Little: Jisung
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Caregivers: Chan and Changbin
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"You know, I never took you for a bird person.", Chan said.

"Whatever makes the baby happy. Right Jiji?", Changbin replied.

They both looked at a very little Jisung on the couch who was actively trying to eat the pillows.

"He agrees."

"I don't think he said a word."

The weather outside was perfect for activities. What activities you ask? Well, Changbin decided it would be a good idea to purchase a hanging bird feeder and put it in their tree in the backyard.

Of course he needed little Jisung's help.

"Jisung, come over here so I can show you how this works.", Changbin said.

Jisung rolled off the couch and used his legs to push himself alone the floor over to Changbin.

"I think he meant walk but okay.", Chan told him.

"Mm! No walk. I worm.", Jisung replied.

"The cutest worm ever! Come here cutie!"

Chan reached down and managed to lift Jisung from the floor, who screamed as if he was being kidnapped.

"Hey, why so loud Jiji?"

"I not know.", the baby replied.

Changbin stood up with the bird feeder as Chan moved Jisung on his back.

"You see this? This is a bird feeder. We're going to fill it with bird food and put it on Jinnie's tree!"

Jisung gasped very loudly.

"Yayyyyyyy! Feed birdie!"

"That's right. Can you get the bird food for me in the pantry. Bottom shelf."

Chan put Jisung down, and the little decided to once again worm himself across the floor all the way to the kitchen.

"Maybe he's onto something with that. Is it faster than walking?", Changbin asked Chan.

"Please don't start snaking across this floor. The day I walk downstairs and trip over a Changbin anaconda is when I lose it."

"You don't think I can do it do you?"

"Oh that's not it. I know you can do it. That's why I'm saying no."

Jisung came back moments later, this time walking, with the bird food.

Changbin opened the top of the feeder and let Jisung pour the food in.

This was a mistake however, because Jisung poured the entire bag, which spilled over onto the floor. The little turned to Chan.

"I drop birdie food."

"I know baby. I'll clean it."

"What if birdie no food no more?"

"We will buy him some more."

"Okie."

The little speed waddled to the trash to throw away the bag.

Changbin started walking outside. Jisung grabbed Chan's hand and yanked him along behind him.

"Here Jiji. Hang this on the tree."

Jisung took the bird feeder and waddled to the tree.

Chan and Changbin watched. But they didn't expect what happened next.

Jisung put the bird feeder down and walked closer to the tree, sitting down in front of it.

"What is he doing?", Chan asked.

Jisung put his hand on the tree.

It wasn't too big of a tree. It was around five years old, having been planted as a celebration of the groups new house by Hyunjin.

"Papa...", the little said, "It okay we put bird feeder on tree?"

Chan smiled.

"How sweet. He's asking for permission."

"I'm gonna cry...", Changbin said, grabbing Chan's arm.

"Drama queen."

Jisung put his arms around (not fully) the tree and gave it a hug. Then, he got up and picked up the bird feeder.

A low hanging branch stood out, the perfect place for the birds to come eat.

The little hung the bird feeder on the branch. He stood back, clapping at his achievement.

Before Chan could call him to go back inside now, something else happened.

A small red bird flew from the backyard and onto the branch.

Chan looked over and saw a tear in Changbin's eye.

"Are you actually crying?"

"Hyung, do you know what bird that is?"

"No. What is it?"

"It's a cardinal. And you know what cardinals mean?"

Chan thought for a second. Then, he remembered something he once heard in their house.

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Flashback - Two Years Ago

Chan stood in the backyard, watching Hyunjin and Jisung. The tree Hyunjin planted three years prior needed some trimming, so the pair were working hard.

"Papa, what I do wiv branch?", Jisung asked.

"We're going to throw them away baby.", Hyunjin replied.

"Branch look like cinnamon. I eat?"

"Oh no no no, hand me that."

Chan laughed at them while secretly taking photos.

As Hyunjin took the branch, Jisung pointed something out to him.

"Papa look!"

"Hm? Oh! Chan hyung look!"

Chan walked up by them to see the bird Jisung spotted. A tiny cardinal was perched on top of the tree, looking down towards them.

"It's cute.", Chan said.

"You know, I read online that some people believe Cardinals are a sign."

"For what?", Jisung asked.

"A sign that people we have lost are with us in spirit. It's like a message letting us know they're still around."

Chan stared at Hyunjin, admiring him.

"Hyung? What do you think?"

Hyunjin turned to him.

"I think it's beautiful."

"Me or the bird?"

"You know the answer."

Hyunjin started laughing and shyly ran back into the house.

Chan and Jisung followed, taking a look at the tree before going back in.

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Jisung was tightly hugging Chan, who had started to cry. Changbin joined the hug as well, embracing his hyung.

"It's okay man, let it out.", Changbin said.

"Sorry guys, I didn't expect to get so emotional."

"Don't worry about it. We all cry sometimes. How about we go inside hm?"

"Yeah..."

The three started to walk back inside. Jisung took one more look, and with a smile he said,

"I got you message papa."