Chapter Text
After the whole wedding ordeal, Roxanne, taking a bath, washing her hair out, brushing it 50 times over and over. Along with C.B trying to comfort her from the heartbreak she had experienced. She felt a hit to her ego get taken a hit. Only C.B knew about her self esteem issues. C.B was always there.
After her small mental breakdown, with C.B giving her hugs. She went to the tavern. Try to put on a brave face. But she wasn’t that lively today, everyone took notice. The men of the village tried to console her. Tried to sweep her off her feet. She felt attraction to none of them. Though it brought a smile to her face, C.B defended her, and told the men to back off.
“Oh Roxanne.” C.B sighs as she brings Roxanne a beer. “I know that he may have rejected you, but it can’t be that bad!”
“It is that bad!” Roxanne takes the drink before chugging down half of it. Wiping the foam from her mouth. “No one ever says no to Roxanne! How could he have rejected me?! I was perfect! Maybe I’m not good enough…” Roxanne whispers so C.B is the only one who could hear her.
“Roxanne!” C.B says loudly “you've got to pull yourself together.” C.B grabs a blanket and puts it around Roxanne. “Gosh it disturbs me to see you Roxanne, looking so down in the dumps. ” C.B grabs Roxanne's face, and touches her foreheads. Before turning away “Every guy here'd love to be you, Roxanne.” C.B shows her hands to the rest of the village. “Even when taking your lumps. There's no
gal in town as admired as you. You're everyone's favorite girl!” The villagers nod their head in agreement. “Everyone's awed and inspired by you. And it's not very hard to see why~” C.B sings high pitch, and starts to dance off, giving the band some money to pay for the song.
“No one's slick as Roxanne'' C.B slides on the flood and strikes a pose, he hands on her head like a damsel in distress “No one's quick as Roxanne!” C.B gets up and runs back to Roxanne. “No one's hip’s are as incredibly thick as Roxanne's!” C.B highlights Roxanne’s hourglass figure but shows the outline of it. “For there's no girl in town as beautiful as this beauty!” C.B makes jazz hands towards Roxanne. She gives a smirk, appreciating the praise.
“Perfect, a pure paragon!” The men of the village sing, trying to get the attention of Roxanne, she doesn’t blink an eye in their direction.
“You can ask any Rose, Brylee or Sally!” C.B walks over to the girls who were currently drinking at the bar. “And they'll tell you whose team they prefer to be on!” They turn their attention to C.B who had placed herself on the table. C.B looks at the woman and crosses her legs. “Whoooo plays…” She makes a throwing motion before the women catch on.
“DARTS! Like Roxanne!” They yell. Happily.
“Who breaks?!” C.B makes a heart pumping motion with her hands across her chest.
“HEARTS! Like Roxanne?!” They yell again, throwing their drinks up and clicking them together.
“Who’s more than the sum of her parts like Roxanne!” C.B gets off the table, and back to her friend, who seemed to have been boasted up enough.
“As a specimen! Yes I am quite intimidating!” Roxanne flips her hair to the side as she looks smug and has a grin clear on her face
“My what a gal like Roxanne!” T he entire village cheers, at Roxanne’s new found Confidence.
“I needed encouragement!: Roxanne walks up to C.B and places her hand on her. “Thank you C.B!” It was time like these Roxanne glad C.B was here to help her up. Help her get her encouragement back.
“Well there’s no one as easy!” C.B then rushes in to give Roxanne a big hug. “Too boast up than you~” Roxanne’s face heated up, as the embrace of C.B caught her off guard. After the silence of no one going back to singing. C.B backs off. “Too much?” She gave an awkward smile.
“Yep..” Roxanne looked away to hide her face from her friend.
“NO oneEE!” The entire town rejoins the song. Roxanne “No one fights like Roxanne, Douses lights like Roxanne” Roxanne licks her hands before turning off two nearby candles.
“In a wrestling match nobody bites like Roxanne!!!” C.B then reveals a bit on her mark. Roxanne had given it to her when they were young. They had gotten into a fight and Roxanne bit her hard. Not on purpose, it was out of anger. C.B had cried so much and the blood there horrified Roxanne of what she could do. But Roxanne didn’t want to lose the only friend she had so she begged C.B to forgive her. And so, C.B did.
“When I hunt, I sneak up with my quiver.” Roxanne says as her tone lowers down, as she pretends to have a gun in her hand. “Ooh!” C.B practically prances up to her. They both then get on top of the biggest table. Roxanne has no problem while C.B struggles. “While the beasts of the field say a prayer!” Roxanne gets a gun. C.B slides on and Roxanne then jokingly points the gun at C.B. “Then I carefully aim from the liver… Then I shoot from behind!” Roxanne pulls the gone away from C.B .‘“Is that fair?” C.B asks. Roxanne laughs before pointing her gun up . “I don’t care.
“When I was a lass I ate four dozen eggs, Every morning to help me get large And now that I'm grown I eat five dozen eggs So I'm roughly the size of a barge!” Roxanne sings loudly, flipping her hair off and striking a pose. Showing off her hourglass figure.
Everyone starts to dance as the music gets louder. Roxanne dances with some guys who seemed thrilled to be dancing with her even trying to plant some kisses on her lips. She pushed them away before they could. She went to go dancing with her friend. Hand in hand they spun around. Roxanne took a moment to admire her friend's green eyes. They were like the greenest grass. She shook her head and went back to dancing. C.B seemed to be having the time of her life..
“WHO HAS BRAINS?!” C.B pulls away and raises her hands to the sky. Roxanne knew for a fact she wasn’t as clever as most people were. But it was sweet that her friend saw her in such a way.
“LIKE ROXANNE?!” The entire town cheers
“ENTERTAINS!?” C.B exclaims.
“ LIKE ROXANNE!” The villagers chant
“Who can make up for these endless refrains like Roxanne!” Roxanne stands up on a table. I use antlers in all of my decorating!
“Say it again: Who's the best of the best?! Who’s super successful, don’t you know, can’t you guess?! Ask her fans and her five hangers on! There’s just one gal in town who has all of it down!”
“And her name's R-O-X-A-N…” C.B stopped, everyone focusing on her. “I believe there’s another ‘N’ .” Roxanne gave an eyeroll. C.B dropped out of school, and didn’t learn how to spell that way. “It just occurred to me that I’m illiterate and I never actually had to spell it out before!” but Then the entire town shouted, with C.B leading the group
“Roxanne!!!”
Roxanne gives C.B a side-hug. Mouthing ‘Thank you.’ While C.B gave a wink in her direction. Roxanne felt so lucky to have a friend like her. While the villagers practically danced around them as the song ends.
Suddenly the door slammed open. Everyone gasped to see Sun walking through the door. The cold winter blowing in, snow in his hair. He didn’t have a jacket of any kind. He was wearing the same thing he did this morning. Roxanne felt worried about what had happened to him.
“Freddy?!” Sun called out. Looking across the bar. Walking around. “I need Freddy! Please!” Sun asked. Suddenly someone from the crowd perks up. A shaggy blond walks up, with a bushy beard. He was known as the village doctor. With his only daughter, Francine.
“What is it?” Freddy says worriedly, he was wearing a brown oat with a white undershirt. He had his little top hat on along with his bow tie. It was his signature look, he never left the house without his hat.
“My brother! He got sick on the way to the convention! He’s really sick and needs a doctor!” Sun says pointing outside. “Please, help me Freddy.” He begs, now that he was closer, Roxanne could see his nose was red, and his eyes looked bleary.
“Let me get my things and I’ll be on my way.” Freddy mods and Sun gives a thankful sign. His face was flushing with color, his cheeks red.
“Ok thank you so much!” Sun and Freddy rushed out and Roxanne wondered what had happened to Sun.
When Sun got home he practically jumped off of Spigot, carrying his brother inside. FC followed behind, still being quiet. Sun had to worry for his brother, during the trip, Sun had given up his jacket to Moon, who was most likely getting most of the cold. He set up a fireplace. And tucked Moon into his room, helping him change his clothes into something more dry. Moon was shivering and his face was all red.
“Stay here.” He told FC, as he made his way back out the door. “I’ll be back with the doctor.” Sun got back on Spigot’s back and rode downtown. He saw the lights in the tavern on. Everyone must be having a blast, ignoring the cold. While the Cold was leaving its mark on the Sun. His face was cold, and so was his ears. He could barely feel his fingers, but he had to get Freddy.
He pushed the door open to see the entire village singing. Roxanne and C.B in the center, with huge smiles on their faces. Sun ignored and called for Freddy. Freddy came immediately. Thank goodness. Freddy said he would get his things.
So Sun rode back to his house. Putting Spigot up in the stable, petting the horse, who had a long day of running, giving Spigot fresh water and food. “Good boy…” Sun shivered as he patted his horse. He gave a shaky sigh as he went inside. There he saw his son waiting for him.
“Father!” FC ran up to Sun, and hugged his leg. Sun ruffled his hair, it was also cold. Snow melting. “Where is the doctor?” FC looked around. “Will Uncle Moon be ok?” FC whimpered. Though Sun didn't have the strength he picked FC up and gave a soft kiss on his forehead. “He’ll be fine, he just came down with the cold..” Or that’s what Sun hoped, FC seemed more shaken up at the thing they had seen. The beast. He left FC down again. “I’ll make some soup, you go warm up…” Sun felt like he needed some warming up as well, but he had to stay strong for his family. Though his hands were cold, his eyes felt heavy. That he was cold and soaking all over.
He got the big pot out, and put it over the fireplace. He started chopping potatoes and some chicken. He threw them into the pot, along with some herbs. Suddenly there was a knock at the door, and Sun ran, opening the door to see Dr. Bear there. He tipped his hat in a polite manner. “Please come in.” Sun opened the door and Dr. Bear stepped in and shook off the snow. Sun gave a polite bow. “Now where’s Moons?’ Dr. Bear asked. “He’s upstairs.” Sun led him to Moon’s room.
FC was in there sitting in a chair he had pulled up. While the Moon was giving shaky breaths. It hurt Sun to see his brother this week. He couldn’t bear seeing his brother in this much pain. FC ran to Sun, hugging him again. While Freddy went to go look at him. “If you could give me some privacy, if that’s alright.” Freddy said looking back. Sun gave a nod, before carrying FC out.
They both sat on the couch downstairs. “Father…” FC broke the silence. “What did we see…” Sun looked into FC eyes, and it was full of fear. Sun gave a shaky breath. He still tried to understand what had happened at the castle. Those piercing eyes staring him down. The scarred face of the beast. one eye dead, the other one glaring at him. It scared him, but he could see something glimmer under them. Some emotion, sadness, disappointment, it looked hurt. Did… they feel… hurt...? It was hard for him to believe.
“I don’t know FC…” Sun sighs as he hugs his son, rubs the back of his head. It was now hitting him at how tired his body was. It felt sore all over. It just hurt; his fingers were stinging as well. From the numbness they had been suffering under, from holding the reins for so long. FC hugs back.
He hears Dr. Bear come down the steps and Sun turns his attention to him. Dr. Bear gives a soft smile. “He’ll be fine, he just got a bad cold, he’ll get better, but he needs to stay in bed. You're lucky to have found him. He probably wouldn’t have survived out in the cold, not without reaching the next town.” Dr, Freddy then reached into his black bag full of his medical supplies. “Here is some medicine to give to him, it doesn’t taste good but it should do the trick.” Sun gets up and takes it.
“Thank you so much once again.” Sun quickly goes to his family's countertop. Taking out some money and giving it to Dr. Freddy, who accepts the money. He gives a nod before turning his attention to FC. “Is this your son?” Freddy asks. Sun gives a nod. “Actually, my adopted son, he’s not my biological son, but I love him.” FC bares his teeth. “Have anything bad to say to my father.” FC was defensive of Sun, he knew what the townspeople said about him. About their family.
Freddy shook his head. “No no.” Freddy gives a chuckle. “I have a daughter around the same age as you. She’s quite the free spirit, I myself am a single father, my wife… has sadly passed away, but we keep to ourselves.” Freddy looks towards the Sun. “I know how difficult it is to have a child, if you need help feel free to contact me. I’m sure my Francine and FC would be friends.” Sun gave a nod. Maybe he could FC something normal in his life, give him more friends, even if it’s just one.
“I would love that.” Sun bows once more. “Thank you so much.” Freddy looks at his watch. “I must be going, Francine can be a little mischievous when I’m not around. Goodbye.” he gives a wave and walks off.
FC grumbles things to himself and Sun turns his attention towards his son. “Why Are you angry?” He asks FC to look up at him, tears seeming to prick the corner of his eyes. “They think we will be friends.” He stamps his foot. “But she will laugh at me for my hair, for my voice. Everyone does.” He growls. Sun gives FC a head pat. He wished he had been there sooner for FC, he had still been mocked, someone even kicked him.
“I like your hair, it is red and fierce like you. Your voice is different, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing.” Sun gives FC a hug. “Who knows, maybe she’ll be your best friend, you both might end up being partners in crime.” He froze when he realized his wording.
“You think she will want to commit a crime with me?!” FC gasped. “Oh what fun…” Sun ruffled FC’s hair. “No!” Sun exclaims, as he gives a laugh. “It’s a phrase. Please don’t do anything stupid!” FC gave a laugh.
Sun served soup to his son, and served some to Moon who he woke up to try and get some vitamins in him. He took 3 spoonful's before not wanting to take anymore. Sun threw the leftover soup in Moon’s bowl just in case of any bacteria. And went back to put his son to sleep.
He couldn’t help but his mind continues to drift to those sad golden eyes. He felt something was wrong, something broken about the beast. He had read in his books about curses, and bewitches. It couldn’t have been some monster of old. Maybe… maybe they were human. Maybe there was more to the beast.
He wanted to learn more, but the beast had threatened to kill him. Had threatened that he wouldn't be merciful. Maybe it was his poor preservation skills, maybe it’s because his heart was always too big for its own good. Maybe it was because he wanted an adventure. He didn't want to leave his son or his brother, but he felt the need to help the beast he had seen, so broken and so alone. Hopefully his gut instincts weren’t wrong.
It had been a week since Foxy had seen that strange family. The one with speckled skin but also different hair colors. Then a red-haired child trying to challenge them. And of course, that man, with the Sun-kissed hair, golden hair. With blue eyes, who had directly stared him down, offered himself in his brother’s place. Even after Foxy had revealed himself, his horribly disfigured body. He offered it, he was fully willing to stay with a monster, in trade for his family.
Some cowards would run, some would leave their family members behind. He didn't look him straight in the eye willing to do it. Willing to leave everything, just for his family to be safe. Foxy looked at his paw, with claws and fur. He growled as he put his hand in a fist and looked away.
No maiden has come yet, but who would learn to love him, he was a monster's He looked like one. Not to mention what happened last time he thought he was in love. What she did… Foxy felt his hand go to his scarred face. Tracing the lining of where it begins to where it ends.
“M-master!” He heard someone from behind him come. He growled. Baring his teeth and lowering his claws down to turn to his servant. There was Solar, the little windup clock, it was one of his most trusted advisors and some point, before the curse.
“What is it…” He has a low tone, his tail swishing behind him. Solar gives a gulp of fear before continuing on.
“Remember the strange family…?” Solar asks, Foxy snapped his head in his direction, he paced and walked forward to Solar, who had been giving some fearful stutters. He had let that family go, maybe they had decided to do something… Call someone, an army. He would be doomed; he could fight back but only more people would come. He has nothing left but the rose the goddess gave him. If they found it, it would be the end of his tale.
“What about the family…” He growls, baring his teeth. Solar looks away, trying not to mess up in front of him. If he did one wrong move it would be the end for him
“The blond one… that one has been seen in the castle courtyard…” Solar flinches when he hears rumbling come from Foxy’s chest. A low growl. He dares come back, after what he did… After what he said. He had a death wish.
Foxy walks past Solar, practically pushing him over. He walked into the upper corridors. The shadows covered him. Keeping his looks hidden, despite knowing that he had seen him in his beastly form. He stalked around as he waited for the doors to open. He waited for the golden haired man to walk through the doors. He saw his servants near the entrance waiting for the man to come through the doors as well.
Suddenly he heard the doors creak open. He could see the man there. With his golden hair and his speckled face. He looks around with his sky blue eyes. He stepped in, he had an actual jacket this time, to keep him covered from the winter storm.
“Hello?” His soft voice echoed through the castle halls. He looks around as he steps in. Foxy could faintly see that his cheeks were bushed from the cold. Foxy felt anger rise again. What did he want to do here? He had no right, not after Foxy had let him go so easily.
“What did I say?” Foxy bellowed, the castle halls making his voice seem bigger “You are not to return here…” he paces along the hallway. His voice traveled with him. “I let you go and you don’t take it…”
“I-I’m sorry…” He whimpered. “B-but I brought you something.” Foxy took a breath in, it felt fresh. Fresh food. Fresh bread. “I know that you’re here. Is there anyone else living here?” Foxy paced back and forth.
“Just me and my servants…” Foxy growled; it had been a while since he had gotten anything fresh. His servants maintained the garden but there never seemed to be enough. He would eat raw vegetables some days and others he wouldn’t eat at all. “What do you want… I can always imprison you again…”
“No! No, please.” The man fiddled with his long golden locks. “I just…wanted to see-”
“WANTED TO SEE AND MOCK THE BEAST!” He roared, it echoed in the hallways, loud and strong, and hurt. “If you have come to do that. You will not.” He gives a low growl. His claws scratched at the gates. Leaving marks. “I will tear you where you stand…” He hops down the stairs on all fours before standing on his legs, in front of the man. Baring his teeth, showing how clear how dangerous that was
“I am not here for that.'' The man said he was shaking but he kept his head up high. It was amazing, they would’ve run out by now. Been screaming for mercy, anything. He was not. “I am here…” He lowered his hand towards the basket, Foxy tensed growling a low and dangerous growl. “Bread…” He held a baguette in hand. It had been forever since he had eaten a baguette…
Foxy quickly snatched it away and held it. Expecting some trick, expecting anything. But nothing came, he watched as the man held his head high. Now that Foxy was closer he could see how his eyes glimmered, how bright his cheeks were from the cold. That he had a small tooth gap in his teeth. He gives one last growl before taking a bite, was it poisonous…?
“My name’s Sun…” He said softly. It matched how bright his hair was, how he seemed to replicate the sky the Sun rested in. “What’s yours…?” No one had asked him that question before, they referred to him as a ‘master’ ‘beast’ ;monster’ He froze his ears twitched. His tail swished.
“My name is Foxy.” He says sternly. He tried to make himself appear bigger, to show Sun that he really was a beast. He wasn’t someone to make fun of. He was a monster.
“Foxy…” He hummed, it had been so long since he heard those words pass on someone's lips. His ears twitch at the noise. “What are you doing here?” Sun asked looking back up at him.
“This is my home.” Foxy said slowly.
“This…is your home…?” Sun seemed surprised.
“Yes.” Foxy remembered him growing up here. This was his home. He remembered running through the hallways, with the servants following behind him.
“Wow.” Sun said, amazed, he didn't retort to him, claiming he was a liar. He took his word for it. Sun was so naive, didn't he realize what he was? “You have a big home…May I ask…Were you always a…beast…?” Sun gave a nervous glance.
Foxy ears fell back as he growled and turned away. “You may not.” HE remembered how the goddess put the spell on him, how his body reformed, and twisted, how far grew out of him, how his mouth became a snout, his teeth becoming sharper. He was terrified of what he had become, he was selfish, he brought this one himself.
“I didn't mean to insult you…” When the Sun came closer, Foxy could see the patterning of his feet. “I wanted to bring you some bread, I thought you looked lonely, I wanted to ask if you wanted to be friends. I meant no ill intention.” Foxy growled again, he didn't want pity, not anyone's pity, but he froze when Sun asked to be friends.
“Friends…?” Foxy asked, turning around, he can’t remember the last time he had friends, maybe that time with her, but she betrayed him in the end. He turned back around, maybe Sun was trying to deceive him, open up his greatest secrets, do something, lie, take advantage of him. But when he saw Sun’s eyes, they looked truthful, genuine. “How do you know I won't kill you, I am a monster.” He bares his teeth, showing his point. “How do you know I won't’ attack you, or take your prisoner?!”
Sun looked nervous, maybe he was faking it. Almost everyone did, there was no lying or pretending that he wasn’t a beast. He was cursed, cursed until his next birthday, until some maiden came to save him, breaking the chains that held him down. “Your eyes.” Sun mumbles. “I can’t see a killer in you...” Foxy froze, because he knew Sun was right. How could he have seen right through him, right through everything he put up. “I have to go back now.” Foxy looked back at Sun who was turning away. “I’ll be back as soon as I can! I’ll bring fresh bread for you!” He watches as Sun runs back through the exit door, he opens the doors and stops. “It was nice meeting you Foxy!” He exclaims. Before leaving.
Foxy was frozen for quite some time, even after his servants got close, even after they started to question what had happened. Questioning why he hadn't screamed at Sun or done anything to frighten him off. He felt a thumping chest. He felt something warm, it wasn’t a sticky feel but a light fluffy one. one he hadn’t felt in a long time.
Sun was willing to be a friend, a friend, even after his scarred face, even after his sharp teeth. Even after he had been revealed to be a deformed monster, a freak of nature. He still wanted to be friends. He was almost like an angel. He was kind, he was naive, he was so stupid. Yet he was so hopeful. He looked back down at the baguette, one that Sun had thought to bring. He was too kind for this to be all in act. This brought hope to Foxy’s chest, maybe he could still break this spell,
If someone was willing to be friends, maybe, just maybe.
Someone could learn to love a beast…
