Tmf/the music freaks stuff

Oneshot - Flock Instincts

Ship: Janduke (Jake, Zander, Luke) (Platonic and/or romantic)

Genre: Fluff (and some romance, but it can easily be read as platonic)

Summary/Pull: Most people get their wings and instincts at around 10-12 years old. Jake is decidedley not normal.

Extra: AKA the obligatory wingfic (inspired by like a bajillion SBI fics). anyway the jaisy stuff will be here soon, I've just been fixated on this idea lol
ALSO WARNING: Minor body horror (wings popping out of ur back wouldnt feel very great methinks)

A string of chirps rung through the music room. Milly was practically running around the room, excitedly ranting about Elliot once again. Chirps and warbles interrupted every other word until she gave up one words completely.

"And you say Luke and I are the sappy ones," Zander teased from beside his keyboard. "Just ask him out already!"

"It's not that easy! It's just, like, hard to form words every time I try to tell him how I feel, y'know?"

Zander snorted, "Well, I'm sure if you just repeat what you were chirping, he'd get the idea."

There was a short pause before Milly jumped forward, shouting, her bright pink and red wings flapping behind her. They reminded Jake of fire and the feeling of sunlight on a hot day. It fit her well.

"Guys, stop fighting," Hailey groaned from where she was sitting next to Jake, "Zander, stop teasing Milly, you know you were the same. Milly, please stop jumping over tables. You're going to break something."

"Booo!" Milly drew out. "You're no fun." She then quickly walked in front of Jake and chirped something, leaning against his shoulder dramatically.

"Er, what?" He blinked up at his friend. He saw Luke glance at him curiously out of teh corner of his eye.

"Wait, do you not understand us when we talk like that?"

Jake shrugged and looked at his hands, placing them on the table. "You know I haven't gotten my wings."

"Oh, right! You haven't gotten your instincts either, right?" Hailey asked. "I kinda forgot about that, to be honest."

Ugh, Jake hated being reminded of his lack of instincts. He'd always felt dissconnected from his friends before, even when Drew, Liam, and Henry had said they didn't mind.

Everybody's wings were unique just to them, and designs and patterns were rarely effected by genes. Instincts, however, were what helped families connect to eachother. Something about "flock" or whatever. There was a required class in middle school, but Jake hadn't taken it since he hadn't manifested yet. The school had just brushed him off, since at that point he was past being just a 'late bloomer'.

Milo was twelve now, and would probably get his wings soon. Then, he probably wouldn't be as close to him anymore. He was afraid that his brother would drift away from him once he realized they didn't share the same instincts. His mom did the same, after all, so why wouldn't Milo?

Jake sighed and put his head down on his arms. Milly gave him what he assumed was meant to be a comforting warble, but it only served to remind him of how seperated he was from his closest friends.

-_-_-_-_-_-

The following weekend, Jake felt weird. Like he was sick, but not in a normal way. His entire back and shoulder area felt itchy and uncomfortable, especially when he wore a shirt.