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Chapter Text

Clopin listened to Thomas try to talk him out of going to the Feast of Fools while pulling on his bright purple shoes. He tried to dissuade him every year.

"But Clopin! Judge Frollo will be there and-"

"Mon dieu!" He exclaimed with a roll of his eyes while putting on his mask. "I was not scared of the man last year and I won't be now!" His puppet popped up from the side and exclaimed a small "Yeah!" Before Clopin pretended to shush him.

Despite his partners stubborness, his silly antics made him smile. Just a little bit. "He's been a lot more aggressive lately." He pointed out as the jester adjusted his puppets hat. His companion only grinned before doing a little leap to get around him, tugging at his wrist. "Mon petité chou..why don't we forget that silly old judge and focus on the party? It IS where we met."

Chapter Text

Thomas moved through the crowd at the Feast of Fools, covered in his signature bright purple hood, one that signified to Clopin who he was. Since he had made it his mission to bring him into the light the first time they met, he had made it clear that he would rather observe and maybe sing.  The thought of when he first met the masked man made him grin. 

It had been quite a few years ago, he was 20 years old and had just arrived in Paris. At the time he was running away from the law, the child of a Frenchman and a Gypsy. As a young man he had illusions of going through Paris to escape into the country side but his attention was drawn away from his plan when he saw Notre Dame. The grand cathedral stood proudly among the small houses and shops, the gargoyles seemingly guarding it from the eyes of the wicked. 

His mother had always wanted to see it, to stand beneath the rose window. She had died before she got the chance. Thomas made a decision right there on that small crowded street to go pray to the Virgin Mother before he went anywhere. That was when he stumbled into the festival. 

The brightly colored tents and costumes threw him for a loop as he tried to get to the doors of Notre Dame. His plight was noticed by a rather exuberant jester who pulled him close. His big green eyes opened in surprise as said jester pulled him along. He tried to get away until he was pushed into the parade, looking up to see yet another jesterlike man singing, "Once a year we throw a party here in town! Once a year we turn all Paris upside down! Every man's a king and every king's a clown! Once again it's Topsy Turvey Day!"

He leaned down and helped Thomas up, swinging him around. "It's the day the devil in us gets released, it's the day we mock the prig and shock the priest! Everything is topsy turvey at the Feast of Fools!" 

He tried his best to get away but he was swept through the crowd in the masked man's arms. Soon, and he wasn't quite sure how, he found himself standing with him by the stage after they crowned the king of fools. He was chuckling to himself as the crowd went nuts before turning to his captive. 

"What is your name mon petité chou?" He asked, his eyes dancing with mischief. 

"Thomas.." He said quietly. 

"What was that?" He leaned forward with one hand placed by his ear in exaggeration. 

"Thomas.." He said a little louder while pulling his hood further over his face. 

The man before him suddenly pulled out a little puppet that looked just like him "I think he said Thomas!" He made the puppet say in a squeaky voice. "Shush!" He told the smaller version of himself before flicking the puppets head. 

He had no idea what to say so he tried to move away "I think..I think I should be going-" he was stopped by a hand on his shoulder. "Now now now, why don't you join in on the festivities!" 

"I really can't.." He tried to pull his hood further over his face only to have the flamboyant man step into his space "Oh? Why not?" 

"I umm.." His hands dropped to his sides as Thomas tried to think of a response. It was then that the masked man seized the opportunity to pull his hood down. 

He watched as the puppeteer examined his tan skin, dark hair, and emerald green eyes. He expected a comment but all he got was a grin "How dare you hide such beauty, we can even appreciate it on topsy turvey day!" He said with a grin before leading him away. 

Back in the present, Thomas watched with an amused smile as Clopin chased another hooded stranger around the festival. Some things don't change. 

Chapter Text

After the chaos the bell ringer brought with him, Thomas was standing in a side street, watching for Clopin. The minute he saw him he tugged him into his hiding spot. That caused his partner to immeadiately pull out a knife and hold it against his throat "Let me go you snake!" 

"Clopin!" 

"Oh." His eyes widened in recognition and he lowered the knife, leaning in to check if he had stabbed him. "Thomas you can't sneak up on me like that!" 

"I know I know, I'm sorry but we have to go. There's soldiers everywhere." He whispered, clearly afraid. 

"We have to find Esmeralda." The other man insisted.

"I..." He looked out at the crowded street and more worry grew in his chest. "Okay yes, you're right." 

They traveled down the street, hand in hand, ducking and dodging any obstacle in sight. They caught a flash of black hair and saw her disappear into Notre Dame. The captain of the guard following close behind. He had to hold Clopin back as he tried to go after them "We have to help her!" 

"Clopin, Clopin!" He pulled him back into a narrow space between two houses, cupping his face. "If she's smart she'll claim sanctuary." 

"Sanctuary? She won't last!" 

"She'll be fine." Thomas poked his head out and looked at the cathedral with a worried look "She has to be."

They went back to the court of miracles after that but Clopin didn't feel like joining in the usual after party that came with the feast of fools. He was worried about him, but he knew better then to follow. He was a very silly man but he didn't like to be questioned. So he just sighed and waited for their daughter to return, there was no way that she wouldn't.