Hey, people! I was browsing my Tumblr earlier and found the prompt for this story. I really hope you'll enjoy this, what with Halloween being right around the corner! I'll be writing this in Western Style (which is kinda weird for me)-just a warning!

Disclaimer: I don't own Free!, its characters, or the original idea for this story.

Chapter One: The Halloween Store

Makoto Tachibana cursed his big mouth as he roamed the aisles of the Halloween store. The tall, green-haired college student was terribly scared of anything slightly creepy, gothic, or ghoulish. But he was, after all, the big brother.

"Mama, Mama!" Ran gushed, jumping up and down slightly in place as she watched her mother make breakfast. Ran had brown hair that was usually tied in pigtails and was the much more energetic twin. Even at thirteen, she had the enthusiasm of a five year old. "Can we go shopping for Halloween costumes today?"

Emiko sighed and looked at her daughter. "I'm sorry, baby, but your father and I are both busy today."

"Aww!" groaned Ren from the table. Ren had green hair like Mako's, but was very studious. It seemed as though Ran had infected him with her holiday cheer, however, as even he was getting excited for October 31. "All of the good costumes will be gone soon!"

Mako, still half asleep, looked at his brother over his coffee mug. "I can take them, Mama," he mumbled sleepily. As the older brother, Mako always felt an obligation to help his overworked parents take care of the twins. He would make them breakfast, help them get to school, and go shopping for groceries when his parents were too busy. He was a kind person by nature and empathetic besides. It was only natural he would take them out when he parents couldn't.

Emiko looked at her son in concern. "Are you sure, Mako-chan?"

"It'll be fine," he said. "I don't have classes until November, anyway."

Ran and Ren cheered and started discussing what they should be.

That had been two hours ago, and Mako, very much awake, was regretting his willingness to go out with the twins. This store was way too scary for him! There were ghosts and skeletons and witches and goblins and the only light came from some candles on the walls! Not to mention that damn howl that would sound over the intercom every five mintues! I need to get out of here! he thought desperately.

The thing was, he couldn't find the twins. After they'd arrived, the two burst into the deep recesses of the store excitedly. That was nearly half an hour prior! How long could it take to pick out a couple of damn costumes?

Suddenly, a ghostly wail sounded through the store, causing Mako to screech and curl up in the fetal position on the floor, shaking terribly. "Make it stop..." he whimpered.

Above him, someone chuckled. He squeaked and looked up to see a young man who would be shorter than himself when he stood. The man had navy blue hair and eyes, and was wearing a blue and white striped shirt and jeans with a dark blue hoodie over the shirt. "Are you okay, man?" he asked, shaking a motion-activated prop. "I didn't think it would scare you that much."

Mako, trembling, stood. "I'm, ah, not good with this stuff," he admitted sheepishly. "I'm Makoto Tachibana. What's your name?"

"Haruka Nanase. You can call me Haru." He stuck out his hand, and they shook. That name sounds familiar, Mako thought. "Anyway, these are the lame decorations. I'll help you find some better ones." Haru tossed the prop he'd been holding back onto the shelf which housed many others, making it emit another anguished cry. Mako, once again, jumped, making Haru chuckle again.

"No, it's fine!" Mako said.

Haru glanced sideways at him, smirking. "Consider it my apology for scaring you."

XxX

Another half hour later, Mako's cart was full of stuff that would ensure his house was far too scary for him to enter it ever again. A few minutes after he met Haru, the twins came screeching back with their costumes (Ran was going as a magical girl and Ren was going as a mummy) and eagerly helped "Mr. Haru" pick out the most horrifying decorations imaginable. Haru himself purchased about five gallons of fake blood and ten fake skeletons before the group of four exited the store. The cashier had grinned at Haru as he purchased his goods, as if he was part of an inside joke, while the young man just rolled his eyes.

"T-thanks, Haru," Mako chattered, knuckles white as he gripped the plastic bags of horror. "Uh, what way are you heading?"

"That way," he pointed, finger towards the east side of town.

Ran cheered. "That's the way to our house, too! You can walk with us, right, Big Brother?"

"Sure."

"That sounds nice," Haru agreed. "Let me put my stuff in my bike basket and I'll walk it next to you." He did so, and they began walking.

"How old are you, Mr. Haru?" Ren asked, walking closest to the bike.

"Ah, I just turned nineteen."

"Are you and Big Brother in the same classes in college?"

"I don't go to college. I already have a running business. It's very profitable, especially around this time."

"Really?" Ran gushed, running up to the bike. "You have your own business! That's so cool, Mr. Haru!"

He shrugged. "My friend helps me out a lot. I'm not good with talking to our customers, and he is. I mostly manage the money and decoration, and he does the publicity stuff. It's a good deal."

"Wow!" the twins sighed in unison.

Mako grinned. "Well, you're not so bad at talking to us."

"It's different," Haru said. "I'm not trying to make money off you. If it's something vital to my livings, I get flustered and rude. I can't even count the number of times I've scared customers away because of my tone. It was difficult before Nagisa joined up with me."

Suddenly, Mako stiffened. Haru turned and smirked. "Well, this is where we part ways, guys," he said with a teasing lilt in his voice.

Ran and Ren turned and gaped. "This is your house, Mr. Haru?" they asked in unison.

Haru nodded, and Mako almost fainted.

The house was old and desecrated. The clapboard was faded and most of the windows were falling off the hinges. The fence surrounding it was nearly rotted through. There was no green grass in sight, all plant life dead. The porch steps looked like they would disintegrate if you were to use them. Of course, scariest of all, were the gravestones and skeletons littering the yard.

They stayed there year-round.

Mako knew that because it was right next door to his house.

So, there you have it! Haru and Mako are next door neighbors!

Preview for next chapter:

"Haru, did you meet someone yesterday?" Nagisa demanded, leaning over his friend.

"Maybe," Haru said noncommittally.

XxX

"Makoto, there's something different about you today," Rei said as he adjusted his glasses. "What's up?"

"Well," Mako sighed, "you know the creepy house next to mine, right? I kinda met the guy who lives in it."

"And?"

"He's really cute and I think I might like him."

See you next time!