Work Text:
“No way you want to suggest them that, that's so corny!”
“I know, Noelle, for simple minds like you, who don't have any experience in “love matters”, ideas like this may sound pretty foolish. But statistics say it's the best way to get to know your future partner better and show them possibilities they will have in long-term companionship!”
“Future partner, huh? You do have confidence… But since when you have this “love” experience to be an expert?” – Noelle snorted, trying to hide her laugh. No way this feathered guy was a love guru, having NEVER dated. “I've got bad bitches at the crib; Where they at though?” moment.
“Well, uhm… – Berdly stuttered, – I've done my research to be 100% sure in my decisions! Who am I, a fool to plan anything without preparation? Ha! You could say I possess the knowledge of the best alpha males in this universe! But alas, I should be careful with that, I don't want the whole school to drool over me...”
At this point, Noelle couldn't hold herself any more and audibly laughed, getting attention from everyone in the class.
“Miss Holiday, I-I understand working on your assignment with your best buddy can be quite fun… – Alphys pleaded from behind her laptop, visibly uncomfy by the noise, – but please be quieter? Others can be distracted by that…”
Red-faced, the girl quickly nodded and lowered her head.
“I'm sorry, I will!
For a moment, she sat there, processing everything she heard. Then threw quick glance at the teen with striped green sweater behind her, who was writing something (probably the only person here unbothered by the surroundings), and then at their classmate nearby, a tall girl in purple jacket, who was angrily crumping yet another sheet of paper with calculations (a ninth paper, to be precise).
It seems like this school is going to have several high school sweethearts this year. How truly sweet! If everything will go smoothly, of course.
From this thought, the girl smiled warmly.
After that, Noelle turned her face to Berdly, who seemed to be already deep in thoughts, making his “greatest plan ever” about wooing his heart’s desire. Judging by a quiet chuckle from time to time, it seems like this guy was speedrunning the Sims™ family in his head and already got to the point in playthrough where him and his partner are happily married, are living in a big high-tech villa near the sea with several yachts and own a private jet.
The deer-girl tugged Berdly's sleeve. Once, twice. With an audible sigh, the boy, obviously disappointed to “pause the game”, turned to his classmate and wanted to lecture her about how impolite it is to distract someone from important tasks when he heard the unexpected.
“When we're on the break, tell me more!”
***
The bell rung. Just like that, half of the day passed by. Making grand schemes and consulting besties about how to make cupid work overtime… To be fair, Berdly wanted to keep all of this lovey-dovey stuff inside his clever head, you know, because success likes silence, and yet one word from Noelle during break about what he was going to do, and his mouth kept running and running about all kinds of ideas. Insane yapping session featuring Kris as a main topic. Surprisingly, Noelle's head didn't explode from the amount of info dumping. But that's probably because she got used to such things by now, knowing Berdly for years. That guy had a thing to talk a lot about the things he likes, and this pretty human wasn't an exception.
But now was the time for immediate action! The clock is ticking! Or so Berdly thought, because it seems like patience and gradualness weren't his things much, not in this situation. After all, he's high elo master lover-boy now, bagging a beauty with emo cut won't be a problem, that's for sure! Pff, who needs to wait to get better connections with someone anyway? Ha! When someone waits for three and a half years, Berdly does it in one week!
First step, find them and start a conversation. “Do you come here to learn often?” or something like that.
He looked all over the almost empty classroom, searching for Kris. Hold on… They're not here! Where are they?! No way they ran away with that lizard to cause mischief elsewhere!
The boy quickly hid all his stuff in a backpack and rushed to the classroom's exit, pushing everyone aside in the way. Move! Move! Prince charming coming through to his monarch!
Okay, Berdly. Remember what those coaches wrote on their private blogs: to make the target more agreeable, catch them by surprise. Like in anime, pin them to the lockers, for example! Yes! And ruffle feathers on the head beforehand for extra effect! Surprise, surprise, surprise… But how do I do that? Kris is nowhere to be seen!
In a few moments, Berdly found himself in a middle of a big crowd. Seems like the younger students had their classes finished, therefore flooded the hall, trying to get to their lockers and get ready to head home. Older students though were changing classrooms, getting ready for other lessons and overall were just chilling (aka blocking the hallway). All of these factors included, it made quite a mess of people. At times like this, the feathered guy wished he was taller. A few cm's of height would be beneficial, both functionally and aesthetically.
Suddenly, a glimpse of yellow and a green color. The boy followed. Few seconds, lost it. Panicked, searched again. A familiar backpack on the back, someone was heading to the exit… Finally, Berdly exited the building.
Two figures talking and walking away. Just like he thought would happen. Perhaps, he should interrupt them, like he always does, to deliver important info to the recipient. But that wouldn't be a surprise, would it? More like inconvenience. Who asks out someone on a date in front of their friend?
“Hey you two!” - The monster suddenly shouted, making Susie surprised turn the head towards the source of noise. Did he decide to go with a plan to be an inconvenience?
“I'm sorry to interrupt your highly enriching conversations about all kinds of nonsense, – said Berdly, approaching, – but can I ask you what are your plans? Do you plan to hang out all the evening today?”
“Why do you bother? – The girl’s brow raised as she crossed her arms. – It's not like you're interested in whatever we do”.
True. – Berdly thought. – I’m more interested if your friend next to you has a free time.
“Well, perhaps I do now”.
“Oh really? Someone like you wants to steal a lot of free food samples from the diner, download a Trojan on library laptop for fun or look for secondhand clothes to DIY near the dump?”
“Ugh… Yeah…”
He lied, the only potential fun activity to his taste among listed was only virus downloading (and then it's deletion of course), but sacrifices are sometimes needed to win lover’s heart. Even if it's painful damage to the perfect reputation.
Susie’s eyes widened. She really didn’t expect to hear that response. But her reaction wasn't important anyway. Berdly glanced to the other one near her. No reaction at all. Not even the smallest. Do they know he's bluffing? Or maybe it's not impressive enough? Was Kris paying attention to him at all?
“Please, – Berdly started to brag, – do you really think of me like some goody-old-shoes? I did some nasty stuff in my time. I was called the baddest boy on my block before I decided to be bigger than that for my own future”.
…
This made the girl get down with the most air-deficit laughter you could imagine. She got all teary-eyed, holding onto Kris' shoulder not to fall down. Didn't buy all that bullshit at all. Berdly tightened his grip. She can laugh all she wants, but if it gets the job done, then it gets the job done.
The person Susie used for support was shaking a little. Maybe it's because of weight or… Laughter…? From the last thought the boy felt a cold shiver down his spine. What, if he made an embarrassment of himself in front of his crush? OK, keep tight. Maybe they made them amused in a good way, and they find it cute? What if they aren't laughing at all, perhaps they are hungry or tired?
“Okay, bad boy, – the girl made the last two words extra accented for a reason, – you make to be a good clown, perhaps you could go with us. Kris, what do you say?”
The human beside slowly turned their head. It was hard to understand what they were looking at behind all that hair.
Suddenly, a light breeze swiped among the brunette locks, and just for a moment a pair of brightly red eyes pierced through Berdly's own. Hatred? Indifference? Sympathy? It was impossible to tell what was in that gaze. And yet, despite the context, they were so… Beautiful to lover-bird. Like a freshly bloomed roses in spring. Like sweet cherries in the summer. Like crispy maple leaves in autumn. Like festive holly berries in winter. Why they hide such eyes behind the bangs? Who made them insecure about them? One day, Berdly will tuck all that hair behind the Kris's ear to meet the gaze again. Just like in romance movies he watched for “research purposes”.
They didn't say anything.
“Well, if I don't hear a protest, then it's settled. – The monster-girl continued. – However…”
The next thing Berdly knows, Susie leaned to his ear.
“I know what you're doing here. Don't try to be sleek. If you want to get some time for two with Kris, do all of my homework for me till' this evening, and in return I'll pretend to be suddenly unwell and won't show up. What do you say?”
So, she knows… How? Is he's too obvious about all this?
“How do you know that? The guy whispered back. – I didn’t say anything for you to think about me this way???”
“Let's just say, I have my resources, and I’m not that dumb. Listen. Don't you think it's sus, that Kris is always somewhere NOT near you? Like they're avoiding you or something? I mean, it's just my guess… Maybe they just ate anti-Berdly magnet for breakfast and now they always at your polar distance. I offer you an opportunity to console with them. And who knows, possibly after they'll stop trying to disappear after seeing you at least”.
So that's why Berdly couldn't catch up to them in the hallway… Makes sense.
“What if I don't want to do all of your homework?!”
“Well, your loss”.
The boy sighed. There's no choice…
“Fine. Deal”.
After hearing this, Susie grinned.
“Great! – she opened her backpack and handled him all the paperwork. – Here's everything you need to do. See ya at six!”
He sighed again and took the last look at Kris. They weren't looking at him any more and instead turned their back on him. Maybe the lizard girl is right. Perhaps Kris truly dislikes his bird guts. Annoyed by him fully, just tolerates for the sake of others, and the only way to fix things and give them both a chance at something more, is to talk things out. Which is impossible, unless Berdly does Susie's homework.
***
It was almost six o'clock. Berdly already gave back Susie her papers, so the deal was settled. The upcoming meeting was for two.
Dressed neatly, but not too much, like men guru online suggested: in blue jean shorts, white short-sleeved t-shirt with small logo on the side, a random weaved bracelet on the left arm and, of course, paired with the strong men perfume to finish up the casual look (probably taken from dad's collection).
After giving out “the mail”, Berdly headed to the diner, where initially the trio had to get ice cream. The hot season was coming to the end, so all icy treats were on discount - why not buy a ton and save some buck? Berdly even took some savings if Kris would want an extra portion. Anything to please his favorite human!
And there they were, standing alone, looking at costumed mascots of a nearby pizzeria giving out ad flyers, as always somewhere else mentally.
“We two arrived quite early. – Announced his arrival the feathered monster. – It seems a friend of ours is not of the punctual ones”.
No response. Not even a look. The boy gulped nervously. What’s all this anxiety was about? Didn’t he talk to Kris like a million times before? Or, perhaps, this time he took their meeting extra seriously and was wary of all the small details.
“We can wait for her in the diner if that's the case”.
Kris half-turned to the boy. Suddenly, a voice. Quiet, monotone voice.
“No need. She's not coming”.
“Oh? – Definitely surprised from hearing a response for the first time in a day, said the boy. - Then should we proceed?”
And then…
“My theydy?”
Kris' lip slightly twitched. Another response! Good job Berdly, keep it up! Step two, set the positive vibes by doing something fun or interesting.
Without a word, a figure in a striped sweater went straight to the diner door, making the other hurry rapidly to catch up.
Definitely flustered by that. – Berdly thought, pressing on the front door. – You can't hide your feelings from me, Kris, even behind your silky locks of yours! .
No. They cringed. Very hard.
After catching up, the boy came up to the teen near the freezer and had a look inside himself. Several plastic containers with all kinds of flavored ice cream: strawberry, vanilla, mint and chip, mango, lime, chocolate… And the last flavor was eyed by companion of his. Judging by the looks of it, like it was quite a popular flavor, considering how little was left. And it wouldn't be restocked until next delivery probably in a month or more due to the cold season upcoming. They're lucky they are at the diner today and at this hour.
“I’ll have one portion of mango and one portion of lime, please.” – As soon, as the seller appeared behind the counter, Berdly made an order. The extravagant flavors for someone extravagant as him!
Kris took out a small purse out of their pants pocket and started counting coins inside. They took one glance at the price tag and their shoulders sagged a little. Enough for one portion only…
After receiving his ice cream, suddenly the boy handled the server more money, than he needed to pay.
“And chocolate ice cream. Put all, that’s left in one cone. Please”.
“I still cherish the gift you gave me in Cybersworld, Kris. A wonderful figure of me! – Berdly said to his companion, while they waited now for another portion of ice cream. – It was very considerate of you. I’ve put it on the highest shelf in my room for everyone to see, you know. So, I wanted to make a gift for you this time. To better our friendship. Don’t think I’m bribing you or anything, I genuinely mean it”.
Kris didn’t say anything. As usual. But there was something new in their behaviour. Even though, looking from the side, you could say the teen was frozen in place and was just waiting for their order, if you had a look at their feet, you could see barely noticeable quick taps of their shoes. Maybe they didn’t like the company much, but a huge amount of free ice cream was definitely to their liking.
After receiving their treat, Kris, absolutely out of nowhere, held on to Berdly’s bracelet and dragged him in a hurry out of the diner, leaving the other one confused.
“Didn’t you want to stay inside? – the boy asked after being let go outside. – They had air conditioning and spare seats!”
“Noisy”.
“Ooh… I see, I see. I didn’t know you had such sensitive ears. So, where would you want to go? I suggest we go to the lake, there shouldn’t be a lot of people. Except for that weird onion-like guy”.
***
The trip to the lake was almost in silence. Only from time-to-time Berdly tried to comment on the weather, school, traffic – basically anything there was to talk about with someone, who says nothing. Kris on the other hand? Just nodded from time to time and was biting into their big portion of chocolate dessert. It’s like a ghost following the feathered monster. Not a single sound, but certainly there.
After stumbling upon green tables with benches, the duo decided to take the seat there. Kris could definitely seat on the dirt near the lake, it’s not like they care, but the other one didn’t have making dirty freshly washed clothes in his plans. So, they had a compromise. Or more Kris didn’t care, again, where he wanted to chill out.
The silence continued, and it was deafening. Does Kris really have nothing to say to him? Does he need to get a word by word out of them by force? How can anyone have ZERO communication with everyone and still have friends? How come Susie or Noelle can freely interact with them, and he doesn’t? What Berdly does wrong?
He deeply inhaled.
“I’m sorry if I’m wasting your time. – Words, which sounded almost guilty. – You had plans to go with Susie, but I tagged along, and she got unwell, and now you’re stuck with me, when you could do something else to your liking”.
Kris took another bite of ice cream. Their supposed gaze turned somewhere towards the lake.
“And I know you probably don’t like me very much, – Berdly continued, – avoiding me both in light and dark worlds. I know I have a unique personality not everyone can handle. Sometimes I’m, what people say, too much?”
He paused to catch breath. Meanwhile, his ice cream started to slowly melt inside the waffle cone.
“Because of it and other factors, I’ve made a lot of mistakes. Heck, I was an outright jerk in some situations. I feel bad about it. And yet, me feeling bad about it doesn’t change a thing, I’ve hurt my friends. You have every right to be mad at me, and that’s why you don’t want to talk to me, isn’t it?”
“I just have nothing to say”. – After this, the teen turned their ice cream around to get to the place with more dessert.
Berdly’s face drooped. So, they probably do hate him… Sitting there, being all like “that fucking bird that I hate” in their mind…
Kris turned their full body towards the boy, drawing attention to themselves. For a moment, Berdly swears he noticed yet another glimpse of crimson eyes behind the overgrown bangs. But this time their look was less hostile and more… Introspective? This made him kinda rethink the made conclusions.
“I’m not mad. – They continued, finishing their ice cream. – But be better next time”.
“I’m sorry… I will.”
Berdly’s dessert fully melted, leaving a warm liquid seeping from the wet waffle. How unfortunate… Now he had no choice but to “drink the ice cream’, or else he will have to deal with sticky feathers later.
“Why you follow me out of all people?” – the human asked, unusual for them, slightly tilting their head.
The boy panicked. What he should say now? He wasn’t expecting such a direct question! Should he say how things really are? Should he say something vague? Turn into joke? What alpha male gurus said to do in this situation??? Funny thing, NOTHING. They didn’t write anything for scenarios, where a potential lover is interested about reasons for your weird behaviour. It’s like a male bird courting the other one by doing some odd shit and the other is like “what the fuck are you doing?”.
“Because out of all of my friends, you seem like a super mystery type of person. – Here come excuses. – And I know you less time, so I wanted to know you better! Will this answer suffice???”
But you don’t follow Susie like that, do you?
“You’re annoying”. – The teen said with ought hesitation.
Critical hit! That’s how they view him? No wonder conversations and interactions were tough…
“And silly. But not bad”.
Another critical hit! It’s joeover chat… Berdly is now officially diagnosed with being a silly goober… Not with “the best courter there is” (maybe he should have danced with glow sticks in front of them idk) or not even a “I know I called you bro, but I’m in love with you” type of friend… But at least he’s not bad in their eyes. Tolerable…
Kris stood up and patted their pants to throw off leftover crumbles off the clothes.
“I need to go home.”
No wonder. It was getting dark, and the sun was almost hidden under the horizon. Their little hang out was coming to the end. Alas, mission failed…
The boy sighed. All these preparations, all these studies… It had to be a romantic evening, but in the end, Berdly ended up almost monologuing the conversations and blabbering about his inner struggles. Sure, they sorted out some things with Kris, and they had ice cream, and a nice walk… But still. Was it enough for something like that? For the first try? In romance animes everything is different… And easier. But real life is not a fantasy world at the end of the day (literally).
“One more thing.” – After these words from the teen, Berdly prepared himself for a lethal fatality.
Suddenly, Kris smirked. Something wicked was on their mind, something evil… Here it comes…
“I’m not interested, unless you add me as a friend in Roblox. I don’t want to watch you show off your gaming skills in “Doors”, I want to join the game”.
Berdly blinked a few times, absolutely confused. “Doors”? Roblox? Why they suddenly are talking about Roblo-…
“How do you know I was planning on-… NOELLE!”