one

"Hello everybody, my name is Markiplier, and welcome to 'Just Dance'! Today, I am joined by my good friend, Ethan, also known as CrankGameplays." Mark recited, as if he had been practicing this line for weeks. Ethan gave a small wave and said a shy hello. It was his first time being on a Markiplier video. He was excited, but nervous. He had only met Mark in person a week ago, and was staying with him until he was able to find an apartment that allowed dogs, and Ethan couldn't wait to leave. Mark was super nice to him, and Ethan was grateful, but he needed his space. He felt like he was a bother to Mark, and the last thing he wanted was for Mark to hate him, or be annoyed by him.

"Ethan, as a guest, I'd like you to pick the first song," Mark smiled and looked at Ethan.

"Sure, let's go with... 'Hips Don't Lie' by Shakira!" Ethan smiled and looked at Mark. Mark laughed.

"Oh, you want to see my moves, huh?" Mark smirked.

"More like, are you ready for MY moves?" Ethan smiled. Mark selected the song, still smirking. The song started, and Ethan started dancing. His hips really could move, and Mark found himself watching the younger male's hips sway. Ethan wasn't focused on anything, only the music, and his own movements.

The song ended before either of them were ready for it to. Ethan smiled at his perfect score. Mark stood up and selected his song of choice. After a few more songs, the men called it a day.

As Mark's editor, Ethan had a long rest of the day ahead of him. He had to edit his own video, and Mark's. Mark often wondered if it was too much for Ethan, but Ethan always assured him, it was not a problem. Even with the reassurance, Mark still felt he was asking too much of the younger male.

It really wasn't too much for Ethan. He used to post 2 videos a day, but when he became Mark's editor, he didn't have to. He was still editing 2 videos, and it wasn't daily, because Mark had a schedule. Ethan immediately headed towards his room, but Mark grabbed his arm.

"Ethan, wait, you've been working so hard recently, why don't you come out to dinner with some friends and I?" he asked, smiling.

"I'm sorry, I've still got a video to edit," Ethan shrugged. Mark still hadn't let go of his arm.

"Well, it's kind of like a business dinner. I need my whole team there, and you are part of the team. I have an announcement to make, and if you aren't there, it won't feel right. I need everyone there!" Mark smiled, Ethan too.

"Fine, but just this once. Where are we going? Should I put on my good socks?" Ethan laughed. Mark laughed too, and shrugged.

"Just don't wear pajamas," Mark said, finally letting go of Ethan's arm. Ethan headed to his room to change.

"You can never go wrong with a black turtleneck and some black skinny jeans, right?" Ethan said aloud, as he stepped into his room. He quickly changed, and headed down to the car, where Mark was waiting. He climbed into the passenger side. Mark had already started the car. Ethan hummed to himself as they drove.

When they finally reached the restaurant of Mark's choosing, the two went inside. They found the table where Mark's friends, Bob, Wade, Tyler, Kathryn, and Amy were sitting. After eating dinner, but before dessert, Mark spoke up.

"Everyone, I'd like you all to meet my new editor, Ethan-" everyone said hi to him. When the greetings stopped, Mark spoke again.

"Anyway, tour plans are coming along very nicely, anything new?" Mark asked, looking around the table.

"So, my doctor wants me to be careful with my leg, and I can still be on stage, but I can't do the dance battle. Too much on my leg," Tyler explained. Mark nodded.

"Yeah, I remember you said something about your leg hurting the other day. If it's going to be that much of a problem, I guess we can cut the dance battle-" Mark said before Ethan piped up.

"I can do it," he said. Everyone looked at him. He immediately regretted saying anything.

"That would be great actually, because we can't risk cutting that much time out," Amy said. Mark nodded.

"Yeah, I agree, thanks for volunteering Ethan. And don't worry, it's mostly improv, but the choreography that we do have is pretty simple. You're a fast learner, you'll be fine," Mark said, nodding. Ethan nodded. There was a few more discussions before the group ordered dessert.

Ethan felt his body shrink. This was his dream, yet he felt so out of place amongst this group of friends. They weren't his friends, at least not yet, and it felt awkward. When Mark noticed Ethan fidgeting, he slipped into the seat next to him.

"You alright, man?" he asked. Ethan nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine, thanks," he said, and smiled. Mark kept watching him for a second, then looked away.

Later into the night, everyone said their goodbyes, and headed home. Ethan yawned as he got in the car.

"Tired?" Mark smiled as he got in. Ethan nodded.

"I didn't sleep well last night," Ethan responded. Mark looked at him worried.

"Is everything okay?" he asked.

"Oh, yeah, I'm just not used to being away from home for so long," Ethan said, shrugging, but in reality, he was staying up because he was trying to figure out why he had been feeling so awkward around Mark. The first and second night were fine, but Ethan kept getting flustered everytime Mark would come near him. He didn't understand it. It's not like he's gay for Mark. He's straight! He's had plenty of girlfriends, and he's never had an attraction to men. But Mark makes Ethan feel a certain way that he only ever heard about in movies and books.

"You can take a nap. I won't judge you," Mark said.

Ethan already felt his consciousness slipping away as he drifted to sleep. Mark drove carefully to not wake him.

Mark pulled into the driveway. He quietly got out of the car, and made his way to Ethan's side of the car. He quietly, and carefully picked up the smaller male, carrying him inside. Ethan slowly opened his eyes.

"Mark?" Ethan said softly. Mark looked down at him.

"Shh, go back to sleep, I've got you," Mark reassured him. Ethan, still half asleep, smiled and snuggled up against Mark's chest. Mark felt his face warm up. He smiled to himself. He had only met Ethan a week ago, but he had taken a particular liking to him. Unfortunately, Ethan hadn't noticed Mark's desperate attempts to come closer, but he was okay with that. If Ethan did notice, what was he supposed to say if questioned? It's not like he LIKED him... Right?

Mark gently laid Ethan in his bed. He pulled Ethan's shoes off and covered him up. As he turned to leave, Ethan grabbed Mark's hand. Mark turned back to look at the younger male.

"Thank you," Ethan whispered in his half asleep state. Mark smiled.

"Any time, baby," Mark said. Ethan let go of his hand, and curled into a ball. Mark turned, still smiling, and left the room. He gently closed the door. He headed to his own room, and closed the door. He leaned on the door, closed his eyes, and took a breath.

"Why did I call him 'baby'? Why did I say that?" Mark said aloud.

"Because you love him."

Mark ripped his eyes open and looked around. There was no one in his room, but himself, and he was now on his bed instead of leaning on his door.

"Bad- Good- Weird dream?" he again spoke aloud. There was a sudden flash of lightning, followed by a boom of thunder. Mark got out of bed, and put on his robe. He headed out to the kitchen, where he found Ethan, wrapped in a blanket, sitting on the counter, looking out the window, and sipping some hot chocolate. Mark slid onto the counter next to him.

"What are you looking at?" Mark asked.

"Oh, hey, you startled me," Ethan said, his face heating up.

"I'm sorry. But what are you doing up?" Mark asked. Ethan shrugged.

"The storm woke me up. What about you?" he asked.

"Weird dream," Mark replied. The room filled with silence. Mark watched out the window, just as Ethan had before he walked in. Ethan slid off the counter, and washed out his now empty mug. He placed it back in the cabinet where he took it from, then slid back onto the counter next to Mark.

"What was your dream about?" Ethan asked as he watched the rain run down the window. Mark was quiet for a moment.

"I think we were dating?" he laughed. Ethan's face got warmer. He laughed nervously. He wondered why the idea made his heart pound.

Once again, the room filled with silence. Ethan leaned his head on the wall and closed his eyes.

"Ethan?" Mark said without looking at Ethan.

"Hm?" Ethan hummed, in a half asleep state.

"I think I like someone. Like... like someone," Mark said,

"Mm... Who?" Ethan said, almost fully asleep at this point, but trying his best to listen. Mark had to think fast. Does he say the truth, or does he lie?

"Just someone... their coming on tour with us..." Mark said. Ethan's heart sank. He knew Mark was talking about Amy. Who else? Mark and Amy were perfect for eachother. He sighed.

"I always thought you and Amy would be cute together..." Ethan said. Mark looked at Ethan and realized the smaller male's state of consciousness.

"No, he's not Amy," Mark said.

"He..?" Ethan mumbled before, completely slipping into sleep. Mark smiled, and lifted up the younger male. Ethan once again snuggled into Mark's chest. At this point, Mark didn't know how much was a dream, and how much was reality. He, once again. gently set Ethan in his bed, covered him up, and walked away. Before closing the door, he looked back at Ethan. He smiled a bit, closed the door, and returned to his own room. He quickly fell asleep, and didn't have another dream that night.

Ethan woke up and looked around. He wondered how he got to his room. He remembered talking to Mark last night, but he couldn't remember what about. He figured it was just another forgotten dream. He headed to the kitchen, where he found Mark, already awake and making breakfast. He stood at the stove, flipping pancakes, in nothing other than his robe. Ethan felt his cheeks heat up. When Mark noticed Ethan, he smiled, and took the last pancake off the griddle.

"Hey! Good morning, sleepy head. How did you sleep?" Mark asked as Ethan walked in.

"Not very good, to be completely honest. I had a weird dream," he said, as he took his seat at the table.

"Oh, mind telling me what about?" Mark asked as he plated up the food.

"I can't really remember. We were sitting on the counter talking, but I don't remember what we were talking about," Ethan explained as Mark took his seat at the table. Mark, realizing that Ethan didn't remember anything they talked about, was slightly disappointed.

"Weird. What were we doing, other than sitting on the counter and talking," Mark laughed.

"It was raining. I remember being upset, like you told me something that I didn't want to hear. I don't remember, I'm sorry," Ethan said, looking at the plate in front of him.

"Don't apologize for forgetting a dream. Most people forget their dreams," Mark shrugged and ate his breakfast. Ethan did the same