Ethan shifted his weight from one foot to the other, unable to contain all the pent-up energy that was surging through his body. It seemed like just yesterday everyone was nervously preparing for their first show in the US, and now Team Markiplier was going on the next leg of the You're Welcome Tour in Tilburg, Netherlands. Meeting so many fans and being able to make them laugh and smile in person never failed to make Ethan's heart skip a beat. Touring was an amazing experience and he wouldn't trade it for the world, but that's not all Ethan was excited about today. Between his personal travels, video prepping, and focusing on his own channel, he hadn't spent any quality time with Mark for weeks. They could survive just fine without being joined at the hip every second, but Ethan wasn't sure how much longer he could last without seeing his boyfriend face-to-face. Video prepping was stressful. He was looking forward to some well-deserved, calming Mark hugs. And maybe some kisses, too.
Ethan smiled to himself, taking his phone out of his pocket. Daydreaming was nice, but he needed something else to focus on while he waited. Something that didn't make his stomach twist in anticipation. He clicked on the YouTube app and started reading the comments on his newest video.
As soon as he had settled into his new task, a pair of broad arms suddenly wrapped around his waist. Ethan screeched as he felt himself getting swept off the ground, nearly causing him to drop his phone. The arms spun him around in a circle, and his screams quickly dissolved into laughter. When Mark finally set him back down, Ethan immediately turned around and shoved at his chest.
"You scared me!" he accused, but all malice was lost in his wild grin and soft giggles.
Mark simply shrugged and opened his arms. Ethan fell into them gratefully. Despite being surrounded by strangers, he couldn't help but melt in his boyfriend's embrace, clenching the back of his shirt in his fists and resting his head on his shoulder. All the built-up tension from the past weeks disappeared from Ethan's shoulders with a sigh.
Mark chuckled. His thumb rubbed soothing circles on the small of Ethan's back. "I missed you too."
Ethan didn't really want to pull away just yet, but he did anyway. The two stood mere inches apart, Ethan's hands on Mark's biceps. They usually didn't kiss in public, at least not when there were a lot of strangers around, but with his boyfriend so close after being gone for so long, Ethan couldn't help himself. He stood up on the balls of his feet, closed his eyes, leaned in, and-
Mark put a hand over his mouth.
Ethan opened his eyes and gave his boyfriend a quizzical look, eyebrows furrowed in confusion. What was wrong? Was Mark not comfortable with kissing in public? A pang of guilt washed over him. He should have asked, dammit. What was wrong with him?
"Sorry, Eth. I'd love to kiss you it's just that..." Mark removed his hand from Ethan's mouth and cupped his cheek with it instead. His thumb brushed over Ethan's lips. "I think I'm starting to get a cold, and I don't want you to get sick. With the tour and all."
Ethan pouted, pressing his lips to Mark's thumb in a feather-light kiss. "Not even one?" he pleaded in his soft, vulnerable that Mark always struggled to say no to.
His boyfriend's resolve visibly crumbled. "Ethan, I-"
"Hey you two! Stop making out so we can catch our flight!"
The two boys immediately sprung apart. Amy waved at them from down the hall, Kathryn trailing a couple feet behind her. They both pulled jam-packed suitcases behind them and were smiling ear-to-ear.
"I wish we were making out," Ethan teased under his breath.
Mark elbowed him in the side.
-
