BUT as I was writing I got to the bit I've ended it on and thought "damn I kinda wanna leave it here" so here ya go!

*****

It's been two weeks since you've moved back into your apartment. The stream is this weekend. Everything's been running smoothly and ahead of schedule meaning not many people were around despite the deadline coming up so soon, but regardless of everyone's nonchalance and calm, your head was whirring with possibilities of what could go wrong on the day. What if there were technical issues? What if someone failed to show up? What if Mark didn't reach the donation goal?

You sat in the studio on the floor and sighed as you looked up at the set you helped build. It really was magnificent. Studio lights stood in front of the slightly raised stage. The desk you and Mark bought together stood off centre in front of a cityscape backdrop with fake windows in front giving the appearance of a penthouse studio. An old TV stood in front of the desk with a green sheet over the screen which would show the top donators and other secret messages for keen eyed viewers. There were two comfy armchairs next to it for guests to sit at. To the right, there was an area for extravagant segments such as the cooking show, game night etc. With a ramp coming off the stage so the appliances and interchangeable set pieces could be wheeled on with ease. It looked absolutely professional and there were so many small details that really sold the "late night" look such as a rotary phone on the desk and your personal favourite aspect: a sparkly light up sign above the centre of the set which read "A Weekend With Markiplier" and a timer underneath displaying how long the stream had left.

You smiled as you looked at it, proud.

"Admiring your work?" Mark asked, standing in the doorway, leaning on the doorframe with folded arms.

You jumped a little then smiled, looking over at Mark. "Oh please it's hardly my work." You laughed.

Mark walked over to you. "Of course it is. We couldn't have done it without you. At least not this well." He said, looking at the set and taking in the details himself.

You smiled softly, proud but humble. Mark walked over to the desk and sat on the swivel chair behind it, swiveling from side to side.

"This has to be my favourite project I've ever worked on." You said, standing up and stepping up onto the stage. You turned around and looked out across the studio, the lights shining on you, the cameras all pointed your way. Although your appearances on the stream were going to be minimal, you felt excited, you felt like you were going to be a star. "Are you nervous?" You asked, looking over your shoulder at Mark who watched you with admiration, the light shining like a halo around you. You looked as beautiful as ever lit up this way, it suited you. You looked right at home standing there on the stage.

"Of course." Mark said, standing up and walking over next to you. "Are you?"

You laughed a little. "Very."

"Excited to appear as a guest judge?" He asked as he looked over across the studio, taking in the same sight as you.

"I am." You said, turning to face him.

A heavy silence hung in the air as you both looked at each other, feeling the heat from the lights surround you.

"I miss you." Mark said softly.

"I miss you too." You admitted, getting lost in his dark eyes.

His expression softened, his gaze holding yours for a moment longer than usual. "You know... I've really enjoyed getting to know you these past few months. It's been... nice."