#oughgh but rouxls would know what its like to feel alone bc he...rly only had lancer!

[starxscream]

I was reading your post the other day about how Swatch must feel so lonely and sad in the Snowgrave Route without the Swatchlings😭 So let me recommend: Rouxls tries to comfort them (in his own chaotic way) because he actually really dislikes seeing Swatch sad (but he will never admit it).

Ok i was going to take a nap but this ask came and grabbed me by the throat

Enjoy a little drabble about this beneath the cut bc my brain goes brr<3

Silence.

Pure and utter silence.

Swatch had always complained about the ruckus and noise, always had to get the Swatchlings in line, always chastised Tasque Manager for letting her tasques wander around. There was always something happening, always something going on, and some days Swatch had dared hope for a little peace.

Now they had it.

Quiet. But it was not peaceful.

They never realized how much they hated it. The lack of sound, the lack of people, the lack of anyone.

Yet there they stood, behind the counter.

Their shoulder's sag, staring at the door that had not opened to anyone. Expecting to see someone, anyone, walk through that door.

A swatchling ready to take another order, a customer needing to be seated, Tasque Manager on her break and looking for a friendly chat. All while Swatch served them with a smile.

Swatch's hands ball into fists, why were they the only one here? Why couldn't they have brought the swatchlings? Tasque Manager? Even just a single tasque would be better than this!

Their head lowers, hands shaking at their sides.

What made them different?

Why did they get brought here?

How come no one else came along?

They lean on the countertop in front of them, beak clenched tightly together, feeling a singe of heat in the corners of their eyes.

Would they ever see them again?

No.

Would they ever get to work with them again?

No.

Would they ever get out of this godforsaken place?

No.

Their head hits the countertop, a shudder tearing through their body.

Oh god how they wished they had been left behind instead. How they could have stayed with everyone else. How they wouldn't be alone in this cold and empty cafe that no one came to visit.

Their fists slam onto the countertop, shoulders beginning to shake more and more. It wasn't fair. Why were they brought here?

It just wasn't fair.

Hot tears threaten to spill from the corners of their glasses, the heat beginning to fog the lenses.

The door chimes, a foreign sound to the bird, but they don't look up. Partly believing it to be their own sick imagination. Not wanting to look up and see no one there.

"Beholdest worm-avian! I grace thee with thy presence once more!"

Swatch scowls, hearing the voice of the last person he could want to hear right now. Why are you here and not my swatchlings? What makes you so special and not them?

Forcibly, Swatch looks up, making themselves stand upright, "I am not in the mood, nor do I have the patience, for your pathetic antics, either order something- or leave." They can't be bothered to hide the venom in their words, the bitter frustration they felt of being stuck inside the empty cafe. Putting all of it on Rouxls, him only serving as a reminder of their final day at the Color Cafe.

Rouxls hesitates, tapping the tips of his fingers together. His eyes not darting away, focused on Swatch, smile seeming to fade momentarily before it curves back into his face.

"I am hereth for neither! No- I have a dutyeth of greatest importance that I haveth come hereth to complete." Rouxls puffs out his chest, sauntering over to desk.

Swatch glares at the blue man, "If it's about that stupid contest of yours to be 'butler supremeth', I don't care. You win."

Swallowing thickly, Rouxls' eyebrows furrow together, "No no, nothinge of that sorteth. I am not a cheapeth foole to try and bestest someone whenst they are downe." His fingers begin to twist together, fiddling nervously, "I knoweth that thou workplace haseth been very quieteth and empty, so..."

"WHY are you HERE Kaard?" Swatch finally snaps, Rouxls taking a step back in surprise, eyes wide at the blatant break in composure.

"Um-" Rouxls stammers for a moment, Swatch moments away from just throwing him out and going back to wallow in their own misery, "I justeth thought, well- thy valiant and kindeth hearted prince thought, thateth you mighteth want to join us?" Swatch jerks their head back staring at the other in confusion.

Rouxls continue, voice softening, "Thou roundest water beetle is makinge cookies in the shop nexteth door, I- we, thoughteth you mightest be willinge to join us. Such a benevolent prince! Thou shouldest be thankfule thateth he is gracing thou with thy time!"

Swatch blinks, feeling as if the world around them were suddenly swirling in a drunken spiral.

"You...what?" It's said in disbelief, a part of Swatch thinking it's all just some cruel joke.

Rouxls' doesn't reply immediately, instead taking a cautious step forward. He tentatively reaches across the countertop and gently places his hand atop of Swatch's, something he usually did when Lancer was upset but didn't want to be held.

He inhales deeply, and exhales.

"I- we, want thou to come and maketh cookies with us." It's said plainly, genuinely, lacking any sort of the haughty ego Rouxls usually radiated.

There's a pause before Rouxls quietly adds in a whisper, "I understand how it feels."

Swatch jerks their head, shaking it back and forth, unsure if they even heard that right. Yet clear as day, with no silly accent- Swatch opens their beak to say something, but nothing comes out, choking on their own words. They turn their head away, yet their hand turns and the wrist and their fingers wrap tightly around Rouxls'.

Rouxls' almost says something, concerned, but stops himself when he sees Swatch's shoulders jerk up and down, hearing wheezing gasps that they tried to keep quiet. Their hand clinging to Rouxls' like a lifeline.

He let's Swatch cry for a few moments, thumb gently stroking the back of Swatch's hand. Quietly letting the bird get it out of their system, before he clears his throat.

"Thou musteth get cleaned up before headingeth over! Thou cannot face thy prince lookinge like this, thine rival must haveth better taste than that!" The accent was back in full force, the usual annoying jeer to his words lingering on his voice. Not acknowledging whatever softness he had just given to Swatch, even if he refused to pull his hand away.

Swatch shakily inhales, hearing that stupid stupid voice, but they aren't upset- not this time. A tired hint of a smile crosses their beak as they use their free hand to pull off their glasses and wipe off their beak of any stray tears.

"Right, right, it would be...improper of me not to look my best." Swatch responds, voice cracking from their sore throat.

"Thou betterest! I do noteth wish for thou rival to look thou worst and have iteth reflecte on me!" Rouxls continues to rant, Swatch not replying and simply listening tiredly, feeling Rouxls' tug on their hand, leading them out from behind the counter. Leading them away from their cold well of misery and longing.

Yet even still, loneliness claws at their heart, but for that moment, they felt that maybe, just maybe, they weren't entirely alone anymore.