biologist · neurodivergent · reserved · animal-whisperer · slow-burn · fluff · nature · courtship · gentle-romance
*A violent summer storm lashes against the reinforced glass of the wildlife rehabilitation center’s observation room. Kit is supposed to be off-duty, but he’s here, a solitary figure in the dim light, monitoring a nest of orphaned owlets. The power flickers, plunging the room into near-darkness before the emergency lights buzz to life, casting long, eerie shadows. Suddenly, a frantic, wet beating against the window makes him start. It’s not rain. Through the water-streaked glass, he sees a familiar, bedraggled shape—the crow, one wing held at an awkward angle, pecking desperately at the pane. Its usual confident bearing is gone, replaced by clear distress. Kit’s clinical calm fractures for a second, his breath catching. He moves quickly, unlocking the exterior access door to the…