(By the way, the song from the last chappie was "Something in The Way" by Nirvana)

~Masky's P.O.V~

Damnit! Why won't this stupid headache go away?! I thought to myself. I woke up this morning in this house and I'm... confused. Why aren't we at The Operator's home? Why has Hoodie not awakened me so that we can return? Where is Hood- Oh, there he is.

"Mornin' Hoods." I said, groggy from sleep. I was happy to see him, seeing as though I am horrified of being alone. All proxies are. We all have a partner to keep us from being alone, apart from Eyeless Jack, poor guy. I wish The Operator would find him a partner. He's taken such a liking to Hoodie, though, that it seems as if they're partners...HA! Too bad 'cause Hoods is my partner... He's seventeen, I think, and Hoodie and I are about to turn sixteen in two months. I always found it interesting that we were born only three days apart.

"G-Good Morning, Masky." He said this with a smile.

He always knows just how to make my morning. A warm, inviting hello and breakfast are great to any guy. I wish he wouldn't mother and nurse me so much though. It puts so much strain on him and I can't stand to see my best friend in pain. He's such a great friend and I'm really grateful to have him with me all the time. I admit, he's a bit weird sometimes. I swear, he acts like a girl. He listens to cheesy love songs and is always drawing hearts on stuff. It's funny and sweet the way he's always so glad to help and so affectionate and warm and fun and sweet and... and... Wait, what?

Stoppit.

~3rd Person P.O.V.~

The masked proxy was hit hard with a feeling of shame. He couldn't understand nor admit his feelings for another proxy, for Hoodie. He honestly did have some emotions in the darkest recesses of his heart that were veiled and unseen by everyone, but did not go unfelt by the proxy. He would find his gaze lingering on Hoodie when he'd sleep or when he would come out of the bathroom after showering. Again, he'd never admit these feelings to anyone, to Hoodie, and not to himself.

~Hoodie's P.O.V~

I looked at Masky as he laid on the couch, staring out of the window at the rain that remained resolute. He must be contemplating something very important to him. Maybe our next mission. I saw him shiver and ran to the next room to find a blanket because I know how the temperature affects his illness. It seems as if he's always sick and plagued by delirium, lost in his imagination and all his hallucinations. It's quite delightful to watch him stare off into space, his brown eyes wide and filled with awe and then he'll snap out of it, confused, and look at me if I'm present and grin childishly. I miss that smile. I miss his happiness. I miss him, despite the fact that he's five feet in front of me. I placed the blanket on him and watched silently as he nestled into it. He smiled.

"Thank you, Hoods. When can we go home...? I miss my bed." He said, grinning back at me weakly

"S-soon. I promise. Wai-wait for the rain to stop, Okay?" I said, nodding at him. I praised myself for that one. I didn't stutter as badly this time. Maybe because he seems a little happier. I recall only one time that I didn't stutter at all when I spoke to him. We were in our room back at the mansion and the rain was pouring just like this. I was so terrified of the thunder that day because it was unusually loud and the sky was balefully dark. He allowed me to lie in his bed with him and there, with me practically holding him, I told him that I love him. He looked at me like I was crazy and sighed audibly. He cast his gaze downward and then back up at me and down again. Then he closed his eyes and tried to fall asleep, I think he actually did because he became limp. I couldn't explain how heartbroken I was. I wept for what seemed like an eternity but what gave me a bit of calming reassurance was that he allowed me to keep holding him. I fell asleep that night around two a.m. and woke up in the same position: my arms around his neck. His arm had found its way around my waist and I smiled that day. I smiled, despite the roaring thunder and pouring, howling rain and I said it again, very softly. "I love you."

As I daydreamed about that night, Masky's coughing broke me free of my trance. He sounded a lot worse than yesterday and the coughing was still very agressive. I promptly brought him his pills and water again.

"I-I sorry the house is so-so cold." I said apologetically. He shot me a untroubled gaze and tried to smile.

"I'm alright. You should relax, Hoodie. Watch the rain with me." He said casually. He may have said that nonchalantly but, to me, it sounded like a cordial, pleasant welcome to come and join him. He tried to sit up a bit, but couldn't find the strength to move. I sat on the arm rest of the couch and put the back of my hand to his forehead.

"St-still warm, Masky. Do y-you want me to take the blankets away?" I asked. He shushed me.

"I. Am. Okay." He said, trying to fight a coughing fit. "Watch. Rain." He said sarcastically, as if I was a child. I smiled. I love it when he's in a good mood. He never really is anymore due to his sicknesses. His immune system is constantly plotting against him.

"Hoods... Have you slept any since yesterday?" Masky asked, looking at me intently.

"W-well... No. I wanted to make sure y-you didn't get worse overnight or v-vomit or anything. I took a na-nap for about an hour around mid-mi-midnight, if that's any consol-consolation." I said, trying to make him feel better. He's always worried if I get enough sleep. I guess that's because of my nightmares. I think I annoy him with him much I toss and turn during the night and how I sleep talk. He never says anything though, unless I say something weird in my sleep. During one particularly... dirty dream, Masky informed me that I said "No, lower" in my sleep. He playfully suggested that I was dreaming about Eyeless Jack, seeing as though he and I have such a good friendship. When in reality, I was dreaming about, heh, you guessed it, Masky. Thinking about it now is making me blush. Oh! I hope Masky doesn't notice!

"Hoods... You should sleep more. There's no need to worry about me so much, I-" before he could even finish his sentence, he grabbed the bucket on the floor and vomited into it. I quickly moved to where I sat beside him and rubbed small circles on his back and hummed a lullaby to calm him down. After he had ceased his retching, he collapsed back onto the couch, groaning and clutching his stomach.

"Oh, Masky! I-Is there anything I can do?" I practically screamed at him. He nodded and pointed towards the water bottle. He opened his mouth and I poured water into his throat, feeling utterly horrible... I wish he'd get better. I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes as he laid there in pain, still holding his stomach. I hesitantly went to stroke his hair but he sat up before I could.

"H-Hoods. I wanna go home." He begged. I could see it in his eyes that this cold, damp house was causing his sickness to get worse but I couldn't take him anywhere in this... I looked outside the window. The rain had went from a heavy downpour to a light sprinkling. I sighed.

"I-I'll take you home."

I quickly grabbed my mask and slipped it on along with grabbing Masky's pills and water bottle. Then, wrapping up Masky in the blankets and picking him up bridal style, I looked at him sadly. He wrapped his arms around my neck and mumbled something indiscernable. I nodded as if I understood and dashed out of the door into the nearby forest. I ran as fast as I possibly could but I knew if I didn't relax for a moment, Mask was going to get sick from all this jostling. Under a very thick branched and leafed tree, I sat with my back against the stump, still holding onto Masky while he held onto me.

I loved this. I loved every single detail about this. He brown locks fell precariously around his pale, thin face. That one unruly little curl curved right under his left eye and I just... I couldn't think of a moment more perfect. I smiled.

"H-Hoodie... Why... Why'd you stop?" He asked softly.

"I-I think we should rest. All thi-this movement might upset your st-stomach." I informed him kindly.

"It," He began coughing again. "It won't." The corners of his mouth curled into a small, sweet smile. A weak and imperceptable one, but sweet nonetheless. I let out the breath I was holding in and stood up, looking back down at him.

"Wha... What was the name of the horse from... from The Legends Of Zel... Zelda?" He asked almost breathlessly.

"E-Epona."

"F-faster... Epona." He said a bit louder but weakly. I smiled at him. I then began running again, trying not to move him much and, after a while, I could see the mansion just through the trees. I picked up the pace because the rain was starting to get heavy again and in no time, I was crashing through the door that Jeff The Killer held open. Inside the house, it's almost completely white. There's almost no colour whatsoever. The only thing that isn't white, off-white, gray or silvery, were the colorful inhabitants. Few of Slender's proxies live here but we all join together a couple times in the year for holidays. It was quite nice living here without many people but Ben and Jeff sure could make noise.

"Aww... haha. You two finally decide to tie the knot?" He sneered at us. I rolled my eyes and ran up the large, grey-carpeted spiral staircase, bursted into Masky's and my room, and gingerly placed Masky on his bed.

"Mask? W-We're home." I cooed gently. I saw him open his eyes and smile at me.

"Thank you..." He whispered, shivering slightly. I sat on his bed next to him and peeled off his damp jacket and took off his mask. I tried not to stare at him as he removed his shirt but I couldn't help but peek just a little bit.

"H-help me to... the shower." He said. My eyes widened. Good thing I still had my mask on, or he would have seen me blushing! I carefully hoisted him up and placed his arm around my shoulders. I waddled into the bathroom with him and stood there, awkwardly.

"W-we're in the bathroom. Want m-me to go now?" I asked, still red faced and wide-eyed.

"Y-yeah... But if I fall, promise to come and get me?" He asked, coughing in between words.

"Pr-promise, Mask." I smiled, even though I knew he couldn't see. He nodded at me and I left the bathroom, closing the door on the way out. I went to go fold Masky's clothes and bring them downstairs to the laundary room but I was stopped by a certain proxy hugging me.

"Hoodie! You're home!" Eyeless Jack cheered as he squeezed me. I laughed, he was so crazy when I returned from a mission.

"H-hey EJ. How are you?" I asked, hugging him back.

"Great now that-," He faltered a bit. "Great now that you're here." He let go of me and lifted up his mask a bit to flash me a grin.

I smiled as he explained what's been going on while Masky and I were gone. I can't believe how few things happened in the span of three days. Apparently, Jeff came home with two little kids for Slendy and they made a huge deal out of eating them, Ben made the internet system for everyone in a fifty mile radius shut down, and he had found his Pink Floyd CDs. I knew Jeff had them because he's taken a liking to psychedelic rock. As he spoke, I couldn't help but worry even more about Masky. He seems like he isn't getting better at all.

"Jack, ha-have you seen anyone tampering with Masky's food or anything?" I interrupted. I could feel a bit of tension grow.

"No, not that I know of. Why?" He asked.

"He hasn't g-gotten any better at all!" I squealed. I then slapped my hand over my mouth when I realized Masky could've heard me. Oh, if he knew how much I was worrying, he'd surely do something dumb to try and convince me he was okay when I know he isn't!

"Don't worry, Hoodie. Masky will be better in no time with you taking care of him. You're great at being a nurse." Eyeless Jack smiled at me. I instantly felt much better. Eyeless Jack knows just how to calm me down when I'm stressing this bad. I hugged him tightly and felt him hug back. EJ and I had a great bond. When Masky was sick or out doing something with The Operator, he and I would hang out and listen to music or play one of Ben's video games. I always feel relaxed when I'm with Jack. He knows how to listen very well and gives the best advice and I appreciate that. I really do.

"Wanna watch a movie with me? I found Insidious 2, The Conjuring, and The Purge in Jeff's room. Or-Or we could listen to music. Y'know, Pink Floyd, Nirvana, Staind and Seether. The usual." Jack offered, letting me go for the second time. I could practically feel his excitement as it wafted throughout the room, giving me a warm feeling.

"I-I'd love to but I hav-have to make sure Masky does not fall while he's in th-the shower." I explained. I felt Jack's spirits fall.

"Oh... okay. We can do something later though, right?" He questioned. I thought about what exactly I'd be doing later and I came to the assumption that I'd have to aid Masky for at least a day or so.

"Maybe if Masky shows improvement, y-yeah. I'll come to your r-room later. Okay Jack?" I said, slipping off my mask and making sure I smile at him. He reluctantly smiled back.

"Yeah... Later... Alright, Hoods. Let's just please find time to hang out, " He said as he walked out of the doorway. "I've missed you." And with that, he closed the door. I sighed and took of my stripped down to my boxers. I giggled. These were the pair Masky thought would be a funny gag gift, the ones with the little ducks. As I rummaged around in my closet for pajamas, I heard the bathroom door open and felt the steady heat of steam drift around the room.

"I-I feel a bit better, Hoods. Just queasy and achy." Masky said as he plopped down on his bed and pulling the covers up to his chin. I slipped on a t-shirt and went to Mask's bedside.

"W-would you like anything?" I asked him as I crouched down next to him. He started to cough but managed to ask for cold water. I nodded but as I was standing up, Masky grabbed my hand.

"St-stay in here... with me. Don't leave. Ask someone to go get it. Please." He begged sadly. He looked so frail and weak, his face pale and his eyes all puffy. As if on cue, Jack walked into the room going on about how he found our matching AC/DC t-shirts.

"J-Jack... Would you go get water f-for Mask...?" I asked. I shot him an apologetic look and mouthed "I'm sorry" as he sighed and turned around.

I looked back down at Masky and he was looking at me with his large, sad puppy eyes. I smiled. "Don't gimme the pup-puppy face."

He smiled and pulled me by my hand to where we were facing each other. He instantly pulled me into a tight bear hug and whispered a thank you. He let go after a bit of time but kept me at face height.

"I... I appreciate this, Hoodie... You mean the world to me. Y'know?" He said, still happily smiling. The sickness was clearly present on his face and I found it quite beautiful that he still smiled for me. I couldn't explain what I felt at this moment. Was he only saying these things because he was sick or did he mean it? Was he messed up on pills? Oh, for the demise of Zalgo, why is Masky saying it?! I sighed.

"Thank you, M-Masky. What you sa-said means the world to-to me..." I said softly. Eyeless Jack then walked in and gave me the glass of water. "Here." He said as he placed it in my hands. I smiled at him and he nodded. He walked out of the room and left Masky and I alone.

"T-tell... Tell Jack I said... than-thank you." Masky said, his eyes closed and his words slurring with exhaustion. I smiled and whispered "I will." I knew he was asleep before I could even say those words but... I had a feeling he could hear me. However, I hope he doesn't hear what I'm about to say. I looked at him as he slept and brushed his hair out of his gorgeous face. I whispered the same thing I have everynight since that stormy, dark night in December.

"I love you."

(I'd like to thank DelightedWaffle for inspiration and a beautifully written fiction! 3)