Masky woke up with a start, but his expression of surprise was soon replaced with a smile of affection. However, this didn't last long. His smile faded into a small, sad line... I knew what he was thinking. I couldn't actually believe what was about to happen. Masky and I would make our way to the Operator's board room, we'd talk about the consequences of our actions, and then we'd be killed.

I took a deep breath and told myself that I wouldn't cry. I kept telling myself I wouldn't cry, I can't cry, don't cry... I couldn't comprehend that I actually had started crying. The tears cascaded down my face; I guess you can tell a lot about a person when they cry. Tears hold so much emotion behind them, within them. The clear little droplets seem ready to burst with feelings, little translucent depths that hold the secrets of the heart and mind.

Masky quickly sat up and wrapped his arms around me. It felt so reassuring to have someone there. I can't remember when I did have someone there before Masky walked into my life. I hugged him back tightly as he stroked my ebony hair, cooing into my ear.

"Hoodie... Don't cry. I'm right here. I promise I'm right here. I'm not gonna leave, either, Baby. I'm here..."

He grabbed my shoulders and made sure he was facing me. He looked deeply into me; Those brown orbs piercing every inch of my green ones, right into me.

"Don't cry. This is just a misfortune. We'll be fine. We'll be together when we go, and I promise I'll go first. Ok? I'll go first so that when you go, my face will be the first thing you see. There's nothing here that'll change that. This sucks," Masky said, coughing and choking up. Tears were clearly present in his eyes but he'd never let them fall.

"I couldn't have asked for a better partner, Hoods. I couldn't have asked for a better friend, a better brother, a better boyfriend, nor could I have asked for a better person to call mine. You're a strong, beautiful, and amazing young man... Baby, don't cry," He said this as he wiped a tear that had strayed and wound up on my cheek bone. I wanted to smile and cry at the same time, but I couldn't. I didn't want to look away, nor did I want to keep letting him look me over. His gaze penetrated my very soul and I couldn't think, I couldn't breathe.

"All our lives, Death has been following close behind. Death breathes down our neck and lets our footprints guide him to where we might someday give up or fuck up so bad, he'll take us. He gives us our precious time, and Baby, ours hasn't come yet. The Operator's gonna just... He's going to let you go to Heaven, Dove. You're gonna go to heaven, like I told you about," Masky started to tear up.

Little specks that caught the pale, white light shimmered dimly in his eyes, causing the deep brown of his irises to glow slightly. I couldn't think of a time he looked more beautiful, more angelic, and more heart-wrenchingly melancholy. It shatters my heart to see him like this; He's trying his very best to make sure I won't cry and here he is, about to weep on his own.

I sat up and pressed my finger to his lips hesitantly. He instantly hushed and looked at me, confused. I smiled at my partner and leaned in to kiss his nose. He blushed slightly, but he didn't smile.

"Hoods..." Masky questioned. I tilted my head to the left, as if that's a way to ask "Yes?"

"Let's get dressed and go downstairs. There's no use in trying to procrastinate with death," He said with a desolate tone. I nodded. You know, there's a quote by Emily Dickinson that suddenly comes to my mind:

"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all,"

I wonder if she knows that that little feathered friend's voice is lost, and our Hope has died.

~Masky~

A while later, as we made our way down the stairs, I noticed that none of our creepypasta brethren were home. I guess The Operator asked them to leave so that he could get rid of Hoods and I alone. Or maybe he lied to them, so he wouldn't explain our fate, nor why we were facing it. I can't decide if that was a nice, or a dick move.

I feel like I've lost it all; My sanity, my heart, my feelings, everything. I can't fathom this situation. I've never felt so far away from death, yet so close. I can't say this gives me that "near-death experience" high, or that I'm not enjoying this. I guess my mind works in a different way than yours might... I'm scared shitless, thinking about what comes after death but my interest has been piqued. I'm not telling you the whole truth, however. I am scared, I admit it, but I'm actually really depressed. I don't want to die. I don't want to see my one true love die, either. I'm rambling...

We stepped into The Operator's office. It was much like the house itself, all white and grey, devoid of colour and extremely sober. The black desk was home to the silvery-gray laptop, a black pen, a black notebook, and a silver picture frame that contained a photograph of The Operator, his brothers, and The Observer. I've always been curious about this picture but I'm even more curious about The Observer. He seems aloof and stoic. He's also fuckin' scary and I'm not one to get scared that easy.

I've heard that The Observer is The Operator's boss, in a way. I've also heard that they're related, and that they're lovers. Strange how fast rumors spread, but The Operator can dispel them quickly. As he always does...

Hoods and I took the black seats in front of the desk. I recall the last time I was in this room.

I was only thirteen. I stepped in, sat in the same chair, and spoke with The Operator about me getting a partner. I was so excited and I could barely contain myself. That's when Hoodie stepped in. His eyes were brighter back then, almost lemon-lime green-yellow and the little black pupil was almost as black as his hair. He was wearing his signature tangerine hoodie, black jeans, and his red Chucks. I thought he was a girl at first, so I put on a smile and grinned at him. The Operator then informed me that his name is Brian. Fuck, I was so embarrassed.

I smiled when I thought about how he and I met. I smiled a sad, distant smile as I was hit with nostalgia, guilt, and the pain of this moment. I shook my head, trying to shake my mind of these thoughts. I looked around and saw a stack of papers. They were all the notes we'd have to put up around the woods and I realized The Operator was still going to need two more proxies. I was instantly hit with hope, thinking that maybe he'd let us off the hook if we promised not to date or anything. I played with the possibilities in my head and I didn't notice as The Operator appeared in the room.

He took a seat behind his desk and the creases and lines in his face seemed to multiply, as if he was giving us a look of disappointment.

"Masky, Hoodie, We've yet to discuss why I've called you into my office," He nodded at us.

"I have a strict code of conduct. In this code, I've stated that proxies are not meant to have relationships of the sexual or romantic nature and that these types of bonds can compromise your professionalism. To compromise your professionalism is to compromise your life as a proxy. This is an act that can cost you your life and the life of your fellow proxy partner..." He paused, taking a deep breath.

"I assume you two know the severity of your current actions. However, I have just one side note I'd like to add. When I made you two proxies, I made it impossible for you to remember love, how to love, and what love is. It has baffled me beyond belief that you, Masky, and you, Hoodie, have fallen in love. I recall erasing your memories of love, as I stated a moment ago. This new realization had shocked and angered me. It made me question my abilities in creating proxies and memory wiping. I've spoken with The Observer on this matter and it has come to my attention that my hold on you has either weakened or you two have mental capabilities that are beyond my, your, and The Observer's comprehension.

The Observer has given me insight on what to do about this. I'd like to welcome him here to express his opinion,"

As The Operator said this, a tall man in a black cloak stepped through the barrier of the walls of the room. The Operator loomed over him, as he was slightly above average height for a grown man, but The Observer seemed to be the fuel of nightmares. I started to shake uncontrollably but Hoodie's reassuring hand found its way into mine. I tried to remain cool, calm, and collected.

The Operator stood up so that Observer could sit down. The man in the cloak and white goggles didn't say anything, he just put his hand on his chin and looked at us, stared at us, into our very beings. It was creepy as fuck.

The Observer spoke in what sounded like sound waves that altered the sound barrier. It was as if he was speaking through the static-haze of a disconnect TV set.

"Proxies, The Operator has informed me of your relationship. As He has said, it's baffling, angering, and very shocking. He and I have spoken with each other and a council of other Noble Pastas on what your fate should be. We've discussed your immediate discharge of proxation. We've discussed wiping your minds of the "emotion of love" once more and we've also conferenced over whether or not you two should still be alive. We've agreed that you've both overcome The Operator's hold on empathy and love, yet you only apply it towards each other, which, again, perplexes the lot of us," The Observer looked towards The Operator. Our boss nodded, signaling for him to continue.

"The council, The Operator, and I have come to an agreement and I think that Mr. Slenderman should announce it to you both, seeing as though your His proxies," The Observer again looked up towards our boss and nodded. The Operator then proceeded to take a deep breath, and look at us intensely.

"We've decided that you're not going to be sentenced to death. We've all agreed that you will not continue to be proxies, however. The Observer and I have made a deal with each other that your mental and physical prowess has earned you both the oppourtunity to become a proxy of He, and not I. This oppourtunity will come into action in exactly two years, two months, and four days. The day you both turn eighteen. This gift we've given the both of you is the only gift you'll ever recieve from us of this caliber. If this happens again, your immediate death will be taken into serious consideration and will be effective. If your relationship, which we will allow you to continue, affects your job in any way, you'll be executed without hesitation. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Sir, Master," Hoodie and I answered in unison.

"Dismissed," The Operator said, waving his hand at us. Hoodie and I quickly stood and walked out of the room.

This is when Hoods turned towards me, tears streaming down his face, and a huge smile plastered to his lips.

"Masky! W-we're gonna live! Oh my F-fuck! Holy sh-sh-shit!" He wailed, smiling and pulling me into a tight (and rib-breaking) hug. He hugged me constrictingly, weeping into my chest and shoulder. I couldn't help but cry too. We both let our tears fall and catch onto each other as we cheered in delight. I picked him up and held him close to me as I backed up against the wall and slowly slid down, still weeping tears of joy. I held him like I was never going to see him again and he held onto me the same way and we just cried. We cried and bawled in unison, together and in joy. I couldn't have been happier. I was going to continue my life and with my boyfriend. With my Best Friend, My Partner, My Love... Hoodie.

I stroked his hair as our crying subsided. I ran my fingers through his tear-damp, ebony locks as he hiccupped and held onto me. I kissed the top of his head.

"M-Mask?"

"Yeah?"

"C-Can we go to the-the room?"

I nodded and held him bridal-style. I slowly started carrying him back to the room, smiling at him as his arms gripped my neck. I placed him on his bed and sat by him, still smiling at him.

"Hoodie, I love you."

"I l-love you too,"

"Hoodie?"

"Mhm?"

"Tomorrow, we're going to celebrate our new life together. Ok?"

"A-Alright,"

"Can I ask you something?"

"Of-of course, Masky,"

I sighed and took a deep breath. I'd thought about doing this for a long time and I'd only just realized we'd been dating for almost a year now.

We were both sixteen now. And we've done so much growing up. We've gotten bigger, taller, and smarter. We weren't those wide-eyed, shy boys anymore. I've come to grips with the fact that Hoodie and I aren't as young and as dumb as we thought, as everyone thought. This Life and Death thing has aged us both, mentally and physically. Recalling our first day meeting, the day we became proxies, our first kiss... These memories have left scars on my heart, on his heart... You may think I'm crazy for what I'm about to do and say, Hell, I am crazy but... I'm crazy for him. I smiled.

I got up from the bed and grabbed my knife. I sat beside him again and looked him in the eyes intensely.

"Hoods... I'd like to think we've been through all Life can put us through in these past three years. We've seen many things, we've done many things, and we've created a bond that... that I don't believe will ever break..." I let out the breath I was holding in.

"And I... I want to be able to call you more than my partner, more than my best friend, and more than my boyfriend... This isn't a proposal, unfortunately," He giggled.

"I wanna make a pact,"

"A p-pact?"

"Yeah... A blood pact. It'll bind us together, forever, We'll be Blood Brothers. Would you like to-"

"Yeah!"

I grinned.

"Alright... I'll go first. Here's how this goes. I'll cut the palm of my hand from the farthest bottom corner of my pointer finger to the farther corner of my palm, diagonally going down. Then you cut yours the same way, and we shake hands. Our blood will intermingle and we'll be Blood Brothers, for life. Cool?"

"Y-yes. Very cool," Hoodie said, smiling at me.

I bit into my lip and scrunched my eyes up tight when I slit my palm open. It stung.

I opened my eyes and gave it to Hoodie. He too slit his hand open, but he didn't even flinch. Little trooper.

I held out my hand and he grasped it firmly with his, squeezing my hand slightly. I felt his blood pour over my cut and I smiled for the millionth time today.

That's when I became Blood Brothers with my best friend and that's when I realized that that little feathered friend in my chest, the one Hoodie told me about so many years ago... That has something to do with that dumb Emily Dickinson quote. Hope has once again revived. And she's singing her beautiful song for the two of us.