Who: Ben and Fitz What: Shopping and a snack Where: Assorted areas, New Orleans When: Friday 20th March, after the day show Rating Low Status: Complete
Newly married life was going well, Ben still woke up some mornings wondering if it was all a dream because good things like this just didn't happen to them. But it was all real and it made him smile, waking up next to his husband each morning, even if it was that furry little form curled up on the pillow beside his head rather than the human form in his arms or against his side. He knew while their union wouldn't be legal if they ever got back to 1920 but they knew the truth and that was all that mattered.
With another daytime show over and the crowds starting to leave, Ben walked along one of the lanes, Fitz would still be at his stand until the last person left so he thought he'd go and surprise his husband, maybe sneak in a ride or two before they were shut down for the day. Even though it was now into spring Ben still felt the slight chill in the air and was dressed in his favourite coat, he was also growing back the beard that he had shaved off for the wedding. Seeing Fitz at the stand, he smiled and walked a little quicker.
——
Fitz had been working the spill the milk game. It was amusing how many people commented on it being ‘vintage’. He juggled the three balls absently as people left. People didn’t stop to play upon exit, but it was safer to wait for people to leave before pulling the cash box out. “Step right up.” He said to Ben with a smile as he caught the balls and pointed one in the man’s direction. “You look like you’ve got a good throwing arm. Think you got the skill t’knock down the tower?” He asked with a knowing smirk.
——
Ben of course thought that Fitz looked quite handsome in his vest, virtually everyone still wore the same things as before, giving what these modern people were calling a 'vintage feel' which apparently was a fashionable thing.
He stood in front of the game and scratched at his beard at Fitz's banter, it was all part of drawing people in. "I am sure I can knock something down." Ben said, throwing in a wink as he took the offered ball. "What can I win?" He asked, rolling the ball in his hands.
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“Three tries to win a prize.” He said, placing the other two balls on the counter as he waved his hand along the side walls where some hand carved toys, shawls and hats were, finishing on himself. “Winner picks.” Fitz smiled as he stood back and gestured to one of the three wooden milk cartons standing there. It wasn’t impossible to win if you hit the right point, but they were weighted in a way that not everyone would win. Not ‘rigged’, just challenging.
——
Of course Ben knew the tricks used by the games to make them more difficult for the common person to win, it was kind of something that all the Carnies knew, even he had ways of making more money from the Ten in One show.
After throwing the ball in the air a bit he lined it up, knowing that right spot to hit. The first ball sailed by, of course Ben had meant to miss but the second hit the right spot and they all came crashing down. "Wow… did I win?"
——
Fitz threw up his hands. “Folks, we have a winner.” He laughed, reaching across the counter to pull his husband in for a quick kiss. “Looks like the last of the townies have cleared out.” He said, dropping the balls into their chest, the milk cartons into another. He then moved the money from the cash box into a bag and tied it shut before hopping over the counter. “Come with me to drop this off?” He asked, offering his arm to the other man.
——
Ben let out of a soft chuckle as Fitz pulled him in for a kiss. “Next time I’ll pay actual money and take home one of those toys.” He said softly before Fitz packed the game away for the night, all routine that they had done hundreds of times over the past five years. When Fitz finished and hopped the counter Ben took the offered arm, looping their elbows. “Certainly. Afterwards what do you say we go into town? There are a few things I wish to purchase but want your opinion on.” There was definitely a smile on Ben’s face.
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“Always up for a shopping spree.” Fitz laughed.
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Ben knew that Fitz loved to shop, back in Paris just days after catching the man naked in his bedroom (and after cleaning him up a bit) Ben had taken him out to get some clothes that would actually fit him, something better suited to Fitz’s new role as the houseboy/butler. Though of course once their intimate relationship started Ben would often find the other man relaxing around the house dressed in his own clothing, it became an endearing thing over the years.
After returning to their wagon to get their wallets and to the carpool to hire out one of the cars Ben drove them into town, pulling up to park on one of the non-descript streets that was not quite in view of their shopping destination, he hoped that Fitz would see their humor in where they were going.
——
Fitz lounged against the door of the car, splitting his time between watching Ben and looking out the window. They talked about their day, gossip around the carnival and all manner of chit chat on their way into town. Once there, he looked around, trying to figure out what Ben had on his mind. “I take it, you had something specific in mind? Or are we just going to close our eyes and pick at random?” He asked, not minding either way. There was something to be said about just blindly going into a place to see what they were selling- well, in this new modern world at least. It wasn’t the same back home- unless you were in a bigger city.
——
With the car keys in his pocket Ben put his arm around Fitz’s shoulder so they were side by side, in this era no one really looked twice at them walking down the street like this, it was liberating and Ben was going to enjoy it for as long as they were in 2020, knowing that they’d have to go back to secrecy if and when they got back to 1920. “I do have somewhere in mind, mon amour. Maybe afterwards we can have something to eat before heading back to Zion.” As they turned the corner the pet store came into view and Ben slowed down, guiding them both through the front doors.
——
“Oh yes, there is this little cafe we passed on Monday when passing out fliers, looked like they had some delicious po’boys.” Fitz said, not paying attention to where they were going. “The food here all tastes so…” His eyes turned as they entered the doors and he stopped, arched his brow and looked at Ben. “Really?”
——
Some po’boys afterwards really did sound delicious, that was one of the things he was liking about New Orleans, it hadn’t lost that creole touch and so much of the food was still authentically French, none of this new age fusion restaurants that served a tiny piece of food. He much preferred a large meal that left him full for many hours later. With a smirk he looked over at Fitz once they got inside the store. “You know Pierre’s tastes much better than I do, I did not want to get something that he might dislike.” Of course Pierre was the usual name he gave to Fitz’s furry forms.
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“You will pay for this.” Fitz tease/threatened as they started to take in what the store had. It was amazing what there was. Clothes for your animals? Beds that- well prices were already exorbitant but even these felt like too much. “People in 2020 really do like to… I’m not even sure what this is.” He said holding up a french maid outfit for a small dog.
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He had walked past this pet shop before and although he hadn’t gone inside Ben had hoped that there might be things that Fitz would enjoy for those times when he wasn’t human. Ben chuckled at that french maid’s outfit as they walked further into the store, he couldn’t imagine Fitz in any of those kinds of outfits, he’d rip them off with his claws in an instant. “People do love their pets.” He looked at a small bowtie and took it off the rack. “Don’t you think he would look mignon in this?”
——
He took the bowtie in his fingers and held it up to his neck. “He would definitely be dressed for the posh gatherings.” Fitz chuckled. “Oh wait… this is nice.” He said, moving away from the clothing to a… well it was a cat tower, but it was still a perch. He ran his fingers over the soft fabric. “Don’t think it would fit in the wagon though.” He sighed.
——
It would suit Pierre for those fancy gatherings, provided they could find one of them to attend, it would be much harder in this modern era to fake their way into some posh party. He looked at the tower that had drawn Fitz’s attention, raising an eyebrow at it. “Maybe we could find a smaller one, one that would fit in that corner we usually throw our laundry into.” It was a nice one and Ben could imagine little Fitz climbing up and down it all night long when he was stuck in his furry form. “What about this one?” He pointed to a smaller tower that would fit into a corner of their wagon.
——
Fitz tilted his head as he looked at it and nodded. “I think that would work.” He reached out to touch it, making sure it had a nice texture as well. “But, honestly, we could probably do with making one.” It wouldn’t be that hard (probably) and it wasn’t like there weren’t plenty of people at the carnival who were handy. He could upholster it. Even after all the time he’d spent with Ben, the older man spent money easier than he did. The voice in his head that always reminded him, he might go hungry tomorrow, was always there.
——
Ben looked at the stand again and Fitz was right, someone in Zion could just as easily make one that would fit in whatever area they wanted. Taking Fitz shopping was always a good idea, he made Ben think twice about purchases and not spend money on any little thing that took his fancy. “You’re right mon amour, it doesn’t have the same charm.” Not to mention making it themselves would be cheaper anyway. Walking away from the cat towers Ben found a section of little harnesses and leads. “What about one of these?” He asked, one of those would come in handy.
——
Fitz moved up behind Ben and looked over his shoulder. “So… you can walk me- him?” He chuckled. “It is adorable, but don’t you think it would be hard to pick pockets with a trail leadin’ back t’you?” He asked, kissing the man on the cheek. “You know I don’t need anything… except you.”
——
Ben reached back and took one of Fitz’s hands in his, smiling at the kiss to his cheek. “I know, but I’d like to buy you something.” He turned around, pulling the other man against him as he whispered, “We take it off if you want to pick pockets, it would stop anyone trying to steal you though.” Though he knew that Fitz would just run away and find Ben if someone did try to take him, a fear he had more in this modern world than back in their own time, everyone in the carnival knew that if they saw a ferret or ermine wandering around that it belonged there, modern folk he still wasn’t that sure on. “Is there nothing here at all you like?” He asked, wanting to get something, even if it was just that little bowtie they saw.
——
“You make a fair point, but anyone tries to steal me and I’ll just bite them.” He teased. But seeing the disappointment in Ben’s face when Fitz turned down his finds, he finally moved over to a line of pegs that held some toys. “Something like this might actually be nice.” He admitted, even if it wasn’t 100% true, it wasn’t a complete lie either. After all, there was something to be said about chewing on things when he was in his smaller forms- though he probably would never admit it. “Something to gnaw on.” Occasionally he ended up sleep chewing on the blanket, or Ben’s nightshirt when he slept as a stoat or ferret.
——
A smile appeared back on Ben’s face when Fitz found the toys and suggested those, it would save his nightshirts from having to get patched up due to tiny little tears in them, not that it was anything that he complained about as Ben knew that at least once a month he’d go to sleep with that little furry form curled up next to him. “Pick out one… or two. If it saves having to repair the blanket.” A wink and smirk followed. He’d buy Fitz the world in a heartbeat, even though the man said he wanted for nothing.
——
Not that Fitz ever minded having to repair things. He grabbed a fuzzy one and looked at it, jumping slightly when he hit a squeaker. “Okay, that’s interesting.” He laughed. Ultimately settling on a furry toy, a wooden chew toy and a set of plush balls. “This could maybe save some poor people from misplacing items.” Fitz mused, choosing ‘misplace’ over ‘steal’.
——
“Whatever you want.” Ben gave Fitz a kiss on the cheek, while they were able to display their affection so openly Ben was taking full advantage of it, even if they still got the occasional odd look from others. “I do love your collections though.” Even if most of them were things like broken jewellery, bottle tops or some other shiny little thing that got Fitz’s attention, they were all placed in their cigar boxes, each year telling a different story and showing the places they had visited in some strange way.
——
“Come on.” He said, nudging Ben slightly. “Let’s go complete our purchase so we can partake in some mouth watering po’boys. I think my stomach is telling me it’s time.” He rubbed his belly. Whether it was his shifter nature or just his mustelide nature, Fitz always seemed to be hungry but had the metabolism to keep thin.
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“Mon amour, your stomach is always telling you it’s time.” He chuckled, taking Fitz’s hand to lead him to the front of the store to pay for the toys. But truthfully he was a bit hungry as well, he hadn’t really had time for a proper lunch with the daytime show on, instead sneaking in a small meal in between shows in the Ten in One and po’boys did sound delicious. “But I will love you even when we are both old and fat.” He’d probably get fat way before Fitz.
——
“You are mistaken, love.” He smirked. “You will always be young and beautiful to me… and I will always just be young and beautiful.” Fitz laughed.
After they checked out, smiling at an unspoken joke when the cashier asked what kind of pet they had, the two men walked down the street and a few blocks down until they found the small cafe. “See, I told you it was cute.” It was simple and sort of reminded him of a few places from back home. Before people were overly concerned with needing to feed everyone as quickly as possible. Of course, not as many people ate out because of cost, but still.
——
He had to agree, the little cafe did seem nice and the smells were enticing him in even before they saw the building itself. Maybe it was run by an older person, or someone who wanted to keep the old recipes and atmosphere alive, they could only tell once they had actually gotten in and eaten something. “Tonight is my treat, so order as many po’boys as you wish.” Ben said as they walked in and found an empty seat for two.
——
The place was quaint and seemed ‘vintage’. The style was a blend of the late 1880s (which Fitz recognized some of the style) and the 1920s, design choices that hadn’t quite come around in the men’s time yet, but it did feel more at home than other places. It felt familiar. “It’s on us.” Fitz reminded Ben. “What’s mine is yours now… till death, remember?” Well, all but his boxes… those he might have issues sharing.
——
Ben definitely felt at home once they entered and sat at an available table, especially when he opened the menu to look at what was on offer, so many places now just had a board stating what was available and so few still had menus at the tables. "Oui, mon amour. Just don't try wearing my shoes, they definitely won't fit you." He said with a slight smirk about the 'what's mine is yours' comment, he knew that the boxes were Fitz's and had gotten in trouble in the past for moving them.
——
Fitz laughed. It didn’t take long for them to decide what they wanted and order from the pretty waitress. He’d gotten a shrimp po’boy and sweet tea (because he was curious and not a tea snob). Once ordered, Fitz laid his hand over the table, palm up. “When they- if they end up finding a way back… are we going?” It was a loaded question that seemed to come out of nowhere, but one Fitz had been thinking about for a long time.
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It was something that had sat in the back of Ben's mind since they had arrived, would they go back? It wasn't a case of would he or Fitz go back individually, they had gone through so much even before getting married that this was a decision for both of them to make. Putting his hand out and laying it on Fitz's he gave it a gentle squeeze. "I like the freedoms we have now but…" he paused "I do miss it." He admitted.
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“And if all our friends go back…” Fitz said softly.
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He'd miss the friends they had made over the past five years, but he had already given up everything he knew for Fitz once and he'd do it again. "I would miss them, but I'm not married to them."
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“True.” Fitz knew Ben would do whatever he wanted. But he also knew that the friends Ben had- they both had at Zion were closer than any they’d had before. They were like family. “Lizzy would be crushed if we stayed.” He said matter of factly. “And I don’t know if I could just abandon everything again. Not this time.” Fitz spoke softly with a sense that he’d been thinking about it a lot. “Kristoph saved us, hell all of Zion saved us. Beth has been a good friend since she joined, and that’s not been nearly as long as you’ve known Jericho. This is a wonderful holiday, but when the time comes…”
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Ben didn't want to tell Fitz but he knew that this weighed heavily on both their minds, if the tossing and turning during the night was anything to go by. Bringing the hands to his lips he kissed Fitz's hand."We stay with Zion."