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“Happy Halloween!”
It was way too early for this. “Go away, Liam.”
“Do you seriously think I’m going to let you sleep instead of celebrating?” Liam pouted. Yes. Pouting. Whether his head was buried under a mound of pillows or not, he could picture the beta’s expression perfectly. It didn’t take a genius.
“Find me at a normal hour.”
“It’s 10am, Theo.”
“Exactly! Too early for a Sunday. Come back after lunch.” Blissful silence followed, but it wasn’t the end. Far from it. It was too quiet. He had yet to hear the bed creak where Liam sat, or a single footstep to signal the beta leaving. What he could hear however, was the rapid heartbeat of his excited boyfriend. The scent of disappointment reached his hiding spot despite the layers of linen, and he couldn’t take it anymore.
Sleep was hopeless when he was dating a child. “Get up, Dunbar.” He pushed back the covers and rolled his eyes at the wide grin stretching across Liam’s face. Dressed in an old ‘Bite Me’ vampire t-shirt which was too small for the beta, but Liam loved it—and so did he.
“Okay, first-”
“I’m having a shower.”
The open mouthed, narrowed eyed gaze Liam directed at him elicited a smirk. Crossed arms followed. It was all so predictable.
“But-”
“Anything you have planned can wait, Liam. I already helped you decorate.” The house looked like a party store exploded. Skeletons, spiders and witches lined every wall and window, cobwebs surrounded the trees, gravestones and ghouls broke free from the ‘cracked’ ground. It took an entire month to satisfy Liam.
“But-”
“I stink, Li. So do you.”
“Hey!” Liam huffed, slapping his arm as he left the room in hysterics.
~
He wasn’t lying when he said he needed a shower. It was the middle of Summer, a record breaking heat wave bringing the town to its knees. He, more than most, hated it. Winter was always his favourite subject. The snow, cold, warm drinks. How could you not love it? Snowflakes glittering in the morning light, fluttering atop the ground . . . It was beautiful and the only pleasure he had during his childhood. His favourite memory was the rare occasions he could sneak out, palm extended to the sky to catch the falling snowdrops . . .
Now though, he had a string of memories. Those he cherished with every inch of his heart. Liam asked him out a year after graduation. Two years later and they were still together. This wasn’t how he had imagined his future. He never would have guessed he would be twenty-two and happily dating Liam Dunbar. They’d celebrated every holiday together, he’d been introduced to Liam’s parents—Jenna and David were frightening people—and taken trips out of town, just the two of them. They even lived together in their own little apartment.
He loved watching Liam carve snow angels in their front yard, laughter ringing through the night with every snowball fight. Winter was his favourite season, but Liam would always come first. Hence why he had agreed to the torture of celebrating Halloween mid-heat wave.
That didn’t however, mean he’d skip his shower. It was so good to wash away the night’s sweat and grime. The water ran cooler than usual, a welcome relief to his tired body. He could already imagine what the beta had in store. It was guaranteed to be a busy and adorable day; what with Liam possessing the characteristics of both toddler and puppy alike. It would be worth it though. For just one smile . . . wait. Was the temperature dropping? The hot water wasn’t that low. It twisted, tap on full, but nothing changed. How was it still getting-
“Ahhh!”
Cold, cold, cold, cold! His foot slipped in his haste to escape the arctic temperatures that had just invaded his shower. The glass door gave way, forced open at the sudden collision, sending him flailing backwards. The floor was hard—and unforgiving—knocking the air out of his lungs in one fell swoop.
The hysterical laughter from their bedroom explained everything. “Liam!”
“Yes, Theo?” Liam said, still giggling.
“What did you do?” He growled, rolling onto his side to regain his breath.
“I didn’t-”
“The truth, Liam. Now. Unless you want to go trick or treating alone.” He pushed off the tiles, reaching for his towel and shut off the water.
“Do you have to be an ass?” Liam pouted—yes, pouted. He could hear the whine. “It was a joke. You’re supposed to trick each other on Halloween.”
“What. Did. You. Do?”
“I turned the hot water off.”
Oh, Liam was dead. Pulling the door open, he glared at the sulking beta. Oh, no. Liam didn’t get to be offended or indignant. He was the victim here. He was the one whose entire body was frozen. He was the one subjected to emotional and physical warfare. “Watch your back, Dunbar.”
~
“Come inside, Theo.”
Liam was standing at the front door, refusing to step foot on the porch. It’s too hot, Liam said. You’ll burn, Liam said. As if he had a choice. Stretching out under the late morning sun wasn’t his usual idea of a good time, but thanks to a certain beta turning his blood to ice, he was relying on the heat to stave off the invading cold.
“Shut up, Liam.”
“It’s 100 degrees!”
“So close the door.”
“We’re supposed to be spending the day together, not ignoring one another while you fry yourself.” Liam bit back.
“I wouldn’t have to lay here, if you hadn’t messed with the hot water.”
“Stop being a baby. It wasn’t even that cold.”
Why he . . . “How about you stand in the shower, tap on full, and I’ll turn the heat off? I’d love to see your reaction. Better yet, why don’t I glue the door shut and leave you there for an hour?”
“Theo-”
“No, I’ll just chain you to a chair directly under the shower head and turn it on? Let’s see whether you think it’s ‘not that bad’ after being trapped under ice cold water with no escape.”
“Okay! I get it!” Liam snapped. “I’m sorry!”
Eyebrow raised, he waited. If Liam thought he’d accept a simple apology after the ordeal he went through, he might just carry through on the threat.
“Come in, Theo. I’ll make you hot chocolate, and we can bring blankets downstairs.” Liam shifted, eyes scrunched, shoulders tense. “You can even choose the movie.”
If the beta was willing to give him control of the remote, then Liam must be sorry. He usually had to pry the device free, and it wasn’t without injury. Last time he came between Liam and the History channel, he walked away with claw marks gouged into his arms.
A warm drink, curled up on the couch, watching his pick—minus the bloodshed—did sound nice. Okay, maybe cuddling Liam was enticing as well.
Pushing passed the beta, he said, “Fine, but we’re watching ‘The Exorcist’.” He grinned at the exaggerated whine that followed. Liam refused to watch it with him, but the beta couldn’t say no—not this time. Cue his scared boyfriend burying into his side for protection.
~
“Alright. What’s first on your list?”
It was after lunch and Liam was still complaining about his movie choice. The beta had never liked horror movies, and it only got worse after being introduced to the supernatural. That said, how could he resist cuddling his frightened boyfriend? Besides, wasn’t that the entire point of Halloween? Scares and candy? Liam didn’t have a problem playing tricks on him, so he’s allowed to watch ‘The Exorcist’. It’s only fair.
The promise of starting the celebrations however, was enough to break through Liam’s renewed pout and revive the earlier sense of wonder. “Right. First stop, the Pumpkin Patch.”
Of course. Liam complains about the heat and yet wants to spend hours outdoors searching for ‘the perfect subject’. Seeing as his body was warm again, he’d feel every particle of heat. The things you do for love. Jack-O-Lanterns it is.
“Next, it’s onto the annual costume party at Beacon Hills High. Don’t worry, you’ll love your costume.” Liam was smiling like a sugar-crazed toddler.
“How can you be so sure?” He asked, lips curving into his signature smirk.
“I know you.” Liam said, simply and with no elaboration.
“Oh, really? You’re staking a lot on one decision, Li. This now proves whether you truely understand me, or if you only think you do. What happens if I don’t like this magical costume of yours?” He didn’t say out loud, and he wouldn’t, but his stomach was twisting in anticipation. It sounded amazing already, and he knew next to nothing about it. Other than Liam bought it, and the beta really did know him.
“Trust me, you will.” Liam winked.
“Where is it?”
“Not so fast. I haven’t finished explaining today’s festivities.”
The little shit was enjoying this way too much. “Hurry up, then. I want my costume.”
“All in good time, Theo.” Liam beamed. “Now, we’ll end the night with a classic, family friendly movie marathon. I have everything from ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ to ‘The Addams Family’ and ‘Gremlins’.”
It was a perfect ending to a perfect day—minus a few hiccups. “Great. I love it. Now, back to the important part. Gimme, gimme, gimme.”
Liam snorted before leading him to the attic. He had to admit it was the best hiding place available, the only plausible choice, given Liam knew how much he hated the attic. Dark, quiet, closed in . . . there was no way he was going up there. When he finally had the box in hand, He ripped the lid off without further delay, held the costume up and . . . you have got to be kidding. On second thought, maybe Liam didn’t know him after all.
“This had better be another trick.” He glared at the innocent smile pulling at the beta’s lips and lighting those gorgeous blue eyes. Not this time, Liam. Good looking or not, he wouldn’t be manipulated—again. “Don’t you dare say it’s ‘sweet’.”
“You’d make a beautiful Sailor Moon.” Liam grinned, all teeth.
“It’s a blouse and mini-skirt!”
“How do you know what they’re called?”
Oh, he did not need a snickering beta right now. He was this close to throwing the box at Liam’s head. “Don’t start with me. I’m not wearing this.” With great restraint, he threw the costume back and slid it towards Liam—no, it didn’t hit the idiot.
“Molly loves you. She’d be over the moon to know you wore her old clothes.”
Liam was intent on playing dirty, but he’d faced greater threats for years. A sympathy card wasn’t anywhere close to winning him over. “Your cousin will just have to live with her disappointment.”
“It’ll be cute! You can’t let Molly down.”
“Liam-”
“After last time-”
“Oh, no. You do not get to use that against me.” He glared, refusing to be blamed for Liam’s actions.
“You left her at the bust stop!”
“She’s your cousin, Liam!”
“I had lacrosse! You said you’d pick her up!”
“You only asked me ten minutes beforehand! I had to drive across town to get her. I was never going to make it there by the end of school.” It was not his fault. When someone sends you a text begging you to pick up their cousin with no prior warning, blame cannot in any sane world be assigned to you.
“Either way, you owe her.”
“Liam-”
“Molly would be so happy.”
“I’m not doing it!”
And with that, Liam burst into a fit of uncontrollable laughter, collapsing and clutching at both hips in an attempt to reign in his amusement. “You should have seen your face, Theo!”
He was going to kill Liam. Who needs a boyfriend anyway? It would be way more satisfying to watch the beta eat his own tongue.
“How many times are you going to lie?!”
“Don’t exaggerate, Theo. Halloween only happens once a year. I’m just making the most of the day.” Liam’s grin never slipped. It remained as strong as ever despite his increasingly frustrated glare. “You have to admit that was good.”
“I will do no such thing.”
“Oh, lighten up.” Liam scoffed.
“Lighten-” He scoffed. Unfortunately, he knew he’d heard right. “You made out my costume was your fourteen-year-old cousin’s from last year. Of course, I’m pissed.”
“You know what? This was your real costume.” Liam shoved another box at him, barely allowing him time to catch it before it collided roughly with his chest.
Hopefully, this one would be better than the last. It couldn’t be much worse, but to say so would be testing fate. A deep breath in and out, carefully peeling back the lid and he froze. The character was obvious from the first glance, even without removing it from its folded storage. “Is that-”
“Yes.” Liam huffed.
Pazuzu. He had looked everywhere for one, ever since first watching ‘The Exorcist’, but there was nothing available. Five towns later and he couldn’t find so much as a trace of anything even close to Pazuzu. “Where did you find it?” His voice a whisper.
“I ordered it online.”
“It’s beautiful.” He couldn’t believe he was really looking at it, that it was real. It looked soft. If he just touched it . . . The box was pulled away, leaving his fingers brushing the empty air instead. He met the back of Liam’s head, as the beta slid the costume through the attic entrance and sealed the door.
“I’m returning it.”
What?! “Hold on a minute.”
“Since you don’t know how to have fun, you can go without it.”
Oh, no. Liam couldn’t seriously be confiscating that masterpiece? How could Li show it to him, only to take it away? It was torture. “You don’t get to tease me like this. I’ve been looking everywhere for Pazuzu.”
“I’m not rewarding you for being an ass.” Liam’s gaze narrowed, eyebrows drawn, mouth firm, shoulders set. The beta was determined to prevent him from wearing the best costume ever made.
“The party is tonight Liam. I don’t have an alternative. What am I supposed to wear?” He was met with stony silence. The only indication of his boyfriend’s train of thought was the lowered gaze, blue eyes landing on . . . He nearly choked, spluttering and coughing against the sharp inhale. “Don’t even think about it.” Still no response. “I am not going as Sailor Moon.”
He would not be seen in a blouse and mini-skirt. That aside, there was no way it would fit. This wasn’t about it being too tight. He wouldn’t even get it on, and if in some magical universe he could, it would barely cover him. There was no way he was facing Stiles and the Pack half undressed, or waiting for it to tear in half. Rambling, hyperactive spazz aside, he didn’t want to be seen by Scott and the girls. Lydia’s disapproving eyebrow and Malia’s brutal honesty weren’t highlights of anyone’s night.
“Li, Baby, don’t make me do this.” Licking his lips, he grimaced as the image of him dressed up played on loop behind his eyes. “Liam, please. I’ll do anything, just let me go as Pazuzu.” Staying at home wasn’t an option either. He didn’t stand a chance—the beta would drag him to the high school without hesitation. “I’ll cook.”
“You’d burn the house down.” Liam huffed.
“I’ll clean.”
“Do you even know where the broom and mop are kept?” Liam raised an eyebrow, voice dripping with scepticism.
“A massage? History lesson? Shopping with Lydia?” That earned him an incredibly high eyebrow. His hatred for wandering aimlessly through stores was well known. If he was willing to subject himself to the torture of a day out with Lydia—the woman was a machine—Liam had to understand how serious he was. “I’ll spend the entire day with her.” Nothing. “Two. Three. Four?” Still nothing. “Come on, Baby.” He wasn’t proud to say he whined, but he was desperate.
Finally, Liam appeared to be considering his plea, a hint of remorse behind those blue eyes, and he played right into it, jutting his lower lip out pathetically. He didn’t care if he was playing dirty. If he had to pout and beg to escape this situation, he would a million times over.
“Fine.” Liam huffed, arms still crossed.
A breath of pure relief rushed out, leaving him light headed and unbalanced. Sitting back against the couch, he closed his eyes as Liam came to rest beside him, a hand on his, squeezing. A gentle kiss was pressed to his forehead, easing the rapid pounding of his heart.
“Sorry, Theo. I shouldn’t have pushed . . .”
When he opened his eyes, Liam appeared on the verge of tears. The beta’s chemo-signals were a mess. The room was filled with the pungent scent of regret and guilt.
“Yeah, well. You agreed in the end.”
“That’s not the point, Theo. I scared you. No matter the reason, that is never okay.” Liam sighed, leaning into his side, arm wrapping around his waist to hold him close. “It’s been two years. Why are we still arguing?”
Liam was right. Two years into their relationship and they were still acting like a pair of untrained dogs. He’d never admit it out loud, but he was as childish and stubborn as Liam—if not more so.
“We wouldn’t be us if we didn’t.” It wasn’t healthy. He knew that, but he also knew he’d miss riling the beta up if they did stop.
“Theo-”
“I know, Li. I know.” He pressed back, head against the crook of Liam’s neck, breathing in the beta’s calming scent. “I wasn’t entirely innocent in this, and you’re right. It can’t continue like this, but I don’t want it to end. At least, not completely.”
Liam’s laugh vibrated through his chest, making him smile at the peace they found even in the aftermath of a fight. “Too boring?”
“Too boring.” He agreed, mirroring Liam’s smile and considering how he got to be this lucky. They might argue, and they might have a lot to work on, but neither doubted they loved each other. As long as they never lost sight of how important they were to one another, they would get through this. They would survive anything.
“We’re not very good at anger management, are we?” Liam mused.
A shaky laugh rose. They were hopeless. “When are we going to learn?” He grinned. Liam poked his shoulder, and as their eyes met, they both descended into a bout of unbroken laughter. Hunched and gasping for air, hands pressed to his aching stomach, he relied on Liam for balance. How neither of them fell off the couch was beyond him.
“No more fighting?” It was breathy and spoken through a round of continuous giggling, but he understood.
They wouldn’t change who they were. It wouldn’t be the same if they did, but they could promise to change how they reacted to anger. It was okay to tease and joke around, as long as they made sure not to cross a line.
“No more fighting.” He agreed. “By the way, you forgot part of the day’s festivities.” A playful smirk rising at the beta’s confusion. “Trick or treaters?”
To that, Liam rolled his eyes.
“Obviously, children will be trick or treating. That’s a given. I didn’t think I needed to state the basic facts.”
“I don’t know. They weren’t included on the list. We have a very full day already, and very little time,I just don’t think there’s enough time to squeeze a neighbourhood of children in.” He grinned, enjoying they dry, yet secretly amused look he received. “I wouldn’t want to get their hopes up and not deliver.”
“You are not turning away children, Theo.”
“It’s not my fault you didn’t allow time. If anyone’s to blame here, it’s you. A lot of children will miss out on candy because you were too busy collecting movies and teasing me about costumes to consider them.”
“Do I need to break your nose again?”
“That doesn’t sound like a healthy anger management strategy, Li.” That earned him a smack on the arm.
“I’m defending the children. It’s acceptable.”
“Oh, is that right?” He raised an eyebrow.
“I’m serving justice. Righting a wrong.” Liam spoke, matter-of-fact.
“Well in that case, you must. Does it have to be my nose though? Haven’t you broken it and my poor beautiful face enough?”
A thoughtful glint filled Liam’s eyes, and a mischievous grin replaced the even lips. “I could always kick you in the balls if you’d prefer.”
“Now, that’s just cruel.” He grimaced.
“You asked.”
“I did not mean that, and you know it.” His boyfriend could be downright sinister when the situation called for it. “Stay away from me.”
“Aw, are you scared, Theo?” Liam laughed.
“You were the co-captain of the high school lacrosse team, and you’re a werewolf with anger issues. I’d have to be stupid to not be careful.”
“At least you know your place.”
“Oh, is that so? Maybe I should show you who’s really in charge of this relationship. “Why don’t I dig a few holes and see how long it takes you to fall in one?”
“Shut up, idiot.” Liam flicked his ear.
“I’ll even throw a few bats and vampire decorations in for you to hang up. We wouldn’t want you to lose your Halloween spirit or get lonely, now would we?”
“Ass.”
“I think I’ll survive. At least, I’m not a sadist.”
“How am I the sadist?” Liam laughed.
“You threatened to physically maim me. Not to mention the emotional trauma. That is the definition of sadism, Liam.”
“Don’t you think that’s a little much?” Liam asked, grinning and leaning in to rest against his side once more.
“It’s perfectly reasonable, Liam. In fact, I might need to see a therapist. I could use the help dealing with you and your hurtful comments.”
Liam snorted. “While you’re there, maybe he can help pull your head out of your ass.”
“Now, that’s just rude.”
Neither of them stopped smiling. This was how Halloween should be celebrated. Safe in his boyfriend’s arms. It was comfortable. Too comfortable to want to move. They lay there, unwilling to leave the other’s embrace or utter another word, until he finally glanced to the clock. Sighing, he ran a thumb over Liam’s hand. “If you want to make it to the Pumpkin Patch, we need to leave now.”
“I love you.” Liam whispered, leaning in and pressing a gentle kiss against his lips, slow and passionate.
“I love you too, Li.”
~
The carving session was surprisingly fun. Liam chose twenty pumpkins of all sizes, setting them on the backseat of his truck, only to decide they needed more. Another twenty pumpkins later and they were ready to go. Once home, Liam organised the kitchen, placing cloths and a row of bowls across the countertop. Every bowl was overfilled with the scooped out fillings of their Jack-O-Lanterns, front yard littered with their creations.
~
“I LOVE YOU!”
Liam was laughing, but he meant every word. He could barely stand still, grinning like a mad man at his reflection. Barrelling out of the bathroom, he pulled Liam into his arms and spun. It was perfect.
“Hey!” Liam screamed. “Put me down!
“I love you, I love you, I love you!”
“Okay! I get it! You can put me down now!”
He didn’t, couldn’t. The costume was a 100% match for the real thing. A perfect replica. It fit just right; so much so, he could almost imagine himself in the role. It was his. He had the best boyfriend ever—he really should be nicer.
“I’m glad you like it, but please. I’m about to be sick.”
Mouth stretched to the limit, he let go, giggling as Liam swayed. He held on, waiting for the risk of injury to drop to a manageable state before stepping back. “I can’t wait to see Stiles’ face.”
“Is everything with you a competition?”
“It’s Stiles. He doesn’t get to beat me. If I lose, I have to put up with a bragging Stilinski for the next year.” Not this time. Not again. “Let’s go!” Without another second to waste, he took Liam’s hand and dragged the beta out of the house and into his truck.
~
“How the hell did you get a Pazuzu?!” Stiles screamed, mouth hanging open.
~
And to end the night, here they were, once again curled up on the couch, ‘The Addams Family’ playing in the background. Liam’s fingers curling through his hair, his head on his boyfriend’s chest, backs pressed together. Eyes drifting closed to the gentle touch, as ‘they’re kooky and they’re spooky’ formed a distant murmur lulling him to sleep.
~
Liam was still asleep. It wasn’t easy to disentangle himself from the beta’s tight grip, slipping off the couch and away from the lounge without waking the beta. It was so peaceful.
“Li. Baby, wake up.”
A slight stir and Liam stopped.
“Baby, look at me.”
Another stir, another stilled motion.
“Liam. Li.”
Liam shifted, sighed and opened both eyes . . . to find him leaning over the couch in a very realistic Pazuzu costume. “Ahh!”
~
“Happy Halloween.”