rodrikstark's headcanons (part 3)

j. torres + first date, at a carnival

"why did not you tell me?"

"i'm sorry."

the gigantic stuffed octopus in your arms bulges as you squeeze the life out of it with one arm. your other hand picks idly at the plain funnel cake joaquín bought for you in a panic, seeing how unsteadily you stumbled off the platform.

"don't be sorry." he sighs, watching you sip your soda through the straw. "if anything—"

"you're in the air force," you whine, barely meeting his brown eyes. "all you do all day is fly around."

you bet he loved it up there, even when you were stuck for ten whole minutes, the lights and laughter of the carnival dancing warmly underneath your gondola.

the gondola, which you were pretty sure was made of sheet metal. attached to the frame by a single bolt. one sudden movement, and it would have tumbled to the ground, you just know it.

nibbling on another tiny chunk of fried dough, you press your forehead against your palm.

his lips curve into a confused smile. "it's not like i'm personally offended by your fear of heights."

"i realize how stupid it sounds." you sniffle.

he touches your wrist, and you almost want to cry. "i'm the stupid one," he insists. "i should've noticed how uncomfortable you were. i just..." joaquín hesitates, his hand returning to his lap. "i thought you were getting cold feet."

that causes you to look up. how could you have given off the impression that you weren't enjoying yourself?

in fact, when you think about the hour between him winning you an oversized stuffed animal at the water gun booth and him inviting you onto the ferris wheel... you're pretty sure you never stopped smiling. or laughing. or finding some excuse to touch him.

"i haven't really been clicking with any of the dates natasha and sam have set me up with," he admits. "but i really like you."

your chin squashes the fuzzy purple head of your octopus friend. "i like you too."

his expression brightens immediately. god, he's so cute.

"i wouldn't have gone up there if i didn't want to impress you." you shrug, practically slumping into your funnel cake. "i guess i accomplished the opposite of what i wanted."

he's gonna remember this forever. the date who nearly passed out in his arms, overwhelmed with fear. it wasn't even a big ferris wheel.

"actually." joaquín elbows your side, reveling in your adorable, timid laughter. "i think it was kinda brave."