#mark wkm

Damien frowned slightly. It was rare for William to be nervous, and rarer still for him to show it. 

“Of course, whatever you need.” 

Damien sat down in one of the chairs he kept in front of his desk for meetings, and gestured for William to do the same. He plopped down unceremoniously, still avoiding Damien’s gaze, and Damien swallowed.

“Are you in some kind of trouble?” he asked carefully, and bit back a sigh of relief when Will shook his head. 

“No, no, nothing like that old boy, don’t worry.”

“Then what-” 

“It’s about Celine.” 

“Celine?” Damien repeated, and Will nodded. “What about her?”

“You’re my oldest friend, you know,” William said abruptly. “I can barely even remember a time we didn’t know each other. And the same goes for Mark and Celine.”

Damien nodded slowly. He could scarcely think of a time before he knew Mark and William either; he and Celine had been visiting the manor where the boys had grown up for as long as he could remember. 

“And you and Mark, you’re like brothers to me,” William continued. “But Celine…” he smiled nervously. “I’ve been crazy about her for ages.” 

Damien’s eyes widened. 

“You don’t mean as in-”

“I’ve wanted to ask to court her for years now, but I wanted…I wanted to be the sort of man who was good enough for her. And now with this promotion…” he fingered the new bars on his uniform. “If I don’t have a shot now, then I never will.” 

“You…are you asking my permission?” Damien asked. “You know I don’t control her life, right?”

“Oh, of course,” William said with a laugh. “We both know you couldn’t if you even tried, she’s her own woman through and through. I just…it’s been the four of us against the world for so long, you know? But I know before that, it was just the two of you. If you don’t approve of me as a match for her, or if you think it’d be too weird for our friendship? I won’t ask, you have my word.” 

“William…” Damien got to his feet, and William quickly stood to join him.  “You’re one of the best men that I know. As far as I’m concerned…you didn’t need a promotion to be good enough for Celine.”  

William’s eyes widened slightly, then his face bloomed into a smile and he reached over to sock Damien on the arm. 

“Aw, bully, now you’re getting all sentimental on me, you rapscallion!”

“You started it,” Damien chuckled, rubbing his arm. “But really…I mean it. I think the two of you would be a fine match; if that’s what she wants, of course. I can’t guarantee that she’ll say yes, she’s never looked very favorably on suitors in the past.” 

“I know, I know,” William acknowledged. “And it’s very possible that she’ll be incapable of viewing me as anything more than a friend. But I need to at least let her know how I feel. Whatever happens next is her choice.”

“Life is ours to choose, after all,” Damien said. “I’m afraid I can’t give you any insight into how she might feel, she doesn’t exactly discuss such matters with me. But I’ll say it again, Will, you’re one of the best men that I know. And regardless of whatever else she may feel, I’m sure that Celine would agree with me there.” 

“Well, I certainly hope you’re right, old chap. I suppose we’ll find out soon enough.” 

“Will you be asking her soon?”

“I thought I’d broach the subject with her after our scheduled dinner tomorrow night.”

“Wait, is that tomorrow already?” Damien exclaimed. He turned to his desk, sifting through the papers for his appointment book, where sure enough, the dinner date with his friends was scrawled in red ink for the next evening.

“You didn’t forget, did you?”

“I didn’t forget,” Damien insisted. “I just…lost track of time, that’s all.” 

“Seriously? You lost track of time? You’ve been working too hard, Damien,” William said. “I know you’re the Bigshot Mr. Mayor now, but you still need to cut loose every now and then. For your own sanity.” 

“Perhaps you’re right,” Damien sighed. “But for now, I do need to get back to work. I’ll see you at dinner tomorrow?” 

“You better! If you’re late, the others and I will show up here and physically drag you out of the office.”

William tossed a cheerful wave over his shoulder as he exited the office, and Damien smiled to himself. He hadn’t been lying when he said he couldn’t guarantee how his twin would respond to Will’s affections, but he knew that she had always enjoyed his company. And of all the people his sister could court, she could certainly do a lot worse than William J. Barnum.  

--- --- ---

The following day, Damien did not forget about his dinner plans, and he showed up to the restaurant where he was supposed to meet his friends at six thirty on the dot. Mark and Celine were already at the restaurant waiting for him, and a few minutes later, William joined them.

“I thought we were going to have to send a search party out for you,” Damien joked, and William rolled his eyes. 

“Sure, let’s all pretend you would have remembered about tonight if I hadn’t reminded you.” 

“I didn’t forget!” Damien insisted, and William opened his mouth to reply, but Celine cut in first. 

“Are we going to go inside, or are we going to listen to the two of you bicker until they give our table away?” 

“Give away a table meant for the Hollywood celebrity Mark Fischbach and none other than the Mayor of our great city? They wouldn’t dare,” William said with a laugh. 

“Alright, alright, let’s go in,” Damien said. 

They were quickly seated, and while Damien did notice a few glances thrown their way, nobody approached them directly, which he was relieved about. Mark liked the attention, he knew, and he’d be lying if he said there weren’t times he enjoyed it himself, but sometimes he just wanted to be able to have a nice evening with his friends without worrying about the public’s eyes on him. 

“A toast,” Mark said once the waiter brought them their drinks. “To moving up in the world. May our newly elected Mayor have a long and happy reign, may the newly instated Colonel William J. Barnum lead his brigade with honor, and may the new movie I just signed a contract for not end up bombing at the box office. Who knew the three of us would come this far?” 

“I did,” Celine said, raising her glass. “I always knew you’d all do great things.” 

“While your faith in us is commendable, I do think it’s fair to say that there were times when you were our only supporter,” Damien pointed out. “Still, now’s not the time to be morose, we’re celebrating!” 

“Indeed we are,” Mark said. “As a matter of fact…” he looked across the table at Celine, who nodded at him, and Damien’s stomach dropped. “I have one more happy announcement.” 

Mark stood, holding out a hand to Celine, who took it, standing beside him. Damien stole a glance in William’s direction, wincing when he saw his friend’s face frozen in shock. 

“Celine and I would like to announce our courtship to you both. I know we’ve all been friends for a very long time, and that this may take a moment to wrap your heads around, but I hope we’ll have your support.” 

Damien swallowed, forcing himself not to think about the look on William’s face as he stood as well.

“Of course you do, Mark. Congratulations to the both of you!” He reached over to pull Celine into a quick hug, then shook Mark’s hand. “You know, I am the Mayor now,” he said, giving him a pointed look. “So I can make things very difficult for you if you break her heart.” 

“I can take care of myself, little brother,” Celine said while Mark laughed.

“Yes, yes, I know,” Damien said. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t take care of you too. Besides, you’re only older by ten minutes.” 

“Yes, yes, all the congratulations to the happy couple,” William said. “Now can we please all have a seat so I can order? I’m dying to cut into a good steak.” 

“Of course, of course, can’t keep the carnivore from his meal,” Mark said with a chuckle. 

“You’re hardly any better,” Damien pointed out, taking his seat. 

The rest of the evening dragged on in what Damien could only describe as the most obliviously awkward dinner in his life. Mark and Celine seemed blissfully unaware of the tension in the air, too focused on each other to notice Damien‘s discomfort or William's uncharacteristic silence. Damien did his best to engage all three of them in conversation, but no matter what he did, he couldn’t seem to improve the atmosphere. 

Finally, the bill arrived, which Mark paid, and the four of them got up to leave. 

“Congratulations again,” Damien said as they stood outside, waiting for the valets to bring them their cars. “I wish the two of you every happiness.”

“Thank you, old friend,” Mark said, shaking his hand warmly. “Your support means a lot to me.”

Mark‘s Cadillac pulled up beside them, and after tipping the valet, Mark opened the passenger door for Celine. The two of them waved goodbye as they drove away, and Damien returned their wave, his grip like iron on the head of his cane.

“I think perhaps you missed your true calling, old chap,” William said dully when the car was out of sight. “It seems Mark is not the only great actor among our party.”

“I didn’t know,“ Damien said immediately. “I swear, Will, I had no idea-” 

“Yes, yes, obviously,” William said, waving his hand. “But the role of the happy, supportive brother and friend? You certainly pulled that off without a hitch.” 

“Will,” Damien winced. “I…I am happy for them. The timing couldn’t be more terrible, and I’m so sorry for you, I truly am, but they do seem to be happy together. I wish more than anything that their happiness didn’t come at the cost of your pain, but… I still want to support my sister. And both of my friends.” 

William sighed, then gave a weak smile. 

“This is why you became the politician, old boy. Always finding a way to keep the peace.”

“I just want-”

“No, no, you’re right, of course,” William said. “I can’t blame either of them, really, it’s my own fault for not working up the nerve to ask her sooner.” He laughed, but there was no humor in the sound. “Now I’ll probably never know what she would have said.” 

“William, I-”

“It’s alright, Damien. You don’t have to explain anything to me. It’s like you said, Celine is her own woman. She’s made her choice, and I won’t stand in the way of that.” 

“Mr. Mayor?” A valet interrupted them, holding out a set of keys. “Your car, sir.”

“Thank you,” Damien said, taking the keys and handing the valet a few bills. “Can I give you a ride home?” he asked, turning back to William, but he shook his head.  

“I’ll take a cab, old chap, don’t worry about me. You run along and enjoy the rest of your evening. Or do more boring mayor stuff, whatever it is you like.” 

“I- if you’re sure, then,” said Damien. He opened the driver’s side door of his car, then looked back at William. “You know, I meant what I said earlier. You’re still one of the best men that I know, Will. And even if it isn’t in…that way, I know that Celine cares for you too. We are both still your friends…and that won’t ever change. I promise.” 

William smiled, and Damien thanked whatever might be listening that it appeared genuine. 

“I know, Damien. I won’t forget, don’t worry about me.” 

“Somebody has to,” Damien said, and William snorted. 

 “Go home, old boy, a mayor should get his rest.” 

He turned on his heel and strode away down the sidewalk, leaving Damien alone next to his car. 

“Mr. Mayor?” the valet piped up. “I’m terribly sorry, but we need the driveway clear in order to tend to our other guests.” 

“Oh, yes, of course. My apologies,” Damien said, nodding to the valet before climbing into his car and pulling out of the driveway. 

He drove home in a haze, playing the events of the evening over and over again in his mind. Could he have done something different? Said something that could have prevented this? But no matter how much he turned the problem over in his head, he could see no solution. 

At the end of the day, both Celine and Mark were adults, who had every right to choose each other. And they had seemed happy, smiling and laughing and holding hands all through the night. And Mark was a good man, he knew that he’d treat Celine well, and provide her with anything she could possibly need. 

But no matter how happy the two of them had looked, it couldn’t erase the startled, pained look on William’s face from his mind. 

“This doesn’t have to change anything,” Damien said aloud to himself as he made his way into his apartment. “It won’t change anything. The four of us have been through so much, we can make it through this. Everything will be fine. It will be.” 

And maybe, in another time, in another life, he would have even been telling the truth.

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A/N: Once again, if you enjoyed, please consider commenting or reblogging! (remember, like do nothing on this hellsite). If this hyperfixation train keeps going, then I may have to start a markiplier fic taglist again, so if you’d like to be on that, let me know! Love y’all <3