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Simon noticed that they got out of bed.
He was never a particularly heavy sleeper, though he could blame a bout of insomnia for keeping him up this time. Judging by the light filtering in through the window, it kept him up the whole night once more.
Wonderful.
Mourning Dove was probably getting up to do their morning prayer at what can only be called an ungodly time. Given the option, he wouldn’t be up right now. Why anyone would be up at five in the morning was a mystery Simon had no intention of solving.
Though how there were only two people in his life who didn’t get up that early was the real question. Peacock was the only one who had no choice in the matter when it came to waking up early, but he knew what he was getting into when he started dating his Bellbird, who out of everyone on the list had the least reasonable answer as to why he got up so early.
Yelling only barely beat out a five AM jog. Canary was a monster.
He laid in there a little longer, before giving up on this hopeless endeavour. It may have been soul crushingly early, but if his hours of laying there hadn’t allowed him to get the rest he craved, then it was never going to happen. He might as well go keep his Mourning Dove company as they prayed.
Contrary to popular belief, Simon could behave and be respectful.
Their bed was still ever the temptress, trying to lure him in with false promises of slumber in it’s comfy embrace, despite both of them knowing it wasn’t going to happen. It could try its siren song all it wants, but at the end of the day it still wasn’t going to happen.
Hopefully by the end of the day it would.
Taka was still sound asleep next to the bed on his little perch. Simon would have to scrounge around a little to see if he’d be able to find good nesting material for him later. Not that he’d ever get the opportunity to lay an egg, but after all he’s done for him, Taka deserved to live in bird luxury.
But he was getting off topic. He was getting out of bed for a reason. And that was to be a reluctant partner to his Mourning Dove. That was the decision he made, and now he had no one to blame for being out of bed than himself.
The shower turned on.
Either his Mourning Dove had returned to their old ways after Simon had brought them over to his side, or this was their “waterfall” to pray under. Worst case scenario, he saw his Mourning Dove nude in the shower, and it wasn’t as though he hadn’t seen their body before.
Though before he went in there to join them, Simon should get ready a little. He’d put some clothes on and use his Mourning Dove’s bedside brush to at least get his hair manageable. It was never going to be good, but Simon wasn’t about to put effor t into doing his hair.
The water was still on, so that was a good sign. Though it could be a hair washing day Because they actually give a shit about their hair.
Simon let himself in, washed his hands, rinsed out his mouth, and then sat down next to the shower.
It had been a long while since he prayed. He had resigned himself to death the moment his sentence was carried out, and gave up any notion of purity. Even after his name was cleared, he was still a man who carried the weight of death on his shoulders. He wasn’t sure if the Kami would even listen to a man like him, though he had a feeling the Holy Mother or whomstever wouldn’t give a shit about a former dead man walking.
Not that Simon was looking for religion anymore. Knowing his luck he’d be given immortality and piss off the Holy Mother if he gave it any serious thought.
But he could be respectful. Hopefully the Holy Mother, or whatever otherworldly secretary fielded the prayers for her would accept his attempts.
A lot had changed since he last prayed. Canary could stand on her own two feet, Hawk and Flamingo were in jail, and Crane had been killed. Budgie had taken over from his dad. Finch turned out to be Finch, Kookaburra, Shrike, and Chickadee, and that was saying nothing of the whole cast of characters that had forced their way into his life.
Was protection even a thing he could ask for? Patience was the only thing Simon could be certain the Holy Mother granted, because Simon was delightfully irritating and his Mourning Dove was dramatic.
Protection seemed like a good thing to ask. It had to be a standard thing in every religion. He supposed thank yous were also in order. Like he had any idea to whomst exactly he was thanking.
“What exactly are you doing here and dressed already?” his Mourning Dove asked, as they turned the water off.
“Figured I’d join you. Maybe the Holy Mother could let me have a full night’s sleep for once.” Simon had to wonder at what point the stains under his eyes stopped being tears and started being the bags under his eyes.
“Another night you find yourself sleepless? I’m surprised you’d turn to prayer of all things,” they commented, ringing out their hair.
“Today might be the day I finally buy myself melatonin, but putting in a request with the Woman in charge might be a good idea,” he got up with a grunt. The bathroom floor was hell on his knees.
It still wasn’t going to make him get bath mats. Nothing would change his mind on those, sore knees be damned
“I suppose desperation has driven many to religion, I just never took you for the religious type,” they took the towel and started patting themself dry. “I do find it odd that you’d go out of your way to look somewhat presentable for this. Even more so that you’d wash your hands and rinse your mouth before you started.”
“So you’re saying the Holy Mother would prefer my bed head and morning breath. Noted,” he yawned. “Seems as though the Holy Mother in her infinite kindness is allowing me to go back to sleep. It seems my attempt at first impressions have paid off, despite your cruel teasing.”
Mourning Dove rolled their eyes a little. “Then I would go and take full advantage before She revokes it because of your sass.”
With a chuckle, Simon waved him off. “Fine, and should you put dry clothes on you’re more than welcome to join me.”
“I’ll consider it, Panda.”