Afterwards 2 Halloween Drabble
It was Halloween again. I looked at the fog rolling in over the beach and shivered. Duo hadn't wanted to do much this year- not that I blamed him. Last year, when his father had shown up out of the blue... Duo had been so happy for a few weeks.
Bastard.
I didn't hear Duo come up behind me, but I turned a little when his warm arms wrapped around my waist. "Looking for trick-or-treaters?" he asked.
"Nah, just checking the bowl. You know the first ones here will just empty it right in their sacks."
"I know it, but I can think of better things to do than sit here all night."
The tone of his voice made me turn around in his embrace and hold him close to me. "I'm so sorry-"
"Heero, love, stop apologizing. I've told you a million times- he's not worth giving you up for- even if I wasn't with you I don't think I could stand the hypocrisy for long. You know he doesn't approve of Mom either."
"I know." Pressing a kiss to his forehead, I ushered him inside. "What time are our reservations for?"
"Seven." Duo glanced at his watch. "We should leave soon. If we're early we can hang out in the bar and watch the costume contest."
"Are you sure you don't want to dress up?" I remembered his elaborate costume from last year, and the happiness he had taken in decorating our house. Damn that man.
"Nah. I'm happy being myself this year," Duo assured me and tugged me towards the garage. "Let's go."
Duo drove, the radio filling the silence in the car. I wondered what was on his mind, but I didn't want to ask. I could guess- and talking about Victor would only spoil our evening.
The restaurant was busy, people in costume hanging out all over the parking lot and the porch; the bar was filled to the brim. I followed Duo through the crowd and the hostess smiled when she realized we had reservations. We were escorted to a booth in a corner, asked for a drink order and left with the menus.
Duo was studying the menu with all the intensity of someone making a life-or-death decision. I let him lead me into a debate over appetizers, agreed to exchange half my entrée for half of his. Away from our house, away from the memory of last Halloween, we both relaxed and began to enjoy ourselves.
After dinner I almost didn't want to go home- I knew I could try and distract Duo but he seemed so happy as we piled into the car- I didn't want to lose that.
Much to my surprise, he didn't take the turn back to our house. "Where are we going?"
He grinned at me. "You know that bed and breakfast up the coast? The one that's supposed to be haunted?"
"Yeah, Sophie's been there."
"They have a Halloween night special. So I booked us a room- Marie said she'd come let Val out in the morning. Is that okay?"
"That sounds great."
The hotel really went all out- it was covered in colored lights and glowing pumpkins. The lady at the front desk was dressed as a witch. Cackling cheerfully, she took us up to our room.
Once we were alone, Duo flopped out on the bed and grinned at me. "Bed or that decadent looking tub spa thing?"
"Spa," I told him. "We have a bed at home."
"You aren't worried about the ghosts watching us?"
"They're welcome to watch- as long as that's all they do." I said and headed towards the bathroom. Duo joined me as I filled the tub and insisted on adding bubbles.
"If we're going to do this, then we are going to do this right," he said, and slipped out of his clothes.
"This was a fantastic idea." I joined him in the whirling water.
"Thanks." He gave me the ghost of a smile. "Just didn't want to be home. Does that sound stupid? I mean, after all that crap last year..."
"It's not stupid." I reached out and pulled him into my lap. "Not at all." He relaxed against me, tilting his head back on my shoulder. "This is how we should spend every Halloween."
"Mmm," he said and moved my hand to a better location. "I agree."
OWARI
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