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Y/N strolled hand-in-hand with Emily and JJ. The festive sounds of laughter, cheerful music, and the occasional shriek of joy from the rides created an atmosphere of pure delight. Henry darted ahead of them, his little legs moving as fast as they could, his eyes wide as saucers as he took in every vibrant colour and flashing light. "Dama, look!" Henry called over his shoulder, pointing to a carousel spinning lazily to the sound of old-timey carnival tunes. Y/N grinned, adjusting her camo cargo pants and black t-shirt, which made her stand out amidst the crowd of casual fair-goers.
"We'll get there, buddy!" She promised, glancing at JJ, who was already tugging her blonde hair into a ponytail to prepare for the chaos that only henry at a carnival would create. Emily chuckled beside her, brushing her raven-black hair from her face. Her dark eyes sparkled with amusement as she squeezed Y/N's arm. "He's going to run us ragged." Emily mutters, "Ragged but happy." JJ replied, her gaze soft as she watched Henry's excitement. The little boy suddenly stopped dead in his tracks, his attention caught by something ahead. His eyes widened even further, and he gasped audibly, pointing at a massive teddy bear perched high on a shelf at a game booth.
The bear was chocolate brown, almost as big as Henry himself, with a red ribbon tied neatly around its neck. It looked impossibly fluffy, practically calling Henry's name. Henry turned back, tugging insistently at JJ's sleeve. "Mama! Mama, look! I want this one!" JJ crouched down beside him, smiling warmly. "That one, huh? That's a big bear, kiddo. You sure you've got room in your bed for it?" Henry nodded enthusiastically, his hands clasped together as if he were praying. "Yes! Please, Mama, please!" JJ straightened, looking over her shoulder at Y/N, who had been leaning slightly into Emily, murmuring something to make the older agent blush, a faint giggle forming on her lips.
"Dama!" Henry's little voice cut through the moment. "Stop flirting and come here!" Y/N blinked, caught mid-laugh, and straightened up. Emily snorted softly, clearly entertained by Henry's scolding. "What's up, champ?" Y/N asked, strolling over to where Henry stood. JJ crossed her arms, an amused smile playing on her lips. Henry pointed emphatically at the game booth. “Play this game and win me the teddy bear!” Y/N followed his finger to the sign above the stall. It was a classic shooting game where players had to pop balloons with a BB gun. A row of brightly colored balloons lined the back wall, each one shaking slightly in the breeze. Above them, the game’s neon sign read, “SNIPER CHALLENGE: HIT 10 BALLOONS TO WIN!”
A smirk spread across Y/N's face, "This is almost too easy." She said, cracking her knuckles theatrically. JJ arched an eyebrow, "You think you've got it, sharpshooter?" She smiled, "Oh, come on," Y/N teased, giving her a playful nudge, "I am still technically a ranger in the army, this game was made for me!" Emily leaned in, a grin tugging at her lips. "No pressure, but if you even miss one, Henry might lose faith in you forever." Y/N scoffed, "Thanks for the pep talk," She quipped, ruffling Henry's hair before stepping up to the booth. The carnie running the game eyed her with mild amusement as she approached. He was a wiry man with a scruffy beard and a skeptical look in his eye.
“Think you’ve got what it takes?” he asked, holding out the BB gun. Y/N smirked as she took the gun, testing its weight in her hands. “Let’s just say I’ve had a bit of practice.” The carnie chuckled. “Alright, hotshot. Ten balloons, ten shots. Let’s see what you’ve got.” Y/N didn’t waste any time. She adjusted her stance slightly, raising the gun to her shoulder with a precision that was almost muscle memory. The first balloon popped with a satisfying pow! before the carnie even finished explaining the rules. “Whoa,” he muttered, blinking in surprise. Y/N’s movements were smooth and methodical, each shot hitting its target with pinpoint accuracy.
The crowd began to take notice, a small group of onlookers gathering around the booth. JJ and Emily exchanged amused glances, both clearly enjoying the attention Y/N was drawing. “Did you see that?” one man in the crowd whispered to his friend. “She didn’t even hesitate.” By the time Y/N hit her fifth balloon, the carnie’s skepticism had vanished entirely. He leaned forward, watching her with wide eyes. “You’re not messing around, are you?” he said, half in awe. “Not even a little,” Y/N replied, her tone light but confident. Henry was bouncing on his toes, clutching JJ’s hand as he watched his Dama’s flawless performance. “She’s the best ever!” he declared loudly, earning a few chuckles from the crowd.
When Y/N hit the ninth balloon, the onlookers fell completely silent, holding their breath as she lined up her final shot. She exhaled slowly, her focus unwavering, and pulled the trigger. The tenth balloon popped with a sharp pow!, and the crowd erupted into cheers and applause. Y/N handed the gun back to the carnie with a satisfied smirk. “I think that’s ten,” she said, her voice carrying just a hint of playful smugness. The carnie shook his head, still looking stunned. “I’ve been running this game for years, and I’ve never seen anyone shoot like that. You’re a pro, aren’t you?”
“Something like that,” Y/N replied with a wink. The carnie let out a low whistle. “Well, sharpshooter, you’ve earned it. Biggest prize we’ve got.” He reached up to grab the massive teddy bear, struggling slightly under its weight as he brought it down. Y/N took the bear with ease and knelt down to Henry’s level, presenting it to him with a dramatic flourish. “Your bear, young sir,” she said, grinning. Henry’s face lit up as he hugged the bear tightly, his small arms barely reaching around its fluffy middle. “Thank you, Dama!” he exclaimed, beaming up at her. “Anything for you, bud,” Y/N said, ruffling his hair affectionately.
JJ shook her head, laughing as she slid her arm around Y/N’s waist. “You’re never going to let us forget how easy that was, are you?” JJ's lips forming a small smile as she looks to her partner. “Never,” Y/N replied, winking at her. “I’m going to remind you every time you try to challenge me at anything.” Emily stepped closer, slipping her hand into Y/N’s free one. “You’re not half as charming as you think you are,” she teased, though the warmth in her eyes betrayed her affection. “Oh, I’m twice as charming as I think I am,” Y/N shot back, leaning down to brush a quick kiss to Emily’s temple.
Henry, clutching his new bear, tugged at Y/N’s pant leg. “Dama! Let’s go ride the Ferris wheel!” The idea made Y/N grin, but before she could answer, JJ raised an eyebrow. “Henry, don’t you think Dama deserves a little break after showing off her sniper skills?” Y/N simply watched the interaction. “But she’s not even tired!” Henry insisted, his eyes pleading as he hugged the bear tighter. “And I wanna see everything from up high!” Y/N crouched down, meeting Henry’s eager gaze. “Alright, buddy, the Ferris wheel it is,” she said, earning an excited squeal from the boy. She glanced up at JJ and Emily. “You two coming?”
JJ exchanged a look with Emily, a soft smile curling her lips. “We wouldn’t miss it.” As they made their way through the thickening crowd, the fair buzzed with energy. The air was filled with the smell of fried dough, sugary cotton candy, and the occasional whiff of roasted peanuts. A group of teenagers ran past, laughing loudly, while a magician at a nearby booth made a card disappear to the amazement of a small audience. Henry held tightly to Y/N’s hand, his other arm wrapped around the bear, which was almost comically large compared to his small frame.
When they reached the Ferris wheel, they were met with a short line. The ride towered above them, its brightly lit carriages slowly rotating against the now-deepening twilight. The colorful lights reflected in Henry’s wide eyes as he bounced on his toes, clearly unable to contain his excitement. As they stepped into one of the carriages, Y/N helped Henry and his bear settle in first before sliding in beside him. JJ and Emily followed, sitting across from them. The operator secured the bar and gave them a nod before moving on to the next group. As the Ferris wheel began its ascent, Henry leaned forward, his nose nearly pressed to the glass. “Look, Dama! I can see everything!”
Y/N leaned in beside him, pointing out some of the fair attractions below. “There’s the carousel you liked earlier, and look over there—that’s the roller coaster.” Henry’s jaw dropped. “It’s so big! Can we go on it next?” JJ chuckled. “Maybe when you’re a little taller, buddy.” The carriage rocked slightly as the Ferris wheel paused to let more passengers on, and Emily took the opportunity to reach out and rest her hand on Y/N’s knee. “You’re really good with him,” she said softly, her dark eyes warm as they met Y/N’s. Y/N gave a small shrug, though her smile betrayed her pride. “He’s easy to love. He makes it feel natural.”
JJ reached over to ruffle Henry’s hair. “That’s because you’re his favorite,” she teased, earning a giggle from the boy. As the ride resumed and their carriage climbed higher, the view became even more breathtaking. The fairground stretched out below them, a sea of twinkling lights and bustling activity. Beyond the fair, the town lay quietly under the blanket of dusk, the horizon painted in hues of purple and orange. Henry leaned back against the plush teddy bear, his earlier energy giving way to a rare moment of quiet contentment. “This is the best day ever,” he declared, his voice soft but full of sincerity.
Y/N felt a warm swell of emotion in her chest. She wrapped an arm around Henry’s small shoulders, pulling him close. “I’m glad, buddy. You deserve it.” JJ and Emily exchanged a look, their smiles matching as they leaned into each other. For a moment, the chaos of the world seemed to fade, leaving only the simple joy of the moment. By the time they exited the Ferris wheel, Henry’s energy had returned full force. He skipped ahead of them, the bear almost dragging on the ground as he excitedly pointed out every booth and ride they passed. “Can we get popcorn? And cotton candy? Oh, and those twisty potato things!” he exclaimed, barely pausing for breath.
JJ laughed, shaking her head. “You’re going to give yourself a stomach ache if you eat all that.” Y/N smiled at Henry, and his ever compromising brain, “Then I’ll just eat a little of everything,” Henry reasoned, as if that solved the problem. Y/N grinned, ruffling his hair. “Tell you what—we’ll start with popcorn and see how far we get.” They stopped at a food stall, where Henry insisted on holding the largest popcorn bag available. He shared generously, offering handfuls to each of them as they wandered toward the carnival games section again. The crowd had thickened considerably by this point, and the lively energy of the fair was in full swing.
A street performer juggling flaming torches had drawn a large audience, and the distant sound of a live band playing added a festive rhythm to the night. The group found themselves blending into the flow of people, enjoying the shared buzz of excitement. As they passed by the shooting booth again, the carnie caught sight of Y/N and called out, “Hey, sniper! Back for round two?” The onlookers who’d seen her earlier turned to watch, whispering among themselves. Y/N raised an eyebrow, glancing at Henry. “What do you think, bud? Should I show them how it’s done again?”
Henry nodded eagerly, his mouth full of popcorn. “Yeah! Show them you’re the best!” JJ groaned playfully. “You’re going to end up with an audience this time.” She laughed, “I already have an audience,” Y/N replied with a wink, gesturing to them. Emily rolled her eyes, though her smile betrayed her amusement. “Just try not to break the poor man’s game.” Y/N stepped back up to the booth, and this time, the carnie handed her the gun with a wide grin. “Alright, folks, gather ‘round! Our sharpshooter here is about to put on a show!” A small crowd began to form, drawn by the carnie’s announcement.
The second round of the sniper shooting game had already drawn a decent crowd, but when Y/N pulled Emily in front of her, the murmurs started. People shifted closer, intrigued by whatever bold stunt was about to happen. JJ stood to the side, arms crossed, shaking her head with an amused grin. Emily raised an eyebrow as Y/N gently guided her into position, standing directly in front of her. “What exactly is this?” Emily questioned, craning her neck to look back at Y/N. “You’re my good luck charm,” Y/N replied casually, adjusting her rifle as if nothing was unusual. “Just stand there and don’t move.”
“Don’t move?” Emily asked incredulously. “You’re shooting around me?” The crowd gasped slightly, whispers starting up. JJ cupped her hands around her mouth. “Are you serious right now, Y/N? You’re gonna get yourself slapped when this is over.” Y/N only smirked, leaning slightly to Emily’s side to get a clean view over her shoulder. “Relax, Prentiss. I’ve got this.” Emily rolled her eyes but stayed in place, muttering, “You’re lucky I love you.” Y/N settled her breathing, her focus laser-sharp as she lined up the first shot.
Pop.
The first balloon burst with a loud snap. The crowd gasped, then clapped. Emily flinched slightly, shooting Y/N a mock glare. “Warn me next time, sniper.” Y/N chuckled, lining up the next shot.
Pop.
Another balloon burst—this one a moving target. The crowd’s claps grew louder, with a few cheers mixed in. Henry’s voice rang above the noise, shouting, “Go, Dama!” Emily turned her head just slightly. “You’re loving this attention, aren’t you?” Y/N scoffed, looking to the crowd around her, “Not helping me focus,” She replied, her voice steady, though her pink cheeks said otherwise.
Pop.
The final balloon burst cleanly, and the crowd erupted into cheers. People clapped loudly, some even whistling. Henry jumped up and down, his face lit up. “Dama is the best! Dama wins!” Y/N lowered the rifle, cheeks unmistakably flushed. She glanced at Emily sheepishly. “I, uh… didn’t think people would care that much.” Emily turned to face her fully, her unimpressed look offset by her teasing smirk. Without warning, she reached out and slapped Y/N’s shoulder. “Ow!” Y/N laughed, rubbing her shoulder. “What was that for?” She scoffed, “For pulling that ridiculous stunt and using me as a prop,” Emily shot back, though her smile betrayed her amusement.
JJ walked over, laughing openly now. “I can’t decide if you’re a show off or just hopelessly in love.” Y/N smiled, “Both,” She muttered, her blush deepening. The carnie offered Y/N a giant stuffed panda, but before she could take it, she noticed a little boy nearby, watching with wide eyes. “Hey, buddy,” Y/N called, crouching down slightly so the boy noticed her. She pointed toward the stuffed animal. “You want my prize?” The boy’s eyes lit up, and he jumped up and down. “Really? Me?” Y/N nodded, grinning. “It’s all yours.” The carnie handed the panda to the boy, who hugged it tightly. Y/N gave him a small wave before turning back—just in time for Emily to eye her suspiciously.
“Oh no,” Emily said, stepping back. “Don’t you dare—” It was too late. Y/N scooped Emily up and threw her over her shoulder with ease. “Time to head out.” She muttered, “Y/N!” Emily yelped, smacking her back. “Put me down right now! You are ridiculous.” Henry could only want it too, “Dama, me too! Me too!” He squealed, running up excitedly. “Pick me up!” Y/N grinned, shifting Emily slightly to make room. “Alright, buddy—come here.” Before Emily could scramble away, Y/N bent down and scooped Henry into her other arm. He giggled loudly, wrapping his little arms around Y/N’s neck as Emily, now draped over the opposite shoulder, groaned dramatically. The crowds around them smiling and giggling.
“Y/N, you cannot carry both of us—” Emily called out, “Clearly, I can,” Y/N shot back, grinning as she stood tall with her entire family in tow. “You’re both lightweights.” Henry clapped his hands excitedly. “We’re flying!” Henry's excitement palpable. “Y/N, I swear—” Emily started, her words muffled as she swatted at Y/N’s back again. JJ trailed behind, laughing so hard she had to wipe tears from her eyes. “Oh my God, you’re like a walking circus act.”
“Correction,” Y/N called back, turning slightly so JJ could see her smug grin. “I’m a walking superhero.” Henry cheered, his laughter echoing through the carnival. “Dama’s the best!” Emily huffed but finally gave in, resting her arms on Y/N’s back as she muttered, “You’re lucky I love you.” Emily's body now gently flailing on Y/N's shoulder. “And you’re lucky I’m strong,” Y/N replied cheekily. JJ just shook her head, her heart full as she followed behind. “Only this family,” she said to herself, laughing again as Y/N carried some of her favorite people off toward the parking lot.