Love By Starlight (Markiplier x Reader)

Never Truly Free

"Turns out your hero wasn't fast enough." Umbra spoke in a sing song voice, replacing your confusion with anger. "Just go away!' You cried as you clutched your head. "Oh just give up already, it's not like Mark cares." Tenebris spat. "He does care!" You protested, trying to ignore Umbra and focus on him. "Please, let me have some freedom." Umbra pleaded. You hesitated a fraction before answering. "No." "Fine!" She snapped, and suddenly you couldn't move, no matter how hard you tried. You wanted to scream, but you couldn't even open your mouth. "Hey (Y/N), I just-" Jack froze in the doorway when he noticed you and Tenebris watching him. "-came to grab my phone." He finished weakly. "This human will be better suited for our causes." Umbra hissed in you voice. Tenebris only nodded in agreement as you unwillingly extended a hand towards Jack. Sensing danger, he whipped around and ran out the door. With an eye roll, you teleported in front of him and grabbed onto his shoulder. You felt like a weight was lifted off of your shoulders as you collapsed to the sidewalk encompassed in darkness.

        When you came to, Mark was sitting on the couch you were sprawled on, your head in his lap as he soothingly stroked your hair, tears pricking his eyes. "Jack-" You started before Mark held up a hand to silence you. "He's fine. Right now he's passed out in my room. When he wakes up...I have to tell him the truth. He'll think I'm crazy." His voice cracked slightly, only making you feel worse. Now Umbra was using Jack as a host, and it was all your fault. "I'm sorry." You apologized meekly. Mark only sighed and continued stroking your hair, humming under his breath. Since he seemed to be calming down, you let him continue, fighting to keep your eyes open until you were startled by a knock on the door. Mark lifted your head up a little so he could slip away and open the door. "Hey, have you seen Jack? He said he was coming here to pick up his phone, but it's been a while." You heard Ken's voice laced with a tinge of concern. "Yeah, he came to grab his phone but ended up falling asleep in Mark's room." You informed him, glad you didn't have to lie as much. "Oh, okay." Ken's shoulders visibly relaxed. "Hey guys." Jack yawned, entering the room while stretching his arms over his head. "Here's your phone." You handed it to him. He was spacing off, staring at something in the distance. "Hello? Earth to Jack?" Mark waved a hand in Jack's face, bringing him back to reality. "Sorry, just.....nothing." He smiled sheepishly as he took the phone from your grasp and put it in his pocket. "Shut up." You faintly heard him mumble under his breath. "What?" Ken frowned in confusion. "Nothing." Jack repeated, shaking his head slightly. "Oh. Well, we should get going." Ken started walking out the door. "Shut up!" Jack yelled, clutching his head as he fell to the floor. "You should go." I suggested politely as Mark knelt down by Jack. "But-" "Leave!" Mark snapped impatiently. Confused and scared, Ken ran outside. "Jack, hey, focus on me." Mark instructed soothingly. Jack's ocean blue eyes swiveled to face Mark, the color flashing from neon green with blue pupils to regular. "Good. Take a deep breath." Shakily Jack inhaled, then exhaled, his eyes becoming their regular color again. "Why is there a voice in my head?" Jack whimpered, causing your heart to ache for the terrified green haired Irish man. "You'll think I'm crazy, but I'll tell you the truth." Mark recounted everything that happened while in space that involved the Araime, although he avoided the fact that him having the voice in his head in the first place was my fault. Throughout the whole story, Jack remained silent, captivated by Mark's words. Once Mark finished, Jack opened his mouth, thought better of it, then closed it. "Wow." He finally said, speechless. "You believe me?" Mark exclaimed incredulously. "Well, you're my friend. You wouldn't lie to me. Besides, you're not smart enough to make up a story like that." Jack teased, smirking slightly. "Is the voice in my head going to stay forever?" Jack's smirk faded. Mark paused before answering. "I don't know."