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Takemichi pulled his hat down over his ears to keep them warm. He was so nervous and didn’t know why he of all elves was chosen to deliver a package to the Pumpkin King, Jack, in Halloween town. He should’ve tackled Akkun and taken his assignment; The Easter Bunny sounded much better. He got tricked with big eyes and pleaded that he was the strongest Christmas elf of their generation. Which wasn’t true when Inupi-Kun existed, Takemichi let his ego win this round.
Takemichi trekked up the snowy hill where the Halloween town door was carved into a strong pine tree. He gripped the strap of his messenger bag and took a deep breath before opening the door. “Maybe you can see Kaku-Chan while you’re here, Takemichi. Wouldn’t that be nice if it's been a while.”
Reaching out with a shaky hand to turn the knob on the scary pumpkin face. Taking his first step through the door into darkened woods thinking about his elf friend who went to live in Halloween town. His green boots crinkled on the fallen leaves on the ground with a jingle. Once he was out of the tree the door shut hard behind him. Takemichi was now alone in the woods, mist slinking around his ankles, and the wind blowing through his hair leaving goosebumps. He took a deep breath and started walking forward just like he was told. Santa told him not to stray from the path, just walk straight.
He told Santa he would rather have a map but the jolly red man just laughed before sending him on his way. Takemichi flinched when he felt the wind on his skin again and jumped in the air when he heard a wolf howl but he just kept walking forward.
“Are you lost?” A voice asked right beside him, causing him to scream, jump and wave his hands like windmills in defense.
Standing there was a blond in a red hood and holding a basket. Their hand slunk into the basket and pulled out a very shiny red apple and took a bite before making a gross face then tossed the apple behind them. Takemichi noticed their canines were big when they did and he gulped gripping his bag close.
“I am not lost, I’m on the right path.” Takemichi was able to get the words out without stuttering or crying, an accomplishment.
The little red riding hood grinned their lightless black eyes boring into his own, “What path?”
What path? What were they talking about? Takemichi had been on the path the whole time. He turned back to the way he was heading and looked down to see the path had vanished from sight. Twirling around frantically looking for the path, Takemichi could feel the panic welling in his throat and the tears that threatened to fall from his eyes.
“The path was right here! I never strayed from it, I was walking straight the whole time until…until.” Here came the tears, Takemichi looked over his shoulder at the other person, “You made me jump off the path when you scared me and now I’m lost! What do I do now? I have to deliver the package to Mister Skellington or I’m going to get in trouble.”
Takemichi sank to the ground and started wiping at his eyes, willing the tears to stop. Maybe he could use some Christmas magic but it wouldn’t be that strong here in Halloween town. He didn’t notice the Little Red panicking behind him.
“I’ll take you.” The little Red appeared in front of him squatting. They reached around and grabbed the back of Takemichi’s head and took a deep breath, “I’ve got your scent so even if I lose you, I can still find you. Are you ready?”
Takemichi could only nod, his breath caught in his throat with how close this person got to him and he was helped up by the Little Red. Rubbing one more time at his reddened eyes and rosy cheeks.
“T-thank you, what’s your name?” Takemichi asked, brushing the leaves off his colorful clothes and making sure the package was still in his bag. Takemichi held out his hand, “I’m Takemichi.”
The blond pushed his hood down and flashed Takemichi a toothy smile while digging in his basket again, “Takemitchy? Mikey. Dorayaki?” Mikey repeated his name completely incorrect, introduced himself and pulled out a pastry holding it out to Takemichi. “I think this one is filled with blood jam.”
“B-blood jam and it’s actually Takemichi.” Takemichi stuttered out, the dorayaki back in Christmas town was filled with red bean paste or peppermint jelly. Blood jam doesn’t sound appetizing . But Takemichi was polite and didn’t want to anger Mikey when he was going to help him on his task.
“That’s what I said, Takemitchy. This way.” Mikey told him, grabbing onto the end of Takemichi’s long elf hat and pulling him forward with the little bell on the end dingling.
Takemichi stumbled forward but was able to catch up with Mikey. He tried to pry Mikeys hands off his hat but the blond sunk his nails in deeper. Takemichi relinquished it and decided to try his new treat. Taking a hesitant bite into the blood jam dorayaki. There was a burst of flavor, if the flavor was good still remained to be seen. Takemichi dutifully ate it all and gave a shaky smile to Mikey who watched approvingly.
With Mikey the forest didn’t seem as scary. The trees didn’t seem to be reaching for them and even the mist had cleared; everything seemed a little brighter. Takemichi voiced this to Mikey who gave him another toothy grin and patted his hand, “I’m the apex predator.”
Mikey told him like that explained anything. There were no apex predators in Christmas town so how was Takemichi supposed to know what he means. They were fast approaching Halloween town, Mikey saying it was just past the graveyard. They made idle conversation, Mikey’s fingers stopped gripping Takemichi’s hat and he began leaning on Takemichi. Takemichi tried to push him off earlier but Mikey was warm and the chill in Halloween town was different from the chill in Christmas town. The chill here was bone deep and connected with his fear, while back at home it was only the snow that made everything cold.
“Everything is covered in this snow?” Mikey commented on Takemichi’s snowball fight story.
“Yes and it’s beautiful, you should visit me and I’ll show you.” Takemichi exclaimed, his elf ears fluttering in excitement. “I’m not a toy elf but I can also show you the workshop. I have an in with the head elf there.” He would have to bribe Kokoni but it’ll be worth it to show Mikey.
Takemichi was also clutching onto Mikey, who was simultaneously his monster in the woods and his hero. They passed through the graveyard and made it into town. Takemichi stood out like a sore thumb among the Halloween population but many of the citizens avoided them. Mikey delivered him in front of Jack Skellington's house and Takemichi squirmed.
“I guess this is it…thank you.” Takemichi said, wringing the strap of his bag. He then turned around and started heading up the steps missing the way Mikey’s eyes flashed red and his teeth grew sharper.
Mikey reached out and grabbed Takemichi’s bag to make the other turn around. By the time the little elf did Mikey was back to normal.
“This isn’t it, I’ll take you back home.” Mikey demanded and Takemichi could feel tears well up in his eyes again.
“Wait, why are you crying!” Mikey released his hand from the bag and reached up to start wiping the tears.
“Mikey is so kind, I’ve already taken up so much of your time and you want to help me back home. I don't know how to repay you.” Takemichi sobbed his hands getting tangled with Mikey as they both wiped his tears.
“Kind? This is purely selfish of me.” Mikey muttered as he batted Takemichi’s hands away to take over the wiping. “How about you repay me with one of those snow cones you were telling me back.” Mikey requested and Takemichi nodded his head giving a soft ‘un!’ as confirmation.
“Let me deliver the package and then we can be on our way!” Takemichi pulled away from Mikey and ran up the stairs to deliver the package to a giant skeleton man. Jack Skellington scared Takemichi but the skeleton didn’t mean too. It was just that his smile was too wide and he had no eyes. As an apology he gave Takemichi a small wind up toy of a vampire and sent him on his way.
Takemichi was happy to see Mikey still waiting for him down the stairs. The little elf met the little red at the bottom of the stairs. Takemichi showed the toy to Mikey happily, exclaiming he would show it to his elf crew when he gets home. Mikey crowded him and stuck his head into Takemichi’s neck taking a big whiff. Takemichi didn’t know what to do but wrapped his arms around Mikey.
“Did you miss me Mikey, I was only gone for a few minutes.” Takemichi didn’t think anything about how clingy Mikey had become in such a short time. But he only wrapped his arms around Mikey’s waist, understanding the feeling.
They were able to bond in such a short time, Takemichi bent down a little to tuck his own head into Mikey’s neck. Over his shoulder Mikey’s eyes were read again and a smirk was on his face. If Takemichi were to see it he would probably try to run, but the little elf didn’t know he was in the clutches of the big bad wolf.