Work Text:
“I just don’t know what to do…”
Jack whimpered, leaning closer into your touch, his ears pressed against his head. His body shook with fear and his breaths were fast and heavy. He had confided in you after going through a whole day of torment from Jester. He knew he shouldn’t have been talking to you. He knew it wasn’t his job, but you were one of the few people he trusted and could comfort him during his darkest times.
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Jack…” you cooed, gently petting his ears. A sympathetic frown appeared on your face as you soothed him. It really broke your heart to see him—or anyone like this. “You don’t deserve this. None of you do.”
Jack began to calm down, his breathing starting to slow into a rhythm. “I-I know. It’s just that she’s always—“
Suddenly, you were no longer holding Jack. A sound of confusion left you as you took in the new environment. It looked like some sort of office. Big desk, big chair, lots of shelves; however it seemed just as ruined as the rest of the circus.
You have never seen this part of the circus before, so just where the hell were you?
Then, a voice—Jester’s voice called out your name as she descended from the ceiling, causing your body to jump in shock. Her feet landed on the ground in front of you and that familiar, unsettling smile was displayed on her face.
“Jester, uh… hi?” Your voice sounded uncertain as you spoke. “Why did you bring me here?”
“It’s my office. Pretty neat, right?” Jester spoke with a sense of confidence. Her hollow eyes stared at you, waiting for your response.
“Y-yeah, it’s a nice office,” you replied with a nod. “So why’d you bring me here? I was kinda in the middle of some—“
“Why do you sound so eager to leave? Do you not want to talk to your friend?” She tilted her head, her smile twisting into a frightening grin.
You raised an eyebrow. Friend? It’s been a while since you’ve ever considered her a friend. You do recall having occasional conversations with her, but you didn’t think it would indicate a friendship.
“Friend? We’re friends?” you asked before you could even stop the words.
Her grin fell at your question, her mouth turning into a thin line. Her eyes now stared blankly at you, unsettling you even more.
“Are we not friends? After all the fun that we had? Wow.”
“I mean—don’t get me wrong, but I thought that role went to Jack?” You knew that they weren’t actually friends—or you hoped that they weren’t. Anybody could tell that their relationship was toxic and built on fear, but he was mainly the one she picked for these things, so forgive you for being confused.
“Ah. Jack…” Jester muttered as if she had gained a disdain for him, “that useless, pathetic rabbit.”
The confusion must’ve been evident on your face as she quickly added more. The room suddenly began to glitch and her eyes glowed a purple, neon color.
“Don’t look at me like that. You think I don’t know? I see you and him talking and getting close to each other. I hear it too. I hear you talk to him about ME. I hear you talk to the others about ME. The way they all seek comfort in you. Even the ribbon girl! It’s disgusting. Pathetic.”
“Why do you even do it, anyway?” she continued, her eyes glaring holes into you. “You know they don’t care about you. You only serve one purpose to them, and they’ll throw you away once you can no longer provide. You. Are. Nothing.”
As you listened to her words, you started to make a realization. The words weren’t just insults, but they sounded like it was a projection of her. Her insecurities. She hears you, she sees you, but she’s never really there. Jester was an outsider to her own circus. She was envious.
“Jester…” you murmured, your voice calm and gentle, “are you… feeling lonely?”
Jester froze. She continued to stare at you with that unnerving expression for a few seconds before she lunged forward, her hand now tightening around your throat.
“Lonely…? Do you understand who you are talking to? I AM a God. I don’t care about you pathetic, pieces of shit living in MY circus! I AM the one who is running things here. I AM the TRUTH!”
“Jester, please…”
“I should delete you for even suggesting such a ridiculous thing. Who do you take me for? A mortal!?” she screamed before breaking into a fit of maniacal laughter. Her grin had returned, flashing her sharp teeth at you like a predator going in for the kill.
“Jester,” you squeaked out.
“WHAT!?” she yelled in your face before letting you go.
You inhaled deeply before speaking, making sure to pick your words carefully to avoid bruising her ego even more. “I’m… I’m not doubting your power, Jester. I am aware you are… a God,” the word sounded bitter on your tongue, “but is it so bad to just talk to me? Like, really talk to me?”
“Talk to you?” she sneered. “Talk to you about what? We have nothing more to discuss.”
“About anything. Your creations, your models, how you are… just anything.”
She was about to decline, but then she really thought about it. Nobody in this hellish circus actually talked to her. When they did, it was out of fear or begging. She was isolated. But right now, there was actually someone who wanted to talk to her. Connect with her.
“…I was working on a new area. It’s not done yet, but I’ve been working on it for hours,” she said, her voice oddly calm—maybe a bit on edge?
“Yeah? What are you gonna put in it? Can I see it?”
Jester’s eyes widened. Were you actually interested in her creations? Or were you just trying to distract her from your imminent punishment? Either way, she bit the bullet. “You want to see it?”
You nodded. “Yeah. A sneak peek, if you don’t mind.”
She let out a laugh, a small, genuine smile creeping onto her face. “Fine then. I’ll give you a peek. Just don’t tell the others. Or else.”
She snapped her fingers and suddenly the both of you were in a new room. The room looked like it was some sort of lounge area. There were plenty of couches, a coffee table, and a fireplace in the middle. The lighting was dim, yet it gave the place a very cozy feeling. It was a totally different vibe from the rest of the circus, however you did notice a floating chair in the corner.
Jester cleared her throat, taking a seat on one of the couches. “Like I said, not finished, but what do you think?”
“It’s great. A really comfortable place. I’m glad you showed me this, Jester,” you replied, taking a seat next to her.
“Hmph. Of course. Who wouldn’t be glad to have such an opportunity?”
The two of you sat there in complete silence, listening to the fire crackle in the fireplace. You never would’ve imagined relaxing with your tormentor, but you guess life is full of surprises. After a while, you decided to speak up.
“Y’know, you don’t have to be lonely, Jester. At least not tonight. Let me keep you company,” you said, breaking the silence.
“Company…?” she repeated. She could feel her face shamefully redden at your suggestion. Why did her face burn? It shouldn’t have. You were just a bug trying to get under her skin. Yet, for some reason, she didn’t have the will to turn you down.
“Fine,” she said.
Before she could change her mind, you slid closer to her, wrapping your arms around her slender body. She went rigid as you buried your face into her neck. Her skin was unnaturally cold, but your body started to warm her up.
Soon, she finally relaxed and wrapped her long arms around you, pressing you up against her torso. She let out a soft sigh and rested her chin on your shoulder. She felt content. Happy.
Maybe having some company wasn’t bad afterall.