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It was Halloween night, a night in autumn where you’re supposed to be spooked, scared, and maybe even vexed! And Francis was no exception; however, it wasn’t for something simple as ghouls and goblins, but it was watching his 9 year old daughter run off to her group of friends.
It was terrifying, but…it also filled him with a strong sense of proudness.
She’s growing more and more independent each day. Time really goes by fast, doesn’t it? Francis thought with fondness.
He found himself brought back to the moment, as Joshua’s hand came to his and gave it a gentle squeeze. As Francis looked to the border collie, it silently affirmed Joshua held the same conflicting feelings of fear and proudness in this moment, but…it was ultimately an inevitable part of life.
One should that be appreciated, rather than avoided out of worry. This was just a testament to their parenting.
Francis and Joshua made their way inside of the house to join the party and simply enjoy what the night had in store.
The night was normal at first, as Joshua and Francis sat on the couch snuggled up and watched some cheesy horror films.
The production value in the 80’s was horrendous for these kinds of movies! Francis thought with a light chuckle, from the way they recycled scream tracks, to neon red blood obviously similar to…ketchup? Paint?
The little kids played about, and the other adults were casually conversing among one another. He was glad they were all having fun even without going out to get candy.
When Joshua got up and sat back down with a drink, Francis looked to him before the screen—not really minding if Joshua wanted to have a bit of extra fun tonight.
“Do you want one?” Joshua asked, as he offered the other shot glass to him.
“No, someone has to drive us all back home when the kids get back.” Francis said with a light chuckle at the silly notion.
When his sight was back on the border collie though, he would see Joshua wincing and avoiding looking in Francis’s direction now.
“Josh?” Francis simply inquired. A million questions silently asked with that simple state of his name.
Francis noted Joshua’s body language grew more nervous, as his shoulders tensed a bit, and he put the shot glass down.
“I asked Bandit two days ago if we could drink and spend the night over for his party. I was gonna tell you but I forgot!”
“Joshua!” Francis said a bit upset.
“I’m sorry, I swear I was gonna tell you before we got here, but I kept getting distracted by all the Halloween preparation and stuff, it slipped my mind!” Joshua explained.
“Ah… well, I understand. I wish you told me sooner, but it’s okay.” Francis reassured gently.
A tense silence went through the air, which Francis could feel, as Joshua hasn’t really touched the drink much anymore.
“Oh I’m sorry dear, I didn’t mean to damper the mood.” Francis said with a kiss to Joshua’s cheek, a soft giggle coming from him in response. “Enjoy yourself, I’m gonna tell Bandit we won’t need to stay the night.”
Joshua began to nod; however, he quickly froze as his eyes looked past Francis now.
Before Francis could ask what was wrong, a voice came from behind him.
“You guys aren’t staying over?” Bandit asked.
Francis turned to the blue heeler, and he peered off a bit guilty. “Oh no. We’d hate to intrude.”
Joshua gave a bit of an annoyed huff in response to the statement, “Francis, it’s not like that.”
Francis turned to Joshua, about to respond, but Bandit interjected, “Alright, Francis can we talk for a sec?”
Going into the kitchen, Francis and Bandit found themselves away from the party.
“Francis, why wouldn’t you want to stay over? I mean it would be nice to have you guys and this party is gonna go until pretty late in the night.” Bandit stated.
“Well, I never personally stayed overnight with you guys like that and I just….” Francis found himself trailing off, eyes darted slightly to the side before they focused on Bandit, who looked at him with suspicion.
“There wasn’t much heads up, so….I’m not really prepared or anything.”
Bandit blinked a bit at the reasoning. “Mate… it’s just sleeping over the night. We already have sleeping arrangements, so you don’t really need much preparation for this.”
“Well…unless you have some special sleeping ritual…” Bandit trailed off to himself.
Francis grew quiet, and the two didn’t say anything for a moment—before Bandit piped up once more.
“Do you…not want to be here? Even just to rest?” Bandit asked with genuine concern.
“No…It’s not that, I respect your hospitality, and how you’re glad to have me over, but it’s just…” Francis took a gulp, swallowing his anxieties before continuing.
“For our first time over… I didn’t want to put that burden on you and have to deal with two drunk guys in your house sleeping off a hard buzz, and…I don’t exactly know the kind of person I’d be….and if you’d still even like me when it’s all done.” Francis’s fist stayed clenched at his side.
“The truth is, I’m scared of that unknown variable. Terrified even. I want to be sure everything goes…perfectly.”
Bandit was silent after that confession, and Francis felt himself internally wince. Oh no, I hope I didn’t invoke an awkward silence! Francis thought.
“It is a big vulnerability.” Bandit began, showing Francis the people out in the living room enjoying a drink.
“Everyone that’s taking a drink here, is allowing themselves to be that open…and themselves. And it was our choice to let them be here, because we opened that invitation for them all.”
“I mean, how big of a hypocrite would we be to throw a party, and then put every guest under a microscopic lens, judging them on everything they do.” Bandit explained.
Francis was silent, eyes on Bandit as he hung onto every word said.
“We’re all just here for fun overall, and if you’re not being PURPOSEFULLY destructive it’s okay. And that includes you. I want you guys here, and I want you here to spend the night.” Bandit admitted, looking off a bit, before he came back strong.
“It was just an offer before, but…. now it’s a command, and you gotta follow it, Frank!” Bandit teased with an elbow nudge to the dalmatian.
Francis’s tail wagged just a bit and he smiled and chuckled at his jest, his expression giving away a hint of worry still, but he would try.
“Alright…It’s an order.” He plays along with the other, and he goes back out to the living room to see Joshua absentmindedly watching the horror flick with a semi-bored expression.
The Border collie perked up when he noticed Francis, “Are things good? Are we going home or are we staying the night?”
Francis walked over to the table, and took one of the shot glasses, downing it with ease, and wincing initially at the sharp taste. “Yup. It’s perfect.”
“Alright!” Joshua cheered, getting up with a slight stumble and bringing Francis in with multiple kisses.
Francis initially smiled and leaned into the affection; however, he soon made a face and retracted back.
“Bleh…less of that for now, I’m afraid you smell like a brewery.” Francis stated.
“Well….this is my 10th shot, so…I’m a little sloshed.” Joshua said with a noticeable bit of a slur.
“A little?” Francis giggled.
“Don’t judge me!” Joshua whined.
They both laughed soon after, and as the night grew later, Joshua stopped after the 15th one, electing to finally drinking some water to cool off from the buzz, and Francis…only took 5 before he already found himself a bit tipsy, and light.
Currently, he stood in front of Bandit, struggling a bit to stand upright normally as he downed one more shot.
“Hey….Have I ever told you, ….you’re like a big grape?” Francis asked.
“Is that supposed to be a weight dig?” Bandit said with an eyebrow raise.
“Oh no no no….you’re like a life-size version of a Grape….Soda.” Francis giggled a bit. “It’s a…. It’s actually an honor!”
“I…. Okay, whatever you say Oreo Boy.” He chuckled, and Francis practically doubled down in laughter, almost cackling for longer than normal.
“Oh my gosh Stripe!! You’re so funny!” Francis said between his laughter, much to the confusion of Bandit.
“Uh…Stripe’s talking with your husband mate.” He pointed over to the purple heeler talking to the Border collie who looked like he was mentally in mars.
Francis turned to look at the two, not blinking for a long while before he gave a slow blink.
“Wow.” He simply uttered.
Bandit laughed at this point, and lead Francis away, “okay go get some water or something, you’re like officially wasted….from 6 shots.”
As Francis was off in the kitchen to get water, Bandit went off to talk to Fido and Chili about how silly Francis was, leaving the trio in giggles.
Later, when the party was wrapping up, and everyone was helping with the cleanup, Francis felt drowsiness cling to him desperately, as he sipped the water, not finishing the first glass he’s poured for himself.
Once things were done and slowing down, Francis wanted to pass out and go straight to sleep on the couch.
Plopping down upon it and closing his eyes, his ears would perk when a small presence finds its way on the couch and snuggling up into his chest.
He stiffened as he saw it was Mackenzie.
“Oh crap. I still kinda smell like booze! I don’t want it to spread that smell onto him!” Francis panickily thought, but ultimately left it alone.
It must have not been strong enough to be a discomfort, and if Mackenzie or Chloe smelled anything like such, they could always just tell them take a shower when they get home.
So he slightly snuggled up in response to the young border collie, a chin resting on his head, as he peacefully drifted off.
The next morning, Francis was the first to arise. Joshua was out like a light, and Mackenzie still hadn’t left his spot on Francis’s chest.
With adept gentleness, Francis maneuvered Mackenzie in a way on some pillows, so he had the sensation he was still sleeping with the dalmatian.
Going upstairs, he checked on Chloe who was sleeping as well.
Family check done. Everyone is okay. He thought.
Going back downstairs, Francis was about to relax a bit on the couch before he heard,
“Hey mate.”
And his shoulders instantly shot up in surprise, and he whipped around to the half-awake heeler.
Francis thought of the conversation last night, and his nerves instantly grew a flair. “I….um…was I bad last night?”
A hand goes to Francis’s shoulder, “Mate…you were Welsh Terrier Wasted!” Bandit said between giggles.
“O-Oh no…” Francis said, feeling himself sink in embarrassment.
“And we all enjoyed you.” Bandit remarked with a fond smile.
“E-Even with me being welsh terrier wasted?” Francis croaked hiding his face within his hands.
“Even with that. You’re part of the family mate. I enjoy your company regardless.” He chuckled, with sincerity in his tone.
Francis’s hands dropped from his face. A mixture of embarrassment faded into a sense of gratefulness of how kind Bandit’s been, and suddenly he finds his vision grow blurry.
He blinks.
Once.
Twice.
Thrice.
And each time it just gets worse, his breathing is more hitched, he feels a distinct wetness on his cheeks, and his eyes painfully burn.
Bandit opened up an arm, and without hesitation, he brought the other in for a hug.
His back shook and nothing is said from either of the dogs, but Bandit does give his back a gentle pat as he lets Francis let it all out.