themasked

[themasked]

The camera clicks and shuffles as 15 year old Marvin bites his lip in concentration, precariously balanced on what looks like a blurry shelf. He sits on the edge of his bed, pressed against a wall and covered in black sheets.

Leaning back on his palms, he crosses one leg over the other, giving the camera a crooked, young smile.

"Day 31 of filming my sleep!! I know the last few haven't shown any of the stars in them, but that's just 'cause I bet that they only really show up when I have nightmares, and there aren't that many of those. So, I figured that tonight, maybe if I can concentrate just enough to switch these fuckers on in my palms as I drift off, we might get some results! It's genius shit, really." His grin is much less of the knowing smirk we know, and more of the excitable, curious teen. He claps his hands together, rubbing them quickly and then star-fish flopping back onto the bed.

"Good-fuckin-night! And starry dreeeeams!!"

What ensues is a few hours of quiet breathing. Seems that he fell asleep before he ever managed to summon the stars, because obviously, sleep and focus do not go together. But, as the video scrolls on, something does indeed happen...

Marvin stirs, the blurred footage just good enough in quality that you can see his eyebrows knit together. Under the sheets, the faintest of purple glows blinks to life, the plasma passing through the fabric and winking softly into his bedroom. At first it's only a few stars, but they continue to multiply, steadily flowing out of his hands as the teen's muttering and discomfort grows. Someone's dreaming.

The magic glows brighter, their light filling the room, intensifying all at once until- Marvin sits up with a ragged gasp, his eyes wide and only glimpsing the stars for a fraction of a second before they disappear. He gets his breath back... and groans in frustration.

"I had that, I fuckin’ had that..." he grumbles, struggling out of bed and reaching for the device, sitting down with it in his hand.

"So it sort of worked. Course it did, it was genius but... fuck man, if I could just harness that shit..." Marvin rubs a frustrated hand through his faded purple hair, trying to push it back into shape.

"Alright, I saw them, ok? I dreamt that I was falling through the stars, and I was so excited, but then they just... Ate me? I don't know, I looked at my hands and they were disintegrating into the purple shit. Which I know is not good, surely but..." he trails off, looking troubled and thinking over the dream again.

"I think... Even I did go out that way, which I highly doubt it would, cause this little party trick isn't ever strong enough for that, but if it did... Maybe it wouldn't be so bad?" His purple eyes peer curiously into the screen, thinking it over with a low hum.

"Whatever man, it's just a fuckin dream-" He lets the device drop onto the bed and the recording shuts off.

[themasked]

It's a unanimous decision, when Chase freezes up, to begin the interesting task of quite literally un-sticking Mr. Chase Brody from the ceiling.

Jameson sets down the camera as Jackie steadies himself on the chair. Jamie worries his hands and thinks for a moment before darting away out of sight. In the meantime, Jackie appears to be trying to pry Chase from the ceiling, the poor man unresponsive to the gentle suggestions being given to him.

By the time Chase is down, he's already being gently bundled in a blanket and taken to another room, resting against Jackie's chest as he's carried. The murmured reassurances fade as only the quiet man is left in the room, now tidying it up of his own will. The camera has already slipped from his mind, so he is silent and questions go unwittingly unanswered. The previous chaos has calmed, and there is warmth still left lingering. The warmth of family and friends, candid and loving.

When the apartment is finally quiet, and they're all settled in, Jackie searches for the blanket in the closet that Chase was asking for. With only a vague description, he searches for it, scratching his head. It isn't long before something catches his eye, and he comes back to the camera with a small device in hand.

Jameson returns into view as well, intrigued, and he startles for a moment upon realizing the camera is still running. A sudden, sheepish smile crosses his face when he looks at it, but it fades as his gaze wanders back to the device. He signs to ask what it is, but the more he looks at it, the less Jackie needs to explain.

Jackie turns the silver iPod over in his hands. It seems to have once been covered in glue, and then purple gems. Clearly that didn't work, all but a few of the gems have stayed on. Covering the dirtied glue are several MCR stickers, a couple of pentagrams and what looks like purple permanent marker. This thing never had a case, as evidenced by the scratches on the corners and shattered screen. But still, wordlessly, the both of them dig out the old charging cables and manage to bring the old thing back to life.

After an exchanged glance between the two, Jackie unlocks the phone, and Jameson signs to confirm something before picking up the camera to focus on the small, broken screen.

There are so many videos on here. Something resembling a choppy music video, short snatched snippets of teenage makeup looks and photos of drawings, sculptures with recyclables, of books as old as Marvin could find. But a series of them tends to stick out, about 40 videos all over 6-7 hours long...

A quick tap of the play button reveals fuzzy audio, and a fuzzier iPod quality video.

[themasked]

I- dad??? do you need assistance???

Jamie lights up when he sees who had sent in the question, but worry overtakes him before he can say hello. He gently sets down his mug and glances at Jackie, unsure of how they can help.

"I'm...on the ceiling..." Chase's voice is soft. He squeaks a little as panic starts to arise. "I...needed to use the bathroom. There's a duck in there, though..." "Jamie, can you take the camera for a second?" Jackie asks. He passes the camera, working quickly to grab a chair and climb up.

"We gotchya, Chaser. Deep breaths, yeah? Uh...hum something? Sing something?"

[themasked]

hi :D

Jameson turns back to the screen briefly, and he pauses for a moment before his eyes light up with recognition. "Hello!"

[themasked]

Huhhhh, sir?? Why are you literally glued to the ceiling? And how did you get there, you’re 7 feet from the ground????? Are you ok sir???

Chase's brow furrows as he tries to see the words. "James, I can't fuckin read that right. I'm glued cause I'm spidey. Duh. Chaser-man. There is no way I'm seven..."

He looks at the ground. He looks at the ceiling. Back to the floor. Then to Jameson, then Jackie.

...Fuck.

Jackie's eyes widen for a moment. "Oh shit."

Jameson can only look at his friend, genuine worry and concern for him. The height at which Chase had gotten to, if he was being honest with himself, was quite high.

"That is...a distance." He murmurs, just loud enough for the camera to pick up.

[themasked]

Multicoloured roses and stargazer petunias.

He looks a little giddy at this. "You and I share a good taste, then. I ... before I forget -"

Jameson notes it on a small notepad he carries.

[themasked]

Hello hello! Your favourite Cryomaniac has arrive- I...portal to the duck realm eh? Did ya find yourselves a portal gun?? .....Hmmmm that gives me an idea! Eheheheheheh- anyways! How are the three of you doing? Sounds as chaotic lver as always aha

"Oh! Hey! We didn't forget about you, my guy. How's the gun coming along? No tables frozen? We're uh...good! Great! Grandiose! One of those words, haha. I think? I think they're done with my bullshit!"

He looks down at his best friend and husband. Jameson is apprehensive, but remains in good spirits. He smiles, amused at the thought of another "Idea". He turns back to the camera, keeping up.

Jackie chuckles. "Is..property destruction involved with this? Legally, I can't suggest it, but...I'm not looking."

[themasked]

I don't know much about gardening, but I can do the best I can! You can on me for watering each day! I'm skilled with the hose!

Jameson gives a quiet laugh at that. "Noted. I would love your company regardless, superhero. What flowers do you like? I apologise if you have told me before, haha."

He finds a chair, still watching the screen. It has been too long since he has spoken to the rest of his family.

[themasked]

Spider-Man is the best superhero change my mind oh wait you cant

And dad how have all the sweets been eaten already it wasn’t even me this time

Chase snorts. "I came for the dinner, I stayed for the brunch. All of the snacks went...crunch, crunch, crunch."

[themasked]

Hey! Hey! How's it going you dorks? Chasecake, tell Kie that he better not have eaten my slice of cake in the fridge.

Chase smiles smugly. "Jackie isn't the one you need to worry about, Skye."

Jackie still has his face in his hands for a moment, but he turns the camera towards him with an amused smirk. "I tried to ward him off, but the munchies are way too strong in this one."

[themasked]

We've been through some shit, that's for sure. But something good came out of it. We've all found a little family here. Despite everything, I wouldn't change it for the world ~Jay

"I could ask for nothing better than a family so loving. We have a lot to recover from, of course ... but no lingering pain could make this any less worth it. For what it is worth, I am proud of you, Jay."

Jameson notices Chase's interest and he steps back a little, giving his friend a chance to say his part. Chase's expression softens for a moment while he answers.

"So damn proud of you, sis. Really. Well...of all of you. I swear, this wouldn't have...man, this fucked up situation wouldn't have been the same without any of you. The love, the kindness, the...the support? It's breathtaking, man." His eyes are far away, but he looks at Jameson and smiles happily. His family is safe at last.

[themasked]

oh also while we've got yall, i never did get to ask... favourite flowers? mine is cornflower :blush:

"Oh wait!" Chase hollers. "I know this one! Jackie's is...Lily of the Valley. I get some from the shop up the street for special occasions. Really brighten up a room. Jameson's...uh...fuck, it's...it's those night sky petunias! Magical little fuckers.

I love Daisies. And Lilies. All flowers, mainly...but don't gimme a cactus. Hate those prickly shits."

[themasked]

YO WHAT THE FUCK IS UP DAD

"What's up is..well, me? Homie-C?"

He smiles again. He's over the moon with joy. Now if only he could get down.

[themasked]

Ooooh, a garden? I would totally be down to help with that! I’m a bit of a plant guru, hah 😁

"Oh?"

Jameson's interest immediately shifts, and he smiles, bouncing on his heels slightly.

"I would love the help. I like to think I am good with plants, but it has been a while, hah ..."

[themasked]

Gentlemen! What a time, what a year, what a... fucking hell, man, I'm glad to see y'all alive. A toast, for the friends we lost, for the moments of triumph in saving those we did. All thanks to you three.

Jameson raises his mug slightly. "A toast."

For a moment he reflects, his mind a bit further from his friends.

Then he continues, "It really has been a year, hah. So much has ... changed. For better or for worse - and all along, the strength of the family you all have formed has only been solidified. No, my friend, this is all thanks to you, and to the others. Every triumph."

[themasked]

What do you plan on doing in duck realm? And what are you up to, Jameson?

"The duck realm?" Chase frowns before cheering up. "I plan to teach the duckies how to play tetris. And Atari. And just how to move and groove. Waddle to victory!"

Jameson returns on cue with a cup of tea in a cat-themed mug. He looks a tad better. "Learning to live, I suppose. That is all any of us can do. I am planning out a garden, as well! Though that will be a ways in the future." A slight smile brightens his face. "I would love to invite you to help with it, whenever it may come to fruition."

[themasked]

what's spiderman

Chase's eyes widen. He cracks his knuckles and smirks. He's been waiting for this moment his whole life. "Spider Man? Spiderman?!" He practically screams it. If he could see straight, he could swear he saw the very sound waves he was creating. "How do you not know spiderman, bro? Dude, dudette, dudesy dude. My guy. My honeybees. You need to get something clear. This little...Tom Hollander dude? This guy? Amazing spider man. Amazing, you know the age and everything. I grew up reading the comics, watched the movies with Mikey and Jacks, EVEN IN FRENCH when they first came out. But the OG? This OG...what the fuck's his name. Toby McGuire? Lizzie McGuire or whatever. Tom...Tom McGuire? NO NO NO IT WAS FUCKING TOBY. That man was a fuckin' legend. Bringing that web slinging dude to life. Don't get me going on the other fuckso...uh...Garfunkle? Simon Garfunkle? Garfield? Didn't think he was played by a fucking cat or something. But Andrew Garfield! yeah! Him! Meh. That spidey sucked. Not a fan. And the new guy! Did I talk about him? Did I talk about him? Amazing casting. Like...holy shit, dude. Can you believe this, guys? The effects, the giddiness? The actually geek that that dude is. It's top notch. AND SPIDER-MAN IS a fucking underrated hero, my dudes. Fuckin'...underrated. Radioactive spider shit, you know? Fucking out there web slinging as a teenager and saving...Gothm. Totally a fucking amazing teeanger hero boy. Jacks is totally him."