Oh Shelly, oh Shelly *clings and hugs and sobs* Oh Marc, oh Marc. This is so lovely and heartwrenching and oh god, this:

Marc pretends it doesn't matter. Second choice is better than no choice at all.

JUST KILLS ME. God.

I love this, Shelly. It's also making me sad for Show, because in 230 words you've fleshed out that week-long relationship better than they obviously cared to do on screen, and that shows that it doesn't matter how much time/words you have but what you do with it. And this ficlet somehow encompasses a whole week of doubt and sadness and denial and trying to tell himself it can still work and it doesn't matter HOW he ended up at Roman's side as long as he's there, until inevitably they get to a moment where they can't pretend anymore.

But I'm not going to rant against Show in your feedback comment, lol. Just going to be happy that you gave us this, because it makes it so much more real and stabby as it is, actually makes me feel better about the whole thing.

Marc wants to hate him. This boy--this man--who greedily holds onto Roman's heart so no other can have it.

*whimpers* GUYS, YOU COULD'VE GOT ALONG. YOU SO WOULD HAVE. GAAAAH.

I LOVE THIS, SHELLY! AND I LOVE YOU!