Chapter 22.

                                    

                                          


                          
I woke up today with a splitting headache. This made plenty of sense, but it was still quite annoying. I slowly sat up, sliding my mask back on my face, and adjusting it to perfection. Since I had nothing better to do, I just decided I'd wander to attempt to clear my mind. I opened the door to my sanctuary, took one step...
                          
	And I heard a rustle of paper under my feet. 
                          
Perplexed, I looked down, only to see a note on the ground. This filled me with anxiety for an unknown reason as I picked it up. Delicately unfolding the note, I scanned over it. It was handwritten in a semi-formal handwriting, and it was in a pleasant tone. The note read:
                          
"It's been a while since it was just the two of us, huh, Sammy? I promised to catch up with you another time, so how about today? Meet me at Heavenly Toys. I'll be waiting!
                          
								~Your Dancing Demon~"
                          
My eyes widened as I processed what I just read. He... Really wanted to meet with me again? Why? Do I really make that much of an impact on his life? Or is this a practical joke?
                          
	Well, I suppose there was only really one way to find out, and that was going to Heavenly Toys. If anyone was actually there, I wouldn't want to keep them waiting. I gently massaged my forehead in an attempt to soothe the pain, prayed that I wouldn't get ambushed, and made my way to Heavenly Toys. As I went, I wondered why Bendy would want to spend any more time with me. All I contributed to our last meet up was my stupidity and obsessiveness. While thinking this, I let things sink in. Susie was always right about me. I'm a psychotic creep that doesn't know how to live without Bendy.
                          
	Abruptly, I shot out of my thoughts when I noticed the ink veins on the walls next to me. I've almost made it to Heavenly Toys, but why was Bendy this upset? Did I make him wait too long? Did he know who wrote the letter? I took a deep breath, and peeked in. 
                          
	Bendy was just... sitting on one of the couches, staring at nothing, with a nervous expression on his face. As if no matter what he did, everything was going to crash down on him, and there was nothing he could do about it. It was concerning, to say the absolute least. He glanced ever so slightly in my direction, and his distressed aura abruptly vanished. A smile grew on his face, and he straightened his posture.
                          
	"Ah, Sammy! There you are! I was beginning to think you weren't going to show up!" He said pleasantly. He then scooted over on the couch, motioning for me to come and sit.
                          
	"Why wouldn't I? It would be rude not to!" I said, sitting down next to him. Bendy smiled once again, but something still felt off. He still seemed concerned about something, which was starting to make me nervous as well. 
                          
	"Heheh, look at you, looking after me like always." Bendy chuckled lightly. I grinned nervously at his remark as we made eye contact, both of us almost instantly breaking it. I was a flustered mess, and I could hear some soft, shy groans from Bendy. After minutes of silence, Bendy sighed.
                          
	"Listen, Sammy." He suddenly started. He had a very sincere look on his face, but he was visually shaking, with a flushed red face. "I know you haven't forgiven me, and that's completely understandable. If I were you, I wouldn't have forgiven me, either. I'll never be able to express how sorry I am for treating you like shit. You've done nothing but help me, and instead of showing my gratitude, I hurt you." Bendy quickly covered his face with his hands. "...I really am a monster, huh?" 
                          
	"What?! Of course you're not!" I shrieked in concern. "And, please, don't worry about it! I could never bring myself to hold a grudge against you! I could never stop caring about you, no matter what you could possibly put me through!"
                          
	"I DON'T WANT TO PUT YOU THROUGH ANYTHING HARMFUL!" He cried. "I REALLY CAN'T STOP MYSELF! YOU DON'T UNDERSTA-" He suddenly erupted into a coughing and gagging fit, startling me horribly. I didn't know how to help, but it was fortunately over quick. I watched him wheeze and gasp until he regained himself. Once he finally looked back at me, it seemed... Off. His shameful expression was replaced with a frown that didn't look real, which made me concerned. But once he spoke again, my concern grew. Call me crazy, but was his voice different? "Oh dear... Sorry, I believe I got a bit carried away there. I haven't been feeling the best about myself lately."
                          
	"Um... Is that so? Is there anything I can do to help?" Bendy's fake frown returned to his strained real one.
                          
	"Ah, hell..." He whimpered, suddenly sounding normal again. "Um... I-I don't know how you'd be able to..." 
                          
	"Well, I'd like to try." I said, heavily exaggerating the bit of confidence I had. "What's bothering you exactly?" Bendy shifted in his seat uncomfortably.
                          
	"...Loneliness." He mumbled softly. My eyes widened. "So that's how I'm sure you wouldn't be able to help." At that moment, I knew what I had to do.
                          
	"Ehh... That's where you're wrong..." I stood up, and began pacing nervously. Bendy stared at me with a look of confusion, standing up.
                          
	"What are you talking about?! How would you know?!"
                          
	"I just know, okay? I know there's another option for you!"
                          
	"What the hell is that supposed to mean?! Can you stop being so cryptic and just spit it out?!"
                          
	"FINE! BENDY, I LOVE YOU!"