Tear In My Heart (COMPLETE)

Chapter Ten

( Figured you guys would enjoy a cute chapter before I get into the angst again. Plus, this chapter will be somewhat important/mentioned later on, so I figured I'd write/post it. Likes and comments/constructive criticism goes a long way! )

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Hoody was more than just enamored with the ticking killer, he knew. He loved his smile no matter how much the brunette hated his scarred features; he loved his laugh, even though the other never saw any good reason for laughing anymore. Which was why Hoody found himself trying to make the other laugh and smile as often as possible. This surprised many that knew him, as he was usually pretty stoic and only ever shared a softer side in private. But -- whatever it took to make Toby laugh, it seemed, the hooded one would make due.

"You think Slender'll let us make a fort out here?" Toby was saying, feet crunching the foliage beneath his feet.

Hoody shrugged from his place behind Toby as he walked, hands deep in his front pocket as they walked. The air was cool and crisp; fall was beginning to slowly change the landscape and the weather began to show it. It would get even colder soon, and that would mean more complaints from Tim because of this. But that was fine; Brian knew how to quell his anger regardless.

"I-I'd kinda like a tree house m-more," Toby went on, veering down the right hand hand path when there came a fork in the road, "'c-cause it's up high, s-so i-it'll be harder t-to be spotted."

Brian might have questioned where they might be going, where the ticking killer was taking them -- but Hoody didn't have the heart to do so. It wasn't like anything in this forest ever bothered the Proxys (other creatures that visited their household, sure; but never them), so an encounter was unlikely unless they were purposely looking for trouble. And they weren't -- not today.

"Might be able t-t' find some boards pe-people threw out in the dump," Toby stuttered out, though obviously less so than normal.

Hoody noticed that, as he did most things -- noticed Toby seemed calmer around Brian and Tim. He didn't stutter as much, didn't crack his neck. He still ticked, though it didn't come in fits as often as it did before. He noticed the stares that lasted longer than normal, the little smiles. They think he wasn't as observant as he was, but he was. Oh boy he was.

"It'd probably have to be cl-close t-to the house," Toby was saying as they neared the large pond in the middle of the forest, "'c-cause Sally would want t-t' play in it."

On the opposite side, a deer skulled Wendigo sat lapping at the water's edge -- however instantly rose to stare with lifeless eyes at the two. Hoody paused temporarily to return the stare, Toby ignoring it to grab the nearest pebble and giving it a toss. It plopped in unceremoniously, and the creature opposite to them -- either bored of them or too weary of their presence -- finally retreated into the coverage of the tall trees; disappearing in the darkness with ease. That was fine by them.

"She'd probably make us have t-tea parties in it," Toby snorted as he tossed another rock into the pond. This one skipped a few beats before plopping into the murky depths. "An-And play dress up."

Hoody paused for a second before nodding, bending over to grab a smooth rock of his own and give it a toss. This one skipped five steps before finally disappearing. Toby snorted.

"Good one."

Hoody instantly began to search for another pebble as Toby tossed a third -- this one skipping four beats. Another from Hoody followed suit, again skipping five beats.

This went on for some time -- the two skipping rocks while Hoody listened to Toby talk about everything and nothing all at once. Hoody could communicate through an odd assortment of sign language, hand gestures and varying sounds when and if needed. But he enjoyed the sound of the other's voice as he rambled on endlessly about Slender knows what; listening to him go on and on with minimal stutters, ticks and twitches. It was a sight to behold, really, and Hoody enjoyed it to no end.

" -- right, Hoods? Hoods?"

The mustard wearing figure seemed not realize he been asked any form of question, and instinctively turned his torso to face the other -- all the while mid throw, his arm still moving of its own accord and causing the small, flat pebble to go rocketing straight into Toby's forehead. Hoody was both glad Toby could not feel pain and that the force behind the throw was not all that strong; leaving a red mark on Toby's forehead as his face crinkled up in momentary confusion.

It took only a second of silence before the two burst out laughing -- or rather, Toby burst out laughing; Hoody's was always silent, but apparent by her shaking shoulders as well as expression whenever he wasn't wearing his signature mask -- while falling to the ground, Toby grabbing his side with one arm with the other moving to clutch where the rock had hit.

It was always like this; full of laughter and good times. That was all that Hoody had wanted for Toby, because his past was so dark and twisted compared to his that he deserved everything in the world and more.

.... Was this what the humans called 'love'? If so, Hoody couldn't say he could complain too much. Now if only he could talk Brian and Tim into similar feelings; then all would be good.

Yes, all would be good.

My Heart, Is My Armor

He's the Tear In My Heart, He's a Carver

He's a Butcher With a Smile

Cut Me Farther Than I've Ever Been