Work Text:
The baron wiped sweat from his brow as he set down a crate of potions and medicinal herbs in the newly converted hospital. A few patients still rested in the beds, former prison cells turned into small rooms where people could rest, receive treatment, and recover. They were long past the point of performing surgery on sick patients and were now focusing on recovery for those with injuries. Where major injuries required the healing spells of the Inquisitor and Clerics at work, minor injuries could be cleaned and wrapped to heal on their own.
Jhod, ever dedicated to his work as a cleric and healer, walked out of a patient’s room to where Vio was sorting out the herbs, taking a bundle out of his hands. “Your Grace, you really should rest. I can take over here for the rest of the evening.”
The golden-haired aasimar shook his head, picking another bundle out of the crate. “I’ll be restless until I know everyone here’s taken care of. I’ve already told you, I’m more at ease in a clinic with my hands busy.”
“Even so,” Jhod trailed off. Another voice called from across the clinic.
“Vio! Someone is here for you!” Tristian called from the entrance. Jhod made a shooing motion towards the stubborn healer, who chuckled and went to see who the visitors were.
“Who is it?” he asked as he approached.
“It’s Octavia and Regongar. I’ll help Jhod with the patients while you discuss whatever this is with them.” The younger cleric nodded as they held the door for Vio and closed it behind him.
The half-elf and half-orc were waiting just at the entrance, smiling with excitement and planned mischief. He looked at the two of them stone-faced in comparison. “The two of you aren’t here for the clinic, I can tell. So?”
“You’ve spent all day in there again, haven’t you?” Octavia asked, disappointment in her voice as she was given the most expected answer.
“Yes, I have. There’s still work to be done.”
“Vio, you can't just spend all your free time in the clinic.”
“I don't see why not.”
Octavia scoffed in mock offense. “That's not how a person relaxes. Now come on, the three of us are going to the tavern together. We're going to celebrate the end of the Bloom and relax as one should.”
“The two of you can go on ahead without me—”
A strong pair of hands gripped Vio's shoulders as he turned to reenter the clinic, pushing him forward. “Oh I don't think so, you're coming with us.”
Despite being the weaker of the two, Regongar had the height and leverage advantage. Though not without effort, he pushed Vio across town to the tavern. The Bloom had left the capital very damaged. In ways that could be easily repaired, such as the buildings, and in ways that couldn't, the loss of life across the barony. Tuskdale was still lively in its recovery. The people worked to repair what was broken and raise their spirits.
The town’s tavern was just as lively as its residents’ recovery. A few makeshift walls had been set up to keep out the breeze, but the townspeople were merrily celebrating their own survival as they rested from the day’s work. A few heads turned towards the trio as they entered, but no one gave more than a toast and a wave as they walked along the tables.
Vio moved to cover his head and newly-grown wings with his hood, before pausing as he realized that he’d been dragged away before having a chance to grab his cloak. Regongar noticed and laughed.
“What’s that, Vio? Didn’t know you were the bashful type!” His words easily carried across the tavern over the voices and chatter of the townsfolk.
“Quiet, Reg. I just don’t want everyone to pay attention to me instead of celebrating or resting,” Vio sighed.
“Come now Vio, just look around!” Octavia latched onto his arm. “No one’s paying attention right now, they’re too busy with the glasses in front of them. Now it’s our turn.” With a mischievous grin she raised her arm towards the barkeep and called out. “Elina! A table for three please!”
“I’ve got one in the back for you!” Elina called back from her place at the bar. Despite the state of her tavern, the barkeeper was in good spirits. She passed out drinks and prepared food with a smile, chatting with Ekun at the bar and knowing that her home was finally safe.
With Regongar pushing and Octavia pulling, Vio resigned to his fate and allowed them to lead him to the small table set aside for them. At the back corner of the tavern, it was in the perfect location to watch their subjects, to stay out of the center of attention, and to smell the food being cooked in the kitchen.
There was no wait between them sitting down and Elina setting drinks at their table. She smiled as she did so. “There you are, your Grace. You deserve to rest just as much as everyone else.”
Vio glared at his two companions as she walked away, who were already racing for the bottom of their cups. The wings on his head pressed closed with his irritation. “You planned this.”
Reg set his mug down with a grin. “Sure did. Even got Jhod to agree to let you go for the night.”
“It wasn’t hard to get everyone in on it,” Tavi chimed in. “Now come on, no need to waste your drink!”
Vio sighed and took a sip from his mug, grimacing at the strong taste of alcohol. The others noticed and couldn’t hold back a laugh.
Reg clapped Vio on the back. “Now don’t tell me that you can’t handle your booze, Vio.”
“It’s not like you’d know,” he responded.
“Show me then, let’s see who can go the longest.” The half-orc’s tusked grin suggested a challenge, which on most nights Vio would not bother to acknowledge.
“Very well then.” He lifted the mug and drained it in one go, still grimacing but otherwise unphased. Regongar cheered, while Octavia shook her head.
“We’re here to have fun, not to race to see who is drunk under the table first,” she chided.
“I have no intention of doing so,” Vio said, frowning slightly as Regongar called for another round of drinks.
Regardless of Octavia’s warning, there was no hesitation as the three of them drank their way through the night. Vio’s grimace at the taste of the alcohol was a continuous source of laughter, and even he let himself laugh openly at Regongar’s puns and jokes, incomprehensible as they eventually became.
“Well, what do we have here? Hey chief! Why didn’t you tell me you were gonna be out here?”
A few hours and several drinks into the evening, Amiri leaned over Vio’s shoulder. Her giant sword was strapped to her back and a wild boar was held on her shoulder by one hand.
He looked over her and the boar, not answering the question. “Please tell me you aren’t making a mess of the tavern after we just cleaned up.”
“Hey, I cleaned it up good!” She turned towards the bar, where the owner was too busy to notice her yet. “Elina! Where do you want this?”
“Huh-? Amiri! Don’t just stand with it in the middle of the room, take that back into the kitchen!” Elina rushed over to their table and began to push Amiri towards the back. “We’ll get it stored away so it can be properly prepared tomorrow. Go, go!”
“Ahhh, Amiri’s muscles are just spectacular…” Octavia sighed, watching her carry the boar into the back. She propped her head in her hands on the table, a warm flush coloring her face.
“Hmmm, who do you think is the strongest between them? Amiri or Vio?” Regongar leaned against Vio’s arm, putting most of his weight on the smaller man.
“Why don’t we find out once she comes back out?” Tavi suggested, leaning on Vio’s other side.
The sandwiched man took another sip from his mug, the ale now being replaced with a sweet wine that was easier on his taste buds. “I don’t see why this is such a big deal.”
“Why’s what such a big deal?” A voice said from behind the three of them. They turned around in unison to see Amiri standing there again, though Vio had to keep Regongar from toppling over.
“Haven’t you ever wondered who’s stronger between you? Come on, let’s find out,” Reg grinned, sitting himself upright.
“Reg–” Vio was cut off before he could word his objection.
“You and Vio, let’s see you arm wrestle!”
The challenge echoed across the entire tavern, drawing the attention of the patrons that had yet to leave for the night. The chatter of the crowd hardly quieted, turning to curiosity and excitement at what might happen. Amiri only paused for a moment before breaking out into a wide grin.
“Oh, you’re on! What do you say, chief? Let’s go.” She rubbed her hands together, setting down her sword and taking a seat at the table. The crowd was buzzing with anticipation.
Vio did not answer immediately. He looked at Amiri, then at Octavia and Regongar, and spared a final glance toward the crowd that had formed nearby. With a final large swig from his mug, he hid his grimace and seated himself across from Amiri. The two were positioned perfectly to give the crowd a good view.
“You be the judge, Reg,” Vio said, grabbing Amiri’s much larger hand as they got into position. She had the size advantage, but that was it. With a signal from Regongar, the two began their contest. They struggled evenly against each other, Amiri putting all her focus into the match while Vio fought slightly against the effects of the alcohol. The crowd watched with bated breath. Linzi wriggled her way to the front row to see, Tristian gently shooed her away so as to not distract the two, and Octavia’s attention was more on Amiri’s muscles than they were on the match.
“Hey Octavia, do you mind looking anywhere else right now,” Amiri grunted, pointedly looking away and blushing.
“Where else am I supposed to look? You’re the center of attention,” Octavia hummed in response.
“I dunno, why not at the featherhead over here? He’s got more to look at.” She grinned as Vio’s feathers puffed up in response to the jab.
“So worried you’re going to lose that you’re trying to distract me?” Vio leaned forward. As he spoke, a small piece of bread bounced against his head. The tension between the two lightened as they both looked in the direction of the source.
“Just feeding the birds,” Regongar grinned, holding a bread roll in one hand. Vio rolled his eyes as Octavia giggled at the joke. Amiri’s laughter shook the two combatants and rippled through the crowd.
Taking the opportunity, Vio put his full force into the match. Amiri was unable to regain her balance or position on the table and quickly fell defeated. Reg dropped his bread roll at the loud thump of Amiri’s hand hitting the table, which was snapped up using Vio’s free hand. The tavern’s crowd cheered for their baron as he stood victorious and took a bite out of the bread.
Hours passed within the tavern, the townspeople slowly filtering out for the night after the excitement. Amiri had found her chance to escape Octavia’s bedroom eyes and Ekundayo bid Elina farewell. Vio traded his wine for water while his two drinking companions were sound asleep with their heads on the table. While he was deciding what to do with the two of them, another figure approached from behind.
“I see our baron has graced us with his presence and decided to unwind tonight.”
“... Kaessi.”
He turned to face the tiefling, her red eyes twinkling with amusement. She settled easily in the seat beside him with a teasing pout.
“Now don't tell me you're calling me that because you're too drunk to tell us apart.”
Vio sighed and rolled his eyes before taking another sip from his cup. “We're still in public, and I'm not that tipsy.”
“Hmm, shame. I would've liked to see how our stoic baron acts when he's not totally in control. Oh well, there are other things I can see.” Kanerah let the mask fall as she readjusted herself in the seat. No more was she looking to tease, but to seduce. Vio felt something thin but warm wrap itself around his leg, slowly edging up underneath his pant leg.
“Just what are you doing?” He pulled his leg away, untangling it from the tail.
“What do you think, Vio? You're still in possession of your faculties, but your companions for the night are…” She glanced across the table at Octavia and Regongar, dead to the world and likely to be removed soon if they didn’t themselves. “Rather than leave you alone for the night, I could also help you relax .”
“Thank you for the offer, but no. I have no intention of having that sort of relationship.” He held his head in his hand, rubbing between his eyes to ward off a headache.
“I’ve got to offer you something, Vio.” Her tail, free behind her, lashed.
“No. No you do not.” Quietly, he added. “Neither of you do.”
“What, would you accept it if it were from someone else? Perhaps that boy-priest you’re so fond of.” She sneered, attention catching something in the background.
“My feelings for Tristian have nothing to do with this—” The feathers of his wings puffed up with his voice.
“So I’m right then. You Sarenites are like birds of a feather—”
“Yes, I like Tristian but that is an altogether different matter from this.” Vio stood up and raised his voice, louder than he intended. He felt as if his actions and reactions were slower than his thoughts.
Kanerah smirked, pointing behind Vio. “You may want to deal with that matter then, Vio.”
Through the slight blur of his vision, he turned around to see none other than Tristian. Seated at the bar with their face brighter red than if they had been drinking. Vio was suddenly very aware of how warm his face was and how much warmer it became all at once.
“Tris– I didn’t– You weren’t supposed to hear that—” He stammered. His wings began to move on their own, slowly covering his face until no one could see it anymore. Kanerah’s laughter trilled cruelly from his side, implying an expression he didn’t even need to see.
“I will leave you doves to each other.”
“Wait, Kaessi–!” Her laughter grew faint, Vio left with no way to tell how far she had gotten.
He sighed, frustrated, and gripped the side of the table. With his face covered and the influence of the alcohol, he had lost all chance of keeping his balance. A soft hand touched his, slowly wrapping around and holding it.
“Let me at least take you back to the manor. Please.” Tristian’s voice was just as soft as their hand. They held firmly, acting as a solid foundation for him to stand and balance.
“Yes… let’s go,” Vio agreed. “We’ll probably need to ask Valerie to bring those two back.” He glanced back in the direction that he assumed Regongar and Octavia were.
“I’m sure she’ll never let them hear the end of it,” they laughed, a melodious sound to Vio.
“I’m never drinking alcohol again…” Wrapping a gentle arm around him, Tristian carefully led him out of the tavern. His steps were wobbly and uncertain as they walked. He leaned into them, however long it would take for him to walk on his own again.
They walked arm and arm all the way across Tuskdale, all the way to the steps of the manor. Whether for the alcohol in his system or his body pressed against Tristian, he couldn’t feel the chill of the night air. His wings sat firmly in front of his face and refused to budge. The two stopped right before walking into the building.
“Vio, may I?” After a nod of approval, Tristian gently touched Vio’s head wings. They tensed up in response, causing them to retract their hand. “Hm, that’s not it. Your wings’ muscles are so tense, we need them to relax .”
“I’m not sure that will happen so long as I remember what happened tonight.”
“Why would that be–Oh, yes, right…”
An awkward silence hung between the two of them, unbroken in the silence of the night.
“Tristian, just forget you heard anything tonight, okay?” Vio finally spoke up.
“Vio…” They hesitated. He couldn’t see their expression but could hear it in their voice. A familiar, soft pair of hands held his own. “Relax, please. I know you didn’t mean for me to hear it, but… I’m glad to hear it from you. I feel the same way.”
Slowly, the wings relaxed. Vio’s relief opened them up to see Tristian’s face, golden eyes practically glowing in the lantern light, their cheeks brightly flushed. They smiled but did not meet his gaze.
“I guess that worked… The important thing is learning what the new muscles feel like so you can move them on your own. Your wings won’t let you fly but you should still be able to control them to an extent,” They rattled on, changing the subject.
“Thank you, Tristian. Really,” Vio chuckled. “I do have a question though.”
“Yes?”
“Why do you know so much about having wings?”
“Oh! Well, there was another aasimar at my temple back in Qadira, you see!” They stammered out the words. “They also developed wings, so we all helped them get accustomed to them.”
“I see… In that case, I’ll be relying on your experience.” He held onto their hand, slowly pulling them towards the manor on his own wobbly feet. The two entered together, ending their night of celebrations and confessions.