Chapter Text
Axel watched, holding his breath. Eli grinned at his son and carefully lit the ball on fire, then twisted the pole to light the other end. Prepared, the fire dancer spread his feet and moved towards the stage.
“I’m gonna do that when I grow up!”
His mother smiled, her blue eyes kind under the heavy layer of makeup. The small costume mirror on their dresser was totally occupied by the left side of her cheek, with the rounded glass making the teardrop marks stand out.
“Of course you are Ax.”
The fiery red-head grinned, putting his hands on his hips.
“I am momma!”
Sarah laughed, bright and happy, turning back to attach her false nose.
“I know kiddo. Now momma’s gotta go.”
“I know. The clowns take the fourth ring.”
The redhead ducked in and kissed her on the cheek, just below the makeup. The circus came first right now. He would go and admire the crowd.
His favourite spot was on top of the Ferris wheel, but he wasn’t allowed to climb it while there were guests still in their grounds. Instead he made do with scaling a large tree by the ticket booth to watch the crowd flow in and out. It wasn’t the most comfortable tree, but it was an adventure for the child.
He had no idea how long he’d sat there before screams reached his ears. He turned like many to try and pinpoint the problem, but nothing leapt to the fore. It seemed to be coming from the big-top however.
Axel quickly scrambled back down and ran for the gates. His hair was distinctive enough that Larry automatically shunted open a gate just a little for him to slide through like the thin rake he was.
The screams finished. They had definitely been ones of horror and terror, not just the usual surprise. He thrust his way through the entrance-way.
The show had stopped, two performers were gathered around a lump, while more still were in a desperate huddle, concealing the centre object. He glanced up in horror to see that the net for the tightrope had a sharp hole just above the throng.
Who was on tightrope tonight? It couldn’t have been Sharon. He knew for a fact she was sitting in her tent nursing a bad cold. Her replacement, Joan, had run off at their last stop with a man no one really knew. That would leave just his mother and two others with the training for it.
His eyes flickered over the troupe again. He found the two other girls, but couldn’t see his mother. Dread rose up…
~
It had only taken a few frayed threads. While the net could stand up to repeated blows his mother had hit it in just the wrong place. It had snapped and sent her body twisting down onto the solid ground, breaking her neck on impact.
His father had been understandably distracted on impact, and two colleagues had quickly rushed to extinguish him, but the burns Eli had suffered were serious. There was no way he would be performing again for quite some time.
Xemnas quickly rallied around his fire-dancer, telling him they would stay in town and keep the show going until Eli was at least out of the hospital bed. The silver-haired man also promised to handle all things relating to Sarah’s death.
As for Axel, he’d been sat down with the surprisingly gentle man, who’d explained that until his father was better, he needed to share a tent with Xaldin, their blade-master. Axel found himself shaking. While Xemnas was aloof and seemed fierce, he’d quickly found out that it hid a gentle, nurturing man. Not Xaldin though. The man had no history that anyone knew. Many claimed he was Spanish, but there was no trace of an accent in his voice. His purple eyes were unusual, his black hair thick. Even his friendliest moments around the camp were punctuated by snarls and snorts.
Axel quivered like jelly in an earthquake.
“I know he seems scary, but his is the only free tent, and his bark is much worse than his bite.
“But, but… Xaldin?!”
“He will look after you. If he is at all abusive or… or… fails to look after you, come to me. I will make sure he knows I am watching. Here now, I’d rather you had someone…”
“Why not Xigbar? Or Saïx? Or I could stay here by myself, I’m old enough!”
Xemnas hesitated. He had one of Axel’s bags in hand and was searching for the other he knew to be close by. Finally he sat on the little camp stool by the all-too-familiar dresser. His voice softened.
“I know you think those would be better choices, but Xigbar has trouble sharing a room with anyone after losing his eye. Saïx is… is… it is better to leave Saïx to his own devices. As for being on your own? Absolutely not. You’re just too young. Please Axel, give Xaldin a chance.”
Axel pouted, trying not to cry.
“I know you think I’m being unfair, but I would rather you safe and unhappy than feel like there was nowhere for you.”
The tears bubbled up and started slipping out. Axel found himself shocked as two thin arms wrapped around him and drew him to a warm chest.
“We’re all here for you Axel. Everyone is family here.”
The redhead snuffled deeply, moving to cling on to the ringmaster. Surely… the show must go on.
~
With a little bit of pushing Axel entered Xaldin’s domain first. He stumbled over the small dirt floor, then looked up in surprise at the carefully hung curtain that neatly split the area in two.
Xaldin emerged from the half they couldn’t see, his head raised and slightly cocked like a puzzled dog working out of biting was easier than barking. His lip curled black to show two sharp fangs.
“This him?”
Xemnas hefted the bag and went to move around the corner.
“This is.”
Xaldin looked Axel up and down like a piece of meat. The redhead blushed shyly and tried not to dump his bags and flee.
“Hi mister Xaldin.”
The attempt at politeness seemed to be ignored.
“He know my rules?”
“Yes, did you get mine?”
Xaldin grunted, but it did seem to convey a lot to Xemnas. The silver-haired ringleader moved around the curtain to dump the bag he had onto the bed.
“Thank you Xaldin.”
The thick-haired man grunted again and shooed the ringmaster out again. He waited until Xemnas was out of hearing range before addressing Axel sharply.
“That’s yours in there. Don’t touch my stuff… Not for a dare, not for anything. Leave it alone.”
Axel swallowed hard. It was unlikely he could live until morning.
“I won’t eat you. You’re too big. Go and get some rest.”
Unable to decide whether he was joking or not, Axel slipped around the curtain to his new bed.