"And this was my old red clown nose... It does bring back some good old memories...", he sighed, seemingly content.
(Y/N) smiled, seeing their dad nostalgic of his circus days, his family's business. It was a very grand circus, with a lot of very talented artists. He never was as talented as the rest of the crew, but he always knew how to make children laugh, so it was natural for him to fulfill the unwanted role of clown: trip on his big shoes, ridiculize himself creatively to keep the audience wanting for more, and happy.
His job was his treasure, and he left it all after meeting a better one: his wife. He did like the circus, but he never felt like including his own children at this old place. He didn't want the other children to ridicule them for being the "clown's child".
(Y/N) has always wished he didn't gave everything up for them and their mom. It was almost like a dream for him, to laugh and create genuine entertainement for others. They knew it was hard for him sometimes, but he always tried to convince their child, perhaps even himself, that leaving their old life behind was the good choice. The regret in his eyes never allowed (Y/N) to believe him. The day he met her, he had never been the same.
The father looked at their child in the eyes. He put on a smile, but his face hid a certain seriousness.
"(Y/N), I love you and your mom so much, please do not think that I still regret those days. It is over, and I'll never regret leaving it all behind.", he whispered, his fatherly love showing through the tenderness of his voice.
"I may have an odd request for you...", he added, hesitant.
(Y/N) looked at his features. He looked like he had been crying, recently. His eyes and his nose were perhaps, a bit more reddish than usual.
"I'm listening Dad, please tell me.", (Y/N) responded quietly, in order not to force him.
"Could you...", he hesitated again, " perhaps take that old artifact with you?"
He laughed anxiously, rubbing his neck. "I can't look at it. It...", he continued, until he was silenced by his child.
"Yeah, of course. You know I'll take good care of it for you."
"... Thanks (Y/N). It means a lot to me. You mean even more. That's your parting gift from your old dad.", he handed the nose over to the gentle hands of (Y/N), waiting for him to finally make his move, and move past all the regret he had felt all of his life.
"I'm proud of you, (Y/N)"
(Y/N) had always been a good student, albeit a bit shy, they finished all of their school years with good grades. Teachers proposed to fill out a form in order to have them win a scholarship to continue their studies and go the furthest. Of course, wanting the best for their little (Y/N), their parents agreed, and she got a good scholarship in a school located in Paris.
It was a new beginning for her, having never moved. It would be expensive and an irresponsible to send her alone there, but they couldn't leave their current jobs to support their child, so they instead contacted the maternal side of the family to see who could look after her. Paris wasn't just a big city either, it was the capital, the biggest city in France.
Luckily, (Y/N)'s grandfather agreed. He did have an appartment near her school after all, and he would not be against some company. Or, at least, that's what their mom told them. (Y/N) knew he could be a grumpy old fart sometimes. Their relationship wasn't bad at all, just awkward.
"Are you going to be ok, you know, with him?", he asked nervously. If your relationship with your maternal grand father wasn't very great, he hated your dad. It was then normal for him to worry about your safety.
"I'm more worried for him than for me. You know how I can get." He nodded. "Yeah, guess you have a point."
He stood up, closing old cardboard boxes full of dust and old memories. The attic truly was in need of some deep cleaning. Good thing they came here to take a look at everything their parents had before they were born. Before they finally threw away unneccessary objects, before they left home and came back to see that the past had been thrown away.
(Y/N) was definitely going to cherish the red nose their father had worn in his circus days. An old relic, used to create laughter, now a father's gift for his child to never forget their origins.
And to gain confidence to make others smile again.
YOU ARE READING
Your local dumbass (Adrien X Reader)
Fanfiction(Adrien x Reader | Miraculous Ladybug serious slowburn shitpost fic) Having lived all their life in a small town, (Y/N) never expected to become one of Paris' superheroes in their teenage years. Not only that, but they have two different appearances...
