#this ended up as an accidental masque of the red death AU sorry not sorry

[jae-writes-fanfiction]

Paper Faces (on Parade)

Luke X Reader - 1580 Words - More Freaky Fics

Warnings: Alcohol use, Cigarette use, descriptions of violence and horror things including: rotting skin, blood, illnesses, a masked killer. Enjoy responsibly ❤️ (most of these things are only referenced, unlike later fics that will be fairly intense)

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There are certain rules that one must abide by in order to successfully survive... 1. You can never have sex- Sex always equals death, 2. Never drink or do drugs. The sin factor. It's an extension of number one. And 3. Never, ever, ever, under any circumstances, say 'I'll be right back.'

- Scream (1996), Dir. Wes Craven

The Villa overlooked LA and dwarfed the surrounding homes. You had done your best to dress for the venue including the lace mask that rested over your face. Yet nothing prepared you for this level of grandeur. Your hand clutched the cryptic invitation inviting you to a private and painstakingly exclusive party. The letter gave no clue to its composer but promised safety in numbers- something going out of style in the rest of the world. Stepping into the palatial courtyard you heard the large iron gates secure behind you. 

The doorman fastened multiple chains and locks, “ ‘s for your safety,” he reiterated, “wouldn’t want to let the riff-raff in with you decent folks. Who knows what kinda stuff they could spread.” His gruff and heavily accented voice reminded you of British detective movies and offered no actual assurance. His quick and uneasy movements sent a shiver down your spine as if he was locking you in instead of locking them out. 

The courtyard had seen better days yet the stately doors ahead beckoned with so much light you didn't notice the oppressive foreboding that set in under your skin, the instinctive warning you desperately needed but would never realize already came. The doors opened for you, the doorman slipping behind you to once again fasten the deadbolt and secure the locks. 

The room you had stepped into was swathed in blue decorations and lights that diffused about the room resulting in a softly colored experience. The Villa’s sprawl demanded the existence of many other rooms, you assumed it must be so as this one was empty. You were late. 

Your shoes clicked bodily against the floors as you sped through the next few rooms. The pink room held only two couples seated at a card table, the green room only an older man seated across from a perpetually empty seat with two place settings. Neither group looked up upon your intrusion and in your haste, you neglected to notice they couldn’t do so anyway. The locket and handkerchief clutched in the old man’s hand were splattered with blood, and the couples lay slumped together with matching exit wounds, the one’s face already covered in mottled blotches of puss ridden decay. 

Within the room, your enigmatic Host watched from a hidden corner as you ran past the recently deceased. Inconsiderate, Tardy, Rude. Their grotesque mask hid their disappointment at just another sinner to keep track of. They had no tolerance for filth in any form, the old man’s illness posed a threat to everyone. A mortal sin. They moved after you slowly and unseen as if they could glide through the air soundlessly.

The Villa’s hallways twisted and turned until you were sure there were no more rooms and you had simply missed the night’s festivities. A soft pool of golden light flashed from an archway as you rounded another corner and drew you into a dimly lit room filled with dancing people. he orange lights pulsed along with the music and made the entire room feel like a dream, like some impossibility that wasn’t really happening, no matter how much you wanted it to. 

The crowd put you at ease, everyone knew there was safety in numbers. Unfortunately with the masks, you couldn’t recognize anyone- a sea of paper faces swirled around you. The bar situated against the farthest wall of damask curtains offered comfort that the unknowable masses couldn’t. The bartender greeted you silently, a drink already in hand. Apparently, there would be no cocktail menu tonight. You thanked them and despite the full face mask you though they smiled. 

The liquid had no specific taste yet it felt so warm, so bright; that you almost tasted spices. Something in the drink sparked inside you and every cell in your body oozed with heat. Your throat ran dry, demanding you drink more which only worsened the heady feelings taking over you. As you were drinking a man sat next to you. 

He was tall, his hair fell around his face in a disheveled cascade of golden curls and behind the half mask, you could see bright eyes that betrayed an even brighter smile. When he spoke, his voice carried an accent and at the same time sounded like music. 

“I’m sorry I couldn’t stand not talking to you.” He spoke with a lazy yet instantly charming smile that made your heart skip a beat. 

You scoffed lightly, “nice line. You tell that to all the girls?”

“Only the ones in lace,” he said with a wink that sent a delicious shiver down your spine. 

You laughed openly. The lace mask itched your nose as you smiled.

“Well mystery man, care for a drink?” 

“Mystery man?” He laughed briefly, “ I’m Luke… I’d love a drink but only if you promise to dance with me after.”

You agreed and happily clinked glasses together. You were thankful to find a friend among the strangers, even if you’d only just met. The strange spark from the liquor made you feel like moving. You were quick to down the drink and pull Luke’s hand into your own. You had opted out of wearing formal gloves and the second your skin touched his for the first time that night you were thankful for that choice. It felt as if you’d already known exactly how it would feel as if you were puzzle pieces who still fit together. The feeling was intoxicating. 

Life moved in slow motion as the music started again. Luke’s hand found the small of your back but itched to dip lower and hold you tighter. You spun in well-drawn circles, weaving between the other dancers. You weren’t sure if it was the alcohol, or the feeling of Luke pressed against you that made your head spin in the most delicious way. In that moment you felt again like a flame, overstuffed with kindling. You had never burned as bright. 

The song ended and you stumbled back. Luke looked lost, and you knew he felt the same magnetic pull that bewildered you.

“Fuck, I need some air,” you said breathily. 

“Me too,” Luke said, frowning,” but I’m pretty sure they already locked the exits.”

Luke huffed and thought for a second before pulling you off the dance floor. You anxiously looked around the crowded room wondering if it would be best to stay with the group for now. You swallowed the thought, you just needed a little space to process. You’d be right back. He brushed aside one of the damask panels to reveal a darkened passageway. You didn’t think to question how he knew when the doors locked or that the passage was there. All you knew was that he felt like the antidote to whatever fire was ravaging your body. 

The corridor was little more than a servant’s passageway and demanded you walk pressed together, his hand rested securely on your hip urging you forward and downstairs that seemed to curl on forever before you reached another door that in turn moved another damask panel. Behind was another themed room that appeared as if someone had forgotten to turn on the lights. The only light filtered into the room through a gothic stained glass window. 

He walked past you into the room, pulling a cigarette from his pocket. The lighter cast odd shadows across his face and for the first time you felt fear. You had no idea who he was or where you were, you’d followed a stranger into the depths of an unknown Villa and for a brief moment you could’ve sore you heard screaming far off in the distance.

Yet you couldn’t stop thinking about his hand in yours, and what that electricity would feel like tracing over the rest of your body. As quickly as the uncertainty entered your mind, it left as Luke turned back to you. The low light made the hints of glitter on his mask shine, and the silk of his shirt gleam. He looked like an angel. 

You smiled softly and walked to his side, taking in the plush velvets and wrought iron embellishments around the room. The closeness felt right. 

He passed you the cigarette and you laughed.

“So much for fresh air.” 

You took a long drag off it and savored the bitter taste. Your fingers grazed Luke’s as you handed it back and you longed to kiss him. You inched closer placing a hand on his shoulder as the cigarette turned to ashes littered on the tile floor. With no regard for the home around you, Luke dropped the spent butt on the floor and crushed it under his heel, his hands immediately returned to you. He looped an arm around your waist, and your hand tightened around his bicep as you pressed together. You could feel the warmth of his breath on your face, your lips almost touching.

“You’re trembling,” he whispered reverently.

Your tongue darted out across your bottom lip, “am I?”

The moment lingered for only a second before you closed the space between you. The itching in your veins worsened and spread until you couldn't take your hands off him. The kisses deepened and the passionate passes of hands became desperate. Within the anonymous dark room eager hands tore at clothes and blissful groans drowned out the sounds of terror you had aptly recognized before. 

The Host had finally descended upon the stragglers left in the ballroom. They summoned everyone for a reason, those who followed the rules would thrive. Stragglers, rule-breakers, and sinners of all shades would pay the price. Even you, wrapped up in your one-time lover, would have to learn your actions have consequences.