Chapter Text
“Get your fuckin’ hands off me!” Dave’s voice rang out angrily, followed by a quick sequence of impact sounds, and then a bout of laughter from Cliff.
“Shh…!” Lars hushed sharply, turning in his seat and glaring daggers at the pair where they were sitting across the aisle, pulling each other’s hair obnoxiously. The Dane gestured aggressively toward Kirk, who was snoozing against his shoulder, little whistling breaths stuttering when the noise level escalated.
Cliff nodded then, covering his mouth with his closed fist. Dave just crossed his arms, rolling his eyes. Lars sighed at them before turning his attention back to the slumbering young man beside him. He gently brushed a strand of hair away from the elder’s forehead, trying to calm his sleeping form. In the midst of the chaos around them, Kirk stirred a little, mumbling something incoherent, but he didn’t wake up fully.
Opposite Lars and Kirk, Rob and Jason were sitting engrossed in their own conversation about a new bass that Rob had just bought.
The scene was downright odd.
You see, the trip had been sporadically planned the night before.
James had called Lars up at 23:00. “Hey man, we’re free tomorrow; you have to come with us to Mystic!”
Lars, thoroughly confused, inquired as to just what it was his friend was yapping about.
“The theme park in Lunsville,” James had said. “Jason will be there, plus Cliff and Dave. You should bring Kirk, and tell him to take someone, too. We need to start merging friend groups.”
“What, tomorrow?”
“Yeah.”
“How the hell do we get tickets? I mean—”
“Download the app, buy your tickets there. It’s like sixty bucks, no biggie.”
“You’re serious?”
“Yup. We’ll take the train to Lunsville Central tomorrow. It departs at 8:50 from the station. Come on, dude, it’ll be a great time!”
“I… Sure. Sure, why not?” Lars had concluded, smiling over at Kirk where the elder was sitting with his head tilted to the side, blinking in curiosity.
And so, it was decided.
Kirk and Lars had gotten up at 8:00 the following morning, showering and brushing their teeth together, as was their new thing. Kirk helped Lars shave off all the tricky spots of his stubble in exchange for Lars washing out all of Kirk’s ridiculous hair mask.
The younger had never been more content with a routine in his life.
Kirk had invited along Rob, who graciously accepted, happy for the chance to go see a new spot and meet some new people. It seemed he and Jason had hit it off at once, bonding over their shared instrument. James was sitting on the other side of the aisle, opposite Cliff and Dave, taking pleasure in tormenting the other guitarist just as much as Cliff.
Kirk, partially due to the early hour and partially due to the gentle cradling of the train gliding along the tracks, had quickly succumbed to sleep; cheek resting on his boyfriend’s shoulder. Lars took the opportunity to truly admire what Kirk was wearing — blissfully uninterrupted by the elder’s usual bashful wriggling any time the Dane tried to do so when he was awake.
Despite his adamant claims that he despised fashion, he was always dressed well. Whether it was on purpose or not, though, Lars couldn’t quite be sure.
The cream white shirt with the intricately painted tarantula caught his eye first. It was a fascinating contrast, the delicate artwork of the spider against the soft backdrop of color, almost as if the arachnid had decided to make its home right over the elder’s heart.
Overtop it, he wore his slightly too–big leather jacket, the one Lars knew he’d had for years, with holes in its pockets and loose threads at the collar. On his head were familiar clunky earphones that he insisted on keeping, old–school preferences cemented.
The black jeans were tight, as was Kirk’s cute staple, adorned at the waist by his belt with the Marlboro buckle. For shoes, he’d chosen dilapidated old converse, the ones that looked like they’d been through (a minimum of) three world wars. Lars knew that no matter how worn out they were, Kirk would stubbornly refuse to part with them, cherishing them as an extension of himself.
“Are we here already…?” Rob’s deep voice questioned suddenly, and Lars looked up to see him blinking, his gaze darting around the carriage.
“No, it’s time for the exchange buses.”
“Ugh, right,” Lars recalled, sighing up at the ceiling when he remembered.
Due to reconstruction, the train didn’t actually stop at Lunsville Central; instead they’d have to switch to a bus (albeit provided by the TOC) to go the final twenty minutes.
“It’s a fuckin’ hassle, but at least we’re almost there,” Lars replied, stretching his arms above his head to shake off the last remnants of sleepiness. He glanced over at Kirk, who was now fully awake and rubbing at his eyes, looking adorably disheveled. The elder yawned and subconsciously leaned into Lars’s side, seeking warmth. Lars smiled, reaching out to ruffle his curly hair.
“Tired?” the Dane asked.
“You could have woken me up earlier, you know,” Kirk replied sleepily. “I wanted to enjoy the train ride too.”
“Of course, how dare I deny you such a giving experience?” Lars pronounced.
“You’re in luck,” Jason spoke up from opposite them. “Now you get to enjoy a musty fuckin’ bus ride.”
Kirk huffed a laugh at the same time as Lars smiled.
“Alright, ladies, time to get up,” James said, doing just that. The rest followed suit, Dave and Cliff back to their slap–fighting antics now that Kirk was awake. Shuffling off the train, Lars emptied his can of Diet Coke, their big group ending up almost last in line for the buses.
The fresh morning scenery was quite beautiful, huge apartment complexes in the distance, the light blue sky above the train tracks clear — despite the rain that had been falling back in Port.
Kirk was rocking back and forth on his heels, arms clasped around his torso, eyes squinting up at the bright heavens.
“Dude, you look like a vampire,” Jason remarked from where he was leaning against James, prompting an immediate smile from Lars.
“I get that a lot,” Kirk replied. “I think it’s just my face.”
“It’s true, though. You really do,” Lars said, nudging Kirk’s elbow slightly. “Bet there’s an alternate universe somewhere out there where you are one.”
“Maybe it’s this one,” Kirk said, baring his teeth and holding up his hands, fingers bent to resemble claws.
“Scary, very scary,” Lars said, if only to placate the elder, who closed his eyes and nodded, satisfied.
“Start watching your back, Lars,” Rob added. “That one is all for midnight snacks.”
“Trust me, I know. It’s ridiculous,” Lars laughed, and Kirk quirked an eyebrow. “Like the first night of rooming together, he’s up on his phone at three in the morning like a fucking iPad kid, watching nursery rhymes or some shit on full brightness. When I tell him I’m awake, he tells me he’s ‘thirsty for tea’.”
“Damn… Motherfuckers are volatile tonight ,” Kirk referenced in mock offense, shaking his head down at the ground as chuckles echoed around the group.
The wait was longer than expected, Kirk and Lars having time to stumble their way through reciting three different Nat King Cole songs before the line finally started moving, and it was time to board the buses. Their one turned out to be a sleek black double decker, capable of carrying around 60 people. Unfortunately, since they were last in line, they wouldn’t get any seats.
Instead, Lars, Kirk, Jason and Rob ended up having to stand in the aisle, awkwardly holding the handgrips molded into the bus seats of the strangers around them for balance. Kirk didn’t even have that luxury, forced to unsteadily cling onto Lars’s arm while the younger held onto an actual handle.
“How long will we be standing here?” he inquired softly, eyes worried.
“Twenty minutes.”
“Dang it,” Kirk whispered, a little crease forming between his eyebrows.
“What’re you listening to?” Lars said, suddenly curious when the elder began swiping on his phone. Kirk immediately angled it away so Lars couldn’t see, laughing nervously.
“...What? What is it?” the Dane inquired, sudden confusion settling uneasily in his chest.
“It’s not—” Kirk began, but soon gave up. Turning his phone, he allowed Lars to inspect the screen.
“ Lykke Li?” he read, before noticing the album cover. “Wait, isn’t that Gregory?” Lars blinked, pointing at the steamy vampire on the screen.
“His name still isn’t Gregory…”
“You seriously listen to the Twilight soundtrack? ” Lars asked, lips curving into an ecstatic grin.
“Not often… ” Kirk tried, ever a terrible liar.
“Man, I watched that movie like three years ago with James… I think I fell asleep before the werewolf and the vampire fell in love though.”
“Bella isn’t the werewolf, you—” Kirk went to say, immediately freezing when he realized he’d fallen right into Lars’s hands.
“ A–ha, you know her name! Kirk, are you a fuckin’ Twilight fan?!”
“It was a phase!” the elder whisper–shouted, eyes darting around to make sure no one was listening in.
Lars couldn't hold back his laughter, thoroughly enjoying Kirk’s flustered state. “Oh yeah?” he asked, raising an eyebrow mischievously.
Kirk groaned, trying to explain it away, though his cheeks were still tinged with embarrassment. “My sisters made me read the books! They weren’t even that bad…!”
Lars smirked. “You picture yourself as that brooding, mysterious vampire who swept the girl off her feet?”
Kirk gave him an exasperated look, but his lips twitched with amusement. “We all know how that went. The music is seriously good, though. It’s not pop or anything, it can’t be confined to genre—”
“This is surprisingly endearing.”
“Endearing, my ass,” Kirk muttered, rolling his eyes, but he couldn’t hide the small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “...And for the record, his name is Edward . Not Gregory ,” he finished, embarrassedly pulling out his phone and beginning to scroll through his photo album.
The bus continued along the busy streets, and Lars (merciful as he was) decided not to grill Kirk too hard for his Twilight ‘phase’, letting the elder listen to the music in peace. Instead, he looked out the window of the bus, enjoying the cityscape. Lunsville was a big town, much bigger than Port, traffic buzzing and people milling about outside.
It reminded Lars of home in that comforting way he liked.
Glass skyscrapers stood proudly next to vintage brick structures, each telling a different story of the city’s history. The streets were lined with shops, restaurants, and cafes, all filled with people going about their daily lives. Kirk, seemingly having noticed Lars’s contemplative expression, followed his gaze out of the window.
“What’s got you lost in thought?” he asked, curiosity evident in his voice.
Lars turned to him, a soft smile playing on his lips. “Just the city,” he replied. “Reminds me of Copenhagen.”
Kirk’s eyes glittered in a way that didn’t pass Lars by. “I want to see Denmark.”
“Yeah?” Lars asked, heart clenching.
“Definitely! I mean, it’s your home.”
“It is.”
“Do you miss it?”
“At times, I do. I mean, I miss my parents.”
Kirk’s eyes flitted away. “...I’d like to meet them, some day,” he admitted softly.
Lars smiled. “Yeah. Yes, of course. They’ll like you, you know? Unlike Dave. My parents do not like Dave,” Lars said, loud enough for the glorified ginger to hear, whipping his head around and glaring.
“Why not?” Kirk asked, a confused smile spreading across his face.
“My father almost ran the car off a cliff when he was visiting one time because Dave wouldn’t stop fucking complaining about every little thing.”
“Oh yeah? Well, your dad drives like a goddamned—” Dave began, but Cliff quickly silenced him.
Kirk chuckled as the bus pulled to a stop, twenty minutes in the company of friends feeling like two. Debarking the cramped vehicle, the group stumbled out onto the street, taking a moment to stretch, and then another to blink at the scenery around them like confused cavemen.
“We said we’d get something to eat, right?” Dave said, somehow already pissed. “I’m fucking starving.”
“I’m pretty hungry, too,” Kirk chimed in, and Dave shot him another upsizing glance, something bordering on approval in his eyes.
“What’re you guys feeling?” James asked, hands in his pockets, leaning back and looking around for any restaurants.
“Fast food? ‘S cheap,” Lars shrugged.
“I’m good with that,” Kirk nodded, and after a few seconds, Lars’s suggestion was granted by the rest of the ever–so–wise counsel that consisted of six hungry idiots.
Setting off in the general direction of the park, they wandered the streets for a while — until they eventually came upon a McDonald’s, renouncing their collective pride and stepping inside. Quickly tapping his order into the screen, Lars sat down, surreptitiously watching as Kirk got himself a thing of fries and a small soft serve ice cream.
The group made quick work of eating, Kirk engrossed in dipping his fries into the vanilla and munching on them, unconcerned when Dave rolled his eyes at the dark haired’s vegetarianism.
“I don’t understand you vegans… That’s such beta behavior.”
“He’s eating ice cream, doofus,” Cliff cut in, smacking Dave upside the head. “How is that vegan?”
“He’s not eating meat though, is he?” Dave refuted, swatting at Cliff’s hand.
“You guys try working at Burger King for a year. You’ll become vegetarians too,” Kirk promised.
“Try working at Hooters. You won’t even need tits, just being vegetarian is enough of a chick–trait,” Dave said.
“You know,” James cut in, “I can see you working at Hooters, Dave. Your hair will match the uniform and all. Beautiful.”
Lars snorted, enjoying the way in Dave’s face flushed in annoyance.
“You’re gross,” Dave refuted, turning his nose up at James.
In response, James just blew an epicene kiss at him from across the table.
“For the record,” Rob said, “Kirk would make a great Hooters girl. I can already see you serving wings with that smolder of yours,” he said, and Kirk exhaled a silent laugh that shook his shoulders. He smirked playfully, holding a fry to his lips like it was a seductive prop.
“You think so?” he teased, giving Rob a flirty glance.
“Oh, definitely,” Rob replied.
Kirk batted his eyelashes dramatically, pretending to be flattered. “Ah, if you think I’ve got what it takes, maybe I should give it a try.”
Dave snorted, not one to let the opportunity for a snarky comment slip by. “Yeah, with that face, you’ll have all the customers running for the door.”
Lars scowled, but Kirk just giggled, unconcerned.
Finishing up and tossing their trash in the designated slots, the group bustled out the door, navigating their way through town — only slightly disoriented.
The sun was now high in the sky, strange for November, casting long rays over the streets of Lunsville as the group meandered through the city. They chatted in different directions, speech overlapping and jumbled, continuing as they made their way towards Mystic’s gates. The excitement in the air was palpable, and even Dave’s usual grumpiness seemed to be momentarily lifted by the energy of his friends.
As they approached the park’s entrance, the sight of roller coasters soaring into the sky and the distant screams of thrill–seekers filled the air. Kirk’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, and he let out a gleeful laugh.
“You sure you’ve never been on one of these before?” Lars asked, raising an eyebrow and smiling.
“I haven’t, I swear!” Kirk said, head whipping around excitedly.
Rob grinned, gesturing towards a towering green coaster. “Who’s up for starting with the big one?”
Kirk’s eyes widened, but he nodded eagerly. “I’m game!”
“Nah, man, we gotta start with Free Fall,” James said, pointing in the direction of a towering cylinder in the distance.
Cliff nodded sincerely, and Dave (as usual) glared.
Kirk glanced back and forth between the two rides. “Alright, let’s settle this like adults. Rock, paper, scissors,” he concluded, pointing between James and Rob. After a quick match, James emerged as the winner, victoriously griddying his way over to the attraction (much to everyone’s dismay).
The screen foretold the queue to be about 30 minutes long, snaking a sizable distance around the massive tower. They could hear the adrenaline–fueled screams from the riders who were plummeting down the tower, Lars feeling slightly sick thinking about it. Heights? Not his thing.
Kirk looked way excited, chatting animatedly with Rob and Jason, the latter of which had taken a quick liking to the elder. Lars didn’t blame him in the slightest. James and Dave were busy arguing about AC/DC albums long since released, Cliff seemingly having a staring competition with himself in the polished metal of the walls.
Lars, having brought his comb, produced it from his pocket and ran it through his hair a couple times — before jokingly gesturing brushing the non–existent hair of the bald man in line before them behind his back.
Gradually, in a manner that was infuriatingly slow, the line moved forward, and they made their way closer to the ride’s entrance. Despite his trepidation, Lars couldn’t help but feel a twinge of anticipation. He knew the adrenaline rush would be worth it, even if he wasn’t a fan of heights.
Finally, it was their turn to board. Since the attraction was designed in such a way that the seats were in one big circle, it didn’t matter that they were an uneven number — they could still all sit together. Lars ended up between Kirk and Dave, and when the attendants secured them in their seats, he couldn’t help but grip the safety bar tightly. He glanced over at Kirk, who seemed like a kid on Christmas morning, his eyes shining with excitement.
“Ready!” Lars heard someone shout, and the ride began to ascend slowly. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to steady his racing heart.
As they climbed higher, the view expanded before them, and Lars couldn’t help but crack his eyes open to take it in. The world seemed to stretch out endlessly below them, and for a moment, he forgot about his fear of heights — too focused on their surroundings.
Then, without warning, they dropped. The sensation of free–falling was both terrifying and thrilling, and Lars couldn’t help but let out a mixture of laughter and screams. The wind rushed past them, and he felt a rush of adrenaline unlike anything he had experienced before.
All of a sudden—
“My fuckin’ shoe!!!”
As they plummeted down, one of Dave’s shoes came loose and flew off, disappearing into the air. The entire group let out a collective gasp, followed by bursts of laughter as they watched it make its unexpected escape. As soon as they reached the ground and stumbled out of their seats, Dave, looking like he was gearing up to fight God, jumped around on one foot in search of his other Doc.
Cliff, ever the practical one, chimed in. “It’s over there, by the trash can.”
“Where it belongs,” Lars didn’t miss the opportunity to quip. A moment later, he narrowly avoided a heavy boot to the head.
Next, they decided it’d serve them well to do an actual roller coaster. Kirk, having gotten a taste of the adrenaline, practically levitated over, beckoning Lars to come with at every turn.
”Come on, this one’s gonna be even better!” he urged, tugging at the younger’s arm like an eager child.
Lars couldn’t resist the elder’s childlike enthusiasm and grinned back at him. “Alright, alright…!” he said, pretending to be exasperated.
The line for the roller coaster was longer this time, but it gave the group more time to tease Dave about his (temporarily) missing shoe and share stories of their favorite amusement park experiences.
“...You think I could steal that balloon?” Jason asked in a mumble, and Lars tilted his head, trying to see what he was referring to.
“What, from the kid ? No!” Kirk reprimanded, smacking him lightly.
“Obviously not, he’d bite your fuckin’ head off, look at those eyes!” Lars cut in. “At least I would’ve, as a kid.”
“That’s not why he shouldn’t steal it!” Kirk said, and Lars blinked confusedly.
“Oh. Yeah. And, ‘cause it’s mean. Can’t be mean,” he quickly corrected, innocently gazing away.
Kirk rolled his eyes, tugging Lars's hair softly.
“Wait, who’s sitting with who?” Rob asked as they approached the front of the line, glancing around at the other six.
“I’ll sit with you, man,” Jason offered, and Rob fist bumped him.
“Cliff?” James asked, to which the other soundlessly confirmed.
Kirk stepped closer to Lars, making it clear that they were a pair, too.
“That settles it then. Dave, you go alone.”
“What the— what do you mean, you assholes!”
“We don’t make the rules,” James shrugged, hopping into his seat beside Cliff.
“You guys are such fucking dickheads…”
Dave’s voice faded into the background as Lars and Kirk sat down side by side. The world outside was far, far away, the queue’s gradual ascent not fully clear to Lars until this point. Swearing under his breath, he leaned back, nape pressing against the headrest.
Soon, though, something light brushed his arm, and Lars cracked one eye open, glancing down to see that Kirk had placed his hand overtop the younger’s. Softly threading their fingers together, the elder lifted Lars’s hand to his lips, pressing an exaggerated kiss ( mmmmwah!) that could be played off as a joke to his knuckles.
Lars couldn’t help but chuckle at Kirk’s playful gesture, feeling his heart warm at the touch of their intertwined fingers. He leaned closer, their shoulders touching.
“Smooth.”
Kirk grinned mischievously, his eyes shining with affection. “You know it,” he replied, his voice a low murmur.
“Gay as hell,” came a mutter from the seat behind.
“Dave, you took a bath with James.”
The voice was quickly silenced.
The roller coaster began its slow ascent, and Lars could feel the tension building up inside him. He glanced at Kirk, who seemed completely at ease, his excitement palpable. The Dane took a deep breath, steadying his nerves.
When Lars regained the ability to open his eyes, the ride was over. He blinked, nursing his loopy head. When he glanced at Kirk, the elder's eyebrows were furrowed in worry.
Lars couldn’t help but chuckle, feeling a mix of relief and lingering exhilaration. “What…?” he asked, his voice still a little shaky.
“Lars, you— I can’t, you— You passed out!” Kirk said, blinking at him with those big doe eyes.
“I did? Christ…”
“Here,” Kirk said, immediately standing up when the buckle lifted and grabbing a steady hold of Lars’s arm. Leading him toward the exit of the ride, Kirk didn’t let go of him again for another hour.
Lars saw the inquisitive glances from James and Jason alike, but no opportunity arose to just spit it out, and so, he stayed silent, choosing instead to relish in the comforting warmth of Kirk’s palm wrapped neatly around the younger’s bicep for as long as he could. They knocked out bumper cars and the raft ride in relative succession, Lars somehow ending up with a literal pool between his thighs — Kirk completely dry.
“Oh Lars, what have you been thinking about?” the elder mumbled, snickering. At least he was, until Lars smacked him upside the head with his soaked map. James and Cliff both shed their shirts, parading around with their chests bare in order to dry in the so–called ‘November sun’.
As the day wore on, though, something in the atmosphere seemed to shift. It was subtle. The casual brushing of shoulders, a simple smile across the seats.
They were all growing closer.
Around five o’clock, Dave and Kirk were sitting opposite Lars where they had stopped for a bite, deeply engrossed in a conversation about a movie that had just been released. They nodded and muttered in sync, Dave’s demeanor becoming less and less harsh by the second.
Soon, Kirk subconsciously reached for one of the ginger’s cherry tomatoes, but immediately stopped when he realized what he was doing, eyes widening a little.
Instead of the glare Lars had expected, Dave actually pushed his plate forward so it slid to rest between the two of them, a silent blessing, not pausing his speech for a minute. Smiling (one of those small ones that Lars loved oh–so–much), Kirk carefully snagged a tomato, popping it into his mouth and biting down with a satisfied crunch.
“...You seeing this?” Lars whispered covertly to Cliff, who exhaled a silent laugh.
“Kirk just has that effect on people,” the elder shrugged, leaning back.
“I know, but Dave?”
“He’s not all bad,” Cliff said, elbowing Lars gently. “You two used to be real close.”
“...Yeah. Yeah, I guess you’re right. I just can’t stand the way he— I mean, the way he talks about… certain things.”
Cliff glanced at him then, but Lars deliberately didn’t meet his gaze. He just couldn’t be bothered.
“Mm,” the elder hummed. “...Just keep in mind that people handle things differently. There are things you don’t know about Dave, just as there are things he doesn’t know about you. He hasn’t had the easiest life.”
“Who has?” Lars muttered pettily. “You know, Kirk had a shit life, too.”
“Kirk is Kirk,” Cliff supplied simply. “Dave is… well, Dave.”
“Poetic,” Lars rolled his eyes.
Still, he sat in silence for a little while, mulling over Cliff’s words. It was true that Dave hadn’t had an easy life, and comparing struggles never led to anything positive. Perhaps he had been too quick to judge without fully understanding where the elder was coming from. He stole a glance at the two across the table, who were still engrossed in their conversation, and couldn’t help but notice the little sparkle in Dave’s eyes — strangely gentle when talking to Kirk.
Distant memories of late night gigs and dank basements flooded Lars in the blink of an eye, a stab of pain repelling up his ribcage.
“...Hm,” he concluded, voice slightly shakier than what he’d have wished.
Lars made a mental note to try to be more open–minded and patient with Dave. Maybe, just maybe, the person he used to know was still there, just waiting for someone to point him out.
“ Dude! Mirror Maze!” Kirk pointed excitedly when they slipped out of the 50s themed diner, eyes glittering with excitement.
“Indeed,” Lars smiled, sticking his hands in his pockets and rolling his shoulders.
“What, you wanna go in?” Dave asked, snickering at Kirk who nodded feverishly.
Lars looked at Kirk, his smile growing wider. “Why not? It could be fun,” he said, feeling a sense of adventure bubbling up inside him.
“Fine, but don’t expect me to hold your hand if you get scared in there,” Dave remarked, although it lacked bite.
Kirk playfully nudged Dave’s shoulder. “Who needs your sweaty palms when I have Lars’s?” he said, earning a (slightly alarmed) chuckle from Lars and an upsizing glance from Dave.
The group made their way to the Mirror Maze attraction, and as they stepped inside, they were immediately engulfed in a world of reflections and disorienting illusions. Mirrors lined the walls, creating infinite reflections and making it difficult to distinguish reality.
“What the hell?” Lars asked, tentatively holding his hands in front of himself so as not to walk into anything.
Jason, it seemed, had not yet mastered the technique, a big bonk! sounding, followed by a pained yelp.
“Oh, that’s gotta hurt,” Rob commented, trying not to laugh as Jason rubbed his forehead with a sheepish grin.
“I’m fine, I’m fine,” the wounded young man muttered, seeming a little embarrassed.
As they continued through the maze, the mirrors played tricks on them, making it feel like they were walking in circles. Laughter echoed through the narrow passages as they bumped into dead–ends and tried to find their way out. Kirk, being the most excited, was leading the way, his eyes gleaming with amusement.
“Hey, don’t go too far ahead!” Lars called out, trailing behind a bit.
“You worry too much, you’re gonna get wrinkles!” Kirk called back, disappearing between two mirrors further ahead.
“Yeah, yeah… Kirk?” Lars called when he turned the corner.
But there was no one.
“Kirk…?” Rob called out, just having caught up with Lars.
“Kirk, man!” James repeated loudly, blinking confusedly at the surrounding mirrors.
“ For helvede … We have to find him,” Lars said, setting off in one direction, only for his arm to be caught by Dave.
“Let’s not split up, moron.”
Lars sighed, realizing that Dave was right. Splitting up in a confusing maze like this would only make things worse. He nodded in agreement and motioned for the rest of the group to stay close together.
“Alright, let’s stick together and search systematically,” Lars suggested, trying to keep his voice steady despite the growing concern in his chest. “Kirk can’t have gone too far. He was just here a moment ago.”
They carefully retraced their steps, checking each mirror and corner they passed, calling out Kirk’s name. But there was no sign of him.
“This is ridiculous. How can someone just vanish like that?” Dave grumbled, looking visibly worried. Lars didn’t have time to revel in the fact.
“I don’t know, but we’ll find him,” he assured instead, trying to remain positive.
After what felt like an eternity of searching, they finally heard Kirk’s voice echoing through the maze. Following the sound, they turned another corner and found him standing in front of a particularly strange mirror that curved.
“Hey, guys! Look at this!” Kirk called out, still seeming excited.
Relieved to see him safe, Lars let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding, quickly walking over and grabbing ahold of the elder’s wrist. “Kirk, don’t scare us like that!” he scolded, but his stern tone was softened by the relief in his voice.
“...God damn, that’s— That’s just…” Rob trailed off.
Lars turned to him, confused as to what he was referring to. Lars followed the younger’s gaze, and only then did he register that the mirror’s curve made it so both he and Kirk had insanely fat asses.
“ Gyat… ”
“Who said that?!” Lars asked, head whipping back to look at the group who were all suddenly avoiding eye contact, except Dave, who was staring in horror–tinged fascination at Lars’s reflection.
“...Anyone carrying bleach?” the redhead asked after a moment, rubbing at his eyes and looking physically ill.
James took out his phone, looking more than happy to capture the scene. “Alright, let’s get a picture with Lars’s new asset.”
It was almost impressive, the manner in which everyone assembled like the goddamn Avengers, expressions and body language dire (the only exception being Kirk, who was smiling like a schoolboy) to snap a photograph of themselves and Lars’s reflection.
Lars glanced at Kirk, their shoulders touching. He couldn’t deny the warmth he felt spreading through him in the elder’s presence.
As the photo was taken, Dave muttered under his breath, “If any one of you ever shows this to my future grandchildren, I’ll haunt you from the grave.”
Cliff laughed, clapping Dave on the back. “It’s a promise.”
With laughter still ringing in their ears, the group continued their day at the amusement park, somehow managing to wander out of the mirror maze wholly by accident. As the sun began to set and the lights of the park came to life, Lars felt a sense of contentment wash over him.
“We need to hit the haunted house,” Kirk insisted happily, his energy infectious.
“They have one of those?” Lars asked, confused.
“Yeah, I saw it on the map earlier!”
“Shit, I’m all for it,” Rob said, agreement echoing around their little parade.
The air grew colder as they followed the signs across the park, weaving their way through crowds of adults and children alike. Lars was the first to spot the towering facade in the distance. Golden lettering that read ‘Hotel Ghast’ adorned the roof, making for a kitschy vibe that eased his fear somewhat.
Kirk’s excitement was palpable. Lars was intrigued, but also a little skeptical. He glanced at the elder, one eyebrow cocked. “You sure this is a good idea?”
The elder grinned mischievously. “Oh, come on! It’s all in good fun. What’s the worst that could happen?”
“Famous last words.”
Dave rolled his eyes. “Seriously? It’s just some cheap thrills. I’ve seen scarier stuff in my aunt’s bathroom.”
James elbowed Dave. “Oh, so you admit you’re scared of something?”
Dave scowled. “I’m not scared, I just have standards for horror.”
Cliff chuckled. “Well, whether it’s genuinely scary or just cheesy fun, it’ll be an experience”
Lars sighed, giving in to the collective excitement. “Alright, fine. Let’s do it.”
As they entered the haunted house, the atmosphere immediately changed. Dim lighting, eerie music, and strategically placed jump scares set the tone. The group moved cautiously through the maze–like corridors, laughing and shrieking at unexpected scares.
At one point, a costumed actor leaped out at them with a chainsaw, sending everyone into a fit of nervous laughter. Kirk’s reactions were particularly entertaining, as he alternated between mock screams and bouts of giggles at the others’ terror.
As they exited the attraction, hearts still racing, Lars couldn’t help but admit that it was a good idea.
Kirk grinned, giving him a playful nudge. “See? I told you!”
“...Yeah. Guess you did.”
The elder’s gaze stuck on him for a moment, and Lars couldn’t quite help himself.
“Holy shit, look at that giraffe!” the Dane said, pointing off into the distance at nothing.
It worked like a charm, everyone simultaneously turning their heads to stare. As they did, Lars reached forward and quickly captured Kirk in a kiss.
“Huh?” Dave asked, looking back just as the two parted.
“Nothin’.” Lars shrugged nonchalantly. Kirk was grinning, gaze determinedly stuck to the ground.
With the haunted house behind them, the group continued to explore the park, enjoying the festivities and each other’s company. As the night grew darker and the lights of the park shone even brighter, Lars felt a strong sense of camaraderie among them. These were the moments that he cherished the most — simple, spontaneous, and full of laughter.
The group continued their meandering journey, and eventually, they found themselves standing at the entrance of the infamous tree tunnel. Lars had to pause before walking in, simply to admire the breathtaking design. The tunnel was a natural pathway formed by towering trees, their branches interlocking overhead to create a living canopy.
But what truly captured Lars's attention was the intricate display of lights. Entangled within the branches were thousands of little fairy lights, illuminating the space with a soft, ethereal glow. The lights shone in a mesmerizing blend of blue and white, casting a magical ambiance over the area and the people walking beneath.
“Wow,” Lars breathed out, his eyes tracing the intricate patterns formed by the lights.
Kirk nudged him playfully. “Impressive?”
Lars turned to him, a genuine smile on his face. “Yeah, it really is.”
The group stepped into the tunnel, the enchanting atmosphere enveloping them. As they walked beneath the twinkling lights, the surroundings seemed to transform into something out of a fairytale. Laughter and conversation floated through the air, mixing with the soft rustle of leaves and the distant sound of music.
“I’ve never seen anything like this,” Rob remarked, his voice filled with wonder.
Lars looked at Kirk, who was walking beside him with awe in his glittering eyes. They had come so far from that first meeting, from the early days of uncertainty and hesitation. The journey they had been on, the experiences they had shared, had brought them closer than Lars could have ever imagined with anyone — lover or otherwise.
Kirk had become more. He was a confidant, a partner in adventure, someone who made his heart race and his spirits soar. The subtle touches, the shared laughter, the unspoken understanding.
“Hey, Kirk?”
“...Mm? What?”
“I’ll always love you, you know.”
Kirk’s steps faltered, and he turned to look at Lars, his expression a mix of surprise and vulnerability. The noise and commotion of The Mystic Park and their friends further ahead seemed to fade into the background, leaving just the two of them standing there in a bubble of shared emotion. Their journey, filled with ups and downs, laughter and challenges, had led them to this moment. It had taken them from a chance encounter to a bond that was unbreakable. Lars knew that his love for Kirk was a constant, an anchor in the ever–changing sea of life.
Kirk’s mouth quirked up into the gentlest of grins, hand coming to adjust a few curls that had fallen over his forehead. “Forever, huh? Wow."
“...Yes. Yes, forever,” Lars affirmed, feeling a sense of peace settle over him as a grin overtook his features.
“Hm. Guess that makes two, then.”