#scarcat

“Well, looks like I’ve got some educating to do.” She cleared some space on the floor beside her and patted the spot. Kal came and sat beside her. Before she could start explaining, however, the rest of the squad wandered in.

“Hey guys, what’s u- what are you doing?” Tyler looked quite taken aback when he noticed the mess of material that had taken over the entire space. 

“She’s making Halloween costumes,” Kal supplied. That didn’t seem to clear anything up for the rest of the squad either and Auri frowned at their puzzled expressions.

“It is October right?” She asked.

“Yeah…” Tyler looked deep in thought when he answered, like he was trying to figure out a particularly difficult astrodynamics question. “Halloween, you said?”

“Yep. What, do you guys not celebrate that anymore?”

“I’ve never even heard of it,” Cat said and most everyone else murmured agreements.

“I read something about it once but I can’t remember anything about it.” Tyler seemed irritated by his own lack of knowledge.

“I believe Halloween is an old Earth festival that took place on the last day of October,” Zila piped up. Of course she’d be the one that knew. “It’s origins were in ancient folklore and it was considered to be the day the veil between the physical world and spirit world was thinnest. In modern times it was more an excuse to dress up, typically in scary costumes, and receive candy from neighbours.” Everyone stared at her in surprise for a moment. Zila really did know everything.

“Yeah that’s about the gist of it,” Auri admitted.

“Sounds weird. I’m in,” Fin said, an excited glint in his eyes. “What do we do?”

“Well everyone celebrates- celebrated differently…”

“Tell us.” Kal smiled encouragingly and Auri explained everything. All the traditions she’d heard of anyway. Pumpkin carving, trick or treating, the parties, the decorating, the costumes, the movie marathons, the haunted houses and ghost tours. Everyone looked beyond excited by the time she was done.

“That sounds like so much fun,” Scarlett exclaimed. “Why don’t we do that anymore?”

“I don’t know but we’re bringing this tradition back,” Cat said. Auri was positively beaming. She loved Halloween and was over the moon that all her friends seemed so excited about it.

“Okay so what are the rules for costumes?” Tyler asked.

“There are none. Some people do scary, some go as their favourite characters, animals, memes, objects, celebrities, nurses, princesses. Literally anything. Some people go all out and some just throw on a short skirt and some cat ears. It’s really up to you.”

“Oh I am going to have so much fun with this.” Finian’s eyes were gleaming and Tyler shot him a nervous look.

“I think telling him about this might have been a mistake.” And Auri had to admit, Tyler was probably right. Still. It would certainly be interesting.

“Don’t worry goldenboy. You’re going to love my costume.”

“I definitely don’t want to see it now,” Cat grimaced.

“I second that.” Kal spoke for the first time in a while. “I’m not sure what to wear myself.”

“Don’t worry,” Auri said with a grin. “I’ve got you covered.” Well that was that, then. If Auri had already decided on something like this, nothing was going to sway her. 

“Ooo!” Scarlett suddenly jumped up from where she’d been perched on the arm of a sofa. “We should tell everyone else about Halloween and have a proper party!”

“Oh my god, yes!” Auri jumped up as well. This might just turn out to be the best Halloween she’d ever had.

*

A week later saw the squad and half the legion taking over one of the huge training rooms, dancing and drinking in their homemade costumes. Auri was pleased to see that a lot of people had put real effort into their outfits, though none more so than Scarlett. She’d truly gone all out and embraced the Halloween spookiness and her horror makeup was concerningly convincing. Cat was watching her from the spot she’d claimed against the wall by a plastic skeleton, drink in hand, obviously pining. Auri hoped maybe Cat would finally do something about that tonight or that Scarlett might finally realise. For someone so good at reading people, she was incredibly clueless about her best friend.

Cat looked good. Auri didn’t usually look at Cat that way but even she had to admit the girl was killing it in her retro Top Gun style pilot outfit tonight. Surely Scarlett would take notice of that. Plenty of other people were. Her thoughts on the Cat/Scarlett situation were abruptly cut off when Kal rejoined her with two cups of who knew what.

“Is this living up to your expectations?” He asked as he handed her one of the cups, his cloak brushing against her with the motion. 

Auri was very proud of her work on their costumes. She hadn’t even had to think about what they were going to go as. Frodo and Legolas. There was no way she was going to pass up the opportunity to get Kal dressed up as her favourite elf and well, she was short with dark hair and a love of Lord of the Rings. Obviously she had to come as Frodo. And she’d put a lot of effort into making their costumes look good.

“It’s even better than I’d hoped it would be. Everyone really got into it.”

“They certainly did.” Kal surveyed the room, a smile on his face at how well it had all turned out. At how happy it was making Auri.

“Think we have the best costumes?” Auri asked him.

“Yes. Although Scarlett also looks- Great Maker…” Auri turned to see what had shocked Kal so much and nearly choked on her drink. Finian had just walked in. And he’d certainly had fun with his costume, as promised. Auri wasn’t sure whether she should regret mentioning the existence of slutty nurse costumes or not. On the one hand, it was hilarious. On the other, she could happily have gone the rest of her life without seeing Fin wearing such a short dress. And just where the hell had he managed to find fishnets?

“Hey, have you guys seen Fin?” Tyler, dressed in a very tight spandex superhero costume, walked up to them then, already a bit drunk and clearly not having noticed where their eyes were trained yet. Auri didn’t have speech back yet and lifted her hand, wordlessly pointing in Finian’s direction. Tyler’s eyes followed her finger and he let out a strangled noise when he finally laid eyes on the boy.

“...Fuck...me…”

“Funny, I always thought it would be the other way around,” Scarlett teased as she came over and joined them.

“Yeah, usually...” Tyler said absentmindedly before realising he was talking to his twin sister about his sexual preferences and that was not a conversation either of them wanted to have. “I mean…”

“Just stop talking,” Scarlett cut him off.

“Good idea.”

“Happy Halloween!” Finian yelled when he neared the group, eyes raking over Tyler, very clearly enjoying the sight.

“Yeah, I think it will be,” Tyler breathed, eyes still trained on his boyfriend. Scarlett and Auri both groaned in disgust.

“Get your mind out of the gutter or get out of here,” Scarlett warned him. Tyler thought about it for a moment but the longer Finian looked at him like he wanted to eat him alive, the more he wanted to leave and let it happen.

“Okay, looks like we’ll be off then,” Tyler said. Finian was grinning when Tyler took his arm and pulled him away from everyone, disgusted noises following in their wake.

“Maker, I hate being around them sometimes,” Scarlett bemoaned.

“I don’t know. They’re kinda cute,” Auri tried to defend.

“I’m not sure you would be saying that if you had walked in on some of the things I have.” Kal shuddered at some of the memories.

“Is that not why knocking was invented?” She asked.

“Knocking doesn’t make a difference when they’re doing it in the halls and common room,” Scarlett pointed out.

“Point taken. It’s nice they’re both happy though.”

“I suppose.”

“So...what about you?” Auri seized the opportunity to broach the subject of her and Cat. “Anyone making you happy yet?”

“Not at the moment.” Her eyes flicked over to where Cat was standing though and Auri didn’t fail to notice. She exchanged a glance with Kal who nodded slightly, encouraging her to continue.

“You should go for it, you know.”

“Hmm?”

“With Cat.”

“What!?” Scarlett’s eyes widened.

“How have you not noticed she likes you too?”

“Even I find it rather obvious,” Kal backed up.

“Oh.” Scarlett’s eyes returned to Cat who was looking her way as well. She offered her a smile and raised her beer in acknowledgement. Scarlett waved back quickly before turning back to Auri as she spoke again.

“Go get her.”

“Okay,” Scarlett said absently and walked across the room without another word.

“Everyone owes me big time for putting an end to all that pining,” Auri said as she turned back to Kal, now able to give him her full attention like she wanted.

“We do. And what is it I am to owe you for this?”

“A kiss,” Auri suggested with a small smile.

“I think that would be a fair price.” He paid it then and there, leaning down to lightly press their lips together for a moment before pulling away again. His smile was all kinds of fond and Auri felt it warm her from the inside out.

“You know, I think it would be okay for you to pay everyone’s debts. Don’t you?”

“I do think that would be acceptable.”

“Do you wanna get out of here then?” She asked.

“Are you sure you don’t want to stay at the party a bit longer? You were very excited for this tradition.”

“We can have another one next year. Besides, there’s another Halloween tradition I want to introduce you to.”

“And what tradition might that be?” He asked, intrigued. Auri grinned.

“The one where you ‘watch’ horror movies and make out when it gets scary.” Kal’s eyebrows shot up but he was smiling, clearly pleased at that idea.

“I think that sounds like a very good tradition.”

“Me too. Come on.” She took his hand and started tugging him towards the exit. “Let’s go.”

“Do you not wish to say goodbye to the others?”

“They’re already gone.” And looking around, Kal realised she was right. Tyler and Finian were very conspicuously absent from the party - there was no way you could miss them in those outfits - and Scarlett seemed to have slipped away with Cat almost immediately after she’d left them both. Neither of them had any idea where Zila was but she probably hadn’t stayed for long in the first place.

The light in the hall was blinding and they stopped in the doorway for a minute to let their eyes adjust. They immediately wished they hadn’t when a few feet down the hall they saw Tyler and Fin kissing very enthusiastically. How hard was it to wait until they reached one of their rooms?

“Will you two get a room?” Auri said pointedly. Thankfully they stopped and turned to her to apologise. Well, Tyler did. Finian didn’t look the least bit sorry. “I got Cat and Scarlett to get it together by the way. Feel free to thank me.” She grinned, knowing how much both girls’ pining had been driving Tyler mad.

“Oh thank the Maker,” he breathed out. Something flashed in Fin’s eyes in response to Tyler’s words and tone and Auri decided she definitely did not want to know. “I owe you one.”

“Don’t worry. Kal’s got it covered.” Tyler waggled his eyebrows suggestively at that and Auri managed to only blush a little. 

“Would you like me to pay his debt now?” Kal asked.

“Yes, please.” She stood on her toes as Kal leaned down and again captured her lips in a soft kiss. He lingered for longer this time and Auri let him. She wasn’t going to be the one to end this. A throat being cleared is what finally did.

“What was that you told us about getting a room?” Fin asked, a smug smirk on his face. Auri rolled her eyes at him.

“I wasn’t groping my boyfriend’s ass, unlike you.” Fin and Tyler just shrugged as if there’d been no problem with what they were doing. “Just find somewhere private before you start taking each other’s clothes off. Please.”

“We’ll try,” Fin assured. Shaking her head, Auri took Kal’s hand again and started walking down the hall.

“We’re going to bed. See you tomorrow. Stay safe!” She called over her shoulder.

“You too!” Tyler yelled back while Fin wolf-whistled.

“Yes Pixieboy! Get i-”

“Shut up Fin.” Tyler stopped him before he could finish whatever he’d been about to say. Thank god for Tyler Jones.

“I get where you and Scarlett are coming from now,” Auri sighed when they rounded a corner. “They are not cute.”

“They certainly aren’t. But you are.” Auri’s cheeks flushed at that and she bit back a grin.

“So are you Legolas.” Kal frowned down at her.

“I would not say I am cute.”

“I would.” She leaned up to kiss his cheek quickly and he couldn’t help but smile at the action. “Come on. You’ve still several people’s debts to pay.” And, when they reached Auri’s room, pay them he did.

*

Tag Lists: (send an ask if you want to be added!)

Everything: @wonderfilledness @writingbychelle @ad-astraaaa @moderngenius94

*

At exactly 5 the squad converged on the common room. Scarlett arrived early and managed to nab the big screen with the comfiest couches, quite possibly through a little persuasion if the awestruck look on the faces of a group of guys across the room was anything to go by. She grinned as everyone filed in and got comfortable, Cat coming to sit on one side of her and grumpily leaning her head on Scarlett’s shoulder. 

Kal and Auri claimed the second couch, curling up together only slightly uncomfortably. It was still new to them and they weren’t sure how to navigate everything but they were cute. Everyone thought so. That left Tyler and Fin with the pile of pillows and blankets dumped on the floor in front of Scarlett’s couch. The boys pouted at Scarlett but she wouldn’t be swayed and eventually they flopped down onto the floor. Scarlett prodded her brother’s head with a foot and giggled when he swatted it away, grumbling under his breath. 

The lights dimmed and sound blared, causing them all to wince as Zila frantically turned down the volume and offered a quick apology before crossing the space to curl up on the couch, half in Scarlett’s lap. She stole a blanket on her way over to the protests of the boys on the floor. Scarlett quickly silenced them both with light kicks and a glare when they turned around, her face softening when Zila finally settled against her and Cat curled in closer to fit under the blanket as well. Tyler rolled his eyes but didn’t complain further and settled down with Finian tucked under his arm.

With everyone finally settled comfortably, Zila pressed play and Auri shushed everyone loudly as the first whispers of Cate Blanchet’s ethereal voice started. She didn’t even follow her own command though and eagerly narrated and explained everything to Kal in excited whispers. No one really had it in them to complain though. That or they worried Kal might rip out their tongues if they said a word against her. 

Kal barely even watched the film, far too entranced by Auri, the passion in her voice, the glint in her eyes. He got the gist of it from her rambling anyway. Auri pointed frantically after about an hour and a half and Kal finally forced his eyes away from her and towards the screen in time to see a tall man with long, blond hair and pointed ears appear.

“That’s Legolas!” She proclaimed gleefully and Kal had to admit after a while of watching him, he could see why Aurora had made a link between them.

“You never told us you were an actor, Kal,” Finian said in mock offence.

“I can’t believe I’ve kissed a celebrity!” Tyler pretended to swoon and Kal felt his ears redden at the reminder of that time in the server room.

“What!?” Everyone’s attention turned from the movie to the boys and Finian scowled at his boyfriend.

“You kissed Kal!?” 

“Fin-” Tyler suddenly regretted dropping that on them all in that manner.

“And you didn’t invite me!? Maker, you think you know a guy...”

“Wait,” Scarlett piped up. “When did this happen?” She shoved him with her foot. “And why didn’t you tell me!?”

“On the Worldship. A tech was about to catch us in the server room and it was the first thing I could think of to stop our cover being blown.”

“I can assure you,” Kal looked between Auri and Fin to try and reassure them, “it meant nothing.”

Tyler gasped. “But baaabe,” he said, just managing to maintain a hurt pout through the bubble of laughter that threatened to escape him.

“So if I invited you-”

“Do not finish that question,” Tyler, Kal, and Auri all practically yelled in sync.

“Alright, fiiine. I guess I’ll just stick with Tyler.” Said boy pretended to look hurt but he knew better than to take what Fin said seriously. The devilish Batraskan grin aimed his way and the quick kiss he received only confirmed it.

“Okay, can you all shut up and watch the movie now?” Cat grumbled, the sound less threatening and quieter than normal with her face pressed into the crook of Scarlett’s neck. Still, they did as asked and focused back on the movie.

‘You have my sword. And my bow. And my axe.’

“And my freaky mind powers,” Auri continued with a grin

“And my wrench.”

“And my awesome pilot skills.”

“And my disruptor pistol,” Zila added, quite to the surprise of everyone.

“And my leadership skills.”

“And my powers of persuasion.”

“And his...well...him,” Auri said, gesturing to Kal. Everyone was starting to really get into the film and she was ecstatic. They all broke down laughing at their own ridiculousness and missed the Fellowship head off. Half an hour later there was yelling and popcorn was thrown at the screen.

“They did not just kill off Gandalf!” Cat exclaimed, royally pissed off and enjoying the film far more than she’d planned to. Maybe she was a bit more inclined to give the film a chance than usual since Scarlett seemed to be enjoying it so much. Scratch that, she was absolutely more inclined to give the film a chance because of that. Although, she knew she’d enjoy it anyway but it’s not like she could admit that to the others. Anyway she was not happy that the old wizard was gone now. Auri had to bite her tongue to avoid ruining anything for her and the others.

The film finally ended and everyone was mildly shocked. They had no idea Boromir was going to die. Auri and Fin were the only ones seemingly unaffected.

“You know, if I was trying to protect a bunch of Hobbits, I would simply not get shot in the chest three times. RIP to Boromir but I’m different.” Auri could barely contain her giggles as the rest of the squad scowled at Fin and Tyler shoved him gently. His death was too fresh for them it would seem.

“Alright get the next one on,” Cat demanded, unwilling to move and do it herself. Zila slipped off Scarlett’s lap instead and sorted out the next film. Disgust was voiced when Grima was introduced. Cheers erupted when Gandalf finally returned. And the squad discovered both the Jones twins had a knack for impersonating Gollum. Fin most definitely did not appreciate this particular talent, especially when, without warning, Tyler whispered an eerily accurate my precious directly in his ear. He nearly jumped out of his skin, fortunately managing to hold back a scream which at least slightly lessened his embarrassment.

“You’re going to pay for that golden boy.” He glared down at Tyler who was clutching his stomach while his body shook with laughter. Something disgustingly soft formed in Finian’s chest at the sight of Tyler so carefree and relaxed though.

“Worth it,” he wheezed. He managed to calm himself enough to grab Fin’s hand and tug him back down into his arms, still giggling softly into the older boy’s hair.

“You won’t be so pleased about that later,” Fin grumbled and Scarlett couldn’t help laughing.

“Looks like someone’s not getting any tonight. Bad luck baby brother.”

“Will you all shut up? I’m trying to watch sentient trees kick ass,” Cat complained.

“They’re called Ents,” Auri corrected absentmindedly but Cat just waved her hand dismissively.

By the end of The Two Towers Zila had fallen asleep in Scarlett’s arms and the rest of them were on the way to it. Auri crawled out of her comfortable spot curled into Kal’s side and put the last movie on.

Too tired now, the squad kept the comments to a minimum this time. Auri and - surprisingly - Cat shuddered when Gollum led the hobbits into Shelob’s lair and Cat actually hid her face in Scarlett’s shoulder. A comment about that was on the tip of several tongues but they all thought better of it. Cat would certainly kill them if they dared mention it.

Despite enjoying the film, probably more than everyone except Auri, Cat fell asleep soon after Sam escaped from the Orcs with Frodo and then Scarlett’s attention was no longer on the film. Technically she’d seen it anyway so it didn’t matter. She’d much rather enjoy the rare quiet contentment from a sleeping Cat and Zila than watch a movie. About 20 minutes later, she too fell asleep.

“Wait. There’s ghosts in this?” Kal questioned when Aragorn, Gimli, and Legolas met the army of the dead. 

“Yep,” Auri said through a yawn. “It’s long and complicated but they’ll explain in a minute.”

“But ghosts…”

“Shut up Legolas,” she groaned lovingly. “Just wait. They’re very useful.” She fell asleep before their use could be revealed though and Kal cared more about gazing lovingly at her than the movie. No one made it to the end. Tyler and Kal got close but in the dark and the quiet even they couldn’t keep their eyes open any longer. 

In the morning, groggy and awoken by other Legionnaires coming in, Auri insisted they rewatch the end. Tears were shed. Even Cat and Finian were caught crying silently by the Jones twins.

“So, did you like it?” Auri asked when the screen finally faded to black. They all did.

“It was very enjoyable,” Kal admitted. “I...can understand why you call me Legolas now.”

“Do I get to keep doing it?”

“I think you would with or without my permission,” Kal smirked as Auri conceded that she probably would. “But I do not mind the nickname.”

“Good.” She kissed his cheek before taking his hand and standing up. “Now take me to breakfast, Legolas.”

“I’m going to regret this, aren’t I?”

“Almost definitely.” And then she dragged him from the room. Zila and Cat tugged Scarlett up as well and followed them out.

“You want breakfast?” Tyler asked Fin who was still laying on him.

“Depends. Are you on the menu.” He said it around a yawn and there was little of his usual teasing in it. Tyler just laughed. He leaned in closer and whispered in Fin’s ear with his best gollum impersonation again.

“Anything for you, my precious.” Fin lept up with a screech and Tyler was losing it again.

“I told you not to do that again.”

“Your face,” Tyler wheezed. “It’s still worth it.”

“You’re sleeping on your own tonight,” Finian grumbled.

“Oh come on.” Tyler stood and wrapped his arm around his boyfriend as they both left to catch up with the rest of the squad. He pulled out the smeagol voice he was also rather proud of. “It’s just a bit of fun, precious.” 

Finian jabbed an elbow into his side. “I should never have let Auri talk us into watching that. She’s created a monster.”

“Don’t be mad, precious.” 

“No. No. No. No. No.” Finian squirmed out of Tyler’s grasp and ran, Tyler’s laughter following him all the way down the hall.

*

Tag Lists: (send an ask if you want to be added!)

Everything: @wonderfilledness @writingbychelle @ad-astraaaa