Chapter Text
Deuce stares at a certain ginger that’s his roommate, deuce thinks he looks strangely familiar…
Ace and Deuce knew each other from the first days of Nrc, or at least that’s what everybody assumes, Truth be told? They knew each other long before Nrc, before they could even remember each other that clearly. Once upon a time, two little boys met at a circus and later on, they meet again and stay this time.
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The day they met was when the Wind Rose circus came back to the queendom and a vague warning was given of a new act. The Doll’s Extravaganza.
Not much was known about this new act, Only the name was public knowledge, not who was performing in it or what it was about. When the tickets were for sale, Dylla thought maybe her son would like to go to the circus, especially since the Trappola family were back to performing after going on a hiatus.
So dylla saved up some extra money and the spade family went to the circus. In nine year old deuce’s opinion, the circus was a little boring til the fire and tightrope acts started and then a man comes to the front of the stage, announcing in that booming voice
“I, the Ringmaster, am here to announce Dollkeeper is here tonight”
“Welcome our newest member, come on out doll~!”
The sound of heels clicking feels the room, a red spotlight turns on on the side that reveals a ginger haired boy with a white doll mask that has black cracks in it, the boy is dressed in a crimson cloak draped over a white corset with a dark red plush skirt that reaches the knees and black fabric the peeks out from under the skirt in ruffles.
Deuce stares at the boy with wide eyes and a slightly agape mouth, a flush creeping up on his cheeks as his gaze tracks the boy as he walks down the stairs of the stage and goes over to ringmaster, then doll’s voice echos through the circus
“I heard your call and the dollkeeper is here to Ace your hearts~!”
The dollkeeper shoos away the Ringmaster and skips around the stage before going to climb up so he can reach the tightrope.
Deuce would’ve guessed it was spider web-like silk, the circus was known for it’s daring and impossible stunts alike. Watching the ginger walk the tightrope was practically one of the most breathtaking things deuce had ever seen, his eyes climb up with the doll’s body that steps up and up on silk.
Dylla looks over at her son and chuckles at his wide eyed expression, lifting her hand and patting her son’s hair.
After the performance Deuce comes out of the ice cream shop with his mother, looking over at her with some melted ice cream on his upper lip, grinning widely as he speaks while maybe shouting a little…. “Thank you for bringing me to the circus mama!!”
He looks absolutely delighted at the smile his mother gives him, looking over at the streets and sees that same ginger from the circus except he’s dressed in red overalls with red and white gingham ruffles on his shorts and a bow on the side of his hip, a white undershirt with puff sleeves and a flat collar.
Deuce runs over to the boy that’s jumping across a play set, waving with a bright smile and saying aloud “Hello! You’re the new one in the circus right?’
Dollkeeper looks over at deuce and smiles brightly, showing his tooth gap and nods quickly as he jumps off of the painted hopscotch. Giving him a wave as he speaks
“YESSSS! I’m Ace Trappola, What’s your name??”
“Deuce spade….It’s really nice to meet you!”
Dollkeeper or rather ace, holds out a hand to him and waits for deuce to take it “Do you wanna play with mee??”
Deuce hands his ice cream to his mother, looking up at her with an uncertain look before dylla smiles and nods down at them
“Go play, have fun sweetheart”
Deuce takes ace’s hand and runs along with him to the playground, both of them giggling nonstop as they do everything together, the swings, hide and seek, tag, pranking other kids, ring around the rosy -Ace’s idea-
They only stopped when the sun was setting and their parents came to bring them home, before splitting up they give their goodbyes and make a promise
“Bye bye blueberry! We’ll meet tomorrow at the thorn’s garden right?” “Of course we will cherry thing! Byeeeeee”
Deuce walks down the sidewalk, a hand wrapped in his mother’s hand and a soft grin.
Ace looks up at Ringmaster, who’s carrying him back home and pats his cheek sleepily.
That day, both of the boys had gained a friend and a permanent connection, fate is a tricky thing…It gives and ends connections only to put them back together, like a thread with fabric.