The Septiplier Affair

Part 2

Mark guided Sean into this apartment, pointing to his sofa as he told him gently.  "Go have a seat. I'll get you some coffee".  Sean started to head for the living room, when his foot clipped the kitchen chair and he stumbled to the floor.  Mark slammed his door closed, racing to Sean's side.  Placing a hand on Sean's lean shoulder, asking in a panic.  "Are you alright"?  Sean pushed himself up on all fours, staring at the tile floor.  His voice sounded weary and strained as he asked.  "I don't know what to do. I can't be THERE and be HERE. I can't help everyone. I try... I want to be there for everyone....but I can't. I'm only one person. Everyone doesn't think I care but I do! I...I can't keep up".  Mark felt a knot in his chest tighten around his heart at the sight of Sean's tears splashing against the tile.  Sean was becoming overwhelmed... and it was crushing him.  Rubbing his hand along Sean's shoulders in a comforting gesture, Mark told him.  "Sean...You can't take in everyone's problems. You're only human. All you can do is help those you can. If people truly love you, then they will understand that".  Sean raised a hand to wipe his eyes, stubbornly shooting back.  "I'm better than that! I can do so much more then this"! 

Mark sighed, grabbing Sean's wrists and pulling him upright to face him, sternly telling him.  "Sean, as your friend. I'm telling you to stop this! You can't be there for everyone! You keep taking this in and you're going to break"!  Mark swallowed hard upon seeing how Sean's eyes glisten with tears, adding a chilling effect to his already breathtaking blue eyes.  Mark released Sean's wrists, starting to reach for Sean's face with outstretched fingers.  He wanted to brush the tear that was slowly sliding down Sean's cheek...only he was interrupted by a large furry head pushing in between them.  Chica licked Sean's face and Sean chuckled, allowing her to lead him into the living room.  Mark remained on the floor a bit longer.  He had come so close to crossing a line.  Sean wasn't interested in him that way.  To him, Septiplier was just a game to play with fans.  Licking his dry lips, Mark rose off the floor and began making the coffee.  It looked as if he'd have to do some damage control before tomorrows panel.  He couldn't have Sean's fans seeing him like this. 

Casually strolling into the living room, Mark asked Sean.  "Is Signe going to be at the panel tomorrow"?  Sean fell across the sofa, burying his head among the various pillows.  His voice only slightly muffled by them as he groaned out.  "Ooooo, no! I completely forgot about tomorrow! I thought it was the day after tomorrow"!  Mark took a seat on the arm of the sofa, his voice calm when he said.  "Relax, Sean. I'll get you up. Now tell me. Will she be there"?  Sean hugged a pillow tight against his face as he groaned out.  "She arrives here tonight and will be there in the morning! I don't want to go! I can't face her like this"!  Rolling his eyes, Mark leaned over to snatch the pillow from his face before he suffocated, saying coolly.  "You'll be fine. I've got coffee going. Although, you should just sleep this all off".  Sean snatched another pillow, screaming into it as loud as he could!  Even muffled, Sean's pitch got Chica's head to tilt to one side in surprise.  Mark pushed Sean's legs in, sliding onto the sofa with him.  Grabbing the remote he started the movie he had been watching over again.  It took a bit, but Sean managed to sit up and watch it with him. 

Although, Mark spent less time watching and more time struggling with himself.  He rarely got time alone with Sean like this...and yet he was torn.  On the one hand, Sean was his best friend and was in need of his best friend to comfort him.  While on the other... a moment like this shouldn't be wasted, right?  How would he even begin to express feelings that Sean had ignored for years as fan entertainment?  Mark ran a nervous hand through his red hair, trying to decide what he wanted to do.  Did he really mind being a home wreaker if got what he wanted?  Would Sean leave Signe for him?  How bad had their fight been?  Maybe it was for the best that he took Sean away.  Something slowly began to lean on his side, jarring himself out of his own head.  Sean was out cold, his body drifting into Mark's for support.  Mark swallowed hard, moving his arm to wrap around Sean's shoulders.  Upon catching Chica staring up at him, he shot back in a whisper.  "Oh, don't judge me! I'm just making him comfortable".  Chica snorted, before dashing out of the room.  Mark wanted to believe that was just a weird coincidence. 

Slowly, Mark shifted around until he was stretched out over the sofa and Sean was nestled against his side.  Mark knew he shouldn't... but he let his hand slide up and down Sean's back in a slow rhythm.  He hoped Sean wouldn't wake up to the sound of his thundering heart.  Something about having Sean so close always got his engine started.  Without thinking, Mark's hand trailed up Sean's back and along the back of his neck.  There were so many places Mark wanted to touch Sean.  Against his muscular body, Sean felt small and fragile...only making his desire that much stronger.  It was like holding a puppy for the first time.  You never wanted it to leave your protective arms.  You wanted to keep it safe and loved.  Sean shifted in his sleep, sliding his long pale arm along Mark's chest.  His leg rising up as if he was going to straddle Mark.  Mark swallowed to moisten his dry throat, trying so very hard to remember how to breathe.  His head felt fuzzy.  He couldn't think anymore. 

Allowing his hand to slide back down Sean's back, he let his fingers carefully pull up the back of this shirt.  He wanted to feel Sean's warm skin under his fingertips!  He had too, or his desire would burn away his finger prints from wanting to so badly!  The second his fingers touched the bare skin of Sean's lower back, Mark felt sparks shoot up his arm.  Sean's skin was much softer than he had imagined.  Very slowly he let his fingers glide up the slight ridge of Sean's spine.  Enjoying the sensation of flesh against flesh.  When out of nowhere Sean shivered, opening his sleepy eyes to stare at Mark's flushed face.  He was busted.   To be Continued...