"Are you sure you guys don't want to go?" Alfred said pouting a little looking at his phone. "This year is going to be a blast."
"I say this every year." Arthur rolled his eyes before straightening himself up a little. "I am not interested in spending my free time partying with football players."
"It's not just football players," Alfred pouted as Ludwig walked into the apartment. "Hey, Ludwig want to go to the football team's Halloween party this Saturday night."
"Sorry I'm busy," Ludwig said as he walked into his room to put his stuff down.
"Oh come on!" Alfred yelled causing Ludwig to walk back out. "Even if you have a test on Monday you cannot spend all weekend studying!"
"I am not studying, Feliciano, and I have plans," Ludwig said as he rolled his eyes.
"Wow if you getting a boyfriend was it took to get you out more we would have convinced Emma to go to her girlfriend's house a long time ago."
"I was not that anti-social," Ludwig said albeit nervously. Matthew and Arthur looked at each other nervously before quietly agreeing with Alfred. Arthur even giving a little eh gesture. "Fine, maybe I did spend a lot of my free time studying."
"I don't know what powers Feliciano has over but I approve!"
"So what are you two doing?" Matthew asked immediately after.
"There's an event going on near his campus. He invited me to join him and some of his friends."
"Wow going with your boyfriend and his friends what a date," Alfred said jokingly.
"I never said it was a date," Ludwig said defensively. "He may be my boyfriend but every time we hang out has to be a date."
"Wait a minute I thought you didn't like haunted houses," Mei said as everyone was sitting in the living room.
"I don't mind them," Feliciano debuted. "I just get startled by jump scares easily."
"Or do you just an excuse want to hug your boyfriend?" Tezera said with a laugh.
"You guys said I could invite him!" Feliciano crossed his arms and leaned back.
"What I can't tease you?" Tezera moved over and sat next to him.
"But you gonna tease us the entire time?" Feliciano leaned to the side a little.
"It's payback," Tezera gently booped Feliciano's nose. "For how y'all would tease me when I got together with Emma."
"Hey, I wasn't the only one who did that!"
"But you're the one with the newest relationship."
"Yeah, it's a right of passage now!"
"I guess," Feliciano laughed a little. "Just don't overdo it please."
"Don't worry it will be nothing too crazy."
"He should be here any minute," Feliciano said as he glanced at his phone.
"Don't worry Feliciano we aren't leaving for another half an hour," Kiku said assuringly.
"But we want to leave early," Feliciano said swaying back and forth a bit.
"You just want to see your boyfriend," someone yelled out and Feliciano rolled his eyes.
"I think his car just pulled up," Kiku said as he looked out the window.
"Not funny Kiku!" Feliciano shouted as he stood up. As if on cue his phone gave off a small buzz. He looked down at it as Kiku and Mei giggled to themselves. On his phone was a text from Ludwig saying he was here.
"Is your boyfriend here?" Tezera said with a smirk.
"I'll be back in a moment," Feliciano said awkwardly. He quickly walked out the door and took a deep breath in.
"Something wrong?" Feliciano looked over the side of the stairs. Ludwig was leaning against the porch of the house. Feliciano jumped back a little. Before immediately calming himself down.
"Ludwig I love you but please don't do that," Feliciano said now leaning on the railing. After a second he looked back. "You know you could have waited on the porch."
"I didn't know if you were waiting for me to leave," Ludwig said awkwardly with a slight laugh.
"No no we still have about half an hour," Felciano said with a smile. He walked down the rest of the stairs and to in front of his boyfriend. The two looked at each other for a moment. Before the door opened up quickly.
"Hey, you two don't have to wait for us!" Tezera shouted from the other side. "Let your boyfriend in Feli!"
"Just a minute!" Feliciano shouted back as Tezera closed the door. "Sorry about that."
"No, it's fine. We probably shouldn't keep them waiting."
After a brief moment of awkwardness, Feliciano slowly reached out his hand. Ludwig was quick to grab it gently. The two laughed for a second before walking up the porch stairs.
"Hey, guys look who's here!" Feliciano said as he walked through the door.
"Hello everyone," Ludwig greeted. Before anyone could respond, Felicano grabbed onto his hand higher and pulled him to the couch. Once sitting down, Feliciano made himself comfy. Gently leaning his head on Ludwig's shoulder.
"Ludwig, you excited for tonight?" Mei said as she and Kiku sat down next to the two of them.
"Yeah, this one has been telling me all about it," Ludwig said bringing Feliciano close to him. Feliciano gave out a small giggle.
"Crazy to think a year ago they barely knew each other," Kiku said and Mei gave a slight laugh.
"I don't think it's only been a year," Ludwig said awkwardly.
"Roughly," Kiku shook his hand a little.
"That's crazy to think about," Feliciano said wrapping an arm around Ludwig.
"Only a year ago I barely knew him," Ludwig thought to himself as he looked down at Feliciano. Slowly he started to gently rub the back of his head. "And now I don't want to be without him. Crazy to think about how much has changed in this time."
"Alright everyone ready," Tezera said as everyone stood outside the house. Everyone else nodded or verbally agreed. "Perfect let's head out!"
Everyone started heading to the cars. Quickly getting into them and settling in. Once they were set they started driving off. Ludwig and Feliciano were next to each other in the back seat of Mei's car with her and Kiku sitting in the front. For once Ludwig didn't find himself staring out the window. As usual, his eyes could not leave his boyfriend. Happy as ever. His brightness shining through that Ludwig just could not ignore. But also could not help but love.
"So I heard they added a new haunted house this year!" Mei said excitedly even shivering a little. Ludwig quickly felt Feliciano's hand grab his.
"Do you not like haunted houses?" Ludwig said with a soft chuckle.
"Oh I don't mind them," Feliciano said nervously. He shivered in place a little. "I just don't like the jump scares. I know it's embarrassing."
"No not at all," Ludwig placed his free hand on top of Feliciano's.
"Oh you two stop being adorable," Mei said with some squeals.
"I don't think that's possible," Kiku laughed slightly.
"You two are cute too!" Feliciano shouted from the back seat. Letting go of Ludwig's hand as he did.
"You're cuter," Mei shouted back.
The two shouted back and forth for a bit. Kiku turned around to Ludwig and shook his head but smiled. Ludwig leaned back in his seat and let the shouting die down. Feliciano pouted a little once it quieted down. The rest of the car ride went smoothly. With the rest of the conversation being pleasant idle chit-chat.
"Oh, we're here!" Mei cheered as she turned into the parking lot. Feliciano bounced a little and looked at Ludwig with a smile.
A few seconds later Mei parked the car and everyone got out. Soon they caught up with the other group. As they walked closer to the entrance of the event, eery music started playing. Feliciano shivered a little but kept walking. Fake cobwebs and skeletons decorated the path. Even a few signs warning people to turn around. Everything the place needed to build the perfect spooky atmosphere.
"So you guys want to check out the new haunted house?" Mei asked excitedly once they all got in.
"Oh yeah that sounds like fun," Tezera agreed. "Let's go."
"You okay Feliciano?" Ludwig asked after feeling his boy gently grab his arm.
"Yeah just a little on edge," Feliciano walked closer to him. As if cue the music started to get eerier.
Ludwig smiled and moved his arm away. Feliciano looked confused before Ludwig pulled him close. With an arm around his shoulder. Feliciano gasped a little before smiling excitedly. The group of them soon made their way to the haunted houses. Mei excitedly pointed to one that looked like an abandoned hospital. It also happened to have the longest line. They quickly made their way to the end of it.
"Wow they put a lot into this," Mei said looking at signs that lined the path. Most telling people to go away. Caution tape was even aligning the line rails. Even faint screams could be heard from the house. The lack of any change in pitch or timing of screams told everyone they were coming from a speaker.
"Oh we're getting close," Kiku said after a while of them standing. Soon the first four of them entered.
"See you on the other sighed!" Victoria said with a laugh.
"Don't die!" Mei yelled in response.
"Okay you can do this," Feliciano said as they stood there. Waiting to enter. Soon he felt himself being pulled close to Ludwig.
"Don't worry it won't be long in there," he said softly with a smile. Feliciano smiled.
"We're ready for the next patients," the employee outside the haunted house said, gesturing to the door. Ludwig moved his arm from around Feliciano's shoulder and grabbed his hand. The two of them looked at each other and nodded. Mei and Kiku entered first and the two of them followed quickly behind.
Upon entering they were greeted with haunting music and chopping sounds. A few seconds later, they heard a loud maniacal laugh. The walls were dripped with red paint. Even looking like something was dripping through the walls. On one side of them was a blocked-off door leaving only one walkway. That was covered in ripped-up caution tape.
"This isn't so bad," Feliciano thought to himself and smiled to himself. As they entered through the hallway.
"Looks like we got some new victims!" One of the actors yelled holding up a sharp surgical tool. Feliciano let out a quick scream and grabbed Ludwig. Who has simply just gasped. In front of them, Kiku and Mei had let out a yelp before laughing to themselves.
"I really hate those," Feliciano said as he caught his breath a little. A few seconds later they passed someone dressed in stained scrubs. They were cutting around another actor who let out a scream as the first one lifted a red-stained fake arm.
"I think you can reattach it!"Kiku said as Mei let out a small laugh.
"You see that I like they don't jump out at you," Feliciano said pointing to the display as they left.
"So you're a gore fan?" Ludwig asked as Feliciano just shrugged.
The rest of the haunted house was fine. To Feliciano's relief, there were little jump scares. True to the theme, the house focused more on medical hours than quick scares. Still, Feliciano couldn't help but feel a bit of relief when they exited. Around them were other groups of college students or teenagers. Many of them laughing like this place was nothing. After a few seconds of looking they found the other half of them and made their way to them.
"That was awesome!" Mei said once they reunited.
"I liked the lady holding the fake head," Victoria said mimicking the action a little. But with a goofier face.
"You guys want to go to the circus one next," Tolyis suggested gesturing to it.
"Oh that one is my favorite," Feliciano said excitedly. Shaking Ludwig a little as he did. Ludwig for his part gave out a little laugh.
"I third that decision," Ludwig responded once his boyfriend stopped shaking him.
Everyone was quick to agree with that decision. This haunted house had a giant clown head as an entrance. With its eyes appearing to love slightly. Slowed down circus music was playing around it. The group could slightly hear it from the end of the line. Feliciano and his friends started to talk about what they hoped to see inside when Ludwig felt his phone buzz. He noticed a text from Matthew and opened it
How's your thing with Feliciano going?
It's going good so far. Alfred isn't doing anything too extreme so far?
Nah the team put snack table duty! Let's just say he's pissed. He ranted to me for half an hour that he's not a freshmen
What does snack table duty even mean?
I think it means guarding the snack table. I dunno.
Oh boy he must hate that. Ludwig couldn't help but chuckle to himself a little.
"What's going on Ludwig?" Feliciano asked as he sat on the railing.
"Yeah Matthew just sent me a text," Ludwig said before sending another to Matthew that he had to go.
"Everything alright?" Feliciano asked tilting his head a little.
"Alfred dragged him to a party and neither of them is enjoying themselves." Ludwig rolled his eyes and little and leaned on the railing. The line started to move up a little and Feliciano jumped off the railing and walked up a few feet before sitting on it again.
"Is that the football party you told me about?" Feliciano asked once he sat down. Ludwig nodded. "Yeah, I can see why Matthew wouldn't like it."
"Do you guys have a football team?" Ludwig asked a little louder to the group.
"Nope," Tolyis answered immediately. "And honestly I'm glad for it."
"I heard," Mei said in a surprisingly eery tone. "We used to have one but then they burned down a frat house."
"Oh please everyone says that," Tezera said rolling her eyes a little. "Don't believe her Ludwig, it's just a rumor."
A few minutes later the group made their way near the entrance of the haunted house. The evil-sounding laughter of the clown head could now be clearly heard. Feliciano started bouncing in place. Unlike the last time, there was no sense of fear in him. In fact, he was even laughing a little. This only increased the closer they got to entering the haunted house.
"He's so cute when he was excited," Ludwig said as they entered.
Soon they were greeted with clowns in darkened make-up reaching out to them. Mainly asking for freedom. A few seconds later, the music surrounding started to slow down before stopping. There were a few other attractions but something very special. Feliciano this time didn't scream once, only really jumping when
"Yes, he's still here!" Feliciano said excitedly. Ludwig looked and saw Feliciano had stopped in front of a ripped poster for a sword shallower. "This is guy is my favorite."
The two of them walked into the next room. There was a man looking for more people to watch his act. Mei and Kiku were standing and Ludwig and Feliciano were quick to join them. The man quickly held up a sword before moving it behind him. He quickly let out a scream before pulling out a similar-looking one but covered in red and fake blood dripping from his mouth. Ludwig gasped only to find Feliciano smiling a little. Freaking him a little.
"That was awesome!" Feliciano said as they exited the house.
"Yeah it was pretty fun," Ludwig said. The two then looked at each other for a few seconds. Smiling warmly at each other.
"Hey lovebirds!" Tezera shouted causing them to freeze. "We're gonna run to the bathroom then grab cider. Either you have to go?"
"No, I'm all set," Feliciano shouted back. He looked at Ludwig who shook his head. "We'll meet you there. Come on I know a place."
"Feliciano these are just hay bales," Ludwig said one they got to the place Feliciano was talking about.
"What they're good for sitting," Feliciano said as he took a seat. Ludwig shrugged to himself and sat next to him.
"It's oddly quiet here," Ludwig said after a few seconds of sitting.
"It's a nice break from the crazier. Plus it's on way to the cider stand so they'll pass here from the bathroom." Feliciano gestured in the direction from which they came.
"So," Ludwig said moving a little closer to his boyfriend. "You don't like jump scares but a man faking a sword injury doesn't bother you at all."
"Nope." Feliciano shook his head. "You can show my all the scary and gory imagery all you want just don't try to surprise me."
"Odd normally people prefer a quick scare to other horrors."
"Well, I don't know if you know this." Feliciano turned to Ludwig with a flirtatious smile. "But I am not like most other people."
"Since I'm your boyfriend does that make me unlike most other people?"
"I hope so," Feliciano said before laughing. Their faces were now very close to each other.
"Uh what exactly are we doing?" Ludwig asked once he noticed this.
"Huh," Feliciano back away but Ludwig noticed hints of red on his face. "Oh it was nothing. You know just a little fun."
"Right, a little fun..."