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Berdly packs his things spread across his desk. The small classroom is wafted with various smells he hated, only because of the day it was. Its the strong, pungent odor of rich chocolates. Sweet smelling perfume especially strong today, maybe in an attempt to show off for their sweetheart, or the fact Noelle has assaulted the air with ten sprays of candy cane mist. The less obvious is roses misted with water, and they're the kind that are way too expensive with how long they actually last. Little kisses, nudges, or flirts fill his stomach with a pit of jealousy. It twists it every which way hearing giggles and proclamations.
Its the most commercial holiday of the year. Ugh.
Like any other geek, he didn't get any of the sort, other than Noelle's tiny Christmas tree shaped card, complimented with an tiny piece of candy stuck to the inside. Which would've held more merit if she didn't give it to everyone. Valentines day is about feeling special, isn't it?!
Realistically, he should feel grateful that someone paid him the mind. What genuinely tugged at his heart strings was having to look back in anticipation for them to notice how much he longed for them. Those shaggy bangs and chapped lips were all he thought of.
Kris is still sitting there at their desk, in the middle of conversation with Susie and a smug look on their face. Their hand grips something although he cannot see it. Maybe a gift from somebody special. Someone not him. In fact, when it came to the realms of that, he did stop by a store and buy them a quaint gift. Its sitting inside his bag because he'd hate to have to explain who it was going to. People would never give him a break if they knew.
And considering how long he's been crushing on the human, now going on basically since school started again, he doesn't know if they'd love a guy like him back. He isn't even confident if he wants Kris to reciprocate.
Among that, Berdly's always compensating for something, trying to push his chin up and act better than them and everyone else, and he wondered on the small occasion if they minded those aspects about himself. Does Kris mind that he doesn't trim his eyebrows a lot? Are they okay with his lazy eye whenever he takes his glasses off? Is it weird that he only looks good from the side but looks really bad in the front?
Right. Yet again, a lot of stuff he wont know if he never approaches them. He can do it, he can do it-
His head whips back to his bag once Kris began to walk behind Susie. Well, shit, he can't do it if Susie is there. So its another flunk. He doesn't cry, or wrinkle his eyebrows. Just silently accepting he couldn't muster the courage to tell them how he felt, and that he missed out on his best chance. He swings his bag over his shoulder, and as he walked towards the door an impending wall caused him to scramble backwards. He even fell on his ass-oh, it couldn't get worse.
Berdly hisses, "Ow..hey, can't you watch where you're--"
"You dropped your glasses."
His eyes shoot open. Yeah, his vision is awful. Everything's a blur, and once the stranger hands him his glasses, his pupils couldn't have shrunk any further. They saw his lazy eye.
"..Um, are you okay?"
It's Kris! Kristopher! In all their glory, leaning down on one knee and tilting their head at his frazzled state. For that moment, he didn't move or try to stand. He just sat there, longingly watching their tresses of auburn hair flow in whatever draft was being blown in from the open windows. Everything around them dusted with pink, like they had transported themselves into a hazy realm of love.
"The floors really dirty..so you might wanna.."
They are so goddamn hot.
Desperately, with the way Berdlys heart thrummed in his chest, he wanted to disappear from their gaze. His whole body is flaring up in this state. Its even worse seeing them smile so patiently. Like an angel skipping through clouds! How could someone effortlessly be this dreamy?!
"Berdly, are you in shock or something?"
Oh, he's still on the floor.
He shot to his feet, dusting his clothes off in the most nonchalant manner. "Thanks, Kris. Heh, even a guy like me can be a bit of a klutz. Now, i-if you mind, I'll be going now.."
"Happy Valentines Day."
He furrows his brows. "Yeah. H-Happy Valentines Day..I guess."
"Look down."
Berdly craned his head down slowly. He sorta anticipated some rubbish. A prank gift or a piece of lint found at the bottom of their bag, because a gift like that seems so them, but that wave of fairy dust and strawberry clouds washed over him when he saw it.
Its.. okay, it wasn't what he expected. A quaint bouquet of blue flowers that smell familiar. They must've gotten them from their Dad's shop, Flower King. In their other hand, there's a card with a bird and Beak-a-boo, Valentine written in swirly cursive.
"Kris, this can't be for me. I mean, do you--"
Kris leans forward abruptly. He would've thought he was being pushed if not for the softness enveloping his plumage. The sheer warmth spreading around Berdly's cheek would've had him looking like an tomato if warranted. Their lips gave him a soft, but quick peck, and he notices now that they smell vividly of medicine. Cheap lip balm from the front of a store, he thinks. He nearly dropped the card and bouquet in hand as he became overwhelmed with sensations. Then, leaning backwards, Kris' cheeks have visibly reddened, cupping their own like it'd calm the heat rushing there.
"I like you, Berdly. And I know you like me too."
Berdly started stuttering. "How did you even know? Did I make it that obvious?! I even did the mandatory being really mean to you so you won't find out shtick!"
"Its not mandatory..?" they chuckled. "Besides, you didn't do it well. You always ended up complimenting me somehow."
He pouted at them, holding the bouquet and sniffing it eagerly. He realized he hasn't given their gift, and scrambled to shove the flowers into their hands again, yanking his gift out and presenting it nervously but quietly. Its a small box of chocolates, assorted from dark chocolate to strawberry to whatever amalgamation the sellers could pack into the bite sized things. Now that Kris has given him such an amazing gift, he feels sheepish to present such a thing. Its not as thoughtful as theirs! He's almost jealous of how good it was, considering its his first Valentines Day not alone.
But they were so happy. Smiling ear to ear and quickly glancing up from him and the box. Eventually they drop everything in their hands on a nearby desk, and pull Berdly into a hug. His arms froze, not knowing entirely what to do with the affection settling over his feathers, but he eventually hugged them back, even cooing into the crook of their neck. Its embarrassing to realize his tail feathers are wagging.
He opens his eyes slowly, almost afraid-in case it wasn't real at all. Is it.."
"Yes, its enough."
Berdly melts on their shoulder. "Its like we're in an anime, Kris."
"Are you the anime girl?"
"Yes, I'm the anime girl." He grumbled playfully.