Cirque du La Terre

Chapter XXVIII.

Iroh walked quietly around the big top, scrutinizing every little detail carefully and making sure they had everything they needed for the grand opening tonight. It was early morning and the air was cool. The carnival was set to open at twelve, so the Cirque only had a little bit of time to themselves before the area was flooded with curious and excited patrons.

The Ringmaster walked past the center ring, looking up to make sure they had the proper silks in place. He eyed the gold and red ones his star aerialists were using for the finale, but he also saw the purple and green ones. He smiled to himself. He'd seen the teen's performance yesterday evening. The entire Cirque was wowed by their chemistry and their stunts. Iroh had never felt more proud of Longshot than he had at that moment. Proud of the scared, lonely little boy who'd grown before his eyes and found a place of acceptance and love.

Snapping out of his reverie, Iroh turned on his heel to check on the clown props, tucked away in a large box. His mind strayed once again to thoughts of tonight. It was going to be the best show the Cirque du La Terre had ever put on; there was no doubt about that. His heart swelled with pride. The talent in these kids was simply amazing. He only wished he hadn't met these kids in such poor circumstances and when they were still just Alice, Liam, Oliva, Grey, and Jack. Still, he was grateful he was able to give them a home and an outlet in which to channel their energy and creativity. It was never really about the money. Lord knows circus folk don't make that much, especially since it's a seasonal job. Iroh had always been interested in helping those in needs- that's why at one point he wanted to be a teacher. But those dreams were dashed and somehow he ended up the Ringmaster of the Cirque du La Terre.

He wouldn't have it any other way.

"Alright," he said quietly to himself, quite satisfied with his observations. He dreaded the thought of having all the performers buzzing around him until opening time. "Time to wake up the world."

When Longshot woke up, his first thought was that he was hungry. The next was that he was quite cold, his comforter missing from its previous location tucked around his chest and shoved further down the bed. It wasn't until he noticed his foot tangled up in said comforter that he remembered what he had to do that night. Like a compressed spring that had finally been released he bolted out of bed, accidentally bumping his hip against the bedside table with a loud 'thwump'. He looked to his roommates, who were still snoring peacefully in the early morning and sighed. They were calm as can be, the adrenaline of a first performance long worn off.

The boy sighed and walked towards the sink that was outside the door to the bathroom. He turned the shiny, silver handle and cupped his hands under the faucet, letting the cool clear water pool into them. Longshot gently splashed his face and shivered as the water ran down his chin, down his neck, wetting the collar of his t-shirt. Suddenly there was a soft knock on the door.

Longshot looked at the door through the reflection in the mirror, wondering who would be as crazy as him to be up this early. Quickly he grabbed the white towel that was hanging on a silver ring on the wall and patted his face with it. The smell of fresh linen flooded his nostrils and he inhaled, the scent calming to his senses. There was another knock on the door.

"Just a minute," he muttered to himself, to wary of waking Teo and Jet to call out to whoever the knocker was. He set down the towel on the sink and turned on the ball of his foot, trudging to the green door. He turned the knob and cautiously opened it. Longshot's black eyes fell on the sight of one Smellerbee, bright eyed and holding a cup of coffee in each hand.

"I heard a loud thump," Bee said with a shrug. "I figured it was either you or Teo so, taking a leap of faith, I brought coffee." Bee held up one of the cups. Longshot could see the steam curling up from the holes in the lid and the savory smell of hazelnut.

"I love you," Longshot said with a smile, taking the coffee cup from Bee. The warmth made his fingers tingle, a tingle which spread up his arms and through his body. Bee's eyes sparkled and she smiled, motioning for Longshot to join her outside. Longshot looked over his shoulder at his sleeping roommates and stepped out onto the cold concrete, gently shutting the door behind him. He looked out into the parking lot of the hotel and then out into the tall buildings of the city. In that moment he felt as tiny as a grain of sand. It was humbling.

"Would you like to go to my room?" Bee asked, winding his fingers around Longshot's. "Suki went down for breakfast already. She went to bed really early last night for some reason, so she got up early this morning- something about having to add finishing touches to her act. And you probably know where Zuko is. And with him there is Toph who he 'kidnapped' really early."

Of course Longshot knew. Zuko was always anal that day of the opening. He felt the need to incessantly hover around the big top, making sure everything was just perfect.

"Yeah, don't remind me," Longshot said with a chuckle. "That'd be great." Bee led Longshot to her door and let go of Longshot's hand to pull out her key card. She inserted it into the slot and pulled it out quickly, grabbing the handle when the little light turned green.

"How'd you sleep?" Bee asked once they stepped inside. Longshot shrugged and sat down on the closest bed.

"As good as usual I guess. It's hard to stress out when you're so tired at night." Bee walked around the bed, past Longshot, and set her coffee on the bedside table before laid down with her head sinking into the plush pillows. She made a motion for Longshot to join her and Longshot gave a chuckle before setting his coffee down on a table by the door and crawling up the bed and flopping down ungracefully, lying on his side to face Bee. He placed his hand on Bee's and caressed the top of it lightly with his fingertips.

They lay like that for a while, just staring at each other. Longshot let his mind wander to what would be happening that evening and his stomach flopped unpleasantly. He grimaced at the thought and his heart began to beat at a faster tempo. Bee seemed to sense this change in mood and scooted closer to Longshot so that their noses touched and looked deep into Longshot's eyes.

"You're going to be great tonight," she said, rubbing her nose against Longshot's in an Eskimo kiss. "I'll be with you every step of the way." Longshot smiled and tightened his hold on Bee's wrist.

"I'm just afraid I may hurt myself, or really screw up." Bee furrowed his brow.

"You won't. You should really give yourself more credit- you're the fastest learner I've ever seen and you look positively breath-taking. You belong up there Longshot," Bee said. Longshot bit his lip, touched by Bee's words. He leaned in and kissed Bee's soft, pink lips, body buzzing with adoration

"I love you," Longshot said. Bee's eyes sparkled and she moved her hand so that she and Longshot were holding hands.

"I love you too. And we're going to blow the crowd away tonight- together." Longshot smiled and closed his eyes, letting himself just bask in the moment of lying in a bed, holding hands with an amazing girl who made his heart sing and his body vibrate with all the best emotions that being in love had to offer.

Bee gazed at Longshot, who was lost in his thoughts, and couldn't help but chuckle.

"You know," she said, stroking the back of Longshot's hand with her thumb. "I always thought that love in fairytales was 'happily ever after' and love in real life was just love unrequited, but I've realized that even though I fell for you the moment I saw you, my life has taken a turn for the magical."

Longshot opened his eyes and looked into Bee's bright brown ones.

"You ever say that I said that and I will hit you." She added quickly.

"You're amazing," he said. "Seriously. I wish we could just lay here all day."

"Me too, but we've got a show to put on," Bee said, a hint of regret in her voice. "C'mon, let's go." Bee pulled Longshot with her off the bed. "We'll grab some breakfast and change before we head off."

There was a kind of organized chaos about a carnival. Children ran amok, weaving through adult's legs, shoving sweets treats into their mouths and screaming as they whirled on the many disorienting and colorful rides. The sky was bright with sunshine, the perfect day to be out and about. Unfortunately, the real commotion was taking place inside the big top.

Zuko was storming this way and that around the center ring, shouting commands every which way in a voice that was one part commanding and three parts crazy. The other Cirque performers observed this display in a variety of ways. Cinnamon just stood by Pipsqueak, her lips pursed in displeasure. Katara was complaining about her wardrobe to Ursa, whose mood was becoming more and more the shade of her hair as she restrained herself from strangling the petite girl and shoving her down Zuko's throat. Aang was just shaking his head, trying to have a lighthearted conversation with Teo and Jet. Azula and Ty Lee were speaking in hushed tones near the back of the tent, two absorbed in each other to care what the unhinged clown had to say. Suki and Toph were trying to devise the best way to interrupt Zuko's outbursts, which now directed themselves at Iroh as the exhausted man strolled into the tent.

"Alright Zuko, calm yourself!" Iroh exclaimed, a bit unraveled. "We still have five hours until the show begins and there's absolutely nothing that needs to be done! Go ride a ride and get some fresh air into that head of yours!" Zuko raised a finger and began to open his mouth in retort when Toph wrapped her fingers around his arm, gently pulling him away. Zuko dropped his hand in defeat and followed Toph out of the tent.

"Well, now that that's over with," Iroh said, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Everyone else needs to go out and enjoy themselves too! There's no point getting stressed out before tonight. Go!" Everyone dispersed, grumbling lightly as they exited the tent. Iroh breathed a sigh of relief, glad he finally had all of the teens out of his hair. He took a moment to clear his mind and focus on the next tasks he needed to accomplish before the night was upon them. Just as he flopped down to sit on the edge of the ring, though, Longshot and Bee walked into the tent.

"Out! OUT I SAY!" Iroh exclaimed, immediately jumping to his feet. Longshot literally jumped at the sudden outburst from the normally calm Ringmaster and Bee's eyebrows shot to her hairline.

"But-"

"GET THE HELL OUT OF MY TENT!" Iroh yelled, waving his arms in exasperation, face flushed redder than a candied apple. Without another word, the couple darted out of the big top, leaving a flustered Ringmaster to mutter to himself.

"Damn, it's like they have nothing better to do than bother the hell out of me."

Bee cocked her head at Longshot once they stepped back into the bright summer sun.

"What the hell was that all about?" Longshot shook his head, silently scolding himself.

"Iroh gets pretty annoyed at us all when we hang around him before the show on days like this. We must have come in just as he sent everyone else away."

"Well, whatever stick he has shoved up his butt he needs to pull it out," Bee mumbled, still shaken. Longshot laughed and wrapped his arm around Bee's shoulders.

"He'll be fine by tonight," he assured. "In the meantime, how about the Ferris wheel?"

Bee groaned loudly.

"Do we have to? How about we partake in a less terrifying experience before the big night, something that won't addle my already scrambled brain?" Longshot rolled his eyes and shook his head.

"Alright, have it your way. How about we go to the bumper cars and see what entices us from there?"

"Sounds good to me," Bee said with a cheeky smile. Longshot sighed, but slipped his hand in Bee's and led them towards their destination, determined to have the best day ever before the sun crept below the horizon and the Cirque du La Terre had to light up the world once more.

It was time.

The Big Top was packed.

The night was loud.

The lights were glowing.

The air crackled with an electric intensity.

The performers were bustling backstage.

It was time.

Longshot shifted nervously in the chair he'd been forced into. The moment he had walked into the Big Top to prepare for the performance he'd been whisked away from Bee and thrown into a chair stationed in front of one of the dressing tables. He'd been given a (very short) moment to put on his costume and then Cinnamon had gone to work on his face.

Now she was gently putting on the finishing touches and Longshot stared at his reflection. For a moment he was confused, not connecting that he and the reflection in the mirror were one and the same. After all, this couldn't be him. This boy looked mysterious, alluring. Longshot's eyes examined the reflection. The boy in the mirror's hair was neatly pulled out of his face. His eyes were dark, black orbs that had been lined with dark liner, smoldering under thick eyebrows. His nose was sharp and his cheekbones cast shadows on the planes of his face, contoured by the grey powder Cinnamon had applied there. His skin glimmered with a faint green sheen from a powder that had been dusted over his face and along his arms. His lips were reddened and slick with saliva from being licked constantly by their owner, the product of a nervous habit.

No, this didn't seem like Longshot at all, but it was, and the thought was exhilarating. Longshot appraised his costume, unused to the constricting feeling of the tight fabric. His costume was green, very green. It was a jumpsuit that went down to his ankles and bared his arms. Black ribbon climbed up his left leg in a crossing pattern. The same ribbon was wound around his right arm and also wrapped around his waist, serving as a belt. Most of Longshot's neck was concealed by black collar that had a witchy like fringe around the bottom, akin to the bottom of a witch's skirt. On Longshot's hands were black leather, fingerless gloves.

"You look hot," Cinnamon commented, amused at Longshot checking himself out. Longshot snorted and shook his head.

"This is surreal," he said, looking at his face in the mirror again. "I look seasick."

"Always a critic," Cinnamon said, rolling her eyes. "You're done. I need to go do my own make-up. See you in a few." The blond turned to leave when Longshot rested his hand on her arm.

"Thank you Cinnamon," Longshot said. "I look awesome." Cinnamon blinked and then smiled before walking away. Longshot watched her for a moment before turning to gaze at himself once more.

"Well, aren't we looking narcissistic," Suki said from behind, decked out in a fabulous green and gold ensemble.

"Hey, you'd be staring at yourself constantly too if you were green," Longshot said. Suki laughed and looked Longshot up and down, taking in his costume.

"Well, you look great," she said. Longshot blushed and rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"Not as great as Bee's going to look, probably. Where is she anyway?" Suki shrugged and adjusted the bejeweled top hat that was perched atop her head.

"I don't know, but she should be finishing up soon." Longshot frowned, but nodded. He really wanted to see Bee right now, see if she looked just as strange and otherworldly in her own costume. Suki gave him a wave, which he mimicked, before she walked off to do her own thing. Longshot sighed, leaning back in the chair. He thought back to the heartfelt speech Iroh had given them all during dinner. Longshot smiled at the memory of a choked up Iroh declaring how proud he was of everyone and how they were "the best damn bunch of kids he'd ever had the pleasure of knowing". With a cheer everyone raised a glass to toast their Ringmaster. Longshot had made eye contact with Iroh once they all lowered their glass to their lips and the man winked at him. Longshot couldn't help but smile and nod back.

Snapping back to present time, Longshot noticed that it was getting close to opening time. He could hear the audience's chatter, muffled and distorted, but still so very present. Suddenly he felt as if he couldn't breathe, like a silk was being wrapped tightly around his heart squeezing harder and harder-

"Hey." The gentle sound make Longshot jerk out of his reverie, spinning around to find the source of the noise. What he saw left him positively breathless.

There stood Bee, looking positively sinful in her costume. The whole thing was in shades of fuchsia and pink. The top half was a very fitted coat with short sleeves and a bottom that flared the tiniest bit at the hips. The collar of the top dipped down so that there was a fair amount of collar bone exposed, highlighted with shimmering powder. The gold buttons under the collar trailed down in center to the left, off-center. The pants were unbearably tight and clung to Bee's form like a second skin. On her right arm she wore a translucent sleeve that extended from her bicep down her arm to hook around her middle finger. The fabric glittered in the dim yellow light. Longshot looked at Bee's face. The girl's hair was swept off of her forehead neatly. Bee's cheekbones were highlighted with blush and her eyes shimmered with powder and excitement. Anyone who was coming to the show tonight from a previous show would be surprised to see the 'boy' turn into a 'girl'. A quite beautiful one at that.

"You look..." Longshot trailed off. Bee seemed as equally speechless. The teens' gazes locked suddenly and they just stared into each other's' eyes, unable to speak.

"Hey, no eye-sex this close to opening!" Azula commented loudly as she passed by. There was a chorus of groans and a few badly hidden snickers as the teens came back to reality.

"Shut up, Azula!" Bee yelled after her, but she couldn't help the heat that rose to her cheeks. Longshot cleared his throat and licked his lips. Bee looked back to her boyfriend, who just smiled sheepishly.

"You look amazing," Longshot said. "Seriously, your design is incredible." Bee positively beamed.

"You look great too," Bee said. "I'm glad I decided to nix the cape."

The cape?

"I don't even want to know," Longshot said with a smile. He approached Bee and planted a soft kiss on her lips.

He didn't know what to do at this point. Longshot thought he heard someone mention that they had a little over two minutes before the Cirque began. He took a deep breath to steady himself and instinctively grabbed Bee's hands.

"Are you ready for this?" Bee asked, staring at Longshot from under her long eyelashes. Longshot felt his heart rise up in his throat and he just nodded, afraid to speak. Bee gave him a reassuring smile and tugged on his hands, attempting to pull Longshot towards the opening into the Big Top for their line-up. Longshot tentatively shuffled his feet towards the line-up, trailing behind Bee, who still held one of his hands in a firm, reassuring grip. Everyone stopped what they were doing as the two approached and looked at Longshot, smiles appearing on their faces. Longshot felt his cheeks burn as Suki started to clap. Her clap soon spread throughout the line until everyone was giving him a cheery round of applause. Longshot felt tears burn in his eyes and his heart swell.

"Thanks guys," he said, choking on the last word. Jet clapped him on the shoulder and Suki gave him a light punch on the arm. Pipsqueak announced that it was time after hearing Iroh give his final words in his introduction and they all took a large, deep breath. Bee gave Longshot's hand one final squeeze before they all leaped out into the center ring.

Longshot's ears roared with the applause that sounded more like thunder and war drums and pure adrenaline all in one. He didn't know what to do, so he just waved and smiled, unable to pinpoint definite faces in the sea of people, all staring at him- at least, that's what it felt like.

"Cart wheel, Longshot!" Bee exclaimed. Longshot gulped. Bee taught him how to do one, but he was afraid he was going to fall right on his butt in front of so many people. With a sigh, Longshot mustered up his courage and extended his arms, shifting his weight to the left as he cart wheeled towards the ground, rotating back to his feet before he realized what he'd done. Bee gave him a cheer and the crowd roared their approval. Longshot grinned and watched as the acrobats did flips he could never hope to perform.

They completed their circuit around the ring and Longshot look one final look out into the crowd before he disappeared with the other performers. His heart was thumping wildly in his chest, attempting to break free from his ribcage.

Bee maneuvered him to a chair. Longshot gave a laugh that sounded both amused and crazy at the same time. Bee just smiled and shook her head, saying something about getting Longshot some water before disappearing amongst the chaos.

"You alright?" Jet asked, appearing in front of Longshot. Longshot nodded and smiled.

"Just great, Jet," he said truthfully. Adrenaline was still pumping wildly in his veins, his heart rate off the charts. How could someone feel like they were having a heart attack and a fit of intense exhilaration at the same time? Jet seemed unconvinced, but smiled all the same and patted Longshot on the head before walking away.

"Here you go," Bee said as she walked back. In her hand was a water bottle. "Drink some of this before you pass out." She unscrewed the lid and handed the bottle to Longshot. Longshot took it with a nod of thanks and gulped down the cold water. He handed it back to Bee, half of the water already gone from the bottle.

"Geeze, Longshot," Bee said, looking at the water bottle. "You need to calm down before you have a panic attack or something."

"I'm just so excited!" Longshot exclaimed. "I don't know what's going on with me."

"Just don't throw up on anyone, okay?" Bee said, wagging a finger in Longshot's face. "C'mon, let's go stretch. Maybe it'll mellow you out." Longshot reluctantly rose from his seat and followed Bee.

After a fair bit of stretching and an amazing shoulder massage from Bee herself, Longshot felt sufficiently relaxed, that is, until he realized that over half of the performers had gone already.

And they had five minutes until they were on.

Longshot froze, eyes widening and jaw clenching painfully.

"Give me your hands," Bee commanded, seeing realization wash over Longshot's face. She seized Longshot's hands in hers and gave them a sharp squeeze. Longshot's eyes locked with her, pupils dilated.

"This is our moment," Bee said confidently. "This is our moment to show the world what we are, what we have. It's going to be amazing. We are going to be amazing." Longshot took a sharp breath through his nose and nodded, smiling just the tiniest bit as Bee's words sunk into his skin like a balm to his nerves.

"Yes," he said breathlessly. "We're going to be amazing." With that both teens pulled each other close, lips pressing together in the deepest, neediest kiss of their lives. Tongues battled and teeth clashed but they didn't care. Longshot moaned quietly as he moved to place his hand on Bee's neck. Bee pressed herself even closer to Longshot, bringing her hands up to cup Longshot's face, stroking his cheeks with her thumbs.

"Longshot," Bee whispered against Longshot's lips. Longshot reluctantly pulled away, just the tiniest bit, to look into Bee's eyes. Bee took a deep breath and let out a shaky laugh.

"I love you," she said. Longshot gave Bee a warm smile and pulled one of Bee's hands from his face and intertwined their fingers.

"I love you too," he said. They took a moment to just stand in each other's' presence, taking in each other's scent and the tangible feel of holding each other's' hands. Longshot let his thoughts of Bee ground him, keeping him from floating away like a balloon in the breeze. Bee held Longshot's hands firmly, trying to transfer every positive feeling through that simple touch. They stood like that for three minutes, just grounding each other so that neither would find themselves lost in the chaos of their nerves.

"Alright," Bee said, opening her eyes. "Let's do this." Longshot gave one firm nod of his hand, turning towards the split in the curtain where they would have to enter.

As they walked to the entrance, there was dead silence. Every performer stopped what they were doing watched the two teens, walking hand in hand. They were afraid to speak, afraid the silence would shatter into a million pieces.

Longshot and Bee stood, side by side, listening to their introduction.

"And now ladies and gentlemen I give you a special treat! Our next act is a couple of aerialists who have done nothing but practice and perfect their act. Through hard work and determination, they have prepared you a show that is nothing short of spectacular! I give you Smellerbee and Longshot performing to Stephen Schwartz's Defying Gravity from the popular musical Wicked!"

Longshot bit his lip as the crowd roared. He turned to look at Bee, who was gazing at him with those beautiful brown eyes. They exchanged a final, silent good luck before separating their hands and entering the center ring.

Immediately a purple spotlight was cast on Longshot and a green one on Bee. The crowd gave an appreciative round of applause to welcome their next act.

Longshot heard the band begin. The synthesizer began to play and Longshot closed his eyes. As soon as the melody started, Longshot opened his eyes and began to dance.

He raised his hands high and brought them down, following them with his eyes.

Something has changed within me, something is not the same.

He threw them out and spun on his foot, exuding a grace never seen by anyone but Bee and the awe-inspired members of the Cirque du La Terre.

I'm through with playing by the rules of someone else's game.

Longshot reached out an arm towards Bee. Only to bring it back, fingers dancing in front on his eyes as they fluttered closed.

Too late for second guessing, too late to go back to sleep.

He took a step to Bee before spinning towards the silks only to stop. He then began to take slow deliberate steps towards the purple one.

It's time to trust my instincts, close my eyes-

He crouched down-

And leap!

Longshot launched himself at the silk, climbing up the silk with practiced ease. Bee ran forward, staring up at Longshot as he ascended the silk. Longshot wrapped the silk around his legs and leaned back into his first trick. Bee placed her hands on her hips as she watched the boy perform before ascending the green silk, trying to reach Longshot high in the air. As Bee approached Longshot's position, Longshot pushed Bee back with his foot, sending Bee flying around in a wide circle. As Bee swung out he extended her arm in a graceful sweep.

And you can't pull me down!

Longshot caught Bee as she swung close to him. They locked their arms and swept their unlinked hands out, using Bee's momentum to keep them spinning 'round and 'round in the air. The green and purple silks wound around each other and the two aerialists switched their direction in mid-air, unwinding their silks. Bee grabbed Longshot hand as he began to slip down the silk. Longshot held on as he wound one foot around the purple and silk and the other around the green one. Longshot let go of Bee and flipped himself upside down, keeping his legs straight with the rest of his body as he gripped the silks in each hand and unwound his legs, his legs falling so that he flipped himself upwards.

Longshot slid down the silk as Bee maneuvered the silk around her legs, flipping herself upside down, legs spread out in a v-shape. Longshot looked on in wonder as Bee held the pose for a moment before flipping herself upright to untangle her legs a bit before sliding into a split.

Longshot ascended the same silk Bee was on, grabbing on to Bee's ankles as soon as he was under the slight girl. Anchored only by his own feet hooked around the split silk, he and Bee began to spin.

Unlimited, my future is unlimited...

Longshot pulled himself up, unwinding his ankles. He climbed over Bee, placing his feet on Bee's thighs and grabbing the silks right above Bee's hands. Bee released and descended the silk. When she reached the ground she began to dance around Longshot's silk as Longshot performed, their moves in synchronization. As Bee twirled towards the other silk she grabbed onto it with her hands, wrapping her feet around each end before ascending it.

She climbed up to Longshot's height as Longshot continued to flow into different poses. As she caught up with Longshot, they locked eyes, both taking a deep breath before the chorus resounded again and the boys began to move in unison, mirroring each other perfectly in every move. The crowd cheered and Longshot smirked when suddenly the aerialists were suddenly illuminated with blue, green, and purple light.

And if you care to find me, look to the western sky!

Bee and Longshot looked as if they were dancing in midair. Iroh's jaw dropped as he watched the two. The intensity was tenfold what it was when he had watched them during a practice. The crowd roared as Bee and Longshot spun in opposite directions, their arms and legs extended as they gripped the silks. They threw their legs out and hooked their legs around each other's' so that they were now anchored to each other, halting themselves in mid-air. They then broke their connection and they each transferred the other half of their silk to one of their hands and wrapped an arm around each other's' waist, looking into each other's' eyes. As they did this Longshot wrapped a foot around his silk, making sure that it would hold strong.

-is ever gonna bring me down! Bring me down!

The music suddenly hit its final chord and, Bee suddenly leaned backwards, arm sliding along Longshot's. Their hands met and Longshot held on to Bee's hand for dear life as Bee let go of her silk, pushing with enough force to set both of them spinning- Bee suspended in the air by nothing but Longshot's grip. As the chord reached its end, every light in the Big Top extinguished-

BRING HER DOWN!

-leaving the crowd in complete darkness.

Longshot slowly slid them both down the silk, Bee immediately hooking her toes around the silk when the lights turned off. As their feet gently touched the mat, the lights began to illuminate. Suddenly the two aerialists were hit by a massive wall of thunderous applause. Longshot's heartbeat thumped loud in his ears and he couldn't feel his limbs. He looked over at Bee, who was out of breath, but beaming at the crowd. A smile began to creep along Longshot's lips and he began to laugh a loud, hearty laugh that raked his body and expelled every single negative emotion from his body as he saw people begin to stand as they clapped, beaming at them.

"Let's give a round of applause for Longshot and Smellerbee!" Iroh exclaimed, walking into the center ring. He patted Longshot on the back and Longshot looked over at Bee, overcome with emotion. Bee beamed at Longshot placed her hand on Longshot's shoulder. Longshot grinned as the crowd continued to roar.

He couldn't be happier.

As soon as the two exited the center ring they were bombarded with hugs and cheers. Suki gave Longshot what had to be the best hug of his life, squeezing him until every bone in his body felt like jelly. Cinnamon and Toph excitedly squealed their approval as Katara smiled politely. Aang and Pipsqueak were going on about them looking like sparkly ninjas as Zuko and Teo both congratulated them on a good performance. Jet praised the two and then told Bee to hurry up and change for the finale. Bee gave Longshot a sloppy kiss on the side of his mouth, missing Longshot's lips in the excitement and chaos before she hurried to change into her gold and red costume.

"I'm afraid of following that act," Jet said honestly. "That was amazing!" Ty Lee came up behind him and grinned at Longshot.

"I didn't know you could move like that, Longshot," she said. "It was magical." Azula stood behind her and actually nodded in agreement, eyes sparkling with approval. Longshot grinned and ran his fingers through his hair, breaking up the gel that kept it in place.

"Thanks guys," he said. "I'm over the moon right now."

"Enjoy it," Jet said. "You deserve it." With that the other aerialists left Longshot to line up. Quickly Bee ran up to meet them, now wearing a jumpsuit of gold and red. Longshot gave her a thumbs up just before the quartet had to go on. Bee gazed at Longshot with eyes full of emotion that caused Longshot's heart to swell painfully in his chest. He watched Bee go out with the others before flopping down onto a chair, head reeling.

He did it.

He did it.

"Oh my god," Longshot said. "I did it."