Work Text:
Sigma was just getting done with putting away his coat, clad in a dark grey sweater instead to retire for the evening and perhaps read a book and drink some tea, when a click echoed through his suite. He perked up, turning towards the door with a frown. A flash of gold disappeared, but for some reason, the door was just a hint open- and then it was shoved open fully, a monochrome clad jester stumbling into his living space.
Truly, he should've expected this.
He sighed upon seeing Nikolai. "Aren't you supposed to be with that government guy right now? You have a mission, don't forget that" he chided. For all the clown claimed to be older than him, he sometimes wondered why he, a man (or toddler if you were to ask Nikolai) created only two and a half years ago was more reliable than the actual adult who has had a childhood.
Actually, seeing as said adult is a literal clown, he shouldn't be surprised.
"Nah, I had a... talk with Fyodor and convinced him to let me come to the casino today" Nikolai responded cheerfully, but something in Sigma was honestly doubting that the man actually had a proper talk and didn't just tell the rat "I'm doing a thing, bye". It honestly wouldn't be the first time. He'd seen it happen before. Multiple times. For as calculating as Fyodor was, it was surprising how lenient he was when it came to Nikolai.
So, the casino owner simply sighed. He didn't know why he still got surprised at some of the things Nikolai did. It wasn't like it would be anything new. At this point, he didn't think there was anything that should surprise him- yet the clown kept surprising him anyway. "Fine, let's assume I believe you" he ignored Nikolai's indignant "what's that supposed to mean?" and instead continued on: "Why are you here?"
Nikolai blinked at him, as if Sigma was being the odd one. Which, fair, he wasn't the most ordinary person, but still! "Isn't it obvious?" Nikolai asked, and sighed dramatically, before pulling something from within his coat. Sigma winced, half-expecting another dead dove or something else that should not be inside his casino- only to jump when a weird noise startled him, glitter and strands of thin paper shooting in his face.
He sputtered, wiping at his face with his sleeve, as Nikolai yelled a loud, energetic "Happy Birthday!" right into his ear. He winced, before glancing at the clown. "It's not my birthday" he pointed out, a little flatter than planned. But he was truly tired, and it was far too early for some sort of sick, twisted version of a joke. He didn't have a birthday. Real people did, but he wasn't... he sighed. No, it wasn't the time for thinking about that.
Nikolai grinned, looking almost giddy, and pulled a calendar out from within the folds of his overcoat and shoved it against Sigma's chest. He sighed, glancing down at it with a bored frown, before doing a double take. "Since when do I have a birthday?" he asked, startled, and grabbed the calendar properly. Staring at it, feeling horribly confused. The jester grinned at him. "Well, Fyodor helped with the basic math... but this should be the day you were born" At his flat stare, the white haired man backtracked and corrected himself with a quick "created".
The casino owner watched him carefully, before letting out a low sigh. "So... birthdays, huh?" he muttered, wracking his brain for any information about birthdays he might have. They were... special. For some reason. They were celebrated... and people got... gifts? At least he was pretty sure people got something on their birthday. Did normal rules even apply to him? It wasn't like it was actually his birthday.
He flinched when Nikolai flicked his forehead. "Stop overthinking, Siggy!" the man chided with a smile, as if reading his mind. It was extraordinary how quickly the man could notice that, but never noticed when Sigma made up lies to get him out of his office when he worked. Although those lies either worked, or Nikolai believed them and still kept him from working by being a nuisance... not that he minded. He's existed for three years now, known Nikolai for perhaps two and a half of those years... and the man was, as unhinged as he was, someone he could rely on.
He wasn't his best friend, that spot was Fyodor's and he'd rather die than try to take that spot, he was probably nothing more than a coworker... but sometimes, when he watched his customers, he wondered if Nikolai and him ever looked like the siblings he'd seen interacting. But no, that... that was wishful thinking. The casino was his home. His family. Nikolai was... Nikolai. The man was a walking oddity, but... part of him thought he'd be OK with Nikolai as an older brother.
Said man suddenly grabbed him, dragging him along. "You'll love my gift!" the clown shouted cheerfully, and suddenly he found himself shoved into the depths of The Overcoat.
Never mind. He'd rather stay an only child.
Not that he even was anyone's child.
~
"C'mon... I swear you'll love it!"
Sigma stared past the clown, towards the funfair. It was large, lights flashing and dancing. As dark as it already was, with it being evening and all, the fair seemed to be in full swing. "Don't you trust me?" Nikolai asked, his tone bordering on a whine, and the younger man sent him a flat stare. "Not really" he said, instead of admitting that he'd probably trust him with his life. Sometimes. It was always a gamble with Nikolai and whether or not his safety was guaranteed or not.
On one hand, he had saved him during the Acádemie Goncourt incident. On the other, he'd almost cut him in two when he'd made him his assistant in one of his magic-shows for Fyodor because he got distracted.
"Smart kid!" Nikolai's cheerful laugh startled him out of his musing, and he sighed. Right, they were in the middle of a conversation. No time for daydreaming... although, it wasn't even the day anymore, rather the evening. "Not a kid" he finally replied, and the jester scoffed, waving his claim away with a gloved hand. "You're literally three, Siggy"
Chronologically, he wanted to mutter, but bit his tongue. Instead, he let the man drag him towards the fair. It was loud, louder than the casino even, and there were a lot more people. He flinched when something grabbed his hand, relaxing ever so slightly upon recognizing the red glove as Nikolai, who grinned down at him. "Don't want to lose the toddler in the crowd" the jester teased him. Sigma scowled slightly, opening his mouth- and suddenly he heard screams and his gaze snapped up and towards the monstrosity that, apparently, was called a roller coaster if the obnoxious sign was anything to go by.
A quick glance towards Nikolai made him gulp. Did the clown truly wish to go onto that... that torture device?! His answer must've been a yes, because the man grinned at him brightly. "We gotta try that one first!" Sigma couldn't even protest before he was dragged along. He stumbled after the jester, frowning. "We're gonna die" he stated, his voice matter of factly. This time it was Nikolai's turn to scoff, although his seemed more playful than serious. "Relaaaax, I don't wanna hear any negativity. This is supposed to be fun!"
"Yay, we're gonna die" Sigma sent him a flat stare, and the taller man cackled madly. The casino owner stumbled when Nikolai slapped his back with a wild grin. "You're truly delightful, kid" the jester chuckled, over dramatic as always, before dragging him along again, ignoring Sigma's muttered protest of 'not a kid' as easily as breathing. "C'mon, I promise you'll like it!"
~
He did, in fact, not like roller coasters all too much.
Even after getting off, his legs felt all wobbly and he pressed a hand against his mouth. Idly, the casino-owner wondered if he looked as sick as he felt. Nikolai bounced on his heels next to him, grinning eagerly. "Told you it'd be fun. It was fun, wasn't it?" the clown threw an arm around him, and Sigma grimaced openly. "I think I'd prefer... less adrenaline inducing things" he admitted, a hint sheepish, and Nikolai sighed. Probably exaggerating, if the gleam in his visible eye was any indication.
"Boring, but fine. I've got an idea!" the jester dragged him along, this time slow enough that he didn't stumble at every other step. All the way over to a slightly less occupied corner, filled with odd machines. Sigma stared at them in confusion, noting the things stored within them. "What's that?" he asked, gaze fixated on the machines with a look of wonder in his eyes.
Nikolai gave a hearty slap against one of the machines. "This, my dear Siggy, is a claw machine" with the grandeur and flourish befitting a jester, the man produced a coin from somewhere. "Usually, you'd throw that in and try to grab anything in there with the claw. Buuut..." the man trailed off with a grin, free hand reaching into his overcoat. It didn't take a genius to figure out what he was trying to do. Sigma slapped the man's arm lightly, startling him. "That's cheating" the casino-owner scolded.
Was this how Nikolai managed to win so much money up at Sky Casino?
Pouting, Nikolai retracted his arm. "You're no fun. Aren't kids supposed to be fun?" the man asked, and Sigma sent him another flat look. "Aren't adults supposed to listen to rules?" he counters, and immediately regrets it upon seeing the wide Cheshire grin on the clown's face. "So you do admit to being a toddler!" with a sigh, the two-toned male rubbed at his temples. Leave it to Nikolai to focus on that rather than a not-quite-insult. "How about we just play that game?" he finally decided to suggest.
~
His head spun slightly and he clutched the white bird plush tightly against his chest. The music of the fair still rang in his ears, even as they were so far away that he could barely even see the lights. "So... was it fun?" Nikolai asked him, holding onto a stupid looking bear plush with a tacky top-hat and tie. At least he'd stopped pouting about not having managed to get the rat for Fyodor.
Sigma paused, then smiled softly. In all three years of existing, he'd never had a night quite like this. Even if the attractions left him dizzy and sick, and the crowds made it almost impossible to talk... it had been the best night of his very, very brief life. "Yes, it was" he admitted, startled when he was pulled into a half-hug. Sigma blinked at the odd feeling of warmth in his chest. Once again left wondering: Is this what having family was like?
Still, he couldn't help but smile fondly when Nikolai grinned at him. Although he did scrunch up his face in annoyance when another party popper exploded in his face. He didn't have time to complain about it, however, when the clown let out a cheerful:
"Happy birthday, kid!"