Chapter Text
The circus was quieter than usual.
Not silent—nothing in this place was ever truly silent—but the usual chaotic hum felt muted, like someone had turned the world’s volume down. Pomni wandered through the tent, arms wrapped around herself, trying to shake the feeling that something was off.
She hadn’t seen Jax all day.
Normally, he’d have popped up at least once to tease her, scare her, or make some snide comment just to watch her panic. But today… nothing. No sarcastic quips. No smug grin. No sudden appearances from behind curtains.
It was eerie.
Pomni paused near the backstage corridor, listening. A faint sound drifted from deeper inside—soft, uneven, almost like… breathing? No, not breathing. More like someone trying not to cry.
Her stomach tightened.
“Jax?” she called softly.
No answer.
She followed the sound, pushing aside a curtain to reveal a dim storage room filled with props and half‑broken carnival decorations. And there, sitting on the floor behind a stack of old jack‑in‑the‑boxes, was Jax.
Pomni froze.
He wasn’t lounging or smirking or pretending to nap. He was curled forward, elbows on his knees, head buried in his hands. His ears drooped low, his whole posture tight and trembling.
Jax was crying.
Not loudly. Not dramatically. Quiet, shaking breaths that he clearly didn’t want anyone to hear.
Pomni’s heart cracked.
“Jax?” she whispered again, stepping closer.
He jerked upright, wiping at his face so fast it looked painful. His usual grin snapped into place like a mask slammed down.
“Oh, hey Pomni,” he said, voice strained. “Didn’t see you there. You stalking me now? Cute.”
Pomni didn’t flinch at the jab. She’d learned to read him better than that.
“You’re upset.”
Jax scoffed. “Nope. Wrong. Try again.”
She moved closer, kneeling down beside him. “Jax… I heard you.”
His ears twitched. His eyes darted away.
“Then your hearing sucks,” he muttered. “I’m fine.”
“You’re not.”
He stiffened.
Pomni reached out slowly, giving him time to pull away if he wanted. He didn’t. Her hand rested gently on his arm.
“Please don’t pretend with me,” she said softly. “Not right now.”
Jax swallowed hard. His jaw clenched. His eyes glistened again, and he looked furious about it.
“Pomni, just—go. Seriously. I don’t need—”
His voice cracked.
Pomni didn’t move.
Jax’s breath hitched, and suddenly he looked so small. So tired. So breakable.
“Everyone expects me to be the funny guy,” he whispered. “The jerk. The one who doesn’t care. If I stop being that, what am I even good for?”
Pomni’s chest tightened painfully.
“Jax… you don’t have to be anything for anyone.”
He laughed bitterly. “Yeah, right.”
She shifted closer, her voice gentle but firm. “You’re allowed to feel things. You’re allowed to hurt. You’re allowed to be human—well, as human as we can be here.”
Jax’s shoulders shook. He pressed his palms against his eyes, trying to hide the tears slipping through his fingers.
Pomni hesitated only a moment before wrapping her arms around him.
He froze.
Then, slowly, he leaned into her—like he’d been holding himself upright for too long and finally let himself fall. His forehead rested against her shoulder, his breath trembling against her neck.
Pomni held him tighter.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I didn’t want you to see me like this.”
“I’m glad I did,” she murmured. “It means you trust me.”
Jax let out a shaky laugh. “Trust. That’s new.”
Pomni smiled softly. “I trust you too.”
He pulled back slightly, eyes red, expression raw. “Why? I’m awful to you.”
“You’re not awful,” she said. “You’re scared. And lonely. And trying so hard to pretend you’re not.”
Jax stared at her, stunned.
Pomni brushed a tear from his cheek with her thumb. “You don’t have to pretend with me.”
His breath caught.
“Pomni…” His voice was barely audible. “Why do you care so much?”
She swallowed, heart pounding. “Because I… I like you. More than I should. More than I expected to.”
Jax blinked. His ears perked slightly. “You… like me?”
Pomni nodded, cheeks warm. “I think I might be in love with you.”
Jax stared at her like she’d just rewritten the laws of physics.
“You’re serious,” he whispered.
“Very.”
Jax’s hands trembled as he reached up, cupping her face gently—so gently it made her chest ache.
“I’ve loved you for a while,” he admitted, voice cracking. “I just didn’t think I deserved to.”
Pomni leaned into his touch. “You deserve everything.”
Jax let out a breath that sounded like a sob and a laugh tangled together.
“Pomni… can I—?”
She didn’t let him finish as she came closer, looking at his face, raw with emotion, before closing the gap.
And kissed him.
It was soft, warm, and trembling—like both of them were afraid the moment might shatter if they moved too fast. Jax kissed her back slowly, his hands sliding to her shoulders, pulling her closer as if anchoring himself.
Pomni felt him melt into her, all tension draining away.
When they finally pulled apart, Jax rested his forehead against hers.
“I don’t know what I’m doing,” he whispered.
Pomni smiled. “We’ll figure it out together.”
Jax let out a small, genuine laugh—the kind she’d never heard from him before.
“Pomni?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you. For seeing me.”
She squeezed his hand. “Always.”
Jax leaned into her again, this time without hesitation. Pomni wrapped her arms around him, holding him close as the circus lights flickered softly around them.
For the first time since arriving in the digital world, Pomni didn’t feel afraid.
And for the first time since arriving, Jax didn’t feel alone.