Insomniac

Chapter 8: Markiplier Makes

Mark doesn't know what to do with this.

"Do you want some help?"

Which is to say that today's filming is a disaster, as always.

"No, no. I got this! I got this." He brushes off Amy with no more than a flick of his paintbrush...which is glued to his paper.

Glitter falls haphazardly onto the already messy table.

Of course.

Off on their respective sides, Ethan snickers while Tyler complains about Mark's glitter intruding on his Macaroni art.

Who said Markiplier Makes was an easy series to film?

"Oh come on. There is no complaining on Markiplier Makes! Just doing."

They were supposed to be making Macaroni Art today; something simple to honor the childhood tradition that, really, most children never actually did. Supposed to, being the key phrase.

"If it helps any," Ethan intrudes, leaning over so that he can face Tyler. A piece of macaroni, somehow glued to his shirt, pops off as its squeezed between him and the table. It plinks onto the floor. "I think the glitter adds a certain...artistic quality. Improves it, if you will. Adds a little bit of shimmer."

"Oh." Tyler says, as if he didn't expect it. "I still could have done with a little less."

But, as always, there is no focus. Not only is it chaotic, it is also a rambly mess.

"Okay, enough talking!" He slams a hand down on the table. It spills macaroni everywhere, clattering against the floor. "More macaroni-ing."

"But Mr. Marky-sir." Ethan looks up at Mark, leaning against the table, puppy-dog eyes and all. "If I don't speak, how will I feed my family?"

"Ethan." Mark's somehow still straight-faced as he crosses his arms over his chest. Even when faced with Ethan's whole existence. "Don't ever do that again."

Silence. And then a chuckle, as if it has better plans, bubbles through Mark's serious facade. "Nope." He turns and walks away from the table in a circle, leaving his piece of art mistake on the table. "Nope nope nope. I can't."

From where he sits, Ethan laughs as well, burying his head into his haphazard macaroni-art.

For once, Tyler doesn't join in. Just returns to his art with a shake of his head. "Why are you both like this?"

Mark snaps his hands up. "Hey! This wasn't my fault! Blame Ethan!"

"What do you mean blame me? What the hell did I do?" Somehow, he acts indignant, as if he weren't the one to say those regrettable words himself. "It's your series!"

"Oh don't act like I've had control of everything! That ended the moment we started making this!"

"I thought it ended the moment Ethan decided to drop a whole carton full of eggs in his egg catcher?" Tyler points out.

"Well, that too!"

"In my defense," Ethan starts, hand against his chest. "I had to do it. To avenge my reputation as an Egg-savior."

'Egg-savior'?" Tyler exclaims, "You laughed maniacally like some sort of demon!"

"Oh Tyler, my young apprentice. It's all in the drama."

A beeping interrupts them, along with Amy's voice. "Time!"

"What? Really?" Mark exclaims. Quietly, as he talks to Amy, Tyler and Ethan go back to their art.