AN: thank you aoife for the prompt on tumblr! trying something new with a little bit of havolina

there might be more oneshots in the future, there might not be idk yet but i do love those two

and let's be real, only armstrong would have the flair to pull off being an amazing ringmaster of a circus

circus au / proposal

Rebecca watched from the side lines as the Ringmaster announced her act. The trapeze artist bounced on the balls of her feet for a moment, letting out a long, slow breath to relax herself. This was closing night and they were expecting a big show. Armstrong had informed her there were scouts in the audience specifically looking at the acrobats and the talent present here tonight. If she entered their good graces, then she could possibly find herself with a scholarship to a dance school. She could become more than a trapeze artist in an airy tent. She could be performing to sold out concert venues.

She was incredibly thankful to Armstrong and all that he had done for her over the last year. He had taken her in when she was at her lowest and built her back up again. Food and a bed had been all she asked for and Rebecca had found so much more. Friends now surrounded her, colleagues supported her and wanted Rebecca to become the best person she could be. Not to mention a certain blonde-haired colleague she spied across the ring, watching her.

Letting out a final breath, she finally felt a calm wash over her. Jean watched every one of her performances and to be perfectly honest, felt like her good luck charm. If the scouts did provide an offer, she knew she wouldn't want to leave Jean behind. His easy grin had won her over immediately and the way he looked at her, touched her… Rebecca shivered.

She shot Jean a quick grin before she walked out behind the curtain and into the spotlight. Her ten minutes to stun her audience was here. She better make it count.

Jean Havoc watched as Rebecca astounded her audience. He too was rapt by her performance, the same feeling of pride swelling within him as he watched night after night, never missing her show. Rebecca Catalina never failed to deliver, and Jean knew she would go far.

An uncomfortable feeling tightened in his gut, reminding him that if the scouts here tonight liked what they saw, she'd be gone on the next train out of Central. Squashing down the feeling, he pushed off the support post he had been leaning on as he watched from behind the curtain. It wasn't like him, but Jean shoved his hands in the pockets of his overalls and walked away from the ring.

He told himself that if he didn't watch her, he wouldn't fall under her spell. Again.

He had never told her how she felt. They had fooled around, sure, but it hadn't been anything serious. On the road you really got to know the people you travelled with. Rebecca was a terrible flirt, but only really showed him that side of her, and Jean was helpless to return her advances. Not to mention hopeless, when it came to her. Hopelessly in love.

Many performers came and went, but Jean had been with the circus since day one. He was the Animal Wrangler, in charge of the horses. They had six in total and they were his pride and joy. Rebecca had breezed into his life two years after he joined and was still with Armstrong's circus, a year later. Many didn't stick around for longer than a few months and it left Jean wondering why she was still here.

The roar of the audience reached him outside the tent. The air was cool as he began to move hay for the horses that would be returning shortly. He had been topping up the trough with fresh water when he heard her call his name.

"Jean!" she shouted, smile bright. Rebecca ran over to him and threw her arms around his neck. Too surprised to do anything but catch her, Jean was stunned as she laughed happily, arms squeezing him tightly in her happiness. "They loved me," she told him before pulling away, eyes dancing with excitement. "They loved me so much! I got two offers to head west to Creta and study at a dance school! Can you believe it?" she laughed.

His stomach plummeted to the floor. The hands on her waist slipped lower in his shock, coming to reside on her hips. Of course, he tried to put on a brave face and be happy for her because this was what she had dreamed of all her life.

"Congratulations, Rebecca," he managed to get out, wrapping his arms around her once more. She froze for a second, before her hands returned to his back. If this was the last time he was going to hold her then he wanted to savour it.

Jean didn't want her to go.

He would miss the excitement she brought, the fresh, new ideas she pitched to Armstrong. Rebecca Catalina had been a breath of fresh air for all of them, her stubbornness and honesty a welcome change.

"You're coming with me, right?" she asked, pulling back to meet his eye. Her hands rested on his biceps, her no-nonsense gaze eyeing him critically.

"Wh – What?" he stuttered. Rebecca had never been afraid to voice her true feelings, unlike him.

"Well, if I'm going you have to come with me. I'm not leaving without you," she added, as if it was obvious.

"Rebecca… I… What?"

She shrugged. "If you're not coming then I'm not going to accept the offer."

"This has been your dream for years –"

"Years pass," she interrupted. "And you find new dreams." Her gaze met his and Jean felt his stomach tighten, but it wasn't unpleasant this time. His skin broke out in gooseflesh, anticipation coursing through him. This… This couldn't be happening, right? Rebecca had never told Jean how she really felt, and vice versa. For someone who broadcasted how she really felt about almost every situation, Rebecca had hidden those from him during their time together.

Well, he supposed, she was doing it now. When it mattered, his brain thought.

"Are you saying…?" he asked in disbelief.

Rebecca nodded. "Where you go, I follow. It's as simple as that."

"Are you sure?" The hands on her waist tightened, wanting to hold her in front of him even if she said no.

"Of course." The certainty in her tone left him reeling. "I do love you, I don't know if you've noticed," she grinned. "And to be honest I don't want to live my life with anyone else. Lightly, she punched his shoulder. "You're my good luck charm. What kind of performer would I be without you?"

"Are you proposing to me?" he asked, a slow smirk spreading across his face.

"It depends on your answer," she retorted with a wink. Rebecca laughed as Jean pulled her against his body, silencing her with his kiss.

i love havoc but he is hopeless when it comes to women we been knew