Jerome and Jeremiah Valeska.
My first two loves.
I remember them being so distinct in personality that their physical appearance was the only thing that convinced me they were poured from the same mold. At least in those few first memories we had...
I was eight when both my parents died and I was put into the care of my somewhat estranged uncle. He used to come and visit when he and the circus he traveled with were in town. He' always come complete with a plush toy and some kettle corn. He was awkward and boisterous and loved to tease my mom about being his kid sister that had a whole life set up. When my parents got creamed by a drunk driver leaving me orphaned I got that all too familiar surprise visit from Uncle Saul. He acted just as he always did when I saw him, except when he gave me the news, he lost that loud and cheerful facade I would soon realize he had maintained for our family. In what felt like a blink of an eye, everything changed. No more Mom, no more Dad. No more friends or school.
"Circus life kid. It'll be great."
And in ways when I look back, sure. It was dandy. Carefee at times. But mostly it was work without pay or thanks and realizing everything around you was disposable and temporary.
Even people.
I guess that last part is more of a bit of knowledge I could thank some screaming child throwing their lunch up at me after getting off the tilt-a-whirl for, but I'll pass.
After all the formalities of death and my uncle's inheritance of myself, it was time to meet the extended family of carnies and freak folk. It was the midswing of summer where all the trees adorn thick foliage and the sky melts the clouds away before you can look up to enjoy their fluffy existence. We approached an open field that was littered with iron painted in bright blaring colors, their lights waiting for the sun to hide away to steal the moon's evening performance. I couldn't help but shift about excitedly viewing patterned linens that made up the booths and big top.
"Lucy..."
He spoke softly beside me as the cab struggled along the gravel path.
I looked over to him, his face weathered from mourning.
"This is how things are gonna be from now on. Just gotta roll with it."
He took a deep breath before releasing his sight from the incoming entrance to fix into mine.
"But be careful. Always have your guard up. We look after each other here but that doesn't mean there aren't snakes moving about. You got it?"
I nodded wide eyed.
I had no idea.
"Eh...good...good..." He removed a metal flask from his jacket liner and guzzled down the liquid inside it before the car came to stop.
"Oh, and uh, never eat peanuts in the dressing rooms or wear green in the big top...bad omens."
We stepped out and were met with Haley himself sharing condolences and magic tricks to make me smile which worked easily on me. He pulled Saul a few feet away whispering some things that didn't concern me as I was mostly distracted by the clown that grabbed my attention to make me a balloon flower. I laughed a little and found myself laughing more as the clown finally acknowledged my uncle and spoke with him cursing and jabbing fun. They went quiet for a moment before the clown offered the other two men cigarettes and Haley suggested I go explore my new home, with Saul seconding the motion with the lit coffin nail.
I wandered around aimlessly for a while taking in sights that murdered the magic that I believed existed at the circus. The behind the scenes of performers setting up and games being rigged to name the few. It was when I was watching some of the freak show acts warming up for rehearsals that someone came up from behind me and popped my inflated pink carnation. I jumped and screeched at the unexpected noise and whipped around to see what it was from before realizing what had happened. I eased into a nervous chuckle at the end of the bitter exhale of my scream while my heart continued to jump without the rest of my body.
It was a redheaded boy my age giggling within arm's reach, a sadistic smile waiting for something more from me.
"Hah- Hello!" I blurted out trying to get my blood pressure to drop.
The little devil's grin turned into a slight gape of his mouth. Before I could say another word he tore off in the opposite direction weaving around people and material as if following a planned escape route.
"Heh-Hey wait!" I called out,
"Come back!"
I ran after him at full speed tracing his trail without deviation. I almost caught him as he slowed his pace thinking he had left me back at the crime scene. When he saw me bounding over a fifty pound sack of corn I could see his eyes light up as he knew the chase was really on. I was hot on his heels for a good stretch before he made a sharp turn and disappeared into the Haunted House. I caught my breath at it's door, its exterior not as ominous as I remember viewing it in full sunshine. I ventured inside without further delay.
Inside it was almost pitch black save for the emergency exit signs lit here and there. The neon blush bled over tacky props and rickety carts. I could hear rustling around failing to distinguish the general direction letting my imagination get the best of me. I wanted to convince myself it was the freckled twerp that popped my sympathy balloon but the skeleton sitting in front of me bathed in a crimson glow was making a silent argument- and winning. Before losing my wits completely I stumbled to one of the exits, the door fighting me for a moment before the daylight and heat welcomed me outside.
I checked behind me to ensure a ghoulish hand wasn't going to slip out of the door and pull me back in and took an unfortunate spill down the stairs that were butt-up against the building. I picked myself up irritated until I saw the back of my target standing just in front of the many trailers in front of me, his frame only in partial sight. I kept low and sneaked around the neighboring wheeled homes so as not to be caught myself. I peered out from the closest trailer watching him stand carelessly out in the open as he stabbed at the dirt in front of him thoughtfully. I waited for him to turn another quarter so when I pounced I could see the dumb look on his face at being bested by his former balloon-pop victim. I ceased the moment as his feet began to take the desired position and barreled at him, the biggest grin on my face.
"I got you now!",I proclaimed as the stick flung yards away and our bodies collided with one another and descended to obliterate the markings he had created in the earth.
I savored the look of panic and upset in his face from start to finish and laughed in satisfaction as I pinned his shoulders down waiting for his cry. He wriggled about trying to get free and exhaled in complete frustration before shouting,
"JEROME!"
Confused I kept didn't budge and taunted him,
"Hah! Uh oh, is that your big brother or something? "
His eyes bore holes into me and I started to picture the consequences of my actions and disadvantage of being the new kid.
Crap. That's right, I live here now.
From inside the unimpressive metal habitat was muffled laughter. I could see the curtain from the window spring back before the same freckle faced deviant I had in my grasp. I quickly realized the situation and puckered my lips in discontent. I released my prey reluctantly and crossed my arms scorned by the trick.
"See! I told you there was a new kid Miah!"
Jerome beamed at him giggling harder as he watched 'Miah' dust himself off and shoot an angry glance into him.
"So. Twins."
"Oooo, someone is a sore loser!" He sang,
"Looks like you're not the only loser anymore Jerh!"
He stuck his tongue out between his teeth as his clone just stood calm and heated.
"Hey," I reached out and gave him a gentle nudge,
"My name's Lucy. Lucy Sol."
He replied by looking me up and down slowly releasing the sour look of resentment he had for me.
"I'm Jeremiah. And this is-"
"Jerome Valeska!"
He interrupted and invaded both our space to assert his hand for introduction.
Jeremiah rolled his eyes and exhaled again in lost patience,
"Jerome how many times are you going to dress as me to get me in trouble?!"
"Psh! Stop being so dramatic! You're not in trouble! It's not like she was gonna hit you or anything...were you?"
Jerome waited eagerly for my response, but before I could get a word out Saul called out my name. Saul met our newfound trio scratching his head as if he was the one in unknown territory.
"Hey kid, been looking for you all over."
"Yeah? I've just been with Jerome and Jeremiah." I gave him a proud smile.
"Oh...huh..." He didn't seemed too pleased as he looked them over.
"Well, uh, it's time for dinner so we best be getting back now. Gotta get you set up and all too." Saul's eyes bounced back and forth from me and the boy's trailer as he began to pull himself away motioning me to follow.
I heeded walking in tow and waved goodbye to the pair. As we got out of earshot and he stopped looking over his shoulder he spoke inconspicuously, as if someone was listening in, "Luce, I don't want you over at their trailer okay? Y'all can play together, that's all fine, but stay away from their place got it?" His words were stern and unyielding. "Why's that?" I prodded, "Cause Lila's a mean drunk. Hell, I'm a drunk, but I don't mess with nobody but myself. That women...whew. She is awful to those kids." He cracked his neck tiredly, his face conveying his distaste for the Valeska's mother. I nodded again fairly ignorant as I did earlier that day. The sun was low on the horizon now and the lights that hung from every inch of the grounds began to blink awake. Their groggy filaments warming up to burn away the soon incoming patron's stressful work days and the music from loud speakers picking up volume to drown out their monotonous thoughts. Everything was breathing in new life and I could tell I was one big part of that too.
Have to give a shout out to writer Laurenlunatic2001 on AO3 for inspiring this- I don't know them in any way, just really loved their story and it gave me some ideas from their work Twin Tied.Go over and give it a read!
I literally looked up a video on how to make a balloon carnation to see if it would be out of scope for that scene. Kinda is...buuuuutttt I still wrote it in..the point is, I almost tried! Oh, and the bit about bad omens at the circus...help I need sleep and episode 05x02 to be out now ;-;
Let me know how ya feel about this! Always appreciate feedback :) Hoping to only have a few chapters of young Valeskas together and then have them part ways similar to cannon. Then it gets to the good stuff! :D
Wow, you made it through all this rambling?! And I'm still going?! *shouts over shoulder* Someone get this reader a lemon!
..I'm sorry, I swear I'm working away at the other fic...