It was around October now and Dark had changed a lot in the time since his breakdown and the other ego's acceptance of him. His aura had become somewhat more controllable and less angry, making his brothers less uncomfortable around him.

He was still his proper self and the boss of the house but had eased the others in realizing he could have fun once in a while, too. However, something Bim had said the other day had been bothering him. 

"Yes, yes, Mark and I had gone out for lunch. We went to that little diner that sells small pizzas. We had a great time"

But Bim wasn't the only one. Eric had spent time around Mark and his other friends as well and they had taken him to the greenhouse with them. Even Yandere and Google had spent time around Teamiplier. It sort of still hurt Dark that Mark hadn't spent any alone time with him but he could with Google. He was in a pout when King burst in his room, "Hey Dark!"

Dark blinked in surprise, "Uh. . King. What can I do for you?"

The King of the Squirrels grinned, "Mark called and said he was on his way over! Isn't that great!? I think he's bringing Tyler, Ethan, Amy and Katherine, too!"

"Oh great" he tried to seem happy but it came out as a bit anxious and King could tell.

"What's wrong?"

Dark grunted and shook his head, "Nothing. It's nothing. You can go tell the others if you haven't already"

"Okay, if you say so" With that King ran off, closing the door behind him.

'Maybe this could be my chance?' Dark thought, 'Oh but with his friends with him, he wouldn't want to spend any alone time with just me.' he grumbled to himself, that tight little pain in his chest.

He liked Mark's friends well enough, they were all nice to him and all the other egos but this was important to him. He had never spent any alone time with Mark besides that argument in his room months ago. What if Mark decided he really didn't want to be around him at all and they were sent back to square one again?

Dark was starting to get anxious and took a deep breath to try and calm his nerves.

'Suck it up, Dark' he told himself, 'Mark wouldn't hurt you if he could help it. Not again.'

Dark tried thinking of things that they COULD do together but the list was small, really. They didn't have too many likes in common besides sweets and the horror genre. They had the same morals but their hobbies were a bit different. 

Where Mark liked to exercise and stay healthy, Dark didn't have to worry about that so he ate a lot of questionable things and preferred not to sweat.

Mark loved playing video games and improv but Dark wasn't too into that sort of fun. Dark preferred board games and movies for entertainment and social interactions.

However, they both loved sweets, spending time with the egos, animals (especially dogs), Mark's fans, horror stuff and learning new things.

'Perhaps we could do something with Halloween coming up? Maybe I could convince him to go to a pumpkin patch with me to get pumpkins for everyone?' he thought about it but honestly Dark doubted it. That was something Mark and Eric or the Jims would do together. But it did sound fun.

'Maybe it would be best to let him choose if he wanted to do anything at all with me?' Dark nodded to himself, deep in his thoughts, 'Yes, that would be the best option. Saves me from choosing something he wouldn't be interested in'

After a while thinking and trying to rehearse in his head how things might go, Dark finally left his room/office and walked down to the living room where some of the others hung out. Dr. Iplier spotted him first and came over to him, "Dark." he greeted, "You look like you're dying. You feeling alright?"

Dark hid the urge to roll his eyes, "I'm fine, Doctor."

"Are you sure? You're looking pale. Perhaps anxious. You should have a seat and relax. I know what's best, trust me."

Not wanting to argue, Dark sat in a chair, ignoring the Doctor trying to check his temperature. One of the Jims noticed the actions, "Uh . . .is Dark alright? Why are you checking him?"

"He's dying" 

The others sort of paused and Dark sighed, "No, I'm not. Stop telling people that line, Doctor. I'm fine"

"You don't look too cool, bro" Bing popped up and Google nodded.

"He is pale and his heart rate has slowly increased suggesting anxiety."

"Why you nervous, Darkimoo?" Wilford popped out of nowhere from behind a couch, making everyone stop and stare, wondering where he came from.

Dark narrowed his eyes at him and grunted, "I'm not. I'm fine!" but no one believed him.

"Dark lied, trying to console everyone of his true feelings. In truth, he was worried about Mark's coming to Raspy Hill this day." the Host explained.

Dark glared at him, "The Host realized Dark didn't want this information out in the open and apologized to Dark sincerely."

Everyone seemed concerned as to why Dark felt nervous about Mark coming but before anyone could press the matter, the door bell rang. King ran to the door to escape the tension, "It's Mark, guys! Play cool! Dark, breathe! Everything's okay!"

Dark huffed, "I said I'm fine, dammit! Opening the damn door!"

King cringed but opened it. Mark heard the exclamation, however, from the other side, "Hey King. . . Did we interrupt something? Everything alright?"

"No yeah! uH . . . . It's fine." it wasn't too convincing though.

Dark had his face in his palm and Mark just waved it off, "Alright. Can we come in?"

"Oh yeah! Sure!" As King let the gang in, Dark could feel his nerves fighting.

Mark greeted everyone with a smile and a few with a hug until he got to Dark, "Hey Dark! How have you been?" he went for a handshake and Dark cringed a little at the formal gesture but took it.

"I'm fine."

"You sure? You seem paler than usual, bud." Mark placed the back of his hand on Dark's forehead to check his temperature thoughtfully but Dark gently moved it away.

He was about to answer when Yandere popped up, "The Host said he was nervous about you coming over"

Dark snapped a glare at Yandere making them gulp. Mark seemed worried though, "Really? Why's that?"

"It's nothing." Dark rolled his eyes, "Just false alarms with them. Everything's fine"

Mark seemed to take the reassurance for now and nodded, "Alright. Oh hey! We brought Chica, Henry and Spencer today if that's alright. Didn't want them cooped up by themselves. Thought the others would enjoy them, too."

Dark smiled a little as he saw the three dogs jumping around and wagging their tails in delight at all the attention they were currently receiving, "They're okay." Dark nodded, "They're good pups"

After a while of greeting and catching up with each other, Dark eventually wandered out of the space without being noticed. By almost everyone, that is. Amy saw Dark slink out cautiously and Yandere's words earlier bothered her.

She tapped Mark's shoulder, "Hey" she whispered in his ear, "I think something really is wrong with Dark."

Mark looked around for his alter but couldn't find him, "Where'd he go?" he whispered back.

"He snuck out. I'm going to go talk to him if that's alright?"

"Yeah sure. Should I come with you, you think?"

"Nah" she shook her head, "Maybe let me try and talk to him first"

He nodded and Amy wandered her way up the stairs to find Dark's room where he undoubtedly was. She came to his door and softly knocked.

"Go away please. I'm finishing some paperwork" Dark's voice responded.

"It's Amy. Can I please come in?"

There was a few moments of silence before he finally grumbled, "Fine"

She opened the door and smiled as she stepped inside, "Hey Dark. Are you sure you're-"

"I'm fine." he snapped but quickly looked guilty for it, "I apologize. I'm just sick of people asking me that today."

"It's alright. What's got you worked up, buddy?"

Unknowing to her, Henry had followed her up the stairs and wandered in cautiously coming up by her side, whining, "Henny" she exclaimed lightly, "You go back downstairs, you clingy little boy" she chastised to him cutely but he just wagged his fluffy tail.

Dark smiled, "It's quite alright. Here, boy" he called him over gently and after a moment of hesitation, he finally slowly wandered over to accept Dark's affection. Dark pat his had and scratched his ears with a small smile as the dog seemingly smiled in delight.

Amy watched the interaction with a smile of her own. Perhaps it was good that Henry had followed her up, "You really were nervous about us coming over, weren't you? Does it have something to do with Mark spending more time with the others?"

Dark stopped petting Henry and she knew she hit it on the nose, "How'd you?"

"Intuition" She grinned, "You have a jealous look in your eyes whenever the others recalled their stories about spending time alone with Mark. It's not that hard to see. For a girl, at least."

Dark sighed but nodded, going back to petting Henry again, "I know there's not a lot we have in common but. . . it would be nice to be able to bond somehow. I've been trying to think of things we COULD do together but then I have doubts" he feel like he could really pour everything out to her. She was so easy to talk to. 

Amy came over to sit by him in a chair opposite and pet Henry as well. The dog flopped on his back to try and get belly rubs but Dark merely rubbed his foot against his belly. It was good enough.

"You know that's silly, right?" Amy chuckled, "Mark would be happy to do ANYTHING with you. Honestly, he's been trying to think of something to do with you, too."

"Really?"Dark looked up to her, "You're not just saying that to make me feel better?"

"Nope" Amy laughed, "You and Mark are more alike than you realize. You BOTH have your doubts. Just tell me. What would YOU like to do with Mark?"

Dark shrugged, "I don't know. I thought about asking him to come with me to a pumpkin patch to get pumpkins for everyone?"

"You see!? That's perfect! Mark would love that!"

"He would? Doesn't it seem like something him and Eric would do, though? Or him and the Jims?"

"Not if YOU want to do it with him. Then it's something you and HIM would do together. Don't overthink it, Dark. Mark's been worried about it, too. You both are too concerned about what the other would like."

Dark smiled lightly and chuckled, "Well . . . You would know best, Amy. Thank you."

"No problem. Want to come back downstairs with me? I could help you get Mark alone so you could ask him?"

Dark stiffened and she consoled him, "Just relax. Remember. He's been nervous about it, too. But he WANTS to spend time with you. I promise"

He nodded and walked down with her and Henry. Amy whispered something in Mark's ear and he looked at her odd but followed her to the kitchen anyways, telling the others she needed to speak with him alone. Everyone seemed to understand but no one saw Dark sneaking to the other entrance to the kitchen out of sight.

Dark listened to their chat.

"What's up, Amy? Is Dark alright?"

"Yeah He's fine. I Just wanted to say 'I told you so'."

"Wait, what?" Mark seemed confused, "About what?"

Amy bapped him, "He's been wanting to do something with you, too, Mark. That's why Yandere said that he was nervous."

"What!? Really? But why? I mean, we could do anything he wants, I just don't know what he'd want to do"

Dark grunted, making his presence known and Mark snapped to see him, "D-dark!"

The alter shuffled over and scratched the back of his head, "I've been. . . .trying to think of something YOU would want to do. I honestly don't care what we do, though. I just . . . ." he didn't like saying it. It made him feel like a child. He was so embarrassed. 

But Mark understood, "You've been overhearing the others about spending time with me. I get it. I'm sorry. I should have realized it would be nerve-wracking for you, too, Dark. We can do anything YOU want though! ANYTHING!" He smiled and Dark crossed his arms, self-conscious.

"What about picking pumpkins for everyone at the nearby pumpkin patch?" Amy suggested and Dark sent her a grateful smile, "Yeah, that sounds nice. Mark?"

"Yeah! Yeah whatever you want, bud! Sounds fun! Let's go, now!" Mark pat his shoulder and gave him a side-hug. Dark leaned into it a bit before pulling away.

Telling the others they were going out, Mark was about to lead him to the van before stopping, "Maybe you shouldn't wear a suit there? Don't want to get it ruined, right?"

He nodded, "Right" they went to his room first, followed by Chica and he changed into some jeans and a black T-shirt. Mark grinned as Chica still followed them outside, "You want to go, too, Bub? Come on then Bica, in you go, girl!"

Chica jumped in the back of the van as they settled in and started driving to the nearest patch.

"So" Mark started up conversation as they drove, "Amy talked to you, huh?"

Dark nodded, "She told me you had been trying to think of stuff we could do together as well."

"Yeah. Sorry but it's hard to think of what individual things everybody would want to do with me that would still pertain to their likes. Like Eric likes going to greenhouses or parks. Or Wilford likes going to sweet shops, Google likes to go to Apple Stores and flip them off, Bim likes to go out for coffee and join in improv, King loves petting zoos. That sort of thing. But since I never really spent that much time around you, I didn't know what you'd like. Sorry. I should have asked. I'm stupid. As per usual"

Dark sported a smirk, "As usual. Perhaps we should talk about our interests then?"

"Yeah that sounds good. Let's start off with . . .. favorite kind of movie?"

"Anything horror." he responded, "I'm okay with a few horror games I've seen you play as well."

"Okay." Mark nodded, "How about . . . favorite hobby?"

Dark shrugged, "I really don't have a hobby besides doing paperwork to keep the others out of trouble. But I like to read I guess. I like . . . .board games?"

Mark hummed, "Alright. You should probably take a breather once in a while with paperwork but alright. Favorite board game?"

Dark grinned, "I've only recently been able to play with the others but I like Uno and Trouble. Strategy games, too. Although my favorite has always been checkers. Anti and I would play that  . . . ." he stopped in thought and Mark noticed the mood change.

"Dark? You alright?"

"Yes I'm fine" Dark shook it off, "Just. . . Anti and I used to play that game a lot. That and two-person Uno and Connect-Four. Whenever he'd win, he'd brag and gloat and whenever I'd win he'd throw a tantrum and pout about it. One time he flipped the checker board making pieces fly everywhere." he chuckled as he remembered it fondly.

"You miss him?"

Dark frowned, "He was my best friend. The only one I could talk to who understood me. Until he snapped, that is. I don't understand why. . .  He just went insane. I stopped all contact with him, though ever since. Nearly three years. Wonder what he's up to."

"I spoke to Sean the other day. They decided to let him stay again. Don't know how it's been turning out but I THINK they're doing okay. I don't know. Last I knew, Sean was avoiding him."

"For good reason" Dark huffed, "Man's a loose cannon. They shouldn't have let him return. He tried to kill them"

"Maybe he changed?"

Dark growled, "Doubtful. Whatever. It doesn't matter. As long as he stays away from me and my brothers and you then it's not my problem."

There was a bit more conversation here and there before they both finally arrived to the pumpkin patch. Sour mood forgotten, Dark grabbed a small wagon and the two ventured in search of the perfect pumpkins, Chica at their side on a leash. It was a warm day so Dark was glad Mark convinced him to change his clothes. 

"How about this one?" Mark held a large one up with a crooked stem and indent at the top, "Perfect. Wilford will adore it.. . . .before he smashes it, that is"

"We should have everyone carve them" Mark suggest and Dark thought about it, "Fine but you're cleaning up the mess because I know they won't."

Mark shrugged, "Halloween only comes once a year. How's this one?"

Mark held up a small pumpkin the size of a volleyball. Dark smiled fondly, "Eric would love that one. He probably won't carve his, however. He might paint it, though"

They picked out pumpkins for everyone and Mark even picked some out for Ethan, Tyler, Amy, Katherine and himself. But he never saw Dark pick himself out one. Searching around, Mark finally found a good looking one that was practically perfect and shining against the sun's rays like a beacon.

When they were done picking out the pumpkins, they were on their way out to put them all in the van. Dark noticed the extra pumpkin, "We only needed sixteen, though, didn't we?"

"I got one for you."

Dark smiled, "You didn't have to"

"Too bad. You're cherishing it until Halloween"

Dark made a creepy smile, "I'll rip its guts out and carve a pretty face into it."

Mark shuddered, "Well GEEZ when you put it like that!"

Dark laughed and swat Mark's back, "I like it. Thanks"

Mark shook his head with a chuckle, "You're welcome"

As they drove home, they talked a bit more about their hobbies and likes and grew even more comfortable with one another, planning their next time together for Dark to come out to his place and hang out. 

When they got home, the unloaded the pumpkins together and everyone was excited. They started carving and decorating their pumpkins almost immediately and each one reflected on each other's personality which made it even more special. While the others made up their pumpkins, Mark had Dark come with him to the kitchen to help make some Halloween treats for everyone. Dark didn't particularly care for MAKING the treats but loved the dark chocolate used so he sucked it up and helped, occasionally throwing ingredients at each other playfully. Once in a while Amy would peer in to check on them and grin at their play-fights.

As the day was ending, Mark and the gang decided to stay until morning and they all watched a horror movie together. Some of the egos refused, going to their rooms and some fell asleep in the middle of it(Wilford and Yandere).

After the first movie, Dark elected for another but everyone was against it, heading off to bed for the night. It WAS after midnight, after all. But Mark sighed, "I'll watch it with you." Dark smiled and put in the movie.

The next morning, Amy came down first to see Mark and Dark still on the couch leaning against one another sleeping, still sat up with their arms around each other's shoulders.

*Click* Amy took a quiet picture of it before making her some breakfast.

'So much more alike than they realize' she giggled to herself.