Secret Identity

"You have to wear a costume." Nathan's growl allowed no argument. "You have to. Everyone else is wearing a costume!"

Charles adjusted his glasses with a sigh. "You're all wearing costumes because you're going on stage on All Hallows Eve, Nathan. I am not going on stage, so it doesn't make sense that I—"

"But you has to, Charlie!" Toki's werewolf paws, custom sewn to allow his fingers freedom of movement to play his guitar, made a grab for the manager's lapels. "You's part of de family! We all gots to does it!"

Pickles frowned. "Yeah, Charlie, don't you wanna be part of our family?"

In the back of his mind Charles made a mental note to have sandpaper or the like glued to the redhead's slick rubber swamp creature gloves before the concert, or he would never be able to keep a grip on his drumsticks. "I think you all know that this has absolutely nothing to do with how much I do or don't like you boys."

Toki whimpered, the wolf ear headband tilting on his head so much that for a moment he looked like a sad puppy. Skwisgaar was trying to frown exaggeratedly without his vampire fangs poking into his bottom lip. Charles sighed.

"It's just that I'm already wearing a costume." At the band's blank stares, he gestured down at the same suit and tie he wore each day. "I'm Clark Kent."

"Oh." Nathan's eyes suddenly lit up in realization. "Oh! Oh, yeah! You totally are! That's awesome!"

"Not bad, not bad at all." Murderface nodded approvingly. "But next year you've definitely gotta go ash a robot."

"Whos is Clark Kent?" Toki asked with a puzzled tilt of his head that send his wolf ears completely lopsided. Skwisgaar shrugged.

"Dood, dood, hold still." Pickles tugged off one of his gloves with his teeth and proceeded to pluck a lock of hair loose from Charles' carefully combed forehead, then twist it into the shape of a well-known curl. "There, that's totally better. Yer so smart, Charlie!"

Charles smiled, very briefly but very heartfelt. "Why, yes. Yes, I am."

- end -