*Birdie runs over, hugging Groose before he can react. He buries his face in the man’s shirt, sobbing. He wants — needs — to think about something other than himself. So he came to the first person he thought of.
- @knight-in-training-sky
[He doesn't even register whats going on before he feels Birdie hugging him. He wraps his arms around him tightly, mostly on instinct. He's.. showing proper emotions again. Did he get them back?]
[This must be so overwhelming for Birdie.. It breaks his heart to see him cry like this. He's not too sure how to help properly, but he'll do his best. Birdie deserves his best.]
*All the boy can do is sob, but after a moment he pulls back to sign, a bright, watery smile on his face.
You’re my dad now.
*He’s so happy about it that all he can do is cry.
[Oh.]
[This isn't a sad cry. It's a happy cry.]
[Birdie's that happy to have him as his dad. Damn it, he's going to cry. He can already feel the tears welling up in his eyes. He rests a hand on Birdie's head, ruffling his hair roughly.]
Yeah, little bird. I'm your father. We're proper family now, for good.
[His voice is watery. He takes a deep breath and pulls him back into a hug.]
I'm so glad you bought em' back..
*He giggles at the hair ruffling, the nickname making warmth bloom in his chest. He eagerly pulls back into the hug, nuzzling into the man’s shirt. He does love Groose like he thinks a child loves a dad. He hopes so. Groose is amazing! He’s nice, and always helps Birdie calm down, and he shows him cool new things!
*He wonders what he’s gonna call Groose. He’d written down nicknames he’s heard for a dad, but he hasn’t looked at them since before buying his emotions back.
[He's never going back up to Skyloft after this. Not for as long as Birdie is down here. He's gonna stay and support his son, no matter what happens. Just looking at Birdie fills him with a protective urge, and he will always give in to it.]
[Watching Birdie smile and laugh, eyes bright with joy, gives him the impulse to crush him in a hug and never let go. His son. His child..]
[Groose lets go of him with one hand to reach into his pocket, pulling something out. It's a silver bracelet, carved to look like feathers woven together. It seems slim, yet sturdy, like it won't break easy. This had costed Groose quite a bit, but he isn't going to tell that to his little bird.]
[He offers it to Birdie, looking a little sheepish. He hopes Birdie likes it..]
I wanted- to give you something new... To remind you about this. That- I'm your father for good. And I'm not going anywhere.
*Birdie relaxes into the hug, closing his eyes until he feels Groose shift. He opens his eyes curiously, only to spot the bracelet. He takes it gingerly, tears immediately welling up in his eyes.
*He slips it onto his real hand, and Groose notices the bracelet already sitting there. It’s made of some kind of stone.
*Groose then realizes Birdie tried to braid a chunk of his hair to put the clip in, and while the clip is staying in place, the braid simply doesn’t look good.
*Birdie doesn’t realize he’s crying again, as he hugs Groose tightly. He loves his new dad. So, so much.
[He breathes a sigh of relief internally, glad Birdie seems to like the bracelet. He'd been worried Birdie wouldn't like it, or it'd be too much.]
[He notices the other bracelet, curiosity poking at his mind, but he focuses back on Birdie. He'll ask later. His eyes land on the braid attempt, and his smile softens.]
Aww, little bird..
[He gently wipes away Birdie's tears, carefully pulling them both down to sit on the ground and wrapping his arms tightly around him. A few tears of his own slip free, and he reaches up to wipe his eyes.]
[After a little while, he lets go of Birdie, still staying close, but eyeing the braid now. He unlatches the clip, running his fingers through Birdie's hair to unravel the braid, then starts sectioning his hair and weaving his usual braid into place. He feels a little bad he didn't ask first, but from the looks of it, it seems this is what Birdie would've liked as well.]
*Birdie follows Groose to the ground, not arguing in the slightest. He calms down somewhat quickly.
*He gives a small, happy hum as his new dad runs fingers through his hair, then starts braiding it. He fidgets with his new bracelet as he does, leaning against Groose in a way that still lets the man braid his hair. He types into his bracelet.
Did I ever show you the outfit I got from Tear’s time?
[He looks down at Birdie affectionately when he hums, then ruffles the side of his hair he isn't working on. It always makes him happy to hear his son, even if it's just a little bit.]
[He pauses at the question, thinking, then resumes with the nearly-finished braid.]
I don't think I've seen it.. wanna show me once I'm done? What kind of outfit?
*Birdie giggles as Groose ruffles part of his hair. He smiles brightly up at his dad.
I would, but I don't have it with me, and I also don't have any images. It's so cool, though!
*He feels like a little kid again. He likes that, actually, this time.
It looks like the one I wore all the time on Skyloft, but it has shorter sleeves and really cool embroidery!
*He remembers the photograph Tear took, and pulls it from his bag to show his father.
We figured out that Crim could come to the Sky Islands in Tear's time so she took this photo of us!
*Crimson is gliding, while Birdie rests peacefully on his back, hand under his head, dozing. His arm, without a hand, is resting at his chest. He seems completely at peace.
[He clips the finished braid up in Birdie's hair while the audio is playing, then wraps an arm around his shoulder and pinches his cheek lightly.]
Once you get it again, You've gotta come show me or take a picture, alright? It sounds like it looks amazing.
[He peers at the photo and smiles warmly in it, taking in the scene of his son in such a moment of peace. He wishes he was there to see that in person.]
Can you- make a copy of that? Is there a way to do that?
*He bursts into giggles at the gentle pinch, the sound quieter than it should’ve been. He nods happily.
I will! Oh, and a future version of Zel gave this awesome tunic!! It has references to everyone I care about! I’ll show you that one too, later. I don’t have it right now, because I can’t just let it get ruined!
*He tilts his head, looking at the photo before typing.
I dunno! I’ll ask Tear when I see her next.
Oh! Did you know the Ballad of the Goddess gets reversed into a lullaby? It sounds really pretty! Wanna hear it?
[He smiles fondly at his son's giggling. He can't get enough of it. He loves hearing Birdie's joy.]
You've gotta show me that too, it sounds- precious to you. I'm glad you've been having all these great interactions with people, little bird. And- a future version of Zelda? But not my Zelda, right?
[His eyebrows raise at that bit of news. He would've never imagined- he's heard both his Link and Zelda play it a thousand times by now. He wonders if that was always meant to be a part of the song.]
I didn't know that at all- I'd love to hear it, Birdie.