"Happy birthday Jess!" Keith greeted her, pulling his girlfriend in for a hug, then kissed her cheek before letting walk inside.

"Happy birthday!"

"Thank's you two," she smiled brightly, "how have you both been?"

"Good, and better since you're here." He grinned cheekily, making you roll your eyes in amusement.

"I'm doing okay, have you eaten lunch yet?"

"Nope! I'm eating light if you're offering, since my family's serving dinner later." She chuckled and you nodded, leading her to the dining room.

You shooed Keith to get the cake, and he scurried out of the room to comply.

You sat Jess down at the head of the table, grabbing three plates and forks when Keith entered.

Jess gasped, her smile stretched so far you were sure it would make her face sore. No matter what design or way you and Keith decorated the cake, she was always so surprised.

"It's beautiful guys..."

You chuckled mutely, patting her shoulder before handing her the knife.

You gestured for her to go ahead and cut the slices. She nods and admires the cake for another moment before cutting it.

A slice is handed to you then to Keith, and she finally takes a slice for herself.

You took a bite, whistling and signed to Keith. "This one's your best so far." You complemented.

"You think so?" Keith grinned, and Jessica nodded in agreement.

"Definitely Keith-ers."

"Aww, thank you, guys." He pretended to wipe a tear from his eye, making Jess giggle.

You glanced at Jess, your face changing to a more neutral expression. Perhaps you'll tell her next time.

•▪°○°▪•

"Are you sure you're not coming?" Jess squeezed your hands between hers, a pleading look on her face. "It'd be better with you there."

You smiled, "thank you, really... but I have to pass on this." You were slightly annoyed at her stubbornness, of course, it isn't her fault seeing as you were being invited to a family party/dinner. Though you didn't have much that covered the heart on your neck and you really didn't want to socialize with others.

On that same note you had a commission, and in the short time you were given for it, you'll be paid quite a lot.

She puffed out her cheeks, "I know you hate talking to other people when you have a choice, so I'll let you pass this once okay? But you better owe me!" Her dark blue hues pierced through your (e/c) orbs.

You gave her a grateful look, "thank you, and I will."

"Okay okay," she pulled you into a hug, right before she turned away you stared into the blue orbs. Your glassy actions made her look away awkwardly. "See you later," and with a last glance, she walked out the front door to Keith's car.

You let out a sigh, shutting and locking the door before making your way to your art room.

Your newest submission was a painting, a large one, of a horse.

For whichever reason it was, you choose not to question why a horse. Since a part of you guessed it was more personal.

You took your time to sketch the base, you created more creatures and landscapes than people nowadays.

Your eyes glanced at the painting of Michael on the wall, well sort of.

You took your time with details, even though you were short on time limit, you didn't like your art being sloppy when rushed.

By the time you got the horses head (along with the tips of the mare's hair) done, it was late; half-past 10 at night.

You wrapped it up, planning to continue the oil painting tomorrow.

•▪°○°▪•

You jolted up, off the dirt ground, glancing around. You were a bit off from the open camp, close enough to hear the chatter from the other conversations, however.

You stood up, picking off the leaves from your pants and sweater. Peaking past the trees four people sat at the fire. After that check you turned, using memory to walk deeper into the forest.

You walked deeper, the forest getting darker and you shivered as the temperature dropped with it.

You were most certainly going the right way.

Seeing light break through the trees and leaves up ahead, you braced yourself for whatever killers were there.

You pushed branches away from your face, with a frown you stepped out to the killers camp.

As though it was purposeful, your foot landed on a twig, snapping it under your weight.

Heads turned towards you, one of these heads sending a wave or caution over you.

The Clown.

You bit your lip nervously, your stare cold as you met his eye.

He can't touch you here, you reminded yourself. If he does, he'll be punished by the Entity.

As though it were completely normal, he stood up from his previous spot and walked over to you. His disgusting gaze lingered on you when he looked around for a moment, then back to you.

You took a breath, standing your ground and cautiously met his gaze. This time you choose to challenge him.

Yes, a part of you still felt fear for future meetings, but some part of you noticed his more anxious aura.

You felt a presence behind you, at first you thought it was Michael until a different hand was placed on your head.

One glance and you found that it was Leatherface.

His soft brown eyes looked to you, and you were sure you saw a smile between the lips of his mask.

You had associated his behaviour around you like a young child, his eyes reflected a sort of innocence that even sacrificed didn't get rid of.

And right now he was helping you from whatever the Clown wanted.

A 'tsk' left the killer in front of you, eyes giving you a look that made you shiver before he disappeared into a trial right before your eyes.

The hand on your head patted you, making you raise a brow but stayed overall in a blank facade.

You were much calmer than you'd even expected after you had stood up so boldly at the one who had terrorized you.

You took another breath, even though that calmness your hand was trembling.

"Thank you, Bubba." You mouthed, you were told by him to call him so, after he had apologized to you he said that's what he was called before he was brought here.

You watched him walk past you, and you turned away to face the path of Haddonfield.

Surroundings morphed from the forest to Lampkin Lane.

You walked down the streets alone, glancing around at every shadow that moved and light that flashed.

"A-ah!" You gasped when you were picked up from behind, a quick glance back and you saw Michael's dark eyes peering at you.

You exhaled a breath, relaxing in his hold. "Hey, Michael."

•▪°●°▪•

Michael smirked slowly, sneaking up behind the girl. Leaning over her shoulder before whispering, "boo."

She jumped, hand swinging back and slapped him.

"Awh did I scare you that much?" He asked, rubbing the red mark left on his cheek.

Her eyes widened when she saw him, "oh Michael! Sorry, I didn't realize it was you." She signed and he shrugged.

"Eh, it's fine." He rolled his eyes and dismissed the subject. The hands behind his back moved to show her what was in his hands.

Her eyes blinked at him, then flickered down to the dead mouse in his hand. "Where did you get that?" She asked, peering at it curiously.

Michael grinned this time, "I found in the forest, isn't it cool?" He looked at her expectingly. She was the only friend he grew up with who was oddly never disgusted by his "tendencies", while he didn't judge her love for other's eyes.

He pushed away blonde locks from his face while she nodded, then shrugged. "You should leave it outside for a birdy to eat."

He frowned, "I guess you're not wrong."

She grinned up at him, "you can draw with me!" She suggested in sign, "hurry up!"

She pushed his back towards the fence gate of her backyard. "Fine... whatever you say, Lollipop."

•▪°○°▪•

Michael looked up from the ground, eyes finding the moving figure across the street.

It was her, was his first thought.

In quiet, swift steps, he stalked behind her. A fluttering in his chest, something he now chooses to revel in the feeling than push it away.

In another swift motion, he picked her up. A short gasp left her lips as she tensed, her head swinging to look at him. When she did, her muscles relaxed and her hand squeezed his arm, "hey Michael..." She mouthed to him.

He tilted his head, putting her down and nudged her to lead.

A quick smile and she began to walk, towards the blue Strode house.

He opened the door for her as they reached the house, allowing her in and closing the door behind her.

She seemed tense still, as she sat down on the couch. Her eyes shifted away from his whenever she met his gaze, he watched intently as she shifted her weight and bit her lip. She wanted to say something.

He walked out of the room promptly, grabbing a notepad and pen off the counter, credits going to the Entity.

After all, he had something to say as well.

He sat across from her, scribbling down on the notepad. The longer he wrote, the more embarrassed he started feeling.

When he handed her the notepad, she accepted it and carefully began to read.

As she read he began to feel more exposed, more vulnerable, something a person like Michael wouldn't like. But because it was her... he could handle it.

She laid the notepad on her lap, looking up to him with a small smile. "You remember?" She signed, and slowly he nodded in reply. She grinned, "I'm... glad- or well happy I guess." She looked down, her grin wavering. "Would you ever hate me?"

Michael tilted his head, before shaking it. No, unless of course, she betrays his trust or similar, he doubts he could hate her.

He was rather close to being in love with her... maybe...

It was too confusing to him, he hasn't had to deal with such things in his life, but now. Now it's different, he could only label the feeling he was getting as a sort of love.

His thought was broken when she began to sign again.

"Well..." She paused, and Michael didn't miss the tint of red that painted her cheeks. "I... um... kind of like you. As you know- more than a friend?"

She stared down at her lap, fingers twirled in anticipation.

Michael felt his chest flutter, eyes widened behind the mask.

He stood, walking around the coffee table. He placed a hand on her head and took the notepad.

He wrote down furiously as he sat down next to her, glad the mask on his head hid his face.

Never in his life has he felt this way.

Not that it's a bad thing, of course.

•▪°○°▪•

You were sure your face was literally going to set itself on fire. No doubt about it.

Why did you have to be the bold one? Choosing to confess your resurfaced feelings for him. It was foolish of you, even though seconds ago he said he wouldn't be angry, doesn't mean he can't reject your feelings.

But he didn't lash out or reject you.

A simple note, on it, were four words that made your eyes widen and heart soar with hope.

The feeling is mutual ♡

After seeing the added heart, you weren't sure who was the bold one anymore.

His eyes were unreadable for a few moments, but with some reluctance, you placed the note on the coffee table and (may have) tackled him into a hug.

The man tensed under your weight, but then placed a hand on your waist and squeezed it reassuringly.

At this moment you could forget all the pain and dread you get from the Entity's realm.

Michael had shown a different more gentle side to him, you couldn't help the grin that stretched across your face.

Hastily without thought, you pressed a quick peck to the lips of the mask. Seeing the eyes behind the white face widen you shut yours with a mute chuckle, your cheeks turning red.

Then it was your turn for your eyes to shoot open wide when chapped pale lips were pressed against yours.

His mask pulled up right above his nose, strands of dirty blonde hair tickled your cheeks.

You spent the rest of your dream in the arms of Michael, staring into his eyes that didn't seem all that dark anymore.

_____________

《A/n: am I allowed to state a future smut warning right now? Well, there will be, because I guess this book is going to go on longer than I first thought :)

Ciao~¡》