AN/: Hello! I've returned bearing another chapter! Sorry this one took a hot minute. As stated in my last authors note, I started a new job and I've been highly focusing on it. Anyways, this is the last cute/romantic chapter for a while or even ever. So... relish in it if you can! After this chapter, people start to get chased and drop like flies. Sooo... yay?! Another little thing; Maria's missing poster said she was carrying a brown satchel while in my fic I gave her a green one that was once her fathers. I'm changing that slight detail and plan to go back and fix it too at a later date. I just thought I'd clarify that in case anyone got confused. I also know about the leaks of the new killer(s) and victim coming. I know I'll be asked if I'll incorporate them into this story whenever they're released. At this point, I have no plans as this story is around halfway/slightly over halfway finished. If anything, I'll go back in add little hints of them but nothing major. If I really like the lore of the characters and if it's highly demanded, I'll make a mini "spin off" fanfic of them. ANNNNNNNND I have a mini surprise in the works for this story thanks to a few special and close friends. But it won't happen for a little while hehehehe. Anyways, I hope you enjoy!

April 15th, 1973

7:56pm

The Family House

Song recommendation: "You Are My Sunshine" by Johnny Cash

WARNING: This chapter contains mentioning someone by their race/color.

You'll Never Know, Dear

Johnny

-.-

God, this is fuckin' exhausting. Do you know how hard it is to carry a shit ton of unconscious mother fuckers?! Sissy had knock out a few of them again so Hands and I could continue draggin' them through our basements. I don't know who the fuck they are except Ana - Maria's little sister - and that's just because one of them slipped up and said something. Plus when I got a good enough look at her, I could see the slight resemblance. Although Maria is older, her face is rounder and fuller - super cute which is probably made me attracted to her a bit. Ana is a few years younger, I'm assumin', and has a more defined and serious facial expression. Then again, we did take her and their friends in the middle of the night. There was quite a few friends, actually. Some younger black guy, a girl with red hair, another girl with a brown braid, and another guy with greasy hair that covered most of his face.

Maria sure does like the weird greasy haired ones, huh?

Well, I can't talk much. My hair is nothin' but that right now. Between the pomade and overall sweat of carrying several unconscious people, I needed a deep cleaning shower badly. I can't lie, I'm not the best of keeping up with my personal hygiene. I tend to forget easily when it comes to that type of stuff. Forgettin' several days or even a few weeks to shower. My teeth are stained yellow from the lack of brushing along with my addictions to drinkin' and smokin'. Somedays, I genuinely forget and others I'm too fuckin' exhausted to bother with it. I had just done my rounds of checkin' on all the people we recently captured. Most of them were under mama's house while Maria and the colored fellow that was with her sister's group was under the main family house.

Maria! Shit, I haven't seen her since I slept with her.

God, that night was truly amazin'. I loved every single second of it despite holdin' a lot of myself back. I'm used to being more brutal instead of gentle and lovin'. However, I did it for her. I was so scared to hurt her - like in my dream I had a little while ago. But I did the best I could. I swear, her body was made for me. The way her little and soft hand fit in my larger and rougher one, how her lips tasted sweet compared to my smoky pair, and the way my animalistic needs were subdued to fit her loving needs instead. Subdued? God, here I am soundin' all fancy 'n shit! Fuck, what is she doin' to me?! We're polar opposites but somehow fit each other like missing puzzle pieces. She's wine while I'm whiskey - so different yet so similar at the same time.

My boots scuffed against the familiar path that led to Maria's little room. I had brought her the clothes that I promised to wash for her. I gently knocked before unlocking the door and opening it. Sure enough, there she was. Sitting on the bed - blanket over the lower half of her body. I gave her a smile as she gave me a weak one back. I could tell somethin' was wrong as her smile seemed very forced and sad. My own dimmed as I gently placed the folded items of clothes on the chair near her bed. On the back was the brown satchel that looked like it never belonged to her. It was the same bag that Nubbins' had dumped all her shit out before trying to attack her. Thankfully, that I'm aware of, he hasn't tried anything funny since I warned him. The clothes fell onto the seat of the chair with a light plop before I turned my attention back to her.

"Hey!" I greeted before my eyes roamed all over her face, "You okay? You seem a little... off."

Maria shrugged, "I was waiting for you to come back."

My heart sank to my stomach. After I left to clean her clothes, I didn't end up coming back. I paid Danny a visit before getting summoned by Drayton to help them out. I spent the rest of the night and early morning trying to drag all of Maria's little friends to our basements and finding places where they could be held up in. That took too many hours that I wouldn't like to admit. It also took a lot of strength that I ended up passing out and forgetting to return back to her. Then, I was forced to wake up by Drayton once again to check on them all. Almost everyone was still knocked out except fuckin' Danny of course. So I had to feed him and all that other shit. It's kinda funny now, he fears me. At first, he talked this huge game and acted like a tough guy. Now he's cowering in fear and second guessing how much Maria truly loved him. It's priceless! He was so confident and now I'm slowly seeing the light drain from his eyes. Normally, I enjoy that when I actually kill someone. But the slow burning of hope and light in his eyes - while he's still alive - is almost as satisfying too. However, because I was so occupied with him and their little friends, I didn't have time to see Maria until just now.

I sighed as I avoided her gaze, "I know and... I'm sorry. Drayton needed me at our slaughterhouse and shit just got really fuckin' busy until now. I didn't mean to leave you all alone today."

I hated lying to her. If I mentioned I had to deal with trespassers - she would probably get all upset and think its her friends. Or, since she ain't fully dumb, put it all together and somehow figure out that her friends did come lookin' for her. So, the slaughterhouse excuse it was. Which isn't even fully an excuse either! There's been many times I've had to go there and ended up taking most of my day. Either butchering, selling to a few random customers, or even repairin' a few things that had broken. Sure it's a lie at the moment but it does happen more often than I'd like to admit. Whatever will not make her worried and upset again, right?

"It's alright." She spoke softly before shrugging, "Sissy was able to take care of me today."

I smiled softly, "Sissy is takin' a huge likin' to you. I could tell when she first saw you that she was wantin' to be close friends with you." Maria smiled softly before looking down. I could tell she was still upset even after my apology. It was her first time officially doing all that shit and I just... up and left. Left for hours without any updates or a reason why. She was probably super worried. Plus with all the things she viewed about her own body, probably felt disgusted or something too. God, now I'm hurtin' my own damn feelings! I looked down at the floor - noticing Sissy or someone else cleaned up the mess I made the other day. God, I couldn't even do that for her like I promised. I felt like absolute fuckin' shit. I swallowed hard before running my fingers through my slightly tangled hair. I could only think of one way to truly make it up to her. It might bite me in the ass... but maybe it'll have her trust me more... and in return I can trust her too. I let out another sigh before continuing, "I'm trustin' you, okay? Don't try anything funny."

Maria's brows furrowed together in confusion as I gently tossed her clothes at her covered body. She slowly stood up - changing into the outfit she's basically worn the entire time she's been here. An off white frilly type of shirt, blue denim jeans, and a pair of white sneakers. It's of course not in the nicest condition anymore. I tried my best to use our piece of shit washing machine and even hand scrubbed a few of the stains out. But, god damnit, it's really stained. Especially through her now off-white or cream colored shirt and matching bra. Bubba really got her good and I'm surprised he somehow didn't kill her on the night she arrived. It's a damn miracle even though I ain't a firm believer of that type of shit. Maria slid her bra on before the shirt, jeans, socks, and shoes. She quickly ran her fingers through her messy hair before adjusting the necklace, hair pin, and bracelet she wore this entire time. I gave her a gentle smile before grabbing her hand within mine - lacing our fingers together to make our hand-holding session a bit more intimate. My thumb gently grazed hers in a comforting manor as I began to walk her through the basement of our iconic family house.

Our walk was quiet - not wanting to startle anyone. The last thing I needed was mama or Drayton to hound my ass over doing this. Or perhaps one of Maria's little friends to call out for help and Maria freaks out on me. I knew this was risky and stupid in hind-sight. One wrong slip up and I can kiss her goodbye. Well, if I even had the chance to do so. I opened Maria's room door - entering in the main area Bubba liked to kill, butcher, and make his little masks. I led her to the door on the left - leadin' into our basement bathroom which just featured a large tub with a bunch of random shit inside of it. Once in there, I led her to the right where our rear basement is. If you go through the metal door on the platform and up the stairs, you'd go right to the back of our sun room. That's probably where Virginia found Maria and tried to escape previously. But instead of going up that little platform, I kept walking straight and through a wooden door with her. It was one of our few storage rooms. Most of our old furniture was covered by old and dirty ass sheets as if that would save them from the dirt, mice, and bugs that consumed the pieces now. Maria's curiosity got the best of her as she began to look around the room - clearly unfamiliar with the area and wanting to learn more. But I didn't let her. I turned to the left where we began to walk down one of our tunnels.

"Where are we-"

"Shush." I whispered back to her. Our voices echoed off the tunnels that were simply made of dirt, scrap metal, and rotting wooden beams. One wrong sneeze and this entire basement will collapse on itself. As I stated before, Grandpa had the most genius idea of connecting all of our properties together through these tunnels. However, with low money and motivation, we haven't been able to repair them. Shit, some parts of the tunnels have completely collapsed which really sucks if we need to have something transported that ain't safe enough to haul around in our cars. I remember one time a cop pulled me over because of a large duffle bag I had in the back of my truck. It took a lot of convincing that it was just a bunch of dumbbells 'n shit when in reality I was carrying a few spare limbs and a shit ton of butchering equipment in it.

Maria remained quiet as I approached a rusted metal door. It was hooked up to a bunch of wiring and electricity - being locked unless activated by a few boxes within the house. Or... if we had a key to it. I reached into the front of my denim jeans - pulling out a large set from my pocket. I rummaged through the keys before spotting a specific one. I slid the key into one of the holes, twisted it, and pressed a red button near the door. It slowly slid open with a loud rusted creaking filling the air. Maria flinched at the loud and intruding sound as it echoed loudly all around us. I was used to it at this point. Each one of our properties had a door like this installed somewhere amongst the confusing and winding tunnels. I slid my key out before shoving them back into my pocket - keeping Maria's hand in mine.

"What if we-"

"I said shush!" I cut her off again. Maria huffed as I continued to lead the way some more. Her brown eyes softened as her bottom lip stuck out slightly - pouting that she can't talk to me as I led her to the little surprise. It was kinda adorable, honestly. She was actin' like a kid who wanted to guess their Christmas present but was told to shut the hell up. I smirked slightly to myself as I held back a chuckle.

I continued to lead her through the exclusive tunnel - passing by a sign that was leading us to mama's house. Maria did a double take at the sign before continuing following me. I said nothing as I knew her mind was running a million miles with multiple questions. Where are we going? What if we get caught? Why are you doing this? But I couldn't risk us talking and someone catching us. The only sounds were our breathing, our shoes shuffling against the rough dirt and patched metal flooring, and the properties above us occasionally creaking and moaning as it settled more. Mama's house wasn't too far away - not like the mill or even slaughterhouse and gas station. But it was still a little journey aways. Maria gently squeezed my hand as she continued to look around. Now thinkin' about it, I should've blind folded her just in case. But what good would that do? She would probably think I don't trust her after everything we've done together - everything that I've put on the line for her.

After several minutes of walking, we approached another rusty and metal door that was operated by a few key items. Since I was on the inside of the tunnels this time, I didn't need a key. I pressed another red button which automatically made the door slide open. I don't know much of what is fully underneath mama's house. Maybe it was once part of the mill or something else. However, we had a large pump room. The metal pipes hissed and groaned as we made our unwelcomed appearance. Maria looked around curiously - wondering where the hell we were. Yeah, she was probably expecting some type of cute little grandma themed basement instead of a bunch of machinery.

"Keep your head down, yeah?" I whispered to her. Maria nodded as she lowered her head to the ground - refusing to look up. I continued to guide her forwards - into a sewer tunnel made of metal and dirt like the main house's normal tunnels.

I heard Maria gasp lightly as we passed by a little pile of bones - probably not expecting to see that. That's why I wanted to keep her head down. Just in case she saw anything disturbing to her that I'm obviously used to. Bones, corpses, organs, grotesque traps, or even her little friends still knocked out. I slid my hand out of hers before wrapping it around her shoulder - pulling her close to my chest. Maria buried her face in my collarbone - groaning at the site and probably the smell of decay too. A red light casted briefly over her disturbed facial expression before disappearing. Bubba also had his own little rooms on our properties within the basement. He is a little challenged but does love to help out whenever he can. His killer strength - no pun intended - comes in handy believe it or not. Who else could chase after the meat while holding a giant ass saw?! Not me, that's for damn sure! Big boy takes pride in his strength and unique arts and crafts projects - which we hardly ever decline or discourage him of. I continued to walk Maria passed the red colored room and further into the sewer tunnel. At the very end was one of our regular metal sliding doors. With my free hand, I gripped the handle before pulling hard - forcing it open.

A large gush of cold air welcomed us. Maria closed her eyes as she buried her face into my neck. On the ground below us was a fresh blood trail - not entirely sure where it came from. I'm assuming someone else was recently storing something here before I came down. Not to mention the few pigs and bodies that strung from the ceiling. I'm sure all she smelled was frozen decaying corpses. In buckets were a bunch of bloodied parts and organs too on full display - not yet put in our freezers. Plus, in the very back, slightly hidden, were a few of those personal trophies I mentioned previously. I slid my hand up to the back of her head - not letting her look if she didn't want to.

"We're almost out, don't worry." I quietly reassured her. Maria nodded as she closed her eyes tighter - trying to force the smell and images out of her head but failing miserably. I led her to the back of our cold room where a equally cold and metal latter was. I gently let go of Maria before beginning to climb up it - where it would lead right outside my shack. I went first as I could hear Maria eagerly climbing up right behind me - not wanting to stay another second in the cold and gruesome room. At the very top of the latter was a metal crawl-space type of door. With a forceful shove, I pushed it above us before climbing out and into the hot Texas sun. Birds chirped around me as overgrown foliage around my shack and junkyard of old cars surrounded me. I looked down at Maria who was still climbing up the latter - noticing the slight fear in her eyes. She definitely saw a few things that spooked her. I don't blame her. Like I stated, I've been used to this type of livin'. I can only imagine a life without it and witnessin' it all for the first time. She didn't seem as scared like when Virginia died. But definitely uneasy and nervous.

"It's okay! I gotcha, sunshine." I smiled softly before bending down - offering her my hand. Maria gently took it as I pulled her out of the little crawlspace. I used the tip of my boot to knock the metal door back down and over the latter. The maze of horrors being a brief moment of the past. Maria let out a pleased sigh as she was finally out of that environment and one she felt more familiar with - the iconic Texas weather. The sun was about to set which was perfect. It wasn't super hot nor chilly - just perfect enough weather to the point that you'd enjoy basking in.

"Is this what you wanted to show me?" Maria asked - her voice slightly still a whisper so I wouldn't tell her to shush again.

I shook my head, "No. You sure are full of questions today, aren't cha?"

Maria shrugged with a playful smirk, "Well it's not everyday that you decide to surprise me."

I smirked back at her with a chuckle, "Then that gives me an excuse to do it more, right?" Maria smiled softly before nodding. I grabbed her hand again before walking her over to our large wired fence. Near one of the trees nearby was a slight slit within the fence. Nubbins was the one who made it, actually. Not surprisingly, he would run his little ass over here, slip through the fence, and try to break into my shack for whatever reasons he had. I started to use it for my own gain. After mama gave me my scar all those years ago, I would use the same cut area within the fence and go to the place that I once cried at with the patch of sunflowers. It was one of the only places - besides my shack - that I could get away and let myself roam free. I didn't have to worry about someone breaking in or peeping through the windows. I could just be surrounded by the flowers, slight hills, and birds to comfort me instead. It's a place where I could cry and scream without having many people worry about me. I lifted the fence for Maria before crouching down beside her, "Watch ya head, alright? Don't need another scratch on that pretty little head of yours."

"Oh, shut up!" Maria blushed before gently punching me in the arm. I chuckled as I watched her slide her way underneath the lifted part of the wired fence. She was even nice enough to hold it up for me too - letting me slip underneath it like all the times I had before.

"You ready?!" I beamed as a large toothy grin spread across my face.

"For wha- WOAH! JOHNNY!" Maria yelled out as I grabbed her hand tightly - forcefully yanking her as I began to run through the now open field. Maria stumbled a bit as she tried to catch up with me. I chuckled - looking back at her - as she nervously laughed and followed alongside me. We were both scared of getting caught but the other part of me didn't care anymore. I would risk everything for her. I'd gladly take any screams or hits from the family if it meant she got to live to see another day. I'd do anything to see her smile - even if it was risking both of us getting caught. Maria's laughs became more genuine as I continued to run further away from mama's house and my little grody and grungy shack.

"CATCH UP, YOU SLOW ASS!" I yelled back at her.

Maria pushed harder - fully sprinting after me now. Despite the few injuries on her, I guess the freedom and adrenaline made her act like she was brand new again. She let out a happy yell as I stopped - turning to face her direction. The upcoming night sky was turning dark shades of blue and purple - causing her tan skin to glow in contrast of it. I reached my arms out and bent down as Maria collided against me. I let out a loud groan as she jumped into my arms and wrapped her legs around me. I knew it was going to happen, yet I wasn't prepared by her sudden strength. I stumbled before falling onto my back and ass - hitting the grassy ground below us. I gasped out as her body collided with my chest - causing the wind to get knocked out of me. Maria squealed before beginning to let out a few happy giggles - causing my own laughter to roll off my tongue along with a few coughs as I tried to catch my breath. My hands rested on the small of her back as Maria's own hands rested on my shoulders.

"Was tha- FUCK!" Maria coughed before continuing, "Was that too slow for you?"

"I could ask you that the other night." I smirked with a slight shrug, "What was that, little miss 'wanting to go faster?'"

"OH MY GOD, JOHNNY!" Maria yelled out before hitting her hand on my chest. Her face began to turn a dark shade of red as I began to laugh harder than before - enjoying how flustered she got. Behind Maria was the small patch of sunflowers - the same one that accompanied me that very painful day several years ago. I reached into my back pocket - gripping the handle of my knife tightly. Maria didn't flinch or seem to be phased at the site of it anymore - as if she had fully trusted me now. I leaned up slightly - cutting the large yellow flower off its stem - before tucking it behind her ear. The flower itself was almost the size of her entire head. However, she still somehow made it work and looked beautiful alongside her pretty and rounded cute face.

"There ya go," I smiled softly, "my little sunshine."

Maria blushed again as she avoided my gaze. She rolled off my chest before sitting in the grass beside us. I raised up on the back of my elbows - staring at the orange and setting sun in front of us now. A gentle breeze rolled by - giving us a slight chill but neither of us seemed to fully mind. The air was silent except for a few singing birds and cicada's making their presence known.

"Johnny?" Maria asked me as I turned to look in her direction, "Why does your family do this?"

"Do what?" I asked cluelessly. Maria gestured back to mama's house - trying to drop the hint without fully speaking it. My brows raised as I let out an exhausted sigh - realizing what she fully meant. Why do we kill. Why do we eat them. I nodded before turning my gaze to the tips of my boots, "Well.. it's just always been like this I suppose. It started with Grandpa, really. He wasn't an innocent man but an honest one at least. Killed some people when he needed to. However, when the deep depression hit in the twenties along with world war one... our family got severely desperate. Hardly anyone could afford to live - which included our family. So... we did what we had to. It ain't proud or honest work - but it kept us fed and we used what money we found to help ourselves during severely troublin' times."

"It's not right." Maria told me.

I nodded, "Well I ain't no fool to that, sunshine. I know it ain't normal. Nothin' we say and do is normal at all. Hell, you've met Nubbins and Sissy! They're far from normal! But, we've all grown used to or even a likin' for it. Some know it's wrong and hate it while others... well... they tend to enjoy it."

"Which one are you?" Maria continued her gaze on me as she asked, "Do you like it or not?"

A heavy question. I swallowed hard as I avoided her gaze - a nervous chuckle escaping from the back of my throat. It was one of those times I wished I didn't speak like Bubba or Hands. However, I did and expected to respond. I cleared my throat before looking over at her - looking into her hazel eyes that now sparkled a slight honey brown thanks to the setting and orange sun casting into them. I licked my bottom lip - contemplating my answer - before slowly nodding.

"As fucked as it sounds... yeah, I kinda do." I admitted to her, "I know it ain't right or normal. I'm no stranger to that - like I said. However, that's all I've known. It's all I was ever around, taught what needed to be done, and then properly shown how to do it. Over time, I realized it ain't right but... it's just embedded in me. I can't stop even if I try. I guess you can call it my vice, if you want. Like how an alcoholic has their alcohol. Or a smoker has their cigars or some shit. I guess.. killin' in my main one. When I'm angry, I just want to hurt something until I'm not hurting anymore. I love the adrenaline rush and thrill too. To just... see how in control I am. That I have them wrapped around my fingers and can almost play God with them."

Maria said nothing as she sat and listened to me. The sun gave her already tanned skin an even warmer glow as it showed off the depth of the scars that littered my arms. Maria slowly nodded as she tried to silently process everything that I just told her. She brought her knees up to her chest - wrapping her arms around them - as her gaze went to my nervous and fidgety fingertips that gently pulled at the strands of grass below us. Maria brushed some hair out of her face - causing a few sunflower seeds to fall in the progress.

"You're right, it's not normal." Maria nodded before continuing, "I don't think I'll fully understand why you and your family do what you guys do. Just like you'll never understand what an average life without killing is like. However, I kinda relate in my own way? I... I enjoy photography a lot - as you obviously know. I love the feeling it gives me. To capture the perfect image - it makes me happy and proud of myself. I enjoy chasing storms and the adrenaline rush of putting myself at risk just to make sure it turns out perfect. Maybe... maybe that's why I didn't turn back when I should've. The night you scared me, you know? I saw all the warning signs - literally - but did it anyway. I wanted the thrill and satisfaction of getting really good shots so I could show my professor and friends. So... not fully but to an extent... I know what's like to feel that way. To love the thrill, the craft, and overall satisfaction of doing something you love."

I smiled softly as Maria finished speaking. She's right - we're totally opposite people when it comes to what we enjoy the most. She enjoys a perfectly societal normal hobby as I enjoy something more sinister and gruesome. However, we took pride and enjoyed it. We know the risks that could come with it - one way or another. I could get caught by the police as I almost have many times before. Meanwhile, her deep passion led her to our doorstep. We know the risks but do it anyway to make ourselves happy and proud.

Maria spoke up again, "You know... I remember you."

I looked over in confusion, "What do you mean?"

Maria smiled softly back at me, "You were following me, remember? All over town - before running into you in the fields." I froze slightly as I swallowed hard. She remembered all of that?! I blushed deeply as I avoided her gaze again. She chuckled and continued, "You thought you were all slick, didn't you? How I was broken down in town - being able to fix my car. I saw you hanging around. Not to mention at the diner too? Or even the grocery store! You were pretending to read some book about-"

"I get it, thank you." I quickly cut her off with a playful eye roll. Maria chuckled before playfully nudging me - causing me to sway slightly like the flowers around us due to the sudden breeze. By now, the sun was almost set over the horizon. I looked over at Maria with a small smile of my own, "But... how could I not? I knew I should've just talked to you normally but... I was shy. Stupid, I fuckin' know, right?! I just... I couldn't help it. At first it was a coincidence but then I just couldn't shake the thought of you. But once you kept venturing off into the countryside, and your car broke down again, I knew I needed to warn you to stay away. But I didn't know what to say to approach you. It wasn't until you hopped our property line and kept getting closer that I just panicked and jumped out - stealing your camera. I didn't want you to run to our house but by then - it was already said and done. Sissy and Big Boy saw you and it was all too late."

Maria's brows knitted together, "You enjoyed it. You were smiling the entire time - as if you were happy."

I shrugged slightly, "At first I did. I shamefully enjoyed the chase and how I made you scared. I did want to scare you away - just not into our arms. But once I stopped Bubba and saw how terrified you were, plus the cut on your head, and how I actually seemed to care for you unlike others in the past... I felt bad. I didn't want to hurt you - just my own sick obsession got the better of me. I'm still sorry. I know it was long ago but-"

I stopped as I heard something. My ears perked up as did Maria's - suddenly becoming alert because of me. I gently pushed her against the ground and hovered over her - shielding her from anyone's view. I peeked around back and forth before realizing where the noise was coming from. Near the front of the family house was Nubbins. He was holding his foot - crying out in pain - as if he had severely injured himself. Nearby was my uncle Hands - laughing loudly at the site of Nubbins. From where Nubbins was standing, it was near the front where our electrified cattle grid was. I guess Hands turned it on at an unfortunate time - causing Nubbins to accidentally zap his foot or entire leg. Maria and I began to gently laugh at the site - trying our hardest to not be super loud to cause an unwanted distraction. I stopped laughing as I heard Maria gently snorting as she continued to laugh. Her head dipped into the grass as she wheezed - reminding me of the first time we laughed about Nubbins. I chuckled again as tears welled in her eyes from her intense laughter.

"GOD!" Maria yelled out with a laugh, "He really is an idiot, isn't he?!"

I nodded with a toothy grin, "As stupid as they come!" I don't know what came over me next. I gently leaned in - connecting my lips against hers. Maria giggled against my lips before immediately returning the kiss back. Her small and soft hands cupped the sides of my face as she deepened it - causing our mouths to move in sync. I smiled against her lips widely which caused the kiss to break. I stared into her hazel eyes as she became much calmer - the kiss making her snap back to reality instead of the giggle fest of witnessing dumbass Nubbins. I rubbed my calloused thumb against her bottom lip before confessing once more, "I love you."

Maria nodded with a soft smile, "I know."