#clffrd

“Besides...” Michael smiles brightly, “this is the first time we’ve hosted for Halloween since we moved in together and I’ll be really pissed off if anyone else outdoes us!”

You giggle, brushing one last layer of blue paint over your nose. “I don’t think there’s much chance of that, Jack Skellington. You look perfect!”

It wasn’t a lie, Michael had purchased the iconic black and white pinstriped suite, complete with the distinct spooky bow-tie and finished off the look with skeleton gloves. He’d also painted his face to resemble a scull. All-in-all he’d nailed the look he’d been aiming for.

“As do you, Sally.” Michael replies, “I’d kiss you but I don’t want to mess up our makeup.”

Messing up your painstakingly applied makeup is definitely not an option at this point so you give him a nod of agreement. “Damn right, Clifford!” You smirk, before you shuffle out of his hold. “Can you please make sure there’re enough paper plates and cups out on the buffet table? Our first guests will be here soon!”

Michael pouts at the loss of contact for a moment before his face lights up suddenly. “Sure, babe! He agrees, I just need to do one other thing first!”

Your boyfriend disappears from the room, picking up a small unopened package that had arrived for him a few days ago, from the side table on his way out.

Even though you’re slightly curious as to what the package is and what Michael’s about to do with whatever is inside, you force yourself to finish getting ready.

Just as you perch on the end of the bed to slip on your shoes, a large crash sounds from another room of the apartment. It’s closely followed by Michael’s yell of; “Oh fuck! Peach, come back here!” 

The sound of your little dog scampering around the wooden floors of your living room, further adds to your apprehension and curiosity as to what’s going on. You kind of dread to think what the hell your boyfriend has done now. You mentally prepare yourself for a moment before heading out of the bedroom. 

The first thing you check is that all of the food you’d prepared earlier hasn’t been disturbed. Luckily, your buffet table is still laid out just as you’d left it. Unfortunately the decorative skeleton model you’d stood next to the front door was now just a crumpled heap on the floor. 

Before you could ask what had happened, your little dog, peach (named after princess peach from Mario Kart, of course), sprinted past you, her tiny paws scrambling along the wooden floor in an attempt to escape your boyfriend. The last part of that theory became clear when Michael skidded into the living room from out of the spare room. 

The blonde doesn’t seem to notice your presence as he scampers after your little dog. “Peachy!” He whines, “why are you being like this? Don’t you want to be a part of our Halloween costume?”

It’s only then that you realise Michael is brandishing a tiny white cape. It all clicks into place in your confused brain as you burst out laughing. “You’re trying to make peach dress up as ‘zero’?” You ask, too amused by boyfriend’s antics.

Michael stops in his tracks, slumping in defeat as Peach scurries beneath your Coffey table. “‘Trying’ being the key word here.” He sighs, “I thought she’d finish off our costumes just right...”

Still chuckling, you stride past Michael and grab a dog treat from the cupboard before heading over to the dining table. “Come on out, Peachy...” you coo gently, placing the treat down on the tiled floor.

Luckily, Peach doesn’t take much convincing and soon emerges to take her treat. Once she’s eaten it you pick her up gently and carry her over to the sofa. “What’s your daddy trying to do, huh?” You giggle as you stroke the pooch’s soft brown fur. “He doesn’t know how to do the most simple things does he?”

Michael pouts, dropping into the seat beside you. “You put it on her, then.” 

Your boyfriend’s instruction sounds more like a challenge. It’s definitely a challenge you can win, too. Taking the little white cape from Michael, you soothe Peach by tickling her behind the ear. “Watch and learn.” You smirk, slipping the costume over your dog’s head easily.

Peach simply looks mildly bemused when you adjusted the costume so that it sat just right. “There you go, Peachy!” You grin widely. “Now you’re our little Zero!”

Michael looks as though he can’t decide if he’s more impressed or disgruntled that you found it so easy to dress up the dog. “Peach, you’ve betrayed me.” He gasps, getting to his feet. “We need to add one last finishing touch, though!” He adds before disappearing into the spare bedroom again.

“What’s your silly daddy doing now?” You ask the dog in a baby voice as you stroke her gently.

Your boyfriend returns with what looks like a little orange ball in his hand. As soon as peach catches sight of it, her tail begins to wag as she jumps down from your lap, prancing over to Michael and staring up at him expectantly.

“It’s not a ball, Peachy.” Your boyfriend sighs. “This is Zero’s nose!”

You roll your eyes. “That’ll drive her crazy, babe.” You sigh, “I think the little cape is enough.”

Before Michael can respond, your intercom buzzes. “That’ll be our first guests!” You grin excitedly. “Go and check if there’s enough plates and cups out please, Mike, and leave the dog alone.”

The blonde man obeys, albeit reluctantly as he places the orange ball on a side table. “I just wanted to make her look like Zero.” He mutters, slightly dejected as he traipses over to the buffet table. 

Rolling your eyes fondly at your boyfriend, you cross the room to buzz in your guests before quickly setting the skeleton back up near the front door.

Peach ambles over to you, sniffing curiously at the door like she knew someone would be coming in soon.

“Mike, babe...” you call to you boyfriend as you straighten up the skeleton decoration. “Can you hold Peach while I let people in, I don’t want her escaping again.” 

Michael jogs over immediately, picking up the little caped pooch and holding her securely in his arms. “C’mon, Zero.” He smiles affectionately. “Let’s Greer our guests. Even without the orange nose you’re the perfect finishing touch to my costume.”

You chuckle fondly, snuggling into Michael’s side and scratching behind Peach’s ear the way she likes. It maybe an odd time to think it, but the feeling hits you all at once - As you glance from the little dog in her ghost cape to the man dressed as a suited skeleton beside you, you realise just how oddly perfect your tiny family is.