speaking of pretty boys, where's reid?

noah calhoun + a carnival date hehe… 🙈

“Baby, it’s fixed!” you whine, tugging helplessly on Noah’s sleeve as he approaches the strongman game with a determined glint in his eyes. “Don’t waste your money on that crap. I’m serious, Noah!” With a grin, he shoves his free hand into his loose pocket and the distinct jingle of change lets you know his mind is already made up. Now that it’s in his sights, there’s no convincing him otherwise.

“Nah, I’ve been savin’ up for this,” Noah replies, handing the carnie a coin once he’s within reach. “I’m gonna win you something, alright?” All the prizes lined up are things he could easily buy elsewhere without having to compete for them, but you know your boyfriend, and you know he won’t pass up the opportunity to flaunt his skills on your behalf. “What’d you want, sweetheart? A bear?” He runs his eyes over the assorted stuffed animals. “Uh, a little dolly? C’mon, pick!”

“You haven’t even won yet!” you tease, and the carnie snorts, shrugging his shoulders when Noah glares in his direction. “Maybe you’re not strong enough.” You’re goading him now, letting a playful lilt enter your tone. If he wants any chance of scoring points, you’d have to rile his competitive nature first; a plan that already seemed to be working. His cheeks are flush, chest unconsciously puffing with pride.

“Yeah? Watch this.” Immediately, he pulls away, shoving his sleeves up to his elbows and revealing the lean muscle he’s gained from working at the lumber yard. You happily admire the definition of veins while Noah heaves the wooden mallet over his shoulder with a grunt before bringing it down on the lever with as much force as he can muster. 

Eyes wide, you watch as the puck quickly climbs the tower, nearing the bell before falling short. Your groan joins a chorus of others, people who’ve gathered around to watch and play next. “That’s no fair!” A few agreeing cheers and sounds come from behind you, but the carnie shakes his head.

“Just how the game is,” he explains, reaching for one of the smaller prizes. “Kid’s got a hell of a swing, though. Best I’ve seen all night!”

The compliment seems to soothe Noah’s bruised ego and he takes his reward - a small teddy bear - with a lopsided grin. He turns to face you, holding out the stuffed animal like it’s a diamond ring, his face suddenly so serious you could almost believe he actually was proposing. “You like it?”

“I love it.”

You wrap your arms around him instead, smushing the bear somewhere between your chests. Noah presses a chaste kiss to your cheek, his face growing warm. “I did say I’d win ya something,” he grumbles, pulling back enough to wrap his arm around you. It isn’t until the bumper cars come into view a few seconds later that you realize he’s already led you to the other side of the carnival.

“No more games?” you tease.

“The rides are better anyway!”