Birthday Party

[Casper & Jasper Emory]

"That’s alright with us, means our fun never ends." The siblings said at the same time as they laughed at it. It really did mean that they could use the same old tricks and still get the desired results at Franck. That meant less work on their part but it also allowed them to be aware of Franck's limits still. The older boy had come a very long way when it came to dealing with the two of them and just how much he had come out of his shell. The siblings would certainly be asking more translation questions later on. Likely in locations where a lot of people could hear them for maximum effect.

The siblings shared a glance with one another at Franck's words about not understanding how doing something bolder would get Jasper to behave. He still had a ways to go in order to understand the siblings but at least he was trying. That was more than could be said with the rest of the people at the school. Besides Beth, and formally Alex who they had yet to hear anything from. Perhaps she really was done with them like they feared that she was. "We both have our limits too, things that make us embarrassed." Casper informed Franck. "Notice how we have no problem being the ones to mess with others, but did you ever wonder how we would get if someone did the same thing back to us?" Jasper asked.

The brother's snickered at that, because with how they were no one would dare to do such a thing. Other than some small memories of their childhood, the siblings could not say for sure where they were from. They just remember it being a little on the colder side, that the language they spoke was not English, and some other small things here and there that allowed them to know for sure they were not born in the USA. It was so odd that people were still able to vanish off the face of the Earth like their mother and whoever their farther was. Thankfully, there was the next ride that was holding their attention. "We will make sure to take advantage of you if you pass out." Jasper said with a smirk. "I think you mean take care of." Casper corrected. "I know what I said." Jasper responded. "Of course." Casper said, shaking his head a little.

The siblings looked at the display, now having the urge to make sure that they did something perfect for a photo for this day. Now they had to get on this ride. "Let go on it for sure and buy the photo then." Casper suggested with his brother nodding in agreement. They did want something; besides a belly ache and feeling like they were about to explode from all the excitement, to remind them of this say.

[François Laffont]

Franck should really tell them that fun at the expense of someone was not really nice. But Franck never managed to say things like to them, even though he probably was the best placed to for them to actually listen. Unlike the others who saw only how they made fun of them, he knew there was no cruelty behind their actions. Mere curiosity, that’s all. They were like the kids who burned ants or pulled a spider’s legs. The problem was that they did it with human beings, making it less acceptable. “Still try to be nice with me,” he asked them. He was being too kind to them. Really.

When they said he should do something bolder, he figured they wanted him to say he wanted to sleep with Jasper or grab his ass or something like that. All actions he was not likely to do in public and not always do in private. Things he’d figure jasper might try to force him to do, for the fun of seeing his boyfriend turn red while trying. Casper told him they had limits. Of course they did, they were simply far off from where Franck limits stood. “Maybe it’s something you guys should think more than I,” he replied. But since he didn't want to be lecturing them today, he smiled and shrugged at this. “You see me doing the same?” That was enough to rest his case.

Perhaps if they heard someone talk in their native language, they would recognize it but Franck knew no one from Iceland or any other northern countries. Maybe he could find on the net people talking in those languages that might trigger their memory but unless the twins ever felt like they should know, he was not going to push that matter further. He knew how tempting yet scary it was to reunite with a parent that abandoned you. He wouldn’t force it on them if they did not want it too.

He looked at them and the little fun they had. He laughed at this. “And to think it’s my boyfriend who says he’ll take advantage of me if I’m out,” he pointed out, laughing once again after he said that. Out of the two, if there was one who didn’t need to take any advantage of him, it was Jasper. He didn’t exactly needed to wait for him to pass out to do things with him.

Franck nodded to the idea, thinking the same. It took them a moment before they could get on the ride but they eventually did. Once that was over, Franck jumped off and made his way to the display. “There is it,” he said, pointing at the picture as it finally showed up. “My God, did you see your faces, it’s awesome. I don’t think I really paid enough attention I look ridiculous,” he said with a laughter in his voice as he paid to get it. He figured only one copy would be enough, considering the price of them. He could still have it scanned and printed multiple times later.

[Casper & Jasper Emory]

The brothers didn't really know how to have fun with other people when it didn't involve it being the other person's expense. It was still something they needed to work on and it was just hard to notice when they were so used to doing it. Yet, Franck was right in thinking that it was not done because they hated people. Well, they were starting to hate people a little but Franck was keeping it from getting to that point yet and it honestly was because the brothers just wanted to see how someone act. They wanted to learn, figure things out, and they were just going about it all wrong. So when Franck asked them to be nice with him, the brothers actually took it too heart and nodded their heads.

"Sorry." They said at the same time as they both gave one another a look to try and behave a little more for Franck's sake. He had asked them nicely and Franck had been one of the nicest people to them, it was only fair. Yet again at Franck's words, they made a note of it and tried to think of how to adjust to behave for his sake. They had a moment of their silent communication as they looked at one another, both agreeing to keep one another in line. They just nodded at his next words, not trying to come off as distant or mean but they were really trying to figure out how to interact with Franck without teasing or embarrassing him in any way. How were they supposed to do something like that?

The brothers did want to know where they came from and find out where their mother; or even father, had gone off to. They just didn't know where to start and did they really want to deal with meeting people who did not want them? They were already on the edge when it came to tolerate the rest of the human race as it was, was it something they should risk? They didn't know but it was in the back of their mind as their main distractions where the fair and how to have fun with Franck without being mean to him. Jasper smiled when Franck seem fine with his little joke there, which in turn had Casper smiling a little. So was that kind of tease fine?

The ride was amazing as the twins expected and practically ran with Franck to check out the picture. The brothers laughed at Franck's words and how he had clearly not been prepared for the photo on the ride. The siblings had been prepared and were very pleased with how the photo turned out, and it was just so cool to see it up on display. "Do you want to get another one or is that one okay?" Casper asked as he and his brother looked to Franck. It was clear that they were behaving a little differently, as if seeking approval.

[François Laffont]

Franck refused to think the twins might be little sociopaths or anything close to that. Yes, they had a problem with dealing with others but he was certain they could get over it. It was something they could work on, get used to it. It was just a pattern that needed to be changed and Franck was working on that. After all, they were not incapable of feelings or to understand that others had emotions. They just needed to understand there was a limit they should not cross, no matter how tempting they found it to cross it. They needed to learn how to consider people their playmates and not their toys. Franck believed it was possible, if only because they were making efforts with him. If they could do that, they could do it with others too. So yes, he would say they were misunderstood, even if that made people pity him instead of believing him.

People might not get them or what he saw in them. But when they apologized, Franck knew any effort he put on them was worth it. He could almost hug them or something right now but he behaved. He didn’t really mind if they were silent. To him, they were not totally. Because he could feel that things were bubbling under the surface. Emotions kept bouncing back and forth as they thought of everything he said to them. He remained silent, figuring they’d just ask him if they wanted to know anything. Besides, they were in line for the ride and they didn’t have to talk all the way into it.

Sometimes, Franck wondered if he should have talked of his mother to them. Maybe it would have helped them understood they were not alone. But he didn’t want to cause too much pain to them as they would remember their parents and how they were abandoned. He didn't want to force that on them, not without knowing they could handle it. Plus, he planned this day to chase away some of the darkness that showed up inside of them as of late, not to add any.

“I think it’s great,” Franck let out, but he really thought Casper asked this to his twin more than to him. Either way, he put the required money in to get the picture. He then looked at the twins. “You want one too or this one is fine? I figured we could scan it. I know someone who can do that and print it in any format we want. Even on paper like this, since it’s prettier than just a normal one,” he asked them. He smiled brightly at them. He knew they liked their day so far and he was enjoying it too. “Oh, and you still have to show me your carnie skills at the games. I’m curious to see that.”

[Casper & Jasper Emory]

The brothers did wonder if Franck was just crazy or if it was his power that made him seems to think...or get that there was more to them then what most saw. If they knew what Franck was thinking, they might have corrected him about some of their darker thoughts about what they wanted to do when they felt really bad. People seemed to forget that they literally had a chemical imbalance that they were dealing with because of their power. Most 'crazy' people or those with mental aliments were because of a chemical imbalance. Now multiply that by two teenage boys that had gone through certain things and lived a certain way and you would get it.

Perhaps Franck got it because he knew that based on the emotions he would pick up from them. They also wondered how Franck had not gotten sick from it all or if he even was insane. However; all of it did still make them feel like they were special. That Franck actually cared and was making and effort to show kindness to them. It made them want to do the same back because they liked the feeling they got from it, almost better than the feeling they got when they got people to react. It was true that it was possible for them to be good, it was clear by how they were trying to do that very thing with Franck. It would just take work and being careful around the siblings, but with how things were in the school who knew how long they would be able to keep it together; even with Franck's help.

All the brothers knew was in this moment while they were still worried and confused, they were also happy and Franck was the cause of that. They wanted to return the favor and actually take the words he said to heart and try to follow by them. "Good, because you look so cute in that I didn't want us to do it again and mess up the results." Casper admitted with Jasper chuckling along with him after he said the words. They watched as Franck paid for the photos, practically all over it as Franck asked if they wanted a second one. "Nah, save your money. We can copy it back at the school." Jasper pointed out. The brothers were con artist of sorts after all, so no way where they going to allow Franck to pay an arm and leg for photos they could make copies of for free later on.

"Oh, right!" The brothers said as they quickly reached out to take one of Franck's hands each and pulled him over to a carnie games. "Alright, this one you pretty much need to have good aim and no which side to actually try it on." Casper started to explain. "With our power, we pretty much got that covered." Jasper added as they looked at the game, finding what side would be best to actually pop the balloons for. They looked to Franck, expecting him to pay for this while they would handle the food with what money they had...picked up from a guy they bumped into on the way over.

[François Laffont]

Sometimes, Franck did wonder if he was insane, but that thought generally came when he met a particularly depressive person. Feeling all the time was annoying but it was like having a limp, you learned to deal with it with time. Sure, some days hurt more than others but that too was part of life and he didn’t intend to stop being who he was only because of that. He never thought he’d compare himself to Gregory House someday. That was more disturbing that the fact the twins seemed puzzled by something right now and had yet spoken it up. “What is it?” he asked them but he was not sure he’d get an answer. They might just have a twin moment and those did not include him. Oh well. They didn't seem too locked up in their darkness right now so he wouldn’t mind. That sounded more dramatic than he meant to. Darkness. Like they were Darth Vader or something.

He chuckled as Casper called him cute. He didn’t mind the boy to call him that but he hoped he was more than cute to his brother. He looked at Jasper. He knew that he was. He nodded to him as he said they could make copies later. That was true. It was not that hard. All they needed was a scanner and there had to be at least one in this school. They had pretty much everything the students might need and want so it would be ridiculous if they had none. Even if that was the case, or they refused to let them scan the picture, he knew some students might just own one in their room. And the brothers seemed pretty confident they could do it on their own so they had to know someone like that.

He followed them with a laugh as they dragged him to a game. He didn’t mind which one they would go for. “I have good aim, at least I think, but I never tried to shoot balloons before so this one’s on you,” he said as he paid for the darts. Franck had brought enough money for them to play several games as well as pay for their food, as he expected they would need to feed at some point considering how early they came here.

[Casper & Jasper Emory]

"Nothing, just thinking." The brothers both responded back to Franck's question when he asked what was up. It was just a twin thing, Franck would not understand. It was mostly them just thinking and having another one of their moments were they were talking to one another without actually saying or having the power to do so. It just came along with having been with someone for all of your life that you just got what one another was thinking and meant by just a look. Franck's ability to read their emotions was a problem at times but the siblings were never too worried about it since Franck tended to not push.

Well, Franck did not push too often and it was not like he could read their minds and more of just know that they were feeling a certain way. The ability itself they still didn't fully get but perhaps it was why Franck was able to get them and tolerate them. They didn’t know, it was something that they were also thinking about when they were not busy having the time of their lives at the fair with him. This really was the best, no one had ever done anything like this for them, and it just made them want to just focus all on this moment and try to make it as great of a day like Franck was trying to make it for them. "Oh, and you have to have a good flick of your wrist too, or else you won’t get enough power to make sure you dart flies straight where you are aiming." Casper added, almost having forgotten that important detail.

The brother thankfully too the darks the Franck paid for, and then looked at how many balloons they had to pop in order to get the biggest prize. Twenty balloons; good thing they had ten darts each and were confident they could win this. "Prepare to be amazed, ladies and gentlemen. Mostly Franck." Jasper said as he and his brother took aim, the two of them looking like mirrored image with all of their movements from picking up a dart, throwing it, and popping a balloon as a result. "We bring you, The Ghost Boys; taking out balloons for a prize for their Franck." Casper added, the two making quick work of all their darts and a result all twenty balloons.

They then looked to Franck with huge grins on their face, so pleased with themselves and just the fact that they had so gotten into their performance mode. Once and entertainer, always an entertainer. "Pick whatever prize you want, boyfriend." Jasper said, practically jumping up and down as he pointed to all the large stuff animals Franck could choose between. Casper was already looking around for what they could do next unless Franck had an idea.

[François Laffont]

Franck dropped the matter when both of them told him they were just thinking. Their thinking seemed to have them confused at times but if they didn't want to share, Franck understood he better not push it. He was not telling them everything either and they seemed in a much happier mood than they had lately. So why down all of this by pressing it forward? It would just destroy all efforts he made so far and he didn't want that. If it was nothing, he shouldn’t bother with it. He was the best placed to know how easily an emotion can come over you and leave just as easily. It didn’t have to mean anything.

Franck knew it was his birthday just as much as the twins. Perhaps even more since it really was his birthday today while theirs was only in two days. Still, to make it really amazing for him, he had to make sure they had the time of their lives. It seemed to be the case as they were very enthusiastic around all this place had to offer. Including the game. “All in the wrist uh?” Franck replied to Casper with an amused smile on. Yes, even he could do that kind of humor on occasion, it only happened a lot less than it did with others. Besides, it was almost like Casper begged him to say it.

He laughed before crossing his arms over his chest, ready to be amazed as they said. The other ladies and gentlemen were not really paying much attention to them after all, except perhaps for the one in charge of the booth. He laughed again at Casper’s introduction. Quite a mouthful. He could see their carnie selves coming out and Franck had to admit they were a lot more at ease now than in any other situation. They loved this, it was clear. And they were really good as they popped the twenty balloons they could have popped with their twenty darts.

The faces they made as they looked at him. Franck grinned back and even applauded them until Jasper said he had to choose a prize. He looked at the different stuffed animals offered, knowing he could pick amongst the biggest ones. “I’ll take that dog. Fits me very well, non? Dog and it’s multicolored. Looks like it’s ready to go to a gay pride parade,” he commented as he pointed at a huge dog that was, as he said, made of different colors. He paid little attention to how the one in charge reacted to his comment and only thanked him when he put the dog in a transparent plastic bag, since it would not fit in his backpack.

He joined Casper who was looking around. “Found anything you want to do next? there are more rides over there, and I think there are bumping cars but we might be a little big for those. Oh, and we’ll have to get cotton candy later on.” Was it obvious that their excitement had started to rub off on Franck?

[Casper & Jasper Emory]

Casper nodded his head yes and even flicked his wrist in the manner that he would be throwing the darts, just to show off. He could not help but to smile and Jasper was really into all of this as well. It was hard to go from all eyes being on you and showing off to get the crowds attention and hold it to just being simple students. It was probably why they acted out as often as they did; even if they didn't like getting in trouble, it caused people to pay attention to them. They wanted that feeling again, they practically needed it, and right now they were getting a taste for it again.

They had to stop themselves from jumping up on the stand and showing off with some trick shots when throwing the darts. It would have been so easy to do a flip and throw the dark, or do it while standing on one hand upside down. There were so many ways they could have showed off, but they managed to control themselves. The clapping they got from Franck helped feed that need to be performers within them. The siblings bowing in unison and still wanting to show off a little more for Franck but were still struggling with not knowing what would be going too far and not wanting to embarrass the boy. "Fits you perfectly." Jasper said as he got a good look at the prize as it was handed down to them.

Jasper presented it to his boyfriend while sneaking in a quick kiss to Franck's cheek, still clearly ridding the small high they got from getting into that carny mode a moment ago. "What are you going to name it?" Casper asked, not sure if Franck was into naming of stuff animals but if he was he was interested if Franck was going to give it a French name or something along those lines. It would be just another reminder of this day when they would go visit Franck and all the physical memories they could make would do them some good. Franck asked if Casper had found anything, even suggesting things they could do in a way. "Bumper cars! Damn, do you think we are too big for them?" The brothers asked, looking at Franck like puppies that wanted a treat.

They wanted to go on those, but they were pretty tall and could understand if they would not be allowed due to their height. Still, they really really wanted to go on them now and there was also the fact that Franck mentioned cotton candy. Mentioning of any food was going to make them want it and the siblings were already reaching to take a hold of Franck's hands to lead him to the cotton candy machine they spotted. "Cotton candy first! I want pink." Jasper said, practically being the main one to pull all three of them forward.

[François Laffont]

Apparently, the fact that Franck might do a slightly risqué joke was to unlike him for them to believe he made one. But the trick being all in the wrist, really. Even he could see where such a thing could lead and he was certain that, had he been the one saying this, they wouldn’t have let it slip. All in the wrist.

Not that he kept thinking about that much though as he watched what their trained wrists could do to a bunch of balloons. They were performers at heart. Oh, they didn't do much, other than be spot on all the time, pride growing in them with very balloon they hit with a dart. they probably even wanted to show more but they didn’t and Franck knew that the fact he applauded their skills made them feel pretty good about it. It must have been a while since they had that and they wanted it after so long. Franck knew their attitude most of the time was very similar to kids doing mischief to get the attention of their parents since their other tricks didn’t work. Franck never behaved like that himself, he had always been the perfect little boy, but he acted like this for the same reason.

“I think so too,” he agreed as he got the huge plush toy, widening his eyes a bit at Jasper’s kiss, only to smile at him and peck his lips quickly. How they could decide that a dog would look good with washed multicolored spots on, he had no idea, but it was not the only stuffed animals people could win with less than realistic color. There was a pink cat, another small dog all blue and something he could only identify as a green and white panda bear. He didn't think much about it though as Casper asked how he planned to name it. “Haven’t thought about it. A name might pop later on, we’ll see,” he answered. He did not remember naming his toys. Maybe he did, when he was really young. In a way, he sort of pitied the twins if they named their toys, as he thought it was the kind of behaviour you had when you considered them your friend and you thought that only when you had no actual friends with names of their own to play with.

Again, he refused to think of something like that and shoved the thought away only to laugh as the twins were growing enthusiastic over the bumper cars. And the eyes they gave him. Franck was pretty good at the puppy stare but more the sad one you gave everything to so they can be happy again, not the eagerly waiting for a treat one. But this description was more accurate to describe the look they gave him. “We can still see. But I think they usually let only kids do it. Remind me to find out if there’s a place you can do cart racing next time,” he said, still laughing a bit. Oh, they would love it so much. And Franck was likely to end up in the tires after one turn.

Jasper agreed to get cotton candy first and it was with a grin that he went to the machine. “And you Casper? Pink too or blue? Do they really taste different though? All you taste is the sugar. Not that you need a sugar rush, in your state,” he teased them. He would still get cotton candy for everyone though. They could sit and eat it and then decide what other ride they wanted to try.

[Casper & Jasper Emory]

Franck agreed with what Casper had to say about the plush toy and Casper had nothing else to really say on the matter. It was Franck's toy they won for him and so long as he was happy and liked it, then the siblings were happy about it as well. Jasper was just pleased that Franck didn't get upset at the kiss and even returned it. Okay, so kissing him in public was alright to do and Jasper had the desire to test just how far he could go but he held back for the sake of not wanting to upset his boyfriend. They really were trying to be on their best behavior for the sake of trying to show Franck that they really appreciated what he was doing for them.

"Let us know what you name it if you come up with anything." Casper spoke up. They never really had many toys but the ones that did they had named. The last toy they had was a stuffed bear, one that was small and that they shared with one another. They had got him back in the orphanage and they had named him Mr. Bear, not very creative but they had fun with that bear. Too much fun and it was no surprise the bear didn't last too long before it was all torn and dirty. Someone ended up throwing it away since no one ever fixed it up for them and they didn't know how. Those thoughts quickly left at talk about bumper cars and cotton candy. "We will!" The brothers assured Franck when he said to remind him about going on bumper cars that big kids could ride on.

They so wanted to go on the ride, but understood if they were too big for it. It still would have been fun but the cotton candy was doing a decent job at holding their attention for now. This was not the first time they had it, but they enjoyed it every time. "Pink also and they so taste different." Casper responded. "Yeah, like one taste a bit sweeter than the other." Jasper added. Even if the siblings had a small feeling that there was not actual taste difference and it was just because of the color. "Can you imagine us on a sugar rush?" Casper asked Franck, chuckling a little. "The world would burn." Jasper added, the siblings starting to chuckle as they practically bounced up and down while the line moved forward.

[François Laffont]

It was true that Franck was not always very communicative of his affection in public. He just thought that there was a limit to have when there were other people around. He was fine with people in love, but he didn’t need to see that love in the form of you kissing as if your life depended on it. He liked however that Jasper was ready to do little gestures like this. He bet Jasper didn't even realise it was just a sign that they were together. He didn’t know how expressive in public people in an open relationship were. He knew however the reputation he had and if Jasper was willing to show to everyone that they were together, he felt like it was a way of also showing they were getting more serious, meaning he was not going to see other people. At least not as much, if he still did. If he ever did. Franck made it clear, he didn’t want to hear about it. Granted, there were not a lot of people who knew them around here, but it did not make it any less pleasant to Franck.

“Sure,” he told Casper, even though he doubted he would name his plush toy. He might have given names to his toys when he was a kid but he had not done so in a very long time. He didn’t know if there was any kart racing around here. He even less knew how much it cost. He was not rich but it was the kind of thing you can easily do in groups. Maybe it was less expensive then. If not... the twins will have to deal with video games of kart racing. Either way, they would certainly kick his ass.

They assured him the two colors tasted different. Franck thought it was so subtle that it was hard to tell but apparently one was sweeter. Since Casper wanted pink, he got two pink ones for the twins and a blue one for him as he was certain they would try to get some of it. He wouldn’t mind, as he believed they would also allow him to taste theirs. He laughed at the thought of the twins on a sugar rush. “I think I might even more scared of seeing you on a sugar rush than anyone,” he said, mostly thinking of Frank, the only one he knew that could match how wild the twins could become. But he couldn’t even start to think how much sugar she would need to ingest for that to happen, whereas the twins would need a far more decent amount, making it more plausible to see them on a sugar rush and so scarier.

He paid for the cotton candy and found a spot where they could eat it before they tried any more rides. He had a smile on his face the whole time, as he really enjoyed the moment he was having with them, even if they more waited in line than anything else. At least he did it with them and he could tell they were really happy as well. It was all he wanted. “What was it like? Living in a circus?”

[Casper & Jasper Emory]

Jasper didn't really think too much behind kissing Franck in front of other people, since he was willing to pretty much do it with anyone. It was true that this kiss was a bit different than the ones he gave those he was just trying to get a reaction out of. It was a bit more personal, lasting longer, and again it was not to get a rise out of Franck. In fact, kissing Franck made him want to keep kissing him instead of watching for a reaction and going from there. Not that he would say that this meant he cared a lot more about Franck or that he was ready to change his ways of sleeping around. It was not like he did a whole lot of it now anyways, especially since they had been mostly keeping to themselves since they had been a roller coaster of emotions as of late.

Funny who now that they had gone on roller coasters and were just here to have fun that their moods had mainly remained a feeling of happiness and feeling like Franck did actually care about them. Above all it did make Jasper like Franck even more because the guy was willing to include his brother. The sooner people realized that Jasper was all about being able to still have his brother in his life; the sooner things would get easier on them. Franck must have realized that because he had been including Casper in pretty much everything they were doing. Franck said he would let them know if he named it and things were moving on from there.

There was cotton candy to be had at, with Franck getting them both pink as he got himself a blue one. He was right to think that the siblings were going to ask him for some of his, because that was so going to happen. "Can we have a bite of yours?" Casper asked after getting a nice bite out of his own. "You can have some of ours too." Jasper added, having taken a large bite of his own and then the siblings were holding their cotton candy out to Franck with mouths already open in anticipation for Franck to pus some in their mouths. Just the thought of it had the two of them snickering because of a dirty thought that slipped into their minds. This was still not being bad, right? Just being playful in a sort of innocent way, right?

"I'm kind of tempted to try and get on one, just to see how you handle it." Jasper spoke up when Franck said he would be the most scared if the twins ended up having a sugar rush. That did make sense do to the fact that Franck was the main person they hung around with and the main person that actually put up with them. Thankfully, it would take a lot more than just some cotton candy for them to get really hyper from the sugar. They needed to consume large amounts of foods just to be able to function so to be effected by sugar they needed to consume a pretty decent amount of it. The question about the circus came up then, which the brothers did figure would happen eventually since they never really told many people in detail what it was like.

Now they had to think. "It was better than the orphanage. Felt like the people there actually cared about us and they sort of became like a family." Casper spoke up with Jasper nodding his head a little in agreement. "It was a lot of hard work to train, practice, and we got hurt a lot when we first started. It was hard getting used to working with people instead of against them and we got in trouble here and there." Jasper spoke up, putting a little as he thought about the times they got in trouble. "But...overall it felt amazing when everything would come together. When the training was done and you put on the show. To see the look on everyone’s faces as you wowed and amazed them. The sound of the cheering and yells of enjoyment." Casper said, the siblings now smiling as they thought about how the audience reacted. "It made all the hard work over and over each time to put on a show and after, worth it." Jasper concluded.

[François Laffont]

Being with the twins was very hard on Franck lately. He knew the two were very passionate and such nature meant that he could feel excitement as well as depression, depending on their changing mood. Lately, it was more on the down side. But that was not enough for Franck to want to keep his distance from them. On the contrary, it was even more a reason to be with them and help them cheer up and change their mind.

He was fine with including Casper. Especially now, since it was both their birthday. To all three of them. He might wonder sometimes if Casper didn’t feel like he was the third wheel or something but today, he definitely was not. Later, he would be, if things went as Franck planned them, but he knew that by then, Casper would know he was not invited. The only thing Franck could hold against Jasper was the fact he would turn around to text his brother every time they had a discussion, to tell his brother what was going on and probably to ask for advice. Franck could only guess here but it did annoy him to see that Jasper needed to communicate everything as it happened with his brother when he was not involved in this.

These thoughts did not bother him right now though. He laughed when, as he expected, they asked to have some of his cotton candy. He laughed even more when they opened their mouth. “You look like those baby birds waiting for mama bird to feed them,” he teased them before he pulled lumps of his cotton candy and gave one to each of them. He then leaned towards Jasper’s cotton candy and took a bite of it. He smiled, trying not to laugh as some of the pink sugar was still coming out of his mouth, trying to swallow all of it to give them a victorious smile but it was too funny for him not to laugh and just put his hand over his mouth in case some came out. They were amused, maybe it explained it, but he too found it very amusing. He didn’t find it dirty though, but that was mainly because his brain rarely went there.

“I’ll just try to find a leash and force you to behave,” he teased Jasper since he was so tempted to get on a sugar rush. They would need more than one cotton candy though. They would need more than eating all three cotton candy no doubt. They were grownups after all, their bodies could take more sugar than children. Franck might question what was his fascination for people who loved, and needed, to eat a lot though. But he was more interested in hearing what their life had been like.

As they did, and they probably did not realise it, but Franck could perceive all the emotions they had thinking about the circus, the people there, the work they did and the performances they gave. They really liked it, it was obvious. He smiled as he listened, not interrupting them as they talked one after the other. “You really liked it, didn’t you?” But did they really need to answer that? The thought of it, even though he liked to see them happy, ached him a bit though. For he knew they were not that happy here. Maybe at first, when there were so many new things to try. But after, not so much. And that was a little painful for Franck. “I know you’re not as happy here, but I do hope you’ll get to like it as much. It’s been what, a year since you’re here?”

[Casper & Jasper Emory]

Jasper had no clue that Franck was bothered by him texting and pretty much telling his brother everything that went between them. Or if he did, he choose to not pay it any mind since he didn't understand why Franck would be upset. He would end up telling his brother everything anyways and it was thanks to Casper that things went as far as they did. Jasper wanted; basically needed, his brother's approval, advice, words, and well anything when it came to most things in life. Casper was the older of the siblings and Jasper had always depended on his brother for so long and for everything that he didn't see that changing anytime soon.

"Squawk!" The brothers both let out at the same time after Franck's baby bird comment. Now he had to feed the starving baby birds his cotton candy, right? They were both grateful that Franck had shared, with Casper musing what he got onto his pink one and Jasper just shoving what he got right into his mouth. He happily let Franck get a bite of his and would have handed his brother's over but he figured Franck would not want that. It sucked, but he knew that Franck only wanted Casper so involved with certain things. Casper understood why a little, but Jasper was still having a hard time getting it.

Not that he dwelled on the thought for long as he was too busy enjoying the cotton candy and just his time with his boyfriend and brother. What more could a guy want beside a handy? Franck was laughing and the siblings could not help but laugh as Franck struggled to get it all in his mouth. "Such a messy boy, I thought you were a pro at keeping it all in your mouth?" Jasper asked, only to be elbowed in his side by his brother. "I mean, cotton candy!" Jasper quickly said after the elbow, knowing his brother did it to point out that he probably went a little too far with that comment out in public and they were supposed to behaving. Thoughts were focused on wondering how much sugar they would need to eat in order to be affected by it.

Then it was on to talking about the past. The brothers didn't really mind it was nice for someone to actually care to know a little more about them. It did bring up memories both good and bad, but their overall mood stayed pleasant with a hint of something akin to homesickness. "Yeah..." The brothers both said at the same time to Franck's question on missing it. They really, really did miss it. It just felt awful to have been ignored unless they acted out when they were at the orphanage, to having all eyes on them when they were in the circus, and only for it to return to how things were at the orphanage.

Franck pointed out the truth of them not being happy here which had the brother looking away for a moment as they went silent and ate their cotton candy. "About...yeah." Casper answered with a small nod. "You have made it not suck so much." Jasper spoke up, mostly muttered under his breath, and followed by shoving most of what remained of his cotton candy into his mouth.