Chapter Fourteen:
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The pop music pumped through the speakers and the peppy rhythm meshed perfectly with the way their bodies rotated, spun, and collided through the silks routine. Leon released Sora's waist and the silks unwound from her midsection as she fell closer to the ground, his fingers grazed over her during the descent. He could feel his gut clench as she caught the last section of the silks by winding it around her ankle.
Sora spun in a tight circle before Leon started his crawl down the length of the silks, hand over hand, until the tops of his feet were near her outstretched hands. Sora gripped his ankles and their fronts faced one another as they spun slowly as the music's beat began to slow down during the lead singer's melancholy solo.
There was complete silence in the song in which Leon and Sora shifted their weight to counter one another so that Sora was now sitting on Leon's shoulders, his face buried in her mid-drift. The music started again, loud and angry and he licked her exposed flesh, pleased by how her muscles contracted in shock, but Sora didn't let that distract her from their routine.
She kept her legs wrapped around his shoulders and arched backwards so that her spine was flush against his torso. Leon began to climb back up the silks with Sora in tow and then began to rock back and forth.
As the rhythm grew in intensity, Sora released her legs as they reached the pinnacle of the swing. She began to fall and Leon rocked away from her and by the time he swung back, Sora caught the tail of the silks between her legs as if she were on a rope swing.
Leon wrapped his ankles in the silks and then fell headfirst towards Sora. The tension in the silks caught his weight as he hooked his hands under Sora's armpits and drew her face even with his and kissed her from an upside down vantage point Spiderman-style.
The song ended with Sora in his arms and their lips locked. Sora nipped Leon's bottom lip playfully and he could feel the smile curving her lips against his.
Fuu began to clap wildly. Cheers rose up from their audience as the Tokyo Eye Candy students, whom all signed secrecy wavers, showed their enthusiasm.
"That was bloody amazing!" Rick shouted. He gestured towards the female students. "And now you've got all these ladies all hot and bothered! That's what we get for letting a Frenchy join our school, eh, Fuu?"
"You're going to nail your performance," Fuu gushed, wiping at the tears in her eyes. She turned to the studio's students. "Now, kissing in a performance is usually frowned up — but sometimes it's just so romantic!"
Leon helped Sora to the ground first and then jumped lightly to his feet. Sora was quickly wrapped up in a hug by Fuu and the two began to speak excitedly in rapid Japanese.
Leon watched in amusement as he felt the crowd of students closing around him.
"I don't suppose you'd like to practice that routine with me, Oswald-san," a buxom brunette with thick lashes called, brushing her chest against his arm.
"I would hate it more than you can imagine," Leon said, his voice cold and cruel. He felt a warm, satisfaction at seeing the flirt's crestfallen expression. He pushed past the crowd until he was next to Rick.
"Mate, that was something." Rick shook his head and ran his fingers through his ponytail. "I can't believe you two pulled that off in just a couple of weeks."
"Any suggestions? Critiques?" Leon pressed. He didn't want praise, he needed to know what areas they needed to improve. He felt the performance was good, but he was distracted by Sora somewhat.
"Just, you know, keep it in your pants," Rick said with a wink. "Other than that?" He shrugged. "I've got nothing else to suggest to you. I would recommend to always use the safety mechanisms. I know sometimes you circus performances like to be daring, but —."
"Have no fear," Leon interrupted. "I will not endanger Sora for cheap thrills. Her safety is paramount."
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OoO
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The Naegino household was over-run with toddlers and their parents. Sora had happily led the children in a lovely singing game. Her sister Yume had opened her gifts — stuffed animals, coloring books with special markers, Hello Kitty and Minnie Mouse clothes and jewelry. It was time for the cake. She gestured towards Leon, where he stood apart from the guests in the far corner of the room watching.
His long, silvery hair was loose about his shoulders and his lavender eyes sparkled with amusement. He caught her gesture and followed her into the kitchen.
"Will you carry the cake?" Sora asked. It was a white cake covered with pink flowers and bunnies in pastel icing. She picked up the forks, napkins, and paper plates.
"Of course." Leon picked up the cake with ease and followed Sora back towards the dining table. He set it near the highchair at the end of the table.
Midori called everyone to attention while Chikara picked up Yume and placed her in the seat of honor in front of the cake. Midori lit the candle and Sora flipped off the light. The two flames danced in the darkness and everyone began to sing Happy Birthday to the birthday girl.
Sora clapped with everyone else as Yume blew out her candles. She felt her mouth go dry when Leon wrapped his arm loosely over her shoulders, the tips of his long, silky hair brushed her neck. It felt so wonderful having him so close to her during this special occasion. For a moment, she imagined what it would be like for the two of them to throw a birthday party for their own child.
"Are you feeling okay?" Leon whispered in her ear, his voice laced with concern. "You look flushed."
"F-f-f-ine," Sora stuttered. They had just barely become a couple! What was wrong with her? She shouldn't have been thinking about possible offspring! Did he even want kids? She bit the inside of her cheek. Of course he wanted children, but that didn't mean he wanted to start making a family right away, did it?
"If you're sure," Leon murmured. He pressed a chaste kiss to her cheek and then stepped away from her. He began to help her mother to pass out plates of cake to the guests.
Sora stepped out of the dining area, needing a few moments to compose herself. She didn't want the guests to see her blush. Having a boyfriend was new to her. Having people see her with a boyfriend was completely bizarre! She headed towards the front porch, but paused at the door. There was a letter on the floor from the mail slot. She stooped to pick it up.
Her name was written across the front in very careful block script. It was from her grandparents!
She took the letter and sat on the front porch. She ripped open the envelop. Sora didn't speak Dutch and her grandparents didn't speak Japanese. They did, however, both speak and write English. Her heart soared. They were very excited to hear that she would be in Europe soon and delighted to meet with her and Leon.
She heard the door open behind her. Leon settled beside her on the porch steps. "You're missing the party," he said.
"My grandparents sent a letter." She held up the envelope. "They're excited about our visit."
Leon's hand settled gently on her knee, his thumb rubbed lazy circles. "Why don't you come back inside for a bit? The guests will be leaving soon."
Sora took a deep breath. "I just needed a moment," she confessed. "Seeing all those kids…," she trailed off.
"Made you think about how gorgeous our children will be?" Leon asked. Sora turned towards him, her eyes wide in shock, and her mouth agape. Leon smiled and touched his index finger to her chin, closing it gently. "Don't be so surprised. I know we've only been a couple for a short time, but the thought crossed my mind too."
"It's too soon."
Leon shrugged. "Accidents happen." He stood and offered his hand. "Let's go back inside with the others and be social."
Sora took his hand, calmed by the touch of his dry palm. She wasn't comfortable with the baby talk, but when she was around Leon, it was hard to stay worried about things for long.
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The clock's bright blue lights read two in the morning. Leon kept staring at them. Sora was snuggled against him under the covers, her hand splayed over his bare chest, her cheek pressed against his shoulder.
He'd been sound asleep until she shifted onto him. How was he supposed to sleep with her legs tangled with his and her lips brushing his neck?
"Sora," Leon whispered, shifting her weight with an arm under her back. He turned onto his side, his free hand settled over her abdomen. Her caramel eyes fluttered open. "Are you trying to torture me?"
"Hm?" Sora blinked and then seemed to realize their proximity. "Sorry." She began to slip her hand off him, but Leon hugged her.
"It's fine." He brushed his lips over hers. "I know you're uncomfortable doing more than snuggling at your parents' house, but I think I'm going to have to sleep on the floor if you keep doing this to me."
"Well, I guess we could, I mean—."
Leon chuckled. "It's okay, Sora. You can be rather enthusiastically loud. But I'm not sure if I can wait another ten days until we're at my flat in Paris." He kissed her forehead, her temple, and then trailed down her neck. "I have an idea."
Sora arched her back and moaned softly, Leon caught the sound with another kiss to her lips.
"An idea?" Sora asked, a blissful smile on her lips.
"I thought we might try one of the Love Hotels in the Shibuya district."
"That's scandalous," she gasped. "They have themes, you know?"
"I know," Leon said, laying flat on his back and shifting Sora to lay across him. "Apparently, there's even one with a circus theme."
Sora crinkled her nose. "I'll pass on that. How about a mermaid theme? Lost city of Atlantis?"
"I've not actually been there, but there's probably some kind of theme like that."
Sora rubbed her nose against his playfully. "I'm game."
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"Ugh! It's just not right!" Layla threw the script across the room.
"I think you're being to hard on yourself," Yuri argued. "I think the story is fine and I think the choreography in the third act is spot on."
"Do you or do you not want to see the Fool?" Layla demanded. "This is not worthy of his attention."
Yuri frowned, his eyes drew close together in frustration. "What are you going on about? You've been babbling about some fool for the past three days."
"Not some fool, the Fool," Layla explained with a sigh. "Rosetta said—."
"Wait," Yuri said, holding up a hand to interrupt. "You're listening to little Rosetta? Why? You're the star, Layla. What do you care about what such an amateur has to say?"
"Sora is an amateur compared to me. Yet, you partnered with her at the ICF. She's become a phenomenon," Layla explained.
"What does Sora have to do with Rosetta?" Yuri picked up the script and set it carefully on the table.
"According to Rosetta, they've both seen the Fool. If the Spirit of the Circus is truly with us on this show, we'll see the Fool."
"I see. So, has May seen the Fool?"
"Not that I know," Layla said. She spun around in her chair and groaned. "So, are you going to do it?"
"Do what?"
"You know what," Layla growled. "I heard May ask you."
Yuri strode towards Layla and crouched in front of her, his hands braced on her knees. "Layla, I could care less about the competitions. Ever since what happened to Sophie, the victories are hollow. You're the only partner I want from now and always. And I only helped Sora last year at your request." He flashed her a charming smile. "Of course, I like Sora too. She's like that annoying little sister that you eventually find endearing."
Layla closed her eyes and pressed her forehead against Yuri's. "I know, I'm being ridiculous."
"May did ask me, but I turned her down. I would like to see the showcase, but I'm more interested in helping you achieve this dream of yours, Layla." Yuri pressed his lips against hers. "Now, let's get back to this Through the Looking Glass."
Layla opened her eyes and quickly leaned back from Yuri. Just past him, floating in the air a little man with long, green hair, an eyepatch on his right eye, and a dark suit with wide shoulder pads hovered.
"You should really stop focusing on your rivalry with the younger cast, Layla Hamilton," the Fool admonished. He cocked his head to the side. "You've changed since I last saw you." He shot past Yuri, glittered trailing in his wake. "There is a creative energy about you."
"Layla? Are you okay?" Yuri asked.
Layla's eyes swept between Yuri's concerned indigo gaze and the Fool's dark eyes.
"Oh, he can't see me," the Fool assured her. He flew over the script on the table. "His father saw me, but never young Yuri Killian."
"I'm fine. Could you get me a glass of ice water, please, Yuri?" Layla smiled sweetly.
"Of course," Yuri said, the relief evident in his expression. "I'll be right back."
The Fool started to flip through the pages of the script. "Very nice. This should amuse the audience." He gestured towards the door Yuri left through. "I assume he'll be the Mad Hatter?"
"You're real," Layla whispered.
"And you're finally thinking about pleasing the audience rather than your father," the Fool said. "Killian's boy was always more interested in technical difficulty than emotion. His anger about his father's death blinded him to the beauty of the art."
"Do you have any suggestions?" Layla asked, eager to hear the spirit of the stage speak his wisdom.
The Fool closed the script and sat on the edge of the table, crossing his legs casually. "My suggestion is to stop trying to please everyone else. Listen to your own heart, Layla Hamilton." He smiled. "And make sure you give Rosetta a nice, big part."
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