Tempus Fugit {Who Killed Markiplier}

~Christmas Bliss~

I woke up the next morning to find we were in the same position as we were when we had fallen asleep. I carefully flipped over to face my sleeping lover. He looked extremely peaceful, his rosy lips slightly parted, his long eyelashes casting faint shadows on his cheeks, his messy raven hair sweeping over his forehead. I leaned forward and pressed my lips softly on his. His eyes fluttered open as I pulled away, squinting as he got used to the brightening sunlight. "Good morning." he whispered hoarsely. "Morning love." I groaned, sitting up to stretch.

"We'd better get up. It's late." I added, glancing at the clock next to my bed. "Or," Damien said, pulling me back on top of him, "we could stay here for a while." I giggled and kissed him once again, his hands resting comfortably on my waist.

Suddenly the door opened downstairs. I yelped and sat up, as did Damien. "Hello?" called a familiar voice. "Colonel?" I shouted, frantically reaching for my sweater on the floor. "Yes! It's me and Celine!" he boomed. I looked at Damien and we both laughed. "We'll be down in just a moment."

~*~*~

Once we were properly dressed, my lover and I went downstairs to see my sister and the eccentric. Celine smiled when I reached her and wrapped her arms tightly around me. "Merry Christmas little sister." she chirped cheerfully. "Merry Christmas Celine." I said. She and Damien embraced, then the two went outside to retrieve something from her car.

The Colonel placed a hand on my shoulder. "I hope we didn't.. Interrupt anything." he said with a wink. I laughed and gave him a playful shove. "Such accusations Colonel!" I grinned. He chuckled and ruffled up my hair. "And yet you accuse your sister and I of the same."

"You two used to come to my house just to do it. I can make those accusations dear friend."

He laughed. "So we did." He pulled me into a tight embrace, planting a fleeting kiss on my temple. Celine and Damien came back inside with boxes of gifts. "I brought It's A Wonderful Life! We can watch it while we open presents." Celine said giddily. I grinned. "We've done with for almost twenty years." I explained to the boys, "Even at University when we weren't together, I rented the movie and watched it in my dorm room." My sister smiled and took her lover's hand. "We did the same."

~*~*~

We sat in front of the fire, It's A Wonderful Life playing the in background. From Celine I received a few satchel, some books of poetry, and a new Frank Sinatra record. The Colonel got me a blouse that I liked from England and a navy blue shawl, and Damien gave me a new notebook, a set of calligraphy pens, and two Elvis tracks.

After everyone had opened their gifts, we sat on the couch and finished watching the movie. It was finally a moment of calm for all of us. Celine and the Colonel were safe, and Damien and I were happily in a bliss. We could all be together and not be in fear. It was like we were at University again. Everything was carefree and happy and just all around back to normal! Except..

My thoughts were interrupted when Celine laid her hand on top of mine. I looked up into her saddened smile. "You feel it too, don't you?" she whispered. "Mark." I mumbled. She gave a solemn nod. "It just doesn't feel quite right. I mean, it does, but it doesn't at the same time. It's like there's a-"

"-missing piece." we both finished. We looked at each other and giggled, then she sighed. "I suppose it's for the best though."

"Unfortunately. Maybe one day he'll be the way we once knew him." Her soft, somber eyes stared back at the television. "One can only hope."

~*~*~

The rest of the day was more or less normal. The four of us played poker, had a few drinks, cooked and ate a Christmas meal, all things you'd expect from a normal family celebrating the holidays. I was happy to be with the people I loved. It was much more enjoyable than spending the cheerful holiday alone in a cramped dorm.

As the hours grew later, Celine and the Colonel decided to head home. Damien and I wished them a merry Christmas, then they departed, leaving the house once again alone to my lover and I. Once I had closed the door, I flopped down on the still-warm sofa. "I miss seeing them daily." I said with a smile as Damien sat down next to me. He chuckled. "I agree."

There was a pause, so I decided to take the opportunity to give Damien one more gift. I reached under the couch to pull out a long box wrapped with black wrapping paper and a white bow. His lips parted in surprise. "What's this?" he asked. "Your last gift. I wanted to wait to give it to you since Celine wouldn't like how much money I spent on it." I passed it over to him. He took the wrapping paper off the box, careful not to rip it. Then he slid the top off to display the item I had bought for him. It was a jet black staff christened with a silver head and tip. His mouth dropped. "This.. This is.. Incredible! I love it!" he exclaimed. "I thought you'd might. It'll give your regular outfit a bit more suave, don't you think?" I teased. He laughed, wrapping his arm around my shoulders. "It definitely will. Thank you love."
He paused. "Actually, I still have one last gift for you too. It was too personal to give to you while the others were here."

He pulled a small box out of the inner pocket of his sweater. A white bow, near the same as the one on his gift, sat atop the velvet, a small note tucked into it. I slipped it out and opened it. In his lovely handwriting it read; You've always had the key to my heart. Now maybe I can keep yours. Yours always,
    Damien

I blushed a light pink hue as a smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. 'Romantic little fucker.' I unferalled the bow, then opened the box.

Inside was a tiny necklace strung on a silver chain. The pendant, a dusty pink lock in the shape of a heart, had to be no bigger than my pinkie nail. "Aw Damien, this is so sweet!" I said sincerely, looping the chain over my head. He beamed. "You know, I have the key that goes to it." he said. He pulled a chain out from under his sweater. Attached to it was a miniscule silver key. He tenderly took my lock between his forefinger and his thumb and inserted his key. It fit like a glove. "Each one of these necklaces were made differently. Only my key fits in your lock." he explained. "This.. This tops any gift I've ever gotten. Thank you." I gushed. "I knew you'd like it." he said. I kissed his cheek. "I love it." I whispered, lying my head on his shoulder. He took my hand in his.

In that moment I realized how truly lucky I was. I had the love of my life by my side forever and always. I had a loving sister who was happily in love as well. For the first time in years everything felt right. Everything felt normal. Everything felt.. Safe..

..I should have known it wouldn't last.