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Albert has to admit, he’s not had this much fun in a very long time. Who would have thought that amusement parks are actually highly entertaining and not just a waste of money? He never liked loud and crowded places. If it wasn’t for Finney, he would’ve probably never even considered the possibility.
He is still not entirely convinced but one thing is certain: seeing the boy having fun makes him happy. The way he laughed when riding the bumper cars, the way the grease from an overpriced pizza slice shined on his lips, the way his eyes light up in childlike wonder at the sight of the colourful rides… Everything he does makes Albert’s heart fill with the warmth of a thousand suns.
His pure excitement is evident even from the height of a swing ride. Finney’s naturally messy curls are even messier with the force of the wind. His wide smile is contagious, Albert cannot help but smile back at him from the ground. He feels lucky to be able to share this moment with his boy. He’d not trade it for anything else in the world.
It’s fascinating how a single random encounter can turn one’s life around. Albert was in a very bad place when he met Finney. He’d just gotten fired from his job on false accusations, utility bills went up, the part-time magician thing was not bringing him any joy anymore. He was spending his nights alone with a bottle of whiskey as his only friend. No real connections, no ambitions, no motivation to keep going. His world was bleak, black and white. Until Finney showed up. He brought the colours back. He got him to start loving life again. Became his reason to move forward.
The amusement park date was entirely the boy’s idea. In fact, he comes up with all of their outings. They are spontaneous and Albert rarely knows where they are going. But he doesn’t mind that at all. He prefers it that way.
Albert leans on the barricade in front of the ride, not taking his eyes off Finney having the time of his life. He is adorable. No one else could ever compare. He is so… Ugh. Albert really wants to kiss him. It’s a shame he cannot. Not right now anyway. Finney is a very shy boy and prefers not to express his feelings, especially not in public. But it’s okay. Albert doesn’t need a physical confirmation of their love. What they have is more than that. Much bigger, purer. Unconditional. No need for performative show of affection. He knows he will be able to hold him soon. When the time is right.
The swing ride comes to an end and begins descending to the ground. Albert takes a couple of steps back and turns around to face an ice cream stand, keeping the boy in his peripheral vision.
Finney looks overwhelmingly giddy as he crosses over the barricade. He fixes his hair with the biggest smile on his face, turning to another boy wearing a bandana. They got down from the ride together.
“Dude… That was stellar!”
“That was nothing, Finn.” Says the other, as he jumps over to Finney. “Wait till we ride The Mountain Beast.”
The two boys quickly scurry towards the rollercoaster, passing Al without looking back, talking over each other and laughing.
Albert follows closely behind.
I can’t wait to have you in my arms.