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\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDanaume\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDanaume\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
.

You can find a reference to them here in her gallery!

I hope you enjoy this lighthearted RR tale of trick or treating between two friends.", "writing": "The hood of his costume itched. Cain frowned in the mirror, looking at the werewolf costume over his fur. Every year his dad picked something like this. Something meant to be scary. He wanted to pick his own costume, but his father always had something planned, and Cain couldn't say no to him and ruin the holiday.\n\nA mocking rendition of Transylvanian laughter echoed through the halls, ``Son! Cori is here!'' his father shouted. With a sigh, he grabbed his pillow sack and stepped out of his room, stepping eye to the ribcage of skeletons doting the halls. His father loved Halloween so much, he even decorated the inside of the house. One year it got so bad that he put fake spiders above Cain's bed when he was sleeping. \n\nHe still had a shiver whenever he saw those eight-legged creeps crawling around.\n\nCori and his father were waiting in the front hall. His father smiled, exposing the fangs with fake extensions for that little vampiric touch. The older cougar had dyed his headfur black and slicked it while coating his fur in a ghostly white and wearing a victorian style gentleman's suit with a heavy cloak. Or, as his father would put it, classical vampire. Coriander couldn't have been more opposite. The deer dressed in a pink princess outfit with a small golden tiara made of plastic, carrying a scowl that Cain knew would scare more kids than anything his dad put up. \n\n``It is a full moon tonight,'' His father said, holding up his cape with dramatic energy, ``Be sure not to bite anyone, my creature of the night. Else we might need extra rooms.''\n\n``Dad, just...oh my god...'' Cain said, keeping his eyes on the floor as he stepped past him and his best friend. \n\nCori snickered. ``Has he gotten his shots?'' She asked, to Cain's own embarrassment. \n\nHis father bellowed a deep laugh, ``Werewolves don't get shots. Not on Halloween. Now,'' the cougar dropped his accent for the moment, ``I want you kids to stay in the neighborhood this year. Cain's mother is working late at the hospital and I need to give out treats, so be safe and don't cause too many problems.'' \n\n``Sure thing, Mr-''\n\nHis father held up his cape, ``Count Varaxis!'' He cackled. Cain rolled his eyes, meekly grabbing his best friend so they could distance themselves as far away from his dad as possible. She giggled, wrapping her arm around his neck and howling into the night.\n\n``Your dad is crazy.'' She said, opening up her sack, ``But at least he's crazy about the right things. Probably the only guy on the block that gives full-sized chocolate bars instead of that mini stuff.''\n\n``He buys them in bulk a month in advance,'' Cain said, scratching his head. This damned hood just didn't stop itching, ``At least he saves one or two for me every year whenever I get back.''\n\n``At least you get to eat the candy you guys buy.'' Cori said with a sigh, ``After a couple of hours, my folks just pour the leftovers in a bowl and leave it out with a take one sign. I mean, they know nobody just takes one.''\n\n``I just take one.''\n\n``Yeah but you have full chocolate bars waiting for you at home. Other kids gotta get a good haul.'' She said. \n\nCain rolled his eyes, taking note of all the houses they were passing. ``Hey, Cori. Aren't we supposed to be trick or treating?''\n\n``Ya huh,'' She nodded, ``Just not in this neighborhood. Only your dad has good stuff here.'' The deer wrapped her arm around his shoulder, pulling him in closer, ``Plus, I have an idea to help you deal with that costume, and I think you're gonna want to be in someplace different for it.''\n\nCain gulped. This hadn't been the first time Cori had a plan for something crazy. But the couger trusted her, probably more than he should have. They crept out into the darkness of the woods. With a flashlight, Cori led the way through, stepping over the twigs and taking better care for her dress than he expected. ``So, did your mom pick out the dress?''\n\n``My dad did actually.'' Cori said, ``At my mom's request. I think he was trying to make her happy, since he ended up slipping me an extra bag of sour-patch as a bribe.''\n\n``Why?''\n\nShe shrugged, ``Don't know, don't care. It's not gonna be my problem much longer.'' Lights returned from the edge of the woods. Smiling, the deer started stripping her costume off, ``Ok, let's do it.''\n\n``Do...what?'' Cain turned his gaze away and pulled the hood down, hiding his blush, ``Cori what are you doing.''\n\n``Getting out of this silly dress. Why aren't you stripping?''\n\n``B-because we're outside.'' \n\n``Nobody is watching.'' She said, ``Besides, I've been noting how you've been eyeing my dress. And how much you eyed the girly toys my mom always buys me. You've been wanting to try it, haven't you?''\n\nAs ridiculous as it sounded, she wasn't completely wrong. But he couldn't just dress in a pink dress. Cain was a boy! If people found out he'd...he peeked through his hood, looking around the empty woods. No one was there to notice. ``Y-you're sure no one in this other neighborhood will know us?''\n\n``Two hundred percent.'' She said, handing over the pink dress, ``You, you wanna be a pretty princess for Halloween?''\n\nWith a blush as bright as vampire fangs in the moonlight, he nodded, tossing off the itchy werewolf costume and taking the dress. Putting it on, everything felt a little breezy. The elbow length dark pink gloves helped, but he still hugged himself a little. Cori wore his old costume like a glove, smiling wide with the wolf eared hood and her ears poking out behind it, ``I bet wolves are gonna give me a weird look.'' She giggled, slipping on the clawed gloves and fur-lined vest. Looking him over, the deer rested those fake claws against her chin and circled him. \n\n``Something's missing.'' She said. Grabbing the plastic gold tiara off the ground, she leaned in and whispered, ``Kneel, princess. Gotta give you your crown.''\n\nHeart racing, he followed, hovering his knee just a few inches off the ground to avoid staining their costume. ``And now, to the fairest maiden in the land, I beseech upon you this crown. So that everyone may see how pretty and pink you are.'' Cori teased, gently leaving the crown atop his head.\n\nHe reached for the tiara as he stood up, careful not to let it fall. Warm in his chest, Cain saw Cori smiling wide in his direction, ``You look great.'' She said, ``Better than I did.''\n\n``T-thanks,'' He whispered, ``You look cool too...is it itchy?'' \n\nScratching her hood, the deer shook her head, ``Nah. Least not that much. Now come on,'' Grabbing his hand, she pulled him along and said, ``It's time to get our haul!''\n\nLights abound, Cain held his sack close to his chest while his best friend dragged him through the unfamiliar neighborhood. The young cougar couldn't recognize anyone with their costumes, but none seemed to have paid him any attention either. That didn't stop him from huddling behind Cori whenever a big group passed by, silenting hoping they didn't notice him. \n\n``T-this is a bad idea,'' He mumbled, ``I mean, people can take pictures and-''\n\n``It's halloween, princess'' Cori teased. She pointed off to a cub dressed in a blonde wig, a golden winged tiara, and carrying a blue bladed sword, ``That boy is dressed as She-Ra.''\n\n``How do you know that's a boy.''\n\n``Woman's intuition.''\n\n``You're ten.''\n\n``And it's rude to point that out,'' she said, sticking out her tongue, ``Point is, if people catch you wearing this and make fun of you for it, just remember it's halloween. Besides, we'll get extra candy if they do.''\n\n``Why?''\n\nShe flexed her arm, ``Cause I'll go all wolf on em.''\n\nHe snickered. Cain could see her going after a few bullies tonight. Just a swift look from her at school was enough to get most bullies to back off temporarily. At least it had him walking at a brisk pace besides her. Stopping at their first house, he had to admire the detail of its residence. A fake graveyard dotting the lawn, glowing eyes stuck to the darkened windows, a small fog rolling out from the steps, and a single skeleton hanging from the front door on a nose made of fake chains. \n\nHis father might have been envious. \n\nBaskets and sacks in hand, they stepped up the creaking stairs. On reflex, his eyes shifted around to see who was watching, blushing at the onlookers that had passed them by. Cori still smiled, ringing the doorbell and raising her bucket when the door opened. \n\n``Trick or treat!'' She shouted. \n\n``Well isn't that a lovely costume.'' The bunny in the doorway said. Cain felt something stir at the sight of their host. The bunny had wide hips, and covered herself in a tight black dress that ended in spiderwebs near her feet. Fake fangs lined up against her bucktooth, though they did little to hurt her motherly smile. The rabbit eyed him down as well, ``Aren't you a cute little princess.''\n\nCain nodded. He couldn't speak, too afraid to give himself away. ``Oh hubby,'' the bunny called out behind her, ``Can you bring our guests their treats? We wouldn't want to get tricked.'' The two kids looked to each other at that, never even considering how they would trick people if their demands weren't met. Before they could say a word, a large and round bunny wrapped in toilet paper and something black and shiny underneath entered the frame, carrying a large plastic pumpkin filled with candy. ``Take one you two,'' The gothic bunny said, ``Or else this vampire might have to punish her thrall for not keeping better care of the treats.'' \n\nWithout warning, Cori grabbed a handful of candy and skiddaddled. ``Happy Halloween!'' She shouted. Cain blinked, looking at the candy basket, Cori running off, and the smiling bunny. Their host giggled, ``Well, I guess that's another one for the tally.'' She said. The mummy bunny's suit squeaked as his head, earning a soft pet from the vampire, ``Well, princess. Do you want your candy?'' She asked.\n\nWith a nod and a gulp, Cain stuffed a handful into his bag and ran off. \n\nCori wasn't kidding with how loaded this neighborhood was. By the time they finished and headed back into the woods, Cain wished he dragged a wagon with him to carry it all. They laid their loads onto the dirt, candy nearly spilling out with the heavy thud. ``And now to trade.'' She said, grabbing the bottom end of her bucket. \n\nHe grabbed her shoulder, ``Shouldn't we do it at mine or your place? The candy could get dirty out here.'' The cougar said, eyeing the darkened woods. \n\nShe smiled, ``Scared of a little dirt, princess?'' She asked. Cain shook his head. He really would rather just not be doing candy trades in the middle of the woods. Something could come out to try and steal them. They did run into their fair share of teenagers on bikes, any one of which could be stalking them.\n\nThe deer frowned, ``Fine, but your place. I don't want mom hounding me on my candy.'' She said with a sigh, stripping out of his werewolf costume. This time he did watch, biting his lip as moonlight glistened through the branches between the both of them. His stomach felt funny off of a sudden, not sick funny but...light. As if he swallowed air and it was trying to raise him up. In her undies, she looked at him and smiled, ``Whatever happened to not looking?''\n\n``S-sorry,'' He said, blushing and turning his cheek. She laughed, gently punching him in the arm, ``No need to be sorry. We're friends. Not like it's that weird, princess.'' The deer teased. Not sure how exactly to respond, he started stripping out of the pink costume, saving the tiara for last. What he would give to wear it instead of the itchy wolf hood, but he didn't have much choice in the matter. \n\nTrick or treaters were still out and about by the time they reached his house. Knowing what was coming, he sighed and pressed the doorbell. The front door swung inward, with a cloaked figure standing in a misty fog, ``I vant to suck your-oh,'' His father said, dropping the accent and the cap upon seeing them, ``Hey kids. Where have you been?''\n\n``Trick or treating.'' Cori said, not exactly lying.\n\n``I see.'' He said, eyeing their heavy hauls. ``Well, I'm sure the neighborhood this year started supplying the good stuff, right?'' The cougar smiled with a small wink directed to Cain. Letting his head slump between his shoulders, Cain nodded, already knowing what his dad expected. The older cougar patted his head, forcing that itchy hood down further against his scalp, ``I won't tell your mother. Halloween is an adventure after all.''\n\n``Can we go inside to split our candy, Mr. Katze?''\n\nHis father, as much as Cain wished he wouldn't, pulled up his cloak and answered in his transylvanian accent, ``That is Count Varaxis to you, blueblood! And yes, you may.'' Not a second later did Cori grab Cain's hand and drag him up the stairs and into his room, closing the door behind them.\n\nSpilling their candy across the floor, the two went to work sorting them out into piles. Whereas Cori set about making one giant pile and picking through which candies she liked and which she considered trading, Cain set them out based on what type of candy they were. Chocolate, peanut butter based, sour candy, gummies, and hard candies all had their own spaces.\n\n``You're such a neatfreak.'' She joked, sorting through his candy pile, ``Hmm...I'm not a fan of Reese's, can I trade you mine for these Nerds?''\n\n``Those are pretty much all my Nerds.'' \n\n``Yeah, and I'm giving you a lot more Reese's. People really overbuy on the single cup packs.''\n\n``Ok, fair. Sure.'' He said, not being against having more Reese's in his set candy stash. ``Can I trade my sour patch for your skittles?''\n\n``Which kind of skittles?''\n\n``You got several kinds?''\n\nShe nodded, ``Someone passed out tropical. Not sure where they got them this year, but I'm not complaining.''\n\nHe winced, ``Tropical? Ugh. I hate tropical. How about your normal skittles?'' \n\n``Sure,'' She said, passing it along, ``And I think I'll trade these Twix for a few kisses.'' He nodded, looking over his candy pile to find those chocolate shaped drops called `Kisses'. Except, the cougar couldn't find any. He blinked, checking through the pile over and over. Cain knew he had to have some of them, what kind of kid didn't get kisses in his stash?\n\n``I...I don't have any kisses.'' He said.\n\n``Not what I meant.'' Cori said, leaning in mere inches from his face. They both froze, staring at each other?s squished faces with soft blushes for an uncomfortably long time. His heard his heart pounding deep in his chest, feeling as light as earlier when she stripped down. She bit her lip, still smiling but hesitating.\n\nThen their lips met. A second, that's all it took, and she was back on her side, taking his twix bar and keeping her gaze down, still blushing. They kept sorting candy, acting like that simple kiss didn't happen.\n\nSomeone knocked at the door, turning the knob before he could answer. His mother stood in the hallway, wearing the bare minimum of an arrow headband for her costume, ``Coriander, your parents called. They want you back home before it gets too dark.''\n\n``Ok. Thanks Mrs Katze!'' She said, pulling her candy back into her pumpkin shaped bucket, ``Later Cain, see you tomorrow.'' The deer said, sticking out her tongue as she headed out the door. He waved her off, his heart beating strangely while watching her go. His mom gave him a soft, but stern look, hands on her hips.\n\n``Mom?'' He asked.\n\n``Why was your door closed?''\n\nHe blinked, ``Well, Cori-''\n\n``It's not polite to close the door to your room with a girl inside it.'' She said, tapping her foot, ``Especially not at your age.''\n\n``But I-''\n\nShe raised her hand, ``No buts. I know she's your friend, but you need to remember certain ground rules when dealing with girls, young mister. Now you can have one bit of candy tonight, but I want to see that sack in the kitchen soon for safekeeping. Can't have you binging it and getting a tummy ache later.'' \n\n``Yes, mom.'' He said, pooling his candy into the empty pillowcase while his mother left. He didn't close the door, Cori was the one that closed them together. Cain kept thinking about his best friend throughout the night. That may have been the first time he'd ever seen her hesitate. The cougar couldn't figure out why. \n\nPushing it aside, he sorted through the bag, trying to find something to snack on before giving up his haul. To his surprise, he found a single Hershey's Kiss in his bag, wrapped in pink foil.\n\n``I guess I did have a kiss.''\n\n", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "The hood of his costume itched. Cain frowned in the mirror, looking at the werewolf costume over his fur. Every year his dad picked something like this. Something meant to be scary. He wanted to pick his own costume, but his father always had something planned, and Cain couldn't say no to him and ruin the holiday.

A mocking rendition of Transylvanian laughter echoed through the halls, ``Son! Cori is here!'' his father shouted. With a sigh, he grabbed his pillow sack and stepped out of his room, stepping eye to the ribcage of skeletons doting the halls. His father loved Halloween so much, he even decorated the inside of the house. One year it got so bad that he put fake spiders above Cain's bed when he was sleeping.

He still had a shiver whenever he saw those eight-legged creeps crawling around.

Cori and his father were waiting in the front hall. His father smiled, exposing the fangs with fake extensions for that little vampiric touch. The older cougar had dyed his headfur black and slicked it while coating his fur in a ghostly white and wearing a victorian style gentleman's suit with a heavy cloak. Or, as his father would put it, classical vampire. Coriander couldn't have been more opposite. The deer dressed in a pink princess outfit with a small golden tiara made of plastic, carrying a scowl that Cain knew would scare more kids than anything his dad put up.

``It is a full moon tonight,'' His father said, holding up his cape with dramatic energy, ``Be sure not to bite anyone, my creature of the night. Else we might need extra rooms.''

``Dad, just...oh my god...'' Cain said, keeping his eyes on the floor as he stepped past him and his best friend.

Cori snickered. ``Has he gotten his shots?'' She asked, to Cain's own embarrassment.

His father bellowed a deep laugh, ``Werewolves don't get shots. Not on Halloween. Now,'' the cougar dropped his accent for the moment, ``I want you kids to stay in the neighborhood this year. Cain's mother is working late at the hospital and I need to give out treats, so be safe and don't cause too many problems.''

``Sure thing, Mr-''

His father held up his cape, ``Count Varaxis!'' He cackled. Cain rolled his eyes, meekly grabbing his best friend so they could distance themselves as far away from his dad as possible. She giggled, wrapping her arm around his neck and howling into the night.

``Your dad is crazy.'' She said, opening up her sack, ``But at least he's crazy about the right things. Probably the only guy on the block that gives full-sized chocolate bars instead of that mini stuff.''

``He buys them in bulk a month in advance,'' Cain said, scratching his head. This damned hood just didn't stop itching, ``At least he saves one or two for me every year whenever I get back.''

``At least you get to eat the candy you guys buy.'' Cori said with a sigh, ``After a couple of hours, my folks just pour the leftovers in a bowl and leave it out with a take one sign. I mean, they know nobody just takes one.''

``I just take one.''

``Yeah but you have full chocolate bars waiting for you at home. Other kids gotta get a good haul.'' She said.

Cain rolled his eyes, taking note of all the houses they were passing. ``Hey, Cori. Aren't we supposed to be trick or treating?''

``Ya huh,'' She nodded, ``Just not in this neighborhood. Only your dad has good stuff here.'' The deer wrapped her arm around his shoulder, pulling him in closer, ``Plus, I have an idea to help you deal with that costume, and I think you're gonna want to be in someplace different for it.''

Cain gulped. This hadn't been the first time Cori had a plan for something crazy. But the couger trusted her, probably more than he should have. They crept out into the darkness of the woods. With a flashlight, Cori led the way through, stepping over the twigs and taking better care for her dress than he expected. ``So, did your mom pick out the dress?''

``My dad did actually.'' Cori said, ``At my mom's request. I think he was trying to make her happy, since he ended up slipping me an extra bag of sour-patch as a bribe.''

``Why?''

She shrugged, ``Don't know, don't care. It's not gonna be my problem much longer.'' Lights returned from the edge of the woods. Smiling, the deer started stripping her costume off, ``Ok, let's do it.''

``Do...what?'' Cain turned his gaze away and pulled the hood down, hiding his blush, ``Cori what are you doing.''

``Getting out of this silly dress. Why aren't you stripping?''

``B-because we're outside.''

``Nobody is watching.'' She said, ``Besides, I've been noting how you've been eyeing my dress. And how much you eyed the girly toys my mom always buys me. You've been wanting to try it, haven't you?''

As ridiculous as it sounded, she wasn't completely wrong. But he couldn't just dress in a pink dress. Cain was a boy! If people found out he'd...he peeked through his hood, looking around the empty woods. No one was there to notice. ``Y-you're sure no one in this other neighborhood will know us?''

``Two hundred percent.'' She said, handing over the pink dress, ``You, you wanna be a pretty princess for Halloween?''

With a blush as bright as vampire fangs in the moonlight, he nodded, tossing off the itchy werewolf costume and taking the dress. Putting it on, everything felt a little breezy. The elbow length dark pink gloves helped, but he still hugged himself a little. Cori wore his old costume like a glove, smiling wide with the wolf eared hood and her ears poking out behind it, ``I bet wolves are gonna give me a weird look.'' She giggled, slipping on the clawed gloves and fur-lined vest. Looking him over, the deer rested those fake claws against her chin and circled him.

``Something's missing.'' She said. Grabbing the plastic gold tiara off the ground, she leaned in and whispered, ``Kneel, princess. Gotta give you your crown.''

Heart racing, he followed, hovering his knee just a few inches off the ground to avoid staining their costume. ``And now, to the fairest maiden in the land, I beseech upon you this crown. So that everyone may see how pretty and pink you are.'' Cori teased, gently leaving the crown atop his head.

He reached for the tiara as he stood up, careful not to let it fall. Warm in his chest, Cain saw Cori smiling wide in his direction, ``You look great.'' She said, ``Better than I did.''

``T-thanks,'' He whispered, ``You look cool too...is it itchy?''

Scratching her hood, the deer shook her head, ``Nah. Least not that much. Now come on,'' Grabbing his hand, she pulled him along and said, ``It's time to get our haul!''

Lights abound, Cain held his sack close to his chest while his best friend dragged him through the unfamiliar neighborhood. The young cougar couldn't recognize anyone with their costumes, but none seemed to have paid him any attention either. That didn't stop him from huddling behind Cori whenever a big group passed by, silenting hoping they didn't notice him.

``T-this is a bad idea,'' He mumbled, ``I mean, people can take pictures and-''

``It's halloween, princess'' Cori teased. She pointed off to a cub dressed in a blonde wig, a golden winged tiara, and carrying a blue bladed sword, ``That boy is dressed as She-Ra.''

``How do you know that's a boy.''

``Woman's intuition.''

``You're ten.''

``And it's rude to point that out,'' she said, sticking out her tongue, ``Point is, if people catch you wearing this and make fun of you for it, just remember it's halloween. Besides, we'll get extra candy if they do.''

``Why?''

She flexed her arm, ``Cause I'll go all wolf on em.''

He snickered. Cain could see her going after a few bullies tonight. Just a swift look from her at school was enough to get most bullies to back off temporarily. At least it had him walking at a brisk pace besides her. Stopping at their first house, he had to admire the detail of its residence. A fake graveyard dotting the lawn, glowing eyes stuck to the darkened windows, a small fog rolling out from the steps, and a single skeleton hanging from the front door on a nose made of fake chains.

His father might have been envious.

Baskets and sacks in hand, they stepped up the creaking stairs. On reflex, his eyes shifted around to see who was watching, blushing at the onlookers that had passed them by. Cori still smiled, ringing the doorbell and raising her bucket when the door opened.

``Trick or treat!'' She shouted.

``Well isn't that a lovely costume.'' The bunny in the doorway said. Cain felt something stir at the sight of their host. The bunny had wide hips, and covered herself in a tight black dress that ended in spiderwebs near her feet. Fake fangs lined up against her bucktooth, though they did little to hurt her motherly smile. The rabbit eyed him down as well, ``Aren't you a cute little princess.''

Cain nodded. He couldn't speak, too afraid to give himself away. ``Oh hubby,'' the bunny called out behind her, ``Can you bring our guests their treats? We wouldn't want to get tricked.'' The two kids looked to each other at that, never even considering how they would trick people if their demands weren't met. Before they could say a word, a large and round bunny wrapped in toilet paper and something black and shiny underneath entered the frame, carrying a large plastic pumpkin filled with candy. ``Take one you two,'' The gothic bunny said, ``Or else this vampire might have to punish her thrall for not keeping better care of the treats.''

Without warning, Cori grabbed a handful of candy and skiddaddled. ``Happy Halloween!'' She shouted. Cain blinked, looking at the candy basket, Cori running off, and the smiling bunny. Their host giggled, ``Well, I guess that's another one for the tally.'' She said. The mummy bunny's suit squeaked as his head, earning a soft pet from the vampire, ``Well, princess. Do you want your candy?'' She asked.

With a nod and a gulp, Cain stuffed a handful into his bag and ran off.

Cori wasn't kidding with how loaded this neighborhood was. By the time they finished and headed back into the woods, Cain wished he dragged a wagon with him to carry it all. They laid their loads onto the dirt, candy nearly spilling out with the heavy thud. ``And now to trade.'' She said, grabbing the bottom end of her bucket.

He grabbed her shoulder, ``Shouldn't we do it at mine or your place? The candy could get dirty out here.'' The cougar said, eyeing the darkened woods.

She smiled, ``Scared of a little dirt, princess?'' She asked. Cain shook his head. He really would rather just not be doing candy trades in the middle of the woods. Something could come out to try and steal them. They did run into their fair share of teenagers on bikes, any one of which could be stalking them.

The deer frowned, ``Fine, but your place. I don't want mom hounding me on my candy.'' She said with a sigh, stripping out of his werewolf costume. This time he did watch, biting his lip as moonlight glistened through the branches between the both of them. His stomach felt funny off of a sudden, not sick funny but...light. As if he swallowed air and it was trying to raise him up. In her undies, she looked at him and smiled, ``Whatever happened to not looking?''

``S-sorry,'' He said, blushing and turning his cheek. She laughed, gently punching him in the arm, ``No need to be sorry. We're friends. Not like it's that weird, princess.'' The deer teased. Not sure how exactly to respond, he started stripping out of the pink costume, saving the tiara for last. What he would give to wear it instead of the itchy wolf hood, but he didn't have much choice in the matter.

Trick or treaters were still out and about by the time they reached his house. Knowing what was coming, he sighed and pressed the doorbell. The front door swung inward, with a cloaked figure standing in a misty fog, ``I vant to suck your-oh,'' His father said, dropping the accent and the cap upon seeing them, ``Hey kids. Where have you been?''

``Trick or treating.'' Cori said, not exactly lying.

``I see.'' He said, eyeing their heavy hauls. ``Well, I'm sure the neighborhood this year started supplying the good stuff, right?'' The cougar smiled with a small wink directed to Cain. Letting his head slump between his shoulders, Cain nodded, already knowing what his dad expected. The older cougar patted his head, forcing that itchy hood down further against his scalp, ``I won't tell your mother. Halloween is an adventure after all.''

``Can we go inside to split our candy, Mr. Katze?''

His father, as much as Cain wished he wouldn't, pulled up his cloak and answered in his transylvanian accent, ``That is Count Varaxis to you, blueblood! And yes, you may.'' Not a second later did Cori grab Cain's hand and drag him up the stairs and into his room, closing the door behind them.

Spilling their candy across the floor, the two went to work sorting them out into piles. Whereas Cori set about making one giant pile and picking through which candies she liked and which she considered trading, Cain set them out based on what type of candy they were. Chocolate, peanut butter based, sour candy, gummies, and hard candies all had their own spaces.

``You're such a neatfreak.'' She joked, sorting through his candy pile, ``Hmm...I'm not a fan of Reese's, can I trade you mine for these Nerds?''

``Those are pretty much all my Nerds.''

``Yeah, and I'm giving you a lot more Reese's. People really overbuy on the single cup packs.''

``Ok, fair. Sure.'' He said, not being against having more Reese's in his set candy stash. ``Can I trade my sour patch for your skittles?''

``Which kind of skittles?''

``You got several kinds?''

She nodded, ``Someone passed out tropical. Not sure where they got them this year, but I'm not complaining.''

He winced, ``Tropical? Ugh. I hate tropical. How about your normal skittles?''

``Sure,'' She said, passing it along, ``And I think I'll trade these Twix for a few kisses.'' He nodded, looking over his candy pile to find those chocolate shaped drops called `Kisses'. Except, the cougar couldn't find any. He blinked, checking through the pile over and over. Cain knew he had to have some of them, what kind of kid didn't get kisses in his stash?

``I...I don't have any kisses.'' He said.

``Not what I meant.'' Cori said, leaning in mere inches from his face. They both froze, staring at each other?s squished faces with soft blushes for an uncomfortably long time. His heard his heart pounding deep in his chest, feeling as light as earlier when she stripped down. She bit her lip, still smiling but hesitating.

Then their lips met. A second, that's all it took, and she was back on her side, taking his twix bar and keeping her gaze down, still blushing. They kept sorting candy, acting like that simple kiss didn't happen.

Someone knocked at the door, turning the knob before he could answer. His mother stood in the hallway, wearing the bare minimum of an arrow headband for her costume, ``Coriander, your parents called. They want you back home before it gets too dark.''

``Ok. Thanks Mrs Katze!'' She said, pulling her candy back into her pumpkin shaped bucket, ``Later Cain, see you tomorrow.'' The deer said, sticking out her tongue as she headed out the door. He waved her off, his heart beating strangely while watching her go. His mom gave him a soft, but stern look, hands on her hips.

``Mom?'' He asked.

``Why was your door closed?''

He blinked, ``Well, Cori-''

``It's not polite to close the door to your room with a girl inside it.'' She said, tapping her foot, ``Especially not at your age.''

``But I-''

She raised her hand, ``No buts. I know she's your friend, but you need to remember certain ground rules when dealing with girls, young mister. Now you can have one bit of candy tonight, but I want to see that sack in the kitchen soon for safekeeping. Can't have you binging it and getting a tummy ache later.''

``Yes, mom.'' He said, pooling his candy into the empty pillowcase while his mother left. He didn't close the door, Cori was the one that closed them together. Cain kept thinking about his best friend throughout the night. That may have been the first time he'd ever seen her hesitate. The cougar couldn't figure out why.

Pushing it aside, he sorted through the bag, trying to find something to snack on before giving up his haul. To his surprise, he found a single Hershey's Kiss in his bag, wrapped in pink foil.

``I guess I did have a kiss.''

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