Tempus Fugit {Who Killed Markiplier}

~Puer Amans~

I arrived once again at city hall at nine a.m. sharp; right on time. As I walked up the grey stone steps, I heard someone call out my name. I looked back to see Abe running to catch up with me. "Hullo again detective." I said when he reached me. "Hello Iris. Back again today hmm?"

"Yes, I-"

"Got a job? I know."

"You.. aren't wrong, but how did you know exactly?"

"I'm a detective, I can find out anything and everything." he paused, "I also overheard the mayor and some girl arguing over it in his office."

I tensed up at the word 'argue'. "What do you mean they were arguing?" I asked tentatively. Abe shrugged. "The girl didn't seem so happy. She actually seemed pretty frustrated. I don't know why, I couldn't hear all of it, but I heard your name a few times. The mayor was getting a bit defensive though. But I wouldn't tread on it too much if I were you, I'm sure everything is fine."

I slowly nodded. "Well I best get up to the office so I know what I need to do for work today. It was nice to talk to you again." I said, giving my friend a smile before running up the stairs and to Damien's office.

Once I reached his door, I lightly knocked, then peeked inside. My friend was sitting at his desk, his formal black blazer discarded on a nearby chair, his undershirt ruffled. His hands were dug into his slicked back hair, his desk in absolute chaos. He looked up at me with tired eyes and gave me a loose smile. "Ahh Iris! Right on time, as I knew you would be." he said, running his hand over his hair to put it back into place, "As you can see, I'm a bit swamped, and Mari isn't coming in today." he said, clearly exasperated. I gave him a sympathetic smile, though in the back of my mind I felt guilty knowing why she hadn't come in. "Oh Damien what would you do without me?" I said playfully. He chuckled. "I'd probably be dead, now wouldn't I?"

"Why isn't Mari coming in today?"

"Don't start getting defensive Miss Invidia," a cheeky wink from Damien and an annoyed eye roll from me, "but we got in a bit of a squabble yesterday and she's pretty mad at me. I understand and I'm not going to resnet her for not coming in, but it's annoying that she left me high and dry."

I nodded, still worried after what Abe had told me earlier in the day. "Well what can I do to help?" I asked. He smiled. "Well first let me take you to your office, then I'll bring you your first bought of work." he said as he stood and led me back out into the hall. He took me two doors down and used a small key to unlock the room. "This will be your office. Decorate it how you will, just try to keep it neat. You don't want it to end up like my office space." he said. Both of us laughed a bit as I nodded. "I'll do my best, but unfortunately knowing myself it'll probably be a disaster within a month. Let me set up for about fifteen minutes, then go ahead and bring me my work." I said, slipping my satchel off my shoulder. He complied with a smile, the left the room.

As I suggested, fifteen minutes later he was back with a pile of reports nearly five inches thick. My eyes widened at the sight. "Ohhh boy." I murmured. He let out a laugh. "You wanted to get this job!" I bit my lip and smiled, "Touche."

"Don't worry, it's not as bad as it seems. Just read through these and decide if they should go through to me or be declined. Be as strict and harsh as you can and feel free to make notes as you wish. Bring the stack to me when you're done, then I'll give you another if needed." he explained. "Will do. I hope this won't take too long." I chuckled. He simply grinned. "We'll see, won't we?"

~*~*~

To my exasperation, it took nearly two hours to finish just the first stack. Exhaling heavily, I straightened the now condensed reports and walked out to give them to Damien. But when I looked through the small window on his door, I decided with embarrassment and the faintest trace of dismay it probably wouldn't be the best time to intrude, for through the window I had seen Mari on top of Damien's lap, the pair locked in a passionate kiss. I sighed and placed the reports next to the door, then took my pencil from behind my ear and scrawled a note on the top left corner.

'Here's the pile. You can give me the next bit when you're finished with your snogging, puer amans.
~i"

Then I quickly scurried back to my office, ashamed of my blossoming jealousy.

~*~*~

It wasn't long before a light knock emitted from the other side of my door. I looked up from my doodles to see Damien peeking inside. I smiled feebly and beckoned him in. He grinned knowingly as he stepped inside, holding the report I had scribbled the note on. "Puer amans, miss Invidia?" he mused. I chuckled. "I assume you know what it means then, and stop calling me Invidia."

"Lover boy, right?"

"Mmhm. By the way, I thought Mari wasn't coming in today?"

He shrugged. "She apologised." he replied simply. I snorted. "But in what way?" Both of us laughed, but were interrupted by the auburn haired beauty herself. "Damien you have a meeting, come on." she said, instantly throwing herself on my friend. I had to force myself not to roll my eyes and scoff. Damien looked at her, confused. "Do I? I didn't see one on my schedule this morning." Mari grinned, not to him, but to me. "Well you do now, with me." She pulled him in by the collar of his shirt and pressed her lips roughly own his. I blushed a deep red and looked down at my doodles on my desk in embarrassment.

I heard them pull away from each other and I tentatively looked back up. Damien's lips were now covered in a light coat of red lipstick. Allowing myself to smile waveringly, I recomposed my mind. "Any.. Any more reports I need to look over?" I asked. He shook his head and put his arm around his lover's waist. "I think Mari and I can handle it. It's not a busy day for either of us anyway." he replied. I let out an almost inaudible sigh. "Right then. I'll see you tomorrow." I said quickly, picking up my satchel and swiftly walking out the door. On my way out, I saw a faint trace of sadness flood over Damien's face, but I only saw it for a moment before I was down the hall.

a/n: this chapter is cheesy sorry heh

Love you all

~jsfp