Candlenights is here!!!! @thecandlenightszone
Happy Candlenights @beeftrice! I had a lot of fun writing this, Roswell is severely underappreciated. Fic title is from the song 'Landline' by The Phoenix Foundation.
I want to hear something new ringing in my ears
(ao3 link)
When Roswell’s abode was obliterated by the Hunger when it came crashing down, Paloma took up the task of making them a new home with a little help from Magnus. Due to their kindness Roswell had a lovely bird-sized home filled with linen and cotton and wool bedding, with easily accessed nooks for them to keep all their sheriff items and other possessions. If Roswell could cry they probably would have when they were presented with the house, which stands near the roof of the sheriff's department, and when they woke up every morning they always looked at their home with a sense of pride.
It was hot when they woke up, as it usually was, so after refreshing themselves in the bath that sits outside their home they flew over to Ren’s place to see how she was doing. Roswell’s duties as Sheriff didn’t consist of much at the moment, and to make up for the lack of work they liked to check in on people in the town and make sure they were all doing okay. The town wasn’t in a bad spot, but people were starting to get bored, and that could often lead to trouble. All in all, they could rely on Ren to lend an ear and it was always nice to drop in and see a friend.
Ren was just opening the Davy Lamp when they flew up and landed on the railing.
“How are you doing today, Ren?” they asked, settling down a little. Ren picked her broom off its hook and smiled.
“As well as ever, Roswell. And yourself?”
“Pretty good. Anything interesting going on today, or just the usual?”
She chuckled. “A little more than usual today. Taako called me late last night, he’s coming over today to introduce me to Lup. I think he’s pretty excited, and I’d expect Paloma to make an appearance too. Y’know how she loves having someone around who will actually critique her baking.” Ren finished her sweeping and went back inside, gesturing for Roswell to follow her. “Come on in, I’ll give you some strawberry water.”
Roswell blustered a little. “Oh, there’s no need for that-”
“Come on, Roswell. It’s hot, and I know for a fact you don’t have much to do at the moment. Ten minutes won’t hurt ya.”
Ren had only just placed a cup down for Roswell when the door was flung open by a very animated Taako followed by a woman that could only be Lup, with how similar they looked. Surprisingly, their colourful entourage was followed up by one Magnus Burnsides, who waved sheepishly after the twins’ dramatic entrance.
“Ren! How are you, how’s the town? Holy shit, I need to tell you about this new recipe-” Taako started, and then the two of them were off, somehow switching in and out of Elvish as they talked.
Roswell laughed and shook their head, turning to Magnus who had taken a seat next to them.
“Roswell! It’s great to see you again, Refuge looks good!”
“Magnus, how have you been? What brings you to Refuge? I thought you’d be all busy rebuilding after the world almost ended.” Roswell asked.
Magnus shrugged. “It’s been a couple of months, and Taako wanted to introduce Lup to Ren and Paloma. When he mentioned that Kravitz, his partner, was giving them a ride to Refuge I asked if I could tag along and see if I could help out with anything.”
“Well that’s very kind of you, but Refuge suffered pretty little against the Hunger. I think Istus might have turned a kind eye on us, so as much as your help is appreciated there isn’t actually that much to do.” Roswell said, tilting their head when Magnus deflated a little.
“Is there really nothing to do? Even small jobs, I don’t suppose anyone has rebroken the chairs in your office?”
“No, they’re still intact.” Roswell tittered. “If you asked around I’m sure people would have a few little things, but nothing huge.”
Magnus sighed and sat back a little, watching Taako rope Lup into the cooking conversation and subsequently getting her and Ren chatting. He sighed. “I feel terrible about what you all went through there. I wanted to truly, deeply apologise for the damage that my relic caused you. I know what death is like far too well, and I hate that you were all caught up in that loop because of me.”
Roswell was silent for a moment, not quite sure how to respond. “Magnus, I understand where you’re coming from. The cup did a lot of damage to the people here, there’s no denying that. But I think you’ll be hard pressed to find anyone in this town who blames you for it. They remember you for you, as you were when you brought Jack and June to this town and as you were when you saved us from the cup. There will be a few who choose to hold onto anger and blame, but you can’t carry all of that on your shoulders all the time. No one could.”
Magnus turned away from the house fire that was the twins and Ren and gave Roswell a small smile.
“Thanks, Roswell. That means a lot.” Magnus took a breath and stood again, still a little downtrodden, but with a new conviction. “I remember Lup wanted to meet you, if you’re up for that?”
“I’d love to.”
…
The rest of the afternoon was spent catching up and of course meeting Lup, all the while snacking on treats that Paloma had brought up from her cottage when she appeared out of nowhere. It was a rush of activity after weeks of pottering along, and Roswell was glad of it. It was good to get some vigour back in the town, however small.
When Kravitz (Roswell had heard enough about him at this point to be able to pick the man out by sight) cut a portal in the courtyard to come and pick the trio up, they were sad to see them go.
“Magnus!” They called out before he went through the portal. “Come and visit again soon. Bring the whole crew, liven the place up. We all miss you guys.”
Magnus laughed. “Of course! Be well, Roswell.”
“You too, Magnus.”
And with another day gone, Roswell said goodbye to Ren and Paloma and flew back to their house, getting comfortable in their nest. All up until they went to sleep, they could only think about all the new ideas they had to bring a little life back into Refuge.
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