Chapter One
Behold, the long awaited Pilot x Mallard fic. I have no idea what I'm doing. @jur4ssicsh4rk get over here you're the reason I wrote this
Everything was calm and quiet again. It hadn’t been since Delta had gone missing, although Mallard supposed the correct term would have been “kidnapped.” The man who had taken them in the first place, Pilot, had brought them back after what felt like years. In reality, it had only been a few months at best.
It had been a mess. Mallard had reported it as soon as could, the last thing he saw of his kid was them being shoved out of their broken bedroom window. He hadn’t been able to follow the two, by the time he was outside they had already disappeared from view. It wasn’t until much later that he learned who the man who took Delta was and that he was–allegedly–very dangerous.
But Pilot had brought them back safe as could be. Delta had bounded up the steps of the house and wasted no time finding and crashing into Mallard with a hug. It was one of the few times Mallard had cried in front of Delta. Pilot had followed in soon after with what had appeared to be three constructs made of wood, which Delta of course explained away, along with a large snail that rested on their shoulder.
He had not forgiven Pilot for a long time and wouldn’t talk to him if he could. The first time he had any meaningful conversation with him was when Delta was trying to convince Pilot to stay. Mallard had not wanted him to stay. He wanted him out of his house, but Delta was really upset. He supposed Pilot could stay a little while longer then.
Circumstances soon changed, and after events that Delta could not bring themself to speak about, the new group of six moved out of the Aviary and to a little house on the southern coastline, near the old lighthouse. The constructs, which called themselves the Fledgelings, were the goddess Ellree’s children and she had grown a large tree around the ruins of the lighthouse for her children to live in. They popped in from time to time, mostly to play with Delta when they could. Mallard was glad they did, he could barely stand being in the same room as Pilot.
Delta had been changed through their adventure. Mallard did not entirely understand what had happened; they apparently contracted part of the plague and also maybe died? He wasn’t sure about that last part, but tried to stay with them as much as possible. Unfortunately, he was unable to stay with them as much as he would’ve liked. He had managed to get a job at a restaurant in Turtle Beach, however it was highly understaffed and Mallard often had to take extra (unpaid, mind you) shifts to keep his job.
Pilot took care of Delta when he had to go to work. Mallard was thankful and decided that maybe Pilot was okay. Being around him was slightly more bearable.
His kid also had a habit of disappearing and sleeping. It had been that way since Delta was around 5; Mallard would often find them napping up a tree or curled up in a small corner. It had gotten more frequent since they moved and soon it became surprising if Delta wasn’t tired. He was worried.
Yesterday was bad. Delta had disappeared for over four hours while Mallard was working, and even when he had come home, he and Pilot were unable to find them. They only did because Delta came back inside by themself, looking awful. Pilot and Mallard tried to figure it out, but Mallard had been called away to cover yet another shift with the threat of being fired.
Mallard wanted to kill his boss.
Pilot was kind enough to look after Delta, making sure they ate something. They were asleep by the time Mallard came home for a second time. Pilot suggested getting them a doctor’s appointment to find out why they kept falling asleep. At least he was concerned with Delta, it was technically his fault that they had some of those issues.
That was the other thing with this man. Maybe it wasn’t entirely on purpose, but he still was responsible for Delta getting hurt. Those cracks on their arm, the way they spread up and down their body was awful. Mallard knew it hurt any time they moved, sometimes if the cracks spread towards their chest or neck Delta had issues talking and breathing. They had seen a doctor about that, but there was nothing to be done.
At least the plague hadn’t taken their life like it did Emris and Maxwell. Mallard couldn’t handle another funeral.
Mallard had the day off today. He found it great, it meant he could stay and watch over Delta like he felt he should have been doing. Only thing, it meant he had to deal with Pilot more. Pilot was unable to get a job, not that he hadn’t tried. People just didn’t want to hire criminals, former or otherwise.
It would be fine, Mallard would just hope Pilot was doing other things. Or, that the Fledgelings needed something and Mallard and Delta could go take care of it. No, that wouldn’t work. Delta should just spend the day resting. It would be fine, Mallard would work it out.
He woke up early to make breakfast for the other two. Omelets were always good. Delta and Mallard liked theirs with cheese, but Delta preferred to have bacon instead of sausage in it. The sausage versus bacon debate was the only thing Mallard and Delta couldn’t agree on. Mallard didn’t know what Pilot wanted in it, maybe he would just ask.
Ugh. That meant he had to talk to him. Oh, get over yourself, Mallard thought. If Delta can like him, so can you.
It was going to be a long day.
Pilot came downstairs before Delta did, while Mallard was cooking. He kept the conversation short when asking what Pilot wanted in his omelet. “Just cheese,” Pilot had said.
How adventurous. That was mean. Come on, Mallard, you could do better.
While Mallard made breakfast, Pilot worked on changing one of the lights in the living room. The light kept flickering and was a minor annoyance at best, however Pilot liked to fix things before they became a problem. Mallard couldn’t blame him, back in the Aviary he usually couldn’t afford to do so. Now, Mallard could fix issues around the house when he needed. Sure his job sucked, but it paid better than his one in the Aviary. It was nice.
There was a shattering noise over where Pilot was. Mallard heard him mutter a swear again; Pilot sweared a lot. Thankfully, it hadn’t rubbed off on Delta. Or maybe it did, but they kept it to themself.
Glancing behind him, Mallard saw Pilot picking up broken pieces of the light bulb. He must have dropped it, at least it was the old bulb. That idiot, he can pilot planes but can’t hold a lightbulb? No wonder he crashed into the backyard at the old house.
Pilot hissed, wings flaring behind him. Now he had cut himself.
“You need a band aid?” Mallard turned back towards the omelets. Pilot’s was finished and he was working on his own. He would start Delta’s when they came down.
“I’ll get it myself.” Pilot muttered. He walked over to the kitchen to throw away the pieces of glass.
“Your omelet’s ready when you’re done.” Mallard continued cooking.
“Thanks.”
Pilot walked away, presumably to get something for his cut. Delta trotted downstairs shortly after, looking more chipper than the night before. Good. Good good good. Mallard wanted them to get better, they deserved it after everything that had happened.
“Mornin’ Dad.” Delta came up behind him, looking over his shoulder. “Whatcha making?”
“Omelets today, Delta. Are you feeling better?”
“A little.” Delta sighed. “Altough I kept having nightmares last night.”
Mallard nodded. Ever since they got home, Delta would constantly dream about what happened, usually about when they almost died. Or maybe it was actually dying, Mallard was slightly confused on the details. Sometimes the nightmares would be about getting kidnapped, not by Pilot but by Omni. Other times, it would be about something happening to him or Pilot. After those, Delta would have to check to make sure both Mallard and Pilot were still around.
He was worried, but there was nothing he could do but make sure Delta understood that they all were safe.
“I’m sorry.” Mallard plated his and moved on to start Delta’s.
Delta shrugged behind him. “Not your fault.” They went to sit down at the table, grabbing Pilot’s plate as they went. “Where’s Pi?”
“He cut his finger fixing the light. Went to patch it up.”
Delta nodded in acknowledgement. They leaned back in their chair and played with their hands. Mallard went back to fixing breakfast. Neither said anything more, except for when Delta greeted Pilot when he came back. Pilot also thanked Mallard for breakfast and complimented it.
At least he’s being nice. Mallard mused. Although I wish I hated him more.
Hate was a strong word, Mallard knew. He used to refrain Delta from using it when they were younger. But how else could he feel, when Pilot had kidnapped Delta? Mallard had worked so hard to raise Delta. He promised he would. Besides, blood or not, Delta was Mallard’s kid, no one else’s.
That was selfish. Delta was his kid just as much as they were Emris and Maxwell’s child. Pilot’s too, if that was what Delta wanted. They were so upset over Pilot trying to leave them behind; Mallard hadn’t seen them like that since a classmate merely suggested that he might give them away.
He would never. Pilot would never as well. Mallard respected him a little for that.
Delta’s omelet was ready. He brought it over to them and they mumbled a thanks, sounding tired despite having gotten up only minutes ago. That was worrying, they shouldn’t have been that tired so quickly. Mallard couldn’t stop himself from asking “Are you sure you’re feeling alright?”
“M’ fine.” Delta said, covering their mouth as they chewed. “Bacon’s really good.”
Mallard squinted. Changing the subject wouldn’t work, not today. But before he could speak up, Pilot did. “Tell the truth, kid.”
Their shoulders sank. “I’m fine, really.” They said as they put their fork down. “I’m just a little tired still.”
“Uh huh.”
Neither Mallard nor Pilot believed them. Pilot looked at Mallard, raising his eyebrows and gesturing towards Delta to tell him to press further. He was Delta’s legal guardian after all. Mallard did not press on though, instead eating his meal. Delta was stubborn, they wouldn’t share if they didn’t want to.
Pilot let out a sigh, getting up and putting his plate in the sink. “I’m heading out, Thresh said he needed help with the twins today. I’m taking Blink too.” Surprisingly, he didn’t put on his scarf, leaving it on the coat hanger Mallard had gotten. He always took it with him no matter the weather, Mallard noticed.
“Can I come?” Delta turned their head towards him. Mallard was waving his hand in a cutting motion across his throat, mouthing “no” at Pilot. He thankfully got the memo and shook his. “Darn.”
“See you guys later.” And with that, Pilot was out the door.
Now it was just the Sterlings in the house. Just like old times. It hadn’t been the two of them in almost a year now. Mallard spent the day looking after Delta. They hadn’t gotten any better, he noticed as time passed. They scarfed down their food like it was nothing. Usually, they ate slowly and held a conversation.
Mallard did talk, and even managed to coax what their nightmares were about out of them. It had been about what usually was, dying. However, they said that Pilot had died too in it, and that when they woke up they had a hard time believing it wasn’t real.
“It was so close to what happened.” Delta spoke, tears threatening to form as their voice cracked. “You and Blink were gone. Pilot just…” Mallard stopped them before they could continue on.
By the time it was dark out, Delta had already eaten dinner and went to bed. Mallard mostly told them to, seeing as how tired they were. He sat next to them as they fell asleep, like he used to during a large storm.
Pilot had not returned yet. Thresh must have really needed his help then. Or he decided to run off and do other things. No, Mallard shook his head. Pilot wouldn’t. He probably was still at the lighthouse, it was old and parts of it still fell apart even with the tree growing around it. Pilot probably just had to fix some things and it was taking longer than expected.
Pilot did come home about an hour after Delta fell asleep, looking exhausted. When Mallard asked, Pilot told him that a window fell and broke while he was watching the twins. Neither of the twins were hurt, just startled. He ended up having to go to Turtle Beach to get a new glass pane.
After a bit, Mallard had tried going upstairs to sleep but Pilot stopped him. “We need to talk.”
“About?” Mallard looked at him. He was wearing his scarf now and Blink was on top of his head.
“Delta.” Pilot said, like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “You said so last night.”
Mallard huffed. “We did. And we agreed that I would set up a doctor’s appointment for them.”
“That’s not what I mean.” Pilot crossed his arms, face twisting into a frown. “They came to me sobbing last night.”
“...What?”
“They came to me sobbing last night,” he repeated. “Delta’s lying about being fine, and you’re just letting them.”
Mallard felt his face contort slightly. “I’m not letting them, but if they don’t want to talk about it they don’t have to right now.”
“No. That’s not how this works right now.” Pilot said, starting to tap his foot. Mallard really wanted to punch him. It was his fault that there was a problem in the first place!
“And how would you know?” Mallard started speaking before he could think. “If it weren’t for you, none of this would be happening to Delta!”
Oh dear, Mallard already regretted saying that. Pilot’s eyebrows furrowed as his eyes widened, looking betrayed almost. Blink sat up as much as a snail could. Not that that was directed at Blink, but it still took offence to the statement.
“That,” Pilot said, hesitating as he continued. “That’s not the point right now.”
Mallard rolled his eyes, letting Pilot speak. He wanted to pipe in with “Then what is?” although that would have likely made the conversation worse.
“Delta’s going to get hurt like this, regardless of whether or not a doctor can even help.” Pilot paused. His wings twitched as he spoke. “You need,” he jabbed a finger towards Mallard. “To get them to tell you what’s wrong.”
A few beats of silence passed before Pilot continued. He looked distressed.
“Look, I know you hate me,” Mallard didn’t. He wanted to, although that was kept to himself. “But could you at least try to work with me here?”
He bit his tongue. There was no way, absolutely no way, he was going to work with Pilot. How could this man think he would? Besides, even if it wasn’t the fact he took Delta away from him, Pilot was not his friend. He was too impulsive, and reckless, and so unbelievably stubborn. On top of that, everything he did felt shallow and he was always leaving things laying around. If it weren’t for the fact Delta liked him so much and how charismatic he could be, Mallard would have attempted to kick him out by now.
Wait, charismatic? Barely. Sure he was confident and enthusiastic at times, but not that much. That was off topic though.
Rolling his eyes, Mallard answered. “Fine.”
“Thanks.” Pilot brightened up a little. “Can you just, talk with them? They trust you more than me.”
No they don’t. Mallard thought bitterly. They trust you more with this, you were actually there.
“I’ll talk with them in the morning. But I’m not going to promise that I’ll find out what’s wrong.”
Pilot nodded and turned away. Nothing else was said that night, it could all wait until morning. Mallard had to think of how to approach the subject anyways.
Passing by Delta’s room, he checked inside. They were fast asleep, face faintly illuminated by the glow of their halo. The halo started glowing again, finally, causing Delta to keep close to them for if and when it started buzzing again. Mallard doubted it would, however Pilot just had to say that it might one day.
Ugh. He was the worst. Mallard was pretty sure he only helped around the house to get on Mallard’s good side. He only did the dishes if Mallard was working. Pilot also kept staring at him; it was getting weird. Mallard only didn’t say anything to keep the peace of the house untouched.
It wasn’t working well, everyday Mallard only grew more agitated. His kid was hurting and there was nothing he could do for the most part. Tomorrow though, he’d get it fixed tomorrow. He had to, for Delta. And maybe, Pilot would finally leave him alone.
