#vanderboom

The dirt path between your home and the Vanderboom house was quiet, the only sound made by the dirt under your feet and the squeaking of your lantern.

The sun was just starting to set, casting a golden glow over Rusty Lake. Something skittered in the bushes, and you walked faster, letting out a breath when you made it onto the Vanderboom's porch.

Your knock echoed through the large house, and a bird crew as it flew away, startled by the noise.

The letter had arrived to you mere weeks ago, an invitation to Ida and Samuel's wedding, hand-delivered by Samuel himself.

You didn't know how they planned a wedding so quickly, and you didn't ask; Ida's growing stomach was enough of an answer.

The door creaked open, and Leonard stood in the doorway. "Mama! Y/N's here!"

He stepped aside, and you walked in, listening to the wood creak as Ida rushed over. She grabbed his hand before looking over to you and straightening out her dress. "Oh! Y/N, hello."

Looking around the room, she placed a hand on her stomach, pulling Leonard closer. "You haven't seen Albert, have you? Mom's got the camera all set up, but I don't know where he's gone off to. Sammy insists on having him in the photo." 

"No, sorry." You glanced around the room. "I'll check upstairs, he's got to be somewhere."

"...right, yes."

The stairs groaned as you walked up to Albert's room, finding the door locked. "Albert? Are you in there?"

A soft sound came from behind the door. "...Y/N?"

"Yeah, what's going on?" You tried the doorknob again, still locked, but you could hear breathing on the other side.

A crashing sound came from inside, and you twisted the knob frantically, finally opening the door. "Albert?"

A white mask covered his face, leaving only his red eyes visible. Your foot crunched as you took a step forward, finding broken glass under your shoe.

He inhaled sharply, flinching and stepping back. "I'm not taking the photo!"

"Okay, calm down." Slowly, as if approaching a wild deer, you stepped forward. "What's all this about?"

"She doesn't even want me in the picture!"

"Ida?"

"Of course, Ida." He slumped against the wall, hitting the back of his head against it. "She should be marrying me, not that blockhead."

"Oh, uh...sorry about that." The wool of his coat was soft under your hand as you touched his arm, making him turn to look at you. You offered him a small smile. "Want to talk about it?"

That started him on a loud rant, which only partially made sense, referencing several events he didn't elaborate on.

Just as you were about to ask him about the third childhood instance he'd mentioned, he collapsed into a heap on the floor.

Adrenaline rushed through you, and you knelt down next to him. "Albert? Albert!"

After a few minutes, he stirred and blinked up at you. "Mmn?"

"You passed out, or something."

"I did?" Slowly, he looked around the floor, finding your jacket wrapped around him. "What...?"

"You felt cold."

"...thank you," almost reverently, he touched the fur of your jacket, running his fingers over the sleeve. He looked up at you, then down at it, then back to you. "Thank you."

"You're welcome; it's no big deal, really." The wet shine around his eyes caught your eye, and you looked away. "Listen, I can ask Ida to take the photo tomorrow. The sun's gone down anyway."

"I'm not taking the photo..."

"Please? This means a lot to your brother."

"No"

"Come on, Al."

"No"

"...I'd like you there too."

"You would?" He studied your face as you nodded, eventually sighing and nodding. "Fine,"

A wide smile spread across your face, and you pulled him into a tight hug. "Thank you!"

"..."

~

As you walked downstairs, Ida rushed to your side. "Is everything okay?"

"Uh, yeah. But you'll have to take the photo tomorrow, sorry."

"It's fine." She brushed her palms on her dress, glancing up the stairs before looking outside. "It's pretty late; why don't you stay here? We've got a spare room."

"Oh, well, if you insist."

"I do." Her tone was harsher than you expected, but before you could ask, she was hurrying you off to the spare bedroom.

~

The feeling of being watched woke you from your slumber, and you squinted through the darkness towards the window; no one there. Rolling over, you found a figure standing over you, hidden in the moonlight.

Stifling a scream, you grabbed your lantern and lit it, scooting as far away as you could get. The lantern barely illuminated Albert's grey mask, which stared holes in you.

Bit by bit, you relaxed, setting the lamp on the side table. "Albert?"

"..." he nodded slowly, looking away and staring into the lantern.

Sighing to yourself, you relaxed and scooted back over to your side of the bed, looking out the window. "...do you need something?"

The bed creaked, and you looked over to find him sitting next to you, knees pressed to his chest. He tossed your jacket onto your lap, barely glancing at you. "Here"

"Uh, thank you?" You folded it and unfolded it, grateful to have something to do. "You know, you could've given it back in the morning."

"I guess."

"So...any special occasion, or did you just really need to give this back?" 

"..." the lamp squeaked as he held it up to his face, illuminating his mask, which was painted to look like the moon.

Tilting your head to the side, you gave him an awkward smile. "Is that new? Seems fitting, I guess."

"You like it?" His voice sounded smaller, unsure, and he touched the edge of the mask. "Really?"

As you nodded, he pushed the mask up off his face, revealing his birthmark and scar. A small gasp escaped you as you reached over to touch his scar, acting on instinct. Albert flinched, clenching his eyes shut. Was he...whimpering?

"Oh my-- Albert!" Your voice drew him out of his head, and he opened his eyes, looking around the dark room.

Arms were wrapped around him-- you arms. When did that happen? A choked sound broke through the noise, startling him.

"Albert, it's alright" panicked, you tried to bring his attention back to you. "Calm down, nothing's happening."

"What?" Finally, he looked up at you, eyes wide and wet. Worry was written across your face as you pulled him into a tight hug. "You okay?"

"Y-yeah, should I not be?"

"You kind of blacked out on me for a bit there." Slowly, so as not to spook him, you reached up and wiped the tears from his cheeks. He reached up, feeling the wetness under his eyes. "I did?"

"Yeah, you, uh, said something about a butterfly and a wasp nest." As you tried to pull away, he pulled you back, wrapping his arms around your torso.

A shaky sigh escaped him, and he nodded. The whole story took longer than you expected, as you stopped him several times so he could calm down.

Sighing, he pulled away and stared out the window. "I think that's why Ida doesn't like me...it's always the scar."

Gently, you tilted his face back towards yours. "I don't mind it."

"...you don't?" Tears dripped down his cheeks and onto your hands. "Really?"

"Really" you leaned in, watching him blush in the dim light. Albert's cold lips pressed against yours, and you wrapped your arms around his waist. He leaned onto you, head in the crook of your neck. "...you kissed me."

"I did." You rested your head on his. "It was nice."

"Yes, it was."

"...can we do it again sometime?"

"I would enjoy that."

"...okay then."

Red-faced, Albert leaned up and kissed you, pulling away instantly. "You really don't mind the scar? Or—"