#🐦. ◦ ✧ ✩ ( shrewd hawk ic. ) ᵐʸ ʷᶤᶰᵍˢ ʰᵃᵛᵉᶰ'ᵗ ᵇᵉᵉᶰ ᵖʳᵉᵉᶰᵉᵈˑ

[intcritus]

Yomi didn't even hesitate. Launching himself over the table-top and reaching out to Ogun's arm to grip his bicep and yank him out the way of a flying debris heading in his direction. Twisting to throw the shoebill to the opposite side, he didn't blink or even flinch as his other arm, risen in the momentum, was torn off by the stone wall that had crashed through the dome of Doflamingo's bird house.

The sound was insane, a mess of everything and yet - Yomi's vision didn't falter, nor did he turn towards his injury. Instead, he moved again - unbothered to his wounds to instead step over to Ogun again. Reaching out this time to hold the bird's face in his hand with concern as the place seemed to buzz with life and the birds flutter in startled fear. "Go deep into the trees, Ogun-sama. Forgive my rough handling." Though his arm was pouring 'blood', the scent of it was lavender. It was purple. It was thicker than blood. Yomi didn't look pale at all, if anything, the shape of his pupils instead formed into hearts.

"Ezra-sama!" Yomi moved aside, looking towards the skies. "Round in the birds that have escaped!" He needed a hand for those - as he moved to step back, he didn't even take a moment to dodge his own pool of 'blood' and instead crouched down to pull his limb from under the rock wall's chunk by pushing the towering thing from its place and holding his arm over a shoulder. He was a mess - but at least Ogun-sama wasn't hurt.

He'd never forgive himself. "Seal the hole as fast as you can." He started as soon as several other being came running over. Yomi's features never changed even though they all seemed startled at his state. "I will go see to Doflamingo-sama. Some fool must have upset him. Ogun-sama, please, do not worry. I am fine and you are safe. That is all I wish for. Please, stay here and aid Ezra-sama in calming the other avians down. I will be back."

Ogun didn't realize what was happening until Yomi-san pulled him out of the way of whatever came crashing down around them. Fear wasn't an emotion he like, but it was invoked in this moment at seeing the other hurt. It was so sudden and his heart felt like a hummingbird's, swift and terrifying. Usually, flight was his response rather than fight, but right now he felt frozen in time, looking at the spot where Yomi's arm used to be, the lavender ' blood ' ( some of it splashed into his feathers ) gushing from his stump. He startles, wings puffing up as his face is touched and he blinks at Yomi before giving a slow nod, brows furrowing.

Ezra took the sky at the call, flying around to the other avians, cooing to them and soothing their fear as he guided them deeper into the trees. He keep an eye on Ogun who had started to move and gesture to the others to follow him. The shoebill's movements were stilted, his expression carefully blank.

But Ezra knew his friend, he was terrified and confused and neither of those emotions did well with someone like Ogun. Swearing beneath his breath, he round up the last of them, gently guiding them into a small clearing, letting most of them take to the trees, finding comfort in the shade.

Once every one of the avians were calm, albeit confused and worried, Ezra took a look around, realizing he'd lost sight of his friend.

Ogun moved deeper into the aviary, seeking water. He had to get it out. Yomi was fine. He just picked his arm up and put it back. He was fine. Yomi was fine. Ogun was'nt fine. The phrases kept repeated as he buried himself into the water, washing at his feathers. He needed to get it out. Yomi was fine, Everything was okay. Everything was okay. There's a distant call to his name, the flap of wings and someone joining him in the water. But he's not done, there's still lavender there ( no, it's not ), it's covering every feather. A distressed, high pitched sound leaves him when his wrists are grabbed and it's not Ezra he sees, it Yomi but the image is distrorted. Fuck, it was fine. Everything was fine…until it's not.

Ezra's heart aches at the sight of Ogun attempting to wash his feathers, tearing them out when he sees something that's no longer there and he has to stop him. Dropping down, he sloshes through the small pond, reaching out and grabbing his friend's wrists, thumbs stroking at his wrists.

❝ ━ Ogun..look at me. See me. ❞ His voice is soft, but stern. He repeats himself once more until the other avian stops tugging at his wrists and meets his gaze, ❝ ━ He's okay. He went to go help Doflamingo-san, every one of us, is okay. Yomi-san, is alright. ❞ Ogun stares at him in distress for several moments, shoulders hitching up to his ears and Ezra tightens his hold on his riend's wrist, ❝ ━ Let them handle it. I promise when everything calms down, he'll come to us. Breathe with me, alright ? ❞

Placing one of those hands on his chest, he breathes deeply,in for four, then exhales, out for four. Ezra saw the extent of the damage to the birdhouse but that was minimal to their caretakers. Yomi looked okay and he's sure Doflamingo-san was alright, probably just annoyed by whoever bothered him. For now, he'd keep everyone carroled, and to keep a grounding hold on his friend, even as he slumped against him, the adrenaline leaving him. Ah, atleast their days were never boring, were they?

[dcwnrisen-aa]

❛ i’d say we make a pretty good team. ❜ //Yomi @ Ezra

the day was filled with cleaning, but it was something ezra enjoyed immensely. while yomi tended to the other birds, ezra made sure to clean the walls and window glass so it sparkled. he liked the feeling of fresh surroundings and taking up some of yomi's chores was therapeutic. it helped ezra focus on the happenings around him and give him a sense of accomplishment. after making sure there wasn't a speck of dirt anywhere atop, he landed safely beside yomi, ❝ ━ there's not much left to do. perhaps make a late lunch for doflamingo-san ? he'll probably be hungry when he comes. i gathered fresh fruit, maybe he'd enjoy some ? ❞ even with a exerted flush to his cheeks, ezra is more than content to continue working on any task given. the hawk has more than enough energy to spare.

[dcwnrisen-aa]

❛ i’ve never had anything good happen to me when i trusted others. ❜ for ezra!!

ogun and gaia could agree with that, meanwhile ezra had yet to trust anyone but ogun since the inception of their friendship. and it had been years before ogun fully trusted him and because of that their bond was unbreakable. however, even with every new being they came across, neither one of them were ever comfortable until they were alone again. but where ogun shied away from new interactions, ezra liked to approach them with a myriad of reservations.

❝ ━ and you would be correct in not wanting to trust others, even if they are genuine in nature, at first glance. there seems to be an ulterior motive. whether it's greed, deciet or something as little as a little lie for them to use you. ❞ and truly, maybe it's no way to live, but ezra would rather be safe than sorry. ❝ ━ i cannot tell you to trust me, or anyone who comes along, but actions often do speak louder than words. let my actions speak for themselves and if you still deem me untrustworthy, it would not offend me. as for anyone else ? ❞ he shrugs, wings flaring out and shuddering before folding inward, ❝ ━ trust should always be earned, not forced. so let me earn it, yes ?❞ / @terestris

[dcwnrisen-aa]

a sneaky gaia creeps up to whoever had intruded upon her peace & jumps right in front of them; a bright smile letting her fangs show. " stranger! you mustn't pass without me properly greeting you." & with that, she held the other's hand & planted a quick kiss against their knuckles. // whoever you think could work great with her ♥

ezra decided he'd give his wings a break and took to simply walking around, getting his bearings and merely taking in air into his deprived lungs. of course, he hadn't known he'd intruding into someone's space until she jumps infront of him, and the hawk's wings bristle, shuddering as his heart thuds in his chest. it's hard to calm himself after such a fright but his curiosity at the kiss to his knuckles steals the bird's attention rather swiftly.

nose wrinkles as he extracts his hand from her hold, a wry grin curling up the corners of his mouth. there's nothing that feels more surreal than being in a weird situation and yet, in someway, he feels most atease now that the scare is gone. ❝ ━ i apologize for intruding on your space. heh, i was lost in thought, do forgive me. ❞ he bows in apology before straightening up. moments later, a small grin eases across his face. ❝ ━ you are most beautiful, why are you galivanting all alone like this ? would you like some company ? ❞ / @suender

[dcwnrisen-aa]

Dear Ogun,

you've been doing so good lately, you're more open. you laugh more and smile lots. i'm really proud of you. but please stop testing your gliding from high enough spots. it's okay if you want to fly around but are you sure you were built for freefalling ? it scares me sometimes. but regardless, if this is your way of feeling i cannot stop you, i just need you to be careful. yomi will worry too, you know. he cares a lot about us, atleast i think he does. he hovers some days when you wake up on the wrong side of the bed. but he always feeds you your favorites so i know you care too, that you've befriended him in your own way. as have i. being with yomi and sir doflamingo was a godsend in a way and i am ever grateful for their interference. we should show our appreciation in some way to them.

[intcritus]

He’s sweating to death, he just knows it. As much as he loves the pair of them, he has awoken in the middle of the night, sweating due to arms , wings and legs sprawled over him. Vespa is struggling out of the bed at the moment, the heavy sound of his body thudding as it hits the ground being heard. “We need a bigger bed.”

ogun is still dead to the world, face shoved beneath a pillow and he merely grumbles before snuggling deeper into cool sheets. ezra, however, crawls over his friend to look down at their boyfriend who is currently on the floor. he's naked and covered in hickies, but still so handsome. resting his chin on his forearms, a sleepy smile curves his lips, ❝ ━ i'd say make javier go buy one but i don't want him touching our bed.❞ just the thought is enough to make his feathers bristle. however, he does not let it bother him. instead, he gets to his feet, gently helping vespa to his, a kiss placed on his forehead. ❝ ━ let's make that an errand, yeah ? after breakfast though.❞

[intcritus]

He holds out a fresh piece of meat. The most expensive cut. "Come, beautiful." He tells his bird. He knows the other must've waited for his return. To be away from him for any period of time was an agony he didn't wish to inflict upon his precious birds. [for Ezra.]

ezra didn't bother hesitating in moving toward the hand holding the fresh cut of meat, chirping in greeting. it's hard when saliva pools in his mouth, knowing doflamingo wanted to eat from his hand, what an honor. the hawk had been unsure about plenty of things in his life. he'd taken to taking care of other's like him because it was what he'd known. and it had worn him down, made him sickly in a way that even he couldn't hide with words alone. but yomi had been been diligent in his care, meticulous and gentle in their handling.

doflamingo was larger than life, with a presence that demanded attention. he and ogun were still in awe of him, and though ogun was still apprehensive, they both still respected the man -- looked forward to being fed by him, to having personalized attention because it made them feel worth something. and this particular cut of meat was delicious and he eats until the last of it is swallowed down. wings spread a little before shuddering as he refrains from shifting from foot to foot, licking the residue from his lips with a quiet trill. ❝ ━ will you stay a little longer and talk to me ? ❞ he finds that he likes the sound of doflamingo's voice, just talking about anything. it was simply nice to hear.