"Mattie."
"No."
"Mattie."
"I said no."
"Mattie."
Canada sighed, and looked over his newspaper at his brother, who was sitting on the other side of the breakfast table. America was using his puppy eyes. "No." Canada said with a huff, then looked back his paper.
Pouting, America flopped back into his chair with an exaggerated sigh. Picking up his fork, he started stabbing his pancakes full of holes.
"Abusing pancakes is not going to help your case." Canada said.
"It makes me feel better." America grumbled.
"Now you're acting like a kid." Canada pointed out.
"I don't care."
With a huff, Canada folded up his paper and gave his brother an unimpressed look. "Does trick or treating really mean that much to you?"
"Yes!" America said, throwing up his arms in exasperation. "You know I do it every year! Do you really have to ask?"
"No, but why do you want me to come along with you?" Canada asked as he poured maple syrup on his pancakes.
"Come on, I want you to be the other half of my costume!" America begged. "I even got the costumes! Hell, I even made some of the props! You know I'm good with making props, it'll be awesome!"
"I don't know, aren't we a bit old to go trick or treating?" Canada asked.
America grabbed his chest and gave his brother a wounded look. "Brother, how could you say something so awful? You wound me!"
"Al, you are over 200rd years old." Canada said with a roll of his eyes.
"You're never too old to trick or treat." America said.
"What about your scare competition with England?" Canada asked with a frown.
America snorted and waved off the question. "I've already taken care of that. Come on, please? Please, please, please, PLEASE, PLEASE?!"
"Uhh, fine." Canada caved. "But I swear to god if I'm a ghost or the butt of a horse I'm going to get my hockey stick and beat the crap out of you."
America laughed as he grabbed the bag that was under his seat and put it on the table. "No, nothing like that. No, in fact I think you're really going to like this."
"Really?" Canada asked.
"But first, you have to guess what I'm going as!" America said with a grin.
"Let's see." Canada said, leaning back in his chair and rubbing his chin. "You're overly patriotic, you're blond, you're overly strong, and you have an obsession with being the hero. You're going as Captain America, aren't you?"
"You're no fun." America said, sticking his tongue out at Canada. "And yeah, I am. Look! I went to a welding shop near my house and made the shield! It's an almost exact replica of the one's in the movie!" Holding up the shield, his eyes sparkled with glee.
"My god, all you have to do now is stand in front of the statue of Liberty with an eagle on your arm and you'll be the most patriotic thing to ever exist." Canada snorted.
America's eyes widened. "Dude, that's an amazing idea!"
"Anyways," Canada said, stopping his brother from getting off topic, "Who am I going as?"
"Come on, it should be obvious." America said, pulling out a metal arm. "You're going to be the Winter soldier!"
"Why the winter soldier?" Canada asked as he examined the prop arm.
"Because they're bro's!" America said happily. "And since we're such good bro's we should go as a duo of brothers!"
"You are aware that the Winter soldier tried to kill Captain America, right?" Canada asked in amusement as he examined the rest of his costume.
"Pfft, what's a little murder between friends?" America said as he pulled out the rest of his costume.
"Should I be concerned about that statement?" Canada asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Nope." America said with an innocent smile. "Anyways, I've got the candy route all mapped out." As he said this, he pulled out a map out of the bottom of the bag and spread it on the table. As Canada looked over he noticed that all the routes were marked out in crayon.
"Really, crayon?" Canada asked.
"Shut up, it was the only writing tool I had on hand at the time." America said, glaring at his brother. "Anyways, we're going to go down this street for about a mile, then we're going to head east down this street for at least two." America said as he pointed to a couple of streets near his house.
"What's with the houses marked out with the red crayon?" Canada asked, pointing to one of the crossed-out houses on the map. On closer inspection, he noticed that quite a few of the houses on the map were marked out.
"Those," America said with a grimace, "Are the houses we have to avoid because they don't ever hand out candy, give out toothbrushes, fruit, or just don't like it when teenagers go trick or treating."
"I told you we were too old to go trick or treating." Canada said, pointing an accusing fork at America.
"Nope, I can't hear you." America said. "Anyways, we shouldn't go anywhere near those houses to maximize our candy intake. The houses I marked in blue are the houses we should go to as soon as possible because they hand out the full-sized candy bars, and don't mind adults trick or treating. The ones in yellow are the houses that are the ones with the bowls just left outside saying just take one candy. We will follow that rule because I don't want any little kids crying today because some asshole stole all the candy. The green ones are the houses that just do the standard Halloween stuff and also don't mind adults trick or treating. Remember, if the house lights are off and it looks like no one is home, do not knock on the door because they don't want to be bothered."
"Jeez, how long have you been working on this?" Canada asked.
"For the whole month." America said with a smirk. "When it comes to free candy, I don't fuck around."
"If only you gave as much thought to your presentations and work." Canada sighed with a sad look on his face. "You could have ruled the world by now."
"Yeah, no." America said as he started to eat his now cold and abused pancakes. "World domination just sounds like too much work."
"So, the only thing stopping you from taking over the world is laziness?" Canada asked as he finished his breakfast.
"Pretty much. And you know, all the legal and moral stuff." America said with a shrug.
"Are you sure you shouldn't be a supervillain instead tonight?" Canada asked.
"Nope, I'm the hero." America said with a wink.
_LineBreak_
"Dude!" America cheered as he and Canada walked down a street, just getting done with their trick or treating. "We got a haul this year!"
"I'm going to have candy in my house till the next Halloween." Canada said with a laugh as he looked at his pillow case.
"Did you see that little kid we passed earlier?" America asked, holding up his shield with a grin. "He was staring at us with his mouth hanging open. I think he thought we were the real deal. I told you me wearing contacts and you dying your hair brown was a good idea."
"Yeah, that was just a one-day dye, right?" Canada asked as he twirled his hair between his fingers.
'Y-yeah, totally." America said with a laugh. "Anyways, let's start heading back before it gets too late. Weirdo's like to come out on Halloween and I don't know about you, but I don't want to meet them."
"Yeah." Canada agreed. "You got the map?"
"Dude, I don't need to use the map." America said, rolling his eyes. "I know this place like the back of my hand, I only needed the map to point out which houses we needed to go to. Actually," America said looking around, "I know a short cut around here we can take."
"Oh, cool." Canada said. "Where is it?"
"Just right through the woods over there." America said causally, pointing to some creepy looking woods behind him.
"Al, I'm saying this because I love you." Canada said, putting his hand on his brother's shoulder gently. "If you ever suggest we go into the dark and most likely dangerous woods like characters in a horror movie again I'm going to punch you."
"That's fair." America said with a grin.
"You were joking, weren't you?" Canada asked, rolling his eyes.
"Of course I fucking was!" America huffed. "Like I'd actually go through those creepy ass looking woods. I've seen too many horror movies to know what would happen to us if we did. We'd probably get attacked by a serial killer, get hunted down by a monster, or a ghost would haunt us."
"I was thinking more along the lines of trouble makers and robbers, but that works too." Canada said.
"Uh, yeah. That too." America said with an embarrassed cough. "Speaking of trouble makers, I hope no one slashed my tiers this year." America said with a frown.
"Why would someone do that?" Canada asked as they made their way back down the street.
"The supposed to be the 'trick' part of trick or treat." America sighed. "Teenagers like that part, and sure sometimes the tricks are harmless like egging someone's house or putting toilet paper all over the place, but sometimes people do more destructive stuff."
"Like what?" Canada asked.
"Oh, like setting fires in dumpsters, getting drunk, spray painting cars, breaking mailboxes, that kind of stuff." America said with a frown. "Honestly, it's not even part of the holiday, people just seem to lash out around Halloween."
"That sucks." Canada said.
"Hmm, it does." America said with a sigh. They walked in silence for a while, America munching on some of his candy and Canada humming a song under his breath when America spoke up again. As they turned a street corner were America's house was, they saw a group of men breaking into America's car all wearing dark clothes and ski masks.
"HEY!" America yelled angerly, making the men turn around.
"Holy shit, is that Captain America?" One of the crooks said in surprise.
"You idiot, he's a made-up character." The second guy said in a heavy accent. "That's probably the owner of the car! Scram!"
With that, the three men started to run. "Get back here!" America shouted, throwing the candy on the hood of his car and running after the men as fast as he could.
"Al!" Canada yelled, throwing his candy next to his brother's and chasing after him. They ran down the street towards the woods, and the crooks took off in separate directions. Without thinking, America followed the one he thought was the ring leader right into the woods. Canada followed right behind his brother, shouting for America not to be such a dumbass. After about five minutes of running, America lost sight of the crook and came to a halt, panting from the running.
"Al!" Canada gasped, finally catching up to the other nation. "You idiot, why did you run after them?"
"Because they were trying to steal my fucking car!" America said irritably. "Probably the same bunch who slashed my tires. Assholes."
"Leave it to the police." Canada said, smacking his brother upside the head. "They could have been armed!"
"Yeah, yeah." America said, waving his brother's concern off. "I guess I'm not going to catch those guys. Let's head back."
"Um, which way do we go?" Canada asked, looking around his surroundings with a frown.
"The way we came, what do you think?" America asked with a sigh. Just then, they heard a scream and the crook they had been chasing appeared again from the trees in front of them. Before they could do anything, the crook ran past them screaming.
"Um, what the hell was that?" America asked as he watched the man run away again.
"I have no idea." Canada said in equal confusion. "Maybe he saw a bear?"
"Hmm, I haven't heard of a bear in this area for a while." America said with a frown.
They heard rustling from the bush in front of them, and looking down, they saw a small bunny hop out. America started laughing. "Oh my god, that guy was scared from a little bunny rabbit?" Still laughing, America stooped down and picked up the small rabbit and turned around to face Canada. "Look at this cute little bun-bun!"
"Very cute." Canada said in amusement. As America started cooing it, a dark figure approached him from behind. Looking up from the rabbit in his brother's arms, Canada's face paled as he looked over his brother's shoulders.
"Al." He said, backing away from his brother.
"Aren't you the cutest little bunny rabbit?" America said, petting the bunny.
"Al." Canada said again, frantically pointing behind America as the figure got closer.
"What should I name him?" America asked.
"AL!" Canada yelled.
"WHAT?" America asked irritably. Just then, he felt a huff of hot air on his neck. The bunny jumped out of his arms and ran back into the woods squeaking loudly. Slowly turning around, America came face to face with a black horse angerly staring him down. Even more slowly, he looked up, and came face to no face with a headless rider, who seemed to be glaring back at him.
America let out a shrill shriek, and the horse reared up neighing angerly while the rider let out the most demonic laughter they had even heard, holding up a sword which shone in the moonlight. America turned around and grabbing his brother they started running back towards the direction of the street.
"SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT!" America yelled as they ran.
"I THOUGHT HE WAS ONLY A STORY!" Canada yelled, dodging through the trees.
"Well it turns out HE'S NOT!" America snapped.
The headless horseman kept right on their heels, not giving them an inch. America could feel the horse's breath on his back with each step and they both had to duck a few times to keep from losing their heads. Just as they were starting to get to the edge of the woods, America did something he always laughed at characters in horror films for doing. He tripped over a fucking tree branch and twisted his ankle. He fell to the ground painfully with a cry of pain.
"BEHIND YOU!" Canada shouted, turning around in horror.
Turning around, America saw that the monster was right above him, with his sword aimed right at his chest. Remembering he had a shield, America was able to bring it up just in time to protect himself from being impaled. However, as soon as the sword made impact with the shield it shattered into pieces.
Surprised, America's mouth dropped open, and the figure on the horse started laughing. And not the demonic laugh like before, but a normal human laugh. The figure reached up, and unbuttoning the collar of the shirt, England's head popped up and grinned down at the stunned nation below him.
"Happy Halloween." He said cheerfully.
"YOU ARE A FUCKING BASTARD!" America shouted, pointing an accusing finger up at England. "HOW DARE YOU USE ONE OF MY OLDEST GHOST STORIES AGAINST ME!"
"What the hell!?" Canada asked as he walked over to his brother.
"The scare competition." England explained as he dismounted from the horse. Giving the horse a few pats, he smirked at America, who was still sitting on the ground. "I guess I won this year."
America just huffed. "Whatever old man, you so cheated." Trying to get off the ground, he hissed at the pain from his ankle.
"Oh dear, are you alright?" England asked. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"
"No, I just tripped over a tree branch." America said as he finally got up. "It'll be ok. But I have to ask, what are you doing here? I thought my scare would have got to you by now?"
"I didn't come across anything scary." England said with a frown.
"Whatever." America said. Just then, two more figures came out from the direction of the street. It was two of the 'robbers' that had been attempting to steal his car. But without their masks, America saw it was just France and Germany.
"You guys too?" America asked in surprise.
"Well, we were waiting for you to come into the woods yourself because as we were following you we heard you talking about a short cut, but when you didn't we went with plan B." France said. "And, I wanted to get back at you for that haunted house stunt you pulled."
"Who was the third guy?" Canada asked.
"Oh, that was Italy." Germany said with an irritated look at England. "England didn't tell him what he was planning, so when he saw England waiting in costume he freaked out. It took us a while to calm him down."
"Poor thing." Another voice said from behind England. A hand fell on England's shoulder's, making England jump. Turning around, England saw Russia smiling down at him warmly. "You will apologize to him, Da?"
England let out a scream, along with France and the both of them ran as fast as they could away from the terrifying nation and into the woods.
"Dude, you're late." America huffed.
"I apologize, I was waiting for the perfect time to scare him." Russia said with a shrug. "However, I don't know why France ran."
"Guilty conscious. Ah, it's alright." America said with a smirk. "I think I won this time. Good job."
"So, England was supposed to pay us." Germany said awkwardly. "Is he coming back?"
"Nope." Canada said.
"It is alright, I will track them down." Russia said, turning around and walking into the woods.
"Thanks." America said with a big grin. "I'm sure they'll love that."
A/N: HALLOWEEN! TIME TO GET OUR SPOOKY ON! Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in America! If you didn't realize, the story America references to is the Headless Horseman, or the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, one of America's most famous ghost stories. Interestingly, America isn't the only place in the world with a headless ghost tale. Headless horsemen appear in Irish, Scottish, English, German, and Indian lore as well. In the case of the headless horseman in America, he was a Hessian soldier who was fighting in the Battle of White Plains during the American Revolutionary War. His head was shot off by a cannon ball, and his head's shattered remains were left on the battlefield. They buried him in the graveyard of Sleepy Hollow, and it is said that he rises every Halloween to search for a new head. Disney made a short movie on it if you want to check it out.