Chapter 2: The Next Morning
Jack's eyes flutter open. "ughhh...What the fu-?" He grumbles as he pulls at the shock collar that still was around his throat. There's a light knock at the door.
"Jack...?"
"C'mon in Mark." Jack sits up in bed, the blanket only covering his lap revealing his bare chest, that was covered in scars from previous years of attack from Anti and Dark. Mark opens the door and looks down at Jack, his neck showing a bruising bite mark and several scratch marks.
"Oh my god..." Mark says as he walks toward Jack. "I'm..I'm so sorry."
"Hey, don't feel bad, it wasn't yer fault Mark. Anti and Dark must've gotten into another fight. Do me a favour would ye though? Take this stupid shock collar off?" Jack says with a slight smile. Mark sits on the edge of the bed and leans forward, unstrapping the collar from Jack's neck. Jack grins again. "C'mon Mark, really, it's alright. I'm sorry too..." Mark blushes and stands up.
"Y-yeah well..i'm gonna go..upload a video to youtube so..i'll see you later." He says, obviously still upset over Dark's actions the previous night. Jack lays back down in bed, staring at the ceiling.
Mark shuts the door to his room, tears welling in his eyes. He was afraid of Dark. He hated knowing that he hurt Jack. He cared about Jack so much. More than Jack probably knew...Mark shakes his head. No use tampering with feelings that will never be said, never be returned either he thinks. He sits at his computer and types in the youtube search bar 'Septiplier'. He was a personal fan of the ship that their fans created. The feelings he felt for Jack were real, even if everyone, including Jack, thought it was all for show. Mark and Jack had been roommates for a few years now,collabing on videos and having a good time, until one day they both woke up with bite marks and scratches. That's when they discovered their inner personalities had met. Darkiplier and Antisepticeye did not get along very well. It was horrible. Mark wanted it to stop but there was nothing he could do. He..He...No. He wouldn't admit that to himself. Not yet at least. There was no point in admitting a thought that would never be said aloud.
The tears welling in his eyes finally spilled over. "I'm so sorry Jack..." he whispered through the heavy stream of tears. There's a knock on Mark's door, and Jack's voice, full of concern says
"Mark..Can I come in...?"
"yeah..yeah sure..." He dries his eyes and quickly gets himself together as Jack opens the door. He doesn't even say anything. Jack just hugs him. Tightly, as if there wasn't ever going to another opportunity to hug Mark again. Jack breaks down completely. Tears flowing from his eyes like streams that lead into a river.
"I'm sorry Mark! I'm sorry that Anti even is a thing you have to worry about." Mark just holds Jack close.
"Hey...Hey relax Jackaboy, it's alright...it's okay.." He says, tears returning to his eyes. He, without thinking, kisses the top of the green haired boy's head, blushing brightly.
Jack continues to sob heavily, hating himself, hating Anti, hating what Anti did to Mark. A sense of depression fills his entire being. Mark just holds him close, tightly, comforting the man he cared about most in the world. "Jack, it's okay."
Jack pulls away, drying his eyes with the sleeve of his shirt.
"Okay...I um..i'm gonna go finish editing a video I have..." He says, his face turning red with embarrassment as he leaves the room. Mark just smiles softly to himself. He's glad that he was able to comfort Jack, but he still had his own problems to struggle with. He doesn't want Jack to ever see him upset. He had to be strong. For the both of them.