Chapter Text
Tick… tock… tick… tock…
These hands beckoned Rigel to keep staring, his fingers fiddling evermore restlessly at his blanket. His breath quickens, he could still hear the way their words rang relentlessly in his head.
“Quit your crying again, Ri!” He would scold, “Altair never has to whine over trivial crap as the sound, the night, any of that!”
“You’re being ungrateful, Ri,” She would say coldly, “Buck up, and be normal for once…”
There it replays. Over and over. And oh, how their words never cease to hurt…
… How it never seems to stop…
The shadows meandered on the walls as Ri twiddled a lock of hair. They were all there… overbearing… overwhelming… overlooking their quivering little prey for the final time… until—
Thud!
Immediately, he perks up, noticing the shadows returning to normalcy.
What… was that…?
Hesitantly, he stirs, his eyes glancing at the window. For a moment, it was hard to make out the strange, dark blob in the dark, until his trembling hands wiped away his eyes.
… A bird? No, it’s… an actual bird?!
In almost an instant, Ri paced from the bed, eyeing worriedly as his hand fumbled to find the latch. His gaze was still at the pigeon as his thoughts created whirlwinds deep within. What if he couldn’t save it? What if he inadvertently causes more harm than good? He has never tended fully to a bird, let alone an injured pigeon. What if he frightened it? What if…
… What if they realise that Ri is now taking care of this sky pest?
He tried to steady his hand as his other made its way to the bird. He couldn’t bear the thought of it. He knew, he knew how much they hated these critters, how they hated him for having the heart to care, to defend these little avians…
… But he can’t just leave this wounded one behind as he goes through another tormenting second of the day…
Ri felt a gentle plop on his hand, soon slowly bringing the little bird to his chest as it breathed softly through its beak.
“... I-it’s okay…” He whispered softly, his fingers running through its injured wing, “... You’ll be okay… We’ll… we’ll get through this…
***
His steps were nearly quiet as Rigel crept to the bathroom, his eyes scanning the scene to make sure they weren’t awake. As he gently closed the door and flipped the switch, he was quick on his feet, laying the pigeon near the sink as he scurried to the cabinets. For a moment, he was partially in disbelief. What was he doing? Why was he taking care of that bird, knowing how cruelly they have always been to these… pests?
… Even the mere thought of these avians being pests recoils him. What did they ever do to people like them…? Why would people ever be this heartless over something so harmless?
… How could others ever act this hateful and be… okay?
Rigel shook his head rapidly. Now is not the time. He gathered some gauze as he focused back on the bird. It’s cooing…
It’s… cooing…
It was so soft, so warm. Ri felt the way his heart sank, the way his breath hitched. It almost felt so… thankful. Even while he cared and bandaged cautiously on the wing, it was so, so… calm. Its orange eyes stared intently, soon setting its tiny talons on his sleeve.
That’s when time stands still.
He has never felt so… honoured… at ease… and yet so scared…
Even as he watched the way it preened at his sleeve, Rigel couldn’t help but worry. After all…
How in the stars above could he keep the bird in his hand in a lair so unwelcoming…?