Can you maybe write the freak circus with a wheelchair MC? If you're willing, of course
The Freak Show of Horrors Oneshots
Artist Credit: @naibuding
Divider Credit: @firefly-graphics
Tag: Established Relationship
Summary: How would they react to MC attempting to be part of their college track and field team but didn’t make the cut.
It’s Better to Try Than Not To Attempt (TFC Cast/Reader)
Sighing sadly in your living room, the email that was sent to your phone still stung as you read the final words. Repeating in your head over and over again. ‘I’m sorry for your participation, Y/n. Unfortunately, we have decided to go with another candidate for this program.’
You’ve told yourself that no matter what happened in the end, whether you got picked or not, it would be fine. But you lied to yourself. You desperately wanted to be part of the team; you just wanted your family’s approval so badly that in the end. Life decided to spit in your face. You brought your knees tighter to your chest as you wrapped yourself in a makeshift cocoon of a blanket. Thankfully, it was your day off. You weren’t sure if you could come in to work with a fake smile while you felt terrible inside. Reaching for the remote, attempting to distract yourself, you heard a gentle knock on the glass.
“My dear,” he said. His eyes worried as he noticed your gloomy expression. “My dear, what’s wrong?”
Holding back your tears, you looked away from him. “Remember that I told you that I joined the track and field team?”
He nodded, sitting right next to you in bed as you moved over to make room. “Well, I just got back from them. I thought I- thought I had finally been given a chance ever since the accident. But it felt like they never gave me a chance because of my disability. Despite my previous achievements back in high school. I gave them my all and they still shot me down. I told myself that even if I didn’t get selected for the team, I wasn’t going to hold anything for them because it’s their decision. But, why does it hurt so much? It hurts so much, Pierrot.”
And you couldn’t hold it back anymore; you bit down on your lip as you sobbed. Wetting the fabric of your sweatpants as you cried, leaning into Pierrot’s touch as he hugged you. Gently rubbing your head as he held you. “I’m so sorry, my dear. Please don’t cry anymore. It hurts me when I see you cry. Is there anything for me to do to make you feel better? Can I cook you your favorite meal? Have you eaten yet, my love?”
You shook your head under the blanket. “Ok, then give me a moment, my dear. I’ll be right back.”
You said nothing but lifted your head to watch the screen of the TV as Pierrot left for the kitchen. Minutes passed as you watched whatever movie was playing, not fully paying attention to it. “My dear? Dinner is ready if you’d like to eat.”
Turning the TV off, your arms reached out as Pierrot picked you up and took you to the table. Your eyes widen at what he has made for you on the table. “Pierrot… you didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to, my dear. You told me that this is your comfort food, isn’t it? I made it just so I can see you not shed any more tears.” You made the mistake of turning your head to see him looking at you with big doe eyes. “Well, if anything, there’s always next year. Then again, there are always community events to look forward to; it’s not like it’s the end of the world for me.” You said as you wiped the tear streaks.
He pressed a kiss on your cheek before setting you down in your chair. “And I’ll accompany you to lend you my support. Now, hurry and eat before it gets cold. And then after, we can snuggle on the couch. How does that sound?”
“Dear one, what seems to be the problem? That sad look doesn’t suit you.” Closing the door behind him as he approached your bed, you avoided his gaze as you stared straight at the TV. “I joined the track and field team, and I got rejected,” you said dejectedly.
He made a hum in acknowledgement before sitting next to you. “Hmm, well, serve them right.”
“They didn’t deserve you; you could have done so much better than some college team. So it’s on them if they failed when they could have picked you in the long run. What a terrible choice they made.”
“...oh,” you said. Not sure what else to say and your eyes are still glued to the TV. “What are we watching?” he asked.
“I see, some show.” He joined your gaze with a hand on his cheek while he sat criss-cross. He briefly glanced over to you before crossing his arms behind his head. “Hmm, I bet I can predict what’s going to happen next.”
“Can you?” you asked, turning your head. “Of course. Once you’ve watched enough movies and shows, you start to recognise the pattern of the story and what’ll happen next. For example, that black-hair girl is going to cheat on her husband to be with the doctor.”
Raising your eyebrow, you decided to believe in his prediction. Lo and behold, he was right. “No, you’re pulling my leg. There’s no way you knew that. You must have watched this before.”
“Who knows? I won’t confirm or deny it. Would you like to make a little prediction, dear?”
You pull the blanket back from your head, letting it rest on your shoulders as you sit up straight. “Alright, I predict that… hmm… I predict the nurse is gonna have the hots for her co-worker when he’s already engaged.”
“How scandalous, let’s see if you’re true.”
“Ok, there’s no way you got that one right!” You looked at Harlequin in disbelief as he cheekily smiled at you. “That’s five out of 11, dear one. Do I get a prize when I reach a certain number?”
“Hah, yeah, right. One more episode! I swear I’ll get this one right!”
There it is. There’s that smile he’s been waiting for. “Alright, one more episode and then we’re going to get something to eat.”
The balcony door opened and you paid no attention to it, keeping your eyes on the TV screen. Only moving your eyes when Jester stood in front of it. “Y/N.”
He frowned at the tone of your voice. “Whatever seems to be upsetting you so, darling?”
You looked away from his gaze, looking at your wheelchair that was right next to your bed and his gaze followed. “I joined the track team, just like I used to before the accident years ago. I showed them my passion, that I still got it after all of that. Yet, they picked someone else. I knew it should have been expected, but it hurts. Like a knife to my heart, Jester.”
Jester says nothing as you hide your face from him, uncrossing his arms to sit next to you with his legs crossed. “Hmm, from how I see it. You’re choosing to give up after one rejection.”
“Are you giving up, Darling?”
You opened and closed your mouth like a fish, unable to find the words you wanted to say. Then Jester spoke. “Whether you lose your legs or an arm or two, it doesn’t change who you are from the inside out. You may not be able to run as you used to, but you have other strengths, darling. Don’t let other people tell you what you can’t or cannot do.”
Pulling the blanket down from your head as you look at Jester, just as he reaches over and wipes the stray tear from your eye. “There, now go wash up and I’ll make something quick for you. Is that clear?”
A nod from you was all he needed. “Good.”
“You haven’t been visiting your doctor lately.” He spoke, a finger curled as he watched you turn off the TV and hide your face away from him. “What seems to be the matter?”
“I joined my college’s track team and I got rejected.” He hummed in thought as he looked at your wheelchair that was right next to your bed. “And do you think it’s the wheelchair that’s restricting your full potential?"
“I- No, I mean… I don’t know, maybe? I told you that I used to be one of the best runners back in high school until the car accident. I- I just feel like I’m not who I used to be. The doctors told me it would take time to get used to the new feeling and that I would eventually feel like myself again. But it’s… it’s like when. When can I start to feel… Normal? How long does it take for me to feel like myself again? I… I don’t blame the wheelchair, but I blame myself sometimes. I blame myself for the circumstances that have happened to me. Tell me, Doctor, how much longer do I need to feel like myself again?”
Doctor was silent as he took a step forward. “That’s a trick question; you don’t start to feel normal. You adapt to the new normality. It’ll take time and patience for you to get used to the new normal. It won't be easy; there will be many hills for you to conquer before you eventually reach the top. But you won’t be alone, for I’ll be there with you with every step. You have me, Pierrot, and many others who care about you and want to see you succeed.”
He then stepped forward and knelt in front of you. “Now, sweetie, will you continue to walk with me?”
The balcony door opened and you took a small peek to see Ticket Taker in your room. “Hey, Bil.”
“Dear guest.” He responded. “You haven’t visited the circus as of late. Is something wrong?”
“It’s nothing,” you answered. “Dear, I’d personally advise against lying to me. You can lie to Pierrot, but you won’t lie to me. Now, tell me what’s the matter?”
“Hah, you can see through me as always. I can never hide anything from you.” You shifted in your bed as you couldn’t bear to look at his face. “I tried to be part of something that I thought I was still a part of. I joined the track team at my college, but I got rejected.”
“I see, you mentioned it once back at the circus. Now then, what are you planning to do next?”
“I’m not sure,” you answered. “I want to try again, but I’m scared that I’m going to be rejected again. I- I miss the sensation of running, my feet against the ground as I ran. But with the wheelchair, it’s so different. It doesn’t feel the same; I want it to, but my body yearns to run as it used to again.”
“But one rejection won’t tear you down like that, won’t it, Y/N?”
“No, it shouldn’t. Instead, it should be your drive to keep going. No matter how many times it takes you to achieve your goals. One rejection isn’t going to stop you, is it?”
“Good answer.” You could’ve sworn you saw a smile on his mask before he turned away from you. “I expect you to take better care of yourself, physically and mentally. I’ll see you soon at the circus.”
