#falcon mate for life...

[jodqriel]

fuck off im not crying because of peregrine falcon facts......

[herpsandbirds]

Oo have you done a Purple frog (Western Ghats of India) or African Pygmy Falcon (Kenya)? 

How about both!

Purple Frog (Nasikabatrachus sahyadrensis), family Nasikabatrachidae, endemic to the Western Ghats of India

Adult frog described in 2003, though the juvenile frog was described in 1917. (Though, of course, the adult frog was known by local people).

This frog spends most of its life underground, and emerges to mate during monsoon rains.

Unlike many burrowing frogs, which emerge to feed above ground, this species feeds on termites underground (as well as feeding above).

photograph by Sadeep Das

African Pygmy Falcon (Polihierax semitorquatus), females, family Falconidae, order Falconiformes, found in Eastern and SW Africa

photographs: Stephen Temple & Sumeet Moghe

[echoric]

Top Gun (1986) Characters as Animals

(that either i have personally worked with or people i know have worked with) (with explanations for each choice)

Pete "Maverick" Mitchell - Great Horned Owl: Known to kill other raptors including peregrine falcons and ospreys.

Tom "Iceman" Kazansky - African Wild Dog/Painted Dog: Known to be incredibly intelligent, hunting in packs and wearing their prey down until they can kill it ("He just wears you down. You get bored, frustrated, do something stupid, and he's gotcha")

Nick "Goose" Bradshaw - Rufous Bellied Kookaburra: One of the few species of birds that are social predators, known for their distinctive red bellies and 'laughing' call.

Ron "Slider" Kerner - Amur/Siberian Tiger: The largest of all big cats, they are known for their ability to hunt prey that are larger than them and for their relatively calm demeanor.

Rick "Hollywood" Neven - Puff Adder: Calm unless provoked, they are an ambush predator that is almost completely undetectable by scent and can remain completely still for hours until their prey happens by.

Leonard "Wolfman" Wolfe - Aardwolf: Actually a species of hyena, not a wolf, they are solitary apart from mates and pups unlike other species they are closely related to.

Marcus "Sundown" Williams - Oceanic White Tip: One of the most abundant sharks, but very overlooked compared to its larger cousins; they have very bold attitudes and are not scared off easily, and they are known to be the first large fish to be found at a shipwreck.

Charles "Chipper" Piper - Florida Scrub Jay: The only species of bird endemic to Florida (& 1 of only 15 species of birds endemic to the continental USA), they will cooperate with their mates while hunting and their offspring will remain in their parents territory for years after fledging, helping to raise other young. They are a species of corvid, and they have the same high intelligence and inquisitive nature of other corvids.

Sam "Merlin" Wells - Lilac-breasted Roller: A very swift flier, they are known to engage in acrobatics during breeding season. They often perch on dead trees to look for prey, and are known to prey on animals fleeing from bush fires (& this is my photo of one i saw during a study abroad :D)

Bill "Cougar" Cortell - King Penguin: One of the most iconic examples of parental care in animals, mated King Penguins will take turns holding their egg for two weeks at a time (7 weeks total) while the other parent hunts for food.

Mike "Viper" Metcalf - Florida Panther: Typically solitary and territorial but fiercely protective of their kittens, they are known to fight other panthers larger than themselves to keep their kittens safe.

Carole Bradshaw - New Caledonian Crow: A highly intelligent bird that is known to be able to craft and use tools to obtain food. They mate for life and are known to experience a decline in their health and anticipated lifespan once their mate dies.

if people want a pt 2 with the daggers and other top gun maverick characters, it will be out once i have had a bit more time to think lol

[urfavfakeblonde]

🇲​​🇦​​🇷​​🇻​​🇪​​🇱​ ​🇲​​🇦​​🇸​​🇹​​🇪​​🇷​​🇱​​🇮​​🇸​​🇹​

รⓂυ𝕋 - 🔥

Ｆ𝕃ⓤ𝔽𝔣 - 💫

ᗩⓝᵍ𝕤𝓉 - ⭐

Bucky Barnes

One-Shots

my favorite scar ⭐ tfatws!bucky x avenger!reader what happens when two ex-hydra soldiers and the Falcon go after the Flag Smasher Group, especially after their past together?

sex pollen 🔥⭐ tfatws!bucky x avenger!reader what happens when the reader in forced to drink a blue liquid that makes her so sexually frustrated…that she might need a little help from the man she is head over heels for?

problem solver 🔥⭐ roommate!bucky x roommate!reader what if fantasies could really come to life?

"who did this to you?" ⭐ tfatws!bucky x avenger!reader Based off the troupe…"who did this to you?"

fuck that attitude outta you 🔥⭐ rommate!bucky x avenger!reader Bucky's overprotective, reader has no sense of awareness. It's been a long day…with a lot of angsty hormones.

Song Inspired

slut! 💫 boyfriend!bucky x fem!reader "everyone wants him, that was my crime."

ocean eyes 💫 boyfriend!bucky x fem!reader "falling into your ocean eyes"

show a little lovin 🔥 tfatws!bucky x avenger!reader after a long day, you find yourself in the pool when a certain man comes down to find you. one thing leads to another, and lets just say you got him to get in the pool…🤭

Blurbs

getting a call while having sex 🔥 tfatws!bucky x avenger!reader You're in the middle of the most mind-blowing sex…when you get a call. Unfortunately, he clicked answer for you.

reverse cowgirl 🔥 bucky x fem!reader exactly what it sounds like. <3

talking to a friend while getting eaten out 🔥 boyfriend!bucky x fem!reader you wake up to talk to your friend from your balcony, only perhaps your lover just can't get enough of you.

mirror sex 🔥 tfatws!bucky x fem!reader request: can you pretty pretty please do a mirror sex bucky from tfatws :)))

james 🔥💫 bucky x fem!reader request: Hey girl--so like… thoughts on " accidentally " calling Bucky James like midway through sex?? 🤭🤭 Been thinking about this one for a while now.

overstimulation 🔥 tftws!bucky x fem!reader had a dream the other day where bucky would fuck you with his fingers…only to push your cum back into your overstimulated pussy…sigh.

possessive 🔥 bucky x fem!reader you have a boyfriend…but he doesn't fuck like bucky barnes. maybe it's for the best that he leaves marks on you so you can't go back to your boyfriend.

mating press 🔥 bucky x fem!reader your silence is my trade, LOCKJAW

Edits

bucky edits I rec 1

bucky edits I rec 2

[uwmspeccoll]

A Goose Family Feathursday

Mildred and Horace Start a Family!!

Every spring for the past few years a mating pair of Canada Geese take up residence on the green roof outside our window for a couple of weeks. We've named them Horace and Mildred, and we did a post about them in 2021. We wondered if they would ever establish a nest in the roof's sedum, but they just hang out for a few weeks and then depart. This year they finally decided that our roof was suitable to start a family and about 20 days ago Mildred set up housekeeping with a downy nest and six eggs near one of the vents on the roof. We are all very excited here in Special Collections, and we maintain daily goose alerts!

Mildred will incubate her brood for about 30 days, rarely leaving the nest. She is a very devoted mother. Horace on the other hand is usually gone during the day, so we rarely see him. Canada Geese are monogamous and mate for life, so we don't think he's cheating on Mildred, but we all thought he would be more present as the male usually hangs about to help guard the nest, but apparently he has other ideas.

We should see some hatchlings in about ten days or so, and we'll bring you an update then. While we are interested in seeing the couple nest on our roof, we also have concerns. There is no water, and the goslings will be susceptible to falling off the roof and becoming prey to raptors and other avian predators, especially the peregrine falcons that raise their own families on the nearby roofs of our campus's tallest buildings. Nature will have its way, but we do hope that Mildred and Horace have strategies for keeping their family safe.

Stay tuned!

View more Feathursday posts.

[fandomnerd9602]

EMERGENCY

Wolf!Natasha x Reader

Life was starting to settle for you and your wolf-human mate Natasha Romanoff. You had a lovely little apartment that had two beautiful, happy twins named Wanda and Pietro. Overall, it was perfect.

The only downside was the recon missions. Your team, dubbed the Avengers, was comprised of you, Natasha, fellow wolf hybrids and besties Yelena and Kate, and two new recruits - a Falcon-Human hybrid named Sam Wilson and a human soldier named Steve Rogers.

You and your strike force would often work in shifts to raid the Red Room facilities and rescue animal-human hybrids wherever you could. But those shifts often took you and Natasha away from your children.

You never thought the danger would strike so close to home.

You were just enjoying a nice afternoon, welcoming in the new hybrids that you rescued and doing the standard orientation that you and Natasha were used to. But then you saw Steve start to look uneasy. He tried to make his way through the crowd of hybrids. Suddenly a white wolf hybrid jumped out, gun raised at Yelena.

“Bucky!” Steve called out as he tried to tackle the wolf.

You tackle Yelena to the ground as the wolf called Bucky opens fire. Shots rang out, sparks bounced off the wall behind you.

“Shots fired. Shots fired” you shouted into your comms.

Natasha, your ever vigilant wolf mate, jumped into action. She ran to the little weapons room you had and pulled out a high powered tranquilizer rifle.

Little Wanda and Pietro run into their momma’s arms

“Momma!” Little Wanda cried as she hugged Natasha tightly.

“It’s gonna be alright” Natasha tries to reassure her babies as she ushers them into Kate’s arms, “take care of my babies.”

Kate could only nod as she ushered the kids to somewhere safe. Natasha bolted down the hall, hoping and praying that she got to you in time.

You and Steve were tag teaming, trying to keep Bucky from swiping Yelena with a hunter’s knife. Sam was helping Yelena to her feet.

“This is Bucky?!” You shouted at Steve. The friend in question simply snarled and growled at you.

“He’s not normally like this!” Steve responded.

“You sure got a way to pick friends!” Sam retorted as he tackled the wolf hybrid to the ground.

Yelena worked fast to usher the panicked hybrids out of the area.

Natasha bolted in and took aim. One shot and Bucky slumped to the ground.

“Get him restrained” you ordered Sam and Steve. “Looks like the Red Room’s upped its game to brainwashing.”

Steve could only gaze down at his former friend in shock.

Sam, Yelena and Steve quickly dragged Bucky off to the infirmary ward. There had to be something you all could do to help free Bucky from this brainwashing.

You and Natasha quickly sound off the all clear and made your way back to your children. Little Wanda and Pietro quickly ran to your arms, hugging and crying in your arms.

You and your mate were a little shaken but you considered yourself blessed that your little pack was safe and sound.

Times of trouble come and go but the bonds of family remain ever strong and vigilant.

Tags @lifespectator @idkwhatever580 @supercorpdanbeau @scarletquake-n7 @texaswolf23 @redhoodte @multi-fandom-enjoyer @pinklawyerwinnerzonk @abimess @iiconicsfan25 @moonlit-imagines @moonlit-ficrecs @russianredassassin @revanshand @tokufighter

[astra-ravana]

Augury: Bird Divination

Augury, also called ornithomancy, is the practice of reading birds and their behavior to divinate the past, present, and future. It is one of the oldest forms of divination, having been practiced by the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians, as well as the Celts and Native Americans alike. The reader in this case is referred to as the "augur", and reading the birds is often called "taking the auspices".

Birds are universally seen as messengers and sometimes, as psychopomps, connecting us to the other side and the divine. Augury incorporates the type of bird, the number of birds, as well as their flight patterns and behavior. One can gain powerful insight by incorporating this divination into their practice. Here's the interpretations for general types of bird, some basic movements, and more.

Bird type symbolism:

• Blue jay - Truth, communication, playful, high energy, loud

• Cardinal - Hope, joy, ancestors, loved ones, passion, warmth

• Crow - Magick, witches, transformation, power, omens, intelligence, mystery

• Dove - Peace, tranquility, love, connection, safety

• Duck - Friendship, good fortune, protection from negative energy

• Eagle - Power, leadership, freedom, manifestation, opportunity, adventure

• Falcon - Navigation, taking chances, travel, cooperation, courage, vigilance

• Goose - Love, partnership, home, protection, family

• Hawk - Spirit guides, bravery, awareness, intuition, instinct, higher perspective

• Heron - Strength, purity, longevity, knowledge, good judgment, transcendence, patience

• Hummingbird - The Fae, creativity, bliss, love, beauty, speed, rest is needed

• Kestrel - Consideration, stability, vitality, opportunities

• Owl - The gods, wisdom intuition, spiritual exploration, the unknown, observation, intelligence

• Raven - Mystery, magick, the Fae, knowledge, mischief, death

• Robin - Luck, prosperity, fertility, new beginnings, good things, rewards

• Sparrow - New love, relationships, team work, productivity

• Starling - Communication, adaptability, community, fun, freedom

• Stork - Longevity, fertility, new life, prosperity, wisdom, luck

• Swan - Grace, beauty, music, poetry, creativity, loyalty, partnership

• Vulture - Renewal, perception, creativity, death, patience

• Woodpecker - Hard work, advantage attention, progress, determination

Movement

Directions:

• Towards – Reception

• Away – Depletion

Crossing your path:

• An bird crossing your paths means boundaries.

• Crossing from left to right – Minor achievement

• Crossing from right to left – Minor obstacle

Diagonal:

• A movement diagonally means transformation.

• Lower right to upper left diagonal – Weak obstacle

• Lower left to upper right diagonal – Weak achievement

• Upper right to lower left diagonal – Major obstacle

• Upper left to lower right diagonal – Major achievement

Stationary:

• Stationary means foundation.

• Stationary front – Stability

• Stationary back – Stagnation

• Stationary left – Separation

• Stationary right – Unification

Rotation:

• Clockwise – Major completion

• Counterclockwise – Minor completion

Sides:

• Left - Bad

• Right - Good

Number of Birds:

• 1 - The self, beginnings, manifestation, physical action

• 2 - Security, partnership, balance, duality

• 3 - Adventure, communication, trinity, raising consciousness, strength

• 4 - Wisdom, stability, home, protection

• 5 - Change, creativity, romance, humor and drama

• 6 - Peace, self-love, equilibrium, health

• 7 - Psychic ability, intuition, spiritual awakening, soul mates

• 8 - Transformation, finances, infinite possibility, struggle/delay

• 9 - Lessons, education, courage, pioneering energy

• 10 - Completion, higher powers, alignment, legacy

• 11 - Good luck, wishes granted, new friends, joy

• 12 - Introspection, other realms, the dead, the shadow

Finding feathers:

• Gray – A time of peace is arriving

• White – Focus on your spirituality

• Black – You are protected

• Brown – Strength and courage

• Red – Find and use your spiritual gifts

• Orange – You will be successful

• Yellow – You are on the right path

• Green – Healing is coming

• Blue – Use your voice

• Purple – Expand your psychic abilities

• Pink – Love, romance, or pregnancy

• Striped – Change will happen soon

• Spotted – Release the past

[larluce]

Merlin as Arthur's familiar/Arthur's shapeshifter falcon AU

@dsabian , @theroundbartable , @theplatanitosqueal , @stressed-but-chill , a little more of bird Merlin ^^ ���️

LINK TO THE OTHER PARTS: PART 1 , PART2 , PART 3 (You're here) , PART 4

Morgana: (puting a red neckerchief with Camelot's simbol on Merlin's neck) There you go! Now everybody will know you're the prince's royal pet and no hunter will kill you by accident.

Merlin: (turns from his bird form to his human form) I'm not a pet! (Pouts) But I like it. I always felt my neck empty in my human form. (Plays with the neckerchief happily)

Arthur: How did the neckerchief get bigger? (To Merlin) Did you do that?

Morgana: It was me actually. I put a spell on it so it'll adapt to Merlin's shape and it won't fall off when he flies.

Merlin: Awww. Thank you, Morgana 😊.

Arthur: Wait. You did magic here?! 😨 Morgana that's dangerous!

Morgana: I was careful. Besides, how do you expect me to learn to control my magic if I don't practice?

Merlin: She does have a point (turns around and exclaims happily when he sees a merlin bird landing in the window) Claws! (Changes into his bird form to greet him and flies to land beside him)

Morgana: (confused) Claws?

Arthur: (annoyed) That's the bird's name.

Morgana: I thought birds didn't have names?

Arthur: Merlin put him that name.(exclaims when Claws pecks Merlin's feathers) What is he doing?! 😡

Morgana: He's just cleaning his feathers, relax. There's no need to be jealous.

Arthur: I'm not jealous! And Merlin's feathers are always clean. He's doing this on purpose. He wants to... to mate with him!

Morgana: Right (rolls her eyes). Oh, there’s something in Claws' claws. (Watches as Claws gives Merlin a dead sparrow) Awww he brought Merlin food.

Arthur: See!

Morgana: He's just being nice.

Arthur: (mutters to himself) Merlin prefers larks anyways.

Merlin: (flies to Arthur and changes into his human form and says excited) Claws wants to show me his nest!

Arthur: (fakes surprise) Oh, really? (Looks at Morgana significantly)

Merlin: Yeah, is not far. Can I go?

Arthur: Absolutly n-

Morgana: Of course, Merlin.

Merlin: Yay! 🤗 I'll be back soon. (Changes form and goes flying with Claws through the window)

Arthur: (looks at Morgana with crossed arms) 😑

Morgana: Okay. Maaaaybe he does have other intentions with Merlin. But what is it to you anyways?

Arthur: It's wrong!

Morgana: Because is a male?

Arthur: Because Merlin is not really a bird!

Morgana: But he thinks like one.

Arthur: He shouldn't! What if that bird forces or presses Merlin to mate with him? Merlin's not ready! He told me that himself, but I doubt these animals know anything about consent!

Morgana: Arthur, Merlin is literally one of the most powerful magic creatures that exist. He'll be fine. (Sighs) Why can't you just admit you have feelings for him?

Arthur: (sighs suddenly sad) It's... It's not right.

Morgana: Because he's a man?

Arthur: No! Morgana you said it yourself, he thinks like a bird most of the time. I'd be taking advantage of him. And what kind of relationship can I give him? A life of hide and fear by my side? If he even wants a relationship at all, he doesn't even understand what romantic love is.

Morgana: Well, he did ask you to mate with him.

Arthur: Yeah, how romantic. 😒

Morgana: Mating for birds is not just sex, it's partnership. He may not understand the concept of "romantic love", but that doesn't mean he can't feel it.

Arthur: How are you so sure about that?

Morgana: Let's put it like this. Despite thinking like a bird most of the time, Merlin hasn’t felt attracted or comfortable enough to mate with any of the birds he met. Yet he asked you, a human, if you could mate with him. Not a bird, YOU, because he felt comfortable with YOU and attracted to YOU. Don't you think that means something?

Arthur: (Blushes) He... he trusts me more than them. That's all.

Morgana: Yeah, keep telling yourself that.

[octobobble]

Muy list of “what animals are associated with which gods” headcanon/au before I forget to post it again wahey.

Mitternacht - Fireflies, owls, ravens, crows, bats, shorebirds, fish, etc. nighttime or night associated animals as well as beach birds and fish

Inspekta - Canines, hyenas, bees, etc. Animals associated with leadership and the like

Cobigail - Cicadas, locusts, crickets, wasps, fruit bats, etc. Bugs and animals associated with Halloween or misfortune

Thespius - Deer, bleeding heart doves, swans, snakes, dolphins, etc. Animals associated with love and beauty or are known to mate for life

Click Clack - Rabbits, cats, mice, squirrels, etc. Animals that are often considered small or silly in some way

Huzzle Mug - Tapirs, platypuses, okapis, ligers/tigons, mules, etc. Animals that are weird and/or a cross between two different species

Bauhauzzo - Crabs, ceolocanths, sharks, tuataras, crocodilians, etc. Animals that are considered living fossils

King - Messenger birds, falcons, hawks, horses, dogs (especially sledding dogs), etc. Animals associated with messengers or delivery work and/or with cowboy work

[strawberrypumpkins]

Thinking about hybrids! Task 141 

CW : I haven't played any COD yet; I'm inexperienced in the characters. I just briefly know of the 4 characters, and I'm going to base what I know and some headcanons on this fic. 16+. Maybe OOC.

Tags: Hybrid!AU , Omegaverse, Captain John Price, Simon Riley, Gaz, Johnny MacTavish—Soap. This is my AU, and so it's going to have bits and pieces of how I feel and go around these things. My formatting may be weird too, but it's a work in progress for me.

Thinking about 

Bear hybrid! Captain John Price. An apex predator and the father figure of the group of 4 other men despite just being 38, the men look up to him as their captain and rely on him to speak for the group. John Price had been an early presenter even before he came out as an alpha; he already had the demanding attitude in tow and knew how to command people before he knew how to walk. It was no surprise when, at the early age of 13, he was already sure of his secondary gender. John Price, when not sending his men on missions or going with them, is cooped up in his room sleeping as more bears do when they are free, or he's standing in the kitchen of the common room of his men's dormitory, spending his time baking stuff. He's recently found an affinity for making good apple and berry pies.

Scent: Smells thickly of pines and a wet, musky forest. Over time he also picked up the scent of tobacco; it isn't an adaptation to his scent, but as he's often smoking one, it just seemed to stick onto him.

Falcon hybrid! Kyle Garrick. The prettiest bird on the team and possibly in the whole base. Gaz is probably the only hybrid between the 5 other hybrids that pays close attention to how he looks and how his room and nests look—yes, despite being an alpha, he does have a nest; for him, the alphas in the bird kingdom are the ones to have nests; they decorate them beautifully and make sure to scent them on a regular basis; it has to be perfect for their mate, and even though he doesn't have one yet, who knows when he might get one? He needs to be perfect, grooming his long-spanned feathers off the floor during his shedding and tucking them into the soft materials of his nest; he's the first to wake up every morning, using the extra two hours to make himself look and smell presentable. When he's off missions and not grooming himself or recleaning his room and nest, he's perched in the common room in front of Johnny, grooming the hare. He's the only one who lets poor Kyle keep them clean.

Scent: Unlike most alphas, who have thick musky scents, Kyle's own is the more calming one between all 5 and the most "omega-like," as Simon once coined it. It's like a breath of fresh air, like a warm summer day with a hint of a breeze, extremely soothing.

German shepherd! Simon Riley. Although he is dominant, he doesn't really rely on his canine counterparts; in fact, he hates them to a certain degree. He doesn't relate to being an alpha or a canine, and it mildly has to do with his traumatic childhood. Born to a feline mother and canine father, it was obvious to everyone they were a bad match to begin with. Simon was a late bloomer; usually at the age of 14-16, people started developing their second genders. Simon, although a canine, had been a mildly lanky child from the moment he started to know how to walk. He'd gotten his father's features, bright blue eyes and blonde hair, but the problem was he took a crucial part from his mother, her femininity. His father didn't like that; how dare his child be an Omega? That was what started the abuse that would be inflicted on him till he grew up, running away from home when he turned 18. It was only after he'd accepted that maybe he was a beta and he could start afresh that his awakening happened as an Alpha; to say he was beyond pissed was an understatement. Why didn't he present earlier? He could've prevented all the abuse inflicted on him and his family. 

But he doesn't let this stop him from living his life; in fact, it does the opposite. He works better, needs to be better, and climbs his way through this new life. He wouldn't stop until he was strong, strong enough to protect his family and anyone else close to him. He locks up his feelings and continues with life until he finally joins Captain Price's team, who slowly remove his walls and help him with acceptance. It doesn't take long for him to start bickering with Johnny and accepting that he's now in a pack. One that truly accepts him for him. When off missions, he's in the common room, reading novels or sparring with other members on base; on some rare occasions, he plays video games with Soap in the Hares room. 

Scent: Much to his dismay, he smells like rainy days, which he finds extremely ironic, as he hates the rain and thunderstorms, anything that reminds him of his childhood or the trauma he went through, and petrichor. 

Hare Hybrid! Johnny Mactavish. Basically a glorified rabbit, Johnny doesn't act like most hares act, like reclusive and not so friendly; he's the opposite, acting more like rabbits, he'd pass off for another breed of rabbit if it weren't for his overly long ears, big body, and surprisingly fast feet. Johnny is the son of the group, always willing to help anyone else; he won’t ever say no; he always has a smile on his face and is down to do what you want when everyone else says no. Johnny spends his time in many different ways, drinking with König when the man doesn't want to socialize but hang out—Johnny can keep the man company in silence, although he does crack a joke once or twice—being a taste tester for Price, letting Kyle groom him, and occasional sleepovers with Simon—which just means he enters the canine's room, makes himself comfortable in the den, and falls asleep—which the canine really doesn't mind either way. What does the hare like to do on his own? He likes to watch Price cook; he likes to pick up the berries Price deems unworthy and chomp away on them, bonus points if there's apple skin covered in cinnamon. If not that, then he settles for going for hikes in the forest; he's free, and he has fun scavenging, running around, or sleeping under the giant willow tree a few meters off base.

Scent: Smells of soft wild berries, often has a sugary scent to him, could be taken for an omega's scent, but when with him for prolonged areas, the scent is more sickeningly sweet than soft.

Notes: I was too tired to add Konig, but I promise I'll make his own in a day or so.

Also notice how I write a lot about Simon? Sorry 🙏🏽, I just love his character so much.

[worldbuilding-tomfoolery]

A biological take on phoenixes

Trophics and ecology

~ Not a single-member species, but relatively rare due to being essentially fifth-degree consumers

~ ~ Typically omnivorous, preferring rodents and other small animals

~ ~ Before hibernation, immolation, migration, or another energy-intensive phase of life, they will set fire to the nearest rich, burnable area and collect the “burn energy” by magical means yet poorly understood

~ ~ They can “eat” entire swaths of a given biome via burning

~ ~ ~ In these cases, phoenix consumption is on par with some dragons

~ ~ ~ Can be devastating, but desolation events are very rare

~ ~ ~ These burnings have had a significant influence on fire ecology and ecosystems’ adaptations to it.  Many are more resilient to fire and other dramatic disturbances than phoenix-rare regions.

~ ~ A large, highly productive forest has the carrying capacity for only a dozen phoenixes or so; most biomes far fewer

~ Found on every continent and multiple islands

~ ~ Including Antarctica, with penguins

~ ~ Preference for grasslands, savanna, and other quick-recovering biomes

Reproduction

~ Contrary to popular belief, phoenixes don’t reproduce via self-immolation

~ ~ The fire renewal is more akin to a cnidarian returning to a polyp stage, rejuvenating cells and systems

~ ~ ~ Multiple studies have confirmed an individual retains memories both between fire-molts (misnomer stemming from early misunderstanding of the purpose of self-burning behaviors) and during them

~ ~ This would make the phoenix amortal if it weren’t for some other pesky buildups that ultimately give its lifespan a hard cap

~ ~ ~ Still, scientists theorize a phoenix could live somewhere between 800 and 2500 years in perfectly ideal circumstances

~ Pretty typical breeding adaptations

~ ~ Technically capable of breeding any time of year; the plurality will breed in spring or early summer, or else “sync up” with their host flock

~ ~ Two major breeding sites: one in southern hemisphere and one in northern

~ ~ ~ Phoenixes who pass anywhere near the island during family migration will feel a pull proportional to the current phoenix population on it, and many will be drawn to it

~ ~ ~ ~ (Phoenixes have strong navigation and homing capabilities, but this does occasionally lead to host group loss and reshuffling)

~ ~ During breeding season (or when Hot Single Firebirds in their area), both sexes will shed mimicry feathers and grow their signature fiery reds

~ ~ ~ Variety of shades and saturations

~ ~ ~ Males tend to have really showy feathers — long tails, fiery curling, yellows mixed in amid the reds

~ ~ ~ Females take on more of a brassy red

~ ~ ~ Have a variety of mating calls, movement displays, and semi-immolations

~ ~ ~ Courtship is brief

~ ~ ~ ~ Involves a huge range of behaviors as males prove their mettle

~ ~ ~ ~ Some of these displays are taken from other birds, and even dragons

~ ~ ~ Mates tend to practice single-season monogamy

~ ~ ~ ~ Lay about a dozen eggs over the course of the season

~ ~ ~ ~ Each egg is dropped off at a different nest

~ Engage in a kind of adaptive brood parasitism

~ ~ Identify what compels a given host parent to care for young

~ ~ Mimic that thing — feather color, body movement, sound, scent — phoenixes have a broad toolkit and can copy a lot

~ ~ They are master mimics and manipulators

~ ~ ~ Actually quite social, spending most of their time with family groups, resembling them in both appearance and behavior.  Reputation for being solitary because it’s rare to see them in their distinct “rusted” form.

~ ~ Can brood parasitize a variety of species

~ ~ ~ Prefer birds of prey, corvids, and high intelligence generally

~ ~ ~ Form special mutualistic partnerships with firehawks (black kite, whistling kite, brown falcon) in which they hunt together

~ ~ ~ Become fairly contributing members of their adopted social groups, though they cause wider scale damage with their fire feeding.

~ ~ ~ Uncommonly spend time with each other, mostly to court and mate.  Unlike cuckoos, this species does not really have much of a strong, teachable identity.  Fire abilities and behaviors are instinctive; otherwise, each phoenix takes on the traits of its adopters.

Miscellaneous facts

~ ~ Feathers are selectively fire resistant, regardless of appearance

~ ~ ~ Certain times, types, and areas of feathers *are* flammable, and this seems to be to the animal’s benefit

~ ~ ~ Notably, the long ends of wingtip feathers are highly flammable — phoenixes probably light these and brush them against grasses to start hunting fires

~ ~ ~ (It is also unknown how phoenixes light themselves “on demand,” though studies into the chemical pathways are making inroads)

~ ~ Feathers do not perfectly mimic host species’ feathers in structure or color.  They’re close enough to pass from far away, and adopted family members rarely seem to take issue.  However, on close inspection, an expert in either bird species will have no trouble picking a phoenix out.

~ ~ ~ Inspired by that plant that can mimic other leaves and might be able to see

~ ~ It is theorized some phoenixes may be capable of a kind of parthenogenesis via “mitosis” of the “polyp” stage, but the mechanisms for this are unknown

~ ~ Phoenixes’ sheer range of adaptability suggests they have an enhanced ability for “genetic learning,” far beyond the typical influence of epigenetics.  Offsprung individuals are well documented to display traits or behaviors learned by their parents — parents they have never met.  This suggests phoenixes possess a yet-unknown means of knowledge transmission through bodily inheritance.

~ ~ Phoenixes also possess top-tier cognitive skills.  They’ve displayed self-awareness, reasoning, and complex communication.  Some researchers argue these things qualify phoenixes for personhood.

[starsinthesky5]

wait so if songbird is a songbird... what kind of bird does that make joe?

this is adorable to think about once i actually understood what you were asking LMFAO

if she’s a songbird—delicate, expressive, effortlessly captivating in her own right—then joe is probably a peregrine falcon :)

he’s as sharp as they come, focused on his goals, and built for speed. always locked in on his next move in his chaotic, fast-paced life. he’s a natural hunter on the field, having those calculative QB skills and that relentless attitude. but around her? he softens. peregrine falcons mate for life, and once they’ve chosen their person, they’re unwavering in their love and devotion.

just like joe. and how he treats his songbird

she’s the songbird, filling the air with music and warmth, and he’s the falcon—fierce, protective, and hers.

[mrs-willow]

"A Raven and a Falcon"

Chapter 4

The rain was still falling hard in the Riverlands, but it was failing to deter the locals from carrying out their daily duties. Raventree Hall was still busting with life in the shadow of an upcoming winter. Farmers traveled in and out of the castle, bringing in portions of their harvests to add to the Blackwoods stores for winter. They were heavily compensated for their donations, and the gold they earned from their sales put their families through winter. Just outside the high walls of the Hall, the cliffs that the castle stood upon fell sharply into the angry river that crashed against the beaches and rocks. To the south and east, the Hall was otherwise surrounded by fields of grass and forests that sported packs of dear, boar, and all manner of birds. In those fields, groups of young men and boys trained with swords and bows freshly made by the smiths just within the walls. 

A small group of young boys gathered around two of the older men, watching them duel. The master of arms commanded the boys to show them the correct steps and positions that must be used in a proper fight. The Blackwoods maintained a rigorous training regiment for their men so that they would always be prepared for a battle. Five years prior, Lord Samwell commanded all of the Blackwoods men from the age of thirteen to fifty to train at least once a day in preparation for invasion or war. Lord Tully was aging quickly and spent most days in bed asleep with help from the milk of the poppy, thus leaving the actions of the surrounding houses unchecked and their movements unregulated. The conflict between the Blackwoods and the Brackens was an ancient one. Both sides would rave and pillage the other's lands until a small line of stones became the only preventative measure for an all-out war. But, with the Tullys slipping hold on the Riverlands, Samewell sensed that the fighting would begin yet again. 

John and Benjicot stood in the center of the circle of boys, both strong fighters but with different techniques. John fought with precision and strong jabs in picture-perfect form, while Benjicot with lightning-fast slashes and crazed spinning movements. The two managed to balance one another out well with their clashing fighting styles, leaving all the young boys in awe and the older men with a proud gleam in their eyes, 

The two had been sparing for what seemed like forever, but it was only a few minutes. Regardless of the cold weather, the two men were already beginning to sweat, and their breaths were labored. 

Benjicot let out a manic laugh as he dodged another one of Johns's attacks. “Come on, man, I know you’re faster than that.” Benji goated as he attacked with a flurry of slashes that John paired away.     

“Oh, don’t get too smart, my Lord,” John said with a glare as he attacked with a strong stab that the young Lord had to drop to the ground to avoid.

Finally tired of the ongoing fight, Benjicot chose to end the duel with a quick swipe of John's feet and a jab of his elbow into the man's stomach. John fell to the floor, and Benji was above the man in an instant, his sword pointed at his friend's neck. 

The surrounding group erupted in applause as the young Lord offered a hand to his fallen friend. 

The training masters addressed the younger boys as the two friends walked over to get water and regain their breath. 

“So, how are you doing?” John questioned his friend. 

Benjicot looked at his friend with an annoyed stare.

“You know, about the whole marriage thing?” John pushed. 

“Oh, leave me be,” Benji said with a tired huff.

“Come on, mate, I worry about you. You haven’t spoken about the matter since the other day, and you are always somewhere in your head rather than present.”

“What would you like me to say?” Benji said with an angry look, “What is there to talk about? I must marry a woman I hardly know for the sake of my house. I know that she will never love me or care for the Riverlands. I will be stealing her away from her home and family and taking her to an unknown place without a soul that she knows.” Benji ranted. “The woman I will spend the rest of my life with, the future mother of my children, will resent me forever, and I, her because she has indirectly taken all choice from me simply because our fathers were friends.” Benjicot finished with a snarl as he stormed back through the gates of Raventree Hall.

When Benjcot finished cleaning the sweat and mud from his body, he began to dress to meet his father to go over the costs of the castle and make necessary arrangements for the winter and the upcoming wedding affairs. As the man dressed, he noticed the many scars littering his pail skin, the result of years of training and mistakes with the sword, all of which transformed him into the ruthless fighter he is today. Yet he still felt a sense of insecurity as he studied his shirtless torso, yes he had the long limb trait of his family, and arms and stomach rippled in muscle from his training, but a long scar ran from beneath his left pectoral muscle down his side, and wrapped around to his back. Yet another lesson that must be learned. As He finished dressing, the young Lord was unable to ward off the thoughts of what his new wife would think of him and if she would ever be able to bear the sight of his uncovered chest and back.

*. ⋆ ✧.·:·.* ☽ ･ ｡ﾟ･ ☾ *.·:·.✧ *. ⋆

Lord Samwell sat in his study once more, conversing with his advisors about the arrangements still to be made to host the Arryns when they made their journey to the Riverlands when his son arrived. The young lord came and took his seat directly across from his father, but his mind was elsewhere, and he was paying no attention to the numbers or names being thrown about the room. When Samewell finally addressed his son to make sure that he was listening to the important conversation that was happening around him, there was an urgent knock on the large wooden door as a panting soldier entered the room. 

“Forgive me, my Lords,” the soldier began, “But there is urgent news from the border. “The Brackens have crossed the wall with herds of livestock.” The man stated.

Lord Samwell rose in an instant along with his son. Both men had angry eyes and snarls on their lips. Lord Samwell turned to his son, “Take care of them,” the Lord ordered. 

Benjicot answered with a swift nod to his father as he rushed from the room, followed by the messenger. 

“Gather ten men, tell them we ride for the wall and to prepare for a fight,” Benjicot ordered in an eerily similar tone as his Lord Father, sending the messenger to gather the men. When he reached the stables, ten men were already assembled, and Benjicot's horse waiting for him.  

As the man climbed into his saddle, he addressed his friends and men, “They mean to feed their animals on the little food we have left in supply before winter. We must show them once more what happens when they break the treaty agreements.” 

*. ⋆ ✧.·:·.* ☽ ･ ｡ﾟ･ ☾ *.·:·.✧ *. ⋆

Five Bracken men stood guard over the herd of cows that they had allowed across the border. The group was in high spirits as they believed they had successfully snuck through without Blackwood's knowledge. Just as one of the Brackensoldiers was joking with his men about the alleged great fight he had won the previous mourning, he heard an angry cry accompanied by the thundering steps of horses.   

“BRACKEN!” a voice screamed as the group of soldiers rounded the edge of the small forest to the left of the trespassers.

Benjicot and his men had made record time in their journey to the border in response to the invaders. 

“Just what the hell do you think you are doing, you little cunt,” Benjicot addressed as he brought his horse to a standstill a few feet from the cowering men. He watched as the small man sputtered for an answer, taken off guard by the ten mounted men all armed to the tooth. “Because to me, it looks like you have broken the treaty.” Benjicot goaded in a sarcastic tone. “That means I have every right to run your lot down and behead you for trespassing and take this heard in the name of Blackwood as compensation for your mistake.”

The men, once again, cowered at the young Lord's words. This would not be the first time men had died for such a simple act, and it likely would not be the last.

“The herd wandered here on their own. We were sent to retrieve them,” one of the men spoke in a rushed voice. Eager to prevent violence due to the clear disadvantage his men were at. If the Bracken man had more men and weapons, he would not have thought twice about challenging the Blackwoods.

Benjicot stared with a hard look, and the rest of the Blackwood men also showed clear distrust.

“Here's what is going to happen,” Benji started, “We are going to take every cow that is currently standing on our land, and you are going to return to your farmhouse, which you call a keep and keep your heads. Otherwise, I would be happy to leave you a lot here to rot and turn food for the ravens.” 

The men dressed in gold froze, looking to one another to decide on the proper course of action: stand, fight, and die, or run home and confess to their cowardness. With a hard look, the men silently made a decision as they all drew their swords. 

*. ⋆ ✧.·:·.* ☽ ･ ｡ﾟ･ ☾ *.·:·.✧ *. ⋆

“Did you see the way they ran off?” John gasped through his cackles as he and Benjicot led a small herd of cows home to Reventree Hall, which was now within sight. 

“Aye,” Benjicot agreed with a smile, nothing raising his spirits more than a good fight.

The battle had been quick and easy from horseback, and no one had lost their life as the Blackwoods had quickly pushed the men back to their side of the border, refusing to cross it themselves. The once determined soldiers had run, urgently driving the cows remaining on their lands away from the wall and back to safety. The Backwoods laughed as they watched their enemies limp away and gathered their new cows to take back to Raventree. 

Believe it or not, Benjicot loved fighting, the art of it, how he could dance around his opponents, and the adrenalin rush he got from disarming another man. But what he had never told anyone was that he hated killing. In fact, he despised the act. For some reason, the faces of the men he killed had stayed with him, plaguing his nightmares. Their screams and begging always made his stomach churn. He imagined a wife waiting for her husband, who would never return, or a father watching the farm road waiting for his son as the mother fixed too much food for just two people. He could never admit this to anyone, for he had a reputation to maintain. It was that which deterred Bracken's attacks and protected his people. Regardless of his dislike for the act of killing, he reasoned that he would do it as much as needed to protect his people. His enemies would not think twice before running him through with a long sword and then pillaging their way to his home, only to leave it in flames. A long time ago, Benjicot told himself that if his nightmares were the price of safety for his house, his future children, and his soon-to-be wife, then it was a burden that he would happily endure. 

I need him biblically. Anyways... I think im gonna write the next few chapters at once and then post all together so yall can bindge read lol. They will meet soon.

Also, I am so excited for the mutual pining and comfort scenes I have planned, they are coming soon I promise.

[othernightslikethis]

NIGHTS LIKE THIS

M!Batman Reader x Rosé

Premise: Fighting crime and splitting your attention was... tough. Being sentimental and getting your life wrapped up in it was complicated, and, most of all, you couldn't do both. Unfortunately, everything comes to an end.

Pure anguish, so don't expect a happy ending :(

Nights.

Cold and distant nights.

Long ago that's what you were, the night. Revenge.

You remember, with vivid clarity, the fervour with which your mom clutched you in her frail arms, quivering with terror, as your wide, disbelieving eyes watched your dad, gripped by a desperate impulse, try to fight back against the muggers. Try—that’s the word for it.

The gunshot rang out like a doom-laden thunderclap, and your vision caught, in morbid detail, the bullet tearing through your father’s skull, ripping through his head with unholy brutality. Thick, warm blood splattered your face, mingling with your mum’s desperate sobs, her screams slicing through the night like razors. She begged, pleaded to some merciful entity not to take him, to grant one more breath, one more moment with the man she loved. But you? You couldn’t muster a flicker of reaction. Not even when a second blast shattered the silence, fired with cold detachment into the chest of the woman who birthed you.

All over a pearl necklace. A bloody cursed trinket. Or so you believed your whole life.

The truth, though, turned out far more twisted. Your parents’ deaths weren’t some tragic accident, nor a botched job by petty thieves after easy loot. Nah. It was a hit—a scheme cooked up in the shadows by that bastard Carmine. He ripped them from you, dealt the blow that condemned you to a life of anguish. And now, a bitter smirk twists your lips. Who’d have thought your dad’s bid for South Korea’s presidency would end in such a balls-up? He should’ve never gone down that road. Had he stayed in the shadows, no one would’ve dredged up the past, exposed your mom’s stint in the loony bin. Her fragile mind became ammo for the political vultures, and your dad, scrambling to save face, turned to the infamous Falcone. From that moment, your family’s fate was sealed.

That truth eats you alive. Gnaws at your insides like slow poison, burning your guts and stealing sleep night after night. That relentless pain’s been your mate for years, fuel to keep you going.

Every time you slip into that suit—your true skin—it’s that agony driving you forward. To endure the battering, the biting cold of Seoul’s wee hours. Each night, when you emerge from the shadows, it’s that weight guiding you, reminding you of your purpose: to fix this city, scour its corruption, make it proper.

But she was there.

The one decent thing the world gave you.

Chaeyoung was a proper gift from the gods. Her smile, her scent, every inch of her a blessing. You loved her with a right proper intensity, more than the skyscrapers you endlessly prowled. But you had a duty, a burden forced on you the day you took up the mask.

“We all have a duty. When it calls, you answer—no matter the pain. That’s what makes us men.”

Your dad’s words rattled in your skull as you swung between towers, your bat-hook anchoring to solid beams. Icy wind lashed your face; pissing rain battered your knackered body. With a final leap, you landed on a rooftop, allowing yourself a quick kip. Then you took a proper look at yourself.

The searing pain in his right leg had become unbearable; the Joker’s acid had eaten away at his flesh with a ferocity beyond words. His right rib throbbed in agony after taking a brutal hit from Bane. His twisted ankle—courtesy of a desperate escape during a clash with Solomon Grundy—sent waves of torment through him with every step. And to complete this symphony of suffering, his head pounded as if it were about to explode, a lingering gift from the four savage blows dealt by Croc.

All of this in a single night, and he wasn’t even halfway through.

Taking a deep breath, he felt the communicator vibrate. The butler, perhaps? His only confidant, his unwavering ally. But as he glanced at the screen, his heart clenched. It was her. Chaeyoung. A weight, crushing and relentless, settled on his chest. He answered, shutting his eyes for a moment, dreading what was to come.

"Where are you, love? You said we were going out..."

The softness of her voice carried a note of disappointment that cut through him like a blade of ice. The promise. He had promised, hadn’t he? Bloody hell. Why did fate have to be this cruel?

"I know, darling. I’m so sorry. Work matters, you know how it is. Can we reschedule?"

A brief, deafening silence followed before she replied.

"You said you would... It’s our anniversary."

Reality hit him like a runaway train. Two years. Two years of love, devotion, whispered promises in the dead of night. He had sworn to himself that this day would be hers entirely, that he would banish the darkness from his life for just one night, wrapping her in tenderness and devotion. And yet here he was, shattering the hopes of the most precious woman he had ever known.

Reality hit him like a runaway train. Two years. Two years of love, devotion, whispered promises in the dead of night. He had sworn to himself that this day would be hers entirely, that he would banish the darkness from his life for just one night, wrapping her in tenderness and devotion. And yet here he was, shattering the hopes of the most precious woman he had ever known.

What kind of man did this? What kind of monster allowed himself to break the heart of the one he held dearer than his own existence?He ran his tongue over his dry lips, feeling utterly wretched. And then, he heard it. A muffled sniffle on the other end of the line.

He had made her cry.

At that moment, he felt like the vilest, most despicable creature to ever walk the earth.

"Sorry, I have to go."

"Okay, love you."

Without even realising he hadn’t said it back, he hung up, ready to carry on with the night. After all, the city still needed him.

---

It had been over two weeks since your last contact, and the anguish consuming you was beyond words. Every unanswered call, every door shut in your face when you knocked at her place, only fed the torment gnawing at your insides. With each passing day, the idea that some wretched villain had taken her away seemed more plausible, and the thought of it tore at your soul with merciless precision.

Your gaze fell once more upon the cold device in your hands, its screen displaying a now-familiar image: her, in all her effortless beauty, holding a tiny black cat and pulling a childish face. The memory of that moment invaded your mind, vivid and relentless. You recalled her pleading to take the cat home, the tenderness in her voice as she spoke of wanting a companion.

With a shaky sigh, you opened the messaging app, confronted by the countless failed attempts at contact. Thirty missed calls, a barrage of desperate texts, anxious inquiries about her well-being—every single one ignored without hesitation. And then, a notification flashed on your screen: a new Story on Instagram.

Your heart lurched as you tapped her profile. There she was, radiant, surrounded by friends, a dazzling smile lighting up her face. But as you scrolled through her page, a crushing realisation hit you like a blade to the gut. There was no trace of you left. No photos, no affectionate declarations, no immortalised memories—obliterated. Even the ring emoji that once sat proudly in her bio, a silent testament to your bond, was gone. More than that, she wasn’t even following you anymore. And that was when you understood, with a weight that felt inescapable, the sheer magnitude of your downfall.

And yet, a sliver of hope still clung to your chest. Determined to salvage whatever was left, you spent an entire month chasing her forgiveness, trying to see her, to make her hear you out. And now, here you stood, heart in turmoil, as she refused to meet your gaze.

You fucked everything up.

She stood with her arms wrapped around herself, a defensive posture that betrayed just how uncomfortable your presence made her. You knew it then—you were guilty. Completely and utterly guilty.

— Hey.

She let out a short laugh, but there was no sweetness in it, no nostalgia. It was bitter, jaded, final.

— After everything, all you’ve got to say is “hey”?

You tried to step closer, but the words died in your throat. What could you possibly say to undo the irreparable?

— I messed up. I know. Please, forgive me. I lo—

— No. — Her voice was a quiet, cutting whisper. — Don’t say that.

She was looking at you now, and in those eyes that once held you spellbound, there was nothing left but pain and disappointment.

— Don’t say that when it’s a lie. It hurts. It hurts even more... If you wanted to end things, you could’ve just told me.

You reached out for her, a desperate reflex, but she recoiled as if your touch were poison.

— There’s someone else, isn’t there? — Her voice wavered. — You never picked up my calls, forgot our dates, didn’t even remember our anniversary... And worst of all, you stopped saying you loved me.

— No! I love you! I love you more than anything! I messed up, I —She let out a melancholic laugh, and the sound of it sliced through your chest.

Years ago, you’d made a promise to yourself—to dedicate everything to the city, to duty, to eradicating crime. Love was a luxury you couldn’t afford. But now, standing before her, you were just a ten-year-old boy again. Frozen. Powerless. Helpless as something precious slipped through your fingers.

— I put up with this for a whole year. — Her voice trembled. — But I can’t do this to myself anymore. I deserve to be happy.

— I love you! I swear I’ll change! I promise! There’s no one else, I—

— Then what is it? — Her eyes were pleading. Deep down, she wanted to believe you. She needed a reason to stay. — What happened? What pulled you away? What do you do every night? Why won’t you let me in?

— I... I can’t.

— I knew it. — Her whisper was a lament. — You haven’t loved me for a long time.

You opened your mouth to deny it, but there was no time.

— Thank you for everything. But from today onwards… it’s over. I hope I never see you again.

And then, without hesitation, she pulled away and disappeared into the cold night.You stood there, motionless, hollow, feeling the abyss within you widen. Alone again. As you had always been. As you always would be.And then, something pierced the darkness.A beam of light slashed across the sky, casting the silhouette of a bat upon the clouds. Duty was calling.And no matter how much you wanted to chase after her, to beg her to stay, to give up everything for love...

Maybe it's your fate.

Finish alone.

[diana-bluewolf]

On one surprisingly sunny November day, a young Merlin lands graciously on a tree not too far from where Chris and Misha are walking. It tilts its head while it observes the wizard and gives a few chattering calls before taking off again, something bright red tied to one of its legs. The presence of the wolf agitates the falcon a little, so it chooses not to land on the ground but instead on a branch of another nearby tree, high enough for the boy to reach but with plenty of distance to take off if the lupus decides to strike.

The object tied to Merlin's leg is an origami piece of an animal that easily comes off when touched, allowing the bird to leave. Upon closer inspection, it is a paper wolf that stirs on Chris' palms, stands on its wobbly paper feet and raises its head high up. Even without the sound it is clear that it is howling. Then, suddenly, the paper unfolds itself, revealing a letter.

Dear Chris, I can't believe we've known each other for so long already. We took a winding path towards becoming friends. It is still a little wild to me that you felt like I ever needed anything in return other than your genuine company. I know, we've talked about it, and I really should've seen it sooner. Will often says that I don't see things right under my nose. But I still want you to know that I'll never require anything from you in return for a chocolate frog or homework or a friendly chat. You are my friend. Anything you need — I'll never say no. I am unsure where to find you as we live in different dorms, but wherever you are right now, I wish you a Happy Birthday, from my whole heart. You deserve to be happy. You deserve to enjoy every day of your life. You deserve companionship (and I mean human, too, not just Misha's!) Perhaps I'll catch you at dinner? I think William got you some yummy goodies earlier today (I probably should not have said that), so don't fill your tummy up all the way! Happy Birthday, dear friend! Your shiny unicorn, Elland 🌙

Aww, it’s such a cute ask! Therefore, ahem…

TW↓: obscene language 🤨😁

"Merlin, why does he have to be so embarrassing?" muttered Chris after running his eyes over the letter. He was sitting on a large mossy rock with his leg tucked under him.  

"Have you ever felt that it's just…ugh… almost painful to read something?" he addressed Misha, who was stretching lazily beside him.

Misha didn't answer. Well, he tended to do that - not bothering to reply. Chris didn't blame him since he often was the same.

"Well, I guess the inability to read can solve this, can't it?" Chris smiled and petted Misha's ear.

"What I mean is all this… "deserving" stuff. Why wouldn't he just insult me? That would be much easier and fun to read. Like, I don't know, happy birthday, you prick? Bring your ass here, or I'll eat all the goodies, and then William? Not that I would care about the latter, but at least it would be fun. And this," Chris waved the letter in the air, "this is pure torture."

Chris sighed and made himself reread the letter, this time trying not to skip everything that started with “you deserve”. He was positively unbearable sometimes. Elland, that is. 

Maybe that’s why Chris was so glad to see his falcon today?

“Look, look,” Chris nudged Misha, pointing at the your shiny unicorn line. “He’s trying to joke here.” 

Misha looked at the parchment. The parchment wasn’t edible and hence wasn’t a feature of interest.

“Oh, don’t worry, mate, I didn’t get it, either,” Chris assured Misha. He then glanced at the letter again. 

“He’s a weirdo. Elland.” Chris smiled warmly. “But…have you ever met wolves that were not as bad as other wolves? Because I have. Quite a few, actually. Well, not wolves, people, and that makes it even stranger. I have only one explanation for this - it’s Hogwarts. And if so,” Chris grabbed his bag and fished out ink and a quill, “I freaking love magic.”

See you at dinner. Bring the goodies. You can leave the prefect where he is.

Chris smirked, aware that Will would probably read it anyway. Well, no one asked him peeking at Elland's correspondence.

Your grumpy dugbog, Chris. P.S. Those guys look peculiar as friends, don't they?

P.P.S. Thank you.

Chris shoved the letter into the bag and jumped to his feet. 

“My shiny unicorn is waiting,” he explained to Misha, who enthusiastically followed him on his way out of the forest. 

“I need to send an owl first and grab those pasties I bought for Will in Honeydukes. You see, Monsieur Tangerine, in addition to all his flaws, is a gourmet, and we often have differences of opinion on the matter of taste. But this time, I’m sure even he will like it!”

It was a surprisingly sunny November day.

[inlovewithalotoffandoms]

Ski lodge trip||Part 2

Steve Rogers x teen!daughter!reader

Natasha Romanoff x teen!daughter!reader

Other parings: Josh Matthews x reader

Warning: Overprotective Steve, kissing, cuteness.

Authors Note: Hi everyone! It's finally here! I am so sorry for the long wait. I have been really busy and haven't had the chance to finish this one, as well as not having the best storyline figured out at that time. But now that it's here, I hope you enjoy it.

Thank you all for reading my fics. I really appreciate it.

"What the hell is that?" You asked as Bucky brought out a book.

"This, this is a game we're gonna play. It's called the official guide to who belongs with who." Bucky replied.

"The book's gonna tell us?" Josh scoffs with an eye roll.

"No! I remember that book. That book, is evil." Tony states as his eyes widen in horror at seeing the book again. He then continued,

"The first question is 'If you could change your mate into one animal, what would it be' and the only answer is 'the falcon'."

Bruce and Peter look at him in disbelief.

Steve stares at Tony, "How would you know that?"

Tony glances between everyone in the room and exclaims, "Because I am the Falcon!"

"Of course you are," Nat mumbled. You and Josh glanced at each other, grinning.

"Let's play!" You state, walking over to the couch Josh was sitting on and cuddled up to him.

"Let's find out who belongs with who," Josh says, wrapping his arm around you.

"Don't do it, nobody do it," Tony exclaims, trying to stop this from happening. Only to be ignored by everyone.

"No one ever listens to the falcon." He says to himself as he sat down with everyone else.

"Question number one," Bucky started.

"If you could change your mate into one animal-" You interrupted Bucky, but he interrupted you back.

"Uh, that's not the question," Bucky states. Everyone looked confused, especially Tony.

"The first question is, 'The most important part of any meaningful relationship is, A, romance'." Bucky continued.

"Yes, romance. Isn't that the whole point of a relationship?" Peter says. Tony rolled his eyes,

"It says any relationship. It doesn't just mean you and MJ." Bruce nodded in agreement,

"Yeah, it also means relationships with your friends."

Nat sighed, "So if the answer isn't romance, what else you got?" 

"B, adventure," Bucky says.

"Yes, adventure. Break the rules." Sam nods. Bucky rolled his eyes,

"You don't have to break the rules to have an adventure."

"What do you have against breaking the rules, Sargent Barnes?" Sam asked.

"That's who he used to be, Sam. Cost him years of his life. I think maybe he's learned something." Steve states.

"Read the other choice?" Josh says to Bucky.

"How do you know there is one? " Bucky smirked.

"In multiple choice, there are always close answers, but then there's the correct answer, and as soon as you hear it, you know it's right." You state a matter of factly.

"And I don't think we've heard the right answer yet, so I know the most meaningful part of any relationship is C." Josh grinned.

"C, conversation." Bucky smiled. You and Josh smiled at each other, kissing for a couple of seconds, cuddling up to each other again after the kiss ended.

"I love these now." You say.

"How come?" Steve asked, knowing how you didn't really like hugs.

"Because Tanya and I have had so many good conversations now that I think she trusts me," Josh says. You smiled and mumbled a small, 'I do.' Seeing how sweet Josh was being with you warmed Nat's heart. Seeing her daughter with someone she feels happy and comfortable with makes her happy. Steve, while still being the overprotective father, was starting to warm up to your relationship with Josh.

"So the most meaningful part of a relationship is talking to each other?" Peter asked.

"And with the right person, sometimes you can talk all night," Tony states.

"Yup, maybe so. Well, if y'all will excuse me, I'm gonna go over there to maybe, I don't know, kick a tree." Steve states, getting up and walking outside. Bucky sighed, giving the book to Bruce as he said, "Will y'all excuse me? I'm going to go over there to maybe, I don't know, save a tree." following Steve outside.

"You know what? I'm through playing games. I want to talk to you." Pepper states.

"Who?" The people still in the room asked curiously, at the same time as she grabbed Tony's hand, dragging him to another room. You and Josh had a mischievous glint in your eyes as you smiled and ran upstairs to the room you were bunked in together.

"God help us all," Bruce mumbled as he rubbed his temple in utter annoyance and disapproval.

After a couple of hours, Steve and Bucky came back inside.

"Where's Y/N and Josh?" Steve asked. Bruce and Peter glanced at each other in second-hand embarrassment.

"Up there," Peter states, pointing to one of the rooms upstairs. Steve's eyes widen in disapproval.

"Oh, hell no!" He exclaimed as he ran up the stairs.