𝙂𝙧𝙞𝙩 & 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙚| 𝘽𝙤𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙭 𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧 - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

The days after your date with Boothill had brought a quiet sense of change. It wasn't dramatic, but it was undeniable. You had spent so much of your life behind the bar, serving drinks, offering advice, hiding behind the smile of a bartender who didn't know what it felt like to be more than that. But now, now things were different. For the first time in a long time, you felt like you were allowed to be.
The decision hadn't come easy. You'd always prided yourself on being a reliable presence in the bar. It was your comfort zone, your purpose. But now, you were beginning to realize that it wasn't your only purpose. There was more to you than the drink orders, the small talk, the well-meaning advice you gave to lonely travelers.
You were more than that.
The thought echoed through your mind as you stepped into the small courtyard outside the bar, feeling the warmth of the sun on your face as the morning light filtered through the leaves of the surrounding trees. It had been a few days since your night out with Boothill, and you had decided it was time to take a step back from the role you had worn for so long.
No more hiding behind the bar.
You took a deep breath, closing your eyes for a moment as you soaked in the peace of the morning. For the first time in ages, you felt like you could breathe without the weight of obligation hanging over you. The idea of stepping out of the routine, of taking control of your own narrative—of being yourself—felt both exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.
You opened your eyes to the quiet courtyard again, a small smile tugging at the corners of your lips. It was your space. Your time.
The decision had been made. Today, you weren't the bartender. You weren't anyone's confidant or therapist. You were just you.
You grabbed your jacket from the hook near the door and stepped outside, your feet carrying you down the familiar streets of the city. No destination in mind—just the freedom to walk and let your mind wander. The city was buzzing with life, and as you moved through the crowd, you found yourself drawn to the colorful marketplace nearby. Stalls lined the streets, filled with trinkets, fresh produce, and oddities from all over the galaxy. There was a feeling of excitement in the air, a sense of possibility.
Normally, you'd pass through quickly, always focused on the bar, always hurrying to get back to your responsibilities. But today? Today was different. You slowed down, letting your curiosity guide you. You stopped at a stall filled with beautiful, handwoven scarves—vibrant colors swirling together like a work of art. You ran your fingers over the delicate fabric, marveling at the intricate patterns.
You hadn't realized how much you missed this—the simple act of existing outside of a role, of not having to perform for anyone, of just being.
As you were admiring a particularly bright scarf, a voice from behind you caught your attention.
"Well, well. Look who's out and about."
You turned to see March, her bright smile as contagious as ever, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.
"March!" you exclaimed, a genuine smile spreading across your face. "I didn't expect to run into you here."
March raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by your surprise. "Of course you did. You've been hiding away behind that bar for too long. Thought I might find you here, actually. Thought you'd be overdue for a little fun."
Your smile faltered for a moment, but only slightly. "I've been... figuring some things out," you said slowly, unsure of how much to share.
March's gaze softened as she stepped closer, looking at you with a new understanding. "Yeah, I can tell. You seem different today. More... you."
You blinked, surprised by her words. "What do you mean?"
March tilted her head slightly, her usual playful demeanor replaced with something more sincere. "I don't know. You've always been the kind of person to take care of everyone else. But today? It's like you're finally letting yourself be."
You paused, feeling the weight of her words sink in. Maybe she was right. Maybe you had spent so long being what others needed you to be that you'd forgotten what it felt like to just be yourself.
March didn't wait for an answer, instead slipping into the stall beside you and picking up a scarf that caught her eye. "Anyway, I'm glad to see you out here. You deserve this. You deserve to have fun. You deserve to be more than just a bartender."
You couldn't help but smile, the truth of her words washing over you. For the first time, it felt like you were standing on the edge of something new—a path that was yours to choose. You weren't locked into the same routine, the same expectations. You had the power to decide who you were.
"Thanks, March," you said quietly, your voice full of gratitude. "It feels good to be... outside of all that."
March gave you a quick wink. "Good. Because I think you've earned it."
You spent the next few hours with March, walking through the marketplace, trying on clothes, sampling street food, and laughing. You didn't have a destination. You didn't have a purpose. But that was okay. You were just enjoying the moment, free from the pressure of being anything other than yourself.
It was liberating.
As the sun began to set, you found yourself in a small park, sitting on a bench with March. The city buzzed around you, but for once, it felt like everything had fallen away, leaving just the two of you. It was peaceful. Relaxing.
"I'm glad you're doing this," March said after a moment, her voice serious for once. "You deserve to find out what makes you happy, Y/N. Not just what everyone else expects."
You nodded, feeling something shift inside of you. The idea of being more than a bartender—of living outside the role you had been assigned—was no longer frightening. It felt like a new beginning, a chance to create your own story. You didn't have to wait for the world to hand it to you. You could take control of it.
When the evening started to draw to a close, you waved goodbye to March, your heart light and your mind clear. The simple act of stepping outside of the bar, of letting yourself just be, had awakened something inside you. You didn't know exactly where this new path would lead, but for the first time in a long time, you felt ready to find out.
You returned to the bar later that evening, but you weren't the same person who had walked out that morning. You were still you—but a freer, more confident version. You didn't have to hide behind the counter. You could be part of the world outside it. You could be anything.
And that thought, that realization, made all the difference.