Always Watching. Jacksepticeye AU

Chapter 2

Anti didn't make an appearance for a while. The crime rate had also dropped substantially so the few weeks after JJ moved in had been quite calm for them all. JJ had had a mini fan girl moment when he found out the true identity of the hero which involved a lot of squeals and jumping up and down. JJ was like a little kid being told he could buy whatever he wanted from a sweet shop. It was adorable. It was obvious that JJ was a huge fan of Jackieboy Man and he admired him a lot. He was always smiling around the hero, as if he was constantly living a dream.

It humoured Jack the most because he had known JJ before he met Jackieboy Man and hadn't realised the extent to which his 'obsession' reached. One day JJ had accidentally left his journal on the kitchen table so Jack peaked inside, purely to decipher who it belonged to. The random page he opened it to was dated back to January (9 months ago at the time... so before he met Jackieboy Man) and was filled with little doodles of the super hero, all in different poses. There was even a little one in the corner where Jackieboy Man had an arm wrapped around another man wearing a waistcoat, bow tie and a bowler hat. He was obviously meant to be JJ.

JJ had tapped his shoulder rather harshly, making him jolt around and drop the book in surprise. JJ's hands signed fast and, along with the scowl on his face, it let Jack know he was angry. Furious may have been a more appropriate word. 'Why have you got that?'

Jack's mouth fell open but he signed rather than speaking because he knew JJ preferred that (and he needed to try and calm the man down). 'I just found it... is it yours?'

'No... I've never seen it before in my life.' The pink tint covering JJ's cheeks said otherwise.

'That doesn't explain the drawings of you and Jackie.'

'Maybe he likes me.'

'...dated back to January?' JJ's eyes widened at that, aware he had been caught out. 'Don't worry. I think it's cute. It's like you love him or something.' JJ's face turned even redder but he didn't deny it because he did love Jackieboy Man. He didn't want to date the guy but he loved and admired him almost like an older brother.

-

Anti decided to make a reappearance at the most awkward time. The trio had been out shopping when a cold wind had filled the air, making them all (and those around them) shiver. The breeze was gone within seconds and in its place was the demon, grinning with pride (leaning toward obnoxiously grinning) like the kid who had just won a trophy in a school talent show and rubbed it in everyone else's faces. He, just like the public, did not know Jackieboy Man's true identity so he had to change. His suit was underneath his clothes (with the exception of the gloves, cape and mask) but he couldn't give himself away. He raced away from the demon and the crowd, hiding in an alley to fix his attire. He tore off his clothes, threw on his mask and gloves and then he was ready to go.

He was back on the street like lightning but somehow hadn't been quick enough. A teenage girl was in the grip of the villain, screaming. No one had noticed Jackieboy Man yet so he was ready to dive forward but then a flash of blue obtained everyone's attention. Another hero with a distinct, holographic M embroidered on his cape was on top of the demon, holding him down. The girl had been freed and was watching the scene with a horrified look on her face.

M was obviously enjoying the attention because, rather than wearing an expression of concentration, he wore one of happiness. Jackieboy Man hid back in the alley as he watched the scene lay out in front of him. If anyone saw him, standing idle as another hero fought for him, he would probably be laughed at and called weak.

Anti shoved M off of him before glitching and vanishing into thin air. M looked lost, obviously unaware of the demon's power. He glanced frantically in every direction but, of course, he didn't find anything because the demon had transported himself. Jackieboy Man had seen that coming because he was the only person to have studied almost every one of the demon's battles. Despite having lost, everyone cheered for M. Jackieboy Man suddenly felt tired and all he wanted was to go home. So he did.

When he got home, he headed straight upstairs and laid on his bed. Arms and legs spread out similarly to a starfish, he stared up at the ceiling as he wondered if a better hero had finally come around. After a few years of completely dominating the limelight, it might finally have been his time to retire.

-

"What the fuck were you thinking?!" Jack yelled, eyes wide and eyebrows furrowed. Jackieboy Man blinked tiredly, a little unsure about what was going on. He had just been innocently sleeping and dreaming about fighting crime with his own fictional hero, Spiderman, when Jack's yelling had woke him up.

"Thinking... what?" Jackieboy Man questioned, voice groggy since he was still half asleep.

"Leaving! You disappeared and we spent at least an hour looking for you. We were worried Anti had found you!"

"Oh... right. Sorry. Won't happen again." Jackieboy Man went to lay back down but JJ pulled him back up. Obviously forgetting Jackieboy Man was still clueless when it came to sign language, he started to angrily sign.

"Your phone was dead too," Jack translated. "How did you expect us to know you went home?"

"No one needed me. M saved the day." Jackieboy Man's voice was nothing but a mumble, reflecting how he wasn't feeling the greatest.

"M? Oh! You mean Markiplier."

"I guess... if that's his name."

"The hero who saved the girl?" Jackieboy Man nodded, making Jack snort. "You're scared of being replaced, aren't you? I hope you know, no one can ever replace the famous Jackieboy Man."

"They could..."

"You're the only person who knows how Anti works. You know his power better than your own and you will be the one to defeat him."

"Markiplier's better than me though. His speed and stamina was just impeccable. I'm a fucking- I don't know... snail compared to him. I'm so bad at similes, go-"

JJ tapped Jackieboy Man and signed 'It's a metaphor.' Jack repeated what he had signed for the sake of the hero.

"Fuck off. I can't use English." JJ couldn't help the small giggle that slipped out.