Marisson Family (One Shot-Collection)

Ferris Wheel

"Wow! Look how high up we are!"

Mairin was happily peering over the side of the rising Ferris wheel, eyes lit with wonder as they traveled higher above the amusement park below. They had spent an exciting day in Nimbasa City, and after watching a musical and battling against the gym leader, Mairin had happily dragged him off to the park. She had never been to one before, and the first thing that had caught her eye was the towering couples only Ferris wheel.

"Yep. I am sure we are up high," Alain said slowly, in a voice that wasn't quite his own, but Mairin was too absorbed in the view to notice.

She had flown in an aircraft many times before, and she had ridden on the back of her Flygon, but this was so much different. She could feel the wind and hear the sounds of the city below, but yet at the same time it was so calm and serene as they slowly rose higher into the air.

"You can basically see the whole city!" Mairin said, pointing out in the distance. "There's the musical theater, and there's the Gear Station, and..." Her eyes flickered towards Alain, and a frown crossed her face. "Um... you're missing the view, Alain."

Alain was leaning back against the seat of the Ferris wheel, hands tightly gripping the railing– eyes pressed shut.

"Yep. I am missing the view," Alain said, not shifting positions. "And you know what would help? You not describing it. How about enjoying the moment in silence?"

She stared at him, his face very pale. She reached out, touching his hand– causing him to flinch. His knuckles were turning white by how tightly he was gripping the railing, his hand clammy against hers.

"...Are you okay?" She asked. "You look... terrified."

Terrified was a word she never thought she'd use for Alain, but she wasn't sure how else to describe the look on his face. He was practically trembling as he sat there, clinging to the railing as if the compartment holding them was about to drop from the Ferris wheel.

"Well let's just say I'm not enjoying this one bit," He said in a tight voice.

"Are you scared?" Mairin asked, a small smile on her face, because she honestly did not believe this to be the case. She had known Alain for over eight years, and she did not see any reason for him to be frightened right now.

One of his eyes cracked open, giving her a few seconds glimpse of his icy gaze before he pressed it back shut. "Oh Yveltal– when did we get this high! Oh Arceus! Oh sweet child of Mew this is too high! Too high!"

A part of her thought he was teasing her, but she knew him to well– this reaction was genuine. She stared at him for a moment, her hand still resting on his. "...Are you scared of heights?"

"Like this?" He replied, voice higher than usual. "Very."

"...How?" She asked, staring at him incredulously. "How?! I've– I've seen you ride on Charizard a million times!"

"That's different," He muttered, and the Ferris wheel came to a stop. His eyes snapped open. "Why are we stopping?! Arceus please don't tell me it's broken down! We can't be stuck, we can't–!"

"Other people have to get on and off, we're fine," Mairin said, squeezing his hand reassuringly. "...Are you really afraid of heights? Are you serious about that?"

"Under certain circumstances, yes," He said.

"We've been on airplanes a million times together."

"That is an enclosed and secure structure, and outside of the horrible turbulence it's not too hard to pretend you're on solid ground," Alain replied.