You're Up Awfully Late {Septiplier}

Just for the Investigation

Together on the floor, the men sit in a jagged circle. Still a few minutes before the day starts, they shovel what can only loosely be called breakfast into their mouth. Candy bars, snack cakes, bags of chips, and the occasional oatmeal cookie are pulled from their wrappers, chewed with the same respect as a proper meal.

Bob and Wade sit to Mark's side, chatting easily about Wade's upcoming wedding. Having gotten married a short time ago, Bob jokes about the stress Wade is about to face, though trying to be supportive.

Mark and Jack sit side by side, though the bit of distance is too far for Jack. They eat quietly, giving wide yawns. Jack's mind races with his upcoming panel, terrified something with turn sour. His stomach twist with anxiety, though he continues munching on his chips regardless.

Ken lays beside Jack, head resting on his backpack and hands folded across his stomach. He came in exhausted, yawning with every breathe. His basketball cap is pulled down, over his eyes, the faintest hint of a snooze drifting from his parted lips.

Felix is too his side, mood bright for once. A smile has bent his lips since they first meet in the lobby. He seems completely happy with eating his way through a vending machine, tossing M&M into his mouth, while reading through the comments on his latest video.

When the clock strikes the hour, black clothed stage hands spread across the backstage, preparing for the day. Though Jack's panel is in the afternoon, his shoulders tense whenever they get close, even though they are just passing.

"Mark, Wade, Bob?" a woman asks to the group, clipboard in her grasp. All the men look up, though the staff member focuses on the owners of the called names.

"I'm here to collect you for your signing," she explains, soft smile on her face.

The three men push themselves up, waving goodbye. Felix clicks his phone, glancing at the bright screen, before standing himself.

"I'm gone too," the Swede announces.

"Where?" Jack asks.

"Personal fan meet and greet," Felix replies easily. "Shouldn't take more than an hour. I'll meet back up with you all before the VR demo."

"You're going to leave me with sleeping beauty?" Jack pouts, nodding to the snoring Ken.

"You gotta keep him entertained," Felix chuckles.

Felix gives Ken a nudge with his foot. The American gives a wide yawn, stretching his arms before pushing his hat up.

"I'm leaving," Felix tells him. "Entertain Jack."

"I'll try," Ken mutters, rubbing his eyes against the harsh lights.

"Have fun!" the Swede calls, waving as he leaves them.

Ken pushes himself into a sit, legs stretched. He scratches his bearded cheek, blinking against the light. Jack's stomach twists, terrified to form any words, but he forces himself to speak anyway.

"So, uhm, how ye been?" Jack offers lamely, cursing himself for having nothing better.

"Tired," Ken replies simply. "These conventions are always exhausting. I swear I don't get a bit of sleep the entire weekend."

"Same," Jack laughs. "How have you and Mary been?" He offers casually, listening intently.

"Good, good," Ken replies simply. "I mean, stressed as all hell because, ya know, baby on the way. But still together," he laughs.

Jack chuckles too. "Good, good. Hey, did you ever figure out what was wrong with Felix?"

"Well, I always knew," Ken admits. "And I could probably tell you now that it's blown over. If you can keep a secret."

Jack nods, interest leaning him forward on instinct.

"Don't tell Fe I told you," Ken begins, "but he has this master plan to basically get all his YouTube friends to move within the same square mile of Brighton."

Jack laughs. "That sounds like a very Felix plan. Let me guess. You said no?"

"I said hell no," Ken corrects. "I'm not taking my pregnant finance half way around the world just so I can goof off with Felix every day."

Ken leans back on his hands, turning serious for a moment. "I'm pretty sure Felix thinks this baby is going to, I don't know, basically ruin our friendship. I mean, you know Felix, when he wants to record, he wants to record now. And it's a lot easier to get your friends to do things with you when you can pound on their door."

"It is weird," Jack admits. "The fact that you are going to be a Dad. And a real adult. I mean, we're not real adults."

"You and Signe will be having kids before you know it," Ken says, almost warns. "Way before you know it."

Jack shares his head, nerves returning for a different reason. "No thank you. My god I'm not ready for a baby."

"Neither was I," Ken shrugs, rather offhandedly.

"Wait," Jack says, without thinking, words still forming in his head. "Was this baby... planned?"

Ken chuckles, humorless. "Mary has been using the word surprise a lot."

"Oh god," Jack mutters, more to himself, his mind swirling with fear. If Mary was pregnant, could Signe be pregnant? When is she going to tell him? When is she due? Has he been cuddling up to Mark when she is back in Ireland taking pregnancy tests? Has he been cheating on his pregnant girlfriend? Is that really any worse than just cheating on his girlfriend? Oh god, he's cheating on her. She's an ocean away, and he's cheating on her.

"Jack?" Ken calls, pulling the Irishman out of his spiral. "You okay, buddy?"

"Uhm, yeah!" the Irishman lies, swallowing hard.

"Sorry, man," the black haired man apologizes. "I didn't mean to get you all freaked out about babies on top of your panel. You're probably fine. We weren't always careful, so I mean, it happened. But it isn't the end of the world."

"Right," the younger nods.

"Well, no use sitting around waiting for something to happen," Ken decides, knowing he must calm the green haired man. "Let's go see what we can fuck with. Maybe we can even pop by Mark's signing and see if he'll autograph your forehead."

Jack laughs, thankfully to be with Ken: feeling bad that he is trying to prove him unfaithful. "Yeah, okay."