Work Text:
Puffing on my cigarette, I scrambled with the keys of the cafe to close the main door. Today, once again, I mostly worked alone. The boss was doing his best to find a new worker, but has been so far incredibly unlucky. Ever since I knew where Carol was, it became painful to pass her locker back in the employee area. A part of me felt guilty for not helping her out, but most of the members of the circus were so far quite hostile, and it grew difficult to engage in any kind of conversation to potentially negotiate her release. Despite Pierrot assuring me she was unharmed, it didn't shake away the anxious feeling that had settled in my chest.
And maybe it was to get away from the constant attention of Pierrot, (who, I had to admit, was growing on me) that tonight I granted myself a moment of harmless fun. I hadn’t gone on a date in a while, and even if I used Harlequin as a way to relieve my bursts of lust, it lacked anything more than that, which I wasn't expecting coming from him. The few friends I had would not be available at this time on a weekday, and so the prospect of getting to know someone new seemed quite appealing.
After double checking the now locked door of the establishment, I rapidly stuffed the keys into my bag and set on the way to the city center. I drew on the fag once more, letting the smoke invade my lungs with its rotten fumes, trading some of my breath for a lightheaded feeling I couldn't help but falling back to.
Reaching the bar should take me around twenty minutes, which should be enough time to gather my thoughts after today’s work. For this evening, I had taken the time to wear some jewelry, and my eyes fell upon the silver rings adorning my fingers. A small smile pursed my lips. Was I excited to go on a date after all? I did need a change of pace after experiencing most of the circus, which always left me uneasy and weary. It was great to stop thinking about it for once.
A gush of wind whipped my face, messing the bangs I had desperately tried to maintain most of the day. I guess it was too late to fix it now. Using my phone as a mirror, I pushed some blond locks this way and that to appear more presentable. A small sigh escaped my lips. There was no point trying this hard when I believed I looked no better than a disheveled rat. I missed taking care of myself, which was back in college, but the worklife had thrown my routine into disarray and it came with a price.
Winter was crawling through my coat like a vicious snake, and I mentally thanked my cigarette for keeping my chest warm. My gaze flickered to the ground, where the asphalt under my feet was slightly wet, and I found myself observing the lamplights reflected on the dew. Perhaps the fatigue intertwined with the coppery scent of the smoke leaving my mouth stirred me away from the present, and for a few minutes, if I have to guess, I didn't realize someone I knew too well had started walking alongside me.
“You’re walking in a hurry,” he finally said, breaking the stillness he had purposefully set. Why did he stay silent this long? Was it another one of his jokes to annoy me?
“I don’t want to be late.”
“Is that so? So thoughtful. I wish you were more attentive to me,” he purred.
I glanced at him, only to find the same cocky smirk etched on his mask. Harlequin had traded his usual colorful attire with something more somber, a simple dark sweatshirt with matching jeans, and a squared scarf to cover part of his face. With a large hood covering his head, I could nonetheless see his gleaming green eyes filled with mischief.
“Oh my,” I said while puffing on my cigarette. “You want my attention? Are you already obsessed with me?”
He laughed. “Hah! I fear you’re closer to a house pet than someone I actually care for. Unless you wish to be more, my dear.”
“I think I’m okay.”
“Truly? It seemed you were quite fond of me a few days ago…” he trailed off, leaning closer to me. “When you begged me not to stop.”
I fought back the urge to laugh in his face. It infuriated me how he thought I could easily be bought with a decent skill in bed.
“Perhaps that’s why I have a date tonight, " I replied, settling my eyes on the row of bars appearing feets away. “A pretty one, too.”
I felt his face slightly flinch against my cheek, before another low snicker emerged from his lips.
“Pierrot will be mad.”
“I’ll make it up to him.”
“And not me?”
“I didn’t know you cared,” I scoffed.
The silence that followed proved my point, though I felt bad for being so harsh for no real reason.
“Why are you here anyway?” I quietly followed while exhaling the earthy smoke.
Harlequin had drifted back to his straight posture, burying his hands in his pockets.
“Some groceries. Jester asked me,” he said dryly.
A small smile formed on my lips. He was annoyed.
“Groceries?”
“For food stands. We’re missing some stuff.”
“Why not send the fools?”
He grumbled. “Jester was nagging me, and Pierrot is insufferable to spend time with.”
“How?”
“He only talks about you! It’s unbearable to listen to, there's barely any normal conversations we can have anymore, if we ever had any,” he chided.
Something in my chest dropped. Even against my will, it seemed that I had shattered a dynamic that used to be more than just friendly teasing, and there would be, I think, no good ending for that.
“Sorry.”
We both fell silent. My mood for the date had soured in a way I didn’t expect, perhaps because against my better judgment, I was reluctantly caring for this idiot past the physical attraction. My cigarette was nearing the end of its little life, and I sadly let out one last fumy sigh before throwing it to the ground and squishing the remnants
A small ‘meow’ echoed from a low row of bushes at my feet. I instantly stopped in my tracks, watching a cat black cat shyly peeking out.
“Oh, little kitty!"
That seemed enough for the animal to trot over, and I knelt down to give it my hand to smell.
“Nice to meet you cutie,” I cooed without realizing. “Can I pet you?”
A purr and a headbutt for answer, and I gently passed my fingers on its fur.
“Come Harley, pet it!”
He knelt beside me without a word, curiously watching the cat’s appreciation to my rubs; but no effort was made to touch the feline. I didn't want to burden him to do something he wasn't comfortable doing, and so I stayed silent, enjoying my time with the little purring void.
A warm hand softly stroked my head. It was kind, smooth, and my heart quivered with a feeling I had desperately tried to push away. I said nothing, mostly because I didn't want it to end, but also because it was rare to receive something this tender from Harlequin; and while it lasted, I wanted to enjoy every second of it. But before I could lean into his touch, he suddenly stood up.
“Have a great date,” he mumbled.
Without another word, he turned his steps and disappeared at the corner of the street. The cold engulfed me once more. I felt lonely. I already missed him.
“It’s not fair is it?” I asked the cat as I scratched its chin. A small meow replied. My phone buzzed, and I pulled it out only to see a message of the date saying he had already arrived. I sighed.
I didn't really want to go anymore.