Outside Work We... •[TNN One-shots]•

Carnival Games •|| SHIVIAN ||•

Prompt: Shibhon and Vivian play carnival games to win the stuffed toy prizes.

The colorful lights of the carnival lit up the evening sky, casting a vibrant glow over the crowded grounds. Shibhon walked alongside Vivian, hands tucked casually into her jacket pockets, her expression unreadable despite the lively atmosphere. Vivian’s laughter, however, was bright and infectious as she pointed out various booths and attractions.

They stopped in front of a booth lined with rows of adorable stuffed animals, a few of which were oversized and ridiculously fluffy. Shibhon’s gaze lingered on a large stuffed panda, its round black eyes staring back at her.

“You like that one?” Vivian asked, leaning slightly closer.

Shibhon shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “It’s... alright.”

Vivian raised an eyebrow. “You mean you really want it.”

Shibhon gave a small smirk, but her attention was already on the game—a deceptively simple one involving knocking over stacked bottles with a softball. She stepped forward, pulling a few crumpled bills from her pocket.

It turned out to be much harder than it looked. Shibhon tossed ball after ball, watching in frustration as the bottles wobbled but stubbornly stayed upright. Each failure cost her another bill, and Vivian couldn’t help but chuckle as Shibhon grew more determined, her aim only slightly improving.

After her fifth attempt, Shibhon stood back, arms crossed. “This game’s rigged.”

Vivian tilted her head, trying to hide her grin. “Or you’re just bad at it.”

Shibhon shot her a playful glare before gesturing toward the booth. “Alright, genius. Let’s see you try.”

Vivian stepped up with a smug confidence that Shibhon pretended not to find endearing. She handed over the money, picked up a ball, and—with what seemed like no effort at all—sent the bottles clattering to the ground. The booth operator barely had time to congratulate her before Vivian pointed at the panda.

The oversized stuffed toy was handed over, and Vivian turned to Shibhon with a triumphant smile. “For you.”

Shibhon blinked, staring at the panda in Vivian’s hands. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope.” Vivian extended it to her. “Your heart was set on it, so... here you go.”

Shibhon hesitated, then took the panda, cradling it awkwardly in her arms. For a moment, she didn’t say anything, but her posture softened just a little, and there was the faintest curve of a smile on her lips.

“You know,” she said, her tone as casual as ever, “I probably loosened those bottles for you.”

Vivian laughed. “Whatever helps you sleep at night, Bon-bon.”

They wandered through the rest of the carnival together, the stuffed panda tucked securely under Shibhon’s arm. Despite her usual laid-back demeanor, she caught herself glancing at it every so often, a rare flicker of happiness lighting her face. Vivian noticed but didn’t say anything, her own grin widening as she watched Shibhon from the corner of her eye.

It was the perfect end to their evening.