Helluva Boss What If: Chaz

A few weeks later, the county fair arrived like it always did loud, bright, and full of fried things on sticks. The dusty gravel parking lot was already filling up when Millie and Chaz pulled in. Lights blinked from the ferris wheel like fireflies on a sugar rush, and the air smelled like funnel cake, diesel fumes, and sweet roasted nuts. Millie was giddy, bouncing on the balls of her feet as she tugged Chaz through the ticket booth.

Millie:Come on! I wanna get there before the pie-eatin' contest starts!

Chaz followed with a grin, one hand tucked into hers, the other in his pocket.

Chaz:You're gonna enter again, aren't you?

She flashed him a devilish smirk.

Millie:Damn right I am. Gotta defend my title.

The fairground was a kaleidoscope of chaos kids running around with sticky faces, couples wandering hand in hand, old-timers gathered near the mechanical bull. Demons from all over the county milled about laughing, shouting, and sampling anything dipped in grease. Chaz looked around, eyes wide. It had been a long time since he was part of something this... normal. Millie tugged him toward the game booths first.

Millie:Let's see if all that tough guy swagger can win me a prize.

They stopped at the ring toss. Chaz rolled his shoulders, focused, and completely missed all five shots. Millie howled with laughter.

Millie;Wow. That was sad.

He laughed, too, scratching his head.

Chaz:Hey, my talents are more... explosive in other areas.

Millie smirked.

Millie:Try again. I'm still waiting on that giant stuffed possum.

Chaz narrowed his eyes, bought another round, and this time nailed it. Three in a row. He handed her the comically oversized possum plush with a mock bow.

Chaz:For you, my lady.

She kissed his cheek, beaming.

Millie:You're really makin' up for that pig pen incident.

They strolled past the food stands next, sharing fried pickles, caramel corn, and a ridiculously long corn dog. As the sun dipped behind the horizon, the sky turned a lavender orange. Music drifted from the open-air stage, twangy country ballads, and local rock bands, while fireflies blinked like stars come to dance. Millie leaned her head on his shoulder as they stood near the stage.

Millie:I used to come here every year. Never thought I'd be here with someone like you.

Chaz raised an eyebrow.

Chaz:Someone like me?

Millie:Someone who makes me feel safe, *she said, more serious now.* Someone who doesn't just say sweet things actually means 'em.

Chaz looked down at her, his chest full of warmth he didn't quite know how to put into words. Millie, you changed me, Mills. I don't think I ever said it outright. I wanted to be better because you saw better in me. Before she could answer, a group of guys from town walked past local demons Chaz didn't recognize, but clearly, ones who knew Millie.

Demon:Millie! *one of them called out.* Ain't seen you since last summer!

Millie:Hey, Darnel! *she waved* This is my boyfriend, Chaz.

Darnel looked him over with a half-smile.

Darnel:You the guy from Loo Loo Land?

Chaz stiffened, his jaw ticking. For a moment, the old version of himself wanted to rise up loud, defensive, cocky. But instead, he held out his hand and said calmly,

Chaz:Yeah. That was me. Tryin' something different now.

Darnel looked surprised, then nodded and shook his hand.

Darnel:Respect. Farm life ain't easy.

Chaz just smiled.

Chaz:Neither was learnin' to milk a cow.

After they walked off, Millie squeezed his hand.

Millie:You handled that real good.

Chaz:Didn't even punch him? "he replied with a grin." That's growth, right?

They ended the night on the ferris wheel, sharing a cotton candy and watching the fair stretch out below them in lights and laughter. As they reached the top, Millie leaned into him and whispered.

Millie:You fit in here more than you know.

He kissed her forehead, resting his chin atop her head.

Chaz:I'm starting to believe that.

The night was still when they pulled into the farm. The headlights cut across the long field of swaying grass, lighting up the silhouette of the barn and the outline of the porch swing hanging crooked on two rusted ch Crickets chirped softly. The fair was a glowing memory now, left behind down the road, its noise replaced by the lullaby of rural Hell. Chaz shut off the truck, and for a moment, neither of them moved. Millie leaned back in her seat, holding the stuffed possum to her chest.

Millie:That was a good night.

Chaz:The best, *he said, staring out at the stars.* I didn't know I needed it until I had it.

Millie smiled at him through the quiet.

Millie:C'mon. Let's not go in just yet.

They got out and sat on the tailgate, the truck still warm from the drive. Millie pulled a wool blanket from the backseat and wrapped it around both of them. Her head rested on his shoulder. He leaned into her, heart steady. The stars stretched overhead in thick constellations. A few fireflies blinked lazily in the tall grass, echoing the lights from earlier at the fair, only softer. It's more real.

Millie:You miss it? *she asked* The excitement. The chaos.

He thought about it. About flashing neon, fast deals, adrenaline, and slick lines. He used to feed on it. Now it just felt... shallow.

Chaz:I miss the feeling of being seen, *he admitted.* Back then, I thought the more people looked, the more I mattered. But it was like being under a spotlight with nothing behind the curtain.

Millie nodded, playing with the hem of the blanket.

Millie:And now?

He turned his head, brushing her hair aside.

Chaz:Now, I matter when no one's lookin'. When I'm just... Chaz. The guy who split a funnel cake with his girl and held her purse during the mechanical bull ride.

She chuckled.

Millie:You didn't have to hold my purse.

Chaz:You said I could win it if you fell off,

He teased. Millie rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.

Millie:You're ridiculous.

He wrapped his arm tighter around her.

Chaz:But I'm yours.

A long, easy silence fell over them, broken only by the wind rustling the cornfield and a distant owl call. Chaz exhaled slowly, like a breath he'd been holding for years.

Chaz:I used to think love was a transaction, *he murmured.* Something you buy with charm or flash. But with you, it's not about what I give or what I do. It's about who I am.

Millie turned toward him, her voice soft.

Millie:That's 'cause who you are is worth loving.

They kissed under the open stars unhurried, deep, and still. No crowd. No drama. Just two hearts, steady and real. Eventually, they moved to the porch swing, wrapped in the same blanket, listening to the creak of the chain and the whisper of the wind. Chaz rested his head against hers.

Chaz:Y'know, if you asked me to build a life with you right here, I'd do it.

Millie:I don't have to ask, "she whispered." You're already doin' it.

End Chapter