Chapter Text
The circus had finally fallen quiet for the night.
Beyond the rows of tents, the last echoes of laughter and music had long since faded, leaving only the soft hush of the evening breeze drifting through the grounds. The tall canvas tents creaked gently as they shifted, ropes tugging faintly against their stakes. Lanterns hung between wagons and posts, burning low and dim, golden glow flickering lazily against the dark sky.
Inside the purple tent, the air was warm and faintly scented by a solidifying black cherry candle. Heavy velvet hung along the interior walls, their deep colors swallowing the low light. A single lantern rested on a small table beside the bed, its wavering flame casting soft, dancing shadows that stretched and curled across the draped fabric and canvas walls.
Sleep refused to greet Angel, her fingers fiddling with silken sheets. Something unsettling weighed on her mind. Her micromovements were enough to pull Jester from his book, “Having trouble sleeping, darling~?” Propped up against the pillows, reclined and reading by dim lantern light. His eyes lifted from the page and settled on her, lowering the book. Jester’s voice carried his signature suave tone, smooth and soothing in the quiet of the tent.
Defeated, Angel nods with a pout, not bothering to roll over. Jester's mask tilts slightly as he studies her expression, the bells on his hat giving a soft jingle as he shifts closer. "Now now, none of that pouting, dear one~" He sets the book aside with deliberate care before his voice drops into something softer, playful, yet threaded with quiet concern, "Shall I read you something dreamily dull until you drift off? Or..." A gloved thumb traces idle circles along her shoulder through the blanket. "...would my good girl prefer to tell me what's troubling those bright eyes?"
Her pout deepens as she hesitates, conflicted over whether or not to bring it up. "I caught Ticket Taker airing some grievances in passing today..." she murmurs, "he was… frustrated. Something about ‘hearing Harlequin fucking fools nightly'" A flicker of understanding crossed Jester's face at the mention of the Ticket Taker, then darkened slightly as she relayed the gossip. He sighed, shifting to rest his elbow casually against her pillow as he considered this new bit of information. "Yes, it seems our Harlequin has been indulging in... nocturnal distractions quite excessively." Jester's voice held a hint of disapproval, tempered by a wry sort of resignation. Jester let that hang in the air a moment before asking, with a touch of teasing, "Are you perhaps jealous, my sweet?"
"Well-" her immediate reaction was that of defensiveness before she stops herself, "no... maybe... That's not the point!" A low, amused rumble of a chuckle shakes Jester's frame as she sputters in denial. He was still watching her keenly, his fingers continuing the lazy tracing motion, absently along her arm. "No?" He drawls, "You're not jealous?" The hint of amusement in his voice deepened. "Not the least bit bothered that our darling Harlequin is entertaining... other guests every night? Spending his late hours with someone who isn't you?" Angel crosses her arms and hides her face amongst the pillows, "Of course, I am. How are you not concerned? Does he at least use protection?"
Jester gives another soft chuckle at her response, the sound tinged with a mix of affection and mild mischief. He reaches out and gently tugs at a lock of hair peaking through the pillows. "Ah, my dear girl," he says, the teasing note in his tone softened, "You know, you're rather adorable when you're all indignant. And to answer your rather direct question... Harlequin is quite... thorough in his precautions. Or so he claims..."
Angel sighs in frustration, "the reassurance didn’t help as much as I thought it would..."
A flicker of genuine concern crosses Jester's face when she expresses her frustration. His touch moves from the lock of her hair to gently lift the pillow hiding her expression. He shifts a bit closer, his voice dropping into a quiet, sincere tone. "Angel... my sweet Angel." His gloved thumb lightly traces the curve of her shoulder in reassuring, calming circles. "You know," he says gently, "I would never forget my good girl… You have my complete, undivided attention and affection, yes? You know you're safe here. Desired, by more than just Harlequin."
A deep breath as she looks at him through her peripheral before rolling over to bury her face against his chest. A pleased hum escapes Jester, his arms instinctively wrap around her, holding her snuggly against him. His cheek rests against the top of her head, pressing a light kiss, voice comforting as he continues. "There now," he murmurs, "Is that better, precious?" One hand begins to gently stroke her back in slow, calming motions, his other hand lightly toying with her hair. A soft chuckle rumbles in Jester's chest as she nuzzles against him, stubbornly clinging to her adorable pout. He continues the soothing strokes of his hand on her back, the gentle, steady rhythm like a silent promise of comfort and reassurance. "Oh, my sweet, stubborn girl..." he murmurs, the affection in his voice as evident as the amusement. "You really are going to sulk the whole night, aren't you?"
"I'm sorry for feeling this way,"
The guilt in her voice immediately draws Jester's attention. He gives a gentle squeeze, feeling the weight of her emotion. He continues to gently rub her back as he speaks, a mix of softness and gentle chiding in his voice. "Sweetheart, you never have to apologize for how you feel," he shifts a bit so he can gently tilt her chin up with his fingers. A tender understanding shines in his eyes as their gazes meet, "You're allowed to feel jealous. You're allowed to feel insecure. You're allowed to feel." His thumb caresses the line of her jaw, a tender gesture of reassurance. "But," he continues in a low murmur, "You're also not alone in this. You're surrounded by people who care deeply about you. I care deeply about you." The touch of his hand on her jaw continues to be a point of grounding contact. "Harlequin's... dalliances don't change the fact that you are treasured, sweetheart. You are cared for. You are wanted."
Jester lets out a quiet, understanding hum as he feels her curl closer. His arms tighten around her in an instinctive protective embrace, one hand sliding up to cradle the back of her head while the other presses firmly between her shoulder blades, holding you flush against him. "Shhh... I know," he murmurs into her hair, his voice softening with something achingly tender. "I know, dear one," A pause as his thumb traces slow circles on the nape of her neck, an unspoken promise lingering in each stroke, "You are not disposable."
The bells on his hat give a faint jingle when he shifts to press a kiss upon the crown of her head. She takes a steadying deep breath while Jester makes a mental note of her emotional state. The way her body holds tension, the lingering frustration and insecurity rolling off of her like a cloud. Another moment of silence, filled by the sound of their shared breathing. When he finally speaks, his voice is softer with a quiet undercurrent of reassurance, "Can you look at me, sweetheart?"
Slowly, Angel's head rises, placing a vulnerable kiss upon Jester’s jaw before meeting his gaze. Jester's eyes glimmer, his attention immediately captured by the open, vulnerable expression in her eyes, his heart, his chest, incredibly tight. "That's my good girl," he murmurs quietly, words filled with both praise and fondness. The hand on the back of her head gently guides her closer, foreheads resting upon each other. His voice, a low, soothing whisper, "You're safe. With me. Always."
Angel’s brow knits, her pupils dilate. Jester continues to watch her closely, he's seen this look plenty of times before, a tell-tale sign her heart was racing. His thumb continues its gentle caresses along the back of her neck. A low, soothing sound rumbled in his chest. "Angel..." he murmurs quietly, a soft, coaxing encouragement, "use your words, sweetheart."
"Thank you," she sighs softly.
A warm wave of affection cascades upon Jester, the gratitude disarming his protective, over-caring heart. He tilts his head and brushes a light kiss to her forehead, the tip of her nose, and one more to a corner of her mouth. His voice drops into a tender tenor, "You're so very welcome, my darling girl."
Her heart skips a beat.
Another light, barely-there kiss is pressed to the sensitive spot right below her ear to physically convey the depth of his feelings. "You've no idea," he confesses against soft skin, "no idea how much you mean to me."
"I love you," she coos softly.
The words, quiet yet powerful, hit Jester like a freight train. He goes completely still for a moment as his heart stutters within his chest, his arms tensing involuntarily around her. It's not the first time she'd uttered those three little words to him, yet it never failed to take his breath away. After a few seconds, he finally regains some semblance of composure, his breath shuddering ever so slightly. His lips find the curve of her neck, his voice a hoarse, shaky whisper against her skin, "I love you, too." Jester's lips are capturing hers in a soft, firm kiss, pouring every ounce of his love, longing, and devotion into the connection, his hands framing her face tenderly as he guides the kiss. When he finally pulls back, his forehead is resting against hers once more, breath warm against her lips. "My darling girl..." he whispers, voice a low, emotional rumble, "My sweet, precious, perfect Angel."
"Jester," she whispers breathlessly.
Hearing his name on her lips in that pleading tone sends a jolt of something electric straight through Jester. His grip tightens just slightly possessive, claiming as he presses another slow kiss to the corner of her mouth. "Angel," he murmurs, voice rough with affection and lingering disbelief. One hand slides down the nape of her neck like an anchor while his other traces idle patterns over where every freckle and curve lies hidden beneath clothing.
"You say my name like that," he coos slowly, a sharp nip at her earlobe, "and dare me not to take advantage?" A slow, dark chuckle rumbled in Jester's chest when he felt her shiver, fingers curled tighter in the fabric of her shirt. "Mmh... so obedient for me," he murmured with a sly grin. The hand on her back slips lower, the other keeps her anchored by the nape of her neck, "Exactly where I want my good girl."
Jester's breath hitches as she bares her throat to him, the exposed skin practically begging for his teeth. His grip on her nightshirt tightens reflexively, knuckles going white, before he forcibly loosens it with a shaky exhale. "Such a perfect, precious, princess," he rasps, "offering yourself up like this..." A pause as his tongue darts out to wet suddenly-dry lips, "do I ruin you? Or do I worship every inch first?"
With a rough growl his mouth immediately attacks the offered expanse of skin. His tongue and teeth work in tandem to leave an array of love bites and bruises along her neck and collarbone, working down bit by bit, satisfied in being thorough. His hands slip slightly lower to begin working at the fabric of her shirt. His voice, a growl, "need this off, now."
Pulling away just enough to help her remove her shirt, Jester takes a moment to drink in the sight of her beneath him, flushed, breathless, and marked. He lets out a quiet, pleased rumble of approval, his fingers immediately tracing across every inch of now-exposed skin they can reach. "Gorgeous," he murmurs with a hint of reverent awe. "Absolutely bloody gorgeous." His mouth moves lower then, finding a particularly sensitive spot near the base of her ribcage.
"aH!~" Her back arches up into the bite.
Jester groans at the sound of her sharp cry, his teeth sinking in just a little deeper to savor the way she arched beneath him. One hand slides up, anchoring her in place as he lavishes attention with slow, filthy licks. "Louder," he demands against damp skin before nipping higher toward one peaked nipple. "Want everyone outside this tent to know exactly who's ruining this sweet little Angel."
"Jester-" she breathlessly protests his antagonizing of the other circus performers.
Jester pulls back just enough to give her a look, the sharp glint in his eyes says everything, "Oh? Protesting now?" His fingers pinch at her nipple teasingly, twisting until she whimpers. "Darling," he purrs as if explaining the obvious, "they already know." A rough kiss is pressed to the underside of her breast. "You think Pierrot hasn't noticed how often I drag you into my tent? That Ticket Taker isn't counting every time he hears our voices through these canvas walls?"
"Jester~" she mewls.
"Shhh…" A calloused thumb runs lightly across her bottom lip.
Jester's entire body stills at the sudden flush of heat between them. A sharp inhale, then a slow, dangerous exhale through gritted teeth. "Angel," he growls, "do I need to take this sweet little cunt of yours?" Angel squeaks when Jester begins teasing and stroking her clothed slit. Grasping at his shoulders as she quivers. "Ah-ah," Jester tuts, light yet edged with warning. "Let go of my shirt... and put your hands above your head, darling." There's a moment to give her a chance to follow the order, and if she doesn't he will gladly take it upon himself to move her.
"Hands. Up."
Angel meets his gaze for a fraction of a second before averting, her arms raise despite the vulnerability of her exposed upper half. Jester's eyes, filled with approval and lust that makes her head spin, don't leave hers as her arms move obediently above her head. "There's my good girl," he coos in a rough, praising rumble. He lets one hand slide up to take her wrists and pin them firmly on the bed above her. "Hands stay up, darling." The other hand drops down to the seam of her sleepshorts, tracing lightly over each button. "Can you be good and keep them there for me?"
She bites her lip and nods, mewling when Jester's mouth descends upon her breasts. A pleased, hungry noise rumbles in Jester's throat. His teeth drag over a peaked nipple, before his tongue soothes the sting. "Fuck," he growls against damp skin, "such pretty little sounds for me." One hand releases her wrists just long enough roughly to yank down the waistband of her shorts. The second they're out of the way? That same hand presses flat between her legs with just enough pressure to make her squirm. "You're dripping already," he muses, tone both smug and reverent as he continues to tease and drag through wet folds. "Such a good girl, getting so excited for me." His pace is slow, torturously so, never quite giving her the pressure she needs. "Do you want me to touch you, sweetheart?" Another light nip to her shoulder. "Want my fingers or my mouth? Because the only wrong answer is not to ask."
"Tongue, please-" she requests breathlessly. A sharp, pleased sound rips from Jester's throat as you beg for his tongue. "That's it," he rasps approvingly, finally releasing her wrists to yank at the waistband of her pants with single-minded intensity. Once they're completely off, he dives in, mouth latching onto swollen folds without preamble. A muffled groan vibrates against slick heat, nose presses firmly into her while his wicked tongue licks a long stripe up her thoroughly soaked cunt. "Taste so fucking good," Jester growled praise between each filthy lap of muscle over sensitive flesh.
An explicit mewl tears from Angel's throat as Jester's tongue circles and flicks her clit, claws dragging her closer to his mouth. "Fuck, fuck, just like that," he rasps against slick flesh before resuming with renewed fervor. His tongue flicks faster now, relentless circles around her throbbing clit while one finger finally presses into her without warning. "Gonna make my good girl come on this pretty tongue," comes the muffled vow between each filthy lick and suckle of her swollen bud. Angel tenses, pressure coiled tight. Coaxed closer to the edge by the sudden intrusion, whimpering as the digit carefully lures her to the precipice despite retracted claws.
Jester doesn't let up, his tongue circling and sucking at her clit while his finger pumps and curls inside, drawing her ever closer to release. Angel writhes, grasping for purchase amongst the pillows above her head as Jester continues to murmur filthy thoughts upon her flesh. Jester's finger massages the back of her clitoris while his arms hold her struggling legs apart. Every whine and moan and whimper, act like an aphrodisiac, feeding Jester's need to drown himself in her, in the taste of her sweat and sweetness.
Angel's thighs tremble as Jester holds her open, his tongue and finger working in tandem to push her over the edge. "J-Jester!" she gasps, back arching off the bed as pleasure coils tighter and tighter. He growls against her, the vibration sending a shockwave through her already overwhelmed body. "Come," the command is rough with need, "Now." And just like that, her world fractures into white-hot bliss beneath his merciless mouth. Angel comes with a squeak, hips convulsing, walls fluttering. Jester works her through the waves, licking and lapping at her release fervently until he pulls away to look up at her, his chin glistening with her wetness, a look of satisfaction in his dark gaze.
"You're so pretty," he rasps reverently, his voice hoarse with want. "I'm not done with you yet. Turn over, darling. Hands and knees for me, yeah?" Angel takes a deep breath before rolling over and shakily propping herself up. A small yelp escapes her when Jester pushes her legs further apart. Jester's breath hitches at the sight of her spread out before him, so exposed and needy for him. "Beautiful," he admires, fingers skimming along the backs of trembling thighs, then the curve of her ass, moving up to press between her shoulder blades. "Arch your back for me," he instructs with a gentle but firm press. "Let me see all of you. I want to taste every inch.” Angel capitulates, angling her hips to bare herself to his ravenous ultraviolet irises, whining as Jester dives back into her oversensitive cunt.
"Good girl," he growls against her skin, fingers pressing into the tender flesh of her hip. "I'm gonna make this little pussy so swollen and sensitive, you won't be able to walk by the time I'm through. Maybe, if you're very good for me, darling, I'll let you sit on my face at breakfast. Do you want that, hm? To come at the Circus kitchen table while the others eat their eggs? On display right in front of them. Letting me use you like our shared little toy. Does that sound good, princess?”
"ff-fuck-" she whimpers pitifully, "Jester-"
A dark chuckle rumbles up from deep within Jester's chest at her words. "You're such a good little creature, begging so nicely for me." He rewards her obedience with another lap of his tongue, licking a slow, filthy stripe up through sensitive flesh and against her swollen bud. "But that wasn't a yes or no, my love," he murmurs, "Now. Do you want that?" Angel was far too distracted by the relentless stimulation to think clearly. "yes~" she agrees in confusion, greatly underestimating Jester's seriousness. He freezes, then pulls back just enough to stare at you with a look of pure, unadulterated hunger. "Fuck." the curse is ragged, desperate.
One hand reaches up to drag his mask off in one sharp motion before tossing it aside like an afterthought. "Don't say 'yes' unless you mean it, sweetheart." His voice drops into something possessive as he leans over her trembling form, his lips speak against the shell of her ear, pinning her to the bed beneath them, "because I will pin this sweet little ass right onto the Doctor's lap during breakfast and make everyone watch me eat out their pet until they're all begging for turns."
"Jester!-" Angel whines. Jester’s teeth nip at the curve of her ear in retaliation. "You said yes, Angel," he reminds you darkly, voice dripping with a mix of triumph and sadistic agenda. His hips press down, just enough for her to feel how hard he is through fabric, the outline straining against his pants as if begging for release. "So either I'm stopping right now..." A rough kiss is pressed to trembling shoulder blades while one hand slides lower again, fingers dragging teasingly over swollen folds, "Or, I get my fill before making good on that pretty little promise."
"Ah!~" she keens as her hips rock against his fingers.
"That's it," he praises darkly, his free hand sliding up to firmly grip her hair, "You keep moving like that..." His voice drops into something filthy as his thumb presses down hard on her clit, "...and I'm not stopping at breakfast.” A sharp nip to the back of her neck punctuates the threat, before adding with a low chuckle, "Might just bend you over Ticket Taker's desk for lunch." Jester freezes ,then lets out a low, sinister chuckle as he feels her clench around his finger. "Fuck. You like that idea?" His voice is pure sin as he presses a rough kiss to her spine. "Good." A sharp thrust of two fingers inside punctuates the word, "Because I'm going to make sure everyone knows exactly who owns this sweet little cunt."
His free hand yanks at the waistband of his pants impatiently, fabric rustling with intent before adding gruffly, "And if anyone gets an eyeful? Well... consider it payback for stealing my good girl's attention earlier~" Jester hisses through his teeth as she rocks back against him, the sudden friction making his hips jerk forward on instinct. "Fuck!" His grip in her hair tightens just enough to sting, keeping her pinned. "You want it that bad?" His voice is rough with arousal, all teasing gone as he yanks himself free from restrictive fabric with a sharp exhale. A second later, cold air brushes over feverish skin before something much hotter and far more insistent presses right up against her slick folds, "Say 'please' like a good girl."
"Please, Jester- Pretty pleas- AH!~" Angel's eyes roll back as his searing shaft stretches her tight heat. Jester groans long and deep, his head falling forward to rest upon her shoulder as he rocks forward in an instinctual, jerky motion, so perfect around him he was afraid to breathe. "Please?~" He echoes her, his voice a harsh rasp by her ear, "tell you what, you keep that up... and I'll make it well worth your while."
"nnngh~" she whines and hums her shrill plea, "mhmm..." Biting her lip as her spine arches to a further degree. Jester groans again against her, a trembling exhale falls from his lips. "You're a mess," he mocks with a touch of awed amazement, "but you're my mess." He pulls back with a ragged exhale, just enough to slide a hand upon where her hand lay. Long, calloused fingers intertwine with hers as he whispers huskily in her ear, "You ready for a ride, pretty girl?"
"please- ah!- yes- ple~" Angel whimpers with every snap of his hips. Jester growls as she begs so prettily beneath him, his grip on her hips turning downright bruising now, every sharp snap of his pelvis punctuated with a rough groan. "That's it, pretty girl," he rasps against the shell of her ear before nipping at the skin there. "You sound so fucking good. Gonna fill this pretty cunt up so it drips for days... maybe even let Harlequin see what a mess I made when breakfast comes~"
Angel's walls flutter as the thought crosses her mind, the silken heat milking Jester's cock. He chokes on a groan, entire body going rigid when her cunt squeezes around him, it's all he can do to delay his spilling. "Fuck!" His fingers dig into the soft flesh of her hips. "You-" A sharp thrust punctuates each word, "Little- Slutty- Brat!" He’s losing control fast now, every snap of his hips turning rougher than the last as his pleasure coils tighter, "You want Harlequin to see? Want him watching while I paint this sweet little hole white?"
"Jester!~" she mewls lewdly, her breaths shallow.
Jester loses it, her voice, her cunt, clenching tightly around him, it's all too much. With a guttural groan, he slams into her and spills deep inside in hot pulses that leave his vision swimming. "Angel..." Her name is torn from his throat as he rides out the waves of pleasure with slow rolls of his hips, every jerk sending another trickle down trembling thighs.
When he finally stills above her, buried to hilt, Jester drops an open-mouthed kiss between her shoulder blades, "...We are absolutely doing this at breakfast." Angel shivers at the dark promise. Jester groans, one hand slipping free to reach around and gently stroke her stomach, in small soothing circles. "Shh..." he hushes quietly, lips moving to press a kiss to the back of her neck. "You're alright," he murmurs gruffly, his voice rough with afterglow. "But I meant what I said, love… they’ll all get a show with their pancakes tomorrow morning."
"You cant be serious," she protests, attempting to catch her breath. Jester laughs, a deep, dark sound as he finally pulls out of her, dragging a possessive thumb over her swollen labia to gather his spend. "Serious?" He leans in close enough for his breath to ghost over the shell of her ear, "Darling, I haven't been this serious about anything since Pierrot tried stealing my good scissors." A sharp nip to her ear follows, then adds with mock thoughtfulness, "...Though if you'd rather I pin that pretty ass on Harlequin's lap instead while we eat? Just say the word~" Angel huffs in amusement at the thought of Pierrot stealing scissors. "You're impossible," she sighs anxiously.
"Maybe." Jester's lips brush her skin as he speaks, light as a butterfly on a summer breeze. He presses a tender kiss to the back of her shoulder before adding with a low rumble, "You love it~ Admit it, you love how impossible I get when you're involved." Another kiss is pressed to the sensitive skin at the nape of her neck, then higher and higher as he works his way back up to her ear. "Don't you, sweet girl?" Angel snickers and giggles as Jester kisses along the sensitive skin. A moan escapes her as he rolls his hips teasingly. "Fuck." His hips jerk forward her on instinct, grinding against her just to feel how wet and oversensitive she still is. "That's it," he rasps darkly against the shell of her ear, fingers tightening on her waist as if daring her to squirm away, "You think this is funny? Wait till I'm got my tongue buried in this sweet cunt while Pierrot watches from across the table~"
"Jester-" she breathlessly protests his teasing. Softly she whimpers when Jester pulls her into a cuddle. "Shhh..." he murmurs, voice suddenly soft despite the filthy things discussed. "You're alright," Jester reassures with a kiss pressed to her forehead before adding gruffly, "...Though I am still putting this on tomorrow's breakfast menu." A pause ,then another kiss, this time to tip of her nose as if bribing himself into being patient, "Now sleep, little lamb. Before I decide midnight snacks are also an option~"
Angel settles into a comfortable afterglow, yet somewhere in the distance, the salacious ongoings of elsewhere in the circus could faintly be heard. Jester quickly corrects the issue by murmuring sweet nothings against Angel's hair until she falls asleep. He murmurs softly against her hair until he feels her breathing grow slow and even, then lets out a huff.
A small smile tilts up the corners of his mouth as he shifts to hold her a little closer. The quiet night air is a cool contrast to the warmth of her body. "I love you," he mumbles so softly, not sure she can hear. Jester dozes off some hour or so later, arms wrapped snugly around her body as if she might somehow be taken from him in the dead of night. The steady rise and fall of slow, even breaths, is the perfect lullaby for a restless mind, as he lets himself give into oblivion.
When morning comes and sunlight filters in through the dark purple canvas walls, Jester awakens with a sharp inhale. He takes a second to orient himself, to remember where he is, where she is... and who’s wrapped snugly in arms. Slowly, ever so carefully, he relaxes the grip of arms that had been holding her through the night. He takes a moment to watch her, to drink in the sight of the woman who had become the center of his world.