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Caelus haven't seen Aventurine for what feels like forever, his countless adventures and blond man strict schedule prevented them often even from small phone talks. That's why Caelus decided to try organise them some free time to recompense all lost time and help his dear overworked Aventurine get some breath. And what could be better that add to their already many shared memories spending upcoming holiday together.
From Robin Caelus heard that Penacony will host special events for Halloween every guest that will want to participate after entering dream land automatically will get special costume, and then they will be able to enjoy many special entertainments that will take place in every corner of Penacony. Starting with many different foods and trinkets In Golden Hour and ending with haunted houses and escape room in Clock Studio Theme Park. Caelus decided to not waste any time and try to contact his partner.
After some moment Aventurine picked up his phone and immediately smiled after seeing who is calling to him.
"One of Ten Stonehearts Aventurine here, how can I help my lovely caller today?"
Caelus laughed lightly hearing his lover playful greeting and decided to play along. "I wanted to appoint special holiday meeting with my dear boyfriend, but I don't know if he will be able to get free from his mean, strict job."
"Good news for you my dear caller I think that there is big chance for this request to succeed. So what nice holiday did you planned?"
"I don't know if you heard about it, but Penacony will organise special Halloween event and I wanted to check if you will be able to take some free time then, so you can finally rest with me."
"Honestly lately I was even more overworked this past months, they owe me..." Mumbled Aventurine. "Your request will be granted. I can order us room if you didn't already."
"Don't worry about it you already have enough on your plate, I will take care of everything and send you date, so you can take free time for this time and rest finally. I can't wait to see you again."
"Same here, unfortunately I need to end before my dear colleague chew my head off, so hear you later love you."
"Love you too. Have a good day and say hello to Topaz from me."
Caelus heard some talking in background and moment later Aventurine spoke again to him. "She and Numby says hello too."
After they finished talking Caelus immediately went to book them room for whole time of event and some more days to have some more time together and to let Aventurine recharge properly before work will get him again. It still was long time before holidays, so Caelus decided to find himself something to do to pass time faster. With doing some different missions here and there time really went faster for young Traiblazer and soon he was getting ready to get to hotel.
After listening to Pom-Pom traditional speech of keeping his safety and that he can call them if anything happens, he was standing in long queue in lobby. It seemed that Aventurine wasn't here yet, so Caelus decided to take care of everything himself, so when blond man will arrive they will be able to immediately enjoy free time together.
Halloween event really brought a lot of different people from around cosmos to Penacony and it make waiting time very long in the process. Caelus decided to take out his phone and play a little while still waiting. When some time later he lost round he immediately felt pair of clothed in gloves hands covering his eyes.
"Guess who~"
Caelus immediately smiled after feeling pleasant know by his so much perfume and hearing voice that he loves greatly.
"Aventurine!"
"Correct, you may get your prize later."
"When did you get here?"
"Not that long ago, but you was so much focused on your game that I didn't want to interrup."
"You should, it's so boring in queue here it would be much more better with you."
"Thankfully it seems we're almost there, so a little more patience my dear."
Aventurine sneaked his hand around Caelus one and they're were talking until it was their time to get key to their reserved room.
When they crossed doors and locked them Caelus immediately brought Aventurine for a kiss. When they separated Caelus smiled brightly and tightly hugged Aventurine.
"I missed it, I just couldn't wait to be free from this crowded lobby and finally have some time with you."
"Me too, we really need to plan more meetings, I will need to talk about this during next meeting."
"You better, I don't want you to overwork yourself."
"Too much work means nothing compared to being love starved. I need to recharge."
"Then before we go in you can have some more additional energy."
Satisfied Aventurine then kissed Caelus forehead, then his cheeks and stole another kiss from his lover. When both have their fair share of attention they decided to enter Penacony. Caelus couldn't wait to see what costumes they will get and to together check all attractions.
When they got to Golden Hour their usual clothes immediately changed. Aventurine got vampire costume he was wearing perfectly fitting black suit with long to the ground cape that was black outside and dark gold inside. His hair was combed back and his normally alluring eyes seemed hypnotising in this form, last new thing that he got were pair of sharp fangs.
And Caelus? He got... sexy bunny costume! Silver haired man quickly looked in window on the closest building to see that he was wearing skin-tight black with some teal parts here and there, suit that was showing every curve of Caelus body, and black high heels with dark teal bottoms. On top of his head showed up two long, silver ears and behind him showed cute, fluffy, silver tail.
Aventurine eyes got bigger and immediately came closer to his partner with mischievous smile. "Can I have a one bite from my dear bunny?" Laughed lightly Aventurine when Caelus started spinning around trying to see his tail properly and then immediately stopped after hearing Aventurine question.
"I know you too well, so don't even try. I know it will not end with only one especially seeing your actual form. We have plans, but you may have some later."
"I will remember that then. Did you ordered our costumes?"
"No, I wanted it to be suprise, so they were supposed to choose themselves."
"Do you want to change your costume?"
Caelus spined a little more to get better look at himself and shook his head. "No need, maybe because we're in dream world it isn't uncomfortable at all and with amount of guests it would take a lot of time to get to talk to any workers, we would end up losing a lot of attractions. And no you don't need to give me your cape. Let's take photo and then let's go to our first attraction"
Aventurine who was getting ready to take off his cape stopped midway and shook his shoulders. "As you want." Blond man put his arm around Traiblazer waist specially lightly caressing fluffy tail on his way and after taking their first photos he looked at his partner face. "So where you want to go first?"
"Let's go to Shopping Street first, I want to try special holiday foods and see what interesting things they have there."
It didn't took them long to get there and what they saw exept even more people than normally, in many different types of outfits, were a lot of different decorations. Huge ghosts, spiders, witches and many many more different creatures and monsters were put all around shops and streets. Caelus ears were standing straight and moving from side to side until they stopped when he finally saw something what caught his attention and moment later he brought Aventurine to bakery. They tried some delicious backed goods like fresh pumpkin pie, some monster shaped donuts and drank some nice coffee, after that they decided to walk a little around. Caelus after buying them caramel apples went to buy some gift for his friends from Astral Express and Aventurine jokingly said that he need to find some special totally not containing prank, gift for Topaz. Caelus only shook his head on never ending teasing of those two bored Stone Hearts and decided to get something nice for Topaz as well.
When they had enough shopping and Aventurine send all their bought things to their room they went to Aideen Park. When Caelus went away just for moment to buy them some caramel popcorn from food truck, Aventurine already won some prizes for him. Some time later after winning one more time and deciding to stop to leave some luck for others Aventurine noticed that coming to him Caelus was holding something behind his back.
"Look I won mini you!" Said Caelus and handed Aventurine small, round, fluffy bat plushie.
"Thank you my love, it's lovely." Said Aventurine and kissed Caelus head. "So what you want to do next?"
"Clock Studios Theme Park events should be open now, so we can go there."
Aventurine took Caelus hand in his own and they started to leave Park. "Alright let me order transport for us then."
Soon they arrived to Theme Park and from just it entrance they could see that this place also got a lot of different themed decorations and attractions. Caelus eyes shined and his soft ears were moving a lot fallowing different noises around them be it happy ones when people were enjoying time limited delicious snacks or when they finally got to attractions they were waiting or scared ones coming from different themed haunted houses and escape rooms.
Caelus brought Aventurine to try some small snacks in shapes of ghosts and pumpkins before he leaded him to main attraction, and soon after using Bubble Pinball Machine they stand in front of big building of escape room.
Before they were able to enter they got informed by workers that weapons are forbidden and will not work inside, to prevent any possible accidents and after getting special button to use if this experience would be too much for them, they got leaded inside.
Immediately after getting inside huge metal doors with bars closed behind them loudly what slightly startled them. They were slowly walking through dark corridor avoiding spiderwebs and chains from celling and trying to squeeze through small spaces forward.
Everything seemed calm exept some small noises and some moving object until they went through another corner and something fastly moved in from of them and then they started to hear some noises coming from behind them. Caelus fastly grabbed Aventurine hand and even if he tried to play it though his ears that went down and big eyes looking around them showed Aventurine truth, so he squeezed Caelus hand reassuringly and leaded them forward.
When they thought they may be safe at least for some time, from hidden mirror on the side came knocking and they saw shadowy figures behind, so to not try their luck they decided to move faster. When they were about to cross door in front of them Caelus fastly stopped Aventurine.
"Wait, I hear something behind the door." Whispered Caelus whose bunny ears were listened carefully for any danger.
When they slowly opened door in the distance they noticed masked person in butcher outfit with big sharp weapon sliding on the ground who was patrolling corridors. They fastly look around and noticed how huge this room is.
"They really went full with all this." Said Caelus after noticing another obstacle and another hiding spot.
"It's funded by Penacony Families and they can make everything they want, so it's no suprise they will try to give best experiences especially during special events. What are we doing now?"
"We need to sneak around him, but there is this big lock on doors, so we need to find a key."
"Don't tell me this man have it."
Caelus ears went fully straight and he was listening carefully to moves of butcher in distance. "I can't hear anything from him, so it need to be somewhere else. Let's look around quietly."
They were very carefully checking everything around making sure to not make to much noise and to hide when butcher got closer. In some boxes that they were checking they found some different size square puzzles, so they decided to take them. After some time of checking different places they finally found something when they went to one of more hidden side rooms. They finally found right place, in front of them were wall with holes for puzzles that they found on their way. They decided that Caelus with his great hearing will watch over corridor to make sure that nobody is coming and Aventurine tried to solve puzzles. Aventurine put small squares that they found in correct empty places and thanks to that he was able to move big plates to put it in right order to fully solve it. After some more turning of plates around and hiding with Caelus when butcher was getting closer and was checking on their room, Aventurine solved puzzle and the smallest plate in the middle opened reveling key.
Next they decided to quietly sneak to the door when butcher went in different direction, but when they were coming closer to doors something pushed boxes down making huge noise and in second they could hear loud steps coming their way. They as fast as they could got to the door and tried to open it, but old lock didn't help then make it easy and they were afraid that key may broke in the process or butcher may get to them first. When steps were very close they managed to finally open lock and fastly hide behind door after closing them.
"That was close one." Said Caelus after making sure that he heard butcher retreat.
"Too close, I know they're just actors, but I would rather not meet them face to face."
"Same especially without being able to fight back, let's get some rest and then let's go away from here."
They hoped that they will have at least some time to get proper breath, but then some white figure moved behind them and started to trow boxes and furniture down. Caelus grabbed Aventurine hand and both men started to run avoiding different fallen things and trusting that fallowing lighted paths will not backfire on them with ending in dead end. After another turn they noticed huge open door and went through it. Doors closed behind them and they finally have time to see where they got. This time they ended in big destroyed bar. Chairs and tables were thrown around, bottles were destroyed behind the bar counter and painting of famous people were changed for scary creatures that looked like in any moment they could came out from painting back to life.
They went straight to doors to see that as they expected they were closed. When they wanted to turn around to find another key they jumped back when they noticed skeleton with his right hand closed tightly around key. Caelus tried to take key, but it wasn't possible to open it's hand.
"So we need to find way to make skeleton open it's hand." Said Caelus after backing to Aventurine side.
"Yes and it may have something to do with it's missing parts."
They noticed that artificial skeleton was missing it's left hand and right leg, so after making sure they can walk around freely without any danger, they started their search.
Caelus then looked around and his eyes stayed on ceiling. "I think I found one part."
Aventurine immediately looked up and noticed skeleton leg on table. "How can we get there?"
"Oh I remember, for this one we need to find Bubble Charge it looks like golden bubbles coming from big bowl, then we will be able to go on walls, but you see those foggy shapes?" Aventurine nodded after seeing dark blue clouds. "Those are enemies, so we need to sneak around them if we can't use our powers here."
"I think I saw something like Bubbles behind one of pillars."
They both immediately went to check it and after taking two bobbles they went to the right wall. They sneaked without being spotted by any of what seems special Halloween edition of Sweet Dream Troupe with scary faces on screens, and went to second bridge leading to ceiling. From shadows there showed up bigger enemies roaming around table.
"We need to distract them and fastly take this bone. If we will be fast enough and run back to wall they will not fallow us there." Explained Caelus.
"Alright, they said no weapons, but they didn't say anything about chips, so I will take care of making noise with help of those balloons and you take bone alright?"
Caelus agreed for this plan and then Aventurine steadily hid behind obstacle and pop balloon on other side with his chip. His vampire costumes helped him with being more agile and busted his strength making his part with distracting enemies easier.
From other side Caelus fastly got to table and took bone, but immediately after that enemies turned their heads in his direction and rushed at him. Aventurine fastly ran to him and after catching his hand they fastly got back to the wall.
"I know that they just play and probably only will end our run, but still all those attractions are such a challenge."
"True, you want to take a break Caelus?"
"Not needed, I feel that we are almost there, so there is no time for breaks."
Aventurine squeezed Caelus hand and gently smiled to him. "Alright, but if you will need anything then tell me immediately."
"Of course, but you too don't overdo."
When they got back on ground they put skeleton leg back and one of side doors opened. They looked at each other and after nodding they went in direction of door.
There on huge shelf they noticed missing hand.
"How are we supposed take this one? It doesn't seem like we can climb on any thing properly to get up. Wait what is this TV?"
"Oh it's Hanu special TV. I can try to get there with it help, but you will need to catch this bone."
Before Aventurine was able to ask anything else Caelus went to TV and changed into Hanu small form.
"So how getting even smaller will help us?"
Caelus only made cool sounding grunt and went in direction of small device that looked like blue rocket after what he immediately got on top of shelf.
"I will never doubt your trailblazing abilities love." Said impressed Aventurine for what Caelus grunted satisfied.
When Caelus was continuing his task room got immediately very cold and in moment from mirror showed the same ghost from before. Caelus hid behind vase and Aventurine ducked behind one of bookcases. They were slowly moving around room to not get noticed and when Caelus was near bone he waited for sign from Aventurine. When blond man got in good enough place he nodded and Caelus pushed hand down which Aventurine immediately caught and hide in time before ghost was back. Using the same way they were getting back to entrance. Caelus while trying to hide almost pushed one of vases down, but he managed to hold it and continued his way back.
When they finally were at doors Caelus fastly changed back and they still very quietly left room.
After closing door they finally took deep breath and put skeleton hand back. Main door opened and they after taking someone breaths went to them.
Behind doors there were long full of different furniture's and other obstacles corridor. When they crossed doors they closed behind them.
"Are you ready for potential run for it again?" Asked Aventurine.
"Yeah, this room screams be ready to run from monster. We went through a lot it will be pice of cake." Said Caelus and took Aventurine hand in his own and after leaving small kiss on it, he put his head on blond man arm.
"Are you sure you want to run in those high heels? I can give you my shoes to let your legs rest."
"I think it may be Penacony thing, but honestly I don't even feel them like at all after all this running also they realy are made in dream because no matter what they're still spotless. I was afraid that during any first run heel will broke, but look they are like like new."
"Good, but still after this let rest properly."
"I have something else planned for today, but it will not be tiring and after that you will get enough just us two time."
"Good, I can't wait for that time." Said happy Aventurine and kissed Caelus cheek. "Alright we have small break, let's move now."
And as they predicted after taking some steps room again got cold and behind them showed the same ghost. They immediately started to run avoiding any obstacles thrown on them and ones that fallen down. They took another turn and in distance they noticed gate with bars like the one at beginning, so they speeded up even more and crossed them before ghost could catch them.
In new room lights were immediately lit up and before them were standing Park workers and Penacony Paperfold University College students clapping for them.
"Congratulations! You're first guests that managed to fully finish this escape room."
"Yes Congratulations! Here take your prize."
They took their prize which was big pumpkin basket with very rare event themed souvenirs and more things hidden inside.
"That was something and for sure will stay in our memories for long, good that's over." Said Aventurine and leaned on Caelus arm.
"Everything was so cool you guys really go full on it. All those shades, butcher, robots and this ghost."
"Talking about ghost it were special guests from Professor Owl, so we don't know who their are, but they're real professionals. We will not waste any more of your time dear guest if you have any questions come and ask us and now we wish you Happy Halloween and we hope to see you again."
When workers and students left they noticed in corner of their eyes white and heard small chirps.
"So that why ghost was flying so good and fast. It were professionals in action." Said Caelus and took white material down reveling bunch of origami Birds.
"Origami birds huh? They really know their stuff."
"Sorry guests, but we were asked by Professor Owl to be as convincing as we can."
"Don't apologise, it's part of escape room and you were great."
Caelus agreed with Aventurine and lightly pet birds for what they chirped happily. After snuggling to both men, taking few photos and saying goodbyes Origami Birds flew away.
"So where is our next destination my dear bunny?"
"I promised Siobhan to visit her at bar, so let's go try some new blends that she promisedto prepare for us."
Aventurine let himself get lead to another direction never even wanting to decline anything to his warm star who is always making his days better and helps him rest properly and Caelus was happy that he always can easily convince his dear boyfriend to take breaks and that no matter were they end they always made great memories together.
~
In her office Topaz was finishing another paper work out of many that she got lately while Numby was sleeping peacefully in her portable bed. But Topaz wasn't complaining as much as lately because at least she was able to be free from her bigger pain in the arse, who was annoying her especially lately what was probably caused by his need of break and lack of attention from Caelus. Talking about them she planned small revenge on her coworker and she only need to wait for photos that Caelus often sends to her like he do to Astral Express crew to show what he visited or explored together with Aventurine. She didn't need to wait long to hear her phone ding with messages from Caelus. When she unlocked her phone she noticed that they were standing in Clock Studio Theme Park together with Origami Birds and Caelus wrote in his message about all nice attractions telling that Topaz should try them too, but something was wrong.
"Wait a minute it was supposed to be Aventurine in compromising outfit, so I can have my revenge for his last prank... eh, but those two dorks looks so happy. I will let go of it for now, but when he will be back I will get him for sure!"