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Mask hates February.
It's not that he has a favorite month but he definitely has a least favorite.
Mask can't stand all the inklings and octolings showing their affections throughout the square.
Just because it was “the season of love” every couple ever decides to share public displays of affection.
Its gross.
We get it you're in love, big deal.
Mask had a hard time getting out of bed to go to the S4 meeting today with that fact in mind.
Mask was staring off into space as Army went over training plans with the team.
They sat at their usual spot outside of a cafe which was packed for the season. While Mask would usually be on his phone he didn't want Army to annoy him about it, telling him to pay attention to the meeting instead of being on his device.
So he would USUALLY look around at the scenery and the buzzing city but seeing as everyone was being all mushy gushy he would rather look at anything but that. Because of this, Mask was actually paying more attention to the meeting than he usually would. Army explaining his strategies while Aloha chipped in adding his own ideas and comments and Skull nodding every once in a while to show he was listening, even having some questions of his own. Being honest, Mask only listened to the important parts.
Masks eyes drifted to Army.
He was being real professional wasn't he… then again Mask wouldn't expect anything less. The drill sergeant looking back and forth from his manual to the group, talking and writing down details they could discuss over later. Mask was usually annoyed by talkative people (Aloha) but he didn't really mind Army.
Mask really liked his voice.
Ok- that was really out of character for him. It's not like he would ever say it in public though.
“That should conclude today's meeting, remember we have practice coming up this weekend”
Army stated, closing his manual and putting the pencil in its respective slot.
“Finally!”
Aloha said while stretching in his seat “See you guys later ♫!”.
Skull nodded, “See ya”
while getting out of the chair. Mask stayed put despite everyone leaving, he was too busy thinking about….something.
“Mask meetings over”
Army said, fiery eyes directed at him.
“Yeah.. I knooow”.
Awkward silence fell over the two. Mask wasn't sure why Army hadn't left yet, if anything he would have been the first to leave.
“Want something to eat?”
“Huuhhh?”
“I was thinking about getting a pastry or two, I never tried anything from this cafe despite this being our meeting spot”
Army stated closing his eyes.
He was right though the only one who actually ordered anything from here was Skull and it would just be a couple slices of cake because… well it's Skull.
“If you want to try anything I'll pay for you”.
Mask wasn't sure how to respond. If it was anyone else he would have just flat out said no, but it was Army asking him… not that-that had to do with anything. I mean free food wouldn't hurt right?
“Sure”
The cafe had a faint strawberry smell. Friends and couples talking and sharing foods and drinks with each other.
Mask felt his eye twitch in annoyance. He had almost forgotten about this horrid holiday.
He jumped a little when Army grabbed his hand, dragging him to the back of the line. “What do you want?”
The drill sergeant asked. Mask looked at the menu. There wasn't anything in particular that he wanted.
“I’ll have a blueberry cruffin and a chocolate milkshake”
he said, it was the first thing he saw on the menu. Mask wasn’t actually hungry right now and it sort of made him wonder why he even agreed to this.
“Do you like sweets Mask?” Army asked fiery eyes locking on to him again. Mask felt his face heat up, must be his hay fever. But he has his gas mask on so that wouldn’t make sense.
Now in his mind Mask was thinking ‘Why do YOU want to know’ or something along those lines but what actually came out was,
“I’m not a big fan like Skull but I have some every once in a while”.
WHaT- WHY WOULD HE SAY THAT!
Army looked at him wide eyed and shock on his face, Mask would have looked the same if he was Army.
His mouth moved before he could think and while he always thought anyone who said that was just making a stupid excuse for saying something, Mask was freaking out over this.
Army cleared his throat before speaking,
“I-I agree, I'm not crazy over sweets but they are nice to have on some occasions”. Awkward silence fell over the two once again.
“Next!” Army tugged on Masks hand. “What can I get you two today?”
the cashier asked with a warm smile on her face.
“We’ll have a chocolate milkshake, blueberry cr….”
Mask zoned out only focused on his hand that was enlaced with the hand of the fiery inkling next to him.
Mask felt warm
His chest felt warm and weird
He didn’t hate it though
It was a nice feeling
“Mask?”
Mask looked up to face Army
“Are you ok? You seem deep in thought”
a hint of worry was on Army’s face as he said that.
That was until he looked down to their hands.
“ACK- IM SORRY”
Army quickly pulled his hand away from Masks, putting his hand to his mouth and clearing his throat.
“Ahem- my apologies Mask..I didn’t notice that I was still..um holding your hand”
Army said, orange spread across his cheeks.
Mask didn’t say anything,
“We have our table number so let’s find somewhere to sit”
Army said, walking to a table by the window. Mask stared at Army, then to his hand.
It felt empty
“Whateverrrr” Mask mumbled.
Mask and Army were currently waiting for their food, which to Mask felt like an eternity.
Mask felt nervous.. for some reason.
It was an emotion that he didn’t really experience all the time but right now it just made his hands sweaty and heart go crazy.
Army was looking out the window, head resting on his palm seemingly deep in thought.
The table number stand stood perfectly in the center of the table. Mask wanted to say something but had no words in mind. It left him staring at the bolded number 74. Any noise or conversations that were around their table were muted by Masks thoughts, he was thinking about nothing. Really, his mind was blank except the fact that he was beating himself up for this extremely awkward situation! ‘WHY DIDN'T YOU MOVE YOUR HAND MASK, WHAT IS UP WITH YOU TODAY!’
Mask looked up at Army. He had to cut this ice.
He couldn’t stand it anymore.
“Ar-“
“Alright! Here’s yours order, a chocolate milkshake, blueberry cruffin, strawberry croissant, and a danish pastry, correct?”
The waiter said picking up the table number after placing the food on the table
“Ah- yes thank you” Army said.
The pastries weren’t bad.
Actually..Mask didn’t even try them yet but Mask wasn’t thinking about the food, he was too busy looking at the second straw in his milkshake.
HIS MILKSHAKE! Did they think he was sharing one with Army?! HA how STUPID as if MASK would share HIS milkshake with ARMY! Did they think they were a couple or something?! Stupid it was incredibly stupid, in fact it was so stupid that Mask felt his face heat up at just the thought of sharing his milkshake with the drill sergeant!
Army was also looking at the second straw, cheeks tinted orange just as before. Army finished the danish pastry before saying
“The pastries are good you should try them, I’ll split the strawberry croissant in half so you can have some”.
“Ok”
Mask turned his attention to the blueberry cruffin.
Army was cutting the croissant in half, being sure to split it exactly in the middle.
Mask lifted his gas mask up just enough so he could see and eat.
He will admit the cruffin is good besides trying to eat it semi fast so he can put his mask back on correctly.
Mask felt a pair of eyes on him. Mask looked at Army, those fiery eyes fixed onto his face. It wouldn’t be the first time Army has seen Mask without his gas mask but it’s not often Army sees him without it.
“Stop staring it’s weird”
Mask said and while that seems like something mask would normally say to be mean the only reason he wanted Army to stop was so his heart wouldn’t explode.
“Sorry” Ugh
remember Mask, Army is not cute, he's annoying.
Mask took one half of the croissant and put it on the plate that once held the blueberry cruffin. Milkshake still untouched. Armys eyes were on the milkshake taking small glances at Mask as he ate his half of the croissant, he sighed and took a bite out of the croissant.
“You should drink your milkshake before it melts”.
Army and Mask have finished their pastries but stayed staring at the milkshake that was put between them. Army slid the glass to Mask.
“You can have it” Mask said, sliding the glass to Armys side of the table.
“But you ordered it” Army said, sliding the glass back to Mask.
Both of them stayed quiet.
“Then we’ll share it.”
“HUHHH”
“There’s already two straws, so let’s just share it” the orange stated.
“No”
“Why not”
Army already saw this coming as soon as the words had left his mouth. Because Masks heart was going to burst out of his chest,
“Because that's grooosss”
“It’s not like we’re sharing straws”
“Fine if you want to, whatever”.
They ended up drinking one at a time.
When Army was drinking the milkshake, Mask would just be on his phone and
when Mask was drinking the milkshake, Army was writing in his manual.
It was extremely awkward.
Army drifted off, staring out the window once again. It made Mask curious about what he was thinking about but he wasn’t going to ask that would just make things more awkward.
Mask sighed standing up from his seat, “I’m done, you can finish the rest”.
Just when Mask was about to leave the table a warm hand held onto his own.
“Wait”
“What”
Mask said looking to Army.
“If you could give me a second I have some to give you” “Hmmm?”
Mask sat back down, watching Army as he reached inside his parka.
Masks eyes widened
a fresh copy of Contain the Kraken, how did he-
“I heard you and your friend talking about it so when I saw a store nearby where I was shopping was selling it I thought I would get it for you.. not that I meant to eavesdrop!”
Mask stayed quite gently grabbing the case, around one or two weeks ago he was talking to Full-Moon about buying this game but decided that he would wait and finish the games he has yet to complete.
“If you already have it than I can just retur-“
“What’s the catch”
Army was a little caught off guard by the question but replied
“There isn’t one, it’s just a gift”
…
“Thaanks”
“You’re welcome”
Mask got out of his seat once again, Army was staring at his plate.
Sunset hues shined onto Army, light orange stained his cheeks.
Mask thought he looked… pretty
He grabbed his phone out of his pocket.
6:05, Tuesday February 14
“Hey Army”
“Hmm?”
Fiery eyes locked to his
“Happy Valentines”