⊹ 『round and round like horse on a carousel
will I catch up to love I can never tell 』 ⊹
⊹ pairing: na jaemin x reader
⊹ genre: carnival jester!au, fluff, angst, fantasy ig (?)
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The day the jester came to town, you were sad. You were sad and alone and small- and maybe a carnival was the last place you expected yourself to be but hey...fuck emotions right?
Nevertheless, a distraught phone call to your best friend had you picked up off your ass, pushed into a pair of jeans and velvet top ready for the club— had you even arrived there. One swift turn of a corner had you walking through a ginormous swooping sign that shone bright and flashed in your eyes, causing you to wince and blink owlishly.
The large arch cast a shadow over the grassy ground, and as you stepped through, it was like you’d entered a new world entirely. Streamers and balloons and popcorn and children and music and candy floss and it was all so much that it was hard to keep the grin off your face.
The throngs of people bustling back and forth slowly began to lull you in a buttery induced trance, as you ambled through the crowds and stalls. Casting a glance around, something smaller caught your eye, and it caused you to chuckle at the simplicity in your gaze, but you followed the pull of curiosity anyway.
You trudged toward the tiny tent, tucked behind a large stall full of crystals and mayhem, and bent down to pull the flap open. Inside, it was dark; it was not complete pitch black as there was a gentle glow sourced from small candles littered across the counter tops.
Throwing a quick glance behind you to confirm nobody was watching or following, you ducked beneath the flap and slipped in. Maybe it was a bad idea, who knew what this tent was. Maybe it belonged to some creep. Maybe it belonged to a crystal ball lady obsessed with lost wandering human spirits.
The continuous warnings flashing in your head went ignored as you looked around the area. The ground was carpeted in a thick, soft rug that looked as if it was from the Middle East, the corners embellished with tassels and thick coils of gold rope. There were deep brown sofas and chairs, with gold legs that sparkled in the low light. Tucked into the sides of the tent were tall fancy coat racks, yet weirdly, there was not a coat to be seen, and instead top hat after top hat hung upon each branch.
You carefully stepped towards the nearest piece of furniture and ghosted your fingertips over the miscellaneous objects scattered on it. A pen (not just any pen- a fountain pen), a compass, a chain necklace, a notepad, a weird stack of pentagonal pots containing something you didn’t want to touch. The counters were small mahogany desktops, built and structured like they were made in the 1800’s- yet they looked as new as the day they were made. Each desk had a row of drawers, a gold curved handle screwed into each. The gold looked enticing- like there was something exciting hidden within the depths of the storage spaces.
You paused, slid your hand around a handle, and braced yourself to tug it open. You tugged. It didn’t open. You tugged again, and still the damn thing didn’t budge. Releasing your grip on the metal, you reached for a different draw and wrapped your fingers around the cold handle ready to pull it open and—
There was a sudden inhale by your ear.
“Careful darling, wouldn’t want you to hurt yourself now would we?”
You whirled around, lungs constricting as you gasped in shock. Your ripped your hand away from the drawer as if your skin had been burnt- tucking it behind your back as if that would hide what you’d been doing, and focused on the presumed owner of the tent.
And oh did you focus on him. He was- as they say- tall dark and handsome, yet in the most refreshing of ways. A sharp jawline and strong nose, a pair of rosy pink lips and high, smooth cheekbones. The solitary figure wore a jacket of black, the collar was striped red and blue and green and yellow and extended down to the hem of the unbuttoned blazer.
Underneath he wore a plain white t-shirt, the neckline dipped deep enough to show the beginnings of his chest, causing you to gulp slowly. Hanging around his neck were a multitude of chains and necklaces-a large and brassy link of triangles rested against his prominent collarbones, the rest were small and dainty and sat in the grooves of his smooth body.
His aura had you entranced- and speechless- as you stood there dumbfounded.
Or rather, was it the fact that his eyes, these...orbs of liquid gold, had trapped you in their stare. His eyes held you in your place, and suddenly you felt warm...dizzy...foggy. Did you feel like that before?
“Darling, I don’t remember inviting anyone to my tent tonight,” he drawled, his voice deep and thick like honey on a warm night.
A responce grew in your throat, and you opened your mouth to speak- accidentally allowing another gasp of breath you didn’t know you’d been holding. The mystery man smirked, and you cleared your throat.
He was standing very close. “I- I’m sorry no I just, I just found the tent and wanted to look,” you stumbled, he was standing very close indeed and his heady scent had your head swimming and knees buckling, “I shouldn’t be here I promise I didn’t steal anything.”
I should go. Your eyes met his again.
No...not yet. I’ll stay a while longer.
The males amusement materialised in a chuckle, a deep throaty laugh that immediately mesmerised you.
“I’m not too worried about that, sweetheart.” He rolled his eyes playfully and stepped back, extending a hand toward you. You slipped your palms into his awaiting fingers and felt the strong digits grip you tight. He bent down and brushed a kiss over your knuckles, all the while staring up at you through his eyelashes.
“I’m more worried that a women thought entering a tent alone at night would be a good idea,” he mused, “But then I suppose the universe is a mystery, no?”
Then he sent a wink and a grin your way. “My name is Jaemin.”
Jaemin. A name fit for a man with his face. You thought to remove your hand from his grip, but it felt so good just feeling his skin against yours, so you left it.
“Y/n,” you breathed, “I’m Y/n.”
A thought flashed through your mind, “S-should I be telling you that?”
Jaemin let out a breathy laugh and dipped his head once more, before straightening and taking a single step forward. A single step that had you pushed into the counter again- the hard wood digging into your back.
He slowly drew in closer to your face, and tilted his head to the side. Jaemin allowed his lips to skim over the expanse of your cheek- revelling in the way your body shook beneath his touch. His mouth neared the lobe of your ear and he smiled again- the movement of his cheeks brushing against your face.
With his whisper, your eyes slide shut. And when you opened them again, he was gone.
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The encounter left you shaken, if not completely, and undeniably turned on. Thoughts rushed through your mind, 3 minute old memories already bringing the blush back o your cheeks as you stroked a thumb over the knuckles Jaemin had kissed.
Jaemin. That boy was...what was he? You don’t even know. He was everything at once. He was scary and safe, lethal and alluring. His bid to see you soon plucked at your brain, see you where? Where would you find him?
Trapped in your thoughts your tripped over a jutting piece of wood and cursed, glaring at the hand painted sign with disdain- until you read the words printed upon it.
‘Come see the circus! With our amazing acts and scary freaks- you’ll be glad you came!’
And more importantly; ‘...And our jewel of the night, our Crow: The Mesmerising Jaemin!’
You probably should’ve guessed he was an act. Immediately you moved, probably a bit too fast and bit too shakily, but a call to face this man again overtook every sane thought in your mind.
Suddenly you weren’t the only one headed towards the big top tent, as you merged in with a streaming line of excited families. The line moved rapidly, and sooner than later you were standing in front of the ticket booth asking for a single ticket.
The ticket however, you did not receive. You watched the handsome seller, confused, but he only chuckled softly, the colourful threads weaved into his chocolate hair glinting in the low light, matched the swirling in his eyes.
“You can you go straight in gorgeous,” he giggled, “Jaemin’s been waiting for you.”
A thrill, down your spine, danced in your stomach. You smiled and nodded shakily, and took an even shakier breath before turning and walking into the second tent of the day.
This one was larger however- ginormous. But you supposed that made sense, as it seemed like the entire fair was suddenly squished between the walls of the red cloth. It was hard to find a seat that wasn’t right next to a screeching child or a sappy couple and you squished enough popcorn beneath your heels that could fill a box with the remains.
Finally, and it seemed just in time, you found a seat, just the end of a long, curved bench, and sat down- just as the lights began to dim and the crowd hushed in anticipation.
Silence. Pitch black. A spotlight switched on and the beam of light hit the ground, creating a white circle in which there was a man standing.
Similar to Jaemin he was wearing a blazer- but this one was red and had coat tails- and a deep necked flimsy white shirt. Perched on his dark locks was a slanted top hat, the rim hanging over his eyes and obscuring his face from view.
“Ladies!” He boomed, “Gentlemen! And the gems who claim both or neither...Welcome!”
With a flourish, he bowed deep and gripped his hat, pulling it off his head in a smooth arc and holding it out in front of him.
And his face was exposed, and it was just as handsome as the cheeky ticket seller who’d given you a free pass. His hair was a light brown and slicked up off his forehead, framing his strong face and enigmatic eyes— all of them had glorious eyes.
The light flashed against what looked like a cross etched under his right eye, and with a start you realised his gaze had swept across the room, and landed on you.
“....To the Carnival of Dreams.”
Every act was strong, powerful, poetic. A boy who danced like he was claimed by a higher power- a boy who sang like an Angel, also joined by the ticketmaster- a boy who delighted the audience with tricks and jokes- and finally,
His introduction was swift and precise. The crowd clearly knew who he was and broke out in applause, though the cheers died down quick and a pregnant silence settled over the spectators once again.
But there was no one in the ring. The dusty circle stayed empty and motionless and murmurs began to slither through the crowd when suddenly a thick black ribbon unfurled from up above.
It curled and lowered slowly, with the movements of a snake and as enchanting as smoke tendrils rising from a flame, and from within appeared a boy with electric blue hair. He was suspended in between the straps of material, eyes closed, head tilted back, seemingly asleep in the dancing fabric.
A piano, gentle notes drifted through the air, they mingled with the whispers of the crowd and the hushed awe- gradually increasing in volume as the boy began to move.
His head rose forward, eyes shining bright in the dim light. He lifted an arm, a tendril of ribbon following the limb. It circled his wrist and tightened around his bicep- then tugged him up, propelling his whole body skyward.
Jaemins movements were fluid, like a drop of ink in water, as he gripped the silk and swung it into a loop, before perching on the bent material as if it were a simple swing. Then, he let go.
Cries of alarm arose in the crowd, and the adrenaline spiked in your body. One wrong move and Jaemin could slip- come crashing down and leave a bloody image where Jeno has been standing just before.
But it was as if the curtains moved to Jaemins will, and suddenly he was swinging back and forth and snatching a ribbon and heaving up! and over himself and careening towards the ground— only to be stopped a inch short of the dusty ring.
Every breath in the circled tent was caught, and held tight in your chests as the agile boy lowered his legs back to the ground and smirked. He cast his view around the area and your heart rate picked up, notice me! notice me!
His sight however did not cross your path, and your expression dropped, yet for some reason you still felt a tiny light in your chest- like Jaemin was still holding onto you.
“My dear audience,” his deep voice resonated and enraptured every viewer, “I will need a volunteer. I promise you, everything you will do is safe and I will return you to your seat unharmed- if not a little...,”
And with a snap, his alluring eyes locked straight onto yours. You gasped softly as Jaemin strode to where you were sitting, frozen in shock, and bowed deep before extending his hand for you to take.
“...exhilarated. Won’t you join me Miss?”
You weren’t going to say no, there was no way in hell you could decline his offer- and yet no words escaped your lips. So instead you nodded and slipped your hand into his, so similar to earlier, and allowed him to lift you up off the seat and lead you toward the centre of the ring.
Jaemin never let go of the eye contact he held with you, and his strong gaze was making you shiver. You hoped that wasn’t obvious to him or the hundreds of onlookers. The cloth still hung motionless from where Jaemin had left it, but now it shifted as Jaemin swiftly wrapped the cloth around your waist, before pulling you to stand where he’d swung moments before. Tugging a seperate strand to wrap around his wrist, he nudged your feet apart with his toes and settled a single heel there, stepping foreward and slinking an arm around your waist to pull you in close towards his chest.
You inhaled deeply, and closed your eyes, blinking slowly to get rid of the fog in your brain.
“Don’t go too high please.”
Jaemin chuckled softly, and the sound vibrated against your chest- it was like you were submerged head first in a pool, everything was suddenly darker, more fluid as Jaemin tugged on the cloth and propelled you both high into the air.
It was an immediate rush and you yelped, the breath flying from your lungs. You clung onto Jaemin arms tight, fisting your fingers into the material of his blazer and securing your head in the crook of his neck.
“Jaemin!” Your voice came out breathless and high, as another scream bubbled in your throat in response to the boys sudden movements.
“Don’t be scared sweetheart,” he muttered lowly in your ear, “You’re safe with me.”
His reassurances did nothing to dampen your fear, and you stayed glued to the boy, eyes squeezing shut and then opening to stare upward, anywhere but down at the oh so far ground.
That is, until he stepped right off the loop of silk and swung back, suspended by a large hoop tied into the silk around his wrist.
An outright cry left you as you frantically grappled for a grip on the silk, but the smooth material kept on slipping through your fingertips. Your breathing turned shallow as you whipped your head around, searching for the reason you were suspended in the air in the first place, but Jaemin had disappeared.
Then an arm hooked around your waist and pulled back against his strong figure. You almost sobbed in relief and grabbed his forearm with an iron grip. The man behind you huffed amusedly and brought you in closer toward his body, he dropped his head to the lobe of your ear, whispering for you to look at him.
Shakily you turned your head to find Jaemin already staring at you intently, his eyes shining bright and beautiful. As you found yourself slipping deeper into his gaze, you noticed the knot of fear unfurling in your whole body.
I’m not afraid. Jaemin blinked slowly, you mirrored his action. No, I’m okay. Im safe with you.
Your gaze dropped to his lips and faltered, his mouth was parted in the most endearing of ways and it took everything in you not to surge forward and claim a kiss.
The lips in your view curled up around the sides, and you realised Jaemin had caught you staring. A blush tainted your cheeks as you looked away, the height in which you held suddenly not having such a daunting affect on your bravery.
Slowly he began to move, the swanlike elegance returning as he swung a full circle around your body, the circle growing larger everything he centered in front of you. His motions grew larger and larger when suddenly he swung straight toward you and pulled you off your perch, and straight into his arms.
Jaemin pulled on the rope around his hoop, causing it to lift and slowly tilt your body, whilst he stood and gripped your lower back.
You were flying through heaven, every touch of Jaemin’s skin on yours had your body alighting and your mind blurring. The lights began to muddle and combine all into one, the colours reflecting of Jaemin’s smooth skin and casting shadows all over his face- making him look effortlessly more handsome than he already was. You’d forgotten the piano that had started playing earlier- but now it was flooding your senses, the sensual melody enveloping your body and bringing you closer to Jaemin.
You felt weightless in his arms, as he twirled through the air, with you dipped low, hair cascading past your shoulders and your eyelids sliding shut in enchantment.
Jaemin couldn’t keep his eyes off you. You were different, so alluring and new, so daring and fresh.
He wanted you. But he couldn’t have you, and that thought caused his heart to crumble and his bubble of contentment to pop.
His gentle movements slowly came to a motionless embrace, your body returned to its place against his chest and he rested his forehead against your brow, gaze captured on your soft pink lips.
God he wanted to kiss you.
The music began to dwindle, and both of your hearts sank in realisation that your moment in the clouds was coming to an end. You sighed and searched Jaemins face for any sign of emotion, something you thought might match your own.
His expression was gentle, resting. Then a showbiz smiled cracked across his face and with a thud you had reached the ground. He slid an arm under your knees and one across your back and lifted you up in his arms, twirling you round for the cheering audience to see. In the shadows of the deafening cheers he turned his face toward your giggling figure and chuckled warmly.
“Find me afterwards Miss Y/n,” he pressed his lips to your hairline briefly. “You know where I’ll be,” and the promise of more to come left you alot more breathless than your time suspended in the air.
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The final act passed in a blur, the acts banding together to perform a dazzling show of dance and a song you assumed they’d written themselves. The audience was alive with energy and so were you, except it was an entirely different kind of energy. Jaemin’s invitation floated around in your mind, every sweep of his eyes across the crowd had you perking up- though you weren’t sure why this boy had you so so entranced.
With a final bow and flourish, the lights dimmed and tent flap flew open, allowing the viewers to begin streaming out in a steady line.
You followed the screaming children and smiled, emerging into the cool night. As you stepped through the muddy grass and avoided the extra squishy areas, a shadow loomed over your shoulder.
You looked over in surprise, only to find the ‘Angel Singer’ walking in stride with you. Up close he was just as handsome as the other two boys. Two diamonds were pressed under his bronze orbs, white hair swept up over his forehead and a lazy grin on his face.
“So,” he drawled, extending the ‘o’.
“Soo,” you replied, “Can I help you Angel boy?”
He chuckled, taking a step back to take a good long look at you. You raised an eyebrow and scoffed, opening your mouth to scold him when he cut you off.
“You don’t LOOK like a thief.”
You froze as the comment registered in your mind. “That’s because I’m not a thief.”
“Jaemin found you in his tent.”
“Has Jaemin told the rest of the fair too?”
“No. Just us. Why?” He grinned, nudging you with his shoulder, “Worried someone might catch you thieving?”
Huffing, you stormed ahead of the teasing boy, ignoring his delighted chuckle. He sped up and jogged along next to you, the shit eating grin still plastered along his face.
“Jaemin isn’t there by the way.” He said. You paused and threw him an incredulous look. Angel boy shrugged his shoulders and pointed to your left, highlighting a path that lead to a dark corner.
You froze, hesitantly looking between the dark path and the singer. “Oh please I’m not,” you turned back, only to find the boy standing a lot closer, his eyes burning brighter.
The brightness of his orbs gave you a churning feeling in your stomach. What was going on today? Why were you feeling so out of it?
Angel boy blinked innocently.
“Y-your eyes.” You whispered. He hummed, taking your hand and pulling you along with him.
“They’re...,” Beautiful arent they Y/n? “Beautiful. So beautiful.” You gasped, the lights were getting darker, and a familiar tent materialised from the shadows. The inside was illuminated, and a figure brushed past the opening- a familiar splash a blue coming into view.
You thanked Angel boy in a daze and reached for the flap one again, flicking it up and stumbling into the tent— right into a familiar hard figure.
mmm,,,have this. I can’t be bothered to finish it but there’s no use me leaving it in my drafts.
