Carnival/Fun fair AU, original idea by @donttouchrummy
1p2p Germany
As loud as he had the potential to be, Ludwig did not actually like using his voice to pander to an audience. He did so because he had to for his job but on his own time, he wouldn’t raise his voice for anyone or anything. Not that he doesn’t like his job. Ludwig likes it fine. The hours are fairly flexible and it really does not take much effort to do.
The large hammer handle rests under his hands with the heavy fat end getting dirty because Ludwig honestly does not believe the hammer needs to be on the tarp at all times. The dirt makes no difference. Whoever had an anal retentive meltdown finding a grain of sand on one of the other games needed take a chill pill. And that’s a lot coming from him.
The tarp is fairly wide, a large dark blue circle to keep most of the dirt from interfering with the game itself. A large metal contraption with a shinning bell standing 15 feet in the air. Markers are placed every foot commenting on the possible strength of the person who swings the hammer down on the target to shoot an admittedly unfairly heavy metal cylinder to the top.
Ludwig’s average is 13 feet.
“Step right up and test your strength, see you if can ring the bell for a prize!” He shouts out. A large pole in the ground with little notches is next to him, large stuffed animals hanging down from strings that are only given out to those who can ring the bell. There is no second place. Either you win or you don’t.
He puts on a semi smirky smile as people look his direction, whispering to each other if they should try or not. Some men nudge each other trying to goad another into trying. Some other girls with bright red lipstick are sizing up the size of the machine. Ludwig nods his head politely to a little girl that comes up to him with a five dollar bill.
“Are you ready?” He asks softly. The little girl twists up her nose with a look of determination in her eyes and nods quickly. Her parents to the side smile proudly. Ludwig helps her hold the hammer, positioning it in her hands just a little. When she goes to swing the hammer he secretly helps her lift it and push it down to give the swing more power.
“Sorry sweetheart,” He says with a shrug as her hit only goes as high as three feet. Her parents call her back and she goes happily, especially as Ludwig sneaks her one of the smaller stuffed animal prizes for her hard work. He only does so for the children. One of the other vendors allows him to sneak some of their prizes for such purposes. He could get in trouble but hey, he’s making money and that’s all the owners really care about.
He runs a hand through his hair as he watches the small family teeter off. With another shout out for his game, his hands rest on the hammer. He watches a few people as they look his way and other skitter past without a second look. Neither really matter to him.
“Oh fuck yes,” He hears and turns just in time to see a ten dollar bill being waved in his face by a very over enthusiastic person. The black beanie on their head is pushed back on and the blonde curls peek out from the fabric. Ludwig takes their ten and hands over the hammer.
“I’m gunna fucking own this rigged as shit game,” They say and twist the hammer between their hands. The lift it over their shoulder and position themselves a few times to find optimal swing conditions. Ludwig just watches with his arms crossed in a lazy way.
He has to admit their form is not the worst he’s ever seen for someone trying to hit the bell. An arching swing and a lowering of their body to get the most force they possibly can. They get to 12 feet.
“Fuck!” They hiss as if trying to be quiet but still end up slightly shouting anyway. Ludwig might have told them to watch their language but he really doesn’t care.
“So tell me strongman, how high can you get?” Instead of taking his second swing right away, the customer sends a wicked smirk Ludwig’s way. Ludwig has enough sense to know that’s a semi-flirt. He fidgets with his fingers at the sudden attention.
“High enough to make it look easy,” He says smartly. He’s not sure if it’s a good thing to get this customer to laugh their head off. They flip their leather jacket collar with spunk and lift the hammer back over their shoulder to swing again. They get 13 feet that time.
“Better luck next ti-” Ludwig doesn’t finish his sentence as the customer waves another ten in his face. He takes it and add it to the money pile. They get in position but just before they make the lift to hit the target, they stop and give Ludwig a mischievous smile.
“Say beefcake,” He winks at the nickname and Ludwig has to grind his teeth to try and will the embarrassment off his face. The customer drops his position to stand a little more sassily.
“Hows about a bet?” It’s an offer, and one Ludwig is technically not allowed to take. Bets are a violation of his code of conduct and there are some rules he still follows.
“If I get a higher hit than you, you allow me to take you out for dinner,” They say and their tongue runs over their teeth like an animal who knows they are getting the biggest piece of meat. All of Ludwig’s logical rebuttals to a bet are lost in his mouth and his jaw just drops.
“What?” Is all he ends up asking. The customer laughs, placing a casual hand on his hip.
“I think you’re cute, and have no sense of control,” They explain like it’s no big deal. Ludwig sighs and rubs the back of his head. He’s not reckless enough to accept the bet, but he’s also not stupid enough to see that the customer is fairly attractive and charming in their own wild way.
“That’s ridiculous,” He says. The customer laughs again and holds out his hand for Ludwig to shake as if any of this could be proper.
“Name’s Lutz,” He introduces with a wink. Ludwig grimaces at him but still shakes his hand.
“Ludwig,” He says and takes the hammer from Lutz, getting into position and shifting his foot on the tarp. With a deep breath he swings the hammer up and over, hitting right at 13 feet, the little bar at that level lighting up to signal it’s so.
Lutz smirks and takes the hammer, also taking position just a little different from Ludwig’s. He makes a huff of a noise and swings. 12 feet.
“Better luck next time,” Ludwig says and Lutz pouts at him. Ludwig has to hide his face to hide the slightly playful smirk on his face at the pout Lutz gives him. There’s another ten waved in his face and Ludwig accepts the trial again. This time he gets 14 feet and Lutz’s jaw drops.
“Son of a bitch,” He says but there’s a day dream look on his face and he looks at Ludwig like he’s made of magic. Ludwig shifts under the gaze not sure how to deal with it. Lutz whistles at him and then takes position. It takes 5 minutes for Lutz to actually swing the hammer.
There’s a loud ringing noise and a few flashing lights to show off that the top bell has been hit hard enough to warrant a prize. Ludwig runs a hand through his hair, the corner of his mouth twitches up as Lutz smiles at him like the Cheshire cat resting on the hammer.
“So will my prize be your number or a time and place?” It’s a coo and one that makes Ludwig hide his face in his hand. He shakes his head to whatever just happened and then manages to smile up at Lutz. The other beams at the expression.
It’s a little awkward as Ludwig puts in his number in the phone of this stranger, not exactly sure why he’s going through with this. They are charming, and he will admit to being a little weak to someone with the gall to actually make a bet like that with him.
“Talk to you later stud muffin,” Lutz winks and saunters off with a small bounce in his step. Ludwig doesn’t have the care to look away when Lutz turns to smirk at him. When he knows he’s not being watched any more he hides his face entirely in his arms, the embarrassment catching up with him. He’s not sure what just happened, but when a text comes in from Lutz telling him he’s swooning over Ludwig’s strength, he’s sure it’s not a bad thing.
