"Introducing the world's first and only superhero, the mighty Puckasaurus!" Noah yelled, racing into the room. He had the biggest grin on his face that only grew wider when Finn, who was sitting on the floor, began to laugh loudly.

"What are you wearing?" he asked between giggles. "I didn't even know you LIKED superheroes that much!"

Noah pouted. "Of course, I do! They're awesome! Plus," he turned around to show Finn the back of his cape, "my mom sewed a dinosaur on there, and it looks freakin' fierce!"

"Okay. That's for sure a cool dinosaur," Finn admitted, smiling at Noah. "That your Halloween costume?"

"Yeah. You're gonna be a superhero, too, right? So I won't be the only one?"

Finn frowned when he recognized nervousness in his friend's gaze. "Uh, sure. Yeah, bro. I'll totally wear one." He held up a fist for Noah to bump. "Wanna play Super Mario with me?" He offered the spare controller. "Before your mom comes to get you, I wanna try out this new track me an' my mom unlocked last night. It looks totally cool."

"Sure!" Noah grabbed the controller, settling back against the couch.

For the next hour, the two nine-year-olds played Super Mario, laughing and giggling as they traded wins. They gave each other advice on what character to pick, and they had several fake punching fights when someone would toss out a banana peel or some other trap that the other viewed as "unfair."

Just as they were about to start another race, though, Finn's mom, Carole, came down the stairs. "What are you two boys doing down here on such a beautiful day?" she asked, hands on her hips. "You should be outside, running around together until Noah's mom comes to get him. So, go. Shut off the game and go outside for a while."

"Moooom," Finn whined, looking up at her with pleading eyes. "One more race? Please?"

"Nope! Outside with you. Go!" She held out her hand for the controllers, and the two boys glumly handed them over, trudging up the stairs, grumbling the whole way.

They soon forgot their frustration over being forced outside when they actually got out there. Noah, still in his Puckasaurus cape, began running around in circles, the cape billowing out behind him as if he were actually flying.

"I want one!" Finn complained, pooching out his bottom lip a little. "No fair that you get to look cool in your cape."

"I bet my mom would totally make you one, dude," Noah said, stopping in front of Finn. He put a hand on his shoulder. "Do you wanna wear it for a little while?" he asked, his eyes searching his friend's. "We could play superheroes, and I'll be the first sidekick."

"Really?" Finn asked. "You'd let me wear your Halloween costume?"

"Sure," Noah replied with a shrug. "I know you won't hurt it." He slid the cape off over his head, handing it to Finn.

"Woah… Thanks." The minute the cape was around Finn's shoulders, he began to race around the yard. "Looks like we need to find our first crime, Puckasaurus!" he shouted over his shoulder as he raced over to a nearby tree. "Can you climb this tree and get a better vantage point?"

"Aye, aye, Captain Finnotaur," Noah hollered, monkeying up the tree as quickly as he could. He climbed up to about mid-height and pretended to scan the ground, looking for a threat. "There! By the swings!" he yelled, pointing. "A prince in distress!"

"We must save him!" Finn yelled, swooping in that direction.

Noah, intent on joining him, jumped down from the tree, but he miscalculated how far it was to the ground. When he landed, one of his feet wobbled, and his knee made contact with the ground instead, scraping across a root that was showing. He hissed in pain, his eyes welling up with tears. "Finn!" he yelled, suddenly feeling scared and alone. He needed his best friend.

In a flash, Finn was by his side, his arms wrapping around Noah's shoulders. "You okay?" he asked.

In response, Noah showed him his knee.

"I'll go get Mom and a band-aid," Finn said, starting to get up from the ground, but Noah clung to him tightly.

"Don't leave me!" he insisted, clutching at him. "Don' wanna be alone."

So, Finn did the only thing he could think of to do. He began yelling at the top of his lungs. "MOM! MOM! Puck's HURT!"

A moment later, Carole came out with the little first aid kit she always kept by the door. "What happened?" she asked, bending down to look at Noah's knee. "A little scrape?" she asked, taking out an alcohol wipe to clean it up. "Maybe next time, don't jump out of the tree, honey."

Noah nodded, holding Finn tighter. The wipe didn't sting much, but he still flinched and squeezed his eyes shut tight. He didn't like it.

"All better," Carole told him a few moments later after applying a band-aid.

The sound of a car could be heard from out front.

"I bet that's your mom. Let's go see," Carole said, standing. "Come on, boys."

The three of them walked to the front of the house together, and Carole grabbed Noah's backpack from where she'd put it after sending them outside.

Noah's mom got out of the car. "Was he good?" she asked.

"Always," Carole answered.

Quickly, Noah pulled Finn into a hug, squeezing him tightly. "Thanks for staying with me," he whispered. "I had fun playing with you.

"I had fun, too," Finn said, pulling back. He slipped the Puckasaurus cape over his head, handing it back to his friend before stealthily giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. "Bye. See you at school tomorrow."

Noah blushed. He turned to his car, calling back over his shoulder. "Bye. See you tomorrow."

His mother shut the car door behind him, climbing back into the front seat. "You have fun?"

He nodded. "Yeah." Then, he stared out the window at Finn as they pulled away. His heart was beating so fast in his chest, and his face felt warm. Why couldn't he look away? And why couldn't he stop the butterflies in his tummy?