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On her way to the bathroom, the unmistakable sound of Corey grumbling to himself caught her attention. She poked her head around the corner and saw him standing with the rest of the band, struggling to get his mask on but refusing to let anyone help him. She watched them all from her hiding spot as he skittered away from Jim trying to help him and got pounced on by Sid. A smile crept over her face as she watched the scene unfold, happy that they were able to have some fun while running on fumes so far away from home.
By the fifth attempt at securing his mask, she stepped around the corner.
“What’s going on?” she asked as Corey wriggled out of Sid’s grip.
“Can’t get my mask fastened,” he said and led her back around the corner away from everyone else. He let it fall away from his head, revealing the fresh paint on the lower half of his face and neck. “Gimme a hand?”
She took the mask from him with a warm smile and stepped around so she was facing his back. Gently, she reached out and brushed his hair with her fingers, smoothing it down a little so it wouldn’t get caught in the straps.
“No wonder you can’t get it fastened,” she said as she petted the blond curls at the back of his head. “Your hair’s getting too long for it.”
“I didn’t have hair when it was moulded, honey,” he said and shivered when he felt her fingers brush his skin. “Maybe I should cut it off again.”
She yanked one of the straps playfully before fastening it, making him laugh.
“Over my dead body you will,” she jokingly growled in his ear, giving his hair a light tug until his head turned back slightly.
“Okay, okay!” he laughed and reached back to brush his fingers against her wrists. “I won’t cut it off again if you don’t do the straps so tight.”
She pretended to think about his offer, playfully screwing her face and rolling her eyes before securing the straps firmly, but not too tightly.
“There you go,” she said as she fluffed his curls sticking out of the top of the mask.
“How do I look?” he asked and turned around, mask finally fastened and ready for the stage.
“Like a chia pet.”
He gasped dramatically, his expression hidden behind the mask but she could tell he was just playing with her.
“You’re so mean!” he said as he gathered her into a hug and stroked the back of her head. “Good thing you’re cute.”
“But you look like a cute chia pet,” she laughed as she returned his hug. “Even if that’s not the look you’re going for.”
The voices of the rest of the band echoed down the hallway, signalling that Corey needed to get onto the stage sooner rather than later. He softly kissed the top of her head as best as his mask would let her and reluctantly pulled away from her.
“Well, duty calls,” he said, still holding onto her as they returned to everyone else.
“Have a good show,” she called after him as he was seemingly swallowed by the huddle of people. “Don’t do anything too dangerous!”
“It’s not me you need to say that to,” Corey called back before the band made their way onto the stage.”
Ain’t that the truth, she thought to herself as she watched him go.