#nieghbors

You just got home from work. A little later than you had wanted. You had seen some parents getting pictures of their children before they went out for the evening.

You were still changing out of your work clothes when a familiar sound came from the wall.

You couldn't quite make it out but Powder and Milo were yelling at each other. Soon followed by Vander's deeper but calmer tone.

You chuckled as you recalled the few days prior to this night. A big night for Powder. She was deemed old enough to join the older siblings for half the evening. A whole two hours longer than the years prior. Or so Powder had told you while you were airing out some blankets on the laundry line in the backyard.

Poor girl still had to get some grief from her older siblings it seemed.

You had changed into something more comfortable so you could sit on the porch and hand out candy. The crisp fall air would be kept at bay long enough.

You were just pouring candy into a bowl when you heard the sound of Powder yelling your name on the front porch.

You were coming through the door as the other children were shushing her for yelling.

Powder beamed up at you in pure excitement.

You oohh and aaw at her costume.

She twirls at your praise and you can tell it meant the world to her.

The others roll their eyes but blushes and smug grins grow on their faces when you compliment them as well.

You start talking about their route for the best trick or treating when Vander walks out with his phone in hand.

There is a group groan as they seem to know what Vander is going to ask. "You lot know the drill." He remarks as he points to the spot in front of the shrubbery by the sidewalk.

They drag themselves to the designated spot and give forced smiles as he gets some pictures.

An idea forms and comes out of your mouth before you can think on it. "I can get one of all of you Vander."

He blinks up at you before a smile forms across his face. "That would be great, thank you. Don't think I've ever been in one with them before."

You go down the stairs and take the handoff of his phone as he goes to join them.

You quickly realize he towers over them and that may be why this is a first. "Vander stand at the base of the stairs. Kids up two steps around him."

They all kinda look at you before doing as they were told. Vander can't recall you ever directing them before .....the stern yet kind tone suits you.

This set up works much better and you take a few pictures quickly.

When you finish Vander is tempted to request your presence as well but stops. He knows it would be far too soon in a basically non-existent relationship.

You go back to setting up your spot for the night as Vander drills them on the rules for the night.

"Ya stay in.....""the five block radius."

"Ya text me....""at the end of each block."

"No getting...""in any cars."

"Don't take from.....""any strangers on the street."

"Have Powder back by.....""9pm"

"And the rest of ya...""10pm"

"And" "Not a second longer."

"Good....Go on then."

He ruffles the older ones heads and gives Powder a squeeze before they dash off.

You just set yourself wrapped in a blanket in your porch chair with the candy bowl at your side on a small table tray. A book in hand and the porch light on.

Vander watched them make their way to the neighbors and made sure everything was going well at least for the first house.

"How long have they been going without you Vander?" You asked as you watched him stand there. "Oh about 3 years now....but only because Vi insisted they could handle it and it was deemed too embarrassing to have me with them anymore." He huffed at the end of his answer still keeping his eyes trained on the group slowly making their way farther and farther down the block.

As they reached the edge you noticed Vander's phone buzz and him respond with a wave to them at the end of the sidewalk.

Vander sighed and only then did he look up at you, god you were adorable all cozy with your book.

Years past he usually went back to the bar and closed up just before Powder was supposed to be home. Looking at you though....

You glance up from your book when you notice Vander sigh and sit in the old wooden chair in their corner of the porch. Pulling his pipe from his jacket pocket and striking a match to start smoking.

"You not going back to the bar?" You ask as he takes a long drag.

He speaks letting the smoke flow out of his mouth, "Nah, closed up for the night. People usually spend time with their families tonight rather than drinking my place dry.".

You nod but look at the bowl on the ground by the steps with a sign taped to the railing with Powder's writing. "Take one! Or Else!" With a doodle of an explosion in the corner.

Vander notices and coughs from the embarrassment, "Er..well usually I at least do some cleaning, inventory, ya know stuff like that. I just figured I might as well take part in this communities activities and".

Vander's cute when he rambles, you smile as he continues to try to reason and cover up the slip up.

You decide to take some pity on him and interrupt with, "It will be nice having some company. I have to admit, being new still I was worried no one would stop by or be scared to come up to me."

Vander blinks at you, partly grateful he seems to have covered his ass enough which helps settle the blush that was starting to creep up his neck. Though he is also shocked you would think someone would avoid you.

"Scared of you? No one would avoid you. A right pleasure you are. The fact Powder took to you so quick should be proof enough." He used the softer tone that quickly warmed you even more than any blanket could.

Vander had started to shift his chair closer to you. Inching more and more.

"Too sweet to me Vander. As usual." You blush and look down at your book to try and hide it.

"Nah, dearie." He purred as he took another puff. "Just telling the truth."

"Trick or Treat!"

Before you could say anything kids started to flow in. As soon as one batch left another round came in.

From there it became a blur of showing off costumes, parents chatting with Vander, him taking the chance to introduce you to a few specific people he seemed to know a little closer, and needing to use up all your candy. Luckily it lasted to the end and the flow seemed to come to an end as quickly as it started.

The chill had started to have an affect on you even with the blanket. A shiver went through you.

Vander noticed, "Getting chilly doll? You better head in for the night then."

You argued, "And leave you to fend for yourself out here? Nah"

He chuckles at that, he would be lying if he said he wanted your time together to end. Especially since this extended one on one is a rarity. Though he couldn't sit well with the idea of you in any kind of discomfort just for his sake.

He gave you a jokingly stern look, "Ya have any idea what kind of trouble I would be in with my lot if you got sick on my watch?"

You laughed and hummed, "Oh is Vander scared of his little crew?"

"Claggor would give me the silent treatment. Milo would lock my things on me. Vi would take her boxing practice much more seriously. Powder ....I just put the furnace back together."

"Well .....I suppose they give you a run for your money." You smile at him and he can feel the warmth spread again up his neck.

He rolls an idea around in his head. He curses himself as he opens his mouth, "If you really won't head in for the night." He stands and drags his chair right next to you.

You watch him doe eyed and try not to blush.

"Then let me at least make sure you stay warm." He sits again and looks at the corner of your blanket closest to him.

Time stops for you as you process what he is saying. Trying not look like a fool thinking too hard and also not to tremble as you lift the edge from under and around you. You hand the other side to Vander.

His heart skips but he doesn't let it show as he takes the side and pulls it around him and presses him shoulder against yours.

The blanket is big, big enough to meet in the middle around you two still.

You can't tell if it's Vander warming up the area inside the blanket or just your body as your heart races.

Vander clears hos throat trying to make sure his nerves don't show, "Better?"

"Yes", you breathlessly respond. You look up at him with a small grin.

Vander looks at you and juggles what to say next.

"Vander, Look how much can......woah"

Powder's voice cuts the tension like a knife.

You both look forward and see her standing at the base of the stairs bag in hand.

As the older ones approach and also see what stopped Powder in her tracks, you and Vander stand.

"We were just""I was just""It got a little cold and" "Didn't need her catching"

You were talking over each other.

Vi and Milo smirked and snickered and Claggor helped Powder with her heavy bag as he rolled his eyes as she made ooooohhhh sounds.

You stopped talking as a blush spread across your face.

Vander cleared his throat, "Alright that's enough for tonight. Kids say good night and wash up and head to bed."

Vi gasps, "Kids? Plural? Um Powder heads in and we get more time."

Vander crosses his arms, "Not anymore. Change of plans."

Vi shoots back, "And why is that?"

Vander gives a cock of an eyebrow and a hard look, "Getting cold out. Inside. Now."

Before Vi can argue again Claggor responds by simply telling you good night and leading the march inside.

You smile weakly and nod, still not completely collected.

Powder gives you a hug before heading inside.

Vi huffs and glares at Vander but when she looks at you she gives a smirk.

Milo saunters up the stairs and gives you a nod before going inside.

Vander sighs and turns to you, "Get some rest doll." He gives a smile and you respond quietly, "You too Vander."

He nodds and turns to head in. Before the door closes though you can hear Milo. "You gunna cuddle us to keep us warm too Vander?"

You choke on a laugh and the door slams behind Vander the rest of the way. You can hear him bark orders as you take your things inside.

You think back on the warmth you felt for that small moment.

Maybe there would be more to come, you hoped anyway.

Well, here you guys go. Hope it was worth the wait. Hoping to get a Thanksgiving one out soonish. Please have ages in Bios, if an account looks like spam I will block it. If you like an NSFW story I will also block you if there is no age on your account.