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You stood in front of your mirror to scrutinize your costume once more. You wore a bright red hooded cloak. Your moms bought you a basket to use as a candy receptacle. You grabbed it from your desk and hooked your arm through the handle. There was not much else you needed to portray Little Red Riding Hood.

Cove was set to arrive at your house any minute now. You went downstairs to wait with your moms. Elizabeth was already out with her friends. Your moms permitted her to spend Halloween outside of the neighborhood.

Your moms wore their costumes even though they didn't have any plans to go out. Ma, a vampire, was preparing a bowl of Halloween candy for the unlikely trick-or-treater. Mom was on the couch dressed as a pirate, flicking through TV channels looking for a good horror movie. They both looked up from their activities upon your arrival.

Mom: Would you look at that!

Ma: Our Little Red. You look wonderful, darling.

Your moms crowded around you in admiration. You complimented their outfits as well. A knock at the door interrupted the scene.

Mom: I'll get it.

Mom opened the door to Cove standing awkwardly. He wore a gray t-shirt and blue jeans. A pair of fuzzy wolf ears jutted from his messy green hair. His left hand clutched a worn pillowcase.

Cove: Trick or treat... haha.

Cove tried to laugh but he was obviously uncomfortable. Mom ushered him inside the door.

Mom: I should have known Cove would show up as the Big Bad Wolf.

Ma: Quite a pair we have here.

Cove smiled and waved at you with his free hand. You walked closer to inspect his costume.

Y/N: Those ears suit you. But...

Cove: I know, I don't have a nose. I was going to use a marker but I thought that might be a bad idea...

Mom: That would be a very bad idea. Wait here, kiddo. I have some eyeliner you can use.

Mom disappeared for a moment then returned with a black eyeliner pencil. Cove accepted it gratefully.

Cove: Thank you. Uh, Y/N. Do you think you could draw the nose for me?

You heard your moms stifled laughter in the background. Cove's cheeks grew red, but his focus remained on you.

Y/N: Yeah, let's go into the bathroom. There's better lighting and no audience in there.

You shot your moms a playful glare. Cove followed you into the bathroom and sat down on the toilet lid. He clasped his hands on his lap. You held his warm face in one hand to tilt it upwards. He shut his eyes tight. You smiled deviously.

Y/N: Cove?

Cove's eyes fluttered open and he almost spoke, but you interrupted him with a quick kiss. His face was beet red when you pulled away.

Y/N: This might tickle, hold still.

You traced a wolf nose onto Cove's nose with heavy concentration. His lips twisted into a crooked smile. You heard a small hum from his throat. You stopped drawing to let him breathe.

Cove: Sorry, it does tickle.

Y/N: Almost done, hold tight.

You finished filling in the nose then drew a thin line from the base to his upper lip. Cove smiled up at you.

Cove: How does it look?

Y/N: You look stupidly cute. I hope this doesn't awaken anything in me.

Cove looked away and huffed.

Cove: Oh my God, stop.

Y/N: Let's go Wolfie, we have candy to collect.

Cove emerged with you out of the bathroom. Your moms stood by the front door chatting. Both of their eyes locked onto the pair walking towards them.

Mom: You guys aren't going anywhere until we get some pictures.

Ma: There's a nice spot outside by the pumpkin decorations. There should still be enough daylight to make it work.

You groaned, no matter how old you got your moms insisted on taking a million pictures. You felt bad that Cove got dragged into it.

Y/N: You get three pictures, so make them count.

Mom put her hands up defensively and chuckled. She ushered everyone outside. The pile of pumpkin decorations Ma set up stood neatly by the front door. Cobwebs populated with fake spiders clung to the exterior of the house. Orange and purple string lights blinked from above.

Mom: Stand to the side of the pumpkins, like that. Perfect!

Mom directed your positioning while holding her phone in front of her. Cove stood next to you with his arms stiff at his sides.

Ma: Get closer so you both fit in the frame.

Ma's voice was teasing. You stepped closer to Cove and nudged his arm. He hesitantly draped it over your shoulder.

Mom: One, two... cheese!

You smiled brightly and heard the characteristic click of the camera sound effect.

Mom: Now, Cove. Put those paws up and give us a growl. Y/N, put on your best scared face.

Cove obliged without protest, desperate to get out of there. You turned to him and put your hands up to your shocked expression. Ma covered her mouth to stifle a giggle.

Mom: Hold it, aaaand... Perfection!

Another click. Cove immediately lowered his hands and relaxed.

Y/N: One more. What's next?

Mom: Model's choice.

You thought for a moment, then remembered that funny "awkward 80s couple photo shoot" trend you saw online.

Y/N: Cove is going to hate this one. We're throwing it back to the 80s!

Ma: Oh, good times...

Mom chuckled at Ma's wistful gaze. You guided a nervous Cove into position then settled yourself in front of him. You reached behind to move his hands onto your shoulders.

Mom: Ha! I see what you're going for.

Ma: Give us your most uncomfortable smiles.

Mom: I don't think that will be a problem for Cove. The poor boy is not enjoying this.

Cove laughed quietly. You turned around to offer an encouraging smile. Teasing Cove was fun, but you wanted him to know he'd always have you on his team. He squeezed your shoulders in acknowledgement.

Mom: Ready? Like, one, two, cheese!

It was hard not to break into laughter at Mom's 80s valley girl impression. You grimaced with a wide smile. The camera clicked.

Y/N: Okay, I have to see that one.

You rushed over to Mom. Ma and Cove followed to huddle around the phone. She revealed the image and everyone laughed.

Ma: You two nailed it.

In the picture Cove had one eyebrow raised and a similar toothy grimace. Your faces reflected the exact goofy awkwardness you wanted to channel.

Mom: We finished just in time, the sun is setting. You two better head out before it gets too late.

Y/N: We'll see you guys later.

You hooked your arm into Cove's and headed into the night. Your moms called out behind you.

Ma: Remember the ru—

You released Cove's arm and faced your moms while bouncing backwards, careful to avoid tripping over the uneven sidewalk.

Y/N: We got it! The rules, we'll be fine. Thanks for the pictures!

Mom: Stay safe, kiddos.

Cove waved to them politely. He swung the pillowcase over his shoulder. You caught up to Cove and inhaled the cool night air. Darkness engulfed your path. Sporadically lit and decorated houses lined the neighborhood. Most of the residents didn't decorate much for Halloween.

Y/N: Let the horrors begin! We're skipping candy and going straight to the graveyard.

The devilish grin on your face caused Cove to roll his eyes. He gently swatted you with his pillowcase.

Cove: I want to pretend you're joking, but I don't think I can.

Y/N: I'm mostly joking. But come on, this is the first time our parents have afforded us a Halloween to ourselves. Don't you want to do something exciting?

Cove scoffed.

Cove: Exciting and I don't exactly go hand in hand.

You intertwined your fingers into Cove's free hand.

Y/N: Maybe not. But we do. And I'll always be by your side.

Cove held your gaze with burning cheeks.

Cove: Are you trying to butter me up?

Your joyous cackle broke through the chilly night.

Y/N: Trying? Succeeding? Who knows.

Innocence oozed from your coy smile. Cove deflected its power with the executive decision to turn into the first decorated house. You followed begrudgingly but flashed your best "gimme candy" smile when Cove pushed the doorbell. The residents gushed over your matching costumes and dumped handfuls of candy into your receptacles.

Y/N: Maybe trick-or-treating isn't such a bad idea. It's like we're still little kids.

Cove: Well we are and pretty much always have been the only kids here. They have to unload their candy onto someone.

Y/N: Aaaand because we're adorable.

Cove didn't notice your wiggling eyebrows as he dug through his pillowcase. He extracted a lollipop and unwrapped it. He slipped the cherry red sweet in his mouth.

Y/N: That was a world record candy-opening. We're still on their lawn.

He shrugged and slipped the lollipop out of his mouth only to speak.

Cove: It's a tradition at this point.

Y/N: New tradition incoming.

You hopped in front of Cove and opened your mouth. The surge of your heartbeat surprised you. Cove's face twisted into a smile.

Cove: You are relentless.

He offered you the lollipop. Your tongue traced around it before it disappeared into your mouth. Eye contact with Cove didn't break. His eyes narrowed as you pulled back.

Y/N: Thanks, Cove. Very sweet.

Cove returned the lollipop to his mouth and mumbled..

Cove: Anytime, Y/N.

Cove walked ahead without another word, cheeks stained red. You conceded to trick or treating without any more resistance. The next house gave another handful of candy.

Y/N: Score! Look at all the Reese's we got.

You skipped across the lawn while unwrapping the candy. Your hood flopped off your head. Cove caught up to you and pulled the hood back onto your head. He rested his hand on your head for a moment and gave you a twinkling smile.

The rest of the houses on your street followed the pattern of complimenting your costumes and unloading hoards of candy. You crossed streets and turned corners all throughout the neighborhood until you stopped recognizing the houses.

Y/N: It's a shame Miranda and Terri couldn't join us. There's plenty of candy to go around.

Cove: Mhmm.

Cove finished chewing on chocolate taffy to speak.

Cove: Miranda's mom was pretty insistent they spend Halloween with the family.

Y/N: This poor neighborhood will never know what a bustling Halloween is like.

Cove: I think that fits. This neighborhood is allergic to fun. .

Cove shoved a handful of sour candy into his mouth and grimaced at the punchy flavor.

Y/N: When I move out I want to live somewhere that takes Halloween seriously. Decorations at every house. Costumed kids wandering the streets for candy. The moon would be full and bright with stars dotting the sky.

You fell into a daydream imagining your perfect Halloween. You loved the holidays you spent with Cove and your family, but you missed out on the classic seasonal vibes.

Cove: Sounds like you want to live in a horror movie. But I get it. I would love that for you. You deserve it.

Cove absentmindedly dug through his pillowcase again for more candy. You chose to munch on a piece of chocolate from your basket.

Y/N: You better be okay with it, you're gonna be joining me after all.

Cove's eyes widened at your bold proclamation, but he didn't argue. There was an unspoken and shared desire to stay by each other's sides forever. You walked in comfortable silence until you neared the end of your neighborhood. Having pillaged every available house, your basket weighed down with candy. Cove mumbled through the strip of licorice he was gnawing.

Cove: End of the line.

You popped another piece of chocolate in your mouth dejectedly.

Y/N: The night is still so young.

Cove: Maybe the night doesn't have to end yet.

You perked up.

Y/N: What are you scheming?

Cove: Not scheming anything. But if you were serious before we could go somewhere scary...

Y/N: Graveyard! We're going to the graveyard.

Cove: Actually, I was thinking of something a little less cursed.

Y/N: But I want to get cursed.

You crossed your arms and stomped defiantly. Cove shook his head in amusement.

Cove: Hey, impersonating Jeremy is my job.

Y/N: Spill it, where are we going?

Cove: You'll have to find out. Maybe I'll blindfold you...

Cove pretended to consider that option seriously.

Cove: I'm kidding.

Y/N: Sure you are.

He slipped his fingers between yours and tugged you along. The direction you walked in was unfamiliar. You ended up in a part of your neighborhood that you didn't frequent. Every house on this stretch of road was dark. The flickering street lamps above provided the only light source.

Y/N: Did you get us lost?

Cove: I swear we were retracing our steps...

Y/N: So that's a yes.

You turned onto a road lined only with trees. The maze of houses stood in your past. The silence was staggering. The crash of the ocean was no longer audible from this distance.

Cove: If we keep going this way it will probably loop back to our street.

Y/N: Are you as excited as I am for this adventure? Don't answer that, I already know you're not.

You bounced excitedly at the spooky stretch of road ahead of you. Cove tightened his grip on your hand and chuckled.

Cove: I'm determined to get us home unscathed.

Y/N: Unless we run into a masked mechanic impersonator I think we'll be okay.

Your heart surged as you took in the eerie path. Crunchy leaves fluttered in the chilling breeze. The streetlamps dwindled as you proceeded. Darkness consumed the uneven slabs beneath your feet. Cove hummed to fill the silence.

Y/N: Life's no fun without a good scare.

Cove: You got it!

Y/N: Well it is the only Halloween movie you can stand to watch.

Cove: Because it's not that scary.

Y/N: It's not scary at all—

A faint glow in the distance caught your eye and halted your sentence.

Y/N: Speaking of scary. I think we're coming upon something.

You pulled ahead, leading the still-attached Cove behind you. As you drew closer you noticed a tall wrought iron fence. The creaky sign loomed above the entrance. Cemetery.

Y/N: Fate must have led us here. The Halloween gods do care.

Cove: We're not going to go inside, are we?

Y/N: Think of it as a shortcut. We'll pop out on the other side of this road in no time.

Cove shifted beside you and released your hand. He wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans. You clung to his arm and looked up at him pleadingly.

Y/N: Come on, you're my big bad wolf. You have to protect me.

Cove: I thought we agreed on "not-so-bad."

You poked out your bottom lip.

Y/N: I'll feed you my candy.

Cove: Now you're baiting me.

He paused for a moment to consider his options.

Cove: Let's go in.

Cove stepped toward the entrance and waited with an open palm.

Y/N: I see. Anything for candy.

Cove: Anything for you.

You accepted his hand and walked side by side into the graveyard. The winding dirt path felt soft beneath your feet. Patches of grass and weeds sprouted from the dirt. The crumbling headstones were barely legible under years of erosion and moss. A blanket of mist lingered over the ground in the distance.

Y/N: This place is ancient. Look at how old the headstones are.

Cove: I'm sure the ghosts don't mind.

Y/N: Don't tell me you still believe in ghosts.

Cove: I stopped believing in them around the same time I stopped believing in mermaids. But this place feels... I don't know. Active?

Y/N: I feel it, too. An ominous energy. Like the wind is calling us. Tempting us to the other side...

Cove adjusted his slippery grip on your hand, his tenacity waning.

Cove: Where's that candy you promised me?

Y/N: Ha! Okay, okay. What do you want?

Cove: Mmm, surprise me?

You blindly shuffled the candy around in your basket and felt the familiar shape of a foil-wrapped chocolate.

Y/N: How about I give you a Kiss?

Cove's mouth opened to protest, then he noticed the small shiny chocolate presented on your palm.

Cove: Oh, good. I thought you meant a kiss kiss.

Y/N: Hey! Rude.

Cove: I'm only kidding. I'll take both.

Y/N: Chocolate first. Then we'll see if you even deserve a real kiss.

Cove opened his mouth to accept the chocolate kiss. He smiled sweetly and hummed as he savored the flavor.

Cove: Can I get that other kiss now?

Y/N: I guess...

Cove puckered his lips. You stepped closer, gripping your wicker basket in front of you with both hands. The wind rustled the red hood against your head. Cove used his free hand to cup your face.

Cove: You're the cutest Little Red—

A distant rumble split the romantic tension. Dust swirled around you in the charged atmosphere. Cove's expression soured into fear.

Y/N: Looks like we're gonna get rained out if we keep flirting among the dead.

Cove's eyes darted away from you towards a nearby headstone. A screeching crow swooped from the tree above and perched on the ancient monolith. Cove leapt backwards with a hushed gasp.

Y/N: Scared?

Cove: No, Y/N.

Y/N: You're not fooling me. Your hands are shaking.

Cove: Let's keep walking. It's getting cold and now the crows are after us.

You followed the path towards the other side of the cemetery. Cove's clammy hand gripped yours tightly. Another loud crack shook the ground. The howling wind crescendoed and sent shivers down your spine. Crooked trees trembled with every gust.

Finally, you crossed over the threshold to the other side of the road. The misty cemetery was behind you. You analyzed your surroundings and noticed a familiar street sign.

Y/N: I know where we are! If we go in that direction then turn right we'll end up back on our street.

Cove: That's good news. I thought that place was gonna be endless.

You skipped ahead of Cove and twirled in your red cloak. A light drizzle dotted the sidewalk. The sky brewed menacingly.

Cove: Wait for me, it's still scary out here!

The rain picked up with another booming clap. The sky flashed briefly. Cove jogged ahead to catch up to you. He looped his arm into yours and ran alongside you towards the sign. You turned right onto your familiar stretch of road.

Clouds swirled menacingly in the sky behind you. The rain slowed as you approached your house, but you and Cove were already soaked to the bone.

Cove: That was a quick storm.

Y/N: It wanted to wash us out of the cemetery. We were not meant to be there.

Cove: Wish the sky would have told me that earlier...

You stopped a few yards in front of your house to look at Cove. His wet hair flopped in his face. The black eyeliner on his nose smudged in the rain.

Y/N: I guess Mom didn't use waterproof eyeliner.

He smiled sheepishly.

Cove: I look like a mess, don't I?

Y/N: You look like a big brave wolf who conquered his fears. And I suspect it wasn't entirely unintentional.

Cove clammed up and refused to meet your gaze.

Y/N: I mean what a coincidence that you got us lost and we ended up at the cemetery I wanted to visit...

Cove looked at you with an exasperated sigh.

Cove: Is it so bad that your boyfriend wanted you to have a thrilling Halloween?

Y/N: Ha! I knew it. You're so easy to read, Holden.

Cove pouted dramatically.

Cove: I had you fooled, don't lie.

Y/N: So there was never an alternative plan to the cemetery?

Cove: Nope...

Y/N: I appreciate it. It was stupid and sweet. The Cove Special.

You reached up to tousle his damp hair. He accepted the pat like a good wolf.

Cove: Can I get that other kiss now...

You wrapped your arms around Cove's waist and pulled him closer. He tangled his hand into your hair and kissed you deeply. His lips tasted sweet with the remnants of candy. You pulled apart and admired his blushing cheeks in the dim glow of Halloween string lights.

Y/N: This was the scariest and best Halloween ever.

Cove: I agree. Can we go inside now and eat the rest of this candy?

Y/N: Yeah! It's cavity time, Wolfie.

You walked with Cove into your house, ready to get cleaned up and dive into the rest of your candy. You felt excited to tell your moms about the adventure you had, hoping to avoid a lecture.