eastofthemoon

I wrote this for the Settling Down contest the Princess Tutu club is having on deviantart. It's not long, but I thought it would be cute enough.

Edit: By the way, I forgot to mention that

gullwhacker is home from Denmark.

Title: Feeding the Birds
Series: Princess Tutu
Rating: G

A flock of sparrows pecked at the freshly thrown seeds at the pond's edge. They would have contently spent the rest of the afternoon there if a sudden cry hadn't spooked them.

"Birdies! Birdies!" The toddler exclaimed, dashing towards them. The birds tweeted in alarm as they flew up to their shelter in the tree branches. The toddler kept her huge three-tooth grin as she stared up into the branches.

She glanced back to her parents and excitedly pointed to the tiny creatures. "Birdies!"

"Hazel," her father warned as he stood from the bench. "Don't get close to the water's edge." He was stopped as his wife plucked at his sleeve.

"Fakir, Hazel's fine. That part of the pond is barely an inch deep."

Fakir's eyebrows knitted into a frown. "I'm only worried because she's probably inherited your clumsiness."

Ahiru rolled her eyes. "Hey, I'm not as bad as I used to be. Hazel!" The toddler turned curiously and approached her mother. Ahiru reached into her pouch of birdseed and sprinkled some into her daughter's palm. "Hold this out, and those birds will want to be friends, but you have to remain still."

Hazel's eyes lit up. "Okay Momma!" The toddler dashed to the base of the tree.

Fakir hunched forward from the bench. "Do you think that's a good idea? What if those sparrows try to peck her?"

Ahiru sighed and gave a laugh. "This is ironic."

Fakir refused to take his eyes off their child as a sparrow carefully perched in her hands. "What is?"

"When Hazel was first born, you were worried I would be over protective, but it looks like that role has fallen to you."

"I'm not over protective," Fakir replied. "I'm cautious."

Ahiru leaned against him. "I hate to imagine what it will be like for the first boy she brings home."

Fakir blinked and narrowed his eyes.

Ahiru knew that look. "What are you thinking?"

"How old Hazel has to be before I can teach her to use a sword."

Ahiru pinched his arm. "Good grief. You're impossible." Hazel giggled as the sparrow ate the last seed and flew back up into the tree. The toddler sat and switched her attention to a butterfly sitting on a daisy.

Ahiru's mind drifted. "Hey Fakir, do you think Mytho and Rue-chan have children now too?"

"I would say they have at least three by now."

Ahiru jumped. "T-three?"

Fakir tucked his hands into his pocket. "They are rulers of a kingdom, they would need to ensure they have a line of heirs. It would be odd for royalty to only have one child."

"I guess you're right." She smiled. "I bet they're beautiful children too, with Rue-chan's hair and Mytho's eyes."

"Just as long as they didn't get Rue's temper as well," Fakir added with a smirk. "I don't think their kingdom could take any more Rues."

"Fakir," Ahiru warned.

He laughed. "I'm kidding. I'm sure they're fine." Fakir wrapped his arm around Ahiru's shoulder. "But while we're discussing it, maybe it's time to give Hazel a little brother or sister."

Ahiru looked up with a soft smile, brushing the hair from Fakir's eyes. "Do you think we could handle two children?"

"We've battled demon ravens and insane storytellers, I think we can handle two children running around in our household. Besides, we'll get a nice amount of money from my next book."

"That's easy for you to say," Ahiru replied grimly. "You don't have to carry them around in your body for nine months." She sighed. "A duck just has to lay an egg and sit on it, that's it."

Fakir coughed. "If you were still a duck, we would have a lot more problems with married life than we do now."

Ahiru was about to give a snarky comment, but was interrupted as Hazel bounced up, waving the daisy in front of her. "Momma, I got you a flower!" Ahiru smiled as she took the flower. "It's beautiful, thank you!"

Fakir stood and scooped her up. "It's time we head home squirt."

Hazel pouted. "Can we come again tomorrow?"

Fakir gave his wife a smirk. "Perhaps, and maybe we can teach you to feed the ducks."

Ahiru choked.

"Ducks! Ducks!" Hazel exclaimed, clapping her hands.

Ahiru shook her head, knowing there was no escape from it now that Hazel had it in her head. She took Fakir's arm and the small family walked the path leading to their house. Ahiru shut her eyes. Life was good, very good.