Love At First Text. Phan/Septiplier AU

Chapter 26

Why does this book have 2k whilst the books I put much more work into don't even have 1k >~< (not that views are important)

Mark raised his fist and knocked on the door, hands clammy. Dan and Phil were hidden behind their car, watching as Mark shifted his weight from one foot to another and looked extremely nervous. "It's happening." Dan whispered, leaning forward subconsciously as if that would make him able to hear.

"What is?" Phil immediately questioned.

"The ship is sailing!" The door opened up to reveal Jack. It looked like he had only just woken up, despite it being almost midday. His hair was messy on top of his head and he was only wearing some superhero trousers. Dan couldn't quite make out who was on the trousers but that didn't matter because Mark and Jack were hugging.

-

"What the fuck are you doing here?!" Jack yelled, moving to close the door because he was shirtless. Mark was looking at his bare chest... why didn't he put a shirt on before opening the door? Mark smiled rather bashfully, even though his heart was pounding in his chest.

"Surprise..." Mark mumbled and, as if it had finally kicked in that his friend was standing there, he hugged him tightly. Jack took a moment but he did eventually hug back and it was comfortable. Warm. Safe.

"You should.. come in," Jack backed up so there was space for Mark to enter the house. Jack then muttered an apology and raced upstairs to grab a shirt. He pulled it over his head so quickly that he accidentally tried to shove his head into the arm hole. When he came back downstairs, he was out of breath and that made Mark smile. It seemed like Jack was just as crazy and silly as he presented himself on the internet. "Do you want tea or something? Coffee?"

"Coffee please," Mark proceeded to explain howhe liked the beverage as Jack intently listened and followed the instructions."Thanks." He took the hot drink from his friend and placed it on the table when he realised it was too hot to hold.

There was an elephant in the room. It was standing in the centre, big as ever as it bent its head so that he could fit. Both Mark and Jack were trying not to look at it, their eyes darting everywhere but the large animal. That was hard when it took up most of the small room.

"We need to talk." Finally, the elephant had be acknowledged. Jack bit his lip, hoping Mark wasn't going to bring up what he thought he would. He did.

"Why aren't you talking to me? Did I do something wrong?"

Jack shook his head, his fringe that had once been green and was now a disgusting yellow fell over his face. Mark thought he was cute despite his hair that was in serious need of being re-dyed. "I just can't..."

"You're talking to me now?"

"Because I have to. You're here. I can't just ignore you."

"You want me to go?" Mark got up onto his feet but Jack rapidly shook his head.

"Please don't."

"Okay. Just tell me why you can't talk to me."

"Because it's hard. I don't want to feel things for you and the only way to repress them or make them go away is by ignoring you."

"Oh... so what do you think about the poem things I was sending you?"

Jack blushed, bringing his hands up to his face so Mark didn't see. He let out a gentle but shaky sigh. He was playing with his hands in his lap and biting his lip, a sign of his nerves. "They were nice."

"What do you think they meant though?"

"Well... I just thought that you were trying to lead me on and talk to you guys again. I don't want to be lead on, Mark."

"Lead on?"

"Yeah... you were trying to make it seem like you liked me."

"There is a reason for that, Jack." Mark leant forward but, before his lips could even brush against Jack's, Jack ducked away and reached for his coffee.

"Stop it." He mumbled, sipping at his tea. The foam lingered on his lips.

"Stop what?"

"Leading me on!" Jack stood up, the coffee rocking in his cup with a great risk of falling out. He placed- or rather slammed- it down onto the table so roughly that some of the liquid dribbled out of it. "It's unfair! You can't do this to me." Jack's hands were being waved around everywhere, so much so that it was hard for Mark to keep up with them.

"I'm not leading you on, Jack. I-"

"Shut up... please... I can't take this right now. I need you to leave." Mark stood up, placing his own half-drunk coffee down onto the table in a much lighter way. He turned, ready to leave until, on impulse, he wrapped his arms around Jack's waist and pulled him into a kiss. That time, Jack didn't avoid it. Instead, he melted into it, finding it in himself to kiss back gently. Jack's hand even found its way into Mark's red hair, threading through it and messing it up.

"I'm not leading you on. I promise but it's up to you whether you believe that." Mark turned to leave again but Jack grabbed his arm.

"I believe you, Markle Sparkles."

"Thank you so much, broccoli boy." Mark pulled Jack into a hug and they just stayed in that position for a long time.