#featherstorm

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Soft chatter around him slowly pulls Grian out of his lovely dream of exchanging wing caresses with a turned, fae Scar. Who for some reason also had antennae? Only to find that in the waking world, the real Scar is also very much petting Grian's wings. Smooth and repetitive, warm hands feel so different than the smooth crystal from last night.

Smooth crystal? Last night...?

Oh no. Oh no nononono he didn't. Groaning, Grian tries to burrow deeper into whatever blanket he's under. Which turns out to be his own wing. Oh well. He can still hide under it, even if it in no way diminishes the flaming heat searing through his cheeks at the memory of how he threw himself at Vex as they fucked. Full surface wing contact, synchronized beats, Grian might as well propose right now.

And the worst part is, Vex has to know. He knows Grian's sounds, Grian's other wing motions. So why not these too.

"Good morning, sweetheart." Scar purrs his words dreamily. His hands work methodically through Grian's wings, smoothing each feather down as Grian puffs them up. How dare he be so soothing!

Grian chitters protest that gets bleary noises from underneath him.

Under him...

Underneath Grian, there's a sleepy Vex, just now blinking open glowing eyes. Greeted by the sight of Grian's flushed face and ruffled bedhead, the first thing that dastardly villain does is smile.

"Good morning, Ari." Vex's voice is unfairly hot in the morning, all scratchy-deep from sleep.

"Kill me now." Grian groans, begrudging Vex for not currently being a cool surface to quench the blaze of his face on. Grian scrubs and rubs his cheek against Vex's chest regardless, of course.

Scar's hands glide up to press around Grian's throat. "If only." Wistful longing clogs his tone.

"Poor dear." Warm fingers come to to tangle in Grian's hair, smooth it out and scritch his scalp. "What's got you so worked up?" Vex rumbles.

The noise that comes out of Grian most certainly is not a whimper. For sure. Fuck, between Vex's morning voice and Scar's hands- Has being trapped ever felt so right?

"Nothing. It's nothing." If only Grain could convince himself of that. Nothing. A mere whim of his horny brain and nothing more. Nothing he longs to do again. His wing twitches, feathertips brushing over crystal.

"Well, if it's nothing, then I assume there's nothing that can be done to handle it." Vex's fingers find a good spot at the base of Grian's headwings, rubbing slowly. "That being said, do either of you have breakfast ideas?"

Cooing, Grian melts into Vex's rubbing.

"-nd a whole battalion of eggs to stuff right on into him!" Scar's words snag Grian's attention back from where his mind had wandered, garnering a soft pip and a jolt from Grian. No, nonono he doesn't need Vex's eggs inside him, who- Who said he did! Lies!

"No..." Grian whines softly, trying to hide under his wing even more.

"What was that? Does our broody birdy want eggs?" Scar coos, fingers slipping between feathers. "I'm sure we can find you some."

"What? Who would want that?" Grian protests, voice cracking. His wings shiver under Scar's touches. Whatever, at least he can just. Shift a few things around so there isn't any tell-tale dampness leaking from his clenching cunt.

"I do have a few silicone eggs I was practicing making, if you would like something to do while we wait for food to arrive." Vex offers, in that ever-so-practical tone of his.

Vex has eggs. Grian hadn't thought his face could get and hotter, yet here he is. About to be burned to a crisp by his own traitor emotions. Grilled chicken, or maybe flambéed.

"Ooh yes, I want to see them, Vexy!" Scar cheers, clapping excitedly. "How many? How big are they? Can we stuff them all into Ari? Do they glow? Vibrate?"

"I made an assortment of sizes. A few glow, but none of them have electronics in them. Not yet, I was practicing the coloration and shaping first." Vex explains, brushing his knuckles down over Grian's cheek. The touch feels cool, even though Grian knows Vex is nest-warm.

"Where are they?" Scar's already peeling himself upright, far too brightly eager.

"If you're standing in front of the toys, bottom left there's a box labeled 'Eggs'. That's got all of them." Vex explains. "Sadly I have not yet gotten around to making matching ovipositors."

"One egg box, coming right up!" A smooching sound, the Grian feels the mattress dip as Scar clambers out of the nest.

"Why are you like this?" Grian peeks one single eye up at Vex, hiding the rest of his face with a pressed-tight headwing. "Something wrong with you. Many things."

"Can't a guy enjoy some eggs?" Vex blinks innocently at Grian.

Pausing, Grian blinks. And blinks some more. His brain finally kicks into gear to produce the thought that the eggs Vex was making might not have been aimed a him at all! Like- Of course not, why would Vex be thinking of Grian while making eggs? That's- Silly. "They're... for you?" Grian asks, for lack of anything else to say.

"I mean. I'm definitely not opposed to you two playing with them. Quite the opposite, in fact. Quite the opposite. But yes, I did start making them for my own use." Vex nods.

“Of course, I mean. Yeah. Duh.” Swatting his headwing at Vex’s hand, Grian silently demands more petting, especially now that Scar has vacated the area. “Make you even rounder than you already are.” Grian’s hands span the space of Vex’s belly. Damn handsome man. Which would only get worse with him full of eggs, eggs Grian could put into him.

"One egg-livery!" Scar crows, slipping back into the nest just as Vex starts up with the scritches again. Brushing Grian's wing aside, Scar settles easily between Grian's knees.

"Did you grab a throw?" Vex asks from under Grian's wing. Who put that there? Mysterious.

"Yep!" Scar's already working the throw under Grian's butt, rudely groping Grian quite a bit along the way. "Handy dandy dual-purpose egging and eating throw acquired!" Scar beams, unreasonably proud of himself for such a simple thing.

Attacking Scar's hair is mandatory at this point, claws shuffling through familiar strands. If Grian looks at that, he doesn't have to look at the box Vex is rifling through.

"So we've got a few options here, size wise." Options Vex presents to Scar right now. Options Grian is firmly ignoring. Too busy preening Scar's bedhead, check back later.

"Ooh, I like the pink one!" Scar exclaims, reaching out. "Got a good size to it too. Will leave our birdy so nice and full!"

Well- Who would blame Grian for peeking, just for a moment? Just to see- He preens Scar's hair twice as hard, pushing the dusty rose curve of the egg out of his brain. No way Vex- Vex has too much dedication to color matching. And it's big- Not huge, and especially not when it's made out of squishy material, but. Big. Grian would feel carrying that around inside of him.

"An excellent choice, one of my favorites, if I have the time to warm up for it." Vex approves.

"You're gonna need more of these, then. So we can stuff our birdy nice and round." Scar nods, ignoring the way Grian tries to keep preening him. Good thing Grian can preen Scar by touch alone, because Grian is not peeking out from behind his headwings again anytime soon.

"I can do that. Yeah, I can do that." Vex agrees neither a shred of hesitation nor shame.

Humming, Scar traces fingers up behind Grian's dick, seeking a slit that isn't there anymore. "Are you going to make us do this rough, sweetheart~?" A lilting tease to Scar's tone, just shy of threat.

"I'm not- making you do anything. We could just eat bre-" Grian's words are cut off by Scar's fingers in his mouth. Panting around them, Grian does his best to look unaffected, to keep preening.

"Won't breakfast be so much nicer with Vexy's cozy eggs inside you?" Scar purrs. "All you have to do is relax for us, sweetheart." Scar's smooth words tug at Grian's thoughts. Would it be so bad if he loosened up a little? Scar's fingers get chewed in Grian's contemplation.

"See? There you go, just lay back for us and enjoy. We're just gonna pop these nice, big eggs into you, get you all stuffed and cozy, then feed you breakfast." More of Scar's soft coos, followed by Vex's hands in Grian's hair, on Grian's lower back. Keeping well away from flight wings, but touching Grian so good.

"Eggs are the best. I know I always feel better after a good egging. Don't you want that too?" Oh no Vex's voice has gone even rumbly-deeper than it already was, and now his fingers are digging into the feathers of a headwing, caressing so good and warm and safe-

"Won't you let us take care of our mate? Our treasure?" Scar blinks up at Grian through his lashes and- When had Grian started looking at him again? Too late now, though, the adoring green of Scar's eyes is all too easy to fall into. A well-trod path. Like the fields splayed out below Grian when he's flying far from the city. "Just breathe, and let us make you feel good. Nice and open."

Scar grinds his knuckles under the base of Grian's dick, tucked up where Grian likes to hide nerve endings. Of course Scar would find them. Find them and rub them until Grian's eyes cross, until he's melting back into warm hands that catch him, lay him out.

Pillows cradle Grian comfortably, wings splayed out to his sides, sat up just enough to watch Scar between his spread-wide legs. A position where Grian doesn't have to do anything but drift as Vex joins Scar between his legs, stroking hands in short petting motions over the floof of down along Grian's thighs.

"Open up for us, darling." Scar teases two fingers around where Grian prefers to situate his opening, when he has a pussy. Right now, there's nothing there but smooth skin marked by a hint of leftover wetness.

Letting his eyes fall closed, Grian pulls his focus down into his flesh. He needs to open himself. His hips creak, reconfiguring to suit the incubation sac he shapes in his guts. Connecting it down, out-

Grian can feel all of it, every squelch and slick ripple as his flesh parts under Scar's fingers. Even if Grian couldn't, he'd know it's happening still from the rapturous gasp of Scar's breath, and the interested hum from Vex.

If he's going to be a show, Grian might as well put on some spectacle. His lower lips unfurl and color in the way of blooming petals, surrounding a braid-textured clit almost hiding behind his dick. A blossom in pale blue and orange, designed to invite in his mates.

"Beautiful." Scar breathes, tangling his fingers in a few of the vine-like tendrils Grian perks up surrounding his lower lips. His petals. Grian may not be able to turn into a plant, but he can take visual inspiration with the best of them.

"Agreed. Our prettiest Ari is once again stunning." Vex's fingers join Scar's between Grian's legs, petting and caressing and exploring. Dipping into his opening, smearing gathered wetness around until Grian's petals glisten like proper flowers in the morning dew.

Scar steals Vex's hand, licking a dewdrop from his knuckle. "Sweetest nectar." Savoring the taste with a soft moan, Scar blinks slow adoration to Grian.

Grian's tendrils sway, teasing at the fingers that flit over his petals.

"Shall we begin with this one?" Vex hefts the large, pink egg in his hand. That has to be at least a few fruits large- Not that Grian's buying in to that silly measurement of theirs.

He must have made some kind of noise, because Scar and Vex both turn to look at him.

"That's a yes if I've ever heard one!" Scar declares cheerfully, lowering the egg he'd accepted from Vex so its tapered tip kisses Grian's lower lips.

"Wait lemme grab the-" Vex turns to the side, going for the lube contraption.

"We won't need it, Vexy. Our birdy can get wet enough on his own." Scar waves him off.

"Neit. Lube is-"

"Ari can get wet enough on his own." Scar insists, looking directly at Vex. From this angle, Grian can't quite make out the face Scar's making, but Vex dips his head, sighing out.

"Alright then. But if we do it like this, Ari hydrates first." Vex counters.

"Of course." Scar graciously concedes. "You do that and I'll show you just how wet he can get." Not even bothering to wait for an answer, Scar dives into kissing Grian's dick, thumb and forefinger working Grian's clit at the same time, a sharp sensory assault that strangles any sound Grian could make into nonsense.

That hot, suckling mouth has slick practically bubbling out of Grian, too, even before Vex helps Grian sit up more, pressing the rim of a bottle to Grian's lips. Pleasantly sweet grape fills his senses, Grian gulping down the drink as fast as Vex lets him.

Nursing the bottle in Vex's hands, being held up by hand and wing- Those do things to Grian's gut. Clenching things, that are in no way made better when taking the why into consideration. That the reason for him being so lovingly fed this drink is so he can soak himself for them, to stuff him full of eggs.

Another gush of slick drenches Scar's eager fingers along with the tip of the egg he still has pressed firmly against Grian. Just far enough for Grian to feel its presence, to be teased by it, yet not far enough for the egg to start to satisfy the building, deep need in him.

"You're going to soak through the throw at this rate." Scar snickers, moving his kisses down along Grian's inner thighs. Warm lips and teasing teeth keeping that warmth in Grian stoked high.

"Good." Vex sets the empty bottle aside, taking his time to settle Grian comfortably back into the pillows. "We appreciate your patience and you cooperation in these matters." Vex's nose scrunches and flares in telltale fond amusement that has Grian biting back a wail.

"Please." Grian rasps, beyond any thought other than the need pounding a pulse in his head. He needs that egg in him. Scar knows it too. That's why he's being an utter bastard, teasing Grian by fucking only part of the egg into him.

"No need to fret, sweet birdy! We'll have you all stretched wide for us in no time!" Scar coos, grinding the egg upwards.

"Faster!" Grian demands, legs sliding impossibly wider apart.

Plenty of room for Vex to get in there, dragging a gasp out of Grian with the suddenly firmer press of the egg into him. "Truly, your control over your anatomy is a marvel." Vex muses, not letting up as he inexorably guides more and more of the egg in, wider and wider where it stretches Grian open around it.

Oh he is not prepared for this, oh he had so underestimated the size of the egg that's now splitting him open wide-

Grian shouts, making something in his body give, the egg stretching him past its widest point to finally glide inside him with ease, guided by both Vex and Scar's hands.

"You can take it deeper, can't you pretty bird?" Scar croons lovingly, petting Grian's clit with his free hand. "Let us get it all nice and snug deep inside of you, so you can carry our egg around safe in your tummy."

Warbling chirps leave Grian with little in the way of thought behind them, mates-egg-carry. He wants that. Hell, he wants to carry their egg, heavy and safe inside himself. Every hind part of his brain sings as they sink their egg deeply into him, careful pressure against one final yielding sphincter.

Shivers rattle all of Grian's feathers as the egg settles into place, with his- with them slow to remove their hands from him. He has to pant, trying to catch his breath from the dizzying sensation.

Both of them coo over him, heaping him in praises that muddle together in Grian's blissed out brain, petting his thighs and his pussy and his dick and rubbing eager hands over the minute swell he's convinced his abdomen now has. Under questing, probing fingers, the firmness of the egg is clearly identifiable inside him. Where it belongs. Where his- where they filled him up so good, gave him their egg to carry.

"Ready for a couple more, sweetheart?" Scar coos, his hand over Grian's.

Eagerness twines with rising fear in the chirps Grian spills back to him. More, more, more- But. If he took more of their eggs, he'd swell so big- He wouldn't be able to dress, or do anything. He'd be stuck, in their nest, brooding until he can lay them. His hindbrain shouts ravenous desire, but Grian's not read-

The curve of soft silicone slides under Grian's fingers. "Shh, shh, it's alright sweetheart. Just this big, okay? Let us give you something nice to squeeze while you carry for us, yeah?" Scar's smooth tones wipe away the beginnings of panic building in Grian's chest.

Squeezing, Grian can feel the egg under his fingers is much smaller than the previous, more the size of a chicken egg. He can handle that. He can take a few of those, without anyone knowing they're there at all. Just good pressure inside of him.

Yeah, Grian wants that. Wants more.

"So good for us." Scar kissing the forehead of Grian's mask stills Grian's frantic nodding. "So eager."

Warm fingers slip into Grian, cradling an egg in them, and Grian can't even tell whose they are. Which of his ma- which of them is stuffing him full right now.

The smooth patter of Scar's voice in reassurances leaves Grian open, open to them, to their touches, to their eggs easily pressed into him one after another. After the first had blazed the way, these smaller eggs encounter no resistance at all, settling wonderfully all along his canal.

Fluttering his muscles around their touch gets Grian a chuckle, Vex's unfairly charming chuckle. He shouldn't be allowed to be so attractive, it's unfair.

"Something to be said for doing it manually." Vex hums, sounding rather satisfied.

"There's always something to be said for getting our hands into our pretty!" Scar nudges another egg into Grian. His hand glides in smoothly, even with Vex's still in there, leaving no resistance for Scar to pop the small egg in with the large one.

“He does have plenty of into to explore.” Vex nods, swaying in place in a way that rocks the arm inside Grian gently. “Him willing, I would very much like the opportunity to explore these depths later, at our leisure. Perhaps after my next heist. A perfect place to hide the goods.”

"A most excellent idea, my good sir!" Scar agrees. "Surely if you can catch yourself a birdy mid-heist, it's only right you stuff him full of goods."

Vex wouldn't- but oh, the idea is searingly hot. Vex, cornering Grian in a shady alcove on a heist, holding Grian down as he pulls off Grian's uniform just enough to be able to stuff Grian full of ill-gotten goods until Grian's bulging. Scoop Grian up and carry him back to Vex's nest because he's too large to fly, to stuffed full of the evidence of his mate's prowess-

"Not quit- You know what? Sure. Yeah man, we can do that." Vex pats Grian's squirming hips. "Bring you back here with me to lay them again. I'd have to spoil you for such laudable help, of course. Bring you all your meals in nest and feed them to you. Call in Neit to make sure I'm handling your wings right. Sounds like a fun night."

"Yes! You have to call me! In fact, I might just have to follow you in the first place." Scar nods. "Gotta make sure you're taking good care of our precious birdy." He bullies another egg into Grian's already stuffed channel.

"You're the expert." Vex nods.

Grian would contribute, if he were capable of more than wheezed puffs of breath. He's right on the cusp, within arm's reach of tipping over. Their arms-

"We could even-" Vex pauses. "Ah. I'll go grab breakfast, if you'll finish up here?"

"Sure thing!" Scar plants a big smooch on Vex's cheek. "You go get our pretty's treats, I'll make sure he's all stuffed and ready." Grian jolts as Scar brings down a hand on his pussy just this side of too firmly to be a pat, the wet smack echoing through Grian's head the same way the sharp spike of pleasure-pain echoes through his body, collapsing Grian in on himself.

By the time the static clears from Grian's head and he's capable of more that incoherent mewling, Vex is gone and Scar is ever so gently wiping Grian down.

"What- No. More?" Grian scrambles for words, not even able to grind up with his hips, not when Scar pins them firmly with his free hand.

"Hm? Did you want to skip mealtime to continue?" Scar asks, ever-so-innocent, carrying on with his delicate cleaning of Grian.

"No, I-"

Scar needs to eat. Is Scar eating worth Grian not getting the orgasm Grian so desperately craves?

Yes. No question about it. If Grian being this worked up to the verge of begging for release is the price Scar demands for eating, Grian will gladly pay it.

"You have to eat. A full meal. As much as Vex says." Grian demands. He's not in the right mind to keep an eye on Scar's food intake right now, and likely won't be anytime soon. But Vex cares, right? He'll make Scar eat a full meal, even when Grian's too out of it?

A pause from Scar, then a chuckle. "We'll have our full meal then, as much as Vex says." He presses a line of kisses down Grian's thigh. "And you keep our eggs safe and sound in there until we get home."

"Good. Good, yeah. You do that..." All the way until they're home? Grian won't survive that. He'll explode first, or maybe melt. That's what happens of you're edged too much, right? Not that Grian has much brainspace to wonder, with Scar between his legs. Cheeky nibbles and teasing pets have Grian's brain dissolving like a fizzy tablet in water, bubbling out his ears.

“-ur ikura sushi, and a bowl of soup.” Vex’s voice drags Grian back to focus. Dishes change hands over his lap. Which is heavy?

Looking down, Grian finds a tray with a dish of steaming rice topped with glistening golden ooze and green flecks, as well as the soft brown of soy-cured eggs beside it. His stomach rumbles to life, warring with the jelly of his limp limbs.

"Do you want us to feed you, prettiest Ari?" Chopsticks gather some of the golden rice in a seaweed sheet, offering it up to Grian. What? Why...

Oh. Those peeps for food must be from him. They stop when he opens his mouth to let Vex put the seaweed wrapped rice in, anyway. Crispy-flakey on the outside, gooey-warm on the inside, the food does nothing to drive back the curl of warmth in Grian's gut.

"He's adorable like this." Scar sighs contentedly, leaning his shoulder to Grian's. Both of Grian's flock, cozy-close.

"Indeed." Vex can't be allowed to have such soft eyes when looking at Grian, Grian's heart can't take it.

Not that Grian can say as much, barely managing gratitude trills after swallowing his bite. Another bite is presented posthaste, snapped up by Grian just as quickly. Rich, savory ooze once again eclipses Grian's senses, once he crunches through the sheet around it.

Around him, the sounds of his flock sharing in the meal have Grian's instincts trilling contently. Lazy blinks reveal Vex has some kind of fish with his rice and soup and colorful little bowl of vegetables, all neatly set up on a tray on his own lap, while Scar has a colorful mix of foods on his. A fluffy pancake, a row of sushi, a number of different dipping sauces Grian is sure are sorted by color rather than if they're sweet or savory, Scar's own bowl of soup and that bright green drink from yesterday.

This time, what nudges Grian's lips is a spoon, delivering hot soup for Grian to eagerly slurp up.

Toasted, almost nutty, liquid slithers down Grian's throat. Not quite solid, not quite liquid, but nonetheless perfect for him to slurp down spoonful after spoonful. Filling up that rumbly void in him, before he even knew it needed filling.

Which makes twice today already they've done that, his flock. Grian has the best flock, and they're all his.

Prideful chirps sing lowly from Grian's lips, until he's startled by a bump against them. A chill cube is placed on his tongue. Fruity-soft as he chews through the bounce of it, followed quickly by a blueberry.

Delightful treat, popping between his teeth with a satisfying squish. Soft, honeyed melon cut to a precise cube follows.

Between bites, Grian hears his flock chatter. They don't call for his attention, so he lets the words wash over him in meaningless waves of sound as he drifts.

Jostling movement jolts Grian out of his daze. Scar, snuggling aggressively up to Grian, with the meal's dishes nowhere to be seen. And... Vex, also nowhere to be seen.

"Wha?" Regardless, Grian wraps his wing around Scar, tucking Scar close.

"Vexy's packin' for us, gonna fill up our goodies bags with lotsa-lotsa good surprises." Scar assures Grian, nuzzling into Grian's neck with a contented sigh.

"S'not right, how much you have him around your finger." Grian grumbles, but he at least tries to clear his head. Packing. They're leaving soon. He's going to need to fly- Walk, Grian's going to need to walk home. He can do that, he's done that in worse condition before.

Looking down over himself, Grian's surprised by how normal he looks. Even with Scar wrapped around him, his belly isn't bulging and huge like it feels it should be. A little swollen at best, from the wonderful meal he had. Nothing to indicate his flock had stuffed him full of eggs. At both ends, Grian abruptly realizes, going over the breakfast foods offered to him.

"I have Vex wrapped around a lot of things! And plenty of things wrapped around Vexy as well." Scar purrs happily, settling in for snuggles.

"Gonna have to wrap a collar around him at this rate." Grian huffs, tucking his face into Scar's hair. Good flock-smells.

"Yeah." Scar purrs dreamily. "Keep him from getting all kinds of silly ideas in his head."

"Too late for that. Both of you are filled to the brim with silly ideas."

"And breakfast. Don't forget breakfast. Which I was very good and ated all up, just like Vexy said." Scar nods, all important.

"What all did you actually eat?" Grian demands, squinting even if Scar can't see it. He'll know.

"One and a half fruits of boba sushi, two fruits of pancake, and two fruits of soup." Scar rattles off. "Oh, and poison drink."

"I don't believe that. No way you ate plain pancakes. And what kind of soup." Not all soup is Soup, after all.

"I did! Well, there were sauces and the spicy sauce was really good with the chocolaty one on the pancake but the chocolate did not go with the sushiboba, and besides, Vexy can show you proof when he gets back!"

Grian presses a hand to Scar's stomach, as if he could divine exactly what Scar ate that way. "And the soup?" He prompts again.

"The same as yours. We got a big-big one and split it out among us." Scar squirms, but only clings tighter to Grian.

That's- "Yeah. Okay. That's good. That's a full meal. Good job." Grian breathes a deep sigh of relief, nuzzling into Scar's hair. Scar ate, just like he promised. Worth.

"Good." Scar echoes, settling down again. "Just like I told you I would."

Grian presses a kiss to Scar's temple, barely beyond the mask. "Just like."

The quiet takes them in its embrace, soft and warm.

Scar snorts, breaking the long silence.

"Mh?" Grian prompts, flicking a lazy claw through Scar's hair. More the idea of preening than actual preening, but he finds it comforting.

"Just rememberin' Vexy bein' silly." Scar murmurs, leaning into Grian's touch. "Goofy goober said cuddle tummies could get full. What a jokester."

"What, you don't believe your Vexy?" Grian pauses his 'preening' to flick Scar's nose. Something from the courting manual rattles in his brain, but he's too stuffed and lethargic to fully recall right now.

"Ar~i." Scar whines. "C'mon, everyone knows cuddle tummies are hungry forever and ever for all kinds of snuggles all the time. That's just facts." Scar squishes Grian closer.

"For you maybe. But by far, not for everyone." Grian can certainly think of a few people who he's sure would have 'cuddle tummies' that fill up.

"Not you too! It was funny once, but c'mon, be real." Scar pulls back just enough to level a look at Grian, without dislodging Grian's hand. "Cuddles are an always food."

"They really aren't, though. Not for everyone. And putting more cuddles in a full cuddle tummy is really upsetting. Do you want to upset Vex?" Grian Looks right back.

"Well, n- Wait! Even if normal cuddle tummy, like. Maybe isn't for everyone, you don't know Vexy is one of them!" Scar protests, jabbing a finger into Grian's chest. "What makes you think you can say that about him, huh?"

"It's in the courting guide." Grian supplies. "There's a chapter- what's it called again, something about what kinds of touch is good for fae. Right after the chapter about exchanging skills and learning as a fae courting ritual." Grian fumbles around for his phone, finding it on the nightstand. He loaded the courting guide on there, now to find- aha!

"Here, look. 'On Proper Touching Of Fae'." Grian angles his screen so Scar can see, even if Scar won't read most of the words. If Grian recalls correctly, there's a color guide somewhere in there at least, for Scar to look at. "Intro, Wing and Port Handling, Intricacies of Intimacy, where did...? Oh right, there it is." Scrolling all the way back to the touch intro, Grian shows Scar passage where Vex explains that fae sometimes do not want to be touched, and what warning colors his skin specifically will display if the touch situation is particularly bad.

"Oh. It's a fae thing. Why didn't you say so!" Scar leans in, mouthing the words on the screen until his brow furrows.

"Look, here, here, see?" Grian scrolls more, until he hits the visual color guide. "The fae's skin will turn these warning colors when they're not to be touched, least warning at the top to most serious warning at the bottom."

Long moments of Scar blinking, with him reaching out to brush a finger over each color on the table. "So he's frogs, but only sometimes."

"Sometimes." Grian agrees. "But at least he's got clear warning signs. Oh! And there's this. The color guide for touch he doesn't like even if he's good to touch." Scrolling down even further, Grian shows Scar a series of Vex silhouettes, from all angles, with and without wings, in bright colors denoting if the spot can be touched or not. Some colors have specific conditions attached, like to not touch the wings while the fae is warm.

"Ari. Ari we have to make flashcards." Scar looks at all the information on the page almost despairingly. "We have to." He turns his big pleading eyes on Grian.

"Sure, we can make flashcards. That eager to study, are you?" Grian gives Scar's hair a teasing ruffle.

"It's so much, I gotta remember it all." Scar flops back into Grian. "You'll read me the whole thing when we get home? And then we make the cards. I gotta know everything about my Vexy, we've gotta court him real good. We gotta fae-court him right."

"Of course I'll read you the whole thing." Grian promises, pressing a kiss to Scar's hair. That's how they've always been. Grian reads things out loud, and Scar does his fancy little drawings and such for their notes. Sometimes, the images just stick in Grian's brain better than any words ever could.

Doodles tracing a map of the path Scar's mind took through Grian's spoken words, anchoring them into a pictogram chain Grian can call back up as needed.

"Thanks." Scar chirrs contentedly, fingers running loosely through the feathers on the underside of Grian's wings.

The quiet of their snuggling is eventually interrupted by the swoosh of the door opening again.

"I've packed some things for you." Vex carries in two duffels, obviously cheating with his powers to hold them both in one hand. In the other he hefts a box Grian chirps curious noises about.

"Your uniform, Ari, as well as the washable parts of Neit's." Vex explains. "Though your armor pieces are mostly undamaged, your costume and underlayers unfortunately sustained more damage. I am uncertain they're in a state you can wear them in." Setting the box down at the edge of the bed, Vex heads for the closet, duffels still in hand.

Scar wriggles his way over to scoop up the box, bringing it back to confer with Grian. Granted, the hiss of air through Scar's teeth doesn't tell a promising story, even before Grian lays eyes on the damages himself.

"Bring us some comfy clothes!" Grian calls to Vex. He has to wear something to leave, if not his costume. Scar's influence is to blame for the dizzying wave of lust that momentarily incapacitates Grian at the mental image of Scar parading him along the streets, naked and stuffed.

Or maybe it's the eggs, shifting in him as he moves. Either way, it's Scar's damn fault and Grian will hear no arguments.

His costume's underlayer. That's... maybe salvageable? Though any repairs might add seams which could could lead to chafing, and that's the last thing anyone wants. Better to throw it out and get a new one.

The costume layer itself held up much better, only needing minor repairs as far as Grian can tell. Makes sense, what with it being much hardier and reinforced, unlike the soft underlayers. Which, upon closer inspection, almost look like they were cut in places.

Thumbing over one of the cuts, Grian tries to imagine Vex. The Vex Grian knows Vex is, now. Having to cut Grian's wet and twisted and jammed outfit off of him to tend to his wounds, his hypothermia. Soft, sad coos escape Grian.

Grian's been there before, after all, hasn't he? Scar shivering in Grian's arms after some asshole scrambled his brains or his organs- After a crash from too high. The dire need to act, holding back- Every unimportant thing, in those moments.

Only cost and weights. Only the actions one can live with at the end of the day.

A ruined uniform underlayer a trivial cost next to a life. Next to damage that could heal wrong.

Vex had only been trying to help him, to save him, and how had Grian repaid that effort? In snapping and biting and hissing and shoving Vex away. Sure, there was the uh. The thing with the cursed kitchen table and all, but Grian hasn't really said it yet, has he?

Vex isn't even back in the nest yet when Grian launches himself, flinging arms and wings around his stupid faerie. "Thank you."

"What for, prettiest Ari?" Vex catches him, because of course Vex does, holds Grian close as Vex frees his other arm. Ignore the little noises Grian makes as the eggs in him shift.

"You helped me. Saved me. Even though you didn't have to. Even while I was horrible to you." Getting his breath and senses back, Grian finds them both in the nest, with him wrapped around an annoyingly dressed nestwarm Vex, Scar petting Grian's wings.

“I’d live in regret every day if I didn’t, no matter the cost.” Vex speaks casually, like that's simple fact to him. “No one’s at their best when feverish, anyway. I can’t really blame you.” Vex gives Grian that all-too-soft grin, like he could somehow truly not hold Grian’s transgressions against Grian.

"Still. Thank you." Grian nuzzles into Vex more firmly.

“You are quite welcome, prettiest Ari.” Vex chirps flock-us, more confident already with all the practice he’s been getting. “Flock takes care of one another, after all. Right?”

Scar echoes flock-us from behind Grian.

Flock-us! Grian chitters back eager agreement, pulling back from the hug just enough to yank Vex down by the collar of his shirt and kiss him stupid. Vex needs to stop being this soft and amazing. Or Grian will have no choice but to do this more often.

Vex does at least have the decency to look properly dazed when Grian pulls back, even if that softness hasn't gone anywhere. If anything, Vex is even more smitten than before-

Which has to stop being possible at some point, right?

Until then, though, Grian lowers his previously injured wing, drawing it forward. Vex gives no resistance to Grian taking Vex's hand, even if Vex's eyes do go awe-bright when Grian places it on his wing over where the injury was.

"Ari..." Vex breathes, in a tone that holds wonder and amazement and disbelief and so many things Grian can't quite put a claw on all rolled into one.

Grian ripples pale blue through his feathers under Vex's touch. "Vex." Grian's not ready for those clever fingers to dig deep, not yet. But Vex's petting is soothing, on the very phantom ache Vex had worked so hard to mend.

Warm fingers take barely any encouragement, until they smoothly stroke Grian's feathers. Even without Grian's guidance, they don't stray to do more.

Grian knows Vex could do more. Has learned how to preen, just for Grian.

But Vex is patient, gladly taking what he's given without seeking to seize more. Stroking Grian's feathers as if he could be happy doing that for all of time.

If they had more time, Grian might not even argue-

But they can spare a few minutes at least, right now. Scar draped warmly over Grian's shoulder, Vex's fingers reverent over Grian's feathers.

Stolen time for Grian to drink in the look on Vex's face. Adoring devotion, like the feeling of Grian's feathers is rapturous pleasure to him.

This is something worth coming back for. After their rooftop clashes. Possibly even something to look forward to.

Grian reaches out, brushing aside Vex's hair to get a better view of Vex's expression, but then leaving his hand there to play with the soft curls. Something warm and reciprocal and needing no words at all.

Ever so slowly, Vex leans down. Presses careful kisses to each feather under his fingers when Grian doesn't stop him.

Grian counts them- Vex doesn't miss a single feather his fingers had touched, taking the time to lay his lips devotedly to each in turn.

"The sweetest dessert we could ask for." Scar sighs dreamily in Grian's ear.

Vex might look like he can do this forever, but Grian knows Scar can't. Already, Scar's getting wiggly where he's draped on Grian.

"Go find out what clothes our sweet treat picked for us." Grian nudges Scar before he can get any ideas.

Only sparing a moment to peck Grian on the cheek, Scar darts off to dig through the clothing offering. Pleased hums and giggles might be a good sign, but Grian can't focus too much on that when Vex slowly, gently, nuzzles his cheek into Grian's feathers.

Grian's other wing beats roughly with emotion he has nowhere else to put.

Vex's other hand had trailed down Grian's body without him noticing, now placed on the minute swell of Grian's lower abdomen with possessive reverence. Tiny pets, that Grian would bet Vex isn't even aware he's doing. Not with how caught up and blissed out Vex looks over being allowed to touch this small part of Grian's wing.

Gathering Vex up in his wings and arms, Grian crushes him tight. Grian can't take a single moment more of that searing adoration, not if Grian actually wants his willpower to leave today to hold.

He's crushed right back, Vex wrapping warm arms around Grian and nuzzling into him. Soft cheeps of flock-us and courted-mine that Grian knows Vex is putting active effort into but sound so instinctual and subconscious Grian joyously replies in kind.

Scar's chirps join them the harmony of their flock. Everything right in the world.

"You could just wear Vexy home instead of a shirt." Scar suggests, bundle of colorful clothing in his hands.

Grian's going to be ignoring that, because it's silly and he does not want to encourage Scar. Clothing can wait until he's had his crushing Vex time.

In fact, Grian can multi-task! Dragging Scar in with a wing that goes hand-like for a moment so that Grian can crush both Vex and Scar, together.

"Fancy meetin you here." Scar giggles, bonking his cheek on Vex.

"A most pleasant place to be." Vex hums, followed by a chirp of comfort.

Tiny feathers riot along Grian's cheeks, fluffing his chops up in content, chest-bursting pride.

"Onea my favorite places." Scar agrees, booping his nose to Vex's. Then turning his boop on Grian's nose as well! "Gosh, adorable floofums."

"Hm?" Vex blinks at Grian's cheeks. "True, true." He nods sagely.

None of this is helping the feathers settle, nor making Grian want to crush them less. Horrible. How dare they be so inconsiderately cute and squishable while also adoring him?

At least with them wheezing for breath from his squishing, they can't say those awful thoughtful sweet things anymore! Grian can simply shed his down feathers onto them in peace, now.

"Criminals." Grian finally relents, finding his voice again even if he's still all puffed up.

"Cuteness criminals, yes. Shall I lock Vexy up for his adorableness crimes, Ari?" Scar coos, draping himself onto Grian as much as he can. Which isn't a lot, mind, but Scar still gives it his best go.

"Yes, lock him up in my nest and throw away the key." Grian nods decisively. Maybe Grian will do just that, soon enough.

"Hoarding our Vexy all to yourself, most gorgeous of pretty birds?" Scar blinks up at Grian, irritating amounts of smugness in his smile.

"Yes." Grian scrubs his hands over Scar's cheeks, trying to rub that grin away. It never works, but that hasn't stopped Grian yet. "The best for the best. The best hero and the best villain, all mine. All for me."

Scar melts into the rubbing with way too content of a grin for him to not have gotten something he wanted. Kitty-cat that got the bird and the cream both.

"All yours. All for you." Scar purrs contently, nuzzling into Grian's touch.

"All for you." Vex echoes in that quiet awe Grian find himself craving more of. How long has Vex been hiding this side of himself? Lots of lost time to make up for. So much to plan for, Grian's going to need another notes app.

Two whole people for him to covet, how will Grian ever manage? Good thing he's just that awesome.

What he is also, is in need of clothes. Grian can feel his willpower creaking and groaning in the way of ancient branches in a storm. If he doesn't want to break, he needs to leave, and soon. Good thing Scar was holding some of the clothes when Grian yoinked him for cuddles, leaving them in conveniently close grabbing range.

Or maybe less convenient, given that trying to bend sideways to grab them has Grian panting and his head spinning from the way the eggs still stuffed inside him press against his walls as they shift and move. Less than ideal, if he wants to do anything.

"Dress me." What was supposed to be an order, a command, comes out panting and breathless, more of a plea. That's not how-! Flushing further, Grian feels his cheeks heat up as Scar's wrap around him shifts from adoring to domineering.

"Of course, prettiest birdy. We are at your service." Scar's voice purring in his ear practically drips with confidence and false humility. When did- of course Scar's already got a hand between Grian's legs again, playing with him.

Grian's limbs refuse to cooperate with lifting to bat at Scar, but the traitors take just fine to Vex rearranging them so he can begin the process of slipping on Grian's shirt. Vex's touch has gone back to that professional carefulness, not a single brush of skin out of place as he fastens the catches on the wing holes in place.

If only Grian could lay just a few of the eggs clogging up his thoughts- But he made a deal! And Scar has eaten a whole meal without complaint. So Grian has to keep the eggs. Has to be open to them. Keep basking in the waves of pleasure from Scar rolling his clit in clever fingers. Keep letting Vex do as he pleases with Grian's body.

Which, right now, is threading Grian's feet through the leg holes of a pair of underwear. Grian might be able to feel every bit of what they do to him, but his head has ended up on Scar's shoulder with his eyes squeezed shut, so he can't see what's going on. All Grian can do is feel.

Feel the way Vex's hands go from professional to adoring, as he guides the underwear into place. Trapping Scar's hand under the fabric, startling Grian with sucking lightly at Grian's clit when Scar holds it out for him through the panties, pinched between two fingers like Scar is offering Vex a puff from his smoke.

Vex takes his drag with a pleased hum. But he doesn't linger long, unfortunately, just enough to have Grian's every nerve at attention for the pleasure, vibrating with bliss that only makes Grian cling tighter to Scar.

"Get that bud all nice and protected." Vex murmurs, gathering Grian's feet up again, this time to slip them through pant legs. No fear of Grian's talons whatsoever in that steady grip, only warm fingers doing their work without hesitation.

Scar's hand ends up down the pants as well, once Vex has them in place, still rolling Grian's clit between his fingers in that slow, steady pace that does nothing to get Grian off but everything to warm him up. Not helping is the way Vex again nuzzles his face into Grian's crotch, before-

Before taking one of Grian's taloned, birdy feet in hand, and dressing it cleanly in a footwrap with those entirely too skilled fingers of his.

“Don’t tell me you found time to practice that too-" Grian manages to form words, barely.

“Of course, man, of course.” Vex agrees all too easily, proving that wasn’t just beginner’s luck by wrapping Grian’s other foot, just as deftly.

Flexing his toes, Grian can’t even find anything to complain about in Vex’s work. Tight enough to stay on, without being constructing. The material is supple, but a test-press against Vex’s hand reveals it to be of sufficiently protective thickness.

"Are you dressed to your liking now?" Vex's hand lingers, curling around Grian's ankle. Creeping higher, finding another one of those perfect-good spots to press firm circles into that simply have Grian melt in a way that is wholly different to the way Scar is winding him up.

A garble of noise spills from Grian’s lips, rather than a coherent answer. At least he manages to not drool all down his fresh shirt, which is the victory he’s going to have to take.

“You look so good, I can hardly wait to unwrap you when we get home.” Scar coos, swiping his thumb over Grian’s petals.

"All in good time." Vex nods against Grian's thigh. "All in good time."

"I suppose I can be patient this one time." The cheeky wink shines clear in Scar's voice. "Don't suppose I could ask for your dressing services myself? I seem to have found myself with my hands rather full." As if to make his point, Scar tweaks Grian's clit in a way that has a startled chirp-moan spilling from Grian's lips at the fresh burst of pleasure-pain.

“That would be my pleasure to provide.” Vex purrs, moving around to the tune of more rustling fabric. How he manages to get a stitch of clothing onto Scar without prying Grian off is beyond Grian’s current thimbleful of brain capacity.

But somehow, Vex does. More and more clothing appears on Scar's body every time Grian scrapes together the braincells to check.

Enough to where Grian would even consider Scar decent to be seen outdoors.

Pounding heart takes too long moments to resolve in Grian's rapidly clearing brain as Vex running his fingers over the edge of Scar's mask. Reflexive terror wars with flock-calm. Even Scar's hand on Grian stills for this moment.

"Which mask would you like to wear out?" Vex asks, quiet.

"I-" Scar takes a moment to visibly gather himself, pressing his face more firmly into Vex's touch once he has. "I'll keep this one. Can't really go around in the Hotguy one without the rest of the outfit, y'know?"

"That's not what you said before." Grian murmurs, unable to keep his hands to himself. He traces over the chain around Scar's neck with careful claws. Grian knows an excuse when he hears one, and maybe he's not feeling like letting Scar get away with that this time.

"Well, it's what I say now." Scar counters. "Can you imagine Hotguy being seen in a Vex shirt? Prepesterous!"

"I can, in fact. I can imagine the headache I'd get." Grian flicks Scar's nose.

"I can get a different-" Vex begins.

Not that Scar lets him finish. "I want this one."

"If you're sure." Vex studies Scar for a long moment. One Scar interrupts by leaning in to kiss Vex.

"I'm sure. I wanna wear your shirt and your mask."

That's more like it. Grian pets Scar's hair as he watches them kiss. If Grian's not allowed to deny what he wants any longer, then neither is Scar.

And if Scar wants the same thing as Grian, both Vex and each other, well, then Grian will revel in his good fortune. Hoard them both close with greedy claws and strong wings.

Dammit, Grian's getting distracted again. Can feel his resolve cracking further, too thin branch he'd foolishly perched on. Grian knows better than to leap off one of those in a rush- That way lies shattered branches. Ease himself along toward the trunk, that's the ticket.

"If you're being seen- We're walking, then?" That's what Grian hopes, anyway.

"We can walk, sure. Not up for flying? Did we stuff you too full, sweet birdy?" Scar coos, getting his hands back all over Grian.

"Maybe I just feel- ng- Like walking."

Scar and Vex's hands bump one another, brushing over Grian's belly. Realistically, every egg could not have shifted at once, no matter what it feels like.

"You never feel like walking." So Scar's a filthy liar and that's not quite true, but Grian can't exactly say as much with them blasting his brain to pieces like this.

Long, panted breaths paint the space between words. "Keep this up and I'll feel like you carrying me instead. And the bags." Grian threatens.

"Well now we can't have that! Gotta keep our birdy in tip top shape!" One last press, then Scar eases off Grian's tummy, taking Vex with him as he goes.

"That's what I thought." Grian takes the opportunity to wiggle away, slowly. A most cautious attempt to lever himself out of their nest, before the two of them can capture him again.

He's still going to make Scar carry the lion's share of the bags. Grian's got too much to carry as it is.

Walking is-

Walking is tolerable, Grian decides after a few careful steps. If he's careful, he can manage without shifting the eggs in him too much. At least they aren't pressing up against every sensitive spot in him anymore. While he could move those nerve clusters, that would be cheating at this point. So all of Grian's pleasure spots have to stay where they are.

He's fine. He'll be fine. He'll have to be.

"C'mon, we're burning daylight here." Grian urges them, when just their eyes peek out of the nest to watch his elegant walking.

"I'm right behind you, my pretty." Scar climbs out of the nest himself, testing his own legs.

He must deem them good, because after a few moments of caution he bounces on his toes in that way he only does on good days.

"Good." Grian moves his wings through stretches, even though he won't need them, just because that'll get Scar stretching as well. Scar can be adorably flockbrained at times. "Even better beside me." Grian rewards Scar's finished stretching with a kiss, dragging Scar down to him.

"Will you be leaving via the roof or would you prefer the ground level entrance?" Vex asks, floating himself out of the nest as well. Their duffels are in his hands, now significantly fuller than before.

"Wires? Like this? No way no how." Grian gapes aghast at Vex.

"Just figured I'd ask my dude. Just figured I'd ask." Vex holds up both hands in surrender. "So, ground level exit it is."

Grian accepts both of Vex's hands as tribute, clasping them together in his own as the warmth drains out of them. Strange fae ways. "That's right. We can just walk ourselves right on out."

"Good." Vex kisses each of Grian's knuckles in turn.

Ignore his soft coos and the fluffing of Grian's wings, that could be anything.

"You better have packed us good things, or you won't hear the end of it." Grian promises. He has a direct line to Vex now, after all. He can text or call at any time. Could make himself a right nuisance, if he wanted to.

If Scar doesn't first.

"I did my best to pick a selection you might enjoy." Vex, overly earnest as ever. Pressing more kisses to each of Grian's claws.

Wordlessly, Grian pricks Vex's lip with his claw, watching the blood well up. Waiting, until there's a perfectly ripe red fruit of blood for Grian to scoop onto his claw, bearing it back to his own mouth to lick off while staring Vex right in those glowing eyes.

Teeth sink into that lip, welling up a new bead as Grian watches. This one, Vex gathers up on his own fingertip to offer to Grian.

Crooning sweetly, Grian accepts Vex's offering. A delicate swipe of heated tongue over chilled finger pad. Vex's lifeblood, sharp and familiar retaking Grian's senses. "Addictive." He kisses Vex's fingertip.

"Aw, aren't you two sweet?" Scar coos. Now that Grian's thinking about things besides Vex again, he's honestly surprised Scar hadn't butted in. Claimed some of Vex's blood for himself.

"Could be sweeter." Grian shrugs the lighter of the two bags onto his shoulder as he steps away from Vex.

"Sweeter, you say?"

Grian knows that glimmer of mischief. Usually, he sees it in Scar's eyes, though. Seeing it in Vex's is... concerning, perhaps? Grian isn't quite sure what to make of it.

"That is what I said." Grian nods, not seeing a way around confirming that. Might as well, as he's making a step toward the door.

"I'll keep that in mind, then." Vex's words and the twist of his lips sound like a promise. A dangerous promise.

"You do that." Grian gives Vex a decisive boop on the nose for his ominous foreboding. Whatever, it's not today Grian's problem, so it's not important right now! Future Grian has it in the bag, no doubt. "Now, where are you hiding that exit of yours."

"How exciting, getting to explore Vexy's backdoor!" Scar chimes in, clapping his hands together. "We can go in and out and in and-"

"Would you like me to show you in person or will an explanation suffice?" Leaning back over the nest Vex collects the remaining bits of armor back from it. Out of which he pulls Scar's boots.

"Guided tour!" Scar cheers, before Grian can consider the question. Can he really begrudge Scar a final few moments with Vex? Grian will be merciful, this time.

Scar prances over to deal with the armor bits and bobs.

Both their uniforms disappear into their duffels with practiced ease, Scar delighting in the tetris and the sneak peaks of their treats.

"New uniform, new belt, and you'll see. I'll be back in the skies thwarting you in no time at all." Grian winks to Vex, sashaying his way out the door and down the hall.

Yup, that- oof. Bracing a hand against the wall once he's out of sight, Grian pants. Right. The eggs. Careful walking.

Not that he has long to recover, Scar and Vex follow soon after, Scar happily chattering away at Vex.

Worth it. What's the point if Grian can't make a bold exit? Even if it's not the final exit.

He pushes himself back upright, joining the pair with a much more sedately simple gait this time. If he could walk with a fractured wing and fever, then he can handle just a couple of eggs, no problem. The ragged breathing is normal, his bag is just. Heavy, is all.

Stopping. Why are they stopping?

Pulling himself together, Grian focuses on Scar and Vex. Both of whom are looking at him, almost as if they expect an answer. Grian didn't hear a question, and a quick glance around reveals them to be at the lair's front door, no obvious question at hand either.

“What’s the hold up? Am I supposed to turn into a pillar of salt here?” Grian snaps, as if they’re the ones missing something.

"I asked if you'd rather take the elevator or the stairs." Vex says, in that neutral tone of his.

“You’re really going all in on those redundant questions, aren't you? Fine, if I must answer. Obviously we’re taking the stairs.” Maybe if Grian hangs onto Vex on the way down, he’ll have an easier time of it.

Anything is better than the elevator, no matter how many eggs are weighing down Grian’s every step.

"I figured as much." With a nod, Vex turns to head down the steps. Well ahead of Grian.

Damn him, especially when speeding up to catch up with him is out of the question. Grian snatches up Scar’s arm, before he, too can get out of range. Grian can’t lean on Scar while taking stairs, but by hell he’s not going to be left to stagger down the flights by himself.

The stairs are... well. They're an experience for sure. Grian ends up between Scar and the handrail, clutching both.

Fortunately, blessedly, Vex is waiting for them on the very next landing.

"Are you alright, prettiest Ari?" Vex steps forward for Grian to grab onto his arm when the handrail ends.

Grian flings himself at Vex, snagging the offered arm and barreling wholesale into him with a moan. Okay. Sudden movement bad, but- Vex acquired. Grian just needs a moment to breathe before they continue, leaning onto Vex's shoulder to pant. Inside him, Grian clenches the eggs in his canal tight. Something to focus on.

Cool fingers pet Grian's hair, all the way down over his neck and shoulders. Soothing him. A comfort Vex offers without words, without comment. Something to focus on that isn't the ever-shifting eggs pressing against every sensitive spot Grian could ever dream up.

Scar's hands rub below the bases of Grian's wings, a warm contrast to Vex's cool touch. His flock, in wondrous coordination.

Ignoring the part of his brain that demands he turn around and bundle his flockmates back into his nest, Grian takes a step toward the further stairs downward, clutching to Vex's arm still.

Vex goes with easily, yielding to Grian's pulling him along and yet remaining remarkably sturdy to lean onto. A wonderfully even handrail. One that even catches him when Grian stumbles, staticy magic washing over his whole body as Vex keeps him from falling.

Weightlessness without quite being fully floating, the rush of relief from momentum. Grian chirrs gratitude, too focused on continuing his steps downward to spare any thought for spoken words. One foot in front of the other.

A hand pats his where he's still clinging to Vex's arm, but other than that Vex shows no reaction. Granted, Grian is rather distracted at the moment, even if being nearly weightless is a significant improvement to his stair journey.

The satisfaction of reaching the bottom intact and still standing is unparalleled, though. Steady ground under Grian's talons.

"See? I told you." Grian pants, wingtips flicking. "Perfectly fine."

"I never doubted you." Vex remains a steady presence to cling to, even as he leans in to kiss Grian's nose, Grian's lips.

Grian drags Vex close to take another kiss from him, outpouring every kind of goodbye Grian could never word properly, stolen from Vex's breath.

"One for the road." Grian chuckles, pulling away from a dazed Vex. Grian leans himself on the wall while Scar slots himself smoothly into the space Grian had been occupying. Gravity reasserts itself on Grian, but that's fine. He's got this.

Far from the aggressive one-up of a kiss Grian was expecting, Scar clacks the foreheads of his and Vex's masks together, lingering quietly in that closeness.

Soft, murmured words Grian can't quite make out even this close, then Vex chuckles warmly, drawing Scar into a tight hug.

The kiss Grian expected never does come, though Scar does kiss Vex's nose half a dozen times, and one for each cheek, before Scar deems their goodbye sufficient to waltz his way over to Grian.

"Ready to go, my pretty?" Scar takes up one of Grian's hands in both of his.

Featherstorm of ShadowClan