🌟 The Caged Bird 🌟 [Rebooted Reader Insert]

part 13: close call

"NO!! STOP!!"

You were barely aware of what was happening when you heard a voice, loud and booming with anger and fear sounding over the shrill squawks.

...huh..?

The sounds of footsteps sounded from somewhere as the infuriated voice called out again.

"LET THEM GO!!"

SQUAWK-!?

"EEK!!?" There was a rush of air as the seagull atop you was suddenly thrown off your back with a metallic THUNK making the remaining gulls scatter at the sudden intrusion.

"GO AWAY!! SHOO!!"

You stood curled up tightly, barely aware of what was happening, as the sounds of panicked squawking and the desperate flapping of wings filled your ears, as well as the sounds of heavy foot fall in the sand.

And sure enough, the squawking and flapping faded off and you were greeted to the sound of the ocean's waves as well as someone heavily breathing. "Those... those monsters... How could they...!?" You heard a contemptuous mutter between breaths. After a short pause, you heard the breathing hitched.

"O-Oh no... (N-Name)..."

You felt yourself get scooped up into a large pair of gentle hands, eliciting a squawk of minor pain from the grip on your tender body. As you slowly start to process what had just transpired, a familiar, almost frantic voice cooed to you, sounding quite breathless. "I-It's okay, I got you! They're gone now!"

You blinked a few times as the voice registered in your head.

Ignoring the pain that rocketed through you with each move you made, you mustered up your energy to look up from your position, squinting against the blur in your vision.

Curly dark hair...

Black shirt with a yellow star on it...

Pink jacket...

You felt a relieved smile come to your face as you recognized the face of your caretaker. Steven...

"It's okay..." he repeated, his voice light and comforting as he pressed his forehead into yours. It was then your realized he was kneeling on the sand, which was littered in feathers. "I'm... I'm here now.." you cooed weakly at him in response as he slowly and carefully examined you, frowning at the bruises and cuts from the attack. He groaned anxiously. "Oooh man, those things really messed you up..."

You blinked again, and realized there was something odd on his face.

He scowled up at the direction your attackers had flew off. "They're getting a lot more aggressive these days..." you only loosely listened to his banter as your tired eyes stared hard at his face suspiciously.

Namely the odd pink glow that was on it.

It looked almost like a blush, as it was spread cross his nose and cheeks, but it was a vibrant, glowing pink similar to that of bioillumination.

You blinked a couple times, wondering if you were seeing this correctly.

When did that appear...?

...How is he doing that?

He looks back down and catches your questioning gaze. He lifts his brow. "Um? What's wrong little buddy?"

You squinted, your gaze switching between the glow and his eyes. He didn't seem bothered by the odd rash. He didn't even seem to notice it. You reached up with a small shaky hand and touched his cheek, pressing lightly against it. He blinks at this, but he smiles gently. "Yeah... It-- it's me, Steven. It's okay."

Your brow quirked. He didn't seem bothered by the odd marking. Nevertheless, you smiled meekly at him, lightly proding his cheek. He lets out a soft sigh-laugh, as he gently brushed your hand off his cheek, holding it gently in his. Oddly enough, when he did this, the pink on his face faded away to nothing, not leaving so much as a single mark.

Your brow furrowed slightly when you saw this, as he didn't seem to notice it either, puzzled at the odd phenomenon.

Am I seeing things now?

Steven looked down at your hand, wincing as he remembered the task at hand. "W-We'd better get you fixed up..." he muttered out loud, noting the blood that stained your broken onesie. "Just hold still, little buddy."

You barely moved as he suddenly presses his lips the large wound on your back.

Instantly, the pain disappears, and you could practically feel your wound closing itself up in a figurative and literal flash, much to your utter shock. What?! He then repeats his process to the other wounds, giving them light kisses in which all of the pain would swiftly disappear in a blink of an eye.

"Hm... there's still a few scars here and there..." Steven fretted, running a finger along the larger marks on your back. "But... other than that feel better?" You look up at him, eyes shimmering in disbelief and amazement. You still felt tired from the ordeal, but you overall felt as good as new.

Your mouth partially opened in a loss for words. How did he even...?

When could humans form magic?

Steven just smiled at your reaction, relieved to see brightness return to your eyes at least and heaved a heavy sigh of relief. "That was way too close..." He places a soft kiss on your forehead. "I'm sorry I didn't get to you sooner."
You couldn't help but let out a soft contented purr, feeling safe in his embrace. After a few moments of relishing in the silence, Steven looks back down at you still smiling. "How about we get you a snack?"

You perked up at the mention of feeding, but as you went to chirp in agreement, all's that leaves your mouth is a dry whistle of a squeak, reminding you of your raw throat from your excessive shrieking. Steven frowns sympathetically as you instinctively hacked at the gritty sting in your throat. "Aw... come on. Let's get you back inside and get you patched up."

With that, he gets up onto his feet and wraps his jacket around you, walking back to the beach house. You sighed softly and shut your eyes and resting your head against his chest. You smiled, listening to the rhythmic beat of his heart.