fic: it all comes back to me and you (andrew/jesse & mark/eduardo, prompt 23)
Title: It All Comes Back to Me and You
Recipient: andhereiam17
Prompt Number: 23
Characters/Pairings: Andrew/Jesse, Mark/Eduardo also brief appearances by Dustin, Emma Stone, and Justin Bartha.
Rating/Warnings: PG-13, alcohol consumption
Word Count: 6,372
Disclaimer: This fanwork is based on fictional representations of the characters in The Social Network; I make no claims of ownership of the characters or concepts. This fanwork also portrays fictional representations of real actors involved in The Social Network. These are not true accounts or meant to imply anything about these real people.
Summary: When Jesse meets Mark during the filming of SNL they realize they have something in common, crushes on their best friends. They start hanging out so much the paparazzi think they're dating. Eduardo begins emailing Mark eventually agreeing to meet with him, and Andrew starts calling Jesse and acting suspiciously jealous of Mark.
Note: I compressed the timeline a bit to make it seem like Jesse hosting SNL and Andrew seeing Asuncion happened within a few weeks of each other even though in reality it was almost a year apart. Also, thank you to A for being such a terrific beta.
“Mark, could I talk to you for a second?” Jesse asked, jogging slightly to catch up with Mark. He had just finished hosting Saturday Night Live for the first time in his life, and it had been completely nerve wracking but also incredibly fun. But, ever since he found out Mark was coming to participate in the monologue he had been dying for a chance to talk to him.
“Oh, uh, sure, I guess,” Mark replied, stuffing his hands in his hoodie pocket.
“Cool, uh, let’s go somewhere else,” Jesse said, jerking his head toward a room. Mark headed inside and Jesse followed behind shutting the door.
“So, what did you actually think of the movie?” Jesse asked, nervously standing in the corner of the room and rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet.
“I don’t know. I think you guys kind of focused on some weird stuff. Like the end where I sent the friend request to Erica, I thought that was weird. If I was going to try and be friends with someone I had lost through the course of Facebook’s creation it wouldn’t be Erica,” Mark said a faint red tinge painting his cheeks. “I mean, wait, I just mean…I only went out with Erica a few times. Eduardo was my best friend. He’s the one I would want back if I thought I had even the slightest chance of forgiveness.”
“Did we get your relationship with him right at all?” Jesse asked.
“Well, I mean, I hope I wasn’t as mean to him as you guys made me seem, but we were really close. You got that much right,” Mark said casting his eyes downward refusing to look anywhere near Jesse.
“Oh…I’m sorry that you think we made you look mean, by the way. And I’m very sorry if I’m reminding you of things you’d rather just forget.”
“No, weirdly enough, it’s kind of nice. I usually don’t have anyone to talk about this with besides Dustin who always just tells me I need to think of some grand gesture to get his attention, or Chris who always just tells me to apologize or move the fuck on,” Mark said pacing nervously by the doorway.
“Oh wow,” Jesse replied letting out a nervous laugh, “Yeah, I know how you feel… I’m kind of in love with one of my former costars and my friends are equally as unhelpful with advice about him as it sounds like yours are,” Jesse said sinking down onto one of the chairs in the room.
“Wait….like, romantic love? Which costar if you don’t mind me asking?” Mark asked sitting down across from Jesse.
“I feel like you should be able to ask me anything you like,” Jesse said with a laugh, “I mean, I basically pried into your life for a long time while making this movie. It seems only fair. But, uh, Andrew Garfield, he played Eduardo in the film.”
Mark looked at him oddly for a moment a complicated expression taking over his features before he mumbled just barely audible, “Well, isn’t that something, the person playing me fell in love with the person playing the person I love.”
Jesse’s head reeled at this surprising twist of information, “Wait, you’re in love with Eduardo?”
Mark grimaced, “You, uh, weren’t supposed to hear that…I guess there’s no way we could just pretend this conversation never happened, huh? But, wait, I saw some of the interviews you and Andrew did and he seemed to completely adore you. Why aren’t you two dating?”
“You saw some of our interviews? Why?” Jesse asked a small smile forming on his lips.
“Dustin used to like to send them to me. He thought it was hilarious they were making a movie so he would send me stuff about it with jokes about you being me. But, you didn’t answer my question,” Mark said and Jesse took a deep breath, letting it out slowly before he answered.
“Well, as far as I know Andrew never liked me in that way. I don’t even think he likes boys in that way at all. He’s just a really affectionate kind of person.”
“Yeah, okay.. sure,” Mark said a smirk pulling up the corners of his mouth, “But hey listen, I really have to get going but would you maybe want to grab lunch together tomorrow?”
“Uh, sure. I mean, yeah, that sounds good,” Jesse responded.
***
The next day found Jesse sitting at the restaurant they had decided to have lunch at, alone. Mark was ten minutes late already, and Jesse knew enough about him from playing him in The Social Network to know he might be waiting a while longer. So, he decided to try and call Andrew. It had been awhile since Andrew had actually answered and Jesse knew he was busy but he missed him. Andrew didn’t answer again and Jesse had already left him enough pathetic voicemails so he decided to just go ahead and hang up. Mark slid into the booth across from him while he was hanging up and said, “I got caught up in coding. Was that Andrew you were trying to call?”
“Yeah, but he didn’t answer,” Jesse said trying and failing to sound nonchalant about it.
“I’m sure he’s just busy,” Mark said.
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Jesse said shrugging slightly.
The waitress came over then to take their order and she seemed to recognize at least one of them, her mouth falling open in a comical o shape. They both ordered, and when the waitress went away Mark started talking.
"I just wish there was a way to go back and prevent it all from happening, you know?" he said. "I mean, even if it meant Facebook never existing."
Thirty minutes later, Mark still hadn't stopped talking about Eduardo so Jesse wanted to do something to help get his mind off him.
“You know what you need?” Jesse asked a grin forming on his lips.
“What?” Mark asked.
“A cat,” was Jesse’s response and Mark looked at him like he had gone completely mad.
“But, I already have Beast,” Mark sputtered out.
“But, no, cats are so much better. Come on, we’re going to the humane society,” Jesse said throwing some money on the table to cover the bill and sliding out of the booth.
When they got to the humane society the worker at the front desk greeted Jesse warmly.
"I take it you come here a lot," Mark said a small grin passing over his features.
"I do. I feel bad that I can't adopt all of the cats, so I like to at least come by and give them some attention. Plus, it's relaxing."
Mark nodded and Jesse led them both down the hallway and into the room where all the cats were. Mark's eyes were immediately drawn to a small orange cat lying by itself in the corner of the cage.
"That one is pretty cute," he said and Jesse nodded picking it up. He nuzzled it up against his face and it purred loudly. Mark scooped him up and started petting the top of his head.
"Yeah, this is the one," he said.
They headed back toward the front desk together and Jesse remembered something he had been meaning to ask. “Hey, I'm supposed to be going with my friend, Justin, to a bar tonight would you be interested in coming too?”
Mark nodded and Jesse gave him the name of the bar and told him to meet them there around nine.
***
“So, I invited Mark Zuckerberg to tag along. I hope that's okay,” Jesse said, plopping himself down on a seat next to Justin.
“Yeah, of course that's fine. But, um, you guys have been spending an awful lot of time together lately,” Justin said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
“Stop,” Jesse said, turning red, “It's not like that. We just have a shared experience that made us understand each other really well and become quick friends.”
“Sure, sure, that's what they all say,” Justin said with a small smirk, “No, but really I was just hoping maybe you were finally over Sir Garfield.”
At that moment Jesse spotted Mark making his way through the crowd and he raised his hand to wave him over, before turning back to Justin and shaking his head, “Sadly no.”
“What are we talking about?” Mark asked, sitting down clumsily beside Jesse and stuffing his hands immediately into his hoodie pocket.
“We were just talking about Andrew, and how he still hasn't called me back,” Jesse said stretching the truth a little in an effort to avoid letting Mark know his friend had been suspicious they were dating.
“I think that's a sign to start the drinking,” Mark said knocking gently on the counter to get the bartenders attention “Can we get a round of beers please? I'll take a Beck's and they can have whatever they want and then just keep them coming.”
Jesse ordered a Beck's as well and after a moment's hesitation Justin chose Heineken.
“To love that should have been but never was,” Mark proclaimed raising his beer in a toast. Jesse and Justin clinked their beers against his and they all chugged down half their beers in one go.
A while later, Mark was working on his fifth beer and Jesse could tell he was beginning to feel really drunk. So, when he started talking about Eduardo Jesse decided it was probably time for them to leave.
“Okay, buddy, it's time to go,” Jesse said standing up. Mark just shook his head vehemently though.
“I can't go yet. I'm not even drunk,” he said reaching for another beer.
“I beg to differ,” Jesse said attempting to heave Mark off his stool and to his feet, “A little help please?” he asked turning toward Justin.
“The night was just getting started, though” Justin whined.
“Yeah, but if we don't get him out of here. He's going to end up doing, or more likely, saying something he'll regret.”
“Fine,” Justin agreed, paying for the beers they had drunk and standing to help Jesse lift Mark up. Once they were out the door Justin let go to go hail a taxi, leaving Mark leaned heavily against Jesse with Mark's arm slung around his shoulder and Jesse's around Mark's waist.
Jesse could hear the click of a camera and saw the tell-tale flash in the darkness that let him know a paparazzi was nearby, but he wasn't even as annoyed as he usually would have been. He was too concerned with getting Mark into the taxi and on his way back to his hotel.
A taxi pulled up to where Justin was waving and Jesse pulled Mark along beside him and pushed him clumsily into the car, climbing in behind him.
“You got him from here?” Justin asked.
“Yeah, thank you,” Jesse said, giving Justin a quick hug and then shutting the door. Jesse managed to somehow wrangle the hotel Mark was staying at out of Mark's alcohol soaked brain and told the cab driver where to go before relaxing back into the seat.
The next morning Jesse woke to a text from Mark that said, “I haven't been that drunk since college. Meet me for lunch. I'm leaving later today and I'd like to talk to you one more time sober before I go.”
Jesse shot Mark back a text with the name of a nearby restaurant and hastily showered and changed clothes before heading out the door.
***
“Have you seen any of the tabloids today?” Mark asked when they were almost done with lunch, an amused smile passing briefly over his features.
“No, why?” Jesse asked.
“Because all of the lead stories sound something like, ‘Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg finds love with actor playing him in The Social Network,’” Mark responded.
“They…they think we’re dating?” Jesse sputtered out, he wasn’t sure what he had been expecting but it definitely wasn’t that.
“They do,” Mark said the tiniest hint of a smirk still pulling at his mouth, “Apparently, we’ve been spending a suspicious amount of time together. And then last night when I got drunk and you helped me out to my car, someone got pictures, and claimed we were cuddling. And BAM...now we’re front cover worthy.”
Jesse was taken aback, “Are you going to issue a statement or anything?”
“No, why should I? It’s nobody's goddamn business who I date. Though, I am a little curious what people would think if they found out we’re really hanging out because we’re both desperately in love with our best friends….or I guess former best friend in my case,” Mark said.
“Possibly former best friend in my case too,” Jesse said with a frown, “Andrew still hasn’t been taking my calls.”
“I still think he’s probably just busy. I wouldn’t worry about it,” Mark said, “But, hey, what about you? Do you need to make some kind of statement? Don’t actors sometimes stop getting cast when it comes out that they’re gay?”
“That can happen, yes. But, since I’m not exactly known for being a ‘ladies man’ I don’t think I need to worry about it and I never really talk about my private life, anyway. I’ll probably just let it blow over unless my publicist makes me say something,” Jesse responded.
Mark glanced down at his watch looking slightly surprised by the time and said, “Well, I have to be going. I have to catch my flight back to Palo Alto. I didn't realize how late it had gotten."
“Oh, well I’ll hopefully see you around sometime. I’m glad we got to get to know each other,” Jesse said.
“Yeah, me too,” Mark said grinning slightly as he stood up and walked away.
MARK
The first thing Mark did when he got back to the Facebook offices was check his email. While he scrolled through the normal mess of people sending him desperate pleas for advice and business propositions he was surprised to discover an email from Eduardo.
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
Subject: So, I guess congratulations are in order?
It would appear that you are dating Jesse Eisenberg. So, uh, that’s cool I guess. Congrats on coming out.
----
He typed back a response and sent it before he could think twice.
To: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
Subject: RE: So, I guess congratulations are in order?
I think we’ve already established that you can’t believe everything you read about people. coughcoughbawkbawkbaaaawkcough. Or is this your way of confessing that you really did torture the chicken?
----
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
Subject: RE: RE: So, I guess congratulations are in order?
So, you aren’t dating him?
----
To: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
Subject: RE: RE: RE: So, I guess congratulations are in order?
No, I’m not. But, I'm really glad you contacted me. I have a lot of things I want to talk to you about. You should meet with me so I can explain some things in person.
----
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
Subject: Are you kidding me?
Back in college you couldn’t even remember to shower everyday when you got distracted by coding. How am I supposed to be expected to believe that you’ve changed enough to make talking to you worth my while?
----
To: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
Subject: RE: Are you kidding me?
I will have you know I am now the owner of a dog and a newly adopted cat and neither of them have died yet. I have changed.
----
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
Subject: Now you have got to be kidding.
Please tell me that Chris comes by sometimes to make sure you’ve fed them.
----
To: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
Subject: I’m beginning to be a little insulted by your lack of faith in me.
No need. I am the best pet owner to ever exist. Meet with me.
----
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
Subject: You win as usual.
Fine. I happen to be in Palo Alto anyway. Does tomorrow @ 1 pm work for you?
----
Mark sent back a quick, yes, and then went back to coding to distract himself from the rising panic he was feeling.
The next day, Mark’s eyes kept dragging back to the elevator as he worked. Eduardo was late and that was very unlike him. He heard the elevator ding open a few minutes later and when he looked back over Eduardo was walking out of the doors. His breath caught in his throat. He looked better than Mark remembered, his hair was still eternally messed up as though he had just gotten done pulling on it, and he was just as tall and lanky as Mark remembered. This was such a bad idea. Eduardo had sued Mark, there was no way they could work this out after everything that had happened. He watched as Eduardo made his way through the room to Mark’s office, and couldn’t help but notice how different things were this time compared to all the other times Eduardo had been in the Facebook offices before. Back then, everyone had known Eduardo and had been happy to see him. Now, no one even noticed him. That is, until Dustin came out of his own office and almost ran into him. They both stopped dead in their tracks and gaped at each other with completely dumbfounded expressions.
“Are you here to see Mark?” Dustin asked his voice coming out as a small surprised squeak.
“I am,” Eduardo replied grinning nervously at Dustin as though he wasn’t sure if Dustin hated him or not.
“But you’re not going to kill him or anything, right? There’s no need for me to call the cops?” Dustin asked returning Eduardo’s grin.
Mark poked his head out of his office door, “Dustin, stop being a pain in the ass,” he said avoiding Eduardo’s gaze completely.
“Aye-aye, boss,” Dustin said saluting, “I just wanted to make sure your death wasn’t imminent. Which if you think about it is very selfless of me since maybe if you died the rest of us could actually go on vacation for a change.”
“This whole business would collapse without me. You could go on permanent vacation,” Mark said. It wasn’t his best comeback, but responding had meant he got to avoid Eduardo for just a little bit longer. Dustin just rolled his eyes and walked away, leaving Mark and Eduardo standing alone.
Mark finally dragged his eyes over to Eduardo, “You ready to talk?” he asked glancing back away quickly. He could see Eduardo nod slightly out of the corner of his eye, so he turned around and headed back into his office. They sat down on opposite sides of the desk and Mark tried to gather his thoughts, “So,” he said and then paused again, not really sure where to go from there.
Even the air seemed to still as they both just stared at each other for a long while. Neither one sure what to say to get things started. The silence crept on to the point where it became uncomfortable and Mark was just about to open his mouth to say something when Eduardo spoke.
“Are you seriously just going to keep sitting there and expecting me to apologize first?” he asked incredulously. "God, I knew this was such a bad idea. You haven’t changed a bit. This is just like college all over again. We get in a fight where we BOTH make mistakes and you’re still too prideful to admit that you could ever be at fault. So instead you’re just going to sit there and sulk or come up with some clever biting remark and expect me to be the one who does all the work. But, it’s not going to work like that this time. I’m not going to come crawling to you for forgiveness like I always did before. If we’re going to try this I want to know that’s not the way things are going to be, because I’m tired of feeling like I don’t matter enough to you for you to even try,” Eduardo said, the words coming fast and hard as if he had them on the tip of his tongue for years and had just been waiting for the right moment to say them.
Mark wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that so he just sat there in stunned silence trying to figure out where to go from there. But before he could find the right thing to say, Eduardo was standing up.
“Okay, yeah, this was dumb. I don’t know what I was thinking. I honestly don’t,” he said, buttoning up his suit jacket and spinning around heading for the door in a rush.
“Eduardo, wait,” Mark said, standing up to follow, but he was too late. Eduardo was already half way to the elevator.
Mark collapsed back into his seat. He wasn’t sure what his next move should be, so he brought up his email inbox and shot a quick message to Jesse.
To: thisisnotjesseeisenberg@gmail.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
Subject: Well that sucked.
He hates me. I couldn’t think of what to say so I didn’t say anything and then he just got angrier and angrier until he left. This was a dumb idea.
----
Jesse’s response came mere moments later which made Mark think he might have been refreshing his email waiting for Mark’s report on what had happened at the meeting.
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: thisisnotjesseeisenberg@gmail.com
Subject: RE: Well that sucked.
I would complain about the fact that the idea you just called dumb was my idea, but I feel like that email was the closest thing this world has ever seen to a Mark Zuckerberg plea for help. So, I’m going to give you some advice. Email him. Explain yourself and ask to see him again. Then write down what you want to say and memorize it so that you won’t freeze this time.
----
Mark tried to go back to coding for awhile but he couldn’t seem to keep his mind off the email he needed to write. So he pulled up his email debating for a while what to say and then typing.
To: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
Subject: Wardo…
I had all these brilliant things to say and you left before I even had the chance.
----
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
Subject: Maaaark
You really haven’t changed at all.
----
Mark's heart sank. He wasn't sure where to go from there. But then he got a new mail notification and when he checked it he saw Eduardo had more to say.
----
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
Subject: Damn it, you would think we're back at Kirkland.
Apparently I haven't changed at all either. So you get one more chance. I'll come tomorrow at 12.
----
Mark grinned and shot an email to Jesse.
To: thisisnotjesseeisenberg@gmail.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
Subject: I suppose I should thank you.
Eduardo agreed to meet with me again.
----
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: thisisnotjesseeisenberg@gmail.com
Subject: Yay!
I'm glad. Also, saying you should thank someone is not quite the same thing as actually thanking them, but you're welcome anyway.
----
The next day at noon Mark didn't even try to pretend like he was working. He had already given up on that this morning. He was sitting staring at the elevators waiting for the moment that Eduardo would walk through the doors.
When the elevator finally dinged and Eduardo walked out, Mark jumped up and opened the door to his office.
“Come on,” he said loud enough for Eduardo to hear him on the other side of the room.
Eduardo shuffled in behind him and took a seat on one side of Mark's desk. Mark sat down across from him and ran back over what he planned on saying in his head before speaking.
"Thank you for coming back and meeting with me again," Mark said.
"No problem," Eduardo mumbled before they fell into silence again.
"So, how have you been?" Mark asked.
"Uh, okay...I guess. Is that really what you brought me here to ask though?" Eduardo said, he was trying to sound angry and tough but Mark could tell he was struggling. It had always been hard for Eduardo to stay mad at Mark.
"No, I, uh... actually I wanted to know why you sued me?" Mark mumbled.
“Because you couldn’t even have made Facebook without me, and then you threw me out of the company” Eduardo said his voice rising with real anger at the memory.
“Oh yeah, because you were definitely the only person at Harvard with a thousand dollars,” Mark said sarcastically.
Eduardo grinned slightly, seemingly without meaning too, before saying, “Maaarrk, that’s not even…I mean, that’s not really what I…you know what just forget it,” his voice a low rumble, deep in his throat.
“Wardo, this is dumb-I’m trying and I’m really sorry,” Mark said quietly.
Eduardo just looked at him for a while before saying, “You know what? I have to go. My lunch break is over and I have a meeting.”
Mark just watched him leave not sure of what to do or say.
To: thisisnotjesseeisenberg@gmail.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
Subject: well
Things just got all fucked up again.
---
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: thisisnotjesseeisenberg@gmail.com
Subject: RE: well
I feel like that was Mark Zuckerberg-speak for “I messed up”. So, apologize to him!!!
---
Mark wasn't really one for apologizing, but he did send Eduardo another email.
To: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
Subject: Are you forgetting who I am?
Meet with me one more time or I will delete your Facebook profile and never let you back on this site.
---
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
Subject: RE: Are you forgetting who I am?
Contrary to what you seem to believe the world does not revolve around your website. But I have to go to the Facebook offices tomorrow anyway. They need me to sign some paper. So, you get one more meeting. I'll be there at noon.
Mark's response was simple:
To: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
subject: RE: RE: Are you forgetting who I am.
Our website, Wardo. OUR website.
----
The third meeting felt more like the old times than any of the other meetings. A few people had started recognizing Eduardo now since he had been there so much over the last week. So, when Eduardo walked through the doors that time Mark watched as a couple of people shot him timid smiles and short waves. It felt more like the old days that time because the expression Eduardo had been wearing when he walked through the doors for the last few meetings (the one of bitterness, the one that said Mark hadn’t been forgiven yet) was gone. It had been replaced by his old, familiar, face splitting grin, and Mark couldn’t help but hope that meant they might actually get somewhere this time.
“So, you kind of apologized a bit last time, so I guess it’s my turn to man up. I’m sorry for suing you. I was mad that you cut me out, but I overreacted. Facebook was your company and I never should have tried to take any part of it from you,” Eduardo said, and then he paused as if searching for enough courage to say whatever else it was he wanted to say before quietly squeaking out, “But why did you do it? Why did you cut me out of the company?”
“Because Facebook was really important to me and you weren’t there for me when I needed you,” Mark said the words coming out harsher then he had intended.
“You have got to be kidding me,” Eduardo said shaking his head slowly, “I was always there for you. I was there for you through everything no matter what happened. I was there when most people wouldn’t speak to you anymore because of Facemash. I was there waiting for you while you had your meeting with the administrative board. I was there when you needed start up cash for Facebook. I was there when Erica broke up with you. I was always right there and I always would have been.”
“I thought you were losing interest. I thought you had decided to move on and do something else with your life when you did the internship instead of coming to Palo Alto. I thought you wanted out,” Mark replied shaking with a mixture of anger that Eduardo didn’t already understand where he was coming from and fear that he never would.
“You didn’t even really need me, though. You had Sean and Peter Thiel and you valued their opinion way more than you ever valued mine,” Eduardo said sinking lower in his seat and avoiding Mark’s gaze.
“But that’s the thing, I did need you. You were the only person I have ever needed in my entire life,” Mark choked out. He had always had problems with telling people how he felt, but he couldn’t risk losing Eduardo forever. He had to make him understand how he had always felt about him. He was running out of chances and he knew it.
“What did you just say?” Eduardo asked tilting his head up toward Mark slightly, just enough for Mark to be able to see the glimmer of hope in Eduardo’s eyes.
“Please, don’t make me repeat it. But, I did mean it. I promise,” Mark said keeping his eyes locked somewhere on the wall behind Eduardo’s head, his voice dropping to a barely audible level.
Mark could see Eduardo moving slowly toward him out of the corner of his eyes, and then he felt the brush of Eduardo’s fingers against his own. He couldn’t bring himself to look at Eduardo yet because he still wasn’t quite sure what was happening, but then he was being tugged closer to Eduardo and he snuck a glance and Eduardo was leaning toward him slowly. Their lips brushed together briefly and then Eduardo was launching himself back across the room.
“I’m sorry. I just…I don’t know what I was doing,” Eduardo said reaching for his bag and stumbling toward the door.
“Wardo, stop,” Mark rumbled and Eduardo stopped abruptly with his fingertips hovering centimeters from the doorknob. “I wanted you to do that. You know, you’re actually not a bad kisser,” he said a smirk forming across his face.
Eduardo turned back toward him with a grin, “Oh yeah?” he asked crossing across the office again to stand in front of Mark.
“Yeah,” Mark replied simply before grabbing at Eduardo’s shirt and pulling him down, crashing their lips together eagerly.
Jesse
Jesse was fixing breakfast one morning before heading over to the Cherry Lane for a last minute rehearsal of Asuncion when his phone rang. He almost ignored it until he noticed whose name was on the caller ID.
He slid the phone open and timidly said, "Hello."
“So, I hear you’re dating Mark Zuckerberg now,” Andrew said from the other end of the line, “That’s a little…uh…weird, to say the least.”
“We’re not dating, but if we were, why would it matter to you?” Jesse asked he was just genuinely confused, but Andrew took it personally.
“I just don’t want to see you get hurt, but, um…I’m sorry for caring, I guess?” Andrew said, the words coming out like a question.
“No, Andrew, that’s not what I meant. You didn’t return my calls for like a month, and now you’re calling to question me on my love life. It’s just a little weird, I guess,” Jesse said.
“Okay, well at least answer me this: are you gay?” Andrew asked.
Jesse took a deep breath before breathing out, “Yeah, I am.”
“Wow. I mean, not wow in a bad way. I just...I never knew. But, uh, I am too. I guess you deserve to know that. I have to go now though,” Andrew said hanging up before Jesse could even process what he had said.
Jesse shook his head slowly, trying to figure out exactly what had just happened, before heading off to the theater. Later when they were taking a break for lunch Jesse took out his phone and shot a text to Mark.
"So, Andrew called, but it was weird."
Mark's response of, "Weird, how?" came shortly after.
"He thought we were dating and seemed pissed off about it and then he told me he was gay and hung up," was Jesse's response.
"It sounds like he was jealous," Mark responded.
Jesse didn't know what to make of that, so he finished his lunch and headed back to theater.
A few days passed before Andrew called again. Jesse answered the phone nervously and Andrew just responded with a simple hello before they both fell silent.
"Uh, you called me..."Jesse reminded him.
"Yeah, I know, sorry, I'm just trying to gather my thoughts," Andrew said, and then after another moment of silence, "I guess I just don't understand."
"Understand what?" Jesse asked his eyebrows drawing together in confusion.
"Why him?" Andrew asked.
"Andrew, I am not dating Mark Zuckerberg. I promise," Jesse said.
"Yeah, you keep saying that, but I saw the picture and it sure looked like you were," Andrew responded his voice coming out harsh and broken.
"Are you seriously going to believe some tabloid over your own best friend?" Jesse said back trying to keep his voice even. He wasn't mad, not yet, but he was quickly losing patience.
"I don't know...and you're being a bit of an overdramatic prick," Andrew responded and that's when Jesse lost it.
"I'm being a prick? I'm being a prick?! You can not be serious right now, Andrew," he sputtered out.
"You know what, never mind," Andrew said before hanging up abruptly.
Jesse decided to call Emma and see if she knew what was going on with Andrew since they were together filming Spider-Man right now.
"What the hell is up with Andrew?" Jesse asked when she answered the phone.
"I just need you two to kiss and make up so I don't have to deal with mopey Andrew for the rest of this shoot," was Emma's response.
"I highly doubt Andrew wants to kiss and make up with me," Jesse responded with a sigh collapsing onto his couch.
"Are you really that clueless, Eisenberg?" Emma responded. Jesse rolled his eyes despite the fact she couldn't see her and made up an excuse to get off the phone.
***
Two weeks later Jesse was deep in a performance of Asuncion when he looked out in the crowd and saw something that made him stumble over his next line. Andrew was out there, sitting right beside Emma, so Jesse knew she had made him come, but still he was here and that counted for something, right?
After the show Jesse headed straight for his dressing room and flopped down in the chair in front of the mirror. Andrew appeared in the doorway moments later leaning against it with a kind of nonchalance that Jesse never would have been able to pull off himself.
“Hey, I wasn’t expect…well, I mean, I didn’t expect you to come. Since I’m a…what was it you so eloquently called me?” Jesse asked, purposely keeping his back to Andrew, but sneaking glances at him in the mirror anyway.
“I believe I called you an overdramatic prick,” Andrew replied shuffling his feet and looking down shyly. “But, I came to apologize.”
“Only because Emma made you,” Jesse replied finally turning to face Andrew but not meeting his eye.
“Emma didn’t physically force me here or anything. She just told me she was tired of hearing both of us whine about how totally gay for each other we are, and by the way those are her words not mine.”
“Yeah, she told me that too,” Jesse said, briefly allowing the corners of his mouth to tug up into a grin.
“You were great, by the way. The play was really something special,” Andrew said. He was grinning but was still trying hard to avoid Jesse’s eye.
“You can’t keep doing this Andrew,” Jesse said turning back around and taking a few steps away from Andrew.
Andrew took a step closer in response and asked, “Doing what?”
“Making me feel like you care more than you do,” Jesse responded.
“What are you talking about?” Andrew asked.
“I like you, okay? More than a friend should. And I can’t keep getting my hopes up only to realize again and again that you will never like me that way,” Jesse said hunching his shoulders up and staying faced away from Andrew.
“Oh, Jesse, Jesse, Jesse, you silly boy,” Andrew said stepping around Jesse and pulling him into a hug. “I do like you that way. How could anyone not?”
“Then why didn’t you ask me out when Emma said we needed to stop whining about how gay for each other we are?” Jesse asked leaning into the hug eagerly and desperately.
“Probably for the same reason you didn’t ask me out,” Andrew said.
“I thought she was just being crazy. I thought there was no way that you liked me back,” Jesse said nuzzling his head against Andrew’s shoulder.
“Well, I do,” Andrew responded he pulled back slightly, reaching to tip Jesse’s face up before leaning down and kissing him slowly.
“Good,” Jesse replied sliding his arms around Andrew’s neck and pressing up on his tip-toes to kiss him again.
Recipient: andhereiam17
Prompt Number: 23
Characters/Pairings: Andrew/Jesse, Mark/Eduardo also brief appearances by Dustin, Emma Stone, and Justin Bartha.
Rating/Warnings: PG-13, alcohol consumption
Word Count: 6,372
Disclaimer: This fanwork is based on fictional representations of the characters in The Social Network; I make no claims of ownership of the characters or concepts. This fanwork also portrays fictional representations of real actors involved in The Social Network. These are not true accounts or meant to imply anything about these real people.
Summary: When Jesse meets Mark during the filming of SNL they realize they have something in common, crushes on their best friends. They start hanging out so much the paparazzi think they're dating. Eduardo begins emailing Mark eventually agreeing to meet with him, and Andrew starts calling Jesse and acting suspiciously jealous of Mark.
Note: I compressed the timeline a bit to make it seem like Jesse hosting SNL and Andrew seeing Asuncion happened within a few weeks of each other even though in reality it was almost a year apart. Also, thank you to A for being such a terrific beta.
“Mark, could I talk to you for a second?” Jesse asked, jogging slightly to catch up with Mark. He had just finished hosting Saturday Night Live for the first time in his life, and it had been completely nerve wracking but also incredibly fun. But, ever since he found out Mark was coming to participate in the monologue he had been dying for a chance to talk to him.
“Oh, uh, sure, I guess,” Mark replied, stuffing his hands in his hoodie pocket.
“Cool, uh, let’s go somewhere else,” Jesse said, jerking his head toward a room. Mark headed inside and Jesse followed behind shutting the door.
“So, what did you actually think of the movie?” Jesse asked, nervously standing in the corner of the room and rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet.
“I don’t know. I think you guys kind of focused on some weird stuff. Like the end where I sent the friend request to Erica, I thought that was weird. If I was going to try and be friends with someone I had lost through the course of Facebook’s creation it wouldn’t be Erica,” Mark said a faint red tinge painting his cheeks. “I mean, wait, I just mean…I only went out with Erica a few times. Eduardo was my best friend. He’s the one I would want back if I thought I had even the slightest chance of forgiveness.”
“Did we get your relationship with him right at all?” Jesse asked.
“Well, I mean, I hope I wasn’t as mean to him as you guys made me seem, but we were really close. You got that much right,” Mark said casting his eyes downward refusing to look anywhere near Jesse.
“Oh…I’m sorry that you think we made you look mean, by the way. And I’m very sorry if I’m reminding you of things you’d rather just forget.”
“No, weirdly enough, it’s kind of nice. I usually don’t have anyone to talk about this with besides Dustin who always just tells me I need to think of some grand gesture to get his attention, or Chris who always just tells me to apologize or move the fuck on,” Mark said pacing nervously by the doorway.
“Oh wow,” Jesse replied letting out a nervous laugh, “Yeah, I know how you feel… I’m kind of in love with one of my former costars and my friends are equally as unhelpful with advice about him as it sounds like yours are,” Jesse said sinking down onto one of the chairs in the room.
“Wait….like, romantic love? Which costar if you don’t mind me asking?” Mark asked sitting down across from Jesse.
“I feel like you should be able to ask me anything you like,” Jesse said with a laugh, “I mean, I basically pried into your life for a long time while making this movie. It seems only fair. But, uh, Andrew Garfield, he played Eduardo in the film.”
Mark looked at him oddly for a moment a complicated expression taking over his features before he mumbled just barely audible, “Well, isn’t that something, the person playing me fell in love with the person playing the person I love.”
Jesse’s head reeled at this surprising twist of information, “Wait, you’re in love with Eduardo?”
Mark grimaced, “You, uh, weren’t supposed to hear that…I guess there’s no way we could just pretend this conversation never happened, huh? But, wait, I saw some of the interviews you and Andrew did and he seemed to completely adore you. Why aren’t you two dating?”
“You saw some of our interviews? Why?” Jesse asked a small smile forming on his lips.
“Dustin used to like to send them to me. He thought it was hilarious they were making a movie so he would send me stuff about it with jokes about you being me. But, you didn’t answer my question,” Mark said and Jesse took a deep breath, letting it out slowly before he answered.
“Well, as far as I know Andrew never liked me in that way. I don’t even think he likes boys in that way at all. He’s just a really affectionate kind of person.”
“Yeah, okay.. sure,” Mark said a smirk pulling up the corners of his mouth, “But hey listen, I really have to get going but would you maybe want to grab lunch together tomorrow?”
“Uh, sure. I mean, yeah, that sounds good,” Jesse responded.
***
The next day found Jesse sitting at the restaurant they had decided to have lunch at, alone. Mark was ten minutes late already, and Jesse knew enough about him from playing him in The Social Network to know he might be waiting a while longer. So, he decided to try and call Andrew. It had been awhile since Andrew had actually answered and Jesse knew he was busy but he missed him. Andrew didn’t answer again and Jesse had already left him enough pathetic voicemails so he decided to just go ahead and hang up. Mark slid into the booth across from him while he was hanging up and said, “I got caught up in coding. Was that Andrew you were trying to call?”
“Yeah, but he didn’t answer,” Jesse said trying and failing to sound nonchalant about it.
“I’m sure he’s just busy,” Mark said.
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Jesse said shrugging slightly.
The waitress came over then to take their order and she seemed to recognize at least one of them, her mouth falling open in a comical o shape. They both ordered, and when the waitress went away Mark started talking.
"I just wish there was a way to go back and prevent it all from happening, you know?" he said. "I mean, even if it meant Facebook never existing."
Thirty minutes later, Mark still hadn't stopped talking about Eduardo so Jesse wanted to do something to help get his mind off him.
“You know what you need?” Jesse asked a grin forming on his lips.
“What?” Mark asked.
“A cat,” was Jesse’s response and Mark looked at him like he had gone completely mad.
“But, I already have Beast,” Mark sputtered out.
“But, no, cats are so much better. Come on, we’re going to the humane society,” Jesse said throwing some money on the table to cover the bill and sliding out of the booth.
When they got to the humane society the worker at the front desk greeted Jesse warmly.
"I take it you come here a lot," Mark said a small grin passing over his features.
"I do. I feel bad that I can't adopt all of the cats, so I like to at least come by and give them some attention. Plus, it's relaxing."
Mark nodded and Jesse led them both down the hallway and into the room where all the cats were. Mark's eyes were immediately drawn to a small orange cat lying by itself in the corner of the cage.
"That one is pretty cute," he said and Jesse nodded picking it up. He nuzzled it up against his face and it purred loudly. Mark scooped him up and started petting the top of his head.
"Yeah, this is the one," he said.
They headed back toward the front desk together and Jesse remembered something he had been meaning to ask. “Hey, I'm supposed to be going with my friend, Justin, to a bar tonight would you be interested in coming too?”
Mark nodded and Jesse gave him the name of the bar and told him to meet them there around nine.
***
“So, I invited Mark Zuckerberg to tag along. I hope that's okay,” Jesse said, plopping himself down on a seat next to Justin.
“Yeah, of course that's fine. But, um, you guys have been spending an awful lot of time together lately,” Justin said, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
“Stop,” Jesse said, turning red, “It's not like that. We just have a shared experience that made us understand each other really well and become quick friends.”
“Sure, sure, that's what they all say,” Justin said with a small smirk, “No, but really I was just hoping maybe you were finally over Sir Garfield.”
At that moment Jesse spotted Mark making his way through the crowd and he raised his hand to wave him over, before turning back to Justin and shaking his head, “Sadly no.”
“What are we talking about?” Mark asked, sitting down clumsily beside Jesse and stuffing his hands immediately into his hoodie pocket.
“We were just talking about Andrew, and how he still hasn't called me back,” Jesse said stretching the truth a little in an effort to avoid letting Mark know his friend had been suspicious they were dating.
“I think that's a sign to start the drinking,” Mark said knocking gently on the counter to get the bartenders attention “Can we get a round of beers please? I'll take a Beck's and they can have whatever they want and then just keep them coming.”
Jesse ordered a Beck's as well and after a moment's hesitation Justin chose Heineken.
“To love that should have been but never was,” Mark proclaimed raising his beer in a toast. Jesse and Justin clinked their beers against his and they all chugged down half their beers in one go.
A while later, Mark was working on his fifth beer and Jesse could tell he was beginning to feel really drunk. So, when he started talking about Eduardo Jesse decided it was probably time for them to leave.
“Okay, buddy, it's time to go,” Jesse said standing up. Mark just shook his head vehemently though.
“I can't go yet. I'm not even drunk,” he said reaching for another beer.
“I beg to differ,” Jesse said attempting to heave Mark off his stool and to his feet, “A little help please?” he asked turning toward Justin.
“The night was just getting started, though” Justin whined.
“Yeah, but if we don't get him out of here. He's going to end up doing, or more likely, saying something he'll regret.”
“Fine,” Justin agreed, paying for the beers they had drunk and standing to help Jesse lift Mark up. Once they were out the door Justin let go to go hail a taxi, leaving Mark leaned heavily against Jesse with Mark's arm slung around his shoulder and Jesse's around Mark's waist.
Jesse could hear the click of a camera and saw the tell-tale flash in the darkness that let him know a paparazzi was nearby, but he wasn't even as annoyed as he usually would have been. He was too concerned with getting Mark into the taxi and on his way back to his hotel.
A taxi pulled up to where Justin was waving and Jesse pulled Mark along beside him and pushed him clumsily into the car, climbing in behind him.
“You got him from here?” Justin asked.
“Yeah, thank you,” Jesse said, giving Justin a quick hug and then shutting the door. Jesse managed to somehow wrangle the hotel Mark was staying at out of Mark's alcohol soaked brain and told the cab driver where to go before relaxing back into the seat.
The next morning Jesse woke to a text from Mark that said, “I haven't been that drunk since college. Meet me for lunch. I'm leaving later today and I'd like to talk to you one more time sober before I go.”
Jesse shot Mark back a text with the name of a nearby restaurant and hastily showered and changed clothes before heading out the door.
***
“Have you seen any of the tabloids today?” Mark asked when they were almost done with lunch, an amused smile passing briefly over his features.
“No, why?” Jesse asked.
“Because all of the lead stories sound something like, ‘Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg finds love with actor playing him in The Social Network,’” Mark responded.
“They…they think we’re dating?” Jesse sputtered out, he wasn’t sure what he had been expecting but it definitely wasn’t that.
“They do,” Mark said the tiniest hint of a smirk still pulling at his mouth, “Apparently, we’ve been spending a suspicious amount of time together. And then last night when I got drunk and you helped me out to my car, someone got pictures, and claimed we were cuddling. And BAM...now we’re front cover worthy.”
Jesse was taken aback, “Are you going to issue a statement or anything?”
“No, why should I? It’s nobody's goddamn business who I date. Though, I am a little curious what people would think if they found out we’re really hanging out because we’re both desperately in love with our best friends….or I guess former best friend in my case,” Mark said.
“Possibly former best friend in my case too,” Jesse said with a frown, “Andrew still hasn’t been taking my calls.”
“I still think he’s probably just busy. I wouldn’t worry about it,” Mark said, “But, hey, what about you? Do you need to make some kind of statement? Don’t actors sometimes stop getting cast when it comes out that they’re gay?”
“That can happen, yes. But, since I’m not exactly known for being a ‘ladies man’ I don’t think I need to worry about it and I never really talk about my private life, anyway. I’ll probably just let it blow over unless my publicist makes me say something,” Jesse responded.
Mark glanced down at his watch looking slightly surprised by the time and said, “Well, I have to be going. I have to catch my flight back to Palo Alto. I didn't realize how late it had gotten."
“Oh, well I’ll hopefully see you around sometime. I’m glad we got to get to know each other,” Jesse said.
“Yeah, me too,” Mark said grinning slightly as he stood up and walked away.
MARK
The first thing Mark did when he got back to the Facebook offices was check his email. While he scrolled through the normal mess of people sending him desperate pleas for advice and business propositions he was surprised to discover an email from Eduardo.
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
Subject: So, I guess congratulations are in order?
It would appear that you are dating Jesse Eisenberg. So, uh, that’s cool I guess. Congrats on coming out.
----
He typed back a response and sent it before he could think twice.
To: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
Subject: RE: So, I guess congratulations are in order?
I think we’ve already established that you can’t believe everything you read about people. coughcoughbawkbawkbaaaawkcough. Or is this your way of confessing that you really did torture the chicken?
----
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
Subject: RE: RE: So, I guess congratulations are in order?
So, you aren’t dating him?
----
To: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
Subject: RE: RE: RE: So, I guess congratulations are in order?
No, I’m not. But, I'm really glad you contacted me. I have a lot of things I want to talk to you about. You should meet with me so I can explain some things in person.
----
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
Subject: Are you kidding me?
Back in college you couldn’t even remember to shower everyday when you got distracted by coding. How am I supposed to be expected to believe that you’ve changed enough to make talking to you worth my while?
----
To: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
Subject: RE: Are you kidding me?
I will have you know I am now the owner of a dog and a newly adopted cat and neither of them have died yet. I have changed.
----
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
Subject: Now you have got to be kidding.
Please tell me that Chris comes by sometimes to make sure you’ve fed them.
----
To: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
Subject: I’m beginning to be a little insulted by your lack of faith in me.
No need. I am the best pet owner to ever exist. Meet with me.
----
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
Subject: You win as usual.
Fine. I happen to be in Palo Alto anyway. Does tomorrow @ 1 pm work for you?
----
Mark sent back a quick, yes, and then went back to coding to distract himself from the rising panic he was feeling.
The next day, Mark’s eyes kept dragging back to the elevator as he worked. Eduardo was late and that was very unlike him. He heard the elevator ding open a few minutes later and when he looked back over Eduardo was walking out of the doors. His breath caught in his throat. He looked better than Mark remembered, his hair was still eternally messed up as though he had just gotten done pulling on it, and he was just as tall and lanky as Mark remembered. This was such a bad idea. Eduardo had sued Mark, there was no way they could work this out after everything that had happened. He watched as Eduardo made his way through the room to Mark’s office, and couldn’t help but notice how different things were this time compared to all the other times Eduardo had been in the Facebook offices before. Back then, everyone had known Eduardo and had been happy to see him. Now, no one even noticed him. That is, until Dustin came out of his own office and almost ran into him. They both stopped dead in their tracks and gaped at each other with completely dumbfounded expressions.
“Are you here to see Mark?” Dustin asked his voice coming out as a small surprised squeak.
“I am,” Eduardo replied grinning nervously at Dustin as though he wasn’t sure if Dustin hated him or not.
“But you’re not going to kill him or anything, right? There’s no need for me to call the cops?” Dustin asked returning Eduardo’s grin.
Mark poked his head out of his office door, “Dustin, stop being a pain in the ass,” he said avoiding Eduardo’s gaze completely.
“Aye-aye, boss,” Dustin said saluting, “I just wanted to make sure your death wasn’t imminent. Which if you think about it is very selfless of me since maybe if you died the rest of us could actually go on vacation for a change.”
“This whole business would collapse without me. You could go on permanent vacation,” Mark said. It wasn’t his best comeback, but responding had meant he got to avoid Eduardo for just a little bit longer. Dustin just rolled his eyes and walked away, leaving Mark and Eduardo standing alone.
Mark finally dragged his eyes over to Eduardo, “You ready to talk?” he asked glancing back away quickly. He could see Eduardo nod slightly out of the corner of his eye, so he turned around and headed back into his office. They sat down on opposite sides of the desk and Mark tried to gather his thoughts, “So,” he said and then paused again, not really sure where to go from there.
Even the air seemed to still as they both just stared at each other for a long while. Neither one sure what to say to get things started. The silence crept on to the point where it became uncomfortable and Mark was just about to open his mouth to say something when Eduardo spoke.
“Are you seriously just going to keep sitting there and expecting me to apologize first?” he asked incredulously. "God, I knew this was such a bad idea. You haven’t changed a bit. This is just like college all over again. We get in a fight where we BOTH make mistakes and you’re still too prideful to admit that you could ever be at fault. So instead you’re just going to sit there and sulk or come up with some clever biting remark and expect me to be the one who does all the work. But, it’s not going to work like that this time. I’m not going to come crawling to you for forgiveness like I always did before. If we’re going to try this I want to know that’s not the way things are going to be, because I’m tired of feeling like I don’t matter enough to you for you to even try,” Eduardo said, the words coming fast and hard as if he had them on the tip of his tongue for years and had just been waiting for the right moment to say them.
Mark wasn’t quite sure how to respond to that so he just sat there in stunned silence trying to figure out where to go from there. But before he could find the right thing to say, Eduardo was standing up.
“Okay, yeah, this was dumb. I don’t know what I was thinking. I honestly don’t,” he said, buttoning up his suit jacket and spinning around heading for the door in a rush.
“Eduardo, wait,” Mark said, standing up to follow, but he was too late. Eduardo was already half way to the elevator.
Mark collapsed back into his seat. He wasn’t sure what his next move should be, so he brought up his email inbox and shot a quick message to Jesse.
To: thisisnotjesseeisenberg@gmail.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
Subject: Well that sucked.
He hates me. I couldn’t think of what to say so I didn’t say anything and then he just got angrier and angrier until he left. This was a dumb idea.
----
Jesse’s response came mere moments later which made Mark think he might have been refreshing his email waiting for Mark’s report on what had happened at the meeting.
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: thisisnotjesseeisenberg@gmail.com
Subject: RE: Well that sucked.
I would complain about the fact that the idea you just called dumb was my idea, but I feel like that email was the closest thing this world has ever seen to a Mark Zuckerberg plea for help. So, I’m going to give you some advice. Email him. Explain yourself and ask to see him again. Then write down what you want to say and memorize it so that you won’t freeze this time.
----
Mark tried to go back to coding for awhile but he couldn’t seem to keep his mind off the email he needed to write. So he pulled up his email debating for a while what to say and then typing.
To: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
Subject: Wardo…
I had all these brilliant things to say and you left before I even had the chance.
----
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
Subject: Maaaark
You really haven’t changed at all.
----
Mark's heart sank. He wasn't sure where to go from there. But then he got a new mail notification and when he checked it he saw Eduardo had more to say.
----
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
Subject: Damn it, you would think we're back at Kirkland.
Apparently I haven't changed at all either. So you get one more chance. I'll come tomorrow at 12.
----
Mark grinned and shot an email to Jesse.
To: thisisnotjesseeisenberg@gmail.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
Subject: I suppose I should thank you.
Eduardo agreed to meet with me again.
----
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: thisisnotjesseeisenberg@gmail.com
Subject: Yay!
I'm glad. Also, saying you should thank someone is not quite the same thing as actually thanking them, but you're welcome anyway.
----
The next day at noon Mark didn't even try to pretend like he was working. He had already given up on that this morning. He was sitting staring at the elevators waiting for the moment that Eduardo would walk through the doors.
When the elevator finally dinged and Eduardo walked out, Mark jumped up and opened the door to his office.
“Come on,” he said loud enough for Eduardo to hear him on the other side of the room.
Eduardo shuffled in behind him and took a seat on one side of Mark's desk. Mark sat down across from him and ran back over what he planned on saying in his head before speaking.
"Thank you for coming back and meeting with me again," Mark said.
"No problem," Eduardo mumbled before they fell into silence again.
"So, how have you been?" Mark asked.
"Uh, okay...I guess. Is that really what you brought me here to ask though?" Eduardo said, he was trying to sound angry and tough but Mark could tell he was struggling. It had always been hard for Eduardo to stay mad at Mark.
"No, I, uh... actually I wanted to know why you sued me?" Mark mumbled.
“Because you couldn’t even have made Facebook without me, and then you threw me out of the company” Eduardo said his voice rising with real anger at the memory.
“Oh yeah, because you were definitely the only person at Harvard with a thousand dollars,” Mark said sarcastically.
Eduardo grinned slightly, seemingly without meaning too, before saying, “Maaarrk, that’s not even…I mean, that’s not really what I…you know what just forget it,” his voice a low rumble, deep in his throat.
“Wardo, this is dumb-I’m trying and I’m really sorry,” Mark said quietly.
Eduardo just looked at him for a while before saying, “You know what? I have to go. My lunch break is over and I have a meeting.”
Mark just watched him leave not sure of what to do or say.
To: thisisnotjesseeisenberg@gmail.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
Subject: well
Things just got all fucked up again.
---
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: thisisnotjesseeisenberg@gmail.com
Subject: RE: well
I feel like that was Mark Zuckerberg-speak for “I messed up”. So, apologize to him!!!
---
Mark wasn't really one for apologizing, but he did send Eduardo another email.
To: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
Subject: Are you forgetting who I am?
Meet with me one more time or I will delete your Facebook profile and never let you back on this site.
---
To: thezuck@facebook.com
From: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
Subject: RE: Are you forgetting who I am?
Contrary to what you seem to believe the world does not revolve around your website. But I have to go to the Facebook offices tomorrow anyway. They need me to sign some paper. So, you get one more meeting. I'll be there at noon.
Mark's response was simple:
To: eduardo.saverin@meteorologyapps.com
From: thezuck@facebook.com
subject: RE: RE: Are you forgetting who I am.
Our website, Wardo. OUR website.
----
The third meeting felt more like the old times than any of the other meetings. A few people had started recognizing Eduardo now since he had been there so much over the last week. So, when Eduardo walked through the doors that time Mark watched as a couple of people shot him timid smiles and short waves. It felt more like the old days that time because the expression Eduardo had been wearing when he walked through the doors for the last few meetings (the one of bitterness, the one that said Mark hadn’t been forgiven yet) was gone. It had been replaced by his old, familiar, face splitting grin, and Mark couldn’t help but hope that meant they might actually get somewhere this time.
“So, you kind of apologized a bit last time, so I guess it’s my turn to man up. I’m sorry for suing you. I was mad that you cut me out, but I overreacted. Facebook was your company and I never should have tried to take any part of it from you,” Eduardo said, and then he paused as if searching for enough courage to say whatever else it was he wanted to say before quietly squeaking out, “But why did you do it? Why did you cut me out of the company?”
“Because Facebook was really important to me and you weren’t there for me when I needed you,” Mark said the words coming out harsher then he had intended.
“You have got to be kidding me,” Eduardo said shaking his head slowly, “I was always there for you. I was there for you through everything no matter what happened. I was there when most people wouldn’t speak to you anymore because of Facemash. I was there waiting for you while you had your meeting with the administrative board. I was there when you needed start up cash for Facebook. I was there when Erica broke up with you. I was always right there and I always would have been.”
“I thought you were losing interest. I thought you had decided to move on and do something else with your life when you did the internship instead of coming to Palo Alto. I thought you wanted out,” Mark replied shaking with a mixture of anger that Eduardo didn’t already understand where he was coming from and fear that he never would.
“You didn’t even really need me, though. You had Sean and Peter Thiel and you valued their opinion way more than you ever valued mine,” Eduardo said sinking lower in his seat and avoiding Mark’s gaze.
“But that’s the thing, I did need you. You were the only person I have ever needed in my entire life,” Mark choked out. He had always had problems with telling people how he felt, but he couldn’t risk losing Eduardo forever. He had to make him understand how he had always felt about him. He was running out of chances and he knew it.
“What did you just say?” Eduardo asked tilting his head up toward Mark slightly, just enough for Mark to be able to see the glimmer of hope in Eduardo’s eyes.
“Please, don’t make me repeat it. But, I did mean it. I promise,” Mark said keeping his eyes locked somewhere on the wall behind Eduardo’s head, his voice dropping to a barely audible level.
Mark could see Eduardo moving slowly toward him out of the corner of his eyes, and then he felt the brush of Eduardo’s fingers against his own. He couldn’t bring himself to look at Eduardo yet because he still wasn’t quite sure what was happening, but then he was being tugged closer to Eduardo and he snuck a glance and Eduardo was leaning toward him slowly. Their lips brushed together briefly and then Eduardo was launching himself back across the room.
“I’m sorry. I just…I don’t know what I was doing,” Eduardo said reaching for his bag and stumbling toward the door.
“Wardo, stop,” Mark rumbled and Eduardo stopped abruptly with his fingertips hovering centimeters from the doorknob. “I wanted you to do that. You know, you’re actually not a bad kisser,” he said a smirk forming across his face.
Eduardo turned back toward him with a grin, “Oh yeah?” he asked crossing across the office again to stand in front of Mark.
“Yeah,” Mark replied simply before grabbing at Eduardo’s shirt and pulling him down, crashing their lips together eagerly.
Jesse
Jesse was fixing breakfast one morning before heading over to the Cherry Lane for a last minute rehearsal of Asuncion when his phone rang. He almost ignored it until he noticed whose name was on the caller ID.
He slid the phone open and timidly said, "Hello."
“So, I hear you’re dating Mark Zuckerberg now,” Andrew said from the other end of the line, “That’s a little…uh…weird, to say the least.”
“We’re not dating, but if we were, why would it matter to you?” Jesse asked he was just genuinely confused, but Andrew took it personally.
“I just don’t want to see you get hurt, but, um…I’m sorry for caring, I guess?” Andrew said, the words coming out like a question.
“No, Andrew, that’s not what I meant. You didn’t return my calls for like a month, and now you’re calling to question me on my love life. It’s just a little weird, I guess,” Jesse said.
“Okay, well at least answer me this: are you gay?” Andrew asked.
Jesse took a deep breath before breathing out, “Yeah, I am.”
“Wow. I mean, not wow in a bad way. I just...I never knew. But, uh, I am too. I guess you deserve to know that. I have to go now though,” Andrew said hanging up before Jesse could even process what he had said.
Jesse shook his head slowly, trying to figure out exactly what had just happened, before heading off to the theater. Later when they were taking a break for lunch Jesse took out his phone and shot a text to Mark.
"So, Andrew called, but it was weird."
Mark's response of, "Weird, how?" came shortly after.
"He thought we were dating and seemed pissed off about it and then he told me he was gay and hung up," was Jesse's response.
"It sounds like he was jealous," Mark responded.
Jesse didn't know what to make of that, so he finished his lunch and headed back to theater.
A few days passed before Andrew called again. Jesse answered the phone nervously and Andrew just responded with a simple hello before they both fell silent.
"Uh, you called me..."Jesse reminded him.
"Yeah, I know, sorry, I'm just trying to gather my thoughts," Andrew said, and then after another moment of silence, "I guess I just don't understand."
"Understand what?" Jesse asked his eyebrows drawing together in confusion.
"Why him?" Andrew asked.
"Andrew, I am not dating Mark Zuckerberg. I promise," Jesse said.
"Yeah, you keep saying that, but I saw the picture and it sure looked like you were," Andrew responded his voice coming out harsh and broken.
"Are you seriously going to believe some tabloid over your own best friend?" Jesse said back trying to keep his voice even. He wasn't mad, not yet, but he was quickly losing patience.
"I don't know...and you're being a bit of an overdramatic prick," Andrew responded and that's when Jesse lost it.
"I'm being a prick? I'm being a prick?! You can not be serious right now, Andrew," he sputtered out.
"You know what, never mind," Andrew said before hanging up abruptly.
Jesse decided to call Emma and see if she knew what was going on with Andrew since they were together filming Spider-Man right now.
"What the hell is up with Andrew?" Jesse asked when she answered the phone.
"I just need you two to kiss and make up so I don't have to deal with mopey Andrew for the rest of this shoot," was Emma's response.
"I highly doubt Andrew wants to kiss and make up with me," Jesse responded with a sigh collapsing onto his couch.
"Are you really that clueless, Eisenberg?" Emma responded. Jesse rolled his eyes despite the fact she couldn't see her and made up an excuse to get off the phone.
***
Two weeks later Jesse was deep in a performance of Asuncion when he looked out in the crowd and saw something that made him stumble over his next line. Andrew was out there, sitting right beside Emma, so Jesse knew she had made him come, but still he was here and that counted for something, right?
After the show Jesse headed straight for his dressing room and flopped down in the chair in front of the mirror. Andrew appeared in the doorway moments later leaning against it with a kind of nonchalance that Jesse never would have been able to pull off himself.
“Hey, I wasn’t expect…well, I mean, I didn’t expect you to come. Since I’m a…what was it you so eloquently called me?” Jesse asked, purposely keeping his back to Andrew, but sneaking glances at him in the mirror anyway.
“I believe I called you an overdramatic prick,” Andrew replied shuffling his feet and looking down shyly. “But, I came to apologize.”
“Only because Emma made you,” Jesse replied finally turning to face Andrew but not meeting his eye.
“Emma didn’t physically force me here or anything. She just told me she was tired of hearing both of us whine about how totally gay for each other we are, and by the way those are her words not mine.”
“Yeah, she told me that too,” Jesse said, briefly allowing the corners of his mouth to tug up into a grin.
“You were great, by the way. The play was really something special,” Andrew said. He was grinning but was still trying hard to avoid Jesse’s eye.
“You can’t keep doing this Andrew,” Jesse said turning back around and taking a few steps away from Andrew.
Andrew took a step closer in response and asked, “Doing what?”
“Making me feel like you care more than you do,” Jesse responded.
“What are you talking about?” Andrew asked.
“I like you, okay? More than a friend should. And I can’t keep getting my hopes up only to realize again and again that you will never like me that way,” Jesse said hunching his shoulders up and staying faced away from Andrew.
“Oh, Jesse, Jesse, Jesse, you silly boy,” Andrew said stepping around Jesse and pulling him into a hug. “I do like you that way. How could anyone not?”
“Then why didn’t you ask me out when Emma said we needed to stop whining about how gay for each other we are?” Jesse asked leaning into the hug eagerly and desperately.
“Probably for the same reason you didn’t ask me out,” Andrew said.
“I thought she was just being crazy. I thought there was no way that you liked me back,” Jesse said nuzzling his head against Andrew’s shoulder.
“Well, I do,” Andrew responded he pulled back slightly, reaching to tip Jesse’s face up before leaning down and kissing him slowly.
“Good,” Jesse replied sliding his arms around Andrew’s neck and pressing up on his tip-toes to kiss him again.