Just as Buddy ruffled his feathers and leaned forward, ready to peck or maybe body-slam his way into them—
Delya's gaze shifted.
Her eyes narrowed.
Her shadow aura thickened instantly, dripping with warning.
A chilling pressure rolled toward Buddy like a slow-moving wave of "don't you dare."
"Don't even think about it," Delya said sweetly—too sweetly.
Her tone was soft, but the air around her darkened.
"Just enjoy your fruit over there, big bird."
Buddy froze, half-chewed fruit still in his beak.
He slowly leaned back.
One step.
Two steps.
"...Cuquawked..."
("Nevermind, I like living.")
"BUDDY!!!"
Javier cried from beneath the cuddle-sandwich.
"Don't just abandon me! You're my mount! My partner! My friend!!"
"Cuquawked?"
Buddy waddled a few steps further back and flopped onto his side like a lazy house pet, fruit still in his wing.
"Cuquawk."
("This is your problem, not mine.")
Meanwhile, Delya let out a satisfied hum and rested her cheek on Javier's chest.
