a finch with a broken wing

a finch that fixes

Being that Glueboy and Finch are now on good terms, they're on a time crunch to fix things with the rest of the group. They've seen them in the halls sometimes, and in their shared classes, but they've lowered their head. They haven't interacted, and though Veronica had tried once to talk to them, that had been about the only interaction they'd had. They knew things had to be fixed before Glueboy joined the group again for lunch.

While classes go by slowly, they let themself smile as they switch classrooms, from nutrition to history. They pass Glueboy in the hall, and they both give each other a small smile. A reassurance, maybe, that it's okay now.

Emothy, surprisingly, has giving up their glaring. Instead, she's sketching something on her work, movements precise and purposeful, making no mistake. They don't recognize the person she's drawing, but their skills are quite amazing for someone their age.

As Finch admires her work, Emothy's eyes snap up, narrowing at the sight of Finch watching them draw. She covers her drawing. Finch frowns, if only slightly. "What are you looking at?"

They look away, not able to answer the question. They fiddle with their hands, tubing out their teachers voice. While he's an amazing teacher, some of the things they discuss are incredibly boring. They look back at Emothy. They can feel a pressure at the back of their eyes, maybe threatening tears. They don't want to cry again, not here.

"I'm really sorry Emothy. I really am, I apologized to Ciboulette, I promise I did. We talked about it just that day, we did." They say, voice low. Their teacher has clearly noticed, but continued on with the lesson. The girl sitting at their table pretends not to hear.

Emothy just scoffs. "I can't believe you. Do you know how upset she was? She's good at pretending she's not, but she was extremely upset. Words hurt, Finch. Not that you would know."

Mr. Cans clears his throat from right behind Finch. They turn and look up at him. He has a small, slightly passive smile on his face. "Girls, why don't you take this to the hall? Email me later for details on our lesson. It seems there's something you two need to discuss, no?"

Finch laughs nervously, quickly grabbing their things and bee-lining it for the hall. There are a couple snickers from the class, but Mr. Cans shushes then quickly. They all shut up.

They only wait for a couple of seconds before Emothy shows up beside them. She clearly doesn't want to talk first.

"Look... the things I said weren't to hurt Cib, they were said out of anger and just- a multitude of things and- and I mad duo with her, but then I guess that wasn't shared with you all, so- I don't know, I'm so so sorry. I'm so so sorry."

Emothy narrows their eyes. She sighs, before clapping them on the shoulder twice. "No, I know. Ciboulette told us after you left. I'm just still a bit upset. You both pushed each other. I was mad at Cib, too." She sighs. "You're fine as long as you don't do it again."

Finch exhales a slight chuckle. "I won't, I can assure you that."

"Good. Let's go, there's only a couple minutes left before break. We can get to the stairs before everyone else."

"Alright, let's go."

~~~

By the time they reach the stairwell, the bell has already rung, and Matt and Veronica are sitting in their spot, chatting quietly.

Emothy sits right beside the two, squishing in, despite Matt's protests. She cackles at him, slinging an arm around his shoulder. Veronica looks happy as a clam, a book sitting in her lap.

"Finch! You've been gone! We missed you, didn't we?" She says, nudging Matt in the arm. Matt nods, a smile gracing his face.

"Five of us is much different than seven, I will say that." He adds, motioning for Finch to sit down. They oblige, sitting on one of the stairs to Veronica's right.

"Ah, we'll, I feel it'll be nice to be back. And, Glueboy will be joining us sometime in the near future." They all seem to perk up at that, and Finch lets out a laugh. "We spoke, and made up. I advised him not to rush himself, so we'll have to wait and see."

They all look like they're about to speak, but quickly shut their mouths. "You all look like gaping fish."

"Finch?"

Oh.

That's...

That's Ciboulette's voice.

They quickly stand up and whirl around to face her. She's standing at the top of the stairs, looking quite shellshocked.

"Cib?"

She rushes down the stairs, throwing her backpack down and nearly hitting Emothy who lets out a yelp. She crashes into Finch, crushing them in a tight hug.

"I'm so, so sorry I scared you away. I hope you aren't mad." She says, voice shaking only slightly.

"Me? You're the one who has the right to be mad. I'm sorry."

Ciboulette laughs in their ear. "We're so stupid. So, so stupid."

Finch laughs back, swaying Ciboulette in the hug. "Yeah, we really are."

They hold each other for a few moments more before detaching. Ciboulette immediately gets tugged down by Veronica, who holds her hostage in her lap. They whisper something to one another before laughing quietly. The rest of them roll their eyes.

Within a few moments, another bag comes flaying at Emothy, who yelps again, louder.

"MY FINCH!" Is all they hear before they're crashed into by another body. They let out an "oof" as the two bodies collide.

"My darling little bird, how we've missed you! You left me alone with these idiots, I was dyingggg!" Mario, because who else would it be, with his constant theatrics. Finch appreciates them.

"Mario! I've missed you, too." Is all they can muster up the courage to say. Their face flushed at the proximity to Mario, and over their shoulder, they can see Matt wiggle his eyebrows. They flush further.

Mario pulls back, before squishing their cheeks in between his hands. "You're crazy! I love my crazy friend!"

They can't help but laugh at him and his antics, he really is hilarious.

"I apologize for leaving so abruptly last time. I'm back now, though. I will try not to let it happen again."

"Awhh, that's all good! I'm just glad to have our little birdie back!" Mario grins. "Speaking of friends, have you talked to Glueboy?? He's been ignoring all of us!"

"Actually, I have. We worked through some things, and he's going to rejoin us again soon. He seems to be okay, now." They reply, sitting down once more. Mario follows, plopping down beside them.

"Good! We've missed you both! Now, let's eat! I'm starving!"

They all laugh at him, but oblige. Finch looks at him.

He really is quite cute.

...

Cute?!?!

Do they... have a crush on Mario?

a/n: this is short but! enjoy! no angst for you! yayyyy!