Happy Wednesday! Here's a long overdue one shot. This one was requested and is dedicated to 32waystoAutumn who is one of, if not the best person I've had the joy of getting to know, an absolute ray of sunshine whom I actually get to meet at a Markiplier live show in February! I'm so grateful that through this community I get to meet my best friend - I owe a lot to all of you and these uploads are a mere fraction of that. As you can imagine, having long distance friends especially those you are close to is very difficult and that's what I wanted to express in this one shot, shout out to all the long distance friends out there <3

Its late November and in Brighton its chilly and the leaves have frozen solid to the ground. Jacks feeling more than under the weather even though snow is expected soon but he just doesn't feel too festive. Maybe its the darker nights or the colder than Irish weather but he kinda wishes he was elsewhere right now. Brighton's lovely with its peers that look stunning against the moonlight gazing upon the water there and the shops are adorable or just downright weird; with things you just couldn't buy anywhere else. Little oddities that somehow fit into your home easily. Jacks spent many a time here and many a money too but he just feels fed up, its not the place, its the atmosphere - its a little lonely here.

Just as he thinks that whilst hes taking a break from screens and video games that give him escapism, Mark messages him and usually its a good morning or a how are you but today its an all caps message.

'CONVENTION EARLY NEXT YEAR, LONDON BASED. CAN YOU GO?'

Jack tilts his head to the side like a confused puppy, wondering why Mark would be attending a London convention of all things. Though the text has excitement just radiating through it. It seems do able and if its early next year then he'll have time to prep videos for it which will keep him distracted and focused from whatever he's feeling about things right now.

'Sure.' 

Jack will figure out everything else another day; he could do with something to look forward too, meeting fans, meeting Mark - Maybe it'll even motive the man to get videos out too, its never a chore his content but it can weigh on him mentally and physically sometimes, Jack can get too invested in things and saying sure to Mark without thinking too much about it isn't like him; usually he'd be worrying about it, overthinking things but truth was, hes desperate for... something maybe hes desperate to recharge his extrovert batteries and really meet people; thrive in big groups.

Marks always been Jacks idol; Mark is a force to be reckoned with. Hes come through fire and fury wearing a red flannel shirt. Jack bursts with pride every time he sees his content soaring to the top, or his next milestone video. Mark was the one who inspired him to start youtube anyway and hes still shocked he gets to call him a friend and have contact with him. Although sometimes Mark can be hard to reach and disappears under the radar, its usually because hes having a tough time but the man always pops back up and its refreshing and just the right time when he does so.

;

Once the tickets are booked and the Irishman begins to browse hotels is when his stomach twists, hes more than excited to be with Mark in person and it's just going to be the two of them this con as the others are unable to make it. However hes also nervous, Jack knows that sometimes once hes comfortable with someone he can be a bit much to handle; quiet at first and then loud and proud which some folks can't deal with, which he understands. He just wants to impress the man; make him proud of him as he is of Mark. On the plus side, its given him something to focus on and hes been working a lot lately in prep. Hes also announce that hes attending and a lot of UK-based and further people seem to be pleased. Jack cannot wait to scratch that itch of meeting people again, loves seeing when their eyes light up and the smile upon their faces.

Mark always sends him little updates or countdowns and they've been video calling a bit lately too, Jack doesn't mind video chatting but hes always conscious of his movements and actions when he does so; which makes him seem nervous.

As for Mark, he can't get enough of the Irishman and it feels refreshing to have someone who shares his humor and most of his interests and is patient enough to know when he needs time alone. Truth was, he needed a break too - Hes enjoying making videos of course but he just wants to travel some place else, the L.A. heat is lovely but hes just a lil' fed up with the place. Then comes along Jack; a smaller-turned-bigger-youtuber and its all up from there. Jacks like raw energy in the shape of a human and Mark enjoys it, the man also seems to have a sixth sense when it comes to cheering him up - saying the right things on the right days.

Mark can't deny his excitement to meet the man in person; knows it'll be good for him too. They've even decided to book the same hotel and grab breakfast in the morning before the convention; Mark can't wait to hear Jacks laugh in person and see his baby blues up close.

;

On Jacks worst days, seeing the days tick by is a comfort, usually he'd be panicking about how fast time was moving but hes thankful. The days are drawing closer to the convention and the progress hes made and content hes produced for and not for when hes gone he has been extra proud of, Mark even responded after one of his recent videos saying how funny he found it and it made the mans heart swell; praise from someone you look up to with such admiration will, in Jacks opinion, never get old. Its well past the new year now and its almost time for the spring convention - Jacks even managed to get a hold of another Sam plushie (before he releases the full line of Sam themed merchandise) to take with him so he can give it to Mark as a little keepsake.

Although he isn't trying to wish away the day, hes worried about the aftermath; returning home from such things is never an easy task and he always feels empty after weekends away and knows this'll be no exception and may even hit him harder, having to wave goodbye until something else arises as an almost excuse for them to meet again. But he tries not to dwell on that as the day hasn't even arrived yet. The pair are closer than ever and make a dynamic duo and an unstoppable force when they are together, they've collaborated a few times now and between Jacks energy and Marks always need to give 100% it flows well as a bonus, the fans seem to be eating the content up too and are always asking for more. Jack sometimes curses time zones as its difficult for them both to find the time to record between time schedules and the time difference but they make do when they can and hang out or record whenever suits.

Over the past few months Jacks realized that Mark is the same on camera as he is off; Hes just as funny and just as caring. Jack is himself too only a little tamer - maybe its the nerves of still trying to impress Mark or just the fact he doesn't want to scare him off with his boisterous personality and booming voice. It fits his channel and the viewers but sometimes in real life he knows he could do with turning it down a little and that's what he does, perhaps its been drummed into him too much along the way but regardless he's still Jack.

Some days or rather nights he feels the distance more than others; like he feels each and every mile between the two and his other friends on his shoulders - an ache he can't seem to shift, its a small comfort he gets to close the distance soon but it still feels heavy on his heart. Sometimes he just wishes the comfort and conversations he has with his friends half way across the world were in real life, sat in some restaurant or in his home over a half-eaten pizza.

Distance is difficult.

;

Its finally here, the convention is close now and Jacks packing for the trip, Marks been excitedly messaging him for the past hour or so as he waiting to board his plane. Jacks happy he can use other means of travel as he doesn't love taking airplanes, his fear of heights kicking in tremendously. Hes chosen train as his choice of travel and has made sure to packed plenty of things to keep him occupied as he knows the trip is going to drag in because hes both equal parts excited and nervous.

The pair have planned to meet inside the hotel and grab dinner together and just hang out before the convention tomorrow; Jacks social media has been blowing up since he announced he was attending the convention in London with Mark. He hopes it'll be a good turn out but expects more people there for Mark than him, although they'll be doing a shared panel together too.

Dinner is a complete and utter delight, filled with laughter and learning new things about the man and Jack just feels at ease in his company - like the pair are just meant to be around one and other.

;

Jack hadn't realized how many people were actually there for him too - the panel is a more than success - Jacks nerves easing with the help from Mark to bail him out when he needs it. The banter and chemistry between the too bleeds through always and the crows eats it up. Jack answers questions to the best of his ability and the crowd make his ears ring when the panel ends. Mark pats him on the back and his heart races as he listens to the crowd roar, for him and his idol - hes buzzing from it all, adrenaline coursing through his veins. They dip backstage and Jack is almost bouncing up and down from it all.

"Okay that was some bucket list shit, doing a panel with my fucking idol." Jack sputters at the end as he realize he hasn't ever told Mark he was one of his few idols and the man seems to blush at it -- Jack pulls him in for a hug in an attempt to make him not mention it. Doesn't want to ruin the moment or anything else between them.

Then its time to order take out and head back to the hotel, Marks gonna join Jack in his as its the one with the tv -- Mark has the en suite though lucky bastard. Nonetheless the pair enjoy several indulgent treats and talk about anything and everything. When the conversation whittles down a bit, Jack pipes up.

"I really needed this trip and now I don't wanna go back home." He laughs, apprehensively.

"Yeah me neither, I like your company too much." Mark shy's away, a different manor to his normal unreserved one.

"You can always visit." Jack says it like its easy and he knows that visits always come to an end and Jack hates goodbyes.

Mark agrees.

;

Its a long time until the next visit though and this time it isn't for a convention but just to see each other and to close the barrier between them once again. The pair decided to share a hotel this time and this break is more a private get away than anything else.

Or so they had thought.

Somewhere along the lines the hotel had mix up there rooms with a bunch of girls, twelve of them in fact and that's how they ended up here, painting their nails all together all fourteen of them -- Jack and Mark included. There are two best friends sitting next to them who have met for the first time -- both with brunette hair; one of them is definitely English and the other Scottish by the sounds of it.

Jack was worried that all these girls would recognize them but so far they haven't had any trouble. Maybe its the hair - dyed now. Mark a vibrant blue (a real conversation starter, might he add) and Jacks green. He was also worried they'd freak out or something but they've taken it all in their stride. When the mix up first occurred Mark did question the hotel but they couldn't give them a room at such short notice. Nonetheless, Jack was enjoying his time being surrounded by Mark and the bunch of girls chatting about something he isn't paying attention too, he catches the brunette haired girls staring at him every now and then and sends them a smile. One of them nods her head Marks way and adds a wink which makes Jack laugh.

A pillow fight breaks out and its every man and woman, for themselves.

Just before Mark was about to take a finishing blow from one of the girls, somebody had knocked on the door and saved him.

A hotel lady by the looks of things telling them that they had managed to get a room for the two on the house. They agree to take the offer, realizing that these girls wouldn't let them sleep, with their near-constant chattering. Its not a bother but Jack would like to sleep at some point.

They wave goodbye to the girls and mumble to one another thank god they never got recognized, the last thing they needed was getting ambushed by fan girls.

Only, they did. The brunette pair knew exactly who they were and just managed to keep cool but sending glances there way as if to check if it was actually them and that had really just happened, however - they did manage to get a picture of the pair with their glamours painted nails and posted it on every social media ever. Deciding not to mention it was Markiplier and Jacksepticeye as perhaps nobody would believe them but the girls would never forget the moment they painted the youtubers nails vibrant colors.

The mix up could only happen to the pair of them. 

;

Distance is difficult and eventually, Jack gives up the ghost. Its too hard being miles away from his best friend turned boyfriend and he cant stand it anymore its been two years of off-on visits and tough goodbyes which seem to linger too long as none of them wish to see each other go. Moving to America is a massive step, some arguing its too much of a risk. Jacks always been much of a risk taker he realizes and sometimes it pays off -- Jack believes in this move, believes it'll work. Closing the distance between the two will probably benefit his heart and health too, being able to be in Marks company more than days at a time which come after long, dragged out months.

The pair unite together and the risk pays off - of course it does, he gets to see his best friend every day, having him there whenever he needs - Mark enjoys have a ray of real life sunshine to keep him going and keep his energy up. Jacks videos have gotten even better, his channel growing by the second, fans loving the vlogs as he transitions to America. Marks staying on schedule more than ever with the help of Jack to keep him on track.

No more distance between them but the pair will go the distance together.

;

(Although I'm not quite moving in with my best friend, closing the distance for a weekend is so fucking exciting)