A/N: This takes place in a world were P.T and Philip run the circus together, as equal partners. Not my best work, but the plot bunny wouldn't leave me alone.
P.T was double checking some ropes ahead that night's show. The large circus tent was empty, save for him and Philip. A voice caught P.T's attention, and he looked towards the other side of the tent from his somewhat hidden vantage point. Philip was standing face to face with his father. "Philip, when will you leave all this nonsense and come home to your mother and I?" Mr. Carlyle asked. Philip sighed in frustration.
"Father we've been through this," he said, "I'm not going back to that suffocating life that you and mother forced upon me. My place is here, with the circus and with Anne. I don't care what you, or anyone else thinks about it!"
A disgusted look crossed Mr. Carlyle's face, before turning to a more cold and controlled expression, "I see, thank you for your honesty," he said, then he slapped Philip across the face, "From this moment forward you are no longer a part of the Carlyle family."
P.T was halfway across the room when Philip said, "Good! With the way you and mother treated me I don't want to be a part of the family!" Mr. Carlyle's face was red with anger and it looked as though he was going to strike Philip again, but P.T intervened.
"Excuse me sir, the circus is closed right now," he said, then he added more seriously, "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Mr. Carlyle simply turned away and stormed out of the tent.
As soon as he was gone Philip deflated slightly, sighing in relief, "Thanks." he said.
P.T nodded, "You're welcome," he said, then asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah," Philip said, "The slap surprised me more than it hurt me." P.T put a hand on Philip's shoulder, not missing the way the younger man flinched slightly.
"Philip," he said, "I don't just mean physically."
Philip sighed again, "I knew he and mother would officially disown me at some point, it's not exactly surprising. But it doesn't bother me, having no family is better than having them." he said.
"Philip," P.T said seriously, "You do have a family. You've got everyone here, you've got Anne. Charity and the girls adore you, and honestly, you've become like a son to me in the time we've known each other." Philip seemed a bit surprised. Doubt and uncertainty flickered in his eyes as years of insecurities caused by his parents fought against the love and acceptance he'd found with P.T and the circus.
"You're definitely a much better father than mine ever was." he finally said, and P.T pulled him into a hug. As an afterthought, Philip added, "Thank you, P.T, for everything."
P.T patted him on the back, then pulled away and gave Philip a smile, "Come on, let's go get you some ice."
"Really P.T, it doesn't hurt." Philip said.
"You can say that all you want, but the side of your face is red and swelling slightly," P.T stated, "Besides, Anne will fuss over you later if we don't take care of it now. Come on, son." Philip let P.T guide out of the tent. Whether Philip didn't want to have Anne fuss over him, or P.T calling him 'son', that had prompted him to comply, P.T would never know. And if Philip called P.T 'father' before he went to his tent with a small bundle of ice wrapped in cloth, well, only they would know.
So, what did you think? Honestly it's not my best work, but I felt inspired. Reviews are appreciated. I apologize for any grammar or spelling mistakes. Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed. (Edit 8/16/2024) I'm so glad I finally figured out how to fix this. Reading it as one gigantic blob of text was so annoying. I decided to edit a little too, since could. Also, if anyone has any ideas for a title for this feel free to leave a review. And thanks to those who have liked and reviewed this story, I appreciate it very much.