I wanted to apologise for not including a lot of reactions and dialogue from Nat, Steve, and our favorite billionaire. Kind of forgot about them, but I had some inspiration from something I was reading on where the Avengers were watching AoS. So don't worry!
"This 'ere is one of my personal favorites. Take a look, yeah?" Jacques handed over a rather sharp blade with a crooked handle to his new assistant. It also reminded Natasha of a similar weapon she had seen Clint use in the future. Maybe this was why he was semi reluctant to hold it.
They stood outside one of the smaller tents as it was far out from where Clint was. Both Barney and Jacques had agreed to not share the fact that his older brother was training to perform. They weren't sure how he would take it yet.
"Where was it made?" Barney asked while admiring the craftsmanship. It was pretty well forged and the engraving on the base of it was intricate and delicately carved.
Jacques opened his mouth, but no words came out. Barney noticed the hesitation, but instead ran his finger along the edge of the sword without any doubts that something was fishy, unlike Clint's future team. "Well... I don't really remember. Awhile back, ya know what I mean?"
Meanwhile on the other side of the open field, Clint was laying in the grass with Annie and Eddie, watching the clouds move across the sky. It had been a long day of making final preparations. Decorations and lights were strung up, fliers posted advertising the show, and crates of supplies unloaded.
All the rush was for the first performance since picking up the Bartons. Of course, they would get to watch and see what all the fuss was about, neither of them being present at anything similar with growing up poor. Although, that wasn't Carson and Barney and Jacques' only agenda for the night.
People were already starting to arrive, only to wait in the parking lot. The circus wouldn't officially start for a few hours, but the games and food areas would become available in about half an hour. Another reason why Jacques showing off his favorite weapon away from the main entrance.
"What's the best part about being up there? In the show, I mean," Clint blurted out to the two trapeze artists next to him. He had seen both of them in practice, but never with a big audience like the one expected tonight. It'd seem pretty nerve-wracking.
"There's a lot of great things about being here, Clint. I found a home; even a family to cling onto, including you," Annie said.
"Exactly, buddy," Eddie continued for her. "You also get to see some smiles, and help make 'em." He smiled back at Clint, even though he was missing a few teeth from who knows where.
Clint nodded, his brain furiously at work, thinking about something he didn't want to mention. He knew that both artists had probably noticed Carson gawking at him, but he wasn't sure why. Maybe he regretted taking in two runaways; after all, Carson had a business to attend to, keeping the industry alive.
"Well, this seems kinda nice," Tony exclaimed loudly while looking around at the fans lining up outside. It was what he was used to, people lining up just to merely catch a glimpse of you. "I mean, little bird is apart of the circus."
Steve nodded. He knew this was leading them somewhere, but where? All he knew was that it couldn't be good. Natasha felt the same, especially since she had heard from Clint about his youth. That's why seeing Carson, Jacques, and Barney acting so...nice, was weird. The spy didn't trust anyone of them; she trusted her best friend with her life.
"We better get ready, sorry, pal."
"No, it's fine. I'll be helpin' in the booths if you need me..." Clint trailed off, eyes trained on the figures moving in the distance to hand out food and entrainment scams. His hand absentmindedly played with a weed near his feet.
The lights danced beneath the boy's eyelids. Multiple colors and people moved flawlessly in the dusty old show ring, performing one of the many acts of the show tonight. Carson's Carnival of Traveling Wonders felt like a home to many out there in the crowd and behind the tents, working furiously and enjoying themselves.
The kids in the front row seats were standing up and leaning forward, desperate to take in quite a large sight. Their parents sat idly nearby, reliving a show they've most likely seen before. Nostalgia was a powerful feeling, wasn't it?
The air had cooled down considerably, turning crisp like the assorted colors of fallen leaves. None of the children or performers cared, nor noticed with being too invested in the show.
The current and last act on at this exact moment was the trapeze. There were actually several different acts related to trapeze, but this was supposed to be the big finish, the reprise of the whole thing. It also seemed to be a big hit with everyone; the target audience was nobody in particular, so it appealed to old and young and everyone in between.
Another one that fell into the category of being popular was the Swordsman. He had effortlessly stood on the big podium, where usually the ringmaster was, and threw his favorite set of knives into their indicated targets. Jacques even pulled off his most delicate trick; shooting an apple off a live target's head. It would've worked better with a bow and arrow, but knives were just his thing, y'know?
Annie was on one side of the ring, sitting with one leg dangling down and the other tucked to her chest. The brightly colored leotard stuck out amidst the shadows, but soon, the lights would flicker onto her and her partner. Then, she would spin herself around and swing forward using leftover momentum.
Reaching her hands out, Annie would link arms with Eddie and hold the position for a few seconds to take in all the applause and cheers. Annie and Eddie, trapeze stars in Carson's lil circus gig.
The circus was truly a magical place.