I can't physically do a Circus-AU without Clint in it. Really xD Also, this is obviously inspired by 'The Greatest Showman' and 'Water for Elephants' which you should both watch!

October 25th: Rewrite the Stars

(Circus-AU)

(Steve and Nat both do trapeze, she is married to the ringmaster and he can't have her)

Steve knew the food they gave the artists wasn't as gross as the one for the workers, but it for sure wasn't quality either. Gulping down the last bit of what he assumed was some kind of stew he put his bowl away.

Clint was still eating and looked at him surprised: „Why so stressed?" Like most of them the other man hadn't bothered to change out of his show-costume which consisted of a dark-purple coat and black trousers. His black and purple mask sat next to him on the floor as did his bow and arrows he would never let out of his sight.

The circus currently stopped near a town. Tomorrow was the last show for that area.

Steve just shrugged and stood up. He too was still in his suit which was pretty tight and consisted of mostly red, white and blue shades blending in together. It needed to be tight - he was doing trapeze after all.

Clint sighed and put his bowl down: „Come on, man! You can't be sneaking out at night all the time."

Steve smiled sheepishly: „I'm not sneaking out. We need to do some training. Nat and I need to practice, we haven't been doing the new performance for too long..."

Clint shook his head: „Nat... so she's Nat now? Last time I knew she was Natasha and honestly - she should be just Madame like she is for everyone else."

Steve sighed: „You don't get it, Clint. She's not that snobbish person you are all thinking she is."

Clint looked down: „I believe you... but she's out of your reach. That lady is married to the boss and if anyone would get too close to her, he would probably kill them. I like you kid... I can't have you killed."

Steve rolled his eyes: „I'll be back soon."

With those words he left the small tent they both shared and walked up to the big top to meet Natasha.

It was such a big place when it was so empty. Steve walked past the spectator's rows and there she was. Leaning against the ladder leading up to the trapeze. She turned around when she heard him her. Her beautiful red locks followed her movement and her big green eyes met his blue ones.

She was wearing her costume as well, which matched his.

„You came...", her voice was soft.

Steve quickly looked around to make sure no one could see them together before pulling her close to him and kissing her.

Natasha returned the kiss passionately. She let go of the ladder and wrapped her arms around him. He could still taste the champagne she had had for dinner on her lips.

With a whisper between their lips Steve replied: „Of course... I needed to see you."

He picked her up and sat her down on one of the platforms they used for animal-performances. He sat down next to her and kissed her again.

Natasha gently ran her fingers through his hair and that is when he stopped kissing her.

Confused she looked at him: „What?"

He softly took her hand in his and pulled her sleeve back a bit, revealing a bruise which stretched from the middle of her forearm to her hand: „What happened?"

Natasha looked down: „I..."

He immediately stopped her: „No... not the crap you tell everyone else who asks you. The real thing."

She sighed: „Steve... it doesn't matter."

Steve shook his head: „He did it... he hit you again!"

She put two of her fingers on his lips quickly: „Shh... keep quiet or someone might come."

Steve now looked her in the eyes: „We need to get away from here. It can't go on like that. Some day he will kill you."

With a sad look on her face she pushed down her hair behind her ear: „We can't... he would find us everywhere. It is just not possible."

Steve cupped her face with his hands: „We will find a way, as long as we are together. You just need to trust me."

Natasha put his hands down with hers and stood up, turning her back on him: „No. We can't take that many risks. We are just not meant to be, it's hopeless."

Steve stood up too: „Come on, Nat... I love you. We are made for each other."

Hesitantly she turned back around: „I'm not so sure. Where would we even go?"

Steve took her hands in his: „Look... if we make it overseas, we'll be fine. We can build a new life together."

Natasha swallowed hard and looked at their hands: „I want nothing more than being with you, but all of this is a mess."

Steve pressed a kiss to her forehead: „We can leave tomorrow right after our performance, it is only halfway through the show. It will buy us some time."

Natasha pulled her hands free and shook her head: „I'm sorry that I cursed you with knowing me... but it can't be. I'm truly sorry."

She looked at him once again before walking past him and out of the big top. Steve followed her with his eyes before dropping back down on the platform. He didn't care if her husband would kill him. There was no life without her anyway.