He's Probably Fine - Jacksepticeye Egos Fanfic

Chapter 3 -Everything is Going to Be Ok

Chase ran his thumb along the edge of a decorative grass plant. It was sitting on the coffee table, fronds drooping over as though exhausted. The edges of each leafy blade were surprisingly sharp- there was a little, painless scratch on he pad of Chase's thumb when he examined it.

Curious, he touched the plant again.

"Chase, could you- are you paying attention?"

"Mm?" Chase said. "Oh, yeah, of course." He quickly put his hand down, forcing himself to make eye contact with the woman in the other seat.

"I understand you're back from a trip to London," she said.

"Yes," Chase agreed.

"Does it feel different, being back here?" the woman asked, leaning forward in her chair.

"Well, yeah, definitely," Chase said quickly. His eyes drifted back to the plant. "I mean," he continued, looking back up, "It's like you said before I left. Um... y'know... physical spaces can affect your headspace."

"Exactly right." She nodded. Her pen tapped thoughtfully on the inside of her notebook. "Would you say that, during your time in London, it was easier or harder to maintain a positive outlook?"

"Um," Chase replied, tilting his head. "That's tricky. I had more friends in London. So, seeing them was nice. But... uh..."

In his head, Chase was back in Jack's dining room, staring into the viewfinder on the camera as Jameson Jackson slowly lost control of the Power Hour.

"...it was stressful, too," Chase finished, with a nervous laugh.

"Did anything happen that you'd like to talk about?"

Chase could see Jameson's crooked smile as he drew a finger across his throat.

"No," he said, though his voice cracked. "Ahem. Uh, no."

The woman raised her eyebrows at him. Chase gulped, but would say no more. Chase felt her eyes searching his face as he allowed his attention to drift back to the plant on the table between them.

"You mentioned that you got to see your kids last weekend," she continued.

Chase smiled to himself. "Yeah. Yeah... that was nice."

"You and Stacey are working to ensure that you can see your children more consistently, right?"

Chase bit his tongue. "Yeah," he repeated. His phone buzzed in his pocket. Chase winced. "S-sorry," he muttered, taking it out. It was a YouTube notification; Jackie had uploaded the daily video. 

Chase's heart jumped into his throat. EVerYthInG iS gOinG tO bE oK, said the title, accompanied by a thoroughly glitched thumbnail.

"No," he muttered, leaping to his feet. "No, no, no-"

Chase's therapist sat up straighter. "What's wrong?"

Chase glanced at her. His mouth opened and closed a few times without producing a sound. How could he explain this? How could he even begin?

"I- I have to-" he stammered. "M- one of my friends- he might be in trouble-"

"Chase!"

But Chase had already shoved through the door and into the waiting room. His fingers were fumbling with the contacts list. He felt a searing pain in the center of his chest, as though he'd been kicked.

"Jackie," he muttered, as the phone began to ring. He pushed his way out of the office building and ran to his car, already mentally preparing for a flight back to London. How fast could he get a ticket? Did he need to pack, or could he just go? His passport was back at his house..."Jackie, please, pick up..."

As he swung himself into the driver's seat, Chase saw the world shift as though spinning. He was getting lightheaded. He tried to breathe, but it was too fast; he could feel himself beginning to hyperventilate when finally there was a voice on the other end.

"Hey Chase," Jackie said. Relief washed over Chase like a tsunami, followed by a wave of nausea. He collapsed over the steering wheel.

"Jackie," he gasped. "Is everything-" Chase suddenly remembered the video title, and had to swallow the urge to vomit. "Is everything o... alright? Is everything alright?"

"Yeah, it's all good here. Robin just uploaded the most recent video... other than that, I mean, nothing's happening," Jackie replied, sounding nonchalant. The coolness in his voice hit Chase like a brick wall.

Chase sighed breathlessly. "Oh," he said, fighting to keep his voice calm. "Ok, awesome. I... that thumbnail scared me, I guess."

"Oh," Jackie said. There was a pause. "Oh, Chase! I should've warned you! I'm so sorry." Jackie's voice was hurt- he sounded genuine.

"It's fine," Chase replied quickly. His heart was still pounding frantically against the inside of his chest. "Really, it's fine." He moved the phone away from his head; he was itching to hit the red button to end the call.

"Alright," Jackie said. Chase could hear the guilt in his voice.

"Let's talk later," he said. Chase's frustration was caught in his throat like phlegm.

"Oh, uh, alright, Chase," Jackie replied. "Talk to you-"

Chase hit the button and the line went silent.