Sleeping With Sleep

I shakily reached for his hand and he stood, gently pulling me up with him. My gaze bounced between each of the six eyes on the mask and I got frustrated, wanting to make real eye contact with him. Vessel noticed my slight scowl and paused for a second before wearily pushing his hood back and unbuckling his mask, letting it fall to rest in his other palm. His long, shaggy black hair fell immediately into his eyes, blocking my line of sight to a majority of his face. I lean slightly away from him.

"Are... Are you sure?..." I didn't want him to feel pressured to show me who he was, but I was dying to see the real him.

"Promise you won't panic...?" That took me aback. Panic? Why? I furrowed my brows, confused. I nodded.

"Yeah, why would I pa-" He tilted his head up and brushed his hair from his face.

Six. There were still six.

I panicked.