Eliatrope's Wings

Chapter 2: Can You Keep a Secret?

Word Count: 2387

Yugo ran downstairs once he had been sure his eyes had been dryed. He had put on a wide smile and giggled a little to snap himself out of such a depressive state.

He heard commotion below, and when he perked around the corner, Yugo saw a large party of Iops that had come into the inn. It was a bit rude to come in just before closing, but he didn't mind any extra earnings.

Alibert was already in the kitchen cooking up some steak. "There you are, Yugo! Thanks for coming down to give your old man a hand, Evangeline told me you were asleep."

He felt his back go stiff. He knew he was right to trust Eva with his secret, but it still wasn't by choice. Wether he wanted to admit it or not, Yugo was still petrified with worry. "Oh yeah.. you know. Long day. We've been really busy."

His stomach churned again. He had hoped the gnawing feeling would have gone away, but it was still present. Yugo tried to focus all of his energy into making his father's famous Gobball stew, but it didn't work as well as he had hoped. He would always circle back to his conversation with Evangeline. She was a genuine person, he knew that. Yugo was thankful that it hadn't been Amalia or Ruel who would immediately make a teasing joke, or even worse: Dally who would definitely not understand the importance that Yugo's secret had to him and immediately call the others. Yugo had really hit the jackpot in terms of good outcomes to bad luck.

It still felt like no win. Sure one weight was removed from his shoulders but another was placed on in return. On one hand, Evangeline had proven that he would be loved. On the other, she is one whole new person who knows about his wings. Until an hour ago, the only people who knew were his father Alibert of course, Az who wouldn't be a problem since nobody else could interpret his chirps, Chibi by default, and Adamaii and Grougaloragran who had seen their brothers'. That was it. A tight-knit group that Yugo could trust. Of course Evangeline also applied as a trustworthy person, but it still felt weird to have it expanded. Did Evangeline even see how important this was to him?

This brought other worries. If Amalia or any of the others found out that Eva knew before them (regardless of Yugo telling them on his own terms or not) would they be mad? Would Yugo be accused of favoritism and banished that way?

"Yugo! Yugo! Earth to Yugo!" A hand waving in front of his face and Alibert chipperly calling his name snapped him out once more.

"Oh no, the meat is burned!" Yugo's father gingerly grabbed the smoking pan from His grip. He then looked over to the finished appetizers. "Yugo, you forgot to put the pickles on the side!"

"..." He looked at his hand. We're things always going to be like this? He could barely think right. Maybe he shouldn't tell any of his friends at all. "...Sorry Dad..."

His Dad sighed and squatted down to get to his level. "Is something the matter? You seem a little off. You never go to sleep this early."

When Yugo turned away, he added "You can tell me anything. I won't mention it to any of your friends, and I'll understand anything. Enutrof's word."

"It's just..." Yugo began. "Evangeline saw me without my hat and I'm nervous she'll tell everyone else. She was nice about it and said she wouldn't tell anyone, but I'm scared.."

Alibert put a hand on his shoulder. "Yugo... Evangeline is a trustworthy girl. She's the most responsible even from first glance, and I doubt she would expose you like that. Have a little faith in your friends."

"It's not that I-"

"I was kidding, Yugo. This is a big thing for you, and I'm glad you can entrust at least one person with this kind of thing. I'm proud of you."