Interlude II: Blue

Three Months Previous…

He had to be dreaming.

Deep indigo eyes stared down at the hulking mass in shock, taking in the pale blue skin and even darker blue hair. Never in his life had he seen skin in such a shade, and worse, he couldn't even tell if it was the other's natural color or not.

The mass shuddered, a choked cough leaving them before he noticed the dark crimson staining its thin blue lips. Frowning, he gestured for Snake and Dagger to come forward, knowing that his hand wouldn't allow him to pick the behemoth up. Once the two managed to lift the man, he paused.

Where would they even take him?

They were meant to be returning to Father with the next batch of...performers. Then they were to return to the circus. The only way taking the blue man with them would work was if Father approved and-

He paused, glancing at the unconscious man again, this time taking in all the extraordinary features visible of the man. Blue skin, and blue hair would've automatically helped him, but the shark-like gills and pointed ears reminded him of their other part-animal companion.

He smiled.

Father would take to the man spectacularly.

Perhaps he'd like the name Blue.

He was right.

Upon spotting Blue's unconscious form, the Baron had lit up like a child. Fascination danced in his gaze as Joker settled the man in the guest room, especially as they noted just how large the man was. Even the King sized bed seemed dwarfed by him, his skin even more mesmerizing against the pale white of the sheets.

"Where did you find him?"

The man asked idly rustling through the strange pouch that had been strapped to the man's thigh. Joker hummed, watching as the doctor checked him over.

"He was in the street like this, yet like always, no one stopped to help him, so I brought him here."

The Baron went to speak only to be interrupted by a low groan, the massive blue man stirring from his slumber. Joker leaned closer despite himself, only to flinch as he suddenly found himself staring into bright amber hue, sharp teeth snapping inches from his face.

The blue man sat up fluidly, as if he hadn't spent hours unconscious, snarling at the doctor viciously.

"Who the hell are you?"

His voice was low, guttural, yet Joker couldn't understand a word he spoke. However, the Baron seemed to, the interest in his eyes growing at the words. He replied in the same language, his voice the same soothing tone it had been when he first took them in.

"I am Baron Kelvin. My sons found you on their way home, and they brought you along in hopes of helping you get well. You were unconscious, yet everyone just walked passed you."

Blue stilled, staring at the Baron, then at Joker and the doctor.

"Was I alone?"

The Baron nodded and the man's expression tightened, his eyes flashing.

For a moment he was silent, as if lost in thought and the Baron gave him a warm smile. "Are you searching for someone?"

Blue shook his head. "No just...hoping. Where am I, old man?"

"We are in England, on the outskirts of London. My children were visiting from their circus when they found you."

"Lon-don? Circus? What the hell are you on about?"

Joker frowned at the tone, watching his benefactor's eyes widen, then flash with the calculative nature that had trapped him and his siblings to the man's side in the first place. He was almost thankful that Blue was looking around the room, because he knew that the Baron had plans in mind for the hulking man.

"Have you never been to London, sir? Do you remember how you got here?"

Blue's features twisted into a scowl.

"I don't know what a fucking London is!" He snapped. "I was dying, then I was here!"

An expression of faux complacence crossed the Baron's face as he raised his hands to placate the aggrieved man. "What if I let you stay at the circus? You would have to help them to earn your keep, but it would be better than simply rotting on the London streets, especially with such fascinating features."

He gestured for Joker to step forward and the ginger did so hesitantly, holding back a flinch as those shark-like eyes snapped in his direction. The Baron continued to speak as if unaware of the action.

"My son was looking for another strongman act as the one he has is a partnered act. You'll have a warm bed and three meals a day."

Blue was silent as if considering the offer, and Joker found himself inwardly hoping he refused.

His hopes went unanswered.

Instead, Blue nodded and turned his full attention to Joker.

"Hoshigaki Kisame." He greeted and Joker gave him the same grin he normally wore on stage.

"Joker. Welcome to the family, Blue."

The man smirked, his sharp fangs on display.

Then to the surprise of everyone present, he spoke in rough, accented english.

"Heh, thanks kid."

*/*

Blue fit into their group surprisingly well.

He was strong, stronger than anyone Joker had ever met, and as the weeks passed, his english improved until it seemed like he'd been speaking it his whole life.

He moved with the powerful strides of a predator, a large bundle normally strapped to his back, and seemed to try to keep his distance from everyone while still remaining friendly.

In fact, of everyone at the circus, he seemed especially close to Beast and was often found sitting near her. Had it not been for the quiet mourning lurking in the man's eyes, Joker would've thought he fancied her, yet most of the time he spent in her presence he was quiet, reminiscent.

He'd wanted to ask him about it, yet an overheard conversation had stilled his tongue.

He'd been walking by the tent Beast's beloved tiger was kept in when he'd heard her speaking, her voice quiet in a way he'd never heard it.

"Who are you mourning?"

Blue, as carefree as he seemed, didn't seem the type to answer such a question and Joker had fully been prepared to intervene if he decided to be rude to his dearest second in command.

There was a moment of silence, the Blue chuckled, a dark, bitter sound.

"I have fallen in love one time in my life, Kid. One time and I hate that I allowed myself to do that...and I hate that I hate it." He paused.

"Itachi-san was...exceptional. He died a villain for a place, a brother that should've seen him as a hero and he never regretted it. He was the first person to look at me and see past my...unique appearance, to be faced with my worst and he accepted it. I closed my eyes thinking I was dying and that I was going to at least catch a glimpse of him on my way to Hell. I woke up here, instead."

Beast hummed. "How long were you in love?"

There was a snort. "Hell if I know. Itachi-san knew my feelings before I did. But, we got married just after he turned seventeen. Found out he was terminally ill three weeks later. He was killed just after he turned twenty-one. I hated him for it, but I understood."

Joker felt his heart ache for the man. The obvious pain in his voice even as he tried to keep it impassive.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It was his choice. I was happy his suffering was ending, even if my had just started." He cleared his throat as if he'd said more than he meant to, and changed the subject.

"How long ya been in love with Joker?"

Joker felt a blush creep across his cheeks as Beast sputtered, then sighed wistfully.

"Years. He doesn't feel the same." She replied and he turned to leave, knowing if he stayed any longer he would hear her heartbreak as it had that night so many years ago when he rejected her advances.

So intent on escaping, he almost missed it when Blue let out another snort and replied. "Yeah he does. He's just stupid."

He continued to walk away.

Since that night, he'd done his best to hold his curiosity about their blue family member close to his chest. Instead, he listened to the outlandish tales the man spun during dinner of the God who'd wanted to create a peaceful world and the blue haired angel at his side. Of a bomber and a puppeteer that were in love and yet couldn't agree on the form of art that was best. And the Miser and Sadomasochist that loved money and blood more than they loved each other, yet stayed together. Of the masked man with more personalities than one would ever expect by looking at him, cold and calculating one moment then a complete idiot the next.

Most of all, they listened as he talked about a man that had been a philosopher one moment and warrior the next. A pacifist that hated war, yet would commit genocide for those he loved.

They listened to the tales and wished that those people were real, if only to stop the grief and longing from haunting the blue man's gaze.

They listened and tried no to feel guilty whenever they left the circus with more children, and returned to Blue and Snake's suspicious gazes.

They listened, and sometimes in the darkest of nights, when the guilt became to strong and Blue's amber eyes seemed to know what they had done, they wished they'd never laid eyes on the man known as Blue.

TBC…