NOTE: This is the sequel to a series called Living with The Avengers, which includes two OCs Carter and Laynie. If you want to read their story, find it here:
s/9274472/1/Living-with-the-Avengers
October 31st was a magical day. One when the vampires came out of their coffins and the mummies too. The adults acted like kids for once, and it was the one day that every kid in America was simultaneously on a sugar rush. You had candy corn for breakfast, lunch and dinner just because you could.
October 31st in Stark Tower wasn't much different.
Laynie and Carter sprung out of their beds excited. They both donned their costumes without knowing the other was doing the same, and met in the hallway by accident.
Carter was dressed in pirate's garb, looking like a grade-A swashbuckler. She had big boots, a feathered hat, a puffy shirt, and an authentic looking sword.
Laynie, on the other hand, looked quite different. She was dressed as Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas, with her skin lightly tinted blue and stitches scribbled all over her with a washable marker. She had a wig made entirely out of orange yarn and wore a patchwork dress.
"Arg matey," Laynie commented very seriously.
Carter rolled her eyes and chuckled.
The two girls started to walk to the living room. "You know, as much fun as dressing up is, I don't know why we do it. It's not as if we're going trick-or-treating." Carter commented. "Or anything else for that matter..."
"Ah, that's where you're wrong." A voice said behind them.
Both of them turned to find Tony behind them.
"What're you talking about?" Carter asked curiously.
"Well, you see," he started to walk with them to the living room, "I didn't really want to sit around here all day handing out candy to a bunch of kids. So, me and Clint decided we would take you two to a haunted house tonight. It's supposed to be the best here in New York."
While Laynie seemed excited, Carter was less than thrilled at the announcement.
"A haunted house?" She repeated.
"Yep!" Tony grinned.
Laynie about exploded right then, throwing her arms up in a double fist pump. "I've always wanted to go to a haunted house!"
Tony's grin just got bigger, and Carter just got more anxious.
Tony saluted them before leaving the room, and Pepper passed through the next second. She was wearing the costume Tony had so graciously bought her. A black and white maid's outfit with a shirt too short and a neckline too deep. He'd said something in relation to her almost having been his maid by being his personal assistant. "Aw! You girls look amazing!"
Laynie grinned. "Thanks! Did Tony tell you where he and Clint are taking us tonight?"
She nodded. "Yes! Maybe I'll come with you next year. I have too much to do in preparation for a meeting tomorrow to be out too late tonight."
"That would be great," Laynie replied.
"Are you girls helping decorate the lobby? Bruce, Steve and Clint are already downstairs."
"I'm going!" Laynie looked to her friend for an answer.
"Um yeah, we were heading down now." She answered quietly and was already walking toward the elevator.
Laynie followed after and pressed the button before her friend could. They got to do it multiple times a day but still they raced to it.
"Are you okay?" Laynie asked.
"I'm fine." Carter forced a smile, while she racked her brain trying to think of a way out of going tonight.
"Yeah, uh huh, and I'm completely incapable of reading my best friend's face like a book. What's wrong? You love Halloween."
"Nothing's wrong." Carter insisted, "I was just... looking forward to passing out candy." She answered weakly, knowing her excuse was terrible.
Laynie nodded slowly. She was aware that her and Bruce were very close, so she was naturally looking forward to spending time with him, but it was good for her to get out with Clint and Tony. "Sorry. You could still stay here if you want. Tony wouldn't be too heart broken."
Carter nodded gently, "I'll think about it." She was positive that she wouldn't get out of it that easily.
The elevator slid open to reveal the lobby of Stark Tower. Several boxes were spread out on the floor, each containing a numerous amount of Halloween decorations.
Laynie bounded out of the elevator and to the nearest box, quizzing Steve on where the black and orange steamers were.
Carter shook her head at her excitable friend and made her way toward Bruce. He was spreading table cloths over a line of plastic tables that would later be covered in vats of candy.
Stark Tower was going to be one of New York's finest Halloween attractions. With all kinds of activities set up for the kids and even a miniature haunted house in the back rooms, not to mention the candy, it was going to be a busy night for Steve and Bruce, the Avengers in charge of the situation.
Bruce gave his charge a smile as she approached. "Good morning. Or should I just say arr?" At her half-genuine smile, Bruce straightened and dropped the table cloth. "What's wrong?"
"Why am I stuck with the person I can't get anything past?" Carter smiled lightly.
Bruce returned the smile. "So, what's wrong?"
Carter sighed, "I'm guessing Tony told you about taking us to a haunted house tonight."
"Yeah, what about it?"
Carter bit her lip, trying to think of a way to explain to Bruce what was wrong without sounding completely stupid.
The first thing Bruce did was pull her into a hug. The second thing he did was adjust the feather in her hat. "Are you scared?"
She looked away embarrassed, "I wouldn't call it scared exactly..."
He chuckled and resumed his job. "That's okay. It's okay to be scared. Just remember none of it's real and the scariest thing in there will be Clint's face. Also... Sometimes it's good to face your fears."
Carter crossed her arms and huffed. She was a little frustrated with the fact that Bruce was capable of reading her like a book. "Yeah, yeah. Whatever. I'd rather just stay here and hand out candy."
"Children are vicious. You'll probably have more fun at the haunted house."
Laynie called Carter over at that moment, saying she needed help with the streamers.
Bruce gave a nod to Carter that implied she should go help.
Carter groaned and threw her head back dramatically before stomping over to Laynie, puffy shirt flapping in the wind.
Laynie had Carter hold up streamers as she taped them down and then had her help sprinkle tiny bat and jack-o-lantern confetti all over the tables. All the while she was jabbering about the last Halloween she'd spent with her mom, talking about how they'd watched the scariest movies they could find and regretted it when it thunder stormed and the power went out an hour later.
Carter just nodded every so often to let her friend know she was still listening. In the back of her mind though, she couldn't help but feel something was going to happen. And she wasn't going to like it.
Author's Notes:
Lartovio (account name changed to NoraSpiderGirl but I'm going to continue to go by Larty on here): YAY FOR HALLOWEEN AND ANGUISH ON CARTER'S PART! Ehem, yeah. I just want to warn you guys that this fic gets scary as crap. Me and Dawn wrote most of it in the dark and we were freaking out XD Anyway, I hope you enjoy! At least until we finish LWTA, we're not putting any spoilers in this story. This is going to be a long running series of oneshots and short stories surrounding family life with the Avengers though, so make sure you follow! 3
Dawn: WHOO. HALLOWEEN SPECIAL. Yeah, Carter definitely is going to need some therapy after this ordeal. Lartovio and I both hope you enjoy this lovely fic and all other stories to come. :)