Chapter Text
“What is up my Cranky Crew? It’s Ethan from CrankGamePlays. I wanted to take a quick minute or two to update you on some things that are going on here in L.A.” Ethan smiled into the camera, glancing past it where Mark was smiling at him encouragingly. “As many of you are aware, the infamous Jacksepticeye is moving to L.A in the next few days! You heard that right, my green-haired twin is coming across the pond to finally settle here in L.A. with the rest of us!”
Mark watched from behind the camera as Ethan enthusiastically told his viewers of their friend moving to town, nodding in encouragement every now and again. In the next room was a bag packed for Mark, just waiting to be taken to the airport later that evening.
The three people currently living in this house felt three very different ways about Jack coming to take the spare room. Mark was incredibly excited – finally both of his babies would be on the same continent, in the same house, able to be taken care of at the same time. It was a great stressor off his shoulders. Ethan was a little nervous, because he was used to being the center of attention, so to speak. He knew that Mark loved him and Mark also loved Jack, but until now, Mark could focus on just Ethan here, and then just Jack when he went to visit. Ethan wasn’t looking forward to having to share the attention. And Tyler? Tyler just felt like he was along for the ride. He was alright with Mark and his babies doing their thing, and he even helped Mark from time to time. But he was excited for Jack to come, sure.
“So be looking forward to a new generation of videos,” Ethan said excitedly, running his fingers through his fading blue hair. “Because with all of us in the same house, it’s going to be a little crazy all the time.”
Mark leaned back against the wall as Ethan began to wrap up his video, nodding again when Ethan stood to turn off the camera. “That sounded really good,” Mark encouraged. “Good video. Minimal editing, too. You could probably get it up in about two hours,”
“You think so?” Ethan smiled.
“Oh, yeah. And I bet if you ask nicely, Tyler will help you edit.” Mark smiled. “If you want.”
“I want you to help me edit,” Ethan pouted, leaning against Mark with sad eyes. Mark smiled sadly and leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on Ethan’s head.
“I know you do, but you know I’ve gotta finish packing,” Mark said gently. “Come on, let’s go find Tyler,” he suggested, wrapping his arm around Ethan’s shoulder and leading him out of the room.
“Can I go with you?” Ethan asked for what seemed to be the millionth time. “I want to go with you.”
“No, bud, you can’t. You’ve gotta stay here with Tyler,” Mark replied gently. “We talked about this.”
“But I’m going to miss you,” Ethan whimpered. “Why do you have to go?”
“You know why. Jack’s really stressed out and I just need to help get him over here. Just like I did to help you move here,” Mark explained again, just as patiently as he had the first five times Ethan had asked.
“I can help you,” Ethan frowned. “I’m a good helper!”
“I know,” Mark replied gently. “And you’re helping me by staying here and keeping Tyler company and helping him with Chica.”
“But…I know how to pack boxes, too,” Ethan murmured, frowning up at Mark with the saddest eyes he could muster.
“I know you can, love,” Mark whispered, kissing Ethan’s forehead. “But your job is to stay here and get ready for Jack to get here.” A few big tears rolled down Ethan’s face, and Mark smiled sadly as he wiped them away. “Come on, let’s go find Tyler.”
~*~*~
Three hours later Ethan’s video had been edited and uploaded, and Tyler had spent the afternoon trying to cheer up the weepy boy while Mark quietly packed. “Come on, Eth, we’re going to have fun while Mark’s gone. We can take Chica to the dog park!” he suggested.
Ethan just whimpered and hugged his stuffed turtle closer to his chest, curling tighter into Tyler’s side where they sat on the couch. “I know you don’t want him to leave. It must be scary to think about him being gone,” Tyler said quietly. Ethan didn’t respond for a moment, but then Tyler felt the meekest nod at his side. “And it must be scary to think that Jack’s going to move in here when Mark gets back, yeah?” Tyler continued. Another tiny nod.
“Well I think you’re really brave,” Tyler insisted, squeezing Ethan closer to him. “So brave for letting all this new stuff happen.”
“I don’t feel brave,” Ethan whispered. “Brave people don’t cry.”
“That’s not at all true,” Tyler retorted, shaking his head. “Brave people cry. Everyone cries. What makes you brave is still doing the thing even if it makes you cry.”
“But I’m not doing anything,” Ethan continued, shrugging sadly. “Stuff’s just happening.”
“That’s definitely not true,” Mark’s voice interrupted, and both boys on the couch looked up to see Mark leaning against the doorway. The red-haired man stepped closer and crouched in front of Ethan. “You’re doing a lot. You’re trusting Tyler to take care of you while I’m gone. You’re letting me go and take care of Jack. And you’re letting Jack into your life when he gets here. You told me you’re going to share your toys, that you’ll learn to share me with him, and that’s a lot to do. That’s a lot of adjusting and you’re being really brave about it.”
Ethan finally brought his face out of Tyler’s shoulder toward the end of Mark’s explanation, and the slightest smile graced his precious features. “Okay,” he whispered.
“That’s my lovely baby,” Mark smiled softly. Then he sighed and smiled sadly. “Are we ready to head to the airport?” he asked, sad to watch that tiny smile disappear just as quickly as it had appeared on Ethan’s face.
“Will you sit in the back with me?” Ethan asked.
“Of course,” Mark nodded, desperate to be close to his baby for as long as possible.
The ride to the airport was quiet but comfortable, with music playing softly up front while Mark sat next to Ethan in the backseat and rubbed the back of his neck with his thumb. But the closer they got to the airport, the more upset Ethan got. “My tummy hurts,” he told Mark sadly. “I want you to stay,” he whimpered as Tyler pulled up to the departure door at the airport.
“I love you, sweet boy. I’m going to be gone for just a few days and you’re going to have so much fun you won’t even realize I’m gone,” Mark promised, leaning forward to kiss Ethan’s forehead before he pulled himself out of the car.
“I love you, too,” Ethan blubbered sadly, tears rolling down his cheeks as Mark shut the door. They had talked about this though – Ethan was going to stay in the car and just let Mark go inside without all the fanfare.
Tyler sat quietly as Mark got his stuff out of the trunk, frowning as Mark slammed the trunk, making Ethan jump. “It’s okay,” Tyler murmured softly as he nodded to Mark, assuring him he had this under control. “Ethan, it’s okay, buddy.”
Ethan’s sniffling turned into whimpers with a few sobs as the boy watched Mark walk into the airport, his bright red hair disappearing into the crowd of people. “I want him to come back!” Ethan screeched to Tyler. “Tell him to come back! Please!” he cried.
Tyler frowned but said nothing, clenching his jaw as he began the drive away even as every turn of the wheels seemed to intensify Ethan’s crying. If this is what Tyler had to look forward to…
He was in for a long week.