Dark blinked uninterestedly but rolled his eyes over to Anti, just as curious if not more than the other Ipliers.

"I thought you all hated each other. What IS he doing here?" Dark pointed at Anti with his cane, "I was not made aware that he was going to be here as well"

"I told Mark and he said it was fine" Sean repeated himself, "He's already promised-"

Dark sneered, "A promise from him means nothing. If I remember correctly, did he not try to kill you all multiple times? He nearly succeeded a few times, too. Are you not concerned for Mia's safety at all? And why should I put my family in danger because of a unreliable promise he's made?"

Mia lightly shoved Dark, making everyone cringe, "Aw don't be like that, Dark! I can attest that Anti's been doing pretty well living with us lately, actually! Give him a chance? Please?"

Dark stared down at Mia through his hooded eyelids and then rolled them with a light sigh, "Fine. Very well . . . . I suppose I can trust YOU, Mia . . . . . but one slip and I'll sick Dark Chica on him"

"Okay!"

Anti looked offended, "Hey! Don't I get a say in any of your little conversation!? She doesn't speak for me! Fucking hell this is all bullshite! It's not like I WANT to be here, either!"

"Then why are you?" Google appeared next to him and stared into him like he was scanning the glitch.

"Uh . . . . "

Jackie grabbed the back of Anti's shirt, pulling him away from Google, "None of your business, android. Go back to vacuuming or whatever it is you do"

Google's eyes went red, "I am NOT a fucking vacuum cleaner!"

Chase snorted, "Roomba"

"Easy there, Googs dude!" Bing slapped his back before he could kill any of them, "They're just playing! Chill, bro! Let's go update your software, huh?"

Google scoffed but forced himself to go back upstairs with Bing. Google was always updating and apparently that was how he relaxed and Bing knew it.

Anti pushed Jackie off of him but the hero didn't say anything more.

'That was fucking weird. Why'd hero butt in like that?'

Just then there was noise from in the dining room like a door opening from outside. Sean excused himself, hearing Mark's voice.

Dark narrowed his eyes on Anti and Jackie but lightly tapped Mia's shoulder, "Would you like to come up to my office for a moment? I've prepared a gift for you"

Mia never needed to feel weird or awkward around Dark. Sure he was an odd one but she knew she could always count on him for being her friend, no matter what anyone else said. She knew he had no interest in her besides being a friend or sometimes . . . . . a little of something else. And she figured this was one of those times to be that something else.

"Sure!" she grinned, "Lead the way!"

Chase snorted, "If you touch her weirdly and I find out about it, I'll shoot you!"

"Chase!" Henrik scolded him, "Knock it off! Leave our host alone"

"The Host heard his name, confused on the conversation, he-"

"NOT YOU!"

Mia laughed to herself but followed Dark up the stairs. It was a long way to go, though, and she always seemed to regret it, "Dark~" she whined, "You guys really need to invest in an elevator or something~ Uuuugh!"

Since they were alone, Dark rolled his eyes at her ineloquently, "Don't be ridiculous. The exercise is good for you anyway"

"Fuck off"

"Watch your tongue or I'll put a gag in your mouth"

Mia snorted and muttered, "Someone's been reading Illinois' secret kink book-"

"Mia!" Dark warned but blushed, sighing, "Why do you have to test my patience like that?"

"Because it's fun"

They finally made it up to his room/office and he led her to his desk. Making sure no one else was around, he finally flopped in his desk chair with a groan, "Living is bullshit. I need to vent to someone half-ass smart"

Mia blinked at him, "So . . . . there was no gift?"

Dark glared, knowing that Mia knew better.

She just laughed again though and sat on the other side of the desk, "I'm kidding! I'm kidding! So it's Mia the personal therapist today, is it? Dr. Iplier kept saying you were dying or something? Well, go ahead and shoot! I'm all ears!"

Dark gave her a small smile. She was the only one he could ever really talk to.

Meanwhile back downstairs, the others seemed to disperse, having not being interested in the newcomers anymore. Henrik left to Dr. Iplier's room and Chase wandered up to Bing's to wait for him when he was done calming Google down.

Jameson scurried off with the Host, eager to view more of his antiques and read some more of his amazing old book collection.

That only left Marvin, Jackie and Anti downstairs with some of the other Ipliers. Eric, Illinois and the Jims stayed with them awkwardly while everyone else were either up in their rooms or out in the backyard hanging around Mark, Amy and Sean.

"Whelp!" Marvin stretched, "I'm just gonna go hang out by the pool and take a cat-nap! Anyone wanna join?"

Jackie shook his head, "Nah, you go ahead. Anti wanted to talk with me outside for a minute. We'll be back in a bit"

Anti was just in deep thought about maybe glitching into Dark's office to spy on him and Mia but Jackie's words made him shake out of it, "Wait, what?"

"Okay! See ya guys later!" Marvin tugged Eric behind him to go out back.

Illinois winked at Anti with a big smirk, "Hey . . . wanna be my new assistant, sweetheart? The last one I had didn't die." he blew him a kiss.

Anti didn't question Jackie any further, letting him tug him out the front door again.

Meanwhile, the Jims' seemed to have disappeared . . . .

Anti didn't cause any fuss as Jackie dragged him but he didn't like it, "Mind telling me what the hell that was about back there?"

"What? You WANTED Illinois to flirt with you?", Jackie snorted as his own joke and lured him off behind Mark's car, "Look . . . . We don't like each other"

"Duh"

"But you seem to give a shit about Mia at least a little."

Anti snarled, "Who the fuck said THAT!? NO I DON'T!"

Jackie gave him a look that said, 'seriously?' but went on, ignoring his lie, "And I really care about Mia. I don't think Dark's good for her to be around. He's too . . . . . creepy and Mia doesn't see it"

Anti shrugged, "I guess we can agree on that . . . not that I care"

"Sure. Anyway . . . I was thinking we could come to a truce. Maybe you wanna prank Dark or spy on him or something tog et back at him for kicking your ass before. I don't know"

"How'd you know?"

"The point is" Jackie kept talking, "I'll back you up if you make sure Dark doesn't try any moves on her"

Anti nodded and gave a sly look, crossing his arms, "I see . . . ." he chuckled to himself, "You want me to cockblock Dark"

"Well in a matter of speaking-"

"I'll do it" the glitch grinned with a glimmer of dangerous intent in his eyes and it would have worried Jackie if he cared about Dark's safety . . . but he didn't. He cared about Mia's.

"So we have a truce? I'll back you up if anything goes south . . and you make sure Mia stays safe around Dark and he doesn't try anything smooth on her"

"Got it. And how should I go about stopping him? Should I stab him?"

"No . ." Jackie glared, "No . . . . you already promised-"

"Ah yeah, that's right" he snapped his fingers, "Dammit, well there goes all my ideas"

"Just get in his way. Make the lights glitch or pop in and ask a question or something. Make him trip up or something but don't intentionally hurt him OR Mia and don't get caught"

Anti held his hand out with a smirk, "Ya got a deal"

Jackie took his hand to shake it and Anti continued, "This is gonna fun. Didn't think you'd be such a rebel, hero. I'm actually impressed"

"Yeah, well don't get used to it. This is only to protect Mia."

"Yeah yeah. Whatever. Not that she can't take care of herself. See ya. I'm just gonna go and 'pop' in . . . see what they're talking about up there"

Jackie nodded, letting Anti glitch off.

He clenched the fist that he used to shake Anti's hand and snarled, wiping it off on his suit, 'He better not cause TOO much trouble, though . . . I hope I can count on him. The others would never agree to this idea'

"AND MAGNUM WON'T STOP CALLING HIMSELF DADDY! Ugh . . . I don't know what to do, Mia . . . sometimes I think Mark's laughing in my face but someone's gotta be in charge of all these psychos . . . but what about ME?"

Mia outright laughed, "You're not a psycho, Dark! Come on, don't be too hard on yourself. You're doing great with everyone!"

"Yeah . . .. sure" he stared up at the ceiling, "Thanks for listening, though, I guess . . . . so how's living with your resident glitch-bitch?"

She shrugged, "Ah, he's not all that bad. Scared me one time but he apologized for it"

Dark squinted, furrowing his forehead, "What? Anti would never apologize for anything. You sure you're fine and he hasn't blackmailed you to say that?"

Mia shook her head, "Actually . . .there IS something else going on. But you gotta promise not to tell anyone else I told you!"

Dark's interest looked peaked and he hummed, "Oh really? A bit of gossip? Do go on"

His lamp light flickered but he slapped it and it turned back on without a problem. Mia snickered but went on. This was the side of Dark no one else seemed to want to get to know.

"So . . Anti actually turned himself in to us not that long ago. He says there's something after him. Some shadow creatures or something. Have you seen anything like that around here?"

Dark blinked, "Are you sure he's not just doing drugs?"

"Henrik checked. He's . . . well I wouldn't use the word 'clean' but . . .you know what I mean"

He nodded, "I haven't seen or heard of such things. It's rather odd, really. Is he maybe using these 'creatures' as a tactic to make you all feel bad? Using it to get in your head and make you let him in. . . .making you let your guard down?"

"We thought about that . . but I don't think so. He seemed really frightened when the others threatened to kick him out before. He begged us not to."

"Odd . . . . . that is very odd. Are you sure YOU'RE alright with him being there?" he took her hand gently, "You know you're MORE than welcome to stay here for a while if you'd like?"

"Oh . . .uh . . well I mean" Mia blushed losing track of thought for a moment but shook it off, "Thanks, Dark. But really, I'm fine. My brothers take good enough care of me as it is"

She knew Dark would never intentionally flirt with her. She knew he was just genuinely concerned for her safety. But why did he have to have that nice deep voice and caring look in his eyes?! She wished her family would actually talk to her like Dark does . . . at least let her vent and understand her feelings. Dark has always been there for her.

Dark nodded, "Right. . . . so they've stopped making you use your gift on them for parlor tricks?"

"Dark" she sighed, "Jackie uses to keep the city safe and put Anti in his place-"

"And for Sean's videos apparently now. Any why keep the city safe? The police can do that. Anti should be the main concern. And the magician uses his magic for frivolous things as does the mute. The doctor and Brody are the only ones that don't repeatedly ask you. You've ranted about all of this before, Mia. You hate it" he exhaled deeply, "Why don't you just tell them that, already?"

She shrugged, "I don't know . . "

"I do" he stated, "You don't want to disappoint them. But sometimes you have to do things in life that are best for YOU. I would know. I have the similar issue of always having to take care of the Iplier egos. At least I take time for myself every now and then in the void and the cabin"

She snorted but saw the lamp flicker again, "Anyway. . . . . hey, you wanna head back downstairs? I'm hungry. Let's get a snack!"

Dark just rolled his eyes with a smirk, "You're always hungry" he stood up, though, "Oh but before I forget" he opened up a drawer in his desk and pulled out a familiar package, "I really did get you a gift"

"Ooo! You always know just what to get me!" she snagged it, "I don't know why the others love stealing it so much from me! It seems like every time I turn around, another package of chocolate you get me just disappears!"

"Maybe change your hiding spot?"

"I have!"

The two carried on their conversation but started to walk downstairs. Dark held onto the package himself, muttering to her that she could keep it in her room while she was there. At the Iplier manor, when the Septics were over, they would usually stay in the castle part where Mark filmed 'Who Killed Markiplier'. Mark had bought the property with Sean and a few other friends and built onto it, creating the Raspy Hill Manor on the side for the Ipliers to move into so Wilford wouldn't have PTSD. He was the only one but they had to be careful.

Anti glitched out of Dark's lamp and snarled, 'Didn't think Mia would just blurt out everything like that. Talking to him like he's her best fucking friend . . . . . I hate to agree with the hero but he's right.'

Anti looked around Dark's room and peeked inside of his desk while he wasn't there, looking for anything weird. He couldn't find anything out of the ordinary there but he had a weird feeling. Dark's living area was kept WAY too clean and tidy. There were no locks or even a door to his room, which he found way too weird.

'It's like he's just begging someone to look through his shit and not find anything. Dark's hiding something. I could see it in his eyes. Even if Mia couldn't . . .. he's up to something. And I'm gonna find out what.'

Mark laughed, getting another water from the cooler outside, "Yeah, I can't wait! This Cloak project and our new thing! It's gonna really fun, I think!"

Amy rolled her eyes, "If you ever decide on the finishing touches"

"What? I think it'll come out good in the end!" he whined.

Sean laughed with them, "Yeah, I did have some suggestions, if you'll hear 'em out"

"Sure thing! So . . . what's the deal with Anti? That was weird. And right on your birthday?"

Sean scratched the back of his head, "Yeah, it was a surprise. . . but I think he's really changed! We had a little slip-up earlier on but I really think he's mellowing out with us"

Amy sighed, "Is Mia involved with this somehow?"

Sean shrugged, "I think she's helped. Can't be too certain, though. I think that maybe Anti might have a soft spot for her but he's too emotionally blind to see it. That's Mia's power, though. She always seems to make friends with anyone"

Mark nodded, "I hear that. I never thought Dark would open up to anyone. But just the other day, I saw Dark smile when I mentioned she was coming over."

"I think they're crushing on each other" Amy gossiped, "They're totally smitten"

Sean looked terrified, "Don't tell the others that. Jackie and Chase are already overprotective of her. I'd hate to see them get hurt after threatening Dark or something" he side glance over to the two who were over by the shooting range with Yandere and Yancy. Jackie had just joined them.

"And you're not worried about Anti getting with her?" Mark asked out of the blue.

"Oooo" Amy obviously loved the scandal of it, "Yeah, they'd be like Chase and Stacey! That's how it is, right? Stacey and Mia aren't related to your egos?"

Sean looked terrified, actually at the thought, "uH . . . . Right . . . I mean, I've tried talking to her about it but . . ." he exhaled and scratched the back of his head, "She thinks of all the Septics like her brothers. Even Anti now. I doubt anything would happen between them like that."

"I'm not too sure" Mark snorted, sucking down some more water.

Sean looked at him strangely, "Why you say that?"

"Dude . . . . have you not seen the way Jackie looks at Mia?" Amy rolled her eyes at him, "If you're worried about a thing happening between any of them, you better bring it up to them all and quick before some serious love triangles or misunderstandings happen"

"Yeah" Mark agreed.

Sean squinted his eyes, thinking about it and drank his own beverage. It's not like he HADN'T thought about it before.

But he's never had to. Mia was always clear on what she's wanted. Right?

Just then, Mia walked outside with Dark by her side. Over by the shooting range, he could see Jackie's eyes harden, glaring down at Dark.

Mia looked happy and Jackie looked pissed. Even Marvin looked worried and Chase looked ready to shoot Dark. Anti was nowhere to be seen but maybe he was ready to kill, too. He didn't know, really.

'Maybe Mark's right. Maybe I SHOULD bring it up to them and talk to them all about it . . . . I wouldn't want anyone getting hurt. Especially Mia'