FOR YOU, ALWAYS
PAIRING: bf!kang daeho x gn!reader
GENRE: fluff, slice of life
WORD COUNT: ~3k
summary: you and your boyfriend daeho go out to a carnival, and he’s determined to win you a prize…
the evening air buzzed with excitement, the distant hum of carnival rides blending with the laughter of kids and the scent of buttery popcorn and fried food. strings of twinkling lights danced above the booths, casting a golden glow on the crowd.
"whoa," you breathed out, eyes wide as you stepped through the entrance of the carnival. "this place is huge."
"told you you'd like it," daeho said with a grin, his hand naturally slipping into yours. "only the best for my favorite person."
his fingers were warm against yours, thumb brushing your knuckles in a quiet rhythm as you both wandered further into the fairground. colorful stalls lined the walkways; games, food carts, even a tiny ferris wheel spinning slowly in the distance.
"okay but i want cotton candy first," you said, already tugging him toward a booth with a cloud of pink sugar spinning behind glass.
"you and your sugar obsession," he teased, but followed easily, digging through his pocket for cash. he bought two. one for you and one for himself even though he always claimed it was too sweet, and handed yours over with a smile. "you better share."
"not a chance," you said around a mouthful of fluff.
he wiped a bit of pink from your cheek with his thumb, then licked it off his own finger without missing a beat. your face went warm.
"you’re the messiest eater i’ve ever met," he added.
"but you love it," you grinned.
"unfortunately."
it was the kind of night that felt like a movie. you played ring toss (and missed every single throw), and daeho won you a tiny rubber duck from the dart balloon game by hitting every target. you rode the ferris wheel and he kept rocking the cart to make you squeal, laughing every time you smacked his arm and threatened to jump out.
as the night started winding down, you passed a small game stall off to the side with a red-and-yellow banner that read "honeycomb challenge”, your steps slowed.
"is that—?"
"yep," daeho said, already dragging you toward it. "i'm gonna win you something."
"you don’t have to—"
"i’m doing it. don’t stop me."
you rolled your eyes but followed, stopping at the counter where a woman handed him a tray with a dalgona candy and a tiny needle. printed into the surface was a shape: a star.
daeho crouched down on one knee on the little play mat in front of the booth, holding the tray in his palm like it was the most important thing in the world.
"what do you get if you win?" you asked.
"that," he said, nodding toward a big tiger plushie on the top shelf behind the stall owner. it had giant round eyes and oversized paws and looked like something that’d barely fit in your bed.
"you’re insane."
"i’m determined."
he leaned in close to the dalgona, tongue poking out a little in concentration. carefully, he began scraping around the star’s edge with the needle, tiny bits of sugar flaking off. you crouched beside him, chin resting on your hand.
"you’re doing great, sweetie," you joked.
"shh, i’m in the zone."
a few tense minutes passed. the needle worked its way around the shape slowly, daeho pausing every few seconds to blow the dust away or rotate the candy in his hand.
when the final bit snapped off cleanly, he held up the perfect little star and beamed. "TA-DA!"
"no way," you whispered. "you actually did it."
"never doubt me."
the stall owner clapped once, then handed him the giant tiger plushie. daeho stood and presented it to you with both hands and the most dramatic bow possible.
"for you, my beloved."
"you’re ridiculous."
"but charming, right?"
"...okay, maybe a little."
he slung an arm around your shoulder as you both started walking again, the giant tiger squished between you.
"we should name him," he said.
"you’re seriously gonna name it?"
"obviously. we won him together. he’s basically our child now."
"...okay. then his name is kimchi."
“i can tell youre hungry.” he giggled
"i am!!!"
"i love you."
it came out so casually, like he hadn’t just said something that made your heart flip. you looked over at him.
"you what?"
"i said i love you," he repeated, a little quieter this time. his ears were turning pink. "like... i really do."
and with kimchi the tiger cradled between you, under the flickering lights of a winding-down carnival, you smiled.
"i love you too."
he kissed your cheek, nose brushing yours, and whispered, "best night ever."
and yeah, it kind of was.