Itty Bitty Big Tops Chapter 1
Things really change around the circus and it starts when Gangle won't come out of her room.
โ ๏ธTW: Bullying, implied transphpbia, and all together angst and trauma.
๐ฉตSFW inteeaction only๐ช This is an Age regression fanfic
Gangle hasn't come out of her room.
It's really not like Gangle to hide and ignore everyone, especially when people are knocking on her door, specifying how worried they are.
Jax's key wasn't working, no one was answering when they knocked, and Gangle has been nowhere to be seenโฆand it's been that way since they returned from the adventure yesterday.
โI sure hope Gangle's alright.โ Ragatha says. โIt's just not like her to shut everyone out like this.โ
โYou don't think she abstracted, do you?โ Kinger asks. โThe abstracted ones can sometimes be very quiet.โ
โLet's not lose hope!โ Pomni says. โThere has to be a way to get Gangle to leave her room.โ
โAny ideas?โ Ragatha asks.
โMaybeโฆZooble can talk to her?โ Pomni suggests. โThey seem to get along with her the best.โ
Ragatha rubs her arm- she's honestly always been a little jealous of their relationship. She knows she shouldn't be and that she doesn't deserve friends like them anyway butโฆshe still wanted someone to care that muchโฆor for someone to let her care about them that much.
โThat's a great idea, Pomni.โ She says, forcing her everyday smile. โLet's go find them.โ
The gang all agreed- (The gang being just Pomni, Kinger, and Ragatha. Jax lost interest in Gangle's absence quickly and wandered off.) So they headed to Zoobles room to hopefully convince them to get Gangle.
โUh- Zooble?โ Pomni calls, knocking on their door.
A sigh is heard from the other side of the door. โIf this is about an adventure- I'm not interested!โ Zooble says.
โIt's not about an adventure, it's about Gangle.โ Ragatha says.
The door opens. โWhat about Gangle?โ Zooble asks, sounding just as annoyed as before- but at least they opened the door.
โWe're worried about her.โ Pomni says. โShe hasn't been out of her room all day. We've all tried talking to her but she just-โ
โMaybe she just wants to be left alone?โ Zooble interrupts. โI know the feeling.โ They mumble.
โWe just want to make sure she's okay.โ Pomni says.
โIt's not like Gangle to hide away- that's more your thing, Zooble.โ Kinger says.
โWe don't want to pressure her or anything! If she really wants to be alone, we'll respect that..โ Ragatha explains.
โWe just want to make sure nothingโฆbad happened.โ Pomni explains.
Zooble sighs. โFine, I'll check on her. But if she doesn't let me in, I'm not going to pester her, and I need you guys to leave her alone. Got it?โ They ask.
โCan do.โ Pomni says, somewhat smiling.
โCain has some kind of adventure planned for today- So, we'll just leave you two alone for a bit.โ Ragatha says.
โGood luck, soldier!โ Kinger salutes Zooble before walking away with the others.
Zooble watched as they all walked to the main room of the circus- they're thankful the others gave them and Gangle some space but alsoโฆthey're a bit nervous.
They waited a few minutes until they were sure the others were gone, then they slowly walked to Gangle's room, arms across their chest.
They walk to Gangle's door, and they look up at Gnagle's picture on the doorโฆZooble lifts their hand to knock- but their hand starts shaking like never before.
What if Gangle had abstracted?
What if she really was gone?
Zooble took in a deep breath and slowly let it out. They can deal with that. Whatever it is, they'll handle it.
They care so much for Gangle that they're ready for anything. If Gangle was in fact gone, they'll have to face that and be brave..for her sake.
But if she's not, that means it must be something bad - and Zooble doesn't want her to go through it alone.
That thought gave them enough courage to knock on the door, but there's no answer, so Zooble talks: โHey, Gangle? I don't want to bother youโฆI just want to make sure you're doing okay. Everyone's kinda worried. If you want us to leave you alone, that's fine, I get it - just let me know you're okay, and I'll go.โ They say, hands on their arms anxiously.
There's no answer at first. โGangle?โ They ask, eyes widening, voice shaking.
โI-is it just you out there?โ Gangle suddenly asks, sounding sad. Sadder than normal.
Zooble is overcome with relief that Gangle wasn't gone- but outside it barely showed. โYeah.โ
โYouโฆcan come inโฆif you want, Zooble.โ Gangle says.
Zooble opens the door and walks in to see Gangle on her bed, arms wrapped around a teddy bear, holding it tightly.
Gangle sniffles and wipes away a tear. โHi.โ
โAre you okay? It's not like you to shut everyone out like this.โ Zooble says.
Gangle looked away for a moment. โI know- I didn't mean to worry anybody- I just-โ Gangle wiped away another tear and whimpered.
โWhat is it?โ Zooble asks.
Gangle releases a deep breath. โI can't really explain it- Not right anyway- if I explain it wrong- you'll think I'm weird and you won't want to hang out with me anymore.โ Gangle says, her breathing becoming more rapid.
โHey- slow down.โ Zooble says, moving closer to Gangle to comfort her. โTake a deep breath in and hold it.โ
โNow let it go.โ Zooble says.
โKeep it up, take slow breaths.โ They tell her. โNo one hates you, this is a safe placeโฆyou're not being interrogated or judged, I'm only here to make sure you're okay.โ Zooble says.
Gangle nods, seeming to feel a bit better. โOkay.โ
โYou can tell me anything you want, but there's no pressure.โ Zooble says. โWhatever you say won't be judged, and it won't ruin our friendship. I promise.โ
Gangle nods. โI- I have a secret- and I think maybe Jax knows about it.โ She says. โAnd- I'm worried he might say something- or use it against me! He does that a lot!โ She cries a bit more intensely.
Zooble nods. โOkayโฆif he does- what do you think is the worst possible outcome?โ They ask.
โIf anyone finds out- they'll think I'm- I'm-โ Gangle wipes away the tears, but they keep coming. โI'm weird or- something worse than that! Who knows what Jax thinks!โ
โWell, who cares what Jax thinks?โ Zooble asks.
โI do!โ Gangle says. โWhat he says could affect the others and what they think- and everyone will hate me.โ
โGangleโฆwhatever it is I know no one else here will hate you.โ Zooble says.
โYou don't know that. You don't even know what it is.โ Gangle says.
โI won't rush to any conclusions. I promise.โ Zooble says. โThere's very little you can say that would ever make me hate you. No matter what, I'm on your side.โ
โReally?โ Gangle asks.
โOf course.โ Zooble says. โYou're my best friend. There's no one I care about more than you.โ
Gangle smiles at Zooble. โYou're- your my best friend too.โ
It's not always easy to tell when Zooble was smilingโฆbut they were. โLook- you don't have to tell me anything. If you're not comfortable talking about it, just don't say it. I don't want you to share anything unless you're comfortable.โ They say. โBut, if it would help to talk to someone, you can always come to me. I may not seem very open to talk to people but- we gotta survive this s#*!show somehow and there's no one else in the world I'd rather talk to than you.โ
Gangle nods. She takes her time and breaths, debating if she wants to tell Zoobleโฆ
On one hand, it's scary and she doesn't want Zooble to think something's wrong with herโฆ
But on the other- it's Zooble. They said they won't judge her- so she trusts that. And it would be great to talk toโฆsomeone.
โI'm an ageโฆregressor.โ Gangle spits out, as if only testing the waters, her eyes closed tightly- ready for the ridicule that won't come.
Zooble's eyes widen a little, seeming a bit surprised but not judgmental in the slightest. โCould you maybe expand on that a bit?โ They ask, tilting their head.
Gangle sighs. โBasically, I act like I'm a kid again sometimes. I play with toys and color, my mind gets in a certain mindset that makes me feel like I really am a kid again, and sometimes it's on purpose and sometimes it's not. The main reason I do it is for inner child healing. I want to have the childhood I never got to haveโฆbefore.โ Gangle explains.
Zooble continues to look at Gangle, listening and nodding, trying really hard to understand.
โIf the others find outโฆthey might not accept it- think I'm some kind of freak or- I don't know!โ Gangle hides her face in her ribbon hands- quite overwhelmed. โI don't know what to do!โ
Zooble rests a hand on Gangle's shoulder. โIt's going to be okay.โ
โYou-โ Gangle sniffles. โYou don't hate me?โ
Zooble frowns. โOf course not. I know what it's like to worry that no one will accept youโฆโ They say.
โReally?โ Gangle asks. โBut- you're Zooble! You don't care what anyone thinks!โ
โYeah, but I haven't always been- I mean, I don't know if I-โ They look down at their armsโฆtheir bodyโฆ โI never really fit into my own bodyโฆeven before the circus, I didn't know how to feel or who I could trust.โ Zooble starts to say.
Gangle looks up at them. Zooble hasn't ever opened up to her like this- she's not even sure they have opened up to anyoneโฆever.
โThe place I grew up- it was pretty conservative.โ Zooble says. โI didn't really talk to anyone- worried everyone would turn on me. And they did. I never thought I'd be accepted by anyone.โ
Gangle rests her ribbon hand on Zoobles. โI accept you, Zooble.โ She says. โI love who you are.โ
Zooble's eyes widened, then narrowed affectionately. โThanks.โ They say. โI love who you are too. I- I don't want you to feel like you can't talk to anyone, I never want you to feel alone or like a freak. You're just being yourself and working to heal and protect the parts of you that needed it- and I love that for you.โ They say.
Gangle looks at Zooble and smiles. โReally?โ
โYeah, I think it's very brave, and if anyone gives you a hard time for that, I'll f**k them up for ya.โ They say. โI got your back.โ
Gangle leans closer to Zooble and rests their masked face against them. โThanks, Zooble.โ
Zooble wraps an arm around their ribboned friend. โAnytime.โ
Gangle feels very safe- she's not sure how long it's been since she's felt that way.
โWould you like to tell me more about it?โ Zooble asks. โI'd love to hear it.โ
Gangle smiles. โOkay-โ She lets go of Zooble and grabs her regression notebook and flips through it, there's lots of stickers and coloring and notes inside. โWell, I regress anywhere between one and four and sometimes thirteen through fifteen. I also have a cat headspace too, which I know sounds kind of confusing but it's comforting for me to act like a cat sometimes.โ She says. โLittle me loves drawing- of course, cartoons, and snuggling.โ She says, grabbing her teddy she had dropped at some point during their conversation.
โHow about teen you?โ Zooble asks.
โDrawing and video games mostly.โ Gangle says, feeling simultaneously shy and excited to finally talk to someone about it.
โSounds relaxing.โ Zooble says.
โIt is! And it's a lot of fun- though I do get lonely sometimes.โ Gangle says.
โWould it be better if someone was there with you?โ Zooble asks. โTo keep you company?โ
โAre youโฆoffering?โ Gangle asks.
โMaybe.โ Zooble rubs their arm. โI don't know if I'll be any good- I haven't spent a lot of time with kids.โ
โYou're good with me, you don't have to act any differently.โ Gangle says.
โAlright.โ Zooble says. โI could give it a try.โ
Gangle smiles but then it fades. โWhat about Jax? He saw me while I was in my little headspace yesterday- He might be mad at me from before! And tell everyone that something is wrong with me!โ She panics.
โWell- if he tells anyone anything, we'll just tell them all the truth.โ Zooble says. โOr tell them he's got it wrong and you're not comfortable talking about it.โ
Gangle thinks about it. โDo you think they'll be okay with that?โ
โThey'll have to be. You don't have anything to prove to them. You owe them nothing. If they believe Jax over you- they're not worth your time anyway.โ Zooble says. โAlso- I doubt they would take his word over yours, most everyone here cares deeply about you- they all cornered my door this morning begging me to talk to you because they wanted to make sure you were okay.โ
โYeah.โ Zooble says. โYou are very loved here, Gangle. By everyone.โ
Gangle smiles. โActually, just knowing you're on my teamโฆit makes me feel like I can handle anything.โ Gangle says. โMaybe telling them the truth wouldn't be so bad- and if I'm honest about it, Jax has nothing to say about me.โ
Zooble climbs up on Gangle's bed. โAtta girl. I'm really glad that you feel safe with me. I feel safe around you too.โ
โMaybe I should tell the others I'm okay.โ Gangle says. โThey seemed really worried.โ
โWell, everyone else is on an adventure, so we can just hang out here if you'd like.โ Zooble says.
Gangle smiles, โI'd like that.โ
โWhat do you want to do?โ Zooble asks.
โOh! Can we watch Kpop demon hunters?โ Gangle asks.
โAnd maybe I can regressor or age dream for a little while?โ Gangle asks.
โThanks, Zooble.โ Gangle smiles, wrapping her arms around them.
Zooble hugs them back and holds them for as long as she needs them too.
Zooble and Gangle were both asleep when the rest of the big tops returned from their adventure.
โJax!โ Ragatha shouts from a distance, startling Gangle awake which then wakes Zooble.
The credits of Kpop demon hunters was playing, Zooble and Gangle holding each other close.
โOh, come on! You're no fun!โ Jax laughed.
โIn what way is that fun?โ She asks.
Zooble stretches and then turns the tv off. โWell, they're back. Are you sure you want to do this?โ They ask.
Gangle nods and grabs her comedy mask. โI'm ready.โ
Zooble takes Gangles hand. โThen I'm with you the whole way.โ
Gangle and Zooble walk out her room and approach the others.
Caine has already left and the gang were all talking about the adventure they were on- something candy related, not surprising. Not noticing Gangle at first until Kinger says: โOh, Gangle! You're alive.โ Kinger says.
They all look over and Gangle with a mixture of relief and pure joy.
โWe're so glad you're okay!โ Ragatha says. โWe were so worried about you!โ
โAre youโฆdoing okay?โ Pomni asks.
โI'm sorry I worried you all.โ Gangle says. โI just needed a little space.โ She grips her mask and holds it close to her as she looks to the floor.
โThat's okay, maybe next time you could leave a note on the door or something?โ Pomni suggests. โJust so we know you haven'tโฆabstracted.โ Pomni rubs her arm. โWe'd all be devastated if something ever happened to you.โ
โSpeak for yourself.โ Jax says. โI knew Gangle was just fine!โ
โActually- before you all leave, there's something Gangle needs to say and it's not easy for her.โ Zooble explains.
โOh, whatever it is, Gangle- I'm sure we can figure it out.โ Ragatha says.
Pomni nods. โYeah, we're all here for you.โ
โJust speak from the heart.โ Kinger adds.
โIโฆโ Gangle takes a deep breath. She looks at Zooble who nods, reminding her that she's not alone and no matter what happens, Zooble is there for her. โI'm a regressor!โ
The gang looked a bit confused.
โLike an age regressor?โ Kinger asks.
โUh- yeah. You actually know what that is?โ Gangle asks.
โOf course I do.โ Kinger says. โWhat what is again?โ He asks, seeming to forget the conversation entirely.
โBasically sometimes Gangle acts like a little kid.โ Zooble explains. โIt helps heal her inner child, and she enjoys it. If anyone has a problem with that- you're welcome to shut the f*@# up.โ Zooble glares at Jax after saying that - expecting him to laugh.
โOh please- this is old news! We already knew you were a pathetic cry baby.โ Jax scoffs. โWhat people need to know is about the-โ
โJax!โ Ragatha interrupts.
Gangle puts on her comedy mask. โIt's okay! Because I don't care anymore. You can tell them anything, it doesn't change the fact that I have some really good friends who have always been supportive.โ Gangle says.
Jax crossed his arms and rolled his eyes as she talked. โWhatever, I'm going to my room.โ He says, walking away.
Ragatha ignores Jax and immediately turns to Gangle. โSo, tell us more about your age regression- if you want to. I'm sure we'd all love to hear about it.โ
Gangle smiles. โWell, sometimes I regress anywhere between one and four- and sometimes I regress to a teen.โ
โWow, that's a big jump.โ Ragatha says.
โIt is.โ Gangle agrees. โAnd sometimes I even like to be a cat.โ
โThat sounds adorable.โ Ragatha says. โI hope that was okay to say! I wouldn't want to offend you-โ
โNo, that's okay.โ Gangle says. โWhen I'm little- I would hope I'm adorable.โ
โYou regress into a cat?โ Pomni asks. โIs it like a past life of yours?โ
โI mean- maybe. Who knows?โ Gangle says. โI just find cats comforting.โ
โThat makes sense.โ Pomni says.
โWhat can we do to help make you and little you more comfortable?โ Kinger asks.
โI'm not sure.โ Gangle says. โBut I thinkโฆthis is a good start.โ She says.
Zooble looks at Gangle- and even if it was hard to tell sometimes- Gangle is sure they're smiling at her.
Tags: @rat-beastard43 @knoxenii
Possum: Hope you all liked this! Polls will be posted tomorrow on here for which character gets to be the center of the next chapter!
If you have any questions about this AU or headcannons in general about the circus- feel free to send some asks my way.