Halloween was always an exciting night for ghosts, but Jeff could do without this level of excitement. This was supposed to be their day to be able to go out and scare humans silly, and be appreciated for it. It had been such a good night, but then the ghost hunters and frightmares had shown up, and the terror had basically negated any of the fun they'd had in the haunted house.
They were back safe in the Ghost World, and Jeff was not eager to leave again. He would be perfectly content to just curl up at home with Geoff, and just stay there for a few months. He wanted to leave this whole night behind them. There was something niggling at the back of his mind. Something that he would rather leave until later, but he knew if he didn't address it now, it would remain unspoken for the next few decades. He'd ignored it for this long, but tonight he'd been reminded of it, and he couldn't let it go.
"Geoff, can we talk?" Jeff asked.
"Of course." Geoff gave him that sweet smile that made Jeff feel like he could never say no to him. "Talking to you is one of my favorite things."
Jeff knew that to be true, but he didn't think his partner would like this conversation very much.
"This is something I think we've needed to talk about for a while now." Jeff said slowly. He rubbed the back of his head and glanced to the side. He needed to get through this, and he wanted to have this conversation, but he didn't want to upset his darling Geoff. To his surprise, his partner gave him a gentle and understanding smile.
"This is about Scratch, right?" Geoff asked. His smile turned sad and he looked down at his hands. "I know you don't like him very much."
Jeff grimaced. This wasn't how he had wanted this conversation to start. "I like him fine." He was far from Scratch's biggest fan. He thought that the small ghost was too selfish and emotionally unstable. He could be fun in short bursts, but when Jeff was around him too much he couldn't help but notice how immature and needy Scratch was. He was starving for validation.
Jeff didn't think that Scratch was a bad person. If he hadn't heard so much about him from Geoff, he'd probably be happy to try to be his friend. The issue was that Geoff talked about him all the time, and Jeff wasn't exactly impressed by what he had heard.
From what he could tell, Scratch had been dismissive and rude to Geoff from the start, and only recently started to let him in. Scratch had the potential to be nice, but he was so reluctant to admit it to himself that he took it out on those around him. And Geoff, as forgiving and accepting as he was, didn't hold any of it against him, even though he was the one who seemed to take the brunt of Scratch's poor treatment.
"Geoff, Darling, I'm just worried about you." Jeff said. He took his partner's hand to keep him from wringing his hands or accidentally shift forms. "You dedicate so much time thinking about Scratch and worrying about him. You know that I love that you have a friend." For the first several decades of their relationship, he'd been worried that Geoff would be lonely. He liked people, but he had never felt like he belonged in large crowds the way that Jeff did. Having a friend was important to him.
"I just feel like he doesn't care about you as much as you care about him." Jeff said. "I don't want you to get hurt."
"Scratch cares." Geoff insisted. "He just shows it differently, and that's okay. I don't like him for what he can do for me. I like him just because he's him."
Geoff sighed and leaned against Jeff, who put his arm around his shoulder. "Can I tell you a secret? You have to swear to never tell Scratch. He'll just get mad, or upset, or he'll get upset and use anger to try to protect himself from getting hurt more." Well, at least Geoff wasn't under any illusions about Geoff's emotional outbursts.
"I promise." Jeff swore.
Geoff fidgeted slightly. He seemed a little uncomfortable and nervous. Jeff hated that he was responsible for making his partner feel like this. "You said I'm obsessed with Scratch. And maybe you have a point." Geoff started speaking faster, like he'd been looking for an excuse to get this off his chest. "I call him my best friend, but that's just because I know he'd run off if he knew I saw him as more than that."
Jeff tightened his grip on Geoff, frowning. He had a feeling he knew what Geoff was saying. He'd suspected for a long time now that his partner's strong feelings for Scratch were more than just platonic. During their afterlife, neither of them had another partner besides each other. They hadn't talked about opening up their relationship.
Jeff was content just with Geoff. He'd never even considered anybody else in his afterlife. But if Geoff wanted a little more, he would be willing to share. Even if the person he had to share his partner's affection with was Scratch.
Jeff quietly tried to wrap his mind around this new development, and he tried his hardest to be okay with it. In his silence, Geoff continued talking, and Jeff had to force himself to continue paying attention to his partner's words.
"Did you know that Scratch doesn't have any memory of his life?" Geoff asked quickly. Jeff blinked. He didn't understand the question at all at first. When he understood it, he had to replay the words in his head again, just to make sure he had it straight. What did this have to do with the nature of their relationship?
"No, I did not." Jeff said quietly. It was something he felt like he should have known, even if this was the first time that Geoff had brought it up directly. There weren't many ghosts who lacked memories of their life, and there were some clear signs of it.
They tended to be more emotionally unstable than most ghosts were. Everybody had a hard time adjusting immediately after their death, but within ten years or so most ghosts got over the grieving process.
Scratch didn't seem to be grieving his death, but he was definitely not emotionally stable. He also spent far more time in the human world than other ghosts did. That was something that people that died traumatic deaths had a tendency to do, and most people who forgot their lives had some kind of trauma that they were subconsciously blocking out.
Then there was the fact that he went by the name Scratch. That wasn't the name that someone carried over from life.
Jeff felt bad for Scratch, and this made him just a little more forgiving of his insensitiveness. But he still didn't know what this had to do with Geoff's feelings for him.
Geoff gave Jeff a sad look. He looked genuinely heartbroken. "He doesn't even know how old he was when he died."
It only took Jeff a moment to realize what his partner was saying. When it hit him, his first reaction was relief, but the second was understanding, and just a touch of dread.
"You think that Scratch is a child." Jeff said quietly. He didn't personally see it. Maybe it was just because Scratch had been dead for at least a few decades, and it was hard to think of someone who had been around that long as a child. Maybe it was because there weren't actually a lot of ghost children in the ghost world, as many of them tried to cling desperately to the mortal plane, and Jeff rarely went there himself. He hadn't properly interacted with a child since he was alive himself
But Jeff didn't know Scratch the way that Geoff did, obviously. And he didn't spend as much time in the mortal world as his partner did either. He wasn't going to pretend to know more about Geoff's experiences than he did.
"I'm not saying he's a little kid or something." Geoff said. "But…look at him!" He spread his arms out, even though Scratch wasn't here at the moment. "He hates responsibility, and barely understands the concept of it. He starts crying about minor inconveniences, and refuses to admit that he's upset about things that actually matter. Doesn't that sound like a kid to you?"
"A bit." Jeff said reluctantly. "It also sounds like an arrogant person who doesn't care about anyone else."
"But that's not Scratch." Geoff looked at him with those wide eyes of his that were so hard to say no to. "I know he can mess up a lot, but he doesn't try to be mean. I think he really just doesn't know any better. I don't think he's ever had anybody to guide him, and be patient with him when he makes mistakes."
Jeff finally realized just what was going on here. His partner didn't just see Scratch as a poor child who really needed a friend. He definitely didn't see him as a potential romantic partner, which was a relief for a number of reasons. "You see Scratch as your child." Geoff gave him a sheepish smile, and Jeff knew that he had hit it on the nose.
"I didn't always." Geoff said with a fond smile. "I thought he was just a lonely kid, and I thought I could help him, but as I spent more and more time with him he just grew on me."
Jeff couldn't help but smile at the happiness in Geoff's voice. He loved seeing his partner so passionate about something. He still wasn't completely happy with the fact that that something was Scratch, when their relationship felt very one-sided at times, but it made him feel a bit better about it.
Geoff wasn't just letting Scratch walk all over him. He just thought that Scratch was still learning, and he was letting him do so without punishing him for it. Jeff thought that his partner was far too lenient on Scratch, but considering the new Chairman really did seem to be getting better, and while he was still incredibly flawed, vast improvements had been made in this past year. Scratch didn't need a stern kick in the pants. He was thriving on kindness and a gentle hand. If that was good enough for Geoff, it was good enough for Jeff.
"I understand." Jeff said. He still didn't know if he bought into the idea of Scratch being a child, but he knew this was important to his partner, and he couldn't take that from him. "But I don't want you to needlessly throw yourself in danger for Scratch's sake. I know you think he's just a kid, but he's also a perfectly capable ghost. More than that, he's the Chairman."
"I know." Geoff said. "I'm trying. I just worry about him."
"And Scratch doesn't know." Jeff commented. It wasn't a question. Jeff didn't know Scratch well, but even he knew that the emotionally avoidant ghost would get overwhelmed and lash out at the thought of having been unofficially adopted in a sense by one of his best friends.
"He can't know." Geoff said insistently. "You can't tell him. As far as Scratch needs to know, he's my best friend, and that's it."
"I won't say a word." Jeff said. He sighed. "And I'll try to cut him a little slack."
Geoff beamed and tightly embraced him. "You know, he thinks you're really cool." Jeff did know. He was still a little miffed that Scratch had been so excited at the thought of hanging out with someone 'cool' that he had ditched Geoff. His partner had forgiven him though, and Jeff himself hated to hold grudges. Maybe he could try hanging out again. It might help him to see the part of Scratch that he tried so hard to hide, and it would definitely help Scratch to see him as something more than just a cool guy that he could get social points with.
"Maybe if I see him around and he's not busy with his chairman stuff, I'll see if he wants to get a bite or something." Jeff said. He hadn't had any interest in going out of his way to spend time with Scratch. He could be civil and friendly for Geoff's sake, but he had plenty of friends. He didn't need another, and especially not one who was so dangerous to be around.
But while it was okay to have a barely existent relationship with his partner's friend, the same couldn't be said about his partner's kid. It didn't matter if Scratch didn't know that was how Geoff saw him. It didn't matter if Scratch had another family that had also taken him in. Jeff needed to have at least some kind of decent relationship with Scratch. It would mean the world to Geoff, and it would be a weight off his shoulders too.
"He'd love that." Geoff said brightly. He leaned close to Jeff and kissed him. It made this stressful conversation worth it. "Thank you for listening, and for trying. I know you never asked for this."
"If this comes with being with you, then I definitely did ask for this." Jeff rested his forehead against Geoff's, nuzzling him a little bit. "I love you, and if something's important to you, then it's important to me." He couldn't promise that he would ever see Scratch the same way that Geoff did, but he would treat the other ghost accordingly. It was the very least he could do for his partner.
Jeff had thought that he would have a few days to wrap his head around these new revelations, but it was just a few days later that he saw had the opportunity to do what he had promised his partner he would. He was just out getting himself a misery mocha, just as a little pick-me-up, when Scratch came through the door.
He was wearing his Chairman robes, but he hadn't taken on the stature that he did when he used the powers. He didn't look like a somewhat goofy Chairman. Maybe it was just because of Geoff putting the idea into his head, but when he looked at Scratch he felt like he was looking at a little kid who was wearing clothes that were several sizes too big for him.
Jeff usually felt very mild annoyance or resignation when he saw Scratch. Right now, all he felt was minor amusement and pity. Scratch just looked so young and vulnerable. It wasn't just with Geoff in mind that he raised his hand in a wave to get Scratch's attention.
"Hey, Mr. Chairman." Jeff said in a casual teasing tone that wasn't forced at all. He approached Scratch. "I've never seen a ghost look like it needs some caffeine." Scratch looked exhausted and completely drained. Jeff wrapped his arm around Scratch's shoulder, making him float higher. The robe hanging off him even more did nothing to make him look any larger.
"I'm so tired." Scratch groaned as Jeff led him to the order counter. He didn't say a word as Jeff asked for one misery mocha, and an extra large chocolate frappé with extra cream. Jeff didn't actually know what Scratch got at this place, but he knew from Geoff that Scratch loved ice cream, and he didn't think this was a bad substitute. Scratch definitely looked like he needed a treat right now.
"I bet the Ghost Council wasn't happy with what happened yesterday." Jeff said.
"It's not my fault the ghost hunters showed up." Scratch whined. "And, yeah, the frightmares were a mess, but I took care of them. So what if I didn't do it 'traditionally'. If they want a traditional Chairman, they should get someone else." Scratch struggled to pull off his robe, probably in the hopes of throwing it on the ground in a dramatic show of defiance. He got stuck in his robe though, and struggled with it for a long time. He almost lost his balance and fell over, which would have been an impressive feat, considering that ghosts didn't have legs to trip over.
Jeff finally took pity on Scratch and helped him get out of the robe. He held it for the other ghost to keep him from trying to tear it to pieces. Scratch sighed and drooped into a chair, sitting at a table to wait for his drink. Jeff hadn't planned on staying here with his drink, but he wasn't in a hurry. If Scratch didn't want to leave, then he'd be happy to stay.
"I hate this stupid job." Scratch whined. "I don't even get why I'm stuck with it. I'm not the one who even got rid of the last Chairman. Why do I have to be the one stuck with this gig? The council makes it seem like I'm the only one who can do it, but I feel like they're just throwing it on me because they want to torture me, and it's not fair."
Jeff hadn't spent a lot of time with Scratch, but it was enough to know that he whined a lot. It wasn't as annoying this time around. It just made Scratch seem like a kid who was overwhelmed with so much responsibility being put on his shoulders so quickly.
Maybe Geoff had a point.
Jeff didn't roll his eyes, or brush off Scratch's concerns. Instead, he sat across from the other ghost, opening himself up. He did something he had been convinced he wouldn't ever do for Scratch. He validated his feelings.
"It definitely seems like the Ghost Council is pushing you more than they ever would have dared to do with the old Chairman." Jeff said. He'd heard from Geoff about what some of Scratch's supposed responsibilities were. Some of them made sense. The frightmares could only be controlled by the Chairman. But did the Chairman really have to do so much paperwork? Or to clean up every little mess that the frightmares made?
Maybe it was all the Chairman's responsibility, but Scratch clearly wasn't ready for it. That wasn't necessarily his fault.
At this point, Jeff didn't think it could be helped. Whether Scratch liked it or not, he was the Chairman. All of the ghosts, including the frightmares, recognized the power and authority he had.
"This probably won't mean a lot coming from me, but I think you're doing well." Jeff said. Scratch may not have been the one to get rid of the Flow of Failed Phantoms, but he didn't reinstate it, even though it would make his job easier and get the council off his back. He complained about his job, and he did everything he could to try to get out of it, or at least put it off, but he still got it done.
If Jeff was dragged away from his partner as often as Scratch was pulled away from that human family of his, he didn't think he'd be anywhere near as patient and tolerant.
Scratch was still for a long moment before his eyes widened. He looked so desperately relieved. It was the most pitiable expression. Jeff had been willing to admit that maybe Scratch really was just a child, and this look convinced him.
"Really?!" Scratch sounded like he was going to start crying. Jeff decided not to mention it.
"Sure." Jeff said. He heard his name get called, and he went to get their drinks. Scratch practically gulped his down whole. He already seemed in a much better mood. He didn't seem interested in asking for specifics in what exactly he was doing right. Scratch just seemed content that somebody thought he was doing okay.
Scratch soon finished his drink. He sighed contently and pushed his glass away. "I've gotta get going. Molly's a little tense after everything that happened yesterday, and she wasn't very happy that I got called to the ghost world. She made me promise I'd be back in time for dinner." A part of Jeff thought that if Scratch was in so much of a hurry, he shouldn't have taken this detour.
At the same time though, Jeff got it. Scratch was tired and grumpy from a long day, and he wanted to take a few minutes to himself to calm down so he wouldn't be in as bad a mood around his family. Jeff did the same thing sometimes.
"Well, you don't want to miss your curfew." Jeff said. He said it completely seriously, forgetting for a moment that Scratch didn't know that Geoff, and now Jeff, actually saw him as a child. Fortunately, Scratch didn't seem to catch on that he wasn't being teased. He just rolled his eyes.
"Ha ha." Scratch said dryly. "You can make fun, but you wouldn't be laughing if you had to miss out on Thai taco night." Jeff wasn't entirely sure what a Thai taco was, but Scratch sounded excited, so he just let him have this.
"Well, you have fun." Jeff said. "And stop by sometime. It would make Geoff's afterlife."
"Yeah, yeah, okay." Scratch said dismissively as he opened a portal and went to the mortal world. Jeff smiled to himself and took a sip of his misery mocha. Scratch really lived up to his name. He was like an annoying little itch that got under your skin. Jeff hadn't really wanted to like him, but just seeing Scratch as a kid seemed to be making a big difference, whether he wanted it to or not.
He just knew that Geoff would be smug about this. He would probably try to plan 'family' activities or something. And Jeff would go along with it, because it would make his partner happy.
Jeff didn't see Scratch as his kid, but he wouldn't be surprised if he did eventually. Geoff saw him as his kid, and what was important to Geoff was important to Jeff, and it seemed that was going to include Scratch too.
He had never thought he would have a family. Meeting Geoff had been the greatest moment in his life. Maybe in the distant future Jeff would look back on today with the same fondness, as the day that he first started to really see his partner's unofficial kid. It was overwhelming to just think about, but his afterlife lasted for all of eternity. Who knew what waited for him in the future.
As long as he had Geoff at his side, Jeff thought he could handle anything. Even having the Chairman, who may or may not actually be a child, as a kid. It would certainly make his afterlife interesting, and after centuries of existence, who could say no to a little excitement like that?