You Can Trust Me - A Markiplier Fanfic

Chapter Ten: I Need You

Authors note: I'm sorry for not updating for so long. Life got crazy. And, well, it's still crazy, but I have a little more drive, so here it is. Formatting might be weird since my laptop is not available always, so some of this is done in mobile. I'll fix formatting as it goes.

Also, I was thinking of doing a second fic of this from Mark's POV. What do you guys think? Leave a comment or something. :) Anyway, back to the story.

(This is where the trigger warning really comes into effect.)

-----

I can't think.

Even with the police monitoring our apartment complex, and an officer in our hall on watch, I couldn't be alone. It had been two days since our visit to the L.A.P.D., and there had been no sign of Lee. I couldn't take the waiting. That first night I had tried to sleep in my bed, but before long I was at Mark's door. He was very patient with me as I packed an overnight bag to stay at his place. He didn't press me to talk, which was good because I wasn't sure what to say. I was lost in some in between of the here and now, and my mind. The only consolation I could offer Mark was through small physical interactions. Squeezing his hand, kissing his cheek, resting my head against his shoulder. He seemed to understand how exhausted recent events had made me, and he gave me as much peace as he could. He would let me roam as I pleased while he tended to the chores or recorded videos. I felt so guilty for leaving him without someone to support him. He was obviously upset, and I couldn't bring myself out of my personal lament to help him. I would do small things to let him know that I still cared. I would make him breakfast or fold little paper stars and leave them on his desk. It took up all the energy I had to appear okay, but it was worth it to see his smile, if even for a moment.

It was late into the second night I had spent at Mark's, and he suggested I get some rest. He insisted I stay in his room, and he could sleep on the couch downstairs just in case. In case of what? I knew what the answer would be. If Lee tried to break in, Mark would stop him before ever getting upstairs. The thought terrified me as much as it comforted me. I knew Mark could protect me. But did I want to know what he would do to Lee if he did show up? After seeing just the tip of his anger at the police station, I didn't want to know what kind of rage would unfurl if he was given a shot at the man who hurt his Ellie. And what if Mark couldn't stop him? What would happen then? As I stood beside Mark's bed in my pajamas, he turned to leave, and I suddenly felt so... Vulnerable. My voice cracked on the first noise I had made all day.

"Mark..." I looked up at him as he turned to face at me in the doorway. Tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't put these feelings of confusion and fear into words. Luckily, I didn't have to. Mark came to my side and pulled me into a tight embrace. His voice was gentle as he spoke.

"Do you want me to stay here with you tonight?" I nodded yes as a slight sob escaped my throat. Mark pulled me with him into bed, and I clung to his chest for safety. He gently rocked me back and forth in his arms, whispering sweet assurances in my ear. The anxiety and stress that had built in me washed away, and the flood of relief that ran through me made me realize how exhausted I really was. Before I knew it, I had fallen asleep curled into Mark's side, listening to the steady drum of his heartbeat.

-----

Why am I so cold?

My eyes fluttered open to the view of Mark's living room. Groggily, I sat up on his couch, wondering where he had gone. It was absolutely freezing. I stood up and wandered around, looking for the thermostat. But something seemed off. This isn't right...

"Mark?" I called out cautiously. Where was he? I slowly made my way to the kitchen. Maybe he had left a note saying he needed to go out for a while to get something. But there was nothing. I racked my brain for an explanation, but my racing thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a door slamming shut. I froze.