Aiden

"To the success of the show and to Ashlyn!" Maverick raised the toast, pouring alcohol into glasses. "I'm sorry Logan, but I can't let you drink the moonshine since you are underage. Someone else may drink it for you."

Logan nodded. 

"I wouldn't want to anyway, it tastes terrible."

"True", Ashlyn agreed. 

"True", Ben joined. "Liqueur is way better." 

"Depends on", Taylor pointed. "Raspberry liqueur is yummy, but grapefruit liqueur tastes like crap." 

"I see you're professional", Aiden smirked. That was a bit unfair of him, considering he personally didn't like the taste of any alcohol. 

"Of course", Tyler nodded with a proud smile. "You must believe me when it comes to drinking." 

"Well," Maverick glared at him. "Let's raise the toast with what we have."  

They got up from the table and clinked glasses. 

It was really nice to sit at the planing table enjoying cake and drinking moonshine Maverick brought, even though it tasted terrible. Aiden liked evenings like this - calm and nice, in a dark place like his carriage filled with old toys hanging from the ceiling. 

He loved surrounding himself with some kind of unsettling atmosphere. It has made him this weird guy in the circus everyone was a little afraid of - even his friends. His ripped-off dark clothes, weird jewelry, red eyes, the way he talked and smiled all the time - it all creeped them out. People thought he enjoyed living among broken toys blackened by age, dolls without eyes or limbs, like things that normal people were afraid of. They thought he was capable of anything - and because of that most of them avoided him. And Aiden liked it. He liked that people saw him as he wanted them to. 

Except Maverick, who knew him too well. 

And Aiden knew Maverick too well, too. 

He was probably the only person who knew about his deception. And that the circus director used to be a criminal. He was imprisoned ten years earlier, but was released shortly thereafter because his guilt was not proven. Aiden could only guess what Maverick's part was in that incident, but he knew one thing. 

It was about murder. 

Now something was off again. Not about the murder this time though - Aiden was almost sure Maverick was stealing money from performances. He never let anyone touch the money, and Aiden even tricked the director by counting the income from the last show and then asking him what the amount was. In fact, Maverick told him it was lower, a few dozen dollars. 

And Aiden's biggest conundrum was: why did he do it? Maverick, who founded the circus and was rolling in money? How was Aiden supposed to find it out and prove his quilt? And what would happen next? 

Well, for now, screw it. 

He closed his eyes, taking a little sip of a moonshine. His throat burned like hell and Aiden tried not to cough, he hated the taste of probably ancient alcohol. 

A slight chuckle came from his right and his eyes met Ashlyn's. She was looking at him, not even trying to hide amusement. 

"Did you try your moonshine yet?", he asked and she shook her head. 

"I don't think I'll like it." 

"What? No way, Ashlyn!" Taylor shouted in surprise. "You're eighteen, it would be a shame not to try it today. Especially with us!" 

"One try", Ashlyn stipulated. "One little sip. I hate alcohol." 

"I'm not surprised though", Logan smiled and jokingly lowered his voice. "Ashlyn once tried our orphanage matron's beer she hid in the basement..." 

"Shut up", Ashlyn snapped. "It was the worst thing I've ever had in my mouth." 

"Aw come on, this will be better", Tyler snorted. "Don't be shy." 

Ashlyn rolled her eyes and took a sip from her glass, immediately after started coughing.  

"This... is... ugh, it's terrible! How can you even drink it?!" 

Siblings and Logan couldn't stop laughing. Ben chuckled too, even Maverick seemed amused. 

"Isn't it...?" Aiden said quietly, smiling wider. 

Taylor gave him an unsettled look. 

"Still she doesn't have to drink more." she giggled. 

"You'll get used to it after some time, Ashlyn", Tyler translated what Ben said. 

"That's true", Taylor added, glancing at Aiden. "Okay, does someone want another piece of cake?" 

"Me, please", Logan pushed his plate over. 

"Guys", Tyler suddenly stood up with a cunning smirk. "Who wants to compete?!" 

"For what?" Maverick asked. 

"To see who can zero the glass faster than me! Bet nobody will make it." 

Ben raised his hand. 

"Ben?!" Taylor almost choked. 

"Don't worry, I have a strong head", he signed. 

"Well- I don't bother!"

"Good, let's start!" Tyler announced.  

"Can I join too, boys?" Maverick opened the bottle. 

"Sure", Tyler grinned, pouring moonshine into their glasses. 

Aiden and Ashlyn exchanged glances and she shook slightly her head. 

"kids", she mouthed and Aiden snort-laughed. 

"Yeah." 

It felt like an another thread of understanding appeared between them. 

He liked that feeling. 

"Ready?" Taylor asked competitors. "Go!" 

They started drinking to the bottom while Logan cheered them on. 

"Aaaand... Tyler!" Taylor announced in the same time Ashlyn said "Mr. Maverick!". Ben was the last to empty his glass. Taylor smiled at him, patting his shoulder. 

"Play-off?" Ashlyn asked. 

"Fine by me", Tyler said and Maverick nodded. 

The director poured the rest of the moonshine into Tyler's glass and then into his own. 

"And it ran out. Aiden, could you go to my office and bring us another bottle? I should have the last one in the red cupboard." 

Aiden got up and moved towards the door behind which there was a carriage with an office. He found the red cupboard and glanced inside. Empty.

Maybe he meant another one? - he thought, looking around. There was a dark brown cabinet, and Aiden opened it with a little key stucked in a lock. As he thought, there was a brown bottle with a fluid inside. He came back to his carriage. 

"Here", he put the bottle on the table and Tyler shed it into Maverick's glass. 

"Readyyy... go!" 

This time the play-off wasn't necessary - Tyler definitely won. 

"Thank you", Maverick shook his hand. "I'm really curious where did you learn to drink, by the way." 

"Erm- It's... an innate ability." 

"Let's say I believe you", he glanced at Tyler in a way that made him chuckle nervously. "Now, it's almost time for dinner. I don't think you'll eat a lot after such a delicious cake, congatulations by the way, but I'd be happy if you appear in the cafeteria for a moment at least."

"We will, Mr. Maverick", Logan promised and the rest agreed. 

"It's ten minutes left, so I have to go. Happy birthday once again, Ashlyn!" 

She thanked and Maverick left. They quickly cleaned up after the treat and headed toward the dining room. 

Now I have a chance, Aiden thought as Ashlyn reached for a door knob. He grabbed her wrist just before she left his carriage and she shuddered, startled. 

"Ash, I'd like to..." 

"Ashlyn!", Taylor called. "Oh, sorry guys... Did I interrupt something?" 

"No, I- nevermind", Aiden let go of Ashlyn's hand. "We can talk after the dinner." 

"You can tell me now and meanwhile others can go", Ashlyn suggested. "They don't have to wait for us."

"No, it's not that important... besides, it may take a moment." he smiled at her and she blushed a little. His guts twisted. 

Why is she like that? 

"Alright", she gave him a little smile, looked away, then quickly glanced at him again - eventually she turned around and followed Taylor to the next door. 

Aiden took a deep breath. 

Damn...

I'm so in love with this girl. 

________

Sorry I'm late... I had to take a little break from writing :)