Chapter Text
As fate would have it, after a week-long visit to Korea, Mark returned home mere hours after Ethan left for Maine. What was supposed to be a forty five minute layover in Atlanta turned into spending nearly half a goddamn day at the airport. If his flight had been delayed simply because the plane to LA was running behind schedule, he would have chartered a private one and made it back just in time to see Ethan off.
Chica, Henry and Spencer were overjoyed to see him, as always; Amy had graciously kept the three puppers company in his and Ethan’s absence. One would imagine that Mark would appreciate the alone time after spending virtually every day for the last year with his flamboyant boyfriend (and more recently, his mothers side of the family), but...the house was eerily and uncomfortably quiet.
Mark sighed softly as he flopped down on the couch. Spencer trotted over and rested his chin on Mark’s knee, which prompted Mark to affectionately scratch him behind the ear. “Hey Spence.” He murmured, voice thick with exhaustion. “You miss your daddy?” Spencer closed his eyes, very much enjoying the attention he was being given. “Yeah, me too.” Mark removed his phone from his front pocket with his unoccupied hand and checked the time. It was quarter to nine, which meant it was almost midnight in Maine.
Mark unlocked his phone and tapped the green telephone icon, then selected Eef from his list of recent calls. He swiftly pressed the FaceTime button and waited not-so-patiently for Ethan to (hopefully) answer. Shortly after the third ring, the call was accepted and Ethan’s adorable face appeared on the screen. “Hiiiiii.”
Mark couldn’t help but smile; much like the dogs, Ethan was eternally happy to see him. “Hello yourself. I’m surprised you’re still up.”
Ethan glanced over at the digital clock sitting atop the bedside table. “I mean, technically I’m still on LA time, so my body thinks it’s early.”
Mark hummed lowly and continued to idly rub Spencer behind his ear. “Makes sense.”
“I see you finally made it home.”
“Yeah, fuck.” Mark lolled his head back against the plush couch cushions. “I don’t wanna step foot in an airport ever again.” That was a bit of an exaggeration, but presently accurate. “What about you? How was your flight?” He asked bitterly, anticipating his partner's response.
Ethan smiled guiltily and moved to sit down on the edge of the guest room bed. “I’m sorry to report that it was actually a very good experience, all around. Ten out of ten.”
Mark gave a halfhearted shake of his head. “No, no. I’m glad it was, really.” He removed his hand from Spencer’s ear and rubbed his tired eyes. His body was more than ready to turn in for the night, though, without Ethan snuggled up against him, he doubted sleep would find him so easily. “I’d happily endure twice as much bullshit if it meant...you know, that you wouldn’t have to.”
Ethan beamed at his boyfriend’s statement. “Awww, babe, that’s so sweet!”
“S’true.” Mark chuckled quietly and folded his free arm behind his head. “How’s your family? Everyone good?”
Ethan nodded as he scooted back on the bed, to lean against the wall. “Yeah! Everybody’s doing good. Andrew picked me up from the airport and we met the rest of our family for dinner.” He drew his knees up to his chest and pouted sweetly. “Every single one of them asked about you. Literally.”
Mark smiled sadly. “Tell them I’m sorry I couldn’t make it. If I didn’t commit to that charity stream tomorrow, I would have flown straight there from Korea.” Spencer whined and nudged Mark’s leg with his nose, urging Mark to pet him again. “I think Spencer misses you already.”
“Aw, Spencer! Don’t be sad!” Ethan exclaimed. “I miss you, too, bud! I’ll be home in a few days and I promise I’ll give you lots and lots of treats and kisses.”
Mark sultrily gazed into the front facing camera. “He’s not the only one that misses you, y’know.”
The younger man flushed a lovely shade of pink and unconsciously licked his lips. “Yeah? Well...I promise to give you lots of treats and kisses, too.”
An all too familiar heat pooled in Mark’s abdomen at the implications. “Mm. What kinds of treats?”
“Maaaaaaark.” Ethan whimpered. “We caaaaan’t. And if I tell you now, it’ll spoil the surprise.” He didn’t want to delve into further detail, just to have this train come to a screeching halt as it was picking up steam. “Not only that, but you look like you’re about to pass the fuck out, babe.”
Mark grunted an affirmative, eyelids becoming heavier by the second. “That’s ‘cause I am.” He mumbled. “Guess that means I should go to sleep. Sans my Eef.” A melodramatic sigh slipped from his lips. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
Ethan snickered and playfully rolled his eyes. “For your information, Spencer is a great cuddle buddy.”
“Careful. He might replace you.”
The young YouTubers facial expression feigned hurt. “W-What? You wouldn’t.”
Mark chuckled and moved his arm from behind his head. “You’re right.” He assured his boyfriend with a sincere, sleepy smile. “I’ll call you tomorrow, okay? I’ll be able to provide more riveting commentary when I’m not dead on my feet.”
Ethan grinned and nodded. “Alright. Call me when you wake up?”
“I will.” Mark promised. “Sleep well.”
“You too. Love you.”
“Love you, too, Eef.”