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"Sweetheart, why does this hotel look abandoned? Are ya sure this is the right place?" Milo asked from beside them as they drove up to a large stately building clearly showing its age but also the fine craftsmanship of the distant past.
They had told him that they wanted to enjoy the fall and specifically October. It had been running by with a busy work schedule for both of them. Neither had been able to enjoy this transitional month and the beginning of fall. So, as not to miss out on any more of the spooky season, Sweetheart brought up the point of going on a little trip. A chance to get away for just a short weekend. It would give them the time to enjoy the season without thinking about all the tasks they needed to get done and the busyness of their working lives. He had happily agreed to the idea with a wide smile and a kiss on the lips.
Sweetheart had taken the enjoyment of the spooky season to heart when looking for little getaways. With their love of the horror genre, they had gotten far too excited when they found a haunted hotel with rooms still available. A quick online search showed that it wasn't some kind of gimmick either. There was at least some real history behind the place whether the ghosts were real or a fabrication. Plus, the rooms looked extremely cozy, if the reviews and the hotel's website were anything to go by. It was a two-for-one deal in their eyes. They got to indulge their spooky interests and they would both be able to relax.
"This is definitely the right place," They nodded as they pulled into the parking lot and turned off the car.
"It looks creepy," He eyed them with a slight unease.
"It's just old," They waved him off as they got out of the car and looked up at the building in question, "And stately. I like it."
"Of course you would, the place looks haunted…" Milo muttered as he rose from the passengers seat, "Oh god, it's fucking haunted isn't it Sweetheart?"
"What? It's Halloween!" They shrugged, "I didn't book one of the rooms advertised as haunted."
"I can't believe you booked a haunted hotel for our relaxing trip away!" He gasped out in exasperation.
"Come on, most people experience absolutely nothing," They soothed, shutting their door and rounding the car to stand in front of him, "And wait until you see the room."
"If it's as creepy as the outside of this place, I'd rather sleep in the car," He grumbled.
"I'm not trying to torture you, Milo," They murmured, surprised he was seemingly so upset about it. They thought it would be fun but only if he was comfortable. They could enjoy their love of all things spooky from the pages of a book or on a screen instead of a physical place if it made him feel better. That was usually how they indulged in that interest anyway.
"Sometimes I wonder if you’re trying to," He continued to grumble and they stepped closer, reaching out for him.
"If you don't want to stay here, we don't have to. We can find something else," They told him in a soft voice before placing a soft kiss on his cheek. His arms wrapped around them and pulled them closer and they took the chance to place a soft kiss to his lips.
"I'm just grumpy and giving you a hard time. I know you're into this kinda shit," He told them in a soft voice.
“Are you willing to give it a shot at least?” They asked, cocking their head to the side and watching his expression shift.
“Yeah, you already booked it. We won’t get our money back anyway,” He struggled, “Just promise me you won’t fuckin’ mess with me.”
“I won’t mess with you,” They told him, a serious expression replacing their usual easy smile. He leaned in to seal the promise with a kiss. The one kiss turned into a series of shared kisses as they pulled him close against them. They’d been so busy lately that they missed his touch and his lips and being close to him like this. After a moment, they finally pulled away with a sigh.
“Come on, let’s go check in before I change my mind, you menace,” He told them with a smirk and they stuck their tongue out at him as they turned around to grab their bags. They smiled to themself as they heard him grumbling under his breath from behind them.
It didn’t take long to check into the hotel and get directions to their room. The inside of the hotel was grand and well maintained in stark opposition to the outside. Original wood detailing was in immaculate condition and the craftsmanship of the ornate carving wasn’t lost on either of them. The fixtures were the original brass, shined to sparkling. It looked like they had taken a step back into history itself but at the same time everything was warm and inviting.
Their room was equally as inviting. It wasn’t a large room but it wasn’t so small that they felt cramped. It was just the right amount of space to feel cozy and at home. They found themself smiling as they noticed how at ease Milo seemed to be after entering the room itself. He seemed suspicious at first but his shoulders relaxed and a small smile turned up the side of his lips as he explored it a little.
The afternoon went by without incident and the two were able to relax easily. Milo happily agreed to a walk around the property. He was fond of the outdoors and the mild temperatures made a trek outside much more enjoyable after the brutal heat of summer. The hotel itself was a marvel of the past with all the original charm of the old days within it. But it was situated on several acres of land with its own garden and a pond. The weather was moderate and the soft breeze carried the sweet scent of decaying leaves. They watched him savor the overcast afternoon away from the hustle and bustle of Dahlia and all of their obligations. His shoulders relaxed as he took deep breaths and allowed the tension to slowly leave his body. They wanted to kiss him then, in that moment of peace where he looked as relaxed as in sleep. To remember the calm of the moment by the placid water of the lake with orange leaves falling like a soft rain around him. Their mate. The love of their life. He smiled at them then, a warm and inviting expression that made their heart melt as he beckoned them over and into a loving embrace. That was the time they needed, the ability to have that weight lifted from them in the orange light of the fall sun. Without a care about any responsibilities, they were able to walk around for as long as they saw fit and watch the sky become awash with the oranges and reds of sunset as it shifted to the purples and blues of night. It was only then that the two headed back inside, toward the hotel’s restaurant.
Their dinner at the hotel restaurant was delicious and without incident. It was the ghost tour that started things off. Milo looked at them with unhidden discomfort when they mentioned it. But, their excitement was obvious and he was a sucker for seeing them happy. He had always said they had the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen. They offered to go on the tour by themself but he wouldn’t have it. He’d rather be by their side, whether that was out of discomfort about being alone in the haunted building or a loving gesture of wanting to be beside his mate. Maybe it was a little of both but they were happy for his company, even if he held their hand in a death grip and pretended to be bored the whole time.
He relaxed more when the tour was over and the two meandered back to their room with some dessert takeout from the restaurant as a little treat. It had been their idea when they’d noticed him eyeing something specific off the menu. The two curled up on the little loveseat in their room and enjoyed the treat before getting up to go through their nightly routine. That’s when things got a bit less serene.
“Sweetheart, was that you? Are you messing with me?” Milo’s voice carried to where they were brushing their teeth in the bathroom. They poked their head out of the bathroom with the toothbrush still in their mouth to shake their head at him.
“What the fuck was that then?” His voice rose to a slightly higher pitch as fear sunk into the words.
They put up a finger before disappearing back into the bathroom to finish brushing their teeth. It only took a matter of seconds before they were walking back into the bedroom to join him.
“What happened?” They asked, curiosity obvious in their voice.
“Like you don’t know,” He huffed, “You used your powers to sneak over here and grab my shoulder, didn’t you?”
“Grab your shoulder?” They questioned, “I was brushing my teeth, Milo.”
“Yeah, a brilliant excuse so you can terrify me after the haunted tour,” He grumbled.
“I promised I wouldn’t mess with you,” They sighed as they stood in front of where he was sitting on the edge of the bed, “As funny as it is to see you jump out of your skin, I keep my word.”
“Maybe I’m just on edge after that damn tour,” He sighed and rubbed his face with his hands. They took a step closer to him and he shook his head lightly as he reached out for them.
“Don’t let the stuff the tour guide said get to you. They talk it up to sound more haunted than it really is,” They reassured, threading their fingers through his hair. He relaxed into their touch and leaned against them.
“I figured they were playin’ it up,” He told them with a soft shake of his head, “Still doesn’t mean I like it.”
“You have to admit the history is pretty interesting,” They insisted.
“Whatever you say, ya nerd,” He replied with an airy laugh.
“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with a vague interest in history,” They scoffed in fake offense. His lip was twitching up into a smirk so they knew he hadn’t meant anything by it.
“Said like a true nerd,” He told them, a full smirk making its way across his lips.
“Shut up, you like motorcycles and I like old houses,” They rolled their eyes and the fingers running through his hair pulled on the strands lightly causing an inhale of breath from him as the smirk only grew.
“You like haunted shit,” His voice was lightly teasing, “The shit I like isn’t gonna try to kill us… or possess us.”
“The video games and movies aren’t trying to kill you,” They reasoned with another roll of their eyes.
“Yeah, whatever,” He huffed, “I don’t get it but if it makes you happy…”
They couldn’t help their smile at his words. It was only a moment before his lips were on theirs, effectively ending the conversation. But they didn’t mind as they easily leaned down to deepen the kiss. He pulled them from where they stood in front of him down into his lap. A gasp found its way from their lips at the unexpected motion but they weren’t going to complain about being pressed against his broad chest. After a few moments, he pulled away.
“The fuck was that?” He sounded upset and was looking around with his brows pulled together.
“What was what?” They asked in confusion.
“You didn’t pull some shit?” He asked, his eyes focusing on them for a moment, “You didn’t put your hand on my lower back?”
“No, I didn’t. My hands are still in your hair,” They told him, sincere in their words. Their hands carding through his hair once more to prove their point.
"Then what the fuck touched my back Sweetheart?" He asked, his voice starting to hitch with anxiety.
"It was probably nothing," They tried to soothe him, running their hands through his hair once again, "Probably just some odd pressure from your shirt or something."
"Yeah, yeah, alright," His voice was shaky even as he tried to sound confident in his words.
"Maybe you shouldn't have come on the ghost tour with me," They murmured, suddenly beginning to feel sheepish at the thought that his paranoia could be all their fault, "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."
"It's not your fault, Sweetheart," He let out a heavy sigh, "You gave me the option not to do it."
"I know but I feel bad," They sighed and he leaned his forehead against theirs lightly.
"You don't gotta feel bad," He reassured, his arms running down their sides, "I just don't know why this got me so jumpy. I'm tougher than this."
"You're out of your element and on edge," They told him with a soft sigh, "We can find another place if you want. I didn't think this through enough apparently."
"Hey, I'm not some weakling. I can tough it out longer," He told them with an air of confidence washing over him, "I'll conquer this damn place."
"Now that's the spirit!" A smile spread across their face before they leaned in to kiss him.
"Your mate isn't some scaredy cat, Sweetheart," He huffed.
"I know, trust me," They assured him, their hands tracing along his strong shoulders, "We've been through hell and back. I fucking know."
He leaned in to press a kiss to their lips and pulled away with a smile.
“Let’s get all snuggled up in bed and watch somethin’, eh?” He suggested with a tired smile.
“That sounds really nice,” They beamed and rose from where they had been on his lap in order to finish getting ready to curl up in bed with him. It only took a few minutes before the two were curled up under the covers of the bed together with only the soft lights on the bedside tables illuminating the room in a soft glow. In another place it would have felt eerie, maybe to Milo it held a tinge of that feeling, but to them it felt cozy. This place really did feel like a home away from home, much like that cabin by the lake had over a year previous.
“I’m pickin’ the movie since you picked the hotel,” He told them with a halfhearted glare.
They opened their mouth to say something but he interrupted them before they could.
“Nuh-uh, don’t fight me on this, you brat!” He held a finger up at them and they couldn’t help the soft laughter that bubbled up from them.
“I wasn’t going to,” They sighed through their subsiding giggles.
“Yeah, right. Now cuddle in closer so I can hold you,” He huffed and they gladly did as he asked. They loved being able to cuddle into him like that. His embrace was home more than any place could ever be.
He picked one of his favorite movies and they smiled to themself as they relaxed to watch the movie they knew all too well. The familiar film seemed to put Milo more at ease as they could hear his steady heartbeat and even breathing as it went on.
However, about halfway through, he sat up a little straighter.
“Did you say somethin’ Sweetheart?” He asked in a tired voice.
“No, I didn’t. Why?” They asked, watching his expression once again. Something about this place was really messing with him.
“I swear I heard someone whisper somethin’,” He grumbled before shaking his head.
“It’s probably nothing,” They reassured, a hand coming up to soothe over his arm. He leaned unto the touch with a soft sigh.
“Yeah, yeah,” It was a tired reply but he settled back down to watch the rest of the movie.
It wasn’t long after that he sat up again with eyes darting back and forth.
“What’s wrong, Milo?” Their voice was tinged with sleep as they spoke.
“I swear I’m fucking goin’ insane or somethin’ is messin’ with me,” He sighed, exasperation clear in his voice.
“You felt something again? Or heard something?” They asked, a hand coming up to brush through his hair softly.
“Fucking both,” He groaned, “Sweetheart, why is shit messin’ with me? You’re into this shit.”
“I don’t know, my love,” They told him honestly as they sat up a little straighter against him.
“I don’t even believe in ghosts but I keep feelin’ shit and hearing things,” He told them, voice shaking slightly with his anxiety that was beginning to peak.
“It could be your head getting to you with everything that’s been going on,” They reasoned, trying to give him a logical explanation before jumping to the paranormal.
“Yeah maybe,” He sighed, “You’re really trying to push logic on this, huh? I thought you believed in this stuff.”
“I’m a skeptical believer,” They told him with a soft huff of laughter, “Logic first until there’s no way for logic to explain it.”
“I shouldn’t be surprised by that,” A soft smile spread across his lips, “You’re damn level-headed, that’s part of why you’re so good at your job. Curious as hell, but logical.”
“I have my moments,” They couldn’t help their smile and the heat that rushed up into their face at the words, “But, if it is a ghost why are they messing with you and not me?”
“Why do you sound upset by that?” His expression shifted to one of mild disbelief.
“Because I am,” They couldn’t help the small laugh, “For one, don’t mess with my man. But also, I want to have proof so mess with me!”
“You are absolutely outta your mind,” He made a noise of disbelief while shaking his head.
“And yet, you love me,” They stuck their tongue out at him and he just laughed.
“Of course I love you, you menace,” He sighed before pulling them in for a kiss.
They settled back in for the movie after that. They almost got to the end of it before something else happened.
“The fuck was that?” Milo asked, that edge of discomfort coming back.
“What?” They repeated once again.
“I felt somethin’ on the back of my neck,” He told them, pulling his shoulders up in discomfort.
“Could it have been from me shifting a little?” They wondered aloud and shimmied a little bit closer to him as they just had.
“Oh, fuck it was just that,” He sighed out in relief.
“One point for logic,” They cheered in a soft voice with a smile.
“Yeah, one out of how many?” He grumbled.
“A win is a win,” They replied with a soft kiss to his cheek.
“I can’t do this haunted shit, Sweetheart. I can deal with all this other shit. I’m a damn wolf for fuck’s sake but this haunted shit gets to me,” He murmured against them.
“I know Milo,” They whispered back, sincerity in their words, “I’m trying to help.”
“I know you are,” He sighed, “And I appreciate you taking me seriously about it.”
“Of course,” They told him with a smile, “I just wish if it was a real ghost it would stop messing with you and fuck with me.”
“You’re insane,” He let out a soft laugh, “My mate is insane!”
“Hey, wouldn’t you be happier that way too?” They asked, holding a hand to their chest in mock offense.
“I guess, but why would you ask for that?” He shook his head with a look of utter disbelief.
“It would be proof!” They couldn’t help the laugh that bubbled up out of them, “And a good story to tell.”
“I really did fall in love with an insane person,” He pulled a hand across his face.
“But, you still love me,” They smirked before placing a soft kiss on his lips.
“More than life itself, you damn weirdo,” He chuckled softly before pulling them close against him once more so they could finish the movie.
When the credits began to roll, they looked up to see him struggling to keep his eyes open. It wasn’t long before his eyes closed and he made no attempt to open them again. His breathing became calm and even as he succumbed to sleep. They smiled at how relaxed he looked as he held them close against him. With some effort, they were able to grab the remote and turn off the TV. But, the next hurdle was getting the lights on the bedside tables. Their side was easy enough while still in his arms, but the one on his side was a struggle.
“What are ya doing, Sweetheart?” He murmured as they tried to lean over him without disturbing him.
“I was trying to turn off the light without waking you up,” They replied in a soft voice, “Looks like I failed at that.”
“You coulda just woken me up ya know,” His voice was gravelly with sleep as he shifted, still struggling to keep his eyes open.
“But you need the sleep, my love,” They told him, finally being able to reach the lamp on his side and turn it off. They had to be practically on top of him in order to reach but they didn’t mind and he seemed content to have them flush against him.
“A few lost minutes won’t kill me Sweetheart,” He let out a tired laugh before pulling them with him as he rolled onto his side, “Now gimme a kiss goodnight won’t ya?”
“So needy,” They huffed, but a smile spread easily across their lips. They leaned in to place a soft and slow kiss to his lips and he hummed against them in approval before stealing a second and third tired slow kiss. Another kiss was placed on their forehead before he succumbed to sleep once more. It was a surprise he hadn’t even attempted some snarky comeback to them but it was just proof of how tired he was.
They lay there in his arms for a while longer as they waited for sleep to lull them into its embrace as well. Lately, they’d both been asleep as soon as their heads hit the pillows from sheer exhaustion, so it felt odd to be in the silence and darkness of the room. But, his even breathing and occasional murmur were relaxing on their own. It wasn’t long before they felt their eyelids begin to get heavy and they didn’t fight it. Before sleep fully pulled them beneath its waves, they heard something odd. There was the soft and soothing sound of a woman humming. But they were too far gone to think much of it as sleep took them.