forum Are You An Angel..? / OxO / closed! Pm if interested!

Started August 06, 2020 by @ElderGodSwimwithGamers group

tune

Matthew let out a loud gasp when Rowan finally collapsed. He held the nest close, kneeling down quickly.
"Rowan!"

Rowan closed his eyes, breathing heavily to try and feel less hazy. "I'm fine, I-I'm fine…" He whispered. His mother knelt beside him, looking worried. "You're not fine, Ro. Just let Matthew carry you, okay? It's not safe for you to be walking so much right now." Rowan hit the ground with his fist, defeated and frustrated.

"Rowan…" Matthew held back a worried breath. "Please. I, I get that it's frustrating. But this isn't something we can control- we couldn't stop the snake from biting you, and now we have to deal with the after effects of it…"

"I just feel so useless…" Rowan whispered. "I-I can't even walk by myself…" He tried to push himself up onto his hands and knees, wobbling dangerously.

"You're protecting the chicks," Matthew said, voice so soft. He moved forward, hugging Rowan.

Rowan coughed weakly and closed his eyes, just allowing Matthew to hold onto him. "But I… I-I just…"

"You've done so much, Rowan," Matthew said, patting Rowan's back. "Please, please let us help you now that it can't be fixed right away."

Rowan whimpered softly and curled up a bit more. "But you have to carry me around, and that's an extra burden on you…"

"It's not, it's really not, I promise," Matthew assured softly. "I really want to take care of you, Rowan…"

Rowan huddled up against Matthew's chest, biting back frustrated tears. "I'm sorry…" He whispered.

"It's okay, Rowan…" Matthew gently ran his fingers through Rowan's hair, hugging him close.

"W-We should probably get going… I've wasted enough time as it is…" Rowan rubbed at his eyes a bit and sighed shakily.

Matthew pulled Rowan closer to himself, setting the nest in Rowan's hands as the avian stood.

Rowan carefully held the nest in his hands and hid his face in Matthew's chest, still trembling lightly.

The avian gently ran his fingers through Rowan's hair to try to help him calm down as they started off, keeping the man close to himself.
"It's okay, Rowan," Matthew said, voice soft.

Rowan didn't seem convinced, but kept quiet for the time being so he wouldn't be annoying. He kept his face buried and his grip firm on the nest.

Matthew did his best to comfort Rowan, even if he didn't think it was doing much to help. He still wanted Rowan to know he was cared about in this…

Eventually, Rowan relaxed in Matthew's arms. It seemed like he'd fallen asleep, so at least he had calmed down.

Matthew let out a soft breath when he thought Rowan had fallen asleep.
"Is this… normal, for him?" he asked, looking to Rowan's mother. "To want to be… useful?"

Rowan's mother nodded quietly. "Ever since I kicked his father out when he was three, he's wanted to be useful. He blamed himself for his father leaving, even though I told him it wasn't his fault. He felt obligated to help, and he hates when he can't do anything."

"Oh…" Matthew looked down at the man in his arms a moment. It was hard, for him to understand this. How things like that could happen to people.

"I've always tried to tell him he doesn't have to, but he feels like he does. He's stubborn like that…" Rowan's mother sighed softly.

"Okay, then…" Matthew looked to Rowan's mother. "I'm sorry if I look indifferent. I just… things like that don't really happen here. At least not in my village."

She nodded a bit in understanding. "I get it. Unfortunately, our world isn't always a good place, and Rowan's father was not a good man. I couldn't risk keeping him around with all the horrible things he was doing. He could have badly hurt Rowan."

Matthew nodded some.
"It is too bad, that Rowan would blame himself for the actions of others… He was just a child, how could it have been his fault?"

"I know. I've always tried to get him to understand that, but he still blames himself. I don't know how to make him feel better about it, honestly."

"I'm sorry to admit I don't have anything to offer, either." Matthew didn't know how to work these things out, never had to before.

"You're doing a lot for him, though. I know he appreciates having someone around who can take care of him." She smiled gently up at Matthew.

Matthew blushed softly, looking from Rowan's mother to the man for a moment.
"I'm glad I can give him that, then."

She nodded a bit and kept walking, keeping an eye on Rowan to make sure he was alright. "Mhm. He's had a couple boyfriends in the past who haven't treated him very well."