***

Xan was well aware of the fact that Ruby could probably kick his ass if she really wanted, but hopefully, he would never do anything that would offend her to the point of taking such action. In fact, he naively hoped that one day she would be able to let her guard down around him completely. Being vulnerable with one another was like a dream. The fact he was getting a chance in the first place gave him more hope than she probably knew. “Thank you for trusting me, really.” He purposefully looked into her eyes as he said this, hoping she saw the sincerity inside of him. Though it melted away as he glanced down at his drink, “It’s this delightful blackberry rum punch, would you like some?” He offered the half-empty glass out to her with a smile. “Or if you would prefer something else, I’d be happy to get one from the bar for you.”

She could hear the sincerity in his voice as he spoke. It was funny how after so many years of bickering and tossing sarcasm back at each other she could identify even the slightest bit of it whenever he managed to let out, almost as if she were unconsciously on alert for it. Paired with the direct eye contact she was receiving she couldn’t help but blush, only this time without the aid of her ninja mask to hide it. It was short lived as he offered her a drink, bringing her back to the moment. Though surprising she reached out and took the drink as he offered it, giving it a small sniff and being surprised at how fruity it actually smelled, “That actually sounds really good.” She had no problem drinking from the same glass, it wasn’t until she was mid sip did she remember that it could be considered an indirect kiss.

He actually laughed once. “Anyone who knows the two of us would assume you killed me,” he countered, shaking his head. “And yeah, Aura’s your best friend, but I’m pretty sure she’d turn you in if the person you killed happened to be me.” He then shrugged, crossing his arms and arching an eyebrow. “Plus, you’ve got a few years of motive. Those eye rolls don’t come from a place of happiness, after all.”

She knew he was in the right. Anyone who knew them would have immediately pointed fingers at her. But. stubborn as she was, she wasn’t about to admit that. She shrugged, “Who knows, maybe they’ll think that it was just my way of showing I found you amusing? After all I haven’t killed you yet.” She glared at him playfully, “But they do come from a different place entirely than that where I store my hate and murderous thoughts.”

“I’ll be sure to pick my words carefully around you from now on, Red,” he chuckled before tilting his head slightly. “Not a trace? You just showed your face to me, and you clearly have a murder weapon on your back. Seems to me like you’re too trusting to be a successful murderer.” Leonard enjoyed this pattern that they seemed to always fall into; setting up a ridiculous hypothetical scenario, then debating about it until one of them pointed out how ridiculous the scenario was. Honestly, he felt like these conversations were the only reason she talked to him at all.

“True. But then again who would assume I’d have been the one to off you when I give the officials a very emotional speech about how my best friends brother had tragically been murdered?” she said giving him a sample of the fake saddened expression she would give when she did just as she said. She was determined to win this completely hypothetical situation, like all the others.

Avery’s teeth nervously sunk into his bottom lip, gaze flickering over to the haunted house before it focused back on Ruby. “No one has said it was too scary?” So much for pretending he wasn’t scared. “If you really want to go in, I might try it. As long as you let me hold onto you for support and don’t laugh at me if I end up screaming.” He joked.

“I think I heard someone say it was pretty intense,” she responded before looking over to see the frightened look on his face. She admired his bravery to go along with it despite his fear and turned to face him, placing both hands on his shoulders. “One, I really want to go in. Two, you can hold my hand, or hug me from behind and I’ll lead us through, I don’t mind. And three, I swear I won’t laugh.”

He practically had that eye roll memorized he had seen it so many times. He listened as she spoke about being a hypothetical ninja, and he had to admit, it was pretty poetic. Not aloud, of course, but just to himself. “Lots of thought going into your hypothetical killing card. Should I expect to see that pretty face on a poster soon? Good thing I’ve never pissed you off ever.”

She narrowed her eyes at him with a hint of a smile playing at her lips, “You’ve been at the borderline to pissing me off. So. I’d be careful if I were you.” She wouldn’t kill him, her annoyance never reached that high of a peak, but she did love teasing him about it. His compliment about her face flew completely over her head as she continued, “Like a wanted poster? Not likely. I wouldn’t leave a trace to bring it back to me.”

Despite the fact that her mouth was covered as a part of her costume, Xan recognized Ruby immediately. A snort escaped him in spite of her comment, how typical. “Some of us need to put in that extra effort here, cliche or not. Have you seen some of the things people are wearing and trying to pass off as costumes?” There was a hint of disapproval lining his words. “Speaking of which, I can’t decide if I’m in love with your costume or hate it. It should be considered a crime to even partially hide a face like yours.” The compliment was actually genuine, the small bit of alcohol he has already consumed helping him be honest for once. “Should I be afraid though? Are you already training to kick my ass when this relationship has only just begun?” He teased, motioning to the katana.

For a split second, actually more than that, she thanked Merlin that she had decided to have her mask on when initially approaching him since it helped hide her blush. After taking the time to control her breathing she moved her mask down under her chin, allowing the pungent smell of alcohol to reach her nostrils, proving that he was in fact drunk. Which only made her uneasy. Only because this allowed his more sensitive side to break through his normal facade easily, or at least it she’d like to think so. After experiencing him in this state she truly wished to believe in the saying of drunks having the tendency of being honest.  “I’m slightly offended you didn’t know I’ve been trained in martial arts, so I’m always ready. But. I’m giving this plan a chance remember, so I’m letting my guard down...for now.” She looked over at his drink curiously, “Whats your choice of drink?”

I know you aren’t, that struck something inside of Xan that he didn’t even know existed. Or maybe it was because he only experienced the said feeling when he was talking to Ruby. It almost made him want to drop this facade he had been embodying for years and become a better version of himself. Though he knew that the chances of that happening were slim to none, it was easier acting as if nothing phased him. Either way, he was more than satisfied that she was actually willing to accept the terms of his plan. “You won’t regret this, I promise you.” Although he wasn’t too sure if he could keep a promise like that. “I’ll be on my best behavior and even allow you to hit me if I’m not. But I have to warn you… spending time with me might just make you realize what an amazing guy I am and you’ll be head over heels for me in no time.” He teased.

His last comment, despite her strong willingness to avoid indulging his cocky and more infuriating side, made her smile and even laugh.Getting up from where she sat she sat in front of him on the edge of the table, facing him. If she hadn’t known him and how arrogant and cocky he could be, this would have been a completely different situation, she knew this. Heck, even knowing that information she found herself having a bit of a difficult time not automatically connecting the good qualities she saw in him and swooning over him. “Are you sure about that Xan-xan?” She asked playfully, using the nickname she had given him when they were younger. “I think might just believe you if you’re deciding to give me that much power. I mean, you know I won’t hesitate to hit you.” She could feel her cheek get warm at his assumption, making her look away, “Me fall for you? I don’t think so.”

Hugo didn’t like to break his focus too much, but he did allow himself to look away long enough to glance at the other person. He recognized her from astronomy club. If anything, it made him feel reassured. If anyone was going to be messing around in the astronomy tower with no adult supervision, he’d rather it be someone who know what they were doing. 

“Well, I can’t say I’m opposed to that.” He noted the paint on her hands. While she had said she wanted quiet company, he figured some idle conversation couldn’t hurt. And he was curious. “Are you an artist too?”

She looked over at him as she pulled out her sketchbook and pencil, slightly surprised he was the one to have started up a conversation. She knew that Hugo, being her house-mate, liked his peace and quiet during these particular situations. Still, she enjoyed making conversation and making friends, so she indulged herself and responded while still keeping a distance away to give him personal space. “I’d like to consider myself to be, yes,” she replied with a smile as she opened her sketchbook to a clean page.

“What would you do if you knew?” Aura asked before taking another sip from her drink. “Maybe this is meant to be exciting.” She chuckled. “I mean, you already know everything. Do you enjoy spending time with him?”

“I mean- I do sometimes. When he isn’t being stupidly annoying. I mean I can at least just look at him, that’s entertaining. But then he opens his mouth and says something cocky and ruins it.” She sighed in frustration at her own confusion.

Leonard hated himself a little for thinking her arrogance was kind of hot. He shouldn’t have, and he knew it, but here he was, loving it. “You know there’s a difference between confidence and cockiness, right?” he asked before he quirked an eyebrow. “Oh, so you’re saying you would compliment me if it weren’t for your pride. I’m so honoured. Go ahead. I’m listening.” He couldn’t help the smirk forming on his face as he managed to twist her words around, even a little.

“I do, but a little cockiness mixed in with a whole lot of confidence is said to be the combination for the makings of a great wizard.” She narrowed her eyes at him briefly before dismissing his comment with a flippant wave of her hand. “Actually I would only ever compliment you if you decided to give a decent argument I couldn’t disprove. But since that has yet to happen I wouldn’t hold your breath,” she said with a playful wink and a smile to tease him.