a/n - wrote this about a month ago when i went down a rabbit hole on tiktok about the bird theory being tested out on boyfriends/husbands, and well .. another brain thought lol. unedited and probably will revisit to make it longer ?
♡ 12:09
you're lounging on the couch, scrolling through your phone absentmindedly on Instagram, swiping through posts, liking reels, letting out the occasional soft laugh, prompting lewis to turn sometimes and ask you "what's so funny?"
he's reorganising the bookshelf (the one that's full to the brim, books laying on top of each other with the lack of space available) you guys keep in the living room. it's been a task you wanted to do for a while but procrastination is your worst enemy. either way, lewis didn't say anything but started pulling books and frames and other trinkets off the shelves, before sitting down and organising them the way you wanted. he would hold up a couple books once in a while, asking if you still want to keep them, donate them, or if they needed to go in a different order.
you on the other hand came across a video and immediately tapped your screen to put it on mute. the bird theory. where girlfriends put the attention their partners give to them to the test. they tell them about the most mundane thing, a bird, and seeing whether their boyfriends care about whatever comes out their girl's mouth.
a small grin spread across your face, lips pressing gently to suppress it and not make it obvious. you scrolled to the next video, unmuting the video, audio playing softly from your phone speaker again, and kept your eyes on the screen. why not?
"y'know, i forgot to tell you but, i saw a bird today," you kept your eyes on your phone for another moment, then set it down in your chest, video still playing on loop. a beat passes before lewis says something, turning around with his brow raised, "a bird?" he's quizzical, almost like his brain went ... okay?
you shift on the couch, glancing at him and move to sit up a little, keeping your back against the armrest. "yeah! kinda cool, right?"
he still holds a book in his hands, glancing away for a moment before glancing back, "what kind of bird was it?" his eyes narrow slightly, almost like he's quizzing you, and you press your lips together briefly, "it was a..." you trail off, watching him place the book on the shelf before he turns back, eyes fully on you.
it makes you smile when you realise he really wants to know, and he's not just asking to shut you up, or telling you he doesn't care. instead, he's taking a few steps and picking up your mug of tea, the one he made for you, half drunk and still warm.
his eyes are still on yours as he peeks over the rim of the mug, waiting patiently for your answer. "a.. european bee-eater? i think?" you furrow your brows, picking up your phone, as if you're about to google it to double check but go with your gut instead.
it's an odd choice of a bird, you think, meeting his gaze, why would you go for that? he knows and he's gonna call you on your bullshit.
but he doesn't. he leans forward a little, mug to his chest, "wait, i saw a bee-eater the other day too!"
you couldn't help yourself and let out a laugh, chest tightening with love as your eyes crinkle softly. your lips pull and your cheeks warm, giggling as he continues.
"no, like i saw one when i was on my bike ride. it was– like, i took a break at this hilltop and i look up and i was in shock," he's looking forward as if he's seeing the bird again, free hand pointing up.. you're smiling wide now and he's still going, looking at you now, "'cause did it have the red, and blue, and yellow?" his fingers spread wide, now behind his head, painting the picture.
you nod, "yeah," another laugh escaping you. he's so into this story, you almost feel bad knowing you lied. his eyes are wide and sparkling and he's so smiley right now. oh, you feel so warm, cheeks hurting a little from trying real hard to supress your smile.
"wow! i havent seen those, like ever– only in books, actually. or those documentaries."
you laugh again, giving him a look, "since when do you watch documentaries?"
he sets the mug down, "what? i watch documentaries!"
god, he's so cute
you lean forward, taking the mug in yours, letting go of the teasing and back to the bird, "they're really pretty, right?" you take a sip, watching him as he turns back to the shelf, bending down slightly to pick another couple books up, before he turns back. his eyes linger a little too long, enough to notice the face you're desperately trying, and failing, to not show.
"did you actually see one, or are you fucking with me?" his face is still with pure innocence but the corners of his lips are pulling up, and you let out another laugh, louder, leaning forward slightly and shaking your head, eyes squinting at him through your fit of giggles, "im kinda fucking with you!"
your body shakes and he doubles over, his weazy-type of laugh, the one he only ever does when he's drawn the short straw but takes the foolery like a champ, echoing in the room. he places his hand on the arm of the couch, catching himself.
both of you are still giggling when he looks at you again, "okay, but i actually saw a bee-eater, though."
and you're laughing again.
a/n - bee-eater is apparently a bird with the same rep as a bluejay lol also i haven't written in so so so long, let alone post anything to do with writing. i thought about editing this until i was completely satisfied with it, but i think this will be a piece that i seek advice on. since i haven't posted anything or been creative, in literary sense, i feel very insecure in my writing.. i'm not asking just for reassurance but advice on what i could do to improve! help a fellow author out angels, love ya <3