#if you two ever eventually get out of the library after lobcop you're becoming friends with the crows and ravens

[binah-beloved]

Punishing Bird has taken a liking to you. perhaps it's because of how you never brush away its pecking, perhaps it's due to you giving it seeds when it ventures down to Extraction- either way, it seems to enjoy your presence, making a beeline for the lower part of the facility whenever it breaches to simply sit on your shoulder and give you the occasional peck. your shoulders have small gouge scars now, but you endure it so the Bird won't disturb any other agents during its breach, nor do you mind the company, so Punishing Bird simply stays.

Binah is a little perplexed when she sees you with the Bird on your shoulder or in your hands, carrying it around casually as you go about your day. Punishing Bird has even begun allowing you to simply bring it back to its containment cell to end its breach, although often you don't find time until the end of the day, when your coworkers have retired for the night. Binah approaches you one of those evenings, holding a roll of gauze for you to patch up the bleeding pecks in your skin. you're holding Punishing Bird in your hands, and feel Binah's stare from across the room as you look up. without even thinking you ask if she'd like to hold the small Abnormality, and for a second you see a flash of surprise cross the Sephirah's expression. but slowly, she holds out her hands, and you place the Bird in her open palms.

Binah stares.

you stare.

Punishing Bird stares.

then it settles into her hands, feathers ruffling, and you and Binah merely watch. her fingers twitch, trying not to squeeze too tightly, and after a moment she reaches out and places the Bird back on your shoulder. she takes your own hand instead, her touch unusually light and delicate, and you blink in surprise.

"I much prefer this, if I must hold anything." is all she says, calmly, and you give her a soft smile.