Chapter Text
The gentle coos of a dove and warm sunlight on his face stirred Eggchan from his slumber. He yawned and cracked open an eye to look for the source of the call, spotting his balcony doors opened. He sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes, squinting at the figure that slowly pieced itself together.
Wemmbu was stood on his balcony, leaning against the railing; their long, purple curls swaying in the gentle early morning breeze. A mourning dove was perched on one hand, cooing as they rubbed its head with their other. A calm smile graced their weary face, a different look than the usual energy they radiated.
The angel listened to the coos for a few moments before they grinned and took a deep breath, mimicking the bird and drawing the attention of the demon? who looked over with a surprised expression.
"How did you do that?" Wemmbu lowered their hand, prompting the dove to fly off. They approached the bed at a leisurely pace and sat heavily on the foot, making Egg bounce and laugh quietly.
Eggchan smiled and made the sound again, fluttering their wings happily.
"Angels are just fancy birds with a bit of holy pizzaz, y'know. Anything Parrot or Theo can do, so can I." He twirled a curl around his finger and stuck his snake-like tongue out in a display of humour.
The demon? laughed and looked towards the balcony at the still-rising sun, their features softening. A pointed ear flicked and they yawned, stretching their arms up above their head as they shook out their messy hair.
"Except neither of them can mimic that good."
Eggchan hummed and leaned back on his arms, looking up at the ceiling.
His crowded mind fell blank and his breathing hitched for a moment before he blinked and turned his focus back to the demon? who was now looking at him.
"The actual reason is probably that I'm a seraph. Seraphim are like, super-prey so we can naturally mimic things really well to blend in with people as a survival mechanism."
Wemmbu snickered and covered their mouth.
"Nerd alert!" They rolled their eyes and stood up, wandering over to the angel's vanity with a curious look. They picked up a ribbon and rubbed it between their fingers before holding it up for Egg to see. "Can I borrow this to tie up my hair? It's bugging me."
Eggchan nodded and swung his legs over the edge of the bed to stretch them, groaning at the uncomfortable feeling of his bones.
"Go ahead. Do you not have any of your own?" He was careful to stand and winced when his knees popped loudly, leaning against the bed for an extra moment before pushing off.
"Not really. I ate them all a few days ago when I was really angry so I've been stealing Spoke's. He's the only other person with curly hair that actually wears it natural and ties it up. Flames' got his locs and uses regular elastics, Minute straightens his hair and it isn't even long enough to tie, Lomedy usually keeps it loose or uses a headscarf while he's gardening, and Wifies' is too short for him to tie according to him." The demon? used the pale blue ribbon in their hand to tie their hair up into a ponytail, frowning at their reflection before untying it and trying again. "Bro I miss Mane. He's way better at this."
The angel pulled open his wardrobe and pulled out a pair of beige sweats and a white tank top.
"I was wondering." Egg pulled off his nightgown and leaned against the wardrobe while he pulled on his trousers. "Are you like, a demon? An Enderman? What are you?"
Wemmbu hummed as they picked up and began digging through a small, ornate wooden box full of rocks. They pulled one out and examined it briefly, raising their brows in satisfaction.
"Ender dragon, actually. I'm pretty sure you're my seraph and that's why I'm drawn to you so much. Where did you get this one?"
Eggchan pulled his top over his head and popped his wings through the arm holes.
"That's cool. I picked those up at the park outside the hospital while I was doing PT with Mr. Tech. He let me pick the box as the first physical gift he ever gave me."
A knock at the door had both kids turn to watch Wifies step into the room. He was wearing the same clothes as the day prior, though now his hair was tied into a small high pony with a yellow ribbon and a couple small green clips. Subtle makeup made his face look more alive, with blush warming his cheeks, a stain livening his lips, and eyeliner smudged into eyebags.
"Oh, they did wake.. Good morning, Egg." He gave a small smile and waved, the makeup making the gesture look far less performative.
Eggchan smiled back and nodded, moving to sit on the floor as he slipped on his knee and ankle braces under his trousers.
"ManePear is visiting today, he wanted to meet you." The doll looked over at Wemmbu and looked them up and down, cocking a brow. "And why are you raiding his stuff exactly?"
The dragon pointed a thumb at Egg and set down the box, shutting is as they leaned against the vanity.
"He told me I can look."
"That I did."
Eggchan was, quite frankly, terrified.
He had been chatting with Wemmbu about random trivia he knew and quizzing them on random things, when a strange smell hit his nose and alarm bells started going off in his head. He froze in place at the top of the stairs and all of his wings flared up as big as they could, hitting the walls and ceiling awkwardly as eyes shot open along the tops of his wings.
The dragon jumped and gave him as worried look as they raised their hands in surrender, looking around nervously.
"Shit man, did I say something?"
The angel shook their head frantically as more wings sprouted from their back and eyes began opening on every bit of exposed skin. They began stumbling away and their gaze flickered between Wemmbu and the stairs.
"There's— I'm sorry, I just— there's a—"
Wemmbu's face lit up suddenly and they snorted, taking one of Egg's eye-infested hands in theirs and leading it into a restroom.
They shut off the lights and closed the door, letting the angel's eyes illuminate the room as they stood near the entrance.
"So, Mane has this thing. He has really strong predator pheromones compared to most predator hybrids, so he'll set you off in a way that like—Flame, for example—wont." They led Egg to sit on the floor and pulled it close to them, petting its hair in an attempt to soothe it. "Half of us are predator hybrids and aren't affected, the voidlings, wifies, and Mapicc cant pick up on it, and the other prey are all so used to it that they don't react anymore; so we forgot to warn you. I promise you, he is one of the nicest people you will ever meet."
Eggchan nodded and took in a shaky breath, trying to breathe in as much of the dragon's scent as possible to soothe itself. It managed to close most of its eyes, only leaving the ones on its face—which it quickly covered with its head-wings.
A soft purr rumbled through its chest as they continued petting it and its wings curled in close to protect its body.
"Can you... can you hold my hand..?"
"Of course! I'll even hold both of your hands for extra comforting!" Wemmbu grinned when the angel laughed and pulled it to its feet, pulling it into a hug.
"I'll be right there the entire time, you'll be alright."
Egg followed its dragon closely as they pulled it along, its wings fighting to flare as it grew further towards the predator its body was reacting to.
It followed for what felt like an eternity, its body growing weaker and weaker. A gnawing thirst crawled up from its belly and dulled its thoughts, the sensation uncomfortable in the overwhelming fog of its overwhelmed mind.
Wemmbu suddenly stopped in a doorway and Egg bumped into them, perking up at the action.
"Yo, Mane! He's super—"
"It, please." Wemmbu turned to look at the angel and shrugged.
"It's super freaked out so it'll take a bit to warm up to you." The dragon pulled the angel in close to their side, wrapping and arm around its shoulders.
Eggchan spotted a tall lion in the middle of the living room and shuddered at the sight, glancing up at Parrot perched upon his shoulders and his big smile. His tail feathers were wagging and his jaw was shifting absently as he braided together and unbraided the man's long locs.
Wifies and Theo stood behind the two, with the cockatiel carefully showing the doll something with Parrot's wings.
The lion turned his head away from Minute and a frown replaced the smile he had been previously wearing. His eyes were covered by a blindfold which seemed to match Flame's and Egg felt its feathers bristle slightly at the sight.
"Sorry bro! Is there anything I can do?"
Egg leaned in close to Wemmbu's ear and took a shaky breath, willing its face to stay together so it could speak.
"Eyes. Wanna see his eyes."
"Can you take off your blindfold? It can't see your eyes and that's freaking it out more." The dragon rubbed Eggchan's shoulder comfortingly and used a leathery wing to wrap around its body.
Parrot untied ManePear's blindfold and tied it around his own wrist, giving a thumbs-up and a smile in the direction the duo were in.
Mane grinned and revealed his massive teeth, bouncing the kid on his shoulders and laughing when he yelped and giggled.
Egg felt its wings smooth over and it shifted a head-wing to try and get a better look at the group, waving hesitantly. It noticed that both Wifies and Minute frowned and looked at each other for a moment before the doll pat Theo's shoulder and whispered something to him.
He speed-walked towards the angel and grabbed its wrist, tapping its iv-cath that wasn't hooked up to anything.
He began dragging it away quietly, ignoring Wemmbu's sputtering and quick footsteps as they caught up and grabbed Egg's free hand, threading their fingers in between its own.
"Wait, what's wrong?" Their brows were knit together in concern as they struggled to keep pace, stumbling occasionally as the doll refused to slow down.
Wifies pulled them bother towards a closet and pulled it open, letting go of the angel to rummage through a box.
"Do you know when you unhooked yourself, or did you roll in your sleep?" He pulled a bag of fluids out of the box and hung it on a spare stand, fiddling with the line and mumbling angrily.
Wemmbu let out a soft "ohh" and looked at Egg, patting its back as it shook its head.
"No I... I don't remember.." It let Wifies grab its arm and watched carefully as he connected it to its catheter, admiring the steadiness of his hands.
"At least you've got your permanent one so I don't have to worry about your veins rolling—unlike a certain someone who wont even sit still when they have to get one." He pat the angel's arm and gave Wemmbu a look, earning an awkward chuckle.
The dragon let out a long whistle and glanced at the back of their wrist, nodding at nothing.
"Waow, would you look at the time! Minute should be cooking soon and will need your help in the kitchen since Mane is here! You know Mane—ever the big eater!" They pulled Egg along as they backed a few steps away from the closet before turning and speed-walking down the hall.
Eggchan laughed quietly as they were dragged along, pulling their iv stand behind them. They felt the extra eyes close as a sense of normalcy returned with their friend's antics and casual behaviour.
They had managed to forget all about the special guest waiting for them, so it was a little startled to walk into the living room and find FlameFrags thrashing around on the floor as the lion pinned him with one hand and a foot beside him.
"—and why does this method work?" He was surrounded by the other kids who were—mostly, Parrot was messing with a tactile rubiks cube—listening intently. A blond ear flicked as he gestured towards Spoke, who's hand was waving around excitedly.
"Because when his arm is twisted he can't get any leverage and it twists the joints out!" The voidling was grinning wildly as they watched Flame squirm, giggling to themself as they gripped Mapicc's hand tightly in theirs.
The lion smiled and nodded, releasing the tiger who immediately sprang to his feet and lunged at the former.
Wemmbu stopped next to Lomedy and swayed slightly, placing a hand on the bunny's shoulder to stabilize themself as they panted.
Eggchan frowned as they watched his friend lower themself to the floor, using the rabbit's wheelchair for some support.
He sunk to his knees beside them and gripped their hand tightly as he whined quietly, ignoring the cheers that filled the air as one of the brothers—evidently—won.
"You good bro? You look a little pale.."
The dragon gave him a lopsided smiled and a nod, their tail wrapping around his wrist reassuringly.
"Yeah, I'm fine bro. I just forgot my meds last night so I'm a little tired. Once the dizziness passes I'll be up again." They looked behind the angel and their weary smile brightened, prompting him to turn around.
The lion man was crouching right next to Eggchan, a frown contrasting his wide, curious eyes. His eyes were very big and, quite frankly, adorable compared to his otherwise stony, intimidating demeanor. One was a beautiful amethyst colour—the cooler tone complimenting his otherwise warm colours—and the other was a bright, blood red, though its pupil was star shaped and it lacked the intensity the other had. His muscles were tensed and his tail was swaying as if he was about to pounce, his gaze focused intently on Egg. His golden locs framed his face, bangs falling over his eyes slightly and adding an extra air of danger to his already threatening position.
The angel's wing bristled and he shifted towards Wemmbu, holding onto them tighter as eyes threatened to open across his face.
"So you're that 'Egg' kid Minute was talking about, yeah? Not what I expected, I'm not gonna lie." He raised his hands in mock surrender, tilting his head as he sniffed the air. "When he described you I expected someone more girly, but you're actually smaller than I assumed you'd be. Aren't angels usually pretty big, bro?"
Eggchan frowned under his secondary head-wings and turned to look at Wemmbu, who only smiled awkwardly. His primaries twitched as he looked up at Mane and he felt his primary head-wings move over his eyes to display his unease.
"I'm... Bro I'm 12, why would I be 'big?'"
"He doesn't mean that to be rude, by the way." Lomedy reached down and ruffled the angel's hair, a smile playing on his lips. "He's just a little blunt and doesn't filter himself well."
"Oh shoot, yeah! Sorry, I just get really worried for my pride." He smiled wide and made a 'purr' like sound as he huffed out a breath. "And you're the newest member! I gotta make sure you're as healthy and happy as we can get you while you settle in!" His tail swayed behind him gently and he planted his hands on the floor between his feet, leaning forwards on them slightly.
FlameFrags leaned on the lion's shoulders and grinned, baring his marble-white teeth as he tilted his head slightly.
"Yeah! Gotta protect the pride!" He laughed as Mane shook him off, moving to sit on the floor by Lomedy's feet. The shiny fabric of his blindfold caught the sun and reflected the soft gold light onto the blanket covering his friend's legs.
Eggchan took a shaky breath and shifted to sit side-by-side with Wemmbu, resting his head on their shoulder.
"Eyes... I can't see his eyes.." His voice was little more than a whisper as he gripped the dragon's hand, shaking his head slightly.
"Oh, Flame can you ditch the blindfold for a bit?" Wemmbu pet the angel's head and wrapped a leathery wing around him for comfort, running their fingers through his soft curls.
The tiger raised a brow and scoffed, crossing his arms and turning his head away. An ear flicked and his tail swayed angrily, pouting.
Lomedy leaned over and flicked his ear, making him groan.
"Fine! I don't see why it's that big of a deal." He untied the silk and wrapped it around his tail with a huff.
The angel smiled and their head-wings opened just enough to show one of his eyes, his wings drooping against the floor.
"Sorry I'm just... hidden eyes is a sign of unease or hostility in angels, so for you two to have them covered.." A chill ran down his back at the thought of what it implied.
Mane frowned and his ears lowered slightly, giving him a very pouty, remorseful look.
A loud chirp filled the air as Theo threw himself at the lion's back, his crest flared happily as he grinned. His working wing flapped and his tail wagged as he held onto the man's shoulder with a tight grip.
"Fight me! Fight me! Parrot bet me a poached egg that I can't beat you!" His voice was loud and held a melodic quality, denoting his joy.
Mane grinned and he stood quickly, dragging the bird into the air with a startled chirp as he started spinning in a circle.
The avian squealed happily as he was spun, his wing flapping in the air as he was pulled away from the group. Loud chirps filled the air and Parrot's laughter quickly joined it as he turned to face the two.
"I told you you'd never beat him!" The macaw cupped his hands around his mouth, a massive grin curving his lips as he listened.
Spoke's voice joined in the sound, chanting Mane's name as they pumped their fist in the air, quickly joined by Mapicc, Flame, Lomedy, and Wemmbu.
The group watched as the lion spun and bounced the bird before tossing him into the plush cushions of the conversation pit with a shout of triumph, the chanting kids crying out in joy.
The sound of Minute clearing his throat quickly quieted everyone down, people turning to look at the living room entrance. The voidling was stood leaning on the wall of the doorway's arch, his arms crossed as he raised a brow. He motioned for Wifies to enter the room, a big smile on the doll's face as he approached Parrot and placed a hand on his arm.
"Breakfast is ready kids." Minute chuckled and turned to leave, making a sound of surprise when Spoke and Mapicc immediately dashed past, both giggling about something only they could understand.
Eggchan stood and pulled Wemmbu to their feet, his wings fluttering gently as he cooed softly. He gripped their hand tighter as they began pulling him along, a big smile on their face as they guided him into the hall, past Parrot and Wifies chittering to each other in a language foreign to his ears, past the medical supply closet, past the grandfather clock that felt like it was watching them, past the paintings of several generations of voidlings—the most recent seeming to depict Minute and Spoke at Spoke's 10th birthday party, Mapicc holding up 'bunny ears' behind the young voidling's head with a grin—past the mysterious door and it's height markers up the frame, past the kitchen; and finally, into the dinning room.
Wemmbu helped boost the angel up into his chair, snickering at his pout as they settled into theirs of the same height with no issue. Their clawed hands found the scratched up spot on the chair just between their knees and gripped it, leaning their forehead on the table itself with a sigh.
"I haven't had a good breakfast in sooo long bro! I'm excited to finally eat!" They grinned wide at Egg and he returned the look, moving his head-wings to show his own smile.
"Minute's had me on oatmeal since I ate those ribbons. Something about 'not aggravating my stomach' I think."
Egg chuckled and nodded along, his wings fluttering before he let them droop onto the floor.
"Me too, I've been stuck with bread, oatmeal, or unseasoned eggs for like, a month."
"I think that might kill me, bro... I've missed real food after a few days, let alone a month!" Wemmbu's eyes went wide as they leaned towards the angel, their—apparently untied—hair fell around their shoulders and made the angel laugh harder.
The scraping of a chair made both kids look up to see ManePear settling in an extra spot between FlameFrags and Parrot's seats—which were steadily being filled as Wifies helped the macaw into his chair and the tiger pushed Lomedy's wheelchair into place.
Theo rushed over and threw himself into his spot, patting Wifies' excitedly.
"C'mon! Oh, Parrot, did you hear they made bread pudding?!" The cockatiel chirped happily as he bounced in his seat.
Eggchan turned to Wemmbu with wide eyes and leaned in close to their ear upon hearing other people cheering.
"What's... bread pudding?" He kept his voice low as a subtle flush of gold lit up his cheeks, his eyes darting over to Mane and Flame bumping fists.
"It's like... stars, how do I even explain it.." The dragon sighed and leaned back in their chair, rubbing their eyes.
"It's... it's a dessert casserole kind of? You cut up a bunch of bread and mix it with eggs and some other stuff and bake it, and you usually eat it with maple syrup or something like that. Minute only makes it for holidays, and sometimes when Mane visits since it's his favorite." Their smile grew more gentle as they looked at Egg, their gaze softening. Wemmbu took one of Egg's hands in their own and pulled it to their chest as they smiled at him gently.
"You'll like it, I promise."