Short Stories-Kai Ships Only! Volume 3

Beomkai- When the Circus Ends

There was five minutes until showtime. Beomgyu made sure his makeup was pristine for the last performance of his ring master career. Back stage was as busy as always except this time there was no excitement in the air.

And why would there be? Only a third of them had found jobs since the announcement that their funding was cut short. Ticket sales were dropping along with the venue sizes due to animal rights activists. They treated theirs fairly but they didn't go viral. The bad ones did. The financial risk of keeping their animals was too high so they donated them to a sanctuary. But, the damage had been done. Sales still kept dropping.

When the activist's movement was over, circuses were seen as a past time. An event left for a parent's childhood memories while the kids of today chose new ways to spend their money.

To their company's credit, they held out for as long as they could to give everyone enough time to find new employment opportunities. The acrobats got jobs at Cirque du Soleil, back stage production secured jobs at theaters and the clowns were hired by corporations full time.

The rest of them, like Beomgyu, weren't as lucky. He was a ring leader because his father was, just born in the wrong time. Hosting was in his blood but no other company needed one. It wasn't exactly a skill you could hire for a children's birthday party either. Basically, he was screwed.

"Three minutes till showtime" was called. The crowd could be heard all the way from the dressing rooms.

Beomgyu was raised for the spotlight. He lived and breathed off of their energy. Their love was mutual. In fact, it was addicting. Being loved by so many people was a natural high. A high so great that the falls always felt like rock bottom. He hated when the crowds were gone. Every time a show was over, he found himself lonely in a random hotel room after getting his fill from cheap company.

What he was most terrified about was losing his family. Because of his upbringing, he didn't have any outside friends. The people in the circus were both his friends and family. He never imagined a life without them and being confronted with that was scary. His dad told him they were connected for life but were they? How many people from his time did he remain close to? The answer was no one since everyone moved on to do their seperate things.

One minute to go and Beomgyu tried to keep it together. After the applause, he'd sleep with a random audience member and then what? He genuinely had no idea what to do in the morning. The idea of going from his current job to a menial one crushed his soul. Every fiber of his being wished he had saved his money wisely instead of pissing it away. A cool car wasn't cool anymore when it was your only space of living.

Thirty seconds was called and Beomgyu said "fuck it." If this was going to be his last show, it would be the best of his life. He promised himself that and he delivered.

Kai was sitting in the audience completely enamored with everything he was seeing. Acrobats flew above his head. Jugglers tossed flaming knives across his face. Clowns played with each other in a series of perfectly choreographed pranks. A man came out and did stunts on a tightrope with a woman that appeared to be dancing. And, at the center of it all, was the most captivating person he had ever seen.

A red suit, a top hat and a myriad of gold accents were nothing compared to the host's energy. Kai imagined that even if this guy wore jeans, he'd still be just as illuminating. From his humor to his dancing, "Beomgyu" was the type of person who stages were made for. As the show came to an end, it was clear everyone around him felt the same way. Beomgyu looked like someone he wished he could be.

"Okay! That's a wrap you guys!" said the backstage manager. Lines were forming around the circus tent to await photos and autographs from the performers. Beomgyu quickly touched up his makeup then was the first one out to greet the crowd. Everyone was clapping exclusively for him. It felt great. He drunk it in knowing this was the last time an audience would care.

It was bittersweet. Each person who passed through was like a clock ticking down towards the end of his career. When Beomgyu saw the end of the line, he was holding back his tears.

Champagne at the after party drowned the sorrows while sleeping with a stranger masked his insecurity. By the time the moon rose, he was alone in bed wanting to disappear in a dream. Except he couldn't because he was starving.

Across the hotel laid a diner from the 1950s. A blue neon sign flashed "open" beneath a large picture of a bright red Chevy convertible. The car looked like a classic version of his own. He stumbled across the parking lot and wondered if he'd have to sell it to afford future necessities.

The hostess knew he was badly hungover so she rushed him to a barstool and fed him toast. Beomgyu took slow bites to avoid throwing up like he wanted too. It didn't work. He rushed to the bathroom and somehow managed to miss the toilet.

"Hey. Are you okay?"

The smell was acrid. Beomgyu drearily looked over his shoulder to see a blur of a man show concern about him. He wished to tell him "fuck off" but ended up vomiting again instead.

Kai grabbed a large handful of paper towels then began to help the stranger to his feet. "Here. I'll get you some water to rinse your mouth out."

"Thanks..." Beomgyu forced himself off of the floor and began to sloppily wash his face. For a moment, with water dripping down his bangs, he sobered up enough to see who was helping him in the mirror. The guy was cute. He looked back at his reflection and couldn't say the same. His hair was a soaked mess, his eyes were only half open and he looked like he was an inch from death.

Kai thought the stranger looked adorable as he handed him the glass. "Here. I hope this helps."

Beomgyu quickly swished his mouth out until acid no longer remained. Part of him wished the stranger had a toothbrush on him but the water at least got the smell away. "Thanks. Again."

Not wanting to be in the bathroom anymore, Kai lead the shorter back to his seat. "You're Beomgyu right?"

Beomgyu sipped some coffee he didn't remember ordering and raised his eyebrow. "Yeah? Have we met?"

"No. I saw you at your show last night."

"Oh..." A large plate of pancakes was presented to him. Figuring the guy had already seen him at rock bottom, Beomgyu had no shame downing his food.

Kai was impressed with how quickly the carbs were inhaled. It was like watching a bear eat. "You uh... you were really amazing. I'm sorry it was your last show."

After clearing his plate, Beomgyu decided to depressingly sip his coffee. "It's fine. It'll be nice to have a break from all the traveling."

"I can imagine. Do you want some more food? It's on me."

"I'm fine. Thanks."

"What are you going to do now?"

"I don't know... but I have plenty of opportunities." Beomgyu couldn't even convince himself he did and he suspected the stranger knew it too. The sun started rising through the windows, illuminating the fact that he had nothing.

Wanting to humor him, and partially needing to leave, Kai put his hand on the shorter's shoulder and said "well I can't wait to see what you do next. Hopefully next time you can sign something for me."

"Yeah..." Beomgyu watched the stranger place a $20 on the table then frowned when he realized he didn't want his last fan to leave. "Hopefully."