Mark bites his lip as the blush spreads further across his cheeks. It's awkward, and embarrassing, but he continues to read anyway. For the past few weeks, he's been reading fanfiction. Not just any fanfiction, but specifically fanfiction that matched him and his best friend Jack together. It is better known as Septiplier, and though Mark is aware of this, he refuses to think of it like that. The connection he has with Jack is much more than a ship name. It's unspoken. It's not romantic though, just the thought of being so intimate with a friend sends fireworks into his chest and lights a fire.

He knows it's weird, and the fact that he enjoys it is even weirder, but he can't help himself. He loves to see fans get so involved, and so creative. Not only that, he loves reading how the relationship between he and his friend blossoms into something more over and over again with each new story he starts. The one he's reading now is probably his favorite. It begins slow, with both of them at a convention, just having a good time. A few chapters in and the author is describing how perfect they look together as they walk around Disneyland. He can't help but imagine it, Jack pressed against him as they laugh and enjoy a day to themselves. The idea seems foreign to him, but he's never wanted anything so much.

"Oh god, " Mark chuckles nervously as he sets his phone on his desk, facedown. Jack was going to Skype soon, and Mark didn't want to be caught with pink cheeks and have to explain himself.

He fans his burning face with one hand, and switches on a box light with the other. Ignoring his racing heart, he logs into Skype and smoothes his hair back. Then he waits for Jack to call. And waits. And continues to wait. After fifteen minutes and no sign of his friend, he picks his phone back up. He has to read more.

Just a few paragraphs, he promises himself. He presses his hand to his mouth as if deep in thought and unlocks his phone.

"The Tower of Doom? You're kidding me!" Jack swallows hard, looking up at the top of the building, which looms over the pair ominously.

"It's perfectly safe, and it's one of the shortest rides here," Mark explains.

"I'm going to be sick."

"Come on, Jackaboy, you can just close your eyes the whole time. And I'll sit right next to you. It'll be great!"

"Yeah, if I live to tell the tale," he frowns, following close behind the slightly taller man.

While they wait in line, Mark tries his best to calm his friend, but it does no good.

Jack gasps as the seats start slowly moving up. He clutches at Mark. Unsure of what to do, Mark just holds him tightly. When the ride ends, Jack stumbles to a trash can and loses all the candy and fried food he'd eaten. Mark attempts to soothe, rubbing his back and mumbling that he was okay now... That they weren't high up. But Jack is still extremely pale. Walking out of the building, Mark almost groans at their picture being broadcast to everyone in line for the ride. The picture taken was of the two of them hugging each other as if life itself depended on it. Mark looked like he was about to fall asleep, his arms were wrapped around Jack and his head rested on his shoulder. Both of their eyes were closed, but Jack's were clenched tightly, as if expecting an impact.

"You okay?" Mark murmurs, instantly regretting the moment he convinced Jack to join him.

"Ah..." Jack exhales heavily, leaning against Mark's shoulder as they walk passed the line of people who eye them. "Why are they star- oh," Jack cut himself off as he looks up and sees the picture. "Do they think...?"

"Yeah," Mark sighs, removing his hand from Jack's lower back.

"Oh well," he smiles weakly, and pulls Mark's arm around him again.

"Oh well? But Jack-"

"You made me go on that torture machine, the least you can do is support me until the blood starts flowing again," Jack chuckles. "Who cares what they think anyway?"

"I don't, I just thought..."

"Thought what?"

"Never mind," Mark shakes his head. "Let's get you in the shade."

Later that afternoon on the drive home, Mark goes to apologize." I'm sorry I made you ride The Tower of Doom with me..."

"Nonsense," Jack smiles from the passenger seat. "I wouldn't have done it without you. And you didn't laugh at me when I flipped shit. If that doesn't make you a good friend, I don't know what does."

"Aw, Jack..." Mark says as his heart flutters.

"So thank you," Jack continues, "for today. I had a really nice time."

"I did too," Mark smiles, warmth flooding him. He thinks the conversation is over, but then Jack quickly kisses his cheek...

Mark jumps as the pealing sound of Jack calling him on Skype reverberates through his recording room.

"Shit," he breathes, almost dropping his phone when he answers. "Hey," he smiles, unable to look away from Jack's mouth.

"Hey, Mark. Sorry I-"

He stops and Mark looks up, meeting wide blue eyes. "Sorry you what?" He prompts.

"Are you okay?" Jack asks slowly. "You seem a little off."

"Oh, yeah, I'm fine! Just ah, just a little warm in here," Mark lies as best he can, sweat starting to bead on his nose and forehead. Why is he suddenly so nervous talking to his best friend?

"Well, anyway," Jack brushes off his excuse, "I booked my flight for this Thursday."

"That's good," Mark mumbles, distracted by how Jack's shirt sleeves stretch over his biceps.

"Hello? Earth to Markimoo?"Jack laughs, waving a hand in front of his screen.

"Hey, sorry. I was just thinking," Mark admits.

"About?"

Mark sighs and looks deeply into Jack's bright blue eyes, almost losing himself in them. Wait, what the hell? He mentally scolds himself. Jack is his friend. He's just a friend, nothing more. "I... I can't wait to see you again, " he whispers.

"Same here, man. I really like just being with friends and forgetting about YouTube."

"Yeah," Mark nods.

"So how many same sex weddings have happened since it became legal?" Jack laughs, trying to spark the conversation.

"I have no clue," Mark shakes his head, attempting to ditch his blush. "Probably not enough... So why don't you get your ass over here and marry me? You know everyone's waiting for it."

"Okay, but I get to wear the tux. You'd look better in a dress," he giggles.

"Who says we'll be wearing anything?" Mark jokes, smirking at Jack's red ears.

"Oh!" he laughs so hard he almost falls out of his chair. "We could write our own fanfiction!"

"W- what?" Mark sputters.

"Ooh, maybe we could do a video where we read fanfiction together while we act it out with like... GMOD or something."

"Or!" Mark smirks, taking advantage of the situation, "maybe we could just act it out."

"Oh, I'm sure the fans would love that," Jack rolls his eyes.

"Don't lie to me, Jackaboy, you'd love it too."

"Sure I would, Markimoo. Who wouldn't love making out with the world's most hunkalicious YouTuber?"

Mark looks down, trying to hide how red his face is getting. The jokes shouldn't be affecting him like they are, he and Jack are only friends after all.

When they see each other at the airport a few days later, Mark runs up and hugs him tightly, hoping he won't mind. "Good to see you," he smiles.

"Good to see you too, Mark. I brought my hat!" He points at one of his bags.

Mark grins evilly, "and I wrote out the slips."

They'd planned to play a game for the video they were going to record that evening. It was probably going to be the best video in shipping history. When it's all set up, Mark begins.

"Hello everybody, my name is Markiplier and today I'm hanging out with Jacksepticeye. We've got something a little special planned. I asked all of you to tweet me your favorite Septiplier fanfiction moments, and I didn't say what I was planning to do with them, but, well, here it is: Jack and I are going to be doing the Seven Seconds Challenge. And if one of us fails, we take a slip from Jack's hat here, and act out what is written on it. Now don't get any ideas, I tried to keep these as PG as possible. So you just... Enjoy the video, I guess! Here we go!"

"In seven seconds," Jack smirks, knowing that Mark would fail this instantly, "tell me three of your weaknesses."

"Agh, uh," Mark sputters. "Pizza! Uh... I don't sleep good...?"

"You fail," Jack grins, holding his hat up, a slight blush on his cheeks. "I'm kinda nervous," he admits as Mark digs through the white confetti. "I don't know what you're gonna do to me."

"To be fair, if I pick one that says like 'Jack does this,' then you're gonna do it."

"What? No!" Jack giggles, "that's not what I agreed to."

"My idea, my rules," he beams, holding up a tiny piece of paper victoriously, smirking at the man seated on his left. "Oh god..." he turns dark red, smiling wide after he reads his task.

"What? What is it?" Jack nearly screams, his body tensing as he holds his breath.

Mark lifts the paper up and reads it slowly, letting the anticipation build, "Mark leans over and gently trails kisses from Sean's shoulder up his neck, stopping at his jaw and letting his hot breath blow across his lover's skin..."

"M- Mark you said-!"

"It's PG!" He insists weakly, turning to Jack and taking a deep breath as he leans over him.

Jack presses his mouth closed in a thin line, stretching his neck to expose his pale skin for his friend to kiss. "I don't know why I agreed to this," he mutters. Mark closes his eyes and licks his lips before touching them to Jack's pale flesh. He doesn't stop when he feels Jack gasp, only moves quickly up his neck, gently pulling on his skin with his lips and teeth but at the same time, trying not to seem so into it. He pauses at his jawline, blowing gently and raising goosebumps.

When he sits back, he looks over at Jack, who is looking very uncomfortable as he practically bites his lip off. "Hey, relax, it's just a game," Mark fakes a laugh, pushing his shoulder playfully.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Mark?"

"Yeah, yeah, it's fun. Next challenge. Oh, ho- this is perfect for you," Mark says quickly, ignoring Jack as he rubs his neck in attempt to rid himself of the memory of his amazing kisses. "Yell at the top of your lungs for seven seconds-" he quickly covers his ears as Jack's screeches fill the room. "Okay, okay! You passed, just... Don't kill me!"

He shrugs happily. "In seven seconds, sing a song about your love for sleep."

Mark wastes no time, "sleep is a beautiful thing, it makes it possible for you to.... Dream...?"

Jack rolls his eyes, "that's a pass, I guess."

"Why thank you, I knew my singing would woo you."

"Yeah... Sure," he exhales heavily.

"So, Jack... In seven seconds, whistle a four note tune."

"AH-" he hurriedly attempts a whistle but his voice breaks and fails him, sounding like a dying bird.

Mark laughs hysterically, pointing to Jack's hat on the desk. Grumbling, Jack grabs a slip and reads it aloud, "Mark moans against Jack's chest- OH GOD," He chokes, his cheeks turning bright red once more.

"Um, well, I guess we gotta stand for this one... What do we do, hug?" Mark asks as he pushes his chair back.

"I... I guess," Jack holds his arms open and Mark rushes into them a little too eagerly.

"I'm not sure how to do this," he hesitates. "Do I moan like... Softly or in agony?!"

"I'm assumin' softly, it's fanfiction," Jack chuckles, draping his arms loosely around Mark's broad shoulders.

Mark doesn't reply, he just lets his feelings stir deep inside his chest, holding back as much as he can before a loud, overly sexual moan escapes his lips. Jack jumps back, coughing and almost sweating with embarrassment. "Jesus, Mark..." He mumbles, astonished.

The game moves quickly, and the slips start piling up on Mark's computer desk. In between wins, they hold hands, stare into each other's eyes, cuddle in three different ways, and finally, Mark kisses Jack's cheek. They smile at each other before doing an outro, declaring Jack the winner because he failed the least amount of times. What no one knew was that Mark was purposely failing, just hoping he would get to be close to his friend again.

"That was... Something else," Jack mutters as he helps scoop all the papers back into his hat.

"Indeed it was. But it was fun..." Mark looks into Jack's eyes, expecting to see the friendly look he always wore, but was instead greeted by something else, something he'd never seen in Jack as their eyes met. "Is something wrong?" He asks.

"I wouldn't exactly say, wrong..." Jack smirks, his eyes blazing as he steps closer to Mark.

"What are you-" his jaw drops when Jack leans against him, his hands on his shoulders, their chests and stomachs fitting like the perfect puzzle piece.

"Don't think I didn't notice the way you've been looking at me," he whispers in Mark's ear before pulling back and staring into his brown eyes.

"I..." Mark can't bring himself to say it, so he instead puts his arms around Jack's skinny torso and pulls him even closer, kissing him roughly as their lips race to meet up again and again, a tantalizing symphony of passion.

"When did you start liking me?" Mark murmurs, barely removing his lips from Jack's.

He shrugs, "I'm not sure. It just happened when I started thinking about us..." He kisses Mark again. "As the fans want us to be... I was going to hide my feelings but when I saw that look in your eyes... I knew I didn't have to. I guess you could blame it on the fanfiction."