The Many Colors of the Rainbow: A Collaboration of Oz Stories for Pride Month

| Watching the Birds With Him | Tin Man (Nick Chopper) x Scarecrow

"Birds will give you a window, if you allow them. They will show you secrets from another world– fresh vision that, though it is avian, can accompany you home and alter your life. They will do this for you even if you don't know their names– though such knowing is a thoughtful gesture. They will do this for you if you watch them."

— Lyanda Lynn Haupt

Written and Edited by: The Gale Narrator (@GaleWritings on Wattpad)

Title Drawing by:  Asian Scarecrow/Clockwork on the Wizard of Oz Amino (@ArtsyReap on Wattpad)

🏳️‍🌈 ~ Love is Love ~ 🏳️‍🌈

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The summer months in Oz were exciting. There were many things for the people of Oz to do! They could go swimming in ponds and lakes, taste the freshest juices sold by the vendors at the annual summer Ozian festival, and observe nature in the summery climate.

The warm atmosphere was also very romantic. Most couples were out on walks and dates, enjoying the sunshine. The Tin Man and the Scarecrow had decided to go out as well. While most went out to the fanciest places, the two went to more modest locations all over Oz. However, their favorite spot was in the grand Emerald Park. Even though the park was large and in the middle of the bustling Emerald City, it was very peaceful. It was the perfect setting to relax and watch the small furry animals that lived in the trees and bushes. Nick and Crow did visit for those reasons, but they mostly went to watch the birds. Their interest in bird-watching was a kind of therapy for Scarecrow to help him overcome his fear of feathered creatures. Today, they were sitting on their special bench near the entrance of the park.

"Oh, look, Nick!" Scarecrow exclaimed, putting his binoculars down. He pointed at a tree that was a small distance away from their bench. "There is a bird in that tree! On that branch! I don't think we've seen it before."

"Hmm. Let me see, dear." Tin Man asked, taking the binoculars from his boyfriend. His eyes widened in surprise. "You're right! We don't have that bird in our scrapbook yet."

"Well, come on! Let's get a closer look!" Scarecrow remarked excitedly. He grabbed his metal boyfriend's hand and got up from the bench.

Tin Man also stood up and chuckled, seeing the strawman's enthusiasm. "I'm amazed that you want to go near a bird. Just a few months ago, you wouldn't get close to one, even if Lurline herself told you to."

Thinking for a moment before responding, Crow replied with a nervous smile. "I guess I realized that birds are just like us in a way. Birds can feel love, happiness, and peace like everyone else."

"Chirp!" The unknown bird in the tree listened to what Scarecrow had said. It looked at them, seeing them smiling at each other. In response, it chirped and tweeted joyfully. "Tweet!"

The couple heard the bird's noises and gazed back at it. They were delighted that the creature was interested in them. Usually, Scarecrow would use binoculars and describe the animal's features and characteristics. At the same time, Tin Man sketched whatever being they had found so that it could be documented in their shared scrapbook. Before they could do any of that, the bird flew down from its nest to where the couple stood. Tin Man noticed the bird coming towards them and lift his finger to create a perch for it to land on.

"I guess nature is more interested in us than we thought." The metal man remarked with a smile, admiring their new feathered friend.

The bird continued to make joyful noises. It was happy that it was being recognized and talked about.

"Yeah! That's why I'm glad that I can enjoy it, without being scared." The straw man replied, smiling as well. "It took me a while to realize that I could probably do more to them than they can do to me."

After his boyfriend spoke, a past thought came to Nick's mind. It was about his childhood as a human boy and how close he had been to nature. Whenever he was around the earthy environment and fresh air, he felt a certain feeling. The best way the woodsman could describe it was "purely peaceful." He was wondering what Crow, the deepest thinker in the entirety of Oz, thought of it.

"Well, that is true. I hope another animal doesn't bother you as much as those crows did." Nick commented, looking at the bird on his finger. "Nature makes me feel peaceful, and I want you to feel the same about it."

Scarecrow chuckled. "Don't worry. I already do. Especially because I get to experience it with you."

"Aww, that makes it even better for me too!" Nick responded sweetly. "Everything always better with you!"

The little bird, who had now become their friend, also seemed to agree. It was happy to spend time with its fellow members of life. To this creature, the odd couple wasn't that different compared to it.

Maybe life is more worthwhile when Mother Nature smiles upon it.