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It was no mystery that Wind Archer, guardian of life, did not know of mortal holidays.
Fire Spirit quickly came to that realization after coming to the Sacred forest dressed as a Flareon, one of his favorite Pokemon. After earning some strange and very concerned glances from his boyfriend told him all he really needed to know. After finally convincing the other he wasn’t sick nor had he suddenly become some insanely fluffy cat, he explained Halloween. The other was visibly confused by the whole concept, starting to use his hands to count as if the holiday had anything to do with math. Ironically, his mentee ahem, sister Blue Slushy was dressed up as Glaceon and even more ironic somehow, Golden Honey Cake was Jolteon. Fire Spirit swore he witnessed his lover go through the five stages of grief right then and there.
After more now detailed explanation and examples, it seemed as if Wind archer was finally getting a grasp on the concept. He began to nod in the way he always did when gears in his head began to shift off the moss and rust. Then came explaining the candy, and oh witches above, Fire Spirit would pay to relive that. His boyfriend furrowed his brows in an almost offended manner, lifting one eyebrow super high as he listened to Blue Slushy try to explain her “stealing” candy from strangers. Even worse, and frankly more evidence in Fire Spirit’s claim that Wind Archer is an older brother to her, he began to state concerns about her safety. He held back laughter, watching as the blue bird tried to argue how she was old enough to be alone and how it was great practice for when she officially became a Dessert Paradise guardian. The statement earned a tired sigh from Wind Archer who failed horrendously at hiding his small smile.
He rejected the idea of joining them that year, stating even with the defeat of Dark Enchantress darkness still lurks in the forest. Fire Spirit knew damn well trying to convince his lover would result in only wasted time where he could be trick or treating. Hence, he opted to simply kiss the man’s cheek before waving goodbye; it was most definitely worth watching his lover flush in the cute way he did whenever he showed affection. From that simple interaction and on, Fire Spirit’s mind had been set on one goal: getting his lover to join him in trick or treating.
Now that’s what leads him here, about four years later. To put it simply, the last four years have been absolute fails. More specifically he would approach Wind Archer every Halloween after that year and without argument be sent off with a kiss. Then, later that week the two would find a random day when Wind Archer was completely free and just cuddle all day while eating the candy. He was a bit salty over his boyfriend stealing his Halloween candy, but maybe it's the relaxed and happy look that automatically made him believe it was all worth it. This year, he knew, and oh he knew. He knew had one wish, and such was to get his lover to go trick or treating.
He was currently very comfortably positioned against his lover’s sleeping form, both having found a free day which was well, every day for Fire Spirit, and decided to spend it together lazing around. It was still quite early, not really near sundown, maybe an hour or two away. But Fire Spirit was already adamantly prepared; he had prepped two costumes, one a witch and the other a Jelly Walker. Blue Slushy and Golden Honey Cake both said they wanted to go as more classical costumes this year, the blue bird choosing a vampire and the yellow a mummy. Fire Spirit decided to follow the theme, simply adding what he calls his own “pizzad” to the costumes, or in other words glamour.
He paused as he felt his sleeping lover’s chest start to move, a sign of his awakening in the late hours of the day. The fire one didn’t mind, quickly moving off his chest and looking down at him with a soft smile. Soon enough emerald eyes met those of maroon, slowly trying to remember all the prior events of the evening. Soon enough it all seemed to click, the same emerald eyes blinking a few times to clear up their vision. He was met with what he would shamelessly call the most beautiful sight, a smile from his lover. He reached up, pulling the other down to hold him against his chest for a bit, receiving little resistance. Careful hands stroked up fiery locks, humming softly as he rested while sleep meted away.
“How’d you sleep?” Fire Spirit asked, cheek resting against the other hand that gently cupped his face. He earned a soft sigh in response, starting to scratch the other’s scalp.
“Very well, I’ve learned sleep comes easier when the very living reincarnation of flames sleeps on your chest.” He stated, yawning before sitting up, leading Fire Spirit’s head to rest in his lap. Fire Spirit made a small show of looking outside before acting like he realized something, looking up at Wind Archer who seemed confused. "You okay dear?” He asked, tilting his head.
“I forgot we should be getting ready!” he exclaimed, standing up and glancing around the room in a pretend hurry, earning a further confused head tilt.
“Ready for what love?” The other asked, disappointment now evident in his eyes at the loss of contact, acting like a knife to Fire Spirit’s heart.
“Halloween!” He grinned “I made us matching costumes!” He quickly went to the closet and pulled out two large pouches before tossing them to the ground, looking at his lover. The other blinked a few times, both pairs of wings ruffling before looking up at Fire Spirit and tilting his head.
“The holiday you celebrate? Why am I being pulled into this” he huffed, shaking his head.
“Well, I had really hoped to like, go trick or treating together, you know?” The fire guardian’s voice dripped with an unusual vulnerability, one that was usually only displayed when consulted about his past. The other, seeing this, shook his head before pushing himself off the ground. It was awfully obvious his lover really, really, wanted him to go with him,
And who was he to refuse?
“Which one is mine?” he asked, looking at both packages. His lover’s eyes instantly lit up in frankly the most adorable way, a grin quickly settling on his features.
“The one on the left, you’ll be the witch” he stated, quickly taking his own and dumping its contents on the floor. Wind Archer witnessed as an ungodly amount of makeup fell out, eyebrows furrowing as he couldn’t help but snicker. “It’s for the costume” the other huffed, shooting his lover a glance.
“As if you’re not wearing the most dramatic mascara and eyeliner I’ve ever seen” Wind Archer shot back, earning another sigh.
“Is this simply becoming an opportunity for you to bully me now?” he looked back, rolling his eyes.
“Consider it affectionate teasing my love” Wind Archer stated back. He took out the costume from the bag, looking at a few dresses with a corset. He blinked before slowly looking up at Fire Spirit who was halfway to weaving his arm through the ripped up shirt he made. “Why is it a dress and corset..?” Asked Wind Archer, slowly lifting an eyebrow.
“I don’t know, whenever I think of a witch I think dress and corset soooo” he shrugged, leaving the other speechless.
“You expect me to wear this while we go trick or treating…?” He asked again, tilting his head.
“You can edit it, kinda stole Moonlight’s dresses for it” Wind Archer tilted his head, the idea of editing it was not something he was against. He nodded, walking to his closet and looking up at it. To be frank, a good majority was Fire Spirit’s old clothes, mostly because the other considered it romantic and claimed the archer didn’t have enough clothes. He pulled out an older pair of pants he once had, the poor thing got caught on a tree branch and ripped badly. Blue Slushy had later tried to sew it when he was teaching her the skill and did it well, not up to standard. He took some other older clothes out, most he had discarded due to having tears. Soon enough he had what he would consider a good “knock off” of his lover’s costume, turning around and showing the clothes.
“We can both be Jelly Walkers” he stated, showing Fire Spirit the clothes. The grin that spread on his lover’s face proved the idea was a success.
“I was actually planning to have both of us be them but I thought you may consider it too darkness-y” he grinned, having pulled on his costume and started applying more desaturated colors to his dough.
“I see what you mean, but this is Halloween, I’m willing to wear anything but a corset.” He stated.
“Wow, is it that much of a punch to your masculinity?” The other teased.
“No, I’d wear one if it didn’t damage your ribcage. I must keep my physique in check at all times and be prepared to-”
“Blah blah! Geesh, could’ve just said no and ended it there” Fire Spirit chuckled, his smile filling Wind Archer with a happiness he couldn’t exactly put into words.
“But then you would’ve continued to tease me” shot back Wind Archer, raising an eyebrow.
“Fair, now c'mon, let's get ready” the other sighed.
“Finally”
-
Wind Archer watched as Fire Spirit, now with the most focus he has ever seen, tried to do his eye makeup. He wasn’t complaining, the other held his face by the cheeks and kept him positioned towards himself as he stuck out his tongue and slowly applied the eyeliner. His only complaint was that he couldn't see the other the whole time, left to try and peek through an eye but only received a scolding. He was only allowed to see when the other would ask how it was. He had used a purple to cancel out Wind Archer’s green dough, giving him a grey look.
Then he moved on to putting red on his dough in random splotches, probably meant to represent blood but instead looked more like a kindergartener's finger paint mess. After, his lover moved on to dishevel his hair with a hairbrush, turning it into a large puffball. It matched with the whole idea of being undead after all. He used a very light pink blush to draw what looked like pink veins over his face, a pretty accurate depiction of the Jelly Walker infection after all.
Then came the contacts.
His boyfriend tried to shove these pink papers into his eyes, holding Wind Archer’s eye wide open as it was slowly lowered onto the iris. Of course he blinked. The plastic got trapped in his eyelid on some whole other spot of the eye, gaining a pained yelp from the green bird. His lover paused, quickly letting go of him. Wind Archer gripped his eyelids, blinking dangerously fast to try and at the very least do something. It helped, the pain subsided and the contact slid into place, his vision becoming a little blurry likely due to the tears. He slowly looked up, seeing guilt on his lover’s face. It pained him to see the other like such, taking a deep breath before chuckling.
“Warn me not to blink next time…” He said, watching the other let out a sigh of relief.
“Well, holding your eye open should’ve implied it?” he asked, watching the other nod slowly.
“Fair, I see what you mean” the green one answered, looking up at his lover. “Are you going to put in the other?”
“Preferably not, seeing how you reacted to… that one.” He stated, rubbing the back of his head. He took a moment before a smile made its way up his face, bringing a sense of dread in the other.
“Oh god. What is it?” He asked, rubbing his temples slowly.
“What if I connect the veins to the eye with the contact? That’d look cool” he giggles with what Wind Archer can only explain as malice.
“Get on with it” the other responds, defeated.
-
He wasn’t expecting the costume to look so good. That’s the only thing Fire Spirit could think as he silently admired Wind Archer who now sat with his left eye closed as he drew on the veins. The other genuinely looked infected, if it wasn’t Halloween he’d be scared frankly. He pulled back, looking at his lover with admiration. Quickly he grabbed some lipstick, earning a confused glance before applying it to his own lips and kissing the other’s cheek, grinning at the stain.
“What was that?” The other asked, confused “I’m a Jelly Walker, not a Fire-Spirit-patent Walker” he stated sarcastically, hand gently rubbing over the kiss mark.
“Well I must state my claim on you” He replied “I’ll let you do the same”
“I’m not the jealous type, Fire Spirit…” He replied before sighing.
“Oh really? Lets see what you’ll be saying later then” the man grinned and a sense of dread found its way to the archer’s stomach, sighing for the millionth time, again.
-
Maybe he was wrong.
The first hour or so went by smoothly, Wind Archer never really took candy unless the person were to insist. Turns out the other elementals had started to join, Stormbringer even dragged along Frost Queen, now that was a sight for sore eyes. More frankly, a bunch of immortal gods going to mortal cookie houses to get candy was more pathetic, or maybe, all of the above.
The archer quickly caught on to Fire Spirit’s scheme, being mostly left in the back of the group the whole time while Fire Spirit just yapped and yapped and yapped to Stormbringer. It was clearly a test of Wind Archer’s patience, to see how truly “non jealous” he was. It wouldn’t be an understatement to say it well, did hurt a little. He had set aside a whole day, put away his duties, ignored his purpose, all to spend a day with his lover. Then that was interrupted by trick or treating. It was okay, he was supposed to spend it with his lover. But now he was cast aside as part of some insidious joke to test his patience. It wasn’t jealousy he was feeling, it was more betrayal. He should be used to this isolation, having lived practically alone all his years as a guardian, yet here on some pathetic mortal holiday he felt…
Sad.
The word rang in a strange way. He was the living embodiment of wind, guardian of the Sacred forest, protector of life, one who vanished the darkness, and yet he was sad over some stupid, petty joke. His gaze lingered on the ground as the others ran off, kicking a small stone quietly. His wings had started to hang low, a tell-tale sign of his distress. Someone though had appeared to notice it, an icy presence coming up beside him, one polar opposite of the heat his lover possessed.
“Wind Archer, what causes you this anguish?” A voice cold as tundra spoke, Frost Queen wearing her usual stolid expression.
“What?” he asked, tilting his head, keeping a dour expression. She sighed, icy persona melting off and suddenly revealing a more mother-like worry.
“You’ve trailed off from the rest of the group and your head is hung low, great guardian of the wind, what troubles your mind?” She asked, tilting her head.
“It’s a lot, I should’ve just opted on protecting the first today” he sighed, avoiding her gaze.
“Is it about Fire Spirit? I’ve come to realize you only ever participate in these mortal holidays when he asks you to.” She commented, raising an eyebrow.
“Bullseye. I had requested for a day off of my duties today to be with him, then he asked for me to join him. Somewhere when getting ready he made a joke about me being jealous and I simply replied "I'm not the jealous type”, now well, I’m here.” He explained, emerald eyes finally meeting baby blue ones.
“So you believe he may be testing your patience?” she asked, tilting her head.
“Seems like something he’d do.” he sighs, looking at his lover who was already running to another house.
“Hm. I guess I will accompany you then, I have nothing better to do” he smiled a little, glad at the statement.
“Why thank you, I’m in no way against such” he replied, earning a nod.
“Do you just wish to walk? I find this whole knocking on doors and getting candy thing as an immortal horrendously immature” she stated, receiving a nod.
“I agree, let's tilt our path a bit so we do not get in the way of their tomfoolery.”
“As you wish”
-
“Fire Spirit?” Stormbringer asked, already exhausted and panting heavily after sprinting to a few houses.
“Yes?” he asked back, looking at his loot in the pillow case he brought.
“Where’s Wind Archer? Isn’t this like his first Halloween?” She asked, tilting her head and glancing around.
“He’s back there” he pointed behind him, not even bothering to look.
“Why isn’t he with us? Is this not his like, very first one? Shouldn’t he be with the gang?” she asked, tilting her head.
“I’m trying to prove to him the fact that he’s the jealous type but he’s like way too confident in himself or whatever” he huffed dramatically, locating the next target home.
“Is that not a bit cruel? He looks quite sad, you should at least address something?” She recommended, frowning a little. By the time Fire Spirit turned around Frost Queen was already talking to him, leading to him shrugging.
“She got him” was his only response.
-
When they arrived home the atmosphere was very off.
It wasn’t unusual for Wind Archer to stay quiet, after all the man practically lived in isolation before he received a physical form much less an amazing flame-wielding lover. But right now, the silence felt tense, like all it took was the snap of an atom thin string and chaos would unleash. Much less, the man’s shoulders were very unnaturally slouched and his candy bag was almost empty, the same amount from the first few runs they made when he was still beside the other. Much less, the other refused to look at him, simply making his way to the bathroom and wiping off all of his makeup.
Fire Spirit began to grow worried and quite frankly annoyed, finally walking up to the bathroom door and leaning against it, looking at the other. “Wind Archer.”
“I have duties tomorrow and for the next week, you should head back to the Dragon’s Valley” the voice was stolid, stripped of any emotions, like some announcement on the news.
“Wind Archer.” He repeated again, voice filling with more agitation.
“Maybe next month, who knows how much darkness could’ve spread over the course of today, I must go to sleep as fast as I can to wake up early and leave, you may go.” He threw away the final makeup wipe, revealing a face that was slightly red and the eyes more puffed up as if he had been crying earlier. This simply couldn’t slide anymore, furrowed eyebrows coming from the fire guardian who gripped his lover by the shoulders as he walked by beside him.
“Wind Archer. What is it.” He replied sternly, fingers digging into the other’s shoulders. Wind Archer maneuvered himself away, gaze the same as he just looked.
“What is what? Be legible fire guardian.” The name shocked Fire Spirit instantly, offense and hurt springing across his features. It was the name Wind Archer had used for him back when he held disdain for the other, back before they began to love.
“What is this? Why are you so mad?” Desperation seeped in his voice, eyes pricking tears.
“Think, maybe that’ll answer your question.” He replied sternly, continuing to walk away, back to the man.
“Are you jealous?” The word hung heavy in the air, making Wind Archer pause as he slowly turned around, clearly offended.
“Is that all you care about? Proving some stupid point? Are you glad now? Woo! Jealous much!” A sharp sarcasm rang in his voice as he glared at the other who now stood in a silent shock, mouth shut.
“I’m sorry” was the only thing that came from the red one, looking away with guilt.
“Sorry doesn’t fix anything.” He replied sternly, making his way over to his own bedroom. “Go home.” He replied, glaring back at Fire Spirit as he turned off the lights and shut the bedroom door, leaving the bright flame to slowly diminish into some ashes.
-
Wind Archer had tried to do his duties that day, key word, tried.
Thoughts of last night kept filling his mind, bringing pathetic tears to the god’s eyes. Guardian of the forest sad over a little prank. Pathetic.
Eventually frustration got to him and he threw his bow, grunting as he laid down on the ground and looked up, the sunlight hitting his face as if trying to provide comfort to the annoyed guardian. He ignored it, reminding him too much of the careless man. Instead he tried to think of Blue Slushy, the young girl still had training to do that day, training he would need to supervise. He was wasting his time.
A bird tweeted for him in the distance, earning his attention. His mood suddenly changed, becoming one of concern as he ran up to the small forest being.
“What is it? Has darkness gotten a hold of the forest?” He said with a panic, running after the bird which was now flying away. He sighed, spreading his wings and flying into the air. They were unfathomably itchy, something that usually resulted in him not preening. That was something he planned to do with the fire guardian that night, but look where they ended up.
He was brought to a clearing, looking around in a panic to notice a picnic blanket. He blinked, watching the bird fly away before he could even ask. The picnic blanket was lined with his favorite foods, further fueling his confusion. He huffed, turning around and preparing to leave before he heard footsteps, drawing his bow only to be met with a fiery man holding a blindfold, blinking slowly at the arrow to his face.
The second Fire Spirit saw the archer’s face he felt concerned, part of it had faded to a grey similar to the one he wore in the costume, the eye becoming a genuine violet. Darkness seemed to swivel in the once green gem and black feathers replaced those white ones on pristine wings. He looked at the other with concern, frowning a little at his disgruntled state.
“My love, I made us a picnic” he stated, trying to keep it short. “I also made your favorite food” he stated, deciding not to include the fact this was an apology. The other lowered his bow slowly, still pissed off but less so now.
“Do not call me such now. I am doing my duties and I will not be distracted my this stupid mortal-”
“Tomfoolery.” The other finished the sentence for him, gently taking his arm. “Then Wind Archer, care to join me and relax?” He asked.
“I have duties and-” he began to pull away but the grip remained strong.
“You’re being corrupted. Half of your face lost its color and your diamond has swirls of black. Darkness is getting to you in this state, Wind Archer.” His voice held a seriousness that it rarely did, making Wind Archer pause. “Listen, I'm incredibly sorry, I don’t really know what to do whenever I get carried away like that, most I can is a promise to not. Please at the very least enjoy this with me, I don’t want to see you fall to darkness.”
The other stayed silent, looking at his arm and seeing small specks of discoloration. He looked up at Fire Spirit before sighing softly. “I believe it is best we discuss what happened like responsible adults.”
“I agree.” Was the reply he got.
-
They talked, and talked for a while. The sun had begun to set as the conversation became more light hearted. Many boundaries were put up and the flame wielding lover stated his apologies profusely. Wind Archer was glad at how the other actually seemed to understand him, much less, actually listen, something he has come to learn Fire Spirit is very, very bad at.
Soon enough grey and black went away and light green dough came back, the lively nature did so too. Now they were both face deep in fruits as Fire Spirit shared random past Halloween stories. Wind Archer found it in himself to start admiring the other again, watching as he passionately rambled about some random fight he had with a kid back when he was a teen. He smiled before slowly pulling his lover to himself and kissing him, catching the other off guard who’s hair became a flurry of flames as he tried to return cognitive function. The other laughed, slowly pulling the red one’s head to his lap and returning to the position from the prior day, hand gently massaging a hot scalp.
They stayed that way till midnight, and so forth, eventually falling asleep against one another and left for Millennial Tree to randomly spot.
That would be a discussion for tomorrow. Now, flame and wind aligned in a gentle harmony as dawn came over the lush forest.