[A/N: WHAT'S UP PARTY PEOPLE!? How're you all feeling today!?❤️Have you gotten taller again? DAYUMMMMM, I think you have!❤️Okay, I'd just like to point out that this book ISN'T dead! I SWEAR<3❤️It's just that Hannibal & Pennywise's Parts took ages to finish - like no kidding, this book took forever to complete💞😅Not to mention that I usually always make sure that each slasher's Scenario Part is at least 2.5k+ words :P💗xx Anyway, I hope that you guys enjoy reading these parts just as much as I did writing them! -Cam<3❤️]

Michael Myers:
"I don't know, Gracie...It's been ages since we've all hung out there." You uneasily commented, thinking back to the last time you and your friends had visited Lusties Nightclub and messed around. "I mean, I know I have more free time - due to Miles's...current job and Michael's...Well, Michael's support with our old bitch of a teacher, but still—"

"Oh, c'mon...!" Gracie persisted pleadingly, clapping her hands together and begging you with the utmost of desperation, her blue eyes glistening as though her life depended on you joining. "You have to come! When we hang out, we always hang out together...! You, me, Dana and Alice...!"

"But I thought we'd agreed to meet up at Nutmeg Cafe...?" With a confused expression, Ali questioned Cici before moving aside for another student to pass through. "Why the sudden plan switch all of a sudden...? Did something happen...?"

"Yeah. According to Gracie, it turns out that the cafe's fully booked tonight." Dana chipped in carelessly, giving a casual shrug and brushing it off without a second thought. "She didn't think last week to actually think ahead and make a reservation or anything—"

"Hey! Why do I always have to plan our nights-slash-evenings out...!?" Gracie protested in annoyance, arguing against Dana and acting somewhat hurt. "It wouldn't hurt for you, Ali or (Y/n) to actually organise our time together occasionally, y'know...!"

"She's got a point, Dana..." Ali trailed off awkwardly, trying to defuse the conflict and calm the blonde down to some degree. "She does do a lot for us..."

"I'm not denying that...! All I'm saying is that if you're going to suggest something, you need to be able to back it up...!" Dana roughly retaliated, rolling her eyes and arguing back.

"Hey, hey, hey...! Let's not cause things to spiral out-of-control here." You quickly interjected, concerned for their composure and their feelings. "There's no need for this. We all have our individual outlook on said situation, but at the end of the day it's still just the four of us hanging out, that's all."

"Exactly...!" Gracie agreed excitedly, Dana raising her eyebrows at her friend's erratic mood-swing and releasing a sigh of slight exasperation. "Sooooo~"

"I...I guess I can come this evening..." You hesitantly thought aloud, biting your lip and mulling over your upcoming decision. "I mean...I suppose Michael's mostly alright with you three now..."

"You're still dating that...that psychopath...!?" Gracie judged coolly, narrowing her eyes and flicking her head to the side. "Hmph. What a...What a complete and utter creep...!"

"Come on now, Cici." You sighed in despair, knowing how Michael felt towards your friends and how they felt in return. "I know you three don't exactly like his personality, but he swore not to touch you guys ever again. Isn't that enough...?"

"Enough...? Enough...!? He almost killed me...!" She wailed with disgust, crossing her arms and complaining further. "There's not enough words in the library for me to be able to forgive him...!"

"Believe me, I think I can tell." You dryly noted, figuring out just how she felt. "But crying about his previous actions isn't exactly gonna change anything, now is it...?"

"I...I guess not..." Gracie muttered under her breath, sighing herself before unfolding her arms. "So will you come...? Please...?"

"Sure. Text me the time...?" You agreed, watching her expression brighten up and her resentment towards Michael fade.

"Uh-huh...! 'Course I will...! See you tonight, (Y/n)...!" Cici happily cheered, flinging her arms around you in a hug while she breathed a relieved sigh of her own. "Oh, I can't wait...! This is gonna be great...!"

"I think this is going to be one hell of a night." Dana stated sarcastically, knowing just how Gracie behaved at things such as parties, raves, and nightclubs.

"Oh, c'mon Dana. We'll still have fun." Ali comfortingly smiled, giving you a hug of her own before you all walked through the school's grounds. "We always have done in the past, remember...?"

"She's right." You sided with Alice warmly, pleased by her warm-hearted words and comment. "Hanging out together has always been fun, hasn't it...?"

"Fuck it, I guess you guys have a point. Sorry Cici..." Dana replied shamefully, acting embarrassed and trying her best to apologise. "I know you shouldn't have to always organise things...I'll help with the next one. I...I promise..."

"T-Thanks...Dana..." Gracie stammered in surprise, taken aback by the brunette's apology and unforeseen help. "That's...That's really sweet of you..."

"Looks like they're getting along better than we thought, hey...?" You lightly murmured into Ali's ear, finding their spark of friendship to be wholesome and refreshing. "That's better than them continuing to fight almost every single day."

"Right...? They've come a long way." Alice gently whispered back, the two of you making sure that Dana and Cici didn't hear. "Dana used to make fun of Gracie 24/7, and Gracie used to snap at Dana due to her sharp-tongue and scoffing. It's almost strange that they've mellowed out so much."

"For real." You spoke with respect, spotting Michael by his usual stalking location and deciding to say a quick Goodbye to your friends. "Catch you guys on the flip-side slash later then...?"

"Wouldn't miss hanging out with you three for the world...!" Dana declared playfully, high-fiving Gracie and attempting to appear moderately civil. "See ya in a few...!"

"Take care, everyone." Ali told you all with her usual kindness, her short pink hair fluttering in the air whilst she took her route home alone. "Message you guys when I get there...!"

"Same here...!" You willingly promised, sending them each a wave before leaving your group of friends and letting Michael tug you into an obsessive hug of his own - the slasher twirling you around and cuddling you as tightly as he possibly could.

"Hey there, Michael." You greeted the silent male with a soft smile, used to his adoring attitude and unstable behaviour. "I'd ask how have you been feeling today, but you always reply with the very same response, so I think I'll just skip it this time. That alright with you...?"

"ᗷᑌT IT'ᔕ ᑎOT ᗰY ᖴᗩᑌᒪT I ᗩᒪᗯᗩYᔕ ᗰIᔕᔕ YOᑌ. Iᖴ ᗩᑎYTᕼIᑎG, I ᗷᒪᗩᗰE TᕼE ᔕᑕᕼOOᒪ. ᑎOT TO ᗰEᑎTIOᑎ TᕼOᔕE ᔕTᑌᑭIᗪ ᖴᖇIEᑎᗪᔕ Oᖴ YOᑌᖇᔕ. ᒪET ᗰE GᑌEᔕᔕ, YOᑌ'ᐯE ᗰᗩᗪE ᑭᒪᗩᑎᔕ ᗯITᕼ TᕼEᗰ TOᑎIGᕼT, ᑎOᗯ ᕼᗩᐯEᑎ'T YOᑌ?" He scribbled down aggressively, resentment flowing from his eyes the moment you'd broken free from his possessive embrace. [A/N: "BUT IT'S NOT MY FAULT I ALWAYS MISS YOU. IF ANYTHING, I BLAME THE SCHOOL. NOT TO MENTION THOSE STUPID FRIENDS OF YOURS. LET ME GUESS, YOU'VE MADE PLANS WITH THEM TONIGHT, NOW HAVEN'T YOU?]

"Not really a guess, since you watched me speak to them just a few minutes ago." You wryly summarised, shaking your head at his usual anger. "Well as you know, I'm heading out tonight. But I'll be back by—"

"ᑎO. I ᗪOᑎ'T ᑕᗩᖇE Iᖴ IT'ᔕ ᖴᖇIᗪᗩY Oᖇ ᑎOT. I ᗯᗩᑎT YOᑌ TO ᔕᑭEᑎᗪ TOᑎIGᕼT ᗯITᕼ ᗰE. ᗯE ᕼᗩᖇᗪᒪY ᔕᑭEᑎᗪ TIᗰE TOGETᕼEᖇ ᗩᑎYᗰOᖇE. TᕼIᔕ Iᔕᑎ'T ᖴᗩIᖇ ᗩᑎᗪ I ᗪOᑎ'T ᒪIKE IT. ᑎOT TO ᗰEᑎTIOᑎ I ᗪOᑎ'T KᑎOᗯ ᗯᕼEᖇE TᕼIᔕ ᑎIGᕼTᑕᒪᑌᗷ Iᔕ. TᕼEᖇE ᑕOᑌᒪᗪ ᗷE ᗰEᑎ. OTᕼEᖇ ᑭEOᑭᒪE. ᗯEIᖇᗪOᔕ. I ᑕᗩᑎ'T KEEᑭ YOᑌ ᔕᗩᖴE Iᖴ YOᑌ'ᖇE ᗰIᑎGᒪIᑎG ᗯITᕼ OTᕼEᖇᔕ. ᔕO ᑎO, YOᑌ'ᖇE ᑎOT GOIᑎG." Shoving his next reply directly into your face, Michael's eyes narrowed, the stalker clearly not happy about what you'd said to him. [A/N: "NO. I DON'T CARE IF IT'S FRIDAY OR NOT. I WANT YOU TO SPEND TONIGHT WITH ME. WE HARDLY SPEND TIME TOGETHER ANYMORE. THIS ISN'T FAIR AND I DON'T LIKE IT. NOT TO MENTION I DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS NIGHTCLUB IS. THERE COULD BE MEN. OTHER PEOPLE. WEIRDOS. I CAN'T KEEP YOU SAFE IF YOU'RE MINGLING WITH OTHERS. SO NO, YOU'RE NOT GOING."]

"Michael..." You sighed with slight annoyance, already knowing that this was how he'd react to your latest of plans. "It's only for this evening. Y'know, with Cici, Dana, and Ali. Besides, you can always walk me there and back. It's only by the outskirts of town. Anyway, you promised. You promised me my freedom if we were to carry on dating. Whether you liked it or not. So yes, I am going."

Michael's glare darkened, frustration flowing through his veins while he debated on how to argue and continue to fight. But...But how...? You'd literally thrown his previous agreement right into his face, offered him a way to keep you safe - to some degree this evening - and also stood up for yourself too. There was No way he could disagree. "ᖴIᑎE. I'ᒪᒪ ᒪET YOᑌ GO. ᗷᑌT ᑎO TᗩᒪKIᑎG TO ᗷOYᔕ. ᗩᑕTᑌᗩᒪᒪY, ᑎO TᗩᒪKIᑎG TO ᑭEOᑭᒪE OTᕼEᖇ Tᕼᗩᑎ TᕼE ᗷᗩᖇTEᑎᗪEᖇ Oᖇ YOᑌᖇ ᖴᖇIEᑎᗪᔕ. YOᑌ ᑌᑎᗪEᖇᔕTᗩᑎᗪ ᗰE?" Your possessive partner ordered silently, stiffening up and standing more frigid than usual. [A/N: "FINE. I'LL LET YOU GO. BUT NO TALKING TO BOYS. ACTUALLY, NO TALKING TO PEOPLE OTHER THAN THE BARTENDER OR YOUR FRIENDS. YOU UNDERSTAND ME?"]

"Okay, okay, I get it, I get it..." Agreeing to his terms, you sarcastically rolled your eyes and pushed his last response away from you altogether, entwining his fingers between yours and holding his hand before walking home. "Jeez, you're more stressful than studying for school sometimes..."

Ignoring his confused stare, you raised your eyebrows and pushed the conversation topic under the rug completely; arriving home and noticing that Miles wasn't back yet either. Huh. Guess his dating-girls job was more difficult than you thought it was. Well, Gracie hadn't texted you the exact time to head out yet, so you might as well rest and relax whilst waiting. Maybe you should take a quick shower...? Yeah...that would probably help to unwind after today. So, once you'd dumped your bag in your bedroom and entered the bathroom; you turned the water on and also made sure it was your preferred temperature, checking that it was one-hundred percent comfortable in the process. But before you got undressed and actually hopped into the shower, you turned around and glanced at Michael sternly - almost as if to say "Don't even THINK about trying anything perverted, or peeking at me through the shower curtains."

With a mischievous gaze in return, Michael dipped his head as a nod and quietly agreed not to try anything; the stalker leaving the room so you could have your shower in peace. Still suspicious, you sighed and undressed, climbing into the shower before breathing out in relief. Yep...This was definitely what you needed, what with studying at school, dealing with your boyfriend's certain characteristics...working your now smaller part-time job hours...and sharing the chores/cooking with your brother. It's not that you were exhausted or anything - like the past few years - it was just that de-stressing felt so soothing and...and relaxing. So having this shower, cooking something up for the three of you and then hanging out at Lusties Nightclub felt like an awesome idea...! Of course, you still had to pick an outfit for tonight, considering you couldn't arrive at said location wearing a towel. Well you could, but—

Smiling to yourself, you cleared your thoughts and stopped thinking about said joke, stopping the shower and stepping out before drying yourself off shortly afterwards. Then, wrapping the towel around your body, you headed out into the hallway and opened your bedroom door - knowing already that your pale-faced boyfriend would already be waiting for you in there. Your smile dryly stretching, you playfully sighed and made your way inside the room; letting Michael pull you into his chest a second time and spin you around again. Curling your arms around him too, you cuddled him as well - appreciating the killer's loving actions and finding his behaviour to be warmer than before. But after a couple of minutes, you broke away from your embrace between you and Michael, turning towards your wardrobe instead and wondering on what to dress in for your evening out with your friends.

"Sorry Michael, but I've REALLY got to get ready. Can't stay in a towel ALL night, y'know...?" You joked teasingly, shifting through your clothes and picking out what you wanted to wear. "So if you'll excuse me—"

Michael tried one last time to stop you from going, grasping your wrist before staring at you with as much fury as he possibly could. "Michael..." You groaned, huffing in irritation and freeing yourself from his hold. "Please don't do this. You promised literally just a second or two ago."

"ᗷᑌT I ᒪOᐯE YOᑌ. I ᑕᗩᑎ ᑭᖇOᗰIᔕE ᗯᗩY ᗰOᖇE ᖴᑌᑎ TOᑎIGᕼT Tᕼᗩᑎ TᕼOᔕE ᔕIᒪᒪY ᒪITTᒪE GIᖇᒪᔕ." The coldhearted killer argued with malice, writing back whilst also attempting to shift your mind one last time. [A/N: "BUT I LOVE YOU. I CAN PROMISE WAY MORE FUN TONIGHT THAN THOSE SILLY LITTLE GIRLS."]

"I'm sorry. But I've made up my mind. So if you'll excuse me, I have to get changed, dry my hair, and make dinner before Cici texts us all." You firmly announced, indicating for him to leave the room while you switched into your clothes and got ready for everything else.

The masked slasher flicked his head to the side and left angrily, hiding his temper tantrum as he begrudgingly agreed to your demands; Michael disliking your assertiveness attitude and how strong-willed you'd behaved towards him. You on the other hand were pleased by how determined you'd acted, feeling happy that you'd come out on top. But enough of that, you had to get ready...! So tossing the towel to the floor, you hastily slipped into your outfit and carefully brushed your hair - blow-drying it soon after while you wondered how Michael was feeling. Hopefully he wasn't too agitated or anything. With another sigh like earlier, you reopened your bedroom door and spotted him stalking you from the other side of the hallway, his dark eyes staring at you with the utmost of intensity. Of course. Just like usual. Sending him a soft smile, you tried to lighten the atmosphere and break the tension, knowing that he wouldn't just let the whole "Girls' Night Out" thing go so easily.

"I'm going downstairs to cook dinner now." You informed him calmly, nudging his side before you headed in the direction of the stairs. "Care to help me out...? Could really use your assistance preparing the ingredients right about now."

"YOᑌ'ᐯE ᑎEᐯEᖇ ᗩᔕKEᗪ Oᖇ ᑎEEᗪEᗪ ᗰY ᕼEᒪᑭ ᗷEᖴOᖇE. ᕼOᗯ ᑕOᗰE YOᑌ ᑎEEᗪ ᗰY ᕼEᒪᑭ ᑎOᗯ...? ᗯᕼY ᑎOT TE᙭T OᑎE Oᖴ YOᑌᖇ ᖴᖇIEᑎᗪᔕ ᗩᑎᗪ ᗩᔕK TᕼEᗰ ᖴOᖇ TᕼEIᖇ ᕼEᒪᑭ IᑎᔕTEᗩᗪ...?" Michael's next scrawl made you burst out laughing, his insane amount of jealousy causing you cover your lips and grin rather than smile. [A/N: "YOU'VE NEVER ASKED OR NEEDED MY HELP BEFORE. HOW COME YOU NEED MY HELP NOW...? WHY NOT TEXT ONE OF YOUR FRIENDS AND ASK THEM FOR THEIR HELP INSTEAD...?"]

"They-They don't even LIVE in this house...!" You pointed out with another laugh, trying to keep it together and answer without giggling too much. "Besides, I asked you to help, didn't I...? And you're the only one I truly love. So do me a favour and try to keep your jealousy under control, m'kay...?"

Cheering up a tiny bit, Michael carefully nodded; yanking you into yet another hug and filling his cuddle with a considerable amount of affection and adoration this time. "I would never leave you hanging. And I promise that we'll do something soon, no matter what." You told him loyally, accepting his hug as you snuggled against his chest. "So are you going to help me cook dinner or not...?"

"I'ᒪᒪ ᗪO ᗯᕼᗩTEᐯEᖇ YOᑌ ᗯᗩᑎT. ᒍᑌᔕT TEᒪᒪ ᗰE ᗯᕼᗩT TO ᗪO<3" Michael lovingly answered once you'd both broken the hug, you smiling and finding his response to be relatively sweet whilst he followed you into the kitchen. [A/N: "I'LL DO WHATEVER YOU WANT. JUST TELL ME WHAT TO DO<3"]

So as the minutes ticked by, you and Michael both prepared dinner together; Michael not eating any due to him not needing to eat and Miles still not being home yet. But that was alright, you just saved the remainder of the food in a bowl and left it inside the fridge - writing a message for your older brother that his dinner was already cooked and where you'd be for the rest of the night. Michael - clearly - wasn't happy about your upcoming plans, but again, he couldn't argue after allowing you to go...twice. Still, it didn't mean he could sulk and complain about said decision to hang out at a nightclub with your so-called friends. Eventually, Gracie created a group chat and added the three of you into it, messaging super-duper-fast and acting like her usual self.

4 People >
Today: 7:28 PM

Gracie Garcia:
I'm already here!! >w< ❤️ When are u guys showing up, huh?? I'm sooooo excited, I can't wait!!

Alice Johnson:
Uh, Cici...?

Gracie Garcia:
Yeah? What up?

Alice Johnson:
You never exactly gave us a time, so how were we supposed to know you were there yet...?

Gracie Garcia:
Ohhh, my bad >,<

Dana Moore:
Srsly? How the Fck did that slip ur mind, Cici?

(Y/n) (L/n):
Let's just get the time now❤️

Alice Johnson: (Y/n)'s right❤️^ . ^ So Cici, what time should we all meet at the nightclub...?❤️

Dana Moore:
Yeah, u said u had a time planned...?

Gracie Garcia:
I do, I do...! It's um...I thought...Well...

Dana Moore:
U don't have a time planned, do u...?

(Y/n) (L/n):
How bout 7:45PM? That gives Ali, Dana and I 15ish mins to head over there. That 'kay with everyone...?❤️

Alice Johnson:
Fine w/me :) ❤️ Good idea, (Y/n) ❤️xx

Dana Moore:
Alright then. Catch u guys in a bit o/

Gracie Garcia:
I guess that makes sense. Not a bad suggestion, (Y/n) :3 ❤️xx

(Y/n) (L/n):
Ahaha, thanks guys :) Meet you all at the nightclub...!❤️xx

Closing your phone, you slid it into your pocket and smiled to yourself about Gracie's overexcited mess-up; putting your jacket on as you walked back into the hallway. "I'm gonna head out now. Don't wanna miss meeting Ali, Dana and Cici at Lusties Nightclub after all. Mind walking me there...?" You questioned him in a thoughtful tone, trying to include Michael as best you could and not wanting him to become even more envious.

"I'ᗪ ᒪOᐯE TO ᗯᗩᒪK YOᑌ TᕼEᖇE<3 I'ᗪ ᗷE ᕼOᑎOᑌᖇEᗪ TO<3" Michael's next scribble on his notepad made your heart melt, you flinging your arms around his neck and hugging him this time. [A/N: "I'D LOVE TO WALK YOU THERE<3 I'D BE HONOURED TO<3"]

"Why thank you, kind Sir~" You thanked him flirtatiously, flashing him an alluring gaze before opening the front door and stepping outside. "Now let's go. I don't want to be late."

Sticking to your side like glue, Michael forcefully held your hand and walked as closely to you as he could; the stalker plainly not wanting to leave your side for as long as possible. Which...was fine, considering you'd have time to spend by yourself...with your friends...and therefore enjoy tonight. So, giving his hand a fond squeeze, you allowed Michael to follow you to Lusties Nightclub - where your friends were. Well, Gracie was. You weren't sure if Dana and Ali had gotten there yet. Perhaps you and Michael were tremendously fast walkers...? Or maybe Dana had beaten you and Ali...? Maybe the other way around...? Giving your head a faint shake, you buried your thoughts aside and focused on enjoying yourself instead, realising that it didn't matter who had gotten there first or who hadn't. You weren't that impatient. It was Gracie and Dana who were the impatient ones, and—

"(Y/n)...! I'm SO glad you're here...! Well, I know it's only been a few hours, and our group text only happened half an hour ago, but still...!" Cici greeted in her joyous manner, spotting you from the nightclub's doors before throwing her arms around you immediately. "Dana got here first - unexpectedly - and Ali messaged in the group chat saying that she was "on her way," but I—"

All of a sudden Gracie screamed in shock, jumping back and shaking from horrified surprise. "W-W-WHAT is HE doing H-H-HERE...!?" She shrieked, panicking and losing her composure completely.

"Relax, Cici, Michael isn't going to hurt you." You swiftly reassured her, placing one hand on her shoulder and praying that you could calm her down - slash - comfort her somehow. "He's not here to attack anybody. Not you, Ali, or Dana. Michael just wanted to...to walk me here, that's all. Drop me off and pick me up when I was ready to leave."

"B-B-BUT, what if...what if he BREAKS said promise...!?" Your friend worried in alarm, her eyes widening and her voice stammering while she cuddled into your side. "W-What if we all DIE tonight...!?"

"Cici, he's uh...he's just standing here." You stated sympathetically, raising your other hand's finger to point at Michael and calm the blonde down. "I highly doubt he'd break his promise, right in front of me, and ruin his relationship with me right at this very moment...would you Michael...?"

Glaring at Gracie, your silent partner slowly shook his head and took a step back, raising his spare hand as a wave so he had some way to say Goodbye to you. Brightening up, you called Goodbye back to him and waved in return; Cici cautiously calming down and trusting him just a tad bit more. Relief washing through your veins, you gave her another hug and brought her back inside the nightclub, the blonde becoming bouncy and breezy again once you'd both heard the music and blended in with the crowd. Well, that and the fact that she was more in her extroverted element - dancing, cheering, drinking while waiting for Dana and Ali to arrive. When they had, Gracie declared that tonight's drinks were on her, which you graciously agreed to - due to the fact that you didn't have that much money to spend in the first place. Your other two friends accepted her offer and thanked her as well, hugging Cici before she inquired what drinks you all wanted.

Alice went with a traditional Long Island Iced Tea, Gracie requested a highly expensive Cosmopolitan, Dana decided on drinking a delightful Margarita, and after looking down at what they all made, you asked for a classic Pina Colada, excited to enjoy its delicious flavour alongside its tropical sweetness. And you weren't disappointed, because you weren't just speaking to your friends, you were also sipping one of your favourite beverages too...! After you'd finished your first drink, Gracie ordered herself and you guys slightly more drinks, making you four slightly more tipsy in the process. Not that it caused any physical harm to you all. Well, apart from Dana, you, Gracie and Ali became increasingly more tipsier - Dana being able to hold her alcohol fairly well, Ali being able to hold her alcohol relatively well, and you and Cici not being able to hold yours whatsoever. But Ali and Dana found it funny, the four of you giggling at one another when you all stumbled onto the nightclub's dance floor.

"You're supposed to dance, not end up on the floor...!" You mentioned to Gracie with a giggle, mocking her before helping her back up. "That's kind of dancing 101."

"Oops, maybe I'm not the only one who needs to learn that one~" She smugly retaliated, shoving you backwards and giggling straight afterwards. "My mistake~"

"Nice dance move there, Cici." Dana cut in deviously, laughing to herself before doing the same and shoving Gracie down again. "In fact, I think I just learnt it~"

"Aw, fuck you, Dana...!" Smirking, the blonde shook her head and laughed as hard as Dana had, not taking any offence due to you four all having fun and enjoying yourselves.

"Here, let me help you." Alice offered in a friendly fashion, holding her hand out and looking like she wanted to help Gracie up. Well, that was until— "Oops~"

"Ahaha...! Good one, Ali...!" You devilishly laughed, clapping Alice's hand after she'd yanked her hand back and made Cici face-plant the dance floor.

"Oh...It. Is. ON." Gracie threatened Ali playfully, climbing to her feet and pushing her as karma. Not expecting it to be so fast, Alice stumbled and fell onto her butt - giggling seconds later.

"Or is it off...?" You brought up quizzically, messing around and making the conversation even more diverse than it was previously.

"Or does it need to be restarted...?" Ali debated with a tinge of mischief, enjoying the music while she waited for somebody else to answer.

"It could be frozen." Dana chuckled, entering the drunken discussion and finding it even funnier.

"Cici's not talking about a MOVIE, dumb-ass...!" You argued back with a superior grin, rolling your eyes and feeling overly smug. "She's talking about an It, and whether or not it's actually on...!"

"It was 100% on...!" Gracie announced theatrically, stopping the bizarre argument and face-palming her forehead instead of the floor this time.

"But you're saying it WAS 100% on." Alice noted airily, purposely nitpicking and bringing it up again. "What if NOW it's 100% off...?"

"Ali, I will END you...!"
"You can't END me...!"
"And WHY can't I...?"
"Because you'll go STRAIGHT to jail...!"

"This just got interesting~" Dana stated wickedly, dancing to the beat of the music and listening in on their debate at the very same time.

"You're not wrong there~" You giggled again, highly amused by Alice and Gracie.

"You don't KNOW that...!"
"Are you KIDDING me...!?"
"Hey guys...?"
"Maybe I should TRY it and see...!"
"You want to KILL me...!?"

"—I'd love to stick around and keep on hanging out, but do you guys know what time it is...?" Laughing once more, you covered your mouth and tried to recollect some of your composure, knowing that you should probably make your way home soon.

"Uh...I think it's 1:34AM...?" Dana answered you without any concern, staring down at her phone before holding it closer to you instead of her. "Night's still young, don't cha think...?"

"Or is it old...?" Ali remarked after she'd swigged down more of her alcoholic drink.

"I think it's time for me to head home and catch some Zzz, actually..." You indicated happily, finishing off your drink before cheering at absolutely nothing, for no reason. "Text you guys in the morning...?"

"You sure you don't want to ride a taxi home with us later on...?" Alice offered with a smile, Gracie ordering another drink as Dana continued to drink hers. "Like Dana said, we don't have to go home yet, it's Saturday morning, and—"

"Don't worry girls, I don't need a taxi." You replied smugly, thinking back to your promise with a certain someone and smirking. "I've got my own personal escort to help me home~"

"Aww, you're not staying...?" Gracie moaned childishly, hugging you from the side with one arm and starting to gulp her next drink with the other hand. "C'mon (Y/n), don't be a party~pooper~"

"Sorry Cici, but I gotta get my beauty sleep~" You lightly laughed, poking her cheek before blowing her a kiss and saying Goodbye to everybody. Once you'd said Goodbye to Cici, Ali and Dana, you left the drinking part of the nightclub and headed outside completely, faintly laughing to yourself alone this time around.

Well until a certain someone immediately engulfed you into a hug, causing your smile to widen even further. "Michael...! So good to see you again...!" You bouncily greeted, deciding to fling your arms around your boyfriend and giggling at him. "How've you been, huh~? What you been up to~? Want to know what I've been up to~? Do you, do you, do you~?"

Silently smiling to himself, Michael softly nodded; moving backwards so he could write his response and answer you that way. "I'ᗪ ᒪOᐯE TO KᑎOᗯ ᗯᕼᗩT YOᑌ'ᐯE ᗷEEᑎ ᑌᑭ TO, ᗷEᗩᑌTIᖴᑌᒪ. ᗷᑌT ᒪET'ᔕ GET YOᑌ ᕼOᗰE ᖴIᖇᔕT, 'KᗩY? IT'ᔕ ᒪᗩTE ᗩᑎᗪ YOᑌ'ᖇE ᑌᑎᗷEᒪIEᐯᗩᗷᒪY OᑌT Oᖴ IT<3 ᑎOT TO ᗰEᑎTIOᑎ IT'ᔕ ᗪᗩᑎGEᖇOᑌᔕ OᑌT ᕼEᖇE ᗩᑎᗪ YOᑌ'ᖇE TᖇEᗰEᑎᗪOᑌᔕᒪY TIᖇEᗪ<3" He jotted down adoringly, handing you the notepad and finding your tipsiness to be insanely cute. [A/N: "I'D LOVE TO KNOW WHAT YOU'VE BEEN UP TO, BEAUTIFUL. BUT LET'S GET YOU HOME FIRST, 'KAY? IT'S LATE AND YOU'RE UNBELIEVABLY OUT OF IT<3 NOT TO MENTION IT'S DANGEROUS OUT HERE AND YOU'RE TREMENDOUSLY TIRED<3"]

"But...But, I haven't told you about tonight yet...!" You gleefully reminded, handing him back the notepad before shaking his shoulders eagerly. "You just said that you'd LOVE to know about tonight...! So c'mon, c'mon, c'mon, lemme tell you...!"

"ᗯᕼY ᗪOᑎ'T YOᑌ TEᒪᒪ ᗰE ᗯᕼIᒪE ᗯE ᗯᗩᒪK YOᑌ ᕼOᗰE?<3 YOᑌᖇ ᗷᖇOTᕼEᖇ Iᔕ ᑭᖇOᗷᗩᗷᒪY ᗯOᖇᖇIEᗪ ᔕIᑕK ᗩᗷOᑌT YOᑌ, ᗪOᑎ'T YOᑌ TᕼIᑎK?<3 ᙭᙭᙭" The masked slasher scribbled down and showing you next; his heart pounding heavily at your sweetness as he suggested a safer idea. [A/N: "WHY DON'T YOU TELL ME WHILE WE WALK YOU HOME?<3 YOUR BROTHER IS PROBABLY WORRIED SICK ABOUT YOU, DON'T YOU THINK?<3 xxx"]

"I suppose that makes sense..." You whined like a little kid, pouting and nuzzling into his chest drowsily. "But don't worry, I'll tell you each and every detail, m'kay~?"

"I'ᗰ ᑎOT ᗯOᖇᖇIEᗪ ᑕᑌTIE, TᖇᑌᔕT ᗰE<3" He wrote a third time, his warm response making you smile instead of pout. [A/N: "I'M NOT WORRIED CUTIE, TRUST ME<3"]

" 'Course I trust you silly, you're my boyfriend~" Stifling another giggle, you poked his chest before pulling away and holding his hand. "Now, c'mon, c'mon, let's walk home together...!"

Hiding yet another smile, Michael nodded and agreed; squeezing your hand while he decided to guide you home instead of you guiding him. It wasn't that he didn't trust you or anything, it was just that you were so...so out-of-it. However, the white-masked male found your bubbly mood to be not only entertaining, but rather endearing too. He couldn't even become jealous of your friends and the attention they'd received from you earlier this evening, because your bright and buoyant reactions tonight were just too much to bear. Seriously, he could hardly keep up with your happy-go-lucky words, and overexcited conversation. Michael almost chuckled at your drunken state, doing his best to lead you home and stop you from stumbling over on the whole. Though when he knocked on your house's front door, Miles opened it - concern clouding his face when he noticed you and your tipsy-ish condition.

"(Y/n)...? (Y/n)...! I thought you just left to hang out with Alice, Gracie and Dana...! Wh-What on Earth caused you to end up like...like this...!?" Miles asked in alarm, surprise flittering across his eyes as he stared at Michael with suspicion and scepticism. "What did you do...?"

Michael glared straight back at him, despising how your brother had accused him without any delay; seeing as how you hadn't even spent time with him. Still, as much as he'd like to slaughter your brother right off the bat, Michael had to stop clasping your hand and write his answer towards Miles; not holding back while he kept his blunt characteristics intact and cold resentment known. "ᕼOᗯ ᗪᗩᖇE YOᑌ ᗩᔕᔕᑌᗰE TᕼIᔕ ᗯᗩᔕ ᗰE. Iᖴ YOᑌ ᗰᑌᔕT KᑎOᗯ, (Y/ᑎ) GᖇOᗯIᑎG ᗩᑕᑕIᗪEᑎTᗩᒪᒪY ᗪᖇᑌᑎK ᕼᗩᗪ ᗩᗷᔕOᒪᑌTEᒪY ᑎOTᕼIᑎG TO ᗪO ᗯITᕼ ᗰE, ᔕO ᔕᕼᑌT TᕼE ᖴᑌᑕK ᑌᑭ ᗰIᒪEᔕ. ᔕᕼE ᗯEᑎT TO ᒪᑌᔕTIEᔕ ᑎIGᕼTᑕᒪᑌᗷ ᗩᑎᗪ ᗪᖇᗩᑎK ᗯITᕼ ᕼEᖇ ᔕO-ᑕᗩᒪᒪEᗪ ᖴᖇIEᑎᗪᔕ. I ᗰEᖇEᒪY ᗰᗩᗪE ᔕᑌᖇE ᔕᕼE GOT ᕼOᗰE ᔕᗩᖴEᒪY. ᔕO ᗩGᗩIᑎ, (Y/ᑎ) ᗷEᑕOᗰIᑎG TIᑭᔕY ᕼᗩᗪ ᑎOTᕼIᑎG TO ᗪO ᗯITᕼ ᗰE. ᑌᑎᗪEᖇᔕTᗩᑎᗪ?"

[A/N: "HOW DARE YOU ASSUME THIS WAS ME. IF YOU MUST KNOW, (Y/N) GROWING ACCIDENTALLY DRUNK HAD ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH ME, SO SHUT THE FUCK UP MILES. SHE WENT TO LUSTIES NIGHTCLUB AND DRANK WITH HER SO-CALLED FRIENDS. I MERELY MADE SURE SHE GOT HOME SAFELY. SO AGAIN, (Y/N) BECOMING TIPSY HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ME. UNDERSTAND?"]

"You...You didn't cause this...?" Miles curiously wondered, caution causing him to lower his suspicions and let both of you inside. "She just...drank on her own...?"

"ᗪO YOᑌ ᖇEᗩᒪᒪY TᕼIᑎK ᗩ ᒪOᑕᗩᒪ ᑎIGᕼTᑕᒪᑌᗷ ᗯOᑌᒪᗪ ᒪET ᗰE ᒍᑌᔕT ᔕᗩᑌᑎTEᖇ Iᑎ? ᔕEᖇIOᑌᔕᒪY? ᗰY OᑎᒪY ᑕᗩᖇE Iᔕ (Y/ᑎ) ᖇIGᕼT ᑎOᗯ. ᔕO ᗰOᐯE, ᗩᑎᗪ ᒪET ᗰE GET ᕼEᖇ ᑌᑭᔕTᗩIᖇᔕ." Michael scribbled in an angry manner, sounding silently snappish once he'd left the notepad in Miles's hands and curled his left arm around (Y/n)'s waist, escorting her through the hallway shortly after. [A/N: "DO YOU REALLY THINK A LOCAL NIGHTCLUB WOULD LET ME JUST SAUNTER IN? SERIOUSLY? MY ONLY CARE IS (Y/N) RIGHT NOW. SO MOVE, AND LET ME GET HER UPSTAIRS."]

"So she's just...drunk...?" Miles questioned with a confused expression, closing the front door behind you all and watching you giggle at his bewildered tone of voice.

"Oh Miles, you're so funny...!" You laughed at your older brother, turning around to face him instead of heading upstairs. "I'm not just drunk. I'm here too. Believe it or not, I just got home...! You literally watched me get here...!"

"Yep, okay, I believe you about the drunk part..." Miles murmured with embarrassment, not knowing how to respond in the slightest. "Uh, goodnight, Sis. I um...I love you."

"Love you too~!" You cooed at him cutely, giving him a wave and making him chuckle seconds later. "Night, night, don't let the bed bugs bite~!"

Before Michael could lead you upstairs though, Miles called his name, causing the stalker to stop and turn around darkly. What the Hell could your brother want now—? "Thanks mate." Miles spoke gratefully, his unexpected show of appreciation throwing Michael off totally. "Thanks for making sure that my sister made it home safely, and that no creeps approached her on the way back."

Your silent boyfriend nodded briefly; his behaviour indicating that he'd protect you no matter what happened, whether it be keeping you safe through thick and thin, or any danger in general. "And uh...Sorry..." Miles muttered apologetically, looking to the side as he attempted to sound somewhat civil. "Sorry for, y'know...Accusing you of making (Y/n) drunk...I know it's not your fault...So anyway...Here's your notepad back. And...And thanks again..." 

With another curt nod, Michael thawed towards Miles just a tiny bit more; losing his past rage and deciding to just accept your brother's apology, turning his attention back towards you and assisting you up the stairs instead. After he'd done that, he let you tipsily brush your teeth and then helped you change into your pyjamas - watching you flop onto your bed once you'd finished getting ready to pass out. Thank goodness you were quick in that regard, considering it had already grown to be 2:55AM. In fact, Michael was just glad tomorrow was Saturday. That just meant you could sleep in. Guess lunch would have to be brunch instead of breakfast. Not that he cared. As long as you could regain your energy and ignore tomorrow's hangover, your quiet partner couldn't care less.

"Hey, Michael~" You called your boyfriend's name in a fun-loving fashion, catching his attention and causing him to face you full-on this time around.

"ᔕOᗰETᕼIᑎG ᗯᖇOᑎG? ᗯᕼᗩT'ᔕ TᕼE ᗰᗩTTEᖇ?<3" He wrote speedily in return, worry washing through his gaze while he showed the notepad to you as carefully as he could. [A/N: "SOMETHING WRONG? WHAT'S THE MATTER?<3"]

"No...Well, not necessarily~" You happily hummed, holding both of his hands in yours and making him drop the notepad altogether. "I was just hoping you'd sleep with me tonight...Y'know, snuggle with me...? You wouldn't leave me all by myself, now would you~?" Amused by your request, Michael nodded yet again, hence agreeing to what you wanted and lying down abruptly by your side.

Then, once he'd tucked both of you underneath the covers, he flicked your lamp off; pulling you passionately into his chest as he wrapped his arms carefully around you at the very same time. "Love you~" You sleepily murmured, nestling against him whilst your eyes fluttered shut and you began to feel an excessive amount of exhaustion and fatigue.

Jason Voorhees:
A couple of weeks had passed since you'd eaten outside with Jason, shared the rest of the chocolate brownies with him and ended up wearing one of his shirts; the childlike killer cherishing said moment as he adored the fact that you wanted to wear something of his in the first place. He even brushed his anger about you heading outside without his knowledge completely under the rug - his heart pounding with pride while his mood remained mostly always happy for the time being. You were happy too, due to him not only losing his annoyed attitude, but also because he called you "super-cute" after you'd switched into his shirt. He even promised to spend more time with you, strong humiliation stemming across his face whilst he apologised for making you feel so previously lonely. That made you extremely cheerful, curling your arms around his neck and cuddling into his chest after he'd made said promise. After all, feeling less lonely was a wonderful feeling, especially because of how much you loved Jason in the first place.

One morning, he even - though slightly unwillingly - agreed to let you wander the lake entirely by yourself; the killer thinking outside the box and creating morning / afternoon / and even evening rounds instead, so that he could patrol the Camp while also making sure that you were safe as well. Additionally, his other idea was to make sure that there was nobody around the forest outside / or hidden within the nature surrounding Crystal Lake, just so he didn't have to check inside of it as often. That way you could have some freedom whilst he could keep an eye on you too. It was a great idea to begin with, and for another couple of weeks it worked out well, you two occasionally bumping into one another while Jason brought you into a bear-like hug from time-to-time. His plan was absolutely adorable, and as each day flew by, you grew more and more in-love with each other - you helping gather ingredients and bottles of drinks left behind by deceased trespassers. Your help was useful, considering you and Jason both needed things to survive.

"Mmm...It's too early..." You sleepily murmured, hugging Jason's arm and tugging it closer towards your chest; only now just waking up while the golden glow of the sun shone through the cabin's curtains. "I don't want you to go...Not yet..."

"C-uh...ome...on-uh...sle...ep-uh...ing-uh...b-b-uh...eat-uh...y-uh~" He chuckled with amusement, using his other hand to playfully pet your hair. [A/N: "Come on...sleeping beauty~"]

"But I'm so comfy~" You complained in content, still snuggling and leaning against him as your eyes fluttered shut again. "Do you really have to leave...? I mean, what if there's no trespassers today, and you're just wasting time...?"

Jason hesitated for a brief moment, thinking over your words and taking them all into account. Then he shook his head, ruffling the top of your head a second time. "Th...Ther-uh...e's-uh...n-uh...oh...wa...y-uh...of-uh...kno...w-uh...ing-uh...that-uh...I...I...c-uh...an't-uh...t-uh...ake...th...at-uh...ch...cha...nce..." He responded responsibly, a sigh slipping through his lips shortly afterwards. [A/N: "There's no way...of knowing...that. I...I can't take...that chance..."]

"You're no fun anymore..." You childishly huffed, stifling a yawn before sitting up and stretching. "I mean, sure we bump into each other during daytime sometimes, but still, I wish we'd get to take another walk around the lake soon, or have another picnic together. Those are really enjoyable, y'know...?"

"I...I kn...ow-uh...th-uh...ey-uh...are..." Jason agreed with you lovingly, bringing you into a heartwarming hug and trying his best to comfort you. "I w-uh...ish-uh...we...c-uh...ould-uh...too...Bu...But-uh...I...I'm...s-uh...ure...we'll...b-uh...e...ab-uh...le...t-uh...o...s-uh...oon-uh..." [A/N: "I...I know they are...I wish we could...too...B...But I'm sure...we'll be able...to soon..."]

"I...I know..." You sighed yourself, suddenly feeling awful for acting so selfish and attempting to pull Jason away from his daily duties. After all, it would be terrible if a trespasser ruined Crystal Lake's beautiful greenery and wrecked its elegant nature, all because of your random loneliness. The horrifying amount of guilt would be far too much for you to handle. "I-I'm sorry...I shouldn't be acting so...so inconsiderate and thoughtless. It's...It's not fair. And...And it's definitely not right."

The masked male stroked your hair a third time; his fingers running adoringly through your (h/c)-coloured strands while he shook his head a second time too. "Y...Y-uh...ou...d-uh...on't-uh...n-uh...eed-uh...to...s-uh...ay-uh...s-uh...or...ry-uh..." Jason commented affectionately, wanting to comfort you and calm you down as much as he possibly could. "Y-uh...our-uh...be...havi...our-uh...j-uh...st-uh...sh-uh...ow-uh...ed-uh...how-uh...mu...ch-uh...y-uh...ou...care...Th-uh...at's-uh...all..." [A/N: "You don't need...to say...sorry..." "Your behaviour...just showed...how much...you care...That's all..."]

"Thank you...Jason..." You thanked him in an appreciative tone of voice, gratitude glistening from your gaze whilst a soft smile spread across your face. "That's...That's really nice of you to say..."

"I...c-uh...ould-uh...n-uh...eve...r-uh...b-uh...e...m-uh...ean-uh...to...y-uh...ou..." He tenderly told you; resting his head on top of yours before telling you the honest truth. [A/N: "I could never...be mean...to you..."]

"Same here." You promised sweetly, placing the side of your head against his neck and silently enjoying the endearing embrace that your partner had generously just given to you. "I-I just...couldn't. I...I wouldn't have it in me to. I...I'd feel horrible. Even lying would be difficult for me to do."

"I...I kn-uh...ow-uh...y-uh...ou...w-uh...ou...ld-uh...n't-uh...Y-uh...ou...'re...f-uh...ar-uh...t-uh...oo...k-uh...ind-uh...an...d-uh...sw-uh...eet-uh...to...do...s-uh...ome...th-uh...ing-uh...li...ke...s-uh...ome...th-uh...ing-uh...li...ke...th-uh...at-uh..." Jason loyally sided with you without a second thought, trusting you completely while he carried on cuddling your body. [A/N: "I...I know you wouldn't...You're far...too kind...and sweet...to do...something like...something like that..."]

"I don't know if I'm all that great..." You lightly laughed, cheering up even further and feeling loved all at the very same time. "But just so you know, I think that you're very kind and very sweet too."

"Th...Th-uh...an...k-uh...y-uh...ou...(Y-Y...n)..." Stuttering the first part of your name, tears of joy pricked against the sides of his eyes; the slasher not only thrilled by your compliments, but delighted by them too. [A/N: "Th...Thank you...(Y-Y/n)..."]

"Just being honest~" You hummed happily, nuzzling into him again and holding his shirt with both of your hands. But then...then you realised that he had to go. It...It wouldn't be fair of you to force him to stay...Even if...Even if him spending the entire day with you did strike you as entertaining. So...So once a minute or two had passed, you flashed Jason a very loving smile and said "Goodbye" to him gently after - knowing he had his usual task to complete.

Cradling the right side of your face with his left hand, Jason's blue eyes now blossomed with warmth; the killer absolutely cherishing how compassionate you were being during this morning whilst his thumb carefully brushed against your delicate cheek, his "Goodbye" sounding tremendously wholesome and cute. Happiness literally washed over your face as you watched him leave through the cabin's front door; warmly waving towards him before enjoying his beloved waves in return. Yeah, you felt a little bit of despair and disappointment, but this was for the best, wasn't it...? You couldn't just rip him away from what he needed to do, could you...? No...No you couldn't. So pushing your small sparkle of sorrow to the side, you decided to get dressed; shutting the front door and spinning around to head back into the cabin's - aka your - bedroom. You didn't really mind what you were generally wearing, Hell, even wearing Jason's clothes from time-to-time was relatively relaxing as well. Though with that said, you opened your wardrobe and peeked inside, rifling through your clothes before deciding to just pick a few random ones out. They were pleasant-looking enough, but then again, weren't clothes just clothes...?

You always believed that true beauty came from within. That true beauty came from a person's openhearted personality and their genuine character traits. Besides, it was just an outfit, wasn't it...? So choosing random clothes wasn't too big of a deal. Yeah...Yeah. In the end, you dressed up in a pair of denim shorts, a short-sleeved, white-coloured shirt and slipped on a pair of matching white trainers; brushing your hair once you'd finished with everything else. There, that should do it. After all, if you put on jeans, or a long-sleeved shirt during the heat of summer, you'd probably sweat to death. Faintly laughing to yourself, you tucked a strand of stray hair behind your ear and placed your hairbrush back down on your dresser, your stomach yearning for some food as it grumpily grumbled. Heading into the cabin's only kitchen, you made yourself some breakfast; not having many options while you ended up creating milk and cereal, pouring yourself some juice in a glass moments later.

"Hmm...Perhaps I should check the cabins today..." You mused to yourself, taking a sip of juice from your glass and then placing it down so you could start tucking into your breakfast. "Maybe they have some more ingredients to cook with...? Or perhaps just some more fresh food to eat in general. We are running pretty low, to be honest..."

Mulling over your thoughts, you continued thinking, murmuring, and even occasionally nodding to yourself as time ticked on by; realising that your former idea was a pretty good plan. Besides, what could go wrong...? All you were going to do was peek inside each and every cabin that was built within Camp Crystal Lake. And anyway, it's not like it would take all day - you'd most likely be able to take a walk around the lake like usual, and in the end, hopefully bump into Jason. Feeling unusually excited, you snatched up an empty duffle bag - left behind by one of the prior trespassers - and slung it over your shoulder, heading outside a few seconds later. Not only was this a good way to stock up on food for you both, but you could also see if there were any new books. Most of the times the trespassers that arrived here were stereotypical teens; ones who merely liked to get high, get drunk, or loudly party as loud as they could. It was incredibly irritating sometimes; what with their blasting-loud music waking you up in the middle of the night...or unexpected fireworks causing you to drop your book when you were really into it...You could see why Jason and his deceased-mother were so...so enraged by the obnoxious teenagers now.

Well, with all that said, at least things managed to work out in the end - what with your partner working insanely hard to prevent them from entering such an endearing land, and doing his best to stop them from vandalising such a lovely location. You constantly think that you should give Jason more and more credit, but whenever you start, he just grows overjoyed by the very first one - the softhearted male wiping his eyes and becoming unbelievably sentimental. He was absolutely adorable from time-to-time. You couldn't help but feel love towards him. After all, weren't you and him a couple now...? Another smile crossed your mouth, your grasp on the bag tightening slightly while you hurried through the first cabin's front door. Yeah...That was right. You two were. So after placing down your bag, you started searching the cabin for helpful-like items; shoving several books, cooking ingredients, and bottles of both juice and water into your bag instead of simply leaving them there.

Because let's face it, wouldn't said objects be more useful if you used them...? There would be no point in leaving them behind after looking through the cabins, especially since said people weren't exactly here anymore. If anything, you were recycling on everybody's behalf. Mmhm...! Using that logic, you shrugged off anymore remaining, hesitatingly uneasy thoughts; carrying on pushing things into your bag whilst also dipping in-and-out of the Camp's last few cabins. There...That should be more than enough to keep you and Jason from running out of thinks to eat and drink. You could cook tons of things for Jason and yourself, stemming from pancakes, waffles, toast, bacon-filled things, etcetera etcetera. And the fresh water, different types of juice you'd found as well, that was brilliant...! Jason would surely be pleased by your work this afternoon-slash-early evening. But hold on a minute...Wait a second...What was this...? Glancing over at the last cabin's kitchen cupboards, you noticed that you'd missed a few plastic juice bottles; ones that looked similar to the other ones that you'd taken.

Curiously, you twisted the plastic cap off and inhaled the tangy, fruity scent; finding the smell to be not just pleasant, but strangely satisfying too. Was it a drink you'd never tried before...? Was it safe...? Should you...Should you test it out...? Just to make sure it wasn't dangerous or anything...? Interested - though a tiny bit timid - you swallowed your nervousness and bravely took a sip of the drink, relieved when you realised it didn't taste disgusting. Actually, the drink was quite refreshing, making you want to swig down some more of the charming, alluring beverage. So, unable to control yourself, you completed the entire plastic bottle, giggling to yourself once you'd realised that you'd finished it. Who knew that juice could be so...so delicious...!? Then again, you probably shouldn't have done that - considering you weren't thirsty to begin with, and at the end of the day, you needed these things to stay alive. Although...There were a ton of those bottles. So just one more...Just one...or a couple more wouldn't be a problem.

Would it?

Moments passed after you sweetly sipped multiple plastic bottles of those different juices; with you zipping up your bag and slinging it back over your shoulder before leaving the final cabin; not feeling anything wrong until you stumbled once or twice on your way back home. Not only that, but you also became aware that you were randomly giggling for no particular reason - your mood swirling into a slightly tipsy one and feeling happy-go-lucky altogether. Hmm...What a weird attitude to be in right now. Returning home, you decided to happily hum to yourself...No specific reason...it just felt...it just felt...right. Or perhaps it didn't...? Were you supposed to know...? Who cared...? Or maybe nobody cared...? Becoming a tad bit more woozy, you found your playful thoughts amusing, putting your bag filled with stuff on the sofa before sitting down besides right after. Filled with stuff...Filled with stuff...It was filled with stuff, wasn't it...? Hmm...You should probably check it later...

All of a sudden the cabin's front door opened; your thoughts growing anxious just in case it was a trespasser or somebody suspicious. Luckily it was just Jason, your heart melting when he called your voice and stepped into the living room. "Jason! Jason! Welcome home...! I-I've missed you so, SO much...!" You bursted out dramatically, flinging your arms around his body as soon as he'd placed his machete down on the living room table.

"I...I've...m-uh...iss...ed-uh...y-uh...ou...t-uh...oo...(Y...Y/n)..." The childminded killer happily replied, relieved that nothing bad had occurred during his time apart from you. "H-uh...ow-uh...are...y-uh...ou...f-uh...eel-uh...ing-uh...t-uh...od-uh...ay-uh...? Eve...ry-uh...th-uh...ing-uh...ok-uh...ay-uh...?" [A/N: "I...I've missed you too, (Y...Y/n)..." "How are you...feeling today...? Everything okay...?"]

"Uh-huh...! Uh-huh...! I'm feeling great...!" You exclaimed with more excitement than before, hopping up and down whilst you kept hugging your lover. "How about you, Jason...!? Did youuuu have a great day too...? Did you kill a lot of people~? Did you~? Did you~? Did you~?"

"Y-uh...eah...Yeah...I...d-uh...id-uh..." Taken aback by how excited you were to learn about his recent killing spree, Jason answered in an astonished and stunned tone of voice, his eyes widening with surprise before he suspiciously frowned and spoke slowly. "W-uh...Why-uh...do...y-uh...ou...ask-uh...? Y-uh...ou've...n-uh...eve...r-uh...s-uh...see...med-uh...th-uh...is-uh...int-uh...eres...t-uh...ed-uh...in...it-uh...b-uh...ef-uh...ore..." [A/N: "Yeah...Yeah, I did..." "Why do you ask...? You've never seemed this interested in it before..."]

"Oh, no reason...! I was just curious, y'know...?" You brightly mentioned, now feeling tremendously exhilarated and energetic. "I'd be really, really, really sad if your day went really, really, really bad...y'know what I mean....?"

"Y-uh...eah...I...I do..." Dipping his head as a nod, Jason cautiously agreed, clearly confused and bewildered by your unexpected change of personality. "I'd-uh...hu...ate...to...hea...r-uh...th-uh...at-uh...y-uh...our-uh...d-uh...ay-uh...w-uh...ent-uh...b-uh...ad-uh...ly-uh..." [A/N: "Yeah...I...I do..." "I'd hate...to hear...that your day...went badly..."]

"Aww, really...? That's so sweet of you...!" You praised him cheerfully, flashing your partner another merry smile and still cuddling him.

Now highly suspicious, Jason narrowed his eyes and held you by your wrist; gently moving you back over to the living room sofa and sitting you down. "Is-uh...eve...ry-uh...th-uh...ing-uh...alr-uh...igh...t-uh...(Y...Y/n)...? Y...Y-uh...ou...d-uh...on't-uh...s-uh...eem-uh...l-uh...ike...l-uh...ike...y-uh...your-uh...s-uh...elf-uh...t-uh...ton-uh...ight-uh..." He sternly questioned, concern and worry washing across his eyes while he clenched his fists. [A/N: "Is everything alright, (Y...Y/n)...? Y...You don't seem like...like y-yourself tonight..."]

"I don't seem like...myself...?" You blankly repeated, a childish laugh slipping through your lips as you double-checked your body and made sure that you weren't dying or anything. "I'm still alive...I mean...I think I'm still alive..."

"TH-UH...THA...T'S-UH...N-UH...OT-UH...WH-UH...AT-UH...I...M-UH...EANT-UH...!" Jason shouted in frustration, stamping his foot and losing his temper all at the same time. "Th...Th-uh...at's-uh...n-uh...ot-uh...wh...at-uh...I...m-uh...eant-uh...And-uh...y-uh...ou...KN-UH...OW-UH...it-uh...!" [A/N: "TH...THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT...!" "Th...That's not what I meant...And you KNOW it...!"

"Oh, I know..." You giggled devilishly, sticking your tongue out as you became almost 100% oblivious to how aggravated and agitated he was. "But your reaction was just far too funny~"

"D-UH...DON...'T-UH...m-uh...ess-uh...w-uh...ith...m-uh...e...(Y...Y/n)..." Jason angrily growled; his gaze twisting into a glare as he gripped your shoulders and shook you. "I...I'm-uh...N-UH...OT-UH...in...the...m-uh...ood-uh..." [A/N: "D...DON'T mess with me, (Y...Y/n)..." "I...I'm NOT...in the...mood..."]

"D'aww, c'mon~" You cooed angelically, trying to win him over whilst you curled your arms around his neck like earlier today. "I bet if you tried said juice it would relax you a little bit~"

"W-uh...Wha...t-uh...j-uh...uice...?" He sharply repeated, his glare increasing once he'd heard you say that. "W-uh...Wha...t-uh...di...d-uh...y-uh...ou...dri...nk-uh...?" [A/N: "W...What juice...?" "W...What did you drink...?"]

"I found a new type of juice that we haven't tried before in a labelled, plastic juice bottle - so I tested it out. It tasted really, really, really good, so I tried a couple of them and I might have gone a little...overboard with them." You informed him in a bubbly tone, stifling another laugh with one hand while also continuing to hug his neck with your right arm. "But don't worry...! Don't worry...! I may've had a little more than I should, but there's plenty in the duffle bag I used to collect things with."

"N-uh...ew-uh...ty-uh...pe...of...j-uh...uice...? In...a...lab-uh...ell-uh...ed-uh...pl...as...tic-uh...j-uh...uice...bot-uh...tle...?" Feeling even more on-edge, Jason forced you to sit back on the sofa; his eyes flashing over to look at what you'd gotten and unzipping it. [A/N: "New...type of...juice...?" "In a...labelled...plastic...juice bottle...?"]

"Yep...! You should try it...! It tasted amazing...!" You mentioned with an ecstatic expression, clapping your hands together and making the Crystal Lake Killer shake his head automatically. No...No. Whatever had happened to you wasn't right. This didn't feel right. Something was wrong.

So - even though he didn't really want to stop engaging with you - Jason shifted his gaze to the side and continued searching through what you'd retrieved from the cabins; fiercely ignoring you while he hoped to find an answer soon. Hmm...Hmm...Let's see...At the moment, it seemed as though you'd just picked-up the usual stuff that you both looted from places around the lake, recycling things and therefore tidying it up a little bit from time-to-time. Today you'd found new ingredients to cook with; like cookie mix, things to create new meals of the day with, marshmallows to roast above the fireplace together, fresh blankets, cartons of juice, bottles of water and— Wait...the plastic bottles of juice that you'd been talking about. Sceptical of how safe they were, he pulled one of them out; checking the label and growing even more worried. Sure, the label said a juice-like title, but juice itself wouldn't cause you to act so...so tipsy. Whatever this was, it wasn't juice.

Unscrewing one of the caps, Jason immediately inhaled the drink's scent and recognised-slash-realised what it was straight off the bat. That wasn't juice. That wasn't juice at ALL. You'd LIED to him. Still gripping the plastic juice bottle, he turned back to face you and became unexpectedly enraged; his eyes now glowing with furious hurt and betrayal. "W-uh...Why-uh...?" Jason whispered heartbrokenly, quivering and behaving as though you'd just stabbed him through the chest. [A/N: "W...Why...?"]

"Wha-huh...? Why what...? What's wrong...? Jason...?" His hurt tone and tear-filled eyes made you snap out of your tipsy thoughts for a brief few moments; his misery making you feel guilty and unhappy yourself.

"Y...Y-uh...ou...s-uh...sai...d-uh...Th...at-uh...eve...n-uh...ly-uh...ing-uh...w-uh...ould-uh...be...d-uh...if...fi...cu-uh...lt-uh...f-uh...or-uh...y-uh...ou...to...do...!" He roughly roared, losing control and stamping his foot like earlier. [A/N: "Y...You said...That...even lying...would be difficult...for you...to do...!"]

"And what I was saying was the honest truth...!" You flared up at him defensively, climbing to your feet and feeling upset yourself. "I could NEVER lie to you...! I LOVE you...!"

"Th-uh...The...n-uh...H...HOW-UH...do y...y-uh...ou...exp-uh...lain-uh...TH-UH...THI...S-UH...!?" Holding up the plastic, juice bottle, Jason hotly retaliated; surprise fluttering across your face when you noticed said drink. [A/N: "Th...Then HOW...do y...you explain THIS...!?"]

"That's the new type of juice I found. It's even in a plastic bottle, see...?" You remarked with a breezy smile, pointing at it and trying to stop him from being so angry.

"Th-uh...Th...is-uh...IS...N'T-UH...j-uh...ice...(Y...Y/n)...!" Jason scolded you coldly, calming down a bit once he realised that you didn't lie intentionally. [A/N: "Th...This ISN'T...juice (Y...Y/n)...!"]

"But if it's not juice, then what is it...? I mean, it doesn't look like water, or milk, or wine..." You quizzically wondered; placing your thumb and forefinger underneath your chin while you thought about it.

Sighing, he shook his head and sat down next to you, wrapping his right arm around your waist so he could pull you closer to him. Then, ignoring the label, he showed you the bottle altogether; the colour of the "juice" alongside the "fragrance" of said beverage too. "Th-uh...Th...is-uh...is...a ty...pe...of...al...co...hol-uh..." Jason taught you seriously; his knowledge on said liquor causing you to come to the conclusion that he'd seen tons of different types of drinks before. "I...It's-uh...extre...m-uh...ely-uh...da...nger-uh...ous-uh...! It...c-uh...an...int-uh...oxic-uh...ate...p...p-uh...eople...! M-uh...Make...p-uh...eople...s-uh...sick-uh...! G-uh...Give...p-uh...eople...m-uh...igr-uh...aines-uh—!" [A/N: "Th...This is...a type of...alcohol..." "I...It's...extremely dangerous...! It...can intoxicate...people...! M...Make...people sick...! G...Give people...migraines—!"]

"I...I'm sorry..." You dejectedly apologised, tears now dripping from your eyes while you stared down towards the bottle and felt awful - now realising that of course he'd would think that you'd lied to him "I...I had no idea...Of course you'd think that I'd lied to you...I'm so, so sorry...I look like such a terrible person...I'm the complete-and-utter worst...And I made the person I love the most hurt too..."

"N-uh...Not-uh...y-uh...our-uh...faul...t-uh...!" Jason quickly interjected, speedily tossing the alcohol out the cabin window before sitting down next to you on the sofa again and bringing you into another one of his loving bear-hugs. "Y...Y-uh...ou...can...'t-uh...be...b-uh...lame...d-uh...f-uh...or-uh...no...t-uh...kno...w-uh...ing-uh...wh...at-uh...y...y-uh...ou...were...d-uh...oin...g-uh..." [A/N: "N...Not your fault...!" "Y...You can't be blamed...for not knowing...what you...were doing..."]

"B-But I—"

"I...If-uh...any...th-uh...ing-uh...I sh-uh...oul...d-uh...be...the...one...s-uh...say...ing-uh...so...rry-uh..." Jason cut across you with a warm voice, his gentle cuddle and soothing attitude making you feel hundreds of times better. "I...I sh-uh...oul...d-uh...'ve...rea...l-uh...ise...d-uh...fro...m-uh...the...st-uh...art-uh...th...tha...t-uh...y-uh...ou...w-uh...oul...d-uh...n-uh...eve...r-uh...lie...to...me..." [A/N: "I...If anything...I should be the one...saying sorry..." "I...I should've realised...from the start...that you would...never lie to me..."]

"S-So you're not...you're not mad at me anymore...?" You questioned in a tiny and tearful tone, wiping your eyes after you'd been brought into the cute embrace and been apologised to by your loving partner.

"N...N-uh...uh..." Jason vowed dearly, "I...c-uh...oul...d-uh...n-uh...eve...r-uh...st-uh...ay-uh...m-uh...ad-uh...at...y-uh...ou..." [A/N: "N...Nuh-uh..." "I could never...stay mad...at you..."]

"I...I love you, Jason~" You sighed out in relief, hugging into him and huddling into his chest with an exceedingly high amount of attachment. "And I love everything we do together. Even if...Even if I rarely get to see you sometimes. I...I really do appreciate you. And that's not just the tipsiness of the drink talking, I honestly do adore you~"

"I kn-uh...ow-uh...it's-uh...n-uh...ot-uh..." The loving slasher reassured you in a caring fashion; his arms cradled around you as he treasured everything about you. "A...And-uh...I l-uh...ove...y-uh...you...mo...re...th-uh...than-uh...any-uh...thin...g-uh...else...in...the...w-uh...orl...d-uh~" [A/N: "I know it's not." "A...And I...love you...more than...anything else...in...the world~"]

Freddy Krueger:
"I...I'm fine...! Really...!" You protested feebly, waving your hands and trying to prove Brittany wrong. "It's only been a week...! Besides, the only one who can manage Krueger at the moment is me...relatively speaking at least..."

"(Y/n), darling, I'm saying this with love, but...have you looked in the mirror lately...?" Brittany wondered anxiously, holding your hand before leading you into the bathroom. "I've never seen you look this...Mmmm..."

"Look so, what...?" You asked with confusion, not understanding where your older sister was coming from. "Is there something wrong...? Is there something you needed to discuss with me...?"

"No, no...! I've just never seen you look this...Um...?" She brought up nervously, clearly not wanting to hurt your feelings as she pointed at your reflection in the bathroom mirror.

"Oh...Frazzled...? Ah, I guess I do look a little under the weather..." You shyly admitted, releasing a weak laugh and noticing the deep luggage you carried under your eyes. "Those are some rather heavy bags I have...and I suppose my skin is paler than usual. I'm actually surprised you noticed, considering—"

"Yes! Frazzled! That is absolutely the word I was going to use...!" Brittany exclaimed wildly, laughing to herself before curling her arm around your waist and giving it a gentle squeeze from the side. "Ahaha...hahaha..."

"Yeah...Something tells me that you were going to use something else..." You dryly spoke, rolling your eyes while also throwing her a sarcastic smile.

"Th-That's beside the point...!" She defended herself swiftly, her sudden stubbornness making you grow somewhat surprised. "This isn't JUST about me anymore, (Y/n)...! LOOK at yourself...!"

"I AM looking at myself...!" You responded sternly, replying to Brittany and deciding to be as diligent as you possibly could. "I don't get the problem, Brit...! Sure I look a little tired, but what else can I do...? Freddy's not the most caring of boyfriends, and schoolwork doesn't just die out either. Besides, I've still got Ra~Ra to care for and help from time to time too—"

"(Y/N)! I'm sorry, but this HAS to stop. NOW." Brit snapped in frustration, bringing you into a tight hug before resting her head on top of yours fiercely. "You know I appreciate all that you do, and I'm ever-so-grateful for you saving me and Sara from Krueger, but still..."

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry..." You sighed with an apologetic tone of voice, seeing her point and sensing how uncomfortable-slash-concerned she'd become. "I guess I have become a tad bit—"

"Out-of-it...? Drained...? Deadbeat...?" Brittany pointed out with unhappiness, rubbing your back while also trying to think up a solution. "Even Sara's noticed how...not-yourself you've become...At this rate, Krueger's probably going to notice soon as well. And I'm not sure how that'll go..."

"I guess it's just...what with keeping up with schoolwork and all, replying to my friends's messages from time-to-time, doing the cleaning and cooking for when you're not around, picking up Ra~Ra, and also keeping Freddy in check, I have become a little exhausted..." You sheepishly vented, accepting her cuddle and curling your arms around her body in return. "It just seems that lately - all I do is cook, clean, spend every day at school, pick Sara up, help her with her homework after mine, make sure everything at home is alright and then literally FACE my fears, night after night."

"Oh, (Y/n)..." Your older sister echoed with a shocked tone of her own, her eyes widening in surprise whilst she took in everything you'd said. "I...I had no idea...that things were so...so bad..."

"They're not that bad...!" You hurriedly disagreed, flashing her a worried look of your own and knowing exactly how the dream demon would react to your sister's comment. "Like I said, only 7 days. Freddy's just a tiny bit...reckless when it comes to reigning in my fears..."

"Enough...!" Brit declared finally, her firm gaze and loving reaction growing stronger once she'd cleared her throat. "(Y/n), I've...I've had enough. You're going to take a relaxing bath. Right now. Then, I'm going to blow-dry your hair and brush it for you. After that, you're going to plan this evening out with your friends - the new ones or old ones, doesn't matter to me. You deserve more time to yourself, whether you think so or not. I'll handle our little sister, and so be it - I'll handle Krueger myself if needs be. You will always have obligations as a family member - whether it's doing chores, taking care of Sara, or keeping up with schoolwork - but you also have to realise that you also have an obligation to yourself. Never forget that."

"I...I suppose you have a point..." You gave in wearily, remembering that this past week you'd done way more than usual. "But your job—"

"I'm sure my Manager will understand and give me something else to do. She's pretty chill." Brittany shook her head with a sympathetic smile, calming your concern over Ra~Ra and causing you to grow surprisingly thrilled. "Now go enjoy your bath."

"Thanks, Brit...!" Gratitude dripped from your voice as her gave her another tight hug; love glistening from your gaze while you watched Brittany leave the bathroom and give you your personal space.

But before you ran said bath, you pulled your phone out of your pocket and dialled your friends - creating a group call via your Skype App so you could see who could come and who couldn't. Ruby could come, Julie and Nicole couldn't, but Tiffany and Zoey could. You all decided to meet up at the local bar, its music, dancing and drinks having incredibly high ratings and excellent reviews online. Not to mention its name altogether. The Cosmic Crystal. It sounded awesome...! Sure, you'd heard of the town's local bar, but you'd never actually been to said place - mostly due to caring for Sara, the lack of time, and...Well, not having many friends in general. Though thanks to Brittany, now you could...! And you didn't even have to wait that long either - because your friends had suggested 7:30PM. It had only just turned 4:25PM...! Hah...! Between having a warm bath, Brittany blow-drying and brushing your hair for you, her taking on the task of cooking, and you getting to hang out with your new friends, tonight was going to be an absolute blast...!

Well...at least, that's what you thought— "You've got to be kidding me." You glared coldly, pushing past the possessive slasher and running the bath regardless of his jealous rage. "What's your problem...? You let me go last time...! And I came back before 10, didn't I...?"

"I. Don't. CARE." Freddy selfishly flared up, not caring about what you wanted in the slightest whilst he gripped your right wrist with his left from behind. "You PROMISED, remember? MORE time with ME. You're MINE. Not THEIRS."

"Don't you think I know that?" You talked uncaringly, sarcasm flowing from your irritated state as you raised your eyes at him this time around. "You've reminded me of that several times! Besides, I've spent tons of time with you! Jeez, I'm allowed some time to myself too, y'know?"

"There's a difference between time to yourself and time with others." He spitefully sneered, attempting to nitpick and prove you wrong. "Let me guess, this is because of Brittany's STUPID little "obligations" speech, isn't it?"

"What? No...! This is because I want to hang out with my friends and have a girl's night out—"
"This is because of that bitch's SILLY little scheme to separate us again—"
"Brit would NEVER go back on her word...!"

"That's IT. I'm DONE with this shit." The demonic male furiously growled, his grip on you tightening while he glared back. "Fine. Have your silly little bath. Have your silly little evening. But if YOU think I'M letting you go to that STUPID little "girl's night out"—"

"—I'm going whether you like it or not...!" You shouted at him angrily, losing your temper and yanking your wrist out of his grasp. "So don't you DARE try to STOP me like LAST time...! I deserve time to myself, and if THIS is how I choose to spend my evening, then THIS is how I'm going to spend it...! So get the FUCK out of the bathroom and leave me the HELL alone...! Understand...?"

"Oh...? You ARE, ARE you...?" Freddy chuckled darkly, scraping his sharp finger-knives directly down the wall as his emerald-green eyes glinted dangerously. "How...cute. You think you actually HAVE a choice~"

"I DO think that ACTUALLY, because I DO have a choice." You bluntly shot back, shoving him backwards and away from you. "So can you PLEASE just wait for me in the dream world tonight...?"

"No. Because you're NOT going, bitch." He hissed hatefully, grabbing your wrist once again before tugging you closer. "I thought we'd discussed this. So End. Of. Story."

"You're NOT my father, Freddy." You pointed out sharply, feeling unbelievably pissed-off and riled-up by your demonic partner. "Believe me, that would be even MORE horrifying...! So let GO of me...!"

"No means NO. How hard is that to understand...!?" The dream demon viciously snarled, caressing the side of your face with his gloved hand before cradling it possessively. "I don't give a single FUCK about those pathetic new friends of yours. You're MINE, and MINE alone. Don't forget that, sweetheart. So don't even THINK about going out tonight."

"Get out." You quietly responded, your anger reaching its limit as you spun back around and pulled your wrist out of his a second time.

"Why should I~? You know you want to spend more time with me, and not those whores~" He cooed sweetly, trying a different approach and convince you that way. "So c'mon (Y/n), it's not that hard~"

"Freddy, I said "Get out"." You repeated in a serious fashion, stopping the bath from overflowing and trying to stand up to your sadistic boyfriend. "I've got plans tonight and I'm not just going to "cancel" them. I'm sorry."

"You're KIDDING me." The self-centred slasher snapped again, losing his temper and behaving selfish once more. "This ISN'T over."

"Believe me, every time I make a decision you disagree with, you make it quite clear." You mocked fearlessly, giving a casual shrug while you added some of your favourite bubble bath and lost interest in his possessive personality completely.

"If YOU'RE not back by—"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah, if I'm not back by ten, you'll never ever let me leave. Gotcha." You finished for him, remembering last week.

—

"If you're not back by ten, I will never EVER let you leave—"
"Okay, okay!!" "Jeez...Can you at least try not to freak me out every time I want to do something new?"
"...No."

—

"Fucking Hell. You seriously push me." Freddy unstably spoke, clenching his fist with his left hand and gritting his teeth yet again.

"I know I do." Flashing him a smug smile, you held his shoulders with the palm of your hands and gave him a very seductive kiss on the side of the cheek; fully intent on defusing his psychopathic rage. "And I enjoy every single minute of it~"

Your kiss combined with the cheeky flirting caused him chill out to some degree, a bad-boyish grin spreading across his face whilst he curled his arm around your waist and hugged you that way instead. "Sure you don't want me to...Oh, I don't know...help you get undressed~?" The provocative killer slyly wondered, his suggestive offer forcing you to roll your eyes.

"I think I've got it. But thanks for the offer." You wryly thanked, letting him press his lips against yours a second afterwards, and run his finger-knives lovingly through your hair. "See you tonight."

"Well I AM the man of your dreams after all~" Freddy scoffed arrogantly, throwing you another smirk before disappearing into thin air.

"(Y/n)...? Is everything alright in there...?" Brittany called in concern, knocking on the door and sounding a little worried. "You're not having any problems or anything, are you...?"

"No, no, no...! Everything's fine...!" You reassured her as fast as possible, getting undressed and climbing into the bath. "I've just gotten into the bath, that's all...!"

"Oh...Okay..." Brit breathed out in relief, standing outside the bathroom and not entering. "I'll leave you be then. Just let me know when you'd like me to blow-dry your hair upstairs...!"

"Will do...! Thanks again...!" You warmly answered, appreciating not only her generosity but the bath's relaxation too. It really did help you unwind. Especially the scented bubble bath.

Then again, you couldn't stay in the bathtub forever, so you after you'd washed your hair and spent another five-ish minutes in the water, you dried yourself off with a towel and headed upstairs; intent on choosing an outfit for this girl's night out. Deciding to go with the clothes you wanted, you switched out of said towel and slipped into your outfit of choice, calling Brittany's name a couple of seconds later and heading into her bedroom so she could do your hair. She immediately entered the room and started drying your hair, causing it to become silky and soft once she'd brushed it delicately as well. Glancing at the time however, you grew slightly alarmed and told your older sister what time you needed to leave, that being just under half an hour due to it already being 7:00PM. You knew it wouldn't take a full 30 minutes to walk over to the local bar, but you still had to grab your bag, along with your purse, your phone, and anything else.

"Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! Can I come too...?" Sara happily pleaded, clapping her hands and calling over to you before you opened the front door. "I know I couldn't come last time, but this time it's not all of your classmates - and again, I'm a girl, it's night, and Brit here said you'd planned another "Girl's Night Out"...!"

"Hnnngggg...Uh...Well...See, Sara...The thing is...Um..." You awkwardly mumbled, biting your lip and looking towards Brittany for some help.

"You'll understand when you're older, Ra~Ra." Brittany remarked sympathetically, stifling a playful laugh with one hand and placing her other hand on Sara's shoulder. "(Y/n) can't really tell you right now, but why don't we just let her hang out with her friends...? You and I can, uh...Watch more of that anime you first showed me...?"

"Thanks, Brittany...!" You whispered, blowing them both a kiss and saying a loving goodbye before leaving the house altogether. "Text you when I'm on my way home from the bar...!"

"Alrighty...!" Your sister lightly waved, her soft smile and the relieved look glistening in her eyes causing you to feel cared about and happy. But now, time to have even more fun...! So~

"Sorry...! Sorry...! So sorry I'm late...!" You apologised right off the bat, rushing through the bar's front doors and finding your recently-made friends already at a table. "I hope you guys weren't waiting too long or anything...!"

"Oh, (Y/n), it's SO good to see you again...!" Ruby greeted with unusual excitement, wrapping her arms around you before pulling you into a hugely happy hug. "We have SO much catching up to do...!"

"(Y/n)...! Oh my GOSH...! Where you BEEN, girl...!?" Tiff joyously exclaimed, flinging her arms around you from the side and joining the cheerful cuddle. "Don't worry though, you were only late by like, one minute...!"

"One minute, thirty-two seconds according to my phone's stopwatch." Zoey interjected playfully, holding her cellphone up while smirking ever-so-slightly. "But like Tiff said, I wouldn't worry about it. Let's just enjoy this Friday night out...!"

"Aww, YEAH...! First drinks are on ME...!" Tiffany bursted out in her usual, bubbly voice; asking what the three of you wanted before she ordered. Ruby went for a Champagne cocktail, Zoey went for a Vodka & Coke, You went for a Prosecco, and the blonde herself chose a full-on Vodka.

"So you're saying that you've never hung out at a bar, or ever joined any type of girl's night out before...!?" Tiff shrieked with surprise, chugging down her drink as the four of you sat at your designated table.

"Well, I um...Never really had that many friends to hang out until now, so unfortunately...No." You shyly admitted, releasing a faint laugh after you'd swallowed down - not all of your glass - but around at least over half. "I guess that's why I was so surprised...Y'know, that you guys - and the others - actually wanted to be friends with me..."

"Mmm...Well, I for one think that you're definitely worth being friends with." Zoey loyally vowed, her declaration and kindness making your heart melt and your eyes prick at the edges.

"Uh-huh...!" Tiff chipped in cheerfully, holding your hand from across the table so she could give it a cute squeeze. "I knew as SOON as we got introduced and we picked the seats RIGHT next to you that YOU were worth being friends with...! Call it...Um...Um...What's it called...? Girlish institution...? Initiation...? Introduction...?"

"I believe the actual phrase that you're looking for is called Girlish Intuition, Tiff." Ruby teasingly corrected her friend, you and her both giggling at the blonde's mistake, as Zoey took another sip of her drink. "I thought you did better when it came to English Literature class."

"I do, I do...!" Tiffany argued stubbornly, flicking her head to the side and hiding her embarrassment. "I-I just wasn't paying attention right now...! I...I actually just need another drink...! What do you say, (Y/n), Zoey...? The night's still young, isn't it...!?"

"She's got a point, my drink's pretty much finished..." Trying to console Tiffany and support her, you swallowed the rest of yours and placed your empty glass down on the table, seeing Zoey and Ruby finish theirs too.

"Well, why don't we all dance together on the dance floor...!? Sounds like fun, don't you three think...?" Tiffany suggested with enthusiasm, standing up and pulling you to your feet once she'd held your hand. "We can easily get more drinks after we've grown tired or something..."

"I don't know...I don't really—"

"—C'mon, (Y/n), almost everybody dances at a night out...!" Ruby breezily brought up, Zoey sending you a softhearted smile and standing next to the other two. "You can't skip out on the the banging music they're sharing. It'll be fun...!"

"I know it feels strange at first, but you'll get used to it...to them..." Zoey attempted to soothe you with sudden sarcasm, her sharp-tongue making you want to laugh and join in - slash - participate.

"M'kay, m'kay." You responded teasingly, smiling back before shaking your head. "But ONE dance. ONE. And that's IT...!"

"WOO~HOO~! I'm SO excited...! C'mon girls, let GET on THAT dance floor...!" Tiff sang aloud gleefully, skipping from the drinking part of the bar to the music/dancing side.

With massive amounts of amusement, the four of you all began to mess around to the music together; Tiffany colliding against Zoey at some point and causing both of them to fall onto the floor. You and Ruby laughed even harder than when Tiff messed the whole "Girlish Intuition" thingy up though, finding Tiff to just be an utter klutz. But it turned out that Zoey wasn't mad at Tiffany, she just helped the blonde up and smiled at her - the brunette's gaze radiating with tenderness as she kept on dancing next to Tiff. It was almost as if Zoey secretly had— Never mind...! Once an hour had passed, you four all became exhausted, sitting back down at your table and Zoey paying for the drinks this time. You guys all carried on chatting and enjoying yourselves, but what you didn't expect was to lose your composure, to...to stumble over your words and laugh more and more as it were.

But it didn't stop there though - all four of you ordering another couple of drinks, You paying for the third round, and then Ruby finally paying for the fourth round. Despite you enjoying yourself and having fun with your friends, it turned out that you weren't very good at handling alcohol; your fumbling for words and giggling at jokes being on the same level as Tiffany's. No, seriously, you and Tiff were smirking, high-fiving, cheering to the music, the list went on and on. Eventually your phone rang, Brittany laughing at how badly you'd handled alcohol and telling you to come home soon. Glancing at the bar's clock on the wall, you decided to head home once the time had ticked from 1:30AM to 2AM. Ruby - although drunk herself - gave you a tipsy smile and agreed that that was the best idea. Once 2AM had arrived, you gave them all a farewell hug and promised to do meet up with them a second time - due to this evening being extremely fun...!

Though after you'd stumbled home - slash - opened the front door, Freddy immediately snatched up your wrist with his left hand and forced you inside; his gaze radiating with rage. "Do you KNOW just how LATE you are?" He shouted at you with an infuriated tone, scolding you whilst he started to twitch from frustration. "2AM SURE doesn't seem like 10PM to me, bitch. You have a LOT of explaining to do, Princess—"

"Oh, hey there, Freddy~" You giggled after greeting him, ignoring his high levels of anger and pulling him into a childish hug instead. "Whatcha been up to~? You had fun tonight~? I know I have~"

"The fuck...?" The demonic killer frowned from bewilderment, not understanding your sweet actions and tender embrace. "What's gotten into you...? You went to hang out with friends, so why—"

"Uh...Let me to explain..." Brittany called with a light laugh, walking down the stairs and into the hallway with the two of you both.

"Explain? What the FUCK is there to explain?" He snapped venomously, curling his left arm around your waist before facing your older sister head-on. "(Y/n) went out to hang with those pathetic little classmates, didn't she?"

"Yes...She did..." Brit agreed with a grin, covering her mouth and finding your boyfriend's reaction to be even funnier than your behaviour. "But..."

"But WHAT...?" Freddy growled impatiently, holding his knifed hand out and glaring. "What the FUCK is wrong with her...!?"

"Well it's just that...that...(Y/n) hasn't drank that much before." Bursting out into total laughter, Brittany wiped the tears from her eyes and kept on giggling, trying her best to stay quiet and stop Sara from waking up. "She must not be able to hold alcohol that well...She must be a lightweight or something...I don't know..."

"So you're telling me she's DRUNK...!?" The dream demon summed up in a dark tone, debating on how exactly to handle your...giggly state.

"That's not true at all...!" You interrupted all of a sudden, your bright and bubbly behaviour puzzling him further.

"If you're not drunk, then what the FUCK are you, Beautiful...?" Freddy curiously quizzed, his frown returning as he waited for you to answer.

"I'm not drunk, I'm Me...!" You told them teasingly, telling your older sister and your partner the truth whilst you laughed yourself. "Y'know, Me, Myself, (Y/n)...! Drunk is somebody else, whereas I, (Y/n), am truly Me...! Standing right here...! Well, I'm not really standing - I'm actually hugging you right now, but I can stand if you'd like me too—"

"Perhaps it would be best if you went to bed and got some sleep now, Sis...!" Brittany spoke speedily, placing a hand on your shoulder and steering you in the direction of the stairs. "It IS 2AM after all."

"But I only just got home...!" You innocently complained, holding Freddy's hand and pulling him into the living room. "We could listen or dance to more music, or simply snuggle on the sofa, or you could join our party as well...! We could party all night...! Have you got any more of those sweet, sweet drinks...? I tried so many new drinks Brit, it was amazing...! My favourite drink was something called, uh...Pro...Pro...?"

"Prosecco...?" Brittany guessed with sarcasm, rolling her eyes and knowing almost instantly which one you tried out.

"Yeah...! H...How did you know...!?" You exclaimed eagerly, clapping your hands together and staring Brittany down with more giggles.

"Because I've drank before, and I've also had dozens of girl night's out—"
"—I know...! You must be psychic...! Or have telepathy...!"
"Um, Sis, I don't think that's how me knowing a drink works—"
"Second sight...!? No, no, no, wait...You're Clairvoyant...!?"

"Oh, I'm enjoying this~" Freddy decided devilishly, leaning against the living room wall and watching you converse with your older sister. "This is actually pretty entertaining~"

"No, (Y/n)." Brit cleared up the conversation with a calming smile, "I just know my drinks, that's all."

"Wait, they were YOUR drinks...!?" You dramatically exploded, your eyes widening at her response. "You OWNED them...!?"

"That's NOT what I meant—!"
"Then why did my friends and I have to PAY for them...!?"
"(Y/N)—!"
"I BARELY had enough to BUY the FINAL ones...!"

"Krueger, could you please stop watching and help me with her...!?" Brittany groaned in despair, facepalming and wondering what to do.

"I suppose I could help~" He mused with an evil glint in his eyes, shrugging and finding your tipsy tone to be tremendously adorable. Not to mention moderately arousing~

"Please...!? NOW...!?" She asked desperately, losing her amusement and growing slightly nervous. "She'll wake Sara up otherwise...! Not to mention (Y/n)'s already out of it...! Can't you just get her upstairs...!?"

"I could get her upstairs~" The sadistic slasher echoed tauntingly, looking over to you and finding you to be even more lovable. "But why would I want to~? She's acting even cuter than usual, wouldn't you agree, Brittany~?"

"God dammit, Krueger...!" Your older sister moodily complained, throwing him a glare of her own and therefore making him roll his eyes.

"You're such a kill-joy, y'know that, bitch?" He insulted her rudely, disappearing and reappearing closer to you instead of her.

"Well, excuse me for wanting to keep everything under contro—"

"Hey there, sugar~" Freddy purred towards you seductively, his emerald-green eyes gleaming with evil enjoyment. "How's my gorgeous girlfriend feeling right now~?"

"Well right now I feel like I'm talking to you, silly...!" You answered in a lively fashion, deciding to roll your eyes yourself and giggle a little more. "Pfft, honestly, if you're gonna quiz me on something, at least quiz me on an actual question, Freddy~"

"—And just when I thought you couldn't get any more adorable~" The dream demon hummed suggestively, holding your right hand in his left and leading you back into the hallway, nearby the stairs. "You just keep on surprising me, kitten~"

"I'm not a cat, I'm a person...!" You rectified him chirpily, smiling and shaking your head at his comment. "Jeez, you really need take an English Literature class or something. Just like my friend Tiff needed to earlier...!"

"—Don't you dare try anything on her, just because she's drunk." Brittany warned Freddy with an angry stare, wanting to protect you as best she could. "And...just so you know, I...I still don't trust you."

"That's fine, because I don't trust you either. So get the fuck out of my way, you stuck-up whore." The burnt male casually retorted, shoving Brittany to the side before continuing to guide you into your bedroom.

"Remember to take that English Lit class..." You reminded Freddy gleefully, another giggle slipping through your lips once you'd let him lie you down and then pull you into a cuddle. "After that kitten comment and thinking I wasn't me before, I'd say you need it...!"

"Oh, I do, do I~?" Freddy murmured mirthfully, a smirk sliding across his face whilst he wrapped his arms around you and brought you into his chest entirely. "And why's that, doll-face~?"

"Because you thought I wasn't even a human...!" You protested sleepily, your eyes fluttering shut as you snuggled against his red-and-green striped sweater. "I mean, c'mon, almost EVERYONE knows what a human looks like."

"Mmm, true. Though I'm sure I'll just learn my lesson later tonight or something~" He sweetly cooed, his smirk increasing after he found your drunken state to be considerably more endearing.

"Hmm...Perhaps. Hope you sleep well however, I think I'm about to pass out..." You sighed drowsily, falling asleep minutes afterwards and therefore amusing Freddy further.

~What an absolute sweetheart~

Pennywise:
A couple of weeks had flown by since Pennywise had not only walked you home, but had also gifted you that locket as well; the heavy rain and your town's terrible weather being blocked by said magical piece of jewellery. And Penny was telling the truth, the killer clown's gift keeping you from getting totally soaked. The only downside to his present was that your friends grew pretty suspicious as to how you didn't even need an umbrella, questioning how you suddenly never became cold or never constantly shivered. So you quickly had to come up with a lie - bringing an umbrella with you and using it for absolutely no reason, though wearing the locket so that you continuously stayed warm. To your relief, your hasty ruse worked, your friends - although still finding it rather strange - accepting your untrue explanation. But to wrap up everything else, even your mother had grown to tolerate Pennywise - however, your twin sisters still had suspicions about him and therefore kept on doubting your overall safety from time-to-time.

"So? What do you think...?" A familiar voice suddenly snapped you out of your spacey reminiscing, Becky's hand waving in front of your face as you came back to Earth and blinked a few times, shifting backwards against your classroom desk's seat.

"About what...?" You blankly asked, realising now that you, Becky, Maria and Dani were the only ones left in your classroom.

"Do you wanna go? To The Ruby Ranch? With us?" Becky repeated her offer impatiently; placing the palms of her hands on top of your desk whilst you slung your backpack over your shoulder and stood up as quickly as possible, embarrassed by your spacing out.

"The Ruby Ranch...?" You echoed with an awkward expression, nervousness radiating throughout your veins once you'd recalled exactly what that place was. It wasn't as elegant as "The Crystal Courtyard", but still, it wasn't really a restaurant either. It was more of a cocktail bar - a place for people to hang out and enjoy themselves.

You'd never been to a place like that before, you'd only really watched Hailey and Hannah return home late alongside higher students - the groups of friends all speaking about their previous experience from said night. "Yeah...We all passed our end-of-year tests a few weeks ago, remember...?" Dani casually commented, causing you to loosen up a little.

But then again— "I...I don't know guys...Are we even old enough to drink...?" You wondered unsurely, walking with the three of your friends over to the classroom door and questioning their idea.

"That was a concern of mine as well." Maria chipped in dryly; flicking a few strands of her long, light-coloured hair away from her face.

"Oh c'mon guys, who cares...?" Becky scoffed with her regularly high amount of sarcasm, "As long as we don't get caught, then why should we be scared...? Life is short, baby...! We're here on Earth to have a good time...! To have fun...!"

"I don't know guys...To get grounded for underage drinking isn't really a good time for me..." Maria shyly pointed out, going along with Dani and Becky's plans just to keep them happy. "I mean, don't get me wrong, it sounds fun and I'd love to go, it's just—"

"Just what...? Is everything okay, Maria...?" Surprise flashed across your face as the bashful blonde's mood-set changed almost at once, your friend shaking her head and smiling wildly.

"You know what? Fuck it! I'm in!" She bursted out brightly, switching personality and agreeing to your other friends's plans to drink tonight.

"A-Are you sure...? That was a total mood-swing right there..." Dani questioned with a stunned tone, Becky's eyes widening with shock as you reacted just as astonished.

"Well, I guess I'll go too then..." You hesitantly agreed, giving everyone a faint smile while feeling moderately excited. "Only to hang out and have fun. I'm only having a couple of soft drinks. Understand...?"

"Fine, fine..." Becky whined, telling everyone the time and promising to text prematurely; just in case anybody had forgotten. After the four of you had decided on a time - 7:00PM tonight - you waved goodbye to your friends and left them by the gates, moving to where Penny usually waited for you.

"Little lollipop~!" Pennywise greeted you adoringly, the killer clown curling his arms around your body and dragging you into an enormously huge, bear-hug. "I missed you today~"

"Y'know, just (Y/n) is fine instead of "Little lollipop"." You wryly replied, rolling your eyes and returning the cuddle with warmth. "I missed you today too. Now what did you do to Maria...?"

"Why, whatever do you mean...? I haven't done anything, except wait here for you~" He answered in an angelic fashion, snuggling his head into your hair and tightening the hug ever-so-slightly. "Besides, little lollipop is really cute, and so are you~"

"Is that so...?" You responded with sarcasm of your own, raising your eyebrows and knowing that Pennywise had to have done something to cause Maria's strange excitement. "What did you do...? She was uncertain about going... sceptical... unsure... So how did you change her mind...? How did you manage to mess with her mood so...so easily...?"

"I didn't. She wanted to go, so she decided on another course. That's really all there is to it, sugar." Penny spoke smugly, shrugging his shoulders as he kept on loving the hug between the two of you.

"Maria might've wanted to go, but she was nervous about whether or not we were actually old enough to drink at that specific bar." You firmly shot back, determined to get to the bottom of what your boyfriend had genuinely done.

"Oh? Is that why she was so hesitant then?" The clownish killer inquired curiously, still not fully understanding human emotions or their feelings.

"Exactly. So what did you do...?" You demanded to know sternly, breaking away from the sweet embrace and crossing your arms together before deciding to learn nothing but the honest truth.

"What did I do~? Hmm~" Pennywise wickedly hummed; his golden eyes gleaming whilst an evil glow glinted throughout his gaze. "I'm not entirely sure. Maybe I didn't do anything. Who can say? Not me~"

"It's not like I was planning on telling anyone about you. Or your...inhuman powers." You added anxiously, not knowing how to get Penny to tell the truth or if Maria was in any real danger.

"Look, I helped you out. Isn't that enough...? Can't we just go and spend some more time together...?" His teasing mood faded, unforeseen irritation growing as he held your wrist with his hand. "I've been waiting all day, and—"

"And I'm grateful for that. Really. I'm grateful that you wanted to help me out, let alone wait for me. I just have to know if Maria's alright, and if she's in any actual danger or not." You consoled him in a rushed manner, shooting Penny a strained smile after explaining yourself to him.

"You're not going to let this go, are you?"
"No."

Penny stayed silent for a minute or two, gritting his teeth and plainly not knowing how to respond without losing his composure. "You don't know how hard it is to say "No" to you anymore, do you, sweets?" He creepily chuckled with a dark smirk, flickering between his darker-form and his regular self. "You just don't know how hard it is to go against you."

"I...I just have to know..." You begged desperately, pleading for Pennywise to tell you what his mindset powers were all about.

"I was infuriated. I thought...I thought messing with her mind and feelings would make her lash out at that black-haired girl, not agree with her. I...I wanted blondie to stop everyone from going. For her emotions to scare her off, not increase her overall excitement...!" Pennywise hissed out without warning; his psychopathic jealousy shining through his possessive behaviour whilst he snatched up both of your wrists and delved into his darker-form completely.

"You wanted Maria to cancel Becky's plan...?" You summed up angrily, tears of disbelief glistening from the edges of your eyes after you'd figured out what Penny's true intentions were. "But I thought you accepted my friends...! After you'd come to terms with Hannah, Hailey, and Mom, I thought you were okay with everybody...! What brought this on all of a sudden...!?"

"Fine with them...? FINE with them...?" Pennywise laughed hysterically, his psychotic nature starting to scare you as panic swirled around your thoughts. "Why would I be FINE with them...? I may be fine with your family, but THOSE three—!"

"WHAT is your problem with them...!?" You snapped back in a hurt tone, your voice shaking as you stressed over how to calm him down. "They're friends, Penny...! Friends...! Nothing more, nothing less...! You're just going to have to accept that...!"

"I thought I was your friend...! I thought we were friends, BEST friends, that I was your BOYfriend...! That...That we were partners...!" He selfishly shouted, twitching before growing more and more unhinged by the minute. "And now...now you're spending more time with them instead...!? I gave into the whole "family time thing", but this? THIS!?"

"Well, what if YOU had other people that YOU liked spending time with too...?" You yelled tearfully, standing your ground and glaring in a forceful manner.

"Wha-huh...?" The clownish slasher frowned defensively, confused by your words whilst his rage flickered like a flame. "What are you talking about...?"

"Oh, you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about...!" You lied a little to catch his attention a tad bit more, still glaring and looking extremely pissed-off. "What if YOU spent time with others, or spent time with somebody else because YOU enjoyed their company...!? Would that mean that WE weren't friends anymore...? Or best friends anymore...? Or partners anymore...? Huh...?"

"Of COURSE not!" Penny retorted obsessively, hurt by your remark. "W-Why would you EVER think that...!?"

"Then WHAT would it mean...?" Directing his attention back to your previous question, you waited for his answer - narrowing your eyes while you watched him switch back to his softer appearance.

"It...It would just mean that I liked whatever existing creature had done to impress me..." Pennywise slowly trailed off, releasing your wrists and looking rather unsure.

"Would that mean that you enjoyed their company more than mine...?" You strictly asked, tilting your head to the side a bit but still standing straight.

"No...! It would just mean that I had fun with them during that time...!" He argued frantically, defending his imaginary actions and fighting back.

"So what does that mean about my friends then...?" You finished up the conversation with a serious expression and a raised eyebrows.

"That you just...enjoy hanging out with them...from time-to-time..." Penny cautiously thought aloud - his overprotective point-of-view bubbling down once he'd learnt what you meant.

"Exactly." You wearily concluded, grasping the strap of your backpack and releasing a sigh. "And that's why I'm going to hang out with my friends tonight. Understand...?"

"I...I'm sorry...(Y/n)..." Pennywise apologised a few moment later, his face and voice both overflowing with regret when he'd realised what you'd meant.

"I...It's fine. Just...Just don't try anything like that again, and let's just head back to my house." You mumbled, averting your eyes to the side before walking down the street and falling silent.

"Sweetie, wait—!" Penny protested in a pleading tone, his hand holding your wrist again and trying to strike up another conversation. "Please, please wait."

"If this is about my friends again, then—"
"I'll tell you what I did to your friend earlier." He quietly promised, his reply surprising you and spinning you around to face him.

"You...You will...?" Unable to believe his words you hesitated, staring at him with natural disbelief and unusual doubt. "But you were so against telling me earlier. I assumed it was some sort of secret...some sort of touchy subject...or something like that."

Releasing a relatively amused laugh, Pennywise shook his head at your stumped state and found your recent assumptions to be quite cute, his smile still lingering across his face as he fell silent momentarily - looking like he was wondering how to explain. Then, his entertainment disintegrated, the unpredictable killer clown becoming 100% serious and deciding to tell you the truth. "You were true. I did mess with blondie's mind. Her emotions...Her feelings...Her reactions...Not like it was difficult or anything."

"Do you do that a lot...?" You probed with curiosity, interested to learn more about this whole "mood control" thing. After all, you knew Pennywise had an amazing amount of powers, but you'd never heard about this one before.

"Do what a lot...?" Penny questioned, puzzled by what you meant.

"I mean, do you mess around with people's minds all-the-time...?" You deliberated stressfully, shifting from foot-to-foot and praying that he'd say No. "Do you mess with mine...?"

"That's an intriguing idea, but no, I don't mess with yours. I could never do that." He deviously grinned, his golden eyes glistening from how amused he found your words. "Remember what I said to you before...?" Thinking back a bit, you lightly calmed down, understanding what he was trying to remind you about.

—

"You don't know how hard it is to say "No" to you anymore, do you, sweets?" "You just don't know how hard it is to go against you."

—

"So how do you do it then...?" Glancing at him inquisitively, you held his hand on the way home and kept on conversing; the subject surrounding his unusual talent interesting you to some degree.

"Are you sure you want to know...? I mean, I know I promised to tell you the truth about your friend, but for you to learn about my gifts...to learn more about myself...It just...It just doesn't feel—"

"What, now you're afraid of scaring me off...?" You teased with a sarcastic smile, recovering from his previous outburst and curling your arms around his neck instead of simply holding his hand.

"Partly." Penny truthfully admitted, wrapping his arms around your body in response. "Your safety and happiness is absolutely everything to me. I couldn't bear to hurt you. At least, not intentionally."

"Riiiiight. So tell me then."
"But to frighten you...I don't know..." Mulling over what he was going to do, Pennywise hid his face in your hair and embraced you back - his uncertainty growing while your composure blossomed again.

"I can handle it." You protested, shooting him a determined stare before clutching his shoulders this time around. "I've handled you all these years haven't I...? After all, being with you is like being in scenario after scenario after scenario."

"Alright, alright, I guess you've made your point." He chuckled dryly at your stubbornness, deciding to simply give in and give you what you want. "Just don't get too scared, 'kay~?"

"Hah...! Not in my nature." You challenged proudly, faking confidence while also feeling smug.

"I didn't just "use" my powers to "twist" your friend's thoughts. I "mixed" my skills together. Manipulation, Mind Control, Essokinesis, Megethoskinesis...Mere things like that. They're the weakest of what I can do, believe me. But I didn't try anything harsh on blondie. Really, I didn't."

"So if you remove what you've done, Maria will cancel on us...?" You spoke with slight disappointment - relieved that she'll be alright, but also on the other hand, you had been excited for tonight's girls' night out.

"Mmm...Not necessarily." Penny tenderly disagreed, pleased that you hadn't been terrified by his talents or what he could do. "All I did was send her nervous energy into overdrive. She was concerned about a couple of things, but that didn't mean that she didn't want to go. I'm sure she won't cancel on you, cutie~"

"Hopefully not." You replied gingerly, holding his hand in yours a second time before carrying on walking home. Then, after you'd returned home, you flung your backpack carelessly to the side of your bedroom; checking your phone to see if you had any missed calls or messages from your friends.

"Hey, (Y/n). Welcome home." Your mother greeted you kindly, giving you a quick hug whilst resting her head on top of your head. "How's your day been...?"

"It's been alright. How about yours...?" You casually answered, trying to be both pleasant and polite towards her.

"Well, I just got home from work around an hour or two ago, so my day's been mostly just fine." She responded in a warm tone, sitting on your bed once you broke away from her lighthearted hug to open up your wardrobe. "The only thing I've been doing this late evening is watching the local News."

"Oh...? Didn't think you were interested in that sort of thing." Your voice now filled with interest, you kept rifling through your clothes; selecting an outfit for tonight while carrying on talking. "Did anything fascinating happen...?"

"Well there was one story that caught my interest." Your Mom announced airily, crossing one leg over the other before tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear. "It was about a thirteen-year-old girl who went missing two weeks ago. Her name was something like Betty Ripsom, I believe."

"Betty Ripsom...? Did she live anywhere near us by any chance...!?" You freaked out feebly; tossing your outfit for tonight besides your Mom, on top of your bed covers.

"I don't think so..." Your mother mulled over your most recent response, tipping the edge of her chin between her thumb and forefinger while still thinking about said News Case. "I mean, I don't think Derry is that near us..."

"Oh..."
"So what are these clothes for...? Are you heading out somewhere...?" She inquired, her glance flickering over to your outfit that you'd picked out and dropped next to her.

"Oh, um, yeah...My friend Becky planned a "Girls' Night Out". She invited Dani, Maria, and myself." You informed her breezily, giving her a soft smile as you tried to keep everything under control. You couldn't tell her about "The Ruby Ranch", aka the Cocktail Bar, because your mother would force you to cancel right  off the bat...!

"Sounds like...fun. I mean, hanging out with friends, catching up with them, getting some distance...y'know, from him." Your Mom spoke self-consciously, causing you to stifle a laugh and cover your mouth. Was she that worried about you spending that much time with Pennywise...?

So, instead of making you feel annoyed, her reaction to your...plans, just made everything even funnier. "It's called a "Girls' Night Out" for a reason, Mom." You wryly taunted, rolling your eyes before raising your eyebrows. "Girls only. Besides, Maria, Dani, and Becky don't even know about Penny. So it would be a little bit...awkward, don't you think...?"

"True..." She sighed in relief, giving you yet another cuddle. "I just don't want you to get hurt or anything, (Y/n). I know that you trust your...partner. But I...I just want you to stay safe too."

"I thought you, Hailey and Hannah were okay with Pennywise now." You argued in a hurt voice, moving yourself backwards and away from her hold.

"We are, we are...! To some degree. It's just...The way he watches you..." Your mother hurriedly exclaimed, holding her hands up in front of her and trying to calm things down. "It's like he's willing to either leap in front of you, take a bullet for you, or looks at you like you're something to eat."

"Is that a bad thing? Apart from the whole "eat" thing..." You bashfully mumbled - your entire face blushing bright pink by this point. "I mean, it's just...I don't know, we're...in love...?"

"It's an intense thing. But alright, alright, I get it, I get it." Harmlessly smiling, she lowered her hands and stopped herself from hurting you any further, plainly wanting your mood to stay happy. "I hope you enjoy yourself tonight. Have fun with your friends...!"

"Thanks. I hope you have a relaxing evening tonight too." You mildly spoke, your Mom leaving the room a few seconds later so that Penny could materialise by your side a moments afterwards.

"Hey there, Peaches~" Pennywise cooed adoringly, clasping your waist while standing straight in front of you. "Didn't know that I appealed to you that much. Do you really want me to leap in front of you? Or take a bullet for you? I mean, I can always eat you out if that's what you want me to do~"

"No...!" You retaliated wildly, clutching your chest as your eyes widened with surprise. "I-I mean, no thank you. Th-That's not necessary-!"

"D'aww, and to think, I thought that you actually loved me~"
"I-I do...! I do...! I just uh...I just think that all of those things are a bit um...a bit too drastic."

"Hmm...I guess you may have a point there." He deviously decided, a sly grin sliding across his face whilst he gave your waist a slight squeeze.

"Jeez..." You mumbled, pressing both of your hands against him and sighing like earlier. "You really are stressful, y'know that...?"

"But your reactions are so unbelievably cute~" Penny cooed in return, using one of his hands to stroke through your hair sweetly.

"Is that so...?" You spoke with sarcasm, hearing your phone ping and turning around to pick it up; realising that it was Becky texting you the time for tonight's girls' night. "How convenient for you."

—

< Messages
  Video>

Foursome ;)
Today 5:59

Beckster:
What up guys! Are we still meetin' at Ruby Ranch around 7?

Dee Dee:
Did u srsly just call our group chat that? >.>

Beckster:
What's the problem? :(

Dee Dee:
Smh...why do I put up with u again...?

Mimi:
I think it's funny xD

(Y/n):
I think it's funny too xD oh, btw, I haven't eaten dinner yet. I'm probably gonna grab something 2 eat there. U guys grabbing a bite to eat 2 or...?

Dee Dee:
Sure :) I mean, I just ate, but I'm always down 2 eat, y'know?

Beckster:
Hells yeah! Eating, drinking, and hanging out all together? This gon' be a blast!

Mimi:
I don't mind :P

(Y/n):
See u guys later then :3

Mimi:
See you soon ^ . ^

Beckster:
Laterz! >:)

Dee Dee:
Take care :)

—

"Oh, it's extremely convenient for me, Honeybun~" The killer clown purred possessively, curling his arms around you and hugging you from behind.

"Uh huh. I'm gathering that." You replied in an amused fashion; a small smile spreading across your face due to all of his loving affection and cuddling.

"And you really have to go~?" He questioned with a sigh of despair, resting his head of the side of your shoulder and acting even more adorable.

"Look, it's just a "Girls' Night Out", Penny." You reminded him, locking your phone before dropping it onto your bed. "I'll only be out for tonight. Honestly...I mean, don't you have to visit Derry and feast on something...special, anyway?"

"Wait a minute, how do you know that I'd visited Derry a couple of weeks—?"
"Mom mentioned it to me earlier. She told me that the local News still hadn't found the missing girl yet, despite her disappearance taking place only a couple of weeks ago. Don't you think that's a little suspicious there, Penny...?"

"Because it's not that important..." Pennywise sulkily spoke; acting like he was trying to push the whole "missing girl" subject to one side while you spun around to face him again. "Besides, you - and this sorry excuse for a family - already know what I am. What I can do. What I'm capable of. So who cares if a little girl runs away~?"

"Yeah...No offence buddy, but something tells me that she didn't run away." Shaking your head, you released yet another sigh - knowing already what your partner had done. "You visited Derry two weeks ago. Didn't you?"

"Well, I mean—"
"Didn't you...?"

"Well, so what if I did...?" Penny responded smugly, trying to taunt you at the exact same time. "You've known what I am for a while now, Cutie Pie. So why should her death come as a surprise to you~?"

"It didn't." Your unperturbed tone caught him entirely off-guard, the clownish slasher losing his arrogant attitude and therefore causing you to laugh a tiny bit in return.

"But then why delve into that little girl's death...? If you weren't surprised, that is...?" He questioned with a puzzled frown, not understanding your unexplainable reasoning and motives in the slightest.

"Because I wanted to. Besides," Mimicking his words from before, you decided to mock him - feeling as though he definitely deserved some of that retaliation. "It's not that important now anyway, according to you and your standards."

"But that doesn't make any sense...!" Pennywise protested obstinately, your logic throwing him for a loop whilst you raised your eyes at how worked-up he was growing. "I-I don't understand...! You...I mean she...She's dead. Why do you want to know about what I've done...? Where I've been...? I thought you were going out tonight...?"

"And I am..." You informed him quickly, entwining his fingers between yours and trying your hardest to keep him from losing control. "I'm allowed to be curious, considering my Mom was, Penny. Just because I'm not surprised at the little girl's death doesn't mean that I can't look into things. I mean, Jeez..."

"I...I...—"
"I know you are. It's okay." Accepting his apology without a doubt, you gave his hands a faint squeeze and shot him a warm gaze as well; knowing how awkward and tough it was for the clown to say sorry. "Let's just...forget about it. After all, I don't really need to know anymore about what you do."

"How...?"
"How what...?"
"How is it...that I can't...I can't...?"
"You can't what...?"

"I just can't understand you...!" Pennywise laughed psychopathically; his unbalanced love towards you causing him to shift into his darker form and grasp your hands even tighter.

"Um, I'm not really getting what you mean by that, to be perfectly honest—"
"I mean EVER since I MET you, you're just so...you're just so HARD to read, y'know...!?"
"What, now you're saying that I'm defective...!?"
"Oh no. No, no, no~" He naughtily grinned, his unusually golden eyes glistening while he kept speaking to you alluringly. "Nothing like that, Sweetie~...What I'm saying is that I've never EVER met ANYONE as...as special as you before. Never in my BILLIONS and BILLIONS of years."

"Maybe you just need to get out more..." You brought up wearily, rolling your eyes before breaking free of his grip and heading towards your bedroom door. "Pretty sure you're not the only supernatural being on Earth."

"Mmm...Probably not." Penny sided with you proudly; crossing his arms whilst he leant against your bedroom wall and carried on smirking.

"Well if you'll excuse me, I still have to go and take a shower. Y'know, before I change into my fresh clothes and blow-dry my hair...?" You breezily announced, opening your door and giving him a gentle wave.

"I'll miss you~" He persisted, losing his smug stare and previous smirk. "After all, you could always still cancel~"

"I'll be back before you know it. I'm just going to take a shower, blow-dry my hair, text my friends and then make sure that they're all at the Ruby Ranch by seven." You vowed loyally, describing your evening plans to Pennywise and entering the bathroom straight afterwards. "Once we're all there, all we're going to do is hang out, enjoy some food, mess around and that's it."

Huffing, Penny teleported from the hallway right back into your bedroom - plainly not happy about your decision to meet up with your friends. However, despite all of his begging - and failed mood-swing plan surrounding your blonde-haired friend - there was absolutely nothing he could do. It was a "Girls' Night Out" between you, Becky, Dani and of course, Maria. So in the end, that was that. Sighing softly, you switched on the shower and waited for the water to warm up; testing the heat with your hand and making sure the temperature was hot but not too hot. After you'd done that, you undressed and stepped underneath the heavy downpour of hot rain; the soothing droplets staining your skin but also cleaning you up in the process. It was incredibly refreshing and relaxing - especially when you rinsed yourself off, cleansed your hair with shampoo, and finally washed the conditioner away - but still, you had to dry your body off and prepare yourself for later on.

So that you did, using a nice fluffy towel to delicately pat at your face, rubbing said material up and down every part of your body before tying it around yourself immediately after. Then, when you'd taken your shower, you re-entered your bedroom and plugged in your hair dryer; getting your hairbrush ready at the same time, as you continued ignoring Pennywise's moody moping. Seriously. It was a "Girls' Night Out", between friends. For one evening. Well, whatever, he'd just have to deal with it. Pushing his negative vibes aside, you dried your (h/c)-coloured hair and then brushed it with your hairbrush; removing the tangles and leaving silky strands instead. After you'd completed that, you changed into the clothes you'd selected and then checked the time, noticing that it was almost 7. Crap! At this rate, you were going to be late...! Shoving your phone and other things into your bag, you hurried down the stairs and said a hasty goodbye to your Mom, seeing that Hailey and Hannah still weren't home yet.

"Leaving so soon, sugar-cube~?" Materialising right besides you, Penny joined your side and curled his arm around your waist; giving you a gentle hug as he followed in the same direction that you were going. "You didn't even say Goodbye to me~"

"Sorry, Penny. But if I don't leave ASAP, I'm really going to be late...!" You exclaimed in alarm, cuddling him back for a split second before sprinting where the "Ruby Ranch" actually was.

"Hey, hey, hey...You're going to exhaust yourself at that rate." The killer clown reprimanded you with concern, pulling you back by the wrist and staring you down worriedly.

"Well how do you suggest that I make my way across several streets, without any taxis, or buses, or—"
"I almost feel offended." Cutting you off, Pennywise flashed another smirk, rolling his eyes at you this time around. "You known me for years now, little lollipop, and yet you still can't rely on me to help you out~?"

"It's not that I don't rely on you...!" You self-consciously denied, embarrassment flying across your face while you avoided his golden eyes and blushed a light-pink.

"Then I've got this one, honey~bunny~"
"Wait, how are you going to—?"

Before you could ask any further questions, Pennywise's grasp on your wrist tightened; the playful slasher sticking his tongue out at you and speedily teleporting you both from one spot to the "Ruby Ranch's" entrance within a blink of an eye. "And here we are~" He declared proudly, the two of you appearing promptly in front of the Local Cocktail Bar. "Without any trouble whatsoever~!"

"Thank you, Penny." You thanked him with genuine gratitude, stifling a giggle while you engulfed him in another huge hug. "I really appreciate your help. Thanks to that, I actually saved a few minutes. Guess I can say Goodbye to you this time around, huh...?"

"I wish you didn't have to go..." Your partner complained disappointedly, snuggling you back and nuzzling into your hair with the utmost of love. "After all, they're just friends, just...just people. I could always create you some more, some different time, y'know...?"

"Penny...We've been through this before." You pressed in a firm tone of voice; leaning against his chest before kissing him on the side of the cheek. "Friends aren't just things you can replace. They're not just...They're not just objects you can upgrade, or improve whenever you feel like it. Because nobody's perfect, and—"

"(Y/n)...! Aww, nice...! You're right on time, what's up...!?" Becky greeted you brightly, bounding towards you and merrily pulling you into a happy-go-lucky hug.

"Well, she's actually a little early..." Dani chimed in smoothly, greeting you after Becky had so she could also give you a hug too.

"So...!? Who cares...!?" Becky brushed everything to the side as you greeted your friends back and smiled at them whilst you did so; her sharp-tongued, easily-excitable attitude making her even more comical.

"Aww, (Y/n), it's so good to see you again." Maria spoke to you in a mellow and warm-hearted manner, her bizarre behaviour from earlier having stemmed down and faded away. "Sorry about when we made the plans after class. I'm not sure what came over me. I wasn't feeling mentally sound, and—"

"Don't worry, that wasn't your fault." You glossed over the truth calmingly, curling your arms around her body while giving her a hug too. "There's just a bug going around lately...Where it messes with people's moods and emotions...But don't worry, what happened before wasn't you, Maria."

"Well...If you're sure. I...had no idea that there was a mood-swing type of bug flying around." The blonde-haired girl concluded in surprise, her eyes widening as you bit your lip from unnerving your friend.

"It's not that serious...No worries...!" Rushing over your words, you tried to console your friends - telling them to wait inside real fast as you quickly turned to say Goodbye to Pennywise.

"Thought you didn't even want to say Goodbye to me there...y'know, for a moment..." The clownish slasher sourly stated, bringing you into another bear-hug of his own before cuddling you close towards him.

"What...!? Of course I'd want to...! You're my best friend, and I love you...!" You called out passionately; looking a little hurt by his words while glancing up at him with gloom.

"Just...Just promise to stay safe in there tonight, sugarplum." Pennywise pleaded in a low voice, losing his patronisation and hiding his face within the strands of your hair instead. "I've seen what can happen. I've seen what's happened to you in the past. Humanity isn't harmless. Society isn't unscathed. Humans are—"

"I know about my...past scenarios." You remembered tensely, sighing and thinking back to everything. But then you thought about the good times too, and smiled. "However, I've had pleasant moments as well, like with you and my other friends."

"But this isn't just about me and them—!"
"I'll be back ASAP, m'kay? You'll hear me as soon as I reopen-slash-exit through this door." You vowed with sincerity, being loyal and honest whilst you gave him another cute kiss on the cheek again.

"You'd better be back before the sun rises..." Pennywise menacingly told you, his golden eyes glowing with a strangely high amount of seriousness. "Because if not, I'll—"

"Okay, okay...! I'll see you later tonight, alright...?" Trying to stay positive, you hugged him one last time, waved at your partner, and then jumped into the Cocktail Bar; excited to spend time with your friends and enjoy the food-slash-drinks as you ignored how...uneasy your partner had become.

"Hey (Y/n)...! Want to help us choose a table...? They don't seem all that busy tonight, which actually helps us out, all things considered." Maria spoke to you from the side of the Cocktail Bar's room - her and your friends waiting for you to join them.

"Sure thing...! Gimme one sec." Scurrying over to them, you, Dani, Maria and Becky all decided on one of the spare tables; one between the food-serving section but also the alcoholic part too.

"Are you certain about all of this...? I don't know how old we have to be to drink this stuff..." Maria commented shyly, a random female approaching your table so she could take your order.

"Pffft, they don't care." Becky snickered, high-fiving the waitress as if she recognised her. "They take orders, take tips, mess around with the customers and bam...! Their shift is over until next time...!"

"Ah...I see..." Flashing a bashful smile, your blonde-haired friend waveringly ordered a cocktail and some food; Dani and Becky also ordering some dinner and different drinks in the process, that just leaving you to feel self-conscious.

"Um...I think I'll just have (F/d) and (F/f)." You requested towards the waitress respectfully, the other woman dipping her head as a nod before shooting you a light smile back.

"Seriously...!? I can understand (F/f) as food to eat for tonight, but (F/d)...!?" Becky criticised almost right-away, thanking the waitress when she'd received her cocktail and began drinking.

"Well excuse me for not wanting to drink alcohol while I eat my dinner." You shot back with a sharp-tongue, raising your eyebrows once you'd gotten your (F/d) shortly afterwards.

"Becky, I'm sure later tonight (Y/n) and Maria will be ready to party. Just give 'em some time." Dani chuckled after she'd finished her glass.

"Hnnng, I guess..." Becky gave in with a fake pout, finishing her first glass before ordering a second one. "Seconds on me, guys...?"

"Oh, uh...Okay...!" Maria sheepishly agreed, completing her first cocktail and trying to enjoy herself also. "If I'm not going to get reported..."

"Mmm...I'm just finishing food first..." You breathed out in delight; letting the waitress take your empty plate away, while starting to feel full from the large portion that you'd ordered.

"Oh come on, you've only been having soft drinks, (Y/n)...! Have a cocktail with Maria, Dani and me...!" Becky whined once the three of them had received their second drinks.

"I don't even know if I enjoy them or not..." You replied, half-smiling and shaking your head after you'd finished your first glass of (F/d). "I'll just stick to drinking my favourite drink, dancing to the music in a few minutes, and then chilling."

"How do you know if you enjoy them or not if you won't even try them...?" Maria giggled with a tinge of mischief, her second light-cocktail making her act unusually tipsy all of a sudden. "C'mon (Y/n), that's not like you...! That doesn't even make sense...!"

"Maria, are you okay—?"
"Yeah, she's right to be fair." Dani cheerfully sided with your blonde-haired friend without a second thought; Becky swigging her second glass down and behaving more and more ditzy once she was done.

"Well...that is true..." You gave in nervously, placing your now-empty glass of (F/d) back down onto the table. "But I wouldn't even know what to get."

"Here, why don't you try some of mine~?" Dani surprisingly offered, passing you her almost - but not quite - empty second glass. So just to be kind, you decided to humour her, taking her glass after thanking her and raising it to your mouth once you'd parted your lips.

Its fragrance was combined with multiple different spirits and alcoholic ingredients, but it was mostly made up of rum and cola, at least to your knowledge. Sipping the drink, you actually found the cocktail to be sweet and enjoyable, handing it back to Dani and learning the name of the cocktail before ordering it for yourself. Turns out that it was called "Long Island Iced Tea" and that it was extremely popular amongst low-alcoholic tolerance guests. Oh great, so you and Maria weren't that good at handling cocktails, or their side effects. Then again, that did make it funnier, because after a few drinks, you, Maria and Becky were hilariously tipsy - what with Dani being drunk, but with high-alcoholic tolerance instead. All of you finding each other's drunken state funny, the four of you placed your drinks back down on the table and headed onto the dance floor; the music blasting through the speakers as you all began to dance and taunt each other.

"Oh my God, that's SHIT." Becky half-laughed and half-snickered like before, covering her mouth and shaking her head at Dani. "Who even TOLD you that...!?"

"Yeah, well YOU tell one then." Dani retaliated with a smug chuckle, elbowing Becky and sending her falling to the floor. "If YOU'RE so smart."

"What, you're telling drunk jokes now...?" You laughed aloud, helping Becky up before entering their conversation.

"I've got one...!" Maria cut in without any warning, smirking and deciding to mock Becky immediately. "You said that you weren't that drunk last time we hung out and messed around - but then you took the shower head in your arms and told it to stop crying...! Explain that babe...!"

"Nice one, Mimi...!" Stifling another laugh, you complimented the shy girl and then watched Becky shove her onto the dance floor straight afterwards, you and Dani both sharing arrogant grins at the other girls' messing around.

"Fine, fine, JEEZ...I'll tell one...!" Becky gave in and rolled her eyes, jamming out to her favourite song before it ended. "How do computers get drunk...?"

"Uh, they order a dri—"
"They take a screenshot...!" She interrupted you immaturely, all of you laughing at the joke and finding it funny.

"Okay, okay, that one wasn't THAT bad." Dani relented to Becky, shooting her an oddly softhearted look and nudging her side. "Your joke skills have improved over the months, Beck-ster~"

"D'aww, thanks Dee~Dee~" Hugging her from the side, Becky and Dani embraced during the music; you and Maria each sharing an amused look between yourselves as well.

"C'mon, c'mon, let's dance! We didn't come here just to hug, did we...?" You commented after a couple of minutes; the four of you messing about and half-singing / half-cheering whilst also still dancing.

"Those jokes were fire though...! You got any more...?" Maria quizzed the other two in a lively fashion, her tipsy mindset causing her to randomly giggle at the same time.

"I've got one...!" You bursted out dramatically, facing the three of them and coming up with one right on the spot. "A midget walks into a bar and asks for a beer, the bartender says no. The midget asks why, the bartender says "You're a little drunk"."

"That was absolutely AWFUL...!" Gasping for air, Maria kept laughing and dancing, shaking her head as she struggled not to giggle.

"Better than yours though...!" You taunted smoothly, your little retort making the blonde push you onto the dance floor full-on, you landing on your butt and sticking your tongue out at her in response.

"Ooh, I'm sensing drama here everybody~" Dani pointed out - calling Becky, Maria and you into the mix. "Are we playing best drunk jokes for money~?"

"Pfft, I don't need to make myself even more broke." You excused yourself from said game right off the bat and rolled your eyes at the three of them, climbing to your feet and continuing to dance instead.

"Wow~ie, we got a tough shot over here." Poking fun at you, Becky engaged in said joking game for light cash, with Maria joining and Dani being the umpire to make sure everything was fair. Well, fair to some degree at least.

Time passed, and in the end you all had fun; Becky growing arrogant with her winnings and how although Dani might've been a little biased towards her instead of Maria, the cocktails and dancing was really really fun surrounding you all. But when you checked your phone and noticed that it was 2AM, you worried about how stressed-out Penny would be, because even though it was still nighttime - and the sun still hadn't risen - you knew he'd be panicking over your safety and security. So after your last dance, you decided to say Goodbye/Goodnight to your friends and leave the fun cocktail bar, stumbling outside to make your way home. However you didn't even need to walk that far, considering Pennywise scooped you into his arms the moment you left the place, not to mention the entrance's main doors. But you found his tight hugs hilarious, letting him whirl you around a little bit while you lightly laughed and wrapped your arms around him in response.

"Do you know JUST how worried I've been about you, Sweet-pea...!?" The clownish killer told you off sharply, pulling you into his chest once he'd twirled you around beforehand. "It's WAY past midnight, and—"

"Relax, relax...!" You randomly comforted him, patting his shoulder with one hand and behaving wildly tipsy from your drinking and dancing instead. "As I...As I recall, YOU said - and I quote, "You'd better be back before the sun rises". And the sun hasn't even risen yet...! See? See...?"

"That's NOT the point." Gritting his teeth, Penny tightened his arms around you before breathing out in relief; his anger fading when he noticed just how alright you really were. "I...I just...I'm just glad you're okay. I...I missed you, Sugar."

"D'aww, I missed you too, Penny...!" You talked to him excitedly, flinging your arms around his neck once you'd patted his shoulder. "I missed you super-duper-DUPER much...! All the way to the ENDS of the EARTH and BACK...!"

"Y...You did...?" Pennywise asked in surprise, his eyes widening at your reply as he grew astonished by your comment. "But you...you could've always called for me. Sure, your friends wouldn't have been able to see me, but you would've been able to. So I...I'm sorry if you felt alone tonight—"

"Oh, I wasn't alone, Penny...!" You interjected happily, your tone bubbly and bright whilst you giggled at your boyfriend directly after. "I was with Becky, Dani and Maria...!"

"I...I know that...It's just...the way you phrased it...I thought you felt—"
"—Well after eating dinner, I drank one or two of my favourite soft drinks - but then my friends convinced me to drink a few cocktails, dance on the dance floor, and now I don't know what to think..."

"You don't know...What to think...?" Confused, the clownish slasher curled his arms around your body after you'd spoken and cuddled you closer; his concern blossoming once he'd taken note of how unusual you were behaving.

"What to think...? Well, what do you want me to think...?" You playfully teased, acting all innocent and kissing him on the side of the cheek. "I mean, I can think about anything you want me to, y'know~?"

"Little lollipop...? You okay...? You're not acting like yourself all of a sudden..." Penny trailed off with uneasiness, not happy about how overly-ecstatic you strangely were. "Are you not feeling well...? Is something wrong...?"

"Oh I'm feeling great...!" You giggled at him gleefully, poking his other cheek with your opposite hand's forefinger and doing your best to keep you and him happy. "Hey, hey, hey...! Wanna hear a joke...? We were telling tons and tons of them inside the cocktail bar...! They were all about drunken people, and it was hilarious...! Wanna hear one...!? Do you...? Do you...? Do you...!?"

"Uh...Do I...?" He questioned in a cautious tone, his left arm supporting you by your waist as his right fingers stroked through your (h/c)-coloured strands with the utmost of care.

"I don't know, DO you...!? I thought it was funny, but maybe Maria's was funnier. Then again, I can't tell what Becky and Dani thought of mine - mostly because I think Dani crushes on Becky from time-to-time, it's just SO hard to tell sometimes, like Jeez Dani, get it together girl...!" Speaking to Dani from afar, you giggled again and collapsed into Penny's arms altogether - making him worry even harder.

"Sugarplum, you're not speaking to anybody but me right now. You left your friends inside...Remember...?" Pennywise reminded you with a defensive tone; pulling you closer towards him and away from the cocktail bar.

"I did...? Aw, crap...! I should probably go and say Goodbye to them. It's the polite thing to do." Looking relatively sheepish, you attempted to sprint to your friends again; the killer clown clutching your wrist and forcing you back within mere seconds.

"No. I think that's the LAST thing you should do right now, Muffin." Denying you from doing so, Penny wrapped his arms strongly around your body and teleported you straight home; his concern increasing when you giggled at him by the front door. "Let's just get you to bed, or something along those lines. You need to...to recover from tonight. Something's wrong with you."

"Pffft, I knew that already, silly~!" You responded with yet another lighthearted laugh, nudging his side and messing around before knocking at the door countless times. "But you have to stay quiet, m'kay...? You have to shush Penny...! Shush...! Shush...!"

"But you're the one that knocked on the door and made a sound—!" Before Pennywise could finish your house's front door opened, Hannah and Hailey both in their nightdresses as they looked tremendously tired.

"(Y/n)...?"
"Pennywise...?" The twins both talked in a perplexed tone, tilting their heads while letting you inside at the same time. "What are you two doing outside this late...?"

"Something's wrong with her. I need your help. Now." Penny demanded in another low voice, his words urgent and almost inaudible like before you'd said Goodbye to him.

"Wrong with her...? Oh God, what happened...?" Hannah freaked out fearfully, watching him guide you into the living room by your waist as Hailey softly shut the front door - in order to not wake your mother up.

"I don't KNOW. She was FINE before she left to have fun with her FRIENDS. THEY must've DONE something to her." Pennywise argued furiously, sitting you down on the sofa and cradling the side of your cheek with his hand before losing his temper. "It must be ALL of THEIR fault...! So...!? WHAT am I supposed to do...!? HOW do I fix this...!?"

"How do you fix what...? Are you talking about fixing me...?" You messed about joyously, stifling a giggle and throwing everybody a wave because...Well, because why not...? "You can't fix me, Penny...! Because I'm not broken right now...! Well I have a list of problems, 99 to tell the truth, but being broken is not one of them...!"

"Wrong with her...? Need our help...?" Echoing his words from earlier, Hailey started laughing herself, realising the problem and sharing a look with Hannah; both twins knowing where you had spent your time tonight, and what was going on.

"Did you hear that Hailey...? There's something wrong with our sister." Hannah pointed out before covering her mouth, trying her best to keep her chuckles low while Pennywise almost lost it.

"WHAT'S going on here? WHAT did they do to (Y/n)? What's WRONG with her...?" The unstable killer demanded to know coldly; shifting into his darker form and gripping a pocketknife a second or two later. "Are you trying to pick a FIGHT with me here...? Because if so, you're NOT going to like what happens."

"A fight...? Woah there buddy...!" Unalarmed by his threat, she continued giggling with Hailey - the two sisters almost gasping for air whilst also struggling to keep quiet. "Do I look like I even have a weapon...!?"

"Maybe we should tell him what's going on with (Y/n) before sending her upstairs..." Hailey brought up with an amused grin, also unafraid by his warning as she sat down next to you and wrapped her arm around your waist.

"Finally. So...?" Pennywise snapped at them strictly, glaring at them both and still grasping the knife. "What's the verdict...? What did they DO to her...? How do I resolve this...!?"

"They did nothing." Hannah told him with a smirk.
"You don't need to do anything." Hailey added after her, both twins eventually stopping their wild laughter.

"Wha-huh...?" Taken aback, Penny returned to his original form and dropped the knife; his fury subsiding as surprise clouded his expression instead of anger. "W-What is that supposed to mean...? Are...Are you two having a laugh...?"

"No, no, no...!" Hailey chuckled after shaking her head, placing her forefinger on her lips and shushing him as best she could. "(Y/n)'s fine. Well, physically."

"We've never been sure about her mental state, but hey, that's just a sibling thing." Hannah jauntily joked; brushing her hair behind her ear before thinking about just how to describe your state to Pennywise in a way that he'd understand. "But this is different. This is just because she's had a ton of drinks. I'm assuming (Y/n) and her friends hung out at the Ruby Ranch...?"

"Yeah. She did." Pennywise slowly answered, narrowing his eyes before frowning at her remark. "But what's wrong with drinking...? Everybody drinks. You need to drink in order to live."

"For such an inhuman, monstrous creature, you only really know how to scare children, now don't you...?" Hailey fake-sighed, rolling her eyes at his wholesome attitude and ignoring his confusion. "This is because she must've drunk something other than a soft drink."

"Oh yeah? Like what...!?" He huffed irritably; crossing his arms and resenting her condescending mannerisms as he watched Hannah crouch down in front of you and take your hands in hers.

"Hey, (Y/n). It's me, Hannah. Can you remember what sort of drinks you shared with your friends earlier...?" She asked in a gentle tone of voice, squeezing your hands once she finished speaking.

"Oh sure I can...! They were cocktails...! I wasn't even supposed to be drinking them in all honesty. But...But don't tell...! I wasn't planning on having one, but Becky and Dani begged and begged for me to try one out. So I...So I did. But the one I tasted was so, so, SO sweet. It was called "Iced Island" or something...! At least I think it was...?" Mulling over her question elatedly, you tried to answer correctly, but in the end, you just started questioning yourself instead.

"Iced Island...?" Pennywise quoted quizzically, looking at Hannah and Hailey after picking up on that specific part of your sentence.

"Ohhh...I know what she means." Hailey giggled with even more amusement; finding Hannah and Penny's bewilderment hilarious. "Hannah, (Y/n) means "Long Island Iced Tea". Y'know, the alcoholic cocktail drink...?"

"Long Island Iced Tea...? What is that...? Is that dangerous...? Why was she allowed to even taste that...?" Pennywise interrupted with an insecure gleam flashing across his gaze; the killer feeling furious and frustrated again after unfolding his arms from before.

"Oh boy, she's gonna feel that in the morning." Hailey mentioned with another laugh, hugging you from the side and finding your response funny. "Jesus, I didn't think she'd have the balls to try that. That's some alcoholic cocktail."

"Feel WHAT in the morning...? WHAT'S going on here...? WHY won't you two TELL me anything...!?" The clownish slasher hissed at them hatefully, losing his composure as his scared concern started to show.

"Calm down, calm down, (Y/n)'s fine. She's fine. I promise." Hannah chuckled reassuringly, relief flooding through Pennywise's body as his temper calmed down after hearing that. "But it's probably best if you take (Y/n) upstairs to her room anyway. Right, Hailey...?"

"Yeah, she'll need rest after what she's just dra—"
"Done." Pennywise adoringly agreed; scooping you into his arms bridal-style and teleporting you into your bedroom within the blink of an eye, leaving the two sisters in the living room alone to walk upstairs themselves.

"Well that wasn't rude at all." Hannah muttered under her breath after she entered your bedroom, both of your sisters watching Pennywise lay you down atop your covers as lightly as humanly possible. "Couldn't you at least teleport us too...?"

"Perhaps if I valued you two as much as I valued (Y/n), I would. But unfortunately, No. Not in my billions and billions of years." The clownish slasher told them roughly, not caring about how he'd treated them in the slightest. "Sorry~"

"Jeez Louise, how long have you been alone mate...!?" Hailey weirdly wondered, entering the room herself before leaning against the wall. Her unintentionally sharp question suddenly struck a nerve; so sudden in fact that not only did Pennywise not see it coming, but he froze for a split second, shifting his gaze so he could avoid their eyes before spilling the truth.

"A...A very long time." He solemnly stated, keeping his voice subdued and somber. "I...I didn't even think I needed anybody, until I met (Y/n), sitting on the street."

"I see..." Looking awkward, Hailey bit her lip and glanced at Hannah silently, not knowing what to do all of a sudden.

But after clearing his throat, Pennywise faced your two siblings and asked for their help - his words making him feel weak and annoyed. "Hey, uh...Mind helping her...get changed...? I um...Don't think she's in the right state of mind...to switch into pjs...right now..."

"Of course..." Dipping her head as a nod, Hailey turned towards you and began helping you - Hannah relaxing her stance and facing Pennywise with a kinder look, almost as if she trusted him a bit more.

"You're not going to take advantage...?" Hannah commented with a tilt of her head, the other twin sister finding spare pyjamas for you and helping you undress while Penny and Hailey turned around.

"Take advantage? Of what?" The killer clown questioned blankly, not understanding Hannah's words whilst they started to talk - you and Hailey engaging in your own conversation. "Of (Y/n)?"

"Well most guys would...I don't know, try something...when a girl, or their girlfriend...was this wasted..." The dark-haired sister informed him feebly, fumbling over her reply while also fidgeting.

"I could never take advantage of (Y/n). Why would I want to? That's disgusting. Like I told you - and the rest of her family weeks ago - I'd do anything for her. Whatever she wanted. Whenever she wanted. And doing something against her will like that...I could never. Besides, I have standards you know." Pennywise proclaimed possessively; his words reflecting just how much he cared about you.

"I know. I...I'm starting to understand that." Sending him a smile, Hannah softened her defensive stance and calmed down a little - appreciating that he didn't want to view you while you were so...out of your regular frame of mind.

"(Y/n)...? How are you feeling...? Do you want a sip of water or anything...?" Hailey offered with care; tucking you into bed and pulling the covers over you before giving you a hug, Hannah also giving you a hug seconds afterwards.

"Ahahaha! No thank you, I'm just fine!" You giggled at everybody with amusement, cuddling your sisters and Pennywise back before stifling a yawn. "But then again, maybe I'm not just fine...! Maybe fine is just me...! Who can say...? Find out next time...!"

"This is almost too funny to watch..." Hannah chuckled to herself and Hannah deviously, flicking the light off as they prepared to left. "Oh, Pennywise, didn't you want to know what was going on...?"

"Please. What's wrong...? What's happened to her...? Is it her health...? Is she sick...? Is she unwell...?" He begged them in distress, panicking on your behalf as he grew frustrated again.

"Nah...(Y/n)'s just drunk." Hailey told him with a devilish grin, looking at Hannah before thinking about how to explain it properly. "She's drank multiple cocktails and therefore has become absolutely out-of-it. Symptoms of cocktails and other alcoholic drinks often include acting overly-friendly, acting overly-excited, more giggly and laugh-y than usual, wilder mood-swings, drowsiness, a loss of their whereabouts, slower reflexes, terrible coordination - such as stumbling or swaying - and so on. But again, don't worry, she's fine. She'll just get a hangover in the morning."

"A hangover...!? What the FUCK is that...!?" Penny shot back venomously, worrying even further due to his lack of understanding. Because again, he was only used to messing with children - not older mortals or fully-grown creatures.

"Easy now, easy. A hangover is just something you receive when you've come around from being highly drunk." Helping Hannah out, Hailey delved into the explaining and decided to politely ignore your random messing around - the sisters giggling at how wasted you seemed to be at the same time. "It refers to the aftermath and the consequences of drinking too much, that's all. It mostly just means that (Y/n)'s going to probably feel tired, weak, nauseous, and have a headache in the morning."

"So...it's nothing that serious...!?" He aggressively made sure, double-checking whilst he saw Hannah and Hailey say a soft Goodnight to you. "She's going to be alright...!?"

"You have nothing to worry about. Night...Pennywise." Hannah consoled him peacefully, wanting to be civil before she left the room.

"See you in the morning...dude." Raising her hand as a wave, Hailey also attempted to be kinder; heading towards their bedroom and shutting the room behind herself as faintly as she could.

Hesitating, the clownish slasher stood in the middle of your bedroom; wondering whether or not he should leave you be like your sisters had, or if he should stay and make sure that you were alright. Luckily, he didn't have to. "Penny...? You're not leaving...Are you...?" You called out to him weakly, clutching the covers as you glanced at him with a tearful look. "Did I...Did I upset you...?"

"No." Pennywise lovingly answered, teleporting even closer to your side and replying as speedily as he could. "I'm not leaving. And you didn't upset me. You just...You just had me worried, cutie. That's all."

"I...I'm sorry..." You responded with regret, grasping his sleeve gently so you could cuddle into him. "I...I really didn't mean to—"

"I know, sweetie. I know. As long as you had a good time tonight though, that's all that matters." He comforted you sweetly, finding your current antics to be insanely adorable.

"Tonight's been...the best..." You sleepily spoke to Penny, giving his arm a squeeze as you kept on conversing with your partner. "But you know...what would make it...even better...?"

"What, sugar...?" Pennywise chuckled at how drowsy you were, suddenly seeing the funny side of your tipsiness and losing how frantic he previously was. "What would make tonight even better for you...?"

"If you...If you snuggled and slept...next to meee~" You cooed affectionately, tugging on his arm once you'd shared your suggestion -slash- request.

"But I don't sleep the same way your kind do, honeybun~" He reminded you with a sad smile, using his other hand to lightly ruffle your hair.

"D'aww...C'mon..." You dejectedly pleaded, your eyes filling with tears as your disappointed expression caused him to feel bad.

"Well, how about I do~" Pennywise paused in mischievous amusement, disappearing and reappearing so he could lie down promptly behind you. Then, the killer clown hauled you into his chest and decided to cheer you up that way, because of said bear hug. "~this~? That way, we can still stay together~"

"Mmm...I...I like it..." Softly giggling, you slowly started to fall more and more asleep; curling around so you could fully cuddle into Pennywise's arms. "Hope you sleep well, Penny...Whenever you do. And I...I hope you have sweet dreams too..."

"Thank you." Chuckling at your compassionate reply, Penny held you in his arms and hugged you tighter; the clown not just having a soft spot for you, but also adoring every single moment he was able to spend with you. "That's very kind of you. I'll be sure to, little lollipop~" And even though he didn't need to rest - or sleep - because of his species' periodic hibernation, Pennywise continued to snuggle down next to you; obsessively holding you in his arms, occasionally stroking your hair, all whilst his infatuation with you increased.

Norman Bates:
Days had passed since Norman had lent you his soft jacket; almost demanding that you keep it until your former uniform had finished being washed and dried. You wouldn't have minded wearing said summer uniform without his jacket, but the dark-haired male - for some reason - just freaked out, worried about you either catching a cold or getting - slightly - rained on. That did cause you to grow a tiny bit exasperated, but in the end your main uniform grew clean/dry, so guess everything worked out in the end. Well, apart from Norman's occasional, obsessive outbursts. It's not that you didn't still love Norman. It was just that his...clinginess towards you was sometimes more than you could handle. At least Norman didn't dislike or despise Molly anymore though. He'd even thawed towards her recently, slowly but surely coming to a sociable conclusion that she was now just a friend - both to you and to himself. Honestly...If it wasn't for Molly and the daily phone calls from your Mom, your unanticipated amounts of aggravation would be sure to make you snap one day.

With a sigh, you placed your hands on one of the slightly-dirty tables and stared down; doing your best to push your thoughts to the side and start cleaning the cafe section of the motel. "(Y...Y/n)...?" Norman's concerned voice made you jolt right back into reality, not expecting him to appear in this part of the building. "I-Is...Is...e-everything...I-I mean...A...Are you f-feeling alright...?"

"Oh, um, yeah. I'm sorry, I guess you just made me jump a little, that's all." Flashing him a faint smile in return, you quickly finished cleaning the table before facing him full-on. "But you making me jump was probably a good thing - otherwise I most likely would've been spacing-out for the rest of the entire evening."

"A...Are you sure...? I-I wouldn't want to...y'know...i-interrupt you or a-anything...!" He worried unhappily, clasping his chest and freaking himself out in the process. "I-I mean...If you w-wanted to-to be...l-left alone with your t-thoughts...I...I don't mind..."

"Don't stress it. These tables will only take a few minutes to get finished anyway. I'll be done before you know it." You kindly comforted Norman, holding one of his hands in yours before giving it a gentle squeeze of consolation.

"Oh...O-Okay..." Although Norman was still hesitant, he brightened up a little bit once he'd heard that; relieved that he hadn't barged in and irritated you. "O-Only if...Only if y-you're sure..."

"I'm sure. So why don't you head back to the Motel's main desk and wait for Molly to arrive...? Y'know, for the night shift, and all that." You spoke pleasantly, planting a soft kiss on the side of his cheek before turning back towards the rest of the tables and continuing to clean.

"R-R...Right..." He shyly stuttered, clearly flustered by your kiss and feeling embarrassed all at the same time. "I-I...I suppose I s-should do that...L-Love you, (Y/n)..."

"I love you too." You replied soothingly, touched by his timid state and how much he cared. "See you in a little bit...?"

"See y-you...in a l-little bit..." Norman repeated in a happy-go-lucky manner, plainly pleased by how he finally got to spend some time with you tonight.

So, despite not wanting to, your dark-haired partner left your side and headed back towards the Motel's Reception area; missing you straight off the bat while he impatiently waited for you to be done, or for Molly to arrive for the night shift, just so he could return to where you were and talk to you even more. Because Norman loved absolutely everything about you; from your beautiful, (h/c)-coloured hair, your gorgeous, (e/c)-coloured eyes, your unbelievable amount of kindness, how cute you always appeared in either your work uniform or just your clothes in general. In his eyes, you were always the most adorable and attractive woman anywhere he looked - whether you two were in the Motel working, out on a date together, shopping for supplies, or simply stocking up on things. He adored you. He...He just couldn't help it. He just...couldn't. It even distracted him from the Motel sometimes, with made Mother mad at him...occasionally. At least you rarely got mad at him. That cheered him up even more. Still though, he should probably focus on keeping Mother happy too—

"Um, Norman...?" You called his name a second time, tapping his shoulder from across the Reception Desk and trying to get his attention.

"O-O...Oh, (Y/n)...!" He anxiously stammered, replying to you as quickly as he could before shaking his head from side-to-side. "I-I'm SO sorry...! I-I wasn't i-ignoring you, or a-anything...!"

"Guess I'm not the only one feeling spacey today, now am I...?" You teased in amusement, trying to lighten the mood and calm him down.

"Ahaha...I-I...I guess not..." Releasing a bashful laugh, Norman dipped his head as a nod and smiled; joy washing through his veins when he realised that you must be finished. "S...So are you...? I-I mean...A-Are you done...?"

"Mmhm...!" You reassured your partner with sincerity, showing him a playful thumbs-up while your aggravation bubbled away. "Now all we have to do is wait for Molly, considering we completed our tasks just a few minutes early."

"W...Well...M-Maybe...If you want...O-Or if you'd like...We could...Work t-the main desk...t-together...y'know, u...until s-she—"

"—Sorry, sorry...! I'm super sorry...!" Molly's voice exclaimed from the Motel's front entrance - the teenage girl bursting in and hurrying to greet you both. "Traffic was really bad tonight...! I hope I wasn't late or anything...! I-I wasn't, was I...?"

"Hey, Molly. Good to see you." You cheerfully greeted, walking up to her and giving the blonde-haired teen a hug right afterwards. "You weren't late in the slightest. In fact, you're exactly on time. Thanks for your constant punctuality."

"Thanks, (Y/n). It's good to see you too...!" Molly responded with enthusiasm, her friendly attitude and diligent mannerisms dancing into play as she greeted you first. Then she turned to Norman. "Lovely to see you again too, Norman. How've you been recently...?"

"Oh, uh...J-Just fine..." Norman muttered quietly, still finding socialising with others to be rather difficult. "T...Thanks..."

"Good to hear...!" She cheerfully commented, flashing him a bright smile and attempting to clear the tension that was unfortunately stirring up between them both.

"I'm going to get changed out of my work uniform now." You hurriedly announced, feeling awkward from the heavy atmosphere that Norman had created between himself and Molly.

"Don't worry, I'll get changed into my work uniform and begin my job ASAP...!" She remarked in a lighthearted manner, continuing to do her best to be nice to Norman whilst she headed into the changing room to switch clothes.

"Norman...You agreed to be nicer to Molly." You reminded him firmly, reprimanding your partner as he joined your side.

"I...I'm trying...!" Norman moodily argued, his expression one of hurt and agitation. "I-It's just so...! I-It's just so...!"

"She didn't even do anything, except enter the Motel for her shift and greet me." You fiercely carried on, crossing your arms and doing your best to stay calm and collected.

"B-But...But she...she was so mean to me...!" Norman wailed, losing his sourness and loudly complaining instead.

"How so...?" You frowned in bewilderment, taken aback by his heartbroken tone and look of despair.

"She...She entered the M-Motel...JUST as I...JUST as I w-was about to...to ask y-you something...!" He selfishly retorted, tears pricking at the sides of his eyes as you wanted to secretly facepalm.

"How was Molly supposed to know you were about to ask me something...!? She doesn't have freaking telepathy...! She didn't call a psychic-hotline...!" You scolded him coolly, fighting back on her behalf and finding his response to be ridiculous.

"But then h-how...how did she—?"

"She arrived right on time...!" You continued in a frigid fashion, losing your temper slightly while also struggling to deal with Norman's overbearing behaviour. "So can you at least try to calm down and connect with Molly, somehow...? Sometime...?"

"I...I can t-try..." Norman mumbled, sounding both defeated and disappointed at the very same time. You could see why - it's not like you needed telepathy, or any sort of supernatural talent to figure out why he was acting this way.

"Thank you." You sighed in relief, knowing that at least for the time being, Molly wouldn't be in 100% danger. "I really am going to switch clothes now. Didn't really want to spend my entire evening in my work uniform tonight, y'know...?"

"W-Wait, (Y/n)—!" Norman called your name directly afterwards, grasping your wrist before you could leave his sight or grow any more aggravated by him. "I...I need t-to...to tell you s-something...!"

"Tell me what...?" You asked with a puzzled expression, flashing him a frown whilst also turning back around. "What's going on now...? What's wrong...?"

"Y...Y-You received a package t-today..." He informed you skittishly, shifting from foot-to-foot as he looked to the side and tried to tell you that way. "I-I'm not sure if...y-you were expecting one...b-but it arrived while y-you were working. Want me to g-go and get it f-for you...?"

"A package arrived for me...?" You blankly echoed, your eyes widening from surprise once you'd taken in his words and lost your annoyance. "I don't remember ordering anything this week...But sure, if you wouldn't mind, I'd be more than happy to take it into my room and see what it is. It could be that somebody's just sent a gift to the wrong address or something like that."

"O...Oh y-yeah...T-That's...probably it...!" His face brightening up, Norman's face cleared; releasing his hold on you while he decided to rush back towards the main desk and grab it for you. "W...Wait j-just a m...moment t-then—!"

"Uh, sure. Take your time." Faintly smiling, you waited outside your Motel Room's front door and gave him a friendly wave; watching your partner almost sprint to where Molly was now working at.

"Oh hey Norman! What can I do for you...?" She conversed towards him with warmth, tucking several folders underneath the reception's desk after checking multiple guests in for the night.

"I-I uh...I was j...just wondering i-if the package I...I took in earlier was s-still underneath t-the desk...?" Norman questioned Molly in a secluded voice, speaking to her with a hushed tone and quiet attitude.

"Ah, this one...?" The blonde double-checked brightly; taking out a wrapped package, tied up with a bow and a letter. "I know it has (Y/n)'s name on it, but I didn't know that she was expecting something this afternoon -slash- this evening."

"I...I wasn't...! I'm just curious to see what it is, that's all." You quickly exclaimed, calling over to her and explaining what was going on.

"I-It looks like...y-you g-got a...a gift from s-somebody..." Norman coldly cut into the conversation after noticing the wrapped present, the ribbon tied around it, and finally the letter with your name written across the top. "I...It could b-be an u-unwanted admirer, o-or somebody c...creepy...M-Maybe you sh...shouldn't o-open it, (Y-Y/n)..."

"It's just a gift, Norman. I'll be fine. Really. Mind passing it over to me, Molly...?" Brushing Norman's panicking to the side, you turned your attention back over to the teenage girl and accepted the gift; taking the present with your name on head-on and thanking Molly for handing it to you.

"W...Wait, (Y-Y/n)...!" He protested in desperation, hurrying behind you and attempting to prevent you from opening it. "I...It could be d-dangerous...!"

"I'll be back in a bit, I just need to change clothes, 'kay...? Sheesh..." You huffed with a roll of your eyes; carrying the gift with your name on into your Motel Room's small apartment and placing it onto your bed before switching into more casual attire. As soon as you'd done that, you carefully hung up your work uniform and sat down next to said package; checking out the letter with your name first.

—

To: (Y/n) (M/n) (L/n).
Subject: Congratulations on working your new job for over a year.

Dear (Y/n),
I noticed that you've been working at Bates' Motel for over a whole year now, and in all honesty, I really just wanted to congratulate you.

I know finding a job is difficult to do, especially one that's specifically right for you, so hopefully you're happy working at Bates' Motel, and happy helping out this Norman boy too ;) 

Perhaps one day I'll even be able to meet him <3 Maybe...One day ;) Speaking of which, I've sent you a little gift to show how truly proud I am of you.

I'm not sure how much you enjoy alcohol, but this is pretty light - so don't worry, you won't get TOO tipsy. It was your sister Laura's favourite drink, a lovely bottle of red wine.

I wish you and your boyfriend all the best, whether it's during your relationship, working together, etcetera etcetera<3, and would again, like to congratulate you from the bottom of my heart.

Your loving mother,
(M/n) (L/n) <3
Xxx

—

"A gift...from my...Mom...?" You stammered with a stunned state of mind, appreciating the sweet letter and softhearted words. "Th...That's so kind of her. Let's...Let's see what it is...!" With amusement, you delicately untied the bow and opened up the package; seeing that the letter did not lie, it was indeed a bottle of alcoholic wine.

"Speaking of my sister Laura, I haven't seen her in a long long time..." You mused thoughtfully, heading into your apartment room's kitchen to find a wine glass. You weren't a huge alcoholic, but that didn't mean that you weren't interested in tasting the drink, and seeing what it felt like to feel tipsy yourself. "I...I hope she's alright. I may not like her all that much, but hopefully she hasn't gotten herself mixed up in any actual danger..."

So you poured yourself some of the crimson-looking liquid, swigging a few sips down once you decided that you enjoyed said flavour. Holy shit...! This really WAS good...! Heading into the living room now, you sat down on the sofa and placed the glass of wine on top of the coffee table; switching your CD player on while also listening to chill and classical music too. Finishing your alcoholic drink a few moments later, you softly giggled, pouring yourself another one before sitting back down on the sofa and opening up one of your favourite books. You hadn't really drunken much before - due to not really thinking about it - but this did seem to be pretty fun. Drinking this sweet-tasting bottle of wine...Reading one of your favourite books...Snuggled on top of the sofa after work...This was strangely relaxing to you...Well, until—

"(Y...Y/n)...? I-Is everything a-alright in there...?" Norman questioned unsurely, sounding nervous and concerned. "A...Are you f-finished changing...? O-Or do you still need m...more alone t-time...? We're s-still sleeping t-together a...aren't w-we...?"

"Oh, I'm good...! Don't worry...!" You replied to him with a playful laugh, your mood-swing from before throwing your partner off completely. "It's just the gift was from my mother, and it was awesome...!"

"O...Oh...? C-Can I come in a-and see it...?" Norman happily asked, giving a polite knock or two at your front door as to not seem rude.

"Yeah, sure...! One sec...!" You responded in a bubbly tone, bounding over to the door and flinging open the front door cheerfully; stunning Norman and taking him totally by surprise.

"(Y-Y...Y/n)...!?" The dark-brown male gasped in shock, his eyes widening at how happy-go-lucky you seemed to be. "I-Is everything a-alright...!?"

"Mmhm...! Like I said, that gift was awesome...!" You repeated your response from before with excitement, pulling Norman by the wrist into your apartment and dragging him into the living room to show him the almost-empty bottle of wine gifted to you by your mother.

"W-Woah, woah, woah...! Y-Your...Your m-mother g...gifted you a-alcohol...!?" Norman summarised in a horrified fashion - his expression now filled with disgust and displeasure.

"Yeah, why...? What's the problem...?" You innocently inquired, bewildered by his anger and annoyance. "It tasted good, it made me happy, and it was awfully relaxing whilst I listened to classical music and read one of my books."

With frustration, Norman shook his head and tugged you frantically into a soft hug; resting his head on top of your own straight afterwards. "T-That's NOT the p-point, (Y...Y/n)...! A-Alcohol is s...supposed to d-do that...!" He argued angrily, snatching up the bottle of wine and breaking the embrace for just a few minutes. "T-THAT'S why i...it's D-DANGEROUS...!"

"It's just a drink, Norman." You giggled towards him in amusement, sitting back down on the sofa before entwining one of his hands' fingers in yours. "Chill out. They're made to calm people down...Y'know, show them a good time...Have fun—"

"J...JUST a drink...? JUST a d-drink...!? L-LOOK what it's D...DONE to you...!" Norman shrieked in alarm, panicking and twitching from his furious state of fear.

"Okay, okay, okay, so I may be a tad bit tipsy, but that's because I barely drink. So don't worry 'bout it." Attempting to calm Norman down, you pulled him into a hug of your own; wrapping your arms around his body while trying to cuddle into him at the very same time.

"B-But that's its j...job...!" Norman miserably moaned, hugging you back and internally freaking out. "A-Alcohol i...is s-seductive...i-it's e...enticing...! Y-You...You should n-never EVER d-drink this...!"

"Alright, alright, fine. I won't drink around you, m'kay...?" You lightly smiled, mischief dancing across your facial features as you secretly decided to still drink from time-to-time. Just...Just not around Norman.

"P...Promise...?" He suspiciously quizzed, narrowing his eyes and becoming distrustful. 

"I promise." You told him with sincerity, pressing your lips against his and telling him the honest truth. After all, you weren't lying - you said that you wouldn't drink around him...Not that you wouldn't drink 100%~

Hannibal Lecter:
Once the two of you had eventually returned home, you took Hannibal's jacket carefully off and then handed it back towards him; trying to behave as polite and thankful as you possibly could. "Listen...I appreciate you protecting me from the unexpected downpour and everything, but I...I—"

"Is something wrong, angelo mio?" Hannibal asked pleasantly, his charm and charisma throwing you off entirely and making you feel immensely skittish instead. "I mean, if there's anything else that's troubling you, or perhaps lingering on your mind, please feel more than free to share them with me. You know I'm always willing to listen."

"I-I know that...!" You nervously replied, feeling overwhelmingly on-edge after today and his previous actions. "I...I know. And for that I'm tremendously grateful. I think I'm just a little...I'm just a little...tired. That's all..."

"Why of course you are. It is past midnight after all, and you've endured a very traumatic day." He spoke with a sympathetic tone of voice and a softhearted smile. "Perhaps we should call it a night for now, and therefore continue our conversation some other time?"

"Oh, uh...Um, sure..." You trailed off feebly, shifting from foot-to-foot and hugging your arms while you wondered how on Earth you should go about this. Should you just...push the whole friendship thing under the rug...? After all, he hadn't tried to hurt your friends physically. Wait a minute—

—
Hannibal made us say it. Now, I know that sounds crazy. And that you probably won't believe me - us - , but it's true. And I'm sorry that there wasn't another way. But it was the only way to save Melody at the time. He slammed her against the wall by the neck when he threatened us. The night before you visited, he demanded that we hurt your feelings. He said it was to make sure that your feelings towards others would only grow to a certain extent.
—

No...No. You had to keep your distance. At least...At least for now. It was...It was safer this way. You could clear your head and regain some of your sanity too. Well, some of it at least. "(Y/n)? Are you sure that you're feeling alright? It's just that - and please don't take any offence - but it seems to me like your exhaustion from earlier is expanding exponentially. And at an extremely excessive rate, no less." Hannibal softly pointed out, shooting you a sorrowful smile before placing one hand on top of your shoulder and trying to console you that way.

"Yes...Yes...! I...I just really need my beauty sleep." Faking a false smile, you stifled a yawn and headed in the direction of the stairs, brushing your hair behind you as you turned to face Hannibal once more. "I think I'm just going to...to get ready for bed, and then I'll...I'll see you in the morning...For breakfast...?"

"And you're positive that you want to spend tonight all by yourself?" The psychiatrist responded with a tinge of doubt, looking a little puzzled and causing you to think back to your wish a few nights ago. "It's just that last time you requested that we rest together, and—"

—
"You should really get some rest."
"Yeah, true." "I suppose I should get enough sleep for tomorrow."
"Then with that, I wish you a peaceful night's sleep and sweet dreams, mio fiorellino."

"Hey, I um...I hate to be a bother, but...I was just wondering if tonight you'd like to...well, to stay...?" "Y'know, seeing as how we're a couple now, and how I'm...Well I'm over said incident."

"I'm afraid I can't tonight. I must complete some unfinished business and then discuss something important over the phone with another patient of mine."

"Oh...I had no idea."
"But it's not because I don't wish to, mi amore~" "I'll return shortly, so don't worry. Ti amo~"
"Love you too...!"
—

"I...I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I need a tiny bit more time to actually recover...Y'know, because of what happened between you and my friends...?" You fiercely stood up for yourself, staring him down and regaining some of your previous courage. "Traumatic experiences aren't exactly easy to recover from...Especially when they're caused by someone you thought you cared about."

"Thought you cared about...?" Hannibal quoted quizzically, curiosity stretching across his face whilst you internally panicked. Shit, you could've phrased that so much better— Still though, you had to stand up for yourself. No matter what.

"Well, I thought I knew you." You sadly spoke, sincere disappointment dripping from your voice as you turned back and faced the stairs. "I didn't think that my love in life would...would betray me in such a malicious manner. Tricking and drugging me into living here with you. Trying to teach and force me into thinking the way you do, especially when it comes to...to taking out the rude and ill-mannered. Not to mention what just happened earlier today. Forcing my new friends to reject me, just so you could spend some more time with me...? I don't care what type of explanations you have for each and every one of those previous little schemes you had. Because all of them were completely and utterly evil. And you...you can't convince me otherwise."

"(Y/n), dearest, I can explain, just give me a moment—"
"I don't want an explanation. Not after today. Today summed everything up. And after remembering Bedelia's past words, they've only added insult to injury." You defensively declared, still looking down at the stairs and feeling hurt by what Hannibal had done. "Salt to the wound, as it were."

"And what exactly did Bedelia say to add insult to your injuries, if I may so ask...?" He inquired casually, his question making you feel even more stressed-out and anxious. But then again...

"Her words aren't important." You sighed awkwardly, shaking your head before closing the conversation down completely. "I'm going to get ready for bed now. Call me if you need anything."

"(Y/n)?" Hannibal carefully called, his tone becoming more and more calming with each and every minute that passed by.

"Uh-huh...?" Cautiously turning around once more, you faced him fully one final time; tiredness spreading over your face while you glanced at the clock on the hallway's wall and stifled another yawn.

Though as you did so the psychiatrist's face softened up; his expression switching to a much warmer and caring one instead. "Just...remember to take it easy. You've had an awfully rough day today." He consoled you comfortingly, curling his left arm around your waist before using his other hand to lightly caress your hair.

"Oh, um...Alright." You shyly stammered, repeating your Goodnight to him and sending him a respectful smile in return. "...See you in the morning."

"Until tomorrow, il mio bel fiore~" After saying farewell formally, Hannibal then pressed the tip of your right palm softly against his lips, acting like a true gentleman whilst you grew slightly flustered.

"Until tomorrow, I guess..." You sheepishly commented, doing your best to behave as considerate and compassionate as you usually did. "I'll be heading upstairs now."

And with that, you made your way swiftly up the hallway stairs; switching into your pyjamas before promptly brushing your teeth and hastily running a comb through your hair as well. Then, you hurried into your bedroom and flopped out on top of your bed, feeling your fatigue rise and your tiredness alongside with it. Hannibal was right. You were utterly exhausted after what had happened earlier today. Earlier this morning. Earlier this afternoon. Earlier this evening. You were at a total loss. So much so that you didn't even want to-...No...you couldn't even sleep. It was downright diabolical. Trying your hardest, you tossed and you turned, flashbacks from the mental institution and Hannibal himself returning to you, haunting you, forcing you to reminisce and remember absolutely everything. Whether you wanted to or not. From the daunting ledge...to the forceful drugging...to you not heeding Bedelia's warning...all the way down to Hannibal threatening your friends behind your back and causing them to disappear.

—

"Do you want to talk about it?"
"T-Talk about what...?"
"What got you onto that ledge."
"Well it-it was a lot of things. My fill-in therapist mostly. The fact that you were gone. Everything went wrong."

"I can see that. Your new therapist was wrong to switch your medication, especially to shock therapy. I didn't know they were going to replace me with such a repulsive lowlife."
"I just...don't want to try anymore. Broken things can't be fixed. I-I shouldn't be here, I shouldn't have even been born!"

"Broken things can always be repaired with the right frame of mind. But you're not in the right frame of mind which is the problem. Come with me; I can help you."

—

"(Y/n), dearest, would you mind waiting for me around the corner please? Don't wander off though."
"Sure thing."
"Excuse me, Ma'am-"
"Incompetent, good-for-nothing fool."
"H-Hannibal!"
"Oh he'll be fine. Now come along, (Y/n)."

—

"Why did you...Why did you act so violent towards the guard...? Going outside isn't a tremendously big deal."
"For starters he ignored my obvious authority and kept spouting nonsense into my face, which quite frankly irritates me."
"-And secondly, he touched you in such a  disrespectful manner; it made me dislike him intensely. What a despicable man."

—

"Who...is it...?"
"It is only moi. Nothing to worry about, I'm so sorry to have disturbed you. Please go back to resting."
"Hannibal...? What are you doing here at this late hour?"
"I came to see how you were feeling, I apologise if this was out of the blue."

—

"You could've seen me in the morning."
"I'm a tad impatient, but you clearly guessed that already; being as smart as you are."
"Thanks for checking on me but I'm-"
"W-W-What are you doing with t-that-?"
"Like I said, you're incredibly fast. And this? Why, it's just something to speed your recovery along."

—

"(Y/n), dear, you look so unwell. Allow me to help you and you'll be fixed in no time."
"N-No thank you. I'd rather not."
"You need to trust me, I thought that's what we agreed on. Your first session, remember? You said you'd trust  me  and only  me."
"-And I do trust you! But after the adrenaline shots I definitely don't want any more injections."

—

"That book's a little...outdated for someone like you. You wouldn't enjoy it."
"O-Oh...okay...-I guess I'll-"
"How about this one? I noticed that you seemed to enjoy reading about different flowers and plants, so this one will prove to be enjoyable."
"T-Thank you. I'm sure I'll have fun reading it."

—

"What about hobbies? What do you do for fun?"
"I'm interested in many things, (Y/n) dearest; the culinary arts, intellectual literature, the fine arts, music - the list goes on."
"You like cooking?"
"I pride myself on being able to create delectable yet somewhat different dishes."

—

"I...see. What do you...dislike then?"
"I loathe rude people, they irritate me immensely. Banality is also a troubling issue for me, along with animal cruelty. I have no taste for animal cruelty, which is why I employ an ethical butcher."

"An ethical butcher? Be kind to animals and then eat them?"
"I'm afraid I insist on it. No need for unnecessary suffering. Human emotions are a gift from our animal ancestors. Cruelty is a gift humanity has given itself."

—

"Surely it's a bit too late to continue reading."
"Well I-...I just-the thing is...you see...uh..."
"Trouble sleeping?"
"Yeah. I didn't really feel like trying to sleep again."
"Understandable. Here, you might catch a chill."

—

"Ah (Y/n). Meet Dr. Bedelia Du Maurier."
"H-Hi!"
"Pleasure to meet you, (Y/n)." "I've heard a lot about you."
"Y-You have...?"
"We'd best be on our way then."
"Take care, mio fiorellino."
"H-Hannibal-!"

"If you don't let her leave, we won't be back until dusk - instead of twilight. Your plans will be-"
"Understood. Take care."
"Come now, (Y/n). I don't bite."
"See you later."
"See you soon, (Y/n) dear."

—

"—humour me for a moment," "You're walking down the street and you see a wounded bird in the grass. What's your first thought?"
"Hmm... Let's see... It's vulnerable...?" "I'd want to help it."

"My first thought is also that it's vulnerable. And yet...I want to crush it." "A primal rejection of weakness which is every bit as natural as the nurturing instinct."
"Of course, I wouldn't crush it, but my first thought is to do just that."
"What does this have to do with Hannibal?"

"My point is that we are very different - because although we'd both help it, we both had opposing initial thoughts."
"Okay...?"
"So (Y/n), what initial thought do you think Hannibal would have? To help it?" "Or to crush it?"

—

"Now we'd best be on our way, otherwise I'll face Hannibal's wrath."
"Hannibal's...wrath...?"
"You haven't noticed his whole...façade change?" "Then again, I'd assume he'd be exceptionally careful around you."
"Exceptionally careful around me? What's that supposed to mean?"

—

"It wasn't my intent to cause offence. But Hannibal...I've had to draw my own conclusion, based on what I've glimpsed through the stitching of the person suit that he wears."
"And your conclusion?"
"The conclusion I've drawn is that he's dangerous."

—

"Why?" "Because I adore you. Surely you must've noticed by now. Amore mio... You mean so much to me."
"The angelic way you think, the empathetic mindset you have, and the kind heart you possess, all of which captivate me. I'm addicted to you, (Y/n)."

"I...I don't know what to say. I..." "...I love you Hannibal. I...I really, really do."
"And I, you, mia cara. Will you accept my confession and become mine?"
"Yes...Yes I will."

—

"I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't have asked—"
"Are you certain you want to know the truth about that book...?"
"I-um...well..." "Yeah...? As long as you're alright with it."
"In that case, I'll be back momentarily."
"See? Nothing more than a culinary book, mia agnellina." "Nothing to worry about."

—

"W-What on Earth was that-?"
"G-GU...GU..." "G-GU...YS...!"
"Is something the matter, Lillian? You look terribly disturbed."
"YOU ARE WHAT THE MATTER IS!" "YOU HAVE A CHOPPED-UP CORPSE IN THE ROOM BEHIND THE SHELF INSIDE THE BATHROOM!!"
"And is there any particular reason you decided to push that shelf to the side?"
"W-Wait...W-What-?"

—

"I didn't think I'd have to do this so soon. What a pain." "Ah well, you have to do what you have to do."
"H-Ha...Han..."
"I do apologise, my darling, but unfortunately I didn't have much of a choice."
"I...I... Y-You..."

—

"It was their own fault, really." "Lillian pried into something that wasn't hers to begin with - something private - and I had selected the others from the start."
"S-Se...Selected...?" "W...What the...What are you talking about...?

—

"Dearest, do you really think that I invited those patients just to discuss their psychological issues?"
"Each of them were rude and I told you - I despise rudeness. Though, I didn't think one of them would discover that room. What a bother."
"Y-You said that book was nothing more than studying cannibalistic tendencies, and that you only owned it out of curiosity."

—

"You...You lied to me. Why...? Why...?!"
"Mio fiorellino, it wasn't lying~"
"Technically I was using the book to study cannibalistic tendencies, considering I use it for recipes. I don't find that to be a problem."
"I can't believe you." "These are people, Hannibal! People with lives! With dreams! With aspirations! You can't just...just rip that away from them because you dislike the way they do things!"

—

"Oh mio fiore," "I'm not ripping anything away. The people I'm removing from this reality are people I'm removing for a reason. Now that I think about it, I'm saving them."
"Saving them!?" "You're killing them!"

—

"You...You lied to me." "You did drug me. You did come into my room that night. It wasn't a nasty nightmare. You told me that you were the only person I could trust - the only person who ever listened to me."

—

"Oh (Y/n), you know I love you."
"You have a very funny way of showing it."
"I did what I did because I love you."
"Love me? Love me?" "You and I must have different versions of what love is then."

—

"Il mio bellissimo petalo, just think about it." "I saved you from suicide, did I not?"
"Well yes, but that's not the—"
"And when I heard that you were still in the West Wing instead of the East Wing, I did something about it, didn't I?"
"By drugging—"

—

"And didn't I rescue you from my fill-in therapist, along with rescuing you from the mental institution as a whole?"
"Yes, which I am very grateful for. But that's not what we were talking about."

—

"Ah, I see. Sounds like you two are growing extremely close, now aren't you?"
"You could say that."
"That's nice."

"I hope you're not too nervous about tomorrow, dearest."
"Only a little bit."

"You're not worried in the slightest over what they might be like?"
"Um...Not really..."

—

"This accident just makes my promise from last night even stronger."
"Your...promise?" "Are you talking about the second part of your sentence from last night...?"
"Indeed I am." "It's Italian for something."

"Something...? That's helpful." "Wh-What are you—?"
"It means that I will never let you go." "Ever. Because someone as perfect as you doesn't deserve to be treated in such an inane manner."

—

"NO!" "Don't even START with that. I'm done with the whole pulling-wool-over-my-eyes nonsense! I want to know what caused this, and I want to know NOW."
"Ah yes. I was just waiting for something like this to happen...Eventually. Especially from your pathetic little group of so-called friends."

"But...But why...?" "I...I thought you were trying to...to help me. Help my health. But this...this is the exact opposite of helping."
"Why did I do it...?" "Hmm...What an interesting question. Why did I do it...~?"

—

"Hannibal...? Are you feeling alright? Why won't you just tell me—"
"I did what I did to keep you safe. To make sure there would be no...repeat occurrences of your past events, that's all."
"W-What are you talking about...?"

"Think about it, my darling (Y/n). Back to when we first started spending time together. Didn't you say that you suppressed most of your memories?"
"Well yes, I did, but—"

"But there was one thing I didn't tell you."
"W...What didn't you tell me...?"
"It's that I know more about your past than you do~"
"...I don't understand, how could you possibly know—?"

—

"I've never met - or heard of - anyone who would go this far for their partner. I haven't even done anything particularly special, and—"
"Oh mio bel, bel fiore~" "You don't need to. I've never met anyone as special as you are."
"I...I think maybe you need to get out more..."

"On the contrary, I'm afraid I have to disagree with you there." "Everything about you draws me in. Your beauty, your kindness, your empathy...But I knew as soon as I first started interacting with you at the hospital."

"K...Knew what, exactly...?"
"That I was completely and utterly infatuated by you, of course."

—

"And you know, you wouldn't believe the amount of hoops I had to jump through just to get you here in the first place."
"I-I just don't get it...Why would you—"
"Why would I do such a thing? Because I don't care who I hurt. I never have. Why should I?"

"I didn't want to share your lovely personality with anyone. And now...now I don't have to. They don't deserve your attention. They don't deserve any of it. You understand, don't you darling~?"

"No." "I don't. I don't understand. That logic is absolutely ridiculous. I may not be fully recovered from my mental health issues, but what you've just said to me...what you've just said, is completely and utterly barbaric."
"Oh, it is, is it?"

—

"Yes. I do." "But what you did to my friends...was awful. How you treated them, was...was disgraceful. And you're NOT going to convince me otherwise."
"I can see that. But in the end, I'm afraid I did what I had to, in order to gain what it is that I desired. Because, unfortunately, sometimes, it's as simple as that."

—

"I just can't believe you." "Why...? Just...Just why...? You knew I wanted friends. You knew I wanted them to like me. And yet...yet you made it look like they didn't. You twisted it into some sort of...some sort of spoiled scenario."
"Like I told you before, I did what I did to protect you. To prevent anyone else from hurting you. Even if it meant keeping people at a certain...distance."

—

With a petrified gasp you shot up in the middle of the night; taking note that yet another one of your bad dreams had taken place. Well, except this time around they were all horrifying recollections, stemming from your frightened flashbacks and past memories as a whole. You...You couldn't even fall asleep anymore. Not without remembering Hannibal's cruel way of thinking...without hearing his former comments echo throughout your thoughts. All of his replies...and all of his responses...were just so...so possessive...so obsessive...You definitely didn't feel like retrying sleep a second time. At least...At least, not at the moment. So, doing your best to stay quiet, you softly headed into the library and selected one of your preferred books from one of the shelves; sitting down before flicking it open whilst you also recalled speaking to Hannibal for the first time in the middle of the night.

—

"Surely it's a bit too late to continue reading."
"Well I-...I just-the thing is...you see...uh..."

"Trouble sleeping?"
"Yeah. I didn't really feel like trying to sleep again."
"Understandable. Here, you might catch a chill."
"Thanks Hannibal."

"You're very welcome, my dear. Now what are you reading there?"
"Oh, um, one of Shakespeare's works."
"A fine choice. My apologies for interrupting your reading session, do carry on."

—

Minutes passed while you stared tiredly at the pages, tears pricking at the edge of your eyes as you wondered what to do about your excessive exhaustion and massively growing stress. But what were you supposed to do!? How could you work through all of this!? What should you d—!?

"Surely it's a bit too late to continue reading." A familiar voice snapped you out of your thoughts, that certain someone causing you to jump and almost drop your book.

"H...Hannibal...?" You panicked in alarm, worried about what he would say or why he was even around. "What are you doing up at the hour...?"

"I could ask you the very same thing." The psychiatrist asked dryly, a fresh blanket draped over his arm just like the first time you and him had spoken in the library.

"Well, I...The thing is...I just—"
"Trouble sleeping?" Repeating his past words, Hannibal passed you over the warm cover and also threw you a sympathetic smile, questioning your reaction due to him obviously knowing what was bothering you.

"Yeah, I...I really don't feel like trying to sleep again...Sorry." You wearily muttered, glancing your eyes to the side after you'd thanked him for the blanket.

"This is because of another nightmare, isn't it...?" He brought up casually, placing his left hand on your right shoulder and therefore catching your attention again. "It's because of everything that's happened so far, isn't it...?"

"Who cares...? It's not like you regret it...or feel bad about it...or anything like that..." You replied coolly, staring at the floor as you felt your fatigue and frustration both rise at the same time.

"Please don't take it personally, amore mio. It was never my intent to hurt your feelings." Hannibal responded with a soft tone; his left hand moving down from your shoulder to around your waist while he continued speaking. "I did what I did because I care. Whether you realise it or not. So unfortunately for you, I don't regret what I've done, nor do I feel bad about my...former behaviour."

"But then why did you do it...?" You wondered in a tiny voice, looking back towards him with hurt eyes. "I can understand the hospital hoops - well, to some degree - but the killing patients in front of me, forcing me to see things the way you do, trying to...to turn my friends away from me...I mean, that's...that's absolutely absurd."

"Not to me, I'm afraid." The dark-haired male peacefully disagreed; sending you an almost sorrowful smile whilst he mused over how to defuse said situation. "I can't help the way I am. Though there is one thing I wish I could've changed however, or at the very least, handled more...delicately."

"And that would be...?" You firmly pushed, narrowing your eyes and hugging your arms instead of holding the book you'd been reading.

"I wish that you'd never found out. I wish that they'd never told you. Especially through such a silly little letter." He sighed with aggravation, his reply making you feel even more defensive by how annoyed he was.

"What, so you'd rather the truth be tucked under the rug indefinitely...?" You sharply retaliated. "You'd rather I stay upset by their...their unwilling break-up...?"

"Of course I wouldn't." Hannibal pacified you charmingly, his mindset throwing you off completely and causing you to frown from confusion. "I would never want you to go through such unnecessary suffering."

"But surely you must've seen what would happen if things had backfired - like now." You pointed out in an unhappy fashion, placing the book on the small table before rolling your eyes and becoming somewhat sarcastic. "This entire ordeal seems overly extreme, even going by your standards."

"Mm...You may have a point there." He mentioned with dark amusement; releasing his hold around your waist and deciding to hold the tip of his chin between his thumb and forefinger instead. "Perhaps it was a little...over-the-top...as it were."

"Exactly. So why would you—?"
"Because you and I just don't think the same way, il mio bel fiore." Hannibal cut in lovingly, bringing the obvious to light and pointing out the differences between you both. "In fact, I've never met anyone quite like you before. I suppose that's why I find your train of thought - and you as a whole - to be so...so infatuating."

"So it's my mindset and overall way of thinking that interests you." You suddenly noted, offended once you'd quickly come to that conclusion. "Is there actually even any love behind us after all...? Or was that just mere curiosity, due to my unusually high amount of empathy...?"

The psychiatrist stopped speaking to you for a second or two; his right hand cradling the left side of your face and tilting your hurt eyes in his general direction, his gaze now radiating with not only adoration, but affection as well. "Never think for a moment that I don't love you, mio tesoro. I mean it's true that both your empathy and thought process intrigue me. They go unbelievably unparalleled. But that's not the only reason I care so much about you, y'know~?"

"But...But then why—?"
"Maybe we should continue this conversation later on in the morning." He kindly interrupted, his thumb sweetly stroking the side of your cheek as you unexpectedly blushed. "It's growing to be rather late...or rather early, don't you think so, dearest...?"

"Oh, u-uh, yeah..." You stuttered from surprise; embarrassment flooding through your veins while you folded the blanket over your arm and then reached out to return the book back to where it properly belonged. But Hannibal got there first, picking the book up for you beforehand and then sliding it back in said spot for you.

"Thanks..." You murmured with immense awkwardness, not knowing how to feel or what to say at this point in time. After all, you were dealing with not only a pretty dangerous serial killer here; you were also dealing with someone who'd drugged you, killed multiple people around you, prevented you from making friends, was intent on keeping you all to himself, and only wanted your interaction with others to grow to a certain extent.

"Buonanotte e sogni d'oro~" Your intellectual partner murmured back to you passionately, pressing his lips against one of your hands once you'd both reached the upstairs of the house.

"G-Goodnight to you too...!" You stammered back, not knowing all of his words but realising that he must've said Goodnight somewhere along those lines. Hopefully.

The next morning you were still incredibly exhausted, due to not just the earlier nightmares-slash-recollections, but also the lack of sleep as a whole. Still though, you tried your best to remain civil and make your way downstairs, thanking Hannibal for creating your favourite foods for breakfast and for doing his hardest to keep the atmosphere as pleasant as he possibly could. But even with his efforts, you kept on feeling unnerved and uncomfortable - from remembering Bedelia's warning, Hannibal's violent behaviour, his cold-hearted mindset, your isolation from your pen-pals, everything really. Like you told the possessive psychiatrist from the start - everything went wrong.

"(Y/n)...?" Hannibal called your name respectfully, his cautious tone of voice bringing you back into reality and making you jump a little.

"O-Oh, yeah...? Is there something you needed...? Is everything alright...?" You questioned in alarm, freaking out and fretting about how you'd currently been spacing-out during said conversation.

"No, no, no...I was just wondering if you'd like to head out this evening. To smooth things over and soothe your distress from these last few days." He understandingly offered, watching your eyes widen from a huge amount of worry and fear.

"B-B-But what on Earth for...!?" You bursted out wildly, stunned and shocked by his sudden offer. "I-I mean, I'm an...I'm an introvert, so...so...Not to mention I'm still...recovering from...from what's gone down these...last couple of weeks..."

"Cara mia, cara mia, please, please relax." Hannibal spoke to you in a silky-smooth tone, his friendly personality calming you down, just like last night. "It was nothing more than a simple suggestion, that's all. Besides, it's more of a...social gathering this time around."

"Social gathering...?" You quoted suspiciously; your hesitation escalating exponentially. "So they'll be other people with us instead of just us two...?"

"Indeed." He answered with a gentle smile, wanting to calm down your nervousness around him and also place himself in a better light. "Bedelia will be attending, along with Dr. Alana Bloom, her patient Abigail, and my colleague Will."

"Oh, I see..." Taking a deep breath, you timidly tried to calm your out-of-control heartbeat; knowing that your introverted personality would already be a problem for you. Not to mention your shenanigans from last night and the previous few days would cause you to act like an utter psycho. "I'm assuming this is the same Will you usually go on cases with...?"

"Mmhm. Will's been eagerly awaiting to meet you, and I feel as if you, him, and Abigail share a lot of the same traits when it comes to each of your mindsets." Hannibal mentioned with a hint of mischief, his next remark making you feel even more embarrassed.

"Will's been...eagerly awaiting...to meet...me...?" You echoed weakly, almost stumbling over your words whilst your bewilderment increased. "But he barely even knows me...! And I've never met this Abigail girl either, so how can you be sure that she shares the same characteristics as I do...?"

"I don't know for sure. I was merely speculating, darling." The dark-haired male replied with another one of his softhearted smiles, plainly wanting to lull you into a calm sense of security. "In any case, I'm not going to force you to join us. It was simply an offer, that's all. None of them are going to judge you. To be perfectly honest, I think Abigail and Will might actually share that exact same fear."

"Really...?" You nervously inquired, finishing up your breakfast and taking a sip of your drink right afterwards. "But what about Bedelia and Dr. Alana Bloom...?"

"While they don't share their emotions and feelings as easily as you or other people do, I'm fairly certain that they'll let their curiosity over you show at least." Hannibal thought over said subject tactfully, placing his empty cup of coffee back on the dining table once he'd responded to your question.

"Well, I...I guess...If it's just the six of us...and none of them will judge me..." You trailed off feebly, not having any arguments or fears left. "I don't mind joining you guys. As long as I'm not any trouble...or a burden...or anything like that..."

Hannibal's smile widened, his expression twirling into one of tenderness and endearment while he carried on talking to you. "(Y/n) dearest, you've never ever been a burden. To others or to myself. So I'm positive that they'll find your sweet personality and caring company highly refreshing. Just as I do."

"A-Alright then..." You mumbled self-consciously; your face flushing several shades of pink whilst you stood up and moved over to the kitchen sink, washing your dishes like always. "I just hope they don't find my...my shyness to be rude or...or disrespectful..."

"I'm sure they'll understand, mi amore~" He murmured sweetly into your ear; his arms curling around your waist as he hugged you from behind, your frantic heartbeat practically exploding by this point in time. "You've never once been rude or disrespectful. Well, apart from the first time we met, but I don't class that."

—

"Good afternoon Ms (L/n). Please, take a seat."
"N...No thank you..."
"Now I would consider that to be quite rude, but looking at your psychological state I can understand."

—

"Y...You don't...?" You spoke from surprise, your humiliation rising as your frustration and resentment towards Hannibal slowly subsided. "But I acted so...so hostile back then, a-and I—"

"(Y/n), sweetness, nobody's perfect." He reminded you fondly, his hand running through your hair once you'd turned around to face him fully. "Everybody's shown signs of animosity towards somebody else at some point or another. Whether it be from aggression...antagonism...annoyance...anger...You can't possibly deny that. It's nothing more than a part of human nature, that's all."

"I suppose you have a point there..." You agreed with a flustered face, still not used to the possessive psychiatrist idolising you so...so much. "But anyway, seeing as I fell asleep so late - or sort of early - I kind of ended up having brunch, instead of either breakfast or lunch. So I'm probably going to take an afternoon shower...Mind telling me where we're heading out tonight...? And what time...? Or is it a surprise...?"

"It depends," Hannibal devilishly hummed; his smile switching to a sadistic smirk instead of his usually lighthearted demeanour. "Do you want it to be a surprise, mio fiorellino~?"

"I-I'm pretty indifferent...!" You responded quickly, deciding to calm yourself down and take a shower this afternoon. "I'm going to take a relaxing shower today, I think. That way I can get ready for this evening's..."social get-together"."

"What a wonderful idea." He complimented in his usually charming voice, his gentle smile returning instead of the wicked change of character he'd previously shown. "But it's probably best that I do tell you, so that you have time to properly prepare yourself."

"That would be rather helpful..." You replied with underlaying sarcasm, raising your eyebrows as you awaited for his actual answer. "So...? Where are we heading out this time around...?"

"Well, Bedelia and I both decided that the perfect place to catch up while introducing you to the others would be one of her favourite restaurants. It's called "The Moonlight Pearl". I'm not sure whether or not you've heard of it, but it's exceptionally well-known for their delectable dishes, delightful service, and bedazzling drinks." Hannibal respectfully explained; amused by your amazed expression and excited gaze.

Though suddenly you felt bad, guilt flooding over your face when you realised just how expensive that restaurant truly was. "I'm hugely grateful for the...the unbelievably courteous invitation, but I'm afraid I have to decline..." You sighed shamefully, biting your lip before walking into the hallway.

"Oh...? And is there any specific reason that you can't attend...?" The psychiatrist probed in a pleasant tone of voice, his therapeutic personality evoking even more anxiety from you.

"Well, it's just that...I mean...It's just so...so expensive...!" You stressfully summed-up; your excitement blossoming into major embarrassment with every passing moment instead. "Having you, Bedelia and the others pay for my meals...my drinks...would be far too much...! I couldn't possibly consider, or accept—!"

"(Y/n), (Y/n)...please calm down." Hannibal quietly requested, grasping your wrist with care and preventing you from progressing upstairs.

"B-But...But the expensive prices—!"
"Like I've stated previously, currency has almost little to no meaning to me - nor does is share any meaning to Bedelia, Will, Alana, or Abigail. I wouldn't say we're millionaires, or have particularly high social standing, but you have to believe me when I say that paying for you isn't as much of a bother as you're making it out to be." He reassured you with another one of his warm-hearted smiles. "If anything, it would be my honour to take you out on a third date."

"W...Well...I guess...if it's really no trouble...I suppose I can accept said invitation..." You gave in reservedly, keeping your voice low and now feeling worn-out by not just this current exchange; but your lack of sleep, your hysterical nightmare, Hannibal's...psychotic behaviour from the last few days, and finally your conflicted, convoluted feelings messing around with your...relationship too.

So after you'd agreed to join the social gathering, and introduce yourself to Will, Dr. Alana Bloom, and Abigail, you took that luxurious shower; changing clothes and deciding to go with a more elegant approach. Shifting through your bedroom's wardrobe; you settled on wearing a pair of black leather trousers, going with a chiffon-coloured blouse, a cream-tinted cardigan and then slipped on some simple, black heels, not wanting to seem like you were trying too hard. Then again, you didn't want to appear too lacklustre or lame either. Would you disappoint...? Would you appear too uninteresting...? Because even though you were still cross with Hannibal, you definitely didn't want to drag the atmosphere down. Once you'd brushed your hair and added a tad bit of pink lip gloss, you took a deep breath and stepped outside your room; making sure that you weren't too early or too late.

"Are we ready to go...?" You sheepishly questioned, doing your best to fake some confidence and act somewhat bold. "I mean, I hope I haven't made you wait too long or anything—"

"You're right on time." The smartly-dressed psychiatrist interjected with a peaceful response; putting your mind at rest before taking one of your hands in his. Then, he planted a very romantic kiss upon it. "So please don't worry so much. Besides, you're looking even more breathtaking than usual, mio tesoro, which I didn't even think was possible."

"I-I...I'm glad I could be on time..." Stuttering shyly, you averted your gaze and ended up blushing again like earlier, feeling your false confidence crumble just like a cookie would. "Y...You're looking quite handsome yourself...there...y-y'know...?"

"Why thank you, my dear." Hannibal thanked you in his typically warm tone; giving your hand a gentle squeeze a second or two later. "You're always so sweet, so thoughtful, so...so considerate. Especially after all of the different...scenarios you've undergone thus far—"

"—Different sort of scenarios...?" You repeated, curiosity dripping from your voice while you wondered what he was going on about. "Um...Is there something you need to speak to me about...? You sound like you're breaking the fourth wall of something or another—"

"No, no, no, nothing like that." He smoothly smiled, brushing his remark dismissively to the side as he lead you over to his car and helped you inside like a proper gentleman. "I was just reminding you of how lovely you always are, that's all. Nothing more, nothing less~"