Vista: A Clausten Fanfic

Chapter Ten

Lucas had been following Claus throughout May's shopping district. His brother had a "plan", but was this really it? He looked so proud of himself, but...

Claus holding up the penguin onesie and waving it around didn't make him feel much better, "He likes penguins so much? He'll get a penguin!"

"That's... kind of dumb, Claus." Lucas facepalmed. He looked back up to see Claus ignoring his remark and trying to figure out which size would fit him best, "You're actually going through with this?! Where is your shame?!"

"Hahaha, shame? What shame?" Claus gave a big grin before picking the best fit, "Okay, since you're here, why don't you buy Ninten a present too? You can't copy mine."

"I don't want to copy you!" Lucas rolled his eyes before storming off in search of something to buy for Ninten. Maybe a new baseball bat? Or a signed baseball? That might be expensive, though...

Claus fully believed that his plan, that his gift was the best thing ever and shamelessly bought the penguin onesie. He was going to dress up and pretend to be a penguin at Ninten's party, and only reveal himself at the end. It was perfect.

Lucas didn't think so, eventually returning to Claus and his.. amazing present after he had quickly bought one of the new baseball bats from the sports store. 

"Ready to go home? I need to prepare myself for the party."

"Eh? Prepare yourself how?" Lucas gave him a look, "Either way, you better hurry up. It won't start too long from now."

Claus gave him a sly grin, "You'll see, it'll be perfect."

"You've been saying that this whole time, but I don't actually believe you... let's hurry up. I don't want to be late. That's almost as embarrassing as you."

Claus teased Lucas some more before the twins went home, Lucas wrapping his gift, and Claus fully concealing himself inside a penguin suit.

Claus looked embarrassing. Lucas wanted to stay ten feet away from him at all times.

Ness was helping Ninten set up streamers for the party. One by one, his friends walked into the house and gave him hugs as they greeted him. Ninten was nearly squeezed to death by Teddy, and Ana and Lloyd had to pull him off just so that Ninten could live to have another birthday after this one.

"I'll keep an eye out for Lucas and Claus, okay, Ninten?" Ness offered, "You should catch up with all your friends for now. They seem really excited to see you again. Pippi's coming too, right now, she seems to be holding this.. huge box somehow. You didn't tell me Pippi had insane strength, dude."

"Huh?! No way!" Ninten laughed, "You're teasing, Ness!"

"Seriously, look!"

Pippi eventually managed to worm herself into Ninten's house, indeed holding up a sizeable box, "Hi, Ninten! Hi, all! I told you, Ninten, I told you I would bring you a huge present, and I did! Look, look!" she set the box down and patted the top of it, "Open it last for me, will you? It's very special, I saved up a lot for it!"

Ninten gave her a thumbs up, "Promise. I'll save the best for last." Ness shuffled outside the house and the other boy turned to look at all his friends, "How have you all been? I know it's been a while since I've visited you all personally."

"I've been helping my dad with things here and there," Lloyd started, "He keeps telling me to lay off the pyrotechnics, but they're just so fun to play with, aren't they? I'm considering joining the fireworks show with my own creations."

"Sounds dangerous, you've certainly toughened up a bunch!" Teddy slapped Lloyd on the back, and he had to readjust his glasses, "You're not the wimp I remember when I first met you all! Good, good!"