Page 86 of The Chemist

“What do you want? Choose anything. Anything you like!” he heard Zero cheer.

Talk about an excited golden retriever. It appeared that the man had a competitive streak buried deep down… right next to his generous nature.

“What?” Diesel asked, turning to face the happy, gleaming man. He didn’t think that the one-night stand would actually be giving him his hard-earned prize.

Could he really refer to Zero as a one-night stand any longer? They had fucked and exchanged orgasms—on multiple occasions, no less. That had to be breaking some kind of one-night-stand sex rule or something.

Had they now crossed over into “fuck buddy” territory?

“What prize do you want? Anything. Pick.”

Diesel glanced at the man standing behind the counter gesturing toward the row of stuffed animals.

“But… you won. The prize is yours.” He wasn’t sure what the proper etiquette was. Should he take the man’s offered prize? Was Zero just being polite? Would the dude get offended if he said no?

He kind of wanted the prize now that it was being offered. It was a sign of Zero’s triumph but also a symbol of Zero’s affection toward him.

“Yeah, and I won the game for you. So pick. Choose. What stuffed animal do you want?”

He won the game forhim?

Butterflies took flight within Diesel’s belly. No one had ever won anything for him before.

Turning back to the row of animals, he quickly skimmed over the selection.

“Umm, how about… the lion with the top hat?”

The man retrieved the prize, then passed it over to Diesel, who took it and stared into the plush animal’s eyes. He tried not to tear up. He wasn’t used to this kind of kindness from someone he barely knew.

“Great choice,” Zero sang, slinging his arm over Diesel’s shoulder and leading him toward a row of small boats floating in a makeshift canal of water.

“Hope you’re not afraid of water,” Zero hummed, holding Diesel’s arm and helping him into one of the boats.

“Something tells me that if this boat capsizes, I’ll be able to walk back to shore.” He rolled his eyes and gave Zero a sarcastic grin.

As Diesel waited for Zero to step into the boat, he wondered how this carnival crew created a canal with water and erected this ride in so little time. The fair was only here for two weeks before it moved on to the next city.

The boat began moving, quickly disappearing into a tunnel of darkness. A gentle, cool breeze brushed against Diesel’s face. They must be pumping air into the tunnel, perhaps to keep the machinery cool in the summer heat.

Their boat shifted in the dark, turning an unseen corner. A gasp escaped Diesel’s lips as messages of love and hope glowed back at them against the dark backdrop. The tunnel was dimly lit, illuminated by white and pink string lights hanging from the ceiling and walls.

Great, they were in a love tunnel. How roman?—

Diesel’s heart stopped in his chest when Zero’s hand slid over his and gripped it. The gesture was so sudden and gentle that it caught Diesel completely by surprise.

This really was a date.

Diesel swallowed hard.

“Umm, is this alright?” Zero asked, with a hint of insecurity slipping from his lips.

Diesel’s eyes lowered to where their hands were connected and rested gently on the surface of his lap. It was sweet how shy and vulnerable Zero was being. He had to admit, he liked feeling special for once. Like someone didn’t think that they were worthy enough to be holding his hand.

How could anyone not love that feeling?

Before he was able to chicken out, he covered both their hands with his other free hand.

“Yes, of course it is,” Diesel responded.

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