“ Since I was five, “ he answered, it wasn't something he was proud of. Being a guard at the time meant you couldn't have spare time as a kid and nothing was ever ‘simple.
"Wow, five years old? That's really young…" Corbin said softly, clearly a bit surprised. "My dad went through something like that, too. Apparently angels are put through battle training really young."
“ yeah, doves and swans are usually trained to guard themselves when the guards fail. Guards are trained in hand to hand most of their life unless a parent ops them for weapons training. I was selected and taught how to use a bladed staff and my father's selection of swords.” he continued
Corbin nodded a bit. "My dad said that angels typically start training as soon as they can hold a sword. I think they mostly do weapons training? But he knows some hand-to-hand as well." He hummed softly. "He does some blacksmithing and stuff and he's done it for years. He makes knives and swords and stuff."
Cyrus smiled “ I might ask your dad to mend my blades, finding a blacksmith or a bladesmith to do it is extremely hard. Only if you don't mind though” he spoke softly “ people automatically assume blue jays are only physical fighters, so one having a weapon more than likely means their trouble or something, “ he said, his blue eyes looked up to Corbin.
"Yeah, I'm sure he'd be happy to help! It's mostly a hobby for him, but he does sell authentic collectibles sometimes." Corbin set his empty bowl on the coffee table. "He didn't let me help him until I was older, though. He started doing it when he was like… six, I think."
“ sounds bout right, “ he yawned midway through his sentence. The boy's blue eyes had started to dull from sleeplessness. He set his bowl down as well.
"If you're tired, I can leave you be." Corbin insisted. "I'm sure you work really hard and stuff… I can do the dishes and then we can go to bed, okay?"
“ okay, thank you “ he mumbled. Cyrus took his bowl. planning on helping him with the dishes.
Corbin nodded and got to his feet, heading to the kitchen to clean up. When he was done, he waved to Cyrus and headed to his bedroom so that he could go to bed.
Cyrus, laying on the couch, covered up in his blanket. His wings sprawled out over the side of the couch. He couldn’t sleep for some reason, as tired as he was from a day of splitting up a riot, his head kept being filled with thoughts of the other birds words. His words, smile, what little of his laugh he’d heard, what was wrong with him?! Cyrus huffed to himself and threw the blanket over his head.
The next morning, Corbin came out of his room, sleepily rubbing at his eyes and yawning. He didn't really remember that there was another man in his apartment. He was wearing a cozy, very oversized sweatshirt over shorts that were barely visible beneath it, and he'd put on some fuzzy socks before he came out. He busied himself in the kitchen, making himself a bowl a cereal since he didn't want to make anything.
Cyrus woke up, with a low groan and he held his head. He stretched his wings, and with every feather you could see the shining hummingbird pigment. Cyrus yawned and got up, putting on his necessary. His vest first and then his combat boots.
Corbin headed out of the kitchen with his bowl of cereal and yelped upon seeing Cyrus, nearly dropping the bowl. His wings puffed up and he froze for a second until he put the pieces together in his mind. "Oh my god… you scared me! I forgot you were here!" He laughed breathlessly, his face flushing red with embarrassment. He tugged at his clothes a bit, feeling a bit flustered to be showing so much skin.
Cyrus looked over his shoulder and smiled slightly “ sorry, I shouldn't have been so quiet. “ he said, he lowered his wings after buckling his vest tightly, the boy put on a bracelet and went to the kitchen to refill his water bottle, attaching it to his side. “ so, what are we doing today?” he asked casually. He wouldn't look at Corbin but a lighter link covered his face after looking over his shoulder at the other boy.
"It's fine… u-um… I don't really have any specific plans today. I gotta go to work later, but I don't have anything until then." Corbin hesitated before coming over to the couch and sitting down to quietly eat his cereal.
Cyrus sat next to him, pruning his wings as he would every morning. “ okay, “ he said. Cyrus could fee his face hear every time he'd look at Corbin, “ I.. I'm going out for air. Try not to get hurt.” he mumbled and walked out the door for a few.
"Oh… um… alright." Corbin watched Cyrus go, seeming a bit confused. He eventually shrugged it off and finished his cereal, preening his own wings while he watched TV from the couch. He pulled a blanket over himself and huddled up in it.
Cyrus took a couple of breaths of the cold air, “ serious, calm and no friends. No feelings no attachments “ he mumbled his father's rules to himself. Eventually, he came back in, his stone-cold look back on his face.
Corbin looked up curious when Cyrus came back in, trilling softly. "Mm? Oh, you're back! Are you feeling alright?" He asked, folding his wings and huddling up a bit more to keep warm. "Are you hungry? I have cereal in the cupboard…"
“ I'm fine.. Don't usually eat in the mornings” he said sitting by Corbin “ and yes I'm good, just needed some air. I'm usually out flying by now,” he said looking up to the t.v
"Oh, okay…" Corbin yawned and rubbed at his eyes again as he settled down to watch TV. He had on some random baking show to pass time, and he was interested, but not especially invested. "If you wanna watch something else, we can. I don't mind."
“? This is fine.” he said looking over at corbin, his blue eyes watching him for a few seconds before looking back at the screen. Cyrus tapped his feet every now and then, waiting for something to happen. He was used to the quick and fighting schedule of the academy.
Corbin smiled softly and drew his knees up to his chest. "Sorry if this is boring for you… I don't lead an especially exciting life." He laughed weakly, fidgeting with the blanket. "I'll be heading to work at around 2:00, so…"
“ you shouldn't apologize so much, it makes you have a small demeanor. I figured with you being a crow you'd be happy and bouncy.” be said, looking back to corbin “ you said you work at 2? Let's go do something, it's pretty easy I promise.”
Corbin flushed a bit and looked away, toying with his hair. "Well, I… I dunno… I just don't wanna cause you any more trouble. I know you don't really wanna be here…" He sighed, nibbling nervously at his knuckles. He glanced up at Cyrus' last comment. "What do you wanna do?" He asked.
Cyrus gave a genuine smile “ one, something me and the cadets did and two, I never said I didn't wanna be by your side. I promise your no trouble to me,” he said getting up and holding out his hand, “ come on!” he said with a smile.
Corbin hesitated for a moment, but then took Cyrus' hand and followed him. "Alright… I guess I don't get to know what it is until we get there?" He asked with a nervous little laugh. He let his wings relax somewhat so he would be more comfortable.
“ nope, can you fly by any chance?” he asked, once they got outside he took flight, waiting for corbin “ if you can't I'll carry you, “ he said being quite kind to corbin.
"Yeah, I can fly…" Corbin took a moment to build himself up, but then took flight as well. His flight was a bit more clumsy than Cyrus', for sure, but then again, he hadn't had nearly as much time as most avians to get skilled at it.
