You don't know how he managed it, but Mark was able to make you laugh the rest of the way around Walmart, handing the trolley over to you and dancing off down the aisles.
"I think we're done here" you grin, pushing the trolley towards the checkout.
It was a nightmare trying to get everything into the car. Mark had offered to go home and pick up his car to help, but you finally managed it, even though Mark had to sit with a load of shopping on his lap on the ride home.
Once you were indoors, you set about putting everything away, and Mark started moving the flat packs through to your room.
It wasn't until you had finished the closet and put your clothes away that you realized just how much you had left behind.
"I can't do this, I can't just buy everything again, I need to go back and see if he's still got some of my stuff" you frown, looking through to make sure you hadn't just put them in other boxes.
"I want to say there's no harm in trying, but I'm not sure how things ended between you two..." he mumbled "Just do what you feel is right"
It took the best part of four hours to put the bed together, and by that time, you two were far too exhausted to put anything else together.
"I'll order us something to eat," Mark said, wandering out into the living room. You set about putting the sheets on your bed and folding up the boxes that were now empty. It was looking pretty nice now that it wasn't just an empty room. You made a mental note that you should pick up your boxes of artwork from home, that would liven up the walls. Maybe you could paint something for Mark as a thank you... you had always been a big fan of his, and he did like artwork from fans...
That thought made you feel a little funny... you moved in yesterday... and already, Mark had done so much for you. It made you wonder if he was like this to everyone?... Maybe he was lonely? He did say his neighbors were pretty miserable, and he did live on his own, no girlfriend...
Suddenly Mark appeared, popping his head into the room.
"You had me worried there, I thought you'd died or something" he chuckled, wandering over to you. "What's up?"
"Nothing" you smile, looking up at him. "Just... very grateful for your help... I think we're going to be wicked friends" you grin, leaning against him a little.
"I think so too..." he grinned, wrapping an arm around you. "I can keep you awake with my little girl screaming, and you can fight off the butt stabber" You let out a gasp, causing him to jump.
"Oh my god!" you groan, throwing your hands up in frustration.
"What is it?!" Mark gasped, genuinely looking worried.
"I just remembered I have so much nerdy crap in my old loft..." you sigh.
"At your exes?" he frowned. "Would you be able to get it back?"
"I don't know... I don't even know if he can afford the rent without me there..." you sigh, falling back on the bed. "Damn it, I knew I'd forgotten something... I just ran out of there, I didn't think..."
"Well, you said you were going to see if you could pick up some of your stuff... maybe you'll be able to pick it up," Mark said, trying to lift your spirits.
"Yeah, maybe..." you huff, sitting up again.
"What uh... How did butt stabber remind you of that?" he chuckled, thinking back over the conversation.
"I have a longclaw replica!" you groan, grinning at him again.
"aw, man that it awesome!" Mark gasped.
Mark had ordered Chinese food and you'd managed to find a free movie on youtube that the two of you watched, laughing along to the terrible accents. It felt so comfortable with him, you didn't know if it was where your relationship had just fallen apart, but you actually liked the thought of having Mark there... he wasn't a million miles away from your ex, he was tall, dark haired... he had an amazing voice... but Mark very basically everything he wasn't... he was selfless and funny and didn't take everything so seriously...
Stop right there... you're not his type so don't get your hopes up... just stay friends, no-one gets hurt that way.
Mark noticed you were deep in thought and poked you, bringing you out of it.
"Dreaming about me?" he chuckled
"No!" you giggle, shoving him playfully.
"You sure? I've been told I'm pretty irresistible" he sighed, flexing.
"Yeah, keep telling yourself that, Fischbach" you grin, reaching over to close the window as the film credits started to roll.
"I had fun today" he grinned, looking up at you.
"Me too" you smiled "You turned a crappy time in my life into something great..."
"I'm glad..." he sighed "And when you're a little more settled in, I'll take you out to dinner... celebrate being single Pringles"
"Yes, let us celebrate single life by going out with each other," you said the most deadpan voice possible.
"Yes, that's a perfect idea" Mark chuckled, looking up at you. "We'll see what kind of celebration you want it to be on the night"
"Okay?" you smiled nervously.
It was getting very late, Mark had a lot to do tomorrow, so he said his goodbyes and left, leaving you in your still very empty apartment. You wandered back into your room and got changed into your pajamas, sitting back against your wall as you listened to Mark shuffling around next door. Although it was quiet without him there to have a laugh with, it was nice to still be able to hear him pottering around. You crawled over to your bed and wrapped yourself up in your new sheets, thinking about Mark.
