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"Not a word."
"No way." Jeremy covered his mouth, but it didn't hide his growing smirk.
"Not. A. Word."
Jeremy held his breath, face pulled in all sorts of directions. He managed to stay like that for several moments before bursting into laughter. "No freakin' way, he actually made you wear that?"
Michael sagged, giving his boyfriend the stink eye. "He said he'd pay me." An orange-red ear flopped into his eyes. Michael moved it out of his face, resisting the urge to rip it clean off.
"No amount of money could ever convince me to wear that."
"Thanks a ton."
Jeremy's grin streched wider. "It's just so... Hideous."
"Hey! I'll have you know my dad made it for me, so watch your tongue." Michael crossed his arms, glaring. Jeremy raised an eyebrow. Michael sagged lower. "Yeah, it's hideous. Father's a right cunt for making me wear this. Pretty sure it's so ugly on bloody purpose. He can make good things, he just hates me," Michael moaned, sweeping past Jeremy and plopping on his couch.
"He's a righ' cunt for making you wear it on bloody purpose."
"I don't have a British accent!"
"I never even said you did this time, I just repeated what you said! You have a British accent! Britty boy."
Michael grimaced. "Never call me that again. And I don't! I'm not even British."
"You sound like your dad though." Jeremy was smiling. His teeth were blindingly white. Michael and the others used to say he brushed his teeth with drain cleaner. It made him look like a cartoon character, massive white grin with big teeth.
Michael raised a hand to flip him off, when in walked Mrs Fitzgerald. Michael quickly turned the crude sign into a wave. "Good evening ma'am."
Jeremy pulled a face behind her back, mouthing his words to him with a posh air. Michael glowered, unable to retort.
"Hello, Micha- oh dear goodness. That's an... Interesting costume."
Michael died inside a little. "Thanks. My dad made it."
"Oh, uh, well, it's... Quite unique. A lovely red orange cat. Garfield's always a hit."
"It's supposed to be Foxy." Michael pulled down the mask, that was more accurate and amazing and that he made all by himself, and that, in his very own humble opinion made the disgrace of a costume a five times better. "See?"
"I see," she said, in a tone that didn't inspire confidence. "Oh! Stand up. Is that a tail?"
Michael was so grateful for the mask that covered his face when his cheeks turned pink. He got up off the couch and turned slowly, refusing to even look in Jeremy's direction, to show Mrs Fitzgerald the fluffy tail sewn to the back.
This was humiliating. The orange-red furred suit covered his whole body, fabric mimicking real fur. His chest and stomach was white, and it had built in shoes in the shape of paws. The fur stuck up in all directions, a right mess, and the suit went all the way up to his neck. Michael was going to boil to death in it before he even began trick-or-treating. It used to have paws on his hands, but Michael begged Father to take them off. Father agreed, but then he'd attached the tail.
"Oh it's... Wonderful."
Michael turned around. Mrs Fitzgerald was shaking, hand over her mouth. He sighed. "You can laugh. It's fine."
Instantly, the floodgates opened. Michael edured the bombarge of laughter with a weary face. He was probably going to have to get used to it tonight. Mrs Fitzgerald had actual tears in her eyes. Her smile split her cheeks, as blinding as her sons. "And you say Mr Afton made it for you? Are you sure he isn't pulling your leg?"
"Oh he definitely is." Michael sat back down on the couch. "He probably thinks it's hilarious."
"Mr Afton was always the playful sort," Mrs Fitzgerald said thoughtfully.
"My dad's the worst."
"Hey now. He cares for you an awful amount."
"The," Michael repeated stubbornly. "Worst."
_
Mrs Fitzgerald treated them to some pumpkin pie, despite their protests. Jeremy wanted to save space for candy, and Michael just wanted to escape her not so subtle giggles. Mrs Fitzgerald made some mean pie though. Michael could barely stop himself from getting thirds. Jeremy joked Michael could eat a whole person and still have room for more, but even Michael had his limits.
Mrs Fitzgerald questioned him on school and made small talk while Michael waited for Jeremy to change into his costume. She was just launching into an embarrassing baby story when Jeremy reappeared, his own faced flushed, desperate to stop her. "Mom, please. Mike doesn't need to know about the peanut butter incident," he begged.
"If you say so, dearie."
"I think Mike really really needs to hear about the peanut butter incident," Michael interjected, desperate for some blackmail material.
The other half of their group of four- the gang- was either suffering at home with uber religious parents who refused to even speak of Halloween, or grounded from their last little bit of fun. Michael hadn't been dumb enough to be caught, unlike Jeremy and their other friends. Jeremy's parents were chill though. If Michael had been caught fighting, again, Father would have his head.
Jeremy had the perfect opportunity to get all sorts of blackmail material tonight. Michael could already see his humiliation looming. Michael needed some of his own, asap.
"And I think he doesn't." Jeremy dropped an arm around Michael and swept him out the door. "Okay bye Mom, love ya see you later!"
"No later than midnight! Stay safe and no drugs, sex or parties, okay?" Mrs Fitzgerald called after them.
Jeremy flushed. His cheeks looked so pretty, all dusted with pink. "I know Mom!"
She laughed and shut the door behind them.
It was late afternoon, and the sun was slowly begining to set, though there was plenty of light. Out in the street, Michael could finally see Jeremy's costume.
"Urg, you're so boring."
"At least I'm not dressed like that."
Michael shoved him. "You're terrible."
Jeremy laughed and linked arms with him. He was wearing casual clothing, splattered with fake blood and had done his face up in some hasty green and purple makeup. The most basic zombie, ever. But he rocked it, unfortunately for Michael, looking unfairly cute. Michael on the other hand was a sight for sore eyes.
"It's so hot in this costume," Michael complained, tugging at the fur. Winter could not come fast enough. Michael simply couldn't handle the heat. He passed out so often during the scorching summers of Utah that Father actually took him to the hospital to make sure he was alright.
"I can help you take it off if you want," Jeremy grinned.
Michael flipped him off. "Really?"
"Yes really." Jeremy battered his lashes, making a kissy face. Michael shook his head. Jeremy could be so annoying, but he never got old. His ridiculous boyfriend. Who looked so unfairly hot. "Where to first?" Jeremy asked.
"My place. We've got to pick up my siblings. Oh yeah, sorry, I forgot to say. Father's working tonight, so we're suck with the babies."
"Working again? On Halloween? On a Sunday?"
"Yeah."
"Didn't he promise this year he'll take your little siblings out?"
"He did, but..." Michael shrugged. "Duty calls. That's why I'm in this. I'm supposed to match them as Father's dumb animatronics. David's Fredbear and Elizabeth's Springbonnie because Father prefers his first designs."
"All you're missing is a Chica."
"Too bad you don't have your mask with you."
"Hey, at least I'm not dressed like that. I think a zombie completes us very nicely, Garfield-"
Michael pushed Jeremy into a brush. He left out a yelp, cursing as he distangled himself from the leaves. "Ow," Jeremy moaned. "You suck."
"You wish."
"Urg! Mike, seriously? Did you really have to?"
"Yes. Revenge for the costume comment." Michael ran ahead, as Jeremy make to tackle him. "Nope, not happening!"
"Yes happening! I'm gonna getcha for that!"
"Try me."
"With pleasure."
Michael met Jeremy's honey brown eyes. He had a twig stuck in his blonde curls, and his sloppy makeup a just a little smudged. Michael normally would have reached to pull the twig, but, but he valued his safety.
Jeremy stepped towards him and Michael ran.
_
They stumbled up to Michael's house, panting and out of breath. Michael's tail had nearly tripped him up several times, and he finally gave up and let Jeremy get him.
"Ah ha!" Jeremy wrapped his arms around Michael, spinning him around. "You can never run far from me! Now, I'm gonna eat your brains."
Jeremy did the world's worst impression of a zombie, eyes rolled back and making a groaning noise. Michael's legs wobbled, and when Jeremy let go to stick his arms out, Michael dropped onto the grass along the sidewalk. It was his turn to laugh, weak in the knees. "Never do that again. Please."
"Does my zombieness not scare you?"
Michael looked him over. "Nope." He popped the p.
"Well, maybe my tickling skills will."
Michael's eyes widened and he squealed as Jeremy attacked him. Jeremy dropped a light kiss on his lips. Michael blushed pink and was momentarily distracted from protecting himself. The dirty cheat!
He was shaking as Jeremy mercilessly tickled him on the ground, his unfair trick leaving Michael at a disadvantage. The two of them rolled around on grass, then someone cleared their throat. "I see you brought your little... Acquaintance."
Michael and Jeremy broke apart in an instant. "Good evening Mr Afton." Jeremy switched into polite mode, face dark red and expression pained. He distangled himself and stood, shoving his hands into his pockets and hiding a little behind Michael. It didn't help, his average height towering over Michael. Michael really really hoped he hit a growth spurt soon. It was ridiculous, and he could barely look threatening when he was pint sized. The others of their gang teased him mercilessly.
Father crossed his arms, staring down at the two of them. "Your siblings are waiting. Do be careful with them. David's worked himself into a state again because he ran into that plush of yours. Don't leave your things out in the hallway. Your room's enough of a mess- we don't want it spilling out now do we?"
"Yeah." Michael hoped he wasn't as red as Jeremy was currently.
He'd forgotten he'd left his plush in the middle of the hallway on a chair, hoping to get his baby brother into the real spirit of Halloween- being scared out of his mind! David was terrified of that ratty old rabbit Michael used to sleep with when he was younger. On the flipside, he loved the dumb Fredbear plush. Only Fazbear thing he wasn't scared to death of was his beloved bear with its creepy eyes that almost felt like they were watching Michael.
Judging by the disapproving look Father was going him, he knew exactly why old SpringBon ended up where it did. Michael scratched his head awkwardly.
"Why doesn't Jeremy go inside so long so I can have a quick word with you?" Father suggested, tapping his foot. Jeremy shot Michael an apologetic look. He skipped off, clearly grateful to be out of Father's presence after rolling around on the grass with his son, mouthing a quick "Good luck" before disappearing into the safety of the house.
Michael shuffled even more awkwardly.
Father placed a hand on his shoulder. "I am sorry about tonight, you know."
If he really was, then he wouldn't be working. It was the third year in a row. He bloody owned the place. Just because they got a lot of customers during Halloween didn't mean he couldn't take one night off for them. Sometimes it felt like Father cared more about other people's kids than his own.
Now Michael was stuck with a dumb little sister that was way too big for her boots and an annoying baby brother that cried all the time. He and Jeremy wouldn't have alone time, and they couldn't even visit the coolest houses on the block because David would be way to terrified of the decorations. Plus Elizabeth was a real candy connoisseur- no one got between her and her sweet treats. They'd have to fight to get her to share. Eight year olds were demons.
This was going to be the worst Halloween ever.
Plus, Michael was stuck in this stupid costume.
"There's always next year, Mike. I will take them- no, all of you next year."
"That's what you said last year. And the year before that."
Father sighed. "I mean it this time. Don't be difficult."
Didn't he also mean it last time? Michael nodded, keeping his thoughts to himself. He bit his lip to hide his sullen look.
"How are you finding your costume?" Father's voice took on a more lighthearted tone. He stepped back from Michael, giving him a once over. "You kept the tail!"
His excitement made Michael feel a little bad about hating on the costume so much, but then he caught the amused glint in Father's silvery-blue eyes. "It's just been freaking peachy."
Father smiled and pat him on the back. "Now, now, don't be like that. Your siblings love their ones!"
Their ones actually look moderately good. Michael gave Father a weary thumbs up. "Peachy," he repeated.
"It's one night. In fact, here." Father reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a glittery purple purse Elizabeth made for him in school that he insisted on using.
Michael always had to hide his face in shame whenever Father used it to pay in public. All his money but he used a dumb kid's arts and craft project. When Michael was older he'd be way cooler than that. Michael didn't get why Father even kept it. If it were up to him, it would have ended up in the trash ages ago.
Father thrust a few bills into his hands. Michael's eyes went wide. "Wait, actually?" When Father said he'd pay him for babysitting and dressing up, Michael expected at most twenty dollars, not a few hundred. That was his pocket money for basically a year!
"Yes, yes. Don't spend it all in one go. I know you kids will want to watch that new movie coming out in a few weeks, and that one friend of yours will need a little help with his ticket, alright? And maybe you can stop terrorizing your peers for extra cash, like last week." At Michael's guilty panicked expression, Father rolled his eyes. "We parents talk. Of course if your little friend is grounded for beating up an unfortunate with you I would know. Please stop that. We've talked about this many times."
Michael nodded. He shuffled his feet again, pocketing the cash. Just in case Father changed his mind.
Father straightened up. "Be careful and don't ruin this for your siblings. I'm counting on you tonight, alright? Don't let me down. Don't do anything stupid either."
"Yes Father."
Father tilted his head. "So, you and the Fitzgerald kid?"
Michael jumped a mile into the air. "Wh-what?" His heart felt ready to leap out of his chest, panicky feeling overtaking him.
Father looked him up and down, smiling. "Hm. Makes sense."
Michael blinked.
Father turned and walked off, getting into his car. He started the purple monstrosity- why did his dad have to be so embarrassing? -and began to reverse out, skew. Father drove like he had nine lives. And was drunk. And didn't have a licence. And a million other things. Michael feared for his life every time Father drove him somewhere.
Father got onto the road, and rolled down the window. "Have fun!" He stepped on the gas and left Michael behind in the dust.
Michael stared after him, mouth hanging open. Eventually, he turned to face the house. Jeremy was probably wondering what was taking him so long.
Oh yeah, and the dumb babies too.
_
"I want to go to the Andrews because they have the best bestest candy!"
"I don't wanna go, it's scary! There's a ghost on the lawn, I saw it! If we go it's gonna get us. I don't want you to get eaten by a ghost I don't wanna either!"
"Ghosts don't eat people, dummy. They possess you and fly around! They also give really nice candy, so let's go!"
"No they don't."
"Do too."
"Do not!"
"Do-"
Michael was ready to tear his hair out. "If the both of you don't stop right now, I'll eat people! Two little brats!"
David flinched, but stood his ground. "Daddy said you're not supposed to scare me tonight because you'll be in trouble."
"If I leave you for the ghosts I won't be the one scaring you, little man. Halloween is when they're the hungriest."
David's lips wobbled. "Really?" He looked at Michael with big wet eyes. He looked less like a bear and more like a kicked puppy, wearing his little yellow bear onesie. He hugged his Fredbear plush to him, candy bucket carrying his others. Including the headless Foxy Michael made a pointed effort to ignore. He was such a baby. Not even seven years old yet but basically a big baby.
"Yes," Michael snapped. David screwed up his face, ready to wail. "Oh god damn it. No, Davie look I'm sorry please don't cry please-"
"I'm going to tell Daddy you made Dave cry and won't take me to the Andrews." Elizabeth crossed her arms and jutted her chin. Her floppy yellow ears hung in her face.
"Oh my god, shut up about the Andrews! You just want to see your dumb friend!"
"Well maybe I do! At least my friends aren't grounded because they keep hurting people!"
"He deserved it! We were just giving him payback for-"
"You're a mean dummy and I hate you!"
David burst into tears. Elizabeth sat on the sidewalk and refused to move. Michael choked back a frustrated scream. Jeremy had his hands buried in his pockets, silent.
David sobbed, hugging Fredbear even closer. Michael began to feel a little bad. Also his head began to hurt. "Look, Davie, Liz." Michael crouched down in front of them, and reached out to pat David on the back. David shrunk back, and Michael signed. He settled for taking Elizabeth's hand. "I'm sorry. Tonight is supposed to be fun and... I'm not really making it fun now am I?"
David shook his head.
"Sorry little man. Liz, I know you want to see your friends, but you have to recognise Dave doesn't want to go near there. He's younger than you, and you're the big one. You'll see her at school, okay? And I'll give you all my candy for night, just to make up for it." Michael had a convenient boyfriend he could mooch off when he wanted some sweets.
Elizabeth thought for a moment. "Okay. I don't hate you anymore."
Michael shook his head. Urg. Little kids. "I want you both to have fun. In fact, I want this to be the best Halloween ever. Sure Father might be... Busy like normal, but we can still have a lot of fun! I'm here. And I'll project you from any ghosts around, okay little man? No ghosts will get through me!" Michael swallowed his pride and did a little roar, trying to look as menacing as possible in his ridiculous costume.
David giggled a little, smile stretching across his young face. "You look like Garfield." Elizabeth shared a look with him, and the two of them giggled in each others arms.
Michael sent a helpless look at Jeremy. Instead of hopping to his rescue, the traitor nodded and nudged him. "Well, they're not wrong."
Michael sagged. "Fine. I'm sorry guys. Let's make tonight a night to remember."
"You stole that from a movie," Elizabeth interjected.
"And Father stole you from a zoo, but you don't hear me bringing that up all the time-!"
David held his plush to his ear, pretending to listen like he always did. "Fredbear says Daddy stole both of you from zoos, and that I'm his only real child." David smugly crossed his little chubby arms.
"Fredbear isn't real. Plus he can't talk." Elizabeth rolled her eyes with the air of a long suffering old woman. "You're just dumb."
"Hey! Tonight, no one is going to be mean, alright? Not even your dumb brother. Ain't that right, Mike?" Jeremy slung an arm around Michael's shoulders and ruffled his hair.
Michael pushed him off and stuck out his tongue. "Stop being so tall, I swear you're a bloody beanstalk."
"You're just short, dude."
"I'm not your dude, bro."
"I'm not your bro, my dearest little short sugerplum darling-"
"That's it." Michael ran at Jeremy and grabbed his waist. He threw him over his shoulder, despite his loud protests. Michael may be on the smaller side, but he was way stronger than Jeremy's stick-like body. "Okay, people! Let's get this show on the road."
"Aye aye, captain!" Elizabeth jumped up, sticking to his right side. She poked the back of Jeremy's head. "Hey loser."
Jeremy spluttered. "Loser?"
"Did I stutter?" For an eight year old, Elizabeth sure was sassy. Michael sniffed. He'd taught her well. They really did grow up so fast.
Elizabeth grabbed Jeremy's bag, rooting through it and squealing when she discovered his makeup. She immediately began clumsily applying it, putting lipstick around her eyes and eyeshadow on her cheeks.
Father never let her wear his precious makeup he wore on stage, despite his suit covering his face. Elizabeth of course, stole it anyway, but Michael always teased her for looking like a clown. She really did look ridiculous, but she was having fun so Michael didn't ruin it. They deserved to have a good night. And if Father couldn't do that, then Michael guessed he'd have to step up for his siblings. He could at least do that for them.
"Michael! Mi-chael! Your little sister's being mean to me!"
"Deserved."
Jeremy groaned. "Put me down," he whined.
"Little man." David looked up. "Should I put him down?"
"Hmm." David tottled over, joining them on Michael's other side. "Nope." He sucked his thumb happily.
"Well, you heard the little man! Let's go!"
They made their way to the first house like that, Jeremy complaining the whole way, Elizabeth treating them to a long winded story about her week at school, David's mouth attached to his thumb. Michael in the worst costume know to man, his boyfriend slung over his shoulder, his siblings beside him.
Michael's heart swelled.
Maybe this Halloween wouldn't be that bad.
David tripped and fell over. He immediately began wailing, hugging Fredbear and his knees. Elizabeth tried to pat him on the back, offering very nicely to draw Fredbear on his face if he quote "Shut the hell up." Michael should probably watch his language around her. Jeremy escaped his arms, attempting to calm them down. His zombie makeup had smuged on Michael's costume, green smearing off and leaving his dark face spotted with purple. Michael began to develop a headache.
Urg.
Maybe.