Chapter Text
Ever since that night out on the balcony, Jeff and Masky’s relationship changed. It was slow at first, with silent nods in passing or pointedly moving out of the others' way. To Jeff's constant ridicule of others somehow avoiding Masky or Masky leaving food in the fridge for Jeff, if he is out late.
Hoodie was the first to observe the unusual change in the two’s behavior. Normally, they would ignore each other—neither openly hostile nor friendly—but now everything felt different. Though Hoodie couldn’t pinpoint what caused this shift, he felt a nagging suspicion.
Initially, it was by chance. Hoodie awakened during the night and realized Masky was missing. Before he could get up to find him, the door opened, and Masky slipped in quietly. Hoodie remained still and watched Masky change back into his PJs and crawl into bed beside him. When Masky gently placed a hand on his chest, he froze.
“You’re awake.”
Hoodie hummed, “Where’d you go?”
“Bathroom.” Masky mumbled, turning to stuff his face into Hoodie’s chest, Putting an end to the conversation. Hoodie sighed, staring up at the ceiling before falling back to sleep with Masky tucked into his side.
For the following days, Hoodie quietly observed Jeff. When he was not busy with assignments or anything, he was following Jeff. Hoodie wasn't exactly sure what he was looking for by following Jeff around, but watching him have such a causal relationship with Masky out of nowhere gave him a deeply unsettling feeling.
Jeff and Masky becoming more and more comfortable with one another, to the point where they started to take assignments for Slender alone together. It made Hoodie’s skin crawl with the urge to bash Jeff’s head in. Part of him knew that he should just talk to Masky but he had been distant since becoming closer to Jeff. Which made the urges even worse. Not understanding why this piece of shit was stealing Tim from him—what made him better?—but he kept calm.
Jeff didn't seem to realize he was being followed as he kept to his usual things.
Sleeping till noon, getting into petty arguments with whoever had the misfortune of crossing paths with him, and going out usually every night. He did smaller things that varied every day such as, Gaming with Ben, hiding things from Jane, helping Sally with stuff, and walking Smile dog. The more Hoodie watched Jeff's routine, the more annoyed he got. He knew there had to be something he was missing. This was the same Jeff as the one from weeks ago…what made Masky like him now?
“How’s the stalking going?” A chipper voice called from behind him. Hoodie barely had time to put his phone down before a body collided with his back.
“What the hell, Toby?” Hoodie huffed, shrugging the smaller boy off him. Toby grinned, plastering himself on Hoodie’s back. His arms were thrown around his neck as he peered over his shoulder at the turned-off phone. “Get off.”
Toby ignored him, “You didn't answer my question.” He stated instead.
“I have no idea what you're on about.” He relented, stuffing the phone away.
“Ha-ha-aha, c'mon. y'know....Jeff?” Toby cackled as Hoodie froze.
“Shut up.’ Hoodie snapped, finally shoving Toby off.
“Fine.” Toby huffed. “Guess you're not interested in where he just went with your partner then.”
Sighing, Hoodie turned to him. “Where?”
Toby’s grin returned wider than before.
Tracking people down in the forest had become second nature for Hoodie. It was almost too easy to trail after Masky and Jeff. According to Toby, the pair had taken off an hour earlier, and with it being a calm evening…it was clear what direction they went in.
As he walked for some time, he began to hear voices ahead. Quietly, he climbed through the trees until he had a clear view of the two individuals. Hoodie settled onto a sturdy branch and took out his camera, zooming in on the pair. They appeared to be leaning against a tree, sharing a cigarette and chatting. The cool breeze made it challenging to hear their conversation, but perhaps with some later editing, he might be able to make it out.
Time went by as Hoodie sat poised on the branch, eyes locked on the people below until Masky extinguished the cigarette. Gripping the camera in his hand harder, he watched Masky whisper something to Jeff before straightening out and walking back towards the manor, leaving Jeff by the tree. Slowly he shut off the camera, eyes trained on Jeff as he descended the tree.