Tempus Fugit {Who Killed Markiplier}

~Banter and Waiting~

After that night Damien's visits to both my house and the library became  much more consistent. Julie didn't mind him coming in, "so long as I got my work done". Everything was.. Good. Life was suddenly just.. Good. i had a place of my own, I could at last call the love of my life mine, my sister was happy, and at the moment we were all safe...

At the moment.

~*~*~

Celine and the Colonel came back from Europe nearly a month later. Eager to tell my sister the news of Damien and I's relationship, I called all three of them and asked that they join me for lunch.

Damien arrived first out of the three as I knew he would. As soon as I opened the door, a knowing grin spread across his face. "We're telling them, aren't we?" he asked. I vigorously nodded. "I know Celine will be ecstatic."

"As will the Colonel. The two of you are pretty close as far as I know."

"So are you and my sister apparently."

He chuckled. "We talk a lot more than you may think.

~*~*~

Celine and the Colonel arrived shortly after Damien, both smiling and boisterous as per usual. After a few warm embraces and joyful welcomes, I brought the two of them out onto the patio where Damien was already waiting. "Hey!! It's so good to see you two again." he said, reaching over the table to shake hands with the Colonel and hug my sister. "How are you ol' boy?" the Colonel boomed, taking a seat between his lover and mine, "It's been far too long since we've civilly conversed."

Damien chuckled. "It truly has old friend. My apologies for my behavior at Thanksgiving. I erm.. wasn't exactly in my right mind, persay."

"Oh bully, it's quite alright. We all were in a bit of a tizzy that night. In any case, how have you been?"

~*~*~

As the two boy's caught up with each other's lives, my sister and I began to talk about the past few weeks. "How was Europe?" I asked, propping my elbow up on the table and resting my chin in the palm of my hand. She beamed. "Beautiful. I absolutely loved every bit of it."

"Talk me through your trip! Where did you go?"

"We started in England, then from there we went to France and Scotland, then ended in Italy, where we stayed the longest. It was wonderful."

I smirked. "When in Rome, Celine." I winked. Horrified, she slapped my arm as I laughed. "Iris!!" she scolded, her face turning beet red. We both looked at the Colonel as he started laughing as well. "Oh Iris you rapscallion!" he chuckled.

"And besides," Damien chimed in with a sly grin, "you're one to talk." I felt my face flush red. "Damieeeennn." I murmured through my teeth. He laughed, putting his arm around my shoulders and drawing me closer to him. I smiled and laid my head on his shoulder as he gently kissed my forehead. "You know I'm just teasing you amare." he said. "Yes, I know ludo." I replied.

I glanced up and burst into laughter upon seeing my sisters gaping expression. "Are.. Are the two of you.."

"A couple?" Damien interrupted, lifting my chin to place a quick kiss on my lips, "Yes, we are."

Celine squealed, grabbing both of my hands. "Oh Iris!! I'm so happy for you!" she exclaimed. I giggled. The Colonel stood and heartily slapped Damien's back. "What'd I tell you, hm? I knew you'd man up eventually! Now you owe me twenty bucks my good sir." Damien rolled his eyes and pulled out his wallet with a smile, handing the Colonel and twenty dollar bill. "You were right, as usual." he said reluctantly. I gave my lover a confused look. He chuckled. "The Colonel placed a bet that you and I would be together before Christmas." I laughed. "What'd you bet?"

"Between Christmas and New Years." he replied, slipping his hand into mine. "So what stopped you from winning that bet? You could have waited to ask me you know." I asked.

"That night you called me, it felt like the right time. I would have waited, but I knew doing it then would be the best opportunity."

I chuckled. "Well I'm glad my dismay pushed you to ask me to be your girlfriend." He laughed. "You know what I mean!"

"Dismay?" Celine asked suddenly. I looked over to see her forehead creased with worry. I licked my bottom lip, contemplating what to tell her. "I erm.. had a panic attack. Damien came to calm me down." I said quickly. Damien tightened his grip on my hand. "Iris.."

"Well that's what happened isn't it?" I interceded. He sighed and piped down. Though I could tell she was worried, Celine changed the subject and we went on with a different conversation.

~*~*~

A few hours later Celine and the Colonel went home to rest. I cleaned up the patio as Damien went inside to wash dishes. My heart was happy, but mind was nagging me for not telling Celine the truth.

As I walked into the kitchen to wash my hands, I sensed Damien m walk in the room. "You should have told them." he said in a gruff voice. I sighed, turned off the water and gripped the edge of the sink without turning around. "I couldn't." I whispered. "You have to! You want them to be safe don't you?"

"They just got home Damien!"

"The sooner they know the better."

"I want them to to be happy, at least for a little while."

"Iris-"

I at last turned to face him, my eyes reflecting the same sadness and concern I saw in his. "I will tell them. I promise that I will. But for now, let them be happy. They've had enough torment and backlash because they're together as it is. I don't want to add to that stress just yet."

He nodded slowly, placing his hands on my waist and resting his forehead on mine. "Promise me we won't hide things from each other." he murmured. "I promise." I breathed. I stood on my toes and kissed his lips. "I love you." I said. He smiled. "I love you too." He paused and his grin suddenly grew sly as he lifted me up. I squeaked and wrapped my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck. He chuckled. "So, when in Rome huh?" he said, lowering his voice. I giggled, kissing him once more. "When in Rome."

a/n: two chapters in one day??? whoa you're welcome!

~🦋