Chapter Text
University was going well for William over all. After a rocky start with Sinclair’s reanimate and Mark dropping out early on he had managed to turned it around making new friends to study with and even growing a lot closer with Amber. Of course Rick had been his rock through it all and he’d been Rick’s. Things hadn’t been easy for them especially for Rick, there were night terrors and panic attacks often but with therapy he was finally getting better. And William would support him through it all, whatever it took, because he loved him.
But that’s exactly where it all had to go so horribly wrong. Rick had left the dorms to pick up some milk so it was just William on his own reading a massive psychology textbook. Prepping for tomorrow’s quiz was going to liquify his brains. He decided to close the book and lay his head down on the desk taking a short break. It wasn’t getting into his head much anyways.
Then, CRASH
A terrible sound came ringing through his ears leaving him stunned. It took a couple of seconds for him to even realise the window had smashed all over the dorm leaving the floor littered with shards of glass.
The sound of screaming floated through the window finally braking Williams state of shock. Looking outside the scene below was one of utter chaos. One building over, the structure had entirely collapsed with only a few survivors running out the front doors injured and calling for help.
All of a sudden he felt the ground rumble beneath him and a pit in the bottom of his stomach formed rapidly. Another rumble and he was rushing arose the room, glass under his bare feet.
“ARHHHH” William let out a deep scream of pain as a piece of the glass embedded itself into the heel of his foot. But with the screaming from outside getting louder and his growing panic making his breaths shallow and rapid he didn’t have the time to even think about it never mind put shoes on.
It was a struggle to get the door open with everyone in the neighbouring rooms evacuating blocking the it from opening. Soon William managed to squeeze through a crack in the door and joined the avalanche of students rushing outside. The floor was seriously starting to shift beneath them now and William was practically begging cared outside by the flow of the crowd.
Only when hitting the cold winter air did it finally dawn on William the extent of the destruction. The skies were red from the fires raging throughout the city. Bodies littered the ground, many with heads separated from their necks. Seeing this was enough to make William double over and retch, unable to throw up. His eyes watered enough to blur his vision and his breaths were shaky. Then the smell finally hit, iron overwhelming his senses he couldn’t hold back any more and threw up onto the grass.
It was like someone had shoved his head under water, the screams the building collapsing behind him, it all felt so far away and in his head only one thought rung around Williams mind. Find Rick. Keep him safe. He didn’t even notice the pain in his foot as he wandered towards the shop Rick had gone to. Nor did he really register the rubble falling from above coming to collide with and surely crush him. At least the death would be swift he thought.
“WILLIAM” The sound of his name, the panic in there voice, it was enough to snap him out of his dissociative state and he let out a yelp that could have been more of a scream before making contact with what would eventually kill him. But that never came, instead it hovered over his head and Rick stood before him with that rubble in his hands. Relief flooded his entire body. This is what got him to finally start crying and he hugged his strong, life saving boyfriend, planting a loving kiss on his lips. Rick threw the piece of wall aside hugging him back tightly and they just stayed like that for a couple more perfect moments. Whatever was happening, which ever villain was attacking this time, it would all be ok as long as they were together.
Then, descending from above like an angel, Invincible floated into view through the smoke and destruction. If Mark was here there was no villain who could hurt them now. Despite everything a smile spread across Williams face a small amount of euphoria rising within him.
Him and Mark had been growing apart as of late. They’d both been busy with uni and superhero work respectively and had struggled to make time for each other. Despite this William still trusted Mark with his life and knew that when they were together nothing bad could ever really happen to him.
Mark seemed happy too, his face had an almost elated smile on it. Only then did both the men standing below notice the missing Cowell and it looked like he was injured too, with blood splattered up his neck and face. But they figured he couldn’t be to badly hurt if he looked so happy. He’d seen Mark shrug off things that would have easily put William out of commission. The superhero touched down in front of them staring with a strange intensity at the boys interlaced hands, though the smile never left his face.
“Are you alright?” Mark asked with a soft concern in his voice.
“We’re both ok. Mark, what’s going on?!” Rick asked sounding alarmed.
But Mark didn’t even acknowledge that he’d spoken. Instead looking William up and down surveying him for any damage.
“You’re injured! You shouldn’t be walking on that foot!” Mark said with rising concern as he stepped over and scooped up William into a bridal carry like he weighed nothing at all.
“Mark I’m fine, you don’t need to hold me! Shouldn’t you be fighting the villain?” He rebutdtaled.
“What villain?” Mark asked looking slightly confused.
“The one attacking the university!” William was now getting a little concerned about his friend who didn’t seem fully aware of the gravity of the situation.
“On no” Mark let out a light chuckle “that’s me” That horrible pit formed again in Williams stomach as he realised just how small he must seem in Marks grasp. He wasn’t serious. He couldn’t be!
Rick placed his hand firmly on William’s shoulder looking deeply concerned and a little cautious but voice firm.
“I think you should put him down now Mark”
“Who is this?” Mark was now looking at Rick for the first time since he’d arrived. The question sounded more annoyed than curious.
“Rick?… My boyfriend…” William was now very uncomfortable squirming in the Viltrumites arms. But Marks hold was firm and held him tight. Why was Mark asking who Rick was?
“No” Marks smile dropped slightly stepping back away from Rick, arms tightening “You’re supposed to be with me, silly” and then -like it was the most normal thing in the world- Mark leaned down and kissed him. The kiss was deep and passionate, like a couple who’d been apart for far too long. Rick immediately sprung into action attempting to pull the two apart but his efforts were nothing compared to Invisibles strength. When Mark started to slip his tongue into William’s mouth he went from squirming to out right thrashing, turning his head to the side to escape this kiss.
“WHAT THE FUCK MARK! What the hell do you think you’re doing!?!” He yelled still trying to pull away.
“Put him down, now!” Rick’s face had gone from concern to down right anger.
“William? Why are you pulling away from me? Is it because of him?” Looking up at Rick again. Mark actually sounded hurt that his advances were being rejected. Then without warning they flew up into the sky high above the university leaving Rick and the ruins of the buildings behind. The sudden movement made Williams stomach tern and he went from thrashing violently to holding on for dear life. He would usually beg mark to take him flying but right now he wanted nothing more than to be back on solid ground. If Mark was serious about being the one attacking the campus then he’d clearly had some sort of mental break and could drop him at any moment or worse.
“Look, there we go, he’s gone now. You don’t have to pull away anymore” And he leaned in for another kiss but William covered his mouth before he could make contact, with both hands he kept an iron grip over his face.
“William, stop being silly” Marks voice was firmer now but still laced with affection.
“Mark, please… please put me down. You’re scaring me” it came out more of a whisper than he would have liked but it was true he was afraid of whatever was making Mark act like this.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you! I guess I got a bit over excited, I’m just really happy to have you back. Dad’s gonna be so shocked when I bring you home!” His smile returned to his face wider than before.
What was he talking about? They’d only hung out a couple weeks ago and he could have called any time. Was he going to take him back to his house? Why? There’s no way Marks dad could actually be there right? He was taken hostage by the Viltrumites, Mark had told him himself.
“Come on, let’s get you home” That look Mark was giving him, it was a mix between pure affection and something darker more positive. They started moving, prompting William to grab on tightly afraid of falling. As the wind blew through his hair he felt the urge to throw up again but instead he just started shaking. He could have sworn that Mark was taking deep breaths of his hair, smelling him several times like some sort of creep.
As they approached the Grayson house instead of descending into it like he’d expected they rose to an even higher altitude eventually joining a circle of flying men. William looked to see who they were and to his utter surprise and shock it was Mark… 7 more times. Each of them looked slightly different, one resembling Omni man to williams great discomfort. From above he had a good enough view to see it wasn’t just his university that got attacked but the entire city, probably beyond that too. William hadn’t even realised that he’d started to panic again breaths being so shallow and rapid it was a struggle getting any amount of air in at all. All these different versions of Mark, where had they come from? To Williams horror or maybe slightly his relief the insane person carrying him was not his best friend all, he knew that his Mark would never do this to him. Whoever he was with now was a stranger barely worthy of the title Invincible. Then he noticed something, as much as he was staring at them they were all staring back at him to. Some looking confused others bored but one (even in a mask covering his full face) looked noticeably melancholic at the site of him.
“What the fuck are you doing bringing him here for dumbass?!” The one with a poorly shaved Mohawk practically spat with a chuckle. The sudden moment made William recoil in fear and disgust. What he really wanted to do was shout back ‘what the hell are you freaks doing in my city!?!’ but he wasn’t stupid enough to say it out loud.
“I did my part, Paris is practically gone. He’s my consolation prize for all this hard work” The Mark that was holding him practically beamed as he said it. Though Williams blood ran cold with that one simple sentence. What had he done to Paris? This man was a lunatic. He’d practically stopped breathing at this point panic really setting in. It was becoming obvious how much danger he was actually in right now but what was supposed to do against this monster? But still he couldn’t just give in to whatever twisted things this Mark wanted to do to him.
“I’m not some prize Jackass! Put me down!” And now William was thrashing again trying to break free of this man’s iron grip to no avail. It was like Mark didn’t even notice his attempts to get free.
Then again the Mark with the Mohawk spoke through almost cackling laughter. “What?! Why on earth would you want this annoying little brat? If you have to have someone at least pick someone good, like Eve” he was practically wheezing now and William made a note he should probably be offended but if this Mark actually had chosen someone else he wouldn’t be in this situation at all.
“What are you talking about? Why would I want Eve? William is perfect” This only got the Mohawk Mark to double over and laugh harder.
The other Marks seemed mostly uninterested by the conversation if not slightly irritated by Mohawk Marks cackling. Until the one dressed in black and yellow speaks up irritation present in his voice. “ Ugh, where’s Angstrom already! He’s late, I’m gonna kill him when he gets here I swear to god! ”
“You can’t kill him or we’re all gonna be trapped in this dimension” The voice came from the biggest of the Marks, the one with the striking resemblance to Omni man. His tone was not angry or amused but absolute and certain.
So they were from other dimensions? That explains a lot but didn’t exactly make William feel any better about his situation. Before anyone could complain again a green light washed over them and a man with a grim smile stepped out onto a floating translucent platform, orb shaped cameras circling above him.
“Fucking finally” the Mohawk copy groaned.
“Yeah what the fuck man, you were supposed to be here an hour ago” whined a copy with a string symbol on his shoulder.
“Well I’m here now and it seems you’ve done a beautiful job here” he retorts his eyes scanning across the group until landing on William making his stomach turn and sweat soke his shirt. “ Well well, who’s our gest?” Who William assumed to be Angstrom said with a devilish grin.
“He’s my boyfriend” the Invincible carrying him said it so simply like it wasn’t something totally insane.
“No, I am not!” William yelled going back to trying to push out of his captors grip. Angstrom cocked a brow at the scene in front of him seemingly quite amused.
“ He was our friend in quite a few dimensions ” The Omni mark said, not for William’s benefit but to clear up any confusion.
“Stop it Will, you’re gonna fall” This bargain bin version of his friend had the audacity to sound concerned about him. Looking back up at Angstrom “I want to bring him home. Please, I’ve done everything you’ve asked. Just let me steal him!”
That comment was more than enough to get William from struggling to screaming and punching. “ HELP! MARK, PLEASE HELP ME!” He was calling out for his Mark, the real one, the one that would never let this happen to him. He didn’t want to go to anywhere with this crazy Mark, especially not another dimension. Away from is family, his friends, Rick. Just then a question dawned on him that made him want to throw up again. Where was his Mark? Non of these copy’s were bragging about killing him. It seems like something they’d do. But then where was he? Why wasn’t he here fighting these lunatics?
“See! He’s Marks friend, and you want to hurt Invincible right. Let me take him!” He was pleading now practically begging.
“Fine” Angstrom chuckled but his tone was not so light any more. “But I want Invincible here first. I want him to see it” no one moved for a couple of tense moments “Don’t worry, I’ll look after your little boyfriend” Slowly this Mark floated towards the platform and placed William down on it. Sharp stabbing pain shot up his leg as he put weight on his injured foot but before he could fall a strong hand gripped his upper arm and held him close. Maskless Mark came in for one last kiss but William pulled his head away. With a disappointed look Mark turned and flew into the red sky’s.