The Taste Of Rebound Love

Part 15

The cameraman behind the main camera counted down out loud, until he hit one.  That's when he pointed a finger to Felix as a gesture that the livestream had started.  Jack stood off with the rest of the camera crew as Felix started addressing the viewers.  His hands were shaking and he kept clenching them in a poor attempt to pump himself up.  It was go big or go home time.  Jack shot a glance at Mark, feeling more anxious then he had ever felt.  He desperately wanted this stream to go well and get over fast.  There was just too much tension between Felix and Mark.  It was obvious... and neither of them seemed in the mood to support each other.  Mark's expression was stone cold.  Jack could almost imagine Felix making some rude comment right now, and Mark would loose it.  What a scene that would make... Markiplier and Pewdiepie beat the shit out of each other during a livestream for Aids.  Jack shook his head and tried listening to what Felix was saying.  He had to stay focused.  He had to stay alert just in case... 

Jack rolled his eyes when he realized Felix was dropping hints to the drama about to grace the screen.  He had promised!  Stepping a little closer, but still staying out of the shot.  Jack got Felix's attention by gesturing a finger swiftly across his neck.  He couldn't say or do much else... That's when Felix decided to poke the bear.  Sitting up, Felix playfully pointed to him... but called him Mark.  Jack's stomach fell to his feet.  Of course, Felix was going to push Mark.  If Felix was going for funny... Mark didn't seem to be in a laughing mood.  Jack watched Mark take a step forward, but Felix waved him back saying smugly.  "No, no, no. You're not Mark. That's Mark".  Mark turned his eyes on Jack, and Jack felt like he was starting to sweat bullets.  His hesitation to move, had Felix clapping to get his attention and urging him to come out with a loud.  "There he is, clap it up everyone"!  Jack sighed softly and slowly stepped out.  Felix was pushing his luck.  Maybe he hadn't been serious enough with Felix?  Jack's mind was racing as he told himself to keep this light.  Keep this fun.  Defuse the situation.  So, Jack quickly thought up Felix's worst cringe. 

Taking a seat, Jack tried to sound light but edged in bitterness to hopefully warn Felix as he said.  "Good joke. Good joke".  Then as subtle pay back, Jack reached out to shake his hand before recoiled it back.  Jack hoped that by shifting the jab back at Felix, Mark wouldn't feel inclined to do something more drastic.  For a brief moment, the tables had turned and Jack felt like he had succeeded... but Felix was quick to bounce back.  Introducing the next guest as 'Markiplier' too.  Inside Jack felt like running... but on the outside he chuckled nervously and kept trying to cool the growing heat that seemed to roll off Mark.  If Felix noticed Mark's annoyance, he didn't show it.  Instead, he just called out the next guest by name.  This time however Mark strolled out with clenched fists.  He looked so stiff and clearly agitated.  Jack felt like an icicle was piercing his heart...  Why was Felix doing this?  He knew Felix wanted to make Mark uncomfortable... but the stream had only just started!  Would he stop farther in?  Jack swallowed hard, imagining the horrors yet to come. 

For a split second, Jack wondered if he'd have to jump up and think of something funny to stop Mark... but to his surprise, when Felix shot him down and prodded him away.  He semi played it off as an intentional joke, turning to go back and ushering out softly.  "Sorry".  Mark's quick smile to him did not go unnoticed by Jack.  Maybe he had read Mark wrong.  Mark seemed to have a weird acceptance to this whole ordeal.  Playing along for his sake, maybe?  Jack smiled back at him, feeling a little more relaxed.  Maybe they could get through at least one stream together without violence.  After P.J. dropped down beside him, Jack waited anxiously for Felix to introduce Mark... but he didn't.  Felix didn't appear to be in the mood to give him the added attention... So, Jack took the matter into his own hands by calling out Mark as 'Pewdiepie'!  Jack hoped it would bring the joke full circle to the audience as if they had planned it.  Felix seemed to sarcastically accept it, but Jack didn't care.  He already knew his role... moderator.  He'd have to moderate the both of them in order to keep this stream going.

When Mark strolled out this time, he appeared to be much calmer... but he brought up a question that startled Jack.  Which couch would he sit on?  In a playfully nervous burst, Jack suggested that he sit on the floor... but Felix encouragingly prodded him into sitting next to himself.  Jack tried to keep a smile on his face as he watched Mark actually accept Felix's offer!  The air around the two of them felt heavy and thick... they looked like two struggling magnets.  Both not wanting to be close, but were being forced too.  A tiny voice in Jack's mind reminded him that Felix did love Mark... but he tried to block that idea from his mind.  Felix was only out to make Mark hurt now... wasn't he?  Then as Jack was showing the tree ornaments to the viewers, Felix made a very unexpected joke... A joke about Jack's blue balls?  Jack felt the jab as if Felix had revealed a painful secret of his in front of everyone.  Did Felix jab him with that because Jack had backed out of having sex with him?

Jack forced himself to smile and joke back... but inside that hurt.  He had already beaten himself mentally through the night for backing out like he had... why did Felix feel the sudden need to bring that up NOW!  Jack's gaze turned to Mark's for an awkward moment, and Mark slightly nodded to him.  It wasn't a smug or very interested nod.  More like he was trying to subliminally tell him something comforting.  Slightly proud maybe?  Jack could feel a blush starting to redden his cheeks, so he quickly turned away.  This stream was going to be the death of him.  There just wasn't a word for what they were going to do to him emotionally.  To Be Continued...