The Nights We Stay Awake (TemperancexReader)

52. "On top of the ferris wheel"

Y/n pov

The sun is blinding as we step out of the car, but the breeze is crisp, refreshing, and i breathe in deeply. For the first time in what feels live forever, i'm outside again, free from the suffocating walls of the hospital. Even the simple things, like feeling the ground beneath my feet, seem monumental.

I glance over at Temperance walking beside me, her eyes scanning me as usual- always watching, always analysing. I know she's still worried, but i flash her a grin and grab her hand, giving it a light squeeze.

"Ready to lose in every single game today?" I ease, tugging her toward the neon-lit arcade.

She quirks an eyebrow, her lips curling ito that small, almost imperceptible smile. "I don't lose, Y/n. I just... observe patterns."

I snort. "Oh, is that what you call it when i beat you at air hockey?"

She rolls her eyes, but i can see the playful glint behind them. For a moment, it feels like everything is back to normal- like the bullet, the pain, the recovery never happened. Just the two of us, teasing each other as we always did.

The arcade is buzzing with noise and energy- kids running around, the clang of tokens hitting metal, the flashing lights of the machines. The chaotic symphony of it all feels just right, an escape from everything heavy and serious. We weave through the crowd, my fingers still laced with hers, and i guide her toward the skee-ball machines.

"Let's start easy," i say with a grin, grabbing one of the wooden balls and tossing it between my hands. "Think you can handle it?"

Temperance eyes the machine, tilting her head in that familiar, analytical way. "I've studied the angles," she says, entirely serious."This should be straightforward."

I can't help but laugh. "Temperance, it's skee-ball, not nuclear physics."

But she's competitive, and i can tell she's determined to win. We fall into a rhythm, rolling the balls down the lane, trying to outscore each other. We laugh, harder than i've laughed in weeks, and for a while, i forget about everything else- about the pain, the recovery, the long nights in the hospital bed. Right now, it's just us, being carefree.

After a few rounds, we move form game to game- air hockey, basketball hoops, even the claw machine, where she tries to 'strategically' pick up a stuffed bear. Each game is filled with banter, laughter, and the warmth to being close to her. But eventually, my body reminds me that i'm not as healed as i'd like to believe. The ache in my muscles grows sharper, the pain in my side flaring up whenever i twist or move too quickly. I try to hide it, pushing through the discomfort, determined tno to let anything ruin today.

"How about the racing game?" i suggest, trying to keep the lightness in my voice as i gesture toward the neon-coloured racing machines. I slide into the driver's seat, gripping the steering wheel with more force than necessary, hoping she doesn't notice the strain in my face.

She sits down beside me, but there's a flicker of doubt in her eyes. "You're pushing yourself," she says, her tone gentle but firm.

"I'm fine," i lie, forcing a smile. "Just because i spent weeks in a hospital bed doesn't mean i can't win a race."

She doesn't look convinced, but she humours me, and we start the game. The virtual race begins, and soon, we're swerving and crashing into each other's cars, laughing and bumping shoulders. It feels good- almost like we're kids again.

But then, halfway through the race, i shift in my seat, and pain sears through my side like fire. I bite down on the inside of my cheek, trying not to wince, but Temperance catches it. She always does.

Her car wins the race, but she's not celebrating. Instead, she turns to me, her face softening with concern. "You're not fine, Y/n," she says quietly.

"I'm okay," i insist, but the words sound weak, even to me.

"You can barely walk without wincing. Don't lie to me," she says, her hand reaching for mine, her touch grounding me.

I sigh, feeling the weight of her worry and my stubbornness clashing. "I just... i don't want this day to end yet. I don't want this moment to end."

Temperance's gaze softens even more, her thumb brushing over my hand. "It doesn't have to. We can still enjoy the evening, but we don't need to push it."

I tilt my head, raising an eyebrow. "And what exactly do you have in mind?"

She smiles softly, that rare, genuine smile that always takes me by surprise. "Come with me."

We leave the arcade, and as we walk down the bustling street, my eyes are drawn to a ferris wheel in the distance. The bright lights illuminate the evening sky, and i know immediately where she's taking me.

"You're sneaky, you know that?" I say, chuckling as she leads me toward it.

"Only when it's necessary," she replies, giving me that half-smirk.

We board the ferris wheel, and as it start to rise, the city stretches out beneath us, glowing in the fading light. The world seems to slow down as we ascend higher, the buzz of the street growing quieter, replaced by the gentle hum of the wheel turning. I lean into her, resting my head on her shoulder, the cool breeze brushing against our skin.

After a long silence, she speaks. "I've never been good at this... letting people in. being vulnerable."

I lift my head, looking at her. "I know."

She turns her gaze to the horizon, her jaw tight. "But with you... it's different. I don't want to lose you. Not after everything."

I take her hand, squeezing it gently. "You won't lose me. I promise."

The ferris wheel pauses at the top, the city lights twinkling below, casting a golden glow over everything. I lean in, brushing a soft kiss against her cheek. "Thank you for today, Tempe. Even if i'm in a little pain... it's worth it."

She turns to me, her eyes filled with that deep intensity i've always loved. "You mean everything to me, Y/n."

I smile, puling her closer, feeling her breath on my lips. "I think i'm starting to get that." And as we sit there, suspended above the city, i kiss her under the fading light of the setting sun.