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A gentle pattering surrounds me as consciousness drifts in and out of my throbbing head. Shouts and splashes echo in my ears as warmth slowly creeps up my body. Warm, steamy air drifts in and out of my mouth as I lay limp, warmth surrounding me to my shoulders and the scent of vanilla floating delicately up from the warmth. My sore, dry eyes slowly open to reveal…

My bathroom.
Tiredly, I sweep my gaze across the room, letting my body lay limp in the nearly-full bathtub. Everything is numb, even my mind. With slow realization I note the filthy, tattered clothes flung carelessly beside the clothing rack. Whoever put me here either doesn't care very much, or was in a hurry. My back protests as I slowly shift and sit up in the tub, an aching creak coming from my joints as I slowly pull my knees up to my chest. Dark purple bruises litter the tender flesh of my arms and I wince slightly as I press my fingers against them.
I stayed there, curled up in the fetal position for several minutes as I wait for the water to cool off and eventually become cold. I havent been asleep here long. A distant rumbling alerts me to the presence of an oncoming storm outside. Warm candlelight allows me to drag my gaze toward a large, fluffy towel and a set of pajamas. With slow hesitation, I begin to lift myself out of the tub. But that is where my strength ends. Soon I find myself collapsing onto the floor, water dripping off of my skin as I lay feeble and numb on the ground. My vision fades yet again, hunger and dehydration finally getting to me and causing me to fall asleep.

Darkness surrounds me as a distant thumping comes closer, heavy footsteps land next to my head and a large gust of hot wind whistles past my head. Something warm and soft wraps around me and I am lifted into the air, cradled by large arms. My consciousness fades out as I’m carried into the cold hallway.

A cool, damp cloth is being pressed against my head as I lay motionless in a bed. A soft, deep humming coming from my left as warm heat flushes down my face and chest. Slowly, my eyes flick open and I find myself submerged in partial darkness, a soft glowing coming from the corner of my room. A rumbling comes from my stomach, the swift pain of hunger itching at my organs and causing me to sit up. Grumbling, I slowly haul myself into a sitting position, the urge to eat and drink overcoming the pain from my sore body.
“(y/n). Please. Lay down.” A soft voice urges from my left, gentle hands grab my unharmed left shoulder and slowly guide me into a laying down position. Jack’s hands are soft against my slightly exposed shoulder, I note the presence of large, soft pajamas blanketing my body. My eyes drift over to gaze at my best friend, warmth flooding my chest and filling me with joy. Void-like eye sockets gaze out at me from behind the cobalt blue mask, wild black hair exploding out from the eyeless demon’s head and spilling around gray pointed ears.
“J-Jack.” I croak softly, sliding my hand across my body and holding onto his. Large, cold fingers wrap around mine as Jack softly shushes me and replaces the cloth on my head with a new one. “All that time in the rain gave you a fever, love. Try not to move.” Jack whispers, holding me down gently. “Wh-What happened?...” I wheeze, my dry lips cracking with the movement. “You were attacked by that...that bastard. I beat him black and blue, might be some irreparable damage on that freak. But the humidity got me and I passed out.” Jack muses, brushing my hair away from my face with his free hand.
“How did I get here?” I press, wanting to know how Jack managed to drag me to the house despite him being unconscious as well. “Ah, funny thing, really. Editor came for us, didnt take long for her to carry us to the house. She put you in the bath.” Eyeless replies, resting his head on the covers. “Wh-What about you?” I whisper, gently bringing my left hand over to place on the side of my companion’s head. A soft chuckle comes from the sleepy demon, “Basically she just dumped me in the shower and made me wash off the disguise. Though I dont blame her, she had to wash and heal your wound before it was too infected.” A soft tone of confusion rests over my mind as Jack says this.
“Heal? Too infected?” I hum, raising a brow. “Editor’s blood contains healing properties. It can conquer wounds such as lost limbs or it can heal diseases ranging from the common cold to cancer. But there is nothing flawless about this healing practice. If the wound isnt tended to for a while and is infected at the time of healing, it will become a nasty scar that never heals. Human bites always become infected if they break the skin.” A cold hand traces my collar bone as Jack sits up again, moving across to my injured shoulder and examining the gnarled mark where Joseph bit me. “She did all she could… only fresh wounds fully heal without markings.” Jack whispers, rubbing his index finger over the area tenderly. A soft sigh comes from Jack as he removes his hand from my shoulder “She thought you would be strong enough to dress yourself, but was wrong. I guess the incident took more out of you than we thought. Ed dressed you and put you in my old room. Stairs arent a good idea right now.” Jack fumbles with the fabric of my shirt, pulling it over the scar. Silence falls between us as we lay in the semi darkness of the suitor room.

“Why’d you do it?”
The question seemed so rude as I was saying it, but in all honesty, I want to know. Why did Jack feel the need to put on a disguise and pretend?
“Why did I spend my superior’s money on an elaborate costume and pretend to be a stranger?” Jack mutters rhetorically, “simple, I missed you.” The reply took me off guard, I expected revenge and betrayal, not the innocent motives of a five-year-old.
Sensing my confusion, Jack continues:
“You're my only friend, (y/n). And it didn't take long for me to realize that I needed you. Oddly enough, I can't function in the works with the carefree demeanor that I previously had. I missed you. And I wanted you to be safe, so I…. I pretended to be someone else. I knew that you would either have to figure out by yourself, or live a life of ignorance.” Jack elaborates, removing his body from the bed and sitting with his back to me on the floor. “You most likely distrust and dislike me even more now.” Jack sighs, a melancholy tone ringing in his voice. Despite the pain, I manage to force myself into a sitting position, scaring Jack thoroughly in the process.
“Jack, I don't hate you. And to be honest, if you hadn't pretended to be Nick, i would be…. dead. Or worse.” I speak softly, with a determined tone. It's true, if I hadn't met “nick” then there wouldn't be anyone to protect me in the forest.
Jack slowly stands, facing me and sitting down on the bed in front of my curled up form. Soft sniffling comes from behind the dark blue mask, and for the first time, the thought that maybe the strange eyeless demon actually cares drifts through my mind. Warmth springs to my cheeks as I shift closer, taking Jack’s hands into mine. My friend- no, my best friend- squeezes my hands and sniffles loudly. One of my hands slips from his and I slowly trace the edge of Jack’s mask with my fingertips. It didn't take long to pull the accessory off of the demon, who proceeded to cry louder upon losing the protective piece. Black tears pour down his cheeks as he sits cross-legged in front of me.
“Hey, don't cry.” I whisper, shifting closer and wiping away a gooey black tear with my sleeve. Jack seems to listen and quiets down, reaching up to place his hand over mine, pressing my warm palm against his cold cheek.

Suddenly, a wry smile creeps over Jack’s face, deep chuckles bubbling up from his throat as he lets my hand drop into his lap. “What are you laughing about?” I huff softly, glaring at the demon for ruining the touching moment. “I'm not crying out of sadness. There’s something in my eye socket.” Jack chuckles, sliding a nail over his eyelid and wincing softly. A furious blush washes over my cheeks as I smack the idiot on the arm. “You little shit!” I growl, wiggling away from my companion and glaring. Jack only laughs louder, one eyelid closed in pain. I swing again, catching Eyeless upside the head and getting a yelp of pain from the dork. “Stop that!” Jack commands, still laughing and swatting away my hands halfheartedly. Swinging my fist again, I expect to land a soft hit along Jack’s shoulder, but am surprised when my fist is caught by a larger, gray hand. I struggle softly in Jack’s grip, the aforementioned man giggling softly and holding onto my much smaller hand.
This is true war.
I swipe my free hand at Jack, wiggling and trying to worm my trapped hand out of his grip. But sadly my other hand is caught in his, leaving me trapped in his grasp. “No fair,” I pout halfheartedly, pulling my hands and scowling. “All is fair in love and war.” Jack chuckles, I smirk in reply as I cease struggling
oh it's on

. “Awww, you love me?” The question is laced with sarcasm like venom in a glass of wine. I raise one brow as Jack goes completely silent, staring with a dumbfounded look on his face. To be honest, I expected more of an aggressive reaction. Large fingers go limp around my hands and I see my opportunity to strike. Removing my hands from Jack’s, I lunge forward and tackle the demon down onto the bed. I stare down at Jack with a prideful look. “I win~” my voice is coated in glee as I lay on top of my friend.
In the midst of my gloating, I fail to see the hand that has snaked its way around the back of my neck. Jack’s face melts into a calm expression, his free hand sliding over my lower back and rubbing softly. A violent blush coats my cheeks, the situation setting in as Jack slowly pulls me down closer to him.
“Hi…..” Jack whispers, pulling me closer and gripping me tight. I can't tell if I should run or lay limp.
Silence falls.
Only the gentle rise and fall of Jack’s chest stirs us.

Without warning, Jack moves his hand from my lower back and brings it up to cup my cheek. My heart thunders in my chest. I stare deeply into his “eyes”, searching for some sign of what he’s up to. As I gaze at Jack, I notice the odd-coloring in the back of his eye sockets. A large dot of dark gray sticking out against the pitch blackness of his void-like features. It looks like some light is reflecting from the back of his “eyes”. Despite the seriousness of the situation, I can't help but notice the look of childish and almost cartoonish wonder trapped in his sockets.
“(Y/n)?” I shiver softly, unsure of how to react to the sudden movements and touches.

I take a gentle breath, my heart both racing and stopping at once.

Anticipation.

“You've got an eyelash. Right. There.”
Jack's thumb nearly pokes my eye out as he swipes it over my upper cheek. I let out a startled yelp. “AH! What the fuck, Jack!” I whine, wriggling out of his grip and sitting up. “What? It was bothering me.” Jack shrugs, sitting up and grinning at me.
“You jerk.” I hiss, glaring. But I really can't be mad, he’s just…. too much. I take a few moments to observe my friend, his lopsided grin, wide eye sockets, and fluffy hair is just too much. The “pupils” of his eyes seem to stick out more against the candlelight, and I can't help but giggle softly.
“What?” Jack hums, tilting his head to the side and smiling. But I can't explain, shaking my head i simply just mutter.

“I missed you so much, Jack.”