The Space Between

Chapter one: "Wait for Me"

It was early in the day when Mark got up to get coffee. Letting Chica out, he slipped out of the house to scamper his way down to the mailbox at the end of his driveway in his PJs. He expected bills and maybe his gamer magazine subscription. Opening the mailbox though, his heart leapt at the large brown envelop. For a long moment he stood staring at the postage stamp in the corner. This was everything he had wanted... and it had come far too soon. Closing the mailbox, his neighbor greeted him as he took his trash to the curb. Mark waved to the man without a word, until the man asked him cheerily. "Good news?" Mark huffed to himself, then replied heavy hearted. "Yes and no." Venturing back inside, Mark set the envelope on his counter and poured himself some coffee. Taking a sip, he kept glancing at it. It wasn't a secret that everyone expected him to go since the recruiter stations opened. He had always said that if there was a chance then he'd take it. He had gone to the recruiter as a joke... at first. However, after talking to the recruiter for a few minutes, his passion had ignited.

He had not expected them to be so eager to fill slots. Even with his little experience. They were willing to train him with the little experience that he did have. His dad had been military. So, he knew the risks and what to generally expect from joining. He had never imagined that something like this would happen in his lifetime. He was beyond excited... but there was just one thing holding him back. Taking one last sip of his coffee, he set it down and ventured down the hallway. Quietly opening his bedroom door, he smiled to himself. Creeping across the room, he crawled up onto the bed and pulled the covers slowly down the sleeping form in his bed. Bracing himself over the form, he kissed the slender man's exposed pale back. Beneath him, Sean groaned out into the pillow sleepily. "Mark... Don't. It's too early..." Mark kissed a loving trail up Sean's spine. Reaching a spot between his shoulder blades, Sean moaned pleasantly. A deep purr left Mark as he savored this moment. He had been seeing Sean for the last year and a half.

It was a difficult relationship because Sean refused to move in with him. Which meant they could only see each other at odd times during the year. This year, Sean had taken time off for his mental health. Something he seemed to be doing more and more over the last few years. Mark kissed Sean's shoulder sweetly. He knew how he felt. Letting go of YouTube was a weight he couldn't hold onto anymore, but he didn't want to give it up. Sadly, while they grew older... their viewers were growing out of them. Leaving them with younger viewers that didn't understand their generation. He had known the loss in views was a long time coming. So, when it happened. He had been ready. Sean wasn't. For Sean, the loss had been hard on him. He still felt like he had a lot to give... but it appeared that their time was over. Sean still clung to his channel though. While Mark had been slowly distancing himself from it. He hadn't posted anything in a few days. That used to be bad. Now it just felt like it had in the beginning. Mark kissed Sean's neck, purring out reluctantly against his ear. "Sean? I have to tell you something."

Sean stirred a little, mumbling out groggily. "What is it...?" Mark swallowed hard. He had told everyone about his trip to see the recruiter two weeks ago... but he hadn't told Sean. He felt sick trying to break it to him now, but he had to tell him. Taking a deep breath in through his nose, he whispered against his ear. "Sean... I'm quitting YouTube." Sean's eyes shot open. Mark lifted his head as Sean looked over his shoulder with wide eyes. In an almost fearful voice, Sean asked him. "Are you sure you wanna do that? Mark, if you quit... You won't be able to recover what you have. Have you thought this through?" Mark opened his mouth, trying to force himself to say it. He took too long though and Sean turned over beneath him. Placing his hands on his shoulders, Sean chuckled out lightly. "What do you even plan to do without YouTube? Do you have another job waiting?" Mark sat on Sean's thighs, nodding slightly as he mumbled out. "I do actually. It's why I've been distancing myself from YouTube..."