Stop, drop and drag me into place

And lock the fire escapes

I'll break your pretty face

Chapter Forty Four

||KIT||

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Masky was waiting, looking up at me from outside my window and I bit my lip, anxiety rising at the sight of him.

I was done getting dressed and I sighed, pushing away from the window and using the single key for my room door to lock it securely before creeping down the stairs.

The whole house was quiet and as I took slow torturous steps to minimize the creaking, I wondered what Masky had planned for tonight. My insides clenched tightly as guesses played out in my mind. I was practically shaking with anticipation.

I got to the bottom of the stairs and made it across the foyer to the front door, my fingers curling around the knob before a sound from behind me stopped me in my tracks.

I turned slowly, slower than pouring molasses and when my eyes finally landed on the source of the sound I wasn't so sure if I should be relieved or concerned.

It was Nick.

His face was lit up in the dark room by the light from his phone as he stood there looking back at me in silence with his AirPods in, fingers poised like he was in the middle of texting.

"Heyy," I drawled on a whisper, a large guilty smile immediately plastering itself on my face.

After a few seconds, he responded, his voice barely audible "are you going out?"

"Y-yeah. Yeah, I just needed some fresh air- you know, time to think?"

There was a long pause as he looked me over before he finally responded.

"Okay."

Before I could say anything in response he flashed me a quick wordless wave and headed up the stairs.

I was more shocked that he'd actually managed to speak a whole sentence this time than anything else really.

I finally released the breath I'd been holding and slipped out the front door, closing it behind me.

Safe.

I walked quietly around the side of the house, my stomach starting to do that fluttery thing again when I spotted Masky waiting for me in the distance.

Once I caught up he turned away from me and led the way through the trees.

I spoke at his back, "Hey, Masky?"

He didn't answer, even as the awkward silence yawned between us and I sighed, hands in the pockets of my hoodie to warm my fingers.

He was wearing his backpack again and I could see a few inches of his crowbar sticking out since it couldn't exactly fit. His brown hair was disheveled and curled slightly at his nape. I was tempted to reach up and toy with it but held back.

I'd been thinking about something for quite a while now and it was starting to creep back up on me, making me chew on my lower lip.

Do I ask him?

As we were now in the cover of trees I gathered my wits. Since when did I get so shy when it came to him?

Since he started treating me like his personal fleshlight.

I shook the thought away.

"Masky?"

Still no answer. I sighed and rolled my fingers into fists, "Tim."

Usually that got a response out of him, but he still kept walking without a reply so I decided to just ask the question. He could pretend he didn't hear me if he wanted to.

"How come you never said it back?"

I expected silence but this time he actually responded, tone even, "said what back?"

More fluttering. His voice was scrambling my thoughts too.

"I- well you know..." I trailed off, too embarrassed to say what I really wanted.

If I said it and he still didn't acknowledge me, I wasn't sure I'd be able to stop my heart from breaking.

"It's nothing," I ended up saying with a sigh, my eyes on my feet as I walked behind him, leaves crunching, "I'm just wondering where you're taking me is all."

"Don't worry," I lifted my head when he took my hand in his to pull me along, "I spent all evening getting it ready."

I smiled a bit, squeezing his larger gloved hand in mine.

Something about him...

Something about him made me forget the bad parts.

Trudging through the woods with my heart beating out of my chest wasn't how I expected my night to go, but a lot of unexpected things were happening to me lately.

I guess this is just my life now.

I had to walk a bit faster than normal to keep up with his stride and I thought again of confronting him. I wanted to know if he felt the same way about me.

I needed to know.

If he didn't love me then why was he doing all of this? Why did he save me? Why did he spend the day with me and the twins when he was clearly not enjoying himself?

It had to be because he loved me too.

Right?

"Hey-"

He didn't slow down or answer, only squeezed my hand so I knew I had his attention. I chewed on my lower lip.

"You never said you loved me too."

I ran into his back when he suddenly stopped walking and I took a step backward, my hand slipping out of his grasp.

He turned then- stopping my heart in its tracks.

When he stepped forward I matched his move with a backstep, putting a bit of distance between us. He didn't seem too pleased.

Was it something I said?

He caught my wrist in a tight grip and pulled my body against his forcefully.

"Baby," his voice was raspy and caused even more flutterings in my belly as I looked up at his masked appearance.

I swallowed.

Scary.

In the minimal moonlight, he was all too intimidating, the white of his mask contrasting with the black backdrop all around us making him stand out like some divine being.

In my head though, there was only one thought swirling around.

Kiss me.

Above everything, that's what I wanted. I hadn't stopped thinking about it all day. If he kissed me, I'd feel less afraid of the possibilities, of what he could do and I'd know we were still okay.

Kiss me, I begged internally, please.

Instead of a kiss, he grabbed my face with his free hand, "when I asked you what you loved about me, what was your response?"

Damn, did he have to bring that up? Truth be told I didn't say anything at the time because I could hardly even remember my own name. Something told me he wouldn't care for that excuse though.

"I- I-" I was finding it hard to form words.

He scoffed, grip tightening as he brought his face closer allowing me to see the slight glint in his eyes behind the mask, his words a firm statement, "you only love me when I'm fucking you."

Offended, I scrambled for words, "t-that's not true I-"

"It's the only time you ever say it," he cut me off, letting my face go and I watched him walk away, my chest tight.

"Hey-" I caught the back of his jacket, stopping him from walking away.

He turned, tilting his head to the side.

Blowing out a breath, I psyched myself up for what I was about to say.

Why was this so much more embarrassing than I thought it would be?

"I- I love you, okay?"

More silence.

He was staring at me so intensely I eventually lowered my head to look at my shoes, fidgeting a bit.

"You expect me to believe that?" He finally asked.

I bit my lower lip gently, looking up at him again, "Why won't you believe me?"

I watched his shoulders rise and fall as he stared at me and after a while he threw his mask up, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me harshly against his body.

My eyelids fluttered closed the moment his lips met mine.

Finally.

When his tongue slid into my mouth I let out a whimper, kissing back in a frenzy.

His fingers dug into my waist through my clothes and I was pressed up against a rough surface that felt hard against my back. I didn't care though, reaching my arms up to thread my fingers through his hair.

He groaned against my mouth and bit down on my lower lip before pulling away, both hands holding my face, "You're a little sicko too, aren't you? To think you love someone like me."

Embarrassment settled over me and made me knees jelloid. I shook my head, not sure what to say.

His laugh surprised me and though my mind was still frayed I stared up at the crazed look in his eyes, wondering what he could be thinking.

He looked excited, his eyes darting back and forth between mine as he searched my expression.

"Say it again."

"Masky-"

"You love me. Say it."

I blinked in frustration, my fingers grasping at his jacket, "I love you-"

His lips met mine again in a brief kiss before he reached into the inner pocket of his jacket and took my mask out, slipping it on me.

I let him, lifting my face to look at him with the mask resting on top of my head.

"Would you do anything for me?"

Naturally warning bells would have been ringing in my ears, but not now. His eyes had arrested mine and the look on his face was causing myriads of butterflies to flutter in my tummy.

I really am in love with him, aren't I?

His large hands came to rest on my shoulders, rubbing my collarbone with his thumbs, "would you?"

I nodded, eyes wide, "y-yeah."

His expression darkened significantly and he brushed his thumb against my lower lip, "I knew I was right to choose you."

I wasn't sure what he meant by that but it made me feel good inside.

He chose me.

"Are you ready?" His voice was deep and I tilted my head to the side in confusion.

"Ready? For what?"

He took my hand again, pulling me forward as he resumed the walk, "to prove how much you love me."

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