Beyond The Limelight ★ Markiplier X Reader

.*★ 30 ★*.

As Marks eyes fluttered open, he turned in his bed slowly and sleepily, stretching his arm out to feel for you before realising you weren't there. He patted around the empty space for a moment before sitting up and let the covers slide off of him. With a stretch and a yawn, he got up, pulled on some pyjama pants and went to go find you. Henry and Chica laid curled up at the foot of the bed cutely, not stirring for a moment.

As Mark made his way downstairs, the smell of breakfast leading the way, he walked into the kitchen and smiled brightly as he saw you standing over the stove. You heard him come in and turned around, still in your pyjamas, and gave him a smile as he approached.

"Morning sleepy head." You smiled as he planted a kiss on your forehead. "I was just making you some birthday breakfast."

"It smells incredible." Mark commented as he wrapped his arms around you, placed his chin on your shoulder and watched as you cooked. "I've only been awake five minutes and already feel like the luckiest birthday boy in the world."

You turned your head and kissed him on the cheek. "Sit down while I serve it up and I'll tell you what I've got planned."

Mark did as instructed and sat at one of the stools at the kitchen island, watching you with hunger as you served the food up and sat opposite him.

"So." You began. "After we've eaten I'll give you my gift. Then we can take the doggies out for a walk. Then we're going to the studio where all your friends are and you'll get more gifts and we can hang out, have a good time and watch everyone get drunk while we silently judge and laugh at them."

"That sounds perfect." Mark said with a smile.

"And..." you gave Mark a cheeky look. "Afterwards... I might have another gift for you."

Mark looked at you with a smirk, realising what you were suggesting. "Oh yeah?"

You smiled brightly. "Yep. You'll have to wait and see."

After breakfast, you cleared everything away while Mark got showered and dressed then you gave Mark his gift. You bought him a new headset and a personalised watch strap with a hidden heart on the inside which lined up with the vein connecting to his heart when worn. Then, the two of you took Henry and Chica on a long walk while you swooned over each other, talking about the plans for the rest of the day, and generally being in love (but never saying it).

As you began walking back to Marks place, your phone pinged and you took it out to check what it was.

Sean: I thought you might want to see this. Sorry for just springing it on you.

Sean has sent you a post by SnakeWatch

You stopped walking and opened up the post, Mark looking at you curiously. As you opened it up you saw a series of photos of you and Sean hanging out together at the restaurant, shopping for Marks birthday gift, some taken from afar, some right behind you, some through windows etc. The caption read: "Y/N spotted on a secret date with JackSepticEye behind Markipliers back. Always knew she was a home wrecking snake. Follow for more."

"What is it?" Mark asked as he saw your expression drop. The dogs came running up to you after they realised you'd stopped and Henry began sniffing at you as he sensed the change in your demeanour.

You looked at Mark and then handed him your phone. "Someone took these when Sean and I were shopping for your birthday gifts." You said, feeling a little nauseated. "Now people are assuming there's something going on with me and Sean."

Mark read the post and swiped through all the photos, heart breaking for you. "This is just sick." He said as he shook his head and handed his phone back to you. "I say block and report it."

"I say we go public and just clear everything up." You said, looking into Marks eyes to try and analyse his reaction. You'd thought about this for weeks now, ever since Mark brought up the hate comments. You decided you were ready.

Mark looked at you, initially a little shocked, then shook his head. "Going public isn't going to change anything. If these people don't like you for no reason, putting more content out there for them to pick apart isn't going to change their mind. Believe me I know."

"But it might." You said, straightening your posture. "Mark I'm ready. I want to tell everyone. I want to kill these rumours and just... I want everyone know we're together and happy and... I wanna show you off." You stepped forward and placed your hands on his broad chest. "Don't you want to show me off too?" You looked into his eyes and he looked back at you, placing his hands on your hips.

"God knows I do. I'm the luckiest man ever, having a girlfriend like you is one of my biggest flexes but I can't put you through the scrutiny." He shook his head softly. "You've been trying to hide it but I know it's getting to you. It'll only get worse the more you put yourself out there..."

You felt rejected. You'd never really experienced a disagreement before and this particular one hurt a little.

"If you knew I was upset about it then why didn't you say anything? Ask if I was ok?" You swallowed and looked at him with a hint of confusion and hurt.

"I didn't want to pressure you. You've come so far with opening up to me I thought if you were ready to talk about it you'd come to me."

"Ok fine. It has been getting to me. That's why I want to just tell everyone the truth."

"No, I can't. I just can't do that yet knowing how much it'll hurt you."

"Then when?!" You asked, raising your voice a little as you took your hands off of him and stepped back, leaving his arms empty. You knew these rumours wouldn't die out on their own and so if Mark wasn't comfortable with it, it felt like you'd never be able to go public. Always be kept in the dark like a secret lover.

"Y/N I..."

"You know what? I don't want to talk about this right now. I don't want to argue on your birthday. In sorry for raising my voice I'm just frustrated." You sighed, instantly regretting your tone.

"I know where you're coming from and if I was in your position I'd probably feel the same. And if you were in my position I'm sure you'd feel how I do. Let's just... wait it out a little. We'll get Sean to tell everyone there's nothing going on between you and hopefully it'll die down." Mark reasoned.

You nodded, still a little frustrated, but chose to ignore it in favour of not ruining Marks birthday. Before long, you were driving together to the studio, the nostalgia already sinking in from the project despite it not even being that long ago. You got out of the car, walked in, went into the elevator and remembered the first time you'd met Fizz in that very elevator. It all seemed like so long ago. You didn't even know her half a year ago but now she was one of the most important people in your life. In that moment as you both walked out of the elevator and up to the studio, you felt so grateful for the journey you'd been on and so happy for all the people who were now in your life. Mark, Fizz, Ethan, Sean, Hermi... all because of this project.

As you walked in next to Mark, everyone in the studio cheered and music began to play as the room erupted into a chorus of happy birthday and Marks smile was bright.

"Happy Birthday Mark!"

Mark gasped as he heard a woman with a small voice and a thick Korean accent call out his name.

"Mom?!"

Marks mom walked out of the crowd and took Mark into a big hug and he laughed in shock and surprise, having no idea you'd arranged for her to visit. Unfortunately, the rest of his family couldn't come over, but his mom made up for it with the biggest smile and warmest hug. Mark looked at you with tears in his eyes, ever the sensitive soul, and smiled at you with such gratefulness and love that you felt your heart warm up and tears well up in your own eyes.

I love you

You thought. But still couldn't find it in you to say it out loud.