Liam and Obsidian both left shortly after Zine introduced himself and his partner. He kissed me on my forehead before he left and Obsidian did the same to Zine. He blushed at him, while I smiled at his retreating figure.

Zine came over and sat on the bed. He eyed the food and I offered him another slice of bacon. He quickly took it, shook his head, and put it back on my plate. “You need to eat, Kye”

“I’m not hungry though” I said. Now that I actually thought about it, I realized I didn’t feel the pain of hunger as much as I should have. “I’m fine Zine, I promise”

Zine didn’t look satisfied with my answers. “You won’t get any better without some food. It’ll definitely make using your wings even harder”

At the sound of their name, random air flowed through their feathers and they shivered with exuberance. I soon panicked that they’d lose control and blow Zine away so I grabbed my wings and braced for impact.

I felt another set of hands on my wings and then looked up at Zine. He dropped his hands and I let go of my wings. He looked at the food and then looked back at me with kind eyes.

“Listen Kye…. I was similar to you for awhile. I did not feel like eating even when food was put in front of me. I was not hungry at all, but I was weak and way to skinny to be healthy. But that guy with the black hair? Obsidian? He stuffed me with food he made for weeks until I felt like I wanted to eat on my own and I got stronger. I even ended up having a growth spurt cause of it! I was around your height about half a year or so ago.” Zine laughed in amusement.

I thought about his words. “But I’m really not hungry. I’m not stuffed but I’m not famished either”

Zine blinked down at me.

“You just haven't gotten to experience the wonders of food yet.” Zine smirked.

“Wonders? There are wonders of toast?” I looked back at my soggy bread in confusion.

“........There’s more than toast to eat in the world ya know? Like fishy crackers? Chocolate milk? Chocolate covered pretzels? You can not tell me you don’t like chocolate come on!”

I put a finger to my chin. “I don’t think I ever tried chocolate. What does it taste like?”

Zine gave him an incredulous look as if he did not believe me.

“OBSIDIAN WHERE THE FUCK DID YOU GO WE NEED TO GET THIS BOY SOME CANDY ASAP!” He roared and whipped his head towards the door.

The door shot opened and both men popped out. Obsidian came into the room in a hurried fashion as Liam strolled in behind him. He saw my tray and picked it despite there still being food still it.

Obsidian curled and arm around Zine and looked down at him worried.

“Why did you yell my love?”

“WE NEED TO GET THIS BOY SOME CANDY AND FOOD OTHER THAN TOAST! SCREW THE TOAST GET HIM MORE STUFF LIKE BACON!” He roared and Obsidian looked at him wide-eyed.

Liam cocked his head. “I’ve been giving Kye some of the key food groups so far. I’m sticking to foods he does know before widening his range”

Zine groaned and covered his eyes with his hands.

“There’s more to eating than sticking to the same couple things over and over oh my god no wonder why the guy doesn’t want to eat much! WIDEN IT ALREADY! GIVE HIM SOME FLIPPING CHOCOLATE FOR CRIPES SAKE! How else is he gonna wanna actually stuff himself silly if he isn’t in love with food!”

“I understand what you’re saying Zine, but I have to be cautious. We already found out that he has a peanut allergy so my caution with other foods is still wary” Liam placed the tray on the desk beside me and looked back at Zine with a stoic face.

Zine frowned at him.

“Get him like an Epipen? Then? PLUS I SWEAR TO GOD IF HE’S ALLERGIC TO CHOCOLATE! Ugh, Seriously you can not coddle him like that, he was in a cage right? How’s the guy gonna get to experience life if he’s not going to GET TO EXPERIENCE LIFE! When was he last outside? Take him for a walk or something already! Give him a flipping candy bar!”

“Zine it’s honestly fine. You make it sound like I’m dying from being stuck in this room. This is already a step-up from a cage so I’m content with whatever” I flashed him a smile but his frown made mine disappear.

“You literally just said stuck, and a step up? You shouldn't have to say something like that. You should be okay to get up and walk outside or do whatever the frack you want to!”

I thought about what he said before continuing. “But I like the indoors”

Zine sighed.

“Once you learn what it’s like to be free… and to fly you will never want to be inside again.” He grinned.

Zine ran over to the window and opened it up, causing a breeze to enter the room and swirl around, bringing in the scents of summer and crisp new leaves.

“The world is a very big and wonderful place ya know! You should take the chance and explore some of it!” He laughed.

Kye looked at the trees dancing in the wind outside the window.

“I haven’t been outside since I was freed from the basement” he said softly.

Zine’s eyes widened.

“I don’t know how long that’s been… but… even if you can’t walk around much there’s no harm in sitting in the grass and getting some fresh air right?.” Zine stretched out his wings and they fluttered gently as the breeze curled over his wingspan.

“Plus… you can watch me fly around? Then maybe you might get more interested in it as well?” He smirked.

Kye smiled with pure happiness. “I’d like that”

“Good! And then imma freaking get you a goddamn chocolate bar!” He roared and gave me a grin.