"Explain it to me again." Timothy stated, a worried frown on his face. Rio rolled her eyes and sighed in fond exasperation.
"Halloween, you know what Halloween is, right? Well, we'll have a party here tonight. Karaoke set and all. And we'll watch scary movies together and stuff. In costume, of course." She explained to him with a shrug.
"I have heard of it, but never celebrated it myself. It is…a kid's holiday, if I understand correctly…a pagan one, at that…" Timothy retorted and a hint of disapproval in his tone of voice.
Rio rolled her eyes again, with less fondness now. "Yeah, yeah, heathens in disguise and all that jazz. You don't have to be there, I can…" The girl started to say while sounding disappointed, but the priest smiled at her and captured her lips with his own in a tender kiss.
"If it makes you happy, then I wouldn't miss it for the world." He stated once he broke the kiss and Rio smiled at him. "I'm sure you'll enjoy yourself, we have so much fun each year. And captain America will be there, you like him!" She pointed out but Timothy seemed less sure of himself now.
"Will he bring the brute?"
Rio chuckled. "The brute? You mean Bucky? Yeah, probably, but don't worry about him. You know I'm into holy guys, not bad boys." She said with a grin and tickled his sides.
"Hey!" Timothy protested with a chuckle and in that moment, Pepper entered the living room with tray of coffee. At four o'clock in the afternoon, the four of them had coffee together, to bond and discuss the day. It was Pepper's idea, since this used to be a tradition in Timothy's time.
"Hey you love birds, I see you're having fun. Want some coffee?" She asked them as she sat down and began to set up the cups.
"Thank you, miss Potts." Timothy stated but gave a shy smile as Pepper gave him a look. "I mean…Pepper. Which I have to admit, is a bit of a strange name for a lady. If you do not mind me being so forward."
"It's not her real name, her real name is Virginia." Rio explained with a giggle. "Tony gave her that nickname. He calls me Dexter. Yeah, hard to explain."
"No it's not. See, Dexter is a little cartoon scientist, on the Cartoon Network channel. Ha, coffee. Nice." Tony interjected as he entered the room and sat with them to have a drink.
"So you are fond of nicknames?" Timothy asked and Tony grinned at him. "Sure am, padre."
A weak smile appeared on Timothy's face at hearing the nickname Tony gave him, which he was sure would be one of many. It reminded him of his time in at Briarcliff, where he and Rio met and she called him that. Part of him missed it, part of him was relieved they were here now. His mind went to his new church and Roman. What would he say about Timothy's behaviour? Engaging in carnal activities with Rio, attending a heathen party…living with…with…unbelievers…He took a sip from his coffee and didn't even notice he forgot to put cream in it.
"So eh…" Rio started, since the room had gotten awkwardly silent once Timothy got lost in thoughts. "So the party. That will be fun." She finally managed to get out.
"Yeah, lots of fun. If Capsicle will let us watch anything R-rated." Tony murmured and Pepper playfully slapped his shoulder.
"He will, Tony, he just got a little worried last year, when Rio hid behind her pillow during The Exorcist. "
"Eh, okay…I did not hide, I was just inspecting the… nit work..?" Rio said as if it was the most normal thing to do.
"What is The Exorcist?" Timothy asked and the three of them looked at him as if he was from outer space.
"Oh, we're watching that tonight, don't worry. Scariest movie you'll ever see!" Tony promised him. "Teen girl, possessed by the devil, Good stuff."
Timothy frowned and got up, adjusting his collar as he seemed to be very uncomfortable. Rio tried to grab his hand but he pulled away before she could.
"I assure you it won't be as scary as the actual thing. Excuse me."
Rio looked down so Pepper and Tony wouldn't see her tears. Pepper leaned forward. "Go to him." She urged the girl and she stood up with a nod and followed the priest. Tony gave her a strange look and Pepper explained. "Possessed nun who forced herself on him. She almost killed both him and Rio." This made the scientist look down with a frown of his face, his usual wit non-existent at this time. "That's messed up." He finally stated and Pepper nodded, looking solemn as well.
"Timothy, wait, please! Tony didn't mean..I didn't mean.." Rio called out and he stopped walking when he heard how upset the girl was. He turned around and she was shocked to see the tears in his eyes as well. "I'm so sorry." Rio whispered and opened her arms. She held him tight as he softly cried on her shoulder. Rio teared up as well, the thought that they almost lost each other because of Mary Eunice was unbearable. Rio was glad that they were able to comfort each other, despite their differences.
"Rio, my dear, I need to be at the church now." Timothy said in a shaky voice. "I want to talk to Roman. Is that okay with you?"
She frowned and averted her gaze. It hurt her that he wanted solace from a stranger and not from her. He met this Roman two weeks ago and it already felt like he was coming between the two of them.
"That doesn't look okay." He said and frowned as well. How did he mess up? Why was she upset with him? He had no idea.
"I-I want to make you feel better. I can come with you? Meet him?" Rio suggested as a compromise, but Timothy shook his head.
"Rio, he doesn't know that I am in a relationship, I'm afraid he'll reject me from the church if I tell him. And if he sees you, he'll never believe I don't kiss you every day." He retorted with a small smile and caressed her cheek.
It wasn't possible for her to stay upset with him when he talked so sweetly to her, so she smiled back at him.
"Be back in time for the party?"
"Of course, my love."
They parted ways and Rio returned to Tony and Pepper. She assured him it was fine and started to prepare dinner for that night.
Meanwhile Timothy arrived at the church. The building looked menacing against a sky that was changing color from a soft blue to a harsh pink. But Timothy refused to see it. It had to console him, he already lost so much faith-wise. He couldn't be scared of a building too.
"Timothy, what a nice surprise." Roman stated, looking up from extinguishing a few candles. Was it him or did Roman seem almost younger than the last time Timothy saw him? Perhaps he was just less tired.
"Good evening. I eh…am struggling." Timothy said and looked down, doing his best keep himself from crying. Roman came over and put an arm around his shoulders.
"I am so sorry to hear that, my son. Let's go to my office." The man directed the Monsignor to a little room behind the chapel and gestured for him to sit down. Timothy explained what happened earlier. Leaving out the possessed Mary Eunice and the whole time travel ordeal, he kept some parts vague on purpose.
"It's…just hard for me to hear these stories, I've been secluded for years and it almost feels as if I have to get used to this entire era." Timothy concluded his story.
"I do not mean to be forward, Timothy, but I do not have plans for the night. If it would make you feel better, I'd be happy to join you. And if you do watch this movie, you might feel less afraid with me there? Forgive me if that is too much."
But Timothy seemed relieved and happily accepted the generous offer. Then he frowned. "This girl…living there…Rio…eh…she and I are together. We keep ourselves from sinning, of course. But we are in love. I hope that will not make a difference." The lie left his mouth easier than expected.
Roman smiled, his blue eyes twinkling dangerously. "Of course not, my son. I'll still be happy to come. Now, let's dine together first. We wouldn't want to burden them too early."
As they entered Tony's apartment around 8 o'clock, the living room was filled with people dressed up in various costumes. The karaoke set was hooked up and Rio was giving the performance of a life time, dressed as Snow White.
Timothy saw Roman raise a brow as he watched his girl. A certain disapproving look was clear in his eyes. Tony came up to them, in one of his Iron Man suits.
"Timmy! Get a drink, let loose. Who's your friend here? I think Snow White could use a kiss from Father Charming about now."
Rio came off stage and smiled wide when she saw Timothy and Tony together. She came up to them and kissed his cheek. It was clear that she had a few drinks.
"Hey! How are you? I missed you at dinner. Who's your friend? He's cute!" Rio giggled and punched Roman's shoulder. "Just kidding. I'm Rio, nice to meet you."
"My name is Roman Castevet, miss…?
"Taylor. Rio Taylor." She answered and cleared her throat. She had no idea Timothy would bring Roman to the party. This was so awkward. Tony decided to help.
"Welcome to the party, Roman. I'm Iron Man. Or Tony, Tony Stark. That lovely lady that's coming over with a death look on her face, that's Pepper. Excuse me." Tony quickly disappeared, to see why Pepper was so mad at him. Rio facepalmed and shook her head.
"I'll go and get a refreshment, I will be right back." Roman stated with a small nod of his head. Once he left, Timothy glared at Rio.
"Are you out of your mind? Being drunk! And dressed like that! When…"
"When we're having a Halloweenparty? Yeah, how dare I?" Rio asked sarcastically and rolled her eyes. "Besides, I had no idea you were bringing him. How was I supposed to know?"
Timothy sighed and made a dismissive gesture with his hand. "I know, I know. You're right. I…was afraid I could not handle the movie later on, without him here. I'm sorry, dear."
Rio smiled and shrugged. "I don't mind that he's here, I wanted to meet him. I am guessing you didn't tell him we're together?"
"I told him, but that we are chaste."
Rio giggled and winked. "Got you."
When Bucky walked by, Timothy saw that he was wearing nothing but a loin cloth. He rose a brow, seeing Roman glare at the man from a distance.
"And who are you supposed to be?" Timothy asked with an annoyed tone.
Bucky eyed him up and down before he answered. "Tarzan." Rio checked him out and Timothy rose a brow at her. She quickly hid her face in a big glass of whiskey and avoided looking at anyone. Bucky smirked and walked off with a wink.
Natasha came to say hello, dressed as Morticia Addams. Rio smiled wide when she saw the costume. "That's bitching!" She exclaimed and picked up a candy apple from a nearby tray. Natasha chuckled. "Thanks Rio, you look pretty rad yourself. Hello Timothy." She said with a smirk as she eyed them both. Then she turned to Roman, when he came back with a drink. "Nice to meet you, I'm Natasha Romanov." When Roman shook her hand and introduced himself, he narrowed his eyes, as if he was trying to read her.
"Excuse me, I see mister Rogers is here, I am going to say hello." Timothy stated and Rio smiled at him. She was glad to see he was mingling on his own and Steve was just the nicest guy he could mingle with.
"Mister Rogers, nice to see you!" He said as he walked up to Steve with an extended hand. Even though he was dressed like Uncle Sam, Timothy had still recognized the famous Avenger. Steve saw him and smiled, shaking his hand.
"Call me Steve, please. Good to see you too, mister Howard. I hope you are having fun? This is your first Halloween here, isn't it?"
"Timothy, please." He assured Steve, since he wanted them to treat each other equally. "And yes, it is rather festive. Very different from what I am used to though." He glanced at Rio and saw her bite her candy apple, gazing at him as she did. He blushed a little and looked back at Steve.
"Same here, same here, in my time it was just kids going from door to door. But Tony always makes a party out of everything." Steve answered with fond exasperation
Timothy nodded and frowned.
"I brought a companion from the church, I am worried it was a mistake." He told Steve honestly. With Steve, he hardly felt reservations due to his kind nature.
"No worries, Timothy, I am sure he will have a great time." Steve assured him.
