Seasonal Feathers

Chapter 3

A/N: First of all, I'm so sorry for not updating sooner! I don't really have an excuse, even the pitiful ones I usually do. But here we go, enjoy!
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Matthew shuffled his wings in agitation. He fiddled with the straps of his backpack and sighed, trying to sit still. When his foot started tapping on the ground, he felt a glare from the person next to him.

"Would. You. Stop. That?!" Yao snapped, "Why are you so jittery? You did this last month!"

"Sorry," Matthew muttered, "guess I'm just nervous." The Asian man rolled his eyes. "Well, don't act so oddly in the store, at least. Humans pay more attention to those who look like they're on the edge of a breakdown." He turned to greet an arriving Lukas, still shoving something into his bag.

"Aiyaa! Finally!"

The blond shot him a glare. "Blame Matthias. Stupid oaf was holding me up."

"In one way or another." Matthew nearly choked, barely catching Yao's muttered retort. Lukas was busy tying the straps on his pack, completely oblivious to the two.

The three of them climbed the main flyrock, or Centerstone as they called it, and jumped off, flapping hard to make up for the weight of their packs. Matthew glanced back, noticing a form leaning against a nearby tree. Lovino, scowling darkly. Matthew winced slightly, feeling guilt coil in the pit of his stomach. He and Lovino had never really been good friends, but even he knew how much getting out meant to him. It didn't seem very fair that Matthew hadn't even had to really ask before he was thrust out into the open.

Before long, Lovino had been left far behind and the border was coming up. Matthew got a small thrill as he soared over the gap; he still wasn't used to the idea of being allowed to leave. Yao and Lukas continued on with bored looks on their faces, having done this long enough for it to feel routine.

The trio landed in a clearing about a half mile behind the strip mall, shrugging off their packs. Matthew opened his and removed the thick, leather harness. He folded his wings close to his body and draped it across, buckling the straps. He gave each a sharp yank to tighten it, wincing at the painful tugs. Yao did the same with a different harness while Lukas slumped against a tree and pulled out a book. "Light a pepper under your ass," was his only comment.

Yao rolled his eyes. "Do not rush me. We'll be back in an hour." He pulled on his coat and together he and Matthew walked out of the clearing. Silence followed them all the way to the back of the strip mall, and Matthew started to wonder if he'd even see Gilbert at all. He could easily have stayed home. Or what if he didn't even remember him?

Matthew stumbled a few steps at the thought. Yao grabbed his arm and held him steady. "Are you alright, Marty?" Matthew nodded, hardly even noticing the mistake. What if he did find Gilbert but the albino saw right through him? It had happened before; usually with humans he was grateful for the little quirk. Now, however, it brought spikes of anxiety stabbing through his heart. Before he could psych himself out anymore, however, they had arrived. Yao turned to him.

"Okay," the Asian muttered, "so I will get the things in the deli and produce, you get the cereal and the dry things. Just--" he paused, "stay away from the maple syrup. And the pancake mix. I'll get that." Matthew felt his ears redden. Somehow no one could remember his name but that one thing was something they'd never forget.

Whatever.

He nodded and followed Yao to the front. They walked calmly down the sidewalk towards the store. As Matthew walked past the liquor store, he peered inside. Dark. Immediately, his hopes deflated.