Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Bastien and Manny sit on Manny's bed; Manny with a workbook and pencil, Bastien with a colouring book and crayons.

Manny's wings wave slowly in the breeze from the open window, sparkling copper and gold.

Bastien sighs loudly.

Manny looks over.

Bastien ignores him, drags a crayon along the outline of a fat pony.

Manny shrugs, feathers shushing.

Bastien colours.

Manny scratches away.

„Why do you have wings and I don't?“ mumbles Bastien, colouring harder.

Manny's pencil stops scritching.

„You don't want wings. They're not worth it,“ he says quietly.

„They make you special!“ Tosses down his crayon, grumbles, „I'm just a boring, normal kid.“

Manny sighs. „Be happy you're normal. You can have friends and play outside and go to school with other kids. I can't do any of that.“

„But—“

„Oma can't hug me, Bunny.“

„Even though you're so soft?“ Bastien reaches out and strokes Manny's feathers.

Manny shakes his head.

„I still want wings so I'd be special, too.“

„You don't want to be this kind of special.“

„But ....“ Bastien makes a frustrated sound.

Manny doodles on the edge of his notebook page, chewing his lip. „Bunny, you're—you really are special.“

„How am I special?“

„Y-you just are.“

Bastien gives him a dubious look.

„You really are,“ Manny insists.

„If you say so ....“

„I know so.“

Bastien grabs another crayon, blues the barn in the background of his picture.

Manny returns to his homeworking.

Bastien finishes his barn, then the tree, then he stops, takes a deep breath, and says, „How do you know?“

„Know what?“

„Maaaaannyyyy ....“

Manny smiles. „Isn't it obvious?“

„No.“

„You're part bunny—“ Pokes Bastien's nose. „—Bunny.“

Bastien scowls. „Am n—“ Blinks rapidly. „Am I?“

Manny shrugs, feathers shoofing. „Why not?“

„Father's never said I'm part bunny.“

„He's never said you're not, either.“

Bastien scratches his head.

Manny waits, smiling.

Bastien grins, squeals, „Maybe I'll grow a tail! Or ears! Big, soft ears!“

„Maybe,“ agrees Manny. „Though ... I wonder if getting us some carrots for a snack will help them grow.“

Bastien shoots off for the kitchen.