Halloween Event!

[loadsavepoint.livejournal.com]

Trick or Treat

It's that time again - time to gorge yourself full of sweets and candies. Of course, that means you have to trick or treat for it. It doesn't matter if you meant to trick or treat, because for some reason, you're doing it anyway. Actually, you've already knocked on the neighbor's door, and suddenly blurted out, "Trick or treat!" Whether you meant to or not.

And suddenly, you're in costume. Huh. You don't remember picking that to wear... Oh, and just in time for the person to answer the door and give you candy.

So have at it, trick or treaters! Or candy-givers alike.

Comments

[nowheresman.livejournal.com]

Why not? Consider it helping an innocent, pleading civilian out.

[Was that supposed to be you, Adachi? He seems to think better of the suggestion himself, turning around to grab something else from the drawer, and taking a few steps, presents one item in each hand. In his left is that desaturated pure yellow of the Star Trek uniform. In his right, is a bottle with obvious implications. Adachi's face is comically serious.]

You have a choice. Choose wisely.

Galaxy Trek* you mean-

[juneslater.livejournal.com]

What kind of choice is that?!

[Sorry, Adachi, but a ridiculous notion like that is just asking for a smack to the head - whack.]

LOL YES that is what I meant

[nowheresman.livejournal.com]

It's- what, ow! Hey!

[Adachi goes down, or rather, he ducks forward to avoid any repeat performances of that smack, rubbing the back of his head.]

It's not rocket science, Dojima-san! One or the other - it's a pretty obvious choice if you ask me!

;D

[juneslater.livejournal.com]

And it's a stupid choice. I told you, I'm not doing it.

[This time, Dojima excuses himself from the room. Probably to get some coffee.]

[nowheresman.livejournal.com]

[Tossing the bottle onto the bed, Adachi takes the Galaxy Trek uniform with him as he trails after the other man, an obvious whine to his voice.]

Aww, c'mon, Dojima-san. Everybody's doing it, and it's not like it's gonna look out of place. I've seen old people out and about in costume before.

[...Tactful, Adachi.]

Think of it as keeping me company. Y'wouldn't shove me out into the street by myself, would you? I mean, what if somebody misunderstands and tries to mug me 'cause they think I'm some unsuspecting teenager from the back, or something?

[juneslater.livejournal.com]

[After pouring some coffee into a mug, Dojima turns, giving Adachi an unimpressed look.]

You just want me to wear a nerdy, form-fitting uniform so you can gawk, and maybe even flaunt me around the neighborhood. Right?

[Sometimes even this hard-headed detective gets it.]

[nowheresman.livejournal.com]

[Adachi holds up a halting finger.]

Now just wait a minute there! I want you to wear that stylishly yellow uniform so that I can ga-...so that you can get out for once and have some fun with me, and nothin' more than that. I mean, think about it, what if some old lady nosy-buddies get the wrong idea and start asking you for your number or something? Why would I want something like that?

[juneslater.livejournal.com]

...You're telling me you're using it as a safety precaution against people hitting on me.

[nowheresman.livejournal.com]

[nowheresman.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you're right. As if anyone'd do that.

[juneslater.livejournal.com]

[Dojima steps up, looking down at the other man silently. Adachi's a tough person to get used to, and an even harder person to convince out of things. With a sigh, he flicks the younger man's forehead. (That's for insinuating that no one would hit on him, because hey, he's not quite an old man yet.)]

Half an hour. That's all you get.

[nowheresman.livejournal.com]

[And just because he often wins rather than not doesn't mean Adachi isn't still as elated. (Maybe it's the little victories that count, considering he doesn't win with much else.)]

Really? Whoa-oh-oh! Awesome!

[And gakuran and all, Adachi excitedly all but pounces onto Dojima, using the gesture to slyly push the mustard-yellow top into Dojima's hands (but it's not without a quick, rewarding kiss to the older man's mouth). He even starts tugging up at the end of the shirt Dojima's currently wearing.]

All right, let's get you changed!

[juneslater.livejournal.com]

H-hey, wait a- mmph-

[Arms full of shirt and Adachi alike, he at least makes an effort to lean towards the counter and set his mug down before coffee stains the yellow shirt. Dojima's pretty compliant after that, struggling to get the shirt he's already wearing off, but not without a few sounds of protest at Adachi doing it for him. (Sheesh, he is a grown man after all.)]

[nowheresman.livejournal.com]

[Between the two of them, they manage to get the shirt onto Dojima with...relatively little fuss, and Adachi settles back with a satisfied smile on his face, reaching for Dojima's coffee without even a second thought and taking a sip, as if rewarding himself for a job well done.]

At least you haven't grown a belly in your old age yet. I almost thought you wouldn't fit it again for a second there.

[He pats Dojima's middle.]

[juneslater.livejournal.com]

Is that supposed to be a compliment?

[Instinctively, he scrunches inward, away of Adachi's hand - then goes to snag his coffee back.]

[nowheresman.livejournal.com]

[Adachi holds it back, out of reach, retreating a step, and instead catches Dojima's fingers with his free hand, tugging the man to the door while he leaves the coffee sitting on the counter.]

Let's go. Half an hour's ticking down!

[juneslater.livejournal.com]

[Sighing, he lets himself be tugged along, coffeeless.]

Still think we're too old for this.

[nowheresman.livejournal.com]

You can never be too old for Halloween.

[They're too old for hand-holding too, but Adachi doesn't let go until they reach the first house. Dojima has his limits, and of course, he doesn't go up to every door asking for free candy, but Adachi's never had much shame in that regard, and despite the occasional odd glance they get, he continues on, apparently over the whole wake-up-in-costume thing. After all, the place has treated them to odder surprises in the past, and considering the time of year, it's almost oddly...tame.

By the time half an hour is over (forty minutes, in fact, considering Adachi had noticed the time and just decided to push his luck), the plastic bucket in his hand is teeming with candy. Adachi walks back down the last porch with a beaming smile, returning to Dojima's side and gesturing to his impressive haul.]

Want some?

[What is this? Generosity?]

[juneslater.livejournal.com]

[Speaking of oddly tame, Dojima's reluctance begins to die down, even if he acts more like Adachi's chaperone than companion. He notices the time go past thirty minutes, and doesn't say anything - and definitely notices the weird looks (especially when they hold hands), but puts up with it. Dojima undoubtedly spoils him sometimes.

Dojima glances down at Adachi's bucket, nearly overflowing, and shakes his head.]

Not unless you have something coffee flavored.

[He's half-joking.]

[nowheresman.livejournal.com]

[Adachi pulls out something from his pocket - a handful of small candies wrapped in shiny, golden foil, and motions for Dojima to outstretch his hand to accept them.]

Thought you might say that. Smart as I am, I put these into special storage when I got 'em.

[It's surprisingly considerate, but Adachi's been prone to doing small favors like that lately - a small, but significant change.]

[juneslater.livejournal.com]

...

[Dojima takes them, smiling slowly. Sometimes, Adachi's the one who takes him by surprise.]

Thanks.

[nowheresman.livejournal.com]

[Making a haughty 'hmph,' Adachi tries and miserably fails and pretending to be modest by saying a cursory:]

Don't mention it.

[But chances are he probably would've complained if Dojima' hadn't. Slipping the pumpkin strap around one wrist and stuffing both his hands into his pockets Adachi takes a few steps the way the came.]

Let's go home.

[He doesn't specify that it'd be Dojima's home or anything. Maybe the lines have become so blurred that it didn't even matter anymore.]

[juneslater.livejournal.com]

[Unwrapping a candy, he puts one in his mouth, and the others his pocket. (Not bad - cappuccino flavor.) Dojima catches up with a few long strides, nodding down at Adachi. He doesn't have to ask which home, because either way (sap as he is), Dojima would probably follow. ...Although, he does need to catch up with Nanako and Souji who went trick-or-treating. Nanako undoubtedly wants to show off her own haul.]

Sounds good.

JUST ONE MORE THING I WANNA ACCOMPLISH HERE-

[nowheresman.livejournal.com]

[And indeed, by the time they round the corner on Dojima's block, Nanako and Souji are just making their way back themselves - or rather, just made their way back, considering Souji's already in the door, saying goodbye to his younger cousin, presumably to spend the later hours of the day with his friends. Nanako sees them approaching, and in pure-hearted Nanako fashion, brightens, fairy princess costume wings bouncing as she perks with a, "Daddy!"

Souji turns around also, and upon seeing both his uncle and Adachi in costume (especially upon seeing Adachi's choice in costume), raises a silent brow. The boy had always been very good at conveying words without actually saying anything, and for some reason, Adachi feels the compulsion to tug up his collar a little tighter, maybe pop it a few more times. Instead of showing any weakness to the enemy opposing party, he glances away.

Not that that stops Souji from bidding his farewells to his cousin and approaching them anyway. Hey, he even mumbles something to his uncle on his way out - too quiet for Adachi to hear (unlike some people, he has always been better at not leaking out secrets too), but it sounds something suspiciously like, "Shouldn't leave things on the bed where children can see them, Uncle." Then, with a bright smile so polished you could've probably seen your reflection in, he gives a humble bow and brushes past them.

Adachi frowns, looking over his shoulder.]

What was that all I about?

FFFF SUCH A BULLY TO DOJIMA

[juneslater.livejournal.com]

[It must only raise Adachi's curiosity when Dojima's face practically glows red, and he outright sputters for a second. Before he can clear things up, Souji is already coolly gliding his way up back to the steps of the house. Dojima rubs his face, trying to get the color out, because even Nanako notices after she waves a second time at her cousin.]

It's... nothing. H-how was trick-or-treating, Nanako?

[On that topic, she beams up at her dad, holding out her bucket - it's in pretty good competition with Adachi's, actually. "Really good!"]