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He was flying, truly flying. His wings opened fully as his colourful feathers blew in the wind, matching the colours of the rising sun in front of him. The wind roared in his ears as he pushed himself to go further up into the clouds, hair blowing in his face as his plats continuously smacked against the side of his neck.
The further he went up into the sky, the more determination filled his bones, pushing him to go further - faster - than he had before. Just as he broke through a cloud, creating a parrot shaped hole in it, he looked over it to witness the beautiful colours of the sun. Shades of oranges, orange and reds dyed the sky, making the water shimmer below him in a dazzling purple and blue.
Snapping his wings shut he let himself fall backwards, feeling the condensation of the clouds on his feathers and skin brush past him as he tumbled down. Spinning slightly he looked down at the ocean, feeling the air around him before snapping back open his wings just meters above the water.
A hand stretches out to run through the water below, looking into its depths - in awe of its beauty. The ends of his wings skims the edge of the water as he laughs - carefree and joyful. Running a hand through his dishevelled hair he rose a bit above the water, ignoring the growing ache in his wings the further he flew.
Parrot loved to fly. It was a gift not many are given naturally. Elytra added a special layer of feathers that connected to his shoulder blades, making his wings able to extend to their full length without any restraints. When the Elytra comes off the magic dissipates, leaving him with aching muscles and no golden feathers to finish his sunset-coloured wings.
But that's all despite the point right now. Right now, he was free as any other bird. The squawks of gulls filled his ears, the birds out to go get their breakfast. Quickly he adjusted his wings so as to not hit them, his tail feathers spread out further to allow him to slow down and fly smoother.
Parrot usually was a night time kind of bird, but with this new found Elytra he had finally been able to fly with the warmth of the morning sun again. And to have this freedom when it was so scarce- it's truly a blessing. One he definitely wouldn't have been able to achieve without Theo.
Speaking of Theo–
He felt air rush past him as the gulls squacked and scattered, Parrot’s hair clouding his view for a moment as he heard an all too familiar laugh.
“C’mon! Hurry up bro!” Theo yelled, his cheeks pink from smiling so hard. The cockatiel's own wings, beautiful golden and dull browns were a stark contrast against reds and oranges of the morning sky.
Parrot liked to think of Theo's wings as a perfect sunny beach- a mixture of soft sand and warming sun that encased your body. A comforting feeling he’s grown used to seeing.
Upon Parrot not immediately flying after Theo, he had gone ahead and taken the time to dive bomb in front of him, making Parrot have to abruptly stop to not fly right into the other Avian.
“Theo! What the hell!--” The macaw yelled with a startled laugh, looking down to see Theo further away with a mischievous look on his face. He waved for him to follow him, making Parrot roll his eyes affectionately.
Beating his wings faster to catch up to the cockatiel hybrid he flew above him and ruffled the blonde's hair, making Theo screech about his hair routine - though Parrot had a feeling he skipped it this morning from how excited he was.
Parrot tilted his body sideways to leave him now beside Theo as they flew, having a peaceful moment between the two. It wasn't everyday they could simply get a chance to breathe and allow themselves to have a calm moment with each other. No exploding TNT, no swords clashing, no screaming commands and death messages in their communicator– just the two avians.
Though of course, Theo could never simply enjoy a calm moment.
Abruptly Theo came to a stop, hovering in the air, Parrot’s head jerking slightly as he stopped unexpectedly. “What? What's up? Is something wrong?” Parrot quickly asked, scanning the area around them as he made his way beside Theo. “I swear if I see Wemmbu or Spoke I will–”
“I think,” Theo cut into Parrot's words as he craned his neck up, finger tapping his lips in mock thought. “I could beat you in making it above the clouds.” Parrot had to pause as he examined Theo's wings and then his own, chuckling a bit.
“Right, and remind me who's the bigger bird bro?” Parrot said, opening his wings fully for a moment as he continued to hover, showing off his larger wings. Theo flipped him off as he took off his sunglasses- (how have they stayed on?) -and scanned the sky above him.
“So? You willing to bet on it or not?”
“Well what do I get if I win?” Parrot asked.
Theo brought his gaze back down to him, grin widening. “Guess you’ll have to win to see!”
Parrot raised a brow and Theo laughed. Suddenly he felt Theo's clawed feet on his chest as he was used as something to propel off of, in the process pushing him down and further from his goal.
“See ya up there Parrot!” He heard Theo call out, quick to regain his senses.
“Absolute cheater bro!” He yelled, flying after him with new found energy and determination.
He saw Theo flapping his wings with all his might, swerving in front of Parrot to block his view with minimal luck. Although Theo was better at dodging and swerving than he was, Parrot was faster. He caught up to Theo and practically tackled him in the air, the two went tumbling into a cloud as the bodyguard was completely caught off guard. “Parrot?!”
“Surpise!” He then did exactly what Theo had done to him, pushed himself off him and soared above in one big flap of his wings. With a bright laugh he continued to soar into the clouds, not noticing how Theo stayed there for a moment with his own big smile on him, admiring how free his best friend was right now.
Just as Parrot thought he had evaded Theo, he saw the clouds around him begin to swirl - a familiar golden yellow emerging from them. Theo eventually burst out and began to properly circle the other Avian while Parrot went straight up, the look of pure bliss and joy never leaving the twos face.
Parrot fell into the rhythm of Theo's circling, joining him as the two spiraled around an invisible pillar, wings in perfect sync. Theo's chain banged off his chest in time with Parrots beaded hair, their eyes no longer on the sky but on each other. Two birds free from responsibility, from hardship, from the ghosts that follow them - even if just for one morning.
Suddenly, almost unexpectedly for the two, they burst through the top of all the clouds - nothing but the sky above them. It was a bright blue, breaks of yellow shining through from the blazing sun. Clouds caught on their wings created an almost explosion effect around the two, the whistling wind coming to a stop. Parrot and Theo wings wrapped around each other for a moment mid swing, their feathers making a complete sunrise.
While Parrot admired the view of not just the sky, but how relaxed Theo was. His eyes weren't squinting trying to aim a bow, and his hands weren't clenched into fists as he protected him.
He was free.
“Guess I win” He suddenly heard Theo said. He caught a glance of his smug look before he fell backwards with practiced ease, wings snapping shut as he fell. His wings flapped once, twice, before they too snapped shut and dived straight after Theo, determined to beat him in this unsaid race to shore because clearly he is the one who won, not him.
Parrot caught up to Theo as they tumbled together to the sea, circling slightly again as the macaw gave the cockatiel a pointed look. “What?” Theo called out, “I beat you bro!”
“You definitely didn't dude!”
“Yes I did!”
“Nope! I was above you! Therefore, I reached the sky first and–”
CRASH!
When the two birds had come through the clouds to see the ocean once more, they were pelted with rain. And not just any casual rain, a storm. Thunder broke the peace that was once theirs as their wings opened instinctively, flailing slightly as the heavy rain hurdled down on their unprotected wings.
Arm held above him to try block the rain from his eyes, Parrot turned to his bodyguard with slight fear. “It's fine! Just follow me!” Theo called out, pulling out his sunglasses and put them on. What in the world were those going to do? Who knows. But Parrot didn't question it as Theo lead them towards shore, the rain soaking into their clothes and weighing them down.
Although Parrot’s wings were designed to withstand rain, Theo's was not. He could see the man shaking beside him, falling behind the more they flew. “Theo, where the hell is the beach!?”
“I don't know! It's– last I checked it was this direction!” He called out, having to beat his wings in double successions just to keep up. Shoot. This wasn't good. Theo needed cover- something to help him stay somewhat dry so he can make it back.
Thunder rumbled in the air– and Parrot had an idea.
Flying right above Theo he used his body to cover him, timing his wings with his to not cause a crash. Although it wasn't full proof, it seemed to help somewhat as the cockatiel shot him a grateful smile.
It felt like eons of mindless flying through the horrendous rain, thunder making it harder for him to think straight. The few constants was the brush of Theo's wings, and the sound of his teeth clattering under him. “I think I see it!-- I see it!” Parrot breathed a sigh of relief.
At that moment, the macaw opened his wings to fall back and then descend to help aid the search for the nearest land, Theo above him as he looked further ahead. He watched as Theo raised his hand to point out something, to yell at Parrot to hurry his ass up–
That was until lighting struck Theo.
Theo's golden wings caught alight in a flash as he fell out the air, like a stone being dropped. Time slowed as he watched him fall in front of him, a scream echoing alongside the thunder - both deafening in Parrots ears.
He went stagnant in the air, frozen for what to do. Would diving save him quicker? But that could lead to both of them crashing. Would ender-pearling work? The rain is too heavy, he could miss and then both of them be injured-
Lightning crashed through the air again, lighting up Parrot's way as he dived down to catch Theo.
He didn't care if he crashed, or ended up on half a heart, hell he wouldn't even care if he didn't make it. Theo just has to be okay. He needs to be okay.
Parrot caught sight of the ocean as he dived, Theo's alight wing creating a morbid beacon in the rain. He knew the fire could spread quickly, even with this weather, feathers being such fine material was like a breeding ground for the flames.
Hand outstretched, the macaw just about grabbed the collar of Theo's shirt and pulled him into his chest before they crashed into the ocean, nearby the shore.
Gasping, Parrot broke through to the surface, blinking away the dark spots in the corner of his eyes. He chose to ignore the ache in his back and the sight of red pooling in the water around him.
He doesn't remember hauling Theo out of the sea, or the panicked yelling of name as he did. He blinks and suddenly there under a thick oak tree, unsure of what's rain water and what's tears. Parrot finds both rolling down his face and onto Theo’s nearly lifeless body, hands trembling.
When Theo doesn't awake when he shakes him, panic encases his whole being. “No– Theo, c’mon. C’mon man. Please. Please.” He sniffles, shoulders sagging as he screws his eyes shut. In a moment of desperation he puts his hands on Theo's chest, going over the instructions in his head to make sure he doesn't mess up CPR once. He could break a rib, or do it too slowly or too fast or–
“Parrot?” He heard Theo croak out, eyes fluttering open. “Don’t needa do all that, don't wanna smell yer bad breath dude” Parrot’s eyes widened, wings puffing up as a multitude of emotions, before the cockatiel rolled onto his side and coughed up sea water.
Once he's done emptying his lungs Parrot punches the avian in the shoulder who whined in protest, before helping him up into a sitting position against the tree.
Theo's wings were pressed against the tree, though the only indication that he was hurt was the quiet hiss of pain that escaped past his lips. Parrot barely registered any of ot as his hands shook, breathing shallow, trying to find a way to calm himself down. He can't panic, not right now, not now–
A hand comes up to his shoulder, gripping him enough to help ground him. “M’fine dude. Stop stressin’” Theo says, almost casually. As if he didn't fall from the sky into the ocean and his wing didn't burn as he did.
“Don't– I hate it when you do that dude.” Parrot managed to say, his hand finding Theo's as he finally took a proper look at him. Apart from the missing sunglasses, Theo had no signs he hit a rock or the sea floor when he fell, meaning he probably doesn't have any form of a concussion–
“Do what?” The cockatiel’s hybrid voice was hoarse slightly, maybe from swallowing sea water. Could be from when he cried out in pain– or just from general exhaustion of flying, his wings aren't built for this weather–
“Parrot.”
Snapping out of his thoughts by the stern voice of his bodyguard, he couldn't help but shake still. “M’fine dude. Trust me, it's just like taking a minecart to the side–”
“But you were on fire! You usually have fire res!” He argued, grip tightening in Theo. “You have armour, you– you’re expecting it, you can– can back up, prepare, think ahead and figure out how to–”
“Dude–”
“No!” He yanked Theo's hand off his shoulder and blinked away tears, pushing more soaking hair out of his face. He could smell burnt feathers mixed in with the smell of wet ground and rain. He needed to check his wings as soon as they made it to the shore, but he’ll beat himself up later for that.
“Just– I need– Theo, show me your wings. Now.” His hands clenched into fists in his lap, gaze stern as he watched Theo practically flinch at the words. Eyes drifting back he saw that the cockatiel hybrid had fully hidden his wings behind his back, which Parrot knew must be uncomfortable to all Hell.
The sound of rain filled the silence that was between the two, both stubborn in their own walls they've built around themselves. Although Parrot believed he had successfully knocked down his best friends– in this moment, he saw him hesitate.
“Parrot I– jus’, m’fine. I’m telling ya the truth dude–”
“You fell like 100 feet from the sky cuz you got struck by lightning and fell into the ocean.”
That shut Theo up for a moment, mouth opening and closing to try and retort. “Why are you hesitating?” He asked, flat and direct. Theo's gaze fell to the floor, disguising his pain with ignorance. Ignorance for the olive branch Parrot was offering, for a helping hand to someone who cared about him.
“Dude– shoot, wait. Take off the Elytra, it might help ease the pain-”
“That just creates phantom pains.” He responded too quickly for this to just be second hand knowledge. The bodyguard still didn't move, though Parrot waited patiently for him to. He seemed to be frozen under the tree, eventually pulling his leg up to rest his chin on it.
“I’m fine.” Theo stated once again. When Parrot didn't answer with words and instead a skeptical look, the cockatiel’s feathers bristled. “How many times do I have to repeat it for you to believe me!”
“Never dude, cuz what you’re saying is just bullcrap.” Theo scoffed, Parrot continued to wait. He’ll wait till the storm passes, until it is night, until the next morning sun rises. However long it takes for Theo to finally open up just that bit more and let him help him. Just as he has done for him time and time again.
Theo is always there for the hard nights. For the times Parrot can't stand his face in the mirror, or when he can't get up out of his own bed. He's there when his body freezes up at the sight of winter's first snow, or when the TNT gets too loud for him to handle.
Parrot never says it out loud, and he really should, but if it wasn't for when he met Theo he would not have gotten this far. Theo's this golden blazing light in his darkest hour, shining a path for him to keep going.
And right now, Parrot was willing to do just as Theo as always done for him. As long as he breathes, he’ll keep his hand outstretched to Theo even if snarls and tries to shove him away.
Forever he’ll be in debt to his best friend for sticking around this long - for not giving up even when he kept him at swords length for so long.
And right now, he refuses to let him be another ghost to haunt him.
“I’m not moving Theo.” Parrot finally said, making the avian look up slightly from his leg. “I’ll wait for however long I'll need to. I have to make sure that… that you’re okay.” Subtly, he watched Theo’s eyes widen. As if those words have never been said to him. Or maybe they have, long ago in a distant past. One Theo hasn't thought about in a long time.
It seems to make Theo's shell crack, just enough. Taking a deep breath he hesitates again, eyes darting to Parrot's clenched hands to which he loosens instantly, now flat on his legs. That makes Theo relax again by a centimeter, but it was progress. “Don’t panic, alright?” Theo mumbles, to which Parrot nods in a false promise.
Thunder cracks above them, lightning strikes the forest, making Parrot flinch instinctively. The macaw would never point it out loud, but he swears that he watched Theo flinch at the sound.
A moment passed before the cockatiel finally gives in. He leans forwards and opens up his wing that got shot by lightning, his other staying tucked against his back. Parrot tried not to gasp at the sight of it.
Dropping into the ocean seems to have stopped most of the damage from spreading, but Parrot silently wished he fell quicker.
The lightning hit right where the Elytra extended his wings, the warm chocolate brown now burnt and black, blood actively dripping down between the feathers and onto the ground. The fire had spread to the muscles of his wing, scarring it and leaving it open and red.
Where his primary feathers should be now were only scattered remains, the larger main primary feathers were completely gone or charred to unholy hell.
Parrot stared in utter shock, not only at the wound, but how Theo managed to be barely reacting to such an injury. Without hesitating any further, the macaw was rooting through his inventory and pulled out a single regeneration potion he had. It wasn't a splash but one Theo had to drink– but at least he’ll be okay. He has to be okay.
“Parrot, if you pour that on my wings now it could affect the Elytra. An’ then it ruins one of the few we got.” Theo explained, eyeing the potion as if it were a bomb. “Good thing it's not a splash potion then.” The macaw raised the vial and watched Theo's eyes widen, wing suddenly snapping closed behind his back.
“No, no- okay. We don't– I am not drinking that.” Theo said, thunder rumbling in the air once again.
“What- bro? Your wing needs it! It could get infected–”
“But drinking that? No, no. Just– and, well, we’d need to wrap it up either way," Theo insisted, Parrot stared at jjm in utter confusion as he unshealthed his claws to perfectly slice the sleeve of his jacket off. “So just wrap it and let's get going. I’ll be fine to walk–”
“Dude, why are you acting this way? It's just a regen potion–”
“I jus’ don't like them. They taste gross and– ya know, just, the consequences outweigh the benefits!” Theo said, voice raising.
“What consequences are you on about bro?! Dude, okay, just take the potion before I make you drink it!--”
“No!” Theo snapped, his wings jolting out instinctively. He hissed in pain as a hand reached out to grab ahold of his joint, as if his touch could heal the burning pain that spread throughout his body. “No, I do not- I will not! I don't want to! Okay?! Just take that as an answer for once Parrot!”
Silence filled the space between them. The magenta vial stayed in his hand as he stared at his best friend in shock, frozen yet again for what to do. Theo looked at him for a moment longer before his gaze fell back between his legs, his one good wing wrapping around him - a shield.
That motion was enough to snap Parrot back to his senses. Clearly arguing about this was going to do them no good, and forcing him to drink a potion is straight up something he would never do unless he really needed to. “...Okay.” The potion disappeared from view, and he watched as Theo visibly relaxed.
“Give me your jacket sleeve, I'll wrap it and we can get going once the rain goes” He explained, to which he agreed. He handed him the cut-off sleeve and waited for a moment to Parrot move, seemingly unaware that his wings were clamped against his back.
The macaw gestured for him to open up and Theo, slowly but surely, let his wing open. The blood had soaked more of his feathers, the once golden colour now destroyed by a deep red. Moving closer to the cockatiel he gently moved his wing to fully stretch out as much as he could. He chose to ignore how Theo’s eyes, for a moment, screwed shut.
Without asking Parrot took out his water bucket and poured it over the wound to clean out the wound somewhat. Old and fresh blood flooded onto the ground, leaving Theo’s feathers a vague pinky-yellow. He heard the cockatiel hybrid gasp at the cold sensation, feathers puffing up. “What the hell man? Warn a guy.” He grumbled, though there was no bite to it.
Parrot used his own claws to cut the sleeve open and wrap it around his joint, grabbing a hairclip from his hair to keep it together. He stared at the fabric that slowly got stained with blood before Theo folded his wing back in, and Parrot chose once again to ignore how his fists clenched silently as he did.
“If that gets infected, I will have your actual head dude” Parrot said quieter than he meant for it to be, scooting back to give Theo space once again. He found himself leaning against his own tree, gazing at the sky above them.
“Yeah, yeah, alright mom” Theo tried to joke, though it fell flat as Parrot didn't respond. His own mind was racing from all the different outcomes, different ways this all could go wrong.
If they don't find a splash potion soon, or even find a health potion, this could affect Theo in the long run.
He could end up being a grounded bird for life.
How was he supposed to fly with him in the morning if he can't even open his wings?
How was he supposed to fight and evade without useful wings?
What if the wound gets infected and leads to him getting sick? They don't have the proper medicine to–
“...Thank you.” Parrots eyes snapped to Theo, who was suddenly very interested in the one spot of ground he was stabbing with a twig. “For- ya’know, listening to me.” The macaw had to pause as he stared at Theo, wings bristling.
“..No problem dude. I amn’t going to make you take something you don't want to.” The avian nodded, and that seemingly settled that.
They almost had a calm moment when the world decided to give them their second biggest scare of the morning. Lighting struck a tree right beside them, making Parrot scramble to Theo's side - a reflex by this point. He went to shield Parrot with his wings only to hiss in pain, teeth grinding together.
Without even thinking, Parrot used his own wings to shield both of them from the rain and burning tree. Theo looked at him as if he’d grown two heads, but the macaw didn't mind once he saw him relax against him. The storm put out the fire quicker than they both originally thought, but Parrot didn't let up. His wings stayed wrapped around the two, his silent way of saying he was there for him.
If he can't offer him a sword, he’ll offer him his wings as protection. A promise to hold him close, to do his best in keeping them both together.
Parrot found his head resting on Theo's shoulder, both avians resting in this almost tranquil moment, heart beat in sync with one another.
“..Y’know what I was gonna offer you if you won?” Theo asked suddenly, making him open his tired eyes. Had he dozed off? Blinking for a moment he stretched out his wings, settling back into Theo's side.
“What?” Parrot finally asked.
“Was gonna call you the bigger bird for the rest of the day” Parrot couldn't help but laugh quietly at that.
“Guess you’re going to be calling me the bigger bird all day then” He said, making Theo gasp dramatically.
“I dunno if the ocean got into your brain and made you stupider–”
"Not how that works but go on,” The macaw muttered with a smile.
“-But clearly I am the one who won!”
“Whatever you say Theo, cuz I am not calling you the bigger bird bro” He felt Theo rest his head on top of Parrot's, even if he was annoyed that he wouldn't admit defeat.
“Jus' saying, I was the one who was above you when we finished–” Theo started and Parrot couldn't help but snicker.
“Okay now you're making it sound weird dude!” Theo proceeded to smack Parrot on the back of the head and turn away, shoving his wing between the two. The macaw apologises profusely before, very quickly, Theo moved his wing and they fell into a fit of laughter.
Eventually, they found their way back to their potion shop, chatting the entire way. Eventually Theo would drink a health potion in their shared bathroom and after an hour for the wound to be properly healed, took off the Elytra and hung it next to Parrots.
Eventually Parrot will figure out the fear around the potions another day. Eventually, he’ll make plans with his best friend and smuggle players out of spawn. Eventually, he’ll have to do all of that.
But right now, he was just any other ordinary player, laughing with his best friend- not even noticing that the rain was easing up above them, the sun breaking through the clouds and helping warm up the world around them.
And for now, that was enough.