Jester | Jikook |

Chapter 6: What he might think

             Jimin was practicing his dance as he thought it was more appropriate to be dressed in his puppet attire. It was nothing but a black suit, small iron rings on the hand, elbows, knee caps, and back where the strings were to be hooked up. His face had different makeup each performance, he would wear white face paint over his face, red circles around his cheek bones, an upside down heart on his lips, blue around his eyes and at times he would draw tears or even cracks on his face to make himself look a bit more better in character. The point was to match the dancing he made just to tell a story... The Puppets stories will always be sad because Jimin was the one who wrote them and performed them along with the man who was supposed to 'move' him with the strings.

              As Jimin was performing without the strings, The Ringmaster was sitting on a ladder with his mask over his face. Today, they were in the circus tent where everyone was practicing their acts. Some were clowns so they tried their best to come up with fun jokes. There was acrobats, people on stilts, Trapeze, dancers, animal trainers and mimes that would be part of the shows.

          Taehyung worked with the animals. He never hurted them, he only guided them since they were fully trained animals. No abuse was used at all. Taehyung was watching Jimin's performance and made sure he did his best to impress the king. In Taehyung's mind, if Jimin was to do well, this would show how great they performed for the king which will result in more exposure and popularity for the circus.

            While Jimin was dancing, he suddenly messed up and began to giggle as Taehyung folded his arms. "Do it again."

            "From that number?" Jimin asked.

             "No, all over again. From the top. Now!" Taehyung demanded as he placed on his Ringmaster top hat that had a white ribbon along the side.

            "You look stupid with that hat." Jimin shot back as he started again.

              "You can't afford any screw ups.. If that king was to see any flaw he will be left unhappy." Taehyung stated as Jimin sighed.

             "Is it bad that I kind of like how he stares at me?" Jimin asked as he let out a laugh, messing up again.

              "Could you stop talking about the king for once?!" Taehyung shouted as Jimin shook his head and tried to continue his act all over again.

            "I can't help but to think of how he stared at me." Jimin said as he finally stopped trying to practice and stretched a bit.

            "Seems like something a pervert would do.." Taehyung muttered.

              "I'm older than the King." Jimin claimed as he placed his hands on his hips and looked up at the ceiling of the tent. "He smiled at me when I stared back like he enjoyed every second we locked eyes."

                Taehyung suddenly began to laugh. "Are you kidding me? The King was maybe looking at your body, Park Jimin!"

                "What?!" Jimin's eyes widened as he looked at his suit. "Y-you know.. I never thought this suit was really that tight.. W-was that the reason why he kept staring at me?"

             "Well, I wouldn't know. I'm just the Ringmaster!" Taehyung stood up from the latter and blew into a small whistle calling over a lion from the trainers. This was Taehyung's best animal friend during the performances. The Lion trusted him. None of the performers were afraid of the animals and were very kind to the animals in the circus acts.

               "That's a bit uncomfortable..." Jimin said as Taehyung nodded while he petted the Lion's mane.

                "Don't tell me you actually thought he was into you." Taehyung said as Jimin blushed and shook his head.

               "Why would I think a nice and handsome King fall for someone like me? A puppet that only entertains for a living. No  King wants that.." Jimin laughed off the statement but Taehyung shook his head.

              "Don't say that. That's not to fair to you.." Taehyung said as Jimin smiled at the Ringmaster.

               "Then is there someone out there for you? Someone you like?" Jimin asked jokingly to get on the Ringmaster's nerve as Taehyung's eyes widened.

                 "You ask too much questions!" Taehyung laughed as the Lion yawned. "You might as well practice and stop asking questions. Start all over again.. Now!"

            Jimin then let out laughs. "You know what I mean, Taehyung." Jimin said as he wasn't feeling like continuing to dance. The thought about Jungkook distracted him. Was the King really staring at Jimin's body the whole time? Jimin tried to brush that off, there was no way Jungkook would stare at him like that.

                 Taehyung knew Jimin was still day dreaming about King Jungkook... He wasn't jealous, he was worried. What would happen if Jungkook was to take Jimin from the group? Taehyung was told not to worry since the King will have to own a contract with Jimin and have to talk to Taehyung about cancelling Jimin's contract in order to have the Puppet work for Jungkook to be a Jester. That's if this was to happen.

              Taehyung loved all of his performers like family, losing one would make him feel bad. He shares many laughs with the Circus folks and felt like they understood him at times. After a while of thinking, Taehyung stood up and walked to Jimin. "Jimin, I'll need you to promise.. Not to me but to all of us in this place right now..." Taehyung said as Jimin tilted his head.

              "Promise what?" Jimin asked.

               "Not to leave us for a place next to the King... If he asks you to be his Jester or be what ever he wants, please say you'll stay here. We're family here." Taehyung pointed out as Jimin let out a giggle.

               "All he did was stare, Taehyung. Besides, he'll have to go through you first!" Jimin said as Taehyung grabbed Jimin's wrist preventing the older boy from walking away.

             "This isn't something to laugh about.. I don't know what the King does but something about him isn't right. Don't you think it was weird how he only stared at you not even blinking his creepy eyes and slowly making a smile? Don't you ever wonder on what he is thinking? There has to be something wrong with that... I just know it!" Taehyung said. It only seemed like Taehyung was worried but he alone had his ways to make sure Jimin would stay in the Circus. It was a messed up tactic but Jimin was feeling a bit more cautious about the king now.