Back Porch
Halloween is here, which means it’s time for Alfred’s halloween party! Thank you to everyone who participated in the event, both through asks and voting on Arthur’s costume! Happy Halloween! //
As Arthur walked through the front door of Alfred’s ranch home, he was already starting to regret his choice to come. Especially dressed as he was. It’d been a mistake to RSVP to Alfred’s invitation, even if Alfred had called him afterward to tell him how excited he was that he was coming. It’d made Arthur’s heart flutter, but that was before he’d been forced into a ‘sexy nurse’ costume by his peers. He wished he’d just gone costume shopping alone, but others had wanted to ‘help,’ and apparently, he was stupid enough to have let them.
The main room of Alfred’s house was awash in orange lights and decorations. Pumpkins, skeletons, and witches adorned every inch of the place, and the jack-o-lanterns that Arthur had helped carve were dispersed evenly around the room.
“Arthur!” That familiar, honey-sweet voice called to him, so vibrant and full of excitement. Alfred had caught a glimpse of him from across the room, and he started over, the bear ears on his head and the fluff on his jacket collar bouncing as he walked. “I’m so glad you could make it, I-”
Alfred paused, his eyes locked on Arthur’s costume now, gaze trailing downwards slowly. “I uh. Wow. That’s quite the outfit, ain’t it?”
Arthur felt his face flush bright red, and he reached blindly for the doorknob behind him. “Perhaps I should be going- it probably wasn’t a good idea for me to come.” Arthur’s brain was screaming ‘abort mission,’ but before he could leave Alfred had placed a gentle hand over his.
“Don’t go!” Alfred pleaded, and Arthur almost thought he could detect a hint of desperation. They were close now, and Arthur could see that Alfred’s face was as red as his own. Or perhaps that was just the orange lighting. “Don’t go. You just got here, at least play some games or have some cake. It’s chocolate, your favorite. Please?”
Arthur glanced around the room. No one else wore a costume like his. They were vampires, werewolves, zombies...even Francis, who had a reputation of being a little risque, had toned it down. They were dressed as a black cat, and though the outfit was form-fitting, it certainly wasn’t as embarrassing as Arthur’s own.
“I don’t know, Alfred..” Arthur whispered, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. “I’m really..out of place. I thought at least Francis would be more...you know. But no. I just..feel silly. I should go home.”
Alfred seemed to consider this for a moment and looked down at himself. “I uh...I think I can help. Just..don’t go anywhere, okay? I’ll be right back.”
With that, Alfred ran off, leaving Arthur to linger around the doorway. He toyed with the idea of leaving, but, no...Alfred seemed really sincere. He would at least hear him out. Maybe he had a jacket or some pants Arthur could borrow.
Alfred, as it turned out, had no such plan. He turned heads as he walked back towards Arthur- bear ears still on his head and tail still tied around his waist, but his jeans and jacket were gone. He had on a pair of tight black shorts instead, with “I <3 NY” written on one thigh. He’d also gone shirtless.
“Well?” He asked, chuckling as he adjusted his glasses. “What do you think? Will you stay if you have to share the spotlight?” He smiled at him. “Not that I’m as pretty as you, but if I’m at least half as good, I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
Arthur looked down at his feet, not wanting to linger on Alfred too long. “This is dumb..” He mumbled, but a smile came to his lips anyway and he laughed. “You’re so silly. Yes, yes, I’ll stay, if you’re going to go to such trouble.” He looked up and met Alfred’s eyes, and Alfred beamed.
The party was, overall, a wonderful time. Arthur made some small talk with the other guests, but most the party was spent following Alfred around and having a good time with him. They’d had cake, played party games- Arthur had even won apple bobbing. As the evening wound down, Alfred put on some movies- some scary, some not. Arthur leaned on Alfred’s side as they watched, quilt draped over their shoulders. He was about to call it a night and head home, but Alfred squeezed his hand, whispering for him to follow him to the back porch.
They got up, most other partygoers too engrossed in the movie to notice. Arthur didn’t fail to notice the way Alfred held his hand as he led him outside, letting go only to sit on the back steps and motion for Arthur to sit beside him. He did.
“Arthur?” Alfred began, putting an arm around his shoulders and looking up at the moon. “I’m...real glad you came.”
Arthur paused. Where...was this going? Alfred wasn’t usually like this. He opened his mouth to speak, but Alfred beat him to it.
“I’m always happy to see ya, y’know.” He chuckled. “Every time. I think...I could see you every day, and I’d always be happy.” He gave Arthur a squeeze.
“...I feel that way, too.” Arthur mumbled, and he felt Alfred tense. Apparently, he hadn’t been expecting that.
Alfred smiled, and turned to face him. Arthur caught him looking at his lips.
“Can I..?”Alfred began, but Arthur nodded before he could finish speaking.
“You can.”
