escordvi | closed 🪶⚡ all i really, really ever want is under the mistletoe

Then I suppose us ladies will have to make our own secrets.

[And equally solemn hoots from Willow, who seems to be opening up a little, as she looks up at Cid and chirps for some scratches.]

... But let us not move too quickly, yes? You've only just introduced her to us.

[Those are very cute chirps and Cid will oblige happily.]

Aye, and it's winter. You could always nest out in the garden.

[Sensing his own little dove is not wanting to let go so soon, he tries to offer a suggestion.]

[She sees what he's doing, or thinks she does, and over the owls, she flashes him a sheepish, if a little crooked, smile. She didn't think she could feel something like this, but is this what it feels like, watching something she cares about grow up? It reminds her of when she got to see some of Mid's milestones, small as they were, and there is a sense of pride, as well as a heaviness with the knowledge that they will one day move on and leave...

It's silly. So stupid that she tries to shake them off.]

Yes. We could create one for you.

And I promise it will be simple.

[Bidowlfin doubts......

But he will converse with his lady.]

[Even Benedikta shoots him a dubious look. Simple in Cid terms is different from simple in everyone else's, she's learned over the last several months. Not that she minds it... he is so full of surprises that it is him who keeps her on her toes.]

I will be sure to hold him to that.

[A fond glance at him, and Bidowlfin now hops out of Cid's arms and starts to hoot again, his wings flapping about.]

He is going to introduce her to some of the others?

Hope they have someone to translate.

[A wry grin as he gives them one last affectionate pat.]

But all right, you kids have some fun. Just don't get into too much trouble.

[Wink.]

A little bit is fine.

[She mutters it to them, but loud enough for Cid to hear, as she walks them to the door so that she can open it up for them and let them out, and after one last affectionate nuzzle of his head for them both, Bidowlfin leads Willow away, flying out the door and up towards the cave ceiling where they circle around each other, hooting loudly in what can only be interpreted as laughter.

And Benedikta stands at the door, her back to Cid, as she watches them.]

[Cid watches her for a moment before he slowly walks up behind her to wrap his arms around her waist, pulling her to him.]

And they're off.

[She falls back against his chest easily, but she never once takes her eyes off of them, even as they dip and dive together through the skylights. And how she wishes that she could join them...

His words have her clicking her tongue, not so much at him, but at the ache in her chest that they create.]

They are not going far...

But far enough to bother you?

[He can see how her gaze follows them, and he'll rest his chin against her shoulder as he tilts his head towards hers.]

What? No...

[She bristles against him, and half turns her head to look at him.]

Why would it bother me?

[Uh huh. He just looks at with a lot of doubt.]

Come now, you were clearly so surprised and unwilling to let him go.

[Ignoring that look, she glances back out through the door only to see that they are gone.]

As if you were not surprised... You did not know that he would be bringing a lady back to meet us, did you?

Not at this time, no... However, I expected it would happen sooner or later.

[He glances at her.]

He had been staying out and living on his own longer these days.

I did not think it would be so soon...

[Her lip twitches downward, and she hopes that it was subtle enough that he would not notice.]

Do you suppose he was sneaking out to meet her?

Oh most certainly.

[Whether he notices or not, he still presses his face against her.]

Especially if he takes after you.

Now what is that supposed to mean?

[Could he be referring to all those nights that she had tried to sneak around the castle to meet him?]

I was well-behaved.

[Yes.]

Were you?

[His voice is now low against her ear.]

I recall a little bird always slipping through my window some nights.

[He'll feel her shiver against his voice and his breath tickling her ear.]

And I recall a certain window always being open, as if you were waiting.

[She moves, tipping her head so that she can brush her lips against his, soft and sweet and tasting of apples and peaches.]

... But this was different.

How so?

[He keeps the little play going, only letting their lips brush and nothing more.]

[She sighs against his lips, her body relaxing a little further into his.]

... It has only been less than a year since we found him. Does it not feel like it is all moving a little too quickly?

For us, perhaps...

[He presses a light kiss against the corner of her lips.]

But for an owl, he's already near a young adult. I think this is about the time he would leave the nest had he still been living with his original family in the wild.

Mm...

[She hums in agreement. She already knew that he would one day leave, but she would be lying if she said she wasn't a little sad about it.]

I suppose I just did not think it would be so soon.

[She gives a shake of her head, and a click of her tongue.]

So silly.

What is?

[He has a very good guess what she is actually referring to but he's doing his thing in making her say it.]

[Why must he do this...

It will take her a few more seconds to answer, as she shifts a little uncomfortably in his arms at having to voice it out loud. But she has a feeling he is not going to let her run away from it.]

He is just an owl. I do not know why I am so... [She makes a sound, before mumbling under her breath with a tone of disdain aimed at herself.] ... Sad.

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