Chapter Text
“(Y/N), I feel stupid.”
“Well, I guess that makes us even, doesn’t it?”
“Are you seriously still mad about that?”
“Just get out here, already.”
There’s a loud groan from behind the screen before Erik finally shuffles out so you can see him. You cover your mouth to keep yourself from laughing. “Don’t say it.”
You have to. “You look like Aladdin.”
“You said it, didn’t you.”
“…Yeah.” It’s the trousers. “Are they cooler, at least?”
“Unfortunately, yes,” he sighs, rubbing the back of his neck self-consciously. “Veronica’s going to have a field day with this.”
You smirk, plucking the turban from his head and touching up his spikes. “Nah, she’s not allowed, remember? Besides, you look good. Genuinely. Don’t look at me like that.”
His raised eyebrow screams doubt, but you mean it – the soft blues really complement his hair, and he looks hella good in gold jewellery, plus that body? He’s always been attractive, but looking at him now, it’s hard to take your eyes off him.
(And those bare hands. Not to sound like a repressed Victorian lady, but… hoo boy.)
The eyebrow stays until El walks in, and then the look of doubt becomes one of mischief and you dare him with your eyes to say something. Of course, he can’t resist. He grabs your arm in a vice-like grip and doesn’t let go. “So, how was it? She looked like she liked you, huh?”
“It was her dad that did it, actually,” El tells you. Erik sniggers next to you, and you hide your face in your free hand. “But it was really good. Very thorough… Why are you laughing?”
“You’ll never believe this.”
“Shut up, Erik.”
“(Y/N) thought–”
“Shut up, Erik.”
“–a puff-puff was–”
You slap your hand over his mouth. “Nothing! Nothing at all!”
El watches the struggle unfold before him. “…Right.”
You feel something warm and wet against your palm and yank your hand away in disgust. “Eww, Erik, that’s gross! What are you, twelve?”
“Serves you right.” Erik smirks victoriously and you wipe your hand on his new threads out of spite.
“Wait, what happened?”
“He freaking licked me, that’s what happened!”
“That’s because they’re embarrassed they didn’t know what a puff-puff was.” Oh, you’re going to kill him.
He leans in and whispers your shame into El’s ear. His face goes redder and redder and he stares at you with wide eyes. “(Y/N), what?! For real?!”
“It’s not my fault!” you whine lamely, setting Erik off again. “Stop laughing!”
“In public?!”
“I know! Why do you think I was so shook?”
“But– I mean– Me?!”
“Hey, it’s not my business what you like!”
Once you’ve all managed to calm down (mostly) and paid the shopkeeper, you head back outside to look around. El talks to everyone who’ll give him the time of day, and Erik samples all sorts of exotic fruits and spices you’ve never seen before. You’ve still got plenty in stock from Hotto, but you can see how excited he is to try something new.
You’ll be eating good with all this.
You take a quick peek in the weapon shop (and Erik wastes no time teasing you both about the puff-puff again), but your current equipment is pretty damn good already, so there’s nothing that stands out. If any of you specialised in spears it might be a different story, but at least this way you can save some money.
Where are the twins? No idea. You’d have thought they would stick out like a sore thumb, but there’s a surprising amount of people in what you’ve now dubbed Traveller’s Attire instead of Obvious-Main-Character Attire. No doubt they’re here for the festival, which means you won’t be nearly as obvious as you would normally be while it’s on.
Which is good, because someone is being extremely obvious.
“Guys, look! Juggling!” El runs ahead and you wave to Noah and Connie at the bar on your way past, noting with satisfaction that he isn't drinking this time. There’s a whole bunch of performers out here drawing in the crowd, with balloons and bunting set up around the big top and a girl in a bunny costume hyping up everything there is to see inside.
You’ve never had the privilege to go to a real travelling circus before; you’ve seen them in movies and TV, but it can’t capture the festive atmosphere, or the sheer joy of seeing El so excited. He gapes at the tent in wonder, and you give him a playful nudge. “Someone’s happy! Think we have time to see the show?”
He turns to you with stars in his eyes. “Oh, can we? Can we, can we, can we?!” he pleads, giving you the most adorable puppy-dog eyes the world has ever seen.
“No, I brought it up so I could disappoint you,” you say flatly, smooshing his cheeks. “Ya goober. ’Course we can. Right, Erik?”
You look over to him, and El flashes him the puppy-dog eyes. It only takes a moment before he relents. “Ah, what the hell. Just make sure you keep an eye on your pockets. Things tend to get… misplaced at events like these.”
You raise an eyebrow. “Speaking from experience?”
“Of a sort,” he smirks.
El rolls his eyes. “I’ll keep that in mind. Come on!” He spins around and hops over to the ticket booth, only to stop dead and slink back over to you. “…Do we invite the others?”
“Umm…”
In the end it doesn’t matter, because there aren’t any tickets for any of you. “It’s because Sylv’s performing, you see. They all sold in a flash. You’ll have to try again another time…” the vendor explains apologetically.
El’s disappointment is palpable. “Oh… I understand. Thanks, anyway.”
“Sorry, hon.”
“Well, it is about to start,” you point out gently. “We’ll try again tomorrow. Earlier this time.”
“Better be first thing,” Erik advises, indicating a notice on the board. “Apparently The Great Sylvando’s here. No surprise there’s no tickets left.”
“I take it they’re famous, then?” you ask.
El gives you a shrug. “I’ve never heard of them.”
“Really? Wow, you really did come from the middle of nowhere,” Erik remarks. “His shows always get sold out. Never seen him myself, but… you know. I’ve been around when they’re on. He’s meant to be the best in the business.”
So, you may not get in at all. El gazes wistfully at the tent separating him from his dreams. “I’ve always wanted to see the circus. Grandad always made it sound so magical…”
It’s like a shadow descends over him, and you wish more than anything that you could make it go away. You would buy him ice cream if you could, take him to a movie or just laugh at memes together – meaningless fun – but that’s your world, and you don’t know what the equivalent would be here. You just rub his back soothingly instead, and hope he gets the message.
“(Y/N).” You look up. Erik nods towards a side entrance, presumably leading backstage, and raises an eyebrow in question.
Your eyes light up. “Yes.”
“What?” El doesn’t resist when Erik tugs him forwards. “Where are we going? Guys? Are we even allowed in here?”
You shrug. “I don’t know, man. It’s your world.” His eyes bug out as he attempts to stammer out some kind of response. You shouldn’t laugh, but watching him try and fail to talk himself out of it is too much. And if you can cheer him up a bit… “Chillax, bro. We’re not robbing them.”
“Yet,” whispers Erik wickedly.
El smacks both of you. “You two are so bad! I can’t take you anywhere!”
Worked like a charm.
Despite what he says, he doesn’t make you turn around and you’re met with… an ordinary guy. Preening in the mirror. Is this him?
You don’t know what you expected.
More pizzazz for one thing.
You gently push El forward, since this is for him. The Great Sylvando turns around in his chair and gives him a charming smile. “Oh, hey honey. How sweet of you to come back here to see me. Are you a fan?”
He definitely has the confidence you expected, at least.
“Umm… I…”
In hindsight, you maybe should have given him time to prepare.
“Hey, there’s no need to be shy. I don’t bite!”
You hide a chuckle when Erik comes to his rescue. Sort of. “Oh, he’s a fan, alright. Starstruck and tongue-tied, is all.”
The Great Sylvando clasps his hands dramatically, looking your shy friend up and down. “Hee hee! I knew it! Well, it’s an honour to have such a fine young fellow cheering me on! If you’re here for the show, you won’t have to wait long. Ohh, it’s going to be fabulous, darling! My best yet!”
“Tomorrow, with any luck,” you say before El has a chance to return to his low mood. “They were all out of tickets today, but we’ll get there! You’ll see.”
“Ooh, I look forward to it! I’ll keep an eye out for you!” Another man comes in and gives Sylvando a five-minute warning. “That’s my cue, darlings. Wish me luck!”
El finally finds his voice long enough to call a quick, “Good luck!” his way, only to lose it again at the cheeky wink he gets in response.
And now that he’s gone, you can laugh as much as you like. “El, what was that? I know for a fact we didn’t force you in here!”
“It’s your fault! I wasn’t ready!” he protests, blushing hard.
“Yeah. I’m not sorry,” Erik snorts, looping an arm over his shoulder. “Well, at least he didn’t kick us out, right? Want to get something to eat? We’ll have to have an early night if we want to guarantee ourselves some tickets tomorrow.”
El hangs his head in defeat. “Yeah… I hate waking up early.”
“It’ll be worth it, I promise,” you say, patting him on the back as he heads for the chest in the corner. And he says he can't take you anywhere.
“…Thanks, guys.” He lifts the lid and… “Aww, seriously? Again?”
Empty.
Huh.
Guess it really does happen.