His Hands.

His hands.

—

It’s such a small thing, hardly noticeable. Henrik’s gaze flicks over when he hears Jackie enter his lab, rummaging through his bandages until he finds a couple to wrap around his wrists. Jackie’s knuckles are bruised and bleeding, but his expression is stoic as ever, lips a thin line as he marches back out, probably going to wrap his hands up for healing purposes. Henrik watches him leave, wondering what triggered this bout of injuries, but he doesn’t follow.

He already knows Jackie won’t answer. He turns back to his work, figuring he’ll ask later, maybe over a cup of tea.

Jackie sits down in the living room to wrap his hands. Jameson is already sitting there, turning over a piece of wood in his hands, wondering what to carve next. He flicks his gaze up hopefully, wanting to move closer to Jackie and ask him for company, but Jameson says nothing when he notices Jackie’s fingers. They’re trembling lightly while Jackie wraps his knuckles up tightly, mouthing swear words to himself as he hisses back pain. Though his expression remains stoic, Jameson can see pain in Jackie’s eyes, so he lowers his gaze and turns back to his block of wood.

Maybe he’ll carve something later, or speak with Jackie when he’s not in a bad mood. He says nothing when he hears Jackie get up and storm away.

It’s a few days later, and Chase is sitting on the edge of Jackie’s bed. He’s rambling on about a project he wants done, while Jackie is typing out and organizing notes for him. Jackie’s always been the faster typer, but Chase stops briefly when he glances down at Jackie’s keyboard. Have Jackie’s fingers always been swollen? They look redder than normal. He opens his mouth to comment, but when he sees the impatient look on Jackie’s face, he dives right back into his ramblings, hoping to forget the brief but silent exchange.

He’ll worry about it later when they aren’t both in the middle of doing important work. Right now, he needs to focus.

Later that evening, Jackie and Marvin are lounging on the couch together. Laughing over stupid jokes, knocking back cans of soda and eating various junk foods. It’s a simple evening with nothing to worry about, until Marvin takes Jackie’s hand in his own. Not to hold, but to inspect. The mood shifts from light-hearted to more somber as Marvin falls silent, tracing along the many callouses along Jackie’s fingers, the faded scars, the bruises, healing cuts, and swollen pads.

How long had Jackie’s hands been like this?

His hands had been used for so much. Marvin sees Jackie grabbing at a falling Chase to save him from heights. He can see Jackie reaching a hand out to a lonely Jameson, who’s reaching back to take that offered friendship. Jackie’s hands prying a grief-filled Henrik away from a deceased patient, to guide Henrik away and pull him in for a hug.

Jackie’s hands have reached out to nudge Marvin into continuing his magic against all other odds, when reality should have had the magician sprawling back into oblivion. Jackie’s hands had always been there to hold him upright.

To hold all of them upright when they wanted to fall.

To hold the city in one piece, even without thanks for all the work he’s done.

Reaching for the most broken down person, always with a smile on his face, always with new scars on his fingers.

His hands have always been there, always a symbol of safety.

How had Marvin not noticed before? He glances up briefly to see Jackie watching him, an expression of melancholy on his face. He doesn’t need to peek into Jackie’s mind to know what the hero is feeling.

They both already know.

Silently, Marvin conjures up a bottle of lotion and rests the bottle in his lap. He keeps hold of Jackie’s hand, spreading the fingers out wide so he can start massaging them.

Silently, the others come trickling in, with snacks of their own, but the food isn’t what they’re focused on either. Chase is taking Jackie’s other hand in his own, giving it a squeeze before mirroring Marvin’s movements.

If Jackie’s hands can do so much for them, imagine what they can all do for Jackie.

*grabs you by the shoulders*

You don’t know how long this actually took me-

ANYWAY HAPPY (BELATED) ANNIVERSARY SANDERS SIDES!!

Jack, dumping out a shopping bag full of Lunchables onto the table: Tonight, we feast.

Ooh,say,would you like to do “How can I trust you?” with Anti and Marvin? :D

TW: drug mention

-----------

The couch faced the TV, set in the middle of the open living area with a coffee table in front of it and small stands on both sides. The TV mounted on the wall was off, the room quiet except for the buzz of electronics filling the air. Marvin glanced down at his clothes; far too big for his frame, too soft, too well taken care of.

He moved over to the couch, curling up in a corner, keeping his hands tucked into the sleeves of the sweater and into fists- just in case. The man on the opposite end of the couch looked like him- but too well kept, too clean, too kind.

Dopplegangers were the only option that made sense. Dopplegangers.

"One or two, maybe....not five of us..." Marvin muttered, staring at the other man who's eyes were too kind.

Jack pressed his lips together, nodding. "I know. But the evidence is right here...all 5 of us. I don't really get it either..." He smiled and shrugged, watching the kid in front of him. Someone so small, despite their height. So hardened, with his gaze constantly flikering around the room, looking for something Jack couldn't place. "Hey...your name is Marvin, right?"

Marvin nodded once, keeping the sleeves down on his sweater. His skin prickled, feeling like small daggers or sparks of white noise. He kept his gaze moving, trying to find the source. No one in sight except for the man in front of him. Still too kind.

"I'm Jack. I uh, met Henrik first, he's kinda weird but I love him 'cause of it, you know? He really just wants to help people, hes just brash, is all. He'd also really like to look you over, if you'd let him..."

Marvin shook his head. "No. I'll end up hurting him." These people were fucking idiots.

"I don't think so, but I won't push you, if you're uncomfortable with it. I just want you safe." He shook his head, still keeping a gentle smile. Marvin glanced at him, watching him twitch before recovering like nothing happened. Jack kept moving his hands as he talked. "You know Jackie now, he brought you home, yeah? He's really cool, I didn't think I'd meet a real live superhero." He chuckled, watching Marvin, trying to bring a smile to his face.

Marvin stared at him, rubbing his arm, the pinpricks starting to get on his nerves. "I don't care," he snapped, mouth turning into a scowl. Jack startled, jumping slightly and opening his mouth to speak before closing it again. "I don't fucking care! Why should I care about how you met?? Or who you fucking are?? I don't give a rat's ass!" Bright blue flames licked out the sides of his balled up hands and he stood, getting away from the couch. He kept his eyes fixated on Jack, though he felt the pinpricks intensify as he stood. "Are any of you drug dealers?"

"I-" Jack's eyes were wide as he pressed himself a bit into the couch. "No-"

Marvin bit the inside of his cheek then laughed, bitter. "Then how does that doctor get the fucking meds." He clicked his tongue. "No liscened doctor acts like him. Only the black market ones do that. Are you stupid? How the fuck does a man like him get medical grade drugs? Because it's fucking obvious he's not a doctor." Flames coiled up his arms, hot and ready to attack. The pinpricks settled for a moment, as if enjoying the show.

"He- I met him while he was practicing in a hospital." Jack watched the flames, entranced in their nature. They danced and sparked like normal flames, though they colored bright and dark blue, like a science experiment.

Marvin laughed again, shaking his head. "You have no idea what's out there. You're a fucking idiot."

Jack opened his mouth to speak, shell shocked. He closed his mouth a few moments later, not sure what to say to defend his friend. "I am not-"

"Shut up. Just shut up!" Flames flared around him, singing the floor black. "I was told I could trust you!" White-blue sparks flew, nearly setting the furniture on fire. "I should have known better! You're fucking lying out the gate! How could I trust you?? You're an idiot who doesn't know illegal drugs when it's in your own goddamn house!"

Jack laughed, the sound unnatural, doubled over, and piercing. "You're smart. I like you."

Flames concentrated around his hands, flaring around his fists like angry tentacles. "...don't touch me." The common signs of being manipulated.

"I don't think I can, with that kind of flame." He grinned, teeth shark-like and eyes glowing neon green. "But you're smart. No one else has asked that."

"They're fucking stupid." Marvin felt himself shaking, the pinpricks on his body attacking him like needles stabbing through fabric.

"̴T̴he͝y̸ ͏wo͞n't̷ ͢be̛ a҉s ͘fu̵n as ̶you͜." His voice had an undertoned whirr in it, like a VCR being rewound.

Marvin glared, flames growing. "Name. Now."

"̛Yo̡u ́d҉o͘n̨'́t̸ ̨carȩ ab͡out na͠m͠es.̀"

Before he could retort, Jack coughed, doubling over and holding his head. "Fuck me, mate..."

Marvin took another step back, flames rescinding to a safer level, flicking around his body like a blanket. "I'll get the doctor." He turned and stormed away, pinpricks still following in his tracks.

Billy: I am very small Billy: And I have no money Billy: So you can imagine the kind of stress I’m under

A Little Theory

It wasn’t that the egos were terrible people or anything. It was just that… they weren’t the most becoming.

Jackieboy Man was a so-called superhero with absolutely no powers whatsoever. Police saw him as more of a nuisance then a hero. People started to avoid interacting with him, wanting none of his “help”.

Marvin the Magnificent’s shows were so terrible very few came, the only ones who did only wanted to make fun of him, or criticize him endlessly.

People trembled when Dr. Schneeplestein walked into the room, aware of the many patients he had killed over the years. His wife couldn’t bear another death brought by her husband and left him to his troubles.

Chase Brody ran a channel that got more trolls and hate with each passing day. He could barely escape the failures piling up on him, from family issues to channel scorn. His embarrassed wife couldn’t stand his pathetic lifestyle and left with the kids following suit.

Four outcasts, with nothing worth redeeming.

When Sean McLoughlin first introduced his egos, he meant to have fun, making characters through satirical nonsense. They weren’t the best people, and frankly, he couldn’t care less.

But when life couldn’t bear to look in their direction, the fans did. The community couldn’t help themselves, there must have been something there. Perhaps it was Sean, fooling around but having so much fun dressing up and playing pretend, his bright blue eyes twinkling with laughter, his smile brighter than the sunniest day. Maybe it was sympathy for the green-haired beings with Sean’s face. But they saw something in those egos, that no one else, not even Sean, could see.

The changes came gradually, but Sean saw it every time he came to check on his creations. Jackieboy Man began lifting items heavier than all the egos combined, and scouring the city, taking out mob bosses that had been wanted for decades. Marvin’s shows became more successful, and he was able to make something of himself. More of Dr. Schneeplestein’s patients walked out of the hospital alive and healthy, rather than in a bag headed to the morgue. Chase’s trickshots were beginning to perfect themselves, and Chase was thriving on his new fanbase.

Sean began dreading the visits less and less, as he watched his creations’ eyes light up as each explained their day. There were hiccups, or course, but bonds were forming, and the egos had never been happier.

Sean couldn’t help the nagging thought in his head. Was this his community’s doing? Was their love and support for the egos the reason they were so strong and capable and happy now? Everytime he found a new post showing their love for an ego, the stronger the ego got.

A new suit for Jackieboy, and he became stronger and more capable. A sweet picture of Schneep, and another patient lived to see a new day.  A drabble of happiness for Chase, and he got billions of likes on his newest video and a chance to watch his kids on the weekend. One fantastic design for Marvin, and little sparks of magic started to show in the magician’s hands. One little post was all it took, and the egos got stronger.

And then Ȃ̴̼͓̬͎͔̻̀̆́͋̈́̎̌̒̄ņ̵̢͚̯̩͕̙̯̟̞̥̉̈́͛͋̃̾̃̄̉͠ͅt̶̨̡̛̮̣̲̭̥̳̱͍̾̄̈͒͊͛̅̏̌̓̕͜͠į̵̛̛̦̪̎́͂̓͒͂͋́̀̐̑̕͘ş̴́̓̑͂̿͊̿̕e̶̡̨̛͈̜͕̣͍̬͔̣̲̾̓̓̌̄̈́͋̊͊̎̔͝p̸̢̢̡̮̹̮̝̻̠͇̝͙͎͌̀͐͋͒̉ͅͅt̵̼̦̩̳̀̒̀̈́̏͗̎͐͊͑͘̚͠͝î̵̗̮͗̂͋̓̒́̌̕c̸̫̲͕̬̝͇̬̼̀̿̓̅̀͌͆̓̈̽̒̚͘̕ę̵̧͙̣̻͔̳̽̿̈́͑y̴̯̙͍̤̻̿̒͑e̶̡̨̛̦̻̮͕͇̓́͆́̔ showed up. He snaked his way into the egos’ lives, bent on destroying them and their world. Dr. Schneeplestein became the first doctor to find when someone was attacked by Anti. Jackieboy’s mission was less about helping the city, and more about protecting it from Anti. Chase’s bad thoughts returned, and he began practicing using real guns, hoping it would protect his family from the monster that haunted his dreams. Marvin had bursts of real magic, and he used them to track down and fight the glitch terrorizing the city.

If it was the community’s love that brought strength to the egos, then it was also their love that kept Anti alive. Many of them didn’t consider Anti to be a huge threat, and it was all in good fun to play with a villain.

But Sean knew of Anti’s power. Enough support from the community, and Anti could take their world by storm. He hadn’t thought much of it when he first brought Anti to life, but when he came to the egos’ world after that fateful Halloween, he realized just how much of a threat Anti really was.

And so he began fighting in his own way. He did his best to ignore Anti entirely, hoping the fans would back off, and Anti’s power would weaken. But the fans made sure Anti stayed alive, and from that point on, a war was waged.

Anti’s support vs the love for the egos. An unstoppable force versus an immovable object. The villain versus the new heroes. Sean did all he could to help the heroes succeed, from reblogging fanart to holding polls excluding Anti.

Maybe it was that poll that sent Anti off the deep end. Because since that day, things only got worse.

August 3rd, 2017. Sean found he couldn’t get into the ego’s world. He tried his best to open the door, but to no avail. Anti had discovered another foe, by the name of Jack. And the glitch was not pleased.

On the other side, Dr. Schneeplestein fought a losing battle, trying to wake his friend up. Chase could only watch in tears as his best friend slipped into a coma, and Dr. Schneeplestein disappeared.

While Sean couldn’t enter, he could see what was happening. Chase prevented his world from finding out about Jack, putting on a smile and running both channels. Jackie and Marvin tried in vain to find the good doctor, but there was no trace of him.

Jackie went missing next. Sean tried playing as the hero in a new video, but not even his playthrough could bring the superhero back. Marvin’s magic was now the only thing protecting him and Chase from Anti’s persistent attacks.

Sean knew it would be insensitive, but he could feel the new ego’s presence nagging at him, and besides, maybe Chase and Marvin would like a new friend.

For the first time, an ego was made from pure, elated joy, rather than satire. Jameson Jackson graced the moving pictures with his charm and exuberance.

Naturally, Anti was furious. Furious at “Jack”, who, despite being a coma, created such a happy and kind character. On Halloween, of all days! His day! The glitch let his fury show that Halloween, and Jameson Jackson suffered the consequences.

The community balked at welcoming the gentleman from the 1920’s, fearing him to Anti’s plaything or even the glitch himself.

Sean calmed them down, welcoming Jameson as his new ego. Most of the community quickly fell in love with his cute and quirky mannerisms, but the rest still feared him to be evil. While Jameson sure didn’t show it, it broke his heart every time someone accused him of being with Anti.

Marvin and Chase were sceptical to welcome the new ego, but seeing how much being doubted and feared hurt the dapper gentleman, they quickly took him in, deciding that if Jameson wasn’t with Anti now, he would be if they continued to fear and isolate him.

Anti, on the other hand, couldn’t let go of the fact that some considered JJ to be evil. Even Sean played around with the idea. Finally, he decided to act. When JJ was alone, with the others on tour, Anti kidnapped him, intent on making a puppet out of him.

JJ’s disappearance crushed the last two egos. Marvin spent hours searching for the glitch, but he found his powers faltering. Chase looked into it, and realized that JJ wasn’t the only ego not trusted. They were all under fire, Marvin especially. Chase never brought it up with Marvin, but the magician found out soon enough. Not unlike JJ, he did his best to hide his pain.

May came, and Sean couldn’t stand his egos suffering. It was honestly starting to get to him too. So he acted in his own way. Dressing like the doctor, he posted a new video and picture of Schneep.

The fandom took it as a sign that the doctor was alive, and their love certainly brought good news to Marvin and Chase. Both could feel the doctor’s presence. Schneep was alive. They didn’t know where he was, but he was alive.

Disaster struck again, later that month. As Sean experienced with new games and possible storylines, some of the fandom began to suspect Chase of villainy. Was he with Anti? Did he kill his family? The stress of being Jack, along with the accusations, slowly chipped away at Chase and he began using alcohol as a coping mechanism. Anti made his move. With the vlogger drunk and off his guard, he quickly baited him into thinking his kids had been attacked, then spirited Chase away.

Now it was just Marvin left. He had to do everything now, from looking after the channel, protecting and caring for Jack, to surviving Anti. He was nothing more than a shell of the confident magician he used to be. Exhaustion and loneliness caused his magic to suffer, and yet, he persisted.

Sean did try to enter the realm again, but other ventures pulled him away from the world, and he found himself too swamped with his own thriving life to help Marvin. But seeing the magician so downcast broke his heart, so…

He tried another little trick. Ego Art Weeks, during the summer, when many artists weren’t swamped with work and school. The fandom celebrated joyously, showing passion and beauty for the egos.

One by one, Sean could feel their strength returning, despite being in Anti’s clutches. It let him know his creations, his egos, his friends, were still alive.

Marvin was a little scared at first when he felt his powers returning like wildfire. He didn’t know who was helping him, but he appreciated it. But, he could use a little more help…

When the weeks were over with, Marvin began to work. He hijacked the posts, leaving Anti’s marks all over them. A little sign, hinting at what had happened.

The community panicked, fearing Anti had attacked. Anti responded by spreading the fire and posting some fanart of him on Sean’s Tumblr. Sean was locked out of his account for a week as Marvin and Anti fought over the Tumblr.

As summer dies down, a war still wages. Marvin the Magnificent hangs by a thread, living a lie, protecting his friend, waiting for the glitch bitch to show his face again.

Antisepticeye persists but can never quite break his “puppets”.

They’re all alive. They’re all still out there. B̷̡̜̫̲̜̰̹̼̦͇͈̎͘ͅů̵̹͖̟̘̟̮̘̜̬̖̯̺͎͚̑̔͒͐̏̈́̔̈́͜͠t̷̲̞͙̯̻̜͋͛ ̸̧̨̛̜͕͎̲̹͍͈̮̻̙̠͑̔͐̈͜ŵ̷̧̛̛͍͐͂͐̾̉̊̾̚ḩ̸͓̙̮̝̩͚͍̜̃́͋͛̐̉e̴̮͆̉͋̄́̅́̈́̌̌͆̚̕ņ̷̫͉͕̤͇̗̟͙͂͛ ̵̡͖̳̹̯̹͉͖͆w̸͚̼͚̳͐͒̆̓͆͐̎̕͘͝͠i̷̺̜̗̎́̈́͋̇̌̈̕l̷̢̢̡̛̲̣̟̖̹̺͇̞̖̆̓̓͐́̋̃͒́͒̀̅̂̚ͅl̵̢̼͚͚̯̹̟̞̻͚͛̋͒̌̍̏̐̀͋̆̚͜͝͝͝ͅ ̴͕̟͎̱͖̎̉̆̓̚͠͝ͅw̴̢̳̹̮̪̗͓͙̣̬̆͛̆̇̆̊͜e̴̛̟͇̭̦̟͚̠̥̭̗͎͍̐̐͘ͅ ̵̧͔͚̖̺̘͉̈́̂̓͛̇̄̃́̓̒̄́̚͠͝s̴͚̓͗̂͗̈͂̕̚͝͠ͅe̵͇͎͓̲̰͕̗̼̝͐͜ͅẻ̶͙̫̰̙̗̖͔̮̳̬̞͗̀͐͌̊͊̈̒͑̚ͅ ̴̣̹͖̻̰͓̈̀͌̄͂̏̐̅̽̉̽̎̋̚͜͝t̸̢̲̟͇̪̩̪̼̗̖͚̭͔̑͗̂̾͘͜ͅḫ̸̛͚̠̠͇̤͕̭͓̀͊̐̒̊͂̽̈̀͑̊̓̚ḝ̷̲̙̹̪̦̗͍̻͖͍̽̋͊͛ṃ̸̏ ̷̛̛̣̫̻̭̙̦̙̙͚͖̀͛̈́͛͊̒͗̐̉̀͜͝͝͝ą̵̱̣̖͙̮̹̱̩͕͑̀̓̄̂́͠ĝ̶̛͈̜̭͓̤̽̂̆̈́͝à̵̛̪̲̲͈͓̮̪̻͈͔͇̓͂̽͑̉͊̀̓͒͛̚ͅi̶̧̛͇̬̖̖̙͚̰̘̝͖͈̖͕̜̿͛̇̒̈́̓̐̓̓̇̔͝ņ̴͕̙̺̞͓́̈́̂̇́̓̚?̴̡̛̺͚̯̞̖̪̓̍͛͜͝

————————–

RRRREEEEEE IT”S OVER WITH!!!!!

@flyying-grayson, @beerecordings, @septic-dr-schneep, @goldenoceanaart,

@florenceisfalling, @dumbasticart, @jo-ann-ahh-2, @cyanacity, @hi-alex-the-ghost