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The smell of hot oil and popcorn wrapped around the pair of you like a blanket against the early fall chill. Marcus was so excited about the city carnival, his dark brown eyes sparkling in the twinkle of tiny light bulbs, his hand tightly wound with yours as you explored the rides and games.
“What would make tonight perfect sweetheart?” he asked, tugging your hand up to kiss your knuckles.
You laughed, snuggling up to your boyfriend. “Marcus, honey, it’s already a perfect night. We ate delicious junk food, and rode a questionable spinning ride-you even kissed me at the top of the Ferris wheel! What more do I need?”
His eyes lit up, staring ahead. “I know!” He tugs you along the midway, games chiming and ringing all around you. You both stop in front of a game booth declaring “Pop a balloon and win!” with rows of colorful inflated balloons on the back wall. “I’ll win you a teddy bear to snuggle when I’m not there,” he grinned.
Your heart melted. This man really is too perfect for his own good. “Marcus, you don’t have to. You know these games are usually rigged.”
“Bah! I’m a federal agent, I think I can handle popping a balloon.” The game attendant took his money and handed him five darts. Marcus’s arm rared back and flung forward, narrowly missing a blue balloon near the top. The next two partially bounced off a yellow and orange pair in the middle and the last two went down trying to puncture a hot pink one in the bottom row. For all that you knew Marcus was a sure shot with a gun, he wasn’t very good at darts. He grumbled, frustrated, as he handed over more cash for more darts.
“Marcus,” you admonished, “I do not need a teddy bear that badly.”
“I want you to have it,” he said, leaning over to kiss you before tossing another dart, missing by inches as the balloon swung to one side.
Three rounds later, Marcus was visibly upset that he can’t pop a balloon, the attendant was failing to hide a smirk at the man, and you, well you were more in love with Marcus Pike than ever. “Marcus, honey. Let’s go. I’ll buy you another bag of cotton candy.” His shoulders drooped as he faced you.
“I’m a failure. Can’t even win my love a prize.” His disappointment shot a bolt of anger through you. It had been an amazing night, but Marcus was just going to feel defeated because of this stupid game. Angrily, you slapped down your cash and took the darts. Glaring at the attendant, who was smiling broadly now, you lined up your shot and aimed for the balloon at the very center of the wall.
With a satisfying pop, the balloon exploded and Marcus wrapped his arms around your waist, cheering. The unhappy game attendant handed you a shockingly blue bear, which you passed to Marcus.
“Baby, the whole point was to win you a bear to make the night perfect.”
“Marcus Pike, every night, every day with you is perfect.” You kissed him, holding him tight, the little bear in his arms. “Besides, this way, you’ll have a snuggle buddy when you’re on missions.”
“I love you,” he said against your hair, his arms around your waist.
“And I love you too.”