a rollercoaster of feelings, Valentines With Clovis

I hadn't planned on spending my Valentine's Day at an amusement park, of all places.

In fact, I had planned on spending it quietly—maybe relaxing with a book, avoiding the inevitable chaos of love-struck students at the academy, and most importantly, not getting dragged into anything ridiculous.

But then Claire happened.

"Come on, Sera, it's gonna be fun!" she had said that morning, eyes bright with excitement as she practically bounced in front of me. "We have to go to the amusement park today! It's tradition! You can't say no—"

"I can absolutely say no."

Claire gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her chest as if I had personally wounded her. "You wouldn't deny me this, would you?" she whined, stepping closer, clasping her hands together in an exaggerated plea. "Think of the rides! The cotton candy! The memories we'll make!"

I raised an eyebrow. "You just want someone to go with because everyone else is busy, don't you?"

She had the audacity to grin. "Exactly! And since you're free, you're coming with me. No take-backs."

Before I could protest further, she grabbed my wrist and ran.

And that's how I found myself here—standing in front of the grand entrance of the amusement park, staring up at the flashing lights and the towering rides in the distance, already exhausted before we had even stepped inside.

Claire, on the other hand, looked like a kid on her birthday, absolutely vibrating with excitement.

"This is gonna be amazing!" she cheered, gripping my arm with both hands. "Let's go, let's go, let's go!"

I sighed, already sensing the chaos that awaited me.

"It seems busy today, though," I remarked, glancing around at the sea of people bustling toward the entrance. The crowd was massive—couples holding hands, groups of friends laughing, kids tugging at their parents' hands, all eager to get inside. The flashing lights, the scent of caramel popcorn, and the distant sound of excited screams from roller coasters all blended together into an overwhelming mix of energy and noise.

"It is Valentine's Day," I continued, already dreading what that meant. "Almost everyone is probably going to be here. The lines are going to be ridiculously long."

I was already mentally preparing for hours of waiting, imagining myself stuck between couples giggling over heart-shaped balloons and sharing churros in slow-motion like a romantic movie montage.

Claire, however, was completely unbothered. In fact, she grinned—grinned—like she had just won something.

And then, with a flourish, she pulled out two shining golden tickets from her pocket.

"That's why I got us these VIP tickets!" she announced proudly, waving them in front of me. "We get to skip all the lines!"

I froze.

"WHAT?!"

She laughed, clearly thrilled by my reaction. "Yup! No waiting, no long lines—just fun!"

I gawked at her, my brain refusing to process this information. "Claire—how?! When?!"

She shrugged, looking far too pleased with herself. "I got them ahead of time, obviously." Then she grinned, nudging me with her elbow. "What, did you really think I'd drag you here and make you wait in line with everyone else? I know you'd just complain the whole time."

I narrowed my eyes at her, crossing my arms. "And how much did these cost you?"

"Don't worry about it."

"That means a lot."

Claire chuckled and grabbed my wrist before I could protest further. "C'mon, Sera! We have zero excuses now! Time to have some real fun!"

And before I could fully process what was happening, she was already dragging me toward the entrance, her grip firm and absolutely determined.

I sighed, again, but this time, maybe—just maybe—I felt a tiny flicker of excitement.

Claire always had a way of pulling me into things before I could argue.

And… I guess I didn't mind all that much.

We were standing at the very front of the line for what could only be described as a death trap on rails—a rollercoaster so towering and twisted that just looking up at it made my stomach lurch. The track disappeared into loops and sudden drops, its structure stretching high into the sky, with nothing but the sound of rushing wind and the distant screams of riders filling the air.

And, as if fate had decided to test me, Claire and I had somehow ended up in the very front row.

But that wasn't what caught my attention the most.

I glanced to my side, where Claire—normally fearless, reckless, adventurous Claire—was gripping my sleeve like a lifeline.

Her fingers were tight, her knuckles slightly white, and if I wasn't mistaken… she was shaking.

I raised an eyebrow. "Claire," I began slowly, my voice full of suspicion, "do you happen to be bad with rollercoasters?"

Claire's head snapped up so fast I was almost impressed. "N-No!" she blurted out, far too quickly to be believable. "Of course not! What makes you think that?"

I didn't even have to say anything—I just looked down at where her hand was practically strangling my sleeve, then slowly back up to her face.

She followed my gaze, then immediately let go, crossing her arms in an attempt to act casual. "I-I'm totally fine," she said, clearing her throat. "This is gonna be a breeze. Just a normal ride. Nothing to worry about."

I narrowed my eyes, not buying it for a second. "Claire."

She refused to meet my gaze. "What?"

I smirked, leaning in slightly. "You're totally scared."

Claire visibly bristled, her face turning red—not from embarrassment, no, but from stubborn pride.

"I am not!" she huffed, throwing her arms up in frustration. "I love thrills! I live for adventure!"

Just as she finished her dramatic declaration, the rollercoaster screeched to a stop in front of us, the previous riders stumbling out with wobbly legs and expressions of pure horror.

Claire stiffened.

I saw the way her throat bobbed as she swallowed nervously.

"…Still confident?" I teased, grinning now.

She turned to me, expression strained, and forced a very unconvincing smile. "Yep! Absolutely!"

I chuckled, amused beyond belief. "Alright then, fearless warrior," I said, nudging her playfully, "let's see if you survive."

The gates opened.

Claire took a deep breath—one that was definitely too deep for someone who wasn't scared—before marching forward with forced determination.

And I?

I was going to enjoy every second of this.

The safety harnesses clicked into place, locking us in securely. I leaned back slightly, feeling the firm grip of the restraints settle against my shoulders. Meanwhile, beside me, Claire looked suspiciously stiff—her fingers curled tightly around the harness, her legs tensed as if she was bracing for the end of days.

I smirked, deciding to have a little fun.

"Oh, by the way," I started, my tone deliberately casual, "if you didn't know, this rollercoaster is also boosted by wind magic."

Claire blinked, her head turning slowly toward me. "…What?"

I nodded toward the tracks ahead, where faint traces of mana shimmered along the metal structure, almost invisible unless you were really looking for them. "See those markings?" I pointed. "They enhance the ride's speed and momentum, making it even faster than a normal rollercoaster. It's a pretty advanced enchantment, actually. Keeps the ride from losing momentum, makes the drops sharper, and—" I paused for dramatic effect, leaning in slightly. "—makes the loops feel weightless."

The harness clicked tighter around us as the ride prepared for launch.

Claire made a very small, very quiet noise that suspiciously resembled a squeak.

"Y-Yeah… yippie," she muttered, her voice straining through what was clearly forced enthusiasm. "I love that."

I grinned.

"Scared?" I asked, barely holding back my amusement.

Claire scoffed, but it came out way too weak to be convincing. "Pfft. No. What? Me? Scared? Absolutely not."

A sharp hiss filled the air as steam shot from the sides of the track. The countdown began.

Three.

Claire's grip on the harness tightened.

Two.

She let out a sharp inhale, her entire body rigid.

One.

The rollercoaster launched forward at breakneck speed.

And Claire?

She screamed.

Not just any scream—a full-on, wind-ripping-through-the-soul, absolutely-panicked, completely-unglamorous scream.

And I?

I laughed.

Loud, unrestrained, and utterly delighted.

Claire, on the other hand?

She was screaming like the world was ending.

The rollercoaster rocketed forward, wind roaring in our ears as the enchanted tracks propelled us with an intensity that should not be legal. My stomach flipped as we hurtled up the first incline, the cars clicking rapidly as they climbed higher, higher—until we reached the peak.

For a brief moment, everything paused.

The world stretched out before us, the amusement park glittering with lights below, the sky open and endless above. The silence was almost peaceful.

Then, with a sharp hiss of magic, the enchantments activated—and we dropped.

Claire's scream tore through the night air.

"I'M GONNA DIE!"

I was cackling. "RAISE YOUR ARMS, CLAIRE! YOU'LL FEEL BETTER!"

She whipped her head toward me, eyes wide with absolute betrayal. "ARE YOU INSANE?!"

Before she could argue further, the rollercoaster plunged into a gravity-defying loop, the wind rushing past us at a speed that had my heart pounding with adrenaline.

Claire latched onto me.

Like, full-body, gripping-my-arm-for-dear-life latched.

Her nails dug into my sleeve, her entire frame pressing against me as she buried her face against my shoulder, muffled screams vibrating against my suit.

Oh.

Oh.

I was definitely feeling something now.

The warmth of her pressed against me, the tight grip of her hands, the way she was practically curled into me for protection—if my heart wasn't already racing from the ride, it sure as hell was now.

And just when I thought she had hit her limit—

We shot into another drop.

"WHY ARE THERE SO MANY DROPS?!" Claire wailed, voice cracking.

I laughed harder. "Because it's a rollercoaster, Claire!"

Her response was another scream as we whipped around a sharp curve, tilting sideways as the wind roared past us. My own stomach flipped from the sheer speed, but unlike Claire, I was loving every second of it.

Another loop.

Another twist.

Another drop that sent Claire nearly jumping out of her seat—before she ended up gripping me even tighter.

And suddenly, the final stretch—the coaster slowed just a bit as we raced toward the last incline, preparing for one last, dramatic plunge before the ride ended.

I glanced at Claire.

Her hair was a complete mess, her grip on me was still very much there, and her expression? Somewhere between absolute terror and complete betrayal.

"…Having fun?" I asked, grinning ear to ear.

She turned her head toward me very slowly.

"You're laughing."

"Yep."

"You're enjoying this."

"Also yes."

"You're evil."

I smirked. "And yet, you're still here."

Before she could threaten my life, the coaster dropped one last time, sending us plummeting at full speed toward the final stretch. Claire let out one last wail, gripping me like her life depended on it—and all I could do was laugh.

When the ride finally screeched to a stop, Claire was the first one out.

The second the safety harness lifted, she stumbled out of the seat, legs wobbly, hair wind-blown and wild, expression absolutely murderous.

I followed, stepping out far too gracefully for her liking.

"Sera."

I turned, tilting my head. "Yeah?"

She stomped up to me, jabbed a finger against my chest, and declared, "You are NEVER picking the next ride EVER AGAIN."

I chuckled, crossing my arms. "Oh, so we're going on more rides?"

She opened her mouth—closed it—then huffed, crossing her arms as well.

"…Fine. But I'm picking."

I smiled, stuffing my hands into my pockets. "Deal."

Claire narrowed her eyes at me.

"…You're still laughing, aren't you?"

I grinned.

And Claire groaned, running a hand through her completely wind-wrecked hair, her pout deepening as she tried (and failed) to smooth it down.

I watched her struggle for a moment, amused, before shaking my head.

"Come here," I murmured, stepping closer and reaching out. "Let me fix your hair for you."

Claire blinked, startled, her hands freezing mid-motion. "Huh?"

Before she could protest, I gently took hold of her wrist and tugged her closer—just enough that she was now standing right in front of me.

She stiffened for half a second before sighing, tilting her head up slightly. "Hmph… fine."

Her voice was grumbly, but she didn't pull away.

I smiled.

Slowly, my fingers threaded into her hair, smoothing out the tangled mess that the rollercoaster had left behind. It was softer than I expected, silky despite the chaos, and as I worked through the strands, I could feel the tension in her shoulders melt away.

Claire stood still beneath my touch, her usual bold energy quieting, her arms dropping slightly at her sides as she let me take care of her.

I wasn't sure why, but something about the moment felt… oddly intimate.

The hum of the amusement park buzzed around us—laughter, distant music, flashing lights—but somehow, this small space between us felt untouched by all of it.

She was close now—closer than she had been on the ride.

I could feel the warmth radiating from her, could see the subtle pink hue dusting her cheeks, whether from leftover adrenaline or something else entirely.

Her violet eyes flickered up to meet mine, and for a second, she looked… almost nervous.

I smirked, brushing one last strand of hair behind her ear before letting my fingertips linger for just a moment longer than necessary.

"Cute," I murmured, my voice dropping just slightly.

Claire inhaled sharply. "W-What?"

I chuckled, enjoying this way too much. "Now you know how it feels to be on the receiving end."

The pink in her cheeks deepened.

She pulled back with a huff, crossing her arms way too quickly to hide the way she was flustered. "Oh, shut up."

I laughed, shoving my hands into my pockets as I leaned in slightly. "Admit it. You liked it."

"I hated it," she snapped.

"Your face says otherwise."

"Sera!"

I grinned.

Claire groaned.

And I?

I was having the time of my life.

Claire, still half-flustered, half-annoyed, huffed dramatically and crossed her arms. "You're enjoying this way too much."

I smirked, rocking back on my heels. "And you're adorable when you're flustered."

Claire scowled, her cheeks still tinged pink. "I am not flustered!"

"Uh-huh."

She let out a frustrated groan, rubbing her face before shaking off whatever lingering embarrassment she had left. "Okay, okay, whatever! What's next? What are we doing?"

I hummed, glancing around at the bright lights, the colorful decorations, the buzz of excitement all around us. Just a few steps away, rows of game stalls lined the paths, each one with a different challenge—ring tosses, target shooting, dart throws, high striker tests, and more.

"Alright," I said, nodding toward the stalls, "we'll take a break from the rides. Let's check out some of the games."

Claire perked up, already forgetting her embarrassment. "Ooooh, you think we'll win anything?"

I smirked, tilting my head. "Maybe. Depends on how good you are."

Her expression shifted immediately—that familiar, competitive glint sparking to life in her violet eyes.

"Oh, Sera," she said, stretching her arms like she was preparing for battle, "you have no idea what you just started."

I raised a brow. "Oh?"

She grinned, determination practically radiating off her. "I'm winning you something."

I blinked. "Wait, what?"

Claire grabbed my wrist and dragged me forward toward the first stall, her confidence borderline dangerous.

And suddenly, I had the feeling that I was about to witness the most aggressive game-playing of all time.

Claire marched up to the nearest game stall with unshakable confidence, dragging me along as if she were on a mission.

I blinked up at the sign above us. A basketball shooting game.

"Basketball, huh?" I mused, glancing at the hoop positioned at a very questionable distance. "You sure about this, Claire?"

Claire grinned, bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Oh, Sera, you have no idea."

I crossed my arms, skeptical. "Really now?"

She puffed out her chest, placing a hand over her heart dramatically. "You don't know about my good old days. I was a star."

I stared at her.

She stared back.

"…Hey! What's with that deadpan expression?!" she huffed, scowling at my lack of enthusiasm. "Trust me!"

The stall worker, clearly amused, chuckled and gestured to the oversized plush prizes behind them. "Alright, miss hotshot, here's the deal. 10 successful shots out of 15 attempts, and you win the big prize."

Claire's eyes immediately locked onto the largest plushie in sight—a ridiculous-looking duck almost half my size.

"That one," she said immediately, pointing at it like she had already claimed it as her own.

I glanced between her and the duck. "…Are you sure about this, Claire?"

Claire winked, picking up the basketball. "Just trust me."

I sighed. "That's exactly what worries me."

With a confident twirl of the ball in her hands, Claire lined up her first shot.

And I?

I braced myself for absolute chaos.

I was fully expecting the ball to bounce off the rim, fly off into the night, or—knowing Claire—somehow end up hitting an innocent bystander.

But then—

Swish.

The ball sailed through the hoop perfectly, not even touching the rim.

I blinked.

Seriously?

Claire turned to me slowly, a smirk creeping onto her face, radiating smug energy. "Told you," she said, way too pleased with herself.

I squinted. "Beginner's luck."

Her smirk widened. "Oh, you think so?"

She grabbed another ball, spun it effortlessly on her fingertip, then took another shot.

Swish.

Again.

I frowned.

Another ball. Another shot.

Swish.

Again.

I crossed my arms. "Alright, what is happening right now?"

Claire laughed, completely in her element. "Sera, Sera, Sera." She placed a hand on my shoulder, her grip firm, her expression one of pure, unshakable confidence.

"You doubted me," she whispered, shaking her head dramatically. "And now, you will suffer the consequences."

I opened my mouth to argue, but before I could, she grabbed another ball and—without even looking at the hoop—tossed it over her shoulder.

Swish.

…What.

The stall worker let out an impressed whistle. "Damn, you weren't kidding, huh?"

Claire beamed, spinning toward me, arms crossed like she had just won a championship. "Bow down, nonbeliever."

I groaned, rubbing my temples. "I don't know whether to be impressed or deeply concerned."

Claire winked. "You should be both."

And just like that, she continued destroying the game, one perfect shot after another, leaving me standing there, rethinking my entire understanding of Claire Clovis.

I had expected chaos. I had expected failure. I had expected—at the very least—one rogue basketball to come flying in my direction.

What I hadn't expected was Claire becoming an absolute menace to this game.

By the time she sank her final shot, the stall worker shook their head with a mixture of shock and admiration. "Alright, alright, you win. Pick your prize, hotshot."

Claire grinned, looking entirely too proud of herself as she turned to the wall of oversized plushies. And then—like fate itself had orchestrated it—her eyes landed on a life-sized golden retriever plushie.

"This one!" she declared, pointing at it with no hesitation.

The worker handed it over, and before I knew it, she was standing in front of me, clutching the massive plushie like it was her greatest victory.

I took one look at it.

Then at Claire.

Then back at the absurdly large plush.

And I giggled.

"Claire," I said, barely holding back my laughter, "it kind of looks like you."

Her eyes widened.

"What?! No, it doesn't!" she immediately snapped, holding the plush closer to her chest as if I had just insulted its honor.

I grinned, stepping back just slightly to get a good look at both of them together. "Oh, no, it definitely does," I teased, amused beyond belief. "Same hair, same energy, same chaotic enthusiasm."

Claire gasped, offended. "I do not have the energy of an overexcited dog!"

I smirked. "Mmm, debatable."

She squinted at me, then scoffed dramatically, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Unbelievable. I win a game for you, and this is the thanks I get?"

"For me?" I raised a brow. "So you're saying you won this for me?"

Claire opened her mouth, froze, then clamped it shut, her face suddenly turning pink.

"I—shut up."

I grinned. "Aww, you really are my golden retriever."

"SERAAAA!"

And just like that, I took off laughing, Claire chasing after me, oversized plush in tow, and Valentine's Day had never been more perfect.

Time flew by in a blur of flashing lights, loud laughter, and Claire's very dramatic screams on every rollercoaster I had somehow convinced her to ride.

By the time the night had settled into a cool breeze, we had played countless games, won more prizes than we could carry, and indulged in far too much amusement park food. Claire had single-handedly dominated the game stalls, her competitive streak in full force, which resulted in a growing collection of plushies, trinkets, and prizes—most of which she kept trying to shove into my arms.

"Claire, we physically cannot carry any more," I groaned, adjusting the absurd amount of stuffed animals in my grasp.

"Oh, come on, Sera," she grinned, effortlessly balancing two giant plushies under one arm. "We're on a winning streak! We can't stop now!"

"Or, hear me out," I said, raising a brow, "we take a break before one of us collapses under the weight of our winnings."

Claire pouted, but the exhaustion in her shoulders betrayed her. "…Fine."

After a brief debate on what to do next, we settled on something slow and enjoyable—a ride that would take us high above the park, giving us a 360-degree view of the glowing amusement park below, with parts of the cityscape visible in the distance.

As we made our way to the line, I exhaled, already feeling the tension ease from my body. "This is a good choice," I admitted, stretching my arms. "No screaming, no sudden drops, no nearly dying—"

Claire nudged me with her elbow. "I did not 'nearly die.'"

I smirked. "You clung to me for dear life."

Her face heated instantly. "I—THAT—WAS—SERA!"

Chuckling, I grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her forward. "Come on, let's go before you embarrass yourself more."

She grumbled, but she followed.

As we boarded the ride, we settled into our seats, and as it slowly lifted into the air, I could already feel a different kind of anticipation settling in.

The kind that wasn't from chaos or adrenaline.

But from something quieter.

Something I wasn't sure I was ready to name.

The ride was bigger than I expected—a massive, enclosed sphere that slowly rotated as it ascended, offering a perfect panoramic view of the amusement park and the distant city skyline. Inside, we were free to move around, with multiple cushioned seats arranged along the curved interior.

But, by some coincidental twist of fate, we were the only two passengers aboard.

Not that I was complaining.

As the ride lifted us higher, the golden glow of the setting sun spilled through the glass panels, casting long, warm streaks of light across Claire's features. The evening breeze had settled into something gentle, comforting, wrapping around us like a soft embrace.

For once, the chaos had quieted.

And all I could focus on was her.

"Claire," I murmured.

She turned to me, tilting her head. "Hmm?"

I exhaled, my gaze drifting to the sight of our hands—close, but not quite touching.

"Thank you for today," I said softly. "It was really fun."

Claire's violet eyes widened for a brief second before she quickly turned her head, facing the window instead. "Pfft. It was nothing, really."

I smirked, knowing better.

"Don't sell yourself short," I said, finally reaching out to take her hand in mine. Her fingers twitched slightly at the touch but didn't pull away. "It's been a long time since I've had this much fun. One of the best days I've had in a while."

She stilled.

I could see it—the small blush creeping up her cheek, the way her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't quite find the words.

She really was cute.

"…Here," Claire muttered, clearing her throat as she pulled something from her lap. She held out the giant golden retriever plushie, placing it into my arms a little too forcefully, as if flustered by the entire exchange.

"Your gift," she said, keeping her gaze very deliberately on the plush. "From when I won it for you."

Then, after a beat, she added in a quieter voice, "Happy Valentine's Day."

I looked down at the plush, then back at her. My heart warmed.

A smile tugged at my lips as I hugged the plush close. "Thank you," I said sincerely. "It's cute." Then, smirking slightly, I added, "It'll remind me of you."

Claire whipped her head around instantly, her face turning pink. "What?! No! Stop saying that!"

I giggled, absolutely delighted by her reaction. "I mean it! The golden retriever energy? Completely accurate."

"Ugh." She groaned, burying her face in her hands. "Why am I even—I swear—"

I laughed but then tilted my head. "Speaking of which… I still need to give you a gift, don't I?"

Claire froze.

"Eh? It's fine, Sera, I—"

She didn't get to finish her sentence.

Because I leaned in and shut her up with a soft peck on the lips.

It was quick, fleeting, just a whisper of warmth against her mouth.

But when I pulled back, she was completely still.

Her eyes were wide, her lips still slightly parted, her entire expression a mix of shock and something else entirely.

Then, slowly—her brows furrowed into a pout.

"…That's it?" she muttered, voice dangerously low.

I smirked. "You really are like a golden retriever."

Claire narrowed her eyes, her lips pressing together like she was trying to suppress something.

But I could see it—the way her hands twitched just slightly, the way her breath hitched as I reached out and cupped her cheek, my fingers grazing her skin with deliberate softness.

And then, before she could demand anything else, I leaned in again.

This time, I took my time.

Our lips met once more, but slower, deeper.

Claire inhaled sharply, but she didn't pull away. Instead, her hands gripped the front of my jacket, tugging me just a little closer as she kissed me back, her movements hesitant at first, then gradually growing more confident.

The plushie, once nestled in my lap, slipped to the side, forgotten.

I tilted my head slightly, my fingers curling against her cheek as I deepened the kiss, savoring the warmth, the way she sighed softly into me. My lips moved against hers in a slow, languid rhythm, drinking in the moment, the lingering taste of cotton candy and something uniquely Claire.

When I gently swiped my tongue along her bottom lip, she shivered—just a small, subtle reaction, but one I definitely noticed.

I felt her hesitate, just for a second—then, with a small, muffled whine, she let me in.

A thrill ran through me as our tongues met, a slow and teasing brush, exploring, tasting. Claire's grip on my jacket tightened, her breath coming out just a little uneven as she melted into me, her body pressing just slightly closer.

The ride continued to turn, the amusement park glowing like a dream below us.

But up here?

With Claire in my arms, her lips warm and eager against mine—

Everything else faded away.