Years passed since I found Red.

I was much older now and Red has grown up a lot too.

Even then, for one reason or another, he didn't want to move out, which was fine, it was a common thing to do nowadays. I really did enjoy him living with me anyway.

Just like me, he was an outcast. I can't help but blame myself. Being raised by me, who was a weird-looking bird didn't help. And the fact that he was born with big eyebrows just made everything worse. It made him the easiest target on Bird Island.

After many years of bullying and being an outcast. He became pretty...angry. At least, angrier and had a more cynical outlook on the world.

Red begged me to move the house away from everyone. I understood where he was coming from. So, I agreed. We decided the best place was the beach. Where it was calm and mostly secluded. We placed it behind Bird Court, where no bird usually hangs around at. There was also a statue of Mighty Eagle, which is also the reason why for the specific location. But I don't think Red wants to admit that.

Anyways, I still helped around at Daisy's Daycare and the Birds and Bees Fertility Clinic with Daisy, but on days I'm not over there, I run a cake business on the island and Red helps me deliver those cakes. Today just so happens to be a hatchday.

And I was running late on the cake, it was a special type of cake. It was gluten-free and took longer to bake which I had forgotten, making me behind schedule.

"Uh, (Y/N). I'm supposed to deliver this cake in 10 minutes!" Red exclaimed at me as I was putting the last touches.

"I know, Red! I'm almost done." I said, letting my tongue slightly stick out as I concentrated, "There." I smiled as I was satisfied with the cake.

"Okay, great," Red said as he grabbed the base of the cake and placed it in a little thatched egg-shaped container, "I'm going now!" He exclaimed behind him, "I'll cya!" Red started to run off, ready to deliver the cake.

"Don't worry about being late, Red! And remember, don't wear the clown costume!" I shouted. I sighed as I watched him going further and further away, "Oh, please be careful."

Knowing Red, he wants to make it on time. He will take every shortcut he can. Especially with the policy, that the store, also known as me, will give the cake away for free.

Which is not really a big deal, but to Red. It's unacceptable.

🐽🐽🐽🐽

It has been a good few hours.

The bell on the door of my bakery rang as someone came inside. I looked up and smiled, Red came back to the bakery after his trip. He sat at a table, looking defeated.

I was closing up for today and was cleaning the kitchen. When I noticed he came in, I threw my towel to the side and grabbed a plate of cookies that I already made, and grabbed a cup of milk.

"So, how was it?" I asked him as I placed the plate and glass cup in front of him.

He sighed as he munched on a cookie, "It was fine."

I sat adjacent to him as I hummed, not believing him.

He looked up at me with a raised eyebrow, "What?"

I shook my head, "You know, you don't have to always deliver them on time."

Red let out a sigh as he placed his cookie down, "I know. But you work so hard on them. It's not fair."

I shrugged at him, "Well, it's my decision. I'm the one that made it up."

He didn't reply as he messed with the lip of the glass cup.

"I'm guessing the cakes on me?" I asked softly to him.

Red just shrugged without looking at me, "Kind of, more like the cakes on them." He said as he chuckled.

I hummed again, "Okay, I'm not sure what that means, but that's fine." I smiled at him.

Red rolled his eyes as he chuckled again, "Why are you so nice to these birds..."

I sighed as I leaned back on my chair, thinking about his question, "Well, I don't know. I guess, maybe because if I treat them nicely, they'll treat me nicely back."

Red let out a scoff, "Well, that's stupid."

I scoffed back at him, "No it's not!" I sighed again as I placed a comforting palm on him, "Hey, I know you're treated kinda--"

Red question my choice of word, "Kinda?"

I rolled my eyes, "Sorry, not kinda. I know you're treated very poorly. But, you also do kind of get a little bit...well...oh, what's the word? You get a little bit of an attitude."

Red furrowed his eyebrows at me, "What are you saying?"

I gave him a smile, "I'm just saying, just try to be a little bit nice. But be a leader. Don't let these other birds drag you around, y'know?"

Red sighed as he munched on his cookie, "Yeah, sure, I guess I'll try."

I gave him an affirming pat on the shoulder, "That's the spirit. Always try your best."

After the talk, I got up from my seat and continued trying to finish cleaning up the bakery.

Once I was done, Red was waiting for me outside. He then handed me a cookie that he saved, just for me.

I smiled at him and thanked him. We then both started to make our way towards our home on the beach.

🐽🐽🐽🐽

Red said he had something in the morning. Luckily today, I was going to be heading towards Daisy's Daycare. So I didn't need him at the bakery.

As I was making my way, Daisy ran up to me.

I looked up with a smile, but then I got worried.

"(Y/N), it's Red. He's going to Bird Court." Daisy said to me out of breath.

I furrowed my eyebrows and gasped, "What?!" I exclaimed to her.

"I'm not sure what happened, but he's heading towards Bird Court right now," Daisy explained.

I left the area and ran towards Bird Court as fast as I can.

'Oh, Red. What did you do now?'

Luckily, I was close by, and I saw Red walking into Bird Court along with Edward and Eva. Who were both turquoise-colored birds. Along with their son Timothy, whose hatchday was yesterday, and a new member that I noticed.

My heart fell into my stomach, he wasn't supposed to hatch for at least a few more days.

I caught up with the family and Red, "What happened?" I asked as I tried to catch my breath.

"Your friend over here almost scrambled our child!" Eva exclaimed angrily as she glared at Red.

"So, we are taking him to Bird Court." Edward added, who was equally angry, "Oh, and also, you owe us a new hatchday cake."

The family then continued to walk through the Bird Court's gate. Leaving me feeling upset and hurt. Mostly for the way they were speaking and giving Red dirty looks.

Red looked at me and glanced down, I assumed he felt bad or ashamed, I wasn't sure. I sighed at him, not feeling angry, but a little disappointed, "Come on, let's go." I said to him.

We walked towards the giant double doors. On the side, I noticed there was a little black chalkboard sign. It said

Today
--------
Birds
Vs
Red
-Naptime
-Worm Races

It really did seem like it. Every bird against Red. We continued to walk in and sat on our respective sides. There were a few birds who walked in, as this was a public hearing. We all waited for Peckinpah, the Judge.

It didn't take long for the bailiff to say his iconic line, "All rise."

Everyone stood up, everyone but Red. I popped him on the arm, gesturing him to stand up. He blew a raspberry and stood up unwillingly.

A tall older looking owl walked up to the podium, "You may be seated."

Everyone did what he commanded and sat down in their seat.

The Judge continued, "Plaintiff, you make speak."

Eva nodded, she walked over, and stood in front of the Judge, she looked up at the large podium as she told her story, "Your Honor, our family has always practiced natural child-hatch. The risks of having a scrambled infant are too great. There was going to be music. The nest was going to be full with beautiful, fresh-cut flowers."

While Eva was talking, the crowd murmured, feeling sad for the family. Meanwhile, I noticed Red had his wings crossed as he had a smirk on his face, he wasn't paying attention and was looking down at his toes.

I also began to notice how Peckinpah was staring right at us. I gently elbowed Red. Which got his attention, he looked at me as he saw me looking at Peckinpah. Red looked up and then forced a grin when he noticed too, only for the Judge to scowl.

Meanwhile, Eva was in the background still speaking, "And the first two faces he was going to see were the loving faces of his mother and his father." She cries. Edward's tear fell on the hatchling, making him giggle. Eva began hugging Edward and the hatchling, "We can never get that moment back." She sobbed.

Red jumped out of his seat, I whispered to him to come back, but he didn't listen. He made his way over to the angry family, "Ma'am, I never wanted my face to be the first face your baby saw. I mean, what are we talking about here?" Red said as he did a laugh, "He probably doesn't even remember me." Red got close to the baby's face, to prove his point.

"Daddy!" The newly born hatchling chirped happily.

There were gasps from the audience. While I just sighed in disappointment.

Edward gritted his teeth at Red and growled.

"No, no, no!" Red muttered, "No. Shut up. Shut up! Cool it."

I looked between Red and the Judge and from the looks of it, the Judge looked unconvinced.

Red started to walk towards the podium, "Ladies and gentlemen, am I a passionate bird? Yes. Guilty as can be. It was a great quality cake made by (Y/N)." Red said as he glanced at me. He then looked back at the Judge, "Look, I worked very hard to get it there, on time, and he wouldn't even try it!" Red exclaimed as he gestured towards Edward.

Judge Peckinpah didn't seem to really listen though as he placed his wing on one side of the podium, holding his gavel on the other wing, "Mister Red, we are a happy, happy bird community. Under the protection of Mighty Eagle." Peckinpah then pointed at a statue of Mighty Eagle behind him. He looked back at Red and continued his speech, "We work, we play, we laugh, we love, and we live our lives free from conflict and strife, sir." He said with a smile while the audience nodded in agreement.

"We love the sound of our own voice, too, evidently," Red mumbled.

I wasn't sure if anyone else heard it, but I sure did.

The judge continued to speak, "Perhaps you've never heard the joke: 'Why don't birds fly?' I'm gonna tell you why. Because where else would we ever wanna go!" He started to laugh and the audience laughed along.

I didn't laugh as it wasn't really funny and it seemed like Red read my mind.

"Wow, not a good joke," Red murmured.

Judge Peckinpah noticed what he said and spoke again, "What am I to make of the likes of you? There seems to be a recurring issue here." There was a pause for dramatic effect, "Anger." He finished slowly.

Red furrowed his eyebrows, "Pfft. I don't think I have an anger issue. I think you got an anger issue." He said casually as he gestured at Peckinpah.

The audience gasped in shock.

"Red..." I whispered at him, feeling like he was slowly getting himself in trouble.

Judge Peckinpah's neutral face changed to an angry frown with furrowed eyebrows, "Anger...is a weed growing in our garden." He said as his voice rumbled. The Judge started to walk around his podium and made his way toward Red, "And what do you do when you find a weed?"

The Judge slightly bent down and was in Red's face.

But Red stayed at his spot as he looked him in the eyes, "I don't know, but I bet you're gonna tell me."

"You! Pluck! It! Out!" He shouted as he spread his wings.

"Oh my God." A familiar nasally voice said.

Everyone looked toward the sound. Red and I sent a glare, which happens to be towards the mime.

Judge Peckinpah continued, "Mister Red, did you notice, that when you and (Y/N) moved your house outside of our village, that nobody tried to stop you? Birds may smile at you on the street, but that doesn't mean they like you."

I gritted my teeth as he said those words. How can he say something like that? That's not true at all! Is it?

Red sighed as he furrowed his eyebrows and held the bridge of his beak, "Hey, you know what? I got a question for you." Red said in annoyance, he then looked up at Peckinpah, "Are you aware that the robe that you're wearing isn't fooling anybody?"

Judge Peckinpah started to shrink into himself as he was getting called out by Red.

'Uh...no...this isn't good.'

Here's the thing. We all know that Peckinpah is a little short owl. But no one really has the guts to say anything about it.

Red on the other wing, kept going, clearly not stopping anytime soon, "We all see you, prancing along the street, 'Your Honor'!" He yelled sarcastically, "And you're what, and I'm just approximating here, like an inch tall!"

Red was grabbing the base of Peckinpah's robe.

"You... What are you doing?!" Peckinpah shouted as he was stumbling.

"Red!" I exclaimed as I held my arm out, but it was too late.

Red pulled Peckinpah's robe and threw it to the side. Revealing that Peckinpah was a short bird standing on top of a taller bird. The taller bird sneezed hard, pushing himself backward making Peckinpah just float there for a split second before he just falls onto the ground with a thud.

"Violà!" Red announced as he revealed the short Peckinpah who was still on the ground.

The audience gasped in shock for the third time. I just had my mouth agape slightly as I didn't know what to say or do.

"Daddy!" The baby hatchling exclaimed in a disappointed tone.

Judge Peckinpah lifted himself up with his wings as he glared up at Red, "Mister Red, given the severity of the crimes, I have no choice but to impose the maximum penalty allowed by the law..." he paused and had a smug smile on his face, "anger management class."

Red let out a groan, "Uhhh... Pluck my life."

The anger management class was at the Infinity Acceptance Center, located on the other side of the island. The anger management class is also ran by a bird named Matilda, which I have spoken to a few times.

"In fact, you will be starting tomorrow!" Peckinpah exclaimed as he stood back up, looking up at Red angrily, "You will be back here tomorrow morning to do some paperwork." Peckinpah then looked at the audience, "Case dismissed!"

Red huffed and angrily walked out of the court. I followed him as he pushes the giant doors open.

Red started to walk back to our home. I looked at him sadly, following him close behind only for Daisy to stop in front of me, "Hey, (Y/N). The clinic needs your help. I have to watch the daycare and there's a couple who needs some advice on nesting."

I looked at her, I opened my mouth and closed it with a sigh. I looked up and Red disappeared from my sight.

🐽🐽🐽🐽

Later that night, I came back home after finishing up, going between the clinic and the daycare. I went upstairs and peeked above the floor and saw Red in bed, facing away from the stairs.

I let out a sigh and went downstairs and towards my room going to bed for the night.

The next day arrived and Red needed to go to bird court again to officialize everything.

I was outside the large double doors leading to Bird Court, waiting for him. I needed to talk to him about yesterday.

Red slammed the doors open and was stomping out and walking past me, "Red!" I called out to him.

However, he ignored me.

The village was bustling.

The Early Bird's owner, a large round orange bird, known for great worms and also a very big family, was advertising his produce as he does every day, "Fresh worms, caught today!" He spotted Red and waved, "Hey, Red. How are ya?"

"Oh, I'm horrible!" Red replied as he continued to stomp away.

The bird frowned but when I walked past the owner he smiled at me, "Hi, (Y/N)!" He gave me a sympathetic smile, "Rough morning?"

I gave him a forced chuckle, "Uh. Yeah." I said as I gave him a wave.

"Oh. Hi, Red. It's good to see you." I heard a familiar voice say.

I looked towards me and it was Stella, a friendly pink bird, she was being her usual friendly self.

"I wish I could say the same," Red said nonchalantly as he continued his way.

"Oh," Stella muttered.

Stella then noticed me and smiled, "Hey, (Y/N)! Everything alright with Red?" She asked me.

I just forced a smile, "Uhm, just some stuff going on." I noticed Red was getting farther away from me. I looked back at Stella and waved, "I gotta go! It was good seeing ya!"

"Oh! Bye!" Stella said as she waved at me.

I started to speed walk my way over to Red, but birds of all types kept getting in front of me.

In the distance, I saw two adult birds with their hatchling in the middle.

Both the mother and father bird lifted their hatchling up and over Red, "Ups-a-daisy!"

But it looks like the hatchling's really long legs hit Red's eyes

"Aw! Ow." Red yelped as he shook his head, rubbing his eyes. He then went ahead and sarcastically said, "Thank you."

The bird couple and the hatchling were coming my way and I just stepped to the side as the family of three waved at me.

Up ahead was Dane the saxophone bird. He was playing my favorite tune in front of Red, but that didn't last long. Red grabbed an apple from a nearby bird, who was just about to take a bite, only for Red to shove the apple into the saxophone. Inhibiting Dane from playing.

Red then continued forward, only to be stopped by Monica who was the flagger.

I rolled my eyes and went over to Dane as I try to undo what Red has done, "Hey, Dane. Uhm, let me...just..." I grabbed the apple as I started to pull, "sorry...about...him!" I grunted as I pulled hard on the apple.

I finally got it out and gently tossed it to the bird who originally had it. He smiled at me and waved and walked off.

"Thanks, (Y/N)," Dane said with a smile as he lifted his fedora. He then started to continue to play the tune.

Not too far in front of me, I saw Monica still having her flag down as a long line of hatchlings were crossing.

"Oh boy. Ya guys ever thought about bird control?" Red asked out loud to the mother bird.

I shook my head as I sighed.

One of the hatchlings fell on her face, "Oof!" But she got right back up and continued her way.

"Left, right, left, right, there ya go." Red encouraged them.

Monica started to hum a little tune and Red hummed sarcastically back.

I noticed one of the hatchlings stop and looked at Red, "Hey hey." The hatchling said. He continued to stare and then he stuck his tongue out and gave Red a raspberry.

Red seemed to pause as he looked around and then stuck his tongue out back at him. Giving a hatchling a gentle raspberry back.

The hatchling giggled and ran off.

"Awe, what a cutie," I commented as he rejoined his family.

"Ah!" Red yelped as he swung his head towards me but then calmed down, "Oh, it's just you." Red replied unenthusiastically.

Monica lifted up her flag, "All right." She said. But only for her to put the flag right back down.

"Ugh..." Red groaned.

"Shirley, Girly, you got this." An older bird mumbled to herself, with a big feather plumage on her head, struggling to get down from the sidewalk and onto the road.

"We don't want you to fall now. Take your time." Monica smiled cheerfully at the old bird.

Shirley, one of the oldest birds on the island, was taking her sweet old time to cross. She continued talking to herself, "Here we go. That's it. Ah! Ugh! Oh! Oh, you're doing it!" She struggled getting down from the edge of the sidewalk but finally got on the road.

Red gestured at the old bird, "Seriously?!"

"I'm almost there!" Shirley snapped back. Even though she only took three steps.

Red groaned as he leaned against the flag, "Ugh."

"Red? Can we talk?" I asked as I just hear the scrapping sounds from Shirley's wooden walker.

"About what?" He muttered as he watch the very old bird boredly. She was halfway there.

"About what happened in Bird Court. You shouldn't have done that, y'know." I said with slight dissatisfaction in my voice.

There was some silence, only the continued scrapping sounds from Shirley's walker.

"Well, if he just didn't get in my face." Maybe I wouldn't have done what I did." He said, matter of factly.

I sighed, he wasn't wrong on that part, "I-I mean, yeah sure. But I mean before that."

Shirley got to the other side, and Monica lifted up her flag.

Red continued on walking as I followed right alongside him.

"He was calling me an 'angry weed that needs to get plucked out!'" Red said in a mocking tone as he started to walk faster.

Red was walking by the Hug Trader. He made a terrible mistake by looking up and making eye contact with Adam which allowed the trader to try and hug Red. The bird walked toward Red with a big wide smile.

Red covered his wing with his face, "Nnnope!" And sped walked away.

Adam made a really sad sound as he placed his wings down, looking down at the ground.

I saw how sad Adam looked and shot a disappointed frown toward Red's back.

I noticed he was getting farther away and I was getting tired.

Red was passing an open outdoor salon. There was a mime nearby, he looked up and followed Red.

In the Birds of a Feather Salon were some female birds who were getting their feathers done, when Red was walking by, a bird with a broom accidentally sweeps the clipped feathers onto Red.

The feathers landed on Red. He began to spat out the feathers from his mouth as he angrily moves them off his body.

The mime, who was already behind Red, started to mimic him, using dramatic movements. He started to pick up the feathers on the ground and started to mimic Red being angry.

Every bird in the salon started to laugh at the mime and he turned and high-winged every bird as he ran down.

The mime started to run toward me and I gave him the death stare. He stopped to a halt and shrank back as he went around me. I continued to stare until he ran away.

I looked over at the other laughing and smiling customers and workers. I cleared my throat harshly. Which got their attention and made them stop.

I shook my in disapproval and continued to follow Red as he got even farther now. In the distance, I saw Daisy doing her yoga class for today along with her fake egg.

Daisy was doing her pigeon pose and then moved onto a crane pose, "Ok, we worked out. Who's down for a froyo?" She suggested

A father bird sat up from the ground, "Ooo, froyo!"

A nursery worker named Andrew was talking to the eggs reading a book, "Mighty Mighty Eagle soaring free, defender of our homes and liberty!"

I walked up beside Red as we both looked inside the daycare. I looked at Red and smiled, "I remember when you were an egg...for about five seconds. Buuuut you were the absolutist cutest little hatchling this island had ever seen..." I gushed as I reached over to Red, pinching his cheek.

Red pushed my arm out of his face as he scowled at me, "(YYY/NNN)..."

I noticed Daisy walking up to us as she smiled, "Hi (Y/N), hi Red, is one of those yours?" She gestures at the eggs and looks back at Red.

"What?" Red scoffed, "Yeah, when birds fly..." Red muttered walking away.

"Daisy!" I exclaimed, I was taken aback by her question.

"What? You don't tell me these things!" She said, defending herself.

I just sighed at her.

"Oh, (Y/N)? Can you work at the daycare in a bit? Andrew's shifts about to be done." Daisy requested.

I nodded at her, "Okay. But, give me a second." I said as I made a few hops to the side, I hurriedly caught up with Red.

I grabbed Red by the shoulders before he walked away, "Red, wait."

Red groaned as he rolled his eyes, "Ugh. What?" He turned towards me.

I furrowed my eyebrows at him, "Whoa, hey...Hey, I just want to say I'm sorry. Okay? If I just hurried up and been...a bit more responsible, this wouldn't have happened."

Red looked down, "It's not your fault. I'm the one who almost scrambled a child. I'm the one who smashed the cake on Edward's f--." Red stopped himself as he looked up at me.

I stared at him with wide eyes and began to laugh, "No you did not!" I yelled out between my laughs.

Red started to chuckle awkwardly, "Yeah, I just kind of, you know."

I sighed as I swiped a tear, "That's-That's funny, but you can't do that again." I said, as I jokingly scolded him.

"I know, I know." Red sighed.

I looked at him with a smile, "Well, you should get going now..."

Red nodded at me with a small smile. We both waved each other goodbye and went opposite ways.