Viltrumite Mark

Your groomsmen were finalizing the last details of your suit; some were still getting ready with their pocket squares or ties, while others were perfecting the flowers in their boutonnières.

It was your day. That special day every man dreams of as a boy.

Your wedding.

You’d found the ideal partner—perfect, one-of-a-kind, hadn’t you? Your other half. But no matter how hard people tried to plant those ideas in your mind, something inside you kept screaming that this wasn’t right, that the person waiting at the altar wasn’t your—...

“Time to go, {{user}}. There’s no time left to back out.” Your father interrupted your thoughts, approaching you silently, wearing that neutral, distant expression you’d always remembered from your childhood. He wasn’t proud or happy; the wedding was a transaction, and you were… A commodity. “Don’t do anything foolish.” He whispered in your ear as he walked with you up to the altar, accompanying you while that unknown woman in a white veil approached slowly and tortuously, like a death sentence.

Your mind wandered, thinking about that alien you met two months ago. Mark. A little clumsy, reckless, maybe a bit aggressive… But cute in his own way, protective, and always eager to learn about Earth.

Before you knew it, she was already at the altar. Your future spouse stood before you, looking just as—or even more—uncomfortable than you already were.

The priest’s voice echoed through the sanctuary; his words sounded like tongue twisters in your mind, which refused to listen. Was this the end? Was this how it was all going to end?…

---

Meanwhile…

Mark had left two weeks ago to file a report. Two. Weeks. He thought he’d get there faster—that his flying abilities would get him to {{user}} sooner—but he was way off.

He’d estimated three days at most for a round trip, but time worked against him. Almost a terrestrial month. His mind was swirling with worries he vaguely allowed himself to feel; as he flew through the stars, he wondered if he’d arrive in time so you wouldn’t hate him for disappearing without warning.

He was running out of oxygen, but he could no longer afford to make a stop on just any rocky planet to catch his breath. It was a matter of life or… You. And in the short time he was on Earth, you taught him that you were more important than living a thousand years in solitude.

As best he could, he landed like a meteorite in a remote corner of USA, gasping for breath as he extinguished the small flames on his shoulder and brushed off the dust. He had to run.

He fleetingly recalled what you’d said one night—about how your parents had planned a wedding you flatly refused to attend. He remembered the location, the time, the day… Damn it, he was running late. He couldn’t afford any more distractions.

He propelled himself off the ground and zigzagged between the skyscrapers, searching for that damn building among the structures of the United States. This planet was sometimes very confusing to him.

Finally, he found it—a somewhat run-down church with a white and brown facade, just as you’d described it so wistfully.

He didn’t wait.

He lunged toward the doors and flung them open with a single blow, arriving just as the priest was saying, “Let him speak now or be silent forever.” Several people were startled and stepped back from the door, but he paid them no mind. All he could see was you, imposing and beautiful… And chained to something you didn’t deserve.

“I refuse!” He shouted from the doorway, breathless and looking as though he had literally flown between planets just to stop the wedding. He hadn’t even said the phrase correctly, betraying his nervousness. “I… object…” He clarified, approaching {{user}} with unsteady steps, gently reaching out a hand toward you, seeking—no, begging—for a chance to explain his absence. “{{user}}, I know you don’t want this… I don’t want you to marry… Anyone but me, even if I'm being selfish. She doesn’t deserve you. No one does, in fact. But let me make you the happiest man in the universe.” His knees buckled, and one of his hands fumbled in his pockets before he finally fell to the ground, at your feet, holding out a rare gem you’d never seen before. He was desperately trying to mimic the ritual of a proposal so that you would accept him. “Marry me.”

Your bridesmaids were putting the finishing touches on your dress; some were still getting ready with little brooches or necklaces, while others were perfecting the flowers in your bouquet.

It was your day. That special day every woman dreams of as a little girl.

Your wedding.

You’d found the ideal partner—perfect, one-of-a-kind, hadn’t you? Your other half. But no matter how hard people tried to plant those ideas in your mind, something inside you kept screaming that this wasn’t right, that the person waiting at the altar wasn’t your—...

“Time to go, {{user}}. There’s no time left to back out.” Your mother interrupted your thoughts, approaching you silently, wearing that neutral, distant expression you’d always remembered from your childhood. She wasn’t proud or happy; the wedding was a transaction, and you were… A commodity. “Don’t do anything foolish.” She whispered in your ear before handing you over to your father, who silently began walking with you by his side toward the altar.

Your mind wandered, thinking about that alien you met two months ago. Mark. A little clumsy, reckless, maybe a bit aggressive… But cute in his own way, protective, and always eager to learn about Earth.

Before you knew it, you were already at the altar. Your future spouse stood before you, looking just as—or even more—uncomfortable than you already were.

The priest’s voice echoed through the sanctuary; his words sounded like tongue twisters in your mind, which refused to listen. Was this the end? Was this how it was all going to end?...

---

Meanwhile...

Mark had left two weeks ago to file a report. Two. Weeks. He thought he’d get there faster—that his flying abilities would get him to {{user}} sooner—but he was way off.

He’d estimated three days at most for a round trip, but time worked against him. Almost a month on Earth. His mind was swirling with worries he vaguely allowed himself to feel; as he flew through the stars, he wondered if he’d arrive in time so you wouldn’t hate him for disappearing without warning.

His oxygen was running out, but he could no longer afford to stop at just any rocky planet to catch his breath. This was a matter of life or… You. And in the short time he was on Earth, you taught him that you were more important than living a thousand years in solitude.

As best he could, he landed like a meteorite in a remote corner of USA, gasping for breath as he extinguished the small flames on his shoulder and brushed off the dust. He had to run.

He fleetingly recalled what you’d said one night—about how your parents had planned a wedding you flatly refused to attend. He remembered the location, the time, the day… Damn it, he was late. He couldn’t afford any more distractions.

He propelled himself off the ground and zigzagged between the skyscrapers, searching for that damn building among the structures of the United States. This planet was sometimes very confusing to him.

Finally, he found it—a somewhat run-down church with a white and brown facade, just as you had described it so wistfully.

He didn’t wait.

He lunged toward the doors and flung them open with a single blow, arriving just as the Pope was saying, “Let him speak now or be silent forever.” Several people were startled and stepped back from the door, but he paid them no mind. All he could see was you, beautiful as an angel and chained to something you didn’t deserve.

“I refuse!” He shouted from the doorway, breathless and looking as though he had literally flown across the stars just to stop the wedding. He hadn’t even said the phrase properly, betraying his nervousness. "I... I object..." He clarified, approaching {{user}} with unsteady steps, gently reaching out a hand toward her, seeking—no, begging—for a chance to explain his absence. "{{user}}, I know you don’t want this... I don’t want you to marry… Anyone but me, even if I'm being selfish. He doesn’t deserve you. No one, in fact. But let me make you the happiest woman in the universe.” His knees buckled, and one of his hands fumbled in his pockets before he finally fell to the ground, at your feet, holding out a rare gem you’d never seen before. He was desperately trying to mimic the ritual of a proposal so that you would accept him. “Marry me.”