Work Text:
"Lance, dear." Balan calls into the dark arena where Lance resides.
"What do you want?"
Balan quietly takes his hat off, only instead of his usual, beautiful face, he greatly resembled Lance.
"Stars! You've turned already?!"
"No no, I've been this way a long time."
"HOW long?"
"Hmm… when did I first star hiding under my hat?"
"Do you-do you have the marks as well?"
"All over. Wanna see?"
"No! I don't understand how this is happening-you're Balan!"
"Calm down. I'm here to explain."
"What? That you're making a new Balan? That I was right?"
"I wish you would stop talking so I can EXPLAIN."
Lance sighs and keeps himself quiet. Balan's usually cheery smile had faded a bit, leaving a bittersweet expression as he began.
"Lance, I can't run this theatre alone. I need another. We need each other."
"I don't understand."
"You really think I can be happy all the time? You turned out like this because no one was there for your mind. We help humans but who's going to help us unwind?"
"I… didn't think I needed help."
"We both do, hun. We're a trainwreck."
"We're not that bad. At least, you're not."
"I'm in hurting more then you know. It'd be nice to talk to someone about it. Wanna give it a go?"
Balan holds his hand out as an offer. Lance pauses for a moment, then takes his hand.
"If I had know that pain you'd face, I never would have brought you to this accursed place."
"I'm happy here, but I'd be happier with you, Dear."
Lance tenses up. He looks almost angry to here that.
"After all I did, after what you've seen, why don't you hate me? Why can't you just… be MEAN?!"
Balan jumps back a bit and Lance lets go of his hand.
"Darling, do you WANT me to hate you?"
"No I just…"
Lance lets out a deep exhale and relaxes a bit. He starts giggling to himself, then out-right laughing."
"W-Why are you laughing?"
Tears began rolling down Lance's face as his laughter turns to sobbing.
"Why are you crying?!"
"Balan, help me. I can't do this for another century."
"Do what, Dear?"
"ACTING! Acting like I don't care. Acting like I'm fine. Acting like I don't love you! But what am I SUPPOSED to do?!"
"Lance…"
Balan gently wraps his arms around his friend. Lance returns the hug and cries into the maestro's shoulder. Balan can't help but tear up and tighten his grip. He knew Lance was hurting, but he had no idea it was this bad.
"I vow to do everything to help us both." Balan pushes himself off the hug.
"Don't go making such an impossible oath."
"But it's not impossible!"
Balan, once again, holds his hand out as an offer only this time, it feels more heartfelt.
"Don't you trust me?"
Lance dries off his tears and gently places his hand in Balan's.
"I trust you."