Chapter Text
Moonlight trickled through the leaves of the tree, illuminating parts of the shaded ground beneath. Wind swept through, sending dead leaves to the ground below as others were carried by the guest, spinning and twirling through the air until they landed on the sidewalk. A car door slammed shut as a figure rushed up the walk, the crunch of leaves beneath their shoes filling the silent night. Raising their hand they knocked on the door three times in quick succession, waiting impatiently as a figure approached the door and opened it to greet them.
“You’re ten minutes late Jack, don’t you own a watch?” Geoff asked as he faked annoyance at the other.
“It’s good to see you too, Geoffrey.” Jack replied as he pushed past him into the house, the sudden warmth being a welcome change to the chilling wind outside. Rubbing his hands together to warm them up he turned around back towards his friend. Bursting into laughter as he took in the full display before him. “So, please explain to me what your costume is.”
“It was a last minute change, somebody decided they were going to steal my satyr costume idea.” Geoff grumbled in response. Even though he had decided on the idea beforehand he never mentioned it to anyone. “Isn’t it obvious? I’ve got brown dog ears, a brown sweater with matching pants, and a collar. I had to rush all over town just to put this together.”
“Oh! You’re Scooby-Doo! I can totally see it!” Jack declared, before pausing as he noticed something missing. “Don’t you need a tail to go with it?”
Geoff just shook his head in response. “I’m supposed to be Scrappy-Doo! Hence the plain brown sweater and pants with no tail. He technically has a tail, but it’s really short so I don’t count it.” Shrugging as he checked his phone. “Just about ready to head to the party?”
“Yeah, just let me change real quick.” Jack replied, heading into the bathroom with a bag and closing the door behind him.
Geoff scrolled his phone absentmindedly, checking the clock every few minutes to make sure they weren’t behind schedule. He had allotted plenty of time to apply his eyeliner and mascara just in case he messed up, but Jack had messed with the timing of things by arriving slightly late. If they arrived late he’d just blame it on Jack when they got there. He turned towards the bathroom, putting his phone away as Jack stepped out in full costume, whistling as he took in the sight. “Somebody sure went all out for the contest.”
“If there’s a prize up for grabs I’m going to try and win it.” Jack grinned. “Think I have a chance?” A green cloak with silver detailing was wrapped around his upper body with a black renaissance shirt just underneath. A laurel crown rested on his head, the vines and leaves intertwined naturally together as antlers jutted out of the hair on top of his head. In his hand he held a tall walking stick with a stone placed at the top, wrapped in roots to keep it in place.
“What are you supposed to be? Some sort of nature spirit?” Geoff guessed as he shooed Jack towards the door much to his protests.
“Something like that, I’m going as the green man.“ Jack replied as he stepped through the doorway and out into the cold once more. “What’s the rush?”
“We’re going to be late if we don’t hurry up. Don’t you have a contest you want to win anyway?” Geoff huffed as he locked the door behind him.
“Oh yeah, let’s get going. If we’re late I’ll say it’s your fault” Jack teased as Geoff rolled his eyes and followed him down the path towards the driveway.