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English
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Published:
2026-07-11
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236
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1/1
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I wish we could meet for real

Summary:

Asher and Apollo are neighbors who go to the same catholic school and perform as aerialists in their shared dreams of the Midnight Circus.

But Apollo doesn't know that. He has only ever seen Asher at the Midnight Circus because in real life there's no body-transforming magic so everyone, including Apollo, thinks Asher is a girl. (I mean how's he supposed come out when they go to catholic school?)

What will Asher do when Apollo asks to meet in real life?

 

Rewrite of the conversation at the end of chapter 16 in the book. Context provided in notes for those who haven't read the original book.

Notes:

I think I mostly covered needed context in the summary but here's the main points:
- The Midnight Circus is a shared dream, At the Midnight Circus Asher has his dream body and looks like a cis guy
- Apollo looks the same in real life (unlike Asher) so Asher knows they go to the same school, but Apollo doesn't know Asher is the same person as his neighbor "Ash"
- Also Asher refers to trapezing as flying

comments and kudos are always appreciated, happy reading :)

Work Text:

"I wish we could meet in the daytime."

I look up at Apollo; he's staring out over the net as if to avoid my gaze.

"oh," I hesitate, slouching forward. "I don't think…" you'd want to be friends if you knew. I trail off, unable to finish the sentence aloud.

He furrows his brows, briefly looking at me before turning his gaze down to the net below. "You don't want to?"

I look up quickly "that's not it, I just—" I pause as his eyes meet mine. What am I supposed to say? I look down letting out the breath I'd been holding. "I look really different in real life." I grimmace as the words slip past my tongue.

He tilts his head. "So? Why does it matter how you look, you're still you."

"I guess I’m… scared of what you'll think of me." I say at last.

"I promise I won't think of you any differently." He stares into my eyes, willing me to believe him before he looks away to diffuse the tension, scratching the back of his neck. "I suppose it was just a hypothetical anyway, we don't even know if meeting would be possible."

"Not yet, but maybe someday, we can meet for real." I'm not sure how he'll react if he finds out I'm trans. Maybe he'll be able to accept me when the time comes, "but for now, let's fly."