Sunshine, A Bartholy Halloween Story

Part I: A Day At Bartholy Manor

I crack one eye open and stretch like a cat, a lazy smile hovering over my lips. The sheets feel nice and cool - I slept with my window open, enjoying the crisp autumn breeze. I turn on my side and glance at the figure laying beside me. Drogo's blond hair is tousled and I can see the outline of his muscular body under the thin wool blanket.

Thinking about what we did last night under that said blanket makes me blush and slightly drool at the same time. Drogo certainly has a profound knowledge of love-making techniques, and we tried almost every one in the book - The Kamasutra, that is.

"What's on your mind, little thing?" Drogo opens his hazel eyes and studies me from underneath his long, dark lashes.

I don't have the chance to answer before he grins lasciviously: "Last night was pretty amazing, wasn't it?"

"Yes... I must admit, it was quite... rigorous," I wiggle my eyebrows playfully, making him laugh.

"I'm impressed that you were able to keep up with me," he chuckles. "But you might be pretty sore today."

I pick up a pillow and throw it at him. "Don't you worry about me, Mister. I'm almost as athletic as you... Of course, I don't have as many years of practice," I tease him. "In fact, how a man your age can perform that well is truly a miracle!"

Drogo lunges toward me and grabs me into his arms, pulling me on top of him. I pretend to fight him off, but I start to laugh uncontrollably as he starts tickling my sides.

"Stop it, stop it! You're gonna make me puke!" I kick him... for real this time.

But he is relentless. "No way, little thing! You can't insult me like that and then expect me not to retaliate!"

"Alright, alright... I'm sorry," I manage to gasp between fits of giggles.

I press both hands firmly against his chest and he finally relents, releasing me from his torturous embrace.

After I regain my breath and wipe the streaks of tears off my face, I suddenly exclaim:

"Oh my God, it's almost Halloween!"

Drogo arches an eyebrow but doesn't comment. I sit up in bed and pull the top sheet over my bare skin.

"Aren't you excited?" I widen my eyes at him in disbelief.

"What's there to be excited about?" Drogo replies, obviously unaffected by my enthusiasm.

"Oh... I don't know... Costumes, candy, decorations, parties," I start counting off on my fingers.

"Hmph," Drogo snorts. "Well... I can't eat any candy for one," he says. "And I'm not really into decorating and dressing up.  That's more of a girl thing," he adds mockingly.

I feel suddenly deflated and upset, not to mention insulted by his machismo. "Don't be such a killjoy! I happen to love Halloween! It's always been my favorite holiday!"

I get out of bed gruffly and pull a T-shirt over my head, not hiding my annoyance.

"Good for you," Drogo says. "But don't expect me to get all excited about it. I think it's a stupid holiday... and I don't believe in all of that crap."

It's my turn to arch an eyebrow. "All of that crap? You mean like ghouls, witches and monsters? That's funny... coming from you."

Drogo sits up in bed and rests his head against the headboard. "Why? Just because I'm a vampire doesn't mean I believe that there is only one night a year where the border between the spirit and human world is open and ghosts can cross over." He says the last part in a spooky voice, wiggling his fingers for an added sinister effect.