Red had learned to enjoy the quiet moments. It wasn't often that he got time alone, but when he did, he found comfort in the solitude. He would perch on a high ledge, watching the stars twinkle over the castle, feeling the cool wind brush against his stone skin.
Tonight was no different.
Inside his mind, Fear kept a wary eye on their surroundings. "It's too quiet. Something's going to happen. I canfeelit."
Sadness was more resigned. "Why can't we ever just have peace?"
Joy remained hopeful, her light flickering softly. "Peace is coming. It's just... not here yet."
Red sat on the ledge, his wings relaxed at his sides as he gazed out over the stone courtyard. For the first time since his injury, he felt like he could breathe again. The pain in his wing had dulled, and the bandages were finally starting to come off. He was healing. He wasgetting better.
But the silence was soon shattered.
"Look who it is."
Red stiffened, feeling his stone sleep nightmares coming true.
The bully had returned to kick him down again, Red starting to same one who had shoved him, broken his wing. The one who had called him weak, a runt. The one who had made him feel small.
He stepped into the courtyard, a smug grin plastered on his face. The shadows stretched behind him as he loomed over Red.
Inside Red's mind, Anger raged. "Not again. We'll show him! We're not the same hatchling he pushed around before!"
But Fear was already panicking. "He's bigger now! What if he's here for revenge?!"
Red throat tightened, his wings instinctively folding protectively around him. He tried to keep his face expressionless, to not let the bully see how much he was still afraid.
The bully's grin widened. "What's the matter, runt? Did you think I'd forget about you?"
Red opened his beak, but no sound came out, the fear keeping him from actually speaking in front of the one who broke his wing.
Inside, Disgust huffed. "Ugh. This is so predictable. I can't believe we're dealing with him again."
The bully moved closer, nudging Brooklyn with his shoulder. "You're lucky your wing's all fixed up now. I could break it again if I wanted."
Red tensed, fear gripping his chest, his wings tingling all over. The thought of going through that pain again made his breath catch. But he wasn't going to let it show.
Just then, the bully shoved Brooklyn hard, sending him stumbling backward. His wings flared instinctively to try and catch himself, but he was off-balance.
He braced for the impact of the stone floor, but it never came.
With athud, the bully was knocked off balance instead.
"Hey!" The bully looked up, startled. "What—?"
Olive had jumped onto the bully's back, clinging to him with surprising strength for such a small hatchling.
"Get off him!" Olive shouted, his sharp eyes flashing with determination. "Leave him alone!"
The bully roared in frustration, trying to shake Olive off. But the green hatchling hung on, his claws digging into the bully's back.
Blue arrived a moment later, his large form moving swiftly. He dove toward the bully, causing the bully to turn just in time to crash into Blue's broad, round belly.
"Oof!" The bully grunted, stumbling back, collapsing to the floor, rather dizzy from the impact, glowering up at the blue hatchling.
Red watched in stunned silence. For the first time, he wasn't alone, his whole body trembling from getting defended for the first time by other hatchlings and not just from the elders.
Inside his mind, Joy beamed with pride. "This is it! They're standing up for us!"
Sadness smiled quietly. "It's nice to not be alone."
The bully glared at the two hatchlings in front of him. "You think you can stop me?" He sneered. However Blue cracked his knuckles. "Well, let's find out, huh?" Blue said in his brave tone.
But instead of retaliating, the bully hesitated. His eyes flickered between Olive and Blue, then back to Red.
Red's heart pounded in his chest. He opened his beak, but the words caught in his throat.
The bully looked ready to attack again, but when he saw Blue flexing his arm muscles, preparing to defend, the bully hisses at them, eyes glowing before deciding to leave. "Why do I even bother with a runt like you? But this isn't over!" The bully threatened before soon leaving.
Blue and Olive turned over to their companion who was still shaking from being saved, Olive looking at him kindly. "Hope you're ok." He said.
Red swallowed thickly, struggling to answer. But suddenly, Red felt his emotions crack. A wave of relief washed over him. He hadn't realized how much tension he'd been holding inside, how afraid he had been. The tears came suddenly, without warning.
Red pressed his claws to his face, trying to hide the tears that were already falling.
Inside, Fear was all terrified. "Oh no! W-we're crying... in front of rookery siblings!" He whimpered, gripping himself tightly.
Sadness wrapped a wing around the console, offering comfort. "You've been through so much. It's alright to cry now." He said gently to their hatchling.
Red's voice wavered as he finally spoke, his words soft but clear. "T-thank you." He said, feeling his tears coming down his cheeks.
Olive and Blue froze in shock.
"You... you spoke," Olive said, his voice a mix of surprise and awe.
"I—I didn't think..." Blue trailed off, blinking as if unsure what to say, stunned that their silent friend actually said something.
Red wiped his eyes quickly, his face burning with embarrassment. He had finally said something. The words had escaped before he could stop them, and now they felt soraw, so exposed.
But Olive voice was gentle. "It's okay. You're not alone."
Blue nodded, his voice warm. "Yeah. We've got your back."
The bully, realizing he wasn't going to get the upper hand, sneered one last time before turning and slinking away into the shadows.
Red sat there for a moment, his wings pressed tightly against his body. He was still trembling, but the weight of fear that had pressed on him for so long had lifted just a little.
Inside, Joy glowed brightly, feeling proud of his hatchling. "You did it. Youtalked!"
Disgust smirked. "And theyactuallydidn't run away."
Olive and Blue crouched beside Red, their expressions kind, putting their hands on his shoulders gently.
"You don't have to thank us," Blue said, his voice gentle. "We're your friends."
Red felt the warmth of their words sink deep into his heart. His friends. They weren't going anywhere. They had stood by him when the bully had returned, and they had kept him safe.
He felt something stir inside—a sense of belonging.
"I... I don't know what I would've done without you," Brooklyn whispered, his voice still shaky but steadying.
Without another word, Olive and Blue pulled Brooklyn into a tight, supportive hug.
It was the first time in a long time that Red felt truly seen, heard, and understood. And for the first time, he allowed himself tofeeleverything he had been holding back.