Key: Y/N = your (first) name L/N = your last name

You're in the library, as per usual. 

You often find yourself here, desperately searching for an escape. From school, bullies, and life.

 Books are the perfect way to do this. 

To escape from harsh reality.

You're alone. The librarian went out for coffee or something and left you in charge. She has known you since infancy, so she trusts you completely. 

No one else is here, because no one ever comes to the library, and it's already dark out.

Anyways, you are looking for an interesting book, and you have music playing. A love song to be exact, and quite sad, in your eyes. 

Perfect for you, it's lonely and depressing. 

You kind of dance to the music, but it's more like bobbing your head in a pigeon-like motion. 

Then, you hear many thumps, followed by a huge crash. Turning off the music, you go to investigate.

Finding a huge mess, you glare at nothing in particular. 

A large shelf had fallen, as well as all of the books on it. The librarian would probably blame you, then you would be banned. You sigh, crouch down, and try to upright the heavy shelf, but the weight leaves your hands, as someone else pushes it up.

Utterly startled, you gasp in shock. 

A tall-ish ginger stands over you, having uprighted the shelf. He smiles softly, as you recover from the surprise.

"Uh . . . Thanks." You whisper to him. After all, this is a library.

"No, I should be thanking you. I accidentally bumped into it. I'm sorry." He starts to pick up all the fallen novels, and you can't help but notice his attractiveness. 

You start helping immediately, having been raised to be polite and to help others.

"Jerome. Jerome Valeska." He says curtly.

"I'm Y/N L/N. It's nice to meet you. What brings you here so late?"

Maybe I shouldn't be so forward. 

"F-forget it, it's not my business. I shouldn't have even asked." You clumsily stutter.

He smiles at you, "I'm with the circus. I thought I would get in some reading before we leave for the next city in a few weeks."

"Oh..." Circus? I haven't heard. . . Oh, that circus! 

You had overheard some girls at school talking about it. It had sounded like fun, but you hadn't gone, obviously. 

By now, all the books are back on the shelf, in a disorderly manner, but, you'd rearrange it later.

"What are you doing here? Well, besides helping me." His blue eyes pierce you.

"I was just helping out the librarian, looking for something to read. You know, like normal." The last part is etched with remorse, and his smile falters.

"Like normal?" He questions with eyebrows raised.

"Oh yeah. I'm always here, you know, It's a kind of escape. A paradise in a rough world. Gotham isn't the friendliest to people, especially me." 

He frowns and looks thoughtfully towards you for a moment.

"Would you like to see the circus?" Jerome asks with a mischievous grin. 

Something about him, makes you feel safe like he wouldn't let anything bad happen to you. Like you could trust him completely.

"Okay. Sounds like fun." You smile for the first time today, and then you're off. 

You lock the doors behind you, and then start running down the streets of Gotham, at night. 

Not the smartest thing you've ever done, but exhilarating nonetheless.

Soon, you're there. 

The cold night air chills your skin, causing gooseflesh to sprout on your arms and shoulders.

"It's...magnificent. I've never seen something so...glorious." You say in wonder as you stare at the great tent, aglow with mystery.

"I thought you'd like it! Come over here!" He spins you around, practically dragging you to the huge tent.

The inside is just as you had pictured, large and spacious. The ring is also big, and the trapeze is quite high up. You take a deep breath, turning in circles as Jerome brings you into the middle of the ring.

"I don't know how anyone could perform in front of so many people. It must be nerve-wracking."

"Ha! I'm not a performer, but my mom is. She's a snake dancer with the sideshow." He has a subtle look of anger at the mention of his mother, so you change the subject.

"The tent is HUGE! I thought it'd be smaller." He takes your hand in his and pulls you out into the night.

"Jerome?" You ask quietly, afraid of what he'd say.

"Yeah?"

"Um...I-I think you're rather nice, for having just met you. But no one has ever even talked to me, or even pretended to be interested. You, you make me...feel...things I've never felt before. . . . What I'm trying to say, is that I really-"

He swiftly pulls you into his firm arms and softly touches his lips to yours. 

Having never been kissed, you didn't expect the rush of emotion and fiery passion from such a simple act. It's marvelous. 

Intoxicating. 

Glorious.

He slowly pulls away, and you catch your breath. Then you see that you're being watched. 

An old man stands alone, wearing a suit and tie. He is wearing sunglasses even though it's unbelievably dark. Jerome sees me looking at the stranger and smiles at him.

"Hello, Mr. Cicero!" He greets, joy in his voice.

"Jerome, what are you doing with her? Shouldn't you be in bed?" He says in barely disguised disgust. Jerome's countenance is evidently filled with fury.

"Why would you care? You're not my dad!" He spits at the old man, and motions to a secluded area under a tree.

"Jerome? I think- do you want to be friends?" You say, giddy with happiness, though scared of what he'll say.

He grins, "Of course!"

"By the way, that old man is delusional. You're much to mature to be in bed by seven." You taunt, producing a genuine smile from Jerome.

That was when you first discovered a true paradise; Jerome.  Your friendship is a mighty river, that nothing can dam.

When you get home, lie in bed all night, thinking of him. The next day you went to the circus, and hung out with Jerome all day. 

And after that, things escalated fairly fast, but not too fast.

A/n -

Hope ya'll enjoyed!

Does anyone have any requests? I'm experiencing severe writers block. So if you have a request, just tell me the character, the scenario, and any other information. 

PLEASE! I beg you! Request something!

(A/n From the Future - jeez, I was so desperate for requests XD)