Septiplier Trash

~The final chapter! It’s here! Okay so some of you will probably be a little upset with the ending and I can fully understand. Warning: it’s very cheesy, cliche, and a little frustrating at the end but I’m good with it so I don’t really care. This story was more of an “enjoy the ride and silly antics” kind of thing anyways. I’m sure I could come back to this some day and actually write something with the plot being more focused on “the box” but for now, I can be childish and just write cute fluff and I don’t think many people will try and tell me otherwise. So sorry for the long wait and ramble, please, enjoy!~

Mark’s apartment soon became Mark and Jack’s apartment and eventually was filled with Mark’s favorite flowers that Jack had grown. Jack took care of the various flowers and plants that decorated the apartment and soon summer rolled around. Mark sadly watch all of Jack’s beautiful flowers fall off and his hair turn a darker green. Sometimes when Jack would grow flowers around the two of them, Mark would pick them out carefully and make flower crowns for Jack. Jack was happy to wear them since it was something he liked to think that they made together, or maybe he was just falling harder for Mark. Jack didn’t care either way, anything to make Mark happy. Summer evenings cooled and their second summer came to an end. Jack and the trees went through the same changes as they had before and Mark was sad to see all of Jack’s flowers and leaves go. But Jack cheered him up with soft blankets and hot chocolate as they watched tv and tangled themselves together. It got colder and colder outside and Mark started to fear going to bed in fear of the night Jack would fall asleep and wouldn’t wake up. Mark would cuddle and cling to Jack as they fell asleep. Sadly that night came and Mark sighed as he ran his fingers through Jack’s hair. Mark thought long and hard about their relationship over the winter. Mark’s mind floated to the idea of marriage but he didn’t delve too deep, in fear he was moving too fast without Jack. But sometimes Mark would fantasize about Jack walking down the aisle with those pink flowers in his hair and flowers decorating to the area, his family and friends gathered around. Mark smiled at the thought, and just like that winter seemed to end and spring rolled around and Jack woke up with vibrant eyes and bright green hair. Mark hugged Jack and they sat around the house for a few days. Mark would look through Jack’s hair and excitedly jumped around as he noticed small buds forming. Slowly Mark’s flower collection came back flower by flower.

One morning Mark was sat on the couch, carefully braiding small patches of grass in Jack’s hair as he sat on the floor in front of Mark. Mark felt his stomach flip as he decided he would bring up something he had been thinking about for a while.

“So Jack… We’ve been dating for about a year now and I was thinking…..and I want to ask you what you think about...marriage.” Mark spoke quietly as he continued to braid Jack’s grass, moving around the flowers. Mark stopped as Jack leaned his head back and looked at Mark upside down. Mark blushed and looked away. Jack’s eyes were sparkling and his mouth hung open slightly. Mark still had a hold on his patch of grass as Jack stared at him silently.

“I think...I’ve been thinking about it too,”Jack said truthfully and Mark looked back at Jack before he looked forward again.

“I-I see. Well, I just… I know I really love you, Jack, and I want to spend a lot more time with you… Maybe for the rest of my life.” Mark said. There was a pause and Jack suddenly ripped away from Mark and flipped himself around to look at Mark face to face.

“Are you proposing right now?! I wanted to propose!” Jack yelled and Mark looked at him for a moment and laughed.

“But I’m clearly the manlier one!” Mark said back playfully.

“I’m manly too!” Jack said laughing even though he was trying to be mad.

“Well, I’m not the one with pretty pink flowers in my hair,” Mark said with a sly smirk as he laughed as Jack crossed his arms and huffed.

“I’m just kidding, Jack. But...do you want to...get married?” Mark asked suddenly nervous again. Jack looked to Mark, his arms falling to his side and his expression morphing from a frustrated scowl to a shocked expression.

“I...wanna get married...do you want to get married?” Jack said, his face matching the color of the flowers in his hair. Mark smiled and laughed.

“I want to get married too,” Jack smiled. They sat, still not registering what just happened. They suddenly it hit both of them and they both gasped. Jack’s eyes watered but Mark was already a mess as he slid off the couch and pulled Jack into a shuddering embrace. Jack shoved his face into the crook of Mark’s neck and Mark pressed small kisses to Jack’s shoulder and collarbone. They pulled away from each other slowly and smiled at each other. Mark felt a tingle on his finger and he slid it from Jack’s waist to look at it. Mark looked down and watched as thick grass poked up from the skin on his ring finger and weaved itself around until Mark had what looked like a ring on his finger. Mark was still shocked that his had just had ring grown from his finger that he didn’t notice Jack pull his hand away too.

“Well, I think we just got married,” Jack said in a breathy, hoarse voice. Mark looked to Jack  and rubbed his face and he chuckled.

“We’re so weird!” Mark yelled into his hands as Jack laughed along with him.

“I can see it now. They’ll ask to see the ring and I’ll put my hand out and say ‘I grew it myself.’ and walk away.” Mark said as Jack giggled. Their laughs dissipated and Mark slowly leaned in to kiss Jack sweetly. When they parted Mark looked down at their rings. Two little pink flowers had bloomed on them, just like the ones in Jack’s hair.

They didn’t leave each other.s side for the rest of the day and Mark couldn’t stop looking at the ring that was permanently attached to his finger. Mark reveled in the idea that he would get to spend the rest of his life with Jack and he called up a few relatives and friends to tell. He decided that he wanted to get “married” in the spring so they would have it next year but as far as Mark knew and or cared, he and Jack were already married. That night Mark wrapped his arms around Jack and they sat there and Mark was happy. Truly and beautifully happy.

~Super long part! That’s about it!I hope you guys enjoy!~ Over three months. That’s how long he had waited. Over. Three. Months. It was a long, cold, bitter, and lonely winter. Mark slugged around, depressed, and took pictures for Jack whenever he was going to wake up. Mark checked Jack as frequently as he could. The whole time Jack had continued to breathe with the small smile on his face. It was almost mocking. Mark would get mad at times, even yelling at Jack’s sleeping body but then he would feel bad. It was highly stressful.

Jack hadn’t changed much during the three months he was sleeping. Oddly enough he didn’t lose weight and the only real changes that happened was that some of Jack’s dead hair had fallen out and then his hair had started to return to its green color.

Mark was picking up laundry around his room. The sun shone brightly into his room. He grumbled. His beard had grown out. It wasn’t anything long but it was noticeably thicker. He also hadn’t had a haircut in a while. Or sleep. Mark was in pretty bad shape. With all this free time, he also had time to think about his flub with the box and he wondered if it was ever found or if it would come back to him eventually.

Mark looked out the window for a brief moment. Most of the snow that covered the city had melted but random patches were scattered here and there and the weather was starting to warm up. Spring was rolling around and Mark’s eyes welled up slightly as he turned away from the window to look at Jack. His smile. It had faltered. Mark was positive, he had studied that smile for three months. Jack’s face twitched. Mark dropped the pile of clothes he had in his arms and walked over to the edge of the bed where Jack had been sleeping. Jack grunted and slowly, he opened his eye and squinted as his pupils contracted. Mark stopped breathing as he watched Jack stretch out and rub his eyes and look over to Mark with a sleepy smile.

“Morni-...Mark why are you crying? You look horrible-” Jack was interrupted by Mark jumping on him and squeezing him nearly to death. Mark pulled back and looked Jack in the eyes. Those blue eyes that at the moment, look a little worried. Mark had wondered if he would ever see these beautiful eyes again. Tears continued to stream down Marks cheeks silently. Then, without any thought, Mark leaned his head closer to Jack’s and before he knew if he was connecting his lips with Jack’s. Surprisingly Jack reacted quickly and pushed back up against Mark and kissed back. Mark kissed Jack with as much love he could muster up from his built up feelings he had acquired over the winter. Mark’s hands wrapped around Jack’s smaller frame as he pulled back just enough to breathe.

“I missed you so much… I love you, Jack.” Mark said with no cares. Jack smiled against Mark’s lips and kissed him again. Mark pulled back and took a look at Jack. His hair was the green it had been before he woke up but now, it was alive. It was much more vibrant and bright than his hair in the summer. It was close to damn neon green. Mark looked down to Jack's face. His cheeks were dusted with a light pink blush with matched his hair perfectly, just saying. Jack had a new vibrancy to him. He seemed more alive than he had before. Mark smiled for the first time in a long time.

“Sorry, I look like a piece of trash when you just woke up,” Mark said as he chuckled with Jack and pushed their foreheads together.

“Uh, Mark? Can I ask why you are acting so...loving?” Jack asked. Mark realized that Jack had probably gone to sleep that frigid night and just now woke up so he had no idea.

“You fell asleep. For three months.” Mark said in a serious tone. There was silence for a moment until Jack giggled a little. The giggles turned into a fit of laughter and Mark looked at Jack like he was mad.

“I-I...I guess I hibernated.” Jack said before laughing again and this time, Mark laughed along with him. Mark was just glad to have Jack back finally.

*****

Mark was going to die from cuteness overload. The three months of Jack sleeping might just be worth it for this moment right now. Mark and Jack had just woke up and Mark was actually giggling at Jack who was fuming. Mark had woken up to a sweet smell next to him and when he looked down at the man he was cuddling he saw adorable little pink flowers in his hair. Apparently, Jack had grown flowers overnight and they were scattered through his hair and Jack looked absolutely enchanting. Jack, however, wasn’t the happiest with the new accessories. Jack sulked on the other side of the bed and Mark tried not to laugh at how cute he was at this moment in time.

Along with the flowers, Jacks leaves had budded and grown back as well. Jack was literally blooming and Mark was in love with him. Mark stopped as he realized what he just thought. Was he really in love with him? H-he thinks so. He knew he had said he loved Jack but wasn’t being in love with someone completely different?

“Mark?” Mark snapped out of his thoughts. Jack had turned around in bed and was looking at him.

“What are you thinking about?” Jack asked as he softly threaded his fingers between Mark’s. Jack’s big blue eyes looked up at him and Mark couldn’t say anything.

“Can I kiss you?” Mark asked a little quiet. Jack stared at Mark for a moment.

“Of course,” Jack said as if it was obvious. Mark's eyes slid closed as he leaned down to connect their lips in a sweet and innocent kiss. Mark pulled away and looked back at Jack’s now flushed cheeks. Light poured in through the cracks of the curtains and Mark wanted to freeze time and stay here forever.

“Jack I love you...and I think I’m in love with you,” Mark said as he sheepishly looked away from Jack. There was a small pause where neither of them said anything and Mark started to panic.

“I feel the same.” Mark’s eyes widened and looked back at Jack who was smiling like an idiot. Mark’s face erupted into a giant smile. Jack kissed his smile as Mark wrapped his arms around Jack and rolled over on top of him. They laughed against each other's lips . Mark moved his face down next to Jack’s neck and sighed. Jack ran his fingers through Mark’s fading red hair before he raised up to sit on Jack’s hips, hands sliding down Jack’s body slowly.

“It’s time for breakfast. Let’s go.” Mark said as he slid off the bed and pulled Jack along with him.

Over waffles and eggs, Mark shared pictures of the snowy, white scenes Jack had missed over the winter. Jack would pout at times, wishing he had gotten to see them with Mark. Mark didn’t want Jack to feel bad about it so he decided to take Jack on a walk after breakfast. Once Jack set foot out of Mark’s apartment he froze in shock. The air smelt of budding leaves and there was color everywhere. Trees were fuller than ever and small flowers scattered the ground. They walked close together in the crisp early morning air with their hands shoved in their pockets of their jackets. Mark slid one arm around Jack’s and replaced his hand in his pocket so that they were walking with their arms linked. Jack smiled softly and rested his head on Mark’s shoulder.

Although they didn’t notice right away, as the couple passed bushes and plants, they all started to bloom and grow more vibrant as Jack passed them. Bushes grew flowers, plants sprouted, and buds on trees peeled open. Pedestrians watched in awe, looking back at the two men walking with linked arms and staring at the one who seemed to have flowers growing in his hair. No one questioned them though as they thought to themselves ‘That’s ridiculous, what am I thinking?’.

Mark and Jack had agreed to visit the park for a while. They made their way to the little area where no one really went and stood there for a moment, both thinking the same thing.

“The ground is wet, let me run back to the apartment real quick to get a blanket,” Mark said as he pulled away from Jack. Jack shivered at the loss of contact and pouted. Mark smiled and pressed a quick kiss to Jack’s pout and he started running across the park. Jack still wasn’t used to Mark’s affection towards him and he looked down as his face turned a familiar red shade. Oddly enough, red wildflowers slowly popped around him which made him even more embarrassed that Mark had this effect on him.

Mark jogged out of the park entrance and across the street. Once he reached the sidewalk on the other side he ran towards his apartment, trying to hurry. But something caught Mark’s eye. Mark stopped for a moment and looked at the shrubs and trees on both sides of the road. Usually, the plants were somewhat symmetrical but there was an obvious difference in the colors and sizes of the plants this morning. There was more color on the side he was walking along and the other side of the road was mostly green and budded. Then it occurred to Mark that this was the same side Jack and himself had walked along and then Mark smiled to himself. Mark started to run down the sidewalk again with a new energy to him.

As Mark hurried back to the park with the blanket he had acquired, he ran onto a sight he hoped he would never forget. A red-faced was frantically running around the park, pink and red flowers slowly growing in the same place he ran. A man with green hair and flowers scattered throughout it. Mark made his way closer to him but as Jack was looking back at the flowers that seemed to follow him, he slammed into Mark’s chest and both men toppled over. Jack looked down at the lump under him and his eyes widened.

“Oh, I’m sorry Mark! I didn’t mean to run into you like that!” Jack said with a worried expression. Mark just laughed and pecked Jack’s cheek.

“Well, I’ll think about forgiving you if you let me get up. I’m getting soaked.” Mark said with a hint of mischief in his voice. Jack quickly raised up and hauled Mark up from the wet ground and nearly fell back in the process if Mark wasn’t still holding on to him.

“Well, I can’t say I’ve ever seen someone get chased by flowers before,” Mark said as he stifled a laugh. Jack nudged his side with a quick ‘shuddup’ and they sat down on the blanket Mark had finally laid out.

~Hey guys! I broke this chapter a little short for the dramatic cliff hanger so sorry about that! Also, I’ve been so mixed up with the days I don’t think I posted last night so I think I’ll post the next part here in a little bit so stay tuned!~

“Y-yeah of course,” Mark said simply as he awkwardly laid back down and covered himself with his fluffy comforter. Mark felt the comforter move and the bed dipped slightly as Jack slid in under the covers on Mark’s bed. Mark felt him press his back up against his own. Mark smiled softly at the warm presence and fell back into a peaceful sleep.

Mark’s eye flickered open and he grunted as he was faced right into the sun’s bright light. The room was unusually bright and Mark closed his eyes to stop them from burning up. Mark went to move his arm but realised it was on top of something, no, someone. Mark opened his squinting eyes again and looked down at the body in front of him. Jack has faced away from him and Mark had his arm around his stomach. Mark felt his chest push into Jack’s back as he tried to untangle his legs from Jack’s as careful as he could so he didn’t wake him.

Once Mark had gotten himself free, he raised up and swung his feet over the edge of the bed. He immediately wished he hadn’t had moved as he felt the cold air prick at his skin and his heat was violently stolen from his body. To make it even worse, his feet hit the ice cold hardwood floor and he shivered harshly. Mark finally got his legs to work as he walked over to the window and looked out at the white world outside. It had snowed. Winter was here. Mark looked over to Jack and smile. He seemed fine as he slept with a smile on his face and his chest raised and lowered slowly.

Mark shuffled over to his dresser and dressed in his coziest clothes. Baggy flannel pants, a long sleeve shirt, and a sweater over that, and the fuzzy pair of socks he got for Christmas last year from his mom. He adored those socks, they always kept his feet warm. He shuffled to the kitchen to make breakfast. He had coffee and waffles in mind, and with that, he started cooking.

*****

Mark had finished breakfast and Jack still hadn’t woken up and he decided he could go wake him up so his breakfast didn’t get too cold and lord knows it wouldn’t take long. Mark walked back over to his bedroom and looked at the bed. Jack’s chest was still evenly moving up and down. Mark let out a sigh of relief. He would be lying if he said he was a little worried that Jack had died from the cold weather. Mark walked over to Jack and placed his hand on Jack’s shoulder and gently shook him.

“Jack, wake up sleepyhead," Mark said softly. Jack didn’t seem to be bothered. Mark shook more vigorously.

“Jack, wake up,” Mark said louder. Jack still didn’t even twitch. Mark stepped back to make sure he was still breathing. Jack was still breathing evenly unlike Mark whose breath had picked up speed and he moved to shake Jack awake.

“Jack. Jack this isn't funny! Wake up!” Mark was in panic mode. Jack had never been this hard to wake up. Usually, a gentle shake and soft words would rouse him but no matter what Mark did, Jack didn’t wake up. Mark shook Jack as hard as he could and raised his voice, yelling fairly loud. Mark stopped suddenly as he realised Jack wasn’t waking up. Mark stepped back and looked at him. Jack still had a small smile on his face but a little bit of his hair had fallen into his face from the shaking. Mark slowly leaned over him and pushed the hair and grass out of his face and let his fingers slide down his face.

“Oh, Jack,” Mark said as his voice cracked and his eyes welled up with hot tears. His tears fell down his cold cheeks which gave an odd sensation with his hot tears rolling against his cool cheeks. Mark wiped his face with his sleeve and sniffed. What was he going to do? He couldn’t bring him to a doctor in fear they would take him from him. Pain shot through mark’s heart at the thought of losing Jack. They had become so close from the past months and Mark wasn’t ready to say goodbye. No. He didn’t need to say goodbye, Jack was going to be okay.

~Back with the next part! It’s a little choppy I know and I’m sorry for it! It was just too long to post all at once. I hope you guys still like the story anyway! I’ll be back tomorrow with the next part, until then, enjoy!~

“If you were wondering, I have hair and grass on top of my head. I think my hair acts as a kind of root because I can take in water from the top of my head. Mark’s mind immediately went to using Jack as a mop and he bursts into laughter and laughed even harder as he saw Jack’s bewildered face.

“Sorry, sorry! It’s nothing. You’re really interesting.” Mark said, out of breath while a beautiful smile rested on his face. Jack couldn’t help but stare for a moment but then looked away and pouted.

“Don’t laugh at me.” Jack sounded just like a pouting child and Mark stifled another laugh and apologised once more.

Mark snuck up behind Jack as quiet as a mouse with a cup of water in his hand. Jack was sat on the couch watching tv as he had quickly became addicted to it. Mark wanted to test how Jack’s hair worked and had came up with the idea to sneak up and pour water on him. Mark got close enough and gently let the water in the cup tip over the side and fall onto Jack’s head. The water rested on Jack’s hair for a few seconds before slowly disappearing and Mark let out a soft “Woah.” before he knew it Jack’s shoulders tensed and flipped himself around to look at Mark letting out a soft scared noise. Mark, unfortunately, was not prepared and fell back on his butt and the cup of remaining water was thrown into the air and as Mark and Jack stared each other in the eyes for a split second nothing happened but then, the cup came crashing down, hitting Mark in the head and water spilling down his hair and onto his shoulders and his face. Silence. Jack started laughing his ass off and Mark made an angry face, although, his scowl broke into a smile as Jack fell back onto the couch while gripping his sides as he continues to laugh.

“You idiot oh my God! What the hell were you doing?” Jack asked between gasps. Mark laughed too as he explained.

“I wanted to see how absorbent your hair was so I poured a little water on your head,” Mark said, calming down.

“You could’ve just asked you know,” Jack said as he raised back up to look at Mark.

“I thought this would be more fun. But now I’m all wet.” Mark said chuckling again.

“Hey, go change your shirt and then come back. Steven Universe is coming on in five minutes.”

*****

Mark had started going out to parks and doing more outside things since he had met Jack, more or less for the fact Jack likes direct sunlight and the windows basically water down the enjoyment Jack can get. Mark has also fallen in love with a small power Jack possesses.

“Jack, do it, do it!” Mark said excitedly. He jumped around like a child who had been told they were going to get ice cream.

“Okay, okay,” Jack said with a smile as he sat down on the grassy ground of the park they were currently at and looked around to make sure no one was going to watch him. Mark sat down next to him excitedly and watched as Jack waved his hands over the grass and Mark’s eye sparkled as small flowers slowly grew up from the grass. Wildflowers of various sizes, shapes, and colors grew in an arc where Jack’s hands had traveled. Mark focused on one little flower that stuck out against the others. It was a little purple and white flower with a small white flower in front and purple petals popped out of the back that made it look like a star (P.S those flowers are called Columbine flowers and they are really pretty). Mark ran his fingers gingerly over the small petals.

“They’re beautiful. Like always.” Mark said softly as he looked up at Jack with love in his eyes. Jack tensed up and blushed furiously. Mark made an “Eh?!” noise and began to blush a deep red as well. The two looked like idiots, sputtering and stained red. Jack was confused by the hectic thumping in his chest, and Mark couldn’t shrug off the butterflies in his stomach.

*****

Summer heat resolved into cool breezes and the sun was hidden behind grey clouds most of the time. As Fall rolled around Jack had to go through...a few changes. The sun was getting harder and harder to find and that meant that Jack had to go on what you could call...a diet. Jack just had to get used to the low sun intake. The first few weeks were extremely hard for the two between Jack whining about how hungry he was and Mark stressing about if Jack was going to wilt and die like the rest of the plants had done. Mark’s nightmare wasn’t completely wrong because Jack did go through some changes in appearance.

“Jack, are your leaves getting darker still?” Mark asked from the kitchen as he cooked himself dinner. Jack’s wrist and ankle leaves had started to darken along with the rest of the orange and yellow leaves that decorated many trees in the city. They started to fade from green to yellow to a bright orange and now we're fading slowly into red and darker oranges. At first, Mark was honestly afraid that Jack was dying along with his leaves as he also became a little bit skinnier from the lack of sun. Another peculiar change that had happened was that Jack’s hair also began to fade to yellow with orange hints.It was all very odd but it made Jack even more beautiful, even if it scared the shit out of Mark. Wait that sounded like...uh nevermind! Mark didn’t say that!

“Yeah, but really Mark, I’m fine,” Jack said as he looked at Mark with a sincere look. Mark gave the best smile he could. Mark reached for Jack’s wrists and took a look at the leaves. Mark inspected one of the darkest leaves closely. Mark just barely breathed out and the leaf he was looking of popped off of its stem and fell to the floor. Mark just stared at the stem that used to hold a beautiful leaf but now just looked like a stick protruding out from Jack’s pale wrists.

“I’m so sorry it’s all my fault! You’re gonna lose all of your cute leaves because of me!” Mark said as he hugged Jack and Jack just sat surprised by Marks outburst.

“Mark it’s okay. It’s not your fault, it was bound to happen sometime. It’s okay. Wait...did you call my leaves cut-?” Jack said softly but was quickly interrupted with the last question.

“OH GOSH! I forgot about dinner! Well, better go and check on it!” Mark yelled and ran to the kitchen. Jack giggled at his ridiculousness.

Mark soon came back with a plate full of food and sat down next to Jack on the sofa and watched the tv not really paying attention to anything.

“Hey, Jack? Have you ever tried to eat food? You seem to be part human so I don’t see why you wouldn’t be able to eat food like a human.” Mark questioned Jack gently.

“I haven’t but...I don’t see why I can’t try.” Jack said as he looked over to Mark and then down at his plate of food. Mark cut a small chunk out of his pork chop and poked his fork through it and handed the fork to Jack.

“Oh, so you didn’t want to feed me?” Jack asked jokingly and laughed as Mark rolled his eyes. Jack slowly put the chunk of meat into his mouth. Jack slowly chewed and swallowed. Mark looked at him expectedly.

“It’s good. I like it! It’s not sunlight but it’s food!” Jack said and then it hit him. He hadn’t really eaten much for two weeks straight and he jumped at the monstrous noise that came from his stomach.

“I-I’ll go get you another one,” Mark said as he left the room. Jack couldn’t resist eating the rest of the pork chop Mark had left behind. Mark came back with another pork chop on a plate and handed it to Jack. Jack stared at it without moving as Mark reached for his plate again. Mark stopped and looked over at Jack with a scowl.

“How dare you I thought I could trust you,” Mark said quickly. Jack handed Mark the other pork chop.

“I’m sorry! I just got so hungry!” Jack said, panic in his voice and Mark just smiled and placed his hand on Jack’s knee.

“I’m just messing with you. Hey, at least you can finally eat and stop getting so skinny” Mark said and Jack stopped and giggled a little as Mark poked his stomach. Another leaf floated off of Jack’s wrist and the both stopped and then laughed.

Eventually, all of Jack’s leaves would fall off and the stems just seemed to oddly disappear and you couldn’t even tell Jack was any different from anyone else unless you got close to his hair and saw the grassy texture it had. Jack’s hair had wilted so much he almost looked like he was blond. He had also gained weight and wasn’t scarily skinny anymore. More and more often, Mark found himself turning up the temperature in his apartment and Mark knew that winter was coming. Mark hadn’t thought about what winter would bring because honestly, he didn’t know what to expect.

One night the apartment was just too cold and Mark slowly woke from his slumber to notice that his door had creaked open and a figure stood in the doorway. Mark shot up in bed, afraid it was a robber, but calmed down as he heard Jack’s familiar voice say that it was only him.

“I can’t stop shivering. It’s too cold. Do you think I could...sleep with you tonight?” Mark thanked the Gods that the lights were off so Jack didn’t see the way his face reddened so quickly and deeply.

~So this was meant to be a one-shot but turned out much longer than expected. I’ll be posting each part every day and I’ll try and chop it up as least confusing as possible. I’m really happy with this fic and I just sort of had fun with it so once again, thank you for all the support and enjoy!~

Mark was digging. Mark frantically dug through the earth beneath him. Dig. Dig. Dig. I need to dig. Mark checked the box next to him to make sure it was still there. Mark nodded at the box as it sat safely beside him. Mark threw away his shovel and started to dig with his hands. You could hear his frantic breathing throughout the woods he was currently in the middle of. His lantern glowed a soft yellow and lit the small area around him. He dug specifically at the base of a tree. Dogs. They had dogs after him. Mark dug faster. Mark dug even though his red hair blocked his view and sweat dripped down his face. Mark struck the dirt with his hand but froze as it hits something. Mark stopped his movements completely. A root maybe? Mark carefully moved the dirt away from the object he hit. It was...an arm?

AN ARM?!

Mark made a scared noise as he fell back from the hole. Nothing moved save for the flickering light of his lantern. Mark slowly crawled back over to the hole and looked down at the pale flesh that was exposed. Mark reluctantly started to move the dirt away from the rest of the body. Slender limbs. But about the size of a man maybe his age. Arm. Shoulder. Chest. Neck. Mark finally moved enough dirt to find where the head was. Mark softly dusted the mud away from the body’s face and gawked. It was a man about his age with green hair and a face that reminded Mark of a doll. As Mark looked at the man’s face, suddenly, his eyes popped open. Mark screamed and scrambled away from the hole once more and hear another scream come from the man in the hole. He sounded hoarse like he hadn’t spoken in a long time.

Mark tried to make sense of the event that just took place but he lost his train of thought as the man raised up from the earth. Dirt and small roots stuck to his body. The man looked curiously at Marks terrified expression. He raised up further out of the dirt and reached forward, his hand reaching for Mark’s face. Mark couldn’t get himself to move and he watched the man touch his face lightly with his fingers. They felt waxy and smelt of mud and plants. As Mark looked closer, what he thought were leaves just stuck to the man's wrist were growing out of the skin. He had small, green leaves actually growing out of the skin on his wrists and forearms.

Mark sucked in a breath of air. What is happening?

“You woke me up.” The man suddenly said. Mark was surprised by the Irish accent he had and was even more confused.

“W-what?” Mark questioned weakly. Mark’s eye flicked over to a small bump moving beneath the ground and two feet surfaced.

“Ah, it feels good to breath fresh air again.” The man said and pulled himself fully from the ground. Mark watched small roots that were stuck to his body rip off and fall to the ground again. Mark looked the man over once again and quickly averted his gaze realising this...thing was naked. The man turned around and looked at Mark in the eyes. Even in the dark, Mark could see his bright blue eyes.

“Thank you.” He said without breaking eye contact and then turned and walked away. Mark stumbled to his feet and ran after the man and placed his hand on his shoulder. He couldn’t just let him wander around the woods alone. He might get ripped to shreds by a wolf or a bear of something.

“Do you have somewhere to go?” Mark’s quiet voice drifted through the air and the man’s eyes widened.

“Um, I don’t really know.” The man said carefully.

“Why don’t you come with me?”

*****

“So, you’re a plant...man?”

“Yes, and my name is Jack,” Jack said as he sat on Mark’s sofa in his small living room. He was covered in a pair of underwear that he was extremely reluctant to wear until Mark explained it was indecent to go around naked. He was lucky to get the boxers on his so he didn’t bother with pants or a shirt. Mark was still confused on why he had asked a plant that looked and acted like a human to come to  his apartment but he was here now so he had to figure out how to take care of him.

“So what, do you like...need water? Also, my name is Mark.” Mark asked. Jack looked at Mark with an “are-you-serious” face and Mark couldn’t hold in the little chuckle.

“Mark, I’m pretty sure every living thing needs water to live,” Jack said flatly and Mark continued to laugh at him.

“Sorry, I guess I meant to ask if you...you know…eat anything?” Mark asked after he had calmed down a tad. Jack looked around the room as he answered.

“Well, there is how I am like a plant. I only need sunlight so I can make my own food.” Jack said as his eyes went back to Mark.

“By the way, are there any windows here?” Mark smiled at how cool and weird this person was. This was ridiculous. This was crazy. This was something from a fairytale or fantasy or something like that. But Mark was more than happy to learn about the odd creature in his house. Mark nodded and walked over to the side of the room were grey curtains hung over long windows that had a beautiful view of Los Angeles and the city. Mark moved them to the side and realised that the sun was just starting to come up. But Mark wasn’t tired. Adrenaline still pumped through his veins from last night’s events.

Mark froze.The box. Oh shit. Mark panicked as he realised he had forgotten the box in the forest. Could he find it again? Oh no. He’d never find it. But worse what if they found it? He had failed his whole mission. Mark hadn’t noticed the man who had walked up to the window and sat down in front of it to soak up the early morning sun. Mark mumbled curses to himself as he paced around the room. Mark was then interrupted by a small voice that floated around the room.

“Mark. Do you think I could get some water? My leaves are drying out.” Jack said quietly. Mark was slightly concerned upon hearing the statement and rushed to fill a cup with water. He thought about the situation quickly and also grabbed a towel and let the tap water from the sink run over it. Mark walked back over to Jack and handed him  the cup.

“I brought you a wet towel in case you want to put it over your leaves or something,” Mark said as Jack took in large gulps of the water. Jack looked back at Mark and raised his hand and grabbed the wet towel and gently laid it over the leaves on this ankles. Mark’s gaze stuck to Jack’s wrist leaves and Mark bent down next to him.

“Can I...touch them?” Mark asked Jack as politely as he could. Jack looked to Mark, unsure, but nodded none the less and lifted his wrist for Mark to touch. Mark carefully glided his fingers over the green leaves, staring in awe.

“Do you feel touch on them? Are they like skin?” Mark asked, more curious than ever.

“Not really. I can sense you touching them now but I can’t actually feel the texture of your fingers on them.” Jack said. So they’re kind of like hair. Speaking of hair. Mark had never gotten to look at Jack’s hair. I was a deep green color and seemed to be just like human hair but Mark could see thicker pieces like maybe he had a mix of grass and actual hair.

“If you were wondering, I have hair and grass on top of my head. I think my hair acts as a kind of root because I can take in water from the top of my head. Mark’s mind immediately went to using Jack as a mop and he bursts into laughter and laughed even harder as he saw Jack’s bewildered face.

“Sorry, sorry! It’s nothing. You’re really interesting.” Mark said, out of breath while a beautiful smile rested on his face. Jack couldn’t help but stare for a moment but then looked away and pouted.

“Don’t laugh at me.” Jack sounded just like a pouting child and Mark stifled another laugh and apologised once more.

*****

Mark snuck up behind Jack as quiet as a mouse with a cup of water in his hand. Jack was sat on the couch watching tv as he had quickly became addicted to it. Mark wanted to test how Jack’s hair worked and had came up with the idea to sneak up and pour water on him. Mark got close enough and gently let the water in the cup tip over the side and fall onto Jack’s head. The water rested on Jack’s hair for a few seconds before slowly disappearing and Mark let out a soft “Woah.” before he knew it Jack’s shoulders tensed and flipped himself around to look at Mark letting out a soft scared noise. Mark, unfortunately, was not prepared and fell back on his butt and the cup of remaining water was thrown into the air and as Mark and Jack stared each other in the eyes for a split second nothing happened but then, the cup came crashing down, hitting Mark in the head and water spilling down his hair and onto his shoulders and his face. Silence. Jack started laughing his ass off and Mark made an angry face, although, his scowl broke into a smile as Jack fell back onto the couch while gripping his sides as he continues to laugh.

“You idiot oh my God! What the hell were you doing?” Jack asked between gasps. Mark laughed too as he explained.

“I wanted to see how absorbent your hair was so I poured a little water on your head,” Mark said, calming down.

“You could’ve just asked you know,” Jack said as he raised back up to look at Mark.

“I thought this would be more fun. But now I’m all wet.” Mark said chuckling again.