#What if jack skellington became a human ? | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

shieldherostuffs · 3 years

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The Pumpkin Shield!

The Nightmare Before Christmas AU, I think? Shapeshifter1 Naofumi,

(This was, as you've probably seen by the AU-thing, inspired by The Nightmare Before Christmas Movie.

So, early Halloween Special!)

THIS ENDED UP BEING VERY VERY LONG! Also, I wrote this at 2AM while running on nothing but cookies, fried chicken, and cola.

*★°*:.☆.:*°★*

Naofumi Skellington, the current Pumpkin King, and successor of Jack Skellington. Naofumi took over the title for his mentor once Jack decided to retire together with Sally.

Naofumi had always been a bright, frightening soul who loved to scare the lights out of humans, and did so with enthusiasm. Their scream was just so delightful!

He'd been but a child, unable to control his powers of terror, when Jack had found him. Jack had taken him back to Halloween. The citizens of Halloween had been kind to Naofumi, even if they likes to play pranks and scare him. They found his powers to shapeshift and create illusions interesting. Jack, Sally, and the rest of the citizens of Halloween had helped Naofumi learn to control his powers.

They'd even started calling him Little Pumpkin Sprout once they noticed how he followed Jack or Sally around like a lost werewolf pup.

Sally and Jack had raised Naofumi together as if he'd always been part of Halloween. While everyone else would teach Naofumi different ways to prank and scare people and humans, Sally would teach Naofumi how to be kind and considerate too, and notice if went too far.

Naofumi appreciated all of it.

The two witch sisters would teach Naofumi how to make potions and fly brooms. The four Vampires would teach Naofumi how to appear out of nowhere and fly with wings. The Ghosts would teach Naofumi how to do the most shrill screams, and appear within fog and smoke. Everyone else taught him their own things too!

Jack would make sure Naofumi perfected his scaring, and teach him the scariest tricks and treats of all, and how to perfect his shape-shifting powers.

Of course, Naofumi enjoyed spending time with everyone.

However, when Naofumi was a teen, the Werewolf brought his son to the town, and the Witch sisters brought their niece. Both were apparently Naofumi's age.

The werewolf's son was named L'Arc Berg, and the witches' niece was named Therese Alexandrite. Both looked more human than monsters, just like Naofumi, but could change their looks in different ways, if desired.

L'Arc had short spikey crimson hair, like blood, and red slitted eyes with yellowish sclera. He had a pair of bushy red wolf-ears on the sides of his head, and a matching red tail behind him.

Therese had long blue hair in a loose and messy braid over her shoulder under the classic black witch hat. Her braid was tied with what looked to be a skeleton hand holding it together. Her eyes were blue and deep like the cold and dark ocean. She held a broom in her hands, too.

When Naofumi had seen them for the first time, he's been shy, and hidden behind Sally, while the two smiled. L'Arc's grin showed off his sharp teeth.

Naofumi couldn't help but blush a little.

After meeting the two new citizens of Halloween, Naofumi decided he wanted to spend more time with the two. But, he also wanted to visit his mentor's study and look for something to explain the heat in his cheeks, and the weird beating of his dead heart.

As time went by, the three of them would become closer and closer. They would scare and prank others together and spend their free time together. Sometimes they'd even prank each other.

As they became closer and closer, they didn't even need to coordinate their pranks and scares, it started coming naturally.

The three became closer and closer, and Naofumi finally found a book on why his cheeks would heat up around L'Arc and Therese, and why his dead heart would start beating rapidly.

Something called 'Love'.

Naofumi had asked Sally about it since she seemed to know more about emotions than everyone else. After her explanation of what love was and what was between her and Jack, Naofumi had been amazed. Love sounded so fun, and it was interesting how people could show it in different ways!

Something Naofumi, L'Arc, and Therese had taken to doing together, was spend time either on the hill over the pumpkin patch, where Sally and Jack would sometimes watch the stars, or spend time playing around the graveyard.

After finding out about 'Love', Naofumi would start showing small signs of affection, which L'Arc and Therese would start showing too.

Naofumi would start with kisses on their cheeks and bumping their shoulders together. Therese would start holding their hands and leaning against their shoulders. L'Arc would start licking their cheeks and pulling them into hugs and nuzzling them, letting his scent stay on them.

Slowly, it became more. There were no big confessions or utters of feelings. They all just kind of knew it slowly as it happened.

Then, their pranks on each other started involving affection too.

Naofumi and Therese would get on their brooms sometimes, and hang upside down to give L'Arc and kiss him each before flying away, letting L'Arc follow them to the graveyard. In return, once they got to the graveyard, L'Arc would turn into his monstrous wolf form, missing skin and fur here and there, with glowing red eyes, and jump on them both. He would then lick both of their faces as a return to their kisses.

None of them minded.

----- (I'm placing the Keep Reading here because this is starting to get pretty long. Rest of Idea, Headcanons, and Tagging further down.)

After years, when Naofumi had become an adult by human years, Jack had announced his retirement from the title as 'Pumpkin King' and handed it over to Naofumi.

Naofumi took it with glee and had gone on a scare-spree in the human world on the Halloween it was announced.

However, one day, Naofumi, L'Arc, and Therese had snuck off to wander around the human world. He was thinking that maybe he could scare a few youngsters, and learn more.

They'd ended up disguised as humans at a library. Naofumi had gotten curious while wandering, and started looking at the books. Like a normal prank in Halloween, the books had suddenly fallen down on Naofumi.

Picking up one of the books, Naofumi could feel something weird from it. In a second, it'd started glowing, and the library disappeared. L'Arc and Therese had come running once hearing his shout but had only found a book with his scent on it, and nothing else.

They tried looking for him, and going back to Halloween, and waiting, with the book, thinking it was just another prank. But, after a few days, they got worried. Naofumi knew they didn't like it when he took a prank far enough to hide for days, so something must've happened.

They took the book to Jack and asked for help. Jack looked over the book and found that it was the story of Four Heroes, something classic for humans. Once the story of The Shield Hero came up, they found that the first page had been written, about the Shield Hero being a being of terror and fright, a King of the Night. Once he'd read the book, Jack had gotten the same feeling as when he'd gone to Christmas all those years ago.

Naofumi was not in the world of Halloween, nor the Human World.

-----

When Naofumi had found himself in one of those old castles in the Human World, he's quickly looked around while straightening his black and white suit, one of Jack's old ones, which Sally had re-sown to his size.

All around him were a bunch of humans, some in weird clothing, and some in normal clothing.

Naofumi quickly noticed the Shield stuck on his arm, and gave up trying to get it off after a few tries.

Then, he followed the humans through the castle they'd been 'summoned' in, to see the King of the place.

While walking there, Naofumi decided on a plan. He decided to pose as a human for now. That way, he could cause bigger terror and greater pranks to these people who dare kidnap the Pumpkin King himself.

-----

Naofumi already did not like this human king. He's ignored Naofumi and had only been talking towards the other three.

Only when the smallest of the four, the blonde with the bow, had mentioned it, did the King as for Naofumi's name.

"Naofumi Skellington, twenty years old." Naofumi had introduced himself, ignoring the looks he got for looking around 18 since he didn't will himself to age any longer, to match L'Arc and Therese

After the meeting with the King, the four Heroes were shown into a shared room.

They started a conversation. With Motoyasu, the spear hero, asking Naofumi about his 'fancy get-up'. Naofumi had just answered that it was his everyday clothes, and something he inherited from his mentor.

Then, the three started talking about different kinds of 'games', those things the humans liked to play for fun. Naofumi also ignored their abs at the Shield.

He could think of multiple ways to hurt or attack with a Shield.

All of them painful.

After the other three had gone to bed, Naofumi summoned his broom from the dust in the air and decided to take a flight over the city. He even put on a hat identical to Therese's, for the effect, should anyone see him.

Well, good thing he did, because as he started laughing at the excitement of flying on a broom again, he heard a few children and maybe some adults scream in the streets below.

-----

Naofumi really did not like this. He loved pranks and tricks, of course, even if he was the recipient sometimes, but this wasn't fun at all.

Myne, the lady who'd joined him the day before for his adventure as a Hero, was accusing him of sexually assaulting her.

Kind of amusing, actually.

Okay, hilarious.

"Hehe..." Naofumi chuckled to himself as he stood up, ignoring the spears pointed at his neck

"How dare you laugh, you scoundrel! Are you that happy about yourself, after what you did?!" Motoyasu exclaimed angrily

Did these people really think they were going to get away with this?

"Ahh, how amusing! How exciting! How humorous!" Naofumi exclaimed, a large grin on his face, and his eyes incredibly wide, showing off the toxic green color

Did these people really think they were going to get away with accusing the Pumpkin King himself?

"You think this is funny?!" Itsuki exclaimed, pointing right at Naofumi

"Ah, but of course! Now I have even more of a reason not to tell anyone anything!" Naofumi exclaimed

"Tell us what?!" Ren asked sternly

"Oh, but what would be the fun in that? If I tell you, it won't be as grand!" Naofumi then said

"Silence, Shield!" The King then demanded

"Oh, but not to worry! I will be leaving all of my own free wills! You won't have to worry about me at all!" Naofumi exclaimed, the grin still very present on his face as he gave a bow

"As if anyone would worry about you!" Motoyasu grumbled

"Then, I will be taking my leave now! Toodles!" Naofumi got up from his bow and turned on his heels to then take long strides towards the doors

No-one stopped him. They either just wanted him gone from their sights, or were too shocked by his display.

As he left, Naofumi hummed a familiar song.

"La, la, la, la-la-la, la la, la-la-la, la la, la-la-la, la, la, la, laaaa!"

-----

As Naofumi went around the Kingdom of Melromarc, he encountered a multitude of new Monsters around in the forest outside the capital. Though, most of them refused to converse with someone as human-looking as himself. But, he couldn't shapeshift now, there was someone keeping an eye on him constantly.

Maybe they wanted to make sure he didn't try to play any pranks?

While wandering the dark corners of the capital, Naofumi ended up in a slaver's tent. In caged all around, were people looking like L'Arc or his father, the Werewolf, but with different animals too.

Naofumi found three sick children in one of the cages, and he was reminded of how Jack had taken him in as a child. Naofumi ended up buying the three children and made a silent note to remember to get the rest of the ones in cages out sometime too.

Slowly, the three children, Raphtalia, Rifana, and Keel, warmed up to Naofumi. They were a bit uncomfortable around him at first, even after finding out he was the Shield Hero.

But, he kept being nice to them, even if he was a bit scary sometimes, or tried talking to monsters.

Whenever they camped out, he would make fog appear around them, hiding them from other people and monsters. He would scare away the humans who'd try to hurt them, and encourage them to get stronger and bigger.

He even made a weird, blue-glowing potion in a pot over the fire after a few days, which ended up curing their sicknesses and healing their wounds. It even tasted like candy!

Naofumi warmed up to the three too. They almost reminded up of Lock, Shock, and Barrel, though much less mischievous. Though, Naofumi didn't really have any other children to compare the three to.

Oh well, they were so cute anyways!

Maybe he could teach them how to effectively scare people at some point? Or get the best screams out of others?

No, he should probably start with getting them used to the dark, and reassuring them that any monsters that would be in their homes, were their friends.

-----

Once the re-trial with the Queen rolled around, Naofumi was getting a bit tired of humans.

Some of them were too easy to scary, and others just tried to fight him with magic or weapons instead. He'd already terrorized the other Heroes, the First Princess, and the King, with the help of Raphtalia, Keel, and Rifana.

But, now he could get even more back at the King and First Princess because the Queen had come back!

Still, he missed his home and family.

Everybody back in Halloween may be scary monsters to others, but they're still very kind. They all just love scaring people! Just like Naofumi does!

He especially misses L'Arc and Therese. They've been stuck to the hips almost ever since they met, and then they were so suddenly separated!

As the trial was underway, suddenly, the sound of Wolves could be heard in the distance, and as if by magic, dark clouds covered the sky, basking the capital in darkness akin to the night.

Suddenly, three black blurs flew by the windows.

"I found him, I found him!" A shrill voice cheered loudly outside

The three blurs came by again.

"You did, you did!" Another shrill voice exclaimed

Then, three voices began laughing creepily, the sounding going around and around above outside.

The wolves could still be heard, coming closer.

----- On the edge of the Capital -----

"I wonder where he could be in this funny little city," Jack asked to himself, standing beside Sally on the capital's outer wall

"Jack, I think they found him," Sally pointed to the castle, where Therese and the two Witch sisters were flying around, laughing

"The Castle! Yes! He is the Pumpkin King after all! Befitting!" Jack exclaimed cheerfully

-----

Naofumi smiled widely as he heard Therese and her aunts' cheerful laughter. Laughter that brought shivers down the human around him's spines.

After a few minutes of the Castle Knights trying to shoot down the three witches flying around, the doors to the throne room burst open.

"Hello, my frightful people! What a truly horrifying day we have today!" Jack exclaimed, arms wide as he strode into the throne room on long body legs, with Sally following beside him

As Sally noticed Naofumi, she gave him a small smile and a wave, which he gleefully returned.

"Naofumi, my boy! Has it been frightful in this new world! Oh, a cloak! Of course! Very horrendous! Perfectly black for hiding in the shadows!" Jack exclaimed once he noticed Naofumi, commenting on the black cloak Naofumi now were over his black and white striped suit

"Thank you, Jack!" Naofumi smiled widely, showing sharp teeth

The humans around them were all frozen in their places.

The skeleton who'd just waltzed into the throne room oozed the presence of death and fear, demanding terror from all around him.

But, who did Naofumi seem completely fine? And what kind of cheek-splitting smile was that?!

Though, at least his party still seemed affected, hiding behind him, and using his cloak as a cover.

"Who're these children, Naofumi?" Sally had come over, asking Naofumi softly about the three behind him

Naofumi looked down at the three.

"Don't be scared you guys, remember what I said? They're friends." Naofumi reassured them

Raphtalia, Keel, and Rifana seemed to calm a little with that.

-----

Naofumi knew why his family from Halloween had come to Melromarc. He wasn't sure how, but he knew why. He was sure.

They'd come to get him back. With how he'd been told they all worried back when Jack disappeared for a while, he knew they'd all set out to look for their dear Pumpkin King.

He felt reassured that they did.

—————

Tagging: @rosesinbloom7love, @zachy-akaya

—————

Personal Headcanons ⭐️:

L'Arc can transform into a werewolf and into a full wolf, while Therese can use potions to change into anything she wants.

L'Arc and Therese often describe Naofumi's eyes as 'Shining green and bright like a toxic potion'.

Naofumi is extremely pale, white as a sheet, and thin, with almost no meat on his bones. His hair is also as dark as the night sky.

The citizens often compare his pale complexion and bone-showing skinniness to Jack being a skeleton, and Naofumi being so much like him, even in looks.

While Naofumi, Therese, and L'Arc went about pranking and scaring people, Jack would sometimes watch, proud of his mentee, but not really understanding the feeling until he read about it, and Sally explained it.

Sally was very happy that Naofumi now had two friends his age to spend time with, who wanted to spend time with him too.

Sally was also very happy when she noticed how close Naofumi, L'Arc, and Therese had gotten.

Most citizens of Halloween don't know what 'Romantic Love' is, and therefore don't discriminate if they ever see it.

I hc that Therese's mother is The Scary Godmother, from the movie of that name, just because. She doesn't know her father, because what Witch actually knows both her parents?

You could also add Kizuna and Glass as people living in Halloween. Like, Glass could be a powerful Ghost/Spirit, while Kizuna could be, maybe, a Mimic, or shape-shifter like Naofumi?

Raphtalia would take after Naofumi in using her magic to create illusions since he'd be able to teach her more about that, and how to do it.

When Naofumi truly smiles, it literally splits his cheeks so widely he does it, making it all the more creepy to humans. L'Arc and Therese love it.

#the rising of the shield #the rising of the shield hero #naofumi iwatani #jack skellington #sally #the nightmare before christmas #the nightmare before christmas au #pumpkin king naofumi #therufumi #naofumi x l'arc x therese #therese alexandrite #l'arc berg #witch therese #werewolf l'arc #prompt idea #writing idea #fanfic idea #long post #headcanons

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anauthore · 4 years

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Escape From Halloweentown {Jack Skellington x Reader}

Summary: When a game of hide-and-seek goes wrong, you find yourself lost in the woods without a way home. Whether it be fate, or just dumb luck, you suddenly find yourself in a far bigger predicament than you ever thought you would be- and it's not just because you can't seem to find your little brother.

**Pairing: **Reader / Jack Skellington. A very slow burn fic.

NOTE: This is a full-length fanfic! If you don’t want to read chapter by chapter on tumblr, please use the following links to read in a different format / on a different website!

Wattpad | Quotev | AO3

Fic Below the Cut | Next Chapter

~PROLOGUE~

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…

Except it wasn’t Christmas, or anywhere close. Instead, you recited the familiar rhyme to your little brother for what felt like the thousandth time. Despite it being extremely out-of-season, this is the only bedtime story he would fall asleep to, and if it wasn’t A Visit from St. Nicholas, then it was out of the question. You knew almost every word by heart, barely glancing at the pages and instead opting to check every so often to see if your little brother had fallen asleep yet. You could tell he was struggling to keep his eyes open, and even though he was on the verge of being whisked away to dreamland, he still held on to every last word.

“...happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night.”

You whispered the finishing line and just like that, his quiet snore filled the room. You gently closed the book and sat it in the nook on the shelf that it came from. You tiptoed away as silently as possible, leaving his dinosaur night-light on and shutting the door before you let out a breath you’d been holding to avoid making any unnecessary noise.

You walked down the carpeted hallway toward your kitchen, opening the fridge and searching the mostly-empty shelves for something- anything- to eat. You settled on a half-eaten container of hummus and some crackers that had been left out on the counter for God knows how long.

You were 17, almost 18, jobless and living in an apartment with your father and little brother. He worked long days, barely ever home to spend time with his kids in order to support them. Despite feeling lonely most of the time, you appreciated it immensely because, in the end, it was WAY more than your mother ever did. Your apartment was what real estate agents tend to call “cozy”; nestled in between the edge of a good-sized city and a large expanse of unkempt forest, you often prowled around outside to be completely alone with your thoughts.

The night was bitterly cold, the outside air seeping in from the walls and up from the floor, causing you to shiver and wrap your jacket closer around your body. The house had no heating; your family relied on warm clothes and fluffy blankets to keep comfortable during the winter, and fans and cold showers to stay cool during the summer. Sometimes, you did wish that you lived with your mom, although you always felt guilty for thinking that. To leave your brother, your father… all for what? Central air and heat? A full fridge? You knew the price you’d have to pay, along with the weight of your betrayal, would be more unbearable mental abuse.

You shook off the idea, throwing your scraps away and entering your bedroom. It was smaller than your brother’s room, and way less decorated, however it was yours. You slipped under the covers and curled up, pulling your knees to your chest and shivering for a while before your body heat became equally distributed and warmed you, lulling you into a dreamless sleep.

* * *

You hadn’t realized you were awake, but you suddenly were. Your eyes were well adjusted to the darkness of your room by now, so you could make out the dark shapes of the furniture and walls surrounding you. Outside your window, you could see the deep blue sky, a star or two bright enough to outshine the streetlights planted on the side of the road. You rolled over, stretching, and got comfortable once more before you slowly fell asleep again, only this time, your sleep wasn’t as dreamless.

You woke once more, the same dark sky you saw from your window now consuming everything around you. There was a myriad of stars above your head, brighter than you’ve ever seen them before. A canopy of leaves swayed back and forth in an invisible breeze, seeming to beckon you further, deeper, into this unknown forest. The ground beneath you lurched forward, your legs moving as if they had a mind of their own. You felt evanescent; every atom within you buzzed with energy but at the same time, you were almost completely numb to the world around you.

Further down the path swirled shiny, white flakes, the delicate crystalline designs somehow able to be seen by your human eye. They called to you, whipping your strands wildly about as the chill got worse, the hair standing on end across your arms and neck.

A voice… a small yip- or yowl- penetrated the sound of the air flying across your ears. A dog? Or maybe something more dangerous… a wolf maybe? No, you reasoned, it would have to be a coyote. You walked farther into the storm, squinting and shielding your eyes against the cold when all at once the sky lit up as if the sun had risen: An almost unbearable baby blue tainted everything in shadow, and then-

You opened your eyes, your vision slowly unclouding to reveal the plain walls of your room, your hands gripping the blankets you'd covered yourself with as you felt your body jerk upon impulse. Your heart beat fast and loud in your ears, sensing danger, yet, as always, there was none.

* * *

School was a drag. The hours kept getting longer and longer, the gloomy overcast sky not exactly helping with the problem. You kept zoning out while teachers were talking, your lids bobbing up and down until something startled you or a classmate noticed and shook you awake again. You hadn’t been getting the best night’s sleep, though you tried not to stay up late and follow the advice almost everyone’s parents gave to them:

Stay off your phone. Avoid bright lights. Go to bed early. Do something tiring before bed.

Hell, you’d even tried drinking warm milk! Nothing seemed to be keeping those odd dreams at bay, and every night you’d wake up with your heart hammering in your chest as if you’d just ran a marathon.

Your friends didn’t seem to notice that anything was wrong, and if they did, they didn’t say anything, so you didn’t bother to mention your trouble sleeping. They talked to you and carried on as normal, commenting on the upcoming tests and unfairly long homework sheets given to everyone.

“C’mon, it’s our senior year, AND fall break is almost here! It’s ridiculous that teachers are just loading us up with homework”.

“Well,” chimed in your other friend, walking beside you as Rebecca led the both of you, “senior year is supposed to be difficult. We’re going to college next year, did you forget?”

Rebecca rolled her eyes and continued walking while Hailey laughed, shaking her head at the group’s antics. You smiled, but kept quiet, following the other two outside through the heavy metal doors into the school’s student-filled campus.

All around you people swarmed into untidy lines. They rushed to busses, ran to the parking lot, or sat idly by at the front of the school. You waved farewell before you parted from the now-duo and climbed aboard your bus, barely registering the ride home. From there you shivered in the mild breeze, waiting for your little brother to step off of a similar-yet-different yellow transport.

When he saw you, he grinned widely, trotting toward you as his bag swang side-to-side.

“(Y/n)!”

He barreled into you, wrapping his small arms around your waist before you pried him off and let him run up into your apartment.

“What was that all about? Did something happen today?”

Thomas shook his head, throwing his backpack down in your living room with the rest of the mess that lay there. “I just felt like hugging you.”

You mouthed an, ‘oh, okay’ before beginning to head down the hall to your room, but, not to your surprise, you found Thomas bouncing up and down behind you with each step as he repeatedly said your name.

“What?” you replied, used to his antics by now.

“Can we puh-leaasee play outside? Please please please!” He begged, throwing his body around the hallway in a dramatic, childlike fashion. You humoured him and sighed, the edges of your mouth threatening to turn upward into the hints of a smile.

“Fine. We can’t be outside for too long though, I have stuff to do.”

“Why not-?”

“Because I said so. We play a little bit now, or not at all.”

He huffed and mumbled an ‘okay’ before practically flying down the stairs and out the door, leaving you in the dust as you halfheartedly ran after him. Once you reached the edge of your building’s property, you glanced around, waiting for Thomas to suggest a game for you both to play for a while.

He asked if you would play hide-and-seek with him, but before you could agree, he asked something somewhat… dangerous… for an elementary school student.

“-but let’s play in the woods! C’mon, it’ll be fun, I promise!”

You mulled the idea over before complying to him- not because you were a good older sister, oh no, it was because he was incessantly tugging on the hem of your shirt and hanging off of your sleeves until your top threatened to come off.

“Okay, okay! But we can’t go far into the woods, it’s not safe.” You pointed to a mangled trunk in the distance. “You can’t go past that tree back there, alright? And no cheating.”

He nodded furiously and let go of you. You could tell he was just excited to be outside with someone other than the neighbouring kids. You couldn’t really blame him- the neighbours raised their children to be socially awkward and unable to chime in or have an imagination. In Thomas’ words, they were ‘boring’.

You turned around, facing away from the tree-line and started counting down from ten. You gave your brother some extra time to hide- after all, he was up against you, his eight-teen-year-old sister. You finished counting and yelled the famous “ready or not, here I come!” line before you began to search for his bright orange parka and shaggy (hair colour) hair.

You trekked into the forest, the leaves and twigs crunching underneath your feet as you looked back and forth for Thomas. Minutes passed, and you started to get concerned about the lack of his presence in the designated play area. He couldn’t have gone very far, being nine and of small physical stature. Still, you called out his name, warning him that he would be breaking the rules if he passed the barrier you’d set before the game started. There was no response, and you sighed, pressing on.

“Thomas! This isn’t funny, you cheater!”

You checked your phone- twenty minutes since the game had started and there was no sign of him. He couldn’t have gone far, but that didn’t stop you from worrying. You called out for him again, louder and more frantic this time.

“Seriously, we need to go back!” You paused for a moment before bribing him; “I’ll make you some cookies! Just come here!”

Thirty-five minutes. You had circled around, thinking maybe he didn’t go that deep into the woods, but he was definitely nowhere in the shallows of the tree-line. Your pulse sped up and you thought of your dad coming home to only you and the police- a search party crossed your mind, as well as the guilt you’d feel if you didn’t find him. Your mind ran a thousand miles an hour, trying to focus on the orange parka. Orange parka, orange parka, orange parka, orange… Orange!

There, in the distance, just past the twisted trunk of the tree you’d set as the barrier was a flash of orange and the tell-tale snap of twigs under someone’s quick, evading footfalls.

“Thomas, stop running! Get back here, now!”

You broke out into a sprint, dodging thick trunks and gnarled vines, following the orange parka that somehow kept getting farther away from you. You breathed hard, and despite wanting to stop and catch your breath, you pushed forward.

“Thomas! Thomas, plea- Ugh!”

Your shoe caught a root hidden underneath the entangled blades of grass and you lurched forward, catching yourself on your hands and your knee. You scrambled back up, limping a few paces before you wiped the damp dirt onto your pants and sighed in frustration. Somewhere in the distance, you heard the distinct giggle of your little brother. You called out again, but to no avail.

You had half a mind to just go home, but when you looked behind you, all you could see was trees. You checked the time. It’s been an hour since the start of the game, which was supposed to be fun, yet the stress of it all coupled with your sleep deprivation exhausted you.

Your pace was slower than it had been before, the overcast sky darkening as time stretched on. You didn’t see Thomas anymore, nor could you find your way back to the apartment’s property. You had been running in a straight line, hadn’t you? You didn’t recognize anything when you turned around, nor did you when you walked back.

You tried different directions, but again, it was useless. You hated to think about it, but you were lost.

You checked the time again, unlocking your cell to send an emergency message to your neighbour detailing your time in the woods looking for your brother and asking if he knew the way back home. Your phone buzzed almost immediately, however not with a message you’d wanted to receive.

Message failed to send. Will try again when service becomes available.

You cursed under your breath. No service, huh? That was great.

You couldn’t just stay here. If you picked a direction and just walked in it, you’d eventually find a way out, right? The theory was sound enough, and so, without hesitation, you began to walk.

Soon enough, the trees started to thin, exposing a well-traveled path bare of grass and debris. A wave of relief washed over you, and you quickened your step. The brown of the earth beneath you became exposed as you reached a small clearing surrounded by a circle of trees with what looked like doors plastered on the front of each one.

...Doors? You furrowed a brow, confused as all hell. You stood in the center of the clearing, and sure enough, seven trees stretched into the sky with seven differently-decorated doors facing you in the center, gleaming golden knobs and all.

Despite your utter confusion, you drew closer to the tree nearest to you, running your fingertips over the carvings and delicate handiwork of the unmistakable Christmas tree. You reached for the knob, thinking maybe it would turn and reveal a secret hiding place or- or something, but the knob didn’t budge a single centimeter. You tried again, in a different direction, but the attempt yielded the same result as before.

You walked to the next tree over, and the next from that one, and the next from that one, trying each of the doors only for them to all stay stoic and unmoving. You still admired the craftsmanship and time put into the designs, regardless of whether or not they were completely functional, settling in front of the Halloween-themed tree and idly feeling the divots in the pumpkin’s eyes and mouth.

The sun started to set, casting a very orange glow on you and the circle of trunks. The rays shone particularly bright on your back, and while the warmth was welcome, you stepped out of the way to gaze upon the carrot-coloured sky. After all, it looked like you were spending the night here.

The beams focused on the knob, the warm light reflecting all around you in an intense glow almost as strong as the sun itself. Golden flecks danced around your vision; there was something so beautiful about the refracted light that drew you closer, distracting you as your digits reached out and played with the shadows they made on the knob. Your fingers barely brushed against the golden sphere, the warmth filtering through your skin and pouring into the rest of your body without any semblance of notice, shocking your system. You pulled your hand away out of impulse, as if you’d been burned.

Your eyes didn’t leave the door, nor the knob, and although you hadn’t turned it- only touched it- it swung open, beckoning you, calling you.

And exactly who were you to refuse such a warm invitation?

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slashingdisneypasta · 3 years

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Here are my weirdest crushes(in no particular order). THIS IS SO EMBARASSING 🤦!

Susan/Ginormica from Monsters vs. Aliens

Megamind

Jervis Tetch/Mad Hatter(but only B:TAS)

Jack Skellington from Nightmare Before Christmas

BJ(both cartoon and Tim Burton movie version)

Candypop (CP)

Laughing Jack (CP)

Pennywise(New version)

Carnage(not like Kassady just symbiote herself)

Mavis from Hotel Transilvania

Morticia Addams from The Addams Family

Dr.Facilier from Princess & The Frog

Hades from Disney Hercules

That Raven from Maleficent movie when he became human for short time

Violet from Incredibles

Embarrassing... but freeing, right?? Haha XDD

Oh this Jervis???

Cartoon characters man, am I right? Ahhhhhh...

HEY, at least your Monsters Vs Aliens crush doesn't have a BIG ASS COKROACH HEAD! I totally get Ginormica, she is AMAZING. I love her so much too. GINORMAWIFE. Fuckin Derek. Don' t you hate him? I so wanted Link or the General to punch him in the face or something. What B.O.B did was great too though XD

Omg Mavis is so cute, I can so see where you're coming from! And Morticia, of couuurse XD In fact if you like those two I'm gonna make recommendation for you- Tiffany Valentine. That is all.

Oh! With BJuice- do you like the Musical version too?

CANDY POP AND L.J, YEAH! *High five!*

Literally I understand all of these on a deep level XD You seriously have great taste haha XD

#also i am so excited to see Venom 2!#honestly i dont know #but this one has woody harrelson so i am on board XD

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thenightling · 3 years

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The Dreaming: waking Hours issue 11 review

Okay, there’s a lot to unpack here. First the good.

Daniel was actually portrayed as competent and compassionate. Hurray!

Too bad those sparks of intelligence from Daniel don’t seem to last very long when he’s not being written by Neil.

Also I was right that Heather is trans and that was not treated as a major plot point. More on that later.

Though I have to wonder, with all her power, why she transitioned medically instead of magically. I imagine if she used magick to transition she wouldn't need permanent hormone medication. I know it helps to represent the real trans condition but sometimes you want a little convenient magical escapism of making it easier.

Now for the picking apart / bad stuff.

Though G. Willow Wilson is well-versed in faery lore enough to know the rules about true names and concepts like The Unseelie I am afraid she mishandles them a bit. For example she treats the Unseelie like this one specific faceless type of fae instead of an entire fae court of dark fae that usually entails goblins, trolls, drow, imps, etc.

She also doesn’t seem to know that in most depictions of Oberon and Titania they were nonchalant and very familiar with each other’s infidelities. Oberon should not have been surprised (especially this far into things) that Titania slept with Morpheus.

Titania all but bluntly spelt it out at The Wake. I am fairly certain Oberon was there. Where was he when she spoke? Drinking in the back?

In some faery lore Nuala was Oberon’s lover. I had figured that was the reason Titania saw to it she was given as a gift to Morpheus. It was both a means to possibly get rid of her or if Morpheus didn’t accept the gift (she must have known his anti-slavery stance) it would have given a justifiable excuse for the Fae to go to war with The Dreaming and potentially lay claim to the key to Hell in Season of Mists.

Even Disney’s Gargoyles acknowledged this aspect of their character dynamic. When Oberon learned that Titania had a half-human child in the episode The Gathering Part 1 of Disney’s Gargoyles his response was (while grinning and chuckling) “Mother?! Titania, what HAVE you been up to?”

In the Shakespeare play, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, it was pretty clear that Oberon wanted Titania to sleep with Bottom while he had an ass’s head (blatant metaphor) as a means to humiliate her.

Moving on.

Yes, I was right that Heather is trans. I am very glad it was not a major plot point before now. However, the way her “True name” was handled wasn’t as good as I had hoped. I had hoped that the fact that she chose the name Heather After that this has become her true name. But the implication here is her deadname could have been used as her true name. That bothers me.

I always figured true names (the name that can be used to summon and bind a magick user or supernatural creature) didn’t necessarily have to be the name you had at birth. For example Vlad III of Wallachia is more well known as Drakulya (Dracula), the name he chose for himself as a patronymic homage to his father and so got used as his own house name.

In the 1985 Fright Night the character of Peter Vincent at first said “That isn’t even my real name.” But after he undergoes considerable character growth and puts protecting others before his own fear he starts saying “I AM Peter Vincent, the great vampire killer!” The persona became his true name.

True names are NOT necessarily the name you had at birth. This is part of why I feel the previous aspect of Dream may have Morpheus as as close to a true name as he’s got. That’s why he’s credited as Lord Morpheus instead of Dream in The Sandman audio drama and calling out to him by the name Morpheus is how he came to rescue Rose from Funland in The Sandman: The Doll’s House.

So anyway, I’m conflicted about this scene in The Dreaming: Waking Hours. I’m glad the deadname didn’t work as the true name but I would have felt better of Heather had become her true name. That would have, in my opinion, been more satisfying than “There’s no such thing as a true name.”

Something else that bugged me... All the ham-handed anti-monarchy commentary. In real life monarchies are not great buuut we’re talking about the faerie court here. They’re not human. Can you even imagine what the goblins would vote for if they had a democracy? “Okay, that’s 97% in favor of abducting every infant in Manhattan. And 3% wrote in ‘Chilli dogs.’ I didn’t know they could spell...”

It’s become a little embarrassing to me how every fantasy written by Americans has become anti-monarchy. Disney’s Descendants, Once Upon a time’s finale (they voted...), Game of Thrones’ ending, because having any sort of vote in a world that never had any before would totally work out well at that point in their culture.... Even on Tumblr I came across someone who thought they could “fix” the “Dumpster fire” that is Nightmare before Christmas by having the mayor strip Jack Skellington of his Pumpkin King title as punishment for what he did to Christmas since “You can’t learn your lesson if you do wrong without punishment.” Frankly, I’m tired of the anti-monarchy stuff where it doesn’t actually work.

And the deliberately weak argument written for Titania of “But I’m Beautiful and Ancient!” Also what’s with the weird almost-fetishism that she’s still wearing those manacle cuffs? Why didn’t Oberon or even Nuala take those off of her yet since they’re working together?

This is interesting because right here in the final page Heather quotes the very spell that invoked Morpheus. I have been mentally conditioned that every time I see black talk bubbles with white text in a Sandman universe comic my first thought is “Morpheus?” even though we have already seen it used for other characters in things like the Dan Watters run of Lucifer.

But the combination of quoting the invocation spell that trapped Morpheus, the talk bubble, and the golden thread (that resembles Morpheus’ life thread) has me intrigued and I don’t want to get my hopes up at the possibilities.

And still, for all my nitpicking, this IS the best version of The Dreaming to date.

I love Heather. I think she’s very well written. She’s the best original character of any Sandman spin-off. I just think the anti-monarchy ranting is very misplaced in the realm of Faerie. Think of what their parliament would consist of. It’s like the minion of Jadis, The White Witch from Chronicles of Narnia, combined with the goblin muppets from Labyrinth, and the fae from Lost Girl combined.

#The Dreaming #The Dreaming: Waking Hours #The Sandman Universe

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reneg661 · 3 years

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Is the "Pumpkin King" of Halloween Town, and the protagonist of Tim Burton's 1993 stop-motion Walt Disney Pictures and Touchstone film, The Nightmare Before Christmas. Jack Skellington is the patron spirit of Halloween, portrayed as being on par with Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny within his own holiday. As a living skeleton, he is immortal and can remove parts of his body without harm, as is often demonstrated for comic relief. He is the most important of many Halloween spirits, with the implication that their job is to scare people in the real world on Halloween night, though all in innocent fun. Jack is very much an undead gentleman, graceful and patient in equal measures and can usually be counted on to do what is in everyone's best interest. Though his logic is sound, his reasoning can be questioned at times - he was quite thorough in his Christmas research but opted to go with what he and his friends knew when he decided to give Santa Claus the year off and take over for him. He was also oblivious to Sally's feelings for him throughout most of the story, showing that while among the more intelligent citizens of Halloween Town, he is very oblivious at reading people's feelings. This is backed up by the fact that he barely even recognized Santa's distress when they first met. It seems that Jack might be slightly naive at times, as shown that he trusted Lock, Shock, and Barrel enough that he believed that they would simply bring Santa Claus to him without causing trouble, despite them being in cahoots with Oogie Boogie, as well as not realizing all the chaos he was causing on Christmas Eve before it was too late. Jack almost never loses his temper and hardly ever raises his voice, but Jack was unable to contain his contempt for Oogie Boogie and did not hesitate to severely punish his old foe for endangering his friends with grim dedication. The closest he got to losing his temper was when Lock, Shock and Barrel abducted the Easter Bunny by mistake and their promptly fighting amongst each other when explaining that Santa's Door looked like a tree, where he made a face and roared at them to intimidate them. It is also shown that Jack enjoys things that are new to him. He quickly became delighted with Christmas and grew increasingly excited as Christmas was being remade in Halloween Town just as he pictured, even giddily laughing as he gave out presents on Christmas Eve. He is also highly optimistic, as he is very certain everything will go perfectly... that is until he realizes how "Everything's gone all wrong." Even when in despair after ruining Christmas, he is able to cheer himself up by realizing he didn't mean to do what he did and that "nobody really understood" (whether he is referring to Halloween Town not understanding Christmas or humans not understanding his intentions is unclear, though he could mean both). He is also humble enough to admit that he has failed and is willing to hand back the reins to Santa Claus in order to rectify everything.

Jack Skellington (c) Disney Art (c) reneg661

#jack skellington

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descendantofthesparrow · 5 years

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Harry Hook x Skellington!Reader - Boys and girls of every age

@sweetweasleygirl

Idea for a very special Harry x reader Halloween oneshot : Reader is daughter of Jack Skellington and Sally(from a Nightmare Before Christmas), and she and Harry are datng since a month. Reader is a Halloween freaking lover and this year, she decided to show Harry what is Halloween holiday. In the end of the oneshot ,Harry became the biggest Halloween holiday fanboy ever, and he decided he and reader needs to wear couple costumes every year XD

WOULDN’T YOU LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING STRANGE?

Halloween, your favorite night of the year, the night where you could scare to your heart's delight and eat all the candy you earned.

It would also be the first Halloween you would spend with your boyfriend, harry hook.

And boy were you excited! You would show him EVERYTHING, from the pumpkins to the candy. From the trick or treating to the haunted mazes, from the ghouls under the bed to the shadow on the moon.

Everything.

Including your Halloween family. You see, harry thought you were simply someone who loved spooky and scary stuff, who loved to dress up in skeleton style clothes, and loved to scare others.

Yeah…

You kinda nervous as well, you see, you had a human appearance just like everyone else, except…every Halloween, from sundown to sunrise, you would take on your father's appearance.

Oh, you were the daughter of Jack Skellington.

Yeah…that was something interesting about you huh? Harry doesn’t know, and you-yes you the daughter of the king of scares-was scared of how he would react to your Halloween form.

A skeleton, thin and gangly, that struck horror into those who saw you.

And you were terrified that harry would fear you and leave.

Sighing, you glanced at the clock, squeaking as it read 5:00 pm, “shit!” you yelped, standing from your vanity and shoving on your jacket, pulling up the hood and grabbing your bag full of planes.

Plans for if harry decided to stay by your side tonight, plans for scares for the people of Auradon.

“bye daddy!” you yelled as you passed your tall and thin father, he laughed waving you goodbye

“see you tomorrow my little nightmare, have fun!”

“I will!”

You sat on the stair rails, sliding down and almost bumping into your mother. “oh, heading out now sweetie?”

“yeah! I said I would meet harry at 5!”

“Okay, love you, stay safe~! Say hi to harry for me!”

“yep!”

You bolted out of the house, rushing past the werewolf, the sea monster, the witches, lock shock and barrel, the musicians, and the mayor

“Hi mayor bye mayor!”

“hello (y/n)! have you got the plans for tonight's hallow-wait where are you going!? (y/n)?!”

You ran out of Halloween town, reaching the forest and quickly opening the pumpkin door, closing your eyes, imagining the Auradon forest opening, and stepping through.

A feeling of falling and you opened your eyes, stepping onto the leaf-covered ground, closing the door behind you and running forward, leaves crushing below you.

“(y/n)!” you grinned, skidding to a stop and beaming at the handsome bot before you.

“Harry!” you laughed, running and leaping into his arms, harry spinning you around before putting your down. “you came!”

“of course I did” harry hummed, nuzzling into your hair “why wouldn’t I take the chance the be with yeh?”

You snorted, pulling back, glancing at the sun, it was just starting to set, you had maybe 10 minutes before you turned.

You had to tell him...

…

But he was so warm! Fun fact, you hated the cold, you loved fall and winter, but you HATED the cold.

So harry had become your personal heater.

“because I keep doing this” you tightened your grip on him, burning your self into his chest and digging your head under his chin.

“oof, well” harry laughed, rubbing your back “I don’t mind love”

You held onto him for a good minute, before Harry spoke up again.

“so what are we doing tonight? Yeh said you had something teh show me?”

You let out a shaky breath, pulling back and glancing at the sun.

It was setting.

You had only two minutes.

“Okay, so remember when you said you wanted to meet my parents?”

Harry nodded, raising his brow “aye?”

“we-well, I needed to show you something else before that, and please please-“ the sun was setting “please don’t leave me”

“(y/n)?” harry furrowed his brows, reaching out to you, you backed away, noticing the shadows, reaching towards you. “what's wrong why are you-“

“Please don’t be sacred” you pleaded, closing your eyes, letting the shadows consume you as the sun set.

You heard harry step back, gasping as your hand's skin shadowed away and bones took its place.

Darkness bleeds away as you looked up, harry staring shocked and jumped slightly as he saw your face.

“yeh-whoa” harry breathed, but he…didnt seems to be scared? “that-is-so fucking cool!” harry beamed, walking up to you and brushing his fingers over your cheekbones.

“How did yeh do that?!”

You breathed a sigh of relief, letting him play with your fingers. “my dad, is the pumpkin king, Jack Skellington, every Halloween as the sun sets I take this form”

“that’s cool” harry giggled, biting his lip as he continued to play with your hands “you said you were gonna introduce me to them?”

You nodded “yes, but first!” you stepped back, swinging your bag off your shoulder and walking over to a flat stump, taking out your blueprints “let's do some work!”

Harry tilted his head as he read the writings and glanced over the drawing the doodles.

“wow? All yer ideas?” Harry asked, sitting down on the ground next to you. You nodded, leaning on his shoulder and pointing to a particular plan.

“yep! Dad assigned me Auradon this year, and I was wondering if you wanted to help!? This one's for Mal and her friends” harry grinned like a bobcat, reading the one you were pointing at particularly.

“I love it, im in”

---

COME WITH US AND YOU WILL SEE

Harry cackled as you high fived the headless horseman “thanks dude, have a good night!” the horse nickered, letting you pat his neck as the horseman nodded, turning his horse and trotting away.

“oh, my god lass! That was amazing!? What else is there?!”

You cackled, brining out your bullet journal, brushing your finger down the list.

“up next is dizzy, Celia, the smee twins, and Harriet hook, your sister, they are trick or treating right now, ready to scare my pirate~”

Harry grinned, tossing his arm around your boney shoulder.

“aye, my Halloween queen! let's go scare the shit out of my sister!”

THIS OUR TOWN OF HALLOWEEN

Fog, circles around Harriet and the younger vks, skipper and sterling, clinging to her jacket, shaking as they kept hearing footsteps echo around them.

Dizzy and Celia, clung to each other yelping as a figure appeared in the fog. “h-Harriet?! What is tha-HAAAAAAH!”

You jumped from the mist, a red iris gleaming as you cracked open your mouth, leaning over the screaming girls, Harriet squealing and leaping back, falling as the twins made her topple over.

“RAHHHHH”

Harry cackled as you stood still, the two young girls crying, Harriet shaking, and the twins whimpering.

He sighed, stepping from the shadows.

“Alright, that’s enough, yeh are all fine, its just (y/n)”

The twins bolted up, running into his arms and sobbing into his jacket, Harry frowned, kneeling down and hugging the boys close.

“Hey hey, it's okay, nothings hurting you, it was just (y/n), she was just scaring you”

“holy shit that’s (y/n)?!” Harriet blanched, staring shocked at the snickering skeleton. (y/n) waved and nodded

“yeah, sorry bout that, part of my job”

Celia released dizzy, starting to grin as she walked up to you, “wow, that’s cool, how’d you do that?” you made a happy noise, letting Celia touch your face.

“just something I can do each halloween~”

“cool~!”

Harriet sighed “alright, come on, pixie said you guys had to be back no later than 10:30, let's go” Celia frowned but obeyed, waving you goodbye.

“that was amazing love, what's next” harry was giddy, shaking with excitement, he never thought Halloween would be this fun.

You hummed, taking the plans out once more and glancing at them before you chuckled darkly.

“James Hook”

THIS IS HALLOWEEN

Harry watched as his father screamed in fear as dark shadows circled around him, the ticking of multiple clocks surrounded him.

“tick-tock james~” harry shivered, your voice was dripping with sadistic glee “the fear you’ve put on one, ten folded before you~”

James collapsed to the floor, covering his ears and screaming into the dark.

You materialized out of the shadows, your pale white skull stark against the dark. James' eyes widened, and he scrambled away.

“gri-grim reaper! Stay away!”

Smoke gathered around his father and girlfriend, chocking his father.

“goodnight James”

THIS IS HALLOWEEN

As always Halloween had to end, so you decided to call it a night and bring harry with you back home.

Harry sighed, yawning slightly as you led him through the woods, hands clasped tightly.

“where are we going, lass?”

“to meet my parents, and my home”

Harry raised his brow as you arrived to a circle of trees, watching as you walked up to the pumpkin door and open it, gesturing for him to step inside, your empty skull sockets staring oddly warmly at him.

“Welcome to Halloween town harry”

Harry stepped threw, feeling a shiver down his spine as a path appeared to lead to a town.

Seeing a scarecrow with a pumpkin on it, fallen leaves whirling with the wind, Harry looked behind him, noticing you stepping up behind him, grabbing onto his hand, your face still the skull.

Boys and girls of every age

Wouldn't you like to see something strange?

Ghosts whispered around him, shadows on tombs, fear creeping up on his spine as he took in the world around him.

Come with us and you will see

This, our town of Halloween

This is Halloween, this is Halloween

Pumpkins scream in the dead of night

Harry jumped as the pumpkins were impaled, dropping from seemingly nowhere. You giggled, gripping your free hand onto his arm, anchoring him.

This is Halloween, everybody make a scene

Trick or treat till the neighbors gonna die of fright

It's our town, everybody scream

In this town of Halloween

I am the one hiding under your bed

Teeth ground sharp and eyes glowing red

Harry stepped behind you, holding your shoulders tightly as you lead him through town

I am the one hiding under your stairs

Fingers like snakes and spiders in my hair

Harry sidestepped a snake, squeaking slightly as gleaming eyes looked at him from the dark shadows.

This is Halloween, this is Halloween

Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!

In this town, we call home

Everyone hail to the pumpkin song

Harry eyed the four vampires wearily, his grip on your shoulders tightening.

He jumped at a sudden loud voice.

In this town, don't we love it now?

Everybody's waiting for the next surprise

'Round that corner, man hiding in the trash can

Something's waiting now to pounce, and how you'll

Scream!

Harry yelped, causing you to turn around and wrap your arms around him, pulling him away from the werewolf and sewer slime monster

This is Halloween

Red 'n' black, and slimy green

Aren't you scared?

Well, that's just fine

Say it once, say it twice

Take a chance and roll the dice

Ride with the moon in the dead of night

The two witches barreled over harry, one trying to grab his coat lapel before you smacked her, glaring as they cackled away.

Everybody scream, everybody scream

In our town of Halloween!

Harry paled as the clown circled around the corner, ripping off its face

I am the clown with the tear-away face

Here in a flash and gone without a trace

I am the "who" when you call, "Who's there?"

A shadow ripped by harry, making him jump and turn, to see no one there, you sighed, the townspeople were just having a blast scaring Harry, weren’t they?

I am the wind blowing through your hair

Harry shivered as his hat was tossed from his head, scrambling to pick it up before you grabbed it and put it back on him before grabbing his hand and leading him toward the town center

I am the shadow on the moon at night

Filling your dreams to the brim with fright

Harry eyed the moon wearily, recognizing the shadow that danced on it for a second

“was that Oogie?”

You turned surprised “you know who that is?”

“aye, he was on the isle?”

“oh”

This is Halloween, this is Halloween

Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!

Halloween! Halloween!

Tender lumplings everywhere

Life's no fun without a good scare

Harry jumped as two corpses appeared behind him, pushing you and harry forward to the foundation.

Harry gripped your hand tightly, stepping closer to you.

That's our job, but we're not mean

In our town of Halloween

In this town!

Don't we love it now?

Everybody's waiting for the next surprise

Harry blinked as a huge man with an axe buried in the back of his head brought in the scarecrow from earlier was brought in on the back of a wooden horse. You grinned, bringing harry forward, you couldn’t wait for your dad to meet him.

Skeleton Jack might catch you in the back

And scream like a banshee

Make you jump out of your skin

This is Halloween, everybody scream

Won't ya please make way for a very special guy

Your mom stepped out from the shadows, glancing at you and harry, gasping happily as you nodded at her when she pointed at harry and mouthed ‘harry?’

Our man Jack is King of the Pumpkin patch

Everyone hail to the Pumpkin King, now!

Harry gasped as the scarecrow came to life and grabbed a torch, lighting itself on fire and dancing on the horse.

“lass are yeh seeing this?” you giggled at his awed but fearful tone, the one everyone made when around your dad.

This is Halloween, this is Halloween

Halloween! Halloween! Halloween! Halloween!

Harry leaned forward to the fountain as your father leaped into it, his mouth slightly open in curiosity

Corpse kid and mummy kid leaned over the water, singing lightly

In this town, we call home

Everyone hail to the pumpkin song

You cackled as your father emerged from the water gloriously, hands crossed against his chest, gazing at the sky

La la la la la la la la la la (Halloween! Halloween!)

You blew a wolf whistle, harry turning and seeing your dark cold brushed cheeks and bright (e/c) eyes once more. “lass yer back?” you giggled and nodded

“Halloween ended! So yep!”

Harry tossed his arm over your shoulder as the town clapped and cheered, another Halloween over and done!

Your father caught your eye and smiled as you pointed to harry, nodding.

“everyone! I would like to make an announcement!”

The town settled, you gripping Harry's hand and bringing him forward

“as you all know, my daughter was assigned to scare the united states of auradon tonight, and one important detail was, her boyfriend is a resident there! So may I please welcome and introduce?”

You grinned, leading harry front and center, your father towering over the two of you

“Harry!”

“Harry!” your father echoed, placing a boney but gentle hand on yours and Harry's shoulder. Harry looked up at him, oddly not feeling afraid but safe, knowing that the “king of Halloween” had welcomed him so easily.

“oh (y/n)! you’ve got your self a pretty one there!”

Harry twisted back around seeing one of the witches grinning devilishly at him, harry swallowed harshly, stepping slightly behind you.

“he looks delicious (y/n)!”

“so yummy! Can we have a piece!?”

Your smile dropped, glaring at the witches

“haha! He looks like he could drop any second!” the Harlequin Demon cackled

The melting man reached out to harry before your mother stepped in and slapped the hand away

“how dare you? (y/n) brought him here to meet you all, and you all act like this? You should be ashamed of yourselves, go!”

The residents huffed, turning and retreating to their homes for a night's rest.

You breathed a sigh of relief, falling back into harry as he also relaxed.

“Thanks mama” you hummed, smiling as she brushed a strand of your (h/c) hair away from your face.

“no problem my little fright, they don’t have any sense of personal space.”

“well” your father boomed, leaning down to your hights and smiling “I think its time we properly introduced ourselves, im jack Skellington, (y/n)s father” harry shook the bone mans hands, smiling slightly

“nice teh meet cha jack”

Your mother jumped to hug harry, which he winced at but accepted “and im sally, (y/n)s mom! I've heard all about you! Thank you for making my daughter so happy!”

“um” Harry mumbled, glancing at you from beneath his eyelashes, blushing slightly “yer welcome”

“now!” your mother released harry, clapping her hands together, “(y/n) has told me what you can and cannot eat, so I prepared, and had (y/n) grab things from your world, to eat dinner here! And don’t worry (y/n), there is nothing that will make him lose his appetite.”

You groaned, smiling “thanks mom”

Harry nodded “I could eat”

“Perfect!”

PUMPKINS SCREAM IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT

Harry yawned as you walked through the dorms, the sun rising through the windows, luckily tomorrow was a day off for the students.

“that was amazing lass, we have to do that again next year, and oh! What about matching costumes!!?” you grinned, so happy that harry now shared your love for Halloween.

You couldn’t wait to show him your plans for next year

After all, it was only 364 days till next halloween~

--the end--

#descendants #Descendents #disney descendants #harry hook #harry hook descendants #harry hook x reader #harry hook imagine #nightmare before christmas #Halloween

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cryptid-killjoy · 3 years

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The Other Side - A Review

The Other Side. Hell. The Upside Down. Pandemonium. Limbo. The Veil. Purgatory. The Void. The Abyss. The Dead Zone. Dante’s Inferno. Heaven.

Death.

Delta had decided all the signs, names, and labels were all bullshit. In the end no matter which locale whether in terrain or state of mind death was all the same place to her. It was the place the dead were alive. It was her new life. But, she didn’t see it as her after life. She saw it as her life, period. This was simply her life now. The earth was like some foreign land she didn’t care to visit like Idaho or Iowa. She didn’t see the attraction.

Her life with Frank.

Sure, sometimes the earth would find ways of seeping in and reminding them it’s a small world after all even when they weren’t in that one. She did enjoy the strange and unusual and one of her favorite moments was seeing Zero appear like an actual dog. He finally approached her unlike the first time. He brought her some dead flowers. She’d know it was him by the tag again. But, the fact he was in that shape had to do with where they were on the other side. It was a place where the dead could be their soul’s truth, their inner most desire. It wasn’t heaven. It was more like the Mirror of Erised. It was a place a soul could get stagnant and stuck in their dreams. She’d tell Frank a little more about Zero and how Heresy was a foster parent. She still didn’t know him well enough to know she was a foster parent after his Jack Skellington adoption didn’t work out. But, she’d let Frank know he was an okay kid in her book. She assumed he was dead. But, as a dog she couldn’t ask him what happened. She didn’t know him well enough to know his abilities or situation.

Delta’s appearance would not change in that space. Just as Dumbledore said about the Mirror of Erised a truly happy man would only see himself. She didn’t know what that space on the other side had done to Zero, but she was exactly the same. It was a testament to how content she really was with Frank in that new life of theirs. She wouldn’t change one thing.

There were others she didn’t know personally, but saw watching them in the distance. If it wasn’t for music covers and fame she wouldn’t have had a clue. But, she knew it was Lock Skellington. He wouldn’t approach, but he’d be a figure that sometimes was in a crowd or off in the distance if she and Frank ventured out of their own little splice of the underworld. Delta never found reason to approach either, but she wouldn’t try to stop Frank if he found the need. Lock had always been a suicide risk and not because of depression or unhappiness. He had been so obsessed with the other side that when he chased the crows by the graveyard next to the tree house, there were so many times he was tempted to cross. All the secrets were no longer a mystery to him. He was there in the mystery with them and all the other dead.

Diablo would show more than once. That was his magic. He was the space between life and death. Delta welcomed him in. He was one familiar being from her old life she didn’t mind at all showing up. She remembered a time she had considered shutting him out of her life, but she was glad she didn’t. He was the only connection to her mother she was ever going to have while Maleficent was trapped in that time loop. What she did not know was the more often he came by this world was him feeling her transition was coming. He was a harbinger of death and also a psychopomp as well as a familiar. If only she understood her own existence. She’d learn here forevermore.

Arthur would show face more than once, but three was a crowd. Delta never truly let him in. He would see them and it was always like looking through a glass wall with no door with the emotional barriers Delta put up. She only talked to him one other time than the day she and Frank tried to shove him back to earth. She again told him to go home. But, she’d add that the merry men didn’t have her anymore. She told him it was his job now to watch over them. Then she’d refuse more contact if he’d slip into their world due to sickness, coma, or surgery. She wouldn’t give him any reason to want to stay. She’d roll her eyes about the merry men to Frank that day. They were hers. But, they were Robin Hood’s first. They’d be just fine without her. But, if she gave Arthur a purpose in life maybe he’d stay the fuck away. She’d toast to his good riddance.

Then there was Dr. Jenner Chernabog. He’d become the one “friend” they’d see. It’s not like they went over for afternoon tea, but Jenner was a hellion after all. He had access. The first time she saw him she’d stand offish at first because it brought back the moment he couldn’t fix Frank from damage of Oogie’s mind invasion. This one human plague era doctor was no witch healer with magic hands. She just wished he had been. She’d embrace him just like she had the day in the castle she met him finally meeting her shadow stalker that had always been there. He might have been no angel, but he was a guardian that watched over her, much like Diablo in his own way. He would have heard how the pair dealt with the demons of Hell and dug their own pit staking a claim on their own little piece of this other side they all walked on. Jenner would be proud of that. He of all people knew what it was like for Hell to seep in. The madness had taken him long ago, but he owned it. He refused to let it be torture. He became the torture instead. Delta felt connected to that. So, sometimes if they bumped into one another in the darkness of the other side they’d take a moment to catch up, say hey, and move along with their endless eternal night. Whatever Frank thought, he remained “Uncle Jenner” to her.

Time was a concept that wasn’t linear. Pierre would probably know this best. There were wrinkles in the fabric of time. Delta and Frank would feel like it had been years upon years of their time together on the other side. But, earth time did not run parallel with them. What felt so long to them had only been a couple months to all the people they used to know. It had been long enough to plan funerals, and have them accosted as their bodies were stolen. Dr. Frankenstein and Zero worked diligently on Frank’s rebirth putting his pieces back together again. It was a gruesome assembly that required Zero to dig graves to fill in some missing places. He’d reconstruct the boy to best of his mad scientist ability. Victor was having fun with this particular challenge. He put in extra care because he knew it was important for Zero. This was who he was truly devoted to pleasing with this one.

Then there was River ever vigilant on taking care of Delta’s body. He only needed a little more time. He had everything set and perfect for the ritual. The ice cream trolley freezer had been holding out, but it was starting to kick the bucket. It started to make motor noises. He kept his fingers crossed it would hold. He’d take ice out there daily just in case when he got there it had broken down in his absence. River would notice the crow that kept flying around. What he wouldn’t know was it was Diablo or that he was sensing the change coming in Delta and was trying to be there to help her from one side to the other. Her body being so cold was actually slowing down her process, not that anyone would know that, not even Triton. He was hardly a fae world after life expert. Maleficent kept him on a need to know basis. But, it was coming. It was coming soon.

#deltaxfrank #delta head canon #and / or #starter #or if you have any notes to add to how frank would react to any of that #trying to cover most things before I bring her back

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straightupstrangetimes · 4 years

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13 Not-So-Scary Movies to Get You in the Halloween Spirit!

Contributed by Kris Rustic, host of Obscure Anomalies podcast

Halloween is around the corner. Everywhere you look a horror movie is playing. For me, I love it. There is just something about being scared while knowing full well you are safe. But not everyone is into that sort of thing. My wife is one, so I tried to find lists of not-so-scary movies but was having trouble coming up with one, so I decided to write my own.

Please keep in mind, I did try to keep the list more kid and family friendly.

13. HOCUS POCUS

300 years have passed since the Sanderson sisters were executed for practicing dark witchcraft. Returning to life, thanks to a combination of a spell spoken before their demise and the accidental actions of Max, the new-kid-in-town, the sisters have but one night to secure their continuing existence. With the help of his younger sister Dani, his high school crush Allison, and a magical cat, it is up to Max to save the children of Salem.

A must see on any Halloween movie list. Full of light-hearted humour, this film is loved by people of all ages.

Watch it: Amazon Rent or Buy

12. CASPER (1995)

Furious that her late father only willed her his gloomy-looking mansion rather than his millions, Carrigan Crittenden makes a plan to burn the place to the ground. That is, until she finds a map leading to a treasure hidden under the house. But when she enters the rickety mansion to seek her claim, she is frightened away by the mansions ghostly inhabitants. Determined to get her hands on this hidden fortune, Crittenden hires afterlife therapist Dr. James Harvey to exorcise the ghosts from the mansion. Harvey and his daughter Kat move in and soon Kat befriends Casper, the ghost of a young boy, who is “the friendly ghost.” But not so friendly are Casper’s uncles--Stretch, Fatso and Stinkie--who are determined to drive all “fleshies” away. It is up to Harvey and Kat to help the ghosts cross over to the other side.

I may get some flack putting Casper this high up on the list, but hey, to each their own. Casper is a fun little film filled with the right amount of supernatural scares placed inside a package that every age can enjoy.

Watch it: Starz; Amazon Rent or Buy

11. THE WITCHES

While staying at a hotel in England with his grandmother, Helga, young Luke inadvertently spies on a convention of witches. The Grand High Witch reveals a plan to turn all children into mice through a magical formula. When they find that Luke has overheard, the witches test the formula on him. Now, with the help of his grandmother and new friend Bruno Jenkins, Luke the mouse must fight back against the evil witches.

Based on the book of the same name, The Witches is a classic. This may be one of the more frightening films on the list but is still children-friendly. Besides, who doesn’t want to save the world as a mouse.

Watch it: Amazon Rent or Buy

10. THE MONSTER SQUAD

The Monster Squad is a club of friends who idolize the classic monster-movies, especially their non-human stars. One day, Dracula, the Mummy, Frankenstein’s Monster, and other classic horror icons, all of which the club idolize, arrive in town in search of a magic amulet to destroy all the good in the world. It is up to the five friends to save the amulet from destruction and use it to cast the monsters into limbo.

One part The Goonies, one part Ghostbusters, and one part Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, the Monster Squad is a true cult classic that was way ahead of its time.

Watch for yourself and find out if the “Wolfman has nards.”

Watch it: Amazon Rent or Buy

9. BEETLEJUICE

Adam and Barbara are like every other happily married couple -- who just happen to also be dead! Before they died, Adam and Barbara had spent their vacation to decorate and make the house their own, that is, until the fatal car crash. Unfortunately, a new family is moving in, and not quietly as they make plans to redecorate the house with the help of an interior designer. Adam and Barbara try to scare them out, but end up becoming the main attraction to the money making family. They call upon Beetlejuice to help, but Beetlejuice has more in mind than just helping.

While having a special place in my heart for taking place in Connecticut, Beetlejuice is an all around classic starting Michael Keaton and a young Winona Ryder.

Watch it:: Amazon Rent or Buy

8. PARANORMAN

Norman Babcock has the ability to speak with the dead -- and he often prefers their company to that of the living. Norman learns from his estranged uncle that a centuries-old witch’s curse on their town is real and about to come true -- and only Norman can stop it. When zombies rise from their graves, Norman and his ragtag team must summon all their courage and compassion to the limit to save his fellow townspeople. Taking place in the fictional town of Blithe Hollow, this stop-motion film is a beautiful take on the Salem Witch Trials.

I have to admit, I slept on this movie when it first came out. I had no interest in it at all, but then I watched it and became an instant favourite. The humour is a little more blue for a “children’s” movie, but the lesson learned in the end is valuable for all involved. Did I mention it is also well known for being the first mainstream animated film with an openly gay character?

Watch it: Sadly it is not available for streaming on Amazon, Netflix, or Hulu at this time, due to licensing agreements

7. FRANKENWEENIE

Young Victor Frankenstein is a science nerd and an outsider at school, but he does have one friend, his dog Sparky. Sadly, tragedy strikes, taking Sparky away from Victor. Heartbroken, Victor is given an idea of how to bring Sparky back to life. The experiment is a success and everything goes fine, that is, until his fellow students learn of his secret and use it to resurrect their beloved lost pets. Frankenweenie is a heartwarming tale of a boy and his dog, and the lengths we would go to keep our beloved friend.

I consider Frankenweenie to be the sister movie to ParaNorman. Both are stop motion and came out in the same year. The difference is Frankenweenie takes you back to the classic universal horror icons in a brand-new way. Did I mention it is in black and white and has that classic monster movie feel?

watch it: Rent on Youtube

6. NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

What happens to the Pumpkin King when he tires of being just that, the King of Halloween. Jack Skellington is bored of the same annual routine of scaring the people of the real world. One day, he stumbles upon Christmastown, full of bright colours and warm spirits, bringing a new lease to Jack’s life. He plots to bring Christmas under his control, only to find that the best-laid plans of mice and skeleton can go awry.

Originally I intended only one movie per director, but I don’t think you can begin to discuss family friendly Halloween without Tim Burton, especially because you cannot have a Halloween list without Nightmare Before Christmas. In all fairness, this is the perfect movie to finish out the year with.

Watch it: Amazon Rent or Buy

5. COCO

Miguel dream of becoming a musician, just like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz. The problem, his family has a generations-old ban on music. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel steals Ernesto’s guitar and finds himself in the colourful Land of the Dead. With the help of a charming trickster named Héctor and Miguel’s dog Dante, Miguel must find his way back home, meanwhile learning the truth about his family’s past.

All bite. Coco is a Dia de los Muertos movie. I know some of you will complain that it is not a Halloween movie. Truth is, the spirit of Dia de los Muertos and Halloween are close enough for me to warrant inclusion into the list. The scenery and background is gorgeous, the story will tug at the heartstrings, and you will get to learn a little about the culture behind Dia de los Muertos, even if a bit Disneytized.

Watch it: Netflix

4. HALLOWEENTOWN

On Halloween, while Marnie is arguing with her mother Gwen, the kids’ grandmother Aggie comes to visit. Aggie wants to start Marnie’s witch training before her 13th birthday or Marnie will lose her powers forever. But there is another reason for Aggie’s visit. Something dark and evil is growing in Halloweentown, and Aggie wants help to defeat it. While Aggie and Gwen are arguing, Aggie uses magic, which Marnie observes. After Aggie leaves to return to Halloweentown, Marnie, Dylan and, unknown to Marnie and Dylan, Sophie follow her onto the return bus. Soon afterwards, Gwen follows the children to Halloweentown. While there, Aggie and Gwen are attacked by the dark force. Marnie, Dylan and Sophie have to race to get the ingredients to activate Merlin’s Wand to stop the evil and save Halloweentown.

A classic made for TV Disney movie, this film (and all sequels) are a perfect Halloween movie for all ages, and albeit a little cheesy at times. But who doesn’t love the occasional cheesy movie?

3. SCOOBY DOO AND THE WITCH’S GHOST

When the Master Gang Scooby meet a famous horror writer Ben Ravencroft (who may or may not be based off of Stephen King) during their last mystery, he invites them to his small hometown of Oakhaven, Massachusetts to join in the annual Autumn Fest. Ravencroft tells the Mystery Gang about the history of his ancestor, Sarah Ravencroft, who happened to be an evil witch and is supposedly haunting the town of Oakhaven. The gang decides to help the town and solve the mystery of the Witch’s Ghost.

This was tough to pick. We have Scooby Doo and the Ghoul School, Scooby Doo and Zombie Island, I mean honestly any Scooby Doo movie could fit. But I picked Witch’s Ghost for three simple reasons: takes place during the fall, witches, and the Hex Girls, a fictional all-female Goth Rock Band.

Watch it: Amazon Prime, Boomerang Channel on Amazon

2. MONSTER HOUSE

13-year-old DJ is obsessed with his creepy neighbour, Nebbercracker, and his eerie house. After all, rumours of his past have run rampant in the town. But one day, DJ and his friends witness the house come to life. Unable to find an adult that will believe him, and with Halloween vastly approaching, it is up to DJ and his friends to find a way to destroy the house before innocent trick-or-treaters meet their end.

At times, this film is a little on the frightening side, at least for the younger ones. The characters are well thought out and put together. While the animation is not ground breaking, it looks great and fits the movie perfectly. A perfect film for those looking for a fun, clean movie this Halloween.

Watch it: Amazon Rent or Buy

1. GOOSEBUMPS 2: HAUNTED HALLOWEEN

While collecting junk from an abandoned house, best friends Sonny and Sam come across an unpublished “Goosebumps” book. Opening it, they release Slappy, a mischievous talking dummy. Hoping to start a family, Slappy kidnaps Sonny’s mother and brings fourth all of his ghoulish friends (creatures and monsters from the Goosebumps novels) to life, just in time for Halloween. The sleepy town becomes overrun with monsters, witches, and other mysterious creatures. It is up to Sonny, his sister Sarah, and Sam to save their town, his mother, and foil Slappy’s plans.

Goosebumps (2015) is a pure nostalgia ride with a brand new feel and Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween is no different. Trading in some of the humor for a little more horror feel, the movie has a little bit to offer for everyone.

Watch it: Netflix

The truth of the matter is, this list is not perfect and may never be complete, but it is a great starting point to the ever growing list of the Not-So-Scary Halloween movies. I feel in writing this, I have left so many great films off, so I have a list of some runner up films that just barely missed being on my top 13.

RUNNER UPS

HOTEL TRANSYLVANIA

Dracula and the classic horror monsters are afraid of humans. In an attempt to take a vacation away from humanity, Dracula operates a hotel way off in the woods. One day, a brave human makes his way to the castle, where the human and Dracula’s daughter “Zing”.

ADDAMS FAMILY (1991)

A man claiming to be Uncle Fester, the missing brother of Gomez Addams shows up at the Addam’s household. The family is thrilled, however Morticia begins to suspect the man is a fraud as he cannot recall details of Fester’s life. With the help of a lawyer, Fester manages to get the Addams evicted from the home. Can the Addam’s family save Uncle Fester? Can they get their home back?

DOUBLE DOUBLE TOIL AND TROUBLE

The Farmer family is in debt and might lose their house. The Farmer Twins discover the somebody mean and shrewd is responsible for all the family problems. The determined twins try to trick at their evil aunt out of her magic moonstone to save their family home.

THE ADVENTURES OF ICHABOD AND MR. TOAD

Two animated adaptations of classic literature adapted by Disney make up this film, which is the only reason it made the runner up list as Mr. Toad, while good, has nothing to do with Halloween. However, in the “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” the gangly schoolmaster, Ichabod Crane, falls for the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel. Caught in a love triangle with Katrina and Brom Bones, Ichabod fears the local legend of the Headless Horseman. Is the legend more truth than lore?

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS MEET THE WOLFMAN

Alvin loves monsters and monster movies, though he is terrified of them. Stuck with Werewolves on the mind, he believes his next door neighbour is one. Reluctantly, Simon helps Alvin investigate the neighbour. Meanwhile Theodore is bitten by a strange dog, and finds his inner “inner monster” and starts behaving like a werewolf himself.

Did I miss your favourite Not-So-Scary Halloween movie? Let me know what it is in the comments below.

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#halloween movies #family movies #not scary movies #halloween #halloween spirit #movie list #top 13 halloween movies #top halloween picks #halloween for everyone

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alittletournesol · 5 years

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A super spooky night {SHINee/SuperM}

[In this story, the conditions and rights of the LGBTQ+ community in South Korea are completely altered to make same-sex marriage and adoption legally possible. An alternative universe I wish to become reality someday.]

Pairings: OnKey / JongHo Additional characters: kid!Taemin and kid!SuperM’ (except for Baekhyun)

A super spooky night

The clock shows half past five above the dining table when Kibum places the last small bat made of sugar paste on the tremendous cake. He spent his whole day off baking and drawing the most impressive dessert up, also with the help of his boyfriend for the past two hours. Both men take a few steps back to contemplate their work, holding their breath for a minute as if worried they might make the structure fall with just a sigh. But it stands.

Built with three round layers of different circumferences, the cake is all about black and purple homemade frosting. Every decoration is made of almond or sugar paste shaped to represent various characters from a famous animated movie, The Nightmare Before Christmas. The “icing on the cake” actually has nothing to do with icing ; it’s a massive, round bubble of white chocolate with sculpted holes that create the face of Jack Skellington.

Kibum is particularly proud of this part of the cake, for it took him four tries before reaching this impressive result. He had to look for some videos to get that special technic, so he could perfectly pour melted chocolate on a blown up balloon, let it harden with time before delicately sculpting the holes and remove the balloon without breaking the whole thing. The fourth result is perfect, placed on top of the cake and surrounded by little sugar pumpkins. It’s all ready.

“I thought we wouldn’t finish it in time.” Jinki comments, finally allowing himself to sit as he removes his apron. “What are you doing ?”

“Taking pictures of course !” His boyfriend replies as he draws his phone, his enthusiasm showing in the way his eyes sparkle. “That shit took me a day, I won’t let it be engulfed within ten minutes and be forgotten just like that.”

“Sure, but careful with those words once we’ll be there.”

“I’m always careful. Speaking of that, what time is it ?”

“Half past five, more or less. When are we expected ?”

“Half past six.”

“Shit.”

Ignoring Kibum’s laughter at his cursing word, the older man stands up and leaves the kitchen to take a quick shower. They barely have an hour to get dressed and show up at their appointment’s place, which sounds like an impossible mission. However, both men have a certain thing in common : they’re organized. Before time runs out, they’re both all clean from any trace of baking and wearing their costumes ; as they look at each other in the large mirror of their bedroom, Jinki can’t help but snort.

Since they started dating almost four years ago, they’ve been into couple clothes and items, but this year marks their first real couple outfit for this spooky occasion… and he definitely got scammed here. Standing next to him and adjusting his dragon-like horned headdress, Kibum looks stunning in his own version of Maleficent — the recent one, not the one from the very old movie. It has been an idea from their friends’ son, who thought from all of his five years of age that his uncle’s face somehow looked like the dark fairy’s.

The man had found the concept way too appealing to ignore it. That’s how and why he’s now standing proudly in front of the glass, his realistic and expensive costume fitting him as if he was the original character himself. He fully played the game, making his cheekbones look even higher and his jaw sharper by using an easy makeup method with silicon — he’d tried it numerous times before that day, to be sure he wouldn’t mess it up when time would come. And he didn’t.

“Can you remind me about the reason behind my costume ?” Jinki asks, drawing the other man out of his self-contemplation. “Didn’t you tell me that Maleficent has a whole people of her own kind ? Why am I just… a semi-crow and not one of them ?”

“She does, but the crow is more significant.” His boyfriend replies, always serious when it comes to a universe he loves. “The crow was like the part of her she was missing when she became the shadow of her former self. He helped her and always stood by her side, even when she technically didn’t need him anymore. There’s a long lasting affection between them, they’re like… partners in crime. And I wanted to see your handsome face so I went for the crow’s human version.”

“So… I’m your other half and handsome partner in crime ?”

“Exactly. See ? Perfectly fitting us.”

Smiling, Kibum steals the other man a gentle kiss and adjusts the collar of the latter’s black jacket, covered with feathers to remind of the bird. If there is something he loves to see, it’s Jinki wearing black clothes… which is rare, much to his displeasure. But this day, the older man is even wearing a quality wig to imitate the mid-length dark hair of the character, and damn, how good looking it makes him. His boyfriend is about to forget the real purpose of their costumes when his phone rings, interrupting his contemplation.

Cursing under his breath, he plunges his hand in Jinki’s pocket, surprising the latter, and takes his device.

“Yeah ?” He says when he picks up, the deep but loud voice on the other side extremely recognizable. “What are you saying, we’re not late yet. (…) We’re about to leave but don’t expect us to drive fast, we have a whole damn piece of art to preserve before it fills kids’ stomachs ! (…) Alright, see you there. I’m hanging up.”

As soon as he isn’t hearing his best friend’s voice anymore, the horned man makes a face and sticks his tongue out towards his phone, making his partner laugh. Before they’re really running late, they both head to the kitchen to carefully place a huge glass bell cover above the cake, with small metallic ties on its edge to keep it attached to the plate. Thanks to his work in the fashion industry, Kibum sure has a lot of contacts in this world, but he got lucky enough to be in love with a man who, unlike him, knows professionals chefs personally. He has been lent this high cloche to cover and protect their dessert during the short travel from their house to the school.

Once everything is ready and safe, they lift the cake together to place it on a low trolley and pull their coats on before pushing it out of their apartment. They quietly thank some higher entity for equipping their flat with an elevator as they’re being taken to the private parking lot in the basement. With one last, careful effort, they place the imposing stuff on one of the backseats, even fastening the belt on it. While Kibum takes place next to it to hold it just in case, Jinki takes the wheel and finally, they leave.

On the road, the younger man sends a message to his friend, warning him that they’re on their way and will join them within ten minutes. He smiles when he receives a picture of an excited little boy as an answer, the kid wearing fake fangs that gives him a terrific smile… softened by the way he places his arms above his head to shape a heart.

“Taemin is a vampire this year.” He says, more to himself but loud enough to be heard by his boyfriend. “And I think one of the kids is a ghost, I can see a piece of white sheet on the picture.”

“How many kids will be there, again ?” Jinki asks, mentally trying to count.

“Six with him. Seven if you add Minho.”

“Oh please.”

The driver can’t help but laugh, this constant game between these two adults never failing to amuse him despite how old it’s growing. Kibum and Minho have known each other for more than fifteen years and their friendship only grew stronger by time passing ; though, just like when they were teens, not one day goes by without one of them sending some random attack at the other. At first, Jinki had been startled by this strange behaviour but he quickly got used to it as he spent more and more time in their company.

It’s actually by means of knowing Minho through a few classes in common at university that the older man got to meet the man he now calls his boyfriend. And as if heaven had wanted to kill two birds with one stone, Jinki had been the one introducing his classmate to his own childhood friend during an outing, Jonghyun. Since then, the four young men had become inseparable… and while Kibum had asked Jinki out, Minho had found himself disconcerted by how he had been asked the same by Jonghyun only a couple weeks after.

Years passed and they’re now grown adults, reaching the age of thirty one after another. But time hasn’t altered their friendship, nor their respective love relationships ; the first couple is living under a same roof, as they bought their very first apartment two years ago and got engaged a few months after. If they took their time and planned their wedding for this winter, their friends had tied the knot immediately after leaving university. Their family had quickly been joined by a baby, not even five months old, who had looked at them in the eyes at the adoption agency.

The orphan little boy found two loving, caring parents in the persons of Jonghyun and Minho, who raised him from then. Taemin, as is his name, is a cheerful and always smiling child who makes his dads’ happiness and never misses the chance to overwhelm his soul uncles with his catching laughter. He turned five only a few months ago and is becoming more and more interested in life’s little things, which makes him even more adorable.

Though the first days of separation were difficult for his oldest dad, he’s now going to preschool and enjoying every ounce of it. Kibum remembered his friends’ worries about the matter, since the little boy isn’t of the calm and obedient kind… however, it seems he understood pretty well that school and home are two different environments. For this new school year, he is even showing a new quality of his : patience. His school opened a special class to welcome three foreign children who must improve their Korean, and in order not to make them feel excluded or different, their young teacher managed to bring three native kids in their class.

This is how Taemin is now one of the six students of a small class bringing children from three to five years old. Minho used to fear that the extra attention paid to the three foreigners by their teacher would annoy his son, but his husband was clear about it : it would actually be rewarding. And sure it is, the boy is showing a lot of patience when he is trying to communicate with his classmates who only know the basics of his language for now — even the youngest one is brilliantly improving from all of his three years of age, a talkative one.

Tonight is the first time Kibum and Jinki meet their nephew’s friends, though they already caught sight of them when they occasionally got requested by their friends to pick the kid up from school. The only one they know by name is Jongin, a shy-looking boy who tends to transform himself when being in Taemin’s presence. Both adults feel excited and apprehensive at the same time, for they never spent time with so many children at once…

“We’re there, should I park where teachers park ?” The oldest man draws his fiancé out of his thoughts. “I don’t think it’s open.”

“It’s not but Minho gave me a beeper, I put it in your pocket.” Kibum replies as he takes the gadget from the feathered clothes himself and presses the button. “There you go.”

“Why does he even have a beeper ?”

“The teacher gave him a spare one for tonight, I guess I’ll have to give it back.”

Jinki makes the car slowly move forwards, driving in the parking lot until he recognizes his friends’ vehicle and parks next to it. Once he cuts off contact, he’s the first one to get out and goes to open the boot, taking the folded trolley and giving it his real shape back. He’s about to open the back door when he’s stopped by his boyfriend, who got out through the other door. The semi-crow is told to keep his “clumsy little hands” in his pockets and just giggles as he keeps an eye on the way Kibum is delicately taking the cake out of the car.

They’re not even done placing it on the trolley that they hear a way too familiar voice yelling, growing louder by milliseconds passing. Both men look up and have the reflex to shout “freeze !” to make Taemin stop in his race like for the game they often play. The boy laughs but respects the rule and even poses weirdly to make the thing funnier ; Jinki smiles and makes sure the dessert is safe before he crouches and stretches his arms, welcoming his nephew with a hug.

“Don’t bite me, I wanna live !” He whines before making Taemin move backwards, holding his arms to look at him. “How scary you are, are those real teeth ?!”

“Daddy said to say yes so yes the toothies are real ones !” The boy replies, lisping a bit, before he stands in awe when he sees his other uncle. “Woah ! You look like the real one !”

“That’s the secret, kiddo.” Kibum winks at him before he crouches in his turn, whispering at the kid’s ear. “I am the real one.”

“Stop lying ~”

Their nephew is still laughing and inspecting Maleficent’s horns on his uncle’s head when the three of them are eventually joined by an incredible person. Both men have to look twice before they recognize the man wearing a long, grey toga with shattered tails, his skin painted in a sick-looking shade of grey and his usually blonde hair raised on his head… sprayed with a blazing blue colour.

“Jonghyun, is that you ?” Kibum opens his eyes wide before bursting into laughter. “How the hell did you make your hair stand like that !”

“Lots of gel.” Taemin’s father says before hugging his friends. “Look at us, Bum. Hades and Maleficent, two dark villains !”

“Dark and sarcastic, for sure you chose well.” Jinki comments as he grants the kid’s request and holds him on his hip. “Are we late ?”

“Not at all, the teacher was about to tell the rules and Minho is busy putting make up on one of the children. Taemin, you’re old enough to walk by yourself so get back on your feet. Uncle is old you know.”

“Oh really ? Taeminnie, let’s show your dad I’m not old. Let’s race !”

“Yeeeeeeees !”

The boy keeps screaming as he’s being put on the ground and starts running towards the school, followed by a giggling adult losing black feathers on his way. Remaining alone in the parking lot, Jonghyun and Kibum roll their eyes and laugh together, as the latter closes the car and pushes the trolley. Led by the eldest one, both men peacefully reach the building and head directly to the kitchens where a fridge was emptied beforehand to welcome the cake. Carefully, they place it in the cool and finally join the only lively classroom in the whole place.

The room is small, for it’s made to welcome only six children, but it’s nicely arranged. The desks are gathered to make one big table with six chairs around it, two on each side so students sit by pairs. The last side is empty but overlook the board so it would have been stupid to place people here. In a corner, there are a few small shelves filled with books for every age, and comfortable couches and mats on the floor ; Kibum smiles, remembering his own hometown’s preschool that had a similar calm space in each classroom.

But the place is far from being calm at this moment, half a dozen of kids expressing their joy and excitement by running here and there, making the most of their costumes. Only one is sitting without moving, and the horned man holds on his laughter when he sees his tall best friend so focused on the white skull he is painting on the kid’s face. Minho is so busy he doesn’t even notice his friends arrived, but the latter surely notices his costume : a well-done monster of Frankenstein, with old rags as clothes, scars drawn on random spots of his body and fake nut and bolts popping out of his head and neck.

“Good evening, you must be Mr. Kim ?” A young man dressed as an enchanter with night blue clothes welcomes Kibum with a bow and a smile. “I am Mr. Byun, teacher to this little bunch of kids.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, I think you met my partner once ?” The other man returns the greetings. “He picks Taemin up sometimes.”

“Oh, yes. I had to speak with him once because his nephew had fought a little that day. But let’s not talk about school tonight, we’re here to have fun after all !”

“That’s right, and I’m done with everyone’s makeup !” Minho speaks in as he approaches the men talking while wiping his hands. “Look at you, how comes you’re always giving your utmost with Halloween costumes ?”

“Halloween is my time of the year, dear.” Kibum laughs, giving his friend a hug. “I see you’ve been busy, did you help every kid ?”

“Yup ! They came with only their costumes in a bag so everything was done here. How long did we take to get everything ready, Baekhyun ?”

“Two hours I would say.” The teacher replies, glancing at the window while the newcomer gets surprised at the sudden informal talk. “But the sun is setting now so we should get started.”

Saying this, the young man claps his hands a few times to gather the six kids, who immediately stop their races and games to sit on their respective chair — Jinki, who sneakily joined his boyfriend’s side, shows him how each chair has a name written on its back. The two couples remain quiet as they watch Baekhyun explain the rules to respect once they will be outside for their sweets hunt. All children are looking at him, paying attention and showing their best side. Jonghyun and Minho can’t help but stare at their son with pride, although Taemin isn’t that calm and silent when they’re home.

When the teacher is done, Kibum starts moving as he expects the hunt to start, but he’s surprised by a language he doesn’t know. Looking up with raised eyebrows, he realizes Baekhyun is repeating himself while looking at a particular kid dressed as a ghost — quite tall for his age, his doe eyes staring at the adult’s lips.

“This one is Yukhei.” Minho slightly leans on to whisper to his best friend’s ear, Jinki listening as well. “He is from Hong Kong but he arrived only three months ago so he can’t understand Korean yet, except basics salutations and a couple of questions you ask a teacher during class.”

“I see…” His elder nods. “How old is he ? He’s tall…”

“He’s four years old.”

“You’re kidding ?”

“I was the same when I was his age, it doesn’t really bother me. Jonghyun is bothered.”

“I’m not.” The flaming blue haired man retorts though he keeps looking at the kids.

“So… Kibum told me there are three foreign kids ?” Jinki asks. “Who are the other two ?”

The oldest man just has time to finish his question when Baekhyun switches languages again, this time looking at the boy who chose to be dressed as a particularly notorious clown — Pennywise, character from a not-really-for-children movie. This makes Kibum frown.

“Does he know the clown he’s dressed as ?” He can’t help but ask. “I almost pissed my pants watching that movie and I’m twenty-seven, don’t tell me he knows about it ? What is he, four ?”

“Five, and he only asked me to paint his face like a clown in a horror movie.” His tall friend laughs. “He doesn’t really know what I did to him, but I’m glad you recognized the character. I might have some talent.”

“Sure, Frankenstein. How did he ask, since the teacher is talking to him in another language ?”

“He’s been here for two years now so he speaks a bit more than basic Korean. Enough to ask me something without stuttering ! He’s doing well but he’s already bilingual, he speaks English.”

“That explains why the teacher is speaking in English now…” The crow man wonders. “Why not the kid’s mother tongue ?”

“He is from Thailand, but Baekhyun doesn’t speak thai so. I would love to tell you his name but I can’t memorize it. Taemin calls him Ten, and the other kids too.”

Both men nod and keep listening to Baekhyun, who’s lifting his fingers one after another as he announces the rules to the kid nicknamed Ten. Kibum mentally bets on the next and last kid he will addresses… but finds himself completely wrong. The young teacher crouches before the smallest, and certainly the youngest kid of the group and asks him if he understood what he just told his classmate. The child seems to hesitate but he eventually shakes his head, what makes the adult smile and repeat his words, in English as well. Slowly, using hands gestures as well.

“English again ?” Jinki raises his eyebrows.

“Mark is Canadian.” Jonghyun replies, beating his husband to it. “But he’s only three so even in his mother tongue, it’s still a bit difficult. Even more when he’s also learning Korean.”

“Three years old… is it good for him to be in this class ?”

“More than you think, because since he’s learning two languages at the same time, it’s better for him to be in a smaller class with few other kids who also are in his case, than in a big group with only kids who talk better, if I can say.”

“You got a point.” Kibum agrees. “He’s so cute, look at him pouting while listening…”

“Taemin is taking this habit, he thinks it will work the same with us and we will give him everything he wants.” Minho quietly laughs. “He wanted to have red eyes to go with his costume and when we explained him that he was way too young for lenses, he just pouted, thinking we would give in to him.”

“And then he said that uncle Kibum would let him, so we were mean parents for around ten minutes.” Jonghyun adds, smiling.

“Since the day I bought him an ice cream behind your back, he thinks I would give him absolutely everything without you knowing.” Their friend rolls his eyes with a smile. “I don’t know if he’s smart or a cute dummy.”

Before they can go on with their not so discreet conversation, the four adults get interrupted by Baekhyun clapping his hands once as he’s done with his speech. The six kids get up all together and go to the low coat rail next to the door, putting their jackets on — with their teacher’s permission, they keep it open so their costume isn’t hidden. The couples smile at the way two kids quickly offer their help to their youngest friend, the little Mark struggling to slip his small coat on because of his pumpkin costume.

“We’re ready to go.” Baekhyun tells his fellow adults as he catches his keys. “Kids must stay all together during the whole outing, but I’m not worried, they have no struggle sticking together.”

“We’ll just make sure they don’t run everywhere.” Jonghyun replies. “Do they have bags ?”

“Yes, I bought some. They have each a pumpkin shaped bag so there’s no jealousy !”

“Excellent.”

Following the teacher’s instructions, Jinki and Minho leave the classroom and wait at the school’s door. While Jonghyun and Kibum will bring up the rear, the six children catch their respective bag and line up by pairs, holding hands — this cute show causes a nervous giggle from the Hades-dressed man.

“Don’t forget, while we’re outside, you keep your friend’s hand in yours !” Baekhyun reminds the kids before letting them leave the classroom two by two, pretending to count them to keep the habit. “Taemin and Jongin, check ! Taeyong and Mark, check ! Yukhei and Ten, check ! We’re free to go.”

The last two adults follow them, switching the lights off, and the whole group is finally heading to their mischievous sweets hunt.

__________________________

Half an hour passed and the streets are full of children wearing various costumes, their adult relatives not always playing this game but showing their involvement in other ways. For sure, the joyfully spooky group wandering with five grown adults disguised for the occasion and six kids blathering around them draws people’s attention. Among them, Jonghyun and Kibum definitely catch a few children’s eye, to the point they even took pictures with perfect strangers… making their own bunch of monsters jealous.

But these little mishaps are quickly forgotten as the pumpkin shaped bags are getting filled more and more by time passing. People opening their doors always come with their hands full of sweets, some with homemade pastries containing pumpkin or lollipops with ghosts, bats or spiders shapes. What makes the school’s group more special is the way three voices stand out when shouting the famous trick or treats, their respective accent or light pronunciation mistakes easy to hear. It only moves whoever they visit to ask for their sweet treasure, the cute little Mark often getting an extra piece.

But night is falling and it becomes darker outside, which forces the teacher to gather his students and keep them around to always have an eye on them. If they were given some freedom at the beginning, though they were well watched, it isn’t possible anymore and Baekhyun earns some pouts and whines in return. Fortunately, a simple stare from him added to Jonghyun and Minho’s quiet, disapproving look is enough for all children to stop any attempt of protesting. It is announced that they will resume their hunt for twenty more minutes before heading back to the school, and it’s Kibum who soothes the sudden tensed atmosphere.

“Kids, what’s with those faces ?” He asks, crouching to be at their eyes’ level. “It’s like a race, isn’t it ? Let’s gather as many sweets we can within twenty minutes, then you will all be rewarded by the biggest cake you’ve ever seen !”

“Cake ?” Yukhei’s eyes seem to light up as he perfectly understood that word.

“Yes, a cake I made especially for you, but it grew a head on our way to the school ! What if we spend too much time outside and it grows legs ? And runs away ?”

“Oh no !” Jongin and Taemin cry out, making the adults giggle since they’re the oldest children in the group, yet the most oblivious about the trick.

“See ?” Jonghyun smiles while he leans on to wipe some dirt on his son’s cheek — how did he even get it ? “We must be fast if we don’t want the cake to escape. So no more talking, it’s wasting time ! Go, fetch some more candies !”

The previous disappointment makes space for a whole new excitement, five little heads bouncing away as they start running to another house. Despite him calling them back to respect the rule, Baekhyun finds himself completely out of the picture ; as he follows them close, he’s joined by Minho who tends to have a well-needed authority on all these kids. The only child who doesn’t follow is Mark, the boy holding his bag of candies with both his small hands and yawning.

“Are you alright, sweetheart ?” The Hades-dressed man asks him, making the kid look up at him with innocent eyes.

“You okay ?” Kibum asks in his turn, choosing English and pointing at the bag. “Want me to hold this ?”

“Ho’d me pwease.” Mark answers as he stretches his arms towards the horned man and drops his treasure.

Surprised at first, the adult hesitates but is quickly defeated by the child’s adorable pout ; instead of taking him in his arms, he crouches and lets Jinki place Mark on his shoulders.

“Hold there.” The oldest man says as he motions the boy’s hands to the horns. “Don’t let them go !”

Once the kid is safe and resting on Kibum’s shoulders, his little face fitting perfectly between the horns with his chin on the top of the adult’s head, the latter’s boyfriend picks the bag up and puts some fallen sweets inside before the four of them join the group of monsters threatening neighbors with evil tricks and laughters. Although one of the children isn’t with his friends, Taeyong is always making sure to ask for extra candies, showing their younger classmate behind with his polite hand to prove he’s not asking for himself.

The twenty minutes go by rather quickly, neither the kids nor the adults realizing it. At some point, Minho is holding Ten on his back and Yukhei’s hand in his, while the other three are still way too excited to stay still. It’s almost chaos, but the return to school isn’t as bad as it could have been. The five men manage to make the whole group walk back without even telling them it’s the way back. It’s only when they recognize the building’s yellow door and stickers on the windows that they understand.

Before any of them can protest, Baekhyun opens the door and calls each of their name, telling them that to enter they must show their treasure. He pretends to inspect the bags’ content and to hesitate to let some enter… what makes them even more eager to actually go inside. Eventually, they’re all back in the classroom, sitting around the gathered tables and showing each other their finds. During the meantime, Minho and Jinki bring an extra table for all adults to fit — though they must sit on the floor since it’s quite low.

Within a few minutes and before some of the kids can start bickering about their respective amount of candies, their improvised dinner arrives on the table and leaves them in awe. It’s only a few sandwiches, but cut in pieces that form the shapes of several Halloween creatures and objects — pumpkins, bats, witches’ hats or ghosts. The flavors are different to suit everyone’s taste, and both kids and adults don’t need to be asked twice before they start devouring whatever is under their reach.

The whole table is a joyful mess of chit-chat and sharing of food among the children ; Taeyong keeps grabbing new pieces of sandwiches and gives them to his friends before taking one for himself, which touches the adults’ hearts. So young and already so caring… while Taemin is literally kneeling on his chair and almost throwing his body on the table to catch what he wants, to the despair of his parents.

“Are you behaving like that at home ?” Minho frowns at him, making his son immediately sit properly and offer both his open hands so his father can give him the sandwich he wants. “That’s better, eat well. Babe, what do you want ?”

“I’m saving myself for later, don’t mind me.” Jonghyun smiles, though he blushes at the way he’s called by his husband in front of so many people. “Eat, I’m waiting for the cake.”

“Yah, will you ask me what I want ?” Kibum suddenly teases his boyfriend, the latter immediately straightening up and swallowing his own food. “No, Jinki, I’m kiddi—”

“There, a whole plate for you !” Jinki offers him a few pieces at once and pouring water in his glass. “Want more, baby ?”

“You asked for it, why are you even blushing.” The tallest man laughs heartily, nudging his best friend whose face turned red.

“Can I have ?”

Mark’s sudden intervention as he pokes Kibum’s arm and points at a sandwich is welcomed with quite a relief from the latter. The horned man immediately grants the kid’s request and makes sure to give him all the attention he needs to forget about his annoying friends — sometimes he hates himself for indeed asking for it and not owning up to what he’s done. He’s so sweating after a few minutes that he makes the huge mistake to remove his headdress and scares the youngest children, what obviously is another occasion for him to be kindly mocked by his friends.

He finds a way to escape and breathe some fresh air when no more sandwich can be seen on the table and it’s thus time for dessert. As he stands up and heads to the kitchen, Jinki following him to lend a hand and stealing him some kisses to make up for earlier, all kids pile their plates up and put all rubbish in one, just like they’re taught at the canteen. As soon as they’re done, they can’t help but stand gaping with their eyes sparkling, when the trolley with the cake finally makes its entrance.

In fact, it’s the biggest cake they’ve ever seen ! And just like Kibum said, there is a big head on the top !

“It didn’t grow legs !” Taemin shouts with his tiny, excited voice as he applauds, imitated by his classmates.

“No, it didn’t !” Jinki smiles. “That’s because you went fast earlier, it didn’t have time. It takes almost an hour to grow two legs !”

“Woah, that’s long !” Jongin widens his eyes and stares at his own legs. “Mine are short, I think it wasn’t as long.”

As soon as Taemin answers his best friend, adults know it’s a lost case ; they take advantage of the smart-like discussion that has all other kids staring at the two talking, to cut the cake. It’s quite a hard task, for the dessert is big and its creator wants each child to have a similar portion to avoid jealousy. It takes a few minutes but every plate is eventually filled with a big slice of cake, a few sugar paste characters and a part of the white chocolate skull. Naturally, adults get a bigger portion but it doesn’t seem to bother the kids.

They’re too busy covering their chin and cheeks with sugar and chocolate, filling their mouths before they even empty them. Just like them, Jonghyun is not hiding himself behind his “responsible parent’s status” anymore, as he devours the cake like he hasn’t eaten anything in weeks.

“I still can’t reduce his sugar consommation.” Minho sighs, pretending to be out of patience. “How can I make Taemin understand why he can’t eat so much sugar if I have this person doing the opposite ? How ?”

“You’re exaggerating, I only eat candies when he doesn’t look.” His husband retorts, filling his mouth again. “It’s too good.”

“I can grant you that. It’s really good, but damn… must have been long to bake that.”

“Tell me about it !” Kibum laughs. “I got up at eight to do the groceries and started baking right after I got home. I’ve been in the kitchen all day long, it’s a relief that Jinki came back from work early.”

“You were almost done when I came to help.” The latter smiles, rarely comfortable when being praised. “My part was only the decoration.”

“It’s a success, that’s for sure.” Baekhyun comments, showing the kids. “Though I don’t know if we’ll finish it today. Do you mind if we keep it in the fridge and I’ll serve the rest tomorrow for dessert ?”

“Of course I don’t ! It’s better here than at my place, we’re supposed to be on a sugar diet.”

“Teach Jonghyun, please.”

Minho’s comment was welcomed by a gentle hit on his shoulder, his husband frowning and his cheeks filled with cake — which made the whole scene laughable. All adults keep talking, giving the children a bit of freedom as they’re done eating ; they wander around the classroom, playing with the available toys or digesting in a calm way. It was quite a big day for them, tiredness starting to make its presence felt as the clock shows half past eight.

It’s at around that time that the kids’ parents are supposed to come fetch them, and Baekhyun keeps alert to hear the intercom. As a way to wait and also to thank the four men for their help, he offers them a cup of coffee to finish this great dinner. Minutes flow by, the teacher occasionally standing up to go to the front door, letting a parent — or two — enter and come to the classroom. Jonghyun, Minho, Kibum and Jinki receive a lot of thanks for their volunteer job, letting Taemin’s parents know that he is always welcomed at their place for a sleepover.

The room is slowly getting empty, and while Jonghyun is holding his son against him, the latter feeling sleepy and sucking on his thumb as he’s being rocked, the other three men help with the cleaning. Taeyong is the last kid to leave and only Jongin remains since he’s sleeping at his best friend’s home tonight. Once everything is as new, more or less, it’s time for everyone to go home and get a well deserved rest. Minho struggles a bit to get Taemin dressed with his coat, the boy half sleeping in his other dad’s arms and not really responsive.

When they’re all warmly dressed and standing in the hallway, Jonghyun holding his now asleep son and his husband keeping the other boy’s hand in his, Baekhyun respectfully bows to express his gratitude.

“The kids really enjoyed this little party.” He says. “It wouldn’t have been possible without you so I thank you with all my heart. They’re working so hard during school days, I’m glad they could have this break for such a good occasion.”

“There is no need to thank us.” Jinki answers, smiling. “We had fun too.”

“They’re all adorable, it was nice being here.” Kibum nods. “Don’t hesitate if you ever need help again, I’m not sure we can be available but you can always ask.”

“I will. And I might see you again, if you ever come for Taemin at the end of a day ?”

“Certainly !”

“We will go, now.” Minho says, a tint of mischief in his eyes. “Should we expect another little party once we get closer to Christmas ?”

Laughing, Baekhyun puts his finger against his lips to keep the secret, before he leads his guests to the back door. With one last goodbye and bow, they separate and head to the parking lot. Taemin and Jongin get in the first car, sitting well in their car seat — there is always a spare one in case — and the adults hug each other.

“Thanks for coming.” Jonghyun says as he hugs Kibum. “It was really good, you didn’t have to do so much though.”

“It was my pleasure, don’t worry.” The other man winks at his friend. “And I was sure it wouldn’t only please the kids so I’m proud.”

“Do you want to come over this Saturday evening ?” Minho asks. “It’s been a while since we had dinner together.”

“Hmm… Alright, but I’m bringing the dessert.”

“That’s fine with me !”

“Perfect. Go, you’ll catch a cold, standing here. See you, text me when you’re home.”

“Yes dad.”

Shaking his head, the tallest man gets in the car, imitated by his husband who takes place behind the wheel. Both Jinki and his fiancé get in their and they leave all together. On their way, Kibum looks at the few pictures he took on his phone during the whole evening, never missing an occasion to make precious memories with his nephew — and tonight, with five other kids he kinda wants to see again sometimes.

“I will send this one to Mr Byun.” He says, showing a picture of all kids with their treasure to his boyfriend when they stop at a red light. “It would be great if he can hang it in the classroom.”

“Send it to Jonghyun too, he will like it.” Jinki smiles, hitting the road again once the light turns green. “Did you have fun ?”

“Yes, lots of fun. You didn’t talk much, though.”

“I enjoy things rather quietly, you know that. But I will certainly come forward if we’re being invited again. These kids are really kind.”

“Did you see how the little one always came to me ? I thought I was going to melt.”

“Does it make you want to have a child of your own ?”

“I’ve wanted one for a while, even since Taemin arrived in our life… But let’s get married before, okay ?”

“Of course, love. And until then, we might see these five again for Christmas… who knows ?”

“Who knows…”

Smiling, Kibum keeps looking at his phone during the whole way back. Even when they get home, he tells his fiancé that he will join him in the living room later, as himself goes to his room. There, he takes his tablet and stylus, sending himself the picture of the children and opening his favourite editing application. Meticulously, he decorates the sober photography by drawing Halloween ornaments here and there, without making it too overbearing.

He makes sure to write each kid’s name above their head or under their feet: Taemin the vampire, Jongin the skeleton, Taeyong the cute Darth Vader, Ten the terrific but adorable Pennywise, Yukhei the ghost and Mark the little pumpkin. He then notices the perfect empty space on top of the picture.

There, after a long reflection, he finds the words he wants. After he put the date in the bottom right-hand corner, he writes a title in a funny font that suits the occasion : “A super spooky night”.

End

#shinee #onew #jonghyun #key #minho #taemin #superm #baekhyun #kai #taeyong #lucas #mark #ten #halloween #kids au #fluff #exo #nct

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