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Valin was walking around his dorm's kitchen, getting food and decorations set up for the Halloween party that was being hosted that night at his and Caleb's place. His costume consisted of loose ninja-style pants and two belts crossed over his chest to support the large katanas on his back, with a mask covering his muzzle and bracers up his arms. A knock at the door made him jump in surprise and look at the clock before answering it. Standing outside, Martin was dressed casually with a small bag on his shoulder and a wide grin. "No costume?" Valin asked, letting the otter in and shutting the door. "And on top of that, you're early. I didn't think anyone would see me performing my fruit ninja act."

Martin chuckled and hugged his wolf. "My costume's in the bag. Not exactly the sort of thing to wear while walking these streets. I think I'll have to borrow your room to change, if you don't mind." Grinning wickedly, Martin stepped back and took in the sight of the half-dressed wolf. "Though I like yours. Don't worry, I'll keep your secret safe. No one will know you're the fruit ninja from me." Valin chuckled and ruffled Martin's hair before shoving him towards the bedroom.

"Go get changed. People should be getting here soon, so don't take too long." As the otter closed the door, Valin finished getting things around, playfully pretending to attack when Caleb entered burdened with bags of drinks and last minute snacks and decorations, dressed in a long overcoat to hide his own costume. In the room, Martin took a moment to hover over Valin's desk, trailing a finger over a picture of Valin with his two fathers, both jostling the younger wolf as he sat on their shoulders.

A little while later, more guests started to arrive and Valin was in full host mode, bouncing around between the people, checking on the food and drinks, and generally chitchatting. In the middle of it all, the door to his room opened and shut, causing Valin to freeze and almost drop the tray he was holding. Martin stood there, blushing faintly and adjusting the bandages of his skimpy mummy costume over the white speedo. The crowd quieted down a little until someone let out a loud whistle, making the party resume in full swing. Passing off the tray to Caleb in his barely anything caveman's loincloth, Valin shoved through the crowd to get to the otter.

"Oh wow. I didn't think...no wonder you wanted to change here." As Martin's blush deepened, Valin ran a hand over the otter's head, smiling. "You look simply amazing. Best costume, for sure. Not that there's a real competition, but you're a sure winner in my book."

Martin grinned and pulled Valin down into a kiss before the wolf could resist or respond, earning a few cheers from the crowd again. "Mmmm, I'm all wrapped up just for you. Try to escape, and you might just end up cursed. I know a few good ones." The pair chuckled and joined hands, rejoining the party together. Over the night, one or the others' hand would stray towards the exposed flesh bared by the costumes, or a little lower, especially while dancing to the throbbing bass.

As the night wore on, some people started leaving while others just passed out on the couches or floor, wherever there was room. Martin excused himself to use the bathroom, leaving Valin with a quick kiss and a goofy grin. As soon as Valin was alone and had turned around, he almost ran into a drunk Caleb. "Heh. That spiked apple cider sure is good stuff. Has a good kick. Man, give some of that to your otter and those wrappings will unwind."

"Dude, that's SPICED apple cider. Non-alcoholic."

"Not anymore. I fixed it towards the end of the party. It's why we have so many extra guests." Caleb grinned sloppily, laughing and hiccoughing slightly. "Gave it good stuff too. Strong stuff." The bear stumbled forward slightly, leaning on Valin and staring into the wolf's eyes. "Strong enough for me to say....say..." Caleb burped and laughed. "Man, I fucking love you." The bear pushed his lips against the wolf's, attempting to kiss him deeply but his drunkenness causing it to be more sloppy than anything. Martin walked out and froze, staring for a moment before Valin noticed and shook off the shock, pushing Caleb back.

"I swear, Martin, that wasn't..." Valin started stuttering while trying to keep Caleb both on his feet and away as the bear kept trying to kiss him again. Martin shook his head and stepped closer, getting in between the wolf and the bear. Staring into Valin's eyes, he pulled the wolf down into a brief kiss, coughing afterwards.

"He's drunk. Badly drunk. I can smell it on him and taste it on you. Shall we put him to bed?" Martin seemed a little distant, but he grabbed Valin's hand and squeezed it tight. Together, they managed to get the large bear into his bed and prevented any more sloppy kisses. Afterwards, they moved out to the balcony outside the dorm, an uncomfortable silence between them. Valin turned to say something to Martin, only to have the otter put a finger on the wolf's lips. "No. You don't need to explain. I trust you. After all, you trusted me after our bad start, you gave me a second chance...and a third...And I could tell you didn't want that kiss. It was nothing like this..." Pushing his whole body against Valin, Martin wrapped his arms around the wolf's back and neck and pulled him into a deep, passionate kiss, leaning the two back over the bannister. Behind them, the jack-o-lantern sputtered and flickered out, leaving the couple in the dark, starlit night.

---

Snow swirled around Valin as he walked back to his dorm, thoughts of Martin dancing in his head. It had been weeks since they had gotten to see each other, and he was craving even a moment with his otter. Things had been tense enough once Caleb remembered his drunken escapade, and the lack of romantic evenings had Valin stressed out. Climbing the stairs two at a time, the wolf visibly brightened as he hurried to the door and pulled an envelope with his name on it off the door. Stepping inside his dorm and shucking off his coat, Valin tore it open and started reading through the note inside, holding the other pieces of paper for after.

"Dear best kisser in the world,

It's been too long since I last tasted your sweet and tender lips. I know it's not much of a date night, but I was thinking that perhaps you'd like to cheer me on at my next meet? I'll be wearing less than at your last party. That should give you some good thoughts. And, if you do come, perhaps you can give me your answer to the next question: Would you do me the immense honor of accompanying me to the Winter Dance? I'd die to see you in a suit. Don't keep me waiting too long, my gorgeous wolf. Yours forever,

An utterly smitten otter."

In his other hand, Valin held two tickets: the first to the next swim meet and the other to the dance. His hands started shaking as he stared at that second ticket, nervousness suddenly taking over. 'Damn that otter. But then...he doesn't know...' Shoving the papers back into the envelope, Valin started to head towards his room only to find Caleb blocking the way. "Oh, hey. Mind if I just..."

Caleb grunted, then shook his head. "No. Not right now. Things got out of hand at the party. I shouldn't have gotten drunk, I shouldn't have...said those things. And that kiss was just...I'm a better kisser than that, I promise. But it was wrong, it was bad, and..." Caleb ran a hand through his hair before stepping forward and enveloping the wolf in a tight hug. "I just hope you can forgive me. You love the otter. I can't interfere in that. He's a good guy, a lucky bastard. I hope he makes you as happy as you can possibly be."

Valin froze at the hug, but quickly embraced the bear back. "Thank you. So much. I know things have been tense, but...you're a good guy. You'll find someone, I'm sure of it. Someone far better for you than I am." Valin grinned, earning a laugh from Caleb as he released the wolf and stepped aside. "Just cut back on the alcohol. I can still smell it on you... And a shower would do wonders in that regard." Laughing together, they went their separate ways.