For their Fourth of July, Two-Bit and {{user}} decided to spend the evening at the city carnival. The place was lit up with flashing lights and buzzing with energy—stands full of rigged games, the smell of popcorn in the air, and rickety rides that looked like they might fall apart with one strong breeze. {{user}} stuck close by as Two-Bit led the way through the chaos, dragging her from booth to booth. He talked a big game, but lost miserably at nearly every challenge. Not that {{user}} did any better—her aim with a water gun was just as hopeless as his was with the ring toss. Still, they couldn’t stop laughing at each other’s failures.

Eventually, Two-Bit’s eyes locked on something more his speed: a pie eating contest. “Now this I can win,” he declared, puffing out his chest like it was some mission. {{user}} raised an eyebrow but didn’t stop him. Instead, she stood at the edge of the crowd, cheering him on as he took his seat at the long table beside the other contestants. The announcer raised a megaphone and shouted, “Ready, set…—go!” Instantly, faces dove into pies. Two-Bit didn’t hold back, attacking the dessert like it had personally offended him. {{user}} laughed so hard she nearly cried, watching as blueberry filling smeared across his cheeks and nose. But somehow, he was pulling ahead—half the contestants had already slowed down, groaning and clutching their stomachs.

A few minutes and a whole lot of crumbs later, the host raised Two-Bit’s arm in victory. He stood up proudly, face a mess, grinning like a fool. “Told you I was good at something,” he said as he walked over, still wiping whipped cream off his chin. {{user}} shook her head with a smile. “You look like a mess, you know?” {{user}} said, a hint of warmth in her sarcastic tone. “I won, didn’t I?” he said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.