Thankfully, when you woke up again, it was beside a still-sleeping Tyler, who continued to snore lightly. As softly as you could manage you crept out of the bed, heading for the bathroom.

The hot water felt good against your shaking body. You couldn't get Dark's laughter out of your mind; was it going to haunt you for the rest of your life?

I don't have time to think about that now. I've got other shit to deal with.

The first being Mark and his damned text. Why would he tell you he loved you now, when he quite obviously wanted to see you and Tyler together? He had said it himself! Had he changed his mind? Or had his attempts to thwart Dark before the demon could do anything backfired?

Backfired how? Did he suddenly decide to unleash some sort of dormant feelings for me? What a load of bullshit!

Walking out of the bathroom brought you face to face with Tyler, still sleepy and rubbing his face. "Is there any hot water left?" he mumbled.

You found your face growing hotter; he was still completely naked. "Y-yeah, there sh-should be..." was your half-hearted reply.

The male didn't seem to notice your stuttering as he walked around you into the bathroom.

Well that was fucking awkward. Is he always standoffish in the mornings?

You groaned, rubbing your eyes and still trying not to let Dark's echoing laughter ring in your mind. It just kept going and going; did he have control over it?

Whatever. First things first.

•●♡●•

You pounded hard at the front door, frowning a little. Inside, Chica began to bark, but was quickly hushed as Mark unlocked and opened said door. When he saw that it was you standing there, a grin began to form on his face. "So how was your date?"

You glared softly, not speaking until you were allowed inside. "All right, what's the deal?" you spat, arms crossing over your chest.

The Korean male's smile fell flat, clearly concerned. "What do you mean?"

"Don't act all stupid, Mark! You know goddamn good and well what I'm talking about! You and your fucking text message!" The shouting came out before you could control it, and your hands began to visibly shake. It couldn't be helped, you needed answers.

Mark sat down slowly, not looking in your direction. "What about it?"

"I said to stop acting stupid. I want an explanation, Mark Fischbach."

"Well what the hell do you want from me?! Of course I want you and Tyler to be happy together!"

"Then why the fuck would you tell me you loved me?!"

His expression said everything: he had no idea what you were talking about. "What in the flying fuck did you think my text read? I asked if you loved him."

"No it fucking didn't! It read, and I quote: "I love you"! Mark, what the fuck?!"

Holding out his hand the male frowned. "Let me see the text." With a scoff you threw your phone at him, pacing while he went through your messages. "Here. See? Last night, past seven pm: "Do you love him?" You must have misread it."

Snatching your phone back you read the text repeatedly. Just as Mark had said. Asking if you loved Tyler. Your heart was in your throat and you wanted to vomit. "I don't understand," you spoke slowly. "It... it said you loved me. I even showed it to Tyler and he agreed with me. Mark..."

He stood back up and pulled you into a hug. "I'm sorry. I don't know why exactly you thought it said that I was telling you I loved you. I do, but not like that." You nodded, pocketing your phone again and trying not to cry. You had shed an awful lot of tears lately, and it was wearing you out. Mark looked at you, concern lining his scruffy face. "Are you all right?"

"No! I swear it said you loved me! You can even ask Tyler! He got so pissed off at you..."

Swallowing, the male groaned. "He's gonna kill me and I didn't even do anything..." Sure enough there was a knock at the door. Mark eyed you, a bit fearful, before pulling away and answering his door again.

Tyler said nothing, grabbing Mark by the collar and slamming him against a wall. He looked furious. "What the fuck do you think you're doing?!" he shouted. Your stomach dropped, running over and trying to pry Tyler's hands away from his best friend.

"Tyler, stop! It's not... it's not what you think!"

The taller male looked down at you, his face turning softer in realization that you had beaten him there. It faded into something a bit more depressed as he released Mark. "You're already here. Why?"

"I had to confront him, Tyler. I told you, it... something weird happened. His text didn't say he loved me." You handed over your phone once more, watching Mark straighten his shirt, paler than normal as Tyler scrolled through your messages.

"So then what the fuck is going on?"

"I don't know. But I swear to you I didn't tell her I loved her. I know you two went out on a date, why would I do something that stupid?" Mark clearly looked frightened, though he did his best to hide it behind his usual smile. "I want you two together."

"We both saw your text, Mark." Tyler narrowed his eyes at the shorter male, who sighed and put his face into his hands. "What the fuck is going on?"

"I don't know," was Mark's muffled reply. "I do love her, but in a close friendship sort of way. You get that, don't you?"

You did, but you weren't so sure about Tyler's stance on that.

•●♡●•

You went home not long afterwards, avoiding both of the males' gazes as you did so. You had to think of something. What was going on?

I don't know why this is happening. I know what I saw! Tyler even agreed with me!

Dark's laughter rang in your mind again, and your stomach dropped. Was it somehow his doing? Could he access things like Mark's cell phone, or was it just some visual trick that the demon had pulled? You lie awake in bed that night, wanting answers and unable to come up with them on your own.

For once, you wanted to sleep. You needed to know what Dark was really doing.

•●♡●•

Hello, my beloved. Did you have a fun time today?

Such an asshole! You woke up to the sound of Dark's voice, already pissed off. "I don't know how you did it but I know you had something to do with that text message. Didn't you?"

"Of course I did," the demon purred, already sitting beside you. "Or perhaps I did not. Had it ever occurred to you why he keeps you around?"

"For someone who claims to basically own me, you don't seem pissed off about the idea that Mark could really love me." Your eyes narrowed.

"If he loved you, I would have much easier access," was his reply. "Do not think for one second that I am above punishing him, however."

"Why can't you leave them alone? You obviously have me at night, why can't you be content?!"

"Because you are unfaithful during the day." Dark stood up, straightening his suit and watching you with those glowing eyes of his. "And i see that you are still insistent about staying so rebellious. Fear not; i have an answer for that."

His punishment. You had forgotten all about it. Heart beginning to pound, you braced yourself for a slap or some other kind of blow. When none came, you only felt worse. "What the fuck do you want from me?"

"Complete and total submission." Dark grinned, gesturing into the darkness. "And I know exactly how to ensure I get what I want."

Footsteps. Coming closer. Who the hell had he brought with him? Your first thought was Mark; perhaps Dark had finally taken over his mind somehow, and gained control over his counterpart's actions?

No, the silhouette was too tall. You didn't understand, seeing the new figure step into the light.

"... Sean?"