Imagine If....

He was your 'Teddy Bear'... {Pt 2}

~I wasn't originally planning to write two parts for this, but since a few people want it, including LU_septic_eye, the person who requested this, here's part two! Enjoy! :)~

3 years later

Over time, you slowly stopped going towards the support group meetings. Eventually, you just stopped going altogether. It's not that you were ever going to forget what happened, but it's the fact that you realised you couldn't put your life on hold because of what Mark did, or could have done. You had to move on with your life, and you did.

2 years after everything happened with Mark, you met someone else. His name was Lincoln and he was a writer for one of the local sitcoms that played on TV. When you looked at Lincoln, he was the last person you would expect to be a writer. Lincoln was 6'3 and 180 pounds of pure muscle. Despite the burliness of his appearance, he was a gentle giant. Even though you were happy with him, you couldn't help but think about how everything was with Mark.

Before Mark went- elsewhere, this is how your relationship was. You felt safe with him, then he turned. The thought of this turning into a nightmare again has always stayed in the back of your mind.

You were now sitting at home on the phone with Lincoln after a long day at work. This is how your guy's schedule worked; you'd call him after you got off of work while he was just getting on break every other day, then somehow get together on the weekend's.

"So how's your day been, being a city-wide famous writer?" You asked him as you opened up a bag of popcorn you had just taken out of the microwave.

"I don't know about that.." Lincoln laughed, his voice incredibly deep. "Trust me, you don't want to hear about my boring life as a writer." Just as you opened your mouth to respond, there was a soft knock on your door.

You were silent long enough for Lincoln to go, "Is everything ok sweetheart?"

"Yeah, someone's at the door, that's all. I'm going to have to call you back some time later." You told him as you slowly made your way towards the door.

"Ok, at least text me soon to let me know everything is ok." You said goodbye then lightly tossed your phone onto the stand next to the door. 

You opened the door with a smile on your face, but the smile quickly faded. On the other side of the door was Mark with a toothy grin on his face. His hair now hung in front of his face slightly. Other than looking like he hadn't gotten a lot of sleep lately, he reminded you of the Mark you fell in love with. He was actually wearing the same thing he was wearing when the two of you first met; his red flannel, blue jeans, and grey sneakers.

Instinctively, you took a few steps back. The Mark from before was still engraved into your brain.

"You need to leave..now Mark." You spoke timidly as you desperately searched around for a small handheld weapon.

"Y/N, please, calm down.." Mark brought his hands up in a surrendering motion. "It's ok, I've gotten the help I've needed, I'm ok now."

"How do I know that, huh?" The panic rose in your voice slightly. "How do I know it's not going to be the photo incident all over again?! Do you realize how much that scared the shit out of me!" You couldn't help it as your voice naturally began to rise in volume.

"And I'm so sorry for that, but if you would calm down, I could explain it to you." With his hands still raised, he took a few steps towards you. "I promise I won't hurt you, just please calm down." You took a few deep breaths and began to calm yourself down ever so slightly.

"Alright, explain." Mark gave you a smile before setting his hands down.

"You were right when you said I wasn't right, because I wasn't. After Daniel died," Mark cleared his throat before continuing on. "It was a bad time for me and I just went to a dark place. It was like this dark demon came from somewhere in the pits of hell and was determined to drag me down with him." Mark looked up and his eyes connected with yours. The rawest and most honest look appeared in his eyes as Mark started speaking again.

"Anything that I ever did to you while I was in that state of mind, I'm undoubtedly sorry for. Believe me when I say I never meant to scare you in any way. I have to thank you though. Without you calling Matthias that day, I never would have gotten the help I needed."

"Look, I'm just here so we can pick up where we left off. I want you, us back." You stared at him as he stood there in front of you. For a minute, you thought about taking him back. You did love him at one point after all. Then you remembered Lincoln. He was still in the picture, and despite Mark being back, you still loved him and you couldn't just leave Lincoln high and dry.

"Mark, I would love to pick up where we left off, but there's someone else now." Devastation slowly hit Mark as he widened his eyes. He quickly recovered by putting a small smile on his face.

"What's his name?"

"Lincoln, we've been together for roughly a year now." A mixture of sadness and realization hit Mark as he looked down at the ground.

"All I want for you is to be happy, and if that means being with another guy for the moment, then so be it." He slowly started walking off your front porch. Once he got about halfway down the sidewalk, Mark turned back towards you.

"I don't know if this will change your mind or anything but I'll be here, in case you do change you mind." With one final smile, Mark turned his back and finished walking down the sidewalk. You watched him until he was out of sight.

You were with Lincoln, but something wasn't right. No matter what the case is, He deserves your loyalty. All he's ever done is love you, and he deserves the same. Somewhere inside of you, part of you eased at the fact that Mark would always be there, just in case.