My first fic about tfc so.... Enjoy it!
— “Enough! Stop it, both of you! Shut up, all of you!”
— “As if we need you to make a mess here.”
— “You need to be quieter, otherwise—”
You reluctantly opened your eyes. Voices nearby had woken you up. Sitting up on the bed, you squinted. It was dark and you couldn’t see anything. Feeling around for your phone, you lit up your room with its glowing screen. What did you expect to see? Five huge figures were standing in your room. Each of them had glowing eyes, and all of them were focused on you. You turned off the phone and lay back down.
“Nothing unusual… Just five monsters in my room…”
You opened your eyes again.
“FIVE MONSTERS IN MY ROOM?!”
You burst out from under the blanket and turned on the lamp on your nightstand. You lifted it to fully see what was in your room. From the sudden light you squinted, but still rubbed your eyes and looked around again.
“…P-Pierrot…?” — you said, seeing Pierrot first, standing close to your bed. He was only a few dozen centimeters away from you.
“Dear! I can explain everything!” — he said with a guilty look.
In his gaze there was guilt, confusion and… fear. You looked at who was standing behind him. Oh no. The rest of the circus performers. Behind Pierrot stood Harlequin. The smile on his face hadn’t changed at all, but a spark of anxiety flashed in his eyes when you looked at him. A bit farther away, Jester was staring at you with an unreadable look. Next to him, like his right hand, stood the Ticket Taker, whispering something to him. And when you looked at your balcony window, you almost fell. A tall dark-red figure with cyan eyes, clearly intending to drill a hole in your soul, stood right at the exit. The Doctor coughed slightly.
You had thought before, “What if my idols or aliens visited my apartment someday?” But the whole circus coming to you together… That’s total chaos. Shifting your gaze back to Pierrot, you asked:
“For the love of everything holy, what are you doing here?” — you looked at them with complete confusion in your eyes.
No one answered. This silence felt suspicious.
“All my savings are in my bag, the card is in the cabinet. I’m not writing a will for my apartment,” — you said clearly. You were sure this was a robbery, considering the price of their tickets, and the fact that one especially “special” (probably even more expensive) ticket you had gotten for free.
It wasn’t surprising that Harlequin immediately looked around, trying to find the cabinet. But then he stopped and smirked.
“Alright, tell me why you, a bunch of creepy jesters with even creepier masks, came to me,” — you said. Ticket Taker snorted disapprovingly at your words. But you didn’t care. This was YOUR home, and you could say whatever you wanted.
Silence again. Only after exchanging glances did Jester speak.
“We decided to visit our dear guest,” — he said, tilting his head to the side, making the bells on his hat jingle.
He smiled wider. No, not the smile he usually used. A different one, with notes of confusion.
“Visit?” — you turned your head to the digital clock on the table.
“And you couldn’t wait until tomorrow?” — your voice sounded exhausted. You sighed, brought your hand to your eyes and started massaging them.
“Oh come on! Does time really set boundaries between acquaintances?” — Jester’s sweet voice rang out. He placed a hand over his heart. “Besides, you’ve already been our guest, so now it’s our turn.”
A guest? For some reason you didn’t remember being warmly welcomed into the jesters’ house and being offered sweets and tea.
“A guest? When did I visit your home?” — you frowned.
“The circus. He meant the circus, milady…” — Pierrot’s voice made you flinch. You hadn’t noticed how he got so close, almost looming over you.
You covered your face with your hands, pulling the skin down. Letting out a deep sigh, you ran a hand through your hair. After blinking for a few seconds, you looked at the clock again, then at the circus troupe. Dear God, help me.
Ask them to leave? That option would have suited you perfectly, if you didn’t know who they were. From the moment you visited the circus, you realized they weren’t human. Kicking them out was like signing yourself up for their list of victims and targets for humiliation.
“Alright, go to the living room… I’ll make some tea…” — you said, heading to the wardrobe and taking out your robe.
“Coffee would be better, beautiful~” — Harlequin said mockingly as he left the room and headed to the living room. No shame, no conscience.
“Alright…” — you answered reluctantly and followed him. Pierrot followed you. Apparently, he didn’t want to leave you alone with the green clown.
“We’ll join you soon, my dear,” — Jester’s voice came from behind.
You had already left the room.
“‘Visit’? Couldn’t think of anything better?” — the Doctor said with a smirk as he exited the room. How did he fit through there? Who knows.
Only Jester and the Ticket Taker remained. Jester’s smile vanished from his mask the moment you left. He turned to the Ticket Taker with furious eyes.
“Why did you follow me?” — he placed a hand on his chest, then pointed toward the balcony door. “I was following Pierrot, finding out where he ran off to last night. And what about you?”
“I followed you because I thought you might need help!” — Ticket Taker spread his arms and glanced predatorily at the balcony door. “I didn’t bring Harlequin or the Doctor with me. They followed me on their own… Though I think Harlequin knew about this place.”
“Nevertheless, now we are guests in this…” — he stopped, closing his eyes as he recalled you. “MC… if I’m pronouncing that correctly. Tch.”
He clicked his tongue. He had seen the girl at the circus. Curious, always sticking her nose where it didn’t belong. A mouse, in one word. From the Doctor’s and Ticket Taker’s reactions, it was clear she wouldn’t stop at just one secret. Five times she tried to enter the black tent and was always hovering near it, even though she was told her ticket didn’t allow her inside… A red ticket. He was surprised — he had never seen such a ticket before. And also… A shadow with golden eyes always flickered near her. Jester thought Pierrot had found himself a toy for entertainment. He’d play, get bored, throw it away. But no. He got attached. And for two nights he disappeared somewhere. Jester wasn’t sure if it was because of the mouse, but after following Pierrot, he was fully convinced of his theories.
He saw Pierrot following the girl everywhere, but only when she wasn’t looking. How he skillfully slipped into her home through the balcony. When Jester himself got inside, he saw Pierrot kneeling and stroking his beloved’s hair while she slept soundly.
Pierrot turned his head in fear and almost whispered:
“Jester? W-What… what are you doing here?” — Pierrot stood up and blocked the view of the girl.
“That’s what I should be asking you, Pierrot. What are you doing in this human’s house?” — one of Jester’s eyes twitched.
“Jester… I, I…” — Pierrot’s eyes darted across the purple one’s face, searching for mercy.
“Oh, now I see… Is there something more valuable than family and loved ones?” — his eyes flared purple. “What made you think that ‘she,’ completely uninterested in you, could be better than US, who are trying to survive together in this harsh world? What did she do for you? Helped you? And that’s all?” — his face slowly shifted from harsh to disappointed.
Pierrot shrank his shoulders, biting his lip.
“Pierrot… I can’t believe that after everything we went through…” — he placed a hand on his heart, bending fingers one by one. “After everything that happened… you threw us away like we meant nothing…” — he lowered his hand and sighed sadly.
“Jester! No! I didn’t betray you. It’s just that she…” — Pierrot looked at the girl and whispered, “…she reminds me of HER.”
Jester’s pupils narrowed. He tried not to remember, and not to remind anyone, about their angel. About Columbine. Pressing his lips together, he looked at the girl, trying to find what made her similar. A spark of worry flashed, but quickly dissolved into the purple of his eyes.
“Pff! Nonsense… Pierrot, you know no one will ever be like her.” — those words made Pierrot clench his fists. “Pierrot…”
Calling him, Jester extended his hand. Pierrot bared his teeth, but Jester only grew more serious.
“FORGET ABOUT H—” — but noise interrupted Jester.
Both jesters turned toward the sound. Near the doorway on the floor lay the Ticket Taker. He stood up and adjusted his hat.
“Why would anyone leave junk on the balcony? I tripped over an empty pot…” — the Ticket Taker hissed, closing the balcony door behind him.
“Bill… Explain your presence here,” — Jester placed his hand on the table, leaning on it.
“You went somewhere, and I thought I might help. I thought you knew I was here,” — he said clearly.
Because of following Pierrot and tangled thoughts, Jester hadn’t even noticed him tagging along. He raised his hands to his head and massaged his temples.
“…Alright… That leaves only—” — but he was interrupted again.
The balcony door opened. A dark green silhouette stepped inside. But after taking a step, he realized he wasn’t alone. Under the furious gaze of the purple and red jesters, he whistled.
“…Alright, I’ll come back another time,” — Harlequin said, but he wasn’t allowed to leave.
A clawed hand in a black glove grabbed the green one by the hair. With the other hand, Pierrot pulled out a dagger and pressed it to Harlequin’s throat. Harlequin, in turn, released several tentacles and wrapped them around Pierrot’s neck.
“Pierrot, Harlequin, don’t forget…” — and an exhausted sigh escaped the purple performer as he was interrupted for the third time.
“A fight is about to start…” — a rough male voice came from the balcony. The Doctor leaned against the doorway and nodded toward the fighting ones at Jester. Despite the mask, it was clear he was grinning mockingly.
A ringing migraine spread across Jester’s temples. It often visited his head, having built an entire empire over his nerve cells. May the Devil grant him patience and strength…
Meanwhile, Pierrot slammed Harlequin to the ground with a crash. He almost cut him to pieces, but Harlequin’s tentacles prevented it.
“Don’t you think this human might wake up? Jester?” — Ticket Taker called out.
“How dare you enter my MC’s house…” — Pierrot growled quietly, struggling against the choking grip.
“I do what I want! You can’t do anything to me!” — Harlequin snapped back.
“Hey, Bill! Let’s place bets on who wins,” — the Doctor said mockingly.
“I don’t think the situation is appropriate for that,” — Ticket Taker stepped closer to the Doctor.
“Enough! Everyone, be quiet… ENOUGH!!!” — Jester suddenly shouted. Everyone turned to him.
“Today’s show workload, following Pierrot, and useless thoughts pushed me over the edge!” — the words came fast and loud. Of course, nerves aren’t made of metal. “Not only am I sick to death of your squabbles in the circus, you also manage to get on my nerves outside of it!”
“Jester…” — Pierrot said quietly, still pinning Harlequin.
“Enough! Stop it, both of you! Shut up, all of you!” — Jester yelled at the top of his lungs. “As if we need you to make a mess here. You need to be quieter, otherwise—” — he didn’t finish as a beam of light illuminated them, albeit faintly.
He and the others looked toward the source of light. You had woken up. After blinking for a few minutes, you turned off your phone and flopped back onto the pillow. And a few seconds later, you jumped up and turned on the lamp. Somewhere I’ve heard this before…
“Visit you.” That was the first thing that came to Jester’s mind in such a situation. What else was he supposed to say? That they hadn’t scared you enough that night and wanted a rematch? That would’ve been better than sitting in a filthy human den. Jester pressed a hand to his face, tapping his mask.
“Doctor, please put my medications back,” — you said desperately when you saw the Doctor rummaging through your first aid kit.
As soon as you went to make coffee, he noticed the cabinet stuffed with medicines, injections, and pills. You had long wanted to finally sort through it and throw out the expired ones. But there was no need anymore. He had sorted everything, even alphabetically. Unknown pills and tablets he even tasted.
You placed a tray with large mugs of drinks on the table. Also a plate of baklava.
On the couch by the table sat Jester, with Harlequin shamelessly sprawled beside him. Ticket Taker was examining your photos on the wall, but after you arrived, he sat in one of the armchairs. The Doctor, after his “inspection,” sat in another armchair next to the couch. The mattress creaked pitifully under his weight, as if about to be crushed flat.
“Two espressos, a cold glacé, one mochaccino, and a hot cappuccino. Right?” — you said tiredly, looking at Jester. Without taking his eyes off the drinks, he nodded.
“Thank you, milady!” — Pierrot said with a radiant smile, carrying another tray with fruits and nuts.
Asian upbringing forced you to treat guests like royalty. By tradition, the table had to look festive, which made you imagine that these monsters were celebrating your death.
You waved away unnecessary thoughts and headed to your room.
“M-milady! Where are you going?” — Pierrot immediately stopped you, grabbing your hand.
“I’m going to get ready for work.”
“After your visit, I won’t fall asleep anyway. Might as well come to my boss earlier.”
Pierrot hesitated but let go of your hand, allowing you to leave. He looked confused, then sat down on the couch next to Jester. Harlequin was the first to take his drink, then the others followed. Only Jester, holding his coffee, was processing what had happened. His face looked like he had witnessed all the sufferings of humanity, and his eyes clearly said “FUCK.”
Only when Pierrot called Jester for the third time did he respond.
“Jester, are you okay?” — Pierrot asked uncertainly. He couldn’t let go of their earlier conversation.
“Yes. Everything is perfectly fine,” — he said and took a sip of coffee.
The knock on the door made everyone flinch slightly. Pierrot wanted to check who it was, but Jester stood up first. Approaching, he looked through the peephole. A young woman with dark circles under her eyes, in a robe and with messy hair, stood outside. She looked very sleepy. Jester opened the door.
“MC… Why are you making noise? Look at the time! What is this, a circus in your apartment?…” — but instead of her neighbor, the woman saw a tall purple jester.
“Just a circus troupe,” — Jester said, a sinister smile spreading across his face.
The girl staggered slightly, almost falling.
“A-a clown…?” — she stepped back.
Jester took another step toward her.
“Oh dear, I’m not a clown… I’m Jester,” — his eyes flared with purple flames. He grabbed the woman’s face and looked straight into her eyes. “You’d better not remember this moment…”
Thud! Something hit Jester’s head. Not very heavy, but painful. He released the woman and turned around. It was you, holding a slipper.
“What?” — he didn’t finish before another piece of home footwear flew at him. He managed to turn away.
“Get your hands off her!” — you shouted and threw a boot.
This time it hit right in the jester’s forehead, making him fall to the ground. Jester hissed but didn’t do anything toward you. Looking at your neighbor, you noticed her face had gone blank, and purple sparks reflected in her eyes. Bastard. He hypnotized her. You grabbed another shoe — a high heel — hoping to knock the purple bastard out. But as soon as you raised your hand, it was grabbed. Pierrot rushed up behind you, took the heel away and restrained your arms.
“Pierrot…” — the purple one sighed, rubbing his mask’s forehead.
Harlequin giggled, watching their leader’s humiliated face while finishing his glacé. Ticket Taker immediately stepped up and helped Jester to his feet.
“Pierrot, look what he did! Make him remove his hypnosis from my neighbor!” — you protested, glaring at the red one.
“Milady! He didn’t do anything bad! He just hypnotized her so she wouldn’t remember us being here…” — Pierrot knew this trick well and was sure it was the safest option. “This is Jester! He would never hurt anyone, he wouldn’t even think of it! He’s kind and gentle…”
You narrowed your eyes. Looked at Jester being helped up, then back at Pierrot.
“…Him? ‘Kind and gentle’?” — in response, you only got a firm nod.
“Alright. We’re leaving,” — Jester said, sliding his gaze over everyone.
Pierrot reluctantly released your hands. As soon as they all left, you went to work.
“You’re very early today,” — the boss said, entering the café. You had already cleaned and prepared everything.
“I just couldn’t sleep well… so I came earlier,” — you said tiredly.
“Hahaha, what, did you have a circus in your apartment?” — the boss laughed, looking at your face.
You stared at him gloomily.
