The county fair's opening got pushed back due to the god-awful storms, but today, sunlight embraced the town in warmth. Puffy white clouds in the sky resembled the sweet cotton candy that Kazimir stuffed in his mouth.

Pop music drifted throughout the streets of downtown New Syracuse, where multiple booths had been set up on the curbs. Kazimir stepped over some long cords that connected to some of the booths as he crossed a street that had been closed off. A myriad of smells assaulted his poor nose. Barbecue competed with greasy hamburgers and deep-fried Oreos blended with the sweetness of funnel cakes.

Loud chatter and popping balloons rang through his ears as he passed through the game booths. The workers encouraged people of all ages to keep trying, insisting they'll win a prize the next time as they burned holes in their wallets. Kazimir ignored a tall man in a striped shirt, stained with rings of sweat around the armpits, when he called him over to his booth. He wouldn't be ripped off that easily. He only had enough money for food anyway.

Finally, Kazimir made it back to the Voiceless Rebels booth. A lengthy crowd had gathered, which wasn't surprising given the time. He polished off the rest of his cotton candy and propped open the back door of their booth. They sold an assortment of foods there, including walking tacos, corn dogs, and hamburgers. Not only did they sell foods and drinks.

When the customers gave the correct code word, they received a small sample-like size of either coke or LSD. Emmett made sure word about their dealing at the fair got out.

"Kaz is back!" Charlie called out as he prepared a walking taco; adding meat to the bag of Frito's in his hand.

"Took you long enough." Rylee joked as she slipped a small plastic baggie with a C written on it inside the wrapper of a corndog.

"Come here, Kaz. Help me take orders." Emmett gestured for Kaz to squeeze through the cramped booth up to him. "You have a nice break?"

"Yeah, I went and walked around a bit then grabbed some cotton candy." Kazimir snatched up a notepad from the side counter.

"Just cotton candy? Kaz, you gotta eat some real food. Jeez." Emmett shook his head. "I'll get you something after the crowd dies down."

"I wasn't sure what I wanted," Kazimir said, then took the next person in line's order. Six corn dogs and a large lemon shakeup. He passed it over to Charlie, who in return handed him the walking taco for Emmett's customer.

"Y'all having fun?" Alfie peeked his head inside their booth from the front, startling Kazimir. "Man, I'm glad I didn't have to mess with this shit this year. My little bro's on the Spaceship with his friend. I need to get back there before the get off."

"Sounds like fun," Emmett told him. "Tell Eli I said hi. If y'all want any food while you're here, just come around back. Charlie can get ya."

"Sure thing. Thanks. I better get going, but we'll stop by later." Alfie moved away from the line behind him, squeezing past a couple munching on their corn dogs.

What a helluva night it was gonna be. Not having Alfie helping only made it feel busier, but when the suppertime rush faded, things settled down for their booth. They only had to wait on a few handfuls of customers, mostly those who just wanted food.

The night crept by unbearably slow for Kazimir, who watched the Ferris wheel from a distance as he helped with their orders. Merriment and laughter echoed all throughout the streets of New Syracuse.

Emmett plucked his Zippo from his pocket and stepped outside their booth. Kazimir followed behind him, wanting to join in on the smoke break while they weren't too busy. Rylee and Charlie could handle their customers. It took a couple flicks to get a spark for his cigarette. The nicotine warmed his rotting lungs as he blew a puff of smoke to the night sky.

"Busy night," Kazimir remarked.

"No shit." Emmett groaned, rolling his lit cigarette between his fingers. "Looks like we're settling down now. I saw Mayor Kaufman earlier. He's here with his family. Jules too."

Kazimir raised an eyebrow. "Really? I guess they're wanting to put on a happy family act."

"Maybe his wife dropped by for some coke," Emmett sneered. "Gotta have something to make ladies night fun."

"You think he'll come over to our booth?" Kazimir asked.

"Nah, he's too chickenshit. Won't do a damn thing while with his family. He can't let them know he's a piece of shit."

"Do you think Mal's killer is out here tonight?" Kazimir lowered his voice, casting a suspicious look around the area of booths.

"Possibly." Emmett shrugged. "I've been keeping an eye out. None of the Black Vipers have been around here. Maybe they're taking the night off to enjoy the festivities."

"Yeah, that would be nice."

"Just wishful thinking," Emmett muttered, stomping his cigarette out on the ground. "Guess we better get back in there and help them. Line's getting backed up again."

Kazimir turned his head toward the crowd of customers, sighing. "Yeah, just let me finish my smoke."

It wasn't long before they closed up shop after selling out of their supply and almost all of their food. Charlie and Kaz munched on the leftovers inside. Emmett seemed pleased with their business and looked forward to tomorrow. It wouldn't be long until the fair closed up for the night, and Kazimir wanted to spend time with Emmett.

Twinkling stars filled the sky that night. After they climbed out of the food booth, Emmett linked his arm around Kazimir's. Neon lights glimmered across the street filled with an assortment of rides. Screams rent the night air and couples chatted in the shortened lines. Most everyone had called it a night, but a few stayed for the remaining hour of the fair when it was mostly dead.

A lot of the food booths had already closed, but the rides and games still operated. They wanted to milk as much money as they could from everyone. Kazimir never went to the fair until he moved to New Syracuse. Last year, he'd gone with Jordy and some of his friends.

The Voiceless Rebels had a booth like this year too, but he hadn't needed to be involved since Mal had been around helping them out. Unfortunately, Everly couldn't come down again. Last year, she'd been pregnant and the miasma had been too much for her to stomach being around. Kazimir messaged her earlier though, promising to bring back a funnel cake for her. He wondered if she was doing alright tonight, considering Adam had to work.

"We can do any rides you want," Emmett offered.

"Alrighty." Kazimir grinned, excited to have more alone time together.

Last night's passion still lingered in his mind, and he couldn't resist thinking about taking another trip like that one again. It wasn't like he despised the hideout, but he loved when they had more privacy of their own.

Kazimir steered them away from the ginormous rides toward something more safe. The Ferris wheel. They didn't even have to wait in line, as there weren't many people in a hurry to get on. The paper bracelets around their wrists granted them entry onto whatever rides they wanted. Emmett chose the left side while Kazimir scooted closer to him. The ride attendee closed the metal bar down, tightly securing them in.

Slowly, the attendee filled a few more available seats until the two of them were stopped suddenly at the very top. Kazimir leaned over for a better view of the entire area. The people down below resembled scurrying ants.

Kazimir bristled beside him as the seat teetered. Smirking, Emmett intentionally rocked them.

"Are you trying to turn us over? Stop it." Kazimir swatted his arm.

"We're not going to turn over. Don't tell me you're scared," he teased.

"I'm not." Kazimir frowned, folding his arms across his chest as he faced the other direction.

Brushing his hand across Kazimir's, the gang leader scooted closer to his lover. He gently kissed the side of his neck, feeling him shiver against his touch. Kazimir turned back around as Emmett grinned innocently at him.

The world dissolved around Emmett as he gazed into Kazimir's mesmerizing brown eyes, bordered by his thick framed glasses. Music and chatter faded into the background as Emmett squeezed his hand and leaned closer, closing the small distance between them. His lips brushed over Kazimir's softly at first, then more passionately as Kazimir kissed him back.

Pulling away, Emmett stroked his fingers through Kazimir's dark brown hair. Kazimir snuggled up against his side until the ride ended.

They still had midnight oil to burn, so they set off to the Gravitron next. Spinning around until he swore he'd encountered the Grim Reaper himself, Emmett was so relieved to get the hell off that ride. Every step he took away from the contraption he'd been strapped to felt off balanced. His lover's arms wrapped around his waist to guide him toward the exit without falling on his face.

"You good?" Kazimir asked. Traces of concern could be heard in his voice.

"Never better." Emmett rubbed at his left eye, trying his best to get the world to stop spinning. He swore his supper would come back up at any moment as his stomach rumbled.

Kazimir handled intense speed rides far better than Emmett, who felt like he'd stagger over after climbing off onto the metal platform.

"Come on. Let's sit for a bit."

Emmett relaxed against Kazimir, letting him guide him down the sticky pavement. He almost slipped on a half eaten corn dog as they navigated through the cords everywhere. They reminded Emmett of huge snakes. To the gang leader's relief, he didn't hurl his guts out like he did that one year with Everly.

The rides kept going without them. Only twenty more minutes and they'd shut down for the night. Emmett wasn't sure if he wanted to jump back on any of them. His stomach probably couldn't handle those aggressive jolts and spinning.

After aimlessly walking around, Kazimir led them to a bench. Emmett nestled his throbbing head against Kazimir's shoulder, breathing in his familiar scent. When Emmett was with Kazimir, he let his guard down. He didn't need to put up defenses or second guess his loyalty.

"I know you weren't too thrilled about coming out here today, but I appreciate it," Emmett told him.

"Yeah, but it turned out to be more fun than I expected. Especially spending time with you." Kazimir kissed Emmett's cheek.

"You're the best, Kaz." Emmett smiled as he leaned in for another kiss. He tugged on the front of the artist's hoodie, bringing him closer.

Kazimir climbed on Emmett's lap, wrapping his legs tightly around him. Leaning down, he brought his lips down to Emmett's neck. In return, Emmett reached around and grabbed his ass. Neither of them paid attention to anything else. Perhaps if Emmett hadn't let lust cloud his mind in that moment, he would've seen it coming.

Police sirens echoed amid the pop tune blaring across the street. Emmett and Kazimir had been too busy making out on the bench to realize the cops that gathered a little way down from them near the Merry-Go-Round. Other pedestrians began to crowd the area too, which caught Emmett's attention mid-way through their passionate kissing-fest.

"What the hell's going on over there?" Emmett asked, gesturing to the small crowd of people. "You think someone had a heart attack again?"

Kazimir shrugged and stood up. "Dunno. Let's go check it out."

Pushing through the horde of people holding their cell phones up to record videos proved to be difficult. Kazimir gripped Emmett's hand tightly as he forced them up to the front, near the metal bars. Emmett leaned over the railing, trying to get a better glance at the scene.

The officers kept coming around to shoo the crowd back. They didn't want outsiders interfering with the scene. A bald headed officer wrapped yellow crime scene tape around the area as Emmett tried to no avail to get answers from the onlookers around them. Nobody saw anything. They only noticed the police officers with their flashlights.

Kazimir stood on his tie-toes, trying to get a better glance at the scene. Two men were separated, arguing and cursing at each other. Blood covered the face of one of the men, and the other, Kazimir recognized.

"Son of a bitch," Emmett muttered.

Charlie had gotten himself in a fight. By the looks of it, he'd been winning too before the cops pulled them apart. Charlie must've punched him in the face a few times, maybe even broken his nose. More people pulled in front of them, making it more difficult to see what happened between the men.

"Let's get away from here." Emmett gently tugged on his lover's arm. "I'll have to call Daniel soon to get his sorry ass out of jail. Dammit, why did he have to do something this stupid?"

"I don't know. Why was Charlie fighting that guy?" Kazimir asked. "You think he's a Black Viper?"

"Dunno. It doesn't really matter. He should've known better than to fight out here in the public." Emmett groaned. "I'll be right back, okay? I'm gonna see where they're taking him first. Head back to our booth and see if Rylee's still around. I'll keep y'all updated, okay?"

Kazimir sighed. "Yeah, I understand. I'll go find her."

The night hadn't gone as Kazimir had expected it to. At least they'd gotten to spend quality time with each other last night.

While Emmett made his way back toward the crowd, pressing his phone close to his ear, Kazimir took off in the opposite direction. He stuffed his hands in his hoodie pockets, sighing. By the time he made it back to their booth, he realized Rylee had already left. He sent her some texts instead, updating her on Charlie's arrest.

"Kaz?"

Kazimir whirled around upon hearing his name, stymied to find Adrian behind him. He held a bag of skittles in his hand, munching on them.

"What are you doing here?" Kazimir asked him.

"Just felt like dropping by. I used to come here with my brothers sometimes, but they were busy this year," Adrian replied. "You here with anyone?"

"Yeah. Uh, I was." Kazimir awkwardly scratched the back of his neck. "Emmett had business to take care of. But he should be back soon."

"I see. Well, if you're free now, you wanna walk around a bit? I know there's not much time left before closing, but we could ride a few rides. If you want," Adrian offered.

Kazimir hesitated before nodding. "Sure thing."

It wouldn't hurt if he hung out with Adrian for a while, would it?