Work Text:
Vitus had been working nonstop all day. He had to get this done as soon as possible. It didn’t help his focus when small black feathers kept landing on his desk. Delphia was curious and had been trying to hover over his head a few times today. It was sweet, but he didn’t have the time for it. He sighed, she was still nervous around him so he didn’t want to let her know he’d noticed either.
He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. He would be working for at least a few more hours. Dabria had gone on a trip and Rhys was staying with a friend. He had to try and make her stop flying in and out so he could focus. He started to sit up freezing when he heard the small yelp in front of his face. Something slightly damp and cold landed over his nose and he slipped his eyes open.
Delphia was hovering just above him looking terrified. She was blocked out by the blue rose she’d just dropped on his face. He moved slowly to grab the flower, but Delphia backed up anyway. He frowned a bit, but just grabbed the rose and sat up straight again. He looked it over for a minute before looking up at Delphia again.
“I thought it was pretty,” she whispered.
He offered his hand to her and she sat in his palm. The bird traits seem to shine through on her more than Dabria. She seemed more fragile, smaller. It made him extra cautious when she trusted him like this. He brought his hand closer and she hugged herself. He tried to offer a reassuring smile.
“It is, did you want to put it in some water?” he asked. She jumped when he spoke, she wasn’t used to being around someone so much bigger yet. She was just barely the height of his thumb.
“N-no, you seemed upset… I thought it would make you smile,” she whispered. His eyes went wide as she curled in on herself. He bent his finger closer and patted her head gently.
“Thank you, Delphia. Would you like to stay here while I finish working?”
He chuckled at the bright eyed look she gave him. She jumped off his hand and landed on his shoulder. She slipped her legs under his collar and leaned against his neck. He flinched, she was freezing. He sat back instead of continuing his work and placed a hand over her. He laughed a bit louder than he meant to when he felt her relax against his skin.
“You could just tell me you were cold,” he chuckled. He felt her wings twitching against him.
“I didn’t want to bother you, but then you looked upset and I saw the flower. I thought it would help then I’d go hide in Rhys’s jackets.”
“I’d like to think you can just tell me and not have to hide anywhere to warm up.”
“Hiding here is nice… you’re warm and safe.”
He blinked at her words. She hadn’t seemed to find him safe most of the time. She shied away from him when he spoke or his hands came close. He smiled as she relaxed more against his neck. Work could wait, for now he’d just spend some time with his daughter.