Fluffuary Day 14: Tunnel of Love - Bob Floyd x Reader
Nowadays, there's no need for such amusements. But for an upstanding guy like him, it provides just the right environment and proximity to do something you'd both been waiting for
It was a bright, sunny day. Children were shrieking with laughter, families pointing along at each attraction, couples sharing deep fried sweets, friends taking goofy pictures near the stands.
You were sitting at a round table just outside the concession stand. Bob was in line, greatfully ordering a meal for you to share, indistinguishable among the rest of the flock of boyfriends sent to fetch their date a drink.
Hours went along like nothing since you'd been at this carnival. Exploring each ride, enjoying the shows, reserving the likely rigged games for the end of the night so you wouldn't have to worry about where to put any prizes.
With him there, even the wait was fun. Leaning against his chest, his arms guarding the rails around you, asking strange questions just to see him put his thinking face on.
He wasn't much of a man for panic on these rides, maybe his job cured him of that, always moving at rapid speeds, danger prominent. He just smiled and laughed, politely averting his amusement at your expense. Never teasing, always careful to make sure you weren't embarrassed, changing topics to distract when he noticed any flicker of self consciousness show on your figure.
He returned just then, arms balancing a basket full of precariously topped fatty fries, smothered barbecue burger, and chocolatey swirled shake.
"Hey, so, they ran out of strawberry. But if you still want one later, I'll buy you one from somewhere on the way home."
He set everything down, pushing the basket more towards you, then sat across the table.
"That's alright. But the funnel cakes? Let's get one of those later."
He nodded, eyes watching you pick at the fries first. And grabbed the paper wrapped burger, placing it in your hands instead. "Well, if you decide you're still hungry, go ahead and tell me. I'll get you anything y'want."
You bit back a smile.
You had told him you weren't hungry for your own platter, said it'd be smarter to share. Meant it. Had eaten something filling prior to the date just so you wouldn't have to worry too much about food.
Clearly he didn't believe you.
But it was nothing short of sweet to see him wanting to ensure you were taken care of.
"I know, Bob. Thank you."
It pacified him to see you take a bite.
He busied himself with unwrapping two straws for the shake, burrowing them into the mountain of whipped cream threatening to spill over the rim, eating his own half of the fries.
"Are you having fun so far? I know it's a bit crowded, but that's part of the charm, right? I think next time we should check out the fair when it comes around. My family was always helping out with those, so I know my way around. You'll be in good hands."
"I'd love that."
His ears flushed red, cheeks puffing into a smile. "Good. M'glad to hear that."
As you ate, you leaned back, resting your feet purposely beside his. And he reciprocated, telling you all about growing up in his small town, the days he'd spend playing carnival games like the ones all around, assuring that'd you'd go home with at least one big prize tonight.
Dabbing your lips with a napkin, then handing him the other half of the burger, and the switch began. Sharing your own stories of attraction filled places, far less than he visited, suggesting that you'd very much like to visit the place he grew up one day.
It was steady, a pleasant comfort settling in your bones, smile like honey on your lips, cheek sinking into your palm, leaning his way over the table.
He was more aware of each movement than you were. Fingers tapping against the table, hand running through his hair, reaching to adjust his glasses, jaw clenching up in a mimick of his inner struggle.
It wasn't that he was uncomfortable, that couldn't be further from the truth. Ever since you went on your first date all those months ago, time with you had become the smoothest thing ever. Ask him anything and he was an open book. Tell him to do something and he'd find a way to do it. He found everything easier with you. Everything had been going perfectly.
And that was exactly why he was alight with nerves right now.
He had been wanting to do something all day, was planning to do it before you left the carnival grounds tonight. It was a matter of when. Of what timing was right.
This time certainly wasn't right.
But with you looking at him like that, moving in like you didn't know what you did to him, touching him like you didn't mind his company? He had to question his self control.
Still, he kept up being polite, wanting to prove to himself - and you - that he was a gentleman.
He drew the shake towards himself, focusing on the cool chill kissing his skin, then sipped on the delightful drink.
He didn't expect you to lean in further and join him in slurping. Sure, there were two straws so you could each have your share. But he never imagined that you'd use it at the same time.
You were so close, hand not propping your cheek drifting towards his, nails smooth where they grazed along his knuckles. Noses practically nuzzling, eyes locked like this didn't have to be the scariest thing ever, breaths mingling with a taste of what he hoped was a recurrent fact of the near future.
That thought? That thought soothed him.
His hand turned over in yours, not lacing and not particularly holding. But reciprocating your gesture with gentle caressing of his own.
The shake finished fast, dolloping whipped cream onto each other's noses, him insisting you had the single cherry that sunk to the bottom of the cup.
Then you were of again, wandering the grounds for the last remaining rides. His hand a firm guide low on your back, shoulders bumping, giggles bubbling.
Then it was the last ride.
A line filled of pairs like you and him, all merrily leaning into the other's arms, shuffling closer to the small boat that'd float them through the heart shaped hole of the unknown.
Sign clear above the attraction.
It's hard to tell which of you had walked in its direction first. But if asked, you could blame it on the fact that you went on all the other rides already and simply didn't want to leave one out.
Neither of you had shared the word that was the main draw of this ride yet.
And neither protested getting on this embodiment of it.
Bob helped you in chivalrously, holding your hand to steady you as you got on, steadying you by the waist till both feet were in. Then sat beside you, shifting a tad closer than was necessary, thighs by yours, arm on the back of the seat, taking a deep breath and a weak chuckle when you looked to him.
A moment of listening to the attendant explain safety rules.
Then the boat rocked, and off you went through the red painted doors.
Inside was much darker than either of you expected, and you shifted closer as a result.
The water rippling was the only sound for about a minute, his breath soft by your ear, before music began to play.
The words were missed by you, audio too shaky to understand beyond a few conjunctions. Yellow lights flickered on in sections to display the core of the ride. Animatronics sat in their coves, lush forests with playful fairies, jumping gnomes, dancing posies, and, of course, a boy and girl, who'd be the star of this ride's story.
"This ride's old," Bob commented with a laugh. It sounded nervous. Was he the type who thought dolls were creepy? You'd never asked him before.
You felt the ghost of his hand moving back and forth by your shoulder. Like he wanted to put his arm around you but wasn't sure if it was allowed.
That was silly. You'd been close as possible all day, hadn't you? Of course it was okay.
Your stomach flipped when you reached up to hold his hand, bringing his arm down comfortably over your shoulder.
The sound of fabric shifting as he moved closer was loud.
You smiled happily, biting on the inside of your lip, greatful for the awful lighting in the tunnel. Then rested your head on his shoulder.
His heartbeat was strong under your ear.
The ride moved slowly, allowing time to appreciate the scenery.
The boy and girl lovers, parted for a spell, girl remaining in the peaceful wood to grow into a beautiful woman, boy leaving to the kingdom to become a strong knight. A story you could guess the ending of, visuals alone sufficient enough to weave the joyous tale.
The boat floated along the tracks, taking your as far as the point in the story where the woman was being visited by the witch who'd been trying to fell the man since he'd been knighted. Then jerked, stopping abruptly, and the music dropped octaves to a creepy groan before finally stopping entirely. The scenes stilled, lights still on, water slapping along the walls. But nothing else.
No announcements or noises from anyone else further along or behind you on the ride.
You gave it a moment, thinking surely they'd figure out the issue, or at least inform riders of it.
But nothing.
Your thumb scratched at Bob's hand. "The ride ain't long, right? We could walk to the exit if we wanted?"
He squeezed lightly, other hand coming up to pull your knees over his. "We won't need to. Just be patient."
You hummed and decided to look around at what you could see. Ahead and behind it was far too dark, only besides you where the animatronic sets were on display, characters' faces distorted the longer you stared at them. The lights reflected off the water around you, glittering over depths you couldn't see below. Nothing above except for a chill breeze.
You wouldn't be surprised if suddenly the already poor lights switched off and left you in darkness.
"Well, I suppose I was due for a malfunction at some point in my life." You tried to joke.
Bob squeezed again. "Not exactly the ending I had planned. Hope this doesn't eliminate carnivals from the list of date ideas?"
You smiled at him "of course not. You still owe me prizes after all."
He breathed out a laugh, resting his forehead to yours. "Right, right. I'll get you double to make up for this."
His glasses were gleaming in the faint light, a beacon for you to keep towards while this whole thing lasted.
"Better this than a haunted house ride."
"I think they're both equally creepy."
You giggled and he followed along, arms moving to wrap around your waist instead. It was comforting, ease flowing off him in a grounding presence. You shut your eyes, taking deep breaths.
"You're real pretty," he murmured.
That voice of his was oh so charming.
"Thank you." You murmured back.
He chuckled, body moving with the sound, before trailing off into a weighty silence.
You felt a hand cup your cheek, warmth sending a feel-good tingle down your spine. His thumb stroked steadily along the bone, breath settling against your lips in a tempting wisp.
"I'd like to ask y'something selfish," he addressed you, voice gentle, fading back into an unsuspecting country twang it always did when he was serious. Barely there, not noticeable if you didn't pay attention. But a cute quirk you noticed the longer you spent with him. "I know there's still probably a better time. But I'm getting to think that if we're stuck here any longer, I may not have the heart to keep myself from just doing it like I've been trying not to. So, I need to ask."
You swallowed, letting your eyes open to meet his head on. Nodded, "yeah, go ahead."
He licked his lips, grip on you tightening in response to the new wave of nerves that washed over him.
His other hand left your waist to grab your hand. Not a modern hold, scooping your fingers into his, so his thumb could brush along the knuckles.
"I wanna kiss you," he spoke your name. "And the urge is bad. You've been looking at me all day like you'd be nothing short of okay with it. And that's amazin' but I'm afraid if you don't want that happening tonight, y'll have to stop bein' so comfortable with me. I want to do this right cause that's all that you deserve. And I just need you to know that this is where my mind has been at all day."
Both his hands were on your face now, brushing back the hair framing it, breath noticably shaky in his chest.
"It was a matter of when, but now it's a matter of how. And if you'd even like that yourself. But, I'm serious about you," he uttered, "and I need y'to know that if you let me do this, it's not just some little kiss to me. It's everything an' more." He swallowed again, letting out a nervous laugh, "so, may I? May I kiss you," he whispered your name again.
You nodded, not trusting your voice right now, fear and joy rocketing through your system.
But, "I need a real answer."
So, then you swallowed, nodding again with a soft, "yes. Please. Yes, you may."
And so he did.
Hands tilting your head to press his lips to yours, deep inhale responded to by a whine spilling from your chest. Your hands held his wrists, keeping him on you, while your eyes shut in tandem.
Everything felt tingly, heart pounding mercilessly behind your ribs, stomach skipping to the proximity of him.
He tasted of that chocolate from earlier and you could only hope you did too.
He angled you again, change only heightening the depth, making you understand what melting means as you allowed him to take as much as he pleased.
Till the boat lunched forward, tearing you both apart with a breathy smack of parted lips, hearts jolting at the scare. The music crackled again and robots moved, ride moving you along to witness the rest of the story.
Bob laughed nervously as did you, each adjusting to sit back properly on the seat.
"Mm ... I should've prepared for that."
"You can't be ready for everything, Robert," you teased, settling more comfortably into his chest now.
His own arms encased you easily. "I think it's part of my job. Which I'm very good at by the way."
You hummed, shutting your eyes and tuning into the soundtrack that was his heart.
"Guess with you though, it just means I'll have to keep getting better."
"You're already perfect, Bob. Already are."
You didn't need this ride to tell you that the woman ends up saved by her knight, off to the palace to share a kiss that spelled their happily ever after.
Cause you were living that story just right here, a knight of your very own to lead you into that same great destiny.
Taglist: @iristheplanet16
