Good Things Never Last

Chapter 32

Over the next few months, the prison I was held captive in began to feel more like home. Friendships had grown between me and the three boys, and the idea of being their prisoner faded away. I finally felt like I was where I belonged.

Autumn was quick to arrive, and the temperature in my new home began to drop swiftly. I was heading to prepare myself some hot chocolate when I decided to ask the lads if they wanted some as well.

I stumbled groggily down the stairs and into the open area on the ground floor. Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I continued downwards, towards a specific room.

I finally found the right door after several twists and turns through the maze of corridors. I tripped over my own feet a little before preparing to tap the door as a new noise met my ears.

"I always thought I might be bad"
"Now I'm sure that it's true"

I was captivated by his voice, which was deep and comforting as he sang to himself.

"Cause I think you are so good"
"And I'm nothing like you"

I start humming along to his soothing voice. His words lulled me into a deep trance.

"Look at you go"
"I just adore you"
"I wish that I knew"
"What makes you think I'm so special"

As his voice faded away into complete silence, he dragged out the final line of the chorus, jolting me out of my daze.

After hearing his magnificent voice, I stood stunned, going over each syllable coated in sweet sugary honey that left his lips.

I let out a long breath before I raised my hand and rapped on his door, then nervously stepped in. I didn't think much of it at first because, over my many months there, the boys and I agreed that we could stroll into each other's rooms as long as we knocked first.

I step into the now-familiar room.

It wasn't the tiniest room in the world, but it wasn't enormous either, with pristine black walls and closed emerald green curtains, just like his workplace. A queen-sized four-poster bed with black covers was to my right. I took a step forward on to the gleaming oak floor and shifted my sight to the hooded man seated at the far end of the room, his back to me. He was slouched at his desk, looking just as drained as always.

"Get the fuck out"
As I peered at the green hood, my eyes narrowed.
"Jeez I just come to offer you hot chocolate, the fucks wrong with you today"
"I said get out Y/N"
His tone was angry, and each word he spoke was laced with venom as they made their way into my ears, making me shiver slightly.

"And I asked what's wrong with.... oh"
My attention was drawn to a gleaming object on the floor. When I turned to look at it, I noticed a mask. THE mask. He wasn't wearing it.
Slowly, I approached it, picking it up in my hands and weighing the chilly object. I raised it further so I could peek at the inside, something I had never seen before.

"I said get the fuck out. Don't make me tell you again Y/N"
His voice didn't change tone once, but it did not stop me. I let out a breath I hadn't realised I'd been holding as I lightly placed the cold mask against my skin. I clasped the metal clip together with my hands at the back of my head, allowing the mask to sit on my face.

"How the fuck do you wear this thing all the time?"
I glanced over at the man, watching him straighten up and become stiff. The mask felt like a weight against my face, the bone keeping me hostage as I felt my own breath hit my face. It was terribly uncomfortable, like if I were trapped in a confined space and unable to breathe.

"Got used to it"
With a sweet tone and a tinge of laughter, his voice drew me out of my thoughts.
I'm still baffled as to how he could change his attitude so quickly.
"You have it on, don't you?"
I nodded, entirely oblivious to the fact that he had his back to me and couldn't see my motion.

"If I said that I don't, would you believe me?"
He paused for a moment, most likely pondering the possibility of me wearing his prized mask.
"Nope"
When he responded, he made a point of popping the 'p,' which made me discreetly giggle.

"Then yes...yes I do"
A low chuckle came from his direction as he visibly loosened up and began to appreciate what was going on.
"You know it's so tempting for me to turn around and laugh at you right now"
My cheeks flushed at the thought of him laughing at how I looked, how embarrassing it would have been.

"I'll close my eyes"
I blurted it out, not intending to say anything at all, but I did, and I had to back it up.
"I swear on Tommy's life that I'll close my eyes so you can piss yourself at how stupid I look"
I waited for a response, part of me hoping he'd say yes.
"You promise?"
"Pinky swear"
"Alright then, deal"

I scrunched up my face, closing my eyes as firmly as I could.
"My eyes are sealed"
The quiet creaking of a chair was followed by a light hum of amusement from the opposite corner of the room.

"It actually kind of suits you"

I smiled a little at his remark, relaxing my face but keeping my eyes closed. A slight shuffling noise came from my right, but I thought nothing of it until I felt something's presence in front of me.

"Do I have permission to take back what's rightfully mine"
Oh, how the tables had turned. I could practically hear his grin as he peered down at my masked one.

"Of course you do sir"
Two warm hands reached for the back of my head, fiddling with the mask's fastening before it loosened around my face. As the weight is lifted from my face, I let out a sigh of relief. I began to rock on my heels, my eyes still securely shut, as I awaited permission to see once again.

For a few minutes, silence consumed us while Dream put the mask back on, leaving me anxiously waiting.

"You can open your eyes now"
I carefully opened my eyes, allowing them to adjust to the dim light in the room before looking up.

I found myself locking eyes with dazzling emerald green ones instead of the boring mask. They glistened in the dim light, luring me in. I could have lost myself for hours in those vibrant colours, never getting bored. His brows were furrowed, and a scar had sliced across his left one, just missing his eye as it passed over to the bridge of his nose, which was covered in light freckles. They spread to his crimson cheeks, dulling slightly due to his lack of exposure to sunshine after being hidden under the mask for so long. He studied my face with a tiny scowl on his lips, waiting for a reaction.

He looked perfect.

I was fully captivated by every inch of his glowing skin, enticing me to touch it as I raised my hand, slowly tracing his scar with my finger, a faint smile tugging at my lips.

"I'm... I'm Clay"