Hey, I was just thinking, this may sound like a spoiler, but I feel like:
Harlequin actually just thinking of keeping his little family alive. Like in Columbina's vision that she shows in the mirror, Harlequin or Doctor asks where is Pierrot, how's he doing. Pierrot looks like he is crouching down, maybe he was kept being starved more than others because he was the strongest. Obviously prev-Circus owner wants to starve him so that he doesn't become a threat. Then, Harlequin breaks out of the cage and feed already weak one but of course Pierrot doesn't want to eat his love. Harlequin can't understand that :b Pierrot knows harlequin doesn't get it and he is soft on him too. and sees everyone like a family. Haha this story is lovely. I read it like 8 times, each time, capturing all the possible routes. hahaahhaha!