Break a Horn / Fantoccio X Reader

10 / Comedian's Touch

After a long day of helping Fantoccio write the script of the play, you were enjoying a meal. Fantoccio brought you food from who knows where, but it was edible, so there was no complaining.

He made you eat healthy foods, saying something about having a good diet to cut back on some fat. Deep down, he knew you weren't fat, he simply wanted to motivate you to eat healthier to keep up with his constant orders.

Astonishingly enough, you were feeling a bit eager to work on the play some more. You wondered how Aristotle and the others were doing, of course, but you had a feeling you'd be out of here in a jiffy.

"Fantoccio's been a bit more lenient with me lately. That's a good sign," you thought, "keep this up, and you'll be fine."

Knocking came at your door and you swallowed down your food before allowing the puppet in. You appreciated that he always made a point a knock, despite being able to teleport in at the drop of a hat.

"Hello, Fantoccio," you greeted. He didn't greet you back, simply jumping straight into the point, "tomorrow, we need to start acting out the first section of the play. I need a grasp on how it's advancing. Remember, bring your costume for tomorrow. Be prepared."

You nodded, stabbing your food with the fork, "will do." He watched as you ate, and you looked over questioningly.

When you took a look at him, he looked as if he were staring, but it more so seemed he was lost in thought about something. The puppet master looked torn on whether to speak or not. You ignored it and continued eating until he announced his departure.

///

When the next day rolled by, both Fantoccio and you were onstage, each holding your scripts and roughly acting out your lines.

"But, fourteen years," you said, voice full of solemn and desperation.

Fantoccio offered a sympathetic, yet acknowledging nod as he struggled to meet your gaze, "I know. But I'm willing to be with you all over again, even if we have to wait fourteen more years."

You shook your head slowly, "fourteen years is nothing compared to the— oh, shit, wait. That's your line," you said, laughing.

Fantoccio shook his head disapprovingly, "décevant... from the top!"

You two acted out the heavy scene, of two lovers meeting again in their middle-aged years, torn between letting go of the past or surrendering to their still-present feelings for each other and changing their goals in life.

Afterwards, you sat down on the stage floor and drank some water, mouth dry from the excessive talking. Fantoccio, being the perfectionist he is, made you restart your act about fifty times before he was satisfied with the results.

"The lines are nicely inputted, but I feel they're too pessimistic," you commented. Fantoccio looked over from his spot, "what do you mean?"

"Why not add a little humor? Lighten the mood while pertaining the bittersweetness?" You elaborated. Fantoccio thought it over for a moment and nodded unsurely, "what do you have planned?"

You pitched your idea of adding a third-wheel type character, who's main purpose was to try and bring the main characters together, but ultimately getting in the way by accident. He was open to the idea, and began writing the character.

This meant more practice, but at least it was something to pass the time. You've been getting homesick, and life around the theater wasn't always entertaining, ironically enough.

///

Fantoccio was playing the third character, named 'Donner', who was helping the main male character, 'Benjamin', with his date. Donner scribbled on a piece of cardboard and held it up, showing Benjamin what to say.

Fantoccio, as Benjamin, began saying his lines, "you look trashy tonight." Then, he switched to his Donner character and frantically shook his head, waving the sign around to show that it said 'you look DASHING tonight.'

You, as the main female character, Penelope, acted offended, "excuse me?"

Benjamin laughed nervously, playing it off as a joke, "dashing! I meant dashing! You look... DASHING... tonight..."

"I see... so, what do you do nowadays? Any new hobbies?" You asked, folding your hands underneath your chin and leaning in.

Fantoccio pretended to read the sign once again, saying, "I'm a lawyer now, but I also do canoodling as a side activity," misreading 'canoeing' with 'canoodling'.

You fluttered your eyelashes at the response, smirking cheekily, "ooh, you should take me one time."

Suddenly, Fantoccio stood up straight and hollered, "CUT!" He seemed giddy and over the edge, "what a splendid scene! My, this spectacle is sure to have the audience all enraptured!"

You smiled, not wanting to point out that his "audience" was all just cardboard people.

"You've surprisingly held your weight onstage," Fantoccio gave you a... compliment. For once, he said something genuinely kind to you, "I expect more of this, you are dismissed for the day, run along and get some rest, tomorrow is another big day of practice."

"Mhm. Goodnight, Fantoccio," you curtsied. You always told him goodnight, ever since the strange interaction on the first day. He still seemed uncomfortable with the word, and struggled to say it back.

You began to get used to the hard floor of the dressing room, where you've been sleeping. You would use your coat as a cushion between you and the floor, but it was nothing as extravagant as the bed you had at home.

My bed...

You found yourself homesick once again. You wondered what your manager was thinking. You wondered what the media was saying about you.

At the thought, you anxiously, lightly scratched at your arms, would Fantoccio ever allow you to leave?