I never unloaded this?
Al sits back in his nest after checking on the eggs. He watched the rabbits roam around the large room, though he had the sense to keep the door closed.
Two of the brown ones had a tendency to nibble most things the came across. They were the duo that had murdered teddy. Even Arthur couldn't fix him... Al ended up plucking them off his bookshelves several times. They didn't need anymore nibbled items in the house. It was a real handful..
Arthur wouldn't manage with this until having his second batch. Even then, it'd be hard.
Al sighs pulling another back towards him. Another was already hopping off behind him.
Jeez.. It was starting to become clear why Arthur and Francis kept them in a pen... Al was constantly turning his attention from one to the next.
It was a relief when Ro slipped in to help.
"Hey."
"Need a hand?" she smiled softly, little wings folded up against her back.
"Sure. Hey, have you seen Ivan around..?" He hasn't seen him since breakfast..
"I think he's in the garden with your little bears," she shrugged, sitting to cuddle a bunny.
"Is he ok?"
"He looked happy."
"Alright then."
"Do you wanna go see him...?"
Al shrugs, he does but he had other things to deal with right now..
"Cuz... I can watch the bunnies for a little bit, if you do..." she really did love them. Half of them hand snuggled into her lap already.
Al blinks. "..and I thought I was a rabbit magnet.." He chuckles softly.
She shrugged, smiling sheepishly. "I liked sitting with them... I guess they liked me too.."
He smiles softly.
"They're cute," she pouted cutely, gently smushing one against her cheek, two sets of big brown eyes looming up at him. He laughs, the sight too much. Ro broke into a grin, giggling brightly.
"It's nice to see you happy again.."
She blushed softly, eyes dropping to the rabbit in her hands. "I know its probably not that helpful, but just looking after something or someone... I feel like I'm need, just for a little while..."
Al hums softly.
"So..." She nodded, forcing her smile to brighten again. "I'm going to help as much as I can."
"Thank you.."
Her eyes lit up at those two tiny words, her heart skipping a beat as her smile became genuine. He smiles back. She grinned and snuggled the rabbit again. Al stands up giving her a warm hug before seeking out his boyfriend.
As she'd said, Ivan was downstairs with the cubs, humming softly as they slept in his arms. Al grins coming over and stealing a kiss. Ivan gasped softly in surprise, but wasted no time kissing back lovingly.
They pressed together a moment before pulling back. Al smiles warmly.
"Welcome back," Ivan chuckled brightly.
"Sorry for running off earlier.."
"It's okay," he smiled understandingly "You were worried for her, I'm not upset."
Al smiles sitting down and leaning on his side, careful not to bump his arms. Ivan rested his cheek in Al's hair, sighing happily.
Al nuzzled contently. They just snuggled for a while. It was wonderful.. The warm breeze, the sun, and loving company. It was a moment of perfection.
They stayed there untill lunch, Francis cooking this time round. Al grabs their plates and lead to the library to check the eggs quickly.
Ro was still playing with the bunnies in there. She flashed them a smile as they came in. Al hands her one of the three plates before heading to the incubator, nothing yet..
"They should hatch soon, yes?" Ivan leaned in curiously.
"They're very close.."
He smiled, pecking his cheek. Al grins settling in the cushions with his plate.
One of the rabbits hopped over, looking up at him curiously.
"Hello." He says in rabbit.
"Oh, hello!" the rabbit squeaked, ears twitching.
Al grins.
"Have you seen mummy...?"
"He needed a nap."
"But we're hungry..."
Al pets her between the ears. She hummed softly, little back paw tapping. Al chuckles softly. Ro smiled over, eyes brightening at his laugh.
He scooped up the little kit in his hands. She nuzzled in, little brown ears flicking softly. Al smiles.
"You smell like mum," the rabbit squeaked happily.
"Well I was with him earlier."
"I'm hungry..."
Arthur had been gone a few hours now.. The kits were being weened though. Hmm.. Maybe they could try bunny food...
Al sets the kit down going off to fetch some. He comes back a few minutes later, bowl in hand. The whole litter perked up as he set it down, their collective curiosity sparks. They hopped over one by one, sniffing and nibbling.
Al sat with the others to watch. They all started nibbling, soon digging into it. That was easy.
They must have been more weened than they thought... Arthur had spent a lot of time with them though. The three go back to their own plates.
Ro picked at hers for a bit then just set it down. Al glanced over. She'd hardly touched anything...
Ivan frowned softly, looking at Al as if asking permission to mention it..
He looked worried also.
She caught their looks and smiled. "It's okay, I'm not really hungry right now..."
"You sure..?"
She nodded. "I had a snack before I came here."
"Alright.."
She smiled again before petting a rabbit.
Soon they had all eaten, Al on his way downstairs with the dishes when he hears excited yet panicked German. "Mien Gott!"
Everyone within hearing range, which was nearly everyone on the house, rushed to Matt's room. Gil had the egg in his lap, hands flailing nervously as it had a slight crack in it. They all gasped excitedly, gathering around to watch.
Muffled tapping came from inside, the cracks getting larger bit by bit. Excitement in the room rose. Arthur urged everyone back a little. They needed the chick to imprint of Gil, no one else...
The shell pushed out trying to break, until finally a piece fell a damp little head inside. The chick looked around, eyes far too big for it's little head, eyes barely open. It cried out weakly, trying to break the rest of the shell.
Gil stared in awe.
The chick broke free, the task taking quite the effort. It's eyes struggled open, settling on Gil. It cried out again, trying to move towards him for warmth.
The Prussian picked her up gently bringing her to his eyes. She leaned forward, weakly nipping at his nose.
Gil grins chuckling. "You are so cute!" in a baby bird sort of way.
She just crooned, snuggling into him.
"I am going to call you Julchen! Jules for short!" (fem Prussia name!)
Matt smiled brightly, leaning in and pecking Gil. "Let's get her cleaned up and wrapped nice and warm."
Gil smiles happily. They tidy the chick up then let Gil settle with her. He felt so giddy, It was like finding his own chick all over again.
Only this chick wold grow up...
Well.. hopefully it wouldn't be all bad.. It'd live forever, but it would go through stages of aging, dying and coming back.
But could Gil overcome his fear to take care of it was the question. Sure, he was cooing and codling her right now, but this chick would soon become a big powerful bird...
Time would tell. One couldn't help feel sorry for the bird though... she already looked so attached... Maybe it was good for them both?
Their biggest concern right now though was feeding her. Arthur ushered everyone out while Matt went to sort out the bird mix. Luckily Arthur had already sent Francis out to get the needed ingredients.
He soon returned with a bowl of mushed up insects and a pipette to feed her with. Gil glanced up as he came in.
"You want to?" he held the items out.
Gil takes them, carefully attempting to feed. Julechen gulped the mix down eagerly, little wings flapping softly. Gil grins. Matt smiled warmly as he lay down to feed his cubs.
Soon everyone was feed, the two of them snuggling together. Jules snuggled happily with her 'mother'. Matt smiled warmly, petting her head. "She'll be beautiful."
Gil smiles leaning to kiss him. Matt beamed, kissing happily. Gil pulls him closer, careful of the young. Matt just grinned, so content. It was amazing to think all of this had fit inside of him though.
The day passed on, the rabbits eventually being returned to Arthur. Arthur was happy, but Ro turned rather glum again. Ivan was starting to hover around her fretfully. Al frowns softly, worried.
"Do you think another reading lesson might help...?"
"It might.." She really was starting to worry him..
Ivan nodded, handing over the cubs before going to offer another lesson. Ro just smiled softly and shrugged. "I guess?"
Al sighs hugging his little bundles of fur, Ivan gave him an uneasy look before taking her to learn. Al was starting to think she was bipolar.. Either that, or thoroughly depressed... Regardless, she was bordering troublesome.
He sits back in the cushions cuddling.
A while later, Arthur waddled down for a snack.
"Hey."
"Hey..." he was out of breath already...
Al frowns softly.
"Y'alright...? You look worried."
"Ro's depressed again.."
Arthur sighed softly, coming to sit by Al. "If she doesn't perk up soon, I'm tempted to take her to a specialist..."
Al nods.
"Where is she now?" Arthur hummed after a moment.
"Ivan thought reading might cheer her up.."
"Alright... I might pop up and see how she's doing - encourage her some."
Al smiles softly. Arthur was hoping that if they all made an effort to talk to her, she might feel a little more wanted. As much as they hated to admit it, they did tend to forget about her...
"How are you holding up though?"
"They're active little things, but they seem to be staying put for now..."
Al chuckles.
"Feel like coming with me?" Arthur smiled tiredly. "I think I might need help getting upstairs."
"Sure."
He smiled tiredly, trying to get up... But he couldn't... He was too tired to lift his own extra weight. Al just pulls him into a hug for a moment. Arthur just sighed and leaned in, not able to do much more.
Hopefully he'd drop soon. He seriously needed to...
Al held him a few minutes before helping him up. Arthur struggled up with a grunt and a sigh, taking a moment to steady. Al kept a firm grip.
They struggled up the stairs, Arthur's chest heaving by the time they reached the top. Al clung to him worriedly. Arthur insisted they stop. He needed to sit down... He just needed to rest... Al eased him on the floor. He slumped down, trying to catch his breath.
"You ok..?"
"F-fine," he tried to smile. "Need... Catch m'breath..."
Al crouched next to him.
It took Arthur a good couple minutes to gather himself again. He just looked washed out... Al made him stay a bit longer though. Not that he was going to argue...
Once he felt up to it Al hauls him up again. They hobbled down towards the library. Again, Ivan and Ro were on the beanbags, Ivan getting her to read to him as she hugged a cushion to her chest. They come in Al setting Arthur in a more suitable chair.
He sat with a sigh, rubbing his stomach a minute. "Hello Ro.. How are you?"
"Um... O-okay?" she'd stopped reading the moment the door had opened, hiding behind her pillow.
"How are you finding reading now?"
"Okay, I guess...?"
"Would you like to carry on?" Ivan prompted kindly but she shook her head, flushing with embarrassment.
Al settled nearby.
"Please," Ivan persisted. "You were doing very well."
Al glanced to Arthur. Arthur just sat there with a look of gentle disappointment. Ro had entirely clammed up... Al fidgeted with his hands.
Ivan just let her be, instead starting to tell the others how well she'd been doing. "She has gone through three of the reading grades already," he smiled softly. "The fourth is a little tricky, but we're nearly there."
"That's wonderful!"
"Goodness, you're learning so fast," Arthur smiled brightly. Ro peeked out, still embarrassed but seeming to get a lift from their praise. Al smiles. She glanced between the trio of smiling faces, shuffling slightly. She was still shy..
They needed to socialize her more... She wouldn't last long in a school if she wouldn't talk to people. He kept that in mind as he sat back.
Silence lingered for a few minutes before she finally spoke, barely a whisper. "I... I-I wanna try again..."
Al smiles softly. Ivan scooted over and opened the book. She sat, sounding out her words carefully, stealing glances over to make sure no one was frowning. Al had decided to distract himself by checking the eggs. Surely they must be about to hatch now... Matt's egg had and it came after them... He should start staying nearby more. What would happen if they hatched without him...?!
Al snuggles into the nearby nest pulling in his cubs. Arthur had quietly excused himself, needing to go lay down. The remaining three settled in. The room filled with gentle breathing and Ro's voice, the latter slowly growing more confident.
Al smiles to himself. She was picking it up quickly, she just needed confidence with her words. They continue on for a while.
When she'd gotten the hang of that book, Ivan suggested they took a break. Once she agreed, he smiled, giving her a little pat on the head before going to cuddle up with Al a while. Al smiles snuggling with him. Ivan smiled, peppering him with soft kisses. They settled in with each other. Ro settled off to the side, picking up her book again.