Do you sit down across from each other, sit close enough that their shoulder bumps with yours, leaving a soft warmth in its wake?
Do you move slowly and steadily, enjoying the gentle breeze that twirls around you, perhaps talking about your day and all the things that come to mind as the world spins in a quiet dance, just for you?
Or do you have to brace yourself as the wind whips across your face and gravity tilts, vision blurring into a flurry of colour as your f/o's cackling face becomes the only thing you can see clearly?
Does only one of you spin your ride, or do both of you work together, hands accidentally brushing as your hand moves atop theirs? Or, perhaps, do you find yourselves working against each other, one of you fighting to spin as fast as possible whilst the other struggles to slow you down? Maybe you try to play your bickering seriously for a moment before one of you cracks, laughter filling the breathless air between you as one of you gives in to the other's wishes...
Whether you have a peaceful ride and step out feeling calm and content, or experience a whirlwind that leaves you stumbling, wild-haired and grinning, they're grateful for the time it gives them with you: for just a moment, the rest of life falls away, and all that remains is the smile of the person they cherish most.
As you wait in line, you feel it: the low rumble beneath your feet, the sudden rush of air, and shrieks of laughter and fear roaring high above your heads before vanishing into the distance, gone as quickly as they came. The moment leaves your heart racing, anticipation buzzing in your chest like a song waiting to for its first breath.
You feel their hand give yours a gentle squeeze, and when you look over, you can see it: the way they gaze up at the looming structure, eyes agleam, smile climbing their face as they look at you... they're just as excited as you are—pure, simple excitement—and it fills them with a radiance that leaves them glowing. You find it hard to look away.
You chat as the line moves forward—discussing what you want to do next, pointing out parts of the ride to each other that you think will be particularly thrilling, squabbling and setting bets on who will keep their cool and who will start screaming first—and in what feels like mere moments, you're getting ready to board.
You find your seats, lock yourselves in, and share a quick look: Are you excited? Nervous? Somewhere in-between? What look do they give you in return? A bright smile? A worried grimace? A joking salute? A resolute, serious nod?
Before either of you can say anything, the contraption shivers below you, then begins its slow, crawling ascent.
You feel gravity begin to tug at you as the carriage tilts back, you head now rest on the seat not behind, but beneath you. The sky shakes as you rise to meet it, a deep blue abyss speckled with puffs of white... When you turn your head, you realise you can see the whole fair from up here, dots moving far below you as crowds of people wander between rides, games, and stalls. As you watch, they seem to shrink, growing further and further away.
This ride is... higher than you thought. Much higher.
Maybe you begin to feel a cold dread rush into your stomach—or, perhaps, you feel a thrill of excitement, only to hear a slight, shaking gasp to your side that reveals your f/o's unease. Either way, one of you notices the other is afraid and reaches out, hands finding each other as you reach the peak: they're warm, solid, and real. This is safe, everything will be okay. Despite it all, you both relax, if only for a moment.
The cart teeters. You hold your breath. The world tilts down, and you begin to fall.
Wind and colours and motion all blur into one as you rocket through the ride, twists and turns melding into one wild dance as you're thrown back and forth, spun around, and turned upside down. Blood rushes in your ears, pounding like a drum, and you barely hear the screams around you, can't register if they're someone else's or your own, but as air streaks across your skin and sunlight flashes like fleeting sparks of gold across your vision, the rush of adrenaline turns away from shock and surges into sheer, unadulterated joy. The thrum in your veins cries out, flooding your body and echoing like a chorus through your mind: I'm alive I'm alive I'm alive.
You take a deep breath, the first you've had in what feels like a lifetime, and you finally catch a sound you recognise, right by your side: your f/o's laughter. They still haven't let go of your hand: they clutch you tightly, fingers firmly interlocked. You don't let go.
As you race along, you close your eyes, letting the wind carry your worries away.
After what feels like both a second and an eternity, you slow to a halt. It takes a moment for everything to stop spinning... As you reorient yourself, you look over to your f/o.
They're beaming. Clothing ruffled, any hair or fur they have wild and wind-streaked, breaths fast, maybe even bordering on giggling as they stumble out of their seat onto solid ground. They look back at you and stop for a moment, taking in the sight of you... a warm smile grows on their lips, eyes crinkling with adoration at what they see.
Maybe they wrap an arm around you, asking how you feel, checking if you're okay; maybe they start exclaiming about the ride immediately, talking about their favourite parts and listening eagerly as you share your own before asking if you want to go again; maybe they let out a sigh of relief, or a chuckle of laughter, before resting their head on your shoulder, finding steadiness in your presence.
In the highs and lows, the fear and the thrills, your f/o always loves doing things with you. Whether they normally enjoy rides like this or they only came along so they could do it with you, this is a memory they're going to cherish for a long time. They hope there are many more to come.
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Alternatively, if rollercoasters scare you but you still want to try it out, your f/o is ready to give their full and unwavering support.
As the line inches forward, they distract you from your nerves with jokes or gentle conversation, and offer to hold your hand. They give you space to talk about all your worries about what could go wrong, affirming your feelings whilst reminding that this is safe: everything will be okay.
They'll keep giving you reminders as many times as you need as the ride ascends, hold your hand throughout, share in your excitement and joy when you make it out the other side—they're so proud of you!
Your f/o is honoured that you trust them enough to let them support you when you want to try something new, even if you're frightened. They want to help you live life to the fullest, no matter what that means to you.
And if you realise at the last minute that you don't want to go on the ride? That's okay too! They'll walk out of the queue with you, hold you if you need a moment to calm down and help you steady your breathing.
After, you find something else you can do together at the funfair; maybe a more beginner-friendly rollercoaster, or a teacup ride, or perusing the foodstalls and games. Your happiness is their priority, and they're glad to spend time with you no matter what you do together. Wherever your happiness goes, their joy follows soon after.
