A/N: This is a little random piece that I wrote in my Spanish notebook. I’m afraid it’s very sappy and feel-goody (or something like that). The ending feels a little rushed, so please share your ideas on it. This is a slash story, which means male/male. Please review!

A Red Farmhouse

Chirp landed nimbly on the thin telephone wire, ruffling his feathers. It hadn’t started to snow yet, despite the bitingly cold chill to the air, which was a good sign for him. He was so close to his destination, and didn’t want to be delayed by bad weather.

The little brown sparrow looked thoughtfully at the other birds huddled on the wire. He could tell they were deliberately keeping their distance from him; animals could always tell when something wasn’t their kind. And it was true that Chirp was not really a bird, but a human.

Chirp was actually a rare kind of magician. There was still plenty of magic left in the world, but it was reserved for those who actually deserved it. Chirp had been blessed with the ability to change into a bird when he was young. Unlike other shape shifters, this was Chirp’s only form, other than his human one.

Chirp ruffled his wings again, trying to keep warm, and saw the birds start at the other end of the wire.

Oh, he thought. They’re afraid.

Chirp loved his kind, but they didn’t love him. Although his human form was the original one he was born with, Chirp preferred being a bird. There was something about the freedom of flying that got to him.

Spreading his light brown wings, Chirp jumped off the wire and continued his flight. He flapped his wings to head for the right direction, but eventually he could glide over the air without moving. He gazed longingly at the countryside beneath him where he had grown up, and his heart sped up as he began to descend towards one small farmhouse. Even from above, it looked dilapidated and deserted, but Chirp knew better.

Reaching the ground, Chirp shifted into his human form. Another reason he preferred being a bird was that he always thought he was to plain as a human. His figure was that of a boy’s: short and skinny. His hair was always messy and shoulder length, no matter how short he cut it. His eyes were a soft chocolate brown, and probably the only flattering thing about him. He wore nothing but the rags he had on before he changed.

Chirp could not have run fast enough to get to the barn. His heart fluttered erratically in his chest as he half-limped, half-sprinted across the yellowing grass. Chirp was still recovering from his injury, but somehow he found the strength to make it to the doors.

The farmhouse was painted with a dull, dirty red color. The paint was chipping severely, and in some places had come off altogether. By the time Chirp reached it, he was out of breath, but he pounded away with all his might on the door. The warped wood shuddered under his fists.

“Aris!” He yelled loudly over the sounds of his knocking. “Aris, open up! It’s me!”

Chirp ceased his frantic movements and pressed his ear to the door. There was a soft rustling noise inside, followed by a calm, low voice.

“Who’s ‘me’?”

Chirp grinned and felt tears form in his eyes. “It’s Chirp! It’s your Chirp, Aris! I’m home!”

The door was flung open to reveal a beautiful young man. He was only slightly older than Chirp, but a good head taller. His stunning white hair had grown long over the past year, and the careless braid hung loosely over his shoulder was littered with leaves. His mouth hung open also in an expression of absolute shock.

“Ch-Chirp?” The man stuttered, and Chirp could see tears filling his eyes as well when he nodded. He reached out to touch Chirp’s cheek.

“Am I dead?”

Chirp shook his head, the tears finally spilling over and trailing down his pale face. “No, Aris, you’re not, and neither am I. I’m right here. I’ve come home.”

Aris looked at Chirp for a second more, mouth opening and closing, trying to form words and failing, before he pulled the boy into an embrace.

“I saw the hunters though,” he sobbed into Chirp’s hair. “They shot you when you were a bird.”

Chirp buried his face into Aris’s shirt. “No, they didn’t. I changed back into my human form and the bullet only hit my arm. I fell, though, and broke my leg. I limped away before they could find me, but unfortunately, you couldn’t either. I’m sorry.”

Aris kissed Chirp’s forehead, smiling. “No, I’m sorry. I should have known you would be okay. You always are. When I couldn’t find you’re body, I assumed they had taken you. When I followed them, though, I still didn’t see you.” Aris sighed happily as Chirp’s narrow fingers wound themselves into his hair. “I felt like killing myself, Chirp.”

Chirp started, looking up into his lover’s face. He had been worried about coming home to an empty barn, but he had held onto the hope that Aris was still alive. It hadn’t occurred to him that Aris had been feeling the same pain Chirp had, but without any comfort that Chirp was alive. “I-”

Aris cut him off with a swift kiss. Chirp melted into the embrace, his arms finding their way around Aris’s neck. He opened his mouth slightly to deepen the kiss, but Aris pulled back.

“It’s not your fault, Chirp. Never think that. It was something we just couldn’t avoid.”

Chirp nodded solemnly, but instantly replaced the serious look with a grin. “I missed you, Aristotle.”

Aris winced at the sound of his full name, but recovered by taking Chirp’s hand and kissing his fingertips, one after the other. Chirp smiled as Aris’s soft lips brushed against his callused palm, continuing up his bare arm and stopping only when he reached Chirp’s neck. Chirp let out a small, angry noise, one that said ‘why are you stopping there?’

Aris replied with a mischievous smirk. “Let’s fly.”

Chirp groaned. “No. I’ve flown all day, and I’m tired.”

He almost missed the glint that flashed in his lover’s eyes. “You can’t be tired yet. I haven’t seen you in a year, Chirp. Do you know how much I missed you?”

Chirp suddenly felt very small under the predatory gaze Aris was giving him. “So, flying then?”

Aris laughed, a deep chuckle that pierced Chirp and made him feel very warm inside, despite the fact that they were still standing in the open doorway.

“Yes, flying. I know a nice spot we can go to,” Aris said with a wink.

Chirp showed his approval by shifting into his sparrow. He watched as Aris also changed, but instead of a small brown sparrow, his form was a magnificent white owl.

They flew out of the old farmhouse together, hearts soaring as high as their wings took them. The sun had set already and the moon cast ghostly shadows over the countryside, but neither figure took any notice of it. They were happy just being together again.