Gilbert and Antonio wouldn't meet each other's eye. Both locked themselves in their rooms and Francis found himself a mixture of annoyance and concern about to bubble over. After one day, he'd yet to get them to talk to each other. Gilbert kept sulking and choking on his pride. He might have gotten over that with a little help, but Antonio moped worse than a heartbroken high school girl. The most Francis got out of him was, 'it's over. I'll never be able to look my cousins in the eye again.' He had no idea what that meant, but felt obligated to snoop and found Lovino's name under his recent calls. Never a good sign and Antonio wouldn't elaborate no matter how much he pressed.
Another day passed and Francis found himself sitting on the couch, alone yet again. He knew they had reason to be fighting, but this didn't even feel like fighting. Those two just shut themselves away and Gilbert was angry at Antonio and Antonio at himself and his family. And Francis couldn't get the two of them to say that to each other so this could get over with. He couldn't remember a fight between them ever lasting this long. Gilbert could fight for weeks with Francis, but not Antonio. It was Halloween morning and it'd pass them by if Francis didn't do anything about it soon.
"I'm going to put the stupid plastic jack-o-lanterns outside!" Francis called, knocking on Gilbert's door first. He heard shuffling and guessed Gilbert moved to the door, but he didn't open it. Francis resisted the urge to put his hands on his hips since the gesture would be wasted.
"Why are you telling me that? I don't care what you do with them. But like…take a picture or something?" Gilbert muttered in a hopeful tone.
"Seriously?! If you want to see it, them come out and look yourself!" Francis huffed. He considered himself a very patient man, but today it wasn't holding true. "You're the one who wanted to make Halloween a big deal so maybe I won't do anything with your decorations since I don't care about it." And he really would. What was the point since he only got into the holiday for his friends' sake. There was hardly any point if they hid in their rooms. When he didn't get a response, Francis turned on his heel and started to stalk back to the kitchen. He would just cook his stress away because nothing warmed a home like pumpkin pie.
"W-wait!" Gilbert exclaimed, his door banging open. He hopped into the hall, looking a little like a hobo in his wrinkly jacket, novelty LA shirt, shorts, and mismatched socks. Francis quirked an eyebrow from where he stood almost in the kitchen. "I'm just going to decorate okay. I sure as hell can't leave it to you and your artistic sensibilities!" Gilbert snorted and stalked to the coffee table where the shopping bags still sat. He gathered as much as he could and started for the door. Francis narrowed his eyes, feeling too confused to jump at what sounded like an insult, though being called artistic shouldn't have been.
"…what's that supposed to mean?" Francis grumbled before he grabbed the bits Gilbert missed and followed him outside. Gilbert dumped his pile in the middle of their modest lawn that mostly consisted of the flowers Francis planted at the start of the fall quarter.
"If I let you decorate, it will take forever! You'll deliberate on the details like an artsy-fartsy retard. Shit, it's totally warmer outside than in!" Gilbert cursed before ditching his jacket, though he did fold it. Sometimes Gilbert could be so strange. He eyed the blue sky with a very near glare. "No seriously, you know there's something wrong with your winters right? I keep forgetting jackets are stupid in this city."
"This isn't chilly?" It was in the low 60's which seemed chill enough by Francis' standards.
"No…it really isn't, weirdo." To hear Gilbert describe his hometown of Havelberg, it sounded like an idyllic snow covered village in the winter. Having lived in LA all his life, Francis couldn't imagine it and he thought he'd surely die from that much cold. One adapted to the warm, sunny, and rather one-season climate of this area. Gilbert threw a fallen rose bud at Francis' face. He yelped and spun to see Gilbert jab a finger at him. "Pay attention already and bring that jack-o-lantern over!"
It took them ten minutes to toss everything together. Three jack-o-lanterns in all—two on the porch and one at the bend in the walk way leading to the door. Gilbert really didn't let Francis involve any artistic sensibilities. As efficient as ever, the lights were hooked up to them and bam, on went the screechy noise-maker by the door. Their house would scare kids away that year instead of attract them. Then again, Francis thought that's exactly what Gilbert planned.
They headed inside, feeling much more relaxed and ready for the coming holiday. Almost as soon as they deposited the empty bags though, the mood changed. "E-eh?" Antonio jumped from where he stood in the kitchen with a glass of orange juice. He glanced between the other two, his green eyes blown wide. When he meet Gilbert's eyes, his own jumped down to stare at his feet. Francis noticed his hair, less attended to than usual, and the lack-luster glow to his eyes. Normally those green orbs, while not exceptionally bright, expressed everything so clearly. "I was just…Francis said he would make a pie…"
"I was going to do that next. Do you want to help? Otherwise I'll get Gilbert to," Francis nodded. Gilbert didn't object like usual despite cooking being a little too girly for him. He stood with his arms crossed just outside of the kitchen, but his eyes never left Antonio even if he only watched from the corner of his eye. Francis couldn't figured out his expression. It looked a bit hesitant, but not angry or wary like before. Antonio never once met his eye though. Maybe if he did, this awkwardness would end.
"Ah…no," Antonio murmured. "Francis makes really good pie. I just want to eat it." His shoulders lacked their usual confidence. Only when he backed out of the kitchen, muttering a quick excuse, did he glance over at Gilbert. The younger male missed his eye though, even if Francis saw the look there. He recognized both regret and guilt before Antonio vanished around the corner. For once in his life, the guy didn't try to beg forgiveness or hug it out. What happened when drunk deeply bothered him it seemed, along with whatever went on in his family. Since when did Antonio think he was too low for forgiveness? Because Francis thought Gilbert would give it if he'd just ask.
"So, what's in a pumpkin pie?" Gilbert asked when the two of them were alone. Francis put a hand on his hip, just staring.
"Pumpkin. Now are you going to help me or what?" He impatience was growing again.
Gilbert made a face of disbelief and snorted. "Oh hell no! Your on your own, Francey." He tossed a wave over his shoulder and stalked away. "Enjoy your girly pursuits! I'm gonna go watch that weird movie with the skeleton guy."
A second later, Francis found himself alone in the kitchen and far less excited to cook. He ground the heel of his hand into his forehead. "I'm going to strangle them. I really, seriously am."
Later that evening, Francis perched on the couch with his mouth set in a frown and his foot tapping on the floor. A bowl of candy sat in front of him as the sun sunk lower in the sky. The lack of his friends mocked his efforts. Why bother with his costume if he had to play alone? Well, Gilbert put his costume on earlier, but he sat in his room watching movies with the door half open—enough for Francis to see he hadn't moved in hours. Antonio would be the tough cookie. If he didn't feel like being cheery, they'd never get to see what strange costume he prepared.
One minute later, the doorbell rung, marking the start of trick-or-treating. Francis whirled to the door with his candy bowl. Ten sets of hands reached for it and bam, headache. Over and over, kids and doorbells, and hardly getting a chance to sit down. Finally, he couldn't take it anymore. During a break in the flow of trick-or-treaters, Francis snapped aloud for the entire house. "Am I going to do this all by myself?!" He saw Gilbert jump even with headphones on, bat wings bobbing on his back. "If I bought my costume for no reason, I am going to pour every ounce of alcohol out and smack you upside the head with the empty bottles!" Francis stood there fuming in front of their rooms. Gilbert glanced back over his shoulder, eyes wide. Half a minute later, he shuffled out to stand by Francis.
"No reason to yell…yeesh," he muttered, sounding meek. He shifted from side to side like a kid that just got chastised and that's exactly what happened. Francis glared down at him with all the fury of an elder. Once he had Gilbert though, attention quickly turned to Antonio's door.
"I know you heard me!" No response. Well that wouldn't do. Gilbert watched with an incredulous eye as Francis yanked open the door and yelled again. "Put on your costume now!" Antonio squealed and tumbled to the floor. "I'm going to finish handing out candy and then we are going out. Even if I have to dress you myself, you are coming with us! We're supposed to be friends. What happened to the trio forever?" Francis dragged in a deep breath to cool his tirade. "Halloween isn't Halloween without you guys!"
Gilbert hung his head and Antonio pouted at Francis. "Give me five minutes." Francis pulled the door closed again and had to hurry away when the doorbell rang again. Gilbert stood in the hall as he shifted and tried to get his tongue un-stuck. He felt too childish, dressed like a demon in tight pants and a shirt that didn't fully cover his stomach. His fake tattoos smudged at the edges and the horns sat crooked in his hair. Francis still manned the door when Antonio emerged again. A sprig of green sat on his head and everything else…red. His outfit bulged in the middle, a bit like a fat santa, but that was no santa costume.
Gilbert looked down at his tall black boots and plastic tail bobbing behind as if to make sure he dressed for the right holiday. "What are you supposed to be?" he asked, not even snarky or insulting. He sounded just plain confused.
Antonio pointed a finger at himself, eyes wide in their usual innocent question. "Me? I'm a tomato of course." Was this confusing in any way?
"A…tomato? What is that? You're serious?" Something shorted out in Gilbert's brain as he looked at his red blob of a friend. Out of nowhere, a laugh bubbled up. Gilbert couldn't help it. He just started laughing and Antonio blinked at him before he started laughing too. "A tomato. A tomato!" Gilbert fell back against a wall from the force of his laughs. Every bit of tenseness just burst out as if something broke. He found himself on the floor, hugging his sides as he wailed. A fucking tomato. It was so Antonio that it hurt. The two of them sat on the floor, laughing in hysteria as only two people so on edge could. Tears streamed down their faces as the weight of the past few days flew away with their laughter. They laughed until their bodies went limp and they couldn't even laugh anymore, just choke on tears and the spasms of their stomachs.
Francis cleared his throat as a kid in a superman costume stared past his legs at the scene. "Er, don't worry. Those two are totally fine. They've just had a hard time of it lately and lost their minds a bit. Would you like a tootsie roll?" He'd barely handed over the candy before the kid dashed away. Just as he swung the door closed, he heard the kid yelling.
"Mommy, the adults there are really weird!"
"Do I need to call an asylum?" Francis chuckled. He found this behavior surprising, but not in a bad way. Thank god someone started laughing again, even if too much. Gilbert shook his head, still unable to speak. Antonio raised a hand, trying to ward Francis off, but other than a giant grin, he managed only a sobbing, "No!"
When the hysterics finally died down, the two were left staring at each other from a foot apart. Francis slipped away to let them have the moment. Antonio looked hesitant like he wanted to throw himself into Gilbert's arms but couldn't allow himself to. Gilbert bit his lip. He was still angry and hurt, but in that moment, the hesitation lasted only that, a moment. He shook his head and jumped on top of Antonio, his arms squeezing painfully. "Hey, I really forgive you." As he buried his face in Antonio's hair, he felt himself grow light and giddy again. He never forgave first. Always, he held onto his grudges until the magical 'sorry' where he could toss the grudge aside as if it didn't matter in the first place. Why shouldn't he just forgive without being asked to if the problem could be tossed aside that easily? He yanked Antonio's hair. "Just…don't fucking do that again!"
Antonio's arms wrapped around him just as tight. "Of course not! Never again! I'm so sorry, Gil. Even though I know I'm an awful drunk, I did it anyway. I was just so hurt!" He knew that wasn't an excuse, but he still felt the need to explain. His friends deserved that much and as soon as their night of fun ended, he'd share his troubles. For now, he wouldn't ruin Halloween. He knew how much Gilbert looked forward to it.
Francis dropped down on the floor, wrapping his arms around them. "And the trio is reborn! Now can we please go out to play? I think that was the last of the kids. The night is opening up and it's time for the grown-ups to rule," he intoned with a grand gesture and a grin.
"Count me in!" Both Gilbert and Antonio exclaimed at the same time.
xXx
It amazed Francis how easily the three of them fit together again. They roamed the streets like three lions ruling over their pack. The city streets were their jungle and they owned it. He shouldn't be surprised that they fell into ease with each other so quick. He hung back a little, content to watch the others play around. The three had something amazing that very well might never be broken. If anything, today proved it. How could they stay angry after laughing like that? Francis chuckled to himself just remembering the poignancy of that painting perfect scene. If he had as much artistic talent as love for paintings, he'd create some wonderful compositions inspired by his friends.
Hm, large odalisk a la albino. He'd hang that over his bed. Gilbert jumped in front of a group of children and screamed. "Prepare to have your souls eaten!" He bared his teeth with red fake claws outstretched. The kids jumped and Antonio cackled. Francis pulled the plastic sabre from his waist and whapped Gilbert on the butt with it.
"Be careful or souls won't be the only things getting eaten tonight," he chuckled and tossed the white plume of his hat over his shoulder. Gilbert squealed and the children made their escape. With Antonio still cackling, Francis slipped his blade back into its scabbard. His costume looked elegant compared to the other two, although Gilbert went all out with the makeup so shadows edged his red eyes, almost enough to make a person shiver. The demonic role suited him too well. Francis' own boots clacked on the pavement because of their slight heel. His teal and blue coat, medallions of gold, and feathers carried an aristocratic air not often associated with pirates, but he refused to look dirty. He tied his wavy locks to the side of his neck, leaving the large hat tipped to the right. He thought he looked very dashing and told his reflection that when dressing.
Gilbert stomped ahead with his arms crossed. One wing smacked Antonio and he nearly tripped, having difficulty maneuvering in such a round costume. To think, Gilbert said those wings were too tiny. He walked around with no awareness of his accessories and hit both of them multiple times already with the wings. Francis reached over, trying to capture one of the leather and plastic annoyances when Gilbert whirled around. He jumped back, trying not to look guilty. Gilbert didn't notice anyway. "I want to try trick-or-treating before we get there!" he announced in a loud voice.
"Hey now, that's a bit…" Francis started but Gilbert already took off for the nearest house with a porch light on. Antonio tore after him with a gleeful, and not particularly sane laugh. Gilbert jabbed the doorbell five times until a tall man with short blonde hair and glasses snapped the door open. His stern expression meant nothing next to Gilbert's excitement.
"Trick-or-treat!" Gilbert cupped his hands because he didn't have a bag. "Now give me some fucking candy!" The guy who answered jerked a little in surprise though his facial expression didn't change. He glanced behind him where they could all see the mostly full platter of candy on an in-table. Before he could move though, Francis caught up with them.
"Don't give him candy!" Francis yelled as he slapped Gilbert's hands down.
"What? Why the hell can't I have candy?!" Gilbert fought back as Francis tried to drag him away. "This is the American thing to do right? You told me to integrate! I'm pretending to be American!"
Francis used his eyes to plead with the man who stayed in the doorway, too frozen to move for the candy. "And you hate sweet things, especially our candy! Why do you want some? You won't eat it!" Francis snapped. By then, he had control of Gilbert's flailing limbs. Francis wouldn't eat the candy either, preferring something higher class than Hershey's. He didn't want that crap in his house! Gilbert screeched and bit Francis. The older man lost control again in a flurry of feather fluff and plastic accessories.
"So? It's Halloween!"
The glasses wearing man glanced between them, looking very much at a loss. Antonio popped up from behind his friends and held out his hands. "Can I have some candy?" He put on his most dazzling smile as Francis and Gilbert flailed toward the driveway. The man stared at him before retrieving the candy. Antonio didn't miss his long suffering sigh though.
"Take what'cha want," he muttered almost too low to understand. Antonio shoved two hands into the candy and grabbed as much as he could carry. After thanking the other man loudly, he skipped off after his friends. The man closed the door behind them with a strangled noise. He was definitely not getting conned into handing out candy next year.
They ate most of the candy before they finally reached their destination. Ten minutes later, Francis dropped the 24 pack of toilet paper into Gilbert's arms where he waited outside the little gas station. "Shall we just pick a neighborhood and go at it?" The three shared a devilish grin before they traipsed into the nicest neighborhood within walking distance, ripping plastic away from the rolls with glee.
"And away they go!" Antonio called as a roll sailed through the air, trailing white streamers behind. The toilet paper lodged itself in a tree and he gathered another weapon. Gilbert busily shot roll after roll at the two story house, his aim scary perfect and his expression that of a man with an attack plan. They were already TPing their second house and still had toilet paper to go. Twenty four rolls could cover a lot of ground.
"Gil, you missed a spot," Francis pointed out just to get under his skin. Not that he wasn't getting just as into the 'sport' as his friends. Gilbert's eyebrow twitched.
"Give me another missile, stat!" Antonio tossed it over and Gilbert chucked it at the trellis. "And I think our work here is done," he stepped back with a satisfied smirk. "How many do we still have left? Five rolls?" He paused in the lawn they'd littered, pondering the conundrum. Suddenly he clapped his hands together. "Let's go throw these at the house where that guy wouldn't give me candy! He looks like the type to get an ulcer from fun!"
"Oh my god, he would!" Francis groaned. "But how are we going to find the house again?"
Gilbert snorted. "I remember exactly where it is! Don't you guys pay attention to anything?" He animatedly chatted and was about to continue when a roll bounced off his head. Antonio whistled, hands behind his back. Gilbert snatched up the roll and was about to throw it back when a cop car cruised down the street intersecting the one they stood on, going slow enough to watch.
"Shit, run!" Francis screamed. Gilbert didn't have time to protest before the other two grabbed his arms and started running. The cop car flashed its lights and they tore off. They made a mad scrabble through an open gate and plastered themselves against the side of a house. The car passed by and Gilbert and Antonio fell against Francis on either side. They crushed him and he opened his mouth to complain, but the words died in his throat. A distant porch light threw them in high-relief and the run left them flushed and sweating. A heart beat later, lips locked and hands tangled, not sure who to grab first. They just traded touches in a frenzied dash.
A light flooded the yard as a voice broke the spell. "Get out of here you drunks!"
Antonio burst out laughing and the three scrambled away, their hands still clinging to each other. "Oh my god," Gilbert burst out. He could barely speak, too out of breath with arousal and laughter, each mixing inside of him into something wonderful. The yells chased them out to the street and away from the neighborhood.
Francis stopped to catch his breath. He lost a gold button at some point and his boot heel turned wonky. The green tomato top hung around Antonio's neck and Gilbert's tail stuck out more to the left than back. At moments like this, he could really appreciate Gilbert's choice in costume. Francis squeezed the man's tight-black-clad butt as he pressed himself against Gilbert's back. With his chin on the pale man's shoulder, he whispered in his ear. "How about we all continue this at home?"
Antonio reached out to tangle a strand of Francis' hair around one finger with casual grace. "I think that's a given." He leaned in to kiss Francis as one hand slid up Gilbert's thigh. Gilbert gasped and grabbed the wandering hand.
"Home! He said home!"
And Francis just laughed.
(Notes: Odalisk, for those who don't know, is romanticized painting of a prostitute. Or in general, a painting of a lounging naked woman. .
And yes, the un-named man they go trick-or-treating to is Berwald because it's just too hilarious. Can you imagine him staying in LA? And giving out Halloween candy? Yeah, me neither.)