Cool windy air swirled through the trees causing them to sway almost lullingly to sound of the busy mouths of excited children. Although the grey tint in the sky was familiar, it added an element that the rain will have destroyed.

As the children made their way down rows of houses tugging on their parents and receiving candy from strangers the dark clouds began to arrive in typical UK fashion.

"Alright this is the last house and then we head inside, Otherwise we'll get caught in the rain young master."

Stood on the porch of his neighbors front yard Grian removed the small child from his hip and onto the ground. "Sebastian, knock the door pwease." Says his nephew whilst trying to imitate the character Ceil from their favorite show.

Grian smiled at the adorable child very unlike Sebastian and it caused the five year old to give him a look of skepticism. The older man's face quickly changed to one of a firmer expression and he obeyed the young boy by knocking the door.

Johnny held his basket as high as his head and out in front of him. the door handle jiggled before the door swung open. A tall handsome man with dark hair and dark features spoke,

"Good evening."

Grian guessed that the man was trying to imitate Count Dracula and held in his opinion of the act... for Ciel's sake.

"Hello Mumbo!" Sebastian and Ciel said simultaneously.

Whipping his head said to side Mumbo made sure no other kids were approaching before cupping a hand to his mouth and whispering to the two trick or treaters.

"Don't use my real name, you'll blow my cover." The man played up his distress about as much as the Count himself would.

"My apologies, after the young master has received his treat, we shall be out of your hair in no time at all." As much as Grian was having fun with his nephew, he was fearful of the storm to come.

Mumbo nodded in understanding and returned to his residence only to later reappear with a bowl of goodies. Ciel took his time choosing only his favorite candy as Mumbo allowed him to take two instead of one candy bar.

"Eanie meanie, minee, m-"

*Kaboom

The insatiable sound of thunder nearly shook the ground beneath their feet. Ciel latched onto his uncle Grian and hung on for dear life. There was no doubt that the rain would be starting soon.

Pulling the child up into his arms. Grian began rocking the little boy and whispering, soothing him until he was calm.

"Do you wanna step inside for a bit." Mumbo loses the stupid accent and speaks more gently fearing that he'd upset the small child further.

Grian agreed as he had no other options, but be was grateful none the less. Walking into the house for the first time was very different from what he expected.

The walls were white with rustic wood beams as an accent. Grian pictured Mumbo living in a more modern and tech-centered home.

While the house was modern in color scheme Grian had noticed a distinctive style among the cohesiveness of the pieces. A hint of rustic charm evoked a sort of deeper, darker emotion within him.

After making their way through the foyer, a high beamed door frame welcomed them into what was assumed to be the living room. The stashed man followed Grian with his eyes as he set the boy down.

"Aww, he's fallen asleep. The little champ has been working the neighborhood, he deserves some rest." Mumbo clears some pillows from the couch making way for a snoozing Ciel.

"Hey, what about me? I'm the one who's had to chase after him all day." Grian protest letting go of the boy who immediately curled into a ball on the couch.

"Would you like something to drink?" Mumbo asks the shorter man already crossing the next archway this time leading to the kitchen.

"Ukle Gween?" stopping in his motion Grian turns at the sound of his nephew, he scrambled for an excuse as to why he'd be back quickly. "I'm just going to borrow some sugar it won't take long."

Grian vanished out of sight and Johnny decided he wasn't worth losing sleep over. The faint sounds of Mumbo and Grian chatting mixed with the now calming sound of rain filled his ears and sent him to sleep.

~~~

"Thank you." Says Grian taking the cup of tea that was handed to him. The two men sat around a small table and caught up with each other.

Grian and Mumbo The already had a lot of the same friends, after occasionally passing each other on the way to work, in the street, or hiking on the neighborhood trails. It wasn't a surprise that they started talking more. Grian invited Mumbo round to his own place where they really hit it off as friends.

These days Johnny was around a lot more often. Mumbo has heard stories of lil' Johnny and has met him many times so he loved when he, Grian and Johnny would hang out together.

"So... how's you're sister?" Mumbo also knew that Johnny was a handful and that Grian tried to help his sister as much as possible. He often checks up on his friend and even volunteers to take Johnny out to the park sometimes.

Grian's ominous sigh brushed off Mumbo's approach to the topic. "Let's just say things aren't changing for a while. Don't get me wrong, I love having the kid around but it does take a tole."

Mumbo couldn't help but smile at the man in front of him. Sometimes Grian had trouble seeing all the support he had around him. He was friends with the coolest people at work like, Iskall and Tango and Mumbo was sure he had other friends that were willing to help his situation.

"May I propose an idea?" Mumbo stood up to take both their cups to the sink.

Grian told Mumbo to shoot, he was intrigued at where this might go. Although he has been exhausted, he was always up for a challenge.

"How about we go somewhere fun like Disneyland Paris? I don't know, it could be fun." Mumbo leaned against the kitchen island and faced Grian who was yet to reply...

"Are you asking me out Mumbo? I knew this day would come."

Before anything else was said they both started laughing simultaneously. Grian figured Mumbo should get a taste of his own medicine, a recurring theme with Mumbo was that he was overly sweet and he would tease Grian about it.

"What I meant was that we should take Johnny and his mum. We all could use a break from reality some times." What better place to do that than Disney.

Grian got up from his chair and walked over to the other man. "I would love that very much, and I'm sure Johnny would too."

Grian held his arms out and Mumbo gave him a bro hug, their disregard for their surroundings in this split moment prevented them from hearing the shuffling of small footsteps entering the kitchen.

"ooo, I didn't know 'ou an Mumbo were so cwose ukle Gween."

They pulled away from the hug but Mumbo's arm still hung around Grian's shoulder. Mumbo and Johnny both looked at Grian innocently, which caused him to get flustered.

"I think we should get going now...."

"Aww!" said the too younger boys making pouty faces.

The art at the beginning of the chapter is by me. As always, I hope you liked this chapter :)