Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

If you asked them later on no one would be able to tell you whose idea it really was, but Lloyd was the first one to bring it up. It was something that had crossed all of their minds in recent weeks.

"You know this would be a lot easier if we had a proper space to perform."

"What, like a theatre?" Michael had asked.

"Yeah," Jill agreed. "With a stage and lights and everything!"

"Can we even build something like that?"

"Well, we won't know until we try," Asha said.

And so work on the August Sky Playhouse began.

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Lee pushed away the mic, trying and failing to hold back a sigh. Ten years. It had been ten years since he’d last seen Adrian. And yet here he was, in the middle of the night, singing into a radio as if he could still hear him. Singing their song as if it would change anything.

The pain of missing him was a physical ache. Sometimes it felt worse than the actual physical pain, the bruises and cuts and lost limbs. Lee rubbed his shoulder, shying away from the place where his arm used to be. That memory was still all too fresh. He wondered what Adrian would think of him now. Probably he’d say something sweet and sappy and all too comforting.

Another wave of longing hit him, and he sighed again. He was tempted to stay by the radio all night. There was no reply coming, he knew, but he would never let himself stop hoping. The hope was what kept him going. It was what kept him sane, kept him fighting.

And speaking of fighting, if he didn’t get some sleep he would be useless during watch tomorrow. One sleepless night would not make Yasser give him a day off. It had been a while since the last attack, and everyone was getting nervous. They knew better now than to get complacent when things were quiet.

Even this late at night there was a constant guard. In fact, as he looked at his battered watch he realized it was almost time for shift change. He cursed silently. He had hoped to avoid speaking to anyone, but before he could duck back into the control room he heard someone calling his name.

“Lee? You’re up late.”

“Mary.” He turned, keeping his face carefully neutral. “I was just- I uh, couldn’t sleep.”

“Uh-huh,” she said, eyeing the control room knowingly. As much as he tried to keep his messages to Adrian a secret, it was nearly impossible when everyone was in such close quarters.

“Anyway, I shouldn’t keep you. You’re on watch right?”

“Yep. You better be there to relieve me in the morning.”

“Of course.”

"Lee-“ She paused, her hand unconsciously going to the string of bones around her neck. She opened her mouth as if to continue, and then stopped again. After a moment she simply said, “Sleep well.”

“Uh, thanks.”

She nodded awkwardly and headed off to her post. For a minute Lee just watched her go before continuing down the hall. Sometimes he forgot he wasn’t the only one who had lost someone he loved. It was so easy to let the loneliness consume him, but they were all haunted here.

Back in his room Lee shrugged on a nightshirt, tossing the sweater he’d been wearing on his desk. There was a clatter as several cans of paint fell over. He didn’t bother picking them up. They were just collecting dust now anyway, another reminder of the life he’d lost. Instead he slumped into bed, pulling the thin blanket up to his chin.

“G’night Adrian. I love you,” he muttered, and turned off the light.

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Alice had made many sacrifices over the course of her life. Some intentional, some not. Sacrificing her tribe, her home, a life in her own time had been hard, but she did it willingly. Anything to help the angels, she had said at the time.

She remembered that moment so clearly. There she stood, surrounded by her tribe, her family. For a long time she just looked at them, trying to memorize their faces. The faces were blurred now in her memory, but the feelings were still there. The feeling of love and belonging, the sadness at knowing it was the last time she'd see the ones she loved. And then the angels spoke.

"It's time."

She raised her hand to her face, taking a deep breath and inhaling the strange sand. And then she was gone.

Her mind and sanity had been an unexpected sacrifice. Some might say they weren't a sacrifice at all, but mearly a side effect. Alice knew better. Though she couldn't remember when it was now, she knew there had been a moment where she felt herself slipping away, and made the choice to continue. Anything for the angels. That's what she had said. And so she kept working, stealing, building, all the while feeling her grip on reality slowly fade.

By now she had come to terms with her fate. What little rational thought she had left that wasn't focused on her task had worked through all the scenarios. She was going to die. She was going to die too soon, probably, but she tried not to let that bother her. There was only so much she could do, only so much she could give. If she had to sacrifice her life as well, than so be it. Anything for the angels. It wasn't like she had anything left to lose.

And then he appeared. Alexander. After years of working alone here was someone else, someone she felt connected to in some strange way. She understood him without even knowing him. And he understood her too, or at least he wanted too.

Suddenly she could feel her time ticking away. She could feel the damage the physical labour and endless drugs had done to her body. She was going to die too soon; too soon to finish her task and too soon to know him. Once more she was faced with a choice. One last sacrifice to make. Anything for the angels, she had said. Anything but this, she silently pleaded.

Alice had made many sacrifices over the course of her life. Many sacrifices, all to complete one goal. And so she made one more. She let Alexander in, knowing she would have to let him go. They worked side by side, fulfilling the promise she had made to the angels all those years ago.

With the work complete, and with one first and last kiss, she made her final sacrifice. And she went to see the angels, one last time.

Chapter Text

Once upon a time, the carnival had been a wondrous place. It was a place of magic, bursting to the seams with life, joy, and laughter. It was legendary among those who knew of it, awed former patrons passing the tale along in reverent whispers. There's nowhere else like it, they would say. It was the one thing Raven loved most in the world, apart from Lloyd of course. At the carnival he was alive, wild, free. The place was a madhouse, some might say, but it was Raven's madhouse, and he wouldn't have it any other way.

Then it all fell apart. Lloyd left, the demon came and went, and the carnival became a prison. For years (Months? Decades? Time was tricky in the Collective Unconscious) they were trapped there, with no way out, no hope of escape. The carousel still turned, the lights still flashed, but the magic was gone. Raven watched as the performers wilted and faded. He felt it happening to himself too, the spark inside slowly dying out. This wondrous place he had made was now just a reminder of all he had lost. Until...

Until an unexpected miracle happened. An escape, a reunion, a gift delivered later than intended. With Lloyd back, with Han by his side, the first spark of life returned to the carnival. This time it was different. Where before the spark had been wild, ready to ignite at any moment, now it was warm, steady. It was a promise. Raven looked at the carnival and saw potential again. Not just for a spectacle, but for a home. There was still damage done, old wounds to be healed. He wouldn't have to fix it alone though. He had his family back now. Some of it at least, and he intended to get the rest no matter what the cost.

Placing a hand on Han's shoulder, and an arm around Lloyd's waist, he surveyed the carnival with new eyes.

"We've got work to do."