Chapter Text
The bus flies and Alex is squeezing his parents hands and praying he isn't sick. He had begged his mom to just open the dimensional door but she insisted every citizen of HalloweeTown should experience flying on the bus at lest once. His mom's smile is wide and he knows she's excited to be back, his dad on the other hand is smiling but Alex can feel the shake in his hand. He supposes if he had grown up here under an abusive father who cost him his powers resulting in him starting life over as a mortal in a whole new world he'd be nervous too, If he's honest he'd probably have a panic attack.
His dad has always been so brave. Alex had asked him how he did it once and his dad had told him he was a coward up until he met Alex's mother. Her strength had inspired him to stand up to his father and help Marnie save her families magic and the new way of life. Alex is grateful that his parents fought so hard since he now knows that had HalloweenTown been sealed off he would never had met his great grandmother, Aggie. His grandmother was a wild woman and a witch trough and trough but Alex loved her dearly. She had been the only one who understood that being a warlock wasn't the only thing about himself that terrified him.
Great grandma had made sure he knew that HalloweenTown had no such hangs up such as who you married as far as gender went. she told him about the countless men and women she had courted in her long life. She was the first and only person he had come out to so far. He knew his parents would still love him. He knew his dad would especially understand since he dated men and women too before settling down with his mom but Alex was still scared. His mom was straight so what if she didn't want a gay son.
Alex didn't like women that way, only men and he was scared that by not liking both he would let his mother down, like maybe it was only okay when he was young but his mother would expect him to settle down with a nice girl and give her little grandchildren. Alex did want kids one day but he knows some parent's don't view adoption as legitimate family.
The bus lurches as it lands and rips Alex from his thoughts. His mother and father both squeeze his hand and smile at him where he sits between them. He feels guilt churn his stomach. His mother is so kind, she almost lost her entire families power for equality he's a fool to think she wouldn't accept him because he likes boys but anxiety was good at making you over think.
When they step off the bus Alex expects it to be dark and cold as it had been in the mortal world but instead HalloweenTown is bright. The sun is high and the entire city is painted bright autumnal colors and many of the citizens wear crazy clothes that suddenly makes him realize where is father got his kitschy taste. The center of town is even brighter thanks to the giant jack-o'-lantern that is lit by his families magic till this day. Alex feels his parents behind him as he takes it all in.
" What do you think, marshmallow? ", His mom says gently.
" Its ....its actually beautiful. ", Alex says in awe.
" It is isn't it? ", his dad asks.
Alex can only nod as he continues to stare. He is at a loss for words, he is torn between being enthralled by the beauty of this town and his fear of the many monsters he can now see walking the streets. He knows most of them are no more dangerous than the average mortal but he has only been around mortals and witches his whole life. Alex is about to asks his parents where they're staying when a shorter man wraps him in a hug so tight his ribs ache. The only thing that keeps him from panicking is his mothers laughter.
" Luke, what have I told you about hugging before asking? ". a young man in glasses and a sweater vest asks as he approaches.
" sorry dad! I just got so excited! I finally get to met my cousin! " The young man says as he releases Alex.
Alex finally gets a good look at the boy. He's shorter than Alex but is wider. His muscles show easily trough his sleeveless trench coat. His hair is a dark brown with streaks of glittered colors that seem to change as he calms and his eyes shine a almost neon blue in contrast to his golden skin. The boy is looking him over too it seems as he bounces from one foot to the other.
" Alex, this is Dylan, your uncle and his son Luke, your cousin. ", Ethan informs him.
Alex waves meekly. Luke waves back with so much force Alex feels the breeze on his face. He figures he gets the energy from his mothers side. Alex has heard stories about the rest of his family but somehow he expected someone who was part troll to look a little more troll-ish. His uncle however looks just like his mother described him, as mortal as they come, no one would ever guess he was one of the most powerful warlocks in HalloweenTown. He opens his mouth to try and start a conversation when he is once again hugged or at lest he thinks it was meant to be a hug.
Alex had felt the smaller man crash into him and his arms tighten around him but then suddenly everything had gone cold and hazy and the boy had landed with a thud behind Alex. A woman in a wild dress of pink and orange tulle runs up and quickly crouches to check on the other boy.
" Reggie, honey are you okay? ", she frets as her hands pass over and trough the young man on the cobblestone.
" Mom! I'm fine, I just got to excited and phased. " Reggie, assures.
It hits Alex then that this must be his aunt Sophie and her son. He honestly thought his mom was lying when she said his aunt had married a ghost, But there sat his cousin, fading in and out of transparency. Alex felt a tingle in his fingers and he couldn't tell if it was a panic attack coming on or his magic reacting to everything around him. He takes some deep breathes to calm himself and the tingle settles to a dull vibration that he recognizes as the magic constantly moving under his skin.
" And this ball of white lighting is your cousin Reggie! " , Alex's father says as aunt Sophie finally stands with Reggie's arm in hers.
" sorry for falling trough you, being half ghost can be a little tricky. " Reggie chuckles and Alex catches a crooked smile that puts him at ease.
" Its so great to finally get to see you outside of pictures! " His aunt gushes as she wraps him in the softest hug he's ever had.
Alex hugs back and greats everyone shyly as the adults catch up. He and his cousins talk a bit as well and soon the three families are headed to Great grandmother's house where Alex and his parent's are staying for the year. Alex instantly feels at home in the warm cottage, It helps that his great grandma has magically added on rooms for them. Luke and Reggie volunteer to help Alex unpack. The three of them head to his room but bump together in a heap as Alex opens the door and sees his room.
Its almost identical to his one back home, same pink walls littered with band posters and large king size bed up against the wall. The large bay window and reading cushion is new however and Alex can not wait to sit there and read. Luke whistles beside him before gently pushing them all in so he can set Alex's bags on the floor. Alex had offered to carry his own bags but Luke claimed he wanted to show off his troll strength. Reggie ran over to the bed and dived but instead of landing softly he phased trough before crawling out from under the bed and trying again. Alex couldn't help but laugh which set off Luke and Reggie.
They spend most of the first day unpacking and getting to know one another. It is almost as if they have been friends forever instead of three guys who are meeting for the first time. When the adults call them down for dinner Luke and Reggie beg their mom and dad to let them stay the night and Alex finds himself hoping they can too. His aunt and uncle are quick to agree and after checking that Alex wants this too his parents agree as well. Great grandmother offers to expand the room and add more beds but Luke insist they'll manage.
The night is spent with loud music blaring trough the sound proof walls, pillow fights and Alex eating a ungodly amount of HalloweenTown snacks that the other boys swear are better than anything he'll find in the mortal world. Alex agrees with them on everything except for the marshmallow spiders, his mom loves them and keeps them stocked back home but they've always given him Goosebumps. The night grows late and Luke starts to get a bit clumsy, tripping over thin air. Reggie starts to fade into thin air and Alex decides its time to sleep while Reggie can still concentrate enough to lay in the bed without phasing.
They cuddle up together, Reggie in the middle one of each of the other boys hands resting on his chest to help keep him solid. Alex lays against the wall so the moonlight can shine down on him if he wakes in the night. Luke takes the far side of the bed, back to the door and facing the other boys, something instinctual pulling him to put himself between his family and any possible danger that may come. Alex surprises himself by being the first to start nodding off. He had thought his first night away from home would be spent tossing and turning but he actually doesn't feel like he's away from home at all.