through the fire.

They walk down the hallway, her steps slowing before they turn a corner, "Think you gotta lead, that's the rules." She presses herself up on her toes, unable to stop herself. She kisses him gently, her stomach fluttering in butterflies, "As the tallest. And most handsome." She smirks, peeking around the corner to make sure nothing was spooky in person.

At least for now.

He blinks looking down at Luci, "Me?" Aiden says but he shuts up when Luci kisses him and alright, maybe he should be leading. Then with the compliments. Aiden chuckles softly and draws Luci back in for another kiss, "Only because you said nice things about me," he jokes, finding her hand again before slipping in front of her and begins again, turning that corner to want seems like... nothing?

Then there's three doors all with an exit sign above them. Aiden lets out a short breath, "What should we do?"

"Oh my god," She laughs, leaning back against Aiden's chest. The wall is replaced all over again and she holds onto his hand, skittering past to another long hallway.

"I mean, yeah, they become ghosts. The people who are stuck." She grins at him, curling her hair around her ear, "I'd be so mad if I was a ghost without my dog. Or, like, access to sweets."

He tips his head down to listen to Luci over some spooky music that plays. "It'd be like the ghosts in Casper, how they eat the food but it goes right through them," Aiden comments, "Maybe that's why some ghosts are miserable and haunt people."

Aiden looks around, reorienting them to go to the right and he thinks they might be on the right pathway until it's pitch black. His hands remain on Luci as they feel their way through and Aiden is praying that no one grabs them or– there's screeching. Then a flash of light.

It's Ryan and she almost crumbles to the ground but she's laughing? Aiden can feel his heart rate leap.

They pass wobbly mirrors, some green and purple lights and a little bit of fog on the floor rolling over their ankles.

"Me neither," She laughs, tugging him towards the right. "Ryan and August will probably make it out first and we'll be stuck in here forever...you know I saw a horror movie like that once."

A squeak leaves her lips as she turns quickly towards the direction of the so-called eyes and then laughs, "Do not play with me, Aiden."

Aiden's not scared, definitely a bit weirded out because it's dark and everything is purposefully unexpected. It is fun, he can feel the aderenaline build up in him as they keep going and he definitely... doesn't almost collide with a mirror.

"Forever is a long time," Aiden hums as he tries to make sure they're not going in a circle.

She concentrates instead, a soft laugh leaving her lips as Aiden of all people, corrects Ryan's comment about Fred. Interesting. She raises her eyebrows at him,

"I want to be Scooby in this scenario--if there's snacks."

August huffs out a sound, "Aiden might take that role too." He grins at his brother.

Ryan smirks and nods, turning on her heel to begin through the maze of mirrors and traps, spooky music and lighting. It definitely is confusing to navigate through and Aiden swears they hit the same dead end twice in the matter of minutes.

"I'm not very good at these," he admits to Luci with a soft laugh. It feels like he's seeing about twelve of her and Aiden focuses on the physical to keep his head straight. With that, they've lost his brother and Ryan so it might be a free for all.

Aiden eyes scan around as they walk, blinking when– "What was that?" He points to seemingly nothing, "There was four red eyes over there."

"That or he's making out with Micah in his car. Really a coin toss."

Luci can't stop herself from smiling at August's warmth towards Ryan. Kind of the same since the bar but also different? Like...maybe their date went really well? She hopes so.

She looks over at Aiden as he comes back over with a wristband, nodding her head, "I'll try not to scream too loud during any jump scares." She playfully puts a cross over her heart with her fingers.

Either way, Ryan motions everyone to go towards the line that's formed and people in small groups are being let through. They leans against August as they wait a sort amount of time for their group of four to be allowed through.

It's old, rickety and creaky. The flooring moans eeriely as they walk inside the fun house and alright, maybe it is a little more dark than Aiden had remembered. He find Luci hand and from what he's learned about her, she's going to eat this up with a big grin on her face.

"As the self appointed Daphne of the group, I vote we split up, look for clues to escape," Ryan turns to look at the other three.

Aiden makes a face, "That's what Fred says."

He motions to a few spots as they walk along, "These a large food tent over here," Aiden points off to the right, "Live bands all day towards the back with a beer garden too. Surely line dancing later," he chuckles softly, weaving them through a group of teenagers lingering.

Eventually he does see August and Aiden places Luci in front of him so she can see and go that way.

She chews on her lower lip, walking until she sees August and Ryan, waving excitedly. August offers her a gentle wave, looking towards his brother,

No surprise that Vic is late, but I'm sure he won't mind if we do the Fun House without him.

Luci wanders up to Ryan, offering her a half hug, "You look lovely."

Aiden looks to his brother as he mentions Vic and nods, glancing around.

You'd think he wouldn't want to miss all the mirrors with his reflection, Aiden teases, then looks at the ticket booth. He walks over and pays for wristbands, returning to Luci and gently grabs her hand to secure it around her wrist. "Fun house first."

She's already sure that this will be the best date she's ever been on.

August texts back that they're lingering near the Fun House, which is basically a house of mirrors with some surprise jump-scares.

Luci smiles as a fortune teller calls out to her, but she leans into Aiden's side as they continue walking, "There's so much stuff here--you're right, it's massive."

He motions to a few spots as they walk along, "These a large food tent over here," Aiden points off to the right, "Live bands all day towards the back with a beer garden too. Surely line dancing later," he chuckles softly, weaving them through a group of teenagers lingering.

Eventually he does see August and Aiden places Luci in front of him so she can see and go that way.

“Oh my gosh, I can’t remember the last time I had a fried Oreo.” 

She chews on her lower lip, thinking about everything they’re going to do. She can’t wait to do the carnival games and ride the Ferris wheel and—

“I gotta get chicken tendies and a funnel cake.” 

He turns his head again as he adjusts his rearview mirror and his hand falls to Luci's to hold onto as he continues to drive. "We can get those as well," Aiden nods and he thinks they'll be there a while anyway, it's after two and it's always a little more fun at night with the lights. "I think there might be fireworks tonight," he says.

The view of the fair comes up soon enough with the large attractions, tents, already the wafting smell of fried food too, popcorn. Aiden pulls in and there's a line up of cars getting in. He takes out his wallet to pay ten bucks for parking and weaves through lanes until he manages to find one that'll fit his truck. He climbs out and helps Luci slide out of the car as well, texting his brother in the other hand to see where he is.

"Thank you," She tells him with a grin, "Wanted to feel fancy on this first date."

Her heart is hammering in her chest, living as a pulse in her neck. She knows she has nothing to worry about, but she's definitely excited. She can't remember the last time she went to a fair or anything like that. Not to mention she's going with a handsome guy and a group of new friends?

She's really happy.

"You gonna win me a prize?" She flirts, smiling up at him as he helps her into the truck.

He chuckles, looking back at the road, "That is one of my goals for the evening," he nods, matter of fact. "Also to get some deep fried oreos and maybe something extremely greasy to eat," he adds and looks at her again. "It's a big lot, so whatever you want to see... we can see it."

Luci is so excited to be going to this county fair. Not only is it right up her alley with everything she could possibly want: sweets, rides, games, maybe a petting zoo (as if she doesn't live on a ranch every day), she's going with Aiden. As a date. And that, beyond anything, is what she can't wait for.

She changes her outfit twice before she decides on a white sundress with a jean jacket, pairing it with her going-out boots and nods at herself in her reflection.

Good, she thinks and smooths her hands out over her dress. She grabs her phone and wallet before walking over to Aiden's house, knocking on the screen door.

With that, he's looking forward to going with Luci. It's always fun taking someone who's never been before and he thinks she's going to really like it, and maybe the other important element is that it is a date. A real date and Aiden hasn't been on a date in a couple of years but he's pretty certain he knows what he's doing.

He grabs a treat for Bee in the cupboard and hands it to her, petting. "Wish me luck," Aiden says and Bee barks. he smiles and stands, grabbing what he needs and begins to walk to the door just as Luci knocks. Aiden waves and pulls open the door. "Just need to put on shoes," he tells her and does so promptly so he's not wasting any time.

Aiden steps outside and closes both doors before standing on the porch with Luci. He takes in her white dress and her boots, very county fair-like. "You look very pretty," Aiden compliments, then looks down at himself in a vintage looking t-shirt that has a small logo of the ranch and a nice pair of jeans. He thinks it's okay, definitely can't wear something too fancy to a fair.

But then Aiden is softening and reaching for her hand and oh—oh. Her cheeks pink instantly and a soft, embarrassed laugh leaves her lips. 

“Oh god,” She shakes her head, her one hand touching her cheek as she squeezes Aiden’s fingers. “I’m sorry. I just— I didn’t mean to assume.” She offers him a smile, glad he’s not upset with her. She wasn’t trying to eavesdrop anyways. 

“As you know, I’m kinda rusty with all of this and —what I do know is that I like you. I really like you. And I’m glad we kissed.” She smiles. “And I’d love to go to the fair with you.” 

He can feel relief between them which is funny because while he didn't feel tension, he can feel that Luci is a little more relaxed given the circumstances. The air shifts to something lighter as she squeezes his hand and he does the same in return. Aiden nods, "I like you too," an he feels a bit kiddish saying it, or maybe it's just something he hasn't said to someone in a while.

She looks down at her leg, "Yeah, it's good so far. Sore sometimes but healing." She smiles a little. Sunflower is wrestling with Bee with one of her toys. She encourages Aiden to come inside so she can close the door.

"Uhm," She looks at her doorframe, wondering... "I mean, I would love to go with you but...I dunno, would the other woman you're seeing be okay with that?" She rubs the back of her neck, "I went to go talk to you last night because I hadn't...I missed you." Pathetic, "And I saw you bringing someone into your place."

Oh.

There's an array of emotions that course through him but somehow his thought just lingers on Luci missing him. The ranch has been busy, it's felt like he hasn't seen Luci in few days too. Aiden's exterior softens and he shakes his head, taking this seriously as he thinks it feels to Luci.

"The other woman you saw is my cousin who called me to come get her from the bar last night," Aiden says as he leans against the wall. "I can definitely see how that would have looked. I'm not that person to kiss someone then go off with someone else. I'm sorry."

Aiden breathes it, slowly reaching out to see if he can take Luci's hand. "I missed you too."

"Uhm," A flush covers her cheeks as she reaches for a sweater to tug on, "Hi," She smiles, "Morning." She clears her throat, "Slow start...hope that's okay."

"Two questions," he says a moment later. "One, how is your leg?" Aiden motions to her shin and hopes it hasn't been bothering her too much. "Second... I was wondering if you were interested in going to the county fair with me?" Aiden asks, some hope in his voice because it is a big question for the morning.

She's being utterly ridiculous.

She sighs and pinches the bridge of her nose. She goes through the steps of what she has to do today and since the weather won't be too hot, she decides she'll have a lazy morning before completing all her tasks.

Worth a shot anyway.

He inhales and Bee joins him halfway towards the familiar house she knows. Maybe she'll get to see her friend Sunflower as well. Aiden bends down to pet Bee before knocking on the door, taking a small step back.

well. She thought maybe those kisses had meant something.

She's not going to be upset with him if they didn't. If he thought they were just fun or maybe not wanting to get things complicated with work.

But she is disappointed.

It's cooler than yesterday too, it feels nice as he steps out onto his porch and gears himself up for the day. Aiden makes his way to the barn to see the horses, greeting them, feeding them, taking a few out to stretch their legs.

Aiden looks over at Luci's house again and decides that he will ask if she wants to go to the fair. He would really like to go with her.

he's helping someone out of the car, a woman. Luci stops in her tracks.

She stares, even though she doesn't mean to. Because Aiden is gently guiding this woman up the steps and into his place and...and she finds herself backing up and rushing back to her tiny house.

She frowns, leaning against the door when she closes it.

"How's your pretty neighbour?" Shiv asks with her eyes closed. Aiden pauses for a moment, looking down at her. "Ryan told me."

He hums and sets down the glass and the snack, "She's good," Aiden replies, glancing over and through the window where he can see a little bit of Luci's home. "I was thinking of asking her to the fair, maybe."

Shiv rolls and looks up at him, "You should. She sounds like she's your type. Embrace it. Maybe the ladies of the town weep."

"Shut up," he sort of mumbles and laughs because the town is a bit ridiculous. "Don't throw up on my couch," Aiden says, turning out the lamp as he moves to go upstairs. Shiv salutes, grabbing the water to chug before settling down to sleep.

A small smile tugs the corners of her mouth as Sunflower moves to lie down beside her. She reaches down and pets her,

"Do you think we should text him?" She asks, "Or like...show up at his place? Is that too much?"

"I hate him."

Aiden hums, turning back onto the main road to head to the ranch. "I think the whole town does."

Shiv sniffles and wipes under one of her eyes as she looks out the window. Aiden hands her a kleenex that his mom keeps in the car and she thanks him, muttering to herself. They arrive back at the ranch not long later and Aiden pulls up to his place, the gravel moving under the tires.

He gets out and goes around the car, opening the door to help his cousin out of the car. "You know he was leaving town." Shiv states, a little wobbly on her feet but Aiden holds her up. "And he's still here."

"I'd say ignore him but this town is the size of a nickel." Aiden closes the door and helps her up the steps to the porch. "You're better off without him."