Archive of Our Own

Halloween.

Glisten loathed it.

He didn't roll his eyes when Toodles was practically jumping off the walls about it, but trust him, he wanted to.

He had nothing against dressing up. In fact, he loved it! It let him go all out, truly!
He had nothing against the toons going out and pretending they were dressed as the characters as if they weren't already… well, themselves. Though a lot of them added something to make it actually kind of fun.

About the piles on the floor of dumped out collections to trade amongst each other in the Toon Room Halls or spewing over the dining table.

No, it was more about the candy in of itself.

The mess it caused for him.

It made him want to shatter his mirror with his own fist, his inability to just control himself.

…He was one of the older toons. He was supposed to be a role model, especially for Toodles. Razzle and Dazzle seemed to look up to him to a degree, although they were plenty old enough to hopefully stop doing that soon.

He wasn't really someone to be idolized. He acted the part just fine, but what could he really teach any of the younger toons? If they watched him too close, they’d pick up his unsavory pieces. How his handler hadn’t noticed the shortcomings was something just short of a miracle.

He gently rubbed some glass adhesive into the tiny crack that'd formed just thinking about this dreadful holiday.

…Huh. Running out. Probably not enough for anything much bigger.

That'd be fine. He had makeup for a reason.

Just don't lose his mind tonight. Pretty simple. Easy, even!

He'd told himself that 7 hours ago. It was 8 pm now, and all the toons were raring to go.

The handlers had just left; they had all been sent to bed, pretending to sleep.

But when the news of such in Vee’s broadcast was sent out to the TVs hung in the dorm hallways, every excited toon practically jumped right out and fell into the hallways, piling into the elevator; starting at the highest floor and going down, all the way down to the entryway by the train station once every last person was down and out.

Most were teenagers. Only a few were younger than 14, but most under 18.. so, expected reaction.

Everyone stood together, some poor soul out there tried to count them up, each trick or treater holding the pillow cases they'd pulled off their pillows.

Rodger looked at him suspiciously. He tried not to meet his eye.

Toodles kept smiling at him. All giddy and such.

He tried smiling back, he really did.
He tied his bow tighter. He wore his sweater.

It was cold, after all.

He’d psyched himself out of every meal he considered having. Mainly because he knew he’d crack and eat all the candy he’d receive anyways, and only disgust himself further. Might as well save his calories, he supposed..?

He’d choked down pasta last night, surely that would get him through a few hours. Even though he’d been mostly fasting this week.

Rodger continued to hold his tongue.
He prepared himself, trying to calculate how disastrous that talk would be when they got around to it.

Toodles glanced at him during dinner, and just to protect her from his fate, he took a hearty bite of steamed carrots– the healthiest, low cal thing on their plates. Teaching her to eat her vegetables! Well.. she already knew that.

Anything for her to not trace his steps down this rabbit hole.

He’d keep those carrots down, in fact. In her name.

Her beautifully innocent name.

He’d keep her innocent for as long as he could manage.

He doubted Rodger to ever tell something he wasn’t fully certain on– which obviously, was still true considering he hadn’t been approached all accusatory about it yet. He must still be collecting data. Not the first time it’d happened to him, or to anyone else. That guy liked the truth so much, he might as well marry it.
Glisten rolled his eyes.

He ate what he could of dinner and did his best not to feel too strongly about it.

Glisten had his gray sweater, navy bow– with matching makeup– and white into navy leg warmers.

Rodger didn’t dress up. Toodles had black cat ears. Teagan wore a red, sparkly dress, long purple gloves, and no boa. Glisten asked if she’d be cold. She rolled her eyes with a loving scoff.

Razzle and Dazzle had simple costumes; Razzle had a devil horn headband, and Dazzle had an angel headband, both taped on. He was pretty sure they swapped who wore what every other year.

Shrimpo reused his ‘dark spikes’ costume. Glisten had made jokes for years that it wasn’t very creatively named.

Finn didn’t change; pink sweater, yellow shorts, life jacket. He polished his tail and fins to make them extra shiny, though.

None of the ‘mains’ other than Sprout and Shelly had dressed up. They were more so the ones to guide them all back home, the ones to keep tonight together; to watch from the sidewalk as the others went up to the doors. Sometimes they were offered candy from all the way down there, but usually not.
It was safe to say that Glisten was a guide instead of a trick-or-treater.

Plus, he got to walk with Vee and make playful jokes at the other’s expenses, to pet Pebble on occasion.. The only problem was that Rodger was also a guide, though he stuck by Toodles side more often than not, going up to houses with her instead of just watching.

All of the mains, except for Shelly and Sprout, were guides.

Vee and Astro knew the way back; one by programming, one by heart– Pebble would bark to get everyone's attention if something had to be said to the group, or to trigger a headcount if a toon had been misplaced. After barking, he would do one of multiple things to specify what the problem was.

The handlers never knew about these outings. Some toons liked the thrill. He was one of them.. but only a little bit. .. Neither Dandy, on the topic of ‘people who don’t know’. He was already asleep most days, and nobody thought he’d want to come anyways.

They also may or may not have gotten into the office with employee paperwork and memorized specific houses or streets to avoid getting in trouble.

This was all done a week before Halloween multiple years ago.

He hadn’t participated personally, but it’d been just after the handlers left to go home. Astro, Toodles (Rodger has yet to find that out), Connie, and Shelly worked together to do .. essentially ‘organized crime’, as Connie joked. She picked the lock, Toodles was only there because she begged to be involved (and when told no, she apparently said ‘then I’ll tell everyone here your secret!!’, if Connie was to be believed. Astro, who had been pointed to in the scuffle, reacted with surprise and fear; wide eyes for a moment, before pulling his blanket tighter, sighing, and telling her she could). Astro handled the documents with magic, ensuring no fingerprints were left, and Shelly wrote down the information.

People often asked why Shelly of everyone, but if you thought about it, she was one of few viable options.. or Sprout. And nobody really wanted to deal with Sprout being all annoyed over being up too late.

(Connie said, "Dandy's a tattletail, Goob's hands simply do not work, Scraps' handwriting sucks, Finn's handwriting sucks, Toodles is like 8, Rodger would flip his lid if he found out his kid did something like that, Shrimpo's obvious, Cosmo and Boxten would be way too nervous, Poppy would care TOO little and break something, Vee would be jealous she couldn't do anything more than just write stuff down, Gigi would steal a bunch, Flutter would break stuff by accident with her wings, Pebble's a dog, Brightney and Razzle would be good choices, but they're already out COLD, also Dazzle would hate it, you and Teagan would complain about us depriving you of sleep, Tisha would compulsively reorganize everything, I can't touch most physical things, and Sprout is Sprout.. I'd say the list goes on, but that's everyone. Look, half of the problem came down to everyone being asleep already."

He only knew any of this because Connie had a tendency to tell, and he was one of her closer friends.

The paper with names of handlers and addresses was kept safe somewhere only Shelly and Astro knew of, assumedly because Toodles could possibly tell, but Connie most certainly would. Also, it had apparently been written with a colored pencil because that was only writing utensil Shelly had, as she had forgotten to grab something else, and she couldn’t exactly use a pen from within the office.

It made him snicker. Connie probably hadn’t managed to tell Rodger yet because Toodles explicitly asked her not to, and the day she fails a promise is the day she rips her own reference sheet up to die. Technically a second time.

Everyone else basically assumed to not tell Rodger. Which was a very fair assumption. But it also meant people theorized about what it could be that Toodles knew about Astro– which again, could’ve been a lie. Connie had.. A tendency to do that. Especially about achievements, she likes to blow things out of proportion. She may simply have added that for intrigue to her story, for it to be remembered and questioned, to stir curiosity. She loved making heads turn, as did he. It wasn't hard to see why they were friends.

Gossip was common here. So many people under one large roof was bound to collect drama and stories.

A night like this didn’t change anything. In fact, holidays were 10 times more likely to be remembered exclusively and vicariously through the tidbits.

He just had to make sure his own internal drama didn’t become tonight’s story.

It wasn’t until they’d all reached the second neighborhood, around 8:00, that he started to panic.

It had occurred to him that he’s exhausted, and nearing on so dizzy he’ll fall. He felt like he’d just used his teleport 5 times in a row as his stomach clawed at him, trying to tear itself apart– he realized he wasn’t walking quite right, and now he’s horribly on edge.

He knew the night was close to over. This whole operation shut down when it hit 8:30.

He and Vee hadn’t found much to be talking about for the past 50 minutes.

He worried he wasn’t making it out of this without a story about him.

Rodger had stopped stealing glances at him, focused more on Toodles and ensuring she had fun.

He wished he could consider bothering Astro, but he hadn’t said a single word the whole time to even begin a conversation, and also.. Ehhh, no. He had no interest in talking to him.

Pebble was a dog, and to some degree, he was working. You don’t disturb working dogs.

Sprout and Cosmo were talking up a storm, and also, he was pretty sure they suspected something about him was off. Better to keep his streak of staying away. He stared at the backs of their matching caramel costumes before ignoring them again.

Shelly.. She liked dinosaurs. That’s really where his knowledge on her ended. She was literally wearing her dinosaur onesie as a costume. Can’t have a conversation with her if you know nothing about her.

Teagan.. Okay, he loved Teagan, she was his girlfriend in the way that gay men like him tend to say it. But he didn’t know where to begin with her, and also he was scared of passing out right by her; she’d never leave him alone again.. not that she would leave him to his devices anyway for doing it in the first place. … not that this was a thing he chose to do???...

.. Maybe this was his fault. Was that important right now?

Glow sticks lined the concrete slabs to warn people to watch their steps.

He crossed his arms.

His vision got blurry. He noticed a blue glowstick, implying change in the pathing again–


He tripped. Like a dumbass.

Glisten's head spun as he fell, the dizziness and lightheadedness suddenly becoming far worse.

Then he felt the impact against his left cheek, and suddenly, that speck of blue was gone– replaced with an inky abyss.

Everyone turned to the sound of glass cracking.

There really wasn't much question of who it was.

“GLISTEN??”

He didn't respond. Vee sat him up and Teagan knelt beside him.

Rodger looked to see if there was any glass on the sidewalk.

Astro stepped away from the crowd that was forming out of concern for Glisten, hiding behind Vee by crouching behind her, whispering a question.

Sprout pulled out a medkit first– every guide had one on them– quickly locating tape and gauze to place over the cracking that barely began to seep out ink.

Glisten came back to a small collection of people he both knew and didn't hovering over him with concern.

They were quick to leave once he mumbled that he was fine and was honored by all the attention, but that they should be getting on with their nights.

How did he still manage to keep up this facade?

Most of them didn't want to leave. But Vee barked at them that it wasn't their problem and that they could handle this.

Admittedly a bit much, but whatever it took to get those random people away.

Toodles took his hand. “Are you actually okay..?”

“I will be, buddy. Don't worry about me.”
“I think we all have reason to be worried about you.” Rodger bent over cartoonishly, pretty much folding at his waist. He squinted. “You passed out. That's not exactly a common occurrence for anyone here, Glisten.”
“Rodger, I'll be fine . . .”
“We should talk about this.”
“Can it please be later? My face is killing me. Probably because it shattered nine ways to Tuesday.”
“..I will let this topic rest for today.”
“Thank you. Now if you don't mind, I'd like some bonus beauty sleep . .”

Glisten was pretty sure Rodger did mind, but he couldn't find it in him to care.

And then he woke up at home.

He glanced around his room. He touched his cheek to find it covered with a gauze pad and medical tape– but he could feel the spider webbing of the cracks that had formed, even if his hand couldn't touch them.

“Glisten, darling,” Teagan cooed. “Nice to see you awake.”

His bed stand had the handful of candy he'd ‘earned’ and a bottle of water. There seemed to be more treats than he remembered carrying.

Toodles smiled at him. “Everyone put in a little bit of candy from each of our own collections! Because you deserve more! And.. because we all feel bad for you..”
He glanced at it, tearing his eyes away rather quickly, not moving his head.

“I believe he understands, Toodles.” Rodger stepped next to her. “Unless you're concussed?”
“Uhhh. I don't think so. I doubt I'd be talking to you right now if I was, you know.” He said it with his typical sass. He continued, slurring his last word, “Aren’t you supposed to be smart?”

“No need to attack me..” Rodger looked away.
“Move it,” Glisten perked up at the voice and was quick to see Vee using her arm to try to shove Razzle and Dazzle out of the doorway.

The two shuffled to the side so she’d stop her relent.

“Hey, sleeping beauty; you’re alive, right?”
“Yes? What do you expect the answer to that to be?..”
“Does your head hurt?”
“Ehh.. no, just my fa–”
“So, WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS THAT ABOUT???”
Glisten flinched back. “I.. don’t know..?” He tried.
“According to available information and my ‘Medical’ folder,” her screen flashed with search queries about fainting. “A lot of the possible answers don’t exactly fill me with hope, Glisten.”
“Aaaand.. What might those be?” ’Stall stall stall stall–’


Her voice turned a lot more robotic. “Prolonged standing, pain, heart issues, hyperventilation and otherwise not getting enough airflow, emotional stress, alcohol, anemia, seizure, fear, dehydration and generally not getting enough to eat or drink, medicines, low blood sugar, hyperthermia, pregnancy–”
“Pregnancy??” Glisten raised an eyebrow.
“Sigh. I know that’s not a possibility for any of us, Glisten. But either way, you’ve noticed a pattern here, surely. You don’t just faint for fun.”
“I already told Rodger I don’t want to talk on this right now–”
“Suspicious.”
“I’d just like some rest.”
“You’ve been asleep for two hours.”
“So? I’d like more rest. I get that you’re a machine and you don’t get that–”
“Scoff! Just, cram it for a second. Be honest with me!”
“Isn’t it almost midnight?” He addressed everyone in his room. “You should all be getting to bed. We can talk about this tomorrow, Vee.”
Rodger raised his finger, which immediately implied to him that he was about to speak.
“You also, Rodger. Tomorrow. I don’t care. I’m exhausted.” He exaggerated the last word a little. It was just his flair. He couldn’t let it go, even as his heart beat out of his chest. They’d notice. Wouldn’t they?

"I was going to defend you, you know."

Toodles bit her cheek, and with Razzle and Dazzle, left.

“The younger ones are gone.” Rodger said gently. “If it was something you simply didn’t want them to hear, then you can say it now.”

“There’s nothing wrong.”
He sighed, but came closer and touched his hand. “Glisten.”
“Rodger.” He repressed the questioning air he wanted to add to it.
The whispers felt like they were swallowed up in the quiet room.

Rodger twisted his hand under Glisten's palm, around his wrist.
The glow of Vee’s screen barely reflected off their separate glasses.

“..I’m tired.” Glisten’s eyes were half lidded– well, more than they usually were.
“Your heartbeat seems rather quick for someone who’s tired.”
“I can be exhausted and nervous at the same time, don’t doubt me.”
“So you are nervous?”
“. . .”

He just talked himself into a pit so unbelievably quickly.
“Well, I’m embarrassed. Drinking too little water is so unlike me. It simply got away from me in the spirit of the holiday! Silly silly me.”

How did he just come up with that.

“You’ve never seemed.. Enthused about Halloween.”
“I wanted to give it another go. I felt .. in the mood for it! What can I say, I’m a fickle guy.”
“...”

Rodger sighed again. “I’ll go. I will let you rest.”

Glisten gave him a small smile. “Thank you, Rodger.”
“Sadly, anytime, Glisten.”

He left and softly shut the door.

Vee flicked her tail idly for a second. “..I’ll go too.”
“See you tomorrow, sore loser.” Glisten’s smile became a tad more devious and into a smirk.
“You too, lame donkey. Read between the lines.”
He scoffed and giggled at the same time, somehow.

The door shut, and his room was devoid of any noise.

Other than the sound of his wild heartbeat.

He took a deep breath. He saw a note with a drawn, cartoonish fish on it– likely a note from Finn about something. Right next to it was all the candy.

God, he was starving.

He was exhausted even more so. He could feel himself shaking. He didn’t care.

He shut his eyes and struggled to breathe slowly and calmly.


Sleep found him eventually.


He reserved a sigh for when he’d remember that Rodger and Vee were going to grill him about this tomorrow.