Spinning Rides

 Hello guys! I hope you are doing great! Well, last patron had just quit their membership, and I offically call this novel dropped. There are 20 chapters in Patreon and I will publish them, then it is the end. I would want to write an ending, but well, it is far from that point. It has only been 3 weeks since the novel started, haha. Anyways. Thank you all for the support! I hope you enjoyed it.

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After kissing Tatsumaki a brief but charged goodbye, Orion turned his attention to Levy, who was eyeing the Spinning Rides with apparent enthusiasm.

"Spinning Rides, huh? I hope you're not planning to make me dizzy," Orion winked as he approached her.

Levy grinned, her eyes dancing with mischief. "And what if I am?"

"Then I'll make sure to keep my eyes locked onto something beautiful to steady myself," he quipped, offering her a flirtatious smile.

"Smooth talker," Levy replied, playfully rolling her eyes, but her blushing cheeks betrayed her true sentiment.

They made their way to the ride and took their seats, Levy's fingers lightly drumming on the safety bar that lowered into place. Her nervous energy was palpable, and Orion didn't miss the chance to tease her.

"Nervous, are we?"

"Please, like I'd ever get nervous about a ride," she retorted, her eyes narrowing.

Orion hummed thoughtfully. "So why did you choose Spinning Rides?"

Levy's eyes sparkled as she launched into an animated explanation. "You have no idea! These rides are fantastic! They start off slow, right? A lazy spin that lulls you into a false sense of serenity. But then, before you know it, the speed ramps up, and you're spinning so fast you can't even make out the scenery. Everything's a blur! And the g-forces—they push you back against your seat, and for a moment, you're caught in this strange place between exhilaration and nausea. It's like an adrenaline rush, a rollercoaster, and a merry-go-round all rolled into one!"

As she spoke, her eyes widened with fervor, her hands gesturing excitedly. Her lips slightly parted, she seemed almost radiant. There was a faint blush on her cheeks, perhaps from the excitement of describing the ride or from being so close to him. Orion found himself captivated by the animation in her eyes, the way her pupils dilated slightly, adding another layer to their deep blue hue. At that moment, it felt as though she were illuminated from within, and he was acutely aware of her innate allure.

"But the thing is," Levy's voice took a softer tone, a dash of vulnerability surfacing, "I've always been too nervous to try it alone."

Orion sensed the subtext, her tacit reliance on him for emotional support—a precious confession from someone usually so guarded.

"Now you don't have to," he said, locking eyes with her. "I'm right here."

She let out a relieved sigh. "Thank you, Orion."

Soon the ride started, the first rotations leisurely, almost teasingly slow, as if coaxing them into a false sense of tranquility. Orion noticed Levy's fingers tapping on her thigh to the rhythm of the ride. The motions were slight, her gaze distant, and her eyes still holding a spark of excitement.

"Taking in the slow spin?" he asked, a sly smile on his face.

Levy looked over and grinned. "Don't get too comfortable. This is just the calm before the storm."

"Ah, you're right. I should brace myself for impact," Orion quipped, grabbing onto the safety bar. However, his fingers brushed against Levy's, and the inadvertent touch sent a minor electric thrill through him.

"Oh," she muttered, her eyes widening slightly before she quickly hid her surprise. "Didn't see that coming."

"Neither did I, but I'm not complaining," he responded, locking his fingers with hers. She didn't pull away.

The ride now started to spin faster, the world outside becoming a whirlwind of colors. The inertia pushed them back into their seats, but their hands remained connected, anchoring them in the chaos. Levy's laughter filled the air, rising above the rush of wind and the screams from other riders.

"It's happening!" she exclaimed, her eyes glinting with adrenaline.

"This is what you were so excited about?" Orion asked, the rush of speed intensifying.

"Yes! Look, can you even make out anything?" She glanced towards the blurring scenery.

"To be honest, I've got something much better to focus on," Orion admitted, squeezing her hand as he kept his eyes on her.

Levy blushed, her cheeks glowing a shade that no carnival light could replicate. "Oh, you—"

But her playful retort was swallowed up by a crescendo of speed, the ride reaching its peak velocity. The world was a dizzying, swirling mess, yet in that spinning compartment, their shared space felt like the eye of the storm—calm, focused, and intensely personal.

Her grip tightened reflexively as they spun, and he tightened his in return. They were both leaning into the centripetal force now, yet leaning into each other as well. Levy's hair was a cerulean halo fanned out by the wind, and her eyes seemed brighter than he'd ever seen them.

And then, as if obeying an unspoken cue, they both leaned forward. The kiss was brief but intense, a fulcrum around which their shared experience seemed to pivot. When they pulled away, the ride began to decelerate, as though the universe itself had taken its cue from them.

"Wow," Levy exhaled, her voice tinged with awe and something softer, something tender.

"How's that for an adrenaline rush?" Orion asked, relishing the aftermath of their intimacy.

"I didn't think it could get better, but you just had to prove me wrong," she said, a note of mock annoyance in her voice, yet her eyes betrayed her happiness.

"Well, you know me; always have to one-up the competition," he replied, unfastening the safety bar as the ride came to a complete stop.

"You're impossible," Levy said, her tone layered with affectionate exasperation.

"As are you," he retorted, "impossibly amazing, that is."

She rolled her eyes, but her radiant smile didn't fade. "You're such a charmer, you know that?"

Orion grinned as they exited, "It's one of my many talents."

She then frowned, "How will your girlfriends feel about this?" Levy asked, her eyes searching his for sincerity.

Orion chuckled, "Angry at first, jealous and pouty second, and then they'll be happy to have another sister in the group." He spoke from experience. By now, he had got ten girlfriends, and the number seemed to be growing. After Hinata, he realized he was getting used to this whole multi-dating thing. It's his life now, and since everyone's okay with sharing rather than not having him at all, who was he to say no?"

"You're confident they'll accept me?" Levy's voice held a mixture of curiosity and trepidation.

"Let's just say, they know what they signed up for. You'll fit right in."

Levy looked down for a moment, contemplating. "You're not just collecting trophies, are you?"

He looked her straight in the eyes. "Do I strike you as someone who'd collect hearts like trinkets?"

Levy studied him intently before muttering, "No, you don't."

"Good," he grinned, "because every relationship I have is meaningful. Different, but meaningful."

"You sure know your way around a complicated love life," Levy said, raising an eyebrow.

"I guess it's my superpower. One of many," Orion winked.

Levy shook her head, half-smiling, half-grumbling. "Ugh, you're impossible."

"So you keep saying, but here you are."

She smirked at him. "Yeah, here I am. Madly smitten, despite my better judgment."

"Ah, the dangers of irresistible charm," Orion mused.

She then got closer to him, "Let's seal the deal then," and leaned forward to kiss him properly this time. The softness of her lips melded against his, both making a silent commitment as they shared the intimate moment. When they broke the kiss, Orion felt like he'd signed a silent pact; a new chapter in his complex, yet deeply fulfilling love life.

"So, does that make me Girlfriend Number Eleven?" Levy asked playfully, breaking the lingering silence.

"Only if you're okay with being part of a very exclusive club," he responded, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Exclusive, huh? Sounds fancy. Do we get membership cards or something?"

He chuckled. "You get something far better—my undivided attention when we're together."

She feigned skepticism. "Undivided attention? With ten other girls in the picture?"

Orion leaned in, his voice soft yet sincere. "Believe it or not, I do have the capacity to make each moment count. To be fully present when I'm with someone."

Levy gazed into his eyes as if searching for a lie but found only honesty. "Alright, Mr. Charmer. I'll hold you to that."

"You should."