The Lunar Chronicles Fanfictions

Art of the Dart [Kaider • Fluff]

Pairing: Kai x Cinder
Summary: Two days before Cinder's birthday, Kai takes her to the carnival.
Words: 1.6k

Two unsuspecting people in gray hoodies stepped into the amusement park, tickets in their pockets. They didn't dare to take off their hood nor look at each other. After all, if the young rulers of the Eastern Commonwealth were to be spotted together, opinions about them would be bound to change.

But it was the nineteenth of December, and they wanted to spend Cinder's birthday alone before the grand party. And Cinder just knew this was a lot better than some lavish party held in a vast space.

Kai took Cinder's hand in his and led her to one stall selling funky oversized sunglasses. Cinder took a cheap normal-looking one for herself, but Kai objected.

"Don't be such a killjoy," said Kai in a gruff voice, not wanting his voice to be recognized. Cinder couldn't help but laugh, but it faltered as soon as Kai handed her sunglasses in the shape of two pineapples. "Put these on instead."

"Ew, no."

"Shut up, put them on." Laughing, Kai put it on her before she could say anything else. "Now you look like you could be Miss Hawaiian Tropic."

"Great, then you wear these sun ones," said Cinder as she handed Kai sunglasses with the rays of sun peeking out, but Kai was wearing something with LED lights.

"I look good, eh?"

"Nerd," muttered Cinder.

"Says the mechanic," Kai retorted. "Well, you said yes to this nerd so you're stuck with this nerd. No refunds, sorry. Oh — wait, the lights hurt my eyes."

He took off the flashing glasses and took the ones with the sun on Cinder's hand. "How do I look?"

"Hot," answered Cinder.

"Thank you," said Kai dramatically with a exaggerated bow.

"Hot in the sense that I want you to stay away from me as far as you can."

"That's harsh," said Kai, throwing his head back in laughter. He made to took off the glasses but Cinder pushed them back on.

"No, no. You're wearing those glasses."

"She approves!" he cheered. The storekeeper narrowed their eyes at them. The two kept their mouth shut the rest of the way as they handed Thorne's card. They couldn't risk paying with their chips.

As the woman processed stuff, Cinder sniggered, leaning into Kai's ear to whisper. "Thorne's always draining us. This is retaliation."

The woman handed back their card, and Kai took Cinder to the wig shop, where they both bought colorful wigs. Kai put on a short blonde wig while Cinder wore a cheap long vibrant green one that fell to her waist.

"Hey, I like that one."

"Good. Wanna exchange?"

"Yes, please."

Once they were all set, they went to the photo booth. Kai pulled off his hood, letting out a long breath of relief. Cinder did the same.

"Hey, you kinda look like Cress in that wig."

"Yeah, and you kinda look like one of the Lunar aristocrats in court."

"Bully," said Kai, sticking his tongue out.

"Dork."

The two laughed as they activated the photo booth. They were given a few seconds to prepare themselves, which they spent fixing each other's wigs. On the fourth picture, Kai raised Cinder's left hand, showing off the ring he got her and of course, showing off his favorite person.