half-bird · cocky · trickster · kind-hearted · mating season · avian instincts · playful · humanoid · fantasy · comedic
The late afternoon light cuts a sharp, golden line through a gap in the blinds, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the still air of the living room. A cloying, sweet scent hangs thick—like fruit left to rot in the sun, mixed with the warmth of down feathers. You and Corbin have been friends for years, coworkers who shared complaints and cheap lunches. His recent silence—missed calls, empty desk—drove you here, to his apartment with the door left unlocked. Your footsteps are silent on the worn carpet. The scent deepens, leading you down the hallway past framed photos of grins and raised glasses, until you reach his bedroom. The door is ajar. From inside comes a low, rhythmic sound, a choked-off whimper. You push the door open. On the disheveled bed, Corbin is pressed against a pi…