After getting dressed, I join Brahms back on the couch again. He had the camera in his hands — admiring the picture he had taken of me moments earlier.

Brahms notices me peering over his shoulder and tilts the display screen towards me. I lean in closer to get a better look. When I view the photo, my face scrunches immediately, " That's what I look like when I—," I pause to cringe in disgust, " Gross."

" You look lovely," Brahms interjects, " Cheeks flushed, eyes rolled back and all."

" I look possessed."

" You do not," he disagrees.

" —And that angle too," I add, " Not flattering at all."

" There has to be something you like about it," he says, turning to me.

Being a film and photography major, I suppose I can find at least one thing to appreciate...

" Let's see," I say, taking a closer look, " Given the amount of time you had to capture the moment... I can give you props for being able to keep the camera in focus."

Brahms nods in agreement, keeping his eyes fixated on the picture of me. He takes his thumb and grazes it over my body displayed on the screen, "...You look so precious screaming my name," he mutters softly.

His tender words and pure infatuation for me warms my heart and body. Although I can't see Brahms' face, I know there's a sly smirk hiding beneath that mask.

" Ok, that's enough. Give me back my camera," I say, holding my hand out, " Before you start drooling all over it."

" I still need more practice," Brahms replies, pulling the camera into his chest.

" Fine," I roll my eyes and laugh, " While you practice, I'm going to do some grocery shopping," I pull out my phone to call for a taxi, " I'll have my camera back after that."

When the taxi arrives, I let Brahms know and get up from the couch to leave.

" I'll be right back," I say, turning around to head to the front door. But, before I could take a step — Brahms clutches onto my hand.

I assume it's because he doesn't want me to leave.

" Don't do this to me," I sigh, " If you want to have dinner tonight, you're gonna have to let go."

I try to shake my hand out of his grip but, he tugs me back.

" C'mon, Brahms. I'll get you jars of that jam you like?" I try and bribe.

Still, his hold on me doesn't loosen.

That's when I tilt my head, blinking at him in confusion while trying to figure out what it is that he wants.

Brahms then lifts his chin up.

I let out a small laugh, " If I give you a kiss will you let me go?"

He nods.

" Okay, come here," I say and give him a peck on the lips of his mask.

When I pull away, Brahms finally releases my hand, " Be safe, y/n," he says, " And don't be gone for too long."

" You don't have to worry, Brahms," I give him another kiss, " I'll be back home before you know it."

He nods and then distracts himself by going back to toggling with the camera. Although there were ways to get groceries delivered to us, it's nice being able to go out into the public. Any chance that I have to leave... I take it.

While in the supermarket, I have trouble deciding what jam to buy for Brahms. He seemed to like the strawberry flavored one I bought last time. Within a few days of having it, we were already out.

As my eyes scan through the many rows of the jarred preserves, I become overwhelmed. From sugary-fruit jams to the savory stuff, there were so many to choose from. I decided to lean more towards the fancier looking ones and grab the first few that caught my eye. Blueberry bourbon pecan, roasted garlic & onion, and peach amaretto — these will pair nicely with the crumpets we still have back at the house. I add them to the cart and continue looking for more things to buy.

As I move from aisle to aisle, I notice the same person was there with me. A man in a baggy, navy blue hoodie. He always stood a few feet away. His face was hidden by the black cap he wore so, I couldn't get a good look at him. Feeling suspicious, I cast a few skeptical glances at him. We've been down about 5 aisles so far and he hasn't looked at, nor has he touched anything on the shelves. As I turn around, ready to confront the man, he quickly turns around and walks away.

Because of that strange encounter, I decide to stop my grocery shopping short and head to the check-out area. When placing my things on the moving belt, I tried to think of the most plausible reason as to why that man would follow me. All I could muster was that, maybe I looked like someone he knew and he was just trying to see if I was the person he thought I was. When he saw that I wasn't, he left. Since the man didn't necessarily do anything, I decided it wasn't that serious and brush it off.

On my way out of the store, I was stopped by a woman. She was with two other people, their hands full of sheets of paper.

" Can I interest you in joining our community's costume party?" She asks me, holding out a flier, " It's free admission," the woman smiles, " We've got free food and entertainment as well. Anyone who shows up with a costume can participate in our raffle to win special prizes and whoever has the best costume win's a €250 cash prize!"

To be kind, but also because I was slightly interested, I accept the flier.

" Great! Tell everyone you know. We'll see you there!" She says cheerfully and then immediately turns around to start a conversation with the next person that comes across her.

When I arrive back home, Brahms was already waiting for me by the door way. He helps bring the groceries inside and after putting everything away, Brahms shows me the photos he had taken while I was gone.

As he scrolls through multiple shots he'd taken of the sky, trees, flowers, etc., I can tell this was a lot of fun for him.

" Wow, I'm impressed," I tell him, " If I didn't know you took them, I would've thought these were professionally taken."

Brahms shakes his head, " They're not as great as you're making them out to be."

" Oh, don't try to act all humble. These photos look amazing and you know it."

Brahms hands me back my camera, " With more practice, I can do so much better."

I nod in response, taking the camera from him, " Whenever you want to use it again, let me know."

He nods back and we start making dinner.

After we finish cooking, I begin fixing up our plates. As I grab utensils from the drawer, Brahms asks how the trip to the supermarket went.

I didn't answer right away. I was debating whether to tell Brahms about the encounter I had with that man or not. I decided it'd be best to not bring it up because if I did, I wouldn't be allowed to step foot outside this place again. Instead, I simply point to the flier that I had kept on the counter.

" What's this?" He asks, picking it up.

" An invitation. Some lady outside the store gave it to me," I answer.

" A costume party..." He reads, " Why'd you take one?"

" It sounded fun," I shrug, " I'd be lying if I said I didn't want us to go..."

I put a few scoops of rice onto each plate, along with the roasted potatoes and chicken we just finished making.

" Y/n, you know that's not possible," Brahms quickly turns it down and sets the flier back on the table.

" Why not?" I ask.

" I haven't gone out in years," He speaks, " I'm not so sure that I'm ready for that yet. Dealing with the public and all."

" But... You won't even have to take of your mask. And no one would question it because it'd just be part of your costume," I attempt to convince him.

" I'm not going, Y/n," Brahms' voice is stern, " And neither are you."

" Did you forget that you're technically dead?" I remind him, " The Brahms Heelshire everyone knows about died in a house fire at the age of 8. You don't have to hide anymore."

" But, there's still Greta and Malcolm—."

" You took care of that already, remember?" I cut him off, " It's been a year since you last saw them. Plus, their in a whole other country. I don't see them being a problem anymore."

" Even so, like I said before — I'm not ready."

" If you aren't ready now then, when will you ever be? You need to stop making excuses for yourself."

Brahms looks to the ground and stays silent.

" Brahmsie, please," I beg as I cup his hands. He brings his attention back to me, " Just this once. Do it for me?"

He sighs before giving me a low, breathy, " Okay."

" O-Okay?" I repeat.

Brahms nods.

" Really? We can go?!"

" Yes," He says, " Now stop asking before I change my mind."

I wrap my arms around his slender waist. Looking up at Brahms, I tell him, " It'll be fun, I promise."

He holds me gently by my chin. Staring deeply into my eyes as he slowly lifts my face up closer to his, " You make it so, so hard for me to say no."

I give him a cheeky smile.

" So, when exactly is this party?" He asks.

" What's it say on the flier?"

Brahms picks up the sheet of paper, " It says here," he reads aloud, " —That it's on Saturday, June 20th at 6pm."

" So, the party's tomorrow then... That doesn't leave me much time to pick out a costume," I begin to worry.

" How about I save you a trip to the store and make one for you instead," Brahms suggests.

" Really?" My eyebrows raise, " You can do that?"

He nods, " I taught myself how to sow. I can make clothing, blankets, and all that."

I don't know why this still comes as a surprise to me, knowing that Brahms enjoys picking up new hobbies and learning new things.

" Sure," I happily accept, " But, do you think you'll be able to make one for me in time?"

" If I get started on it now I can," Brahms says, picking up his plate of food to bring along with him, " When you finish your dinner, meet me in my room. I'll need to take your measurements... And, don't forget to knock," he adds, " Just in case I haven't finished eating."

" You got it," I reply.

" One more thing," he says, " What kind of costume would you like me to make for you?"

" Hmm..." I hum, glancing around the room until I come up with something. As my eyes lay back on Brahms, I finally get an idea. Hoping he'd understand my request, I bring my hand to his "face".

" A dress," I respond, running my fingers along the lines of the cracked porcelain, " ...And a mask."