Creating the Magic of Us

Chapter 2

The show ended with a grand finale of fireworks as Damien projected balls of fire from his mouth like some sort of dragon. Anti was partially focused on the sword he was inching down his throat, and partially entranced by Marvin as he watched from the area in the back that was reserved for the performers. The freak show was always the part the drew in the crowds, and despite their ability to keep the audience's interest, they were considered cheap entertainment in the eyes of people like Mark. The freaks were nothing more than a public spectacle, talentless rejects that couldn't make it in normal society. Anti was a prime example of that, and Mark never failed to remind the green-haired man of his worth in life whenever he came too close to Marvin.

Anti felt the blade nick his esophagus, forcing him to pay attention as he pulled it back out with an exaggerated smile. He only took his eyes off of Marvin for a second, but by the time he turned back, Marvin was gone. He'd missed his chance to talk to him earlier, which he was still kicking himself for. He needed to hear Marvin's voice wrapped around his name at least once, then maybe he'd be able to move on from this obsession. Damien was a good man and all, but he wasn't Marvin, and that has put a definite strain on their relationship lately.

With the show over and the crowd gone, the freaks were left to clean up the stage area while the others headed back to their trailers for the night.

"Anti, a word if I may," Damien whispered as Anti began to sweep up.

His green eyes looked quickly towards Damien, trying to smile as best he could. They hadn't talked much over the past few days. Damien had been taking extra time with performing his new fire routine with expert flair, leaving Anti to fill his nights with thoughts of Marvin.

"If this is about last night," Anti starts softly, "I'm sorry that I wasn't in the mood like I should be. You have needs, and - "

"I don't care about that," the taller man sighed, grabbing a hold of Anti's right shoulder. "I just want us to try and make things better between us. Meet me in the red tent after we've finished cleaning up. I have a surprise for you."

Damien placed a small kiss on Anti's cheek, turning to help Nathan clean up the stage. Anti sighed, finding it difficult to feel enthusiastic about whatever Damien had planned. His mind was always focused on Marvin, and Damien, no matter how hard he tried just wasn't what he wanted anymore.

The wise thing to do would be to break it off before things became worse and Anti ended up hurting Damien even more than he already did, but to Anti it just wasn't that simple. Damien was Mark's brother. His twin actually. And even though they were estranged, Mark wouldn't hesitate to toss Anti out on the street if Damien ever asked him to. His presence here was already unwanted. At least to him it seemed that way. No one but Nathan was brave enough to befriend him, and that was only because they shared a routine a few years back.

Nathan had about as many piercings and ink on his skin as Anti, and his love for exotic daggers put them on common ground. They've been fast friends ever since. But Damien was another story entirely. Anti fell hard and fast for the firebreather when he was first recruited half a decade ago. He was shy, afraid that his appearance would disgust someone as gorgeous as Damien, but the firebreather found him to be quite the catch. It was easy to be with Damien, and their relationship was as natural as breathing. This was of course before he ever knew about Marvin's existence. The magician didn't join the circus until late last year, and ever since he performed his first act on stage, Anti has been completely enamored by him.

By the time the stage area was cleared and cleaned, Anti was beyond exhausted and quite cranky. He reached into his back pocket, pulling out his pack of cigarettes to smoke the stress away. Damien didn't mind, saying that everyone had their own vices in life. He made his way towards the tent, exhaling a thick cloud of smoke through his nose as he pulled back the curtain and stepped inside.

The small tent was the only place that any of the couples were allowed to have privacy. It was made for anyone in a relationship to use. Many of them called it the "Room of Romance" while the more direct and crude called it the "Fuck Tent". It was usually laced in the scent of heavy perfume and flavored smokes, but tonight it was clear that Damien had spent a huge amount of time making it actually romantic.

There was an elegant table with a red tablecloth placed in the center. Among the bright white plates of delicious roasted chicken and brightly colored vegetables was a large bottle of red wine chilling in a container of ice. The two chairs were wiped clean of any sawdust, and to the right of their lovely meal was a thick mound of plump pillows and blankets.

Anti's heart twisted in his chest at the effort that Damien has made just for him. He needed to try to thank him for tonight, and get the image of bright blue eyes and silver hair out of his mind.

"Good evening, my love," Damien's voice echoed from the shadows. "Please take a seat and enjoy the show that I have created just for you."

Damien's voice could always do certain things to him, and Anti shivered as the rough baritone of it wrapped around his head like a silk cloth. His lover had gone to incredible lengths just to please him, and Anti had to try and do the same. Just for tonight.