Though things had seemed better upon entering the hurse, where they sat against a coffin with a very realistic skeleton, Pete was quickly back on his phone. Patrick found himself looking out the window, but not registering any of the scenery that went by.

He was just busy, he had said so at dinner. Couldn't he at least try? He said that it should end soon. It's our anniversary outing...

"Welcome to your destination." The driver spoke in a croaky voice as the vehicle lurched to a stop. The skeleton jiggled behind them, but Patrick didn't look back at it. He thanked the man and climbed out of the car.

Pete took a bit longer to climb out.

They were standing outside of a tall building with flashing lights on several levels and faint screams occasionally cutting through the air.

Ryan had gotten them tickets to a several level haunted experience. The driver had passed them to Patrick and Pete when they first walked up to his vehicle.

"Spooky..." Patrick muttered, rubbing his arms nervously as he looked up at the building.

"Very." Pete agreed.

Patrick bit his lip to keep from making a comment. At least he's off his phone.

"Let's go, punk." Pete grabbed his hand again and pulled him forward. Patrick followed, keeping quiet and trying to silence his swirling thoughts.

Up at the front of the building, after a wait of ten minutes in a line for people with tickets in hand, the two had to sign a waver and undergo a briefing about the terrifying experience they would receive.

"There are ten levels with stairs at the opposite ends of each level." Their instructor explained, "If you can survive up to the tenth level, you win the elevator ride back down. If you fail, or one of our monsters successfully captures you, you will have to walk back down the stairwell of shame. This is a hands on experience, so crew will be able to grab you. Which is why you signed the wavers and we're going over this before you go in."

"What has Ryan gotten us into..." Patrick whispered, sinking in his seat. He wasn't a fan of haunted houses, and now he was trapped in a hands on one. He wanted to disappear so he wouldn't have to go in.

"Don't worry, Punk, I'll protect you." Pete shot him a wink.

"If you can pay attention long enough." Patrick mumbled, looking down at his shoes.

Pete's brow furrowed. "What?"

"Okay, people! Are you ready for the challenge?" The instructor asked, all too cheery for the spooky vibe of the place they were entering.

Most of the room cheered as they rose to their feet. Patrick was swept up in the group's movement, barely keeping track of Pete as they were suddenly in the horror part of the building.

Patrick sucked to Pete's side almost immediately. Shredded sheets hung everywhere, obscuring views, and flashing lights to dance their shadows in every direction. Shrieks and shouts echoed all around them.

Their group scattered like cockroaches, leaving Pete & Patrick standing near the door.

"Which way should we go?" Patrick asked, remaining sucked up to Pete.

He got no response.

"Meme?" He turned, seeing Pete watching the phone in his hand. "Are you fucking kidding me?"

"What?" Pete looked up, but Patrick had pulled away from him. His fear of this place had been replaced by frustration and his other thoughts.

"All night you've been on that thing! It's our anniversary for fuck sakes!" Patrick exclaimed, gesturing to the phone before letting his arms drop to his sides. "Does it even matter to you? I mean, I get it's how we started our relationship, but you're acting like you're more in a relationship with it than me tonight."

Pete's eyes were wide during Patrick's words. "I-Punk..."

"Do you even care?" Patrick pressed, "Do you even still want to be together?"

"Of course I do." Pete stepped up to Patrick, reaching out for him. "I've just been wrapped up in-" His phone pinged.

"Pete..." Patrick was practically holding back tears as Pete checked his phone. Much to his surprise, or dismay, Pete started laughing.

"Punk!" Pete turned his attention to Patrick, "It's okay, we're okay."

Patrick didn't understand. Were they in trouble? What did looking at his phone solve? Whatever it was, it brought Pete close enough to wrap his arms tightly around Patrick and crash their lips together.

Patrick wanted to object, or keep talking, but it had been so long since he had felt Pete's lips on his own. So, he contributed to the kiss as well, thankful that their anniversary had taken a turn around.