Chapter Text
Life is full of unexpected moments, most mundane and unimportant but every now and then, something comes up that changes you forever. Changes the course of your journey, who you are fundamentally, leaving a new scar or acting as a balm over your old ones. Sometimes, it's so world shattering that you wonder how you lived before it. For Riley they had certainly felt like they had enough of those “moments” for the remainder of their life. But of course life doesn’t ever go as perfectly as you plan or hope it will. And on that seemingly innocuous day that the circus came to town, they never could have guessed what life had in store for them.
It was already growing a bit late as they hurried down the street towards the cafe. They had started working there only a month ago now but it was a nice job and paid the bills. The city they lived in wasn’t the most pleasant but it was one that it became easy to get lost in, to not draw attention in. Yet the normally clean and busy streets today were littered with flyers for some sort of circus they vaguely recall hearing about on the news last night. Humming to themself they tried to ignore it but a crowded group and flash of red caught their eye before they knew it. In the middle of the sidewalk several people surround what Riley soon realizes is a rather large clown. Not the kind with silts either, no he was just abnormally tall. The poor performer is sitting on the pavement, frowning with a bruise swelling on his… face? Mask? They’re not sure but it’s definitely an unpleasant shade of red.
The image brings a painful memory back and they swallow it down. Normally they avoid confrontation like the plague but something in them snaps momentarily and they rip the man throwing punches backwards. “HEY! Knock it off! He’s not fighting back, just leave him alone!” The man turns to them, shocked at someone bothering to stand up for the weirdo in the clown costume.
“Who the hell are you?!” He shouts back but it’s obvious he’s not used to being actually told off for his deeds. It takes every fiber of Riley’s being to not run off before this asshole starts something. His eyes narrow and he glares down at the much smaller and easier target before him. “These freaks have been kidnapping people, I’m just showing him we’re not going to give up without a fight!” Their eyes flick to the performer still on the ground, his gaze on them and them alone. It sends a chill down Riley’s spine before they force themself to glare back.
“Do you have proof?” They push the words out, their hands trembling. “They just showed up and last I checked, people have gone missing all the time before their arrival. Sounds like you just want to pick a fight you think you can win.” What the hell am I saying? I can’t fight this guy, he’s twice my size…
The man scoffs and to their surprise backs off. “And you think you’re any better? You’re lucky I don’t fight girls.” His words make their blood boil but they let it go as it seems the crowd is dispersing.
“Not a fucking girl asshole.” They mutter under their breath as he thankfully walks off, feeling triumphant despite not doing much beyond smacking the poor clown to the ground. A soft jingle of bells catches their attention and quickly Riley extends a hand and hoists the far larger performer up. “Hey I’m sorry they targeted you like that, I uh… don’t know who you are but I doubt you deserved it.” They rifled around in their bag, feeling the ever present eyes of the other person on them. Finally with a small “Aha!” They pulled out a bandage with cute cartoon kitties on it. “Here.” They handed it over, finding the clown’s hand dwarfed their own. It was almost unsettling but the way he smiled pushed those thoughts aside. “Stay safe okay? I gotta get going or else I’m gonna be late.”
With a lil wave which is returned by the strange giant, they take off jogging down the street. The bell above the door to the cafe rings as they enter, reminding them briefly of the sound of the odd clown down the street. Shaking it out of their head they greet their co-worker Carol, a beautiful young woman they had become fast friends with since starting the job. She smiles at them and they chat between orders and as they clean dishes. The day flies by in a whirlwind and it’s ones like today that Riley appreciates the most. The kind of busy that keeps their mind from wandering, from dipping into thoughts they really don’t want to worry about.
Their boss leaves unexpectedly before the end of the day, making the pair promise to close up together. At first Riley thinks the recent news about disappearances rising up again has him unnerved but they shrug and enjoy the time they have to chat with Carol.
“Hey so what do you think about that new circus?” She says, leaning casually against the counter as Riley cleans the last glass left from the sink.
“It’s interesting? I do enjoy horror, I’m thinking about going this weekend.” They set it down gently in the drying rack before turning to her. She’s so cute with how her long brown hair frames her face. The thought comes unbidden not for the first time to their mind and a small smile slips over their lips. “What, did you want to go?”
“Maybe.” She laughs. “I was actually going to go tonight. One of the customers gave me this.” She holds up a stark pink ticket which as she twirls it around between her fingers shows a little angel icon on the back.
“Ah, taking anyone with you? I don’t think I’d be able to tonight.” Something about getting a ticket from a random customer doesn’t sit well with them but they don’t say anything.
Carol hums softly. “No, I don’t really have anyone else to go with. Did you want me to wait till you can join me?” She tilts her head and for a brief moment Riley debates if they’re imagining the look in her eye. They’re just friends. That’s all. It wouldn’t be a date.
“You don’t have to.” They say quicker than intended, hurriedly busying themself with something under the counter where their face would be out of sight including the soft blush forming on it. They can hear her softly humming in thought above and slowly rise up to meet her gaze.
“Well if you’re sure…” She says it slowly and they’re not sure what to make of it.
Riley smiles and leans onto the counter as well, crossing their arms. “It’s okay, I have a date with my bed tonight.” They laugh and then blush at how stupid that sounded. “Uh, sorry, I mean-” But soon a sweet peal of laughter comes from their only friend. It’s not too soon to call her a friend right?
“No I understand, you’ve been doing so many extra hours lately, you deserve that date.” She snickers and pats them on the shoulder. “I’ll tell you what I think about it tomorrow, okay? I bet you’ll love it.” Riley does their best to not flinch at the touch and simply nods and grins.
“Sounds like a plan. I can wrap up here if you want by the way, it’ll just take me a few minutes. You go get ready for it.”
“You sure?” She looks mildly concerned but after a few more assurances she caves and grabs her bag. Waving on the way out, the bell jingles softly as the door shuts behind her. Riley takes a deep breath, and goes to grab the remainder of the trash to toss out back. However as they step back inside and are just about ready to close up shop the lights suddenly go out. They let out a yelp and look around. At first they think they hear the bell over the door jingle but glancing at it, there’s no movement.
Their heart thuds in their chest and they grip at the counter for balance before slipping down behind it. It wasn’t storming… they could see lights outside on the street so… why? Their brain begins to supply numerous reasons, a few mundane but many of them escalating and making their breathing struggle. Trying to count their breaths, they take one step at a time to the breaker before flipping the switches. The lights come back on immediately, almost as if nothing’s wrong. A rapid glance around the cafe reveals nothing. It’s empty. The back door was locked but of course they hadn’t gotten to the front yet.
They sink down against the counter, still taking measured breaths and hide their face in their arms. It’s okay. No one’s here. You’re safe. Then their chest clenches as they do hear the front door bell chime. “H-hey sorry we’re closed!” Their head shoots up and to Riley’s shock it’s the red clown from earlier. “Oh… it’s you.” Relief floods them and they lean more comfortably against the counter. “Um…” Then their eyes catch the blood seeping from a cut across his forehead. “Oh god, you’re bleeding! Are you okay?” A quick nod, his bells jingling along with it. “Well come here, let me help you with that.”
Riley motions for him to move closer, grabbing up a towel and wetting it before gently dabbing it over the wound. Finally they get most of the blood up and turn away to rinse off the towel in the sink. Maybe they’d just take it home and clean it, no need to worry their boss about it. “I hope you don't get in anymore fights, though I’m surprised-” They stop mid-sentence as they turn around, startled by how the performer was leaning over the counter and was growing a little too close to them. But what really caught their eye was the cute little paper flower in his hand. It was a bright red, the paint seeming fresh on it but it had an odd metallic smell. Not likely acrylic then… “Um, wow thank you!” They gingerly take it, moving to touch one of the petals but the other shakes his head, sending his bells jingling. “Oh sorry. Is this because of the band-aid? You really didn’t have to…”
A vigorous nod and they can’t help but smile. Sure the clown was huge, he towered over them but he was proving to be remarkably sweet and maybe just a bit cute. They supposed it helped that they were kind of into the whole gothic circus vibe. The tiniest blush spread over Riley’s cheeks. You are not going to develop a crush with a CLOWN you just met, oh my god. They thought to themself.
They gently clear their throat, watching how the performer sits down on one of the stools on the other side of the counter. Their impression of him being cute skyrockets as his smile grows even larger at them taking the flower. He rests his head in his hands, still watching them but now with a big blush of his own across his cheeks. That couldn’t be a mask right? Masks can’t move or… blush like that. For a second they wonder if he’s even kicking his feet based on the little sounds rising up from the base of the stool.
“So… do you just not speak? Or uh… is it part of the act?” He perks up, before lowering a hand to motion for them to step closer. Despite the proximity being a bit off putting they follow his request nonetheless. He glances around quickly, his smile dipping ever so slightly before it returns but not quite in the force it had been just a moment ago.
“No, I cannot be seen talking. But! I will make an exception for you, my dear.” His words fan the spark in their heart and Riley pulls away, blush quickly returning.
“Ah so it is an act.” They say, trying to ignore what they assume might have been a small amount of flirting.
“Indeed, allow me to introduce myself, I am The Pierrot and it is a pleasure to meet you properly.” He leans forward, taking their hand and raising it to his face as if to kiss it. At first Riley’s gut urges them to tug their hand away but the performer is so sweet and eloquent they can’t bear to. A small giggle rises out of their throat against their will.
“Call me Riley, I use they/them pronouns by the way.” They can’t stop the smile tugging at their lips as Pierrot releases their hand.
“Ah, a lovely name to match a lovely face.” What?! He HAS to be flirting. “You may use he/him for me.” He nods, a small jingle of bells following it.
After they manage to get their wits back together they clear their throat and fidget with their apron. “A pierrot? If I’m not mistaken… you don’t look much like one?” Their memories are hazy at best, clowns weren’t really a thing for them outside of well… kind of what he was. The cool gothic looking ones. Even then, most of the ones they saw were usually in horror movies and games. The word vaguely brought to mind images of a clown in white, often with a sad expression. Looking at the man across from them, he seems like the complete opposite. Though the little tear drop under one eye implies otherwise for his act.
“Ah you are right! That is because we had to… modernize you see. My role remains the same, but my attire is more suitable for this day and age.” The way he phrases it tickles the back of their brain, a mystery they feel the itch to piece together. But it’s getting late and now really isn’t the time.
“So… your circus, I heard it’s about horrors?” Riley can’t help the small touch of excitement in their voice.
“You could say that.” He chuckles softly, his smile growing. “It is our… oh how would you put it…” He hums. “Our brand? Our…” He waves a large clawed hand, Riley’s eyes fixating on it for a moment before it disappears back below the counter. “Style? I believe you get the idea, my dear.” The way he says those last words send a spark down their spine. My dear? That’s… They hold back the pleasant shiver that wants to instinctively sneak out. Well it’s better than baby or honey. Can’t hear those endearments the same ever again. Though they try to shove the thoughts back down. There was no way they were getting back into a relationship anytime soon. Even with a tall, kind of maybe cute gothic clown guy. With a really sexy voice… They bit their lip and rubbed their hand over their face.
“I’ve been debating going, my friend, Carol said she was going to check it out tonight.” They laugh softly. “I guess I’ll have to go myself if she gives it a good review.” They can’t help but grin as well, the performer’s smile was getting contagious.
“Oh? Well if you do go…” They watched as he seemed to pull a ticket from thin air. “Please, do use mine.” He holds it out to them and Riley can’t help but smile even wider.
“Well aren’t you sweet. First the flower, then this?” They gently pluck it from his hand, twisting it around and finding the back has a stylized version of Pierrot’s face on it. “What does the color mean?” Their eyes flick back up to meet his curiously golden ones. How did he make his eyes look like that? “I saw a pink one earlier… they mean something right?”
“Ah well, you will be given front row seats to my performance. It’s in the red tent of course.” He flourishes his hand. “But if you see any more pink ones, do not take those my dear. They are counterfeit.”
“Counterfiet?” A frown stains their lips and they think back to Carol, hoping she didn’t get in trouble. “What… happens if you have one?”
“Well you wouldn’t be let in. They’re fake.” For a moment Riley thinks they see something odd in the way his face-mask-whatever it is moves. A twitch? But it quickly leaves their mind as they wonder. Maybe they’ll send Carol a text when they get home… surely she’d just buy a new ticket right?
“It… wouldn’t get you in trouble would it?” There’s that little movement again but his face remains otherwise unchanged. A small shake of his head, releasing the soft jingle of bells.
“No, not likely. But please, don’t accept pink tickets from strangers, dear.” The sound of him saying dear again nearly scrambles their brain. It was ridiculous, why was it affecting them so badly?
“Ah… alright, I’ll take your word for it.” Picking up their phone they checked the time. “Oh shit, I was supposed to be out of here an hour ago.” In the back of their mind they hoped Pierrot didn’t mind them swearing. “Um I gotta close up, do you mind heading out?” He nods, another soft jingle. “It was nice meeting you Pierrot, I hope I see you later. I don’t think I can make it tonight though, I’m pretty exhausted.” They chuckle as they grab their bag and walk around the counter. Their eyes move up to meet his as he stands. God he’s tall… “But maybe tomorrow?”
“I will be looking forward to it.” He bows before heading out, careful not to bump his head against the top of the doorframe. A small smile twists onto Riley’s lips at the sight and they give him a little wave as he turns back around to do the same before the door shuts.
Oh man I am NOT falling for the cute giant clown guy I literally just met. They scream internally, moving a hand over their mouth. But he was kind of adorable… Quickly shaking their head they hit the lights on the way out and made their way home. The walk is automatic at this point, they barely look up as they write out a text on their phone.
Hey I hope you’re having fun! I just heard those pink tickets are fake so I hope you didn’t get in trouble. Don’t forget to tell me how it went!
Their mind was abuzz thinking about what the circus might be like. They tried looking it up but there wasn’t much online. A couple bits of social media presence but nothing more than schedules and locations. They frowned, that was weird. It definitely was advertised as a horror show so maybe keeping it mysterious was intentional?
Finally getting back they flicked the lights on in their apartment, tossing their bag down by the end of the bed. It wasn’t much but it was home and it was safe. Soon they were going through the steps to get ready for bed, letting the TV drone on in the background. It was nice having something to listen to.
Finally flopping down in bed they continued their web search. Looking up “pierrot” they got their confirmation about the role. Curiously, it was often paired with another performer called “Columbine” or “Columbina”. That was a new name to them. They were more familiar with the other terms for entertainers like jesters and harlequins. But apparently some of these roles were part of a set. Harlequin was also known as arlecchino in Italian, another name they hadn’t heard of before. Eventually they found themselves dozing off with the search left open on their phone as they curled up around a pillow.
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Unbeknownst to the little human asleep on their bed, they had a visitor that night. In the tree Pierrot watched them, eyes wide like a curious cat. He can’t help but wonder what his dearly beloved is looking up instead of allowing their sweet body to rest. How he wishes he could come in and help them sleep. But he refrains, knowing just enough about humans and how that would very likely deeply bother them.
His claws play against the bark of the branch he perches on. He battles with himself, wanting to get closer, to take a peek and sate his curiosity as well as the burning desire within him for just one more touch. But if they awoke it would be disastrous. This relationship was just beginning to blossom and if they found out he could sneak in, steal glances and touches…
He bites the inside of his cheek, careful not to draw blood with his sharp teeth. Maybe just a moment? Just long enough to learn a little about his pretty little flower. And so with incredible grace and near pure silence he slips onto their balcony and through the unlocked door. It makes more sound opening than he does creeping into the room. Standing at the foot of their bed, seeing them curled up around a pillow, it stokes the fires within him.
Oh how badly he wants to replace that stupid thing, to be the one his precious is curled up around instead. But no, that would be too far right now. Carefully he moves to the other side of the bed, where their phone sits alight still. Cautiously he picks it up, his brows raising as he glances over the contents. Stock characters? Oh my dear, you were curious about me? He feels a fluttering in his chest at that. Checking the history his stomach drops at the name “Columbina” and he feels his mouth go dry. They couldn’t know. It was just a name, a role. Some brief movement and a soft grunt makes his eyes dart up from the phone to catch Riley hugging the pillow tighter. After they settle he relaxes ever so slightly and finishes his nosing around with the device, returning it to where they had left off. He noticed they had also looked up the Harlequin character and it made a sneer briefly seize his lips as he hoped they would not run into the bastard.
But his time here was precious and he had enough of their phone. Setting it back down, he turned the screen off. He hadn’t played with these newer phones much, it wasn’t really something he needed so it took him a second to figure it out. Such a tiny device, it looked like a toy in his hand. Finally his eyes settled on the source of his devotion. Riley looked so peaceful, so at ease and of course so beautiful. Such a good heart tucked away within a fragile little human body… They were defenseless and here he was, able to grow so close to them. He had noticed the guard they had kept raised all day through the windows of the cafe. One they had only barely let down with that other human with the long brown hair. And eventually him as well… just a bit.
Oh how he craved seeing them like that more, to see them grow to love him, trust him… He was soon kneeling on the floor, leaning closer and closer towards them. He had to be careful as he did not yet know how easily they could awake from their slumber. Not even his breath reached their skin as he peered at them. He wanted to touch them, to run his hand through their dark locks and gently hold them. His precious, oh how his heart beat for them.
Silently he forced himself to stand and before he departed, he peeked around the room further. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of the red rose set upon their desk. They had kept it! The “paint” was drying and darkening but that was not much of a concern. It would turn a deep red, as deep as his blossoming love for his precious flower. His eyes moved over other possessions, memorizing the books they owned, the posters on their walls, even the general aesthetics of the room. It was fairly bare though, he wondered if that was intentional or not. The whole space felt… temporary, as though his beloved did not mean to stay here long. He frowned slightly at that, perhaps they had simply moved in recently? Or was it that they did not want to grow attached to it?
His mind tumbled through various thoughts as he looked around further, checking the fridge and finding it worryingly empty. He hoped that wasn’t a normal occurrence. Before he left he poked his head in the bathroom, giving the various shampoos and other soaps a sniff. He had not yet been able to get as close as he’d like to his dear little flower so this would have to do. He’d remember them too, what brands, what scents and maybe sneak out to pick a few up later for himself. Not to smell like his flower but to simply remember them by. He wanted so badly to steal a piece of clothing but not yet. He couldn’t leave any trace of his late night visit, lest he risked scaring them off.
With a deep, sorrowful sigh he made his way to the balcony, giving Riley one last longing look before he slipped back out and shut it behind him. He would return tomorrow, perhaps he could visit them in the cafe? Every second with his beautiful flower was precious and he wouldn’t need to be back at the circus until that evening. Maybe they would finally come to his show? With a wide grin plastered on his face he hurried back home, knowing he’d need to rest up if he were to give them a good performance.