Red Like Rubies

Halloween

Sebastian had to admit that he loved Halloween. And since he had Lily he finally had an excuse to go on Trick or Treat tour again. He didn't even know why he liked it so much, but it was always a great fun to do partner costumes with Lily... unless she wanted him to be a Disney prince or even worse... Tuxedo Mask. Since she had demanded to be Sailor Moon in the previous year he had had no choice but to give in. But this year was his turn. And he actually managed to talk Lily into doing Chucky from Child's Play – she liked the outfit – and got a Jason Voorhees costume for himself. Myra never put on a costume because she claimed that was a father-daughter thing. She really wasn't a fan of playing dress-up.

It was already Halloween when Sebastian noticed that he didn't ask Joseph if he wanted to come along as well. He couldn't really judge if his partner liked or disliked the subject, so he decided to just go and ask him.

Joseph was sitting in his room on his bed, reading a book. He read a lot and he also got almost every book from his apartment into Sebastian's house by now even though there wasn't enough space for them in the small room. But Joseph managed to stack them up perfectly. He surely was good at playing Tetris as well.

"Hey partner." Sebastian sat down next to him on the bed.

"Do you need something?" Joseph barely looked up from the book. By a brief look at the cover Sebastian saw that it was an Agatha Christie thriller.

"I wanted to ask you about your opinion on Halloween."

"I don't really have one. It's the day I buy a lot of sweets in case of spooky children at my door."

"Would you like to go on tour as well?"

Joseph now looked at him. "I guess I'm a bit too old for that."

"But Lily isn't. And she needs company."

"I don't know..." Joseph sighed and put away the book. "I don't think I'm good company."

"I think you are." Sebastian smiled a little. "Besides, now is your chance to dress up as a serial Killer."

"Wow. Wonderful. Everything I ever wanted."

Sebastian rolled his eyes. "I'm actually looking forward to wear Jason."

"Oh my, so many mommy issues?"

"Oh, shut up..."

"Okay, I'll join you. I'll do Norman Bates."

"Oh, please put on a plaid dress and a cheap wig."

"I don't have either of that. What a pity." Joseph shrugged. "Guess I'll have to stay here and read then."

Sebastian grinned wolfishly. "Myra!", he yelled and noticed the slight uptightness in Joseph's face.

His wife sprinted in the room. "Everything alright?!"

"Yes, yes... I was just wondering if you have anything in your closet that could turn Joseph into the pretty fashion icon Norma Bates."

"Really?" Myra looked at Joseph who gave her a pretty helpless look.

"He wants to join the Mommy Issues team." Sebastian stood up.

"God, you guys are nerds." Myra sighed wearily. "But I've got an old dress of my mother. I think it would fit pretty well."

"Myra no!", Joseph shouted.

"Myra yes!", Sebastian grinned. "Do you have a grey wig as well?"

"No..." Joseph sighed in relief. "...but I've got a white one."