Hidden Feelings {[Masky x Hoodie fanfic]}

8 - Meeting (M)

{[WARNING: violence, fighting, yeah]}

Forest, by the bridge. Oak tree. 7 pm. My hands clamped over my ears instinctively. God, I hated it when the boss just shoved thoughts into my head like that. It made my head feel like it would split open every time.

Regardless, I did start to walk towards the regular meeting spot, seeing as I was already in the forest. I wondered to myself who would be there -- Toby? Kate? Hoodie? Who knows.

After the boss left, us four were in the forest, silent. No one remembered anything that was discussed, as usual. I started walking back, my hands stuffed in my pockets, when I heard Toby snicker something behind me. I whirled around. "What was that?" I snapped. My patience was wearing thin.

"Nothing," Toby replied defiantly, crossing his arms. "You're always the first to leave, that's all. It's almost like you have something to do," I knew he was poking fun, but for some reason, I wasn't in the mood. I walked over quickly, grabbing him roughly by the front of his sweater.

"Yeah, Rogers? Maybe I just don't want to get any dumber just by spending time with you." I growled, letting go and walking away again. I shouldn't snap. I can't get mad at him, he doesn't mean half the things he says--

"Hey, at least I can actually remember half the th-things I do. An amnesiac like you, I'm surprised you remember the d-difference between your ass and your mouth," Toby retorted, and I froze. That was the final straw.

I spun on a heel, walking over quickly and sending him a punch to the gut strong enough to send him stumbling backwards into a tree with a grunt. I grabbed his throat in my hands. "You wanna die, Toby? Because I've had it with you." I growled, my grip tightening. I could feel him breathing, hear him start to choke. His hands tried to pry mine away. Behind my mask, my mouth twisted into a smile. I missed this feeling. Someone was calling me, from far away, but it sounded like I was underwater. I didn't understand what they were saying, but I didn't care. It was just me and Toby, but not for long.

Suddenly, something wrapped around my waist and yanked me backwards. Everything sped up again. I dropped Toby, and he fell to his knees, coughing. The same thing that had pulled me shoved me to the ground, standing.

The red haze was still blurring my vision. I was going to kill him. I am going to kill him.

• • •

"Masky! Masky, please, listen to me!" I knew it wasn't going to work, but I had to try. I could only stand and watch as Kate shoved him away to the ground, but it broke me out of my trance when he tried to attack her, too. I grabbed his arm, pulling him back with all the strength I had.

He only continued straining. "Let me go," He growled, and it was all I could do to keep my grip on him.

"Masky! Calm down!" Being this close, he could obviously hear the strain and worry in my voice. "Tim, for god's sake!"

He whirled on me and glared. "Don't ever use my name. That's not who I am."

I don't like that look. It felt like Masky could burn a hole through me with that look. "Tim, you're still human. I know it doesn't feel like it. But stop taking your anger out on others! Toby isn't your enemy!"

"Well it sure damn well seems like it!" Masky started pulling again to try to escape my grip. "Let me go, dammit!" He kicked backwards towards me, but I somehow managed to avoid the blow and keep a firm grip.

"Not until you calm down. You're going to get hurt," I tried again. It was almost painful, how loud I had to speak for Masky to hear.

"Why do you even care?!" Masky snapped at me, seething. "It's not like anyone else would. I'm just the poor little asshole with the blank mask! Not like I feel anything anyway! If I were you I'd just stay away. I'm a hazard–"

It wasn't me that interrupted. It was something buried deep inside me that I couldn't stop if I tried. "Masky, shut up. Just shut up!" I yelled. "I care because I love you! You're the honest to god best person I know. You're strong, you don't give up, and you've been through more tough shit than anyone, and I look up to you for it. I love you, okay?!" I panted slightly, eyes widening in shock. I had just said that. Yelled that. I let go of Masky's arm and staggered back a little, covering my mouth in shock.

Masky was shocked into silence. His expression, even with the mask, was like a book. Hoodie... He... He has feelings for me? It said. He shook his head slightly in disbelief. "No," he said quietly, then said it again, a little louder. "No. No."

I looked at him pleadingly, reaching out for his arm again. "Tim, wait–"

"No!" Masky yelled, yanking his arm away and starting to run. He didn't understand. He didn't understand anything.