Warnings: Swearing, bullying

Disclaimer: I do not own these characters and am in no way affiliated with Cirque du Soleil.

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CHAPTER 2:

Sebastian felt like he was walking on air the next morning. He had woken early and had a quick breakfast before he met with the rest of the White Angels to practice. They threw him in the air, they caught him, they tossed him around from bar to bar and Sebastian laughed at how it could be misconstrued. Little Ben, who played the Little Tamir, came in after his lessons and worked with Sebastian to get their jump right before they all left to get ready for that night's show.

As they were heading to the tent that contained their dressing rooms, Sebastian was pulled aside by Alex.

"We need to talk," Alex said as he stepped in between two stacks of crates.

"About what?" Sebastian asked as he pulled his jacket tighter around him.

"You didn't get in last night until after midnight. And don't think no one noticed you talking to the Bronx kid."

Sebastian shook his head in disgust. "Nick and I were just hanging out – we grew up in the same place, he's actually the same nationality as I am. Is it a crime for me to hang out with someone I have a few things in common with?"

"You know how this works, Sebastian. Us and them. There is no we between the White Angels and the Bronx," Alex said gravely. "And there never will be."

"You are so full of shit," Sebastian spat. "We're just friends!"

"I know you better than that," Alex said quietly. "There may be a language barrier between us but body language is the same no matter where you're from."

Sebastian shook his head again. "I can't believe you're angry at me just because I'm hanging out with someone new."

"You and I both know it's more than that."

"Khuy tebe!" Sebastian growled before he stalked off. (1)

Sitting down at his dressing table, Sebastian kept muttering to himself about how stupid and naïve Alex was before he heard someone sobbing behind him. Turning around, he found Nick hunched over his dressing table, his shoulders shaking as his breath hitched.

"Nick?" Sebastian asked quietly, carefully reaching out to graze his fingertips over his friend's back. "Nick, is everything okay?"

Nick sat up and Sebastian watched in the mirror as he wiped his eyes. The white face make-up smeared and Nick swore before turning to face Sebastian with a half-hearted smile.

"Friends suck," was all Nick managed to get out before he started crying again. Sebastian moved forward and held Nick carefully, rubbing his back and not caring as he felt judgemental eyes bore into his back.

"It's gonna be okay," Sebastian murmured as Nick began to calm down. "Do you wanna tell me what happened?"

"Stupid Jett… He tried to tell me we couldn't be friends," Nick took a shaky breath. "Or whatever we are..."

"Yeah," Sebastian frowned slightly. "I copped the same crap from Alex."

"You're not upset though, are you?"

"Of course I am. I just deal with it by swearing at him in Russian," Sebastian answered with a grin. Nick laughed and shoved his shoulder playfully. "It'll be okay. Screw what they think. We don't need them."

"Well, we kinda do," Nick said with a chuckle as he turned back to his dressing table. His hands were still shaking. "Ugh, my eyebrows are gonna look terrible."

"Let me do it," Sebastian murmured as he dragged his chair over. He fixed up the white, covering Nick's cheeks and nose again before he took up the blue. "As still as you can."

Nick watched in silence as Sebastian did his make-up for him. The look of sheer concentration on the boy's face was breathtaking. When Sebastian finally finished the fine work around Nick's eyes, he sat back and watched with a small smile.

"You're kind of beautiful," Sebastian whispered.

Nick blushed though he knew Sebastian couldn't tell. "You're kind of good at compliments."

Sebastian patted Nick's knee before he got to his feet. "You'll be right to get dressed? You're not the only one who needs to get dolled up."

"I wouldn't have thought dressing me would be the problem," Nick joked.

"Keep it in your pants, boys," Ana said as she walked past.

"Always," Sebastian called after her. He looked to Nick and laughed before pecking him on the cheek. "I'll catch you later."

"Uh, okay," Nick said as he gathered his costume in his arms. "Where?"

Sebastian laughed again. "I mean literally. I'm spotting for you tonight."

Nick blushed before he headed off to get dressed. That boy was going to be the death of him.

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Sebastian was struggling to keep the smile off his face that night as he watched Nick's performance. It was so high energy and fun and Sebastian wished he didn't have to play the part of the solemn White Angel guardian. When Nick came by him, he felt himself blush as Nick brushed a hand against his shoulder on his way back up the stage. It was risky but Sebastian liked it.

The rest of the show passed by without consequence until the curtain call. The White Angels and the Bronx stood along opposite sides of the stage but as they sang the last chorus of the song, Sebastian felt Nick's eyes boring into his back. He couldn't help but blush as he pulled of his wig and took a bow.

When he ran off the stage for the last time that night, he was pulled aside by Stan, their tour manager.

"You and Nick?" he asked simply.

Sebastian swallowed. "Yeah… Is that a problem?"

"Do your job properly; don't let it interfere with how the troupe functions. Otherwise, I don't care what you get up to," Stan flashed a smile. "Just don't go getting any of my contortionists pregnant, you hear?"

Sebastian saluted him jokingly. "Yes sir," he laughed before heading backstage to get changed. Nick was waiting for him, a worried expression on his face.

"Is something wrong? Are we in trouble?"

"No, of course not," Sebastian said with a smile. "Well, provided you're not a contortionist and I don't get you pregnant."

"Should I be worried about that?" Nick laughed.

"Juste m'embrasser," Sebastian murmured before he pulled Nick closer and kissed him gently. (2)

Yup, Nick thought. He's definitely going to be the death of me.

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Translations:
1 – Russian, "Fuck you"
2 – French, "Just kiss me"

A/N: I just have to say that I thoroughly enjoy writing circus!Nickbastian :p They so cute :D I'm probably gonna write this one a little more slowly than I wrote BATS simply because I've got other things to do – the joys and delights of life and such :p But I hope you're enjoying it and thank you very much for reading –Em xoxo