#sparrow-in-the-field

[seasidesandstarscapes]

Constant

Summary: Shorty won’t let anything come between his friendship with Jim

Rating: G

Genre: Canon Era, Period-Typical Attitudes, Friendship, Pre-Relationship, Internal Conflict, Trust, Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Hopeful Ending

Words: 1391

A/N: happy belated birthday to @sparrow-in-the-field !! Thank you for being one of my first friends in tbitb fandom!!! <33

-

AO3

or

The rumors start with varsity.

Their whispers and glances are easy enough to brush off at first. Whatever they’re up to now, once they’re on the water, the so-called golden boys are quick to eat their words.

The judgement doesn’t stop however and by the following week, Bobby snaps at varsity, telling them if they have something to say, they should say it to their faces.

This calms the tension a bit, but accusations still sneak in until Shorty can’t let it go. Evil words wrap around his brain, tightening like a noose. None of it is true. Or if it is, no one deserves that kind of hatred.

Shorty stares long and hard at the stained wood in front of him before he takes a breath. With a shaking hand on the knob, Shorty opens the door, the creaking hinges announcing his arrival.

Jim is already there, sat at his desk, head buried in his notes and books. He glances up when Shorty comes in, gives just a small wave before turning back to his homework. Shorty tries to force a smile but it‘s a weak attempt at best. Fear courses through his veins, each step is heavier than the last. By some miracle, he reaches his side of the room and sets his bag down near the bed.

The space is quiet save for Jim’s pencil scratching the paper. Staring at the wall, Shorty thinks to forget the whole thing. It’s not his business. Not his worry. The other side of him wins out, however, and he begins to speak, his whole body shaking.

“I don’t know if the rumors are true, but if they are, you’re still my friend.”

Jim’s writing comes to a stop. Now in the thick of it, Shorty can’t face him. If he’s wrong, he’s made a serious accusation. But if all of it is true, he worries. Not for himself but for Jim.

“What?” Jim’s voice is soft and, dare Shorty think it, scared.

“What varsity was saying about you,” Shorty jumps to explain.

His mind is a flurry now and he spins to look at Jim. He falters when Jim isn’t looking back, where instead he still faces his homework, posture tight.

“If you are…,” Shorty can’t say it and he makes a hand motion he knows Jim can’t see. “I don’t mind. You’re my friend and always will be.”

He winces at the words, how forced they seem. Awkward and hesitant. Yet he means what he says. As long as Jim doesn’t commit some atrocity like murder, Shorty wants to remain by his side. He needs Jim, his friendship, his guidance.

Shorty is so lost in his own thoughts that he flinches when Jim stands, facing him head on.

“You mean that?”

Shorty blinks, nods. He straightens up, doesn’t break the staredown between Jim and himself.

Then, Jim’s arms are wrapped around him, squeezing so tight, Shorty struggles to breath. He thinks he hears a small sob escape from Jim and Shorty is quick to return the embrace. How long Jim has been hurting, he doesn’t know. The pain must be unimaginable.

“Shit,” Jim sniffs, pulling back to wipe at his face. “I didn’t—I don’t—,” he stumbles over his words and coughs.

“Our secret, yeah?” Shorty holds Jim’s shoulders.

Jim nods, offers Shorty a watery smile. It breaks Shorty’s heart and all he can do is hug Jim again. They’ll figure this out. He’ll protect Jim with his life. Together, they’ll make it through college and Shorty’s determination only grows as their embrace continues.

~

The friendship doesn’t change much.

If anything, Jim is more relaxed. He doesn’t shy away from challenging Bobby, his speeches as captain don’t carry a hint of hesitation. Shorty is proud of Jim to say the least and if varsity gives them any trouble, the other boys are at the ready.

Shorty wonders if anyone else knows, if they’ve talked to Jim on their own too. They all still joke and laugh, some seeking out Jim’s advice while others just want his company. Whatever it may be, Shorty is glad that Jim is still here making each day count.

Practice has just wrapped up but as Shorty makes his way to the locker room, he spots Jim following Ulbrickson up the stairs to the office. Shorty’s stomach drops and he hangs back, watching the shadows, the flickering light as one, two people shift around. He leans against the staircase, dying to hear the conversation. He hopes and prays it��s just talk for the upcoming race, but this is too close for coincidence.

The time ticks by and when Jim finally emerges from the office, Shorty holds himself back from pouncing on him. Jim’s face is a stark white, his hands are clenched into fists, hanging tight at his sides.

“Dorms,” is all Jim says and Shorty follows him into the locker room.

The space is empty but still, Jim and Shorty rush to change. The silence pounds Shorty’s ears, his stomach is twisted into knots. He wants to say something, anything, yet he stays his tongue. It’s a march back to the dorms then and Shorty struggles to calm his racing heart as he watches Jim walk ahead of him.

Once in the safety of their room, Shorty’s impatience rises and he looks at Jim, waiting for him to take the lead.

“You still mean what you said?” Jim’s voice cracks, wavering and small.

“Course,” Shorty furrows his brows. “Nothing’s going to change that.”

Jim nods, his eyes drifting to the ceiling. “Coach knows.”

Shorty’s stomach drops and his eyes widen. He opens his mouth but Jim is faster.

“He’s letting me stay on the team. Told me he doesn’t care what I get up to outside of practice, long as I stay focused. And if I don’t get caught.”

Jim’s words hang over Shorty. He wants to laugh, he wants to cry. While he’s deciding, Jim’s face breaks into a small smile.

“Who’d’ve thought Coach of all people?”

A grin splits Shorty’s face then and he can’t help but bring Jim into a hug. He’s the one crying now, tears of relief spilling out of him. In this embrace, Jim tucks his head into the crook of Shorty’s neck and a harsh exhale leaves him.

A warm tingling fills Shorty and he squeezes Jim even tighter as a small hiccup escapes from him. It’s then Jim pulls back and he sets his hands on Shorty’s shoulders. Flushing, Shorty wipes away his tears and gives Jim a watery smile.

“Thank you,” Jim says just above a whisper. “Thank you for standing by me.”

“Of course,” Shorty shrugs.

He wouldn’t dream of turning his back. He’d rather face the wrath of thousands than to ever lose Jim. Staring into his eyes, Shorty swallows and a new thought strikes him. He doesn’t linger on it, instead choosing to duck his head.

Jim squeezes Shorty’s shoulders before pulling away. His hands draw back so slow, Shorty can’t help but tilt his head. A silent question that he can’t find the words for. With a smile, the shake of his head, Jim steps away and sets his bag on top of his desk.

“Better start on homework.”

The fragile state of the room is broken and Shorty takes a breath. He copies Jim’s actions, settles into his chair. A long night of studying lies ahead for both of them.

As he’s staring at his notes, the thought from before wiggles back in and Shorty nibbles on the tip of the eraser.

He wouldn’t have minded if Jim had kissed him just then. Instead of disgust rolling his stomach, butterflies flitter up to his heart and fill his chest. This isn’t like his first crush. This isn’t like anything he’s ever felt before.

Panic floods Shorty and he slams his book shut. He can feel Jim’s stare on his back but Shorty doesn’t turn around. He simply pulls out another book and shuffles his notes around. Only when he hears the scratching of Jim’s pencil do Shorty’s shoulders drop.

He has yet another part of himself to figure out and if that starts with deciding whether or not he’s in love with Jim, then so be it.

Falling for your teammate, roommate, friend, it can’t be the worst thing. Can it?

[snailkites]

love learning about odd-couple interspecies joint-nesting events

nesties (nest besties)

[geopsych]

As promised, some birds from last week. I took hundreds of pictures this past week and am in danger of not posting any because it's so beautiful now. In order, a female red-winged blackbird, two male red-winged blackbirds fighting or who knows, maybe yaoi, a common egret, an eastern kingbird, a field sparrow, two tree swallows—the one on the left may be a young one—a purple martin, and a brown thrasher.

[podartists]

Junco hyemalis | Spizella passerina | Spizella pusilla | Amphispiza bilineata | Pooecetes gramineus | Ammodramus savannarum | Passerculus sandwichensis

Plate XXIII | Die Nordamerikanische Vogelwelt (1891)

[brooklynbridgebirds]

Field Sparrow Brooklyn Bridge Park, Pier 3 uplands

[rumeko]

at this moment

見届ける

[leafatlaw]

This screenshot literally messes me up so much. Derap seeing the destruction of the field for the first time. Zam seeing it as if anew through Deraps eyes. Theyre literally holding hands here argue with the wall.

[scavengersketches]

just a few of the sparrows native to my area

[na-bird-of-the-day]

BOTD: Field Sparrow

Photo: Tom Murray

"The plaintive whistled song of the Field Sparrow often can be heard in brushy pastures, even on hot summer days when most birds are silent. Despite the name, this is not one of the sparrows inhabiting open fields of grass; it prefers brushy places, overgrown meadows with many bushes. It looks distinctively small and long-tailed, and its plain face gives it an innocent expression to match the sweetness of its song. In winter, Field Sparrows gather in small flocks."

- Audubon Field Guide

[iridescent-wildlife]

Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla). Family Passerelidae, order Passeriformes.

Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA. October 2021.

[seasidesandstarscapes]

Bite

Summary: They're playing Bobby's old team.

Between worry and anger, Don doesn't know which one will win out.

Rating: Explicit

Genre: Hockey AU, Angst, Major Character Injury, Protective Don Hume, Car Sex, Emotional Hurt/Comfort

Words: 2671

A/N: for @sparrow-in-the-field !! thank you for sending me this idea, it was fun and emotional to write shdfajskdl

-

AO3

or

There is a change to Bobby. 

Don can’t put his finger on it. It’s only been a week after all. Maybe it was the last game they played. They didn’t lose, but the talking they got from Ulbrickson was jarring at best. And Don knows as much as Bobby respects Ulbrickson, more often than not, they’re at odds. 

That doesn’t seem quite the problem however. From stilted smiles to short conversations, Bobby is somewhere else. No matter what Don says, all he gets is a wave, a reassurance that all is well. The helplessness carves into his chest and Don just wants Bobby to tell him the truth. 

Dinner is a quiet affair and when they’re in bed, watching a movie, Don finally tries again.

“You okay?”

Bobby is slow to turn from the TV, brows already furrowed. “Yes…? Why?”

Don shrugs, takes Bobby’s hand in his own. “You just seem a little off is all. Like something is on your mind.”

The sigh that leaves Bobby is drawn out, tinged with a hint of nervousness. “Have you looked at the schedule lately?” 

Don shakes his head. He doesn’t mean to lose track of games, but when it’s one right after the other, they tend to get lost in the shuffle. 

“We’re playing my old team soon.”

Don’s jaw tightens and he pulls Bobby close. Suddenly, Joe’s newfound attachment to Bobby makes sense. This day was bound to come, but Don worries that no one on the team is ready to handle what might be thrown at Bobby.

“Please don’t defend my honor or anything like that,” Bobby looks right in Don’s eyes. “Not that I wouldn’t appreciate it, but as much as I hate to admit it, Peterson is a damn good forward and we need you on the ice.”

A small sigh leaves Don. Bobby is right. If they want to sweep the game, they’ll have to be on their best behavior. No matter the anger that boils low in Don’s gut.

“Okay,” he nods. 

The corner of Bobby’s mouth twitches, a struggle to smile as the silence edges in. 

“I’m not going to let the puck get anywhere close to you,” Don promises. 

“I’m holding you to that.”

Don tilts Bobby’s head up, brings him into a soft kiss. Bobby’s sigh is heavy and Don just wishes he could take on every little thing that eats at Bobby. If only Bobby could never hurt again.

Bobby’s eyes are slow to open when the kiss ends and Don looks on with fondness. Entrancing doesn’t even begin to describe how Bobby looks, the way Don’s heart stutters. 

With a scowl, Bobby’s face turns red and he mumbles something under his breath. Don laughs at this, pulls Bobby onto him. The two adjust so Bobby is sitting on his lap and facing him. 

This earns him a quirked eyebrow, a sly grin, and Don knows the night has only just begun.

~

The locker room is tense. 

Any chatter is quiet, short. There is a cloud hanging in the air and Don chooses to focus on his stall. 

“Alright, boys,” Bobby clambers in, all dressed and ready to go. “I don’t want a single one of you in the penalty box.”

There are glances exchanged, a few nods. Joe’s mouth opens but before he can speak Bobby stops him. 

“Rantz,” he warns. “I know you’ve got some personal beef too, but what’ll really put them in their place is not letting them score a single goal. I know you boys can do it and I’ll be dead before I let a single puck get past me.”

“We’ve got your back, Bobby,” Roger reassures and the first smiles start to show. 

As tempting as it is to pull Bobby into a kiss, Don lets him leave the locker room with the first of the guys trailing behind. Throwing on the rest of his gear, Don is quick to follow, the mouth guard clamped tight between his teeth. His anger is unfamiliar, but he lets it settle deep inside, ready to jump only when necessary. 

The pre-game, the face-off is a flurry. Don is looking into smirking faces, catches a few choice insults when the ref is distracted. If his grip on his stick doesn’t snap it in half, slamming it into Peterson’s face will. 

But, Don does as Bobby asks. He doesn’t cave in to his emotions, keeps his head high. With Shorty and Joe with him, they’re a force to be reckoned with. Only once does Chuck have to get the puck out of Bobby’s zone. 

Then, one of the other players does the unthinkable. Don isn’t close enough, he doesn’t even see it happen until he hears Chuck’s shout. The game comes to a halt and Don scrambles over to Bobby. He’s on his hands and knees, head hanging low. His breaths are haggard and Don falls next to him, arm around his shoulder.

“He decked him!” Chuck yells at the ref. “His neck practically snapped in half!”

The ref is trying to calm Chuck and Don leans in close to Bobby. “What happened?”

“What Chuck said,” Bobby grimaces. “Fuck, I feel dizzy.”

Before Don can yell for Ulbrickson, he’s already there, kneeling on the other side of Bobby. 

“Let’s get you off the ice.”

“No!” Bobby shoves Ulbrickson and Don away, only to lose his balance. He falls against Don and winces. “I can do it, Coach.”

“Like hell you are,” Ulbrickson takes hold of Bobby’s arm. 

Bobby looks to Don for help, but Don has to take Ulbrickson’s side. It’ll be better to have Morry and take their chances than Bobby getting worse. 

With a frustrated groan, Bobby lets himself be taken off the ice. Don just wants to follow, but he stays rooted, gives Morry a nod as he takes his spot in front of the net. 

“Moch has you all eating out of the palm of his hand, doesn’t he?” 

Don turns to the voice, teeth grinding into the mouth guard. He gives an even stare to his opponent, hates the amused smile on the other man’s face.

“He must really be putting out this year. Got a pretty little mouth, doesn’t he?”

Don’s anger spikes but seeing Shorty hold Joe back out of the corner of his eye quells his fire.

“Yeah. Too bad you don’t get to have it anymore,” Don bites back. 

He skates to his position as the ref and coaches try to regain order. Don was determined to put their rivals in their place before, but now he wants them absolutely decimated. His boys match his energy and Don fights and fights. 

They win by a landslide and Bobby, now much better, pulls Don into a hug, almost sending him head over heels into the box. 

The locker room is full of energy in the aftermath and after Bobby’s reassurance that all he’ll have is a sore neck the next day, everyone splits off in their respective groups to rest for the evening. Outside of the locker room, Don throws his arm around Bobby’s shoulders as they walk down the hall. Bobby is already going a mile a minute, praising Don, gushing about Jim’s little trick that turned the other team on their heads. 

Don is just ready to cuddle with Bobby, but it seems life has other ideas. The hall is blocked with Peterson at the front, several other players around him, loud and joking. It’s their only way out and Don holds Bobby closer to him.

“Well, look who it is,” one of the guys calls out. “How’re you doing, Bobby?”

Bobby ignores it and Don tries to make a path for them. 

“Don’t be like that,” another attacks. “Come back to our hotel. Let’s make some more memories.”

Don’s heart breaks when Bobby flinches, but they keep pressing on. They’re outnumbered though he knows he and Bobby have a fighting chance. 

“How can you be with him, knowing what he does? He’s just a slut.”

They were almost free, but this is the last straw. Don turns on his heel, faces the rivals head on. 

“Don,” Bobby tries to stop him. 

“Yeah, that’s right. Defend the guy with the sex channel,” Peterson grins.

“You mean the channel that bought our penthouse apartment? Or are you referring to the fact that both of us are debt free?” Don is a charging bull and he doesn’t give the other men a chance to get a word in. “Not to mention how not a single one of you could score on him when he was in the net. Don’t know how you got into the leagues. And while you’re jerking off your useless dicks, I get to have amazing sex with the man you’ll never lay your hands on again. So, shut up before I knock out the last of your teeth.”

Grabbing Bobby, Don drags them out to the sanctuary of the parking lot. There’s no following footsteps but Don still makes sure the doors are locked when he and Bobby get into his car. 

“Sorry,” Don mutters before pulling out of the lot. 

Bobby is quiet their entire drive home and Don’s mind curses him. He just snapped, couldn’t stop the outpouring. It felt good to say all those things, but it might’ve been too much. He might have hurt Bobby.

When they get to their parking space, Don turns off the car and makes no move to get out. Bobby still hasn’t said a thing. 

“Bobby, I’m sorry. I was out of line.”

Don is slammed back into his seat with Bobby climbing on top of him and he crashes their mouths together. 

“Fuck, that was so hot, Donny,” Bobby pants between open kisses. “I wanted to fuck you right in front of them.”

Shock doesn’t begin to cover it, but Don returns Bobby’s passion all the same. He’s given no time to think as Bobby works open his jeans and he’s only shaken from his stupor when the car horn blares. 

“Shit,” Bobby leans forward. 

Don just laughs, pulls the seat lever so he can lay back to give Bobby some more space. Bobby grins and throws open the console where they keep lube just for occasions like these. He’s all over the place, about to grab the bottle before he’s trying to get his own jeans off. His sweater gets tossed into the back, but he keeps his shirt on as he finally frees himself from his jeans and underwear. Don barely has time to shove his boxers out of the way before Bobby is already stretching himself. 

So impatient he can be sometimes, but Don is endeared nonetheless. His hands trail up under the white shirt and he drags his nails along Bobby’s spine. Bobby whines at this, bites his lower lip as he shoves three fingers deep inside. 

It must hurt, but the smile Bobby gives Don isn’t pained at all. Instead, it steals Don’s breath away and he forgets himself. 

When Bobby lines up with his cock, Don just wants to shove all the way in. He needs to be consumed by every inch of this man. Never know a day’s rest without him. As if reading his mind, Bobby slams down pulling heady groans from both men. 

“Bobby,” Don’s head falls back against the seat. 

“Yeah, such a good boy for me,” Bobby breathes. He has one hand braced on Don’s chest, the other on the window. “So good.”

“Anything for you,” Don confesses. 

Bobby leans down to kiss him then. Don soars, sparks fly from his mind to his fingertips. Bobby is more than just his boyfriend. He’s both the storm and the calmness afterwards. He’s a kiss in the rain, the snow that melts in his hands. 

Don could cry at how lucky he is. 

When Bobby moves to lift his hips, Don sighs with all the love inside of him. He meets Bobby halfway and their bodies collide as they fall further into their hunger. Don can’t help but stare, locking his gaze with Bobby’s while he rubs a thumb along his lips, red and bruised.

“Touch me, Don, please,” Bobby begs, his hand fisting into Don’s shirt. 

He can’t say no to that. Don reaches for Bobby’s cock, stroking with a featherlight grip. It pulls a whimper out of Bobby and Don does it again just to hear that beautiful sound. 

Don can’t focus on just one part of Bobby. From his tight hole to his weeping cock, hair falling into his face, Bobby is a masterpiece. The parking lot is dark, but Don can still see Bobby’s eyes shine, blue like a diamond in the ocean.

Lost in ecstasy, Don squeezes Bobby’s sides, makes him cry out again and again. Bobby is almost there, his mouth dropping open, gasping, struggling for a single breath. Watching him fall apart is enough to drive Don over the edge, but he needs to see Bobby come. Needs to have his very being poured into him.

Bobby spills over Don with little warning and his moan shakes the car. It takes just a moment for Bobby to collect himself before he keeps moving on Don’s cock. Bobby teases him with slow drags, clenching his hole, but it’s more than enough.

“Bobby,” Don chokes out, slamming into Bobby, two, three more times before his own release crashes into him. 

Bobby falls on top of Don and the two hold onto each other as if this is their last moment together. The car seals them off from the rest of the world, a solitude so difficult to find some days.

“I love you. I love you so much,” Bobby whispers. 

Wetness falls against Don’s neck and in his worry, he pulls Bobby’s face into his hands. Bobby is crying, refusing to look Don in the eye. Don’s stomach sinks and he doesn’t know what’s broken.

He wipes at Bobby’s tears and kisses the corner of his mouth. “Bobby?”

It’s a tense moment as Bobby hiccups, mouth opening, but no sound coming out. Don can only hold his face, hoping his touch is some reassurance.

Bobby takes a slow breath, shaking and shallow, and his voice strains. “I don’t deserve you.”

Don doesn’t know what to say. He brushes Bobby’s hair from his face, keeps catching his tears. He would repeat his love over and over if it would be of any help. Before Don can, however, Bobby speaks up again.

“But I’m so happy, god, I’m so lucky I have you.”

Pulling Bobby back into a hug, Don squeezes him tight, rubs his shoulders. “You deserve the world, Bobby. I’m going to make sure you have it.”

Bobby sniffs, kisses the crook of Don’s neck. “You’ve given me that. All that and more.”

Don isn’t sure he’s earned such high praise. It’s Bobby who’s forged this new life for them. He’s the one that washes all of Don’s doubts away. But for Bobby, Don can convince himself that he’s done alright. 

After a few more minutes of just soaking in each other, Bobby finally opens the driver’s door. “Suppose we better,” he says as he peels himself off Don. 

He steps out, unashamed of his appearance as he grabs his discarded clothes from the back seat. Don’s thankful for the quiet parking lot as he takes off his stained hoodie and he waits for Bobby to pull on his jeans and shoes before they head to the elevators. 

Their hands are interlaced the entire way up and when they enter their apartment, Don tugs Bobby into one last kiss. They’re utterly exhausted, they’ll have to talk more in the morning, but for now, they can rest. 

As they crawl into bed, Bobby tucks himself into Don, arm wrapping around his waist. The warmth seeps into Don and he breathes, the world starting to make a little more sense. 

Bobby is his, to love and cherish, and he’ll be damned if anyone takes that away. 

[improvised-finish]

Miqo March #16 - A Winged Visitor (Free Day)

"Oh, hi there, little light! Come to share the road with me? Feel free to rest a while."

"I've got quite a few more malms to go before I make it back to mom's house, but I wouldn't mind a traveling companion for the journey!"

Thought I would take the opportunity of the free day today to finally fulfill @iron-sparrow's request for some poses involving their little light!

Happy (early) nameday! It's been an honor to get to know you a little bit this past year, and I look forward to many more :D

[extinctionstories]

A lot of my work focuses on why and how a species ends, but the where can be quite interesting as well.

Seen from the Walt Disney World monorail track this afternoon, just pulling out of the Contemporary Resort, here is a view of the now-abandoned Discovery Island.

Prior to the opening of Animal Kingdom, the island housed Disney’s onsite zoo and animal preserve, a facility that included one of the largest walk-through aviaries in the world, as well as the biggest captive flock of scarlet ibis.

It was here that the last four living Dusky Seaside Sparrows, all males, were brought in 1983, in support of a captive breeding program attempting to hybridize the birds with a related species—a last ditch effort, too little too late for a species left diminished by decades of habitat destruction.

And it was here, on the grounds of the Disney World theme park, that the endling, Orange Band, would die of old age, just four years later.

[sparrow-in-the-field]

Took longer than expected to write, but also ended up a pretty long fic! Here's the secret angst winteragent fic!

Take a look at my life

John tells Bucky he's going out of town for the week, but won't say why. When Bucky presses, John says he can join him.

Established Relationship, Road trips, Angst, Emotional Hurt/Comfort.

(additional tags on ao3 may hint to spoilers for the fic, so don't look too closely at those if you want to find out in real time where John is going)

Enjoy!

[pigeonstab]

I really like one specific scene for William Turner's character. And that's the one where Jack is chased by all the cannibals. And I love that he starts out saying "What about Jack? I won't leave without him" and just does a full on 180 when he sees the horde that's after him. It's taking his character, who's righteous and assertive and it's adding so much more to him by subverting that. Because Will is a bastard of his own, and this scene to me is not only really funny but makes him that much more interesting.

[ruby-lith]

field sparrow