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DISCLAIMER: WE DON'T OWN IB OR ITS CHARACTERS, IT'S KOURI'S. (We only own the stated character, Henry!)

≈ Age: Ib - 9 ; Garry - 18 ≈


It was a cold early evening when Ib decided to go to Garry's house. She's wearing the red dress that the male have bought for her the last time. Well, it's actually Halloween, so why not? The young brunette wanted to do some trick or treat just like some normal kids do when this event occurs. Standing outside Garry's apartment, she continuously knocked.

"A trick or treat again?" Garry groaned before proceeding to the door reluctantly. "I'm sorry, I ran out of–" As he open his door, he noticed the familiar young girl. He closed it once again, not giving the child a chance to speak. "Ib..?"

"H-Hey, Garry!" The young brunette called, "Is he mad at me?" She sat down at the floor, facing the door.

Meanwhile, the male changed his clothes– Yes, he actually wore a costume although he stated that he won't. And he definitely don't want Ib to see him wearing that. After changing, Garry rushed back to the door, finally opening it. "Ah, i-it's you Ib!"

"Why did you change your clothes?" She asked, examining the male. "Anyway, are you.. mad at me?"

"And why would I get mad at you?" He chuckled, sitting beside the girl. Well, he thought he was quick enough to close the door without Ib noticing his raiment. "It was nothing. I was just.. sweaty?"

"You just shut the door when you saw me, Mr. Garrybear." She spoke, teasing the guy with a new pet name she just thought of. "I suddenly want gummy bears.."

"G-Gar.. Garrybear? Whaaat!?" He exclaimed, standing up in surprise. What was that just now? "Well.. I don't have gummy bears but.." Rummaging his pockets, he searched for some candies for Ib. He ran out of sweets earlier, but he's pretty sure that there's some candies left in his pockets. "I have these!" He proudly stated after getting 2 candies, throwing those to the gal's lap.

"Thank you, Garrybear." Ib replied shortly, giving the man a smile.

"Stop with that," He replied, "..Ib-nyan!" It was random; he just wanted to call her by a pet name as revenge.

"Garbear.. Garrybear.. Garbear.." The swarthy-haired repeated her words likr a mantra. "Garrybear. Seaweed-headed bear." She finally stood up and asked, "Do you want macarons?"

He disregarded the question and cringed because of those names, maintaining a slight smile. "Stop with those nicknames already.. Those doesn't fit me."

"But I find those unique!"

"Those weren't unique!" Garry groaned in irk, getting a gummy bear from his pocket– what? "Wait, why is there a gummy bear here?"

Quietly, Ib steps aside, as if she's going to leave. "Maybe this is enough," She pondered, "How much do I need to pay you for this dress?" The young girl queried as she looks at the male.

"You.. don't need to pay for that, Ib!" He demurred, standing up thereafter. Staring at Ib, he scowled.

"Yes, why? And what's with that look?" She sat down again before resuming, "I will stay here outside, alright?"

The guy opened the door and said, "Why not inside?"

"Because I wanted to see other children's costume. It's been a long time since I played with someone with the same age as me." Her cheerful expression faded as she explain.

"I see.." Garry stepped inside his house, turning his back with a little smirk in his face. "..So you don't want to see my costume, eh?"

"Huh?" She stood up. "I didn't say that I don't want to see your costume, mister."

"So are you going inside or–"

Without saying anything, Ib rushed inside. Garry chuckled and closed the door.

"If someone knocks, you may give them candies, okay?" He told Ib. "Wait, I ran out of candies.." He then whispered.

"What are you going to do?" The brunette asked once again, "Oh, and can you please hand me your phone?" She walked towards the nearby table to lay her bag there.

"Nothing," Garry responded, getting his book. He sat on the couch and starts to read, uttering "I'm just kind of tired.. Children ceaselessly knocked at my door for the past hours.."

"And I'm one of them."

The man just chuckled as a reply, flipping the page of the book. "By the way, why aren't you with your parents?"

"Hm.. I don't know?"

"I changed my mind," Garry stated with a sigh, putting the paperback down. "You said you wanted to see children in your age, right? Sorry for 'forcing' you to go inside.. Do you want to explore the area? There might be houses with gummy bears~!"

"Your area?" The red-eyed reacted, "I have my money.. I'll just buy if I want.."

"If you buy your own candy, then you shouldn't have went door to door for treats."

"Are you going to go with me?"

"May.. be?" He laughed softly and replied, "Do you want me to go with you?"

"If you want."

The male raised a brow, saying "I'm asking you! The answer depends on you."

"Joining me reluctantly would be non sense," Ib answered, "So the answer will depend on you."

"I'd go with you but if you can go alone– Wait, you can. You got here all by yourself, right?" Chuckling nervously, the young man then whispered, "Why am I worrying anyway..." He stood up and snatched the brunette's handbag, getting the camera. A clicking sound was heard; it was him taking a photo of the child. "Well then, enjoy!"

"In real, my parents brought me here. And this is the only house I visited to do a trick or treat." She explained, giggling.

"Eh? What?"

"And please put my camera back to my bag."

As he put the gadget back, he uttered, "You can't earn enough candies if you only go to a single house. When I was younger, I used to go to other subdivisions since my feet won't let me stay in one place." The mauve-haired chuckled at the thought.

"I don't even know where I am. I only know that this is your house."

"Then, you shouldn't have let your parents leave you. You know that trick or treating is about going to different homes to get various candies, yes?" Garry sighed.

"I decided to go here and wear this dress because.. because I don't want you to celebrate alone." Little hands clasped the brunette's dress, her eyes looking directly at her feet.

With an empty look, Garry's aquamarine eyes stared at Ib. "Oh.. You.. didn't have to.."

"So you don't want me to visit you?"

He shook his head, his hands fluttering in disagreement. "I-It's not it! You don't understand.." His head was hung low, lavender hair covering his sad face.

""You don't understand." Is that because of my age?"

"No, I.." Gently slapping himself in both cheeks, he raised his head once again, with a smile this time. "Let's just forget about it."

"Okay, Mr. Moodswings." Ib stated. It is hinted that she wanted Garry to explain further. "Please lend me your phone," To change the topic, she tried to grab the man's mobile.

"Rude.." He faked a frown, giving his phone to the young gal. "What are you going to do with it?"

"Nothing." She answered shortly. "Don't frown at me like that. Please."

"Ehh?" The guy blinked in confusion, "Sorry..? Are you.. okay?" He then sat again as he spoke.

"Of course, why?" Her focus on his phone was replaced by Garry's question. "You don't have to apologize." After saying those words, she averted her focus back on the contrivance.

"Are you.. mad at me then?"

She gazed at the man, almost a glare. "No." was her reply as she sit down. "This lock.." Staring at the phone, the brunette somehow tried to guess the password.

He scooted closer to Ib, simpering. "Because I know that a little girl will try to use that one day~."

Ib stared at Garry coldly. "..Unlock or throw?"

"U-Unlock!" He answered quickly, snatching the phone from the girl. He moves away, unlocking the phone by entering the code. After some seconds, the male hands it over to the gal. "You know how important this phone to me.."

"I don't know~." The young female said, noticing something in the widget. "Um, who's this? 'Henry' everywhere.. Inbox, sent items and calls?"

"Ah.. d-don't look at those.." He sighed, trying to get the device back. "And what's wrong with it? I can call my friends, right?"

"Of course. Yes, you can." She drew aside, giggles escaping his mouth.

"Then why are you laughiiiing?" He moved closer, still trying to do the same thing, retrieving his phone. "Oh, and hey, do you have your own phone?"

Ib stopped laughing for a moment to respond. "I'm not laughing! My parents promised to give me one once my 11th birthday arrives."

The man moves away, maybe a few centimeters. "When girls call other girls, it's fine. But when guys do that.. it seems.. err.." He sighed heavily, his arms wrapped around his own knees, his eyes still on his phone.

Since Ib didn't understand Garry's question, she just focused on the screen. "Who's this girl?" Ib crawls near to the older guy.

"E-Eh? Please don't.. mind that." He laughed nervously, slowly reaching for his mobile. "I don't.. remember having that picture. Let me just delete that!"

"Pictures are memories so don't delete it." The little girl disagreed. "Anyway, what time is it?"

"Why don't you check it?" He points at the gadget.

"12:15."

"I see, it's getting– Eh, what, that late already!?" Forcefully snatching his phone, he looked at the clock located at the upper right corner to confirm the time. "Where are your parents? You need to go home now.."

"I'm here at your house and Garry is panicking for no reason."

"I'm not panicking.."

The brunette lightly slapped the man beside her. "Really?"

His head was tilted a bit due to the action. Then, he eyed the child with an impassive look plastered in his face. "Am I?"

She returned the stern look, saying "Yes."

Maintaining the same expression, Garry pokes the brunette's soft cheek. "Really?"

"Yes." Once again, she answered, still with a serious visage. She checked the time again, but this time using the wall clock. "It's 12:30.."

"Oh, are you sleepy? Go ahead."

"Where?"

"My room?"

"Your room?"

"Yes. It's comfy there~!"

"So where will you sleep then?"

"Beside you?" He chuckled before resuming his statement. "Kidding. Probably in the sofa or.."

"As you say." Ib yawned, feeling drowsy enough to hit the hay. "Would you please bring me to your room?" She requested, standing up.

"Sure." Bending his knees low, he hoisted the girl. As he was about to proceed to the bedroom, the lights flickered, making the guy look at the ceiling. "I'm pretty sure that I've changed the bulb last week..."

"Maybe you've bought a low quality bulb." She stated, "Creepy isn't it?" Whispering as soft as she could, she enfolds the young man's neck.

Garry then starts to walk towards his room slowly and cautiously. "Ghosts.. perhaps?" He chuckled at his own words.

"Didn't you tell me that you don't believe in them?"

"Yes, I did." He halted when he passed by the switch and turned the flickering lights off. As they arrive at the room, the male went straight to his bed, putting Ib down. "I was just joking." Gaping in slight fatigue, the man decides to turn the lamp on. "You can sleep with the lights on, right?"

"With or without, I can. So, where are you going to sleep?" Wrapping herself with a blanket, she queried again.

The lavender-haired went to his closet to get an extra comforter. He lays it on the floor before getting an extra pillow from the bed. "..To be honest, I don't want to sleep outside so I'll sleep here.. in the floor." He lied down and covers himself with the woven fabric.

"Okay." Ib stared at Garry until she closed her eyes, falling asleep. Suddenly, she felt that the light was gone; she opened her eyes once again and noticed that it was turned off. "Why did you turn off the lights, Garry?"

"What are you talking about? I thought you did.." The male quivered, bending his body. He's weak when it comes to these scenarios...

The little lady stayed calm as she sit on the edge of the bed. She stood up and felt something under her feet. "Oops..?"

It was Garry. He covered his mouth, containing the shout he wanted to let out. Good thing that Ib isn't that heavy so it's not that painful. "I-Ib.. you're.. stepping on my leg."

"I'm so–" The child tried to step over the man but failed; instead, she tripped over him and fell.

"Ow.. Please be more careful!" He rubs his pained leg, trying to untangle the blanket from his body.

"S-Sorry, it's too dark." Explained the girl, standing up once again.

"I know.. Let's go outside and check the power circuit, shall we?" Finally managing to stand up, he went to the door, finding it locked. "Why–"

"Where are you?" Ib's voice echoed, she is currently located outside the room.

"Where are you?" Garry repeated the question, opening the door. It was too dark to see. "Err.. Ib..?"

She knocked at the door, calling the man. "Garry?"

"Are you there? I can't see you, it's too dark!"

"Yes I am. And I know, it is dark." Sighing, the girl went back to the room to check on him. She moved her hands around to feel her surroundings. When she felt Garry, she tugged on his shirt and said, "I believe that's your closet you're knocking at."

"What? Really? I.." He closed his 'cabinet' and scratched his head, feeling embarrassed about what he did. "Well then, I'll head to the–" The electricity came back. The lamp near the bed gave the room a bit of light.

Once again, the brunette yawned. "I want to sleep already.."

Without having second thoughts, the young man lifted the sleepy child, tucking her in bed while he occupy half the space. "Yeah," he said with a drowsy voice, "Let's sleep.. Good night, Ib.."

"G-Good night." All red, Ib stuttered.

"..Oh." Realization struck the male, making him release Ib. "M-My, I forgot!" He laughed in embarrassment, sitting up. "I-I'll sleep now.. Sorry.." He spoke, going back to his improvised bed below.

"No!" She frowned, lowering her voice. "I mean.. It doesn't bother me at all! I-In fact, it doesn't matter if you sleep beside me.." Grasping the guy's arm, she dragged him back to bed. "I'm very sleepy, let's sleep already.."

"Al.. right..?" He shrugged, returning to his last position. "Hurray~" Whispered Garry with a short chuckle.

"..Do you have a younger sister?" The brunette asked her last question before closing her eyes.

"No, I don't.." Smiling softly, he replied, "Maybe that's why I'm very protective to you– Err.. Am I that protective, Ib?"

"Yes, but I like the feeling of being protected by Garry," She showed a smile before revealing her crimson eyes once again. Her small hand reached for the man's face, shutting his eyes. "You told me that you were tired.. Sleep."

"Eh? Yes.. Good night.." He responded, pulling her into a hug.

Next morning, November 2 to be exact. Ib woke up and found herself beside the lavender-haired male, her arms wrapped around him. Silently, she detached herself from him and began pulling his hair to wake him up. "Garry. Wake up, Garry."

"W-What is it? What's happening?" He was awoken by a familiar voice. "Why are you here?"

"I stayed here overnight. Remember?" With a slight frown in her countenance, she stared at the man.

"Ah, yes. I remember.. Good morning?" He rubbed his eyes and yawned, turning his head to the wall clock. "I'll cook breakfast immediately."

"Good morning!" Ib exclaimed, giggling. "No need to do that."

"No, no. I need to." Garry insisted, getting off the bed. A knock was heard from the front door by the time his feet landed on the floor.

"Who could that be?" The little girl queried as she jump off the bed.

The young man stretched his arms and answered, "Who knows? I'll check." He went to the door with Ib following him. When he opened the door, his jaws almost dropped. "M-Mr. and Mrs. Yamamoto.. Good day..?"

"Good morning mama! Good morning papa!" Ib bolted to her parents. "Mama, I slept at Garry's room!" She excitedly told her mother. Upon hearing her daughter's story, Ib's father looked daggers at the younger man in front of him.

"Ah, about that.. I just.. wanted her to feel at home..? A-Anyway, would you like to.. err.. go inside?" Trying to change the topic, he pointed at his apartment.

"He even slept beside me~."

"S-She almost broke my leg!"

"It was an accident. It was dark."

"She should have been more careful since she knew it was dark.."

"Now, now. Don't fight." The lady chuckled at the two. "We'll be leaving now. Say good bye to Garry, Ib."

Garry and Ib looked at each other and sighed. "Bye, seaweed-head!" The young brunette bidded good bye, walking away with her parents.

The so-called seaweed-head looked at the family, waving at them. "Good bye~" He exclaimed, "Tamarind-haired." Whispering, he chortled and closed his door.


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