Under the Big Top
is a 2013 Supernatural fanfic by lokissoldier. The story is about Castiel, a circus tightrope walker, and Dean, the circus's ringmaster, and the end of their doomed relationship. The story takes place on one fateful day after Dean breaks up with Castiel because he wants to stay in the circus while Castiel wants to run away.
Under the Big Top contains examples of:
- Circus Brat: Castiel and his family all grew up in the circus. Castiel became a tightrope walker, but he hated the circus and planned to run away with Dean. Then Dean changed his mind about leaving the circus, and they broke up.
- Downer Ending: Castiel commits suicide, and Dean is left cradling his body as he reflects on the past.
- Dressing to Die: Castiel puts on his costume and makeup before he commits suicide by stepping off the tightrope.
- False Reassurance: After Sam confronts Castiel about how his breakup with Dean is affecting the rest of the troupe, Castiel assures him that "After tonight, everything will be better." Castiel plans on committing suicide that night.
- Happy Flashback: There is a flashback to the first time Dean and Castiel kissed, and when Dean promised that they would run away together.
- The Hero Dies: Castiel dies by suicide at the end of the story.
- Please Wake Up: After Castiel commits suicide, Dean begs him to wake up, even though he knows he's dead.
- Spurned into Suicide: After Dean refuses to run away to marry Castiel, and they break up, Castiel kills himself due to his depression.
- Tightrope Walking: Castiel is a tightrope walker in the circus. At the end of the story, he kills himself by deliberately stepping off of the rope without a safety net.
