A/N: October is a bad month for Dwight. Todd doesn't leave his side. Reed's an eavesdropper. [Originally posted on my Tumblr]

Dwight dreaded Halloween. It didn't help that the Tweedles upped their pranking games during October. Evidently, his anxiety was through the roof. No matter how the guys tried to convince him to loosen up, and get in the spirit, he refused to let his guard down. Halloween was a chaotic time to be a hunter; certain spirits could run free, and others used that to their advantage, which didn't make Dwight's job any easier. It was hard enough during regular days, but Halloween was the ultimate worst.

"You're doing that twitchy thing again."

"I am not."

"Dwight, you're practically recoiling anytime someone passes you in the hall."

"They do it on purpose…They're all out to get me, every year…You wonder why I carry salt around at all times…"

"Are you expecting me to interject? Or are we on a self-rant?" Todd sighed, smirking slightly at Dwight's mumbling. It was almost tradition, that Todd surrounded himself around Dwight every year during Halloween. He didn't trust the boy to be on his own and not legitimately kill someone in belief that they weren't wearing a costume.

One year they attempted trick-or-treating as collective Windsors, but that failed miserably, and they were banned from certain premises. Whether it was Dwight's fault, or the Tweedles, no one could be sure. Todd made sure to stay in close proximity each October, especially since it was a running joke that Dwight would freak out to his maximum until the month was over.

"Sorry…I know you're trying. I know you mean well, but I can't let my guard down. I know everyone talks about me more than usual this time of year…I may be blinded by my interests, but I'm not deaf." Dwight muttered, comforted by the fact his expression could be hidden behind his fringe. He probably needed to cut it, but sometimes the length came in handy.

"Problem is, you don't even let your guard down when it's just us…" Todd whispered, slightly annoyed by the fact he couldn't help no matter how hard he tried to sway his roommate.

"What?"

"Nothing important. I just don't see why you don't ease up at least once, and throw everyone off? They expect you to be paranoid. They expect you to know they're going to try and scare you. Why do you let them?" Todd shrugged, nodding softly as they passed Reed on the staircase.

"I don't understand why you consider that an option." Dwight answered flatly, which make Todd's heart sink. Attempts to boost his roommate's self-confidence always failed, yet he didn't give up the hopes things would change.

"I just don't like seeing you get hurt." Todd replied off-hand, merely expressing his intuitive thoughts, but the expression on Dwight's face seemed to show a deeper meaning. "What? It's true…"

Dwight didn't reply, and shook his head, lowering his gaze to avoid Todd's concern as he brushed past down the hall, leaving Todd standing alone in confusion.

"You're both idiots."

Todd turned to see Reed perched on the stairs, eavesdropping. "What do you mean?"

Reed smiled knowingly and shrugged. "If even I've noticed, than you really are dumb, Hendricks. Really, being a writer, you're not very in touch with your emotions."

Todd blushed, somewhat taken aback by Reed's forwardness, not thinking it was in the boy to be so blunt. "I…Reed, that was actually offensive, you know?"

"Yeah, well I'm a little bored of watching you get nowhere. It was fun at first, but now it's just sad." Reed smiled softly, causing Todd's eyes to widen at the continued insults spouting from his mouth.

"What's gotten into you? Did the Tweedles drug you?" Todd questioned, approaching him cautiously, convinced that perhaps Dwight wasn't all that crazy to think the Windsors were possessed during October.

"Nope. I'm fine, I promise. I just don't like seeing you two beat around the bush for months on end. Dwight needs you, even if he won't admit it. And you need him. You can say you're not leaving his side because you want to protect him, but we both know it means something else." Reed grinned, and Todd narrowed his focus before taking Reed by the arm and dragging him off to the direction of the library.

"Don't crease my uniform! I just pressed it this morning!" Reed exclaimed in horror before Todd shushed him as they entered the library.

"Sorry." He let his grip go, but found them a table to sit down nevertheless. Reed sat across from the writer, and proceeded to adjust his sleeve to examine any crinkles. "How long have you been eavesdropping, exactly?"

Reed smiled and leaned forward, propping his elbows on the table. "Four months."

Todd groaned and ran his fingers through his hair. "Why would you even bother? No wonder Dwight's been on edge. I didn't really believe him when he thought someone was following us…"

"At first it was curiosity, but then…well, you guys just made it so easy." Reed smirked and Todd rolled his eyes.

"Dwight doesn't make anything easy."

"But you do." The boy grinned, and Todd blushed.

"I'm that obvious?"

"Not to Dwight, but you're common talk for the rest of us. Most of the guys lost interest, to be honest. There was a bet going on, but I don't know if it got abandoned as well, because you both string things out far too much." Reed explained and Todd wanted to die on the spot.

He hadn't thought his intentions had been that desperate, but if the rest of Windsor had caught on, than he was doomed. There was no way Dwight could've missed overhearing, and that's probably why he was pushing him away. It all started to make sense now.

"Dwight doesn't like me, like that." Todd whispered, subconsciously sinking into the chair.

"Dwight's not easy to read, you know that as much as the rest of us. Come on, Todd. If you want something to happen, you're the one who has to tell him. You might as well tell him now instead of waiting around a few more months, or else he'll think it's April Fools." Reed suggested, earning a small smirk from the writer.

"That's pretty accurate…I just…October is crazy for him. I don't want him to think I'm diluted, or possessed and then he lashes out at me before hearing me out."

"Sure, you have a point, but if Halloween is his low point, why can't you tell him before and maybe he'll surprise you? Then you can help him out and be more convincing as his boyfriend, than his roommate. Love changes people." Reed said nonchalant, and Todd was ready to throttle the kid.

"Would you quiet down? That's not going to happen. Dwight would never agree to it, even if I did tell him the truth." Todd sighed honestly, regretting the fact he encouraged this conversation.

"You never know until you try. Besides, you're on a time limit. There's only a week and a half till October 31st." Reed urged, attempting to be more forgiving to Todd's situation.

"Fine… What was all involved in that bet you mentioned?"