Notes & Disclaimers:

• Rio is Blue Sky Studios property.

(2023): This chapter is under maintenance until further notice. Until then, please enjoy this glimpse of the chapter.

(Please leave a comment and enjoy.)

Chapter Thirty One: Chained Together

A couple hours later, Jewel was still sleeping and at peace. Blu, however, was in the opposite position. He was awake and the only one to notice that his left leg was completely tied to Jewel's right leg by a thick strong vine. With her sleeping, Blu had to carry her (bride style) through the jungle and was only annoyed with "tying the knot" so soon. He was trying to take care of her and going towards their home, near where their scarlet pair friends were currently dining together in their nest on the ground.

"Hmm." Mikka purred as she was snuggling her head to Leo's. So he replied, "I can see you're comfortable, my dear."

"Yep. Right now it's just you and me…and these sweet berries." They were eating treats called Cerulean Sky Berries and just sat while admiring each other on their own date at home. "And nothing else to worry about. Which makes me wonder how Blu and Jewel are doing."

"Knowing them, Leo, I think they're having the time of their lives. Though, despite how adorable they make their relationship look, they'll never top you and me, Loveo." Mikka kissed Leo, and they ate more berries. "Love you."

"Love you too…Mikkove?" Leo tried giving her a nickname but Mikka only chuckled to that. "Nice try, sweetie, but in this relationship, I'm the only one who gets to come up with the memorable nicknames. Hehehe! That was a good try though."

"Thanks." Leo only laughed back and encouraged the sweet hug she gave him next.

"Hmm…a perfect day to a perfect life."

"Yeah. Hey, once it's sunset, do you wanna walk around in the jungle?"

"Sure. Only if you're willing to fly and carry m-"

"Wait. I wanna stop you there. I can't fly or carry you. I haven't flown since your wing got ripped."

"I-I know, but look, just because I'm grounded forever that doesn't mean you have to be."

"Actually, I'm afraid it does. I care about you way too much, and the night when we separated and you got your wing ripped…it was the worst day of my life. From there, I wanted to make sure that I would never do anything that would make me feel like I was bragging to you about the fact that I can still fly."

"I know that, and I really appreciate you trying to look out for me like that but what I don't want is for me to be an anchor in your life."

Leo froze for a moment, feeling stunned. "An anchor?"

"Yes."

He sighed and only smiled at her before making him and herself lay down beside each other. "Mikka…you will never be an anchor to me. You are the smartest, most loving, and most beautiful bird I've ever known. When we left our family nests together, do you remember why?"

"Yes? So we could live somewhere new and stay together forever."

"Exactly. So whether we can both fly or not, I only care about staying with you and only you. So I rather stay with you on the ground forever than be alone in the air."

"Aww. You really love me like that?"

"Absolutely. Plus, with walks, they feel slow and more romantic. My kind of style with a girl like you."

"Hehehe."

Mikka was feeling totally wooed over by her best bird and proud with how much effort he always put into remembering how to properly care for her. So she kissed him again and tickled him with her talons. They both laughed with joy and felt unbothered. Until a sudden cough was heard. "Hey guys? Mikka? Leo?" That came from Blu, and when the pair heard him, they exited their nest by opening their grass curtain (which was installed to their home a long time ago) before seeing their adoptive son carrying his sleepy girlfriend.

"Oh. Hi, Blu. How are you doing?" Mikka asked and wanted to hug her son but noticed that his wings were still full as he replied, "Hi guys, right now we're doing fine, but in a bit of a situation."

"I'll say, sport. You look like you and Jewel tied the knot." Leo joked. "Look." He pointed to their legs to make Mikka notice. "Oh, what happened?" She asked.

Blu explained, "Me and Jewel were trying to spend our new day together. We raced, splashed around in the lake, and I decided to do some gliding by having her carry me with her talons and strong vines. And well…you can see what happened."

…

More Notes & Disclaimers:

Thank you for reading. Know that the new versions of each chapter will arrive eventually.