Employed by the Big Shot

Pumpkins and Bananas

This morning's been a busy one. You texted Andrew first thing asking if he wanted to meet up for coffee and clear the air. It went okay. He apologised for making you upset, but still believes in his point. Now, you're on your way to a tailors with Spamton pretending not to care what you wear to a party hosted by a literal queen. You've had buckets of questions about her, but only have a drop of information about her still. All he's saying is that she's nice enough and isn't to be feared most of the time.

You try on a few outfits, but nothing feels right. You'll just have to let Spamton choose.

"Black and white or white and black?"

"UM,"

Well he's no help at all.

"This one, then?"

"I THiNK YOU SUIT THEM ALL WELL, De-"

You groan and turn your back to him. Outwardly, everything is fine. So, why do you feel so stressed?

He brushes your hair aside and speckles the back of your neck with kisses.

"THAT's THE ONE. SO, LETS GO HOME AND RELAX. Hm?"

You bob your head and mutter some thanks' and love yous. On the slow-paced walk home, he hits you with a '"I HAVE A LITTLE SURPRISE [.4] YOU."

You're face says it all.

"NOTHING MAjOR, NO PEOPLE, YOU'LL LIKE IT." He explains batting a hand.

You open the door with apprehension. He was being truthful, there's no one here, no massive displays, no loud noises, just a full coffee table. Lit up by warm lamps either side of the tv in front of it are three pumpkins, a packet of perhaps 50 candles and a basket of fancy silver knives of all sorts. It's quite beautiful, oddly.

"I DID SOME RESEARCHING," he begins "I'M SURE YOU'vE BEEN THINKING OF THAT WORLD OFTEN,    s0..."

He smiles and leads you by the hand closer to the set-up. "I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE HOLIDAYS THERE, AND SINCE H-A-LLOWEEN PASSED RECENTLY FOR THEM, I THOUGHT-" He cuts himself off to gesture to the pumpkins and knives and bowls. He almost pronounced 'Halloween' right. Almost.

You feel your eyes begin to water. "This is..." You hug him tightly. "I love this. Thank you." You giggle.

He kisses the top of your head and doesn't even try to hide the sniff. He then puts his arm around your shoulders and chirps "SO," he waves at the orange fruit. "NOW WHAT?"

"You didn't-?"

"I DIDN't."

"Not even-?"

"JUST PICTURES."

"Alright!" You crack your knuckles. It's been a while since you did this, but this time you have a complete amateur with you to make you seem like an expert, which makes you more excited than you already are. You pat the seat next to you and tell him to "Watch and learn!" You plunge the blade into the top and begin carving a circle. "-And copy."

You both get about half way done with a very basic pumpkin carving job before flicking seeds at each other. You've lasted longer than either of you thought. Something about each others face just would really benefit from a pumpkin seed. Three or four seeds in, you both arm up with a hand full of pumpkin guts, wind up your arms, and stare each other down with a mischievous, cunning grin.

"Truce, Truce!" You whimper dramatically. You absolutely sell it. He lowers his arm. What a chump. You give him just enough milliseconds to let his guard down then plop the glob of orange slop on top of his head and smear it into his hair. You don't feel even a little bit bad. You're sort of a jerk? It's not a question, but it makes you feel better to phrase it as one.