Still eventually Al started getting fidgety, of course he had been outside here and there and there was the trip to Matt's house the other day but he was starting to feel cramped in the house, the roadtrip did have most the day in the car after all.
Matt sat through it for a while before sighing dramatically. "Good God, Alfred, just go outside! You're a grown ass man, you don't need permission!"
Al shrunk a little at the scolding. "Like you're any better sometimes.."
"Not the point," Matt quickly switched to a smirk. "Come on, I wanna see the cubs react to grass."
Al gathered up his chicks following him out.
They set up a blanket in the shade before letting Matt's little monsters loose. They tumbled over each other until they reached the edge of the blanket then stopped, pawing at the grass curiously.
Al chuckles, they might not get much chance to see this kind of thing later on. Especially not with this six.
It was the runt that ventured out first, her hind twisting with each step to form an odd wiggle to her walk. Nonetheless, she was eager to explore.
Al sat back watching them, "You know.. I might have to turn back sometime.."
"Oh? Why's that?"
"They gotta learn to fly eventually.. But it was kinda fun being closer to them like that.."
Matt just smiled softly. "Suppose I need to teach these guys to hunt.."
Al nodded leaning on him lightly.
"Still... They seem so small now..."
"Yeah.."
*Al... My cubs won't be ready to leave till they're nearly two...*
Al hugs him, *If it makes you feel better mine probably will be the same..*
*I need to teach them how to fend for themselves... Al, I might have to go bear for over a year...* How else could he even survive in the arctic with them for that long?
Al hugs him close, *I can handle your work while you're gone.. If anything we still have Kuma to play messenger if we have too..* The problem was that there wasn't anyone to teach Kenai and Koda though..
*I could teach them too,* Matt offered, catching the tail of that thought. *Apart from climate, they aren't that different... *
Al smiles softly. *Thanks..*
*It's fair trade for a year of covering.*
They sit for a bit watching the cubs roam, though they did get the occasional curious nudge towards Al's nest.
Matt let them say hello but wasn't too comfortable letting them climb in. He'd rather not accidentally hurt a chick. The chicks chirped back at the large forms defiantly in response.
"They're spirited little things," Matt smiled warmly.
Al chuckles. "Speaking of which what's Jules like?"
Matt couldn't stop the laugh that plumed out of him. "The bird version of Gilbert without a doubt."
Al chuckles. "What the hell was she fussin about this morning anyway?"
"She was hungry. We still haven't figured out her eating patterns yet and she'll only take meat from Gil.."
"Hmm.."
"We just have to wait till she's hungry... It's starting to look like she gets hungry every 19 hours, which is a pain in the ass."
Al chuckles softly. "You think she would even come to me for flight lessons?"
"I think we'll have to show her you flying then let her curiosity get the better of her. Tell her its a lesson and I think she'll refuse."
Al chuckles.
Matt grinned softly to himself. "Who'd have thought we'd produce such characters...?"
"Who'd have thought we'd produce period."
"Considering how much trouble we usually get into, in hindsight, we should have seen this coming one day," Matt chuckled. "Hell, we live with a cluster of magical timebombs!"
Al hunched over at that giggling.
Matt leaned on him, chuckling tiredly. "We're assured wonderful misadventures."
Al settles down hugging him again. "You feeling ok?"
"I think so...," Matt snuggled in. "It's just been pretty draining recently..."
"I'm sorry.. I guess I'm too much trouble for ya huh?" He smiles sadly.
"Not you... Just everything piling up at once... I guess my coping skills aren't the best..."
"Nah, if anything you're better than I am. You didn't work yourself to a near coma."
"No, but I can work myself into a panic in record time," he joked weakly.
Al hums rubbing his back soothingly.
"I just don't want anything to happen to you guys..."
"I know bro.. We're all good now, go ahead and nap if you want?
"You sure you can watch them all...?"
"Sure thing. I'll even get Eagle to help out if I need to." He had that astral-projection trick still.
"Okay..." Matt curled into him, closing his eyes and passing out.
Al hugged him close turning back to the cubs. They lumbered around playfully, jumping and rolling. He kept watch while Matt slept.
They were undisturbed until Arthur brought them lunch.
"Hey."
"Having fun relaxing?" Arthur smiled warmly.
"Yeah.. He's been kinda down lately."
"It's fine, nothing's spoiling."
Al smiles rubbing his back again. Matt hummed, nuzzling in. "Anything happen?"
"Not really. One of the rabbits chewed at a chair but that's it."
Al nodded, "We never did get Ro a new teddy.. Might be part of the reason she got so irritated.."
"Over a bear?" Arthur pouted softly; eyes saying he found that a bit childish.
"She can't really sleep with out one, probably made her cranky.."
He sighed, shrugging slightly. "It was mine that chewed it up, right? I'll pay for a new one, but I think you'd better pick it. You know her a lot better.."
"It's fine you don't have to."
"If I caused her any discomfort, it just doesn't sit right with me unless I try and make amends. Go buy her exactly what she needs," Arthur smiled warmly, his fatherly side starting to show again.
"Alright." Al smiles back.
"Anyway, Matthew needs to eat," he prompted gently.
Al nods shaking him gently.
Matt groaned weakly, reluctant to wake from his nap. "Five more minutes..."
"Come on Mattie, time to eat."
"Dun wanna..."
Al chuckles softly. Matt rolled onto his back. Arthur smirked and gently set a cub on his chest, letting the little creature lick his face until he finally got up. Al grinned brightly at the action, it was rather amusing.
Matt tried to look angry, but the cub squeaked happily, earning an instant grin. "You're too cute, damn you."
Al laughs.
"What did you want?" he turned sleepily to his brother, snuggling his cub.
"You need to eat bro."
"Oh... I guess so..."
Al pat his back as he sat up. Arthur smiled and let them be.
They sat and ate before herding the bears back inside. Matt counted them up then stopped. "We're one down..."
Al frowns going back outside. He could just see little white paws tumbling off into the grass. Al rushed off after them. The cub vanished into a dip in the ground. Al chased after it a bit of panic brewing.
It had fallen into a rabbit hole. It whined, trying to climb out without success. It was too small... Al sighs reaching in for it. It clambered into his hands, curling in.
He plucked it up and out holding it to his face, 'You shouldn't wander off like that..'
It licked his nose in quite thanks. Al chuckled turning to head back inside.
Just as he turned, a large bird shrieked behind him, diving for the cub. Al bristled knocking it away while dropping to all fours.
It cried out again, circling a few times, debating if it should try again.
It would have a hell of a time.. Al's stance was that of an angry gryphon. Feet spread apart yet coiled to pounce, head low and beak parted slightly in a threatening hiss, wings half spread above his arched back and shoulders to appear larger, he stood protectively over the cub.
It eyed the cub cowering beneath him then thought better of it and turned away, letting them be. Al gazed after it distrustfully, what the hell was someone doing on his territory?!
*Al... Al, you need to chill out a bit, bro...*
He glanced up. Matt had come out, scooping the cub from beneath him. The poor thing was trembling, having soiled itself in fear.
He sighs sitting back on his rear as he shifted back. Matt sat across from him, trying to calm his young.
Al felt bad for scaring it.. But at the same time he glanced off to where the bird went, some upstart was moving in on him and he wouldn't have it. Especially with all the babies around..
He could track it down later... He glanced to Matt. Matt was so intent on the cub, he practically blanked him.
Al didn't really blame him for it.. Probably would have done the same..
"Come on.. Let's take you in..." Matt got up and went in, softly grunting in bear.
Al watched him go before scanning the sky again.
It was all clear, as far as he could see... But something told him that that bird wasn't gone... His hair seemed to fluff up to an almost invisible degree, glaring out before heading back in.
There was definitely something out there... Perhaps something bigger than the last...
Al went about closing all the windows, clearly still ruffled. Even if balds were usually social among their own species, they become highly territorial against others during nesting season.
They had a lot of other species here... Rabbits were a prime snack for most birds of prey and few wouldn't attack a cat...
Once he made sure the house was secure he started back downstairs intending to go out again. Arthur stopped him, that questioning look in his eyes.
"Somebody's trespassing.."
"Human or otherwise?"
"Mangy hawk.." Normally he could tolerate other hunters, but not one on his turf while there was young to protect.
"I take it that's what took a snap at Matt's cub?"
"Yeah.."
Arthur nodded softly. "Do what you must."
Al took off outside. The sky was clear and bright. Al took off into it searching.
He had to fly out several leagues before he came across signs of a nest. Al frowns mentally, perching on a branch, he had chanced another full morph.
Bones of small creatures lay scatters across a clearing, droppings littering the grass. The nest was probably further up, well hidden. Al hissed climbing upwards.
Half way up, a shriek pierced the silence as talons descended upon him. Al barely managed to dodge the things raking across his back. He turned with an outraged shriek. 'This is MY land! Get OUT!' The hawk tumbled and twisted before coming back up for another shot.
She was just barely smaller than him. Females where nearly always larger than male raptors, but balds were the biggest next to goldens. Al flapped trying to get lift. She soon gained on him though, snapping at his tailfeathers.
Al veered off suddenly attempting to trick his way behind her. She flew passed him, her momentum to fast to stop in time. He takes the chance to nip at her wings. She shrieked, losing a few feathers.
Al turns left heading to the nest. She screamed, battling after him again desperately. There were chicks in there for sure, it made things complicated. Al grew to twice his size, second set of talons sprouting as he picked up the entirety of it whole. The chicks kicked up in panic, calling for their mother.
Al flew out a few miles, trying his best to ignore the attacks from the hen. To her credit, she was certainly devoted to her brood. Al ended up with a fair number of nicks and scrapes before he finally set the nest in a new roost. The hen swooped straight in, flapping him away before tending her hatchlings.
'NEVER come on my turf again! I wont be so lenient!' he warns her before heading home.
It was an odd sight the girls came home to, Al crouched on the roof with a irritated face. You would almost think he was sulking if it wasn't for the blood leaking onto his clothes.
Molly frowned with a slight curiosity but Ro saw blood and panicked straight away. "He's hurt...!"
Al glanced down at the cry before turning back to surveillance. The girls set up towards the roof, both worried by that look.
They climbed out, Molly coming over first. "Alfie? Honey, you alright...?"
He just hums in response.
"Alfred," she set a hand on his shoulder.
He twitched turning toward her.
"What happened?" her voice was soft but her eyes were firm.
"Keeping watch.."
"For what, exactly?"
"Hunters."
"Explain," she frowned, shifting onto her knees. "I'll heal you, these are bleeding pretty bad..."
Al fidgets taking another sweep of the area, even Matt hadn't got him to come down willingly. Molly just set about his wounds, an air of expectation surrounding her. She would be answered. Al twitched at the sensation, but his half woozy mind was too focused on defending the 'nest'.
When Al still hadn't uttered a sound by the time she'd healed him, Molly frowned irritably. Her hand darted out, quickly clipping him behind the ear. He flinched, curling into a defensive ball with a squawk.
"Will you pull your head out your arse for five minutes?" she frowned fiercely. "In case you've forgotten, you're not the only one here, spacecase!"
His eyes finally focused on her with a submissive gaze, females were scary sometimes..
She sighed, softening, gently brushing back his hair. "Talk to me sweetpea..."
"..Somebody tried to move in on me.."
"Humans or feathery?" Ro just stood to the side, hopelessly lost in this conversation, not that she could hear most of it over her heart pounding. Someone had hurt Al... Someone that sounded dangerous...
"A hawk.." Ro bit off a whimper, eyes darting across the sky. She knew birds were dangerous! "Got her moved though.."
"Looks like she got you too though," Molly smiled sadly. "Come inside. We'll be okay, I promise nothing's going to attack."
Al glanced around once more before letting himself get pulled inside.
As soon as Molly closed the window, Ro latched onto Al like a limpet. His face twitched still tender, but he hugged back anyway.
"Come on," Molly gently guided them downstairs to the others.
Al seemed to have calmed some at least. They come to the den catching attention from the rest.
Matt got up instantly, rushing to him. *Are you okay?*
*'M fine.. Females are mean though..*
*Did she hurt you?* he shot an icy glare at Molly who raised her hands in defense.
*Molly didn't do anything.. The hawk nearly grounded me for moving her nest.*
He sighed, pulling him into a hug. "Just tell me next time, stupid..."
Al hums curling into him. Ro lingered on the side awkwardly until Molly pulled her to sit.
Francis comes over to them. "So what happened?"
"Alfie said a hawk had set up a nest on his turf so he moved her out." Molly offered.
"Hmm, Matthieu came in two hours ago with a distressed cub.. Alfred took off soon after."
"It attacked them earlier," Matt nodded. "Nearly scared the poor thing to death..."
"'S safe now..?" Al mumbled wearily.
"They're safe now," Matt nodded softly.
He hums clinging to Matt protectively still, though a little light headed from blood loss. Arthur must have noticed. He ushered them onto the couch before fetching Al a small snack. Al ate it slowly glancing around, making a headcount mentally.
After a few checks, it was clear everyone was accounted for, human and animal alike. He shifted reaching to the nest on the table and curling up with it protectively. The chicks snuggled into him. Matt hugged Al protectively, the look in his eyes daring anyone to come close.
Francis just smiles standing and whispering something to Ivan before leaving. "Don't be surprised if he get's possessive tonight."
Ivan just gave a knowing smile, having spent long enough to know when Matt wasn't going to share. But he also knew that Al needed it at times. Al would claim him when he felt better. For now, they just had to let the twins do their thing.