The stars had just begun to flicker to life, scattered like confetti across a velvet sky. Lanterns floated through the warm air as couples and friends meandered through the glowing lanes of the Starlight Carnival. Bright booths were lined with glittering prizes, fairy floss spun in impossible colors, and the air shimmered with enchantment.

Raven Queen walked beside Dexter Charming, her arm linked with his. She wore her signature deep purple with silver accents that shimmered like spell-light. Dexter, ever the dashing and slightly flustered prince, had actually swapped out his usual princely gear for a casual blue jacket and dark jeans—though his crown still sat slightly askew on his head, as if it couldn't help but remind people he was royalty.

"Okay, so which ride is least likely to malfunction and trap us forever in a swirling dimension of doom?" Raven teased, peering up at the Ferris wheel in the distance.

Dexter grinned. "Definitely not the tilt-a-whirl. Hopper practically lost his lunch on that last week."

"Ugh. Poor guy."

"But…" He nudged her gently. "The Ferris wheel? It's slow, it's safe, and you get to see the whole kingdom. Plus," he added, eyes hopeful, "it's apparently very romantic."

Raven raised an eyebrow. "Is that a fact? Or are you quoting Princess Quarterly again?"

He gave her his best sheepish smile, complete with a small shrug. "A little of both?"

She laughed, bumping her shoulder against his. "Fine, Charming. Let's go be cliché."

They stepped into the Ferris wheel car, and the gentle hum of enchantment began to lift them slowly off the ground. The lights below grew distant, like a sea of fireflies. Wind rustled through Raven's long hair, and Dexter turned his head just enough to catch the way moonlight danced off her silver streaks.

"Hey," he said softly.

She turned.

"You're… really beautiful up here."

Raven blinked. "Up here?"

"I mean—you're always beautiful," he rushed to say, cheeks reddening, "but something about the moonlight and the—uh—the elevation—"

"You're terrible at compliments," she deadpanned.

He groaned. "I know."

"But," she said, slipping her fingers into his, "I love that you still try."

He looked at their hands, a smile curling up. "Is it working?"

Raven leaned in, her voice just above a whisper. "A little."

They sat in a comfortable hush as the wheel climbed higher. Around them, the breeze whispered through the trees and distant carnival music floated up like a lullaby. Raven kicked off her boots and tucked her legs beneath her, curling toward Dexter as if this little skyward bubble belonged to just them.

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders automatically. It still amazed him sometimes—that she let him be close, that she trusted him like this. She, who had spent so long guarded, wary, half-convinced she had to be alone to protect everyone else.

"Hey," he said again, quieter this time.

"Hmm?"

I know this is just a ride, but... I wish time would slow down."

Raven glanced up at him, heart stuttering in that way it only did when he said something soft and sweet and entirely Dexter.

"I think," she said slowly, "that maybe it just did."

And then—CLUNK.

The Ferris wheel gave a lurch and stopped cold. They swayed slightly as the car rocked gently at the very top of the wheel.

Dexter froze. "Tell me that was… part of the ride."

Raven peered over the edge. "I don't think it is."

They waited. One minute. Two. Five.

Still nothing.

Dexter gulped. "So. We're stuck."

"Seems like it."

"Permanently?"

Raven laughed. "No. Just… temporarily."

He nodded slowly, then gave her a sideways glance. "So this is how our fairy tale ends. Frozen in the sky, doomed to snack on cotton candy forever."

"I've had worse endings."

"Really?"

"Yep. Once I accidentally set my potion book on fire and summoned a tiny storm elemental in the dorm."

He blinked. "Seriously?"

"Swear on my mom's throne."

They both burst out laughing. The kind of laughter that made your chest hurt in the best way.

To pass the time, Raven pulled out two mini caramel apples from her bag—because of course she had snacks—and they shared them, taking bites and arguing about which flavor was better. Dexter got sticky caramel on his cheek, and Raven used her sleeve to wipe it off before flicking his nose gently.

He caught her wrist before she could pull away and laced their fingers again.

"I like this," he said.

She tilted her head. "What?"

"Just… being with you. With no expectations. No destiny stuff. No pressure. Just… us."

Her breath hitched, a soft smile curling at her lips. "Yeah. Me too."

Dexter hesitated, then reached into his pocket again. This time, he pulled out a folded, hand-drawn doodle of the two of them on a Ferris wheel—stick figures, slightly terrible, but unmistakably them.

"You drew this?"

He nodded. "It was supposed to be my way of asking you to come tonight. But I chickened out and just blurted it instead."

Raven unfolded the drawing carefully, holding it like a precious spell.

"I'm keeping this," she said firmly.

He blinked. "Really? Even with my lopsided crown and your spaghetti hair?"

She smiled. "Especially because of that."

Just then, the wheel creaked to life and began to move again.

They didn't speak as they descended, too lost in each other's company. Raven rested her head on his shoulder. Dexter leaned his cheek on her hair.

"I kind of wish we got stuck longer," he said quietly.

She hummed. "Next time, we rig it."

He grinned. "Deal."

Back on the ground, the world rushed in like a tidal wave—noisy, bright, and full of motion. But Raven held onto his hand like an anchor.

"Come on," she said. "Let's get matching slushies. Your treat, Charming."

"Even if I get blueberry and you judge me for it?"

"I'll always judge you for it," she teased. "But I'll still steal a sip."

He chuckled, and they walked into the fair, lights flashing around them—but nothing brighter than the glow between them.