Fic: It's My Sweet Beginning
Fandom: The Social Network
Title: It's My Sweet Beginning
Character/Pairing(s): Dustin, Sean, Erica, Marilyn, OMC, Mark/Eduardo
Rating: PG
Word Count: 4580
Summary: Five times some one saw it before Mark, and one time Mark saw it.
Disclaimer: Based on the fictional representations of these people, and I do not own them.
A/N - For the winter tsn-a-thon. Team Hughes can't lose!
one
Dustin never read Sherlock Holmes, but he's aware that the only reason Sherlock and Watson ever met was because somebody thought it would be a good idea to introduce them. Some one in the mind of Arhtur Conan Doyle looked at the antisocial Sherlock Holmes and the friendly, polite Watson and thought those two would make great friends.
Dustin's feeling like that guy right now.
Granted when he introduces Eduardo to Mark his thoughts are less they'd be great friends, and more Eduardo should meet Mark! It'll be hilarious!
It is hilarious. Mark insults Eduardo's hair at least five times in two sentences, and Eduardo just laughs like he finds it endearing. He probably does. Eduardo's a little weird. Mark looks at Eduardo like he's insane, but then smiles when Eduardo starts complimenting Mark on how smart he must be for getting offers from Microsoft.
Dustin doesn't really stick around for the rest of the conversation because a really hot girl walks by, and he has priorities, but eventually when he looks over again, Mark and Eduardo are laughing with each other, and Mark actually looks like he's having fun for once.
Dustin realizes he didn't just introduce Sherlock to his Watson; he introduced Mark to his Eduardo.
This friendly, polite, Brazilian boy managed to make antisocial Mark smile at a party. Dustin doubts there is anyone else out there capable of such magical skills. Eduardo is special.
Across the room, Mark whispers something in Eduardo's ear. Eduardo grins and nods, and the two leave the party side by side, Eduardo resting a hand on the small of Mark's back.
That's when Dustin sees it.
-
The next day, when Dustin gets back to Kirkland -- yeah, he got lucky -- he asks Mark how it went with Eduardo.
“How did what go with Eduardo?” is Mark's reply.
Dustin raises his eyebrows. “I saw you guys leaving together.”
“Yeah, we thought the party was lame so we came back here and watched a movie,” Mark explain like this is something he does all the time.
“Yeah but, are you guys going to hang out again?” Dustin asks.
Mark shrugs. “Sure. We're friends.”
Oh, Dustin thinks. “Wow, you're an idiot,” Dustin says.
Mark just frowns at him in confusion, then kicks him out of his room because he smells like sex.
“At least I got some!” Dustin shouts at Mark's closed door.
-
two
Erica's been dating Mark a week by the time he finally invites her over to Kirkland. It's not that she's desperate to go, but from all the stories she's heard about Dustin, and Chris, and the oh so wonderful Eduardo, she finds that she's feeling very curious at this point.
Besides, Mark has met -- and offended -- all her friends. It's about time she did the same with his - minus the offending.
When Mark opens the door for her, and Erica enters the suite, the first thing she hears is “Oh my God, she's real!”
Mark turns to glare at a chirpy redhead who Erica assumes must be Dustin.
She introduces herself to his roommates, and gets into a conversation with Chris about art which Mark ignores to go and code, and Dustin keeps interrupting with non-sequitur about Nicholas Cage movies.
“Where's Eduardo?” Erica asks when she feels the conversation dying. And also because she's getting annoyed at Mark ignoring her, and hopes maybe he'll get off his laptop and join them. “Doesn't he live with you guys?”
“Not officially,” Dustin tells her. “But pretty much.”
Erica gives him a confused look.
“He spends more time here than in his own dorm,” Chris explains. “He'll probably come over soon. I think he had an Investor's Association thing.”
Chris offers her a beer, and Dustin tells her the story of when Mark got a fever so bad he started hallucinating, and probably would have died were it not for Eduardo.
As if on cue, Eduardo enters the room, carrying boxes of Chinese food.
“Oh, hi,” He says when he spots Erica sitting on the couch next to Dustin. “You must be Erica. I'm so sorry I didn't know you'd be here,” Eduardo says as he puts down the food. “You can have some of Mark's. He'll probably let it get cold anyway.”
Erica smiles gratefully, and digs in to the food as Dustin and Chris fight over what channel to put the TV on.
“Mark, come eat!” Eduardo calls out, taking a seat beside her. Mark doesn't move.
“So you're the infamous Eduardo,” Erica notes.
“Infamous?” Eduardo asks.
“Oh yeah, Mark never shuts up about you.”
“Oh,” Eduardo says, his cheeks flushing. “Um, anything I should know about?”
“Only good things, I promise,” Erica says.
Eduardo gives her a small smile, before glancing at Mark fondly. He seems to catch himself, and shakes his head.
“He's being rude. I'm sorry,” He says, and stands up.
Erica watches him telling Mark to join them. Mark ignores him.
“Mark,” Eduardo says in a stern tone.
It occurs to Erica that maybe this is a girlfriend's job, not a best friend's one. Though she doubts she'd be able to shake Mark out of his code. She can barely keep his attention span on one single conversation topic while they talk.
Eduardo on the other hand, he looks like he knows what he's doing. He's probably done this a million times, being Mark's best friend and all. It still doesn't stop the slight tinge of jealousy that run through Erica. Don't be ridiculous, she tells herself.
Still she asks, “Should I help?” Nodding over to them.
Chris shrugs. “It's best to just let Eduardo handle it.”
Erica goes back to watching them. Eduardo puts a hand on Mark's shoulder, and Mark finally tears his eyes away from the screen and looks up at Eduardo. Eduardo says something, his eyes soft. Erica's too far to hear it, but whatever it is works, because Mark rolls his eyes and smiles a little at Eduardo, before standing up and joining them.
He takes the seat next to Erica, and starts picking at a box of fried rice.
Eduardo sits on the floor next to Dustin.
Erica watches them, like she's watching some odd mating ritual on Animal Planet. Mark looks up from is rice and catches Eduardo's eye. They both smile at each other briefly before Eduardo catches himself and asks Erica what's her major.
Erica tells him, but she doesn't fail to notice Mark from the corner of her eye, still watching Eduardo. Only Eduardo.
That's when Erica sees it.
-
Chris and Dustin tell Erica she's allowed to stay over if she wants.
Erica tells them she doesn't want to impose.
“Don't worry about it. Eduardo stays over all the time,” Dustin says, waving a dismissive hand at her. Somehow that makes the imposing even worse, so she declines.
Mark walks her to her bus stop because Eduardo told him to. Erica doesn't know how she feels about that. Mostly she just wants to get out of Harvard as fast as she can.
“Mark?” She says as they walk together in silence.
“Hm?”
“You and Eduardo are pretty close, right?”
“Yeah, he's my best friend.”
Erica nods. “Well have you ever - I don't know - considered that maybe you guys aren't friends?”
Mark frowns. “We are,” he says, his tone irritated.
“No, I know,” Erica says gently. “I just - while I was there I got the feeling that -” She trails off with a sigh. “I mean you payed more attention to him than me, in there. Doesn't that tell you something?”
“I can pay more attention to you if you want,” Mark says quickly, completely missing her point.
Erica shakes her head as they reach their destination. “Don't worry about it Mark. It doesn't matter.”
Mark hesitates, like he knows something is wrong but doesn't know what to do about it. He gives her a light kiss and says he'll call her, before shuffling away. Back home to Eduardo.
-
three
Here's the thing, Sean Parker doesn't give a damn about people's feelings, unless it benefits him in some way. Why waste time worrying about some one else's emotions, when you could be out there making yourself better? Maybe it's selfish, but he's gotten by so far, and he's only been punched in the face twice, so it's clearly not as bad as everyone makes it out to be.
He's getting the feeling he's going to get his third punch soon. And by he's getting the feeling he means he's provoking Eduardo, and a punch will be the most likely result. He's good at reading people. Everyone may think Eduardo's the nice one, but the Disney-eyed kid definitely has some rage issues he'd love to take out on Sean.
Sean doesn't get it. He never did anything to the guy. If anything Sean should be the one who hates him - which he does. Eduardo's the one who used his first meeting with Sean as an opportunity to practice his bitch-pout.
Eduardo's sitting outside by the pool with his legs splashing about in the water. He got some sleep since his screaming match with Mark in the hallway - that yes, Sean did eavesdrop on. What was with the please don't tell him I said that? - and now he's sitting out by the pool in the early dawn light brooding, or whatever it is people who don't have awesome lives do. Sean really wouldn't know.
Eduardo's ignoring Mark, who's sitting by his laptop and ignoring him back. It's super awkward. Sean's considering slipping out for the day, except he feels kind of bad for Zuckerberg because most of the rage he got from Eduardo was probably caused by him. Not bad enough to do anything about it, but still.
“Hey,” He says to Mark, who isn't actually wired in, just pretending to be so he can take out all his anger on his keyboard.
Mark ignores him.
“Wanna go out tonight?” Sean suggests.
“No,” Mark says.
“Come on. Just me and you. You look like you need to get laid.”
“I don't want to go out, Sean!” Mark snaps.
Dustin - who totally sucks at being wired in - jumps a little and looks around in confusion.
“Back to work,” Sean reminds him.
As Dustin goes back to typing Mark stops. He looks out the glass doors to where Eduardo's still moping and sighs.
He gets up, pushing past Sean without a word, and walks out to the pool, taking a seat next to Eduardo. Eduardo stops splashing, but neither of them say anything; they just sit.
Sean wonders if maybe he should interrupt before the talking does start, and the inevitable shouting that accompanies it, but something stops him. Mark's looking at Eduardo. It shouldn't be weird, because Mark's probably looked at Eduardo a lot of times. Hell, Mark looks at everyone. That's what eyes or for.
But it is weird. It's different. He stares at Eduardo with this expression that Sean can't really place. It's completely foreign to him. Mark's eyes are soft, and he just watches Eduardo like there's nothing else. Eduardo won't look at him. He has his eyes fixed pointedly on the water.
Sean frowns. What the hell is going on?
Eduardo finally looks up. He and Mark just stare at each other in silence. Neither of them move, or speak, or maybe breathe. Sean's too far to tell.
Then Eduardo gives Mark a tiny smile accompanied by sad eyes. And Mark smiles too, ever so slightly. And Eduardo nudges Mark with his shoulder. And Mark nudges back. They both keep nudging, and smiling, and splashing. Never letting a word slip between them, like the conversation was in those looks.
Okay, Sean thinks. He knows what this is.
That's when Sean sees it.
-
Things aren't okay. Eduardo flies back, and freezes the account, and Peter Thiel invests, and the question is asked.
Who is Eduardo Saverin?
Sean doesn't think too much about what he saw, but then there are papers Mark needs Eduardo to sign, and it flickers through his mind.
“It's what's best for the company,” Sean assures Mark.
He thinks of those smiles, and looks. The ones that felt so foreign to him. He doubts those will be around much longer. It's strangely unsettling.
“There's other people out there, Mark. He doesn't have to be your CFO just because-”
“I know!” Mark snaps. Sean doesn't think he does. If he did he probably wouldn't have let Eduardo sign.
Still. What's done is done. And Sean Parker doesn't give a damn about people's feelings.
-
four
Marilyn's job requires that she knows how to read people. She prides herself in being able to spot people's strengths and weaknesses within minutes of their acquaintance. She wants to be the kind of lawyer who knows when her client is lying to her, so that she can better help that client in the future.
She thinks she has Mark and Eduardo figured out in less than a minute.
There's a settlement agreement, just like Marilyn told Mark there'd be.
They sit across from each other, avoiding each other's eyes, as Gretchen and Sy discuss the terms of the settlement. Eduardo's getting his money, and his name on the masthead. It's basically what he wanted. Except he doesn't look, happy, or smug, or even just satisfied. He looks like he hates it as much as Mark.
He scratches his name on the correct parts of the papers, and pushes them across the table for Mark to sign. Mark finally looks up at him. His eyes are so broken. Both their eyes are. They stare for a moment, before Sy hands Mark a pen.
They both break away.
Mark signs his name.
Everything's finished.
Papers get put into files and folders, to be put in all the right places. Sy and Gretchen leave with polite nods and goodbyes to their clients. Eduardo fumbles with his jacket. Mark opens up his laptop.
Marilyn collects up the last of the papers, when she hears it. It's quiet, and tentative, and so, so broken.
“Goodbye, Mark.”
She looks up. Mark is watching Eduardo from behind his laptop. Eduardo's brown eyes reflect back hundreds of emotions rolled into one. It becomes clear to Marilyn that she missed something before.
That's when Marilyn sees it.
-
Eduardo shrugs on his jacket and leaves. Mark still hasn't said anything. He stares blankly at the window that was behind Eduardo.
“Mark?” Marilyn asks.
Mark blinks and turns to look at her. His eyes are devastated, and it's the most human he's looked throughout this entire ordeal.
“He was never supposed to leave,” Mark admits.
“He didn't want to. You have to know that.”
Mark shrugs.
“Mark, he- how could you possibly miss this?”
Mark frowns. “Miss what?”
Marilyn sighs. “You know, I think you're better off not knowing at this point.”
Mark keeps frowning, but Marilyn just gives him a professional smile and leaves.
-
five
Ted's new to the world of business. He's not a bad businessman, he's not a great one either but he's learning. Ted's problem is he's kind of out of touch with the world, and he's known for putting his foot in his mouth. Which is oddly enough what makes him feel so comfortable around Mr Zuckerberg. He clearly has the same problem and the two of them hit it off.
Ted admits that events like these make him nervous since he's so unknown. “I don't want to screw up my career before I even have one, you know?”
Mr Zuckerberg nods vaguely. “Don't worry, once you have a career you can do whatever you want,” He assures him.
Ted can't believe this kid's even real. How in the hell he founded a company, Ted doesn't really know. But then again, Ted's never used Facebook, so maybe it's one of those unorthodox companies. He thinks he'll check when he gets home.
“I have to admit, Mr Zuckerberg, I've never actually used Facebook before.”
“Mark,” Mark says, and then registers the rest of the sentence from the offended look on his face.
“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insult you. I've never been good with internet things. Although I was talking to some one earlier and he said I should definitely use it,” Ted says. “Oh, you should meet him. You two seem like you'd get along great.”
“We've been talking for ten minutes. You can't possibly know that,” Mark says, but follows Ted in the search of the Facebook promoting guy.
Ted finds him at the open bar. He greets the man with a smile. The man smiles back and then notices Mark behind him and his face falls.
“Hello!” Ted says. “I'm sorry, I've completely forgotten your name. I'm terrible, I know.” Ted feels embarrassed, and the look Mark and Eduardo are giving each other makes him nervous.
“Eduardo,” Eduardo says coldly, not looking at Ted.
Ted must have really screwed up this time. There's a weird tension in the air, and he doesn't know why, so he tries to save the moment before it becomes worse.
“Anyway, Mark, this is the guy I was telling you about,” Ted says cautiously. “I think you'd get along.” He doesn't sound so sure anymore.
Mark and Eduardo watch each other, then Mark smirks, and sticks out a hand.
Eduardo watches it suspiciously, then takes it.
“Nice to meet you,” Mark says. “Ted says you've been urging him to use my website.”
“Yes,” Eduardo replies, then pauses. “Wait, you're that Mark?”
They both smile like they're sharing a private joke. Ted's mildly confused, but he's going with it because at least it isn't awkward anymore.
“Actually,” Mark begins. “That Mark's sort of gone now. You know - grew up and stuff,” He says hesitantly.
Eduardo nods slowly. “Well that's - okay.”
“Okay,” Mark repeats.
They fall into silence, and Ted's phobia of awkwardness makes him exclaim, “How about drinks?” Before ordering some from the bar. The three of them stand around awkwardly, and Ted tries to spot his wife in the crowd of people so she could maybe save him.
“Where do you live, Eduardo?” Mark asks.
Eduardo looks at him like he's considering the question carefully.
“Singapore. Although, I've been looking to come back to the States.”
Mark nods. “You should come to Palo Alto.”
Eduardo gives him a complicated look. “Bad memories,” is all he says.
Mark shrugs and looks into his drink. “Maybe you can make some good ones.”
“Mark -” Eduardo starts,but Mark interrupts him.
“It could be better this time. I mean, maybe Palo Alto's changed since you last saw it. Maybe it's better than last time.”
“I- I want to, I do, I just-” Eduardo sighs. “I need time, okay?”
“Time for what?” Mark asks.
Ted realizes what a giant idiot he is, because these two obviously know each other. And have a rocky history. And he's brought them together. Ugh, this is so typical of his life. Classic Ted. He wants to drown himself.
“I don't know! Time to accept that maybe you're never going to understand why what you did hurt, Mark! You're just- It's right in front of you and you can't even see it! I mean, even Ted can see it and he thought it'd be a good idea to introduce you to me!”
Eduardo puts down his drink and apologizes to Ted quickly before walking away.
“What was he talking about?” Mark asks.
Ted opens his mouth to answer, but he doesn't quite know how. He thinks maybe if he doesn't talk he won't make the situation any worse.
“You don't know, do you?” Mark says, before walking away angrily.
The thing is, Ted does know this time.
For once, that's when Ted sees it.
-
Ted does eventually find his wife, who informs him about the lawsuit between the two gentlemen Ted 'introduced' two each other. Ted has never wanted the world to swallow him whole more than he does today.
He feels sort of awful. This is why he's not a great businessman, because it's his fault crap like this happens. Now Mark and Eduardo are gonna remember him as that idiot who didn't know they knew each other. He feels like he should apologize, but he doesn't know where he'd even begin. He's determined to do it, though. He's already screwed up bad enough.
He finds Mark first. He's getting talked at by a blonde man who looks like he's berating him.
“He's he one who started shouting!” Mark says, but the blonde doesn't look like he cares for Mark's opinion.
“I don't care,” The man says. “If you think it's gonna go bad, just don't talk to him.”
“Hi,” Ted interrupts. Mark glares at him. The other man just looks politely annoyed. “I'm sorry, I just came to apologize for earlier, I didn't know.”
The blonde snaps back to face Mark. “What is he apologizing for?”
“Why are you looking at me like it's my fault? He's the one apologizing!”
“Mark,” the man says in a warning tone.
“Chris,” Mark repeats in the same voice.
Chris lets out a long-winded sigh. It seems like he does it a lot. “I'm going to find Eduardo. Stay here. Try not to speak.” He nods to Ted and walks away.
Mark glares at his back, then at Ted.
“I'm so sorry.”
“I know,” Mark says.
“Look, if it helps I get what it must feel like. I run into my ex-wife all the time.”
Mark's glare deepens. “He's not my ex-wife.”
“No, but obviously you loved him once. Having to run into some one you loved when it all ended badly is-”
“What are you talking about?” Mark interrupts.
Right, Ted remembers. He doesn't see it.
“Nothing. I'm sorry, Mr Zuckerberg.”
“It's Mark.”
Ted winces. “I know. I'm sorry,” Hesays, before running away to find his wife again.
“How'd it go?” She asks.
“I think he wants to kill me,” Ted says, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
-
and mark
Mark wants to stop thinking about Eduardo. In an ideal world, he would have by now, but the universe hates him and he's stuck trying to figure out what Eduardo means. It's stupid. He can't actually expect Mark to magically know what he's talking about when he's being all cryptic. Not to mention that jackass Ted wouldn't tell him either.
Mark feels like he hates everyone.
But also, he's made it his mission to actually try so he calls Eduardo. Several times.
“I'm sorry. I don't know why you're mad apart from the obvious, but whatever it is, I'm sorry.”
“I can't read minds, Wardo. Just tell me for God's sake. Your name's on the masthead of a website dedicated to the sole purpose of communication and connecting and you can't even tell me why you're upset.”
“I don't care, okay? Forget it.”
“I know I screwed up. I don't always say the right thing. I'm an idiot. Dustin's been telling me repeatedly since I got back. Just- I know it's probably for the wrong thing, but I am sorry.”
“Please pick up.”
Mark's pretty pissed off at this point. Eduardo's constant ignorance is interrupting his work, and he can't concentrate anymore because all he can think about is it's right in front of you and you can't even see it!
He calls Chris into his office.
“Why is he mad at me?” He asks when Chris walks in.
Chris looks like he's restraining himself from physical violence. “You know I have real work to do, right?”
“I haven't done anything, lately,” Mark points out.
Chris rolls his eyes. “I don't work for you, I work for Facebook,” Chris reminds him.
Mark shrugs, because they're practically the same thing and Chris is just in denial because he can't stand the thought of having Mark as a boss.
“That's off-topic. Why is Eduardo mad me?”
“Ask him yourself,” Chris says.
“I did.”
“And?”
“He won't answer my calls.”
Chris groans and looks up to the sky asking why me?
“Chris?” Mark asks.
Chris glares at him.
“I'm trying, but I don't know what I'm supposed to do.”
“That's the problem. You're supposed to know.”
It's Mark's turn to groan. “Jesus, why is everyone talking in fucking riddles?”
“Because you can't see it even when it's blatantly obvious,” Chris deadpans.
“See what?”
“Oh my God, Mark, he's in love with you! He has been since, like, the dawning of time! And then you cut him out and you made him feel like he didn't mean anything to you! And you're in love with him too, in case you didn't notice, which you probably didn't! Is that clear enough for you?” Chris exclaims.
“Oh,” is all Mark says.
“You're an idiot,” Chris tells him. Mark whole-heartedly agrees.
Chris softens a little and sighs. “Look, I'm tired of watching you two dance around each other when you both clearly want the same thing, so call him or whatever.”
He walks out of Mark's office without another word.
Mark thinks back to Harvard. He thinks to all those smiles, and the way Eduardo could read him better than anyone, and an arm around his shoulder, or a hand on his back, or a bump as they walked. He thinks of all the times Eduardo stayed with him, and the way he looked across a deposition table. He thinks back to the first time they met, and somehow Eduardo actually liked him. And Mark liked him back.
He thinks back to you're an idiot, and doesn't that tell you something, and there's others out there, Mark, and how could you possibly miss this, and you obviously loved him once.
He thinks about it all. All those times it was right there and he completely missed it.
And finally, Mark sees it.
-
Eduardo rolls his eyes when he answers his door.
“I don't want to talk to you, Mark,” He says, trying to close it again. Mark sticks his foot in the way.
Eduardo takes a deep breath to calm himself and opens the door again. “What?”
“You never told me.”
Eduardo looks to the floor.
“How am I supposed to just know? I'm not- I mean, I just-”
Mark sighs. “I am really sorry. For not seeing it, for not just stopping during the lawsuit and telling you how much I wanted you to stay, and for not telling you about the dilution, and for everything, Wardo.”
Eduardo raises an eyebrow. “You could have planned this a lot better, you know.”
Mark shrugs. “I finally see what everyone else does. I didn't want to waste anymore time.”
The corners of Eduardo's lips curl up into a tentative smile.
“You see, huh?”
Mark smiles too. “Yes.” After a beat, he adds, “Finally.”
Eduardo laughs. “I should have just told you.”
“Yes, but you wouldn't have had to if I wasn't such an idiot.”
Eduardo grins. “I choose 'em well, huh?”
Mark smirks. “I love you,” He says.
Eduardo steps forward and pull him into a kiss wrapping his arm around Mark's waist to keep him there. Mark holds the sides of Eduardo's face, cherishing the moment he always wanted but never really knew just how much.
“I love you too,” Eduardo says, pulling away slightly. “Just FYI.”
“I know!” Mark snaps. “More kissing.”
Eduardo laughs. “Okay.”
Title: It's My Sweet Beginning
Character/Pairing(s): Dustin, Sean, Erica, Marilyn, OMC, Mark/Eduardo
Rating: PG
Word Count: 4580
Summary: Five times some one saw it before Mark, and one time Mark saw it.
Disclaimer: Based on the fictional representations of these people, and I do not own them.
A/N - For the winter tsn-a-thon. Team Hughes can't lose!
one
Dustin never read Sherlock Holmes, but he's aware that the only reason Sherlock and Watson ever met was because somebody thought it would be a good idea to introduce them. Some one in the mind of Arhtur Conan Doyle looked at the antisocial Sherlock Holmes and the friendly, polite Watson and thought those two would make great friends.
Dustin's feeling like that guy right now.
Granted when he introduces Eduardo to Mark his thoughts are less they'd be great friends, and more Eduardo should meet Mark! It'll be hilarious!
It is hilarious. Mark insults Eduardo's hair at least five times in two sentences, and Eduardo just laughs like he finds it endearing. He probably does. Eduardo's a little weird. Mark looks at Eduardo like he's insane, but then smiles when Eduardo starts complimenting Mark on how smart he must be for getting offers from Microsoft.
Dustin doesn't really stick around for the rest of the conversation because a really hot girl walks by, and he has priorities, but eventually when he looks over again, Mark and Eduardo are laughing with each other, and Mark actually looks like he's having fun for once.
Dustin realizes he didn't just introduce Sherlock to his Watson; he introduced Mark to his Eduardo.
This friendly, polite, Brazilian boy managed to make antisocial Mark smile at a party. Dustin doubts there is anyone else out there capable of such magical skills. Eduardo is special.
Across the room, Mark whispers something in Eduardo's ear. Eduardo grins and nods, and the two leave the party side by side, Eduardo resting a hand on the small of Mark's back.
That's when Dustin sees it.
-
The next day, when Dustin gets back to Kirkland -- yeah, he got lucky -- he asks Mark how it went with Eduardo.
“How did what go with Eduardo?” is Mark's reply.
Dustin raises his eyebrows. “I saw you guys leaving together.”
“Yeah, we thought the party was lame so we came back here and watched a movie,” Mark explain like this is something he does all the time.
“Yeah but, are you guys going to hang out again?” Dustin asks.
Mark shrugs. “Sure. We're friends.”
Oh, Dustin thinks. “Wow, you're an idiot,” Dustin says.
Mark just frowns at him in confusion, then kicks him out of his room because he smells like sex.
“At least I got some!” Dustin shouts at Mark's closed door.
-
two
Erica's been dating Mark a week by the time he finally invites her over to Kirkland. It's not that she's desperate to go, but from all the stories she's heard about Dustin, and Chris, and the oh so wonderful Eduardo, she finds that she's feeling very curious at this point.
Besides, Mark has met -- and offended -- all her friends. It's about time she did the same with his - minus the offending.
When Mark opens the door for her, and Erica enters the suite, the first thing she hears is “Oh my God, she's real!”
Mark turns to glare at a chirpy redhead who Erica assumes must be Dustin.
She introduces herself to his roommates, and gets into a conversation with Chris about art which Mark ignores to go and code, and Dustin keeps interrupting with non-sequitur about Nicholas Cage movies.
“Where's Eduardo?” Erica asks when she feels the conversation dying. And also because she's getting annoyed at Mark ignoring her, and hopes maybe he'll get off his laptop and join them. “Doesn't he live with you guys?”
“Not officially,” Dustin tells her. “But pretty much.”
Erica gives him a confused look.
“He spends more time here than in his own dorm,” Chris explains. “He'll probably come over soon. I think he had an Investor's Association thing.”
Chris offers her a beer, and Dustin tells her the story of when Mark got a fever so bad he started hallucinating, and probably would have died were it not for Eduardo.
As if on cue, Eduardo enters the room, carrying boxes of Chinese food.
“Oh, hi,” He says when he spots Erica sitting on the couch next to Dustin. “You must be Erica. I'm so sorry I didn't know you'd be here,” Eduardo says as he puts down the food. “You can have some of Mark's. He'll probably let it get cold anyway.”
Erica smiles gratefully, and digs in to the food as Dustin and Chris fight over what channel to put the TV on.
“Mark, come eat!” Eduardo calls out, taking a seat beside her. Mark doesn't move.
“So you're the infamous Eduardo,” Erica notes.
“Infamous?” Eduardo asks.
“Oh yeah, Mark never shuts up about you.”
“Oh,” Eduardo says, his cheeks flushing. “Um, anything I should know about?”
“Only good things, I promise,” Erica says.
Eduardo gives her a small smile, before glancing at Mark fondly. He seems to catch himself, and shakes his head.
“He's being rude. I'm sorry,” He says, and stands up.
Erica watches him telling Mark to join them. Mark ignores him.
“Mark,” Eduardo says in a stern tone.
It occurs to Erica that maybe this is a girlfriend's job, not a best friend's one. Though she doubts she'd be able to shake Mark out of his code. She can barely keep his attention span on one single conversation topic while they talk.
Eduardo on the other hand, he looks like he knows what he's doing. He's probably done this a million times, being Mark's best friend and all. It still doesn't stop the slight tinge of jealousy that run through Erica. Don't be ridiculous, she tells herself.
Still she asks, “Should I help?” Nodding over to them.
Chris shrugs. “It's best to just let Eduardo handle it.”
Erica goes back to watching them. Eduardo puts a hand on Mark's shoulder, and Mark finally tears his eyes away from the screen and looks up at Eduardo. Eduardo says something, his eyes soft. Erica's too far to hear it, but whatever it is works, because Mark rolls his eyes and smiles a little at Eduardo, before standing up and joining them.
He takes the seat next to Erica, and starts picking at a box of fried rice.
Eduardo sits on the floor next to Dustin.
Erica watches them, like she's watching some odd mating ritual on Animal Planet. Mark looks up from is rice and catches Eduardo's eye. They both smile at each other briefly before Eduardo catches himself and asks Erica what's her major.
Erica tells him, but she doesn't fail to notice Mark from the corner of her eye, still watching Eduardo. Only Eduardo.
That's when Erica sees it.
-
Chris and Dustin tell Erica she's allowed to stay over if she wants.
Erica tells them she doesn't want to impose.
“Don't worry about it. Eduardo stays over all the time,” Dustin says, waving a dismissive hand at her. Somehow that makes the imposing even worse, so she declines.
Mark walks her to her bus stop because Eduardo told him to. Erica doesn't know how she feels about that. Mostly she just wants to get out of Harvard as fast as she can.
“Mark?” She says as they walk together in silence.
“Hm?”
“You and Eduardo are pretty close, right?”
“Yeah, he's my best friend.”
Erica nods. “Well have you ever - I don't know - considered that maybe you guys aren't friends?”
Mark frowns. “We are,” he says, his tone irritated.
“No, I know,” Erica says gently. “I just - while I was there I got the feeling that -” She trails off with a sigh. “I mean you payed more attention to him than me, in there. Doesn't that tell you something?”
“I can pay more attention to you if you want,” Mark says quickly, completely missing her point.
Erica shakes her head as they reach their destination. “Don't worry about it Mark. It doesn't matter.”
Mark hesitates, like he knows something is wrong but doesn't know what to do about it. He gives her a light kiss and says he'll call her, before shuffling away. Back home to Eduardo.
-
three
Here's the thing, Sean Parker doesn't give a damn about people's feelings, unless it benefits him in some way. Why waste time worrying about some one else's emotions, when you could be out there making yourself better? Maybe it's selfish, but he's gotten by so far, and he's only been punched in the face twice, so it's clearly not as bad as everyone makes it out to be.
He's getting the feeling he's going to get his third punch soon. And by he's getting the feeling he means he's provoking Eduardo, and a punch will be the most likely result. He's good at reading people. Everyone may think Eduardo's the nice one, but the Disney-eyed kid definitely has some rage issues he'd love to take out on Sean.
Sean doesn't get it. He never did anything to the guy. If anything Sean should be the one who hates him - which he does. Eduardo's the one who used his first meeting with Sean as an opportunity to practice his bitch-pout.
Eduardo's sitting outside by the pool with his legs splashing about in the water. He got some sleep since his screaming match with Mark in the hallway - that yes, Sean did eavesdrop on. What was with the please don't tell him I said that? - and now he's sitting out by the pool in the early dawn light brooding, or whatever it is people who don't have awesome lives do. Sean really wouldn't know.
Eduardo's ignoring Mark, who's sitting by his laptop and ignoring him back. It's super awkward. Sean's considering slipping out for the day, except he feels kind of bad for Zuckerberg because most of the rage he got from Eduardo was probably caused by him. Not bad enough to do anything about it, but still.
“Hey,” He says to Mark, who isn't actually wired in, just pretending to be so he can take out all his anger on his keyboard.
Mark ignores him.
“Wanna go out tonight?” Sean suggests.
“No,” Mark says.
“Come on. Just me and you. You look like you need to get laid.”
“I don't want to go out, Sean!” Mark snaps.
Dustin - who totally sucks at being wired in - jumps a little and looks around in confusion.
“Back to work,” Sean reminds him.
As Dustin goes back to typing Mark stops. He looks out the glass doors to where Eduardo's still moping and sighs.
He gets up, pushing past Sean without a word, and walks out to the pool, taking a seat next to Eduardo. Eduardo stops splashing, but neither of them say anything; they just sit.
Sean wonders if maybe he should interrupt before the talking does start, and the inevitable shouting that accompanies it, but something stops him. Mark's looking at Eduardo. It shouldn't be weird, because Mark's probably looked at Eduardo a lot of times. Hell, Mark looks at everyone. That's what eyes or for.
But it is weird. It's different. He stares at Eduardo with this expression that Sean can't really place. It's completely foreign to him. Mark's eyes are soft, and he just watches Eduardo like there's nothing else. Eduardo won't look at him. He has his eyes fixed pointedly on the water.
Sean frowns. What the hell is going on?
Eduardo finally looks up. He and Mark just stare at each other in silence. Neither of them move, or speak, or maybe breathe. Sean's too far to tell.
Then Eduardo gives Mark a tiny smile accompanied by sad eyes. And Mark smiles too, ever so slightly. And Eduardo nudges Mark with his shoulder. And Mark nudges back. They both keep nudging, and smiling, and splashing. Never letting a word slip between them, like the conversation was in those looks.
Okay, Sean thinks. He knows what this is.
That's when Sean sees it.
-
Things aren't okay. Eduardo flies back, and freezes the account, and Peter Thiel invests, and the question is asked.
Who is Eduardo Saverin?
Sean doesn't think too much about what he saw, but then there are papers Mark needs Eduardo to sign, and it flickers through his mind.
“It's what's best for the company,” Sean assures Mark.
He thinks of those smiles, and looks. The ones that felt so foreign to him. He doubts those will be around much longer. It's strangely unsettling.
“There's other people out there, Mark. He doesn't have to be your CFO just because-”
“I know!” Mark snaps. Sean doesn't think he does. If he did he probably wouldn't have let Eduardo sign.
Still. What's done is done. And Sean Parker doesn't give a damn about people's feelings.
-
four
Marilyn's job requires that she knows how to read people. She prides herself in being able to spot people's strengths and weaknesses within minutes of their acquaintance. She wants to be the kind of lawyer who knows when her client is lying to her, so that she can better help that client in the future.
She thinks she has Mark and Eduardo figured out in less than a minute.
There's a settlement agreement, just like Marilyn told Mark there'd be.
They sit across from each other, avoiding each other's eyes, as Gretchen and Sy discuss the terms of the settlement. Eduardo's getting his money, and his name on the masthead. It's basically what he wanted. Except he doesn't look, happy, or smug, or even just satisfied. He looks like he hates it as much as Mark.
He scratches his name on the correct parts of the papers, and pushes them across the table for Mark to sign. Mark finally looks up at him. His eyes are so broken. Both their eyes are. They stare for a moment, before Sy hands Mark a pen.
They both break away.
Mark signs his name.
Everything's finished.
Papers get put into files and folders, to be put in all the right places. Sy and Gretchen leave with polite nods and goodbyes to their clients. Eduardo fumbles with his jacket. Mark opens up his laptop.
Marilyn collects up the last of the papers, when she hears it. It's quiet, and tentative, and so, so broken.
“Goodbye, Mark.”
She looks up. Mark is watching Eduardo from behind his laptop. Eduardo's brown eyes reflect back hundreds of emotions rolled into one. It becomes clear to Marilyn that she missed something before.
That's when Marilyn sees it.
-
Eduardo shrugs on his jacket and leaves. Mark still hasn't said anything. He stares blankly at the window that was behind Eduardo.
“Mark?” Marilyn asks.
Mark blinks and turns to look at her. His eyes are devastated, and it's the most human he's looked throughout this entire ordeal.
“He was never supposed to leave,” Mark admits.
“He didn't want to. You have to know that.”
Mark shrugs.
“Mark, he- how could you possibly miss this?”
Mark frowns. “Miss what?”
Marilyn sighs. “You know, I think you're better off not knowing at this point.”
Mark keeps frowning, but Marilyn just gives him a professional smile and leaves.
-
five
Ted's new to the world of business. He's not a bad businessman, he's not a great one either but he's learning. Ted's problem is he's kind of out of touch with the world, and he's known for putting his foot in his mouth. Which is oddly enough what makes him feel so comfortable around Mr Zuckerberg. He clearly has the same problem and the two of them hit it off.
Ted admits that events like these make him nervous since he's so unknown. “I don't want to screw up my career before I even have one, you know?”
Mr Zuckerberg nods vaguely. “Don't worry, once you have a career you can do whatever you want,” He assures him.
Ted can't believe this kid's even real. How in the hell he founded a company, Ted doesn't really know. But then again, Ted's never used Facebook, so maybe it's one of those unorthodox companies. He thinks he'll check when he gets home.
“I have to admit, Mr Zuckerberg, I've never actually used Facebook before.”
“Mark,” Mark says, and then registers the rest of the sentence from the offended look on his face.
“I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insult you. I've never been good with internet things. Although I was talking to some one earlier and he said I should definitely use it,” Ted says. “Oh, you should meet him. You two seem like you'd get along great.”
“We've been talking for ten minutes. You can't possibly know that,” Mark says, but follows Ted in the search of the Facebook promoting guy.
Ted finds him at the open bar. He greets the man with a smile. The man smiles back and then notices Mark behind him and his face falls.
“Hello!” Ted says. “I'm sorry, I've completely forgotten your name. I'm terrible, I know.” Ted feels embarrassed, and the look Mark and Eduardo are giving each other makes him nervous.
“Eduardo,” Eduardo says coldly, not looking at Ted.
Ted must have really screwed up this time. There's a weird tension in the air, and he doesn't know why, so he tries to save the moment before it becomes worse.
“Anyway, Mark, this is the guy I was telling you about,” Ted says cautiously. “I think you'd get along.” He doesn't sound so sure anymore.
Mark and Eduardo watch each other, then Mark smirks, and sticks out a hand.
Eduardo watches it suspiciously, then takes it.
“Nice to meet you,” Mark says. “Ted says you've been urging him to use my website.”
“Yes,” Eduardo replies, then pauses. “Wait, you're that Mark?”
They both smile like they're sharing a private joke. Ted's mildly confused, but he's going with it because at least it isn't awkward anymore.
“Actually,” Mark begins. “That Mark's sort of gone now. You know - grew up and stuff,” He says hesitantly.
Eduardo nods slowly. “Well that's - okay.”
“Okay,” Mark repeats.
They fall into silence, and Ted's phobia of awkwardness makes him exclaim, “How about drinks?” Before ordering some from the bar. The three of them stand around awkwardly, and Ted tries to spot his wife in the crowd of people so she could maybe save him.
“Where do you live, Eduardo?” Mark asks.
Eduardo looks at him like he's considering the question carefully.
“Singapore. Although, I've been looking to come back to the States.”
Mark nods. “You should come to Palo Alto.”
Eduardo gives him a complicated look. “Bad memories,” is all he says.
Mark shrugs and looks into his drink. “Maybe you can make some good ones.”
“Mark -” Eduardo starts,but Mark interrupts him.
“It could be better this time. I mean, maybe Palo Alto's changed since you last saw it. Maybe it's better than last time.”
“I- I want to, I do, I just-” Eduardo sighs. “I need time, okay?”
“Time for what?” Mark asks.
Ted realizes what a giant idiot he is, because these two obviously know each other. And have a rocky history. And he's brought them together. Ugh, this is so typical of his life. Classic Ted. He wants to drown himself.
“I don't know! Time to accept that maybe you're never going to understand why what you did hurt, Mark! You're just- It's right in front of you and you can't even see it! I mean, even Ted can see it and he thought it'd be a good idea to introduce you to me!”
Eduardo puts down his drink and apologizes to Ted quickly before walking away.
“What was he talking about?” Mark asks.
Ted opens his mouth to answer, but he doesn't quite know how. He thinks maybe if he doesn't talk he won't make the situation any worse.
“You don't know, do you?” Mark says, before walking away angrily.
The thing is, Ted does know this time.
For once, that's when Ted sees it.
-
Ted does eventually find his wife, who informs him about the lawsuit between the two gentlemen Ted 'introduced' two each other. Ted has never wanted the world to swallow him whole more than he does today.
He feels sort of awful. This is why he's not a great businessman, because it's his fault crap like this happens. Now Mark and Eduardo are gonna remember him as that idiot who didn't know they knew each other. He feels like he should apologize, but he doesn't know where he'd even begin. He's determined to do it, though. He's already screwed up bad enough.
He finds Mark first. He's getting talked at by a blonde man who looks like he's berating him.
“He's he one who started shouting!” Mark says, but the blonde doesn't look like he cares for Mark's opinion.
“I don't care,” The man says. “If you think it's gonna go bad, just don't talk to him.”
“Hi,” Ted interrupts. Mark glares at him. The other man just looks politely annoyed. “I'm sorry, I just came to apologize for earlier, I didn't know.”
The blonde snaps back to face Mark. “What is he apologizing for?”
“Why are you looking at me like it's my fault? He's the one apologizing!”
“Mark,” the man says in a warning tone.
“Chris,” Mark repeats in the same voice.
Chris lets out a long-winded sigh. It seems like he does it a lot. “I'm going to find Eduardo. Stay here. Try not to speak.” He nods to Ted and walks away.
Mark glares at his back, then at Ted.
“I'm so sorry.”
“I know,” Mark says.
“Look, if it helps I get what it must feel like. I run into my ex-wife all the time.”
Mark's glare deepens. “He's not my ex-wife.”
“No, but obviously you loved him once. Having to run into some one you loved when it all ended badly is-”
“What are you talking about?” Mark interrupts.
Right, Ted remembers. He doesn't see it.
“Nothing. I'm sorry, Mr Zuckerberg.”
“It's Mark.”
Ted winces. “I know. I'm sorry,” Hesays, before running away to find his wife again.
“How'd it go?” She asks.
“I think he wants to kill me,” Ted says, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
-
and mark
Mark wants to stop thinking about Eduardo. In an ideal world, he would have by now, but the universe hates him and he's stuck trying to figure out what Eduardo means. It's stupid. He can't actually expect Mark to magically know what he's talking about when he's being all cryptic. Not to mention that jackass Ted wouldn't tell him either.
Mark feels like he hates everyone.
But also, he's made it his mission to actually try so he calls Eduardo. Several times.
“I'm sorry. I don't know why you're mad apart from the obvious, but whatever it is, I'm sorry.”
“I can't read minds, Wardo. Just tell me for God's sake. Your name's on the masthead of a website dedicated to the sole purpose of communication and connecting and you can't even tell me why you're upset.”
“I don't care, okay? Forget it.”
“I know I screwed up. I don't always say the right thing. I'm an idiot. Dustin's been telling me repeatedly since I got back. Just- I know it's probably for the wrong thing, but I am sorry.”
“Please pick up.”
Mark's pretty pissed off at this point. Eduardo's constant ignorance is interrupting his work, and he can't concentrate anymore because all he can think about is it's right in front of you and you can't even see it!
He calls Chris into his office.
“Why is he mad at me?” He asks when Chris walks in.
Chris looks like he's restraining himself from physical violence. “You know I have real work to do, right?”
“I haven't done anything, lately,” Mark points out.
Chris rolls his eyes. “I don't work for you, I work for Facebook,” Chris reminds him.
Mark shrugs, because they're practically the same thing and Chris is just in denial because he can't stand the thought of having Mark as a boss.
“That's off-topic. Why is Eduardo mad me?”
“Ask him yourself,” Chris says.
“I did.”
“And?”
“He won't answer my calls.”
Chris groans and looks up to the sky asking why me?
“Chris?” Mark asks.
Chris glares at him.
“I'm trying, but I don't know what I'm supposed to do.”
“That's the problem. You're supposed to know.”
It's Mark's turn to groan. “Jesus, why is everyone talking in fucking riddles?”
“Because you can't see it even when it's blatantly obvious,” Chris deadpans.
“See what?”
“Oh my God, Mark, he's in love with you! He has been since, like, the dawning of time! And then you cut him out and you made him feel like he didn't mean anything to you! And you're in love with him too, in case you didn't notice, which you probably didn't! Is that clear enough for you?” Chris exclaims.
“Oh,” is all Mark says.
“You're an idiot,” Chris tells him. Mark whole-heartedly agrees.
Chris softens a little and sighs. “Look, I'm tired of watching you two dance around each other when you both clearly want the same thing, so call him or whatever.”
He walks out of Mark's office without another word.
Mark thinks back to Harvard. He thinks to all those smiles, and the way Eduardo could read him better than anyone, and an arm around his shoulder, or a hand on his back, or a bump as they walked. He thinks of all the times Eduardo stayed with him, and the way he looked across a deposition table. He thinks back to the first time they met, and somehow Eduardo actually liked him. And Mark liked him back.
He thinks back to you're an idiot, and doesn't that tell you something, and there's others out there, Mark, and how could you possibly miss this, and you obviously loved him once.
He thinks about it all. All those times it was right there and he completely missed it.
And finally, Mark sees it.
-
Eduardo rolls his eyes when he answers his door.
“I don't want to talk to you, Mark,” He says, trying to close it again. Mark sticks his foot in the way.
Eduardo takes a deep breath to calm himself and opens the door again. “What?”
“You never told me.”
Eduardo looks to the floor.
“How am I supposed to just know? I'm not- I mean, I just-”
Mark sighs. “I am really sorry. For not seeing it, for not just stopping during the lawsuit and telling you how much I wanted you to stay, and for not telling you about the dilution, and for everything, Wardo.”
Eduardo raises an eyebrow. “You could have planned this a lot better, you know.”
Mark shrugs. “I finally see what everyone else does. I didn't want to waste anymore time.”
The corners of Eduardo's lips curl up into a tentative smile.
“You see, huh?”
Mark smiles too. “Yes.” After a beat, he adds, “Finally.”
Eduardo laughs. “I should have just told you.”
“Yes, but you wouldn't have had to if I wasn't such an idiot.”
Eduardo grins. “I choose 'em well, huh?”
Mark smirks. “I love you,” He says.
Eduardo steps forward and pull him into a kiss wrapping his arm around Mark's waist to keep him there. Mark holds the sides of Eduardo's face, cherishing the moment he always wanted but never really knew just how much.
“I love you too,” Eduardo says, pulling away slightly. “Just FYI.”
“I know!” Mark snaps. “More kissing.”
Eduardo laughs. “Okay.”