"Mattie! Come on! We're gonna be late, and I'm the designated punch-spiker and if we don't get there soon, it'll go un-spiked and I will be forever ashamed!" Alfred whined, kicking the bathroom door yet again. The wood at the hinges groaned and threatened to splinter if he kicked it any harder.

"Oh calm down Al! The party only started a couple minutes ago. At least give the responsible ones a little time to enjoy themselves before you do whatever you're going to do to that poor unsuspecting punch bowl."

"Why do you have to be such a woman broski?"

"If you're that impatient, go by yourself. There's a lot of buttons on this thing."

"But I don't wanna go alone. Mattieeeee!"

"Yeah, yeah. I'll be right out. Just grab my hat, okay?"

"Sure."

As he grabbed the tan hat from the coffee table in the living room, the lock clicked in the bathroom, and Matthew emerged, doing up the last button on his crimson jacket.

"You're such a dork." Alfred snorted, tossing his brother the hat.

"Oh, and you're not, Sherlock?"

"It only looks dorky because you wouldn't be Watson." He replied, pulling at his collar with a sharp snap.

"Hey! You've got the collar thing down pat!"

"…What collar thing?"

"The 'pulling up the collar to make yourself look cool' thing."

Alfred stared at him unblinkingly for a moment, before it dawned on him. "Oh yeah! Sorry, I still haven't gotten through the second season."

"You're kidding, right?"

The blond shook his head rapidly. "It doesn't download fast enough, and mom's making us wait until Christmas to buy the box set."

"That would explain why you didn't get it when I told you to buy the hat."

"…He wears it?" He asked incredulously.

"Only twice. But it gets brought up a lot. No one's going to get what you're supposed to be without it."

"Awesome people will."

"Maybe if you shoot the wall." He muttered, reaching for the doorknob. "Now come on, you've got punch to spike, right?"

"Yep!"

The two brothers walked across the parking lot towards the only other building on campus that was still lit. That being the larger of two gyms. While the student body was allowed the actual hall for more serious parties, the gym was the only facility they could get for free for functions like a Halloween party.

They fell into step with a few other groups of costumed students, and finally reached a small line to get inside. They had to show student ID cards to the bouncer (the best tackle on the football team) who was dressed as a werewolf, and then could finally enter the already crowded building.

"Hey Mattie, is that Kiku up there?"

The Canadian glanced up to where his brother was pointing. Indeed, Kiku was standing on the metal bars that made up the underside of the bleachers, leaning over the doorway to the washrooms.

"Yeah. What's he up to?"

"I dunno. Something ninja probably. Oi! Kiku! What 'cha doing?"

The smaller teen started, and nearly lost his balance, before catching himself, and turning to face to others. "Oh! Alfred, I am helping with the decorations!" His voice was barely audible over the heavy bass coming through the speakers.

"What is that you're hanging up?"

"Mistletoe!"

Alfred was silent only for a moment. "Why?"

"Is it not a western custom?"

"At Christmas, yeah! You're a couple months early!"

"Oh… Elizaveta told me to though!"

"I should've known it was her idea. Well! Get down here before you kill yourself!"

"You have no need to worry for my safety."

"Humour me."

With a little smile, Kiku slid down to the floor, and brushed a bit of dust from his sleeve. "Someone should really clean up there."

"Are you kidding? That'd take years!" Alfred started with the obligatory joke.

Kiku replied with the obligatory chuckle. "Forgive me, but what are you supposed to be dressed up as?"

Even Matthew's laughter was loud enough to be heard over the music as Alfred attempted to explain.

"You know what? I'm going to go spike the punch now. You two kind of suck right now." The American declared at last.

"Oh Al, sorry, but it was kind of funny."

"Kind of? You were killing yourself! I know you're a douche-canoe, but you don't have to make fun of me because I have really good costume ideas, and no one gets them."

"Sorry Al. Do you want help spiking the punch?"

"No, what I want you to do is go home, put on one of those dorky sweaters that I know you keep stuffed in the bottom of your dresser, some slacks and dress shoes, and that brown leather jacket, get back here, and be Watson."

"Alfred. I am a Mountie. I'm not changing."

With a pout glued firmly in place, he stalked off toward the punch table, muttering about 'stupid Canadians and their stupid horses and stupid red jackets.'

"Ve… Is Alfredo having a bad day?" Matthew turned back to see that Feliciano was now standing next to Kiku, watching Alfred disappear into the crowds.

"Yeah, ever since I refused to wear the costume he wanted me to, and then Natalya got sick and couldn't show up. He's not really having a good time. It's a real shame, especially seeing as Halloween is Al's favourite holiday."

"Oh that's too bad! He should get to eat lots of treats! That'll make him feel better."

"Trust me, treats will not be a problem."

Besides the mountain of candy Al had brought home from a trip into town, and the boxes their parents had sent them, the student council had provided all of the black and orange bowls of fun-sized candies and punch with gummy worms in it. (A recipe that never grew old, no matter how many times they'd vowed not to drink it again after nearly inhaling one of the slimy offenders.) Alfred's sugar craving would be thoroughly satisfied before the night was out. Either that or his alcohol craving, whichever came first.

"Well, Happy Halloween Mateo! I'm going to get some punch!"

"Oh geez, Feli! How about we get some from the table on the other side." His brother probably hadn't gotten to that one yet.

"But this one's closer…"

"Yeah but they put way too many gummies in that one! The worm-to-punch ratio is all off."

"Oh… okay. We'll have to find Lovi too."

"Oh, he's here? I didn't think he'd be too into Halloween."

"He's not. But I bugged him enough, and he agreed to at least come for a little bit, just to say hi."

"You have that down to an art."

"You think so? There's room for improvement."

"For your puppy eyes? Really?"

"You should see Nonno's. They're crazy-good! Even papa can't say no to them! Oh! There's Lovi! Fratello!" Feliciano bellowed, though his voice was lost amid the noise around them. "We'll just have to get him. Come on Mateo!"

Matthew grinned, and allowed himself to be dragged through the crowds by Feliciano's iron grip until they reached Lovino, who looked very much like someone who just wanted to get the hell out of there.

"What the hell are you supposed to be?" Were the first words out of the Italian's mouth.

"Um… a Mountie…" He replied a little more quietly, face suddenly very red. He should've known it would be a silly idea. Even fewer people would recognize his costume than Alfred's.

"Well aren't you just precious?"

"Hey, at least I wore a costume. You're the sorest thumb here, not me."

"I'll hang on to my dignity, thanks."

Face still burning, Matthew turned to the snacks-table in a quick effort to change the subject. "You wanted punch Feli?"

"Ve! Right! Come on fratello, let's get something to drink!"

"Yeah, like you need anymore sugar."

"Lovino, it has come to my attention that you're doing your best to defeat every purpose of this holiday, and it kind of sucks."

Lovino shot him a look that was halfway between surprise and amusement, but followed the two nonetheless. "Habit, I suppose."

"Messing with everyone's fun?"

"See? You get it."

Feliciano was quick to grab some cups of punch once they'd arrived at the table, and lifted his high into the air. "A toast! To really fun holidays!"

"Hear, hear!" Matthew called back, tipping his own cup back. He winced as the less-than familiar taste of vodka stung his mouth and throat. He grimaced, swallowed it, and then looked worriedly over at Feliciano. "How the hell did Al get over here so fast?" He wondered aloud.

"Elementary, my dear broski!" Al cheered, wrapping an arm around his little brother, who looked none too pleased. "I'm just really fast, and amazing."

"Oh that was so many shades of wrong."

"So what's up, mafia boys? You like my special recipe, or what?"

"I'll go with 'or what' on this one." Lovino muttered. "It's not a good idea to let morons drink."

"Boo! Lovino's no fun! Here, Mattie, help me boo him! Boo!"

"How, Alfred? How the hell have you already been drinking this much? I saw you all of five minutes ago."

Alfred tapped a finger to the side of his nose. "I'm jus' that good bro! Also, I'm very not wasted. Haven't had a drink since last week."

"Right, I'm sorry, you're just usually obnoxious. My bad." But his muttered remark was lost in all the noise.

"So seriously, you like the punch?"

"It's…" He took one glance at his brother's hopeful expression, and knew that it would crush him to hear all the negatives about it. Or at least, he wouldn't hear the end of how 'he'd ruined the best holiday ever.' "It's pretty good Al. I'm not much of a drinker, that's all."

"Right! I forgot you were such a lightweight! Even that kid in grade nine Ravis could out-drink you!"

"…What was that?"

Almost immediately, the American seemed to have spotted his mistake, and took a sheepish step backwards. "Woah there broski! I didn't mean… It's cool; you don't have to prove anything. I was just kidding around, that's all!"

Matthew stood a little taller, and stared at the punch table for a moment, before screaming, "Challenge accepted!"

"Oh shit! Broski! Don't do this man! Mafia guys! Help me hold him back!"

Feliciano was quick to help Alfred hold the blond back from the table, though Lovino looked like he'd rather watch for a little while. Very little about school functions amused him, so this was a lucky break.

"C'mon Mattie! I'll give you a box of my candy from town!"

Matthew looked slightly tempted at the offer, though his eyes were still narrowed in suspicious irritation. "An unopened one?"

"Sure! Just forget I said anything about the booze, okay?"

He sighed, though it too was lost to the others. "Okay. Sorry I snapped Al. It's just all the noise is kind of giving me a headache. I think I'll head back to the apartment."

Alfred looked about ready to whine again, when Feliciano stepped in. "Ve! Fratello! Why don't you and Mateo head home, and I'll hang out with Alfredo, okay?"

"He doesn't need a babysitter, idiota."

"But I thought you wanted to leave. You don't usually like parties."

"…Oh, right." Lovino blushed, and turned sharply towards the exit. "Come on then." This he said indicating Matthew, who nodded, even though the other's head was turned away from him, and followed him out of the gym.

"So tell me, is it just the principle of annoying people, or did you seriously never get into things like Halloween?"

"Like I said, it's a habit. Our parents aren't big on holidays, so we only really celebrated if Nonno was in town at the time."

"Even when you were little?"

"Even then. It's no problem. Feliciano enjoys the holidays enough for the rest of us."

"It doesn't really seem like good parenting to deprive your kids of celebrations."

"It's not really your business, now is it?"

"Oh! Sorry." He slid the hat into his hands, and stared at it awkwardly as they got farther away from the gym.

The rest of the way to the dorm passed in silence.

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Thanks for reading~!

Okay, this chapter was more my Sherlock fix than anything. But I'm done now, I promise.