"I'm sorry for your loss," Mark whispered with empathy into Seán's left ear. The sobbing green-haired man turned his head and a rush of excitement shot through him; he felt lighter and corrected his posture.
"Oh, Mark… you didn't have to-"
"-Of course, I had to come. He was your friend." Mark's tone was softer and deeper than usual; it was extraordinarily calming to listen to.
With grace, Seán smiled at his fuzzy red-haired friend and he was grateful for the friendship - unknown to their fans - that they had formed. Mark's comforting, warm hand slowly stroked Seán's back in small, circular movements. His welcoming care for Seán was perfect and one hundred percent needed. Seán had never had a friend like Mark; someone who understood him and was always there for him.
"Mark?"
"Yes, Jack?" It always warmed Seán's heart when Mark would call him that.
"Can we make a video together about this?"
Mark was hesitant to answer as he wasn't sure exactly what Seán was on about. "You mean… about your friend?"
"Yeah… and how I'd like to take a break. I don't think I can make a video like this by myself." He also really needed Mark in his life. He didn't have very many close friends to be with.
"Absolutely! Of course, Jack. Would you like me to take a break with you?" The last few words of his sentence were significantly slowed with uncertainty; but he could sense the gratefulness in Seán and soon realized he had said the right thing.
"You don't have to do that, Mark."
"I will, though, if you want." He replied with a reassuring smile. Seán gently nodded his head once and grinned in shyness and with gratitude at the ground. "Come on," Mark patted his friend's back one last time, "Let's get you home."
Seán attempted to turn the ignition in his car but his hand began to shake whilst holding the key; he was too shaken up about his friend's suicide to do much of anything at all. Instinctively, Mark reached for Seán's hand and held it steady. Surely enough, the green-haired boy's hand became still and for a long moment, tension began to build up amongst the two men. Mark abruptly apologised for reasons neither of them were quite sure of and let his friend proceed to turn the key.
The engine started; finally, a sound between them that could eliminate the awkwardness.
"I can't do this." Seán broke down and tears started to make their way down his cheeks. Without hesitation, Mark wiped the tears away like it was nothing and then scrammed out of the car to help his friend. He opened the door at Seán's side and lifted him out of the vehicle by his arm. Seán was struggling profusely to stay upright but was grateful for the stability he had against Mark and rested his head against his friend's chest.
With caution, Mark used one of his hands to stroke Seán's head and the other was used to hold him against his body. "I'll drive you home, don't worry."
They made it to Seán's house within ten minutes and Mark opened the front door. They weren't quite holding hands but Mark was in a protective state and had his friend's arm gripped tightly in his hand and he walked in ahead; dragging an unstable Seán behind him.
"Do you have the setup ready?"
"Maybe." Seán's voice cracked with sadness.
"Are you sure you want to do this now?" Mark was sincerely concerned for this man.
Seán promptly looked up in thought and glanced at Mark for the first time since they first entered the car. "Maybe… I think I need to."
"No! Of course you don't," Mark started in surprise, "Your viewers will understand. Let's make the video tomorrow?"
"That would be nice, yeah. Are you going home then?"
"I'll stay if you want me to. I could sleep on the sofa?"
"That would be nice, yeah."