Chapter Text
“Marianne please!! It's a college party!! My first college party!! I want you to come with me!” Dawn batted her eyes at her sister.
Marianne looked up from her magazine and narrowed her eyes at Dawn. “You know that only works on Dad and every guy you meet. Not me.”
Dawn stuck her lip out. “PPPPLLLEEEAASSSEEE!!! Sunny is going to be there!!”
Marianne sighed and asked, “How did you even hear about this party?”
“Well Rachel heard it from Lizzie who heard it from Pare who heard it from Sunny.” Dawn grinned as if that explanation were more than enough.
Marianne laughed. “Fine, fine...” She tossed her magazine aside; she had lost interest in the article ages ago. “So, who is hosting this party?”
Dawn grinned as she flopped down onto the couch next to her sister. “Some guy named Bog; he's some graduate student in the biology department.”
Marianne felt her interest peak. Biology major, interesting. Marianne was studying history, but was enrolled in a class on the history of science, which was currently the extent of her knowledge on the subject of biology...and that was very little. But she brought her mind back to something currently far more important. A Halloween party.
“So how does Sunny know a graduate student in biology? I thought Sunny's major was music?” Marianne looked confused.
“Oh it is, but I guess this Bog guy was Sunny's tutor at one point and they really got along, been friends ever since and someone else told me that there was some sort of bet and this Bog guy lost and had to host the party. I don't know the details...” Marianne thought for not knowing details, Dawn knew a lot... Dawn continued. “All I know is that I want to go! It's suppose to be a blast and Sunny is going to be there!”
Dawn put her hands together and gave her sister a pleading look. “I promise to do anything you want. Just go with me!”
Marianne pressed her lips together pretending to examine something or other on the coffee table as she made Dawn wait. Dawn made little whimpering noise until finally
Marianne caved. “Sure. Do we have to wear costumes?”
Dawn squealed. “THANK YOU!!! You are the best sister EVER!! And yes, costumes!!”
*
Bog carried the huge punch bowl in both hands out to the table. It was a giant plastic bowl decorated in black with skulls along the rim. It had matching paper cups with it.
He glanced over at the other members of the biology club and the theater club who were helping him set up the party.
“I don't want anyone spiking the punch! You guys got it?”
Bog received muttered. “Sure,” “ yeah,” and “of course” from the other people around him which made Bog want to roll his eyes. The last thing he needed was a bunch of drunk college freshmen...and others...wandering around his mom's house. Alright, it was his house since his mom moved into an apartment and gave the house to him, but he still thought of it as his mother's house. Maybe someday it would be his. Bog dismissed the thought as he set the bowl down on one of the long tables that had been set up to hold food and drinks for the party.
Sunny came jogging over to him with a huge grin plastered on his face. “Thanks again for hosting the party Bog.”
Bog glared at the shorter man. “I lost a bet Sunny, I ain't doing this for fun.”
Sunny chuckled. “I know, but still, for reluctantly throwing a party, you are pulling out all the stops!”
Bog made a face as he muttered. “If you are going to do something you should do it right.”
Sunny laughed. “Well you are doing a great job.”
Bog snorted, but Sunny grinned at his back suspecting that Bog might be enjoying the prospect of a party despite himself.
*
It was around seven in the evening, the sky was already dark, the stars and moon providing the majority of light outside. Marianne and Dawn stood back to back with their hands held up imitating holding guns. “We look like Charlies' Fairies.” Marianne laughed.
“We look so cool!” Dawn giggled. The two sister's were dressed in intricately detailed fairy costumes, complete with wings.
“Yeah we are!” Marianne turned around and hugged Dawn. “Okay let's go, but no drinking alright?”
Dawn shoved her bottom lip out. “Maybe just a little? I am twenty-one, you know.”
Marianne rolled her eyes. “Okay fine. But please don't get drunk—tipsy is fine.”
Dawn squealed again throwing her arms around her sister. “You're the best, you know that?”
Marianne laughed and said, “Obviously.”
*
When the sisters arrived at the party, it was already in full-swing. There was a dull roar of music that could be heard from the streets, not really loud out here, more of a vibration. The house was a huge old Queen Anne style home that someone had lovingly taken care of and was now decked out for the holiday. There were jack o'lanterns lining the porch, each one glowing with it's own inner light. There were copious amounts of orange and black streamers that ran from the porch into the interior of the home hung beside strings of orange lights. Marianne thought that it was really done up nicely for a college party. Whoever this Bog guy was, he was really throwing a visually beautiful and fun party for having lost a bet.
*
Bog was in costume. His costume was a feeble attempt at a vampire creature thing. He wasn't really clear himself what his costume was supposed to be; he had let his mother choose it for him. What he liked was that it was dark, scary and allowed him to blend into the shadows. He had to host the party, but that didn't mean he had to enjoy it. Okay, fine, he admitted silently and grudgingly. He was sort of enjoying himself...just watching the other guests was kinda of fun, just as long as he didn't have to go around and talk to anyone, the party wasn't too bad.
He did see the group comprised of three sophomores, Thang, Stuff and Brutus. They were all friends of Bog, all biology students and all mischievous. He sighed, hopefully they were behaving themselves and not trying to pull off any pranks.
*
The trio of sophomores, Thang, Stuff and Brutus were systematically going to each punch bowl and doing exactly what Bog had told them he would strangle them for if they did; they were spiking all the punch. The three of them ran and hid when they saw Bog coming. They were snickering so much that if the music hadn't been so loud Bog would have caught them for sure. When Bog poured himself some punch they all had to cover their mouths to stop themselves from laughing.
Bog took a sip of his punch and frowned looking down into his cup as if there was an answer floating on the top of it. He shrugged and took another sip.
Thang muttered to Stuff, his girlfriend. “Bog is going to kill us. When he does, just remember I donate my body to science.”
Stuff rubbed his back. “Bog is not going to kill us. Besides, he has to catch us first and that is definitely not happening.”
Thang grinned at her with a love-struck gleam in his green eyes that was nearly swallowed by the size of his glasses. Brutus grumbled. “Come on you two, before I vomit. We got three more bowls to spike! Come on.”
With that the three of them, resembling the three stooges, hurried off to complete their “mission.”
*
Marianne and Dawn could hear the sound of music outside which grew louder as they stepped inside.
The place was crawling with people laughing and having a good time. There was plenty of food and drink. Inside there was a large room that had been cleared out where people were dancing and a few were bobbing for apples. Dawn kept seeing people she knew and was yelling and waving until her sister nudged her. “Go on, go hang with your friends.”
“Are you sure?” Dawn frowned, giving her sister a concerned look.
“Dawn, I'm a big girl. I'll be fine. Go.”
Dawn giggled. “Thank you sis!” And with a quick kiss on Marianne's cheek, Dawn raced off across the room, weaving through the crowd.
*
Bog sipped his punch, feeling a warm burn in his stomach and feeling more relaxed when he looked up and saw her. She was standing by herself, pouring some punch into one of the cups. He swallowed. She was so beautiful, he almost did a double take! She was dressed up as a fairy; her dark purple makeup made her gorgeous brown eyes stand out, perfectly shaped lips...he had never seen anyone so lovely.
Bog watched her from the corner where he was hiding, taking big swallows of his punch. She seemed to be alone since she hadn't moved from the table, wasn't greeting anyone and she wasn't dancing. Bog took another swallow of his punch. He thought briefly about stepping over to her and talking to her...but he just couldn't. He needed more punch. For some reason the fruit drink seemed to be helping him relax.
Marianne gazed around, observing the costumed guests when she saw a guy step out of the shadows at the other end of the table where there was a different punch bowl.
She gasped. He was tall, lean and reminded her of a dark fae. He didn't have a lot of make-up on, just enough to exaggerate his already strong features. He glanced at her as he reached for the large ladle in the punch bowl at his end of the table. Did he have blue eyes? She could have sworn she saw blue eyes!!
Marianne felt her heart speed up, but time also seemed to slow down. She watched while he filled his cup and then turned around to watch the crowd.
Should she?
She tried not to stare at him, watching him covertly as he stood there. He looked lonely, surrounded by people, but connecting to none of them. Marianne moved to stand in front of her punch bowl trying to watch him from the side without looking as if she were staring.
He was so lean...so dark...she finished off her punch and poured herself another. She wasn't sure what sort of punch it was, but it warmed her insides and seemed to be helping her courage.
*
Bog was doing his best to look at her surreptitiously. He wanted to appear as if he was casually standing there, not trying to stare at the beautiful fairy woman. He swallowed his punch in one gulp and poured himself another. If he didn't know better he would think there was alcohol in it by the way it burned down his throat. He glanced sideways, then back to stare at his cup. What was he doing? She was far too pretty to even give him a second look. She probably would find him creepy and ugly. He poured himself another drink and decided to slip back into the shadows. This may be his party, but he was not going to enjoy it. And now, Bog thought glumly, I am not going to enjoy it even more.
Marianne sipped her punch glancing over to get another look at the guy and froze. He was gone. She pushed herself up from the table and looked around. Where had he gone? She twisted and turned to fully examine the area, wobbling only the slightest.
She stepped further away from the table, feeling a little woozy as she searched around until she saw him. He stood in a corner of the room, nursing a cup of punch. He was leaning into the shadowed corner looking like he might be trying to seep into the shadows themselves.
Marianne wrinkled her nose in consternation and stomped over to the guy.
*
Sunny came over holding two cups of punch and handed one to Dawn. His eyes were only for her from the moment she walked in. He was surprised that Dawn was here. He had hoped and had even thought of inviting her himself, but he had ultimately chickened out. She was just too far out of his league. But then the most surprising thing had happened. She had come over and started talking to him!!
Sunny felt his blood run cold. Oh no, what had he done wrong? But Dawn put the punch down. “That's got a LOT of alcohol in it.”
Sunny frowned in confusion. “It shouldn't have. Bog said he didn't want the punched spiked.” Sunny took a sip and winced. “Wow, that is strong!”
Dawn smiled. “It's okay. I just promised my sister I wouldn't drink too much tonight.”
Sunny set his cup next to hers. “I think there's some soda in the kitchen. Want one of those instead?”
Dawn nodded. “Sure—why don't I come with you?”
Sunny beamed. “I would like that.”
Dawn grinned as she reached out and took his hand, the two of them heading toward the kitchen.
*
Marianne made her way closer to the shadow man. She grinned as she edged closer. Wow, he is tall! she thought.
Bog squeezed his eyes shut and opened them again. It was weird, but everything was a little fuzzy. He saw movement to the side and turned to see that beautiful fairy coming toward him. Wow, he thought with an unconscious grin. She is like a real fairy, so pretty.
When she was close enough to touch him Marianne stuck out her hand. “Hi, I'm Marianne.” She frowned. Did her voice sound really loud?
Bog grinned broadly, took her hand and brought it to his mouth to kiss the back of her knuckles. “I'm Bog. And wow, are you pretty!”
Bog frowned in confusion. Did he say that out loud?
Marianne giggled. “Yer pretty cute too.” She laughed again. “Sorry, that sounded stupid.”
“You think I'm cute?” Bog said in wonderment.
Marianne giggled again. “You sound like Rudolph the red nose reindeer, except your nose isn't stuffy.” She giggled a little too much. Part of her knew she was giggling excessively, but she really couldn't seem to stop herself.
Bog grinned. “I do?”
Marianne nodded and stepped closer to stand beside him. “Hey wait a minute—isn't Bog the name of the guy hosting this party?”
Bog nodded. “That's me.”
“You lost a bet?” Marianne giggled and Bog chuckled along with her. “I did. It was stupid. I bet I could ...” Bog stopped and looked at her then shook his head. “Nope. Not going to tell you.”
Marianne pouted. “Why not?”
“It's embarrassing, that's why. All you need to know is I lost.” Bog crossed his arms over his chest and put his nose in the air.
Marianne laughed. “You're cute when you're annoyed.”
Bog blushed and laughed softly. “You're beautiful when you're being annoying.”
They both laughed then. Marianne moved to stand in the corner facing him. She reached out and tugged on his chin forcing him to look down at her. “Wow, you got gorgeous eyes. Is that a real color?”
“You mean blue?” Bog giggled and Marianne joined in.
“Yeah, is blue a real color?”
They both started laughing. It was Marianne who whispered rather loudly. “I think I might be drunk.”
Bog frowned. “I think I might be drunk too.”
Marianne snickered and leaned toward Bog. “I think that punch is spiked!”
Bog sputtered for a moment before Marianne put her fingers drunkenly to his lips and grinned. “Use your words.”
“I said to not spike the punch!” Bog grabbed her finger and kissed it.
“That's probably why the punch got spiked in the first place.” Marianne laughed. Bog kissed her finger again giggling.
Marianne continued to let him hold her finger smiling at him. “So you're a biology graduate?”
Bog nodded drunkenly. “Yep!”
Marianne waggled her eyebrows at him. “So you know all about biology, eh?”
“Oh yeah, I do.” Bog waggled his eyebrows back at her causing them both to snort laugh.
“So Mister Biology, what do humans do when they are attracted to each other, huh?” Marianne leaned against the wall on her elbow. Even drunk she was the sexiest thing Bog had ever seen. For a moment his self-doubt managed to push through his drunken haze.
“Why are you talking to me Marianne? There are a lot of better looking guys here. A lot.” Bog frowned staring down at his now sadly empty cup.
“Better looking? Than you? Seriously?” Marianne looked genuinely confused. “I think you're pretty hot and so far talking to you has been a lot of fun.” Marianne's smile was soft, gentle.
Bog laughed. “Me?”
“Yes, you.” Marianne stepped closer to him winding her arm around his waist and looking up into those blue eyes. “How about I get us some more punch?” she asked with a twinkle in her eye.
*
Dawn was having a blast. She and Sunny had ended up staying together the whole of the night, dancing, laughing, talking. She had been smitten before, but now Dawn was head over heels in love with Sunny.
It was around three a.m., though when she started to realize she had not seen her sister in a couple of hours, Dawn frowned. She and Sunny were sitting on the couch, curled in each others arms talking and kissing. It was nice. A lot of the party-goers had left (with designated drivers or taxis called for them) while others were asleep in corners or even on the floor.
“Sunny. I just realized I haven't seen my sister in a while.” Dawn looked around.
Sunny asked softly. “Think she might have gone on home?”
“Not without me, she wouldn't have.” Dawn started to get up.
“Here I'll help you look.” Sunny smiled at her, taking her hand.
The two of them started looking, all the rooms were occupied, but none of the people in them were Marianne. While they were looking for Dawn's sister, Sunny started to realize he hadn't seen Bog in hours either. He would have thought Bog would have been shooing people out hours ago.
Dawn was starting to get worried. “Where could she be?! And you say this Bog guy is missing too?” Dawn looked to Sunny who only nodded. “Yeah, it's a little weird.”
“A little?” Dawn was clearly getting upset. They started to head back to the main room when Sunny grabbed a hold of Dawn's arm. “Did you hear that?”
“Hear what?” Dawn frowned, but then she did, the sound of muffled laughter and then a few moans.
“Where is that coming from?” Dawn frown turning around.
Sunny cocked his head. For a moment Dawn was struck by how cute Sunny looked when he pointed. “There—that hall closet.”
The both walked over and sure enough the sounds were louder this close.
Dawn and Sunny looked at each other then they each reached out and grabbed one of the double doors and yanked it open.
Inside the closet, Marianne was wrapped around Bog, the top of her costume missing, as was Bog's. They didn't react right away since they were in the middle in devouring each other with kisses.
Dawn let out a shriek which caused Bog and Marianne to fall out of the closet onto the floor. Sunny was laughing as he grabbed Dawn holding her. He had thought she was upset, but she was laughing. “OH MY GOD, you two get back in that closet right now!” Dawn giggled.
Marianne was blushing pulling up her top to cover her breasts. “Oh, hey Dawn. Sunny.”
Bog sat up, immediately folding his legs over themselves and his hands pulling down his costume in an attempt to “hide” certain things that had been happening in the closet.
“Oh, bloody hell,” Bog muttered.
Dawn, without looking, started to drag Sunny away. “Okay, just wanted to make sure you were okay Marianne. I am going into the other room with Sunny. You two can do whatever you were doing in peace.”
Sunny laughed. “Bye you two!” he said as he was dragged away.
Marianne glanced at Bog, both of them had rosy cheeks, not just from embarrassment, or drink. “Wanna go back in the closet?”
Bog gave her a sly grin reaching out to take her hand. They both started giggling as they scrambled back into the closet pulling the doors closed, and the sounds of moaning and laughing started again.