Chapter 1: wacky wonders pt1
Chapter Text
“Slim, slim”
“Hey hey, slow down their Cricket.” The older man squinted
“ I was out fetching the mail like ya told me and I found this.” The child explained waving a brightly colored piece of paper. Slim plucked the poster for the boy's hand and straightened it out before reading it aloud.
“Wacky Wonders Circus, all ages in town for one night only with an entrance fee of one cent.”
“Can we go Slim, can we please?.”
“I don’t see why not.” The older man said, running a hand through his dark hair.
“Let’s go see if the others wanna come.” The pair made their way over to the rabbit enclosure where George was.
“George hey George '' Cricket yelled despite being right next to the man.
George didn’t seem to mind, he just smiled don’t at the ten year old tucking his hand into Slims. His smile grew when their fingers intertwined.
“There’s a circus in town for one night only Slim said we can go and wanna come.”
“Sure just let me finish up here, why don’t y’all go on inside and ask crooks to make us a lunch to bring.” George chuckled quickly as the little farm hand bounced on his toes. Slim plucked the kid off the ground holding him up by his suspenders and pecked George on the cheek. A blush creeped up the shorter man’s face as he turned back to his task.
“Alright buddy let’s get you settled.” he whispered to the cold lump of rabbit in his arms.
George soalamy lay the little creature down in the shallow hole he dug next to the stone marker thay had placed for Lennie.
“We did it Lennie, we got our own little house with a porch and everything, we got chickens, a cow, we even took some Slims pups, and rabbits. I didn't forget the rabbits. "This ones for you a brown an white one.” George fell silent tears stung his eyes
“ I miss you len”
“George you ready yo go crooks packed us a lunch and Slim said he'd buy me some candy floss.”
“ I most certainly did not.” Slim objected appearing behind the boy the boy accompanied by crooks and candy
“You ok love?” Slim asked, a look of concern painted his angular face.
“ Ya i'm fine it wasn't quite a lie but it wasn't the truth either. Slim wisely chose not to push the topic but instead wrapped his arm around George's waist pulling him in and pressing a firm kiss to his boyfriends impossibly soft lips. The couple were harshly interrupted by mock vomiting noises; they turned to see Crooks, Candy, and Cricket all pointing at one another. Slim shook his head, a slight smirk dancing on his lips and George rolled his eyes dramatically. Alright I'm ready George announced taking his boyfriends hand the crew headed cheerfully toward the road “hey cricket i can buy you some candy floss if you'd still like some”
“Hell ya.”
“Crooks don't you dare I swear to god.”
Chapter 2: Wacky wonders pt2
Summary:
Picking up where we left off with the crew a the fair
Chapter Text
“Whoa look look, there’s corn hole and ring toss and poker shot.”
“I see kid, what'd you want to do first?” Slim asked one hand on Crickets head and his other around George’s waist. The rest of the crew listened to the kid chatter away but George let his eyes wander over the many attractions, a booth of poker shoot caught his eye. Stuffed bears, chickens and rabbits sat in a wooden crate labeled prizes.
“ You want to try that one love.” Slim asked following Georges’s gaze. George hummed an affirmative and began digging through his pocket. He withdrew a handful of coins, dropping three in each outstretched palm before pocketing the rest.
“That’s all we have to spend so be careful now, and don’t come asking for more.” he added with a pointed look at cricket.
“Sir yes Sir.” the boy responded with a mock salute far too gitty to be intimidated by the older man’s typically somewhat frightening glare, the group laughed out loud. George rolled his eyes and commented.
“Wrong hand Cricket.” but could not stifle a chuckle of his own. The ten year old amended his salute before grabbing onto candy and dragging him off toward a clown giving out balloon animals.
“Meet you back here.” Crooks called back hobbling after Cricket and Candy.
“Shall we?” Slim asked, stepping in fruit of his boyfriend and offering a hand, George smiled, letting himself be led toward the booth.
“Y'all want to give it a shot.” The man behind the counter inquired, slender nimble fingers twirling an air gun lazaly.
“I suppose it can't hurt.” George hummed, taking the gun from the host.
“Show Em how it's baby.” Slim encouraged laying a hand on his boyfriend’s back. George aimed at the cards squirting as if he could simply will them to fall. The shorter man gave no further warning gun going off in three loud bangs. The top row of cards fluttered to the ground.
“Mhm that’s my man.” Slim cooed proudly. George blushed at the praise gently leaning his head into Slim's shoulder.
“Pick your prize.” said the man behind the counter. George hummed thoughtfully as he scanned the row of plushies and trinkets, He followed his boyfriend”s eyes to a small stuffed calico. George smiled, picking up the plush and handing it to his boyfriend.
“For you my love.”
Now it was Slim's turn to blush.
“I love her, I think I’ll call her lily.”
The couple lazly made their way through the fair trying their hand at all the free games.
“ Quit worrying love I’m sure they’re coming.” Slim said, placing a reassuring hand on the smaller man's back and pushing him the cup of rice pudding they were sharing. Their quiet moment was interrupted by the Cricket’s tell tale chittering. Apparently he and Candy were having an in depth discussion on trains and how to hop them.
“Hey Mr Slim Mr George.” Crooks greeted smiling
“Evening.” George greeted stretching out “and I thought I told you to not to call me Mr makes me feel ancient. “
“Sorry, how was yalls day?”
“Our day was lovely George and I tried most of the games here. It was fun even if we were no good.”
“No good? You speak for yourself, I was great.”
“Fine George was alright.” Slim amended “ what about Y’alls day.”
Cricket immediately perked up
“ My god Slim we had so much fun we watched this clown for a while and then we got to play all these games, Crooks bought me candy floss and I got to touch a real life elephant can you believe it.”
“No I can’t believe it sounds like you had a great day, how much candy floss did you say Crooks brought to you again.?” George hummed
“Oh I don't know three or so,”
George threw the older two men a look but opted not to say anything.
“I think we have enough for one more thing if you want,” Slim said
“Oh, Oh can we do the ferris wheel please.”
“Sure I’m up for it, what about you guys?” George looked around, after receiving nods and confirming mumbles from everyone he took Slim's hand and headed toward the ferris wheel. The line was particularly short for the time of night so it didn’t take long for the crew to board the ride. No one said much as they enjoyed the gentle rocking of the ride. Their third time around their cart crepted to a halt at the top of the wheel.
“By god I haven’t seen a sunset like that since I was a boy.”
The men followed Candy’s eyes to the horizon. The sun was gone now but left the most vibrant shade of orange gently fading into pink as it got higher. George smiled, laying his head on Slim's shoulder. The men all gazed in awe at the sky the only sound Crickets quiet snoring,life was indeed perfect
Griffens_cathouse on Chapter 1 Thu 15 Feb 2024 01:54AM UTC
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