🌟anon here!
so what do you think of a rivalry Todd Williams vs mark Greyson on who’s the better friend much to readers annoyance when they want to do nothing with either of them.
Todd Williams vs. Mark Grayson — Competing to Be the “Better Friend”
I don’t think they would compete in a way that’s obvious.
It’s not loud not at first.
It just keeps happening.
And it gets exhausting fast.
---
Mark Grayson
Mark doesn’t try to take you away from Todd directly.
He just makes it harder for you to stay where you are.
He’s not aggressive about it. If anything, he comes off as patient understanding, even. But it doesn’t take long to notice how often he inserts himself into your time.
He lingers.
He offers.
He waits until you feel bad enough to say yes.
It’s subtle. Easy to brush off.
“You don’t have to sit with him, you know.
I mean only if you want to.”
He says it like it’s your choice.
Like he isn’t standing there waiting for you to make the right one.
And if you don’t?
He doesn’t get angry. Not really.
He just… looks at you differently.
“Oh. Okay. I just thought we were gonna hang out today.”
Its not accusing. Not outright.
Just enough to make you hesitate next time.
---
In class it starts small.
The teacher lets everyone pick partners.
You’re already planning to work alone quiet, simple, no complications.
Mark moves before you can say anything.
“Hey, do you wanna just work together?”
He’s already next to your desk. Already pulling his chair over.
It’s quick. Casual.
Too quick.
Todd notices.
You don’t see him get up but you feel it when he stops beside the desk.
“Didn’t know you needed help that bad, Grayson.”
Mark doesn’t back off this time.
“I don’t.”
It’s not loud. Not a challenge.
But he doesn’t move either.
For a second, it’s just the two of them waiting.
Then Todd leans down slightly voice lower, out of the teacher’s range.
“Pick someone else.”
Mark doesn’t.
And now you’re stuck in it.
--
Todd Williams
Todd doesn’t wait.
He doesn’t ask.
If he wants your attention, he takes it—and unlike with everyone else, he doesn’t make a spectacle out of it.
Not with you.
He’s… calmer. Still rough, still blunt but not as loud. Not as obnoxious. Not as much as a douchebag
That almost makes it worse.
Because it feels intentional.
“Sit here.”
Not a suggestion. Never phrased like one.
But he pulls the chair out anyway, like it already belongs to you.
Like you already belong there.
He doesn’t hover like Mark does. Doesn’t linger or try to convince you.
He just decides.
At lunch, it’s more obvious.
You get there first for once.
Sit down. Set your stuff down. Try to enjoy the five seconds of quiet.
Todd shows up not long after.
He doesn’t ask if the seat’s taken—just drops into it, dragging the chair a little closer than necessary.
That’s it. Spot taken.
Then Mark walks over.
He slows when he sees Todd sitting there. You can tell he’s debating it.
Still, he tries.
“Hey—do you wanna come sit with us? I saved you a spot.”
You don’t even get the chance to answer.
Todd cuts in.
“They’re already sitting.”
Flat. Dismissive.
Mark’s expression tightens.
“I wasn’t asking you.”
Todd finally looks at him, unimpressed.
“Didn’t sound like you were asking them either.”
There’s a pause.
Mark looks at you again—but now there’s something else there. Expectation. Waiting.
Todd doesn’t even bother looking.
His hand taps once against the table, right next to yours.
Grounded. Final.
Mark exhales, annoyed.
Then he walks off.
Todd doesn’t comment on it.
Just stays where he is like there was never another option.
---
When It’s Both of Them
It doesn’t stay separate.
Eventually, they stop working around each other and start working through each other.
That’s when it gets uncomfortable.
Because it stops being about spending time with you.
And starts being about winning it.
--
It happens in small ways at first.
They interrupt each other.
Talk over each other.
Then
They start answering for you.
“They’re busy after school.”
“No, they’re not—we already talked about it.”
“Yeah? When?”
“Just now.”
You don’t remember agreeing to anything.
They don’t notice.
---
It escalates without either of them realizing it.
Mark tries to keep things even, reasonable.
“You don’t have to decide right now just come by if you want.”
Todd doesn’t give you that space.
"You’re coming. It’s not a big deal.”
Different approaches.
Same result.
---
And the worst part?
They don’t look at you when they argue.
Just at each other.
---
Reader
You notice.
Of course you do.
It’s not subtle anymore—not really.
But it’s also not something you can just shut down without consequences.
Todd isn’t someone you push unless you’re ready to deal with it.
And Mark—
Mark makes it harder in a different way.
Because he’s nice about it.
Because he makes you feel like saying no is unfair.
So you don’t.
Not most of the time.
You let Todd take the seat.
Let Mark wait you out.
Let them decide things you didn’t agree to.
It’s easier.
Safer.
Quieter.
---
You could say something.
You just… dont.
-
In the End
Theyre both trying to be the better friend.
That’s the whole point.
That’s what all of this is for.
---
They just never stop to ask if you actually want either of them to be.
(Sorry if its kind of messy its super dark and I don't have my glasses on)
