Returning home was bittersweet; seeing as you enjoyed spending time with Jason and having fun while you did so. It filled you with a slight...sorrow, guess you could say? Knowing you wouldn't be able to see him again until Tuesday. Then, after realising how the other four would feel about your panicked promise, a sigh left your lips - not ready to face them all. However, going back wasn't as bad as it sounded. For one, you were going to spend time with Norman this evening - and once today was over, you were going to spend tomorrow with Michael, hanging out with each other whilst Halloween took place.

So instead your expression twisted into a happy one, the bittersweet feeling beginning to fade. Minutes flew past like the pigeons in the sky as you quietly hummed to yourself - the streets being strangely devoid of people and cars for some odd reason. Perhaps people were just preparing for Halloween early...? You kept thinking about it, but you couldn't come to any sort of fitting conclusion. You grew even more confused when you spotted something float directly in front of you. Stopping, you eyed the thing suspiciously - wanting to get a clearer look. It wasn't high above you, but it wasn't necessarily your height either - somewhere in-between.

This thing was casually drifting across the vacant road, moving too slow to be able to float. And just what was this thing? "A red balloon...?" You murmured under your breath, curiosity now controlling your tone while you wondered why on Earth a crimson-coloured object such as this would be randomly discarded. "That's...strange."

After a moment or two you suddenly snapped out of your intense bewilderment; shaking your head as you decided to hurry on home. "If I don't return home soon, the others will be worried." You reminded yourself awkwardly, reaching the path that was just outside of town. "Freddy and Michael especially..."

"I could say the same." "I don't think I've seen you around town before, are you new?"
"No...I live on the outskirts, in a house just out of town." Reaching the path just outside of town always reminded you of the first time you'd first met Hannibal - a small smile spreading across your face every time.

But all of a sudden you jumped, not expecting Michael to twirl you around before engulfing you into a very tight and overprotective hug. "It's nice to see you too." You dryly spoke, placing your hands on his shoulders and eyeing him with amusement.

Using one hand to pull up his pale-white mask - the other arm firmly wrapped around your waist - the silent stalker then pressed his lips against yours lovingly; his obsessive personality being made insanely obvious by this point. But regardless, it still made your heart flutter - so you kissed back and allowed it to happen, your eyes lightly closing while you enjoyed the moment. The fierce hold on you, the infatuating kiss, the adoring ambience surrounding the two of you...It was almost too much for you to handle. In fact, it was clear how much he cared about you, his desire to stay by your side causing you feel tremendously special. Well, that was until—

"Ah, (Y/n), welcome home." Now feeling horribly embarrassed, you pushed Michael away and hurriedly faced Hannibal - startled by his swift appearance.

"H-Hannibal...? H-How come you're here...?" You panicked, biting your lip and faintly blushing by him seeing the intimate kiss.

"Well, I do live here." He pointed out wryly, "And after seeing Michael disappear the way he did, I figured you'd finally returned. I see my assumption was correct."

"But how did you...? I mean, I hadn't even reached the house yet..." You didn't even finish, directing your question at Michael as you turned to look at him with a puzzled pair of eyes and a perplexed face.

"ᑎO OᖴᖴEᑎᑕE, ᗷᑌT I ᑕOᑌᒪᗪ ᕼEᗩᖇ YOᑌ ᑕOᗰIᑎG ᖴᖇOᗰ ᗩ ᗰIᒪE ᗩᗯᗩY." A few seconds passed before Michael had finished scribbling down his response, handing over his notepad to you the moment he was done. [A/N: "NO OFFENCE, BUT I COULD HEAR YOU COMING FROM A MILE AWAY."]

"Oh..." You trailed off sheepishly, shifting from foot-to-foot while you gazed down at the ground and wondered what to say - not having a single clue on how to reply to either of them.

"(Y/n)...?" Hannibal delicately called your name, your body stiffening up when he softly held his thumb underneath your chin and tilted it up a little bit. "Are you alright...?"

"I'm fine...!" You shot them both one of your shy smiles, tucking a strand of your hair behind your ear before regaining some of your normal composure and taking a deep breath.

"In that case, would you mind if the two of us walked back home together?" The psychiatrist politely requested, flashing you a charming smile in return and acting as pleasant as he always did. "Only if you'd like to, however. I wouldn't want to force you like the others constantly do."

"Sure, I'd love to." Your nervousness died down once he'd removed his thumb from your chin, though the shade of scarlet that was colouring your cheeks still lingered. "But the others don't force me. I enjoy spending time with each and every one of you."

"Of course my dear, I believe you've made that quite clear." Hannibal chuckled mischievously - the three of you walking back together while Michael stuck to your side like glue and continued to glare at the other male.

"Good." You commented in relief, grateful as you all eventually reached the house. "I wish you guys would get along more though . I know that's a lot to ask for, but jeez are you guys a handfu—"

"(Y-Y/n)-!" An overexcited voice cut you off; Norman bounding towards the front door and throwing his arms around you affectionately. "W-Welcome home!"

"Aw, thank you." You replied warmly, ruffling his hair before returning the hug and giving his body a sweet squeeze. "How's your day been today? Everything okay?"

"I-It wasn't t-the same w-without you." Norman stuttered bashfully, growing flustered by the tender treatment he was receiving from you. "I...I missed y-you. S-So, so much."

"And I missed you too." You soothingly told him, feeling happy due to not only the hug but the missed you comment as well. "Did you think of anything we could do together this evening? After all, you said you would."

"We can um...We can...Oh, I know, we can spend this evening together!"
"R-Really-!?" "O-Oh, I'd l-love to-!"
"Then why don't you think of some more activities for us to do?"

"Uh-huh-!" Norman cheerfully answered, his behaviour bubbly and bright as he pulled out an A5 notebook and passed it over to you. "Oh, I-I'm so e-excited-!"

Flipping it open, your eyes widened a tad - surprised by all the activities listed. "Ooh, I um...I like this one." You held the notebook open towards the two of you and used your other hand to randomly press your finger against one of the bullet points.

• ♥ Cooking cupcakes together ♥

"I-I like that one t-too-!" Norman sided with you almost immediately, clapping his hands together and becoming overjoyed. "I-It's one of my f-favourites-!"

"Why don't we do it together after dinner then?" You decided kindly, giving him the notebook back and heading into the kitchen. "It'll be a wonderful dessert to have once we're all done, don't you think Norman?"

"A-Absolutely-!" He merrily agreed, following behind like a cute little puppy and gazing at you with complete and utter admiration. "I-It'll be super duper y-yummy-!"

"May I ask what you're having for dinner, mi amore?" Hannibal asked in a civilised fashion, entering the kitchen after you both and acting well-mannered like usual.

"I was just thinking about making something simple." You timidly mentioned, mulling it over in your thoughts before thinking of something. "Y'know like...like tomato soup. Is that alright for you guys too? If not, I can always cook something else."

"Please don't feel obliged to cook for us as well, dearest." Gently placing a hand on your shoulder, the calm male stopped you from opening one of the cupboards and stood straight behind you, his voice soft and mellow while he spoke. "You needn't go that far. I can do that."

"Are you sure...?" You double-checked hesitantly, turning round to face both of your partners. "I mean, I'd feel sort of selfish if I only did my meal..."

"I w-wouldn't mind t-tomato soup-!" Norman glossed over Hannibal's offer and hugged your side cutely, "I-In fact, I-I'd love it if...if y-you cooked for m-me, (Y/n)-!"

"A...Alright then..." You sent him a feeble smile before directing your attention entirely towards the psychiatrist. "How about you...?"

"I appreciate the thought, but I can be rather...particular when it comes to the culinary arts, so I think I'll create my own dinner for tonight." Hannibal denied in response, flashing you a sweet smile and trying to answer in a courteous manner.

"A-And you say t-the others a-and I are t-the rude o-ones..." Norman muttered smugly - clearly feeling superior to Hannibal for whatever reason. Of course.

"Alrighty then, I don't mind." You brushed it off and turned back to the cupboards, ignoring Norman's satisfied comment while you began preparing your own food.