I woke up later on that day. The sun was low in the sky and caused an orange glow to pass through the window and into the room. I looked up and saw Thomas still lying next to me. His eyes were closed but when I moved they opened up to reveal his brown orbs staring down at me. As I stared up at him I couldn't help but feel curious about what he was hiding under his mask.

"Tommy, why do you wear that thing." I said indicating the mask. His fingers moved up and traced the lines in the fabric before answering.

"I'm ugly."

I frowned as I heard him say that. "Just because Hoyt says something doesn't make it true."

"He's not the only one. When I was younger the kids I went to school with would always make fun of me."

He told me about how the kids in school would beat him up and how Hoyt was actually the one that helped him. He also told me how he would cut up his own face to try and make himself look better. The whole time I rested against him listening quietly. The pull in my chest made me genuinely uneasy as I felt such a swell of emotions over someone I just met and who openly admitted to killing someone, but I couldn't help it as sorrow and pity filled my heart. I glanced up to see his face. His eyes were unfocused as he stared at the wall behind me, lost in his thoughts. I reached up and gently ran my hand down the side of his face. He flinched at the contact and looked down at me.

"I'm sorry that happened to you," I said quietly. I knew I shouldn't have asked but I was curious to see what he looked like and before I could stop myself I had already asked, "Tommy, can I see your face?"

He looked at me questioningly before sitting up. He shook his head side to side and turned his back to me. I felt my stomach drop at the thought of offending him with my request. I sat up and moved next to Thomas.

"Sorry I asked. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable or anything like that. I just wanted to see what you looked like." I pulled my knees up to my chest and folded my arms over them so I could rest my chin on them. "Just wanted to put a face to the name and all. But I won't make you do anything you don't want to do."

I turned my head so I could look at him. His eyes were glued to the same spot on the floor as before. He looked strangely adorable sitting there, hunched over, with his hair falling slightly into his face. His eyes held an interesting expression that I couldn't place. His face looked youthful apart from a few blemishes that spotted his skin. He looked almost like a lost child who was uncertain about what was going on, and yet at the same time I couldn't ignore the amount of power that his body showed. He had broad shoulders that usually slouched a little and his muscles could be seen easily through his shirt. They must have developed nicely from all the work he did around the house. He looked huge even when compared to my athletic build.

I directed my attention back up to his face. I slowly reach over and brushed his hair behind his ear before leaning over and quickly kissing his cheek. Thomas looked in my direction. He stared at me wide eyed and it looked like his mouth was hanging open a little. I smiled and giggled at his expression before standing up.

"That's for keeping me safe," I told him as I walked over to the door and opened it. "We should head down stairs. Sounds like things have calmed down."

He had his hand on his face where I had kissed him and he was still staring at me with wide eyes. I walked back over to him and pulled him up by his free hand.

"Come on."

I turned to pull him towards the door, but he wouldn't budge. Instead he pulled me back towards him. I collided lightly with his chest and looked up at him.

"What?"

He moved his hand from my wrist to my cheek, which he gently ran his thumb over before he lifted both his hands up behind his head. His fingers worked to undo the knot that held his mask in place and slowly let it slip down revealing his full face to me.

The first thing I saw was that his nose was almost nonexistent. Instead there was a large space exposing his internal sinuses to the elements. Despite that I couldn't help but notice his strong jawline and thin lips that fit his face nicely. If it wasn't for the obvious deformity, he could have actually been considered handsome by some.

I noticed Tommy wasn't really looking at me. His eyes were angled down at the floor again, like they usually were when he was nervous. He looked worried, borderline terrified while waiting for my reaction. I stepped closer to him. He glanced up, but still looked tense. I reached up and touched his face. He immediately leaned into my hand. His eyes met mine and I smiled at him. He smiled back and his eyes brightened before they closed as he basked in the touch of another against his scarred face. After a moment, I let my hand slip from his cheek but his smile remained as his eyes opened.

"Ready to go downstairs?" I asked. He nodded. I took his hand and started for the door. We made it into the hall when suddenly Tommy let go of my hand and ran back into the room. I stared after him confused until he emerged once again only this time he had his hands behind his head tying his mask into place. He went to take my hand again, but stopped, looking at me questioningly. I answered by sliding my hand into his and the two of us headed downstairs together.