AppleHeart

Chapter Seventeen

Part·ner/pärtnər/noun: Either of a pair of people engaged together in the same activity or a member of a married couple or of an established unmarried couple.

"Thanks for coming!" Jack waved at Farja and Jill as they walked from Jack's house. The sky was dark and the crescent moon held high. The cool summer wind brushed against Jack's face as he closed the front door. He sighed in exhaustion as he walked into the living room, where his boyfriend, Apple Poison waited on the couch with a glass of red liquid in his palm. "What a day." Jack plopped himself next to Apple.

"Tell me about it," Apple leans back into the couch and pulls Jack in so that his head is on Poison's shoulder. Apple's arm rested on the frame of the couch behind Jack, and just like that, the lovers were relaxed, for a few minutes.

"Oh, that reminds me," Apple leaned forward to set his drink on the table. He reached under the said table and pulled out the gift bag, he placed it under the coffee table earlier so that it didn't get covered with guac and cupcake frosting, "this is for you."

"Oh Apple," Jack said, "but I didn't get you anything."

"That's okay," Apple assured, "open it." Jack pulls the stuffing out and looks into the bag. He sees a small black box resting inside. Jack pulls it out and opens the top to reveal a shining, silver charm bracelet with only two charms attached. He stares at it in awe as he held it up.

"See the charms," Apple pointed out, "This one, is a poisoned apple," Jack looked closely to see the first charm was a red apple with a white, glittery substance forming a skull, "And that one is a card; Jack of hearts." The second charm was a shiny mini version of the card with red glitter and gold lining.

"What about this one?" Jack asked as he examined the small silver stud with a hook.

"Oh, that's an empty spot," Apple said as he takes Jack's hand, "I'm going to put a charm there when the baby is born." Jack gasps and raises his hand to his mouth.

"Really?" He squeaked. Apple nodded with a 'yes' before Jack tackles him to the floor. Jack buries his face into Apple's chest.

"Oh my goodness Apple, thank you!" Apple was laying flat on the floor staring at the ceiling for a minute before sitting up. He placed his hand on Jack's head and rub his hair.

"I'm even more excited for the baby to be born," Jack squealed into Apple's shirt.

"I am too." Apple sits up and holds Jack in his arms, cuddling him.

*One week later*

"Alright recruiters," Mr. V announced, "This is it, our final week before the festival." Mr. V placed his hands on the dark table and took glances at each and every recruiter. The group was in the same building where they've had their previous gatherings.

"These past few months have been interesting and successful, but I'm proud of you guys." V wiped an invisible tear away from his eye while smiling.

"And I suggest we should go to that one restaurant to celebrate!" Ms. Scatter inserted.

"Which restaurant?" Joe asked.

"Are you talking about the one where Dalmatia and Jack had that shrimp eating contest and threw up all over the floor?" Veil said.

"We didn't throw up all over the floor," Mr. Dalmatia exaggerated, "I merely gagged, a lot."

"Puppy," Malfie spoke, "not only did you throw up, you and Jack were also very drunk and proceeded to dance around while singing Karaoke until you passed out."

"No wonder I can't remember a single thing from that night," Jack muttered.

"And I caught the whole thing on video!" Farja declared proudly.

"Why?" Dalmatia whispered in despair.

"We are getting off track," Mr. V said, "But yes as Scatter said, we'll be celebrating at the restaurant and hope that we don't repeat last time's incident," V looked directly at Jack and Dalmatia. The restaurant V was talking about was a five-star sushi place where they had a Mr. V's birthday party. Things were going well until a waiter came and told the crew that they have the option to order all you can eat shrimp (because of the birthday). So naturally, Jack and Dalmatia went a little overboard. On top of that, they consumed so much alcohol. So it left quite an impression, surprisingly none of them were banned. (Ms. Scatter had to pull a few strings)

For the next hour, Mr. V went over the safety guidelines and procedures and emergencies then talked about each job the recruiters were assigned to do:

Farja and Jill were in charge of handling the lines to the bounce houses.

Veil and Dalmatia were still hosting the pumpkin carving contest and making sure there were prizes for first, second, and third place.

As the food trucks had their own thing going on so they didn't necessarily need any supervision, but Pretty Scar and Miss Hades were given the option to do face paintings.

Joe and Malfie were in charge of tickets at the entrance.

Jack and Apple get the best part, they get to be scare actors for their haunted house. Although Apple wasn't too on board with this idea, Jack was ecstatic. He finally had the chance to show off his scaring skills, which (if we're being honest here) Jack is a rather convincing actor.

Example: Two Halloweens ago, Jack and Dalmatia decided to pull a prank on the other recruiters, because why not? It was Halloween after all. Dalmatia convinced the others to join him for a party in the woods. That process itself took a minute because Apple, Jill, Miss Hades, and Veil, were skeptical of partying in the woods. Why? Well, who parties in the middle of a dark forest?! Meanwhile, Scar-chan, Farja, and Malfie were okay with it. Joe, on the other hand, didn't care. No surprise there. Once they entered the woods, the recruiters were met with quite the shocker. Jack's 'body' was impaled on one large branch connected to a fallen tree. Jack found a way to make the fake blood and special effects makeup look sincerely realistic, so much so all recruiters (except for Apple and Jill) screamed in horror, including Mr. Dalmatia.

It seemed like they were so freaked out, Jack had to end prank early. It took him five minutes to calm everyone down. Apple Poison scolded Jack for such a twisted joke, Jill was so livid, she spoke various curse words in Spanish, Farja, Veil, and Scar-chan just hugged each other and whimpered. Joe and Miss Hades were speechless. And Mr. Dalmatia and Malfie fainted. (Even though Dalmatia was part of the prank, he was still caught off guard when he saw the scenery) Seeing your friend suddenly murdered in a forest is enough to shake up anyone. Fortunately, Jack made it up to all of them by buying candy and other sugary sweets.

The whole point is that Jack is good at scaring the wits out of people, so, being a scare actor is perfect for him. As said before, unlike Jack, Apple didn't necessarily enjoy the thought of dressing up and scaring people.

"And that concludes today's meeting," V taps his cane on the floor as he stands up, "Be sure to go over everything again, later." The recruiters replied unanimously as they packed up their folders.

"Oh, partner," Jack said in a sing-song voice as he approached Apple, "Or should I call you darling?" Apple raised an eyebrow.

"It doesn't matter what I say, you'll still come up with some sort of nickname." Apple takes the folder and places his arm around Jack's shoulders. They followed the others through the door of the meeting room then exited the building.

"So Appoi, are you sure you don't want to be a scare actor?"

"I'm sure. Besides, you're better at scaring people than I am."

"Oh stop it," Jack cupped his face, pretending to be flustered, "Then what are you going to be doing?"

"I think I'll just be a greeter for the attraction."

"Well that's boring," Jack replied.

"It's not that boring," Apple pulled Jack closer, his arm caressing Jack in comfort. Jack reached his hand towards Apple's and intertwined their fingers. They continued their way, minding their own business, enjoying each other's company. 

Partners, lovers, friends, maybe in the near future.... husbands...