Crowned

Arc 1, Chapter 2: Feathers.

TRIGGER WARNING: Mentions of death/Loss of loved ones.

———

Balloon gasped in pain as the wings continued to emerge from his back... Muscle and bone finished their form as they sprouted. It was agony. Why wasn't he popping?! And why the hell did it hurt so badly?!

When the wings ceased their growing the pain wasn't as bad but he was still incredibly sore. He didn't realize how hard he had been biting his tongue until he tasted the blood in his mouth. Thankfully it was only bleeding a bit.

Nickel was standing in the doorway. He was in...COMPLETE shock. "I— d— did you— j— Wh— WHAT THE FUCK?!" Nickel stumbled back a bit.

Balloon was still breathing heavily due to the pain he was in. The feeling of growing basically two entirely new limbs was overwhelming. It was all so sudden... he felt emotionally and literally like there was a weight on his shoulders. He wasn't sure where to even begin.

'D—do I look...?'

'How did this happen?'

'Wh—why does it hurt so bad?!'

'Why me...?'

He slowly turned around to look, and on the floor were two VERY large wings that connected to his back. Heck... he'd be surprised if he could even fit them in here if they were fully extended, THATS IF he knew how they worked. Which... he had no clue... but it felt weird.

Nickel stood there in silence as he tried to process what he had just witnessed. He was worried for Balloon since he was showing clear signs of distress and pain, but also amazed at what the end product had produced.

The feathery limbs twitched as they moved across the ground from the connected motion of moving his back. The feathers stained with blood, and other bodily fluid that would otherwise go inside a limb like this. Balloon could feel every little nerve and vein pulse within the wings in that moment, it made him squeamish.

He shakily touched one of them. The feathers were soft and the wings were very sensitive. Probably because he JUST got them and the nerves haven't adjusted properly... like getting adult teeth and having them be sensitive for a week or two. He was extremely distraught, emotionally and physically.

Nickel stepped closer and opened his mouth without thinking. "Woah... How— how did this happen...?! That's— that's really cool actually." He said, astounded.

"I—I don't know! It hurts a lot and— wait, did you just—?" Balloon froze at the compliment he was sort of flattered since... well. He didn't get them often.

"Wh— I was just saying they're cool!" Nickel said again, raising a brow. He was confused at what Balloon was so surprised about in his own behaviour.

"You're being nice to me...?" He asked nervously, a small smile creeping on his face.

Nickel flinched. shit... He tried to put walls back up. "WH— AM NOT! NO— N-NO! I wouldn't care about you! Hahaha-ha... uh... you look like a stupid pigeon! Bird boy!" He tried to retaliate. He seemed to be taken off guard and struggling. He seemed almost like he felt bad saying it

"But pigeons are cute!" Balloon commented. He actually kinda like birds. Especially ducks. He thinks they are cute.

His face turned a bit pink in embarrassment. And it almost seemed like there was some sort of empathy behind his eyes before he looked away. "Uuuugh! No, uh... you look like a dead pigeon! Or... something..." Nickel mumbled.