Chapter Text
It all had started because of a very simple reason: Chase needed a job. Like, really needed a job. And he needed it quickly, so any job would do, even if it wasn’t exactly his dream job. But preferably something he actually liked doing, please and thank you.
Even so, he knew how difficult it was finding a job in his field of work. People like him trained very hard every day, pushing their bodies to their limits and doing the impossible, all for the chance that one day, someone would think they were good enough. But it didn’t happen often. And Chase had already seen many colleagues give up, people way more experienced than him, and probably more talented too. They had seen themselves get older, and still remain in the same place, knowing that every year on their backs meant one chance less that they would be offered, and one rejection more. Chase could count with the fingers of one hand the amount of colleagues that had actually made it out.
Still, hope is the last thing you lose. And Chase Hollow never loses.
He had already decided that, no matter what job he ended up taking for the time being, he would continue working towards his dream, even if it meant having to spend every single minute of his free time training. Even if it meant having to cut down the hours of his beauty sleep. Yes, he was willing to go to that length, that’s how seriously he was taking it.
So, when his teacher came to him with the opportunity of a lifetime, he knew he couldn’t refuse.
He had been training, as he always was. Alone, of course, because SOMEONE couldn’t be bothered to appear even though it was a partnered exercise, and that tends to mean having a partner, SIMON.
But whatever. It was fine. He made do.
He was in the middle of practicing one of his exercises (something very simple that he could do without a partner), when his teacher came in and called out to him, knowing very well where she would find him.
Hearing her, Chase immediately let himself fall into the net below him, and from there he jumped to the floor, landing in a perfect position.
For, you see, Chase’s dream job was not the most usual one. In fact, it was one that tended to raise the eyebrows of the people who asked him about it.
Because Chase wanted to be a trapeze artist.
For him, it wasn’t just another childhood dream that fades with the dawn of adulthood (as part of his family had sincerely hoped). He was determined to become the greatest trapeze artist the world had ever known, and then rub it in the face of his Aunt Beth. Hence, the classes he’d been taking for 15 years now (don’t let him fool you, it had been 7), and the extensive training that had become a staple of his personality.
His dedication was also the reason why he was Miss Forensky’s favorite student. Yes, the same Miss Forensky who was the daughter of his grandpa’s sworn nemesis. This had been a little problematic at first, but nothing he couldn’t overcome. What mattered was that Miss Forensky was a kind woman who had nothing to do with her mother’s rivalry. And even more importantly, she was an excellent teacher. And Chase liked her a lot.
So he was truly happy to see her, especially because she was smiling at him like she was about to give him some really great news.
Which she was.
“Chase”, she started. “Do you still need a job by any chance?”
He nodded, curious. She knew that he needed a job. She had been one of the first people he had talked to about it, hoping that maybe she would hire him. Unfortunately, she had told him that, even though she wished she could help him, she couldn’t afford to at the moment. But she had promised to be on the lookout for any job opportunities that may arise.
And now, she was practically beaming at him, which in Chase’s opinion was a really great sign.
“What would you say if I told you that I found you a spot as a trapeze artist in a circus?”
At that, Chase’s heart practically jumped out of his chest. He had been willing to accept any job that came his way, anything. But this… this was almost too perfect to be true. An opportunity to work as a trapeze artist. To make money doing what he loved.
Maybe he had fallen jumping off the net and concussed his head, and this conversation was a hallucination. He pinched himself just to be sure. And it kinda hurt, so no, he was not hallucinating.
“How?”, he asked, still a little in shock. “It’s basically impossible! Who did you kill to find an open spot?”
Miss Forensky laughed at her pupil’s reaction. She had always had a soft spot for her favorite student, and was extremely glad that she could be of help to him in a time of need.
“Wait, it’s not a joke. I kinda need to know, just in case the police comes to question me.”
“I didn’t kill anybody, silly. A good friend of mine works in a circus, and she told me that they had found themselves in need of a new trapeze artist for a partnered number. And I told her about you! I sent her some of your videos, and they think you may be a good fit. If you accept, they’d put you on probation for a few weeks, and if everything works out (and I’m sure it will), you’d be the circus’ new trapeze artist! Chase, it’s the opportunity you had been waiting for!”
He was quiet for a moment, a few seconds needed to process the possible future that was laid out before him. Miss Forensky’s words hung in the air, so present that he could almost see them, like smoke surrounding and embracing him.
Then, he practically jumped to give his teacher a hug, startling her slightly and making her laugh. Relief pooled in his lungs, and he was so happy he thought he would explode. This was the solution to all his problems, he was sure. He could make the money he needed, and start his career as a performer just the way he’d always wanted. He didn’t love the idea of having to leave the city, as he would definitely have to do at some point with this job, but it was clear this was the best he was going to find. And he really needed the money…
But also, a job at the circus! Just like he’d always dreamed! And, sure, it would be no Cirque Du Soleil, but…
“Wait. It’s not the Cirque Du Soleil, is it?”
He just had to make sure.
Miss Forensky smiled at him.
“No, I’m afraid not. My contacts aren’t that good.”
“So? Which circus is it? Maybe I’ve heard of it.”
Now, maybe he was a little agitated because of the news, but Chase was quite sure that he wasn’t imagining the glint of mischief in his teacher’s eyes.
“Keystone.”
Oh, Keystone.
…
WAIT, KEYSTONE?
“I’m sorry, I think I heard you wrong. Did you say Keystone? As in, The Great Keystone Circus?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I said.”
Not for the first time in that conversation, Chase was rendered speechless. The Great Keystone Circus was probably the most important and well known circus in all the country. Hell, even in the whole continent. It had a reputation of having some of the best performers in the world. The owner and ring master, Mr Keystone, was basically a living legend (and not only because, as the rumors said, he was incredibly old), and he prized himself in only employing the most talented and exceptional people. Performing at Keystone basically meant you had your career guaranteed for the rest of your life.
Chase had always wanted to go see one of Keystone’s performances, but the tickets were unbelievably expensive, and almost impossible to get. Which also meant that the pay would be really good.
Which ALSO meant that the situation was crazy. He? At Keystone? He’d never even dreamed of such a thing! (Well, maybe sometimes, while practicing his bows in front of the mirror, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE POINT.)
Just who knew Miss Forensky to offer him such a job?
He eyed her with suspicion, but she knew exactly what was going through his mind.
“My good friend, Agatha Gruenenfelder, has been working for years as Mr Keystone’s assistant and the circus’ chief cook. She was the one who told me they needed a new trapeze artist, and the one I sent your videos to. Now, Chase, this is an incredible opportunity, but I want you to remember you are not hired yet. You’ll have to work harder than ever before if you want to claim a spot as one of the circus’ performers. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you of the circus’ reputation, and the standards you’ll be held to. It will be hard, and there is no guarantee you’ll succeed. Are you up for it?”
Chase looked at his teacher, a flaming fire in his eyes. There wasn’t a single trace of doubt on his face, nothing that could indicate indecision. Everyone who had ever met him knew that he would never back down from a challenge. And this would be the greatest challenge of his life.
“Bring it on.”
Now, Deacon Hollow had never been the rebel type. All his life, he had let his parents decide what was best for him, and acted accordingly to their wishes. Some would go as far to say that he was a shining example of the perfect son. Smart and obedient, never causing any trouble. He was going to become a doctor, for goodness’ sake! He had never gone through one of those “I’m running away and joining the circus” phases.
So it was a surprise for everyone when that was exactly what he did.
I know what you’re thinking. What kind of talent could Deacon Hollow possibly have to perform at the circus? Well… he hadn’t been all that sure either.
All that he knew was that his cousin Chase had called to tell him about his new job while he was trying to study for yet another impossibly difficult exam, and suddenly the walls were caving in on him. He felt trapped. All of a sudden, the air had disappeared from the room, and he couldn’t breathe. Because Chase was going to leave, to make something out of himself doing the thing he loved, and Deacon would be left there. For the rest of his life. The rest of his life.
He needed to get out.
He opened his laptop without being really aware of what he was doing, only that he needed something that would get him away from his life, away from the Deacon Hollow everyone knew. He vaguely remembered the name of the Circus that had hired Chase, so he decided to start there. But he couldn’t just appear out of nowhere and demand to be let in. He needed something that he could do. Something. Anything.
THERE.
Searching for the name of the circus had given him too many results, but in between them, if you knew how to look, was a link to one of those platforms where you could find job offers. (Deacon had never heard of it. His parents had always been against him finding a part time job. He was going to become a doctor, and needed to concentrate on his studies, end of the question.)
To Deacon’s extraordinary luck, there was an open position, and the ad had been posted only an hour prior, so not many people could have applied by then.
And no, it was not an offer for a performer.
It was an offer for a stagehand. He could do that, right? It didn’t seem too hard…
He didn’t give himself the chance to think twice. He knew if he did he would start overthinking everything, and that was not what he needed right now. He needed to act.
So he applied. And then he closed his laptop, the truth of what he had just done slowly sinking in. But it didn’t matter. They probably wouldn’t hire him anyways.
Except they did.
And that’s the reason why he was currently hiding in his grandpa’s attic, waiting for his cousin to finish packing so they could leave. And also the reason why he had disconnected his phone, after sending a couple of very explosive texts (one could only handle so many missed calls and messages from their parents).
So, yeah. That was what he was doing.
He really hoped he wouldn’t regret this decision.