A/N: After countless drafts; countless writing time, I finally finished this chapter, but then I have more work to be done... ~_~ that means less writing time...

Chapter 3
Sob o Luar

~Beatriz~

To love and be loved is probably the most ancient pleasure and desire that ever come to a being, the succulent feeling of being desired from a person (or bird in my case) that willing to spend his remaining time with you; to hold, to kiss, to smile and to hug in the midst of the insidious tempest of reality, a shield that never waver, tempered from the majestic fire of love.

I'm not unfamiliar with such feelings. I could sense it; I could feel it; the warmth, the security and the twisting passion searing through the atmosphere akin to a fireworks display, combusting in a bright-colored illumination across the cold, dark sky.

I couldn't describe just exactly how love can drive you mad; can drive you in a state where control was merely an actual barrier that withhold the gargantuan tsunami of sheer passion of what love truly is, undulated by default, magnificent at all aspect.

Such ripples of passion and lust was surging through my system when we twirled our tongues in almost a synchronous motion, fighting for dominance as they overlaid with each other. The scorching passion could only be concluded when our lungs begged for fresh oxygen, puffing our intoxicating breaths into each other. My nostrils were induced with a heavy dose of his titillating breaths, his pheromones overloaded my brain as I fixed my eyes with his. I lifted my wings and brushed his scar; it was the sign for him to seal the parchment that contained his willingness to be with me; to become my mate.

I beamed when he closed his eyes in exhilaration, exhaling one blissful breath before his blue-colored irises reveled themselves from his eyelids, "I can't never have enough of you, Beatriz."

"I love you, Frost. I really love you." I crumpled down to his chest and dug my beak to inhale another dose of his intangible aroma as I could feel his velvety wings caressed my spine. He later nuzzled my head before plating a kiss on my forehead. I felt a tingle at the spot where his beak just recently touched my skin; a platonic kiss that allowed me to understand just how much he loves me.

I couldn't repress such urge to mesh my beak back with his, his delicious saliva was still lingering within my beak as the after-taste from our kiss earlier. Without caution, I reconvened my beak with his after recovering from the strangulated effect of our previous kiss, relishing his saliva tittered my savory senses after it swapped itself with mine. The heavenly tier of ecstasy was upon me when we waltzed our tongue again in the dance of their own.

I'm completely aware such action will end up in the societal term of "making love" if I kept myself to just savor the conjured lusts that slowly crept over my consciousness. The mere beak-lock was more than enough to become a catalyst to crumble my repressive wall and ignore the danger gauge that constantly remind me the dreading outcome if I continued. I closed my eyes and savored our romantic kiss intensified in passion and acceleration, sucking me into the whirlpool of pleasures and delight from the battle of our gustatory organs.

I couldn't stop, either wanted to stop in any reason. The luscious kiss casted my rational thoughts away, driven by the crescendo of our tongue and love in the rapturous action; a symphony from our saliva-coated muscles of passion unmatched as they entwined with each other. I wished the time remained static for that extent where our love induced with passion evolved into the utmost intimacy (well, at least for this stage) and a few pants from our olfactory senses won't enough to cease the eloquent kiss.

I didn't know how long the time had elapsed during our passionate kiss, nor such trivial matter is actually considered as important. A thread of saliva was pulled thin when we parted our beak and stared into each other's eyes. He emitted a seductive growl before I could feel his elastic muscle recited its skirmish towards mine, meshed our beak together once more like a perfect jigsaw puzzle piece.

We jolted in unison when my auditory sense detected a clearing of a throat; hot shame was searing through me when I hastily pulled out of Frost in a rather abrupt motion, the rush was inevitably to make such calamitous outcome when Frost hastily clasped his beak shut before I could slid out my tongue properly; the stinging electric zap of pain was demonstrated with a loud moan of pain that manage to put all the former romantic act into total horrific embarrassment.

I turned my head with my face turned ruby from the shame, glimpsed towards a familiar figure of my little brother with an awkward smile donned his face, "I really came at a bad time, didn't I?" He then burst into laugh, "You two should really find a hollow."

Frost hung his head in shame, unable to make a steady eye contact with my little brother. I noticed his apologetic look when my eyes meet his, a silent remark that could be deciphered as, "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to bite your tongue." Before I glared dagger at my little brother. "Wha do yee wan?" I said with my tongue remained malfunctioning, causing my clause to be equivalent with a hatchling in the beginning of talking lessons.

"I'm sorry, sis. I didn't mean to disturb a mating ritual for any means."

His statement hurled more fuel to the fire of embarrassment that already presented with our reddened face, sometimes I was thankful it was Tiago that caught us "making out" – in human term – otherwise, the result might be more… catastrophic… I should say.

"It… It's not… like that… Tiago." Frost stuttered, nibbling his wingtip that made me groan, "Uhm… what… are you doing here?"

"Well, I want to talk to you about something." He replied, "But I see that you have something else to do."

"Oh." Frost sheepishly replied, recovering from the initial shock and sheer embarrassment from having our love bubble popped up, I presume. "Well… uhm… It's not like that… not that I…" He groaned, "Anyway, what exactly do you want to talk to me?" He leaned closer to me and asked sheepishly, "Is your tongue okay? Sorry I didn't mean… to bite…." in a decibel that he intended for my ear only.

I flashed him a weak smile even the stinging sensation was still fresh on my tongue. "I'm fine," was all I said when Tiago resumed his chat with Frost. "I need you to help me on something, Frost." He flashed an uncomfortable smile, "Maybe we can talk it on the way; it's on the Scarlet macaw tribe."

"Oh sis, I almost forgot. Mom asked me to tell you that she wanted you to babysit Lía for today."

"Mom out for today again? Oh well, okay then." I turned my head to my lovebird, "Go home as fast as you can, or maybe you can drop by me in my Mom's hollow. I bet Lía will be ecstatic to see you."

He stiffled a chuckle, "I will, Beatriz. I really want to see that feathery bundle too." We shared one last clipped kiss before he projected himself into the air, following my little brother's suit into the vast blue sky.

To this date, I'm still unable to fathom the whole reason why my mindset has been significantly altered. Once I have an insatiable thirst of knowledge, but right now I'm standing with a bird that I never want to let go. My desire is cleanly to start a family with him, though I indeed delayed our union for something else; I won't deny my longing to have chicks on my own.

Mom and Dad had always been the so-romantic-couple I looked upon (it's not nasty, you never really asked your parents' love story, right?), and I longed such strong female character like my Mom with an endearing mate on her side, spending the time like there's no tomorrow; as if they are match-made in heaven.

Of course, the most noticeable fruit of their love is us, me and my siblings, brought into the world with a shield from my parents, teaching me a faintest hope of what's bright in the seemingly unforgiving world, back to the beginning; it is to love and be loved.

Having chicks on my own isn't exactly what I want to evade, but the consequences of having one without lots of things you need to consider before you are pretty sure that you wouldn't put your chicks in jeopardy, but inside jubilation under the sun (and some other reason why I chose to abstain).

I remembered uncle's Rafael gargantuan family with their eighteen rambunctious hyperactive hatchlings (also their tendency to unleash their wrath into someone dared enough to get close to their nest) that somehow make me ponder just how they apply the discipline for their multitude hatchlings, and judging by their behavior, the method is not exactly effective or showing any result (and I'm still confused how they can act like a butterfly without care in the world), and for that, I vowed to myself no matter how much Frost going to ask or any kind aphrodisiac injected into me, I won't have a sea of children like that.

Lía was thankfully calm and slightly energetic compared to uncle Rafael's chicks and thus taking care of her is not like taking care a baby jaguar. Lía was roughly a month old since she hatched, her posture was closer to Carla than mine except for her amber-colored irises that closer to mine, only she possessed a lighter hue.

She was fast asleep after she ate her lunch and play with me for a while. Took her half an hour to deplete her energy reserves before her eyes started to droop from the fatigue that crept in; I didn't even yet reached her nest when she fell asleep on my wings.

Unwanted to disturb her precious slumber, I settled myself on the brim of the hollow with Lía sleeping on my clutches. Her occasional stir blasted me a sense of euphoria, the tactile sensation evoked a little jittery from the friction of our plumages. I nuzzled her head tenderly before staring blankly at the sky and observed the puffy white patches on the sky; it makes me ponder if I ever touched them, would be as soft as a cushion?

I issued a muffled groan, of course clouds can't be touched, but my imagination insisted something else. I sighed when I realized that my thought already been randomized from the lack of activities I could do (with a sleeping chick on my wings) resulting my imagination soared high.

I teleported my imagination on the memory lane of this morning, reminiscing the succulent kiss we shared with each other before Tiago manage to interrupt our moment. Self-control become another queries for me when I observed how its existences alone within my love with Frost is merely an exaggerated barrier that suppress the full outcome of our love rather than a real 'failsafe'. I wouldn't forget the freedom to move my tongue inside his beak, twisting and just go wild as far as I can. I didn't care if someone was watching us; I didn't care if my beak was overloaded with his saliva; I didn't care if my lungs desperately begged for fresh oxygen; all I cared about is that he was here with me to share the pleasure and worldly desire that conjured from the ruptured love, and gave me the sense of security I longed for from a mate.

I'll be honest that sometimes I just want to let all these random thoughts that became the barricade for my love casted into the void and savored the utmost intimacy I could have- as wild; as zealous; as naughty as I can with the bird that I have love for ten years. Alas, it never been as easy as flapping your wings.

Although, I had to admit whenever I saw Lía, I always had that sense of craving to have my own offsprings, and most importantly, I wanted Frost to be their father. It's no longer the mere presence of chicks that I wanted, but to build the fortress of love with him; a family I could love for.

Lía stirred once more to find a comfortable position within my wings, the movement donned me a permanent smile. I looked at her and made a silent promise to myself: today, my sister might be the chick that sleep inside my embrace, but one day… I will cuddle my own.

"Irmã, donde está mamãe?" Lía asked after she returned into the real world, yawing cutely with her high-pitched voice, "Irmã?" [Sis, where's Mommy?], [Sis?]

I smiled with her little impatience, the traits I could place a bet was based on someone obvious in my family. "Eu não sei, mas acho que mamãe vai volte aqui em breve." [I don't know, but I think she will come back soon]

"I'm hungry..." She rubbed her face on my breast.

Already? You even have a larger appetite than Carla. I chuckled internally. "Just wait, okay? Mommy will be back soon."

"Claro…" She said with a weak smile. [Okay…]

Thankfully that my Mom didn't take too long since our last conversation, a cerulean streak soon entered the hollow with a juicy plump mango on her talon. I suppose she already predicted that Lía will be hungry by the time she got home, or maybe it's just another of those motherly instincts Mom used to tell me during one of those parenting lessons.

"I bet you two have a wonderful time together?" Mom asked, attacking the mango and softening the once semi-hardened flesh into mere juice before she passed it to my little sister's awaiting beak. "You can say that, Mom. Although what she did all the time was sleeping." I issued a chuckle.

"Reminds me of you, Bia. Always easily tired when you were a chick." Mom echoed my chuckle.

"Well, I used a lot of brainpower back then, and my posture isn't exactly suited for long-term processing." I said smartly, and judging by Mom's puzzled looks, I know she didn't understand anything I just said.

"You are just like your father, always been the smartest and nerd bird." Mom quipped, "And I proud to have you as my family."

The "nerd" label wasn't exactly something offensive for me, mainly from my Mom because I know she never intended to offend me in any way. After all, I'm her children, and I'm pretty sure no mother will neglect their children, right?

…

…

Oh, right. Cheese and sprinkles.

A burp escaped from Lía's beak when she finished swallowing the last juice Mom gave her; her high energy reserves pulled the energetic lever to the active side when I saw her vibrant eyes widened. "Mommy, when I can fly?"

One month, I don't think her wings are developed enough to have a proper airlift…

"Soon, sweetie. Soon" Mom patiently replied.

"But I want to fly, many birds fly and I want to fly too."

I giggled internally with her innocence and obliviousness towards the world, only fulfilling the basic desire to grow up soon and join the adult party. Mom soothed her by nuzzling her forehead, "You are reminded me a lot of Tiago, Lía. Just wait, okay? When you are old enough, Mommy will teach you."

A disappointed look was obviously engraved her face when she heard Mom's remark. She sighed before addressing a few approving nods, "Okay… but I really want to fly…"

Observing Mom's adamant patience made me write some mental notes on how to become a lovely mother for my future hatchlings, certainly the road will be full of tedious and arduous tasks, but I bet it will be worth when I can hear my progenies chirped in delight, one day… One day I will have mine.

I casted my gaze towards the amber tint that already colored the sky, surprised with the haste of the time flows by. Frost hadn't yet showed up when I decided to make a trip back to my hollow. "Mom, I think I should head back now." I said, smiling at my little sister that currently occupied my Mom's back.

"Thank you for today, I'm glad you want to help me taking care of your little sister." She beamed, "Although Bia, I have one question."

"Huh, what is it Mom?"

"When can I see my grandchildren?"

My face was flushed with embarrassment when my brain registered my Mom's query, "Uh… that appear out of nowhere." (sheesh Mom…) I whispered, "Oh… I… Uh…"

It took me two full minutes of stutter to realize that she was jesting with me when I saw the wide grin on her face. I slapped my wing to my face – as in 'facepalm' in human term – and groaned.

"I'm just kidding, Bia." She chuckled and looked at my reddened face, "Although I'm really looking to see your chicks with Frost."

I issued a sarcastic chuckle, "Very funny, Mom. Anyway, I need to go now, see you later, you too, irmã." I brushed her face with my wings until she let out an annoyed snort.

The definition of freedom is incredibly vary if you ever asked a couple of people inside one group. Some can describe the freedom like flying (at least for birds), while some can say that freedom is like living without a care in the world.

There's also some certain freedom inside the art of love when you able to squeeze all the juice of your heart and poured it to the person that you hold so tight in your life. Sexual cravings – not to sound derogatory – is one of the things you can't avoid when you induced yourself inside a romantic relationship, because by default, love and lust is a twin sister, they are synergized by nature, and I learned even with just how much I wanted to abstain, it will reach me eventually.

The sight of my hollow soon materialized when I was just meters away from planting my talon on the wooden-textured surface of my hollow's floor. I walked inside the silence that blanketed the room with deafening intensity.

Tap…

Tap…

No, he isn't yet home… I mused when I looked at the sudden barren and enormous construction of my abode. The silence pierced through my ear in a decibel that could rip my eardrum apart – metaphorically – and I delved myself back to reminiscing the memories of my previous visit to babysit Lía.

I looked at the empty hollow and sighed; the atmosphere was dull and boring when I waited for my mate's return to my embrace. I fantasized the family member that will fill the empty 'rooms' one day and I saw myself and Frost together in it.

A warm sensation shackled me back into the real world as a pair of periwinkle-colored wings enveloped me, the aroma of his sweet pheromones intoxicated my nostrils when I heard him muttered, "Hey beautiful."

I rotated my body one-hundred and eighty degrees angle to meet his vibrant blue eyes, his periwinkle wings still blanketed me within the warmth of his love. He pressed me tighter into his body when my beak met his, reconvening our tongues together in one sugary kiss.

I dug my beak into his chest when the kiss concluded, savoring his warmth spread out throughout my body with his titillating scent fulfilled my desire to know that he was with here with me to relish the love we had for each other.

I exhaled one blissful sigh and leveled my gaze back with him, looking at his amorous stare towards me. "I'm sorry for being a little late. Let's just say… Tiago's problem was much more complicated than I thought."

"Huh? What exactly he asked for help with?"

"I'm not allowed to speak." He put his primaries in his beak, "But maybe I can say a few clues and you can try to- "

"Nah, if he wants to keep it a secret then do it. I think I will know it sooner or later anyway." I interjected. "Besides, right now I just want you to hug me; I miss you so much." I closed my eyes in exhilaration.

I could feel his velvety wings caressed my back with his head rested on my forehead. "I have a surprise for you."

I opened my eyes and looked at him enthusiastically, "Oh really? What is that?"

"Follow me," He said, unfurling his wings and soared into the evening sky. I untucked my wings and followed his suit, predicting the kind of surprise he might set for me.

Took us around ten minutes of flight before Frost descended into a kapok tree, "Wait here for a while." He said before he immersed into the jungle foliage.

He then returned with two pairs of different fruits on his respective talons. My eyes rapidly recognize the type of fruits – or berries – he brought for me. "I can't believe you find camu camu and acerola berries in here."

He chuckled, "I found this by accident earlier today, I bet you will like to taste them."

I accepted his kind offer and hastily devoured the delectable treats, licking my beak to wipe the remaining sweet juice that stained my beak. "This is… very delicious."

He smiled, "Thankfully the trees are reserved for us only, so we can enjoy as much as we can."

"Oh, is this a date?"

He blushed, "Well, yes. We never have any dates anymore, and I want to have one with you today…"

"Frost, I like it. Thank you for this, I love you." I leaned down towards him and gave him a kiss, infused with the sweet-flavored berries.

He collected a mound of berries for us to eat while we snuggled together, watching the full moon illuminating the jungle with its silvery radiance. The tranquil atmosphere immersed myself and him in the bubble of our love, care not to the world around us as we enjoyed each other's presence.

I grabbed one of the acerola berries and smacked my beak shut, pinching the berries to explode in the burst of tart juice as I chewed, and swallowed it with a satisfying gulp. I let my beak stained with scarlet dye and continued to eat the scrumptious berries, occasionally looking at my lovebirds that frozen at the sight of the majestic full moon.

"Frost?"

He rotated his head and saw me. "Whoa there! I thought you were a vampire…"

I chortled, unable to speak from the masses of berry-like juice on my beak.

"You really don't want to wipe that, huh? It's barbaric…"

I gulped it down and answered rhetorically, "Or maybe I just want you to wipe the juice away."

He formed a mischievous grin saturated with playfulness. "Oh really, you want me to lick that clean?"

It is almost like a magnet with opposite polar on how our beaks kept reunify with each other. I inserted my tongue towards his cavern, licking the lingering taste of the fruits he just ate on his rooftops. His tongue trailed on my stained beak, wiping the blotches of juice clean from it and shuddered in delight. "It's tastes so much better from your mouth."

I flashed him a smile and continued our kiss, reciting the interrupted morning kiss that manage to overpower my self-control. I twisted my tongue wildly, battling his gustatory organ in one epic wrestle match before Frost clipped our kiss from the earsplitting thunder. "Seems we need to go home soon."

I cursed mother nature for interrupting yet my another romantic moment, nonetheless, I nodded and followed his suit back into our hollow. The sky began to leak when we were a quarter away from our abode, I shivered from the blizzardous wind that impaired my flight as fat droplets of freezing water started its skirmish towards the earth below. Frost trapped my wings and hastily sandwiched me between his talons, carrying me into our hollow with his body acting like a shield from the unrelenting barrage of rainwater.

I could detect his shivers when we landed on our hollow and retreated hurriedly into our nest. His damp feathers were fully erected to maintain his body heat when he shook the freezing droplets away from his plumages and continued to stammer violently.

I unfurled my wings and hugged him tighter than ever, "Thank you," I said as I snuggled deeper to share my body warmth to him, "For always protecting me."

He donned me a smile and kissed me on my forehead. "I love you, Beatriz." His wings enveloped me, trapping our body heat together. I pushed him down intentionally, causing him to land on his back. He looked at me with a confused yet seductive gaze, "Bia…"

I couldn't hold it; I couldn't contain the raw passion that burning hotter than ever, my desire; my lust to have him; to learn the art of 'making love' was invoked in one single blow when I started to nibble his neck feathers. I could feel his wings hold mine as we locked our beak for the countless times. "Frost… take me as your mate; love me tonight."

A/N: If you think I deserve a review, don't hesitate to give me one. I promise I will try to make the next one come out faster.

Sob o Luar means Under the Moonlight in Portuguese... or something like that...

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