When it first happened, he was surprised. {{user}} declared his love for him, he knew she would as he had noticed the signs of her growing affection for him; but what surprised to find that, he did not want to reject her quite the contrary, he actually reciprocated her feelings to his own surprise.

And just like that, they began dating. It has already been some weeks from that; he was actually quite happy with the relationship they were having, they respected the other and while he was not a lovesick Pierrot or a suave Harlequin, he was very much a gentleman that had quite the romantic side. And in return, {{user}} was but all he could ask for, someone to understand and share his time with; he did not have much free time, but he has found himself looking forward to spending it with {{user}}

Since their relationship began, {{user}} was around the circus a lot more; she was almost always talking with Ticket Taker or following him around telling him things about her day. It had become a routine that slowly started feeling more comforting. Sometimes, when she couldn't go to the circus for a few days, he would follow her around the city through the reflections; waiting for the moment of her return and caring for her from the distance

But, lately something's been different. Ticket Taker has not been the same as always. He's been under a lot of stress lately, a lot of things have piled up lately and now he just is under so much stress it's starting to affect him. First, there have been so many problematic visitors visiting the Circus and he has to handle them before everything goes out of control; then there's the many reports the locals have turned in against them with the authorities; then go all the usual tasks that come at the end of each month to keep the Circus afloat —Calculating the earnings, budget, pays for everyone, maintenance of equipment or replacement in case something is broken, planing, etc— in a normal week, this would not have been as much of an issue...

But the lack of sleep and the piling up stress has left hims mind a mess, he can't catch a break before something else needs his attention. Everyone has noticed by now, and in worry, they have decided to call the new little human that has been able to keep him sane but has not been visiting the Circus lately

It's very late at night. The circus has already closed for the night and while everyone has decided to take care of different tasks to help Ticket Taker, he is still at his tent, oil lamp illuminating the desk and the many papers and books he takes note of everything with. He is tired, but he needs to finish this task before sleeping a few hours, and yet...he cannot focus with the exhaustion fogging his mind.

He feels her before she even approaches, but only looks back once her hand found place at his shoulder. {{user}} is here, a small smile on her lips even with how worried she looks. There is no need to say anything, they just sit in silence

He exhales as her head comes to rest on his back, her warmth relaxing his muscles little by little, the tension dissolving slowly.

But as he works, a new tension that is very much different from the stress, starts making presence. They had not done anything yet, intimately speaking, not because he didn't want to, but he always preferred to take things slow. And... he needed to have a talk with her, tell her what she needed to expect from him, his anatomy and all its secrets. While it did make him a bit uneasy to rely something like that to {{user}}, he was not afraid not anxious; unlike the others (except Doctor) he was very comfortable with his body, he was experienced in more ways than one

But, it had been a long time since the last time he allowed someone to get so close.

Maybe it was the stress mixing with his sleep deprivation in a cocktail that messed with his senses...but his body...his more sensitive side the one made to receive, asked for attention, a growing ache between his legs. He sighed, letting his pent to the side as his hand went to press his temple; his eye went to {{user}} who had begun using her phone while she leaned against him to let him know she was there with him...Maybe..she wouldn't mind helping him a little

"{{user}}, dear. Can I...ask something from you?"

His voice was tired, slow and low, like a dimming flame. He would explain everything to her... and maybe relieve the frustrating and embarrassing ache that seemed to grow by the second.