The Greatest Showman One Shot

You had powdered your hands before practicing your acrobatic routine for Mr Barnum but maybe it was the nerves from him watching you that made your hands clammy and sent you to the floor. You landed painfully, attempting to catch yourself but going over on your shoulder. Your boss rushed to your side, kneeling down by you in the dirt of the main ring of the circus.

Mr Barnum had allowed you to choreograph your own acrobatic routine, but he wished to see it before you were to perform in front of a crowd. You were terribly proud of the routine, so falling in the middle of it and injuring yourself, not only physically hurt you but made your heart pang.

"Are you okay?" He questioned.

You nodded your head, but it was a lie. The fear hurt more than the actual pain. Your shoulder was painful, and it scared you that if it was badly injured, chances where you were out of a job. The circus was the only place that would take you, without being an acrobat there, you'd be back on the streets, begging and stealing to get by.

He wrapped an arm around you, helping you sit up. You slung your bad arm around your middle, letting the good one cradle it, feeling for any sore patches. He lingered, holding you, if it had been anyone else you'd have felt terribly uncomfortable, but you cared for him more than you should care for your boss. Although you were infatuated by him, you knew he was happily married with two beautiful children, you were simply his employee.

At least that's what you had thought before, but he leaned in until your lips touched. It was a sweet, slow, loving kiss that lingered there. He didn't pull away quickly, keeping the two of you in the moment. The moment snapped. He pulled away and scrambled up to his feet. His throat cleared as he brushed down his trousers, unable to look you in the eyes.

Your fingers brushed your lips, as though to see whether the kiss ever actually happened. It felt like a ghost of a moment.

"I do not know what overcame me," he coughed. "I shall get you some help."

You wished to call him back, kiss him again, but you knew it was a mistake. The closeness, the anxiety, it had overcome you both, losing yourself to a kiss that you knew couldn't happen again.

Mr Barnum quickly scurried from the main circle, leaving you sat in the dirt, pain washing through you.

~*~

Written by Charlotte.

Requested by