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Matthew kissed Rowan's head again, rubbing small circles into the human's back.
"You mean the world to me, Rowan," the avian admitted softly. "I would do anything I needed to to help you."
Matthew kissed Rowan's head again, rubbing small circles into the human's back.
"You mean the world to me, Rowan," the avian admitted softly. "I would do anything I needed to to help you."
Rowan hiccuped weakly, relaxing a little more. "I-I… I'm sorry… but I… thank you…" He stammered weakly, his voice quavering and soft.
"You're welcome, Rowan…" Matthew held Rowan to his chest as he felt the other relax slightly, still rubbing his back.
"I'm always gonna make sure you're safe…" he mumbled, his face pressed lightly into Rowan's shoulder."
"T-Thanks…" He whispered in reply, closing his eyes and sighing. "I'm sorry for causing so much trouble for you guys…"
"You're not causing any trouble," Matthew assured, kissing Rowan's head again. "If anything, it's that snake that's causing all this trouble. I'd never blame you for this, Rowan."
"B-But I'm the one who got bit… I shouldn't have let the chicks wander off on their own like that…" Rowan sighed again.
"We were in a place even I thought was safe for them to wander around," Matthew pointed out. "I was okay with them walking around too." Matthew moved to cup Rowan's cheek, kissing his forehead.
"B-But I just… I-I dunno…" He stammered weakly. "I feel like it's my own fault…"
"You protected the chicks," Matthew said quietly. "You saved use from so, so much worse pain." If that snake had bitten one of the chicks… They'd have lost them.
"Y-Yeah, I guess so…" Rowan sighed and buried his face further into Matthew's shoulder. "I'm glad it was me and not them, but still… it really sucks."
"Yes, it does really suck," Matthew agreed. "I hate to see you so distraught… but you saved their lives, Rowan, and that is an amazing thing."
Rowan buried his face further, flushing a bit. "Y-Yeah, I… I guess you're right…" He sighed, tightly gripping Matthew. "We should… we should probably get going…"
Matthew nodded a bit.
"Would you like to walk for a little bit?" He really did want a compromise.
Rowan nodded a little in response. "Y-Yeah… I'd like to try, anyway…"
You promise you won't push yourself?" Matthew moved to stand, setting Rowan next to him without letting go yet.
"Yeah, yeah, I promise…" Rowan rubbed at his eyes, holding tightly to Matthew's hand. "I'm sure I'll be fine."
"The moment you start to get tired, please let me know." Matthew was begging at this point. So, making sure everyone was ready, he started out, still holding tightly to Rowan's hand himself.
"Okay, okay…" Rowan sighed and started walking alongside Matthew, seeming to be at least starting off okay.
Matthew kept a close eye on Rowan, knowing he had a habit of saying he was okay when he really wasn't. His wing lowered itself from his back, draping slightly behind Rowan in a protective manner.
After about half an hour, Rowan seemed to be growing a bit tired. He had slowed down a bit and was breathing a little heavier. He kept walking, though, figuring he could continue on a bit longer.
Matthew, when he saw Rowan growing tired, didn't say a word. Instead, he moved to scoop the man up, and it was clear he wasn't going to take no for an answer.
"You did good today," he offered instead, kissing Rowan's head.
Rowan sighed softly and rested his head against Matthew's chest, closing his eyes. "It feels like it hasn't even been that long, though…"
"It's longer than you were able to before," Matthew pointed out. "And since you didn't push yourself, you'll be able to try again sooner." Matthew offered a small smile, patting Rowan's back.
"Mm…" Rowan huddled a bit closer to Matthew and sighed. "I guess so… it still doesn't feel like I accomplished much, though."
"Well,' Matthew said after a moment, "The more we do things like this, the sooner you'll be able to walk for longer! And then it'll feel like a lot more."
"Yeah, I suppose… being patient sucks, though…" Rowan fidgeted with his sleeves, keeping his eyes closed for the time being. "Sorry for complaining so much…"
"Yes, I know… And it's okay, I'm perfectly fine with you complaining! Vent your frustrations all you want, Rowan, if it helps." Matthew offered a small smile, hugging Rowan close with a gentle kiss to the cheek.
"Mm…" Rowan flushed lightly at the kiss and buried his face in Matthew's chest. "Okay… I'll probably keep quiet for a bit, though…"
"Are you sure?" Matthew blushed softly himself, resting his head on Rowan's affectionately.
"Mhmm…" Rowan yawned and relaxed a bit in Matthew's arms, just allowing the other to carry him for now.
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