forum Behind The Mask [One-On-One // Closed]

Started August 18, 2018 by @Imperfect_Autumn group

tune

“It’s very beautiful,” Just like yourself “Where is she now? If you don’t mind me asking?”

Kasey looked off into the distance as she chewed on her lower lip.

"She's, uh… gone," she answered simply.

“Oh my, I am so sorry.” He replied quickly, shame and sadness pounding through him, “I shouldn’t have asked.”

"It's all right," Kasey assured him, looking up to smile gently. "She's been gone for a while, now."

“How did it happen? If you’re alright in answering that question, that is.” Liam’s face had a sad shadow crossing over it.

Kasey looked back down at her lap and took a deep breath.

"It was right after my sixteenth birthday, actually," she started quietly, twisting and twisting the bracelet around her wrist. "She was just on her way home from work, driving down Main Street. Um…" Kasey cleared her throat. "Someone t-boned her car, right on the driver's side. The doctors said she was killed on impact." By now, tears had started to form in her eyes, and she wiped her hand over them.

Liam was silent for some time for pulling Kasey into a hug, resting his head on top of hers, one hand running small, calming circles on her back.

“I am so sorry, truly I am.” He said gently before pulling back and wiping his thumb over the tears that she had let slip.

Kasey felt her cheeks warm slightly at the touch and hoped she just looked flushed from crying. She gave Liam a wavering smile.

"Thanks. It's okay, really. I just… We were really close, you know? My dad disappeared when I was five, so she and my brother were all I had left," she said, her voice a bit hoarse. "And now it's just me and Harper, but his job keeps him busy, so I hardly ever see him."

“Well, one brother is better then none at all,” Liam said quietly, “You’ve got me, too, now.” He added, giving her a soft smile and hoped his own pain didn’t show. He wiped another tear away at the same time.

Kasey smiled at him.

"Thank you," she whispered. "For everything. This has been really nice. I–"

The sound of her phone going off interrupted whatever it was she was going to say, and she frowned as she pulled her phone out to look at the screen. There was an emergency on Fifth and Main.

Seriously? Right now? Ugh, sometimes I wish I could have a normal life…

She looked up at Liam. "I have to go," she told him apologetically. Not wanting to leave just yet, she reluctantly stood. "I'm sorry. I'll see you later?"

Liam frowned slightly but it was soon replaced by a smile.

“I’m sure you will see me later,” He stood too, then slowly leaned down and gave her cheek a light kiss before pulling away and smiling that same, gentle smile, “Goodbye, Ms Mysterious.” Liam said.

Kasey blushed as Liam kissed her cheek.

"Bye, Liam," she said softly, turning and walking away. She twisted her bracelet around and around, her thoughts spiraling as she walked back to her apartment.

Did he just… Gosh, no, Kasey. You can't. You can't fall for him. It's too dangerous. What if he finds out you're Kinesie? He could tell everyone…

Once Kasey left Liam sat down on the bench running a hand through his hair, a smile still plastered on his face.

Wow, I did that. I made a move, Gods I can believe it.

He stood and paced back a forth across the garden, biting his lip as and taking glances at the bush where they entered and the other had left a few moments ago.

Go after her stupid. But she said she had to go, you can’t. You’ll see her later, you said she would and she will.

I can't believe that actually happened.

Kasey walked up the stairs and to her door, then pulled her keys out of her pocket. After unlocking the door and stepping inside, she quickly looked around, making sure no one had broken in while she was gone.

She peered into a dark corner, noticing a figure that hadn't been there before. Subtly lifting some objects with her mind, she slowly walked towards it.

"Who are you, and why are you in my apartment?" she demanded fiercely.

The figure chuckled and stood, stepping out of the shadows. "What? Am I not allowed to come visit you every once in a while?" they asked, their voice masculine.

"Harper? Is that you?" Kasey asked, dropping the things she was lifting and walking closer. The man stepped fully out of the dark and grinned, holding his arms out wide.

"Hey, little sis! Long time, no see," he said, pulling her into a hug.

Kasey held him for a moment before remembering what she was doing. She pulled back and smiled. "As much as I would love to stay and catch up, I've got work that needs to be done. Something's going down on Fifth and Main."

"Well, let's go check it out, then," Harper said, pulling a bag from where he had been sitting.

"You brought your suit?" Kasey laughed. "Taking work with you, I see."

Harper shrugged and laughed with her. "Hey, what can I say? A superhero never catches a break."

"Ain't that right," Kasey mumbled under her breath. Louder, she said, "I'm going to grab my things and then we should head out."

"Got it, boss," Harper said, playfully saluting her.

Liam was still thinking through everything when he’s phone buzzed. Hurriedly, he picked it up and a twinge if disappointment struck through him when he saw the name wasn’t Kasey.

“Hey, Matt. What’s the reason for call?”

“You’re on a roll with the stories, and there’s another for you. Fifth and Main, get there soon.” Matt said, his voice hurried.

“Alright, you’ve got it, thanks for the call.” Liam tucked his phone away and headed out of the secret grotto, he could take photos on his phone, no need to go home if Matt wanted him there quickly.

Kasey and Harper stood at the crossroads, examining the situation. A fire had started in the fifteenth floor of a fancy apartment building, and it had quickly spread to other floors. The fire department was desperately trying to stop it and get people out at the same time, but it just wasn't working. They needed more men to man the hoses, more men to carry people out, and more men to take care of said people.

"So, Mask, what's your assessment?" Kasey – or Kinesie – asked, not taking her eyes off the building.

Harper started forward, and his sister followed closely behind. "We relieve the firefighters who are getting people out so that they can help those on hose-duty, and then we take it over for them."

"Sounds like a good plan," Kinesie agreed with a nod. "Now, let's go."

Liam stood further back, taking as many pictures as he could. He then noticed Kinesie and… Mask. She had Mask with her this time. He smiled and took a photo of them both. Liam then felt a tap at his shoulder, and a guy, about his age but with sandy blonde hair and a smile was standing there.

“Matt, you came anyway.” Liam said, turning back to the fire.

“Yeah, I was… in the area and decided to come along for the ride.” He said, rocking on his heels.

"C'mon, Kinesie, we need to get the rest of these people off the floor! The ceiling's about to collapse!" The Mask shouted at the younger hero.

Kasey breathed heavily, the heat and smoke starting to get to her, along with how much she'd been using her powers. "I– I know! And quickly, too!" she called back. Quickly, before I pass out…

Matt barely spoke a word during the scene, he only had a strange smile on his face that made Liam slightly uncomfortable.
Liam tried to get a good shot of the action but with his phone he couldn’t do that well. He had enough shots, enough good shots but he still wanted to stick around.

"That's it! That's the last person in the building!" Kinesie called to her brother. Hearing no response through the roaring flames and black smoke, she called for him. "Mask? MASK? Harper! Harper, where–"

Coughing drew her attention to her left and she quickly walked closer.

"Kase, I'm here," the Mask said, his voice hoarse. "Now, let's get out of here."

"Yes, let's," Kasey sighed, relaxing at the sight of him. She blinked, and black spots appeared in her vision, but she paid them no mind. They'll go away soon.

"C'mon, Kinesie, we need to go," Harper said, moving back to help his sister.

Kinesie nodded slowly. "Right. Right, yeah…" Her voice was quiet, and she trailed off, feeling fuzzier than she had before. "Hey, Harper? Why's the room spinning?" As soon as she had asked that, she passed out, and Harper clung to her.

I've got to get her out of here…

Kinesie should be out by now… same with Mask…

Liam bit his lip as the last of the people appeared and were safe away from the building.

The buildings going to come down at any moment…

“Hey! The buildings going to come down any second, someone needs to go and help Kinesie and Mask, they should be back by now!” Liam called to the firefighters.

“They’ll make it out, they’re supers after all.” One called but it didn’t stop Liam’s stomach from churning.

The Mask groaned and looked for a way out. He peered to his left and saw a faint outline of a door. As quickly as he could, he walked toward it, carrying Kasey in his arms bridal-style.

A creaking sound came from above him, and he walked faster. If I don't get us out of here soon, we'll be flattened like charred pancakes…

“Come on, come on.” Liam muttered those words to himself over and over. He didn’t know why he was so nervous, he didn’t know them personally. Gods, why did he worry so much. They’d make it, they had too.

Harper hurried out the door and into the street, coughing and covered in dark soot. Kinesie was still passed out in his arms, and he quickly handed her off to a paramedic. He was soon dragged away himself, and both supers were examined by the medical professionals. They'd taken in a lot of smoke, and the wound on Kasey's arm seemed to have reopened, and they had both done a lot of work, but besides that, they were fine.

They took Kasey to the hospital to examine her some more, and Harper rode in the ambulance.

Liam released a breath when he saw that the supers were going to the hospital. They were aIive and that was all that mattered. Matt had left at some point and Liam wondered where he went. He sighed and walked back to his apartment.

(All righty.)

Kasey had been home for a couple of days now, having been held at the hospital overnight so the doctors could make sure it was safe for her to go home. She collapsed back onto her bed, bored out of her mind. Harper wouldn't let her do anything fun or exciting, and she was barely allowed to go to her classes or her job.

I wonder what Liam's doing… Maybe he can help me with this insufferable boredom.

She stood up to get her phone from her dresser, but sat back down.

No, if she asked him to save her from her brother, he might ask why she wasn't allowed to leave the house. She didn't have a good reason, yet, and she couldn't tell him the truth, that's for sure. He couldn't find her out. He just couldn't…

Liam had been working nonstop the past few days. He tried not to focus on the fact that he hadn’t seen Kasey for the last few days even though he was deathly worried about her.

He knew she had work and college but he couldn’t help but be worried. Liam sighed and ran a hand through his hair, contemplating whether to call or text her.

"Harper, I'm borrrrrred!" Kasey called from her bedroom.

"That's not my problem," her brother called back. It sounded like he was in the kitchen, and a sudden crash confirmed her suspicions. "Gosh dangit!"

Kasey quickly stood and made her way to the kitchen. "What in the world are you doing?!?"

Harper looked sheepishly from a stack of dishes. "I… was trying to help out? By doing the dishes? But I dropped that stupid thing on my toe." He pointed to a large pot, which had landed on its side on the floor.

Kasey laughed and shook her head. "Well, thanks, then. I'm going to head out for a bit. I'll be back in an hour or so," she informed him, grabbing her things and starting toward the door.

"Um, no you're not," Harper stopped her, nearly putting a soapy hand in her arm before he realized and drew back. He saw her displeased and disappointed expression and sighed, running his free hand through his hair. "All right, fine," he gave in, shaking his head in exasperation. "But I expect you home before it gets dark!"

"I'm an adult, Harper, but to mention a super. I think I can manage myself after dark," Kasey said, giving him a look as she pulled her jacket and shoes on.

"Okay, okay! Fine, whatever." Harper waved her off. "Go have fun, but please stay safe."

"Always," Kasey assured him with a grin. "I'll see you later."

She stepped out the door and into the hall, debating on whether or not she should knock on Liam's door.