#catris

Catrin followed Paige’s fierce stare, not on Lexa this time but fixed like crosshairs on a point about ten feet away.

Bones was still on the claw machine, but this time with Sally pressed against her back, her hand atop Bones’ on the joystick, helping her manoeuvre the claw, and muttering something softly into her ear. The claw dropped, and it easily grabbed one of the plushies and held on, dropping it into the funnel.

Bones gave a joyful yell and swivelled to squeeze Sally in a tight hug, kissing her over and over again on the cheek, her cries of love you love you love you in between kisses loud enough for Catrin and probably everyone else in the arcade too.

Catrin looked back in time to see Paige's expression shift, shining eyes blinking rapidly and lips pressing together.

Why is Paige watching them when she was obsessed with going on Tunnel of Love with Lexa earlier?

"Cat?" Tayris squeezed her hand, pulling her out of her thoughts. “D'you want -”

“Just a moment, babe.”

Paige uncrossed her ankles and told Lexa I'm gonna get some air before spinning away, fast as a tornado. She reminded Catrin of a model on a catwalk coming towards them; long rapid strides, wavy blonde hair billowing behind her as if in wind, blankly staring at a point in the distance.

“Paige, you alright -”

Catrin dragged Tayris by the hand as she strode back along the stalls, weaving through the sounds of tinkling music and scents of candyfloss and hotdogs, and all the people clumped together in clusters. Once they had reached the rides at the other side of the park, the rain was finally clearing, sheets of grey clouds gliding through the wind like sails of boats on the sea. 

Catching her breath, Catrin motioned to the rides. 

“Okay. Tell me what you want us to go on first. Doesn't have to be scary - there's the waltzers, or the tunnel of love, or - hell, I'll even do the ghost train if you want - just, your choice.”

Tayris turned her head to contemplate each ride, tapping her chin and chewing her lip and taking a lot more time than Catrin expected. Eventually, she pushed back her hood just as the setting sun burst through the sheet of clouds, dazzling Catrin in a pool of amber light that kissed her face in warmth. 

“Y’know what?” Tayris said softly, her hand pulsing Catrin’s in tiny squeezes, “I think we can take on the Dragon.”

“What?” Catrin blinked. “Tay - I told you, I went on that with Bonnie and Chai earlier - it goes upside down, there's a big drop -”

“I think I can do it, y'know.”

Tayris turned her face to Catrin's, her smile warmer and more blinding than the golden sky behind her. She felt Tayris adjust her hand, thread her fingers into Catrin's own, a sliver of fear in her eyes still visible even before Tayris tucked it away behind the exhilaration, the excitement that was proving contagious.

Catrin beamed at her. “You sure you can?”