Chapter Text
That evening, they sat together outside. The circus lights glowed in the distance. Gangle rested her head against the wall. Zooble sat beside her. Neither spoke for a while. Then Gangle quietly said,
“Do you ever wonder what we'd be like if we weren't here?”
Zooble looked over. “Sometimes.”
“What do you think you'd be doing?”
“I don't know.”
Gangle smiled. “I think you'd still be annoyed at everyone.”
“Definitely.”
“I think you'd have lots of friends.”
Zooble laughed. “Probably not.”
“You would.”
“Why?”
“Because you're kind.”
Zooble stared at her. “You really think that?”
“Yes.”
Zooble looked away. “You're the only person who says things like that.”
Gangle smiled. “Then I'll keep saying them.”
“Why?”
“Because you should hear them.”
Zooble didn't answer. They just sat there. After a moment, Gangle gently leaned against their shoulder. Zooble stiffened for half a second. Then relaxed. They didn't move away. Gangle smiled. “Is this okay?”
“Yeah.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah.”
A few moments passed. Then Zooble quietly said, “You know…”
“Hmm?”
“I don't mind being here as much when you're around.”
Gangle's smile grew. “I don't mind it as much either.”
Zooble glanced at her. “Don't tell anyone.”
“I won't.”
“Especially Jax.”
“Definitely not Jax.”
They both laughed. For once, the circus didn't feel quite so strange. It still wasn't home. It still wasn't perfect. But sitting there together, with the lights glowing around them and the quiet stretching peacefully into the night, it felt a little less lonely. And maybe, for now, that was enough. Gangle looked at the little paper flower tucked safely beside Zooble. “You kept it.”
Gangle glanced at it. “Why?”
Zooble smiled. “Because you made it.”
Gangle's face warmed. “Oh.”
Zooble nudged her shoulder. “Don't get all emotional on me.”
Gangle laughed. “I'm not!”
“You are.”
“Maybe a little.”
Zooble smiled. “That's okay.”
And they stayed there together until the circus lights began to fade.