Everyone is starting to head home, we're close to ending this! Then we can get back to Recession! We've also got a plot for the next after that, seeing Ro off to school!X3
Al watched as the little blobs of brown and white tumbled over each other.
It was all too soon when Matt came and herded them all in. Al frowns to himself a moment before following.
The cubs were rounded up and slipped into wooden crates for traveling. Al pulled his in for one last cuddle first. They snuggled close, nuzzling in. *We'll miss daddy...*
*I'll miss you too..*
*We love you.*
"Al... They need to go."
Al sighs kissing both their heads and handing them over.
Matt settled them in their crate and shut it up. "They'll be alright, I promise."
"They better be." Al smiles softly.
"Feel free to let Eagle skin me if they're not," he chuckled tiredly.
Al steps over hugging him tight. Matt hugged back fiercely, wanting to cling for one more moment before he left.
Eventually they had to part. Al sat on the couch watching as Matt slipped further away. The crates were loaded up and Matt climbed into the truck with Gil and they set off to the airport. Their link grew thinner and thinner till he was left with a cold nothingness.
"Alfie...?" Ro crept up behind him, gripping his shirt.
He turns, "Hey."
"Are you sad...?"
"...a little.."
She hugged him tight. "I'm not Matt but I can still try..."
Al smiles hugging back. All she wanted to do was keep them smiling.
No one would be able to fill in Matt's space completely. Before he struck out in independence they were nearly considered one territory, that was what made them twins like the Italies. The Italies have a similar link like they do but being separate growing up and without as strong a magic inheritance it wasn't as powerful as theirs.. But he was happy to have Ro try, for what little while she'd still be here.
She knew she had to go soon but she didn't want to leave Al all sad...
"Don't worry too much about me, I'll be fine."
"If you're fine, why aren't you smiling...?" she pouted.
That got a little smirk out of him. She grinned at that, giving him a squeeze.
"Thank you.."
"I just like you smiling."
"I like you smiling too."
She beamed at that, heart swelling. Al grins brightly.
"Francis is gonna help me make a cake, wanna help?"
"Sure thing."
She giggled excitedly, pulling him back towards the kitchen. It would keep him busy for a while at least.
Ro was a very good distraction really. Al set all the chicks within sight on the kitchen table to watch though, might be a good idea to start getting Jules familiar with the rest.
Where was she anyway? Had Gil taken her for a ride in the truck?
"I'll be back in a sec." He runs up to M-Gil's room to check.
Much to his surprise, he actually found a ball of sulking crimson feathers huddled on Matt's pillow.
Al smiles softly scooping her up. 'Come on, it's time you met your cousins.'
She fluffed up anxiously, gripping onto his sleeve. 'Y-you smell like Papa...!'
'I'm sorry.. He had to leave for a while.. But I promise to look after you.'
'Who are you...?' she danced nervously, looking around.
'I'm Alfred, your uncle.' Have they really not been introduced?
Gil hadn't brought her outside much... Most of her world was this room... 'Uncle...'
Al smiles taking her downstairs. Jules eyed him curiously for a moment before snuggling into him. He sits down at the table next to his own nest.
At the sight of new chicks, Jules quirked her head curiously. 'What are they...?'
'Eagles, same as me.'
'What am I...?'
'Phoenix.'
'Oh... Is that like eagle?'
Gil couldn't communicate with the little bird properly. She probably had so many questions that no one could hear. Al smiles sitting and chatting with her while the other two baked, occasionally his own chicks popped in with questions of their own. Jules chirped happily, glad to finally have company.
A few hours later Gil came back sitting at the table with a sigh. Ro bounced up when she heard the door, frowning at the downcast albino. She slipped into the kitchen, quietly picking up one of the cupcakes she and Francis made earlier before coming over to him. "Hey..."
He glanced up.
She offered him the cake. "We did baking, wanna try one...?"
He smiles softly taking it. She sat beside him, smiling and hoping it would cheer him up.
Al sat petting Jules, feeling a little empty himself. Jules seemed pretty content with Al, having bonded very quickly, but she still went to Gil. She hopped over, nudging him with her beak. 'Daddy?'
Gil scooped her up snuggling. She crooned softly, snuggling in. He smiles softly.
"She looks happy," Ro smiled from her seat.
"Remind me to teach you how to speak bird Gil."
'I wanna talk to daddy,' Jules squawked, flapping excitedly.
Al chuckles, while Gil just looks curious. She turned back to Gil, nipping him gently.
Francis comes over after cleaning up the cakes and sits with them.
"Did we do good cakes," Ro asked the Frenchman as he sat. No one else was talking and she didn't want it to be quiet again.
"Yes we did."
She cheered happily.
Jules turned to Al. 'She's noisey...'
Al laughs softly. His smallest chick seemed eager to examine the colorful treats, scrambling out of the nest and shuffling his little body over.
"No! Not for birdies," Ro frowned softly, gently catching the chick before he could get to a cake.
Al laughs a little, "George is kind of an odd one.."
"His name is George?" she looked at the bird curiously.
"Gotta call him something don't I? It fits him."
"I've never knew a bird called George before..."
"Well I picked the name for two reasons."
She cocked her head curiously.
"My first President was named George.." Al smiles a bit. "And so is a little monkey that wanders around just as much as he does."
"A little monkey," her face lit up at that. "I wanna see the monkey!"
Gil even cracked a little at that. George cheeped in her hands, nipping her knuckle. Al grins softly.
"What on earth is all this commotion?" Arthur came in, chuckling softly. "All I can hear outside is cheering and squawking."
"We made cakes."
"Oh really?" he smirked, sighing dramatically when Ro nodded eagerly. "Suppose I'd better try one..."
Al took back George from her. She jumped up straight after, fetching Arthur a cake. It was kind of nice to see her bubble with pride for a change. Al was surprised she even picked up George in the first place..
It must have been a mix of her good mood and his fluffiness.
Al settles him back in with his siblings. The nest snuggled together.
Even though they were slowly splitting up, it was nice to see everyone so happy for a change. It was something to be happy about at least.
Just watching them now, it was clear Ro would be happy with Arthur... That was another worry off his mind.
True, but would he himself be ok? Gil could always leave and he'd have no one at all to stop his anxiety on being alone and attacked again..
He'd always have either of his parents just a phonecall away... But just a voice wasn't the same at times...
...He'd be fine.. No one is going to jump him anymore, he's handled living by himself before. He can do it again. It'll all be fine... Just fine...
The rest of the day passed on rather quickly, Ro in a cheery mood and Al teaching Gil a few basic words in bird. Jules wouldn't stop chirping for nearly an hour after Gil spoke to her in her own language. As soon as she figured out he couldn't hold a conversation, she started to sulk again.
It was a start though. Gil spent the next hour trying to cheer her up. It kind of worked. She came out of her nest box at least.
Al had stolen outside with his nest for some sun, laying on the balcony and watching the sky roam past. Soft white clouds trundled across the endless blue expanse, like old men, taking their time as they got from one place to another.
The chicks explored the grass around the nest but never for more than about 5 minutes at a time.
He must have passed out at one point because a second later he was somewhere completely different. Wait... Not different. He was still outside but rather than sunshine, the sky above was full of Ro's furious face.
"..Ro?"
She pursed her lips, tears welling up in her eyes as she just thrusted an empty cake tin in his face. Al looked at it then back to her confused.
"Your stupid birds knocked them all on the floor," she threw the tin on the ground.
Al frowns, how? They where out here with him..
Or they should have been. One glance told him they weren't. The best was empty. Where did they go?!
"Francis got them," she stepped back, tears starting to flow. "You don't even care about my cakes, do you...?"
"Ro.."
"No," she shoved him angrily. "Go see your stupid chicks! They're all you care about anyway!"
"Wait, Ro!"
"Leave me alone!"
He reached toward her.
She flinched back. "Don't touch me! You're a filthy bird!"
"Please.."
She shook her head, backing up until her back hit the house. He paced after. She bit her lip, her anger shifting into fear as he drew closer.
"Ro.. Please.. Just listen.."
She shrank down, trembling.
"Ro.."
"Alfred, y-you're scaring me..." she whimpered, cowering like he was going to hit her.
"But.. I'm not doing anything.."
"You're growing feathers!"
Al frowns looking to his hands. His nails were longer, scales starting to form in his skin.
"I'm not doing that.."
But there was anger bubbling up inside of him. Eagle...
Why?!
The comment against the chicks maybe? Eagles got awfully protective of their young...
He jumped back a step. Still it wasn't normal..
Ro made a break for it, dashing back to the house. As her foot came down though, one of the chicks waddled out onto the porch. There was no way she could stop...!
Al's heart clenched.
The chick squealed and then was silenced as her foot landed with a sickening crunch. Ro paled in horror, giving a terrified choke.
Al shivers softly dropping to the ground. Eagle bubbled with rage, wings itching to burst out of Al's back.
Ro huddled against the door, sobbing uncontrollably. "I-I didn't, I..."
He hugged himself fighting to keep his emotions straight. The image of the chick just kept coming back, burning behind his eyelids. Eagle was screaming in his head, slowly powering through.
"H-help."
Ro hiccupped in confusion.
*There is no help,* Eagle burst free, lashing out at the redhead.
*No!*
Claws lashed out, talons sinking into flesh. Ro screamed. Someone called his name, but all he could see was red.
No! This wasn't right! This wasn't him!
Someone tackled him to the side, shaking him roughly. Eagle shrank back as everything started to turn black. The last thing he could hear was Ro sobbing and Arthur hushing her gently before it all faded away.
Al gasped choking roughly. He felt his stomach rising up to his throat.
Gentle hands steadied him, soothing voice pulling his mind back to where it should be. "Whoa there, cowboy, just slow down a moment."
Al shook turning and puking on the grass.
"It's alright," his addled brain managed to recognize Molly's voice, just about linking it to the small hands rubbing his back.
It took a few minutes to catch his breath again, but he still shook with nerves.
"Honey, breathe," she cooed, gently guiding his face up. "Just look at me..."
He glanced up but his sight was blurry with tears.
"It was just a dream," she pulled him into a hug, petting his hair. "None of it was real..."
Al folded in limply clenching his eyes shut.
"Okay sweetie, just take your time," she cooed, swaying gently.
He stayed there until he finally calmed again.
"Alright now...?"
He nodded softly.
"What was all that about anyway?" she frowned with concern. "I came out to fetch you in and you were freaking out... Took me a good five minutes to wake you..."
"Sorry.."
"It's alright honeybee, I just want to make sure you're okay."
He swallowed sorely, rubbing his face.
"How about we get you inside and get a drink, hm? Your nest is waiting - I took them in already cuz they were starting to catch a chill."
Al glanced over instinctively, but nodded. Molly helped up and lead him inside, setting him at the table with his chicks. Five happy healthy little fluffballs chirped happily up at him, perfectly content. Al sighs pulling them closer.
*Daddy seems sad,* one of them peeped.
*What's wrong, daddy?* another asked as they all look up at him.
*Just a bad dream..*
*What are dreams?*
*Things you see when you sleep.. Sometimes they're happy sometimes they aren't..*
*Did you have one not happy...?*
*Yes..*
They all peeped sadly, snuggling into him. He petted them gently.
"Here you go sweetie," Molly set down a glass of water for him just as a cry came from the other room.
"Molly!" Ro ran through, red smeared across her face and chest, tears in her eyes.
Al's eyes grew wide. His heart stopped as he trembles.
"Honey, what happened?" Molly rushed over.
"Gil threw my pie at me," Ro sobbed. "My dress is all sticky now...!"
Pie..? He blinked, but still couldn't seem to relax again.
"Now now," Molly sighed in relief. "It's not ruined, it just needs a wash. Come on, let's get up cleaned up."
Al watched them leave and sighs shakily, laying his head on the table. George hopped over, nudging his hand. Al smiles slightly petting him.
*Calm yourself,* Eagle counselled. *All is fine.* Al sighs gathering himself for a minute.
Molly came back in with Ro's dress in one hand, Gilbert's ear in the other. "..and you are going to wash this out by hand, do you understand me?"
"OW! It was an accident!"
"How do you accidentally cover someone in pie?"
Al smirks softly as Gil grumbles on the way to the laundry room.
"I don't want to hear a peep outta you until that dress is spotless! Then you're going to apologize to Ro!"
"Alright, alright!"
"Then get to it," she pushed him in with a slap on the rear before shutting the door with a tired sigh.
"Why'd he even do it?" Al asked.
"I don't bloody know," she huffed. "Probably sulking over Matt."
Al hums petting George again.
"How are you now sweetie?" she softened, coming to sit with him. "You don't look quite so pale now..."
"Better I guess?"
"Do you wanna talk about it?" she offered kindly, sitting across from him and taking his hand.
Al gripped lightly thinking a moment. He tried to talk a few times before just signing it out, hands shaking softly as he continued.
Molly's eyes grew sadder and sadder as she watched, heart aching slightly. "That would never happen," she cooed gently. "Eagle's been rather docile since... S-since the incident at the base that year... He would never hurt Ro... Nor would she ever hurt your chicks..."
"It just, it looked so real.."
"I know honey," she took his hands again, holding them comfortingly. "It must have been a horrible fright... But it's all gone now, so no worries. We're all still here."
He smiles softly.
"We still have pie left," she smirked softly. "Shall we grab a spoon?"
"I'd like that.."
She kissed his knuckles softly before bouncing up and fetching him his treat.
Well he hadn't been eating all his food the last few days.. It wasn't enough to worry about just yet though.
Not that Molly wasn't going to correct what she could while she was here; even if it meant feeding him.
He just needed to get himself together again was all.
He knew Molly. She'd give him whatever kind of attention he needed - unless it was an area better suited for Ivan's help. They sat eating their pie Al's mood settling again.
Ro came back down in her pajamas, looking rather upset still. Molly just called her over, siting her with them. "Cheer up honey, you're prettier with a smile on your face."
Al reached over and hugs her.
Ro brightened immediately when she noticed Alfred. "Al!" she snuggled in, hugging tight. "I haven't seen you all day...!"
"Sorry.."
"It's okay, I was playing with the bunnies," she hummed, snuggling in.
He smiles softly.
Ro sniffed and pulled back with a mild look of disgust. "You smell all sweaty..."
"I do?"
She nodded deftly. "You need a wash..."
"Oh.."
"It's true hun," Molly chuckled softly. "Thought I'd leave it till you settled but our dear little bubble of energy couldn't wait."
"Uh.. I guess I'll go shower then.."
"I'll watch the nest," Molly hummed brightly. "Ro's going to help me!"
"Wait, what?! No. I don't..." Ro shifted uncomfortably. "I don't wanna..."
'She's scared of birds..'
'I know'
"Why are you two waving your hands around?!"
"Nothing.."
"Look, sweetie," Molly came over, taking her hands gently. "I know you don't like birds, but there's an awful lot of them in the world. I just want you to get used to them a bit is all."
Al's hands twitched glancing to the chicks.
The chicks just peered curiously over the side of their nest at the girls. Ro glanced between the nest and the nations, anxiety building in her body.
"...Ro I want to show you something alright?"
"What is it...?" she didn't look up to seeing much right now...
Al smiles softly going to the kitchen drawer and pulling out a bit of foil. He then wraps it around the id tag of a lanyard and comes back to the table. Ro watched with curious trepidation. What was a bit of foil meant to prove?
Al grins holding the other end of the lanyard and waving it around in front of the chicks. "Shiny fish~"
All five chicks followed it in unison, chirping excitedly. The flapped and tried to reach it but just ended up tumbling over each other. Al chuckles softly before he felt a brief warmth, a whispy form shot out of his chest and chased after it as well.
Ro watched in quiet amazement. "Why are they chasing it...? It's not a fish at all..."
"It's shiny like one though, even I get caught up on stuff like this sometimes. Birds like to play just as much as dogs or bunnies do, you should see some of the crazy videos online."
"But bunnies don't have sharp claws and big beaks..." she muttered doubtfully. "Bunnies never hurt me..."
"I'll tell you something about wild eagles.. They're more scared of people than you'd think. Bald eagles in particular don't like being anywhere near them unless they were raised in a rescue facility. My people nearly killed them off so now they're naturally wary around humans."
"I'm not a human..." she started edging back. "I-I'm a fairy. We... T-they catch us right out of the sky and take us back to their nests... They ruin our homes and scratch up our trees, a-and..."
Al frowned inwardly, Eagle's form joining with him again.
"Honey, calm down," Molly stepped back in, cooing softly. "Look, they're so much smaller than you now, what can they do to you?"
"Scratch and peck and fly at me," Ro whined. "Please just let me go..."
Al sets down the improvised toy, this wasn't going to change easily.. Then again, when was anything ever easy in this family?
"I'll go shower, don't worry about them they'll be fine." Al stood up heading upstairs. He left Molly still sorting Ro, the chicks calling after him.