Standing off on the sidelines, obscured by the treeline, Leo was holding his breath. They had ended the show hours before and were now breaking down the tents and gathering the animals. The farmer's field the previous day was nothing but noisy animals, colorful tents and amazing smells. The circus had come to town for the weekend, was the town's season highlights. Now watching it being all torn down and put away, there was paper and cups littered on the ground from the previous festivities. He could almost feel the magic being pulled from the earlier show.
It was all illusions and tricks, he knew this, but ever since being a boy, he was fascinated with the men and women that would come rolling into town. Their colorful outfits, makeup and larger than life shows.
He had already scoped out the train cars and figured it was best to sneak into a cargo one- this way not to be caught. He watched as the group of performers and workers were scoping over the field picking up the trash left over. This was his moment. Taking a deep breath he shot out of the tree line, eyeing the cabin he would leap into. His feet were pounding on the earth and he had his bag over his shoulder. All he had stored away in a simple burlap sack. He was close to the cabin and saw no one still in sight. His lungs started to burn as he continued to run. This was his only chance. The door was open and he slung his bag inside, hoisting himself up into the cabin. There were wooden crates between wooden boards to keep them from sliding around the cabin.
He was able to wedge himself behind a crate at the far wall. It was a tight fit and the cabin was dark, but he was able to squeeze in and pull his bag in close. He wanted to make himself as tiny as he could in the back corner of the cabin. He had overheard earlier the train would leave that evening.
People always talked about running away with the circus, but he did not know anyone who had actually done it. He was drowning in this tiny town. His father worked at the town's bank, his mother stayed at home with his seven siblings- he got lost in the crowd of the tiny house. He had to wonder how long before anyone knew he was missing.
As he sat there, he took a deep ragged breath. He pulse started to race as the heat in the cabin grew. He could feel the sweat on his brow and down his back. He knew once the train would take off he could move, but for now he wanted to stay as still as possible. He couldn't be caught. He had to get out of this town.
Outside he could hear voices getting closer to the cabins. He clutched his bag tightly and held to his chest. Everything in Leo's body was telling him to just get up and leave, but he was determine to do this. He was not able to see anything in the dark cabin but the voices were getting closer.
"Otabek, the doors at the back cabins are still open and we need to tie down that last car. Would you hurry up already?" he heard a low whistle following the shrill voice.
The voice was sharp and harsh and he could hears doors sliding and slamming as they were locked into place. As they approached his car, he held his breath as he heard the doors sliding then slamming shut. The slamming down of the wooden beam to lock the door in place jarred the cabin he was in and he pressed his face into his burlap bag to hold steady. He heard the voice walk on to the next cabin and he let go of the air he was holding in his lungs. He held still till after some time, he could hear voices yelling back and forth to get in their cabins and could hear the doors sliding shut.
The moment he heard the loud train whistle and the feeling of the cars starting to slowly move, did he relax. He was thankful he had thought to bring his canteen and bread he had stolen from the kitchen that morning. He did not know how long the ride would be, but he was sure it would go into the night. Resting his head back against the wall of the cabin, he smiled and closed his eyes allowing the rock of the train to lull him to sleep.
"I am telling you Ji, I left it out here ok?" Seung spit back at him.
"I don't remember us going into the cargo cabins though," Guang-Hong knew they had not gone out this far but Seung was determine to look.
"Hey, what are you two assholes out here doing? We got breakfast almost ready and you know the food is gone the minute they start dishing it out," Yuri growled out at Seung and Guang-Hong.
"Seung has lost his stupid hat. You know the gray one? He thinks it was where he was putting something in a cargo car here…" Guang-Hong answered back. "Where is Otabek? We need him to lift the board so we can get in this car."
Yuri growled and called out, "Otabek!"
"Ah there he is! He was probably already in line for the food," Guang-Hong go to laughing as did Yuri.
As Otabek walked up, Yuri tilted his head, "Hey can you raise this board? Seung thinks he might have dropped something in there. We are not staying out here all damn morning for a stupid hat either."
Leo was curled up inside the cabin as they talked outside. He knew they were outside his cabin and he was trying to use his bag to put in front of him and curl up as small as he could.
"Come on Otabek… we don't have all morning… Plus I know you want to eat," Yuri smirked at Otabek.
Otabek whistled low and nodded. Walking to the door he easily lifted the wood board holding the doors shut and leaned up against the cabin, turning back to Yuri and tilting his head at him.
"Da, thanks. Come on boys, let's look for your… hat."
Leo could hear people jumping up into the cabin and sat as still as he could. He did not breath and he hoped they could not hear the slamming beat of his heart.
"I am telling you Ji, it had to be this one. The crate boxes look like the last place I remember I having it," Seung replied back.
"Hey assholes, how about around the back here… Wait I think I…." Yuri stopped as he saw a pair of shoes and a bag huddled in the corner. "What the hell is this?" He pulled at the bag as Leo tried to hold it tight. "Fuck! We got another damn stowaway over here. Beka!" A low whistle came in response. "Come get this would you." Yuri stomped off as Otabek came around to the back corner and picked Leo up as if he weighed nothing.
Leo could feel himself being half dragged, half carried out the cargo bin. Once at the door, Otabek tossed him out and he fell from the car onto the graveled ground. He scurried to get back to his feet, ignoring the pain from being thrown out and hitting the ground.
"FOUND IT!" he heard Seung yell and come out. "Ah man… not another one," Seung said pointing at Leo as he put his hat one.
As everyone hopped out the cargo car, Leo looked up and saw the face that matched the shrill over. He had golden hair that reached down his back, his eyes were a yellowish green and when he spoke you could see his teeth were sharpened to points. His face was covered in a soft downy golden fur that he would not call a beard as it seemed softer than that. Yuri reached his hand out to him and he saw thick pointed fingernails on a hand covered in the same soft gold fur, coming towards him and he flinched slightly as the hand grabbed at his chin.
"And what the hell do you think you are doing?" Yuri growled at him.
Leo stood there and stared into those yellow greenish eyes. "I ugh… was um.. hoping I could…"
A low whistle made Yuri turn. A giant overly built man had walked up to Yuri and stared down at him in the eye. The man had on skin tight pants and a barely there shirt. His muscles bulged so much it looked as if it hurt.
"What Beka?" Yuri had let go of Leo's face and stared at the two men. He watched as the overly bulky man started to rapidly move his hands as Yuri shook his head. "No Beka, you said the last time we took someone in I could have fun with the next! Well this is the next one- now step aside!" The golden boy tried to shove at the built man, but the large man would not move.
Leo was frantically darting his eyes around, as the golden haired boy was scary as hell and he did not want to know what he meant by having fun and he did not plan on finding out. He saw two other guys standing off to the sides. Simple white t-shirts and baggy brownish pants. The one with black hair wearing a gray hat and the brunette with freckles just stood there adjusting his suspenders. The brunette was sporting a slight blush every time he would look over at Leo and Leo knew this was his escape.
As Yuri argued with the large man who look be arguing with hand movements, Leo ran over and grabbed the brunette by his shoulders, staring into his eyes. "Please please, my name is Leo and I just want something… different."
"Hey! Beka, would you shut up and hang on!" Yuri was growling out as Leo was pleading with his eyes to the freckled boy. Leo could hear Yuri approaching him as he cursed under his breath. Leo ran behind the freckled brunette and still held onto him tightly. "Please… Please…" he pleaded.
"Yurio. Stop." Leo could feel the rumble coming from the brunette he was clutching. "Let me handle him ok?" Leo could feel a warm hand cover his own.
He saw Yuri's face go red and show his teeth as he snarled. The large man placed a hand on his shoulder and whistled lowly. When Yuri turned he saw the hand movements going again.
"Fine Fine Beka… Let's go get some damn food," Yuri and Otabek both turned and stomped off towards the food tent.
Leo let go of the boy he was holding and saw him turn to face him.
"Thanks." He replied as he fixed the hat he was wearing. It was similar to Seung's, but brown instead of gray.
"Hi, I am Guang-Hong Ji, Most just call me Ji though… easier I guess," as he saw the freckled boy turn red and shrug, "And this guy here is Seung Gil Lee. I don't really know what the likes to be called…"
"Seung is just fine." He saw the guy with the gray hat turn and look over at the one white tent that was set up over in the field. "Come on, breakfast is ready. Ji, you better not let Yakov see your stowaway."
Leo could feel the freckled boy named Ji grab his hand and start to pull him from the cabin cars and onto a large field. To the side was a large beige tent set up and amazing smells coming from it.
"Just stay by my side and don't speak to anyone… or stare at anyone," Guang-Hong had said as he pulled him along.
"Definitely don't stare at anyone," Seung replied flatly as they walked. "They better still have the potatoes left or I am going to be pissed." Seung had moved the tapestry back at the tent they were using for a door and they walked in together. Leo kept himself hidden behind the two as they walked.
"Just grab a plate and don't over serve yourself," Guang-Hong said quietly.
""Never going to work Ji," Seung said back, "Where is he going to stay anyway?"
"Well… our cabin?" Guang-Hong said and Seung glares at Leo.
"Damn it Ji…" he watched Seung get a plate and stomp into line.
Leo watched Guang-Hong turn and that blush still on his cheeks around his freckles. "Come on, We will go sit over next to Seung."
Leo saw at the back of the tent, a table with huge bins of food. There was a line of people standing holding out plates and talking amongst themselves. There were tables that were all around the room with chairs set for everyone to sit. There was a low dull roar of voices carrying around the tent along with the smell of the food.
Leo tried not to stare as they stood in line. He had seen Yuri and Otabek as Otabek was easy to find in a crowd due to his height and size and seemed as if Yuri would be close by.
He noticed at the same table as them, a man with white hair cascading way down his back. He wore a large red silk robe that seem to swallow him, though he could have sworn when the hand reached out across the table, it was the palest of skin he had ever seen. Leo really wished the man would turn around so he could see the rest of him, but all he got was the white hair and red silk robe. Next him was a man whose hair was the blackest of black. He was sure if they stood out in the sun, you see the blue undertones. They had their arms wrapped around the pale man's arm and was holding onto them tightly as they batted their long lashes up to the pale man. They were wearing what looked to almost be a one piece black leotard. Very different in contrast to the pale man. They had their eyelids lined in a deep rich kohl liner and hair pushed back, a sequined headband on top their head kept the hair from falling forward. Leo watched the pale man turn and Leo had to gasp. The man was not only the palest he had ever seen, but those two together were the most beautiful.
The pale man had purple hues to his skin, and under his eyes. His lips looked almost blue as he leaned forward to capture the lips of the beautiful one attached to his arm. There was something about these two men that just captivated you to look at them. When the pale man released the red lips of the beautiful man, he could see those dark lashes flutter and the beautiful man somehow managed to wrap himself tighter around the pale man. Leo could not stop staring and felt a jerk in his arm.
"Hey, I said don't stare… Especially at those two!" Guang-Hong had hissed at him,
Leo shook his head and turned back to Guang-Hong. "Who… who are they?" he breathed out.
"Ah, yeah, them. That is Victor and Yuuri. Hard not to stare, I know… trust me."
"So wait…. What… are they?" Leo was stunned again.
"Beautiful aren't they? You should see them perform together. Now talk about being captivated. They are one of the main acts too. Victor does ribbon acrobatics and Yuuri is a contortionist. I mean, yeah, they do more, but you get the general idea… yeah… Yuuri is something…" Guang-Hong leaned in and whispered to Leo, "I hear Victor ties on really tight corsets to give Yuuri such a tiny waist." When Guang-Hong had pulled back he winked at Leo and Leo tried hard not to stare.
Finally getting food, they sat over towards the back corner where Seung was. The moment he sat down, three extremely short women jumped up and sat on the table with them.
"Uh oh! What do we have here!" All three of the girls taking turns speaking each word. At first Leo thought these were children but no, they were full grown women.
Guang-Hong rolled his eyes, "Please girls… can you keep it quiet.. Please?" he was begging them.
They sat back and assessed the situation. He could see their minds racing. One of them shrugged. "I guess we can keep quiet… for now." And watched them jump of the table and run off.
"Sorry about that… They are a handful."
A loud uproar started as the tapestry was pulled back as three women in with long robes and silken scarves on their heads came in. They were yelling good morning and the men were whistling back at them. There was a man who accompanied them. His bright green and yellow robe hanging loose around him as his chest was all but hanging out. He had his hair wrapped in a silk scarf in a bright purple color. He stopped and kissed each woman on the cheek and went to sit with Victor and Yuuri, kissing both on the cheek as he went to his seat. When the man had settled in and every thing seemed to calm down he noticed the pale on turn. Leo started to grip the table till his knuckles turned white when he saw the eyes of the pale one rest onto him. They were purple with a hint of red to them. Leo saw those eyes squint as the pale one tilted his head as if in thought, bringing a pale finger to those bluish lips. Leo shifted uncomfortably when the pale man stood up, leaning over to kiss the beautiful one, and walk their way.
Guang-Hong saw Leo stiffen up and turned to look then groaned loudly. Seung chuckled a bit saying, "Knew it wouldn't take too long."
Victor approached the table and saw down next to Leo. Leo tried not to stare as the long pale fingers brushed the hair out of his face behind his ears. Leo looked and could not distinguish if this man's hand was blue, purple or just white. He was close enough now, Leo could see his eyelashes were indeed white as were his eyebrows. How was it a man with so many colors running through him, had almost none at all? Leo gasped when a long finger ran down his cheek bone towards his jaw.
"Ji, who is this pretty little thing you have with you?" the pale man asked. "I always remember a face, especially one this pretty." The pale man's voice was cold, not warm. It sent shivers down Leo's spine.
"Oh ugh…. Victor… T-this is… is m-my… F-friend…" Guang-Hong started stammering.
"Hi! I am Leo! Pleased to meet you." Leo couldn't allow Guang-Hong to suffer much more.
"Leo you say?" the pale man never taking his hands off of him as he stared at Leo. Leo felt as if the man was looking inside him. His gaze was hard and cold and he flinched when he felt those fingers touch his neck, you would think his skin would be cold, but it was very warm.
"Vitya, are you tormenting Leo's friend over here?" Leo looked to see the beautiful one come over and drape his arms around the pale man. "I am sorry… Victor can be… well… I am sure you see." The man smiled and Leo swooned instantly. He was sure if this man smiled and asked him to for anything, he would do so without thought. Seeing him draping around the pale one, they contrasted but complimented one another.
"Yuuri, this is Leo… Ji's friend." Victor said.
"Ah, well any friend of Ji's is a friend of ours. Hello!" Yuuri held his hand out and with shaking hands, Leo grabbed it. The hand was as warm as the smile that was greeting him.
"So Ji… how long will your friend be staying with us?" Victor asked.
"Um… well… You see…" Guang-Hong was stammering again.
The pale one sighed. "Can he at least do anything Ji? Do you really think Lilia or Yakov is going to accept any stowaway? No matter how cute he is?"
Leo felt his cheeks burning and could see Guang-Hong had turned red.
"I can sing!" Leo blurted out without thinking. Leo always sang to his siblings and in his church. People told him he was talented with his voice, but he could not believe he blurted it out like that.
Victor tilted his head again, "Sing something then for my husband." Victor then grabbing the beautiful man's hand he was just shaking and kissing a ring on his finger.
Leo cleared his throat and wiped his sweaty palms down his pants. Everyone now was staring at him. He racked his brain for something to sing, then remembered one that always calmed his siblings down, it was a lullaby his mother sang to him. At first his voice was a little shaky as everyone just stared at him and the tent got impossibly quiet. He looked over at Guang-Hong and could see as he continued singing that Guang-Hong was beaming with a huge smile. He continued to sing, making his voice stronger and louder, it wasn't something you would do to a lullaby so he changed up the melody a bit. Once he got to the main part, he jumped up and sang even stronger. It had been a long time since he was able to just let his voice be heard and when he was finished the tent erupted with applause.
Leo blushed and sat back down as Guang-Hong smiled over at him as did the beautiful man. Victor still was holding no expression. Finally getting up,Victor put a finger under Leo's chin. "Yes Ji, it seems your friend does have a talent… I am sure we can use him."
Leo let out the air he was holding as the pale one and the beautiful one turned and went back to their tables. Guang-Hong smiled and hugged Leo.
"Did you hear that Seung? He can stay!" Guang-Hong had squealed.
"Yes, yes, everyone heard. I guess our small cabin will get even tighter now." Seung said before shoving more potatoes in his mouth.
Guang-Hong rolled his eyes, "You always stay in Phichit's car anyway. What is the problem?"
"He stays out of my bunk."
At that moment Leo noticed another man come over to their table. He too was wearing a silk robe and a scarf over his head. His face was completely made up and smiled over to them as he set his plate down.
"You could have at least gotten me some potatoes." The man said and he watched Seung slid his plate over.
"I did, I got two servings." Seung replied back.
As the overly made up man looked across the table, his fork stopped midway to his mouth, Leo could see he had noticed he was there. "Who is that?"
"Ah, this is Ji's stowaway, Leo. He sings or something," Seung said as he took a piece of fruit off of the man's plate.
"Leo, this is Phichit. He is our main makeup artist here," Guang-Hong said and Leo nodded.
"So what do you all do here?" Leo asked as he sipped from a cup of bitter black coffee.
"Well as I said, Phichit does makeup, but he does trapeze and acrobatics too. Seung over there is our fire breather and sword swallower. I do trapeze and acrobatics," Guang-Hong said.
"Wow, I think I saw some of that this weekend. That was really you guys?" Leo thought back seeing the trapeze act and the fire breathing. They looked so different now as they did out in the big tents.
"Yeah, we have our costumes and Phichit does amazing makeup work," Guang-Hong was explaining.
Leo was trying to take in everything around him. There were so many people that buzzed all around, all in different forms and stages of dress.
"If you are done, we can go help them set up the tents and stages. It takes a lot of work to get this all ready. Plus I think the animals need tending too," Guang-Hong had his hand on Leo's arm and Leo nodded. It was time for him to experience the life of a circus.
"Can we at least finish our damn coffee? Plus Phichit is still eating," Seung growled out over his cup.
"Fine fine, but you know Yurio and Otabek are going to come over here and demand we help."
"Oh Vitya… must you be so cold to the new kid?" Yuuri was walking back to their table, practically wrapped around the pale man.
"Yuuri my love… if we just let every stowaway in here, we would not have anyone to put on a show for! Plus you know how Yakov and Lilia get on all of this…"
"Yes yes, I know. But he did have a lovely voice. We can use that around here." Yuuri was smiling again. Victor could never say no that warm smile on such a beautiful face. He couldn't help but to lean forward and capture those lips again.
"Ah Merci! My lovebirds! How goes all this fine morning?" Chris was seated next to Yuri. Yuri was in a deep conversation with Otabek as their hands were racing, clearly arguing. Victor looked over at them raising a pale eyebrow as he clearly could understand that conversation between the two.
"Seriously Yurio, you are being insensitive," Victor spoke out and they heard the whistle accompanying it from Otabek.
"Don't encourage him Victor," Yuri growled at him. Otabek silently laughed and nudged Yuri gently with his elbow. Yuri responded by giving him the finger. "Sometimes I wish the big lug could talk."
Yuuri had climbed his way into the pale one's lap, wrapping his body around him as they all sat there. It seemed natural to the two and casual. Victor plucked some fruit off his plate, gently feeding it to Yuuri.
"So Chris, it looks like we found you a singer," Victor said over to him. "Seems as if Ji found himself a little stowaway and he has a set of pipes on him." Victor was still slowly feeding Yuuri fruit pieces as Yuuri laid draped around him.
"Ah, Mon cher! Was that what I heard? It was beautiful song." Chris looked over at the table where Guang-Hong and Leo sat with Seung. "He is quite a looker too, we can dress him up and work with some routines with him, yes?"
Victor grunted and grabbed a piece of fruit for himself, slightly distracted by the body around him kissing his neck between bites of fruit. "Yuuri, you will make my neck sticky… again."
"I like you sticky. Makes you sweet and not so bitter," Yuuri teased in his ear.
"Yuuri…." Victor warned out as he felt the giggling of the body wrapped around him.
"Vitya, I am tired. Can we go back to our car now? You know I cannot sleep while the train moves."
"Yuuri, they are setting up the tents this afternoon, we need to make sure everything is good with the grounds of this farm we have arrived at."
"But Vitya… You know I did not sleep."
Victor knew as Yuuri would toss and turn and wrap around him till he would give up and wake Victor in the most pleasurable way. Victor sighed again and wrapped his arms around Yuuri. "You know I cannot say not to you… come on love." Yuuri wrapped his legs tighter around the pale one as he went to stand up, it was obvious Yuuri wasn't walking back to their car.
"You two make me sick!" Yuri spit out as Otabek nudged him and gave him an elbow. When Yuri turned Otabek gave him some hand gesture and Yuri blanched. "You will NOT carry me around!" Yuri's growled out and elbowed Otabek hard as the giant gave a silent laugh. Chris started laughing as Yuri and Victor left out the tent.
"Come on Otabek! We got to go make sure these damn tents get set up right." Yuri went over to the table where Ji, Seung and Leo where. "Come on you misfits. Let's go get these tents up. Ji, your little friend here can learn, he better learn fast."
"We were just getting ready to come help," Guang-Hong replied.
Leo sat there just staring at the cat boy. Those green yellow eyes just bore a hole right into him. The giant next to him had no emotion, but he could tell he was never far from the cat boy. Guang-Hong nudged him, Leo was probably staring too long. He could not help it. The cat boy was intriguing to look at. His golden fur across his face and arms looked soft to the touch, his eyes were so harsh and demanding, when he growled those teeth would bear at you. Leo was frightened but intrigued.
As Yuri turned he saw as Otabek nudged him, "Must you be so mean?"
Yuri grunted and signed back, "It keeps them respecting me. You would think someone of your size would learn something from all this."
Otabek gave him that deadpan stare, sometimes Yuri wished his emotionless friend was easier to read.
"Just try to at least be nicer to the new guy."
"Why? Just another damn mouth to feed," Yuri hated stowaways. Always having to teach them what to do and they usually vanished after a few weeks. Was just a pain in the ass.
"Well Guang-Hong seems taken by him and he does sing really well. Plus feeding him is not your problem."
Yuri hated how Otabek was normally right, he just refused to admit it, instead he turned his back on Otabek so he could not see what he was saying to him anymore. He ignored the low whistle that came from Otabek as he tried to get his attention.
He could see as the others were behind them following him out to the big field. The stakes were laid on the ground and he knew Otabek would need to hammer the majority of them in. This was the part Yuri hated the most, the setting up. They could get it done by mid afternoon then make sure the animals were fed and set.
Yuri had already gone and checked on all his cats. They were tucked away in their large crates and had fresh water. He would handle them more later. They needed the tents up. First they did the large tent as they would then work the smaller ones in coordinates with that.
"You, new guy, get the mallet. You can do us the honors," Yuri smirked as he said this. He knew the new guy kept looking at them. Wait till he met the others.
As Leo approached him he handed him the mallet and Otabek set the stake so it stood in the soft ground.
"Just whack it till it is about two thirds in," Yuri saw as Leo stared at him.
Yuri was used to being stared at, he had been stared at all his damn life. It was common when you were covered in fur and looked feline. As Leo continued to look between him and Otabek, Yuri signed.
"Ok let's get this all out the way. Yes, Otabek is a giant. He is almost seven feet tall, he cannot talk, he does sign language and gets on my damn nerves. He is strong and is a part of the freak show act. Yes, I am covered in fur, no I do not have a tail and no I don't shit in a box. There is it all covered?" Yuri watched as Leo blushed and nodded his head. He heard Guang-Hong and Seung start to snicker and he hissed out at them.
They watched as Leo swung the mallet overhead and he was surprised he made contact with the stake. They all moved and grabbed a mallet and went to different stakes that lined around the field. After this was done they would start to rope up the tents and carry in the stands and stages. It was going to be one hell of a long morning.