Sasha sighed contentedly, leaning against her boyfriend as she gazed at the bonfire. "This definitely is the best Halloween ever."
Duke now glanced over at the raven haired teen, a small smile etched on his face. "Know it beats most of mine," he said softly. "Best one I ever had was when my mom was still alive. It was actually pretty similar to this."
"Really," Sasha asked. Duke nodded, the teen couple leaning back against a nearby tree as they felt the warmth of the bonfire.
"Dad wasn't a big fan of Halloween," he stated. "He kind of found the whole idea insulting, you know, people dressing up like vampires and such. Mom though wanted me to have as normal a childhood as possible."
"So what did you two do?"
"When I was 8 Mom took me trick or treating," he said. "I actually dressed up as Superman that year." Duke now chuckled softly as the memory of himself as a skinny child dressed as a superhero now formed in his mind. "Anyway after we were done we saw a small group of people gathered around a bonfire serving hot chocolate. Mom just walked right over, she was kind of a social butterfly. Not sure what she said but the next thing I remember we were sitting by the fire drinking hot chocolate and eating candy apples. Probably one of my favorite memories of her."
Sasha now glanced up at her damphir boyfriend, the teens eyes growing damp with tears despite the happy smile on his face. "You miss her," she said as she wiped a tear from his cheek.
"All the time," Duke smiled. "But since we met I've been happier than I've been in a longtime. Thank you Sasha." A silence now hung between the two teens as they lovingly gazed into eachothers eyes. "But enough about me. What were your Halloween like?"
"Well," Sasha started. "Last year really didn't do much. Everyone was still recovering from the war. It was pretty similar to this. Just me and my friends."
"What about the other years?"
"Freshman year we threw a house party," Sasha chuckled. "It was nuts. All of our magic went a bit wonky. We eneded up turning trick or treaters and adults into high schoolers. Kind of trashed Glorias house too, I'm amazed we never got caught."
Duke laughed, trying to picture what that must have been like. "Wish I'd been there," he laughed. "Which begs the question what did you guys do for an encore?"
Sasha rubbed her neck sheepishly, slightly embarrassed. "Well we decided to take it easy the following year," she said. "We, um, ended up going trick or treating."
"Aren't you guys a bit old for that?"
"Um usually," Sasha replied meekly. "But we, um, ended up running into some kids we know from the other timeline. I ended up becoming 11 and dressing as Snow White."
Duke laughed harder, Sasha playfully pushing him. "Shut up its not that funny."
"Its kind of funny," he laughed. "Please tell me you have pictures of that. Would love to see what you looked like as Snow White."
"Hell no," Sasha exclaimed. "Far as I know no one took any pictures and even if they did I would never show them. I always hated dressing all girly. I mean seriously! A freaking Disney princess?"
"I'm sure you looked adorable," Duke smiled. Sasha blushing before gazing up at Duke and kissing him tenderly. As the two stared into eachothers eyes, they were pleasantly surprised to hear a slow song begin to play. An idea now came to Dukes head as he slowly stood. "Care to dance?"
"You're joking," Sasha balked. "Now?"
"Well it is a slow song," Duke smirked. "And I don't know about you but this seems like a great place to dance."
"Your a dork," Sasha chuckled, sighing she now took Dukes hand, slowly standing as he drew her in close. "I can't believe I'm doing this. I don't even know how to dance."
"I had a few lessons," Duke stated. As the two now slow danced, Sasha leaned her head on Dukes shoulder, sighing in contentment. "I love you Duke."
"I love you too Sasha Sampson," he replied as the two teens now swayed slowly in front of warm fire.