Work Text:
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Berdly glared down at his desk, a blank piece of notebook paper in front of him. He tapped the eraser end of his pencil against the wood rhythmically, struggling for the correct words to put on the paper. My dearest Kris? Magnificent Kris? Just their name? No, no, no! None of those were anywhere near the right opening for a letter so important!
The bluebird scowled, deciding to move onto the main part of the letter. He would come up with a proper start later- after the longest part was done with. He began writing: "As you know, we have been classmates" he stopped before erasing all of it. This shouldn't be so difficult, he was a natural with words, especially those of the romantic persuasion. Which is... why he's never had a partner, of course. He's just waiting for the right person! And he found them! Which was why this was so important. He had to shoot his shot, as they say.
... For a moment, he considered asking Noelle for help. But he couldn't do that! This was his letter. He couldn't let his truest feelings be muddied by someone else's thoughts! He breathed out harshly, flipping his pencil around to the writing end and placing it down where he had last began writing, waiting for the words to flow out of his brain and down onto the paper naturally.
Bzz. His phone vibrated, farther right on the desk. Berdly groaned at the interruption, scooping it up and scanning the screen.
4:57 PM
1 new message from Kris
[hey do u wanna come over]
Berdly squawked, his eyes widening at the message. He nearly slammed his hand onto the notification, sending him straight to his messages with the human. He considered his response for a few seconds. He did want to go over to Kris' house, to once again rematch them on Super Smashing Fighters (currently, the score was 54:2, but Berdly was going easy on them), but he was busy with this letter!
Berdly messaged back, [Yes, I would like to. Why the sudden invitation?]
[idk im bored]
[also i wanna kick ur ass at video games lmao]
Berdly let out a mocking chuckle, despite the fact that no one was around to hear it. [Poor, naive Kris. This time, I will be the victor!]
[I'll be over in 10 minutes.]
[k]
Berdly shoved his phone in the pocket of his shorts, sparing a glance to the still completely empty sheet of paper. There's no way he could bring that to Kris, not completely blank. Unless...
He laughed, thinking of something truly clever, something only someone of his intelligence could come up with. He picked up the blank piece of paper, folding it up and putting it in his other shorts pocket. Now that he was ready, he hurried outside to start the short walk to Kris' home.
—
Berdly made it to the Dreemurr residence rather quickly, perhaps even in 9 minutes. This did come at the cost of exhaustion. Perhaps he should level his athleticism stat more. The bluebird took a deep breath, knocking exactly three times on the door. He heard some sounds inside, specifically talking and incoming, quick footsteps, which received something that sounded like a "Don't run in the house, Kris!"
The front door swung open and Berdly was greeted by, of course, Kris. They seemed excited, their expression differing slightly from usual with a small grin. They gestured for Berdly to come in, so he did, closing the door behind him.
"Oh, hello Berdly," Ms. Dreemurr greeted from her chair, dubbed Chairiel by Kris. She seemed slightly surprised to see him. Did Kris not tell her they invited him over?
"Ah, greetings, Ms. Dreemurr," Berdly responded with a wave.
"Me and Berdly are going to play video games in my room," Kris stated before starting to head to the stairs. Berdly hurried to follow after them.
"Oh, okay kids! I'll get started on dinner soon, if Berdly wants to stay!" Ms. Dreemurr called after them. They simply nodded as they rounded the corner and went upstairs.
Kris led Berdly to their room, sitting down on the floor and picking up one of the two already plugged in controllers. Berdly sat down next to them and picked up the remaining one. He looked up at the TV, already turned on and opened to Super Smashing Fighters.
Berdly chuckled, "This time, I won't be going so easy on you."
Kris navigated to the duel option, just nodding as they went, "Yeah, just like last time, where after I absolutely murdered you, you claimed you were still 'taking pity' on me."
Berdly let out an offended gasp. He narrowed his eyes at the screen, moving his character select to, of course, bird pilot. Meanwhile, Kris chose pink orb.
As the game commenced they both played well, but Berdly played better, even earning a win against Kris with his immense strategy and skill. Sure, he also lost twice because Kris cheated and poked him with their elbow when it looked like he was about to be close to winning.
Berdly scowled as the third game ended, that round being a defeat. "Kris, I'll have you know that poking me isn't a fair strategy to win," he growled, his grip on the controller tightening.
"We didn't lay out any rules before the game. I think it's fair," Kris stated calmly, glancing over at the bluebird. "Or are you going to say you were going easy on me again?"
Berdly squawked, narrowing his eyes at the human. "That's- why, you!" Berdly looked away from Kris and down at his controller. He blinked a few times, coming up with a new strategy, one that was 'fair' by Kris' standards. "One more round," he grumbled, looking up at the screen.
Kris shrugged, mumbling, "Alright." They began another round. They both went with the picks they had previously gone with. Kris got a lead. Of course, Berdly let them. It was time to put his plan in motion.
Berdly glanced at Kris before looking at the TV. Play it cool, play it cool. "Say, Kris, has anyone ever told you that. Your eyes are just stunning? It's a shame you hide them beneath your bangs," Berdly said, only stammering once. He glanced at Kris, gauging their reaction. It looked like they froze. Hah, surely their puny mind was lagging, trying to keep up with his awesome plays. Berdly took the opportunity to gain the advantage, knocking their avatar off the map.
"Wh- hey, that wasn't fair!" Kris yelled, looking at Berdly. Berdly looked back with a smug expression, taking mental note of the slight blush across Kris' face.
"Hah, it's as you said, my dear Kris. The rules were not stated beforehand, so it's fair," Berdly repeated.
Kris grimaced, tilting their head down. "If that's the case, then... your feathers look very well taken care of and fluffy. I bet leaning against you would feel like laying on a cloud. It's not only that. You're very handsome, and you work very hard," Kris went on, bombarding Berdly with compliments.
Berdly's eyes widened. "Wha- huh?! Kris, we're- we're not even playing!" He shouted, his feathers puffing up as he tensed. His face felt hot.
Kris smirked a little. "I know," they remarked.
Berdly looked away, pretending to push his taped on glasses up. "Well, what if I had come prepared with the ultimate winning strategy?" he stated. The moment of truth. This would determine the fate of Berdly's immediate world. Kris tilted their head at him as he dug into his pocket for.. the note.
He gracefully reached the note out to them, a probably very suave and not at all stupid looking smirk across his beak. Kris quirked a brow, taking the folded up sheet of paper from Berdly.
They unfolded it and stared at the sheet of paper for a few moments, completely dumbfounded. "... Berdly. This is a blank sheet of paper."
Berdly chuckled. "I know. That's because, there are no words that can describe my respect, my admiration, my adoration, for you," he stated, closing his eyes dramatically and pointing towards Kris.
He peeked an eye open, seeing Kris stare at him. They blinked a few times. Looking at the sheet of paper. Then Berdly. Then the sheet of paper again. They let out an amused breath. "That's really cheesy," they said, folding the paper back up again.
Berdly frowned. "Soo, um, did you- not like my, clever plan?" he asked.
"No, I liked it, I guess. It's just really, really cheesy. It feels like you just handed me a whole block of cheese," Kris laughed, standing up and putting the folded up paper on their bedside table before joining Berdly back on the floor.
Berdly cleared his throat, putting his wing up to his beak. "Well, hah, I knew you would find it amusing, which is why, I did that. But, as a. Theoretical question. Would that be a, viable? Way to. Win your heart?" he asked, glancing away. Oh dear. He felt way more nervous than before. He couldn't imagine that of all things to make their relationship awkward.
Kris chuckled, causing Berdly to cringe to himself. It was going to be a no, wasn't it? Their friendship would never be the same. Or even worse, Kris would refuse to talk to him in the first place. Why else would they laugh at his question?
"Yeah. I guess it would," Kris said, smiling to themself. Berdly looked back up at them, surprised.
"Really?.. I mean, haha, of course it would! I clearly am the most charming bluebird there is," he stated, regaining his confidence at the affirmation. "Er, so does that make us?.."
Kris nodded, picking up their controller. "Mhm. If you want."
Berdly's eyes lit up, feathers puffed up in surprise and face flushed. "Hah, finally, a worthy love interest for someone of my caliber!" he exclaimed, leaning against Kris, who tensed for a moment at the contact. Berdly noticed immediately, ready to move away. "Oh, sorry- perhaps I got too excited-"
"No. It's fine. I was right about your feathers," Kris smiled, navigating on their controller to the rematch button. "One more round?"