Brink followed him out of the building, a light smile of his face a smile he started walking down the sidewalk. “And if I told you, it’d ruin the surprise, dear. We wouldn’t want that, would we?” He asked, tilting his head innocently before continuing on.
Brink led them through a few parks and streets, seemingly nothing too special until they came to an alleyway leading to large pair of old, iron gates. Through the gates could be seen a an abandoned carnival, and beyond that, the sea. Brink grinned and took off running down the alleyway. He jumped once near the gate and climbed up over it, perching on the top for a few seconds to give Finn a nod.
Finn didn't even try to fight the smile that hit him from the response. His stomach still did a flip at Brink calling him dear. Finn watching Brink jump the gate before carefully climbing it himself. He was a lot slower than Brink but still made it safely. "Show off," He joked before jumping down to the other side of the gate. He landed on his feet at first but then fell on his butt. He got up not even a second later.
Brink tried his best to stifled a laugh when Finn fell back then popped back up. He dropped beside him in a crouch and shook his head. “At least I didn’t fall, it’s a wonder you manage to catch us at all.” He laughed softly and took the lead once again, guiding Finn through the winding pathways that lead to the heart of the Carnival, seemingly looking for something
"I feel like that says more about the villains than myself," He said laughing slightly. He stayed one step behind brink. his eyes traveled around the carnival. 'what is this place?" His mind drifted to the idea that this was a trap. Brink was leading him to some kind of lair where a bunch of his evil goons were waiting for him. He didn't want to believe and tried to ignore that thought as they walked.
“My home, in a sense.” He said with a sheepish smile and a shrug. “I came here as a kid when it was open. Now I guess I kinda just haunt the place.” He said, disappearing into an alcove between a few tents. He pulled down a hidden lever and watched as lights flickered on. Nothing too impressive in the daylight but it’s still was fascinating to see an abandoned carnival come to life, or at least to Brink. He reappeared next to Finn a moment later and nodded towards where the rides had started up and a largest of the tent so had spotlights waving around inside
The worry washed out of Finn as he watched everything come to life. He felt bad for Daubting Brink. "This is amazing," He said looking down at the other and when he appeared back next to him. He looked around some more. "Do the rides work?" He didn't really want to try the old things but he just wanted to know.
Brink smiled and nodded. “Yeah, for the most part. A few are missing their keys and most need a second person to start and stop the machine though.” He explained as they continued to walk. Me and my sister have days where we just run around here, trying to beat all the game and and ride every ride as long a seat possible.” He said with fond smile, pulling aside the tent flap as they approached the large tent. It was relatively dark inside, save for the spot lights that waved around occasionally, casting Brink in blinding white light, then suddenly in shadows, allowing for his tattoos to glow in the temporary dark
Finn kept his eyes on Brink. Watching him carefully. Now noticing that the tattoos glow. "You have a sister?" He asked tilting his head. He didn't sound surprised just curious. He finally looked away from Brink and looked at the areas of the tent. He played with the strap of his bag.
Brink glanced over his shoulder and nodded. “Yeah, she’s out of town now.” He said with a find smile. “I think Willow would like her, they both have that need to protect their family. Or maybe that’s what they wouldn’t like.” Brink shrugged Andy pulled aside another curtain, leading them to main center stage of the circus. She smiled softly and watched as aerial hoops and dolls hung low from pulls systems, just high enough to reach
Finn's eyes widened slightly at the mention of willow. "Oh god, she said something didn't she?" He asked laughing slightly. "She really is kind of protective. She nearly scared my ex to death when he got a little too controlling in her eyes. She wasn't wrong but still. anyway, what did she say to you?"
He nodded slightly, amused that Finn did indeed have an ex. He walked up to one of the hoops. He pulled himself up, biting back a gasp in pain as he stretched out his wounded side. He managed to settle on the rim of the hoop, swinging back and forth. “Not much, mostly be careful and to not be a bad influence.” He said, leaving out the part where she mentioned not to get attached. He still wasn’t planning on staying too long but he also didn’t want to completely abandon the idea of forming a relationship. “She said she came from similar backgrounds. That she knew what I was going through or something.” He added on, trying only change the subject off of him
Finn nodded. He walked over to one of the lower hoops near Brink. Twisting it slightly but not getting on as Brink did. He looked over at brink. "Yeah her childhood was-" He paused for a moment looking from brink to the hoop in his hand. "Rough. But we've helped each other out over the years."
Brink arched an eyebrow and nodded slowly at the mention of Willow’s past. He himself had never really had a horrible childhood, though as he started to get older and experience more of the criminal world with his father, he had found himself getting into more trouble. He had even found himself in mental institutions more than once.
“I’m glad you had each other. Especially when the both of you were going through something that hard.” He said softly, swinging his legs back and forth for a few moments before leaning back and letting himself swing upside down
Finn got concerned when he saw brink swing upside. hands going up like he was ready to act if he fell. "Hey that looks like fun but be careful," He said abandoning his own hoop and moving closer to Brink. "I don't want your injuries getting any worse." He stood at the eye level of Brink's upside-down face.
Brink laughed softly and gently cupped Finn’s cheek, wanting to relieve him of his worry. “Don’t worry, dear hero. I’ll be alright. I’ve been through far worse than broken bones. I’ll survive.” He winked and dropped his hand from his face, using it to hold himself to the hoop just in case he slipped. He found himself distracted once again by Finn’s eyes, being drawing in by they’re promised warmth.
Finn stared into Brink's eyes. His ace heating up when Brink cupped his cheek. He leaned in slightly. A hand going up to steady the hoop. He glanced up to Brink's lips. Just for a second before staring back down at his eyes. His mind flashed to the thought of kissing Brink. He mentally shook it out of his mind. Not wanting to step over the already blurry line but he still found himself leaning in.
“Careful darling, last person to look at me like that got punched in the face.” He murmured with a laugh. His breath hitches slightly when he saw Finn lean in. Brink knew he shouldn’t have wanted Finn in any way but he found himself drawn to him.
“You’re sure you want this, dear savior?” He whispered softly, reaching out again and stroking Finn’s cheek
Finn leaned into the touch slightly. Cheeks slightly hot to the touch. He thought for a moment. Frozen before nodding. "Yes." He leans in closing his eyes. Their lips connect for half a second before pulling away. "I- Sorry," He mumbled going to back up slightly. He dropped his hand from the hoop.
Brink leaned into the kiss as best he could while upside down, his hand touching Finn’s cheek drawing him closer before the other had fully pulled away. He cursed softly to himself and slowly pulled himself up. He knew it. He knew he shouldn’t have taken the chance. “No! It’s myself fault, I shouldn’t have pushed you.” He said softly, sitting up and holding onto the hoop
Finn shook his head quickly. "No, I just." He paused for a second thinking. He wasn't sure why he apologized. he liked the kiss. Really liked it. I should have double-checked with you." He held the hoop slightly again. Keeping it still as Brink sat up. "You didn't push me. I really enjoy being around you Brink."
Brink glanced down at him and smiled softly “double checked with me? Darling, I don’t think I’d ask you if you were okay with this if I myself wasn’t.” He said softly, resting his hand on Finn’s. “I like being around you too, Finn. More than I care to admit.” He glanced away, a light blush on his cheeks.
Finn nodded. Lost in thought for a moment. He took Brinks hand in her own. smiling softly. His worry leaving him. He dropped Brink's hand and backed up. Lifting himself onto a nearby hoop. He almost fell but straightened himself laughing slightly. "YOu make this seem easy," He teased trying to change the topic slightly.
He looked back down when he felt Finn’s hand wrap around his for a few seconds, feeling for once at peace. He watched as Finn pulled himself into the lower handing hoop and smiled. “I have been practicing since I was young so that’s a given. I’d suggest just sitting in the edge and swinging back and forth just to get used to feeling of being suspended.” He said, lightly jumping off from his hoop, landing in a crouch. He walked over to Finn and grabbed the hoop, starting to swing it lightly, walking with it in a circle. “Hope you’re not afraid of heights.”
"Nope just afraid of falling," He said scooting slightly to sit as Brink said. He swung his legs. At least he knew he could Brink save with a flick of a wrist if he fell. He stayed calm anyway. Looking down at Brink. Following him around with his eyes. He swung some more smiling nervously.
Brink laughed softly and pulled Finn around a bit more until he gained a bit more momentum. “You won’t fall dear.” He promised, letting go the hoop to let Finn swing in a small circle, watching him from the middle as he slowed down. “See, not that bad.” He said with a smile, walking over to his own hoop and climbing back on, swinging slowly back and forth as he leaned backwards.
