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This party’s a Scream.

followsbliss:

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to judge you if you scream.” While her tone was playful, there was sincerity behind them as well. It didn’t matter to her if she saw his emotions bleed through. “But you can hide behind me all you want.” She set her hands on her hips and straightened up, looking as tough as it was possible for Bea to look. Although her grip was a little loose, as she didn’t want to appear too over eager, she kept hold of his hand as she started to venture forth. “I find it kind of exciting,” she said. “Not knowing what might pop out at you at any second…” She glanced around, half expecting a scare.

Her words brought a shy smile to his face. “I’m not really all that great,” me mumbled. It was nice she thought so, and he was pleased she thought so, but he wasn’t so great with compliments. “And the same goes for you, you know,” he added. “I want you to be able to be who you are too.”

“I made a fort around the TV whenever I was watching something scary. It made me feel safer, being closed in like that.” Max in his own little world. When he heard the noise she made, his first instinct was to pull away, thinking he’d done something wrong. From the time they’d spent together, he hadn’t of thought she would completely mind him kissing her. But he went against his self sabotage and stayed in the moment, gently easing her a bit closer to him.

“I have a very cute scream, or so I’ve been told,” he told her, bowing his head as if to act shy about his comment. Of course he was acting shy, making a joke out of the situation and her comment. “You’re letting me be behind you? I might end up falling over though, I don’t think I’d be able to concentrate on the path ahead. He had to laugh, shaking his head, “Sounds like you need to come to one of our horror nights, those are always amusing, especially as Sky can be a little squeamish sometimes.” As they walked into the maze he let his eyes adjust to the duller light. “This is going to be one hell of a ride.”

“This is who I am,” she said softly, not completely being truthful because there was a part of her she hid from everyone, “I’m a girl who loves dressing up and doing odd things.”

Her face softened at his admittance, and she smiled, “Well if we ever watch a scary movie together I’ll surround you in blankets and pillows, turn you into a cocoon and not let the bad guys get to you.” Feeling him ease her closer, EJ wrapped her arms around his waist and let the kiss deepen, only to pull back with a giggle when she heard someone further in the maze scream. Lifting her head to look at him, she leaned forward and gently pressed her forehead to his, eyes sliding closed. “We should keep moving,” she said softly, finally pulling back and looking around. She spotted Peter and Bea at the entrance of the maze and looked back at Max with an amused look on her face, “Want to take a walk on the other side and help the scare team?”

#para: 004

brighteststaronbroadway

This party’s a Scream.

brighteststaronbroadway

followsbliss:

His reaction was completely adorable, and Bea couldn’t help but grin. She wanted to kiss him again, but she could wait for a better moment. Giving his hand a squeeze, she stared at the maze for a couple of moments. Then she turned back to him, obviously intrigued about the possibilities that might be lurking within. “If we stick together, we’ll be okay. We can face whatever spook’ems might be hiding out in there.” She finished with a short, determined nod and a smile. Given what they’d already seen in the house, she figured whatever was in the maze was bound to be a blast.

Max laughed quietly at himself. “It can make it easier to express oneself. Myself.” It seemed like that concept was one she might be able to relate to. They both liked their costumes, after all. As she ducked her head he smiled, hoping that signalled she’d taken it as the sincere compliment he’d meant it to be. He thought he saw a blush, but it could have been the way the light danced across her face.

He continued to walk with her, nodding at her computer game comment. “It’s all about the tension. The unseen is far more terrifying than the seen.” Although it had only been a throwaway line, the words about big boy pants kept rolling around in his mind. Coming around so he was in front of her, he stopped and held up both hands. “Wait. I have to… I mean, you know, big boy pants and all…” He took a moment and shook his head. Saying nothing else, he cupped her cheek and drew her into a soft kiss.

He let out a soft chuckle, “I’m sure we will be, and possibly a little scared too.” He’d heard a few things from EJ while she’d been talking on the phone, he knew there were people in the maze ready to scare the living hell out of you if they could. He didn’t mind being scared, but he didn’t want to appear like a complete and utter wimp in front of Bea. “Time to walk to our deaths,” he said, the amused tone of his voice coming through, “I’m glad you’re tall, I can easily hide behind you.”

“Don’t,” she said softly, “At least not around me. I want you to be able to be who you are. You are what you are Max, you shouldn’t have to hide that from people who care about you.” She was talking about herself, their friends and of course his parents too. “You’re talented, funny.... somewhat awkward but we all are in our own way, and you hide this light from people..” a smile appeared on her lips, “I feel honored when I get to see it, when you forget and let it shine through.”

“I hated watched Peter and his friends playing those games when I was younger, I used to hide behind a cushion. Dylan used to make fun of me, then he’d let me curl up next to him with my face half hidden in his arm or chest.” EJ let out a slight laugh, “If it hadn’t been for him I would probably hate horror movies instead of love them.” When he stopped in front of her she looked unsure, wondering what was happening when he mentioned big boy pants, he was doing that slightly self deprecating thing again, shaking his head as if telling himself to stop. From the moment his hand touched her cheek, EJ’s eyes closed and there was no stopping the surprised squeak which sounded in her throat when he kissed her.

#para: 004

brighteststaronbroadway

This party’s a Scream.

brighteststaronbroadway

followsbliss:

Bea took a moment’s pause at his comment. Partly because it amused her, as the barely suppressed smile indicated, and partly because it was an…. interesting thing to hear. Yes. Interesting. That would be her party line, if need be. Shrugging, she gave him a breezy smile. “I stand by my statement,” she replied. Connotations be damned.

Given the inherent creepiness of exploring the very well haunted house, the sudden jerk back caught her off guard and she let out a soft cry of surprise. In a moment she was laughing at herself and in the next moment after that she was quiet. Only to be interrupted by a raucous gaggle of partygoers. As they broke apart, she smiled and shook her head at it all. “Okay, outside it is. But first, just one quick preparation…” Moving back to him, she kissed him softly. It might not have been long or been a moment, but it was something. “There. Now I won’t be quite so glum if I get horribly axe murdered out there.”

Max’s mouth twisted to the side as he considered the question. “That depends on if they’re corporeal. If they’re corporeal, then it’s clobberin’ time.” He paused for a second before continuing with, “Unless you have secret, mystical powers I don’t know about that could be of use? Other than your otherworldly beauty, of course.” And he had to grimace at himself a little. Despite best intentions, he really wasn’t the kind of guy that could deliver any kind of line like that with that Bond-esque appeal. If nothing else, the words were genuine.

Wanting to make a swift recovery, he was happy to indulge her Oz desires. “I’ve heard this before from girls. And I can see their point. But some of us have to settle for the hand we’ve been dealt.” Without a doubt, he viewed himself as a Xander. Deciding to take her not pulling her hand away as a good sign, he smiled at her. “Now that only intrigues me more. We’re out to discover.”

All of the words he was going to say were forgotten the moment he felt his lips on her own, the kiss was too short for him, not having much of a chance to react. At her words he gave her a lopsided smile and took her hand, heading back down the stairs and outside into the gardens. “Holy shit,” he muttered as he saw what must be the start of the maze. “I think we might have more to worry about that axe murderers.” He was playing of course, Peter knew that nothing back would really come to any of them, but they would probably have a fright or two.

“Clobberin’ time. I think in the span on ten minutes you’ve gone through about 5 different characters, but I think I’d rather be stuck with a ghost than the Hulk..” She fell silent for a moment and looked up at the sky, “Sun’s gettin real low.” His next comment took her by surprise and she ducked her head, blushing as she did, thank god the lights in their area started to flicker.

“Come on Scuttle, adventure is right around the corner,” she glanced at him, an amused look in her eyes, “It’s time to strap on those big boy pants.” Letting her hands slip from his she motioned for him to carry on, “It’s like the moment in a computer game where the video kicks in and you know something bad is going to happen, but you don’t know what.”

#para: 004

brighteststaronbroadway

This party’s a Scream.

brighteststaronbroadway

followsbliss:

“Anything Alice is something I can get behind,” Bea said with a smile. “Though I am curious how you make a steampunk Iron Man costume. I’ll have to pick her brain about all this some time.” It was incredibly interesting, and from what she had seen so far, Bea was incredibly impressed with EJ’s work. Although it seemed to be much more her, Peter and Max’s remit, Bea didn’t feel like she was completely out of the loop. After all, that was what being incessantly curious and questioning was for.

Max gave a nod. “I’ve been to a couple of conventions. Not as many as I could have done - I never thought the outfits I cobbled together were up to scratch.” He assumed that the implication that perhaps he could seek EJ’s help with that was implicit. Although he knew, in part, that the outfit didn’t really matter, aesthetics were still important to him in that regard. Like not creating something that was decent was a reflection on him as an artist.

As the kind comments continued, Max looked down and waved a hand. “It’s another string to the bow. A different experience, painting on, well, skin like that. Compared to just someone’s face or hands, which I have done before…” He stopped himself there, aware he was starting to babble. Avoiding looking at the two for a moment, he was glad for the simple fact that Bea was graciously silent enough not to add to his lingering embarrassment. “A decent amount of clothes must be a unique experience for you,” he teased. “Let’s hope the ladies at this party don’t mourn too much.” Used to ribbing Peter like that, he didn’t really think about the words until he’d said them. He went to apologise but was interrupted by Bea laughing.

“It’s a sad day for us all,” she responded, mock sad. “But there will always be Instagram pictures of other costumes. Which no girl I know stalks and swoons over, at all.” Taking the offered drink, she cast an oh so innocent look off to the side and took a sip. “Nope… I don’t think I can see her…” she said. “Do we get any clues about what we’re looking for?”

“You’re an Alice fan? Something else you and EJ have in common.” An amused smile crossed his lips, “Well it’s more pistons and rivets than the actual costume. Parts of the design remind me of old fashioned divers suits.” Peter didn’t mind the questions, he felt showing off EJ’s artistic side was a way for the world to see a glimpse of the person she hid, it’s probably why she was so adamant about Max and his artwork, it was a way for people to see him too.

“I always find the games amusing, EJ’s quite a dab hand at umbrella fencing.” He had to laugh at that, the game was ridiculous, but fun to watch. It wasn’t the kind of fencing he’d have done with an umbrella, there wasn’t enough action for him, “Tea dueling it more my scene,” he had to laugh at that as he was sure that Bea had no idea what he was talking about.

Watching Max, he looked over at Bea nudged her carefully, “Imagine how he’d be if his subject was wearing nothing but nipple covers and a thong.” Peter knew it wasn’t nice to tease,but he couldn’t help himself, if he was going to start spending more time with their group, he’d need to get used to that kind of comment. Barking out a laugh Peter shook his head, “I think the ladies will be very thankful not to get poked in the eye by my cold nipples.. well all except this giant.” He motioned towards Bea with his thumb. “You would have had to watch out though mate.”

Bea’s comment made Peter roll his eyes, although secretly he was please at the thought she might be doing just that. He wasn’t someone who would shy from feelings or intentions but he didn’t want to push or jinx anything that might be happening here. Slow and natural was the best course in his mind. “Well, for her, thanks to a certain TV show, Halloween is a come as you aren’t night.” He looked around the room, “Okay, I’ll give you three options. You have her. her or her?”

#para: 004

brighteststaronbroadway

This party’s a Scream.

brighteststaronbroadway

followsbliss:

“You do steampunk stuff as well?” It didn’t really surprise her, given how enthused he seemed about costumes, but it was another new piece of information about him. She looked over to Max, wanting to keep him in the mix and not have him feel like a third wheel. “Are you a steampunk guy as well?”

With a smile, Max nodded. “I am a steampunk guy as well, yes. So obviously I can appreciate the costumes.”

“Ah, another world I can be introduced to. Max, I will be hitting up your knowledge, just so you’re aware,” Bea told him. In return, she got Max raising his hands in the air, playfully resigned to his fate.

Attention going back to Peter, she looked thoughtful. “It was my brother Jules who first coined it, really. Karolina is a peaceful free spirit and we have that in common. Plus being an alien, she felt like she didn’t quite fit and that’s something I can kind of relate to, too.” She didn’t want to go into too much detail and bore him. Or, if she was completely truthful, put him off whatever might be going on between them. While she was open, no one ever showed all of their cards. “But I should let Max tell you about the whole thing, really. He’s the one who brought it all together.”

A blush rose in Max’s cheeks, both at Peter’s question about the painting and Bea’s praise. “It took a good couple of hours. I know it doesn’t look like much but there were layers and blending and such…” He cleared his throat, still wary of sounding bigheaded. As far as he was concerned, the work he’d done genuinely looked like something anyone could have done. “But what about you? What inspired your costume choice?” he asked, keen to change the subject and keen to know. And judging by the way Bea looked at Peter with an eager gaze, she was equally as interested.

“Yeah, EJ is into it more than I am, the classic Steampunk I mean, I like the twists you can have with other genres and themes. She’s designed some cracking Marvel and DC steampunk outfits, although I think her Alice in Wonderland ones are some of the most interesting.” He laughed, “Although her idea of an Iron Man costume is pretty impressive too.” Hearing Steampunk was something Max liked made him smile, it was something else the other man and his sister had in common, “Ever been to any of the conventions?”

He listened to her explain the connection with herself and her choice of costume, and while it made him smile a part of it made him feel sad. He didn’t like the idea of her feeling as if she didn’t quite fit, it was a feeling he’d once known himself and he’d not liked. Filing the information away for a later date, Peter wanted to talk to her about what she’d said, maybe try to understand why she’d felt that way.

A soft chuckle left his lips as they stepped further into the building, “Take the praise dear boy, it’s good work. Trust me I know how long those things take, I’ve seen many done at conventions.” His sister was right, Max really didn’t know how to take a compliment. “Honestly the costume was all EJ, I told her I wanted to be something comic based where I wore a decent amount of clothes, due to the weather, and she chose Logan and put the twist on it. I think it’s because he’s one of the first comic characters she read of mine. His origin story.”

“We should get drinks,” he motioned towards a group of tables with his hand, one filled with snacks and candy, the other with drinks and two girls in costume handing them out. "Thanks,” he tool a drink, handing one to Max and the other to Bea, “So... anyone spot EJ yet,” he asked with a smirk, wondering if they’d figure out who she was under all these costumes.

#para: 004

brighteststaronbroadway

This party’s a Scream.

followsbliss-deactivated2018101

Both Bea and Max made sure to thank Peter’s mother. Throughout the ride, Bea had been very careful to make sure that none of the paint would rub off onto the upholstery or the interior of the car. Although she and Max had done some touch tests to make sure it wasn’t too easily removed, she didn’t want to take any chances.

After carefully exiting the car, she paused for a moment at Peter’s offer. EJ’s creating was fabulous and again, she didn’t want to mess it up. Rather than link arms fully with him, she put a hand on his wrist and quickly explained, “I don’t want to wreck your costume. Not this early in the night, at least.” She flashed him a smile. Her own outfit was nowhere near as elaborate as Peter’s or Max’s but she had chosen it deliberately to make the focus on Max’s beautiful handiwork. As EJ had urged, she had approached Max for assistance and while he’d been somewhat reluctant at first, she had managed to talk him round. He’d even managed to make her hair techicolour and shimmery. Incredible work.

“I am super excited to see what’s going on in there,” she said. “And…” Turning to Peter, she smiled. “I really like your hat.”

Max adjusted the gas canisters and blade holders he’d so painstakingly constructed. They were a tad cumbersome but he was pleased with how they’d turned out. It had been kind of an odd day for him thus far. Despite the inherent awkwardness of body painting a girl he didn’t know well, he’d enjoyed talking with Bea. Secretly, he also enjoyed the fact that EJ had pointed the girl in his direction. Although EJ had made her feelings about his work clear, he still liked knowing the faith she had in him. Needless to say, he was looking forward to seeing her costume. He was looking forward to seeing her.

“Yeah, I’m coming,” he called to Peter once all his costume was properly secure. He caught up to the pair, watching them a moment and catching the comment about the hat. “It’s an excellent costume,” he chimed in. “Not the aesthetic that first came to mind but it’s definitely a more interesting one.” Which was obviously a compliment towards EJ rather than Peter.

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Peter had been more than a little impressed with her costume, well both of their’s if he were honest. He loved who Bea had opted to portray as well as Max’s execution of it, and the other mans costume was a treat too. He was glad that non of them had taken the obvious options when it came to costumes, going for outfits that others might not think of. “It’s a very nice hat,” he said with a smile, accepting her excuse for not taking his arm, “It’ll come in handy again when we venture out for one of the steampunk dos.” Walking up to the house he looked Bea’s costume over again, “So what made you decide to come as LSD?”

Glancing across he made sure Max was coming too, also making sure that he wasn’t left out. He’d done an amazing job on painting Bea, “And how long did it take you to paint her like that?” While it wasn’t as crazy and intricate as some of the body paint he’d seen at conventions, he knew it had taken some time and that it was a job well done. He had to laugh at Max’s comment, “Yeah, the Steampunk side of it is a good twist, both the costumes EJ made for herself have the same twist, it’ll be interesting to see which of the two she decided to wear.” As they made their way to the door you could hear the music inside and people were already milling around and going inside, “Just remember, if we end up losing one another, we’ll meet outside and walk to the car together.”

#para: 004

This party’s a Scream.

Climbing out the car, Peter walked around to the drivers side window and leaned down to thank his mother for dropping them all off at the party. They could have take the subway, but as his mother had pointed out, it might not be a good idea with the claws he had on his gloves. He didn’t want to get arrested for carrying a lethal weapon, not that the claws were really lethal. Plus it saved them all having to pay. He kissed the older ladies cheek and told her to have fun at the party she was attending later that night, then stood up straight, adjusting his hat before slipping on his clawed gloves. Peter would be lying if he said he wasn’t impressed with the costume EJ had created for him. He loved to dress up. Looking back towards his two fellow party mates, Peter walked towards Bea and offered her his arm, “Ready for this shindig little lady?” He asked before turning his attention to Max, “Come on Bub, we haven’t got all day.”

The large building was buzzing, you could tell from the street, pumpkins and graves lined the way, spooky things hanging in the trees. “This is going to be so cool,” He commented before walking towards the front door.

#para: 004 #tpas