“Ooga-booga!”

Beck quirked an eyebrow at the mask-covered figure that had jumped in front of him, blocking the television. “Travis, I’m missing the game.”

“You jumped!” Travis exclaimed, leaning forward so the strangely elongated ghost face was almost in Beck’s face.

Frowning, Beck denied, “I did not.”

“Did so!”

“No, I didn’t, Travis.”

“I saw it! You twitched!”

Beck sighed and said, “I did not twitch, Travis. It takes a lot to scare me and you didn’t even come close.”

Hands on his hips now, Travis countered, “I saw you twitch. Practically scared the pants off you!”

“Travis, so help me…”

“What? Now you’re just scared to admit the truth!” Travis commented, smug.

Shaking his head, Beck got to his feet, yanked the mask off, and growled, “You. Did. Not. Scare. Me! Now move, I’m missing the damn game!”

Travis gave him a hurt look. “Fine. Watch the stupid game. Don’t admit that I got you. Doesn’t matter to me.”

There was no way for this to end without getting ugly. Not once Travis got that tone of voice. Beck sighed. “All right. Okay. You made me twitch. Happy?”

Travis brightened for all of ten seconds before scowling and complaining, “Now you’re just humoring me!”

Beck wondered if banging his head against the wall would help.

“I think I should make you answer the door when the trick or treaters come.”

Beck’s eyes widened in alarm. Now that really was scary. Him, dealing with the insanity of children under the age of seven. All of whom, for some bizarre reason, loved him and just latched on to him. “You wouldn’t!”

“Oh, I think I would.”

“Travis, come on! I said you scared me! You did, okay? I’m not humoring you.”

“I think I need to go to the book store and pick up that ancient Roman text that came in. You know. The bookstore that’s two hours away? I mean, there’s no way I’d get back in time to hand out the candy.”

“Travis, I’m warning you…”

“That’s it. I’m gone. Have fun handing umph…!”

Sometimes, kissing Travis really was the only way to get him to shut up. Among other things.