Mark woke up slowly. The first thing, the only thing he felt was Jack's warm weight pressing down on him. Jack had shifted in his sleep and was almost fully on top of him, his head under Mark's chin, his right arm and leg thrown across Mark's body. Mark kept his eyes closed and examined all of the ways their bodies were touching. He could tell from Jack's breathing that he was still deeply asleep, and Mark was grateful, for more than one reason. Jack had been through a lot, and he was relieved to find him resting peacefully instead of tossing and turning. He also selfishly loved these quiet moments with Jack. He found it incredible that the same person who had held him against a wall in a public locker room the night before was now so still and vulnerable in his arms. He loved the calm as much as he loved the storm.

He lingered on the memory of the previous night, of the way Jack's eyes had looked as he'd pressed his hand over Mark's mouth… Mark shivered. He had never done anything like that before, had never had sex in a public place, especially since he had become widely recognizable. But then, he had never been with anyone like Jack before – vibrant, aggressive, powerful Jack, who couldn't keep his hands to himself…

He shivered again, despite Jack's warmth. All of the heat had concentrated in his lap, pressing against Jack…

Fuck.

He shifted. Jack didn't move. He tried to think calm, lovely thoughts of Jack. He thought of Jack's mouth on his cock.

Fuck!

He stabilized Jack in his arms as well as he could, and then partially lifted him, scooting to the side so Jack was resting on the bed and pillow. Jack stirred for a moment, but settled immediately back into a deep sleep. Mark hated the idea of leaving Jack, but he also wanted him to sleep for as long as possible. He was wide awake now, and would only disturb Jack if he stayed close by.

He found a pad of paper and a pen, scribbled a note.

Thanks for the epic boner. You were sleeping. Went for coffee. Love you, -M

Mark left the note under Jack's cell phone on the night stand. He pulled on his jeans and sweatshirt, grabbed his phone, wallet, and room key, and wandered into the hall.

He checked the screen on his phone. It was only 5:30AM, local time. No wonder Jack had been so deeply asleep. He did a quick Google search and saw that there was a coffee shop a couple of blocks away, but it wouldn't be open until 6:00. He had some time to kill.

He sent his stepmom a quick message.

M: Hey Dee, still up?

He knew it was late at night where she lived, but there was a chance she might still be awake. Sure enough, he got a response after a few seconds.

D: Hey! How's the trip going?

He smiled. He had texted Dee and his mom to let them know that he would be visiting Ireland with Jack. He knew they would both be confused as to why he was abroad if they saw news or photos posted online, without hearing from him first.

M: It's amazing so far. Have a minute to talk?

D: Sure!

He made his way down the hall to the empty conference room, sat down, and tapped his phone to call his stepmother. She sounded sleepy when she answered. He suspected the text messages had probably woken her up.

"Hey, is this an ok time? I know you're probably ready to go to sleep."

She yawned. "No, it's fine! Everything ok?"

"Yeah, everything is… awesome."

"How's Jack?"

Mark couldn't stop himself from grinning.

"He's… great. He's… really great. I actually wanted to talk to you about that. About Jack. About me and Jack."

"Ok. I'm listening."

"So… we've been friends for a long time. Like, really good friends." Mark paused, his heart rate quickening. "Ok, this is harder than I thought it would be."

"Mark? What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Everything is great. I just need to tell you something that might… freak you out, a little bit. But, for me, it's a really good thing."

"Mark, you know I love you. Whatever it is, you can tell me."

Mark took a breath. "Jack wasn't really on vacation. He came to California to see me. We were friends before, but now… it's more than that. We spent some time together, and it just…" He ran out of words.

"Sorry, Mark, I'm not sure I get it- what happened with Jack?"

Mark swallowed hard. "Dee… I love Jack. Not just as a friend. I… really love him. I have for a long time."

The line was quiet.

"You're right, I was not expecting that." Silence for another moment. "I didn't know either of you were… I didn't know you were interested in… men. How does Jack feel about all this?"

"I wasn't, before. This is the first time. And he loves me, too. He's coming back to California with me."

"That sounds serious!"

"It is. It's really good. I'm really… happy. And I can't tell a lot of people. We decided to keep it a secret for now. I just really wanted to tell you. You've always been there for me… I thought you would understand."

"I will try my best. It seems like a lot has happened. But you sound really happy. That's the most important thing."

Mark smiled with relief.

"Did you tell your mother yet?" Mark's smile slipped a bit.

"No. I'm really not sure how she'll take it. I think she might have a hard time."

"I think she will be… surprised. I think her first reaction might not be what you hope for. But she loves you. You might just need to give her some time."

"Yeah. I know. Thanks, Dee. Maybe we can talk more in a couple days? I know you're tired."

"I'd really like that. Thank you for telling me, Mark- I know that was probably hard to do. I'm so glad to hear that you're happy."

"Thanks. Love you."

"Love you too."

The call disconnected. Mark sat still, staring at the screen for a moment. It had gone about as well as he could have expected. He had known that he and Jack would both have to deal with some awkwardness, negativity, or even downright disgust from people they knew. He reflected on the fact that, more likely than not, the people who would have the hardest time adjusting would be members of their own families, rather than their close friends. Jack had been right- everything was always harder with family. He felt a wave of gratitude toward Bob and Wade, realizing now that he couldn't have possibly hoped for a better reaction from anyone. He sent a text to each of them, thanking them for the support.

He checked the time and saw that the coffee shop should have opened already. He memorized the directions, took the elevator downstairs, and stepped into the street. The air was pleasantly cool. He passed a few people on the sidewalk, but the streets were still mostly empty. Nobody paid him any attention. He enjoyed being alone for the moment, knowing that Jack was safe and warm and waiting for him.

The buzzing activity of the coffee shop was a shock after the quiet streets. Mark waited in line for a few minutes, then stepped up to the counter to order. He was awake enough, so he decided to take a pass on coffee for himself. He wasn't sure what Jack would be in the mood for, so he ordered two different options, just in case.

The cashier stared at him

Mark stared back.

"Are you Markiplier?"

Mark laughed. "Yeah. What's your name?"

"Uhm." It seemed like he needed to think about it. "Connor! It's Connor."

"Hey Connor, it's nice to meet you."

"Hey… I've been a fan for a long time! It's so cool that you're here!"

Mark smiled.

"Uh, sorry, can you repeat your order for me?"

Mark repeated the coffee order, and also asked for a couple of muffins and bagels to bring back for breakfast. The kid entered his ordered and swiped his card.

"You're all set. But, uhm-"

"I can sign something for you, if you want!"

The kid looked around for something Mark could autograph. He finally settled on an empty coffee cup and the Sharpie he was using to detail customers' orders. Mark signed the cup.

"Photo?" The kid nodded enthusiastically, had clearly been too embarrassed to ask. He took out his cell phone and set the camera. He leaned over the counter and snapped a selfie.

"You are so cool. Thank you so much for that. My friends would never believe me otherwise."

"No problem. Thanks for your help, Connor. It was nice meeting you."

Mark made his way to the end of the counter to wait for his order.

It was almost 8:00 by the time Mark arrived back at the hotel room. He knew it would still be early for Jack to get up, but he had no idea what Jack had planned for the day, if anything. He wasn't even sure if they were supposed to check out of the hotel or not. He resolved to try and rouse Jack as painlessly as possible.

He swiped his key, walked into the room, and set the coffee and food down on the table. He approached the bed quietly.

Jack was… gorgeous. He was sleeping soundly on his back, with his right arm curled over his head, and his left arm thrown over the mattress where Mark had been sleeping earlier. The sheets and blanket were pooled around his waist, and his shirt had crept up his torso, revealing about two inches of smooth, pale skin. His lips were parted, his cheeks slightly flushed. It occurred to Mark that this was how Jack often looked right after they kissed, before he opened his eyes, when he was still clinging to the sensation. Mark felt color rising in his own cheeks. He was caught between his desire to make the moment last – to observe the beauty of Jack for as long as possible – and the overwhelming urge to press his hands – his lips – against Jack's body.

He only lingered for a moment. He couldn't resist. He climbed onto the mattress near Jack's feet, moving upward as carefully as he could, until he was hovering above the exposed skin of Jack's stomach. He moved his hand so slowly, so gently, bringing it to rest on Jack's side, just underneath his shirt.

Jack made a small stretching movement with his shoulders, and then lay still.

Mark moved his thumb in a small circle, gently stroking the smooth skin of Jack's hip.

Jack repeated the stretching movement, then lay still again.

Mark smiled. He loved that Jack was calm and comfortable enough to sleep so soundly.

He leaned down and pressed his lips against the warm skin of Jack's belly, pressing into Jack's hip a bit more firmly with his hand.

"Mm." Jack was finally stirring. He kept his eyes closed, but moved his right hand downward, searching for Mark, finally winding his fingers through Mark's hair.

Mark was still tracing the hem of Jack's fitted shorts with his lips. Jack was still again, his hand resting lightly in Mark's hair, but Mark felt an involuntary throb through the thin fabric of Jack's boxers. He smiled and hooked his fingers around Jack's waistband, moving his lips and tongue downward as he pulled at Jack's shorts. Jack kept his eyes closed, but he sighed happily and made another stretching movement, arching his back slightly. Mark took it as a cue. He straightened up, pulled the blankets down, and pulled Jack's boxers off. Then he moved upwards again, bending one of Jack's legs slightly so he could settle between Jack's knees. He rested his head against Jack's inner thigh and looked up.

Jack seemed like he was still halfway between sleep and wakefulness. He was sighing quietly, shifting his hips and shoulders in small stretches. He was partially erect. Mark wasn't sure if he could resist. Is this okay to do? Thus far he had been extremely hesitant to do anything physical to Jack without his explicit permission. He considered the appropriateness of his intentions, and immediately flashed back to the night before, when Jack had licked and stroked him to the point of orgasm in what had basically been a crazed frenzy.

Also, we had sex in this bed. Very real, very intense sex.

Mark was fairly sure they had moved beyond the point of second-guessing their physical connection. He lifted his head and gently took Jack into his mouth.

Jack sighed more audibly and wound his fingers through Mark's hair again, pressing the side of his face into his pillow.

Mark forced himself to move slowly, exploring the length of Jack with his lips and tongue. Jack swelled immediately in response- warm, pulsing skin filling Mark's mouth. Mark couldn't deny he had honestly come to enjoy the sensation; he was obsessed with the idea of making Jack feel in this way. He adjusted his position to get a better angle, and took Jack deeply into his mouth.

"Ohh…" Jack sighed, arched his back, and shifted his hips.

Mark sucked and licked at Jack in a slow, steady rhythm, his fingers wrapped loosely around the base of Jack's erection. He kept the pressure gentle, imagining that he might be appearing in Jack's dreams, guiding him slowly back to the world. Jack's hand moved through his hair to his forehead, where he traced the line of Mark's brow with his thumb. Then, he finally started to move his hips, rocking gently against Mark's traveling lips. Mark looked up, keeping his mouth busy, watching Jack arch off of the bed, his face buried in the pillow. His movements were fluid, almost lazy.

Mark tightened his grip, increased the pressure. Come back to me now.

The response was immediate; Jack started to tense. He curled his free hand around the pillow, squeezing it hard, squaring his shoulders. He gripped Mark's hair more tightly and tensed his hips, rocking more quickly, silently begging for Mark to do the same. He was close. He was ready to fall.

Mark sucked more firmly with his lips and tongue. He tightened his grip, quickened his pace-

And Jack was back. He arched off of the bed, hand tight in Mark's hair, and came with a moan, hot and wet inside of Mark's mouth. Mark was ready for it; he swallowed easily, then moved his tongue lazily over Jack, enjoying the way Jack shuddered in response.

Mark made sure Jack was clean, then moved up the bed, bracing himself over Jack, stroking at Jack's hair with one hand. He was greeted by bright blue eyes and a lazy smile.

"There you are."

Jack reached up, held Mark's face in his hands, and kissed him for a long moment.

"That was so much better than coffee."

"Oh, I brought coffee too. Don't you underestimate me, now."

Jack giggled. "Have I mentioned that yeh're the best thing that's ever happened to me?"

Mark smiled. "No. You haven't. Go ahead. Mention it."

Jack brushed at Mark's hair, studying his soft, brown eyes. "Yeh're the best thing that's ever happened to me."

Mark kissed his mouth, believing every word.

He pulled back after a long moment. "Coffee now, before it's too cold."

He climbed out of the bed and brought the drinks and food over to Jack. Jack took a sip of coffee and then yawned hugely. "Wow, ok, good thing I brought two cups!" He laughed at Jack's scrunched-up face.

"Oh, you hush! What time is it, even?" Jack yawned.

"It's a little after eight. I know it's kind of early. I couldn't get back to sleep with you laying on me. You are very… tempting… even when you're asleep."

"Oh really," Jack snarked, munching on a muffin.

"Really," Mark said. "You were almost completely on top of me when I woke up. I seriously almost lost it. I wanted to give you some time to sleep, so I went and called my stepmom."

"Oh." Jack stopped munching, his mouth still partially full. "How did it go, love?" Mark heard the concern in his voice, despite the muffin bits.

"It went really well. We didn't really talk about the details too much, but she said she was happy for me. I knew she would be a safe person to tell. She's always been there for me, even when my mom and I weren't getting along too well."

Jack nodded. They had each had ups and downs with their parents in the past, and had talked about it before.

"I'm proud of you fer telling her. I'm really excited to meet her sometime."

Mark's expression brightened. "She is going to love you." Jack grinned.

"So, what's the plan? Should I get back in bed with you, or is it time for the next adventure?"

"Adventure time, I think," Jack said. He was starting to look and sound much more alert. "You took me home once, and my whole life changed. You ready to come home with me?"