Chapter Text
Chapter 1: So Bob Ross and Dracula Go To A Party...
Halloween weekend was proving to be a big to-do on campus. Fraternity houses up and down the block in a battle against each other to throw the “ultimate” Halloween party. Flier advertisements on neon-colored paper with tacky clipart were passed out between classes as students encouraged everyone to come to, “the best party on the block,” as Ray was told that Friday afternoon. A stranger thrust a flier into his hand that would later join the others in the bottom of his backpack.
“Could be fun.” Ray’s friend, Frank, said with a shrug.
“I guess if your idea of fun is watching strangers make poor life choices.” Ray shot back. He liked parties but not these kinds of parties. Any kind of party advertising free beer is going to be a madhouse of belligerent young adults. Someone gets hurt or, sometimes, someone gets arrested. Ray usually ends the night flying solo since Frank always disappears the second they step through the door.
“Actually, yes.” Frank cackled as his friend rolled his eyes at him.
“Count me out. I just want to watch some movies and eat junk food.” He took his backpack off to unzip the pocket and stuff the flier inside.
Frank stopped walking and pulled on Ray’s arm. “Come on. As an early birthday present for me. Pleasseeeeeeee.” He pleaded with a pout at the end that was damn near pitiful.
“Fine. Fine! We will go. But the second something sketchy starts going on, I’m leaving. I can’t have my parents pay my bail again.” He thrust an accusatory finger at Frank who cracked a smile in response.
“It was one time! How was I supposed to know it was an undercover cop?”
“You are more than lucky that he only got us for being drunk in public. Who knows what would have happened if he found the bag of weed I threw over the fence? I hope whoever found it had a better night than us, you ass.” Ray stepped around Frank and continued to his final class for the day.
“You’re always my hero!” Frank called from behind him. “I’ll text ya later!”
Ray gave a small wave as he hurried along. As much as he didn’t want to go to the party he knew that Frank would not stop pleading until he got his way. It was better to just agree and deal with the fallout later.
---
Just as Ray had suspected, the party was a bust. The fraternity hosting was either working on a limited budget or just straight up did not care about anyone’s comfort.
The forecast for the night was near frigid as a cold front moved its way through the town. Despite the past few weeks of very mild and tolerable temps it was a drastic change that had Ray wishing he had brought a jacket tonight. The hosts did not turn on the heat and Ray assumed they wanted all the bodies crammed inside to do the job.
A gust of wind ripped down the hallway every time someone came inside. The wind sent a chill down Ray’s spine as he leaned against the wall waiting for Frank to get back with their drinks.
“The keg is mostly foam.” Frank said as he returned with two solo cups, handing one to Ray.
“Fuck, that’s what we get for going to a free beer party.” Ray tipped back his cup, foam tickling his nose as he tipped it further back to get a smidge of beer.
“We can always go to another party.” Frank added as he wiped his foam stache off with his shirt sleeve.
Intentionally Ray ignored the idea of leaving for another party. Making a trek across campus when it’s damn near freezing was not something Ray felt like adding to his night.
“You know that’s not a costume.” Ray pointed out to his friend.
“Yes, it is.” Frank scoffed.
“You can’t just write Dracula on a shirt and call it good.” He jabbed a finger at the messy Sharpie block letting on Frank’s shirt.
“I have the teeth.” Frank smiled wide to show the two plastic fangs secured over his teeth.
“You look ridiculous.”
“And you don’t? What are you supposed to be? Bargain bin Bob Ross?”
Ray fished a paintbrush out from his back pocket, tapping the bristles on his friend's shoulder. “I have a paintbrush.” He mocked the tone Frank had used a second ago.
Two drunk frat boys stumbled out of a room, clinging onto each other while howling like wolves and laughing madly. One of them knocked into Ray as they barreled by, jostling his solo cup enough that foam spilled down the side. Ray held it out at arm's length as the two kept howling. Haphazardly stomping down the hall to rejoin the heart of the party.
“Remind me why we are here again?” Ray grumbled as he switched hands and wiped his sticky fingers on his jeans.
“Cause you love me and want to make me happy.” Frank stuck his tongue out at Ray before taking another sip of beer.
“This was a bad idea.” He was second-guessing himself. Already missing his dorm where he could sit in his underwear and watch movies in peace.
“Oh come on, it’ll be fun. We just gotta drink more.” Frank used his hand to guide Ray’s cup up toward him. Encouraging him to drink more of the cheap, mostly foam, keg beer.
---
Ray found himself in the kitchen. It was a hot spot for anyone that didn’t know what to do with themselves. Ray stayed off to the side, taking a few stale tortilla chips to munch on as he surveyed the room of shy misfits.
A guy in a banana costume was scavenging around the snack table taking handfuls of everything and stuffing it into his mouth. Chip crumbs cascaded down his costume and littered the floor. The chips audibly crunched under his shoes as he scavenged his way down the snack table. He acknowledged Ray with a nod of his head but didn’t stop gorging himself.
The only people engaging in conversation in the kitchen were a werewolf and someone in a Scream mask talking over one another while mixing drinks. Cheap liquor and fruit punch that was more sugar than water. Judging by the murky sludge that settled at the bottom of the pitcher. Sloshing back and forth as the two struggled to keep their composure but were quite obviously very drunk.
Ray felt weird since he was just standing there without anyone to talk to. Frank had disappeared like usual. Except he didn’t want to leave because this room felt like a haven.
“Do you want one?“ The werewolf asked, gesturing to his cup.
Ray looked on either side of him, before pointing at himself with his eyebrow raised in question. The werewolf smiled at Ray and pointed at the drink in his hand. “Yeah you, you want one?” He asked again.
“Oh! Yeah, that would be awesome.” He moved closer to the two. The one in the scream mask clapped him on the shoulder while the two worked together to make the concoction.
With the cup between them, the werewolf poured the liquor while the one in the Scream mask manned the punch. Sloshing red liquid over the counter as the person cussed behind their mask.
“Sorry, I can’t see shit behind this thing.” They laughed before handing the brew to Ray.
“It’s cool.” He assured, taking the cup from him. The three of them brought their cups up to gesture “cheers” before drinking. Even as Ray brought the cup up to his lips he already knew the punch wasn’t going to cover the sharp bite of vodka. The first gulp set his sinuses on fire as he held back a cough. He didn’t want to be labeled a loser before he even had a chance to introduce himself.
“I’m Ray by the way.” He offered his hand before realizing that probably wasn’t cool to do at a college party. The two didn’t seem phased though. Either also a little weird or just too drunk to care.
“I’m Mikey.” The person lifted their Scream mask to show their face before shaking Ray’s hand.
“Pete.” The werewolf said before also shaking his hand.
“What are you guys-” Ray was cut off by a frustrated nurse marching into the kitchen.
“Mikey! Fucking Christ, I’ve been looking everywhere for you!” The nurse yelled as they stomped over to the group. Their hands came to rest on their hips as they waited for an explanation for why they had been abandoned.
“Sorry! We got thirsty.” Mikey gestured to Pete and his drinks.
“That was forty minutes ago.” The flustered nurse tapped their foot in annoyance.
Mikey lifted his hands in surrender as he rolled his eyes. “I’m sorry, alright.”
“Forgive us, Nurse Gee.” Pete pouted until ‘Nurse Gee’ smacked him on the arm, their scowl softening as their anger disappeared. Finding it hard to stay mad at the two.
“Who’s this?” The nurse asked, giving Ray a once over. Hip popped to the side with their arms crossing over their chest.
“Our new friend, Ray.” Mikey answered.
“I’m Gerard.” The nurse said, giving a polite smile to Ray. It was honestly the cutest and Ray was feeling a bit flustered already.
“Tonight you’re Nurse Gee!” Pete corrected as he gestured to Gerard’s uniform.
“How many of those have you had?” Gerard pointed at Pete’s somehow already near-empty cup.
“Enough to have fun!” Pete flung his arm over Mikey’s shoulder. Shaking the poor guy around and as his drink sloshed around in the cup about to spill over the sides.
“Ugh, no thanks.” Gerard grimaced but the corners of their mouth could almost resemble a smile.
“Come on, let’s play beer pong!” Pete pointed behind him to the door that led out back.
“And get beer all over my dress? No thanks, you go ahead.” Gerard ran their palm over the side of the skirt before straightening the edge to stop flipping forward.
“You comin', Ray?” Mikey asked.
“Nah, I’m terrible.” Somewhat of a lie but Ray just wasn’t in the mood to play and didn’t want to seem like a downer.
“Fine, meet us out back in an hour?” Mikey asked Gerard.
“I’ll see you in an hour.” They promised as the two hurried out back where two beer pong tables were set up.
Ray wasn’t always the best at conversation. He wanted to talk to Gerard. It should be easy. But it’s not. He can’t seem to get the words together and instead stands fiddling with his cup of Mikey and Pete’s concoction that tasted more like battery acid with every sip.
He wants to ask what they’re studying. What do they like to do on the weekends? What was their favorite horror movie? Except all Ray could do was stand there like a deer in headlights. At least until Gerard moved to stand beside him. Ray could smell Gerard’s cologne. It was light with some floral notes and it was refreshing compared to the stagnant frat house smell that oozed from the walls.
“I like your costume.” Ray somehow manages to get out.
“Thanks! I got it at a vintage store.” They answered.
“It’s very unique.”
“I thought so too. I wanted to be a sexy nurse this year.”
Ray looked them up and down. While the costume wasn’t deemed ‘sexy’ by big box Halloween store standards, it was sexy in a classic way. Their stark white dress nipped right in at their natural waist while the gold buttons shone under the dozens of twinkle lights that were strewn up around the room.
A few of the top buttons had been undone, which made sense because it was getting hot as more bodies packed into the house. The side of their hip rested against the counter with one stocking-clad leg crossed in front of the other. The orthopedic shoes add a dash of authenticity. The cherry on top was the nurses’ cap that was barely hanging on despite the bobby pins that were adorning the edges.
“And what are you supposed to be?” Gerard could tell Ray was checking them out but tried to test the waters first and keep the conversation light.
“Bob Ross.” He answered.
“Is that all you could think of?” Gerard spoke between quiet laughs.
“What does that mean?” He thought his costume was funny for something he had to come up with on the spot with very few supplies in his closet.
“Lots of people have a fro like that, not just good ol’ Bob Ross.” Gerard answered honestly. Reaching out to gently touch the side of Ray’s teased hair.
“Listen, I’m broke as shit. I’m discount Bob Ross.” Ray tried his best to hide the blush he could feel spreading on his cheeks as Gerard’s hand settled on his neck for a moment.
“You make some good points.” Gerard said as they pulled their hand back.
“Do you want a drink?” Ray asked since Gerard didn’t bring anything inside when they came in to berate Mikey.
“I’d love one.” Gerard flashed him a smile that sent Ray’s heart soaring.
“The kegs outside, do you want to stay here or come with?”
“I’ll come with you, it’s getting a bit weird in here.” The last part came out as a whisper as they looked between Ray and the banana costume guy that was still somehow gorging himself on chips.
Ray left his vodka and fruit punch concoction on the counter since he didn’t foresee himself drinking the rest of it. The proportions were a death sentence and he wanted to stay somewhat sharp since he didn’t want to make a fool of himself in front of Gerard.
The two made their way outside. Wedging themselves through the crowds of people that were standing around the doorway. Ray went out first so that he could hold the screen door open for Nurse Gee. Offering a hand to help Gerard balance walking down the cracked and slanted cement stairs. Gerard wasn’t drunk yet but still appreciated the gentlemanly gesture.
The keg was right by the porch and several people were waiting their turn to fill their cups up to the brim, mostly foam as Ray expected. Others were crowded around the beer pong tables. A chorus of cheers or boos as the game went on. It was impossible to see what was going on because the crowd surrounding the table was densely packed.
Opposite the beer pong tables, there was a game of cornhole that seemed just as lively but with less of a crowd. A classic game that might seem a little out of date but those that appreciated it knew it was truly the most fun lawn game on this side of the midwest.
Further down the yard sat a makeshift bonfire. A circle of people huddled around the flames for warmth. Cardboard beer cases and random twigs were chucked into the flame to bring it back to life every time it started to die down.
Ray got in line for the keg to wait his turn. When he got to the front he tried his best to siphon beer out of the nearly empty keg. Pouring the foam out from the side so cheap golden liquid slowly filled the bottom of the cups. Two drinks in hand Ray made his way back to Gerard who was watching the game of cornhole.
“You wanna play?” He asked as he handed the drink to Gerard.
“Never have. Looks fun.” They answered, taking a large sip of beer. Not realizing how thirsty they had gotten.
“Corn-hole is so much fun!” A huge smile spread across Ray’s face as he talked about his favorite lawn game. It was a must for every Toro family gathering. Alternating between the adults and the kids playing in teams. Then battled it out with his siblings and cousins till the sun started to set.
“Well, I’m convinced! I’ll play.” Gerard squeezed Ray’s bicep as their excitement built. Seeing Ray’s face light up over the idea of playing was something Gerard could not squash by admitting they had terrible aim. Along with not wearing their glasses tonight because it would have ruined the look.
---
“Ok, try holding your arm straight out, like you’re bowling.” Ray instructed from across the playing field as he tried his best to verbally guide Gerard through the motions.
“I’m shit at bowling.” Gerard admitted as they loosely swung their right arm a few times trying to center their aim. It was true, they hated bowling and were mercifully teased by their friends and family for it.
“Here.” Ray placed his cup on the grass before quickly crossing the playing field to stand behind Gerard. The other players were a little peeved. Showing it with exaggerated sighs while rolling their eyes but Ray didn’t give a shit. This is a frat party game of cornhole, not the Olympics.
Leaving a sliver of space between the two of them, Ray placed a hand on Gerard’s arm that was holding the resin pellet-filled bean bag. At first, Gerard was hesitant and tense from the touch but easily relaxed. Leaning back into Ray’s body for support as they tried to hide the blush forming on their cheeks. The rules of the game had the two drink heavily after each losing round. It was becoming harder for Gerard to hide their interest in Ray.
“Is this ok?” He asked pulling back for a second to make sure he hadn’t crossed any boundaries.
Gerard nodded their head. Needing to fight off their embarrassment. It was near impossible to steady their nerves as Ray’s gentle hand started to guide them through the movements.
“Alright, so-” Ray began. “You’re going to want to let go on the follow-through. Keep the top of your hand facing up, it’s easier to get the bag to drop onto the board instead of bouncing off. Keep your knees bent, you wanna be loosey goosey alright.” Gerard laughed at his euphemism. “You ready?” He asked and Gerard shook their head yes again.
Ray pulled Gerard in closer so their bodies fully touched. Being this close gave Ray the perfect opportunity to see his new interest. Their skin was so stunning without a single flaw to be found. Strong eyebrows framed sharp hazel eyes that caught the light of the bonfire nearby. The gentle slope of their nose crinkled every time they laughed. He was smitten and fought against every instinct to lean over and kiss them.
He snapped out of his daze when Gerard caught him staring. Flashing a wide smile that could bring Ray to his knees. He was done for but was determined to not make a fool of himself. Giving Gerard’s waist a gentle squeeze before letting them take over. Steadying their aim before tossing the bag in the air.
The two were on pins and needles as the green-colored bag went soaring through the air. Flying across the playing field to drop down onto the wooden board. Sliding just a little and settling on the right side of the cutout hole. This was the first time Gerard has gotten any of their bags onto the board this entire game. Ray wrapped his arms around Gerard’s waist and lifted them as he cheered. The other players laughed as they held their solo cups up in acknowledgment. Even if it was a bit strange to cheer over a 1 point score when Gerard and Ray were still so many points behind.