Chapter Text
It was a fine spring day, the sunlight shining upon the world, waking half of humanity up in the morning. Entorin blinked awake, groggy from his slumber. He reached onto his nightstand, grabbing his phone. Looking at his messages with squinted eyes, he saw messages asking for help with Otarin and how Otarin is being a problem child again. ‘Great. She’s being a menace to Duck again.’ Entorin mumbled to himself. Letting out a groan, he sat up, rubbing his face.
He typed into his phone a response and stuffed it inside his pocket. He stood up off the bed as he stretched his limbs, a sigh of relief escaping his mouth. “I should shower before I call into work.” Entorin spoke, voice cracking slightly from disuse. Entorin checked his phone once more, his eyes flickering to a certain ping. It was from Birb. He lit up slightly, checking the ping, only to find that she was asking for him to tell Quack that she’ll run late. “Oh. At least she asked me to do it. That’s…something, I guess.” He muttered, as he walked into his bathroom.
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With a tired sigh, Entorin stepped out of his house, locking the door behind him. Glancing at his phone he looked at the time, 8:27 AM. “Duck, I deserve a break tomorrow.” He murmured to himself as he began walking. A gentle breeze flowed past his face as he strolled along. Eventually he reached a crosswalk. But rows upon rows of cars wait for the green light. “Alright, there’s no way in hell I'm risking getting rammed. Not for this.” So Entorin turned and walked the other way, pondering how he’ll get to Duck’s place. He looked around before spotting the park. ‘Oh yeah. I can just go through the park.’ He thought. So he walked into the park, ignoring all the people spending time together in the park.
Some were having a picnic, others were just hanging out. “Way to rub it in, huh?” He grumbled. His thoughts began to drift off, his walking now on autopilot. Thoughts of Otarin, Duck, and especially Birb- ‘NO! Stop. I musnt get distracted.’ He shook off the thoughts. Then he bumped into someone, his brain focusing back on the real world as he tumbled onto the ground.
“Ugh-“ He let out a groan as he landed on the pavement. “Oh I’m so sorry! I wasn’t watching and-“ The most angelic voice he’s ever heard spoke. Entorin stiffened. He knew that voice all too well. He looked upon the person he bumped into. It was Birb. “Oh, is that you Entorin?” She asked worriedly. “Yep. Uh, it’s me.” She crouched down. “Are you okay?” Birb asked, the close proximity making Entorin’s heart race. But he kept his face from showing his inner emotions, only a very faint blush appearing on his cheeks. “Uh yeah, don’t worry.” Birb frowned for a moment before she stood up and offered her hand. “Here. We both have to get to Duck’s house anyway. And it’ll be more fun than walking alone.” Entorin hesitated for a split second, before reaching out and grabbing her hand. He was quickly pulled to his feet. “Thanks.” He said quietly.
The walk was awkward. Mostly because Entorin wasn’t one for conversation. ‘Especially when it’s her.’ He thought. But she initiated small talk nonetheless, oblivious to his awkwardness. “It’s such a nice day today, yeah?” She let out a small noise of contentment, a sound so cute to him- ‘Entorin! Snap out of it. She’s right there.’ With a light shake of his head, he spoke. “Y-yeah. Spring’s really kicking in.” He looked away. A faint, insignificant smirk formed on Birb’s face upon seeing him shy away. “Hmm. I hope it starts to get warmer soon. I hate the cold.” She walked closer to him, making him panic internally ‘Did she just get closer to me or am I just hallucinating?’ Entorin let out a dry laugh. “Heh. Yeah. Me too.”
Another couple minutes of silent walking passed. Entorin looked around, his eyes wandering around the park before stopping at their hands. She’s still holding his hand. His mind blared alarms as his cheeks turned a faint red. ‘STAY CALM. STAY CALM. EVERYTHING IS FINE.’ He screamed internally. With a nervous clearing of his throat, he spoke. “U-uhm, Birb? Did you happen to n-notice that you’re still…” he drifted off, trying to not say it but also trying to get her to understand what he’s implying.
With a gentle tilt of her head she turned to him, confused. “I’m still what?” Entorin let out a sigh. ‘Do I really have to…? Fine.’ He looked away flustered, as he raised both their hands into her view. After a second it finally clicked in her head. “Oh!” a small part of her cheeks turned red, as she laughed embarrassedly. “I uh, didn’t notice. Sorry about that.” Netorin brought their hands down. For a moment he continued walking normally. Until ‘Wait, she hasn’t let go yet.’ He glanced at their hands and still, they’re together. Her grip on his hand is firm, yet comforting. He then glanced at her face and saw that she’s as content as ever. His mind went into full panic mode ‘Does she actually want to hold my hand or is she teasing me? AGHHH I’M SO CONFLICTEDD!’
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Finally, after another couple minutes of walking (and a couple of minutes of Entorin calming down) Duck’s house was in sight. “Look! We’re almost there. We aren’t gonna be late!” Birb called out happily, her grip on his hand only getting tighter. “Y-yeah, uh, about that. We were supposed to be here 20 minutes ago.” Entorin informed, Birb’s face freezing. She slowly turned her head toward him, sweat forming on her face. “What.” Entorin just gave a nod in response. Suddenly her pace sped up dramatically. Entorin is barely able to keep up, as he’s basically being dragged to Duck’s house.
“H-hey, slow down!” Entorin called out from behind her as he stumbled over his feet. Birb didn’t respond, as she continued her way to Duck’s house. Upon reaching the front door, Birb took off her witch hat and dug around inside it before pulling out keys. She plopped her hat back on her head and inserted the key into the lock. She turned the key and turned the knob, opening the door. Then she stuffed the keys into her pocket, grabbed Entorin’s hand again and hurried into the house.