Linky's Fics

While at the store to get Chiyoko some groceries, Eiji came across a curious object. Catching his eye in a striking red box, it was a small trinket that was designed to mimic a variety of bird sounds. A bird caller.

He’d been pondering about learning to mimic the calls and sounds of birds lately. To see how Ankh would respond. To have closer communication with him. Given that Ankh was a bird Greeed.

Thanks to his travels, Eiji was fluent in several languages. But he wanted to speak with Ankh in a way that was different. To be able to in a way which was closer to him. It had lingered in his mind for the past few weeks. Wondering just how he could find ways to have that deeper route of communication.

So the timing of this was perfect. It was also incredibly cheap. So he could just buy it with what little of his own Yen he did have on hand, no way would he use Chiyoko’s money for this.

Back in the attic he slipped the item outside of its box. The item was created overseas in America. It was a cylinder made of wood put over a zinc plug. The instructions laid out how if you changed the pressure applied as you twisted the cylinder around, a variety of bird sounds could be made.

Eiji looked at it intently. Admiring all the craftsmanship and detail that went into this item as he rotated it in between his fingers.

Ankh was downstairs. Plus it was lunch hour too. So everyone in the restaurant downstairs was more than likely to not hear a sound. Now was a prime time to give it a try. He was only going to fiddle with it for just a moment anyways, before he’d get to his shift.

To his surprise did a rather impressive job of imitating birds. Especially for such a cheap little thing.

However, Eiji was swiftly interrupted only seconds in.

After only a few twists, he suddenly heard thundering footsteps march towards the room. Ankh flung the door open. He was seething, and his breathing ragged.

Right now the bird that Ankh was, displayed itself in full. His eyes locked right on Eiji. His head pointed forward. Exhibiting a glare like a hawk looking straight at its next kill. Pupils constricting and dilating rapidly. If he had any feathers, they were sure to be ruffled.

Although his hair was a bit messy, which was as close as he could get to that in Shingo’s body.

After a moment of tense silence, “Oi Eiji… What the hell did you just say to me?!”

Eiji blinked, “What—” Not having a moment to process before Ankh picked him up by the collar of his shirt, slamming him right into the wall.

“You trying to pick a fight with me?” Forming his Greeed hand, gripping Eiji’s face as he tended to do. His talons began to slightly push into Eiji’s skin. “Because if you think you’d win, you’re sorely mistaken.”

This was not his intention. Heart pounding out of his chest, “Wait, wait, just a second Ankh! I’m not trying to fight you!” Eiji spat out.

Clicking his tongue, Ankh shoved Eiji harder against the wall. “Bullshit!” Eiji hurriedly held up the bird caller before Ankh could get out another word.

Contrasting the rapid pace at which his heart was racing at, Eiji’s voice was calm. “I was using this Ankh.”

“Huh?” Ankh glanced down at the small object, then brought his eyes right back to Eiji. “You idiot. How can a thing like that—”

Before he let Ankh continue, Eiji twisted around the wood cylinder again. Ankh sharply turned his head, looking down at this object as it made those sounds. His neck slowly moved forward again, cocking his head as he stared at it. What a curious little thing created by humans.

Eiji sighed, “I got this because I wanted to see how else I could communicate with you.” Feeling regretful from what he unknowingly had done.

Without missing a beat, Ankh retorted. “You fool. We already do.” Blunt as always.

“That’s not exactly what I mean.” Softly placing his hand on top of Ankh’s, still grabbing his face. Eiji’s thumb giving the smallest and softest of strokes.

“You’re a bird Greeed. I wanted to see if I could talk with that part of you.” Ankh saw the regret in his eyes. “I didn’t mean to anger you. I’m sorry, Ankh.”

Eiji took notice of Ankh’s grip on him loosening up.

Ankh didn’t quite know how to handle this. Eiji did a lot of things for the sake of others. Everything he did was for that purpose. And each and every time Ankh thought they were foolish endeavors. A waste of effort.

But this, Eiji did this gesture for him—

Dammit!

Ankh didn’t have time right now for any of this. To deal with these feelings forming inside brought on by Eiji’s actions, and his words. He’d handle this later. This human body was a pain in the ass sometimes. With all these new sensations it made him feel compared to his Greeed form. And feel with such intensity at that.

He could feel his cheeks warming up. Jerking his head to the side, Ankh freed Eiji from his grip. No way in hell did he want Eiji to see the blush forming on his cheeks, same for the tiniest of smirks that was curling at the edge of his lips.

Oh, this human he picked…

After a few seconds of silence, Ankh could only let out another scoff. “Just use your language to talk to me. I can already speak Japanese well enough.”

Eiji smiled warmly. Despite the efforts to hide it, he still noticed what Ankh so desperately tried to hide. Deep down, Ankh did appreciate the attempt. Even if it was one that failed horribly.

Though for the sake of Ankh’s pride— he wouldn’t point it out.

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