Cirque du La Terre

Chapter XXVIX.

"Have you been to the circus yet?"

"Tell me you've taken the kids to the circus that's in town!"

"Did you go to the circus last night?"

The city was buzzing with talk about the Cirque du La Terre. The nightly performances positively flabbergasted the audiences with their awe-inspiring acts filled with fire, death-defying stunts, and magic. Many came back after their first viewing to experience the enchanting sensation once again. People were especially wowed by the acrobatic and aerial acts, amazed by the skill the young performers possessed. Of course, every acclaimed act had its own set of criticism.

"I cannot believe they had two boys dancing together! The audacity!"

"Were those two boys gay or something? It made me very uncomfortable."

"I had to shield little Susan's eyes! I'm amazed they flaunted that kind of homosexuality for the world to see!"

But nothing could sway the performers of the Cirque du La Terre, especially Bee and Longshot. They were on cloud nine and nothing was going to bring them down. Even if everyone thought that Bee was a boy. Which she wasn't. She was a girl. Who looked. Like. A. Boy. To some people.

Every night the tent was packed and every night the show was spectacular. After the first night of the performances, Iroh took all of the performers out to dinner to celebrate their great success.

"We have a surprise for you," Bee whispered in Longshot's ear. "Close your eyes." Longshot sighed in amusement and put his fork down beside his delicious order of linguini, covering his eyes with his hands. Bee checked to make sure Longshot could see nothing and then grinned, looking to Iroh who, in turn, looked to the waiter. The tall, suited waiter nodded before making a gesture with his hand.

Suddenly the restaurant was filled with a rousing chorus of "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow". Longshot jumped in his seat and could stop the wide smile that spread gleefully over his face. He could smell candles and laughed as Bee told him to open his eyes.

"Wow, guys- this is amazing!" Longshot exclaimed, looking down at the cake that had been set in front of him. White candles blazed in the center, the wax dripping lazily down onto the creamy frosting that was drizzled with chocolate sauce.

"We're proud of you," Suki said, beaming brightly at him. "We just wanted to show that."

"Blow out your candles man, I want some cake!" Pipsqueak said, earning a jab in the ribs from Katara, who shook her finger sternly in his face. Everyone looked at Longshot expectantly and Longshot laughed, drawing in a big gasp of air before blowing out the candles with a great blow. Smoke curled towards the ceiling and Longshot began picking the candles off of the cake.

"Allow me sir," a waitress said, smiling at Longshot before leaning down to pluck the candles neatly from the top of the cake. Another waitress began cutting the cake in small slices, distributing them around the table.

They enjoyed their cake and their company, laughing and talking loudly as if they had no cares in the world. Longshot could honestly count that night as one of the best nights of his life, one he would think about for years to come to always bring a smile to his face.

When the second week came around for the carnival and circus, Longshot decided to take Bee on a walk after the performances were over. He'd barely given enough time for Bee to change into her normal clothes before jerking her away from the hustle and bustle and out onto the street, strolling under the street lamps and the stars.

"Longshot," Bee whined, wiping at her face. She still had glitter all over her cheeks and eyes, making her appear Elvin or fey-like in the lamplight's glow.

"I know, but I have a surprise," Longshot said, taking Bee's hand. Longshot led Bee to a small garden that was only a block or two away from the Cirque. They could still see the brightly lit Ferris wheel rising high above the Big Top. Bee looked all around at the trees and the street lamps. It felt otherworldly there, like a different place in time. Longshot led her to a nearby bench. They both sat down, shoulders and knees touching. They could feel each other's heart radiating off of their bodies.

"I just wanted to show you how much I appreciate what you've done for me, Alice," Longshot said, intertwining his fingers with Bee's. "You've shown me a world I only ever dreamed of being a part of and a relationship I thought I'd always have to live without." Bee smiled softly and kissed Longshot on the cheek, leaving behind a trail of glitter in its wake.

"Aw, look at you," Bee said teasingly, "getting all sappy on me are we?" Longshot chuckled and shifted to face himself towards Bee, cocking his head to the side.

"I can be a romantic too," he said, weaving his head from side to side with a smile. "If just given the chance."

"Well continue I want to see this.," Bee said, propping her arm on the back of the bench. She laid his cheek on her hand, laughing eyes looking at Longshot expectantly.

"Yes, ma'am," Longshot said mockingly as he placed his hand on Bee's cheek, gently wiping away some of the glitter from her face. He brought his thumb up and wiped it on the tip of Bee's nose. Bee wrinkled her nose in that cute way Longshot loved and Longshot chuckled.

"Anyway," Longshot said, "back to the romantic me. As I was saying, I just wanted to show you how much I appreciate how much you've done for me and, well, how much I love you." Bee's eyes softened and she gently caressed the back of Longshot's hand with her thumb. Longshot gave Bee a small smiled before he reached into his back pocket, pulling out a small, red box. Bee's eyes widened and Longshot couldn't help but chuckle, knowing that Bee's mind probably shot to the worse possible scenario. At that thought Longshot chuckled and squeezed Bee's hand before removing his to hold the box with both hands.

"It's not what you think," Longshot assured. Bee visibly relaxed and laughed nervously.

"Oh, thank God," Bee said, placing her hand over her heart. "I was ready to launch into a speech of how we're too young and how our relationship should not be legal in forty-four states. Because if it was, well… people just wouldn't like us. To loud, and they would think you were-" Longshot laughed loudly and shook his head.

"I love you, you know that?" Bee shrugged and chuckled at the boy who stopped her rant.

"Yeah, I know. Now what's in the box?" Longshot sighed, but a small smile was upon his lips.

"Well, I went out the other day and found this. I hoped it was something you'd love so-" Longshot opened the small red box.

Nestled inside was indeed a ring, though not the kind Bee had almost panicked about. It was a simple band, shiny and black. Bee tentatively touched it with her fingers.

"It's actually one of those rings with two bands on it," Longshot said. "The inner one can be spun around the outside one." He took it out and placed the box on his lap.

"That'll definitely fuel a nervous habit," Bee said, eyes locked on the ring. Longshot smiled and the ring moved just a fraction in his fingers, enough that Bee could see something glint from the inside of the ring.

"Did you have it engraved?" Bee said, eyebrow arching. Longshot looked down at the ring and smiled.

"Yeah, it says Defy Gravity. Cliché I know but that's exactly what you do, Bee, and not just on the silks. There's a reason I found a monkey. You soar through the silks, Bee, and-" Bee cut Longshot off with a searing kiss, pressing her lips hard against Longshot's own. The ring almost flew out of Longshot hand but he caught it at the last second, letting it slip onto his own finger before gripping at Bee's shirt.

"You're amazing," Bee said against Longshot's lips before kissing him again, tongue circling Longshot's bottom lip. Longshot breathed hard through his nose and it took everything he had to take Bee's shoulders and gently push her back, their eyes locking together with a united, burning passion. Longshot licked his lips and squeezed Bee's shoulders before removing the ring from his finger and taking Bee's hand. He slipped the ring onto Bee's middle finger on her left hand. It was a perfect fit. He brought Bee's hand up to his lips and kissed it, eyes fluttering closed had his lips touched that soft, pale skin.

"Longshot…" Bee said, body buzzing and swirling with emotions. "I didn't get you anything." Longshot's eyes opened and he looked at Bee under her long eyelashes. He put Bee's hand down and wrapped his arms around Bee's neck, pulling the girl into a hug. Bee's arms snaked around Longshot's waist, hands pressed against his shoulder blades.

"You didn't have to," Longshot said into Bee's ear. "I wanted to do this for you. I didn't expect anything in return." Bee smiled and buried her head into Longshot's neck..

"I love you, Longshot," she said, breath tickling Longshot's skin. The raven haired boy sighed and held Bee tighter.

"I love you too, Bee. I love you too." They pulled away from each other and Bee looked down at her ring with a soft smile. Longshot was positively ecstatic on the inside, his stomach doing cartwheels and his head buzzing with electricity.

"Let's go back to the hotel," Bee said, looking up at Longshot. Longshot nodded, recognizing that fire that burned in Bee's eyes. They took each other's' hands and rose from the bench.

Bee played with ring the entire way back.

Longshot sighed dreamily, head buried deeply into his pillow. He'd forgotten how great it was to sleep in with absolutely nothing to worry him. He reluctantly opened his eyes just a fraction to look at the clock before smiling to himself, rolling over to stretch out. It seemed his roommates had already gotten ready and left for the day.

With a loud groan, Longshot stretched and slowly sat up, hair helplessly tangled and sticking up in awkward angles. He remembered the events of the previous night and smiled again before swinging his legs over to the side of the bed, toes touching the carpet. Longshot rose from the bed and picked up the remote, turning on the TV before walking over to the sink to splash some water onto his face. The sound of the news filled the hotel room as Longshot covered his skin with cold water and patted it with a towel.

"And that's out weather for today. Be sure to wear plenty of sunscreen!"

Longshot began to hum softly to himself as he squeezed toothpaste onto his toothbrush. He stuck the brush into his mouth, filling his mouth with a tingly, cool sensation.

"In other news, detectives are still trying to locate a teenage girl from Lima. We have, today, an interview with Alice Futtermen's father, Cris Futtermen."

Longshot almost choked on his toothbrush. It dropped out of his mouth and clattered into the porcelain sink. Toothpaste dribbled down Longshot's chin.

"What?!"

Iroh sat by himself in the hotel lobby, nursing a coffee and a plate of uneaten scrambled eggs. He closed his tired eyes, trying not to nod off in the middle of the continental breakfast. Over to the right was a large flat screen TV, broadcasting the news. They had just said something about hot weather and sunscreen. Iroh didn't much care.

The Ringmaster was close to falling asleep in his scalding coffee when his ears caught something he wished he didn't hear.

"...locate a teenage girl from Lima." Iroh's eyes shot open and he looked to the screen, which was now displaying a reporter standing next to a rather humble looking man in his forties, wearing a red faded flannel shirt and a grey baseball cap atop his bald head. He looked remarkably like his daughter.

"Cris, when did you first realize Alice's disappearance?" The reporter asked, shoving a microphone in Cris's face. The man seemed tired and worn. Iroh felt sorry for him.

"She disappeared one night early this summer. I didn't notice she was gone until morning," Cris said, voice struggling to be strong. "After she disappeared she sent me text messages telling me she was alright, but she wouldn't tell me where she was."

"Didn't the police try to track your daughter's phone?" the reporter asked. Cris's demeanor seemed to fall even more.

"The local police didn't even try and by the time they had investigators on the case Alice hadn't messaged me anymore," Cris explained. "They found the phone at an abandoned fair ground."

Iroh watched the interview with interest, surprised he hadn't caught wind of the investigation before. He usually tried to defer these kinds of things. After a while they stopped searching for the kids and he didn't have to worry about it anymore. Iroh took a sip of his coffee and sighed.

"What is your opinion on the rumors that your daughter may have run away to the circus?"

Iroh shot up from his seat, hand gripping the coffee mug harder than necessary. A small bit of the scalding coffee had washed over his hand, but the only thing Iroh was focused on was the TV screen.

"They'll find her," Longshot whispered to himself. "They know."

Longshot was perched on the edge of his bed, hands clasped together tightly in his lap. His eyes were focused on the screen, mind darting between the sad appearance of Bee's father and the information he was learning.

"I wouldn't doubt it," Cris said. "Alice used to take gymnastics and aerial lessons." The reporter nodded and looked back to the screen.

"The investigation has now moved to all circuses in the state. It you happen to see a girl who looks like this-" A photo of his girl, smiling wearing a baseball cap and a neon blue shirt appeared on the screen, "please do not hesitate to call the authorities."

They then switched to another story. Longshot turned off the TV and walked numbly back to the bed. He sat down and cradled his head in his hands, heart beating a thousand beats a second, threatening to burst right out of his chest. This was terrible. This was absolutely terrible. And the worst part was that Longshot knew what had to happen. There was no other choice.

He rose from his bed and slowly walked to the door, knowing he had to find Iroh, but feeling like his heart was being shattered every step of the way.

There was a loud knock on Bee's door. The aerialist looked up from her lap where The Duke lay. Bee had just been watching some made-for-TV movie, where she had nestled herself in her bed and taken out the small brown monkey, caressing the soft animal.

Bee rose from the bed and walked over to the door.

"Hey, Longshot," Bee said with a smile once she opened the door. Her smile immediately fell when she noticed Longshot's solemn expression. "What's going on?"

"We need to talk, Bee," Longshot said in a low voice. Bee gulped and let Longshot inside. Longshot motioned for Bee to follow him to the bed. They sat down and face each other. Longshot took one of Bee's hands and held it tightly in his own. Bee's heartbeat thundered uncomfortably in her chest.

"What's wrong, Longshot?" Bee asked, eyebrows furrowed in worry.

"Do you remember when you came to talk to me that day I saw my mom?" Longshot asked, eye's refusing to meet Bee's.

Bee nodded, remembering how hard it had been for Longshot, how much pain he'd been in.

"How could I forget?" she asked, attempting to meet Longshot's black eyes. "That was also when I made you promise to at least try learning silks." They both chuckled at the memory. Longshot squeezed Bee's hand harder and brought his face close to Bee's, as if to tell her a secret.

"Well, there was this moment when I said I couldn't muster up enough courage to confront my mother," Longshot said, finally looking deeply into Bee's eyes, memorizing the shade of brown and the flecks of grey that always surprised Longshot with their ever changing colors. "You said that we'd have to see a wizard." Bee cocked her head to the side, trying to understand where Longshot was going with this. Longshot licked his lips and took a deep breath before continuing.

"After that I asked what the wizard could give you, but you already had a brain, a heart, and more courage than I could ever hope of having. You told me that we needed to worry about me then, but now it's time to worry about you." Bee froze, shoulders going rigid. Longshot felt Bee's muscles tense, as he knew they would, and finished what he needed to say. "You don't need a brain, a heart, or courage Bee, but you do need to go home. You were swept here by a tornado of hate, but you need to go home and take care of your father. You're the only thing he has left, and he's the only family you have."

"But I have you and the rest of the circus!" Bee protested, voice rising in pitch. "Why should I leave? I don't have anything left in Lima. He understands why I left. I can't leave this or you, Longshot!" Bee's jaw clenched and her hand around The Duke tightened. Longshot leaned in closer wrapped his arms tight around the small girl, rocking her gently back and forth as Bee shed reluctant, frustrated tears in Longshot's shoulder. He knew it had to be done. As much as he wanted Bee to stay, she needed to be home with her father.

"I was watching the news this morning," Longshot said, throat tightening. "They had an interview with your father." Bee sniffled and pulled away from Longshot, eyes red.

"How was he?" Bee asked, concern heavy in her words. Longshot breathed through his nose and looked down.

"He looked awful, Bee," Longshot admitted. "He seemed so tired and defeated." Longshot could see Bee's heart breaking in front of him. Bee's shoulders fell and her jaw went slack. Her eyes darted down and her hands clenched, fingernails that had been painted a dark green biting into her palms.

"There's something else, Bee," Longshot said. "They, the police, are going to find you. They've heard rumors you've joined the circus and it's only a matter of time. Even if you didn't want to leave, you're going to have to." Bee looked up at Longshot for a moment, eyes full of storming emotions, before burying her face in her hands, letting out a loud, heart-wrenching sob. Longshot pulled Bee close, tears welling up in his own eyes, hating the world for ripping everything Bee loved away from her.

He felt his own heart break as he held Bee close, not knowing what to say or what to do. Longshot just held Bee tighter, all sense of hope draining from the world.

Iroh agreed to let Bee finish the week out. A new-found passion and emotion weaved itself in Bee and Longshot's performance, leaving spectators breathless. The air was thick and heavy with a dark emotion that swirled menacingly throughout the Cirque.

Everyone was trying to give Bee the best few days of her life. Even Azula was being nicer. Bee tried to put on a brave face, but inside she felt deflated. She didn't know which emotion to feel more, grief for having to leave her home or remorse for breaking her father's heart. Longshot tried to stay with Bee at all times, for Bee's benefit as well as his own.

Suki was heartbroken when Bee had told her the news.

"I'm going to miss you Bee," Suki said, teary eyed. "You'd better come to see us whenever we're in town." Bee could only nod and give her a warm hug, biting her lip so she wouldn't cry again.

"I'm sorry it has to be this way, Bee," Iroh said one night, catching Bee alone. "I want you to know that you were one of the very best performers to ever join the Cirque du La Terre. I'm proud of what you've accomplished and I'm sorry to see you leave." Bee was touched by Iroh's words and shook that man's hand, smiling in spite of the situation. Iroh had smiled back to lighten the mood, his expression forced, and then left Bee alone.

The final night was spectacular and dreary at the same time. They made more revenue that night than any other and the performers had poured their hearts and souls into their acts. Iroh's heart was bursting with pride. Once the aerialists finished their final act and the Cirque was over, everyone gathered in the back in a circle. Longshot pulled Bee into the middle.

"We're all going to miss you, Bee," Cinnamon said, eyes sad. Suki pulled out a large card, almost as tall as she, and covered in glitter and feathers. She held it out for everyone to see.

"We made a card for you and we all wrote inside it. It has pictures too. It's so you can remember us," she said with a sad smile. Bee smiled softly and took the card. Jet, Azula, and Ty Lee then came forward and handed her a piece of fabric. It was part of her silk. The one she always used during practice.

"It's been a privilege to perform with you, Smellerbee," Jet said, using her stage name as though he was pulling her in instead of letting her go. As though she was still part of the family. "I've never seen someone as talented as you."

"Thank you, Jet," Bee said, clutching the silk. "I'll never forget performing with you three. Ever." She looked around to every face. "I'll never forget any of you. Thank you for what you've done for me." Everyone smiled at the aerialist. The air became silent and heavy. Iroh took a deep breath before speaking.

"Let us give Bee this final round of applause. Thank you, Bee, for joining our family. You can always call the Cirque du La Terre home." With that he began to clap. The action traveled through the circle until everyone was cheering and clapping loudly, surrounding Bee with sound. She laughed through her tears and smiled at them all, trying to take in every face, every name, every moment so that she could have them forever.

"Group hug!" Katara exclaimed and Bee was swarmed by hands and arms, crushing her against over a dozen bodies that held her tightly, as though to never let her go.

Bee wished they never would.

Longshot was to take Bee home. He tried to get Bee to turn herself into the police but Bee refused. She'd rather spend those hours traveling home with Longshot, not stuck in the back of a police car.

Longshot held Bee's hand in one of his own the whole way. They rode in silence for over an hour before Longshot had tried to lighten the mood, with some victory. They shared their stories, their favorite moments together. Bee laughed at her own clumsiness. Longshot shared how he'd felt the first moment he'd seen Bee perform. They talked about the bully at the diner and fireflies and of their feelings towards each other.

"How can I cope without seeing you every day?" Bee asked, panic slightly edging her voice. "I've been so used to being able to talk to you whenever I wanted to."

"I'll keep in touch," Longshot said, squeezing Bee's hand. "And I'll come to see you whenever I can." Bee nodded and squeezed Longshot's hand back. They both fell silent for a while, and soon they drove into Lima.

They sky was dark as Longshot pulled into Bee's driveway. Bee had directed Longshot there reluctantly. He turned off the ignition and unbuckled his seatbelt. Bee did the same and just sat in the truck, unwilling to leave.

"You'll have to eventually," Longshot said, not really feeling anything in those words.

"I know," Bee said. "But I don't have to leave just yet." With that Bee pulled Longshot towards her and kissed him fiercely, hands all over the place. Longshot gripped Bee's face and laced his fingers in Bee's hair, uncaring whether it messed up or not as it already was, because she had been fidgeting with it the whole way. Their kisses were desperate and needy and way too sloppy but they were between the two of them, and that's all that mattered. Teeth clicked against each other as tongues battled and Bee moaned rather loudly, trying to commit everything about Longshot to memory. Longshot was trying to do the same.

Suddenly a light from an upstairs room came on.

Bee froze. She looked through the windshield at the house, looking for any sign of movement. She didn't see any other lights turn on, but it was only a matter of time before Cris noticed another car in their driveway.

"Alice," Longshot said, breathless. "It's time." Alice, no longer Smellerbee-because Smellerbee didn't want to leave-, nodded, taking a deep, steeling breath. They both opened the truck doors and slid out. Longshot grabbed Alice's bag and slung it over his shoulder.

"Wait," Alice said, gripping Longshot's arm. "I want you to have this." She shoved something brown in Longshot's hand and Longshot realized it was The Duke.

"He'll be a reminder of me when I'm not around," Bee said, looking down at the little monkey. "Please keep him safe." Longshot bit his lip and put Bee's bag down, wrapping his arms around the short girl.

"I love you Alice," Longshot said. "I love you so much. Please take care of yourself and have courage." Bee wrapped her arms around Longshot's waist.

"I love you too, Longshot," Alice said. "Please, don't stop performing just because I'm gone." Longshot smiled and nodded, bringing their foreheads together.

The two teens leaned in for one final kiss, standing for what seemed like hours in the dark night, wrapped in each other's arms. It was Alice who finally pulled away, eyes staring deep into Longshot's.

"I'll see you soon," Longshot said. "I promise." He leaned down and grabbed Alice's bag. He handed it to Alice before caressing her face with the back of his hand.

"You'd better go. Your father is waiting," Longshot said, feeling like ice was encasing his heart. Alice smiled sadly at Longshot and pulled him into a hug, squeezing him tightly one last time.

"See you soon," Alice said, eyes shining with unshed tears, before turning to face her own house. Longshot watched her walk to the door and pull a key out of her pocket. Alice looked back and gave Longshot a smile before walking through the door. Longshot finally let his tears fall as the door shut with a soft 'thud'.

He pulled himself into the truck and closed the door, breath shaky and mouth dry. Longshot buckled his seatbelt and turned on the ignition, slowly pulling out of the driveway.

As he drove away he prayed it would be long before he could see Alice again, that it wouldn't be long before Lima once again played host to the great Cirque du La Terre.