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No one was in the tavern except for them, as usual. Occasionally someone would pass by, usually Riveter, or Dirt.
Drinking their troubles away wasn't nearly as bad of a coping mechanism as people say it is either! The worst part about it was the stage where he was tipsy but not quite drunk. That part was just the worst because they could still remember things and think far too clearly, while feeling sick and nauseous.
Anyways, he was tipsy right now, trying to get drunk and hoping it helped. It never did, it only made him Think more, But hey! At least they won't remember it tomorrow.
Their wings fluttered softly for less than second, hidden beneath their cape. Their wings sometimes fluff up when they drink, maybe it's just because of the goosebumps they sometimes get.
At least their cape helped with the shivers and goose bumps. Actually, were their wings even properly functional, having been covered for so long and basically half gone.
They'd only glide. It's not as if he plans on flying anytime soon anyways.
Taking another long swig from their cup, they slammed it down on the bar. Flinching from noise they'd accidentally made with the cup, they just set their head down on the bar next to their cup, tears springing from their eyes.
Why.
Why were they alone, they were always alone.
No one ever stayed at Sixes Tavern for more than maybe half an hour.
Was it because they couldn't bring themselves to stray too far? Was it their fault they were cowardly? Was that why people never stayed too long?
He felt bad, his tears were staining the polished wood of the bar
They sat up for barely a minute to finish their glass, what even was in these things
They laid their head back down waiting for whatever alcohol content there was, to kick in and make the rest of the night a blur.
Unfortunately, it didn't kick in fast enough, because before then Riveter came into the tavern.
It was rare to see him in any place indoors, especially if it wasn't for anything about bread or farming.
How unlucky. In their vague anxiety they reached up slipping their hand beneath their cape, he scratched at the feathers and flesh near the bone of their wings, a bad habit.
It was just something they did absentmindedly. they didn't see the harm in it, though knew that Riveter would, in fact, see harm in it as a fellow Elytrian.
He carefully pushed himself off the counter, tears still slowly dripping as they tried to wipe them off. They rubbed at their face desperately.
The tears didn't totally stop, and their face was still red from trying to rub the tears off.
still supporting his weight on the bar counter, they looked up at Riveter, who was taking a seat next to them.
"Oh, uh, hi Riveter. You're not usually like, inside the tavern. What brings you here?" Rue stuttered out, inwardly cursing their own awkwardness.
"Heya', nothin' much, just passin' by to check on ya'" He paused for a moment, examining them. "Seems like I didn't come 'ere for nothin' either."
He seemed worried, wings even fluffing up behind him. His wings are really scarred, burned really. No, scarred isn't quite the right the right word. His wings are just super messed up.
The feathers weren't growing properly because of the scarring.
Rue's wings were mostly torn off, but Riveter's wings were scarred in a weird way, the primary and secondary feathers not growing well, or at all in some parts.
"Rue?" A hand was placed on his shoulder. He flinched back at the sudden touch. Had they really been so lost in thought? How embarrassing.
Why was Riveter looking at them. He was worried, it showed in his face.
Wait... They still haven't responded. No wonder he was looking at them Weird!
"Hm, yeah uhm, what is it ?" They hated how much their voice shook and stuttered.
"You weren't answerin' me." His hand wasn't on their shoulder, any more. They didn't know whether to be disappointed or relieved.
"Oh, I-um, What was the question again?" They wrung their hands, their tone awkward and seemingly scared.
"How ya' been holdin' up Rue?”
"oh, I guess, just, you know, staying safe, inside
Look, they knew that it wasn't the healthiest thing; to stay inside most of the time. How were they supposed to go out when there were monsters outside!
Rue knew that they weren't doing a good job of sounding convincing, given the tear tracks. and their trembling voice.
They nervously awaited an answer from Riveter, looking at everywhere but at the man. They were eventually forced to look up when he placed his hand atop their head.
They looked up at him with wide eyes, still slightly tearful. Riveter carefully patted their hair
This didn't help their tears, only making the tears drip down his cheeks faster.
He was really scared of being alone. He feared getting close to someone for fear of getting hurt again.
Did they really want to risk all that pain just for companionship?
Maybe
It might be worth it. They wiped their tears away and gave Riveter a shaky smile.
The Elytrian smiled back at him, that vonfident but kind smile that could make anyone at least a little happy.
"How you doin' now?" He took his hand off their head, the comforting weight being nearly immediately missed
"Better, thank you."
"Yea', you prob'ly jus' needed to get allat outta your system."
They nodded in agreement. They truly were feeling better after that.
"I think I'm going to sleep though, crying-uh, it makes me tired." He looked back down, mildly ashamed of that fact.
"Checks out. Go off then, Rue," He set a hand on their back, lightly rubbing it, it was comforting.
They nodded, standing up for barely a few seconds before stumbling. Right, drinking
"I'll-uh, I'll be fine, just a bit tipsy from the drinks. I can get to my room alright." They reassured, though it somehow worked, because Riveter let them off with just a simple
"Okay, see ya' soon then."
Before leaving the tavern.
After that everything was a blur. They got upstairs to their room in the inn, probably took off their shoes.
They basically collapsed into bed, sleeping soundly through the night. No nightmares, shockingly.
Maybe it was because they'd been left with the comfort that someone cared and was kind in a true and honest way.