Bittersweet (Sekai)

part i (a)

After five years the carnival still doesn't feel like home to Jongin. Their troupe consists mostly of adults who never give Jongin the time of day. He is only spoken to when there are chores to be done, or when he must prepare for his performance. The only one close to Jongin's age is Chanyeol, but they've never gotten along, mainly because the show master – Baekhyun – keeps them separated. Chanyeol is Baekhyun's favourite among the performers, his fire eating being a popular act that draws in patrons. Compared to him, Jongin makes very little money for the troupe. It has gotten to the point where his teleportation is used as an opener for Chanyeol's fire eating, and not an act in and of itself.

Jongin passes by the area where Chanyeol is practising with an unlit baton. Even if his act is popular, it is not perfect. Jongin can see the burn scars running Chanyeol's arms and what his shirt shows of his chest. During performances, Chanyeol wears a long sleeved shirt to cover the scars.

Jongin has perfected his own act. He moves so deftly, not even the quickest spectator would be able to guess his trick. Still, it's not good enough for Baekhyun. Not flashy or dangerous enough.

Sometimes Jongin wishes Baekhyun had left him at the orphanage. It had been cold there and uncomfortable, and there had been nights when he and the other children had to go without food, but at least he'd had company. They'd almost been a family; he, the other orphans, and the few caretakers. But then Baekhyun had arrived, looking for a boy to replace his last teleporter, who had fallen ill over the winter and died. Jongin had been happy to be chosen at the time, thinking the troupe could become a real family to him. He'd been seven at the time, and very naive.

Now, at twelve, Jongin wished he could go back in time and hide the day Baekhyun came to the orphanage. Maybe then he would have been adopted later on. Adopted by a real family.

He's on his way to fetch Baekhyun at the request of one of the older performers. Jongin would rather avoid interaction with him if he could, but when one of the adults gave him an order, they expected him to obey. If he did not, the consequences were quite unpleasant.

When he reaches Baekhyun's tent, however, he is surprised to hear voices from within. Both are male, but one is unfamiliar. Baekhyun never gets any guests, not unless

it is a proprietor, demanding compensation for the site in which they have set up for a performance. Jongin is sure Baekhyun has already paid for the set up of their latest show, so who is this man?

"You're interested in Kai?" Baekhyun asks.

Jongin starts at this, surprised to hear his stage name.

"Yes." The unfamiliar voice says. "My son and I attended one of your shows last week, and he was very taken with the boy." "Kai is rather amazing." Baekhyun purrs. "An asset to our show. I don't know what I'd do without him."

Jongin gags. He doesn't know what Baekhyun is up to, but it must be bad for him to lie to such an extent. "I understand." The other man says. "But I would very much appreciate it if you would consider my offer." "I don't know how I can." Baekhyun says. "Jongin is part of our family. He's like a little brother to me."

"Please know that if you agree, I'll take care of him. He'd want for nothing. And of course you would be compensated, even if no amount would be enough for such a loss."

"No, nothing would be enough." Baekhyun sighs theatrically. "But I can hardly be the one to stop him from having a better future, however much saying goodbye to him will hurt."

Jongin can't help a snort when he hears this.

Conversation within the tent dies. Seconds later Baekhyun is yanking back the tent flap to glower down at Jongin. "Speak of the devil." Baekhyun masks his face into a beam before stepping back to admit Jongin. "Please, come in Kai. We were just talking about you." Hesitantly, Jongin enters the tent. Standing just beside Baekhyun's desk is a man in an expensive suit. Seeing Jongin, he offers a kind smile.