I'd really like to thank those who read and reviewed the first chapter- it really made me feel good and want to continue this story. Reviews are much appreciated! I hope you enjoy this next chapter :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Glee


Cirque de Joie

Chapter II.

"Wake UP!" Mercedes yelled into Blaine's ear for the fourth time, rapping her knuckles on his forehead. "You've got to get up and help get everything ready for tonight!" Blaine, groaned, rolling over. Mercedes huffed, slamming a pillow over Blaine's head.

"OW! What was that for?" Blaine yelled, rubbing the back of his head. He sat up, glaring at Mercedes, who was standing over him with her hands on her hips. She gave him a "get-the-hell-up-before-I-sick-my-tigers-on-you" look. He swore, standing up. He stretched, reaching his arms over his head. He heard a satisfying 'crack' before lowering his arms to his sides. He ran a hand through his mess of curly hair, groaning when his fingers became stuck in tangles.

"Will wants you out there in ten minutes," Mercedes said. "He's said that there's going to be a big crowd tonight, so be prepared. He's got you on food today." She laughed when Blaine made a face of disgust. "I know how much that sucks. You want me to help?" Blaine rolled his shoulders, shaking his head when they popped into place.

"Nah, I got this. But thanks for the offer Mercedes. It almost makes me want to forgive you for such a rude awakening."

"Be glad it wasn't Rachel," Mercedes said, eyes glinting. "She would have sung you awake, and we all know what happened last time." Blaine smacked his forehead. That wasn't a very pleasurable experience. Mercedes bid him farewell and left the tent. The late morning sunshine streamed through the opening of the tent, alighting dust particles as they drifted through the air. Blaine dressed himself, shrugging on his purple and red vest. Today was going to be a very long day.

He hated working with food.


"Mommy! I wanted blue cotton candy!" a small boy in a Pokémon shirt whined. Blaine was stuck selling sweets this night, and oh how he loathed it. The little boy glared at his pink cotton candy. Blaine looked at the boy's mother.

"I'm sorry ma'am," he said, trying not to lose his cool. "We're out of the blue sugar, but I assure you that the pink taste just the same." He gave her an apologetic look, trying to avoid a tantrum.

"But pink is a girly color!" the boy said angrily. "I'm not a girl!"

"C'mon, honey," said the mother, tugging her little boy along before Blaine blew a fuse. There were a lot of people at the Cirque de Joie tonight, all hoping to catch the show before the circus rolled out of town in the morning. So far he had three children claim that he handled their food with dirty fingers, one claim that he had licked his caramel apple before handing it to him, and two throw their lollipops back into his face. One had glued itself to his hair and he had to take a knife and saw it off, much to his dismay. His hair was going to look awful for weeks.

It was just about time for the show in the big top to start, so Blaine started pulling everything back into the cart he was stationed in. He closed the panel before stepping out, breathing a sigh of relief. He quietly tip-toed into the back entrance of the tent. Will was already introducing the first act, Mike and Tina on the trapeze. Blaine walked around, asking if anyone needed any help. After helping lace up a costume or two, and after zipping Brittany up and seeing enough boob to last him a lifetime, he sat in a fold out chair in the back, listening to the 'oo's and 'ahh's of the crowd as Mike slung Tina up into the air, only to have her fall right back into his arms as they swung overhead an ogling crowd.

Blaine watched as each act walked in and out to the crowd. Their faces were lit up with excitement and the thrill of performance. He could feel the energy, almost like electricity, radiating through the air. He could almost get high off of it, basking in the glory of his friends. As the acts dwindled down, he got up, beginning the routine of cleaning up the back. He put costumes back into boxes, props in containers. He helped the girls remove their makeup after the show was over, unsticking facial jewels and false eyelashes. He helped the guys sort all of their equipment for the long journey to their next destination.

He didn't know what it was. Maybe it was because he had been in the circus for so long, but it seemed so boring, doing the same thing performance after performance. He wished he could go out there and perform with everyone else, but he didn't have a talent like the others. He could sing, but that didn't help him with the big top acts.

As Blaine walked past the entrance from back stage to the ring, he heard Will's voice speaking with a higher, softer voice. Blaine stopped in his tracks, peering through the entrance. He knew Will's tone of voice anywhere. It was the tone that meant business. The one Blaine always heard before someone new joined their family.

Speaking to Will was a slender boy with brown hair, combed up and out of his face. His skin was pale, like the moon. Blaine was entranced by him. The boy spoke softly and swiftly, speaking to Will feverishly, like he was begging him for something. Will laughed, placing his hand on the boy's shoulder. He gestured towards the giant, blue silk hanging from the ceiling. The boy gazed at the silk with determined eyes. He took his shoes off and strode towards the silk with a grace like a pro. Blaine watched with inquisitive eyes as the boy gripped the silk in both of his hands, wrapping the silk around one of his feet before hoisting himself upwards with a strength Blaine didn't think the boy possessed.

The boy hoisted himself into the air, climbing up the silk with expertise that outshined even Mike. He climbed halfway up the silk before running his slender fingers through the middle, dividing it. Locking the leg with the foot tangled in the silk, he bent backwards, back arching gracefully and he swept his arm out in a graceful motion. He leaned forward again, grabbing the other side of the silk and wrapping it around his other foot. Slowly, he gripped the silks on either side, before sliding into a split in midair, suspended by his feet. Blaine's eye's bugged out of his head. The boy was so flexible.

The boy continued to impress both Blaine and Will, taking on various positions on the silk, moving gracefully like a swan or a dancer, defying gravity with many of his moves. Will seemed to be enjoying himself, a wide grin plastered to his face. The boy's face was unreadable, it was the most serene, angelic face Blaine had ever seen, but the boy's eyes held a fire that was intense and burning. Blaine knew he shouldn't be staring at the boy like he was, but he couldn't look away.

The boy began to wrap the silk around his waist, winding it around over and over. He let out and audible breath before releasing his hold on the silk, unwinding himself from the fabric. Blaine almost cried out as the boy untwisted rapidly from the silk, falling to the ground. At the last possible second he grasped the blue material, inches from the mat on the floor. Will laughed a loud, surprised laugh and clapped as the boy lowered himself down, untangling himself from the silk. Will strode over towards him, his face alight with excitement.

"That was amazing!" he said, hands on his hips. The boy stood, stoic, watching Will with apprehensive eyes. "We definitely need you in our show! We only have one male aerialist. You'd be a great addition!" Will extended his hand. The boy stared at it for a moment, surprised, before taking Will's hand in his, grinning from ear to ear. Will laughed and wrapped his arm around the boy's shoulders.

"Just bring your things in the morning! I'm sure you're gonna like it here," he said. He led the boy out of Blaine's sight, walking towards the main exit of the tent. Blaine craned his neck, trying to catch one last look at the boy before they both disappeared outside.

"Spying are we?" a voice from behind said. Blaine jumped, breath catching in his throat. He whipped around to see Mercedes, who was cackling with laughter behind him. She grinned at him, crossing her arms.

"Looks like we have a new addition to our little family. Did you see his performance?" Blaine's eyes glazed over, remembering the moment like he would for forever. The delicate and yet powerful movements of that boy, it was mesmerizing.

"It was amazing!" Blaine exclaimed. "Wait, how did you watch it?" Mercedes gestured to the main entrance.

"Same as you, except I was watching from there," she explained. "Looks like Mike has some competition coming his way. I can't wait to get to get to know that boy." Blaine grinned. Just then he realized, he didn't know the boy's name.

"Uh, Mercedes," he started, "Did you happen to catch his name?" Mercedes looked thoughtful for a moment before shaking her head.

"Nope, sorry." She smirked. "But we'll find out tomorrow won't we?" She walked out of the tent, leaving Blaine with his thoughts. He sighed, plopping back down in his chair. He was excited about the boy joining the circus, but he was nervous. What if they didn't get along? What if the boy treated him more like the 'help' and part of the performance family? It's never happened before, but he was always afraid that someone would come along and hold him at a lower spot on the totem pole because he wasn't a performer. Blaine put his head in his hands. So this was who the little yellow bird symbolized. He hoped that he could befriend this graceful boy. Quinn was right, he needed more guy friends.

Blaine stretched his arms before standing up, taking one more glance around the back to make sure everything was in its place before stepping out of the tent and into the night.