A/N: That was probably one of the most intense chapters I've ever written on any story... ever. Anyways, because of the lack of information on the Winter Woods, I didn't know much places beyond the Frosted Forest. So I'll have to work on that at some point. EDIT: After looking things up on the wiki, it turns out there are more names for places in Winter Woods, but they aren't listed on the wiki page for Winter Woods. I dunno why, but it's stupid and I'm too lazy to go an change things. Also, 'sparrow-sized' is what I think would be considered as king-sized. I dunno why, but I just think that's how it'd work. Anyways, this chapter is sort of meant to help calm things down from the last two chapters, kind of giving the action a bit of a rest. INCOMING FLUFF FLOOD (with a hint of spice. Rosemary spice)! Anyways, I hope y'all enjoy! (Psst; I also was listening to Heartbeat Song by Kelly Clarkson as well as Chills by Down With Webster whilst typing this whole chapter. I just felt that they were really well suited for both Flora and Redleaf, considering they never experienced love or expected to find it. And of course, their situation in this chapter. Anyways, I best shut up lest I spoil anything) This chapter also accidentally, sort of, kind of, maybe got longer than what I thought it would be. I guess a little treat for not updating it in so long.

Also note: a season is a little over three months, normally. And a crest on a bird is basically when a Cardinal or Blue Jay looks like it has a Mohawk on its head.

Blue: Thanks so much! I'm not normally used to writing such intense action sequences, but I'm happy with how it turned out.

Chapter Genre: Romance, Humour

Chapter Rating: K+

Rating Content: Just some intense kissing (not your basic warning, I'm sorry)

With the battle won, all fairies finally were finally able to return home. Some escaped with minor cuts and bruises, some were able to leave without a single scratch. If they didn't trap that wolf under the ice, who knows how many losses they could have suffered?

However, despite the victory, all was not well.

Redleaf fluttered back and forth, arms crossed and brow furrowed. "How could you just leave her there?"

"I didn't just 'leave her', Redleaf. Lord Milori requested I head back. She is in his care." Hyacinth was quick to defend himself, not permitting himself to be subject to the Minister of Autumn's accusations.

He sighed and continued to pace, his wings nervously fluttering together. Normally, a grown fairy or sparrow man (namely, the Ministers, Queen Clarion, Lord Milori and the Keeper) wouldn't have to fly so heavily that their wings would even be touching, not unless they were flying at a fast pace. Even then, no sound was made from their wings. However, every time Redleaf turned his wings would flitter together, further agitating Hyacinth.

"Pacing is not going to help you." Hyacinth muttered.

"It's a habit, Hyacinth." Redleaf explained. "What would you rather I do?"

"How about you sit your leaf-covered tush down and calm down. The last thing we need is you dying from worry." He snapped, now completely annoyed.

He sighed and his wings drooped. Hyacinth was right, pacing back and forth wasn't helping anyone. Fretting over Flora would not bring her back any quicker, he was supposed to be watching over the Queen, anyhow.

He glanced over to where she lay. Her glow had returned to it's normal bright hue and she was no longer pale with illness. A good sign. Regardless, he didn't dare take off the bandages. He didn't know if the wound was healed over or not and he didn't wish to check in case it wasn't.

Slowly, her eyes opened and he rushed over to her. "Your Majesty?"

She breathed deeply, awaking from her fever-induced sleep. "Mm?"

Redleaf then slowly began to recite what Flora had told him to say to Clarion. He didn't understand the necessity of it, but he trusted her. "Your Majesty, do you remember your name?"

She yawned and then stretched her limbs out, almost as if she hadn't been screaming in pain a short few hours ago. "Why the question, Minister? Why are you even here?" She asked him.

Both Redleaf and Hyacinth stared at her in disbelief. "Do you not remember anything? Before you fell asleep?" Hyacinth inquired.

Clarion looked confused. "All I remember is finishing my evening tea. Why? What's going on?"

A soft trill made all three turn their attention to the window, where Anthros was hovering outside of. Flora seemed to have been 'driving' the Snowy Owl and, as a result of her not used to having to hop down from the large bird, fell most ungracefully from his back, whereas Lord Milori jumped gracefully onto the floor. Clarion immediately shot up from her bed, seeing Milori favouring his shoulder. Redleaf dashed over to Flora and helped her up, then quickly brought her into a tight embrace. "I'm so glad you're alright!" Flora hugged him back. "I'm alright, love. Just a bit sore."

"What happened?!" Clarion demanded.

Milori quickly kissed her. "How are you feeling, love?"

Once again, the Queen was extremely confused with the behaviour of the people around her. "I'm fine, but evidently you're not. Did something happen?"

"Do you not remember anything?" Flora asked her.

"What am I to remember that you all wish to hear?"

Flora dismissed the owl and shuffled to Clarion, gently taking her hand and unraveling it. "Why was my hand wrapped in a bandage?"

The bandage fell away to reveal a perfectly unscathed hand, almost as if nothing had cut it in the first place. "You really don't remember anything?" She asked her.

Clarion was now frustrated with their vagueness. "What is it that I am to remember?" She waved to Hyacinth. "And please go and get a healing-talent fairy for Milori."

Hyacinth bowed and quickly flew out of the room, leaving the three of them alone. "Please, would someone answer me? I don't understand what you all want me to say." Clarion asked them, slowly ushering Milori to the bed to sit down.

"A Dark Fairy had gotten into the Pixie Dust Tree, Queen Clarion." Flora told her. "The Tree is fine. You, however, were not. Somehow the Dark Fairy snuck into your room and used an iron dagger, dipped in dark dust, and cut your hand. You had been in extreme pain for a lengthy amount of time. I suppose the after-effects of the dust could include some short-term memory loss..."

Clarion was completely shocked. "A Dark Fairy tried to...?"

Flora nodded grimly. "And, of course, Lord Milori had been informed of the news and came to try and help you. However, an attack was launched on the Winter Woods while he was away. The Winter and warm season fairies managed to ward the wolves off, though." She then quickly added, "An owl and two sparrows were lost, but no fairies."

Clarion breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good. We already lost too many to the hawks last season."

"We would have lost more if it wasn't for Flora." Milori said, looking over to her as if to further accentuate his statement.

Redleaf looked down to her in shock and she blushed. "Well, it was really the fairies who did the work..."

"But it was you who had brought the warm fairies over to Winter." Milori stated. "And you who knew how to handle the wolves. And you who had formulated the plan to defeat the Alpha. Without you, I'm certain I would not be here."

"I-I'm certain you can hold your own..." Flora stuttered. She was not used to the amount of glorification that she was receiving now, which explained her current state of humility.

"Flora, love, you do not give yourself enough credit." Redleaf said to her, holding her closer to him. "I was not there, but from what I have heard, you were extremely brave, you did things that other fairies would not have done. You faced dangers no other fairy would dare to face. That takes more courage than anyone else here has."

"But if it wasn't for me, then-"

Redleaf, not wishing to hear her further berate herself for petty reasons, leaned down and silenced her with a kiss, not caring if Lord Milori and Queen Clarion were watching them. When they parted he placed his forehead on hers and whispered, "Learn to appreciate yourself more."

All she did was nod her head.

Clarion and Milori looked to each other, a knowing smile on each of their faces. Two young people in love; it gave them memories of when Pixie Hollow was still young, when two fairies had met and fell in love.

Redleaf turned to the two rulers. "Will you be alright here?"

Clarion nodded. "Yes, we'll be fine."

He then bowed to them. "I bid you both a good evening, then. I shall be taking Flora home."

"Rest well."

They both nodded. Then, without warning, Redleaf scooped Flora up into his arms and flew from the Pixie Dust Tree. "You should learn to warn a lady before you do that." She told him, placing a tender kiss on his cheek.

"I don't think you mind too much, my dear."

"I suppose not."

When they finally reached her home, Redleaf had gently set her down at her front door. You should get some sleep, Flora. You've been through a lot of stress..."

She rubbed at her eyes. "I don't know if I can. My body says sleep, but my mind wants to stay up. I think it may have something to do with the shocking cold of the Winter."

"Would you feel better if I were to stay here?" He asked her, his face showing full sincerity.

She rubbed at the back of her neck with her free hand. "I don't want to be a bother..."

"I do not wish for you to become sleep deprived. You need all the rest you can get."

/ / /

"Are you sure you're comfortable?"

"Well, I do normally would prefer the sparrow-sized floor."

Flora rolled over on her side and looked down at Redleaf. They had moved some furniture in the lower level in order to give him as much space as possible, which was barely enough room at all. He had been given one of the sheets on her bed and a pillow, trying to make him comfortable on the floor (all things considering). "Well, I had said you could take the bed..."

"And that is pure nonsense! You need to be as comfortable as possible!"

Flora sighed. "Very well. Good night, Red."

"Good night, Flora. Pleasant dreams."

/ / /

Flora awoke to the bright sunlight filling her home, although not blindingly. It had been created to let enough light in to wake whomever was in there, but not to blind them whenever they woke. She sat up and stretched her limbs, yawning widely. She then rubbed her eyes and leaned over.

Redleaf was, somehow, still sleeping on the floor. He slept soundly on his side with his sheet tossed off and away from him, his hair sleep-tousled. She could hear the faintest of snores as he breathed deeply.

She shook her head and slowly got out of the bed, sliding down to the floor. She then lay herself beside him, resting her head on one arm and using her free hand to play with his dark locks. Despite that it was sleep-tousled, his hair was still incredibly soft and silky. And how did he manage to make it so voluminous and yet so straight?

He breathed deep and let out a soft, tired moan. His eyes opened to see a smiling Flora resting beside him, and he couldn't help but smile back. "Such a lovely sight to wake up to."

"I'm surprised you slept in so long." She whispered, still playing with his hair. "You're normally awake fairly early, aren't you?"

Redleaf sidled closer to her and wrapped one arm around her, pressing his forehead to hers as his eyes fluttered closed. "Mhm."

She laughed. "I take it you don't want to get up, now."

"Mm, too comfortable. Tired."

"And if someone were to waltz in here and see us?" She asked him, stroking her delicate fingers through his soft tresses. "What would you say?"

"That you fell off the bed and I thought you were a pillow."

"You snuggle with your pillow?" She asked in an amused tone.

He gently shook his head. "No. Just with you."

"Well, if you don't snuggle with your pillow then I doubt fairies will see this as natural."

Redleaf opened his eyes. "Other fairies know we're courting. I doubt they'll mind us snuggling."

She smirked and gave him a small kiss on his lips. "Snuggling on the floor, your arms around me and mine around you." She kissed him again. "Kissing each other. They'll probably think we're having a... 'heated moment'."

His one hand ghosted up to her neck as he planted a long, tender kiss to her lips. "And if we were?"

"Then a poor young fairy or sparrow man would be half scared out of their wits, seeing a Minister in that sort of situation..."

"We are adults, Flora." He nudged her chin up and nuzzled into her neck, his lips ghosting just over her soft skin. "They won't gossip, if that's what you're concerned about."

The sensation of his warm breath on her neck sent shivers down her spine, good shivers. They had been courting for over a season, but they hadn't gone much farther than snuggling. Occasionally Redleaf would nuzzle into her neck, or she would be resting against his chest. This felt new, almost exciting, for Flora.

He finally kissed at her neck and he felt her shudder, her hand stopped running through his hair and was completely still. Worried, he pushed himself back to look into her eyes. "Too much?" He asked her.

She shook her head. "No, it's fine, it's just..." She licked at her lips, trying to find the correct words to describe what she was feeling. "Not what I'm used to. I quite enjoy it, though."

His eyes softened, some of his concern receded. "Please, know that if you ever are... uncomfortable with something, please, let me know. I don't wish to make you feel rushed."

"I will, love." She brought her lips so they were just barely contacting with his. "Now hush up and kiss me."

He was surprised of her sudden boldness, but was quick to regain his previous kittenish behaviour. "As my lady desires."

His kiss was soft and fleeting, at first, almost teasing. He then placed a full kiss to her lips, soft, and yet filled with passion, warmth and electricity. It was enough to send another small shiver down her spine. He placed a hand to the small of her back and the other to the back of her neck, then shifted more onto his back. A more comfortable position for them.

She pushed back slightly. "If someone saw us now..." She breathed, a small hint of amusement in her tone.

"Mm, indeed." Redleaf then tilted his head to the side, placing his lips on her slightly parted ones. The angle of their lips made for a deeper, more sensual kiss.

A small whimper emitted from within her throat and she shuddered from the new sensations that were now slowly crawling up through her body. Her heart beat so hard from within her chest, she swore she could almost hear it. Upon placing a hand over his chest, Flora could feel that she wasn't the only one becoming so tremendously stirred up.

He hadn't meant for this to become so passionate, so heated. Just a few kisses stolen, had turned into something far greater than what he had anticipated. The flood of emotion, the overflow of sensations, was almost too much for him to handle. And yet he continued to kiss her, passion and desire fueling his every move.

Her tongue suddenly swept along his lower lip and he inhaled sharply, unprepared for the abrupt contact. His eyes shot open to see a furiously blushing Flora, who was stunned at her own audacious action.

Her eyes turned away from his and she put a hand to her mouth, suddenly ashamed of her action. "I-I'm so sorry! I don't know what came over me!"

Redleaf sat up, then, brushing at her bangs in a calming manner. "No, it's alright! That was just, that is, it just surprised me is all."

Flora suddenly stood, completely ignoring her ankle altogether. "I think I should probably go for a walk."

He stood along with her. "A walk? On your ankle?"

She grabbed her cane from the end of the bed and used it to support herself, not daring to meet his eyes. "I need to go and see one of the nurses anyways for a checkup. I'll be fine. You should probably get to the Tree for your..." She waved her hand. "Dust..."

He cleared his throat and nodded, grabbing his Autumn hat from her nightstand. "Right. Of course."

They both toddled to the door, now feeling almost awkward. Flora quickly opened the door and walked out, Redleaf following close behind her. "I'll be seeing you soon, I suppose?" He called to her as she walked down the stairs.

"Mhm."

She started walking into the Autumn Forest and he cleared his throat. "Wrong way, Flora."

She spun on her heel and walked the other way. "Yup, knew that."

And with that she was off, walking with as much speed as possible to the hospital. Redleaf heaved a breath and ran a hand through his hair. "Goodness..."

/ / /

That one moment just was intending to torture her, constantly playing over and over in her head. She truly didn't know why she had done it, or where the sudden courage to even try it came from. All she knew (or thought she knew) was that it was hardly appropriate, despite what she and him had been doing.

"Always manage to mess things up, you do." She muttered under her breath, shaking her head. "Stupid girl..."

She came upon the hospital quicker than she thought, although, that wasn't entirely a bad thing. She was nearly late for the appointment.

She pressed on the ladybug, making it buzz. The lady then slid the window open, leaf and pen in hand. "Yes?"

"Flora to see Marsh?"

The fairy looked up over her glasses. "Room two."

She nodded her thanks as the fairy closed the window, getting back to... whatever she did whenever not directing patients.

Despite herself, she knocked on the edge of the doorframe. Marsh, the sparrow man who had first checked her ankle, was busy with medical notes. "Come on in."

Flora cleared her throat and placed herself on the cot, her cane in her lap. "So, Flora," He looked through his notes, "It was a season or so ago that you broke your ankle?"

"Mhm."

He put the leaf on the table, flying around the cot to stand in front of her. "How does it feel, now?"

She shrugged. "I never really tried standing on it, much, because it would hurt and I would get this pins and needles sensation in my foot."

He nodded. "Mhm, have you tried removing the brace?"

She mentally slapped herself. Of course, if her ankle was in the brace all the time, of course it would get numb and sore from the tightness and lack of free movement. "Ah.. no, I'm afraid not."

"That's your problem then." He knelt down and rolled her pant leg up and started removing the brace. "It can get numb from being in a brace for so long. Your ankle joint can also keep hitting or rubbing against the stick in the brace, which can lead to making it sore."

Once removed he stood back. "Alright, try standing on it."

She slipped from the cot and nearly fell over. She grabbed the edge of the bed and pulled herself up. "That feels so weird!" She exclaimed.

"Give it a few moments."

She casually leaned against her cane. "Allow me to guess, something about blood circulation?"

"Exactly."

"I see." She tested stepping with her foot again, this time feeling it touch the ground. "Doesn't feel as sore..."

"Try walking around."

She did as he instructed, walking with her cane around the room. The more she walked, the less she limped. "Now, try without the cane."

Her head snapped to him. His face betrayed no emotion, so she guessed he was serious. Flora set her can against the wall and slowly moved around, a small limp still apparent as she walked. "It doesn't feel sore, but it almost feels bruised." She told him.

"Like I said, the bone was rubbing against the stick."

She retrieved her can and walked back to the cot. "Well, I don't see anything unusual. I'm guessing your ankle should feel better by tomorrow."

Her hopes suddenly rose. "Does that mean I can get back to scouting?"

Marsh turned to the shelves on the wall, taking something out of come jars. "Mm, well, I would suggest using a small ankle wrap to at least keep your ankle more firm." He turned to her, a roll of cloth in one hand and a pouch in the other. "You could return to work tomorrow, only if you physically feel up for it. If you feel that your ankle is still sore, don't go. You could dislocate it again."

He handed the items to her. "Take one sunflower seed each morning for the next few days. It'll help with your bones."

Flora nodded, a smile now on her face. "Yes, thank you!"

"Mhm."

Flora practically skipped out of the room, overjoyed that she could be returning to her normal work schedule. She felt incredibly cooped up in her home and getting back to scouting in the outdoors would certainly make her feel a lot better.

As long as, of course, she didn't mess up her ankle again.

/ / /

Redleaf was feeling distracted as he flew to the Pixie Dust Tree. Of course, he had plenty of reason to be distracted, but that wasn't the reason for it. It was the aftermath that was making him distracted.

He was worried that Flora was practically kicking herself in the rear for that one little action she did. She appeared so embarrassed when she left.

Redleaf was so absorbed in his thoughts that he was hardly paying attention to where he was flying. The result was him bumping into Hyacinth.

"Sorry!" He quickly apologized.

Hyacinth brushed back his hair. "No worries. You were actually the sparrow man I needed to see; do you happen to know where Flora is?"

"The hospital." Came his quick reply.

Hyacinth tilted his head to the side. "Are you quite alright? You seem a bit distracted."

Redleaf blinked rapidly, barely catching the question. "Oh, no. I suppose I'm still tired from last night."

"I see. Well, don't overwork yourself, then."

"I'll try not to."

The two Ministers then flew their separate ways. Although the previous evening's events were more than enough to leave any fairy exhausted, he still couldn't help but feel that there was something else bothering Redleaf. And it wasn't exhaustion.

He shrugged at himself. No use in thinking about it now. It wasn't his business in the first place, anyhow.

/ / /

Flora closed the door behind her. Now that her personal items were back at her house, she decided to head off to the Library. It was one of her more favourite spots to spend time in whenever she needed to think or if she needed to be alone. She also wanted to do more research on Dark Fairies. Although the necklace left on Anthros the previous evening had no crystals on the string, she still thought that it would be wise to further study their culture and their behavioural patterns.

"Excuse me, Flora?"

Flora jumped and whipped around, almost ready to hit whomever had snuck up behind her. She then sighed and rested her hands at her sides. "Are you Ministers naturally quiet, or is that just you, Cinth?"

"I didn't mean to startle you." He apologized. "I'm just curious; are you busy at all today?"

Flora shook her head. "Nothing important planned, no. Might I ask why?"

"Well, judging from the previous evening's... adventures, I could guess that you've never actually flown a bird before."

Her brows furrowed and she tilted her head to the side. "Why would I need to? A scout doesn't need to use a bird."

"Right, of course. Well, I was actually wondering if you would be willing to take some flying lessons. Bird flying lessons. Spring has already been delivered to the Mainland, so I would have plenty of time to teach you."

Flying a bird? Flora thought. She wasn't certain she would be the best when it came to bird-riding, in fact, she knew she wouldn't be the best. When she had flown Anthros to the warm side was a prime example; she took off too fast, turned too sharply (nearly throwing both she and Milori off of the owl) and she actually fell off of his back when attempting to dismount him. But then she also considered that, due to her lack of flying abilities, having a bird would be far easier for her to get around to places instead of walking.

Flora shrugged. "I suppose. I mean, I think it would be fun to learn and rather convenient as well."

Hyacinth smiled. "Excellent! Now, there's a bird already picked out for you. She's a calm bird, so no need to worry about being tossed off."

He gently ushered her to the Spring Valley, already beginning to explain the various techniques and commands that are used when riding birds. Mentally, Flora cringed, already beginning to wonder if she was still sane in accepting bird flying lessons.

/ / /

"So, do I call her by her name, or does she not respond to that?"

"I'm afraid she doesn't have a name." Hyacinth responded. "She hasn't had a permanent rider, yet, so she hasn't been named."

Flora heard a sharp call and looked to see Hyacinth's dove as well as another large bird sitting calmly on the ground. The other bird was an almost stunning shade of blue, spreading all along her body. Her tail and wings were composed of blue, white and black stripes and her belly and breast were a pure white. A black stripe ran from the bottom of her neck to just behind her eyes. Upon seeing Flora and Hyacinth, her head suddenly frilled up into a straight crest and she squawked excitedly.

"A Blue Jay?" Flora asked. "Aren't they generally a boisterous and, if I may say so, rowdy bird?"

Hyacinth approached the Blue Jay, calmly stroking her neck. She leaned into his touch, trilling happily. "They are bold, yes, but only if provoked. This one, however, is one of the most sweetest Blue Jays I have ever seen. She rarely snaps at anyone, which is surprising, although not unwelcome."

Flora, feeling almost frightened of the big bird, slowly approached her. "She is a beautiful bird."

Her head suddenly snapped to Flora, making her jump back in surprise. She then made one hop forward and leaned her head down, turning it off to the side and chirping.

Flora held her hands close to her chest. "What do I do?"

Hyacinth almost laughed at her uncertainty. "She wants you to pet her, Flora. She's telling you she's friendly."

Flora tittered and looked back to the Blue Jay, who still had her head turned to the side. She then reached out with one hand and stroked at her neck feathers. "Oh, I never knew their feathers were so soft!"

Flora then scratched and the Blue Jays' feathers ruffled and she squawked happily, her crest standing back at attention. Flora brushed at the crest and the bird immediately leaned into her, almost knocking her over. "You know, they're actually kind of cute when they're not screeching at you all the time." She said to Hyacinth, who was smiling as he watched the two bond.

"Is that what they did back on the Mainland?"

"They do tend to screech whenever another bird is taking their food." She replied.

Hyacinth flew beside Flora, patting the Blue Jay on her neck. "Ready to fly?"

She warbled and ruffled her feathers, almost looking as if she were smiling. "I take it that means yes in bird-language?" Flora joked.

"It does. Now, the first thing you must do before mounting is letting your bird know you're wanting to get onto it."

"How do I do that?"

Hyacinth demonstrated with his own turtledove by putting is hand on the upper part of his neck. "Just put a hand here."

Immediately the turtledove leaned his head down, granting enough room to hop onto him.

Flora nodded. "Alright, simple enough."

She copied Hyacinth's movements and the Jay did the same thing, leaning her head down to let Flora up. "How do I get up, now?"

"Use the harness. But don't use your foot on her neck to help you up; that would often make a bird feel uncomfortable." He explained, then demonstrating for her (although, it was almost difficult to see his leg movements thanks to his attire).

Harness? Flora looked to see a basic harness, made from a single vine, around the Jay's neck. "Oh."

She grabbed the harness and tried pulling herself up, lifting her one leg over the Jay's neck. She had managed to get herself up, but then she immediately slid off onto the other side of the Jay, landing with a loud thud. The Jay chirped, looking over to Flora.

Hyacinth stifled a laugh. "Try not to swing yourself so hard."

"Now he tells me..." Flora muttered under her breath. She quickly picked herself up and dusted herself off, walking back around the bird. "Let's try that again!"

She was quick to correct herself, swinging just her leg over rather than her whole body. She managed to get herself seated but when the Jay lifted her head up, Flora was completely unprepared for the upward motion. She let out a sharp yelp as she rolled forward and fell onto her back. The Jay trilled and looked straight down at her, to which she received a small pat on her beak. "I'm fine."

Hyacinth only watched with a passive face as she rolled over and picked herself up. "Third time's a charm!" She told him.

She finally succeeded in mounting the Jay, without falling forward this time. She grabbed the harness, careful as to not pull it in any direction. "That was harder than what it needed to be." She said.

Hyacinth quickly reassured her. "I wasn't always this good at bird-riding either. Took me a few tries to get it right."

The Jay chirped happily up at Flora, and she stroked at her crest again. "Pretty bird." She told her.

She smiled and trilled at the attention.

"Now, how does one take off?" She asked Hyacinth.

"Just a steady flick of the reins should do it." He told her. "Now, its different for each bird as to how hard you should flick the reins, a Blue Jay would generally need a soft one to take off. As for her, however, I'm not too certain."

Flora looked down at the Jay, who looked back up at her. "Ready to go, girl?"

The bird chirped happily. Flora took a deep breath and gripped tightly at the reins. Then, releasing her breath, she said, "Let's ride!"

She flicked the reins.

The Jay took off almost too fast for Flora, who shrieked at the sudden takeoff. Hyacinth rubbed the bridge of his nose and laughed, to which his turtledove smacked him with his wing.

Hyacinth huffed. "I know, I know." He flicked at the reins and they took off gracefully, chasing after Flora and her Blue Jay.

Flora had somehow managed to make the Jay stop in flight, which almost surprised Hyacinth, but then he remembered how she had stopped his turtledove in the Winter Woods. He stopped directly beside her. "I suppose she's just a little excited."

Flora laughed breathlessly. "You don't say!" She used one hand to brush at her tousled hair. "That took my breath away..."

The Jay warbled apologetically and she immediately stroked her neck. "Not to worry, we're both just getting to know each other." She told her.

"Since we're in the air," Hyacinth stated, "I think it's best that we get started on your turns and dives."

Her head shot up and then to Hyacinth. "'Dive'?!"

He seemed to not notice her apparent worry. "You never know when you may need to put your bird into a nose dive, Flora."

She heaved a sigh and leaned down onto the Jay's head. "Can we maybe just get used to turning first?"

"As long as you need. No need to rush."

Flora nodded her thanks and tightened her grip on the reins once again. She flicked her wrists (a bit softer this time) and the Jay started to fly and Hyacinth followed close beside them.

"When you wish to turn, you give a gentle pull on the reins in the direction you wish to go."

"Genlte... Gentle..." She recited to herself. When she felt like she was ready, she pulled the reins to the left.

The Jay turned into the left, a little jerky but not too bad, and they went for a full circle before Flora set them back onto a straight path. "Ha! Not so bad, if I do say so myself!"

"No, not bad at all. A little sharp on the first part but you eased up gradually, which is good." Hyacinth praised her. "Now, let's try to the right."

/ / /

For several hours Flora practiced her turns on the Jay, each time became more and more sure and less sharp or bumpy. The Blue Jay was getting more used to Flora, and Flora was getting more used to her. Much like the way a horse gets used to their rider and a rider gets used to their horse. They bond as they train.

Flora stopped the Jay and smiled. "I think I got it!"

"Well done." He smiled back to her. "You're a very fast learner!"

"Thank you."

"Now, shall we move into the nose dives?"

Flora's smile disappeared quickly and she swallowed a lump in her throat. "May as well get it done and over with, I suppose." She replied with a shrug.

"Trust me, it isn't as bad as it seems." He reassured her. "All you really need to do is hang on."

"What else would I do?" She raised her hands up in the air, as if she were on a roller coaster. "Do this?"

"Not unless you wish to fall off."

Flora grabbed at the reins again and gripped them tightly. "So, how does one bring their bird into a nose dive then?"

Hyacinth leaned down onto his turtledove. "You don't wish to catch any air whilst diving, lest you get pulled off. You lean down and, when ready, you gently push onto their neck to tell them where you want to go."

Flora copied his movements, although not pushing down. "Do I need to bring the bird up to speed?"

He shook his head. "They gain enough when diving. Remember as well, the amount of pressure and the speed you apply onto their neck measures the angle of their dive. When you want to bring them back up, you never sit yourself up! You only pull on the reins."

Flora nodded and rolled her shoulders. "Alright, got it." She then whispered to the Jay. "Ready, girl?"

The Jay nodded in response. Flora wrapped the reins around her hands, her knuckles almost turning white from the pressure. Slowly, she applied pressure to the neck, just as Hyacinth instructed.

The Jay went down for a low swoop and, as Flora applied more pressure, went into a sharper and sharper dive. The sensation of the wind on her face gave her a rush of adrenaline, a little bit of a buzz in the back of her mind. It was exciting.

Flora then pulled up on the reins, making the Jay spread her wings out and glide in the air. Flora laughed jovially, overjoyed at how smoothly it had gone. Truth be told she was half expecting for her to face plant into the ground. The Blue Jay squawked along with her, her crest spiking upward in excitement.

Flora looked around for Hyacinth, who seemed to be nowhere in sight. "Cinth?" She called out.

Suddenly the turtledove flew up alongside her Blue Jay, nearly startling her. "Where did you go?" She asked.

"Where did you go?" He retaliated. "You caught me off guard, going so fast. I'm rather impressed!"

She flashed a toothy grin. "Or perhaps you're just going too slow."

Hyacinth sat a little straighter. "Is that a challenge, Flora?"

"It could be." She replied. "Last one back to Spring Valley is a stick in the mud!"

She suddenly took off and Hyacinth shook his head, a smile on his face. He then flicked at the reins and took after Flora.

/ / /

Where could they be? They couldn't be training for this long.

Redleaf was, once again, pacing back and forth. For the whole of the day, he had been bothered by what had happened between he and Flora. He was worried, although he didn't really understand why. Regardless, he wished to speak with her.

Upon asking an animal fairy, he was stunned to learn that Flora was taking flying lessons from Hyacinth. He never would've thought that she would be apt to learning how to fly on a bird.

His head shot up as he heard the call of a bird in the air. He scanned the skies and saw two birds, a turtledove and a Blue Jay, flying towards the clearing in Spring Valley. He knew that the turtledove was Hyacinth's, but the Blue Jay? It couldn't be Flora riding it; they were far too bold a bird for her.

The two birds landed on the ground and, sure enough, Flora was the one who had been riding the Blue Jay. "Ha! Beat you!"

Hyacinth laughed. "I never knew you were a competitive type, Flora." He dismounted his turtledove, softly stroking his neck.

"Flora?"

She looked and saw Redleaf, looking as confused as a lost puppy. Immediately a blush overtook her features, suddenly remembering what had transpired earlier that day. "Oh, hello..."

She attempted to dismount the Jay, but her leg ended up getting caught in the harness and she fell (once again, most ungracefully) off of the Jay. She warbled and looked down at Flora. "I still need to try and learn that..." She told her.

She picked herself up and brushed the Jay's crest. "I think we did well today, girl." She said, receiving a squawk of agreement.

Redleaf approached them, trying to remain as composed as possible. "I take it the lessons went well?"

She dared not to meet his eyes, lest she turn into a stuttering fool. "Yes. We learned a fair bit today."

Hyacinth looked between the two, confused at their behavoiur. Between Redleaf's distant behaviour that morning and their attitude towards each other now, he guessed that something had happened between them. He couldn't place his finger on what, though.

"Is she your bird?" He asked Flora.

The Jay immediately nuzzled against Flora, almost as if saying that she was her bird. Flora laughed and gently pushed at her head. "Well, she doesn't have a rider, so," she looked to Hyacinth. "Unless there's someone wanting to claim her?"

He shook his head, taking the harness off of his turtledove. "No. As I said, we were never able to find her a permanent rider. So if you want her, then she's all yours."

Flora smiled along with the Blue Jay, who hopped and chirped happily at the announcement. "Perfect!"

Hyacinth approached the three of them. "Now, if you'll all excuse me, I must go and check on things before the end of the day." He bowed slightly and then flew off into Spring Square, leaving them alone.

Flora attempted to avoid any form of contact with Redleaf, physical contact or eye contact. He noticed it almost immediately. "I wish to speak with you about what happened this morning." He said.

Again, Flora blushed crimson, although she didn't say anything and continued to stroke the Jay's feathers.

He cleared his throat. "All I wish to say is that there was nothing... wrong about it. Not in the slightest."

"We've been courting for just over three months, Redleaf." She said quietly. "I feel as if I went too fast..."

"Not at all." He tried to reassure her. "Flora, we are both adults. And, do forgive me for saying so, but you're making it seem like we're simple school-fairies."

The Blue Jay stilled, listening intently on their conversation. Why was the wingless fairy so embarrassed? What was the other fairy even talking about? Fairies could be so confusing, sometimes.

Flora sighed and stopped stroking at the Jay's feathers. Finally, she looked up to meet his eyes. "I don't know, it's just..." She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. I suppose it's just my lack of experience with romance; I'm not used to being so intimate with anyone. At all."

"I'm just as inexperienced as you are, Flora." He told her. "I'm not used to it either. But I do know for certain that what happened is natural." He then wrapped an arm around her waist. "And I quite liked it."

Flora's embarrassment, her worries and concerns, all slipped away within that one moment. Standing on the tips of her toes, she leaned her head back, her eyes fluttered closed as her hands rested against his chest. He leaned down, tilting his head to the side. Their lips met softly.

A sudden hacking noise was heard and Flora pushed back and looked down to see the Blue Jay acting as if she were sick, hacking and heaving, her chest feathers moving along with the sounds of her 'sickness'. Flora tsked. "Excuse you?!" She laughed.

The Jay stopped her heaving and looked up to Flora, playfully chirping. Redleaf laughed along with her. "Well excuse you, little missy, but if you're going to be my bird you'll have to get used to this!"

She ruffled her feathers sharply in a shivering motion, a joking expression of revulsion.

"Well then, Missy, you're not getting any crest-brushing tonight." Flora joked. Immediately, the Jay stopped her behaviour and nuzzled against Flora.

"Is that what you're naming her?" Redleaf asked.

Flora nodded. "I think Missy might be a suitable name for her."

Missy warbled in response, further nuzzling into Flora's legs.