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Any resemblance to persons alive or dead is purely coincidental. They are the original and rightful intellectual property of their creators. I use them with permission and respect. This work involves some suggestive and/or sexual content and underaged characters. You have been warned.\t\t\n\nSpring break had finally arrived and with it the time off that every cub had been thinking about for what seemed like ages. The final bell of school was something most cubs were looking forward to. As for Pent? It was a time of uncertainty for him. He thrived in the structure of the educational environment. Often finding himself lost without his usual goals. Though with his boyfriend in his life, for the first time, he was looking forward to some free time with Xavier.\n\n\tOne of the things that came with Spring was the harvest festival. The harvest festival was one of the things which cubs in the younger years of their lives looked forward to. The central focus of which was a holiday called Hollowscream. It was a holiday that had changed over the years but the general idea had remained the same; to dress up and go out trick or treating for candy. It was also a time when one of the seasonal dances was offered by the school.\n\n\tPent was at the age where Hollowscream was something that didn't interest him as much. However, he continued to go out with his brother who continued to enjoy the holiday for what it was worth. The day in question was fast approaching and Samaliel was already making plans for what he would wear for the holiday. His brother had given him a few hand-me-downs and as such had a few choices to work from.\n\n\tOne morning, the younger fox decided to talk to Pent about it at breakfast to see what his plans were. He wasn't sure whether the older fox had plans already or not. He knew his brother's life had changed for the better since meeting Xavier and he wasn't about to upend any plans he had already made with the chipmunk. The younger fox prepared breakfast for the two brothers as a surprise for the older boy.\n\nPent walked into the kitchen, still in his pajamas. \"What is this all about? You don't normally get breakfast ready for us.\"\n\n\"I figured it would be a nice surprise. Besides I was hoping we could talk a bit.\" The younger fox was already dressed for the day.\n\nThe white cub smiled at his brother. \"Yeah, sure. What's on your mind? Thanks for making breakfast.\"\n\n\"I was hoping we could talk about Hallowscream. Do you still want to go trick or treating with me or do you have plans already?\" The salt and pepper fox sat down at the table.\n\nThe older boy sat next to him. \"No, not yet. Did you want me to go out with you?\"\n\n\"I already asked Nait if he wants to go trick or treating with me and he said yes.\" Samaliel started to eat the muffins he had prepared them.\n\nPent bit on the apple. \"Oh? Did his parents already say yes?\"\n\n\"Yeah, he asked his parents already. They are cool with it. So if you don't want to come with us then that's fine.\" The younger boy felt he was mature enough to handle it.\n\nThe white fox thought about it for a second. \"Maybe. I'm not sure that's a good idea.\" \n\n\"Well…if you're going to go then why not invite Xavier?\" Samaliel sipped on his drink.\n\n\nThe older fox couldn't help but smile a bit. \"You think he'd go?\"\n\n\"Probably. You guys spend a lot of time together now. It would surprise me if he said no. You should ask him.\" The salt and pepper fox finished off his muffin.\n\nPent's tail wagged slowly behind him. \"Yeah, I hope he wants to go.\"\n\n\"Doesn't hurt to ask, Pent. The worst he can say is no.\" The younger boy smiled at his brother.\n\nThe two continued to eat breakfast and finished off what was left of it, talking about what they might wear as costumes. Pent's mind had quickly changed. Now he wanted to go and even more he wanted his boyfriend to go with him. The prospect of spending more time with his beloved only served to stir his interest. So after breakfast was over and it had been cleaned up, the older boy decided to see if the chipmunk boy was interested.\n\nPent padded back to his room and collected his phone from the charger. He flipped through the small list of contacts he had until he found Xavier and began to text him.\n\n\"Hey, Xae. I hope you're enjoying spring break. Do you have any plans for Hollowscream?\" The fox got right to the point with his message. \n\nThe white fox decided to read until he heard the familiar buzz, indicating a response had been delivered.\n\n\"Spring break is boring…No lacrosse games for a while. It stinks. What about yours? Reading anything interesting? Nah….I don't have any plans for Hallowscream. Did you want to do something?\" Xavier was bored out of his mind and looking for anything to do.\n\nPent smirked at the fact Xavier knew what he was doing. \"Yeah, I got a new book. It's all about unique insects of the Arabian Desert.\"\n\n\"Oh, that's interesting. What did you have in mind for Hallowscream?\" The chipmunk's face was now glued to the phone waiting for a response.\n\nThe Arctic fox kit responded shortly after. \"My brother wants to go trick or treating and I don't want him to go alone. Do you want to come with us?\"\n\n\"I'm not sure if I have a costume that fits me…It's been a while since I trick or treated.\" The brown-furred cub thought about it for a few seconds.\n\nPent planned on just going on as a mad scientist or something simple. \"You can just go as whatever. I just want to spend time with you.\"\n\n\"Sure, foxy. I'm game. What time do you guys plan on going out?\" Xavier wanted to make sure he knew the whole plan so he could ask his parents.\n\nThe white fox thought about it for a second. \"I'm not sure. I'll let you know before.\"\n\n\"Did you want to go to the Hallowscream dance at school?\" The chipmunk had heard about it and wanted to invite Pent to it.\n\nThe bigger cub had never been to a dance before. \"Uh….I dunno how to dance, Xae.\"\n\n\"It's okay, Pent. I can show you how to dance. It'll be fun.\" The brown-furred boy had danced before with some girls.\n\nPent thought about it and it was making him nervous but he didn't want to disappoint his boyfriend. \"I can try…\"\n\n\"Cool. It's the day before. The school recommended semi-formal stuff.\" Xavier felt a bit weird about asking a boy to a dance but Pent was different.\n\nOver the next few days, Pent thought more and more about the dance. A bit of anxiety filled him. He knew he didn't want to disappoint Xavier and was going to go through with it. But he also didn't want to screw up and ruin his boyfriend's night. He began watching videos about dancing on a nightly basis, even replacing his usual book-reading routine with tutorials on how to dance.\n\nThe younger fox even confronted him about the issue. More than surprised to hear that his brother was going to a dance. Samaliel decided to allow Pent to use him as a training dummy to help him. The older fox's movements were both awkward and clumsy but gradually got better. Yet they stuck through it together, learning a little bit about it together. By the day of the dance, Pent felt a little bit better about himself hopeful that the dance would go well.\n\nXavier had been looking forward to the dance all those days. He'd picked out what he considered to be his fanciest getup. A striped blue polo shirt and khaki pants with some brown loafers to go with it. He was eager to dance with Pent and to spend more time with him. It had been a few days since they'd seen each other and he was already missing the other boy. He knew it was only a matter of time before he saw Pent and he couldn't wait.\n\nXavier's mother brought him to Pent's house that night. He looked at his mother before he exited the car. \n\n\"Go get 'em, tiger.\" She said with a smile on her face.\n\nHe nodded at her and got out of the car, slowly walking up to the door. It was almost dark out and the apartment lights were already brimming on the outside of it. Xavier took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Pent heard the knock from the inside. The fox had already gotten dressed, picking out a dark green button-up shirt, brown pants, and loafers. He opened the door and was greeted by a hug from his boyfriend.\n\nPent returned the hug with one of his own before it was broken off after several moments. Both boys looked at one another. \n\n\"You look handsome, Xae.\" Pent said sheepishly.\n\nThe chipmunk blushed. \"You look nice too.\"\n\nThe two hugged and held hands as they walked toward Xavier's mother's car. She stopped them before they entered.\n\n\"Hang tight, I want a picture of my little lovebirds.\" She said hanging out the window.\n\nXavier put his arm around Pent and the two smiled widely while holding hands. Snapped the photo and put the camera away. They got into the car and filed into the back seat together. The car started before long heading towards the school. The fox looked out the window and tried to not think about the dance. He was still a little bit nervous and avoided a bit of eye contact.\n\n\"Are you nervous, foxy?\" The brown-furred boy squeezed his boyfriend's hand tightly to comfort him.\n\nPent murmured. \"A little.\"\n\n\"You don't have to dance if you want…I just want to spend time with you.\" Xavier suggested to ease his anxiety.\n\nThe bigger boy slowly turned his head back. \"Really? You don't care if I don't dance with you?\"\n\n\"Well….no…I do. But I want you to be comfortable, Pent. So try and relax, okay?\" The chipmunk kissed the other boy's cheek.\n\nPent smiled lightly. \"Okay. I'll try.\"\n\nXavier wasn't sure what was bothering the other cub but he seemed to be a little more comfortable now. The rest of the ride went by pretty quickly. They arrived at the school before long to the sight of a big crowd in front of the school auditorium.\n\n\"Have fun, boys. I'll pick you two up at 1030 alright?\" She let them out of the car and drove away after they acknowledged her. \n\nThe two cubs walked hand in hand toward the school auditorium. Most of the other furs around appeared to be teens. Only a few of the furs they saw were cubs, some of which who they recognized. The ones they did gave them the all too familiar stink eye. They began to wait in line until it was their turn. The adult at the entrance checked their school identifications\n and allowed them to go inside.\n\nOnce inside they could hear the soft and sappy romantic music playing. Many of the teens were already dancing. Xavier led Pent around the outside of it so they didn't have to walk through all the furs. They soon found their way to the punch bowl where many of the cubs and teens who didn't want to dance were sitting. Xavier and Pent sat down together and watched the crowd dance.\n\nThe chipmunk wanted to dance with Pent. He'd been thinking about it the past few days since the fox had agreed to go. But he also understood that the young fox kit was a bit socially awkward sometimes. He didn't want to push his boyfriend into anything he wasn't comfortable doing. \n\n\"You want something to drink?\" Xavier got up and headed to the punch bowl.\n\nPent hummed. \"Oh, nah. I'm okay for now. Thanks.\"\n\nThe brown-furred boy got a drink for himself and sat back down. He couldn't help but feel awkward about not dancing. It was far from his favorite thing to do but he just wanted to enjoy himself. A few minutes past of neither of them saying or doing anything. The fox continued to just look at the floor as if thinking to himself. Xavier noticed and began to wonder if he should have invited his boyfriend to the event at all.\n\nBefore long an older girl noticed the chipmunk boy wasn't dancing. It was one of Xavier's old fangirls who didn't much care to believe the rumors of him being gay or hanging around with a nerd. The lynx girl made her way over to him and stood in front of him with her paw out to him.\n\n\"Would you like to dance with me? I suppose you don't have anyone to dance with?\" She said with a soft smile on her face,\n\nXavier looked up over at Pent and then back to her. He was bored out of his mind. He wanted to dance with Pent but at this point, he was willing to just go through the motions with someone. Yet part of him told him he shouldn't. He didn't want to upset Pent. He thought to himself for a few moments and didn't respond.\n\n\"Is that a no, then?\" She noticed he seemed distracted and unwilling to speak.\n\nThe chipmunk boy snapped out of it. \"Sure, I guess.\"\n\nThe brown-furred boy took the girl's hand and she took him to the dance floor. They began dancing together. Swaying in a back-and-forth motion against one another. Xavier's hand behind her back reminded him of the often gentle nature of the opposite gender. Of course, Pent noticed his boyfriend had gone out with the girl. He wasn't jealous of the ordeal, as he wasn't quite willing to dance himself. Still…he couldn't help but feel empty and frowned a bit.\n\n\"My name is Clarice by the way…big fan.\" The lynx said softly.\n\nXavier snorted. \"Oh? Thanks.\"\n\n\"No date tonight? I'm surprised you didn't come with anyone.\" The bigger girl spoke bluntly.\n\nThe chipmunk sighed. \"Not exactly. He just….doesn't want to dance.\"\n\n\"Oh? So the rumors are true then? You are dating a boy?\" She seemed disappointed about it.\n\nThe smaller cub nodded. \"Yeah, sorry. I'm taken.\"\n\nXavier was feeling increasingly awkward about dancing with her as each moment passed by. His back-and-forth motions became increasingly slow until he stopped entirely. \n\n\"Something wrong?\" She looked at him expectantly.\n\nXavier looked back at Pent. \"Sorry, I can't do this. It's wrong. I'm going to ask my boyfriend to dance.\"\n\nThe chipmunk walked away from her. He noticed Pent was still distracted by something and walked up to him. The smaller cub offered his paw out to the other boy.\n\n\"Can I have this dance, Pent?\" He said with a hopeful smile on his face.\n\nThe white fox looked up at the other boy, glad to see him back. \"What about the girl?\"\n\n\"I don't want to dance with her. I want to dance with you.\" The smaller cub didn't want to just spend the night with some random fur he didn't care about.\n\nPent murmured a bit. \"But…what…if…I…?\"\n\n\"I don't mind if you don't know how to dance. It will be fine. I promise. Please dance with me?\" He pleaded with Pent.\n\nThe fox nodded and slowly stood up, taking Xavier's hand in his own. The two walked together to the center of the dancing floor. \n\n\"Just follow my lead, okay?\" Xavier assumed the other boy was nervous about not knowing how to dance.\n\nPent smiled softly and joined his arms with the other cubs. The two cubs dance to the Alvin and the Chipmunk version of \"Only You.\" The fox was able to keep up with the other boys back and forth motions, their bodies rotating around in circles as they danced together. Some of the nearby teens stared at them but the two cubs were simply too lost in the moment to care. \n\nEventually, the song shifted to a waltz and many of the students at the dance did not know how to do that dance. Yet this was one of the dances that Pent had studied extensively. Even taking the lead from the other boy. Xavier was more than glad to see Pent coming out of his shell a bit. A smile on both of their faces as they waltzed to the music. Some of the other students groaned at the choice of tunes.\n\nSoon the music shifted to more upbeat tunes and the two boys separated to shake their bodies. Shimmying in front of one another in response to what the other students were doing. Pent found the whole ordeal to not be nearly as bad as he thought. Some of the other teens and cubs switch partners to mix things up but Pent and Xavier remain near each other the entire time, just being content with one another.\n\nThe last song of the night was soon announced. It was a slow number, Pent and Xavier joining arms once again and pushing against one another. Their bodies moved in tandem as they danced slowly on the floor. Each boy stared into the eyes of the other, their gazes locked towards one another. The two joined in a hug before kissing each other on the lips. Their embrace remained for a few moments before finally breaking apart.\n\nThe dance had come to a close and with it, the night was near its end. Xavier and Pent walked out together without worrying about anyone else. The chipmunk looked at his phone and saw it wasn't quite time to go home just yet. The two cubs headed outside, filtering with the rest of the crowd through the doors of the auditorium. Going back outside they stood outside the building idly for a moment before Xavier spoke. \n\n\"Want to go chill by the school lake before we go home?\" He asked to pass some time.\n\nPent nodded. \"Yeah, that sounds good.\"\n\nXavier tugged on Pent to follow him. The two cubs walked to the side of the building and towards the wooded area of the primary school's playground. Heading into it, the place was a bit darker than where they came but the moonlight above still poured within. Eventually, they found their way to a small pond, which the school used as its fish tank. A few glistening scales of the aquatic animals could be seen as they gazed into it.\n\nThe chipmunk sat down and patted the spot next to him. The bigger boy joined him before long and eased himself against his boyfriend. Pent looked up into the sky and watched the stars as they sparkled above. The moon peered down at them with its ever-piercing luminescent gaze. \n\n\"Did you have fun, Pent?\" Xavier wanted to make sure this was the case.\n\nThe white cub looked over at his boyfriend. \"Yeah…sorry…I was just nervous.\"\n\n\"It's okay. I had fun too. I'm just glad you came and that we got to dance. Your not as bad as you think.\" The chipmunk nuzzled his boyfriend.\n\nPent put his arm around the other boy and tried to relax. \"Yeah, me too. It's nice out today.\"\n\n\"Uh-huh. There are lots of stars out tonight. It's pretty.\" The brown-furred leaned back onto the ground and looked up.\nThe other boy adjusted himself so they were both flat on their backs. \"Look Cassiopeia is out tonight.\"\n\nThe fox pointed into the sky and outlined the constellation with his finger. \n\n\"Is that what that is called?\" Xavier wasn't surprised that Pent would know something like that.\n\nThe bigger boy chirped. \"Yeah, over there is Leo Minor.\"\n\n\"That's cool. How many are there?\" The smaller boy was curious about it.\n\nPent instantly responded. \"There are currently 88 known constellations, though I am sure there are more.\" \n\n\"Wow, that's a lot.\" The chipmunk had picked up a bit of interest in it from his boyfriend.\n\nThe arctic fox began outlining and naming each of the ones he saw in the sky, seemingly by memory alone. The chipmunk giggled at his boyfriend nerding out a bit.\n\n\"What's funny?\" The white fox huffed a bit.\n\nXavier playfully nudged the other cub. \"You are.\"\n\n\"Why am I funny? I didn't make any jokes.\" The fox pointed out another one he found.\n\nThe chipmunk smiled. \"It's just nice to see you share your interests for a change. Sometimes you're pretty reserved, you know?\"\n\n\"I guess. I just don't want you to think I'm a nerd….like everyone else.\" Pent sighed a bit.\n\nThe chipmunk turned over and faced his boyfriend. \"I like you just the way you are. I wouldn't change you for the world.\"\n\n\"Thanks, Xae. I like you too…I'm so happy we're together now. The bigger boy's gaze remained towards the sky.\n\nThe brown-furred boy leaned in and kissed his boyfriend on the cheek. \"Me too.\"\n\n\"Hey…do you think you could show me how to play lacrosse sometime?\" The fox kit blushed a bit.\n\nXavier leaned back down flat. \"Yeah, sure. We can do that at school or before practice one day if you want.\"\n\n\"Cool, I would like that. I want to try to understand it better and play it with you.\" Pent had slowly gotten more interested in the sport.\n\nThe rodent smiled a bit. \"I'm glad. Maybe one day you can try out for the team.\"\n\n\"Maybe but I'll never be as good as you. You're so good at lacrosse…it's crazy.\" The white cub tried to appeal to his boyfriend's interests.\n\nThe smaller cub nodded. \"Sure, maybe if you want one day we can play soccer with my dad too.\"\n\n\"That would be fun. You know after spring break is the science fair, right?\" The Arctic fox had already been planning for it.\n\nThe brown-furred boy hummed a bit.\n \"No, I didn't. What about it?\"\n\n\"Well…I was thinking. Do you want to be my partner for it?\" Pent didn't usually have a partner but he wanted that to change.\n\nXavier seemed surprised. \"You want me as your partner? But you're in a higher class than me. Would they even allow it? And….I mean…I don't even understand the science I'm in sometimes.\"\n\n\"There are no rules against who you partner with. Plenty of cubs have asked me in the past but I've always declined. But….I want you to be my partner. I don't mind showing you how to do things or explaining how they work. Please by my partner? You get extra credit if you participate.\" Pent was doing it purely out of his love for the subject, even if the extra credit enticed him.\n\nThe chipmunk thought about it for a few seconds. \"I don't care as much about extra credit as much as you do…but if you want me to be your partner then I will happily join you.\"\n\n\"Cool, thanks Xae\" Pent squeezed his boyfriend's hand in his own.\n\nA few moments later and there was a buzz from Xavier's phone. It was a text message from the chipmunk's father letting them know he was there waiting for him. He let the fox know the two stood up before kissing each other again. They headed back to the car loop area and found that Xavier's father's car was waiting for them. The two boyfriends hopped in the car and joined in the back seat as they were taken back to their homes.\n\n\"What time do you want me to come tomorrow night for trick or treating with your brother?\" Xavier asked.\n\nPent thought about it a second. \"Probably right after dinner. My brother isn't the most patient cub.\"\n\n\"Alright, what are you going as? I'm going to go as a weremunk.\" The brown-furred boy showed off his teeth to be funny.\n\nThe fox smiled at him. \"A mad scientist. It's easy and I have a toy ray gun I used last time for it.\"\n\n\"Cool, that suits you….Dr. Frankenfur.\" Xavier spouted off the famous fictional Scientist's name.\n\nThe white cub couldn't help but smile at his boyfriend. \"You can be my fluffy monster then.\"\n\n\"That sounds good. I'll look forward to it.\" The chipmunk gave his boyfriend a thumbs up.\n\nThe rest of the way to Pent's house they talked about it. The fox mentioned his plans of where they would go trick or treating. Even going as far as to overcalculate the optimal route for candy to make his brother as happy as possible. The chipmunk chuckles at the boy's analytical attitude towards an otherwise fun excursion. They hugged and kissed each other once more before each of them went their way for the remainder of the night.\n\nPent to his apartment and let himself inside. He felt better about the night now as he'd had a good time. The moment he closed the door he was lambasted by Samaliel. The younger boy wanted the details of his night and how it went. Through the big smile on his brother's face, he got an idea that it went well. Samaliel was glad his brother had gone through with it and hugged him to show his support.\n\nThe rest of the night the two brothers talked about Hallowscream. Pent verified that Xavier was indeed coming. The younger fox was happy his brother would have his friend with him. Pent shared his plan for the route for Hallowscream. Of course, Samaliel was fine with it. The two looking forward to the holiday for very different reasons. It was only a matter of time before it was upon them. The two of them went to bed and sleep earlier than usual, as they were eager to start the day anew.\n\nAs for Xavier, he was tired from the ordeal. It had been a long night and it was past his usual bedtime. He yawned in the car on the way home and thought about his night together with Pent. The chipmunk enjoyed himself very much. He was glad that Pent had decided to go with him and wondered if Prom was something they could do in the future. Though he wasn't sure if he should ask the fox to do something like that again.\n\nWhen he got home, he slumped inside. His father nudged the tired cub inside and told him to get washed up and go to sleep. Xavier dragged himself to the shower and didn't bother to get a change of clothes. He was hot and wanted a cold shower for a change. Stripping his body of his clothes and getting inside to wash himself. His yawning reminded him constantly that he was exhausted.\n\nWhen he finally got to bed, he slept in nothing but his boxers. He just didn't have the energy to put on anything else. His mind fell to dreaming about him and thought about the fox boy again. Thoughts of the two of them in bed again, cuddling together in their boxers. Sharing the same space, their body warmth intermingled with each other.\n\nThe next day arrived before long and with it, the holiday of Hallowscream had arrived. Samaliel had been looking forward to trick or treating for some time now. The cub had put together a rather simple costume that was supposed to look like Negi Springfield from his favorite anime. A large tan overcoat with a black fitted felt vest underneath along with some loose full-length nylon pants and oaken staff. \n\nPent and Samaliel spent most of their day around the house. The older fox read his latest book and his younger brother played some games on the television. The day slipped by rather quickly as both cubs were occupied with things they liked doing. Stopping only to eat the usual three meals of the day. Only coming together for dinner when things were sure to heat up as it started to get darker outside.\n\nThe older cub served up some stuffed peppers for both of them. It was something he'd made on special occasion and both of them liked it. The younger boy was a bit surprised to see the somewhat complex meal but wasn't about to complain about it. \n\n\"What time is Xae coming over? Nait should be after dinner.\" The younger fox with his ears perked up in curiosity.\n\nPent nibbled on the stuffing in the pepper. \"About the same time. So we can get dressed after food.\"\n\n\"Alright cool. Sounds good to me. This is good. Thanks, Pent.\" Samaliel said with a wide smile on his face.\n\nThe fox nodded at him. \"Sure, Sama. I'm glad you like it.\"\n\nThe two worked through the meal rather quickly. Pent had bought some candy to put out in a bowl on the porch while they were gone and fixed it up in the living room. He made his way back to their room. Samaliel was already dressing down so the older fox decided to get ready. His costume was a long flowing white lab coat with a grey undershirt. Picking out a ripped pair of black slacks and some old tennis shoes. Making sure to grab his ray gun so he could use it.\n\nJust as the young cub was finishing getting ready there was a knock at the door. Samaliel figured it had to be either Nait or Xavier. He ran to the door and opened it to find the familiar sight of his lion friend on the other side of it. The two high-found each other before he allowed the other cub in. The feline cub had chosen to wear a leprechaun costume going with a green vest, green undershirt, and green pants with some pointed shoes.\n\nPent had finished getting ready and made his way to the front door. He waved at the lion cub who had become a more prominent friend in Samaliel's life. The older fox had gotten to know him rather well over the past while. Nait and Samaliel padded over to the front room together and plopped down on the couch. The lion showed off his newest Pokemon cards to the other boy.\n\nAbout half an hour passed until the door knocked again. Pent was getting restless from waiting around. The moment he heard the sound he burst out of his seat to answer the door. Sure enough upon answering it, the chipmunk boy on the other side of it. The two hugged and shared a short kiss before Pent looked at Xavier's costume. A rather simple getup of a ripped t-shirt and equally even more ripped jeans. The fox noticing the torn shoes he was wearing was showing his socked paw. He stared a bit at it.\n\nXavier smirked as he touched Pent's shoulder to snap him out of it. The fox turned back and called to the other two boys for them to join them. Nait and Samaliel put the Pokemon cards away and made their way to the front door. The older fox handed each of the two younger cubs a pail and gave himself and his boyfriend a bag to carry candy in. Once they felt they were ready they headed outside. Pent put his ray gun in his pocket, all but forgetting about it.\n\nPent grabbed the tray of candy and put it out on the porch before shutting the door behind them. The other cubs waited for him to rejoin them. Once he did they were on their way, making their way down the street to the adjoining houses. The fox's apartment was surrounded by a combination of condos, complexes, and single-family homes. Looking around they saw they were not the only ones out and about trick or treating.\n\nXavier and Pent walked behind the younger cubs who walked faster than they did. The chipmunk and fox boy walked hand in hand as they made the surrounding complex around the fox's apartment. It was a community of multi-unit apartments. Each of them was only a single-floor home so there were no stairs for any of them. They continued to the first set of complexes, of which only one was decorated.\n\nSamaliel rang the doorbell and the group waited for an answer. Moments later there was an answer with an older man dressed up in super fur garb. The spandex did him no favors as the cubs grimaced at him when he showed himself.\n\n\"Trick or treat…smell my feet….give me something good to eat.\" Nait spurted off to be funny in a corny Irish accent.\n\nXavier chuckled at the comment. The man gave each of them a small chocolate bar before going back inside. They continued to the adjoining house, again knocking at it but this time there was no answer so they walked away.\n\nThe cubs began heading out of the community as Samaiel and Nait had taken the lead. Both of them had grand designs of full-sized bars. They knew from experience that they needed\n to go to the bigger houses or they weren't as likely to get it. Xavier and Pent simply went along with the motions as they walked next to each other but remained behind the younger cubs.\n\nThey soon arrived at a gated community, the same one where Nait and his family left. The lion knew the code leading into it and so they headed through it without any problems. On the other side, the four of them could see much more decorated lawns. The lion knew his way around and so Samaliel decided to let him take the lead for a bit. Nait began to lead them toward the first row of houses.\n\nIn front of them, they found a well-decorated home with cobwebs draped over their bushes. The porch had more than enough jack o'lanterns, each of which was lit through the various grins that they sported. Some eerie organ music and ominous sounds of a recording played from within. The four cubs approached the home together. This time Nait knocked on the door, all of them waiting patiently for an answer.\n\nA few moments passed and there was no answer. The lion knocked again and the door swung open. Some foggy mist poured out from within.\n\n\"Come in if you dare…\" A voice whispered to them.\n\nThe cubs entered the building together. The door shut behind them the moment they were inside it. The moonlight from outside poured into the building, making it a little easier to see where they were. A strobe light started flashing as a tall dainty guinea pig woman approached them, wearing a flowing but torn robe. Her fur was painted a pale gray color and she had some stenciling on her face to show her bone structure.\n\n\"Visitors….Come…Within….\" She pointed to the area behind her.\n\nNait and Samaliel hesitated but the two older boys carried forward. The younger cubs were hot on their heels as they entered the next room. They found themselves in front of a large kitchen table. A bloody banquet of foods lay before them with faux blood dripping over the top of it and pouring onto the floor below. A plastic knife stabbed through one of the slabs of food. The foul stench of some odor could be smelt in the air. \n\nSuddenly a bat came crashing through the room. Its wings flapping, the thing screeching at the highest pitch it could muster. The woman's husband, wearing the traditional garments associated with the vampire. He swooped towards the cubs and arched himself over their heads. Pent and Xavier simply shrugged at the attempt at scaring them. The other two cubs hide behind the bigger boys.\n\nThe bat backed off a bit as he bowed to them, holding a bowl in his hand for them to take a treat from. The younger cubs are no longer scared by his antics, taking some treats. The husband and wife wished them well before sending them on their way. Already preparing for the next visitors, hoping they would be a bit easier to scare.\n\nThey made their way outside the building and back into the main streets outside the home. Samaliel and Nait had taken the lead again, no longer with their tails between their legs. They headed to the next house, which was much less of an ordeal. Just like Pent had done, the place had just left a bowl out to take from. There wasn't much left so the older boys allowed the younger cubs to take what was remaining.\n\nEventually, they entered a more remote part of the community next to an open field. Stalks of overgrown grass sprouted all around. It appeared to be fenced in but had a sign that appeared to say \"Welcome\" as they passed by it. At the corner of each of the fences was a shrub that had been pruned to look like a gargoyle. Its leafy exterior gazing towards all those who might trespass on its purpose. A goat stood out front looking like some sort of gravekeeper holding a lantern.\n\n\"Who goes there?\" He asked once they had approached him.\n\nSamaliel chirped. \"Weary travelers who seek aid.\"\n\nPent chuckled at his brother's poor attempt at an accent. The goat stared at them intently holding the lantern towards their faces as if to look at them.\n\n\"Answer me…these questions 3…and rewards there will be.\" The goat wiggled his whiskers.\n\nThe lion folded his arms \"Ask away, good gatekeeper.\" \n\n\"In this place, people lie while others cry. In this place, the restful dead sleep while their loved ones weep. What is this place?\" The man lowered his lantern a bit and awaited an answer. \n\nThe older fox cocked an eyebrow. He already knew the answer but he wanted to see if the younger cub knew it. The white fox looked at his boyfriend who gave him a shrug as if he didn't know.\n\nNait and Samaliel thought about it for a second. \"A coffin?\"\n\n\"Close but no. Care to try once more?\" He wanted to give them a fair opportunity to figure it out.\n\nPent chimed in. \"A graveyard.\"\n\nThe two younger boys looked at the white fox and he smiled back at them.\n\n\"Very good. I am present but I am also the past. I am wrapped but yet I am no gift. I am named after my parents and yet I have no children of my own. What am I?\" The man got out his bowl of candy since he'd given them an easier now.\n\nSamaliel chirped. \"That's easy. A mummy.\"\n\nPent patted his brother on the shoulder/\n\n\"Lastly…Each morning I appear at your feet. All day I follow you no matter how fast you run. Yet near noon, you may lose me only to find me again as the sun moves still further. By days end I too shall follow the sun to rest. What am I?\" He decided to give them a slightly harder one this time.\n\nSamaliel and Nait looked at each other. Both of them seem confused by the riddle. They looked back at Pent who had the same confident smile on his face like he knew but wasn't going to give in. \n\nXavier spoke. \"A shadow.\"\n\nThe goat man clapped at them, awarding them each a full bar of chocolate. Pent playfully shoved Xavier who gave him a goofy grin back. The four of them continued to walk around the gated complex until they felt like they hit most of the houses. The heat of the night wasn't making the whole ordeal very comfortable. By the end of it, all four of the boys were hot and sweaty as none of their costumes were that light.\n\nThey headed to the next house which was up on a hill. The place had lights flashing and the faux sound of thunder echoed around them. A large Telsa coil sprouted off the place with beams of blue and white light pulsing through it. As they neared it they could hear the cackling laughter of someone from the inside. Still, it did not deter them and they headed up to the front door to knock on it.\n\nThe wooden door bellowed against the knocking. Making loud creaking noises as they created a ruckus. Before long Bernard from the school appeared in his white lab coat. The man's fur frizzed all over to make it look like he was insane. Looking at the cubs he instantly recognized Pent.\n\n\"Trick or treat…smell my feet…give me something good to eat.\" Nait said the same quote again.\n\nXavier smirked at it, still finding it funny.\n\n\"Ah, children. I see you have found your way to my home. You may most certainly have a treat.\" He held out a tray of jars of green jello that was supposed to look like slime.\n\nPent smiled at his favorite teacher who smiled back at him. The man handed out to them the jars, each of them taking one of them before stashing it in their carrier. The younger boys whined a bit about having been walking around all night. Pent looked at Xavier who shrugged indifferently so instead Pent suggested to head back as he knew Nait would have to go home soon anyways.\n\nThe two younger begrudgingly agreed as they headed down the hill. By this point, most of the foot traffic in the town had begun to die down The younger boys in the front already going through their candy stash to see what sorts of things they'd gotten. Pent gave them both the okay to eat a few pieces if they wanted to, an offer neither of them declined. Xavier and his boyfriend weren't quite as eager to indulge in the treats just yet.\n\nThey headed back toward the fox's apartment. By the time they arrived, Nait's parents were already waiting to pick him up. Of course, they didn't care much since it was a holiday and there was no school the next day. Samaliel wished him goodbye as he headed towards the apartment with his brother and Xavier. Noticing the two still were holding hands and wondered if they had ever broken the embrace. He couldn't believe how close the two were now.\n\nPent let his brother inside once they were close enough to it. He picked up the empty candy tray and set it inside. The younger boy happily skipped inside with his tail wagging behind him.\n\n\"Go take a shower…then you can play games, Sama.\" He told the younger boy so he didn't smell up the house.\n\nXavier patted his boyfriend on the back. \"You're a good big brother you know that?\"\n\n\"Thanks. Did you have fun tonight? Sorry, it was kind of hot.\" Pent wiped his forehead of his sweat.\n\nThe brown-furred boy shrugged. \"It wasn't that bad. Thanks for inviting me.\"\n\n\"When are your parents coming to pick you up?\" The fox figured it had to be soon.\n\nThe chipmunk chirped. \"They said that I could text them when we're done.\"\n\n\"Do you want to hang out a little bit? Before you go home?\" The white cub just wanted some alone time with his boyfriend.\n\nThe rodent nodded. \"Yeah, sure but they said I had to text before 11.\"\n\n\"Cool…wanna go hang out in the neighbor's treehouse?\" Pent figured they could watch the stars from it.\n\nXavier smiled. \"Sure, that sounds nice.\"\n\nPent dropped off his candy near the front door before they headed back outside. Pent and Xavier walked back out of the apartment with the fox locking it behind them. The bigger boy checked his phone and saw that they had about a little under an hour left. He didn't want to get his boyfriend in trouble. The fox kit led his boyfriend back to the rear portion of the complex. It was pitch black in darkness now and the only light was from the building and the stars and moon above.\n\nPent led his boyfriend\n to the fence where there was a small ladder leading up a tree. Xavier gripped his bag of candy before heading up as well. The two climbed a few steps before they found themselves in a worn-out old treehouse. The thing was ragged and worn with some of the boards of wood creaking as they walked over it. It was more than big enough to accommodate both of them. \n\nThe fox peered out the window and looked at the stars for a moment. His gaze panned across the horizon before turning back to Xavier. He noticed the other cub had sat down near one of the corners of the tree house. He decided to go join his boyfriend. Pent padded over and sat down next to him, putting his arm around the other boy. The chipmunk leaned into him a bit and put the bag of candy between them.\n\n\"You want some, Pent?\" The chipmunk asked to be nice.\n\nThe bigger boy shook his head. \"Nah, It's late. I don't want to stay up all night.'\n\n\"Oh come on….share just one piece with me.\" Xavier pulled out a small bar of chocolate and held it out to his boyfriend.\n\nPent shrugged. \"Alright…fine….\"\n\nXavier peeled back the wrapper and held it out in his finger for Pent to take. Instead, the fox just bit it in half. The white cub grinned at his boyfriend who just chuckled at his playful attitude. The smaller boy threw the remaining half into his maw and swallowed it whole. After a few moments of sitting there silently, the chipmunk bent his legs and began fiddling with the laces of his shoes. Pent watched him in interest.\n\n\"What…are you doing?\" Pent's stuttered a bit as he said that.\n\nThe chipmunk smirked a bit. \"Nothing…just taking my shoes off. My paws are sore.\"\n\nThe brown-furred by untied his shoes before pulling off both of them. The cub's socks were somewhat dirty from being somewhat exposed during walking. Pent couldn't help but stare at the boy's socked paws. Xavier looked over at him noticing the fox was staring again. \n\n\"Do you…want to touch them again, Pent?\" Xavier wiggled his toes a bit to try and entice the boy.\n\nThe fox looked away. \"Erm…\"\n\n\"I enjoyed it when you gave me a paw rub. I wouldn't mind if you did it again.\" The rodent softly kissed his boyfriend on his cheek.\n\nPent thought about it for a few seconds. Part of him wanted to do it but part of him didn't. Xavier watched him closely to gauge his reaction. The two remained motionless and silent for a few moments. After a few moments of hesitation, the fox finally responded. \n\n\"Okay, Xae…\" The white cub looked back at the boy's socked paws again.\n\nXavier smiled and moved slowly so he was facing toward Pent, angling his socked paws so they both went directly on the fox's lap. The fox looked at them again, slowly moving one of his hands ever closer toward one of them. The chipmunk watched in interest as his boyfriend neared them. Just as he was about to touch one of them, he began shaking again.\n\n\"Try and relax, Pent. I can tell you're nervous again.\" Xavier told his boyfriend in an attempt to calm him down.\n\nPent took a deep breath. He could smell something…off…but he didn't know what it was. He inched his hand forward and began stroking the boy's socked paw. It was moist and warm to the touch as the fox started to caress it in his lap. \n\n\"That…feels…nice…\" The chipmunk leaned back a bit trying to enjoy the feeling.\n\nThe bigger boy stroked the bottom of the other cub's foot, running his fingers along Xavier's sole and paw pads. Eventually rubbing in between each of his toes.\n\nXavier giggled a bit. \"That kind of tickles… haha..\"\n\nPent began to circle his fingers around each of the cub's paw pads, stroking in between each of them and then on top of them. Squeezing his boyfriend's foot in his firm grip. Touching the cub's foot and having them on his lap was making him a little hard as he stopped. Xavier noticed that the other cub had stopped and looked over at him. \n\n\"What's wrong?\" The chipmunk asked, not realizing the problem.\n\nPent murmured a bit. \"N-nothing…\"\n\n\"You don't have to keep rubbing my paws if you don't want to…but you're good at it\" The chipmunk wanted him to continue.\n\nThe fox let the cub's foot drop onto his lap. He was feeling weird about it again. He stared at the boy's socked paws again. Thinking about touching them again. Xavier continued to wiggle his toes to try and tease him. An idea soon popped into the smaller boy's head. The phrase that one of the other boys had said earlier made him smirk.\n\n\"Hey, Pent…I have a surprise for you. Close your eyes, okay? I want to see if you can guess what it is.\" Xavier grinned widely.\n\nThe fox's ears perked up curiously. \"Huh, why?\"\n\n\"Just trust me, okay? I think….you might like it.\" The chipmunk had remembered Pent had mentioned liking the way he smelled in the past.\n\nPent nodded and closed his eyes. He had no idea what his boyfriend had in mind. Yet, even still he trusted the chipmunk entirely. Xavier saw that Pent had closed his eyes and adjusted himself so he was on his back. He angled one of his legs up so that his socked paw was right in front of the fox kit's nose. The moment he did, the aroma of whatever it was Pent was smelling grew much stronger. \n\nThe acrid, sweaty, and musky smell of Xavier's socked paws began to permeate into Pent's nose. Pent took a few inadvertent smells of it.\n\n\"Don't open your eyes yet…see if you can guess what it is.\" Xavier wanted to toy with him a bit.\n\nPent took another smell of it. The stench of it became ever stronger in his nose. The fox found himself to be intrigued by whatever it was. Little did he realize that smelling the cub's paws was turning him on. \n\n\"I…dunno? I've…. never….smelt…something….like…this…before.\" Pent's face was becoming increasingly flush.\n\nThe chipmunk could see his friend's flushed expression. \"Just one guess, Pent. Then you can open your eyes. Do you….like it?\"\n\n\"It…smells…different…I….don't…know…\" The fox took another smell of it, the other boy's pheromones entered into his nasal passages.\n\nThe brown-furred smiled as he could see his boyfriend blush. \"Do you want a hint?\"\n\n\"Uh…okay…please…\" The white cub could no longer smell anything but the boy's paw musk.\n\nXavier chuckled a bit. \"It's something that belongs to me…\"\n\n\"I…dunno…but…it…smells…\" He cut himself off before finishing the statement.\n\nPent knew he was getting aroused by whatever it was, his loins tingled a bit. Xavier wasn't certain but he had a feeling the fox was enjoying the smell. He finally moved his foot away. The smell of it lingered a bit before dying shortly after. Adjusting himself back into a sitting position, he noticed Pent had a bit of a tent in his pants. It seemed that the fox liked his paws a lot more than either of them realized.\n\n\"You can open your eyes.\" Xavier wanted to be low-key about what he did so he didn't freak out the fox.\n\nPent opened his eyes and turned his head. \"So…what was that?\"\n\n\"Do you want to know?\" The chipmunk gave his boyfriend the choice of ignorance if he wanted it.\n\nThe fox's curiosity had already been piqued. \"Yeah., I want to know.\"\n\n\"You have told me a few times you like how I smell…well…I just let you smell…my paws.\" He whispered the last part of his statement.\n\nPent stammered a bit. \"That…was….you're…paws?\"\n\n\"Uh-huh. But…I promise it's not weird. What if I told you….I've smelt something of yours before and never told you?\" Xavier wanted his boyfriend to be more comfortable around him.\n\nThe fox sighed a bit. \"You…did? You're not just saying that to be nice?\"\n\n\"Yeah, but if…I tell you I want to know the truth….did you like it? The chipmunk already guessed as much but he wanted to hear it from his boyfriend.\n\nPent looked at the floor at Xavier's paws again. \"Fine…\"\n\n\"One day…at the gym. I snuck into your gym bag….and sniffed the crotch of your boxers.\" The brown-furred boy blushed a bit.\n\nThe white cub looked back at him. \"You….did? Did you….like it?\"\n\n\"I'll tell you if you tell me….but I asked you first. Did you….like how my paws smelled?\" Xavier poked his boyfriend's nose playfully.\n\nThe fox hesitated as he battled within himself finally mumbling. \"Yes…\"\n\n\"See? That wasn't so hard was it?\" The chipmunk licked his boyfriend's face.\n\nPent sighed. \"I…guess…\"\n\n\"Don't worry Pent….I liked how your crotch smelled too…haha.\" The smaller boy scratched his head a bit.\n\nThe bigger boy perked up a bit. \"You did?\"\n\n\"Yeah….maybe you can let me try for real one day?\" The rodent nudged Pent again.\n\nThe white cub smirked. \"Yeah, sure.\"\n\n\"No more secrets, Pent. I don't want us to hide anything from each other. I don't care that you like my paws. I love you.\" Xavier kissed his boyfriend on the cheek.\n\nPent smiled and kissed his boyfriend back on the lips. \"I love you too.\"\n\nThe two shared a passionate embrace for a few moments. Both of them lay down together and looked out the window of the tree house. The stars gazed back at them under the moonlight above. Both boys holding hands and just enjoying being with one another. The alarm on Xavier's phone buzzed him, telling them it was time for the chipmunk boy to go home. He called his parents and let them know to come pick him up.\n\nPent and Xavier remained in the treehouse until the chipmunk boy was called by his father. The man had been waiting for him for a bit but wasn't upset about it. Xavier put his shoes back on and they walked back around together after the chipmunk had grabbed his bag of candy. Both boys are a bit sluggish from it being so late. The fox waved to the chipmunk in the car who smiled back at him.\n\nThe fox watched his boyfriend leave the property. His heart was high and his emotions even higher. He couldn't believe he had admitted what he did and that Xavier had similar issues. It was an odd realization that he wasn't quite as weird as he thought. The dawning of the unique interests he had in his beloved boyfriend. An issue he still didn't quite know how to handle just yet and that he still tackled within his mind.\n\nHe walked back inside and took a shower. Thoughts of his boyfriend filled his mind with desire again. The coolness of the water settled him down enough to relax. Heading to bed and checking on his brother who was already asleep. The fox kit gazed out the window with his hands over his chest. The steady beating of his heart pounded within him. The sweet sickly feeling of love had taken over him and he was trying his best to embrace it.\n\nBeing in a relationship was like nothing he'd ever done before. The lingering desire to always be with the one he loved. The increasing willingness to be intimate with Xavier. Often fantasizing about things he liked about the other boy. All of these things were a bit overwhelming at times for the young fox. However, he was beginning to accept it for what it was; an experience to be savored and shared with the one he loved.\n\nHe didn't read that night. His mind was simply too occupied with thoughts of the other boy. It took some time for his mind to rest but when it did…he had another naughty dream of his beloved. Finding himself again in the treehouse with the other cub, his boyfriend standing in front of him in nothing but his boxers. The fox lowered himself to his knees and took a long sniff of the other cub's boxers. The very thing that Xavier had told him he wanted to do. Waking up before the scene went any further.\n\nPent went to the bathroom and washed his face. His tented member in his pants reminded him that he liked the dream. He took a deep breath before going back to the room, glad that Samaliel wasn't up to seeing him like this. Stepping back into bed and covering himself he tried to rest again. The rest of the night was a quiet one for him, finally able to sleep soundly through the night without any more issues.\n\nAs for Xavier, he was overly tired. Two late nights had taken a toll on him and he was already yawning inside the car. His head bobbed back and forth a bit as he fought to keep awake. He almost fell asleep on the way home even despite the sugar he had eaten. Regardless he was able to get inside under his strength. The only thing on his mind was his night with Pent. His paws were still sore and he wished the fox was there to rub them again.\n\nOnce inside he retired to the shower, going back to his usual warm water preference. The water woke him up a bit and making a little more perky. Stepping out and wrapping himself in a towel before going back out to change into his pajamas. When he finally stepped back into bed, he peered out the window again. The memory of sitting under the stars was still fresh in his mind and it made him a bit nostalgic for it.\n\nHe began tracing some of the constellations that Pent had shown him. Though he couldn't name them for the life of him. He wanted to try to impress the fox, telling himself that he'd learn them for his boyfriend. He wanted to have more in common with Pent than what he did. Picking up a book from his shelf, he tried forcing himself to read. As usual, he wasn't able to get very far until he fell asleep.\n\nBoth boys slept soundly that night. Each of them was still very much riding on cloud nine. It seemed that the worst was behind them and that there were only positive things on the horizon. Their relationship was continuing to grow and blossom. Ever growing more passionate and closer to each other. Slowly understanding the nuances and quirks of each other and accepting the other for what they truly were. It was as true love was meant to be.", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "Hallowscream by Pent Ghelsburg

Disclaimer: The characters depicted in this work are purely fictional. Any resemblance to persons alive or dead is purely coincidental. They are the original and rightful intellectual property of their creators. I use them with permission and respect. This work involves some suggestive and/or sexual content and underaged characters. You have been warned.\t\t

Spring break had finally arrived and with it the time off that every cub had been thinking about for what seemed like ages. The final bell of school was something most cubs were looking forward to. As for Pent? It was a time of uncertainty for him. He thrived in the structure of the educational environment. Often finding himself lost without his usual goals. Though with his boyfriend in his life, for the first time, he was looking forward to some free time with Xavier.

\tOne of the things that came with Spring was the harvest festival. The harvest festival was one of the things which cubs in the younger years of their lives looked forward to. The central focus of which was a holiday called Hollowscream. It was a holiday that had changed over the years but the general idea had remained the same; to dress up and go out trick or treating for candy. It was also a time when one of the seasonal dances was offered by the school.

\tPent was at the age where Hollowscream was something that didn't interest him as much. However, he continued to go out with his brother who continued to enjoy the holiday for what it was worth. The day in question was fast approaching and Samaliel was already making plans for what he would wear for the holiday. His brother had given him a few hand-me-downs and as such had a few choices to work from.

\tOne morning, the younger fox decided to talk to Pent about it at breakfast to see what his plans were. He wasn't sure whether the older fox had plans already or not. He knew his brother's life had changed for the better since meeting Xavier and he wasn't about to upend any plans he had already made with the chipmunk. The younger fox prepared breakfast for the two brothers as a surprise for the older boy.

Pent walked into the kitchen, still in his pajamas. "What is this all about? You don't normally get breakfast ready for us."

"I figured it would be a nice surprise. Besides I was hoping we could talk a bit." The younger fox was already dressed for the day.

The white cub smiled at his brother. "Yeah, sure. What's on your mind? Thanks for making breakfast."

"I was hoping we could talk about Hallowscream. Do you still want to go trick or treating with me or do you have plans already?" The salt and pepper fox sat down at the table.

The older boy sat next to him. "No, not yet. Did you want me to go out with you?"

"I already asked Nait if he wants to go trick or treating with me and he said yes." Samaliel started to eat the muffins he had prepared them.

Pent bit on the apple. "Oh? Did his parents already say yes?"

"Yeah, he asked his parents already. They are cool with it. So if you don't want to come with us then that's fine." The younger boy felt he was mature enough to handle it.

The white fox thought about it for a second. "Maybe. I'm not sure that's a good idea."

"Well…if you're going to go then why not invite Xavier?" Samaliel sipped on his drink.


The older fox couldn't help but smile a bit. "You think he'd go?"

"Probably. You guys spend a lot of time together now. It would surprise me if he said no. You should ask him." The salt and pepper fox finished off his muffin.

Pent's tail wagged slowly behind him. "Yeah, I hope he wants to go."

"Doesn't hurt to ask, Pent. The worst he can say is no." The younger boy smiled at his brother.

The two continued to eat breakfast and finished off what was left of it, talking about what they might wear as costumes. Pent's mind had quickly changed. Now he wanted to go and even more he wanted his boyfriend to go with him. The prospect of spending more time with his beloved only served to stir his interest. So after breakfast was over and it had been cleaned up, the older boy decided to see if the chipmunk boy was interested.

Pent padded back to his room and collected his phone from the charger. He flipped through the small list of contacts he had until he found Xavier and began to text him.

"Hey, Xae. I hope you're enjoying spring break. Do you have any plans for Hollowscream?" The fox got right to the point with his message.

The white fox decided to read until he heard the familiar buzz, indicating a response had been delivered.

"Spring break is boring…No lacrosse games for a while. It stinks. What about yours? Reading anything interesting? Nah….I don't have any plans for Hallowscream. Did you want to do something?" Xavier was bored out of his mind and looking for anything to do.

Pent smirked at the fact Xavier knew what he was doing. "Yeah, I got a new book. It's all about unique insects of the Arabian Desert."

"Oh, that's interesting. What did you have in mind for Hallowscream?" The chipmunk's face was now glued to the phone waiting for a response.

The Arctic fox kit responded shortly after. "My brother wants to go trick or treating and I don't want him to go alone. Do you want to come with us?"

"I'm not sure if I have a costume that fits me…It's been a while since I trick or treated." The brown-furred cub thought about it for a few seconds.

Pent planned on just going on as a mad scientist or something simple. "You can just go as whatever. I just want to spend time with you."

"Sure, foxy. I'm game. What time do you guys plan on going out?" Xavier wanted to make sure he knew the whole plan so he could ask his parents.

The white fox thought about it for a second. "I'm not sure. I'll let you know before."

"Did you want to go to the Hallowscream dance at school?" The chipmunk had heard about it and wanted to invite Pent to it.

The bigger cub had never been to a dance before. "Uh….I dunno how to dance, Xae."

"It's okay, Pent. I can show you how to dance. It'll be fun." The brown-furred boy had danced before with some girls.

Pent thought about it and it was making him nervous but he didn't want to disappoint his boyfriend. "I can try…"

"Cool. It's the day before. The school recommended semi-formal stuff."  Xavier felt a bit weird about asking a boy to a dance but Pent was different.

Over the next few days, Pent thought more and more about the dance. A bit of anxiety filled him. He knew he didn't want to disappoint Xavier and was going to go through with it. But he also didn't want to screw up and ruin his boyfriend's night. He began watching videos about dancing on a nightly basis, even replacing his usual book-reading routine with tutorials on how to dance.

The younger fox even confronted him about the issue. More than surprised to hear that his brother was going to a dance. Samaliel decided to allow Pent to use him as a training dummy to help him. The older fox's movements were both awkward and clumsy but gradually got better. Yet they stuck through it together, learning a little bit about it together.  By the day of the dance, Pent felt a little bit better about himself hopeful that the dance would go well.

Xavier had been looking forward to the dance all those days. He'd picked out what he considered to be his fanciest getup. A striped blue polo shirt and khaki pants with some brown loafers to go with it. He was eager to dance with Pent and to spend more time with him. It had been a few days since they'd seen each other and he was already missing the other boy. He knew it was only a matter of time before he saw Pent and he couldn't wait.

Xavier's mother brought him to Pent's house that night. He looked at his mother before he exited the car.

"Go get 'em, tiger." She said with a smile on her face.

He nodded at her and got out of the car, slowly walking up to the door. It was almost dark out and the apartment lights were already brimming on the outside of it. Xavier took a deep breath and knocked on the door. Pent heard the knock from the inside. The fox had already gotten dressed, picking out a dark green button-up shirt, brown pants, and loafers. He opened the door and was greeted by a hug from his boyfriend.

Pent returned the hug with one of his own before it was broken off after several moments. Both boys looked at one another.

"You look handsome, Xae." Pent said sheepishly.

The chipmunk blushed. "You look nice too."

The two hugged and held hands as they walked toward Xavier's mother's car. She stopped them before they entered.

"Hang tight, I want a picture of my little lovebirds." She said hanging out the window.

Xavier put his arm around Pent and the two smiled widely while holding hands. Snapped the photo and put the camera away. They got into the car and filed into the back seat together. The car started before long heading towards the school. The fox looked out the window and tried to not think about the dance. He was still a little bit nervous and avoided a bit of eye contact.

"Are you nervous, foxy?" The brown-furred boy squeezed his boyfriend's hand tightly to comfort him.

Pent murmured. "A little."

"You don't have to dance if you want…I just want to spend time with you." Xavier suggested to ease his anxiety.

The bigger boy slowly turned his head back. "Really? You don't care if I don't dance with you?"

"Well….no…I do. But I want you to be comfortable, Pent. So try and relax, okay?" The chipmunk kissed the other boy's cheek.

Pent smiled lightly. "Okay. I'll try."

Xavier wasn't sure what was bothering the other cub but he seemed to be a little more comfortable now. The rest of the ride went by pretty quickly. They arrived at the school before long to the sight of a big crowd in front of the school auditorium.

"Have fun, boys. I'll pick you two up at 1030 alright?"  She let them out of the car and drove away after they acknowledged her.

The two cubs walked hand in hand toward the school auditorium. Most of the other furs around appeared to be teens. Only a few of the furs they saw were cubs, some of which who they recognized. The ones they did gave them the all too familiar stink eye. They began to wait in line until it was their turn. The adult at the entrance checked their school identifications
 and allowed them to go inside.

Once inside they could hear the soft and sappy romantic music playing. Many of the teens were already dancing. Xavier led Pent around the outside of it so they didn't have to walk through all the furs. They soon found their way to the punch bowl where many of the cubs and teens who didn't want to dance were sitting. Xavier and Pent sat down together and watched the crowd dance.

The chipmunk wanted to dance with Pent. He'd been thinking about it the past few days since the fox had agreed to go. But he also understood that the young fox kit was a bit socially awkward sometimes. He didn't want to push his boyfriend into anything he wasn't comfortable doing.

"You want something to drink?" Xavier got up and headed to the punch bowl.

Pent hummed. "Oh, nah. I'm okay for now. Thanks."

The brown-furred boy got a drink for himself and sat back down. He couldn't help but feel awkward about not dancing. It was far from his favorite thing to do but he just wanted to enjoy himself. A few minutes past of neither of them saying or doing anything. The fox continued to just look at the floor as if thinking to himself. Xavier noticed and began to wonder if he should have invited his boyfriend to the event at all.

Before long an older girl noticed the chipmunk boy wasn't dancing. It was one of Xavier's old fangirls who didn't much care to believe the rumors of him being gay or hanging around with a nerd. The lynx girl made her way over to him and stood in front of him with her paw out to him.

"Would you like to dance with me? I suppose you don't have anyone to dance with?" She said with a soft smile on her face,

Xavier looked up over at Pent and then back to her. He was bored out of his mind. He wanted to dance with Pent but at this point, he was willing to just go through the motions with someone. Yet part of him told him he shouldn't. He didn't want to upset Pent. He thought to himself for a few moments and didn't respond.

"Is that a no, then?" She noticed he seemed distracted and unwilling to speak.

The chipmunk boy snapped out of it. "Sure, I guess."

The brown-furred boy took the girl's hand and she took him to the dance floor. They began dancing together. Swaying in a back-and-forth motion against one another. Xavier's hand behind her back reminded him of the often gentle nature of the opposite gender.  Of course, Pent noticed his boyfriend had gone out with the girl. He wasn't jealous of the ordeal, as he wasn't quite willing to dance himself. Still…he couldn't help but feel empty and frowned a bit.

"My name is Clarice by the way…big fan." The lynx said softly.

Xavier snorted. "Oh? Thanks."

"No date tonight? I'm surprised you didn't come with anyone."  The bigger girl spoke bluntly.

The chipmunk sighed. "Not exactly. He just….doesn't want to dance."

"Oh? So the rumors are true then? You are dating a boy?" She seemed disappointed about it.

The smaller cub nodded. "Yeah, sorry. I'm taken."

Xavier was feeling increasingly awkward about dancing with her as each moment passed by. His back-and-forth motions became increasingly slow until he stopped entirely.

"Something wrong?" She looked at him expectantly.

Xavier looked back at Pent. "Sorry, I can't do this. It's wrong. I'm going to ask my boyfriend to dance."

The chipmunk walked away from her. He noticed Pent was still distracted by something and walked up to him. The smaller cub offered his paw out to the other boy.

"Can I have this dance, Pent?" He said with a hopeful smile on his face.

The white fox looked up at the other boy, glad to see him back. "What about the girl?"

"I don't want to dance with her. I want to dance with you." The smaller cub didn't want to just spend the night with some random fur he didn't care about.

Pent murmured a bit. "But…what…if…I…?"

"I don't mind if you don't know how to dance. It will be fine. I promise. Please dance with me?"  He pleaded with Pent.

The fox nodded and slowly stood up, taking Xavier's hand in his own. The two walked together to the center of the dancing floor.

"Just follow my lead, okay?" Xavier assumed the other boy was nervous about not knowing how to dance.

Pent smiled softly and joined his arms with the other cubs. The two cubs dance to the Alvin and the Chipmunk version of "Only You." The fox was able to keep up with the other boys back and forth motions, their bodies rotating around in circles as they danced together. Some of the nearby teens stared at them but the two cubs were simply too lost in the moment to care.

Eventually, the song shifted to a waltz and many of the students at the dance did not know how to do that dance. Yet this was one of the dances that Pent had studied extensively. Even taking the lead from the other boy. Xavier was more than glad to see Pent coming out of his shell a bit. A smile on both of their faces as they waltzed to the music. Some of the other students groaned at the choice of tunes.

Soon the music shifted to more upbeat tunes and the two boys separated to shake their bodies. Shimmying in front of one another in response to what the other students were doing. Pent found the whole ordeal to not be nearly as bad as he thought. Some of the other teens and cubs switch partners to mix things up but Pent and Xavier remain near each other the entire time, just being content with one another.

The last song of the night was soon announced. It was a slow number, Pent and Xavier joining arms once again and pushing against one another. Their bodies moved in tandem as they danced slowly on the floor. Each boy stared into the eyes of the other, their gazes locked towards one another. The two joined in a hug before kissing each other on the lips. Their embrace remained for a few moments before finally breaking apart.

The dance had come to a close and with it, the night was near its end. Xavier and Pent walked out together without worrying about anyone else. The chipmunk looked at his phone and saw it wasn't quite time to go home just yet. The two cubs headed outside, filtering with the rest of the crowd through the doors of the auditorium. Going back outside they stood outside the building idly for a moment before Xavier spoke.

"Want to go chill by the school lake before we go home?" He asked to pass some time.

Pent nodded. "Yeah, that sounds good."

Xavier tugged on Pent to follow him. The two cubs walked to the side of the building and towards the wooded area of the primary school's playground. Heading into it, the place was a bit darker than where they came but the moonlight above still poured within. Eventually, they found their way to a small pond, which the school used as its fish tank. A few glistening scales of the aquatic animals could be seen as they gazed into it.

The chipmunk sat down and patted the spot next to him. The bigger boy joined him before long and eased himself against his boyfriend. Pent looked up into the sky and watched the stars as they sparkled above. The moon peered down at them with its ever-piercing luminescent gaze.

"Did you have fun, Pent?" Xavier wanted to make sure this was the case.

The white cub looked over at his boyfriend. "Yeah…sorry…I was just nervous."

"It's okay. I had fun too. I'm just glad you came and that we got to dance. Your not as bad as you think." The chipmunk nuzzled his boyfriend.

Pent put his arm around the other boy and tried to relax. "Yeah, me too. It's nice out today."

"Uh-huh. There are lots of stars out tonight. It's pretty." The brown-furred leaned back onto the ground and looked up.
The other boy adjusted himself so they were both flat on their backs. "Look Cassiopeia is out tonight."

The fox pointed into the sky and outlined the constellation with his finger.

"Is that what that is called?" Xavier wasn't surprised that Pent would know something like that.

The bigger boy chirped. "Yeah, over there is Leo Minor."

"That's cool. How many are there?"  The smaller boy was curious about it.

Pent instantly responded. "There are currently 88 known constellations, though I am sure there are more."

"Wow, that's a lot." The chipmunk had picked up a bit of interest in it from his boyfriend.

The arctic fox began outlining and naming each of the ones he saw in the sky, seemingly by memory alone. The chipmunk giggled at his boyfriend nerding out a bit.

"What's funny?" The white fox huffed a bit.

Xavier playfully nudged the other cub. "You are."

"Why am I funny? I didn't make any jokes." The fox pointed out another one he found.

The chipmunk smiled. "It's just nice to see you share your interests for a change. Sometimes you're pretty reserved, you know?"

"I guess. I just don't want you to think I'm a nerd….like everyone else." Pent sighed a bit.

The chipmunk turned over and faced his boyfriend. "I like you just the way you are. I wouldn't change you for the world."

"Thanks, Xae. I like you too…I'm so happy we're together now.  The bigger boy's gaze remained towards the sky.

The brown-furred boy leaned in and kissed his boyfriend on the cheek. "Me too."

"Hey…do you think you could show me how to play lacrosse sometime?" The fox kit blushed a bit.

Xavier leaned back down flat. "Yeah, sure. We can do that at school or before practice one day if you want."

"Cool, I would like that. I want to try to understand it better and play it with you." Pent had slowly gotten more interested in the sport.

The rodent smiled a bit. "I'm glad. Maybe one day you can try out for the team."

"Maybe but I'll never be as good as you. You're so good at lacrosse…it's crazy."  The white cub tried to appeal to his boyfriend's interests.

The smaller cub nodded. "Sure, maybe if you want one day we can play soccer with my dad too."

"That would be fun. You know after spring break is the science fair, right?" The Arctic fox had already been planning for it.

The brown-furred boy hummed a bit.
 "No, I didn't. What about it?"

"Well…I was thinking. Do you want to be my partner for it?" Pent didn't usually have a partner but he wanted that to change.

Xavier seemed surprised. "You want me as your partner? But you're in a higher class than me. Would they even allow it? And….I mean…I don't even understand the science I'm in sometimes."

"There are no rules against who you partner with. Plenty of cubs have asked me in the past but I've always declined. But….I want you to be my partner. I don't mind showing you how to do things or explaining how they work.  Please by my partner? You get extra credit if you participate." Pent was doing it purely out of his love for the subject, even if the extra credit enticed him.

The chipmunk thought about it for a few seconds. "I don't care as much about extra credit as much as you do…but if you want me to be your partner then I will happily join you."

"Cool, thanks Xae" Pent squeezed his boyfriend's hand in his own.

A few moments later and there was a buzz from Xavier's phone. It was a text message from the chipmunk's father letting them know he was there waiting for him. He let the fox know the two stood up before kissing each other again. They headed back to the car loop area and found that Xavier's father's car was waiting for them. The two boyfriends hopped in the car and joined in the back seat as they were taken back to their homes.

"What time do you want me to come tomorrow night for trick or treating with your brother?" Xavier asked.

Pent thought about it a second. "Probably right after dinner. My brother isn't the most patient cub."

"Alright, what are you going as? I'm going to go as a weremunk." The brown-furred boy showed off his teeth to be funny.

The fox smiled at him. "A mad scientist. It's easy and I have a toy ray gun I used last time for it."

"Cool, that suits you….Dr. Frankenfur." Xavier spouted off the famous fictional Scientist's name.

The white cub couldn't help but smile at his boyfriend. "You can be my fluffy monster then."

"That sounds good. I'll look forward to it." The chipmunk gave his boyfriend a thumbs up.

The rest of the way to Pent's house they talked about it. The fox mentioned his plans of where they would go trick or treating. Even going as far as to overcalculate the optimal route for candy to make his brother as happy as possible. The chipmunk chuckles at the boy's analytical attitude towards an otherwise fun excursion. They hugged and kissed each other once more before each of them went their way for the remainder of the night.

Pent to his apartment and let himself inside. He felt better about the night now as he'd had a good time. The moment he closed the door he was lambasted by Samaliel. The younger boy wanted the details of his night and how it went. Through the big smile on his brother's face, he got an idea that it went well. Samaliel was glad his brother had gone through with it and hugged him to show his support.

The rest of the night the two brothers talked about Hallowscream. Pent verified that Xavier was indeed coming. The younger fox was happy his brother would have his friend with him. Pent shared his plan for the route for Hallowscream. Of course, Samaliel was fine with it. The two looking forward to the holiday for very different reasons. It was only a matter of time before it was upon them. The two of them went to bed and sleep earlier than usual, as they were eager to start the day anew.

As for Xavier, he was tired from the ordeal. It had been a long night and it was past his usual bedtime. He yawned in the car on the way home and thought about his night together with Pent. The chipmunk enjoyed himself very much. He was glad that Pent had decided to go with him and wondered if Prom was something they could do in the future. Though he wasn't sure if he should ask the fox to do something like that again.

When he got home, he slumped inside. His father nudged the tired cub inside and told him to get washed up and go to sleep. Xavier dragged himself to the shower and didn't bother to get a change of clothes. He was hot and wanted a cold shower for a change. Stripping his body of his clothes and getting inside to wash himself. His yawning reminded him constantly that he was exhausted.

When he finally got to bed, he slept in nothing but his boxers. He just didn't have the energy to put on anything else. His mind fell to dreaming about him and thought about the fox boy again. Thoughts of the two of them in bed again, cuddling together in their boxers. Sharing the same space, their body warmth intermingled with each other.

The next day arrived before long and with it, the holiday of Hallowscream had arrived. Samaliel had been looking forward to trick or treating for some time now. The cub had put together a rather simple costume that was supposed to look like Negi Springfield from his favorite anime. A large tan overcoat with a black fitted felt vest underneath along with some loose full-length nylon pants and oaken staff.  

Pent and Samaliel spent most of their day around the house. The older fox read his latest book and his younger brother played some games on the television. The day slipped by rather quickly as both cubs were occupied with things they liked doing. Stopping only to eat the usual three meals of the day. Only coming together for dinner when things were sure to heat up as it started to get darker outside.

The older cub served up some stuffed peppers for both of them. It was something he'd made on special occasion and both of them liked it. The younger boy was a bit surprised to see the somewhat complex meal but wasn't about to complain about it.

"What time is Xae coming over? Nait should be after dinner." The younger fox with his ears perked up in curiosity.

Pent nibbled on the stuffing in the pepper. "About the same time. So we can get dressed after food."

"Alright cool. Sounds good to me. This is good. Thanks, Pent." Samaliel said with a wide smile on his face.

The fox nodded at him. "Sure, Sama. I'm glad you like it."

The two worked through the meal rather quickly. Pent had bought some candy to put out in a bowl on the porch while they were gone and fixed it up in the living room. He made his way back to their room. Samaliel was already dressing down so the older fox decided to get ready. His costume was a long flowing white lab coat with a grey undershirt. Picking out a ripped pair of black slacks and some old tennis shoes. Making sure to grab his ray gun so he could use it.

Just as the young cub was finishing getting ready there was a knock at the door. Samaliel figured it had to be either Nait or Xavier. He ran to the door and opened it to find the familiar sight of his lion friend on the other side of it. The two high-found each other before he allowed the other cub in. The feline cub had chosen to wear a leprechaun costume going with a green vest, green undershirt, and green pants with some pointed shoes.

Pent had finished getting ready and made his way to the front door. He waved at the lion cub who had become a more prominent friend in Samaliel's life. The older fox had gotten to know him rather well over the past while. Nait and Samaliel padded over to the front room together and plopped down on the couch. The lion showed off his newest Pokemon cards to the other boy.

About half an hour passed until the door knocked again. Pent was getting restless from waiting around. The moment he heard the sound he burst out of his seat to answer the door. Sure enough upon answering it, the chipmunk boy on the other side of it. The two hugged and shared a short kiss before Pent looked at Xavier's costume. A rather simple getup of a ripped t-shirt and equally even more ripped jeans. The fox noticing the torn shoes he was wearing was showing his socked paw. He stared a bit at it.

Xavier smirked as he touched Pent's shoulder to snap him out of it. The fox turned back and called to the other two boys for them to join them. Nait and Samaliel put the Pokemon cards away and made their way to the front door. The older fox handed each of the two younger cubs a pail and gave himself and his boyfriend a bag to carry candy in. Once they felt they were ready they headed outside. Pent put his ray gun in his pocket, all but forgetting about it.

Pent grabbed the tray of candy and put it out on the porch before shutting the door behind them. The other cubs waited for him to rejoin them. Once he did they were on their way, making their way down the street to the adjoining houses. The fox's apartment was surrounded by a combination of condos, complexes, and single-family homes. Looking around they saw they were not the only ones out and about trick or treating.

Xavier and Pent walked behind the younger cubs who walked faster than they did. The chipmunk and fox boy walked hand in hand as they made the surrounding complex around the fox's apartment. It was a community of multi-unit apartments. Each of them was only a single-floor home so there were no stairs for any of them. They continued to the first set of complexes, of which only one was decorated.

Samaliel rang the doorbell and the group waited for an answer. Moments later there was an answer with an older man dressed up in super fur garb. The spandex did him no favors as the cubs grimaced at him when he showed himself.

"Trick or treat…smell my feet….give me something good to eat." Nait spurted off to be funny in a corny Irish accent.

Xavier chuckled at the comment. The man gave each of them a small chocolate bar before going back inside. They continued to the adjoining house, again knocking at it but this time there was no answer so they walked away.

The cubs began heading out of the community as Samaiel and Nait had taken the lead. Both of them had grand designs of full-sized bars. They knew from experience that they needed
 to go to the bigger houses or they weren't as likely to get it. Xavier and Pent simply went along with the motions as they walked next to each other but remained behind the younger cubs.

They soon arrived at a gated community, the same one where Nait and his family left. The lion knew the code leading into it and so they headed through it without any problems.  On the other side, the four of them could see much more decorated lawns. The lion knew his way around and so Samaliel decided to let him take the lead for a bit. Nait began to lead them toward the first row of houses.

In front of them, they found a well-decorated home with cobwebs draped over their bushes. The porch had more than enough jack o'lanterns, each of which was lit through the various grins that they sported. Some eerie organ music and ominous sounds of a recording played from within. The four cubs approached the home together. This time Nait knocked on the door, all of them waiting patiently for an answer.

A few moments passed and there was no answer. The lion knocked again and the door swung open. Some foggy mist poured out from within.

"Come in if you dare…" A voice whispered to them.

The cubs entered the building together. The door shut behind them the moment they were inside it. The moonlight from outside poured into the building, making it a little easier to see where they were.  A strobe light started flashing as a tall dainty guinea pig woman approached them, wearing a flowing but torn robe. Her fur was painted a pale gray color and she had some stenciling on her face to show her bone structure.

"Visitors….Come…Within…." She pointed to the area behind her.

Nait and Samaliel hesitated but the two older boys carried forward. The younger cubs were hot on their heels as they entered the next room. They found themselves in front of a large kitchen table. A bloody banquet of foods lay before them with faux blood dripping over the top of it and pouring onto the floor below. A plastic knife stabbed through one of the slabs of food. The foul stench of some odor could be smelt in the air.

Suddenly a bat came crashing through the room. Its wings flapping, the thing screeching at the highest pitch it could muster. The woman's husband, wearing the traditional garments associated with the vampire. He swooped towards the cubs and arched himself over their heads. Pent and Xavier simply shrugged at the attempt at scaring them. The other two cubs hide behind the bigger boys.

The bat backed off a bit as he bowed to them, holding a bowl in his hand for them to take a treat from. The younger cubs are no longer scared by his antics, taking some treats. The husband and wife wished them well before sending them on their way. Already preparing for the next visitors, hoping they would be a bit easier to scare.

They made their way outside the building and back into the main streets outside the home. Samaliel and Nait had taken the lead again, no longer with their tails between their legs. They headed to the next house, which was much less of an ordeal. Just like Pent had done, the place had just left a bowl out to take from. There wasn't much left so the older boys allowed the younger cubs to take what was remaining.

Eventually, they entered a more remote part of the community next to an open field. Stalks of overgrown grass sprouted all around. It appeared to be fenced in but had a sign that appeared to say "Welcome" as they passed by it. At the corner of each of the fences was a shrub that had been pruned to look like a gargoyle. Its leafy exterior gazing towards all those who might trespass on its purpose. A goat stood out front looking like some sort of gravekeeper holding a lantern.

"Who goes there?" He asked once they had approached him.

Samaliel chirped. "Weary travelers who seek aid."

Pent chuckled at his brother's poor attempt at an accent. The goat stared at them intently holding the lantern towards their faces as if to look at them.

"Answer me…these questions 3…and rewards there will be." The goat wiggled his whiskers.

The lion folded his arms "Ask away, good gatekeeper."

"In this place, people lie while others cry.  In this place, the restful dead sleep while their loved ones weep. What is this place?"  The man lowered his lantern a bit and awaited an answer.

The older fox cocked an eyebrow. He already knew the answer but he wanted to see if the younger cub knew it. The white fox looked at his boyfriend who gave him a shrug as if he didn't know.

Nait and Samaliel thought about it for a second. "A coffin?"

"Close but no. Care to try once more?" He wanted to give them a fair opportunity to figure it out.

Pent chimed in. "A graveyard."

The two younger boys looked at the white fox and he smiled back at them.

"Very good. I am present but I am also the past. I am wrapped but yet I am no gift. I am named after my parents and yet I have no children of my own. What am I?" The man got out his bowl of candy since he'd given them an easier now.

Samaliel chirped. "That's easy. A mummy."

Pent patted his brother on the shoulder/

"Lastly…Each morning I appear at your feet. All day I follow you no matter how fast you run. Yet near noon, you may lose me only to find me again as the sun moves still further. By days end I too shall follow the sun to rest. What am I?" He decided to give them a slightly harder one this time.

Samaliel and Nait looked at each other. Both of them seem confused by the riddle. They looked back at Pent who had the same confident smile on his face like he knew but wasn't going to give in.

Xavier spoke. "A shadow."

The goat man clapped at them, awarding them each a full bar of chocolate. Pent playfully shoved Xavier who gave him a goofy grin back. The four of them continued to walk around the gated complex until they felt like they hit most of the houses. The heat of the night wasn't making the whole ordeal very comfortable. By the end of it, all four of the boys were hot and sweaty as none of their costumes were that light.

They headed to the next house which was up on a hill. The place had lights flashing and the faux sound of thunder echoed around them. A large Telsa coil sprouted off the place with beams of blue and white light pulsing through it. As they neared it they could hear the cackling laughter of someone from the inside. Still, it did not deter them and they headed up to the front door to knock on it.

The wooden door bellowed against the knocking. Making loud creaking noises as they created a ruckus. Before long Bernard from the school appeared in his white lab coat. The man's fur frizzed all over to make it look like he was insane. Looking at the cubs he instantly recognized Pent.

"Trick or treat…smell my feet…give me something good to eat." Nait said the same quote again.

Xavier smirked at it, still finding it funny.

"Ah, children. I see you have found your way to my home. You may most certainly have a treat." He held out a tray of jars of green jello that was supposed to look like slime.

Pent smiled at his favorite teacher who smiled back at him. The man handed out to them the jars, each of them taking one of them before stashing it in their carrier. The younger boys whined a bit about having been walking around all night. Pent looked at Xavier who shrugged indifferently so instead Pent suggested to head back as he knew Nait would have to go home soon anyways.

The two younger begrudgingly agreed as they headed down the hill. By this point, most of the foot traffic in the town had begun to die down The younger boys in the front already going through their candy stash to see what sorts of things they'd gotten. Pent gave them both the okay to eat a few pieces if they wanted to, an offer neither of them declined. Xavier and his boyfriend weren't quite as eager to indulge in the treats just yet.

They headed back toward the fox's apartment. By the time they arrived, Nait's parents were already waiting to pick him up. Of course, they didn't care much since it was a holiday and there was no school the next day. Samaliel wished him goodbye as he headed towards the apartment with his brother and Xavier. Noticing the two still were holding hands and wondered if they had ever broken the embrace. He couldn't believe how close the two were now.

Pent let his brother inside once they were close enough to it. He picked up the empty candy tray and set it inside. The younger boy happily skipped inside with his tail wagging behind him.

"Go take a shower…then you can play games, Sama." He told the younger boy so he didn't smell up the house.

Xavier patted his boyfriend on the back. "You're a good big brother you know that?"

"Thanks. Did you have fun tonight? Sorry, it was kind of hot." Pent wiped his forehead of his sweat.

The brown-furred boy shrugged. "It wasn't that bad. Thanks for inviting me."

"When are your parents coming to pick you up?" The fox figured it had to be soon.

The chipmunk chirped. "They said that I could text them when we're done."

"Do you want to hang out a little bit? Before you go home?" The white cub just wanted some alone time with his boyfriend.

The rodent nodded. "Yeah, sure but they said I had to text before 11."

"Cool…wanna go hang out in the neighbor's treehouse?" Pent figured they could watch the stars from it.

Xavier smiled. "Sure, that sounds nice."

Pent dropped off his candy near the front door before they headed back outside. Pent and Xavier walked back out of the apartment with the fox locking it behind them. The bigger boy checked his phone and saw that they had about a little under an hour left. He didn't want to get his boyfriend in trouble. The fox kit led his boyfriend back to the rear portion of the complex. It was pitch black in darkness now and the only light was from the building and the stars and moon above.

Pent led his boyfriend
 to the fence where there was a small ladder leading up a tree. Xavier gripped his bag of candy before heading up as well. The two climbed a few steps before they found themselves in a worn-out old treehouse. The thing was ragged and worn with some of the boards of wood creaking as they walked over it. It was more than big enough to accommodate both of them.

The fox peered out the window and looked at the stars for a moment. His gaze panned across the horizon before turning back to Xavier. He noticed the other cub had sat down near one of the corners of the tree house. He decided to go join his boyfriend. Pent padded over and sat down next to him, putting his arm around the other boy. The chipmunk leaned into him a bit and put the bag of candy between them.

"You want some, Pent?" The chipmunk asked to be nice.

The bigger boy shook his head. "Nah, It's late. I don't want to stay up all night.'

"Oh come on….share just one piece with me." Xavier pulled out a small bar of chocolate and held it out to his boyfriend.

Pent shrugged. "Alright…fine…."

Xavier peeled back the wrapper and held it out in his finger for Pent to take. Instead, the fox just bit it in half. The white cub grinned at his boyfriend who just chuckled at his playful attitude. The smaller boy threw the remaining half into his maw and swallowed it whole. After a few moments of sitting there silently, the chipmunk bent his legs and began fiddling with the laces of his shoes. Pent watched him in interest.

"What…are you doing?" Pent's stuttered a bit as he said that.

The chipmunk smirked a bit. "Nothing…just taking my shoes off. My paws are sore."

The brown-furred by untied his shoes before pulling off both of them. The cub's socks were somewhat dirty from being somewhat exposed during walking. Pent couldn't help but stare at the boy's socked paws.  Xavier looked over at him noticing the fox was staring again.

"Do you…want to touch them again, Pent?" Xavier wiggled his toes a bit to try and entice the boy.

The fox looked away. "Erm…"

"I enjoyed it when you gave me a paw rub. I wouldn't mind if you did it again." The rodent softly kissed his boyfriend on his cheek.

Pent thought about it for a few seconds. Part of him wanted to do it but part of him didn't. Xavier watched him closely to gauge his reaction. The two remained motionless and silent for a few moments. After a few moments of hesitation, the fox finally responded.

"Okay, Xae…" The white cub looked back at the boy's socked paws again.

Xavier smiled and moved slowly so he was facing toward Pent, angling his socked paws so they both went directly on the fox's lap.  The fox looked at them again, slowly moving one of his hands ever closer toward one of them. The chipmunk watched in interest as his boyfriend neared them. Just as he was about to touch one of them, he began shaking again.

"Try and relax, Pent.  I can tell you're nervous again." Xavier told his boyfriend in an attempt to calm him down.

Pent took a deep breath. He could smell something…off…but he didn't know what it was. He inched his hand forward and began stroking the boy's socked paw. It was moist and warm to the touch as the fox started to caress it in his lap.

"That…feels…nice…" The chipmunk leaned back a bit trying to enjoy the feeling.

The bigger boy stroked the bottom of the other cub's foot, running his fingers along Xavier's sole and paw pads. Eventually rubbing in between each of his toes.

Xavier giggled a bit. "That kind of tickles… haha.."

Pent began to circle his fingers around each of the cub's paw pads, stroking in between each of them and then on top of them. Squeezing his boyfriend's foot in his firm grip.  Touching the cub's foot and having them on his lap was making him a little hard as he stopped. Xavier noticed that the other cub had stopped and looked over at him.

"What's wrong?" The chipmunk asked, not realizing the problem.

Pent murmured a bit. "N-nothing…"

"You don't have to keep rubbing my paws if you don't want to…but you're good at it" The chipmunk wanted him to continue.

The fox let the cub's foot drop onto his lap. He was feeling weird about it again. He stared at the boy's socked paws again. Thinking about touching them again. Xavier continued to wiggle his toes to try and tease him. An idea soon popped into the smaller boy's head. The phrase that one of the other boys had said earlier made him smirk.

"Hey, Pent…I have a surprise for you. Close your eyes, okay? I want to see if you can guess what it is." Xavier grinned widely.

The fox's ears perked up curiously. "Huh, why?"

"Just trust me, okay? I think….you might like it." The chipmunk had remembered Pent had mentioned liking the way he smelled in the past.

Pent nodded and closed his eyes. He had no idea what his boyfriend had in mind. Yet, even still he trusted the chipmunk entirely. Xavier saw that Pent had closed his eyes and adjusted himself so he was on his back.  He angled one of his legs up so that his socked paw was right in front of the fox kit's nose. The moment he did, the aroma of whatever it was Pent was smelling grew much stronger.

The acrid, sweaty, and musky smell of Xavier's socked paws began to permeate into Pent's nose. Pent took a few inadvertent smells of it.

"Don't open your eyes yet…see if you can guess what it is." Xavier wanted to toy with him a bit.

Pent took another smell of it. The stench of it became ever stronger in his nose. The fox found himself to be intrigued by whatever it was. Little did he realize that smelling the cub's paws was turning him on.

"I…dunno? I've…. never….smelt…something….like…this…before." Pent's face was becoming increasingly flush.

The chipmunk could see his friend's flushed expression. "Just one guess, Pent. Then you can open your eyes. Do you….like it?"

"It…smells…different…I….don't…know…" The fox took another smell of it, the other boy's pheromones entered into his nasal passages.

The brown-furred smiled as he could see his boyfriend blush. "Do you want a hint?"

"Uh…okay…please…" The white cub could no longer smell anything but the boy's paw musk.

Xavier chuckled a bit. "It's something that belongs to me…"

"I…dunno…but…it…smells…" He cut himself off before finishing the statement.

Pent knew he was getting aroused by whatever it was, his loins tingled a bit. Xavier wasn't certain but he had a feeling the fox was enjoying the smell. He finally moved his foot away. The smell of it lingered a bit before dying shortly after. Adjusting himself back into a sitting position, he noticed Pent had a bit of a tent in his pants. It seemed that the fox liked his paws a lot more than either of them realized.

"You can open your eyes." Xavier wanted to be low-key about what he did so he didn't freak out the fox.

Pent opened his eyes and turned his head. "So…what was that?"

"Do you want to know?" The chipmunk gave his boyfriend the choice of ignorance if he wanted it.

The fox's curiosity had already been piqued. "Yeah., I want to know."

"You have told me a few times you like how I smell…well…I just let you smell…my paws." He whispered the last part of his statement.

Pent stammered a bit. "That…was….you're…paws?"

"Uh-huh. But…I promise it's not weird. What if I told you….I've smelt something of yours before and never told you?" Xavier wanted his boyfriend to be more comfortable around him.

The fox sighed a bit. "You…did? You're not just saying that to be nice?"

"Yeah, but if…I tell you I want to know the truth….did you like it? The chipmunk already guessed as much but he wanted to hear it from his boyfriend.

Pent looked at the floor at Xavier's paws again. "Fine…"

"One day…at the gym. I snuck into your gym bag….and sniffed the crotch of your boxers." The brown-furred boy blushed a bit.

The white cub looked back at him. "You….did? Did you….like it?"

"I'll tell you if you tell me….but I asked you first. Did you….like how my paws smelled?" Xavier poked his boyfriend's nose playfully.

The fox hesitated as he battled within himself finally mumbling. "Yes…"

"See? That wasn't so hard was it?" The chipmunk licked his boyfriend's face.

Pent sighed. "I…guess…"

"Don't worry Pent….I liked how your crotch smelled too…haha." The smaller boy scratched his head a bit.

The bigger boy perked up a bit. "You did?"

"Yeah….maybe you can let me try for real one day?" The rodent nudged Pent again.

The white cub smirked. "Yeah, sure."

"No more secrets, Pent. I don't want us to hide anything from each other. I don't care that you like my paws. I love you." Xavier kissed his boyfriend on the cheek.

Pent smiled and kissed his boyfriend back on the lips. "I love you too."

The two shared a passionate embrace for a few moments.  Both of them lay down together and looked out the window of the tree house. The stars gazed back at them under the moonlight above. Both boys holding hands and just enjoying being with one another. The alarm on Xavier's phone buzzed him, telling them it was time for the chipmunk boy to go home. He called his parents and let them know to come pick him up.

Pent and Xavier remained in the treehouse until the chipmunk boy was called by his father. The man had been waiting for him for a bit but wasn't upset about it. Xavier put his shoes back on and they walked back around together after the chipmunk had grabbed his bag of candy. Both boys are a bit sluggish from it being so late. The fox waved to the chipmunk in the car who smiled back at him.

The fox watched his boyfriend leave the property. His heart was high and his emotions even higher. He couldn't believe he had admitted what he did and that Xavier had similar issues. It was an odd realization that he wasn't quite as weird as he thought. The dawning of the unique interests he had in his beloved boyfriend. An issue he still didn't quite know how to handle just yet and that he still tackled within his mind.

He walked back inside and took a shower. Thoughts of his boyfriend filled his mind with desire again. The coolness of the water settled him down enough to relax. Heading to bed and checking on his brother who was already asleep. The fox kit gazed out the window with his hands over his chest. The steady beating of his heart pounded within him. The sweet sickly feeling of love had taken over him and he was trying his best to embrace it.

Being in a relationship was like nothing he'd ever done before. The lingering desire to always be with the one he loved.  The increasing willingness to be intimate with Xavier. Often fantasizing about things he liked about the other boy. All of these things were a bit overwhelming at times for the young fox. However, he was beginning to accept it for what it was; an experience to be savored and shared with the one he loved.

He didn't read that night. His mind was simply too occupied with thoughts of the other boy. It took some time for his mind to rest but when it did…he had another naughty dream of his beloved. Finding himself again in the treehouse with the other cub, his boyfriend standing in front of him in nothing but his boxers. The fox lowered himself to his knees and took a long sniff of the other cub's boxers. The very thing that Xavier had told him he wanted to do. Waking up before the scene went any further.

Pent went to the bathroom and washed his face. His tented member in his pants reminded him that he liked the dream. He took a deep breath before going back to the room, glad that Samaliel wasn't up to seeing him like this. Stepping back into bed and covering himself he tried to rest again. The rest of the night was a quiet one for him, finally able to sleep soundly through the night without any more issues.

As for Xavier, he was overly tired. Two late nights had taken a toll on him and he was already yawning inside the car. His head bobbed back and forth a bit as he fought to keep awake. He almost fell asleep on the way home even despite the sugar he had eaten. Regardless he was able to get inside under his strength. The only thing on his mind was his night with Pent. His paws were still sore and he wished the fox was there to rub them again.

Once inside he retired to the shower, going back to his usual warm water preference. The water woke him up a bit and making a little more perky. Stepping out and wrapping himself in a towel before going back out to change into his pajamas. When he finally stepped back into bed, he peered out the window again. The memory of sitting under the stars was still fresh in his mind and it made him a bit nostalgic for it.

He began tracing some of the constellations that Pent had shown him. Though he couldn't name them for the life of him. He wanted to try to impress the fox, telling himself that he'd learn them for his boyfriend. He wanted to have more in common with Pent than what he did. Picking up a book from his shelf, he tried forcing himself to read. As usual, he wasn't able to get very far until he fell asleep.

Both boys slept soundly that night. Each of them was still very much riding on cloud nine. It seemed that the worst was behind them and that there were only positive things on the horizon. Their relationship was continuing to grow and blossom. Ever growing more passionate and closer to each other. Slowly understanding the nuances and quirks of each other and accepting the other for what they truly were. It was as true love was meant to be.", "pools_count": 1, "title": "Hallowscream", "deleted": "f", "public": "t", "mimetype": "application/msword", "pagecount": "1", "rating_id": "2", "rating_name": "Adult", "ratings": [ { "content_tag_id": "4", "name": "Sexual Themes", "description": "Erotic imagery, sexual activity or arousal", "rating_id": "2" } ], "submission_type_id": "12", "type_name": "Writing - Document", "guest_block": "t", "friends_only": "f", "comments_count": "6", "views": "375" }