Chapter Text
Amelia stood in front of the vivid green tent, looking at a little box in her hands decorated with a puffy bow.
She had striven hard, putting all her soul into making a truly nice present. Thinking about what Harlequin would like to receive had been complicated or, more accurately, completely impossible. Amelia had been acquainted with him only a fortnight so it was truly impossible. She had attempted to find out more details about his identity, such as interests and hobbies but every time she spoke to him, he would endlessly and shamelessly hit on her or annoy Pierrot. Therefore, she could only remember his frequently repeated dirty jokes and the ways he humiliated Pierrot. Amelia had finally dived into her own doubts overthinking so much about Harlequin that even her dreams were plagued by him. Who had known that the naughty clown, whose routine had bothered her would get stuck in her head like a recently read book by a genius classic author filled with millions of references to find. Amelia had got too carried away by him, even though she had never chased after someone before – she hung on his every word, despite them being absolutely unserious and sarcastic. Once, Harlequin had leaned forward toward her and proudly whispered in her ear as if he had won a huge prize: “Hah… darling, I’ve finally got your heart? Because I can’t find any explanation for you stalking me. Pierrot is having a bad influence on you, isn’t he?”
Finally, Amelia passed this self-conscious phase. Now, she had it in her to meet him, but there was still a tiny fear of not knowing his reaction – maybe he didn’t celebrate his birthday and she would make him feel uncomfortable or vulnerable. These could be the worst and the most expected consequences of her visit because she had seen right through him and noticed his inability to express emotions. It was absolutely clear when he again turned a theme that could touch the deepest parts of his soul into a joke.
Nevertheless, giving the present was crucial for Amelia because, in spite of his antics driving her crazy , he was a good acquaintance who added colour to her boring days.
She stepped into the tent, seeing barely anything in the utter darkness.
«Harlequin, are you here? »
The words went unanswered, breaking against the walls and leaving nothing but silence. Her worries, which had been following her all week, turned into an anxious suspense that often appears when you wait for something bad to happen, but it doesn't happen when expected. Amelia wanted to get it over with quickly to end her torment. But life had already decided her fate without asking her. Еven though she had thought her plan through, something would undoubtedly go wrong. Not only she, but everyone should understand the strange nature of life and adapt to its dictated terms.
Amelia was about to leave when someone's hand grabbed her shoulder tightly, so she could clearly feel the sharpness of the nails. It seemed, they could wound her with the slightest touch if their owner wanted to. Her scream of surprise at this intrusion her personal space didn't last long – the other hand covered her mouth. She heard the present slip on the floor.
Amelia was pushed onto a bed – she could swear she saw only rainbow spots appearing and disappearing with every movement.
It reminded her of meeting him for the first time, when he had invited her to his tent on just their second day of acquaintance. It shocked her to realize that she had never been pursued like that by any man she had met. Amelia couldn’t deny she liked his hot and rushed temper, but it was too early for that. What about trust? What about loyalty? What about lovemaking, not just a having rough sex to release the hidden lust building up every day?
Harlequin loomed over her with a big grin. It was wider than usual. Amelia could only distinguish his green eyes, full of satisfaction, although it was only the beginning. Harlequin sat down, spreading her legs caressing her soft skin with his finger. He grabbed her arms held them together above her head, trying not to leave bruises on them. Harlequin leaned close to her already flushed pink ear and said.
«Oh my... dear one and so dirty one. Did you come to continue what we recently began? That's brave of you. I appreciate it. » - He touched her chin too softly for someone like him.
These words - dangerous and exciting at the same time - left her absolutely speechless… At first glance, he seemed determined, but holding himself back becoming harder and harder. His hands wandering on Amelia’s body were covered in sweat. His uneven breathing made itself known. And finally, his toxic eyes burned with admiration and tried accidently not to meet with gaze.
Something sticky and cold slowly started crawling up her, finally reaching her shorts. Amelia let out a tiny squeak.
«Hmm... barely can speak? Interesting. It seemed, Pierrot is too busy with his performances and has almost forgotten how to treat you right. But I can fix it; I can give you what you really need, dear one. »
The «things» easily got into her shorts. She tried in vain to understand what they were. The fact that their movements were unnervingly snake-like completely terrified her. Were they, his pets? Pets often reminded her of their owner. If Harlequin was a snake, he was definitely a viper - one that enjoyed tasting a human’s fear first while winding around them. Amelia threw her head back and tightly closed her eyes; her body started trembling, and sweat covered her forehead. Uncertainty was the worst nightmare for her, usually accompanied by anxiety and sometimes even panic attacks. The most terrifying thing was his poisoned eyes, reflecting all his twisted fantasies. He bent down, slowly licking her neck preparing it for a bite he considered to be a kiss. A pleasant shiver of goosebumps ran down her spine.
«Harlequin! Wait...! Stop it, please! I’m scared. » Harlequin pulled back, sitting up straight raising an eyebrow in sheer bewilderment.
Amelia tried to feel relieved but apprehension rushed more intensively through her veins, making her take a deep breath.
«What was that? Please, stop. » she whimpered, looking at him with her tearing eyes. The «things» disappeared into the black emptiness as if they had never been there – which comforted her a bit.
“Don’t be scared it was just me. May I continue, darling?” he smiled.
«I did came for you, not for this. »
« And? What’s the difference? » It was clear he was genuinely confused, as he began to blink frequently.
«It’s your birthday today. I came to wish you a happy birthday and give you a present. »
The uncertainty of the situation led to a silence that seemed to last an eternity.
«How could you forget? » she asked, but he just gave her the cold shoulder.
Harlequin pulled his arms away from hers and stared down into nothingness, feeling guilty. Amelia felt sorry for him and thought to herself.
"Has nobody wished him happy birthday? »
She was a true empath, so she took someone else's moral distress as her own. Amelia carefully stroked his head, supporting him so he wouldn't drown in his loneliness. Surprised, he looked up at her, almost crying, but tried hard to pretend he wasn't. She cautiously stood up, found the present, remembering where it was supposed to have fallen.
Amelia sat opposite Harlequin and, with a beaming smile, handed over the present. His green eyes, which had previously shone bright with incredible confidence, widened in great astonishment. Harlequin unpacked the present. Inside was a greeting card with dozens of hearts and kisses on it. She immediately glanced away shyly. Her cheeks were getting pink while he was reading the text. His eyes scanned the lines. Harlequin tried to appear cold-hearted and nonchalant, but his shaking hands spoke for themselves.
«Oh. Thanks…I’m going to look at the other things later. » he paused slightly and then added «Now. Go away. »
Harlequin muttered it as if he hadn’t wanted her to hear. Amelia was right – he was afraid of his other side, the kind and sensitive one. She saw what he had kept secret for a long time, and for him, it was the scariest nightmare.
«What...?» she froze like a stone statue, having nothing to say.
He quickly stood up and went to his table, putting down the present. He didn’t turn to her.
« Did I say something you didn’t get? I said you get out. » He swallowed. «Get out. Now...! »
Everything was blurring but Amelia caught him wiping his wet face with his hands. Sobbing, she rаn away.