Fred looks around as soon as he steps from the Shadows with Gideon, and his jaw drops before he swings back to look up at the Shadow Demon with a beaming smile.
"Is this… Did you bring me to a magical amusement park? Georgie is going to be jealous!" He laughs in delight and starts to dart off towards the closest ride.
But Gideon's hand clamps around Fred's wrist like a vice, holding him back. His grey eyes glint with a mischievous light that makes Fred pause in his tracks. "Not so fast, Fred," he says, his voice low and teasing. "Let me show you around. This is supposed to be a date after all, not a game of ditch the Mentor."
Around them, the amusement park hummed with a magical energy that was infectious. The twinkling lights of the Ferris wheel caught Fred's wide blue eyes, and the laughter of pixies could be heard from every corner. Gideon led him towards a towering roller coaster that snaked through a field of glittering clouds.
"Hold on, it travels through clouds?" Fred's voice hitched in pure delight as he trailed the rollercoaster's path with wide eyes. The fluffy white clusters shimmered with rainbow hues, reflecting the sunlight in a stunning spectacle of colors. He could feel his wings fluttering against his back, itching for the freedom of flight the ride promised.
Gideon chuckled softly. "Yes, and that's only the beginning." With an encouraging smile, he gently tugged on Fred's hand, leading him towards the entrance of the ride.
Once they reached the front of the line, the ride seemed to roar in anticipation as they approached it. Twisting tracks disappeared into clouds then reappeared for a moment before plunging into another set of clouds. Fred's gaze followed the path of one cart in particular as it flew over their heads and swooped down suddenly out of sight.
His heart pounded with excitement, his wings twitching uncontrollably, the urge to soar overwhelming. "Let's go!" He laughed, pulling Gideon towards the ride. Yet, the older Demon remained calm, his grip firm yet reassuring on Fred's hand.
They climbed into the cart, Fred felt Gideon's firm hand pressing into his lower back, guiding him in.
He settled into his seat and they fastened their safety harnesses. The ride operator, a sly-looking creature with purple skin and beady eyes, gave them a toothy grin as he started up the machinery. As their cart began to climb the steep incline that led to the first drop, Fred looked over at Gideon. The Shadow Demon's grey eyes held a glint of excitement much like his own.
"Ready?" Gideon asked just before they crested the hill. Fred simply smirked and raised his hands high above his head as they plunged down the other side.
The wind whipped through Fred's vibrant red hair as they careened around twists and turns, plunging into and out of iridescent clouds. His laughter echoed behind them, and was quickly left behind, so great was their speed. Fred could feel drops of moisture from the clouds misting his face as they hurtled through it. As they descended at a breathtaking speed, Fred let out another whoop of joy.
Through the dizzying rush of adrenaline, Fred could hardly believe the sensation of soaring through clouds. They were far denser than they appeared from a distance, yet soft as cotton candy against his skin. The cart whipped around a particularly tight bend, and Fred was flung sideways. The only thing saving him from ending up in Gideon's lap was the safety harness he wore. He still ended up pressed so tightly to the Warrior's side it felt like they had become one person.
"A bit different from riding a broom, isn't it?" Gideon called out over the roar of the wind, an exhilarating laugh escaping him. His hair was tousled by the wind, a wide grin on his face as he wrapped an arm around Fred, keeping him close even as the ride twisted in a different direction.
Fred could only respond with a wide grin as their cart made another plunge downward, followed by an immediate uphill twist that turned their world upside down for a breathless moment. It was unlike any ride he'd experienced; the thrill of flight and speed all rolled into one.
As they exited the last loop of the roller coaster and slowed towards the platform, Fred realized that Gideon's arm was still wrapped around him. He looked up to see Gideon staring at him, a smile still curling his lips.
The clouds parted as they drew to a stop, and Fred was momentarily blinded by the golden sunlight streaming through. Once his vision cleared, he glanced at Gideon again and noticed a wild light dancing within his grey eyes. It sent a thrill of excitement coursing through him.
"Again!" Fred shouted, bouncing in his seat as pure exhilaration coursed through him.
Gideon laughed heartily, shaking his head. "There's more to see," he insisted, pulling Fred away from the ride and back towards the rest of the amusement park.
They soon reached a beautifully decorated carousel, and before Fred had a chance to make a comment about it being a kiddie ride, his mouth snapped shut again. The Fae ahead of them had gotten onto one of the horses, and it came to magical life! Taking off in a gallop, running in circles along an invisible path up and down the outside of the carousel!
Fred gaped, utterly entranced as the Fae rider urged his steed higher, laughing with unabashed joy as they soared above the carousel. The horse's tail and mane shimmered in a starburst of colours, making the spectacle even more mesmerising.
"Want to try?" Gideon asked, amusement dancing in his grey eyes.
Fred nodded eagerly, barely able to contain his excitement. Together, they waited for their turn.
"How about that one, Gideon?" He pointed at a winged Pegasus carved so intricately its feathers seemed to ripple with the wind.
Gideon followed his gaze, raising an eyebrow as he noted the life-sized, levitating carousel animal. "You always do choose the most daring, don't you?" He sounded amused rather than disapproving.
With a whoop of glee, Fred darted toward the Pegasus once the ride came to a stop. As Gideon followed with a slow and deliberate pace, Fred mounted the Pegasus effortlessly, his eyes alight with mischief. The marble statue beneath him shimmered to life, it's wings flaring out majestically as if it already soared through an unseen sky. A soft whicker escaped the magical creature as Fred stroked its mane, making him chuckle.
Gideon chose a creature that vaguely resembled a dragon for himself. It was not as eye-catching as the Pegasus but elegant in its own right. His braided purple hair was a lighter version of his steed's own.
The moment the ride began, he understood the Fae's exhilaration. Like his predecessor, his horse broke free from the conventional carousel path and galloped along invisible tracks that looped above and below. Gideon's creature keeping pace, just far enough away as not to get in the way of the Pegasus' wings.
Fred let out whoops of joy as they circled above the carousel, the wind whipping through his hair and ruffling his wings. He looked over at Gideon, who wore a serene expression as he guided his steed through loops and dives.
"One more loop!" Fred called over the wind, his eyes sparkling with excitement.
Gideon gave a nod in response. The dragon-like creature he rode let out a rumble, responding to its rider's silent command. Together with Fred's Pegasus, they plunged into a breathtaking dive that brought them circling around the carousel once more before gradually descending back to solid ground.
As the thrill of their ride subsided and they returned to walking pace, Fred looked over at Gideon. His hair was somewhat tousled by the wind, but his calm composure was undisturbed. He dismounted from his dragon creature and turned to help Fred down from his Pegasus.
Fred hopped down with an exhilarated laugh. "That was fun! Where to next?"
They wandered around the amusement park for most of the day, getting on rides as they caught one or the other's eye, and even attempted to win prizes in magical games of chance. Each attraction filled Fred with awe, but nothing compared to the roller coaster ride through the clouds. His wings fluttered ecstatically from the memory alone.
As the sun started to set, they found themselves in front of the ferris wheel. The glittering lights now seemed brighter since they weren't competing with the brightness of the sun. And pixie dust drifted down, falling in glittering sparkles. Gideon took Fred's hand and led him into one of the cars. The moment both were seated, the bar came down in front of them and it lifted into the air.
As they ascended, Fred watched as the amusement park below grew smaller, each ride becoming mere spots of vibrant colors amidst the sprawling landscape. The last strains of the day's light dyed the clouds in orange and pink, a fitting end to an unforgettable day.
The ferris wheel came to a stop at its highest point, offering them an unobstructed view of the entire park and the sunset beyond. The sights were breathtaking; the carousel's twirling lights reflecting in the rippling waters of a nearby lake, various tiny stalls and smaller rides a mere twinkle below them, and the roller coaster looming in the distance.
"Beautiful," Fred murmured, his blue eyes aglow with wonder. Gideon nodded in agreement, his gaze sweeping over the magical landscape before finally settling on Fred.
"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself." Gideon reached out and tugged Fred closer, until the Water Demon was pressed against him from hip to knee. His arms wrapping around his waist as he looked into blue eyes.
"More than enjoyed," Fred responded, his voice barely above a whisper. He found himself leaning into Gideon's solid warmth, his own heartbeat synchronising with the rhythm of the Warrior's.
Gideon reached up and brushed away a stray lock of red hair fluttering across Fred's face. His fingers trailed down to cup the side of Fred's jaw, his thumb gently stroking his freckled cheek. "I don't think I've ever seen you this quiet. Are you ill?"
"Shut up," Fred retorted with a laugh, lightly swatting Gideon's chest. He closed his eyes for a moment as an involuntary shiver ran down his spine at the sight of Gideon's intense gaze, before suddenly surging up and kissing him. "Thank you. This was phenomenal."
Gideon smiled against Fred's lips, his hand sliding from Fred's cheek to rest at the base of his neck. "You're welcome, love," he murmured, pulling back just enough to meet Fred's gaze, before leaning in to kiss him again.
Fred deepened the kiss, his fingers tangling in Gideon's purple braids as he leaned into his touch. The world around them faded away, the only sounds being their shared breaths and the faint whistle of the wind. Gideon's arms tightened around him, pulling him closer until not even a breath could pass between them. He nipped gently at Fred's lower lip before trailing a line of soft kisses down his jawline to his neck. His hands slid down to grip Fred's hips, anchoring him firmly in his lap.
"Wow," Fred breathed out once they broke apart, his face flushed and heart racing. He pressed his forehead against Gideon's, allowing himself a moment to recover. "That was... intense."
"I aim to please," Gideon said with a smirk, tucking a stray lock of hair behind Fred's ear. The ferris wheel began moving again, descending slowly back to ground level. Gideon kept an arm wrapped around Fred as they glided downwards, and Fred made no move to leave Gideon's lap until the car lightly bumped the ground and the bar was raised for them to leave.
Gideon removed his arm from around Fred's waist reluctantly. "We should start heading back," he murmured, caressing Fred's cheek with the pad of his thumb.
Fred nodded and followed Gideon back to the travel point. Stepping close and wrapping his arms around the Shadow Demon's waist as he called Shadow to bring them back.