Pedro began to spill his hear out to the bird that had cared for him practically all his life telling him about how he and Nico had really met, what it was like, what they had spoken about, how it felt to have a best friend at last but, he froze over when it came to telling him about their kiss.

They had never said anything to anyone about it and now Pedro had to for Rafael to finally understand what the argument was about. Rafael watching the red crested bird as he felt discomfort and worry wash over him wondering what would happen if Rafael felt disgusted at him for it.

'It's alright pássaro, you don't have to worry about telling me anything. I'll love you no matter what.' Rafael reassured him.

Pedro nodded, gulped and continued with his story.

'Well, the same night I met Nico, we were back at my hollow, playing about and I said something that made me sound, well...gay. So Nico played along winding me up pretending he was gay and wished I was and I bought it until he broke down laughing. I jumped on him laughing, pinning him to the floor, he pushed me off and asked me if I would kiss a guy and I said I would but you can't start a family with one then I asked him and he said 'yeah if he was cool'.'

Pedro paused trying to figure whether he should say the next part or not although, he didn't have a choice really.

'Go on.' Rafael pushed.

Pedro took a breath and said quietly 'We kissed.'

Rafael smiled at his adoptive son, he knew they were close but he wouldn't have guessed they were that close but he wasn't surprised at his. It then hit Rafael why Pedro blew up earlier at Nico. He WAS jealous.

'Pedro is the reason you and Nico fought earlier because you were jealous?' Rafael asked him.

Pedro just nodded confirming what he had thought.

'And did you ever consider that the reason you were jealous, is because you maybe, love Nico?'

Pedro's heart stopped as Rafael brought up the feeling in the pit of his stomach he had held there for years for Nico. It was because he loved him.

'No,' Pedro said.

Rafael was about to talk but was cut off by Pedro.

'It's not because I, maybe, love Nico. It's because I do love Nico.'

Rafael's smile because very clear at that moment as a feeling of relief washed over Pedro, finally admitting something he had been trying to ignore for years.

'Well filho, there's only one thing to do. Tell Nico how you feel because from the way things went tonight, there is a high chance that he loves you too.'

Nothing would make Pedro happier than to be able to say it to him but the worry that Nico wouldn't love him back was painful and washed the smile off his face. Rafael noticed the down mood float back into Pedro.

'Don't worry about what might happen, there are only 2 ways this can go Pedro. He either loves you and will stay by your side or he doesn't love you like that and will stay by your side. He wouldn't leave you for anything in the world.' Rafael told him honestly. 'For now, you should settle down and sleep, you can tell him tomorrow.'

Pedro nodded and settled into the nest in the house, almost instantly falling asleep. Rafael thought this would be a good time to go and find Nico.

When he stepped outside his hollow he was met by a familiar Roseate Spoonbill named Kipo.

'Hey Kipo! What's up?'

'Rafael! I'm so glad I found you! I've been looking everywhere for you!' Kipo said hurriedly

'What is it? What's wrong?' Rafael said detecting the panic in the Spoonbill's voice.

'It's Nico. He was attacked by seagulls and is in bad condition. He wouldn't let us help and flew off back to his hollow. We figured you'd be the best person to help him out right now.' Kipo said. 'The guys and I found them on the roof of a building near the beach. The others have gone after the gulls, they're going to pay for what they've done to him.'

Rafael paused and stopped himself from flying off, turning to Kipo asking 'What have they done to him?'

Kipo lowered his head and replied, 'We're not certain of it, but we think they raped him.'

Rafael didn't need to hear anymore, he just needed to know the tiny bird was ok and took off leaving Pedro sleeping and Kipo behind.

-With Nico-

He flew faster than he had in a long time to reach the duo's hollow and sure enough there was the small yellow canary, with his rear raised in the air, facing away from the hole. He didn't want anyone to see him like this. He wasn't have any luck tonight when he heard someone land in the hollow and gasp.

Nico opened his eyes to see that it was no other bird than Rafael. The Toucan hopped in to the hole to where the blood smeared, ruffled, patchy bird was laid. Nico made no attempt to move; with the pain he was in he wouldn't dare and try to hide under his tail feathers, knowing that Rafael would want to check anyway, it was pointless.

Rafael walked round the back of Nico to take a look at the damage done. The poor bird was torn, cut and bruised all over but under his tail feather looked excruciatingly painful and stretched by what Rafael could only presume was from the gulls beaks.

He reached out with his wing to see how swollen the canary was and had barely touched him when he heard a whimper come from Nico. The Toucan saddened to see such a warm hearted, kind bird to be in a condition like this. He knew there was nothing Tulio or Linda could do except keep him so he felt it best to leave him where he was.

The swelling would go down during the night and the bleeding had stopped, Nico's forced out, torn entrance would also reduced and allow Nico to pull it back in and put his tail feathers down again. He wasn't over worried about is external injuries because he knew there was nothing broken, luckily. It was Nico's internal he was worried about, how this could scar the poor canary for life.

Rafael walked back around to Nico's front and picked up the bird as gently as he could, pulling him in to himself, making him feel safe and comfortable. Nico sniffed up and winced in pain as he settled against his father figure.

'It's alright now Nico. It's alright filho. Let it go, let it out.' Rafael hushed

With those words, Nico burst into tears once more cuddling into Rafael who was stroking his head. It was at his point he noticed something was missing from the birds head; his bottle cap. He glanced around quickly to see it at the other side of the hollow, covered in blood but amazingly still intact.

It was his remembrance of Pedro, whenever he needed it and Rafael knew and could sense all Nico wanted was Pedro back but at the moment, they both needed rest and the state Nico was in would mortify them both.

Tonight, Rafael would stay with the yellow canary and protect him like any father would.

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I've spent the last 3/4 hours writing the last 3 chapters so you all better love me!

I don't own Kipo. He is from Rio. Nor do I own any of the other characters from Rio.

I'm entirely sure why Antonio doesn't speak English really, but what a set of bastards I've created! They really are pure evil. Poor Nico.

Some of you may have noticed that I've had to bump the rating to M because of the extremely horrifying situation Nico was locked in and I felt it was best to pull it up. Plus some people feel that spanking is inappropriate even as a punishment for a bad bird.

Now don't worry, there's always sunshine after the rain...or is there?

What are you thinking now? Hit review and let me know!

Trixabella Pixximist -x