AN - sorry all i forgot to say last chapter that yes, this is based on the night circus by erin morgenstern. you don't have to be familiar with the book at all to read this tho - when i say based on i mean VERY loosely based on. it's the general idea but everything else is going to be different.


While Eponine sits backstage, the exciting buzz of opening day can't help but make the hairs on her arms stand straight. It's electric, she thinks, the way that everything moves together. Of course, Eponine can't help but feel an entirely new weight bearing down on her chest and it's not from the twenty eight pounds of costume that she wears.

No, it's this new performer. It's this Enjolras.

She knew that she wasn't confused by what she saw the night before - he was like her. From years of hiding her real powers in plain sight and only few knowing, she knew good and well how to pick out those around her. It had been Valjean that had noticed her at first, picking her out of an orphanage at nearly eleven. She'd stayed by his and his daughter Cosette's side for years, even through stages of rebellion she tried to forget. He had formed her into the competent illusionist that she was - though he'd done that with all of the performers.

There wasn't a single person in their troupe that didn't improve someway after meeting Valjean.

Though these thoughts fill her head, Eponine quickly pushes them aside. Enjolras needed to be the absolute last thing on her mind, especially if she was going to run the circus. Quickly she readies herself in front of the mirror and once she is okay with the image that stares back at her, she excuses herself from the dressing area she keeps to herself.

Outside of the tents, performers and workers flit back and forth, readying the last minute details. Already she can hear the crowds gathering outside of the gates and she cannot help but smile.

She can remember when the circus was new and exciting to her too.

"Are you ready for the first performance?"

The voice instantly surprises her and she turns to face the bright eyes of the new illusionist. For a moment she stares at Enjolras but then smiles smoothly.

"I'm always ready, Enjolras," she remarks, absently smoothing out her satin gloves. "Though, this isn't my first performance. Not really. Are you prepared though?"

He laughs lightly and nods, as if the exchange is perfectly normal between them. "Yes. I didn't have much time to practice but I'm sure that I can wow whomever Valjean throws my way."

"You have to if you want to move into the main tent." Eponine's sudden words wipe the smile from Enjolras's face for a split second. "You have a lot of people to impress, so you shouldn't start with a crooked tie," she adds, reaching up to adjust the silk tie around his neck.

Her fingers linger for a moment but she backs away as Enjolras clears his throat.

"Thank you," he says, folding his hands behind his back.

"You represent this circus. You represent the ring leader, that's me. I like my performers to be the best."

"I am the best," Enjolras replies, his face tense.

"Do you truly believe that?"

Before he can respond, Eponine has disappeared into the various workers that are buzzing around and Enjolras instantly regrets not being able to answer her question.


Admittedly the exchange between them leaves Enjolras feeling a bit on edge. He knows that Eponine is just as special as he is but he can't help but feel the fear growing in his stomach.

He can remember the warnings Lamarque gave him; the warnings about only one of them being able to live.

While he had grown up with the warnings in the back of his mind, Enjolras had never expected to need them. Lemarque had died years before and Enjolras suspected that coming across another like him was just the ramblings of an old man. The stories he told, stories of powers consuming men who had them and destroying their beings, they were just that - stories.

At least that's what Enjolras hoped.

Besides, if what Lemarque had warned was true then both he and Eponine would be suffering; their powers weakening.

Nothing of the sort had happened and Enjolras intended to keep it that way.


The sun sets on schedule and for a few minutes the circus is at a complete stand still. Eponine stands in the middle of the tent, surrounded by not only performers but the workers who had spent the last days preparing everything. In the distance, a lion roars and a few people cough.

It's the most peaceful moment of her day.

Eponine closes her eyes and presses her hands together as if she's going to pray. As she opens her eyes, everything comes to life; the torches light and fill the room with their warm light, the smell of popcorn and caramel surrounds them, and the group begins to cheer.

"Welcome to the circus!" she greets, her smile deep. Though as she glances around to her excited peers she can't help but notice how there's only one that doesn't seem as excited.

Enjolras.


The night goes smoothly for the most part. Despite Cosette's costume tearing during her first act and Feuilly almost falling off of his horse, Eponine considers it a success especially for the first night. She isn't sure how long they will stay in the city before they travel elsewhere, but for the time being she can't help but feel close to the crowd. She always feels close to the first comers of the season - they are the ones who go out of their way to attend.

They are the true circus lovers.

As the night wears on, Eponine wanders around the grounds, taking time to stop and talk to each patron that approaches her. With her towering top hat and long gown it's hard to miss her as the ring leader, even when she isn't in the center ring.

The crowd has thinned in the past few hours but Eponine has to admire those who dip into each attraction until the very last moment. She estimates that there's still an hour of night left before they will lock up and start to prepare all over again. With a heavy sigh, she circles through the paths until she comes across a crowd leaving one of the smaller tents.

Though it is nowhere near as big as hers, it's still grand in it's intricate decoration - decorations Eponine could not remember. She raises a brow, confused for a moment until she dips inside. The darkness consumes her but she gravitates toward a bench. There isn't much that takes her by surprise, not in her own circus, but for once Eponine can't help but sit slack jawed.

When a single light focuses on the stage in front of her, Eponine is surprised to see Enjolras there, standing still. She watches intently as he performs his show; turning handkerchiefs into doves and doves into cats. He levitates once and even manages to hypnotize a volunteer from the audience.

Eponine has to admit that she is impressed - he's even better than when she'd seen him the night before. He deftly awes the crowd with his abilities and the fact that he's a natural performer doesn't hurt either.

He weaves his hands back and forth, leading a trail of light through the room as he moves about on stage. As the trail nears Eponine, she notices Enjolras slow his hands and he meets her eyes. It's in that moment that the temperature in the room begins to build. Eponine sees a slight brush of fear on his face and she stands up immediately.

The light that surrounds him grows bright, almost blinding and the crowd gasps. They think it's part of his act, but Eponine can see the worry that covers his face.

Just as she opens his mouth to warn him, the light explodes, sending a wave of energy through the space. Enjolras is thrown back through the stage, and the sounds of screaming patrons fill Eponine's ears.

"Everyone stay calm!" Eponine calls out, quickly hurrying toward the stage through the mass of people trying to leave the tent. "Enjolras? Enjolras!"

She follows the sounds of his groaning and when she finds him, she kneels beside him. "Are you alright?"

He groans in response, and Eponine carefully looks over him. There isn't anything serious, perhaps a few bruised ribs, but he's alive.

"What the hell happened?" she hears, and Combeferre is running toward them. He immediately kneels down beside Eponine and looks at the fallen Enjolras.

"I… I don't know," Enjolras mutters, trying his best to get up.

"No! Let me help you. Eponine, you should go get Valjean don't you think?" Combeferre offers. Without response, Eponine stands and hurries out of the tent, leaving the two men alone.


"What happened, Eponine?"

She looks up at the old man, his grey hair telling of his age despite his large build. Valjean is the strongest man that she's ever known but he's growing older and he won't be around for much longer - at least not in the way that she needs him.

"I have no idea. I just went to see his show and then.. I don't know.." She trails off and huffs before plopping down in a lush armchair across from him. "He's like me."

"Of course he's like you, Eponine. Why else would I have asked him to join? We're all the same here. We all have different strengths in this circus. You know it's not for those who find themselves plain."

She sighs and stares at the cup of tea in front of her. The spoon moves of its own accord as she focuses on it. "I've never seen that happen before."

"Neither have I," Valjean whispers. "The boy will be okay though. He's just a bit bruised. He'll be fit in time for the show tomorrow after Combeferre's done with him." He pauses and sips from his tea. "You should talk to him though."

Eponine knows that Valjean is right - he's always right. Though talking to Enjolras about what had happened isn't on the top of her list of things to do. Already she can feel the worry in her chest about the next show. With the way patrons talked and rumors spread she'd be surprised if it was the worst night of the whole season after what had happened.

"You might be able to help each other."

"I'm sure Enjolras can't help me at all," Eponine says, standing from the chair.

"What have I told you about having faith in people?" Valjean asks, raising a brow. Without answering, Eponine flits out of his cabin and heads through the tight fitting hallways of the train. When she comes to Enjolras's door, she hovers in the silent hallway, thoughts running through her mind at top speed. Finally she knocks and there's a mumbled reply on the other side.

She slides the door back and steps into Enjolras's small confides. His room is surrounded with books on various subjects and a fire place warms the space. Above them hang bird cages with doves that are resting, and in the middle he sits on a chaise, his shirt unbuttoned so she can see the bandages that wrap him.

"How are you?" she asks immediately, lingering near the doorway.

Enjolras closes the book in his hands and manages a shrug. "I've been better."

She takes a step closer, taking in all of her surroundings as she does. "I know why you're here, Eponine. And I don't know why it happened. But I think I have an idea."

She is taken aback but nods. Instead of questioning, she moves to an armchair and sits down across from him.

"I need to tell you a story about a man named Lemarque."