Zain even won a tiny stuffed rabbit at the dart toss, and Theo teased him about it endlessly.
“Is that your lucky charm or are you planning to give that to someone special?” Theo grinned, holding the stuffed rabbit up by its ears like it was a joke.
Zain shrugged, feeling his cheeks warm. “It’s mine, okay? I just like it.”
Theo chuckled, clearly enjoying Zain’s embarrassment. They moved on to the ring toss next, and even though Zain wasn’t the best at it, Theo was a natural. He easily landed three rings in a row, winning the biggest stuffed bear at the booth.
“Show-off,” Zain muttered, half in awe, half annoyed.
Theo flashed him a grin. “Hey, I’m just here to win you stuff.”
Zain rolled his eyes but felt a flutter in his chest. They were laughing now, the noise from the fair mixing with their voices, and everything felt easy. Theo handed him the bear without asking, and Zain hesitated for a second before accepting it, feeling like maybe it was a little more than just a stuffed animal now.
They wandered toward the Ferris wheel next, the giant wheel towering above them, the lights flashing in different colors. The line was long, but Theo didn’t seem to mind, and Zain wasn’t sure if it was because he actually liked waiting or if it was just another excuse to stand next to him.
“So, uh, are we going up there?” Zain asked, pointing at the Ferris wheel, suddenly feeling a bit unsure. Heights weren’t his thing.
Theo looked at him, his eyes full of amusement. “Only if you’re brave enough.”
Zain groaned, rolling his eyes. “Okay, yeah, I’m totally brave.”
The ride was actually pretty chill, and Zain couldn’t help but enjoy it once they were up there, even if his palms were still a little sweaty. Theo was relaxed beside him, looking out over the fairgrounds, the lights below them creating a warm glow that made everything seem... perfect.
“You good?” Theo asked, turning to him with a small grin.
“Yeah,” Zain said, his heart beating a little faster, “this isn’t so bad.”
They stayed up there for a few more rounds, talking about everything and nothing, and it felt like time was slowing down. As the Ferris wheel finally came to a stop and they climbed out, Zain found himself feeling lighter, more at ease. Maybe it was just the fair, or maybe it was because of the guy standing next to him. Either way, he wasn’t complaining.
The night seemed to go on forever, but before Zain knew it, they were heading back to Theo’s car. The bright lights of the fair faded behind them as the car engine hummed softly. Theo turned the radio on, and the music filled the car, but it was quieter than usual, the space between them suddenly feeling heavier. Zain glanced at Theo, his heart pounding again, a different kind of energy crackling in the air.
“Thanks for tonight,” Zain said, his voice quieter than he meant it to be.
Theo smiled, glancing at him quickly before returning his attention to the road. “No problem. I’m glad you came.”
Zain’s heart skipped a beat, and before he could stop himself, he blurted out, “I had fun... more than I thought I would.”
Theo looked over at him, his eyes soft, his gaze lingering just a little too long. The air between them seemed to crackle, something unspoken passing between them. Zain felt his breath catch in his throat.
Then, without thinking, Zain leaned forward, his hand finding its way to the side of Theo’s face, and before either of them could say anything else, he kissed him.
It was soft at first, unsure, both of them figuring it out in real-time. But then Theo's hand came up to the back of Zain’s neck, pulling him closer, and the kiss deepened, becoming more urgent, more real. Zain’s heart was pounding in his chest, and his mind was racing, but none of that mattered as he felt the warmth of Theo's lips against his.
When they finally pulled away, the world outside the car felt far away, like it didn’t matter anymore. Zain’s breath was uneven, and he couldn’t wipe the grin off his face.
Theo didn’t say anything right away. He just smiled, his eyes a little softer than usual. “You know,” he said, voice low, “I wasn’t expecting that.”
Zain couldn’t help but laugh, his nerves still buzzing from the kiss. “Neither was I,” he admitted.
Before he could say anything else, Theo’s hand shot out, gripping the back of his neck and pulling him in again. Harder this time. The kiss came crashing down on him, rough and urgent, and Zain’s heart skipped a beat. This was different. No hesitation. No softness. Just heat.
Theo’s lips were firm, insistent, and Zain didn’t think, didn’t question it. His hands moved instinctively, one sliding into Theo’s hair, the other grasping the edge of his jacket. The air around them seemed to thrum with energy as the kiss deepened, getting harder, more desperate. Zain could taste the way Theo’s breath mingled with his own, the sharp edge of something he couldn't name, but he didn’t want to stop. Not yet.
Theo’s grip tightened, pulling Zain closer, his lips crashing against Zain’s with a force that made him gasp. It was almost like Theo was trying to erase the space between them, trying to make this moment last forever. Zain could feel the heat radiating off Theo’s body, and it made his stomach flip. Every nerve was on fire, his senses overloaded with the sensation of Theo’s hands, his lips, his presence.
Zain couldn’t breathe. Couldn't think. All he could do was follow Theo's lead, pressing back into him, matching the intensity, the urgency. The kiss was no longer gentle, no longer careful. It was raw, filled with all the unspoken things that had been hanging between them, things neither of them had said out loud but both understood.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless, their bodies still pressed close. Zain’s lips tingled, his mind spinning with the intensity of it all. He was dizzy with it, but he didn’t want it to stop. Not now. Not ever.
Theo’s voice was barely above a whisper, and his hands were still resting against Zain’s shoulders, like he wasn’t ready to let go. “What the hell was that?” he asked, his breath heavy.
Zain didn’t have an answer. Not yet. All he could do was stare at Theo, his chest still heaving, his mind racing to catch up with what had just happened. He didn’t know where this was going, didn’t know what it meant, but it felt too good to be a mistake.
“I don’t know,” Zain finally said, his voice raspy. “But I think I like it.”
Theo’s smile was crooked, but there was something in his eyes something soft, something real that made Zain’s heart beat faster. “Me too,” Theo replied quietly, and for the first time in a long time, Zain felt like maybe, just maybe, this was exactly where he was supposed to be.
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