Stress

Requested by @Shortyyy05

You were sitting at the dinner table with your laptop screen lighting up the dark room. The last you looked up from your screen was when the sun was still shining and birds were just barely waking up. You had a raging headache that begged you for a break but you just couldn't leave the table. You had so much work to do and you were barely halfway done. To make matters worse, Hawks was busy too, so you hadn't seen him all day.

You hadn't seen your beautiful birdman and his majestic crimson feathers all day. You missed him so much. But you couldn't think about him for too long because of work. You had a deadline that begged for your work to be turned in on time.

The pressure building up in your back and eyes, especially your neck, were killing you but you ignored it. You checked the clock and it told you it was just before midnight to which you sighed. Exhaustion was eating away at you and you desperately wanted to sleep, but work demanded otherwise. The deadline was in a few days but your schedule didn't allow breaks.

Another sigh left your lips and your rubbed your head for some momentary relief. A sip of your water and you were back to work.

You inputted a few numbers here and there, and typed a few sentences but your mind was drifting elsewhere. That "elsewhere" being your pretty little birdie. Just one look at him would instantly boost your mood and your work-o-meter would be filled to the brim. Just one glance and you'll be ready to get back to work with ease.

But he still wasn't home. So you forced your brain back to your laptop and typed away. You scanned through emails and saved drafts for your boss to look at in the morning. You made notes for a more clear-minded you to take care of that you couldn't do in your current state, and cursed your current self for being unable to do it now.

The stress buildup made you pull at your head and you took a deep breath in an attempt to calm your nerves.

"Babybird? What are you doing still up?"

You snapped in the direction of your hero and all the emotions you pushed aside for your work came crashing in this moment and overwhelmed you.

"Lovebird!" He exclaimed and rushed to your side.

Your tears blurred your vision, but you could clearly see the worry on his face as he kneeled in front of you. He reached for you cheek and wiped away your tears.

"What happened?" Hawks asked as turned to see laptop and connected the dots. "Have you been here all day? Since I left?"

You throat felt like it closed up from the emotions you tried to choke down, and created the lump in your throat that prevented you from speaking. You nodded and pressed Hawks' hand that had been wiping your tears to your cheek.

Hawks' expression softened as he watched you cling to his hand with desperation. He felt horrible for not being with you when you so stressed. So he believed it was his responsibility to help make you feel better.

He stood up, not letting you go, and said, "Come on, let's go to bed."

His suggestion reminded you of why you were staying at the dining table for so long and you shook your head furiously. You looked back at the damned laptop that made you feel this horrible and back at him.

"I can't Keigo, I have to work. I'm so busy and—," you managed to say through the lump in your throat that didn't make it easier on Hawks.

"Shhh," he cooed and pulled you in his arms. He swayed slightly, shifting his balance from one foot to the other, as he carefully pet your head. "I know you must be busy but you can't work like this. You need rest. Tomorrow, I'll be with you all day to give you whatever you need to work. But for now, you need to sleep."

He separated from you briefly to check on you then continued his swaying motions as he guided you to the bedroom. He sat you in the bed and helped you changed to more comfortable clothes to sleep in, then joined you in the bed after he changed.

He carefully pulled you into his embrace as he pulled the covers over your bodies. His wings spread out beautifully behind him and one reached over to cover you.

"Keigo, I—," you tried to protest, but you had no intentions of going back to work now even if you needed to.

He pecked your lips softly then your cheeks. He pressed light kisses on your eyes to tempt you to close them. His hands rubbed small circles on your back then he lay his chin above your head, so you could cuddle into the curve of his neck.

"Get some sleep," he mumbled as he began to fall asleep.

"Keigo, I really can't sleep now," you argued but didn't make the effort of leaving. Your body was protesting what your mind was demanding and you realized maybe rest is what you should be doing.

"Hon', I love you and all, but you need to sleep. I don't think you've seen how exhausted you look right now. If you get back to work like this, the results won't be pretty," Hawks said with the slightest hint of annoyance.

"Are you mad...?" You asked and tried to look at him but he wasn't letting you go.

"Of course I am. I come home expecting my Lovebird to be fast asleep and healthy, but in reality you're torturing yourself. And I wasn't there to stop you. Now, go. To. Sleep," he demanded and kissed your head then pressed your head into his body.

As much as you needed to work, the temptations of a good night's rest was too strong for you to ignore. So you finally relaxed into his arms and a sigh of relief left your body.

"Good...," Hawks whispered then said, "Goodnight, Songbird."

"Good night, Keigo... thank you." You whispered back.

"And?" You didn't need the lights to know he carried the cocky look of triumph on his face.

A small huff of laughter escaped you and you whispered back, "I love you."

"I love you too, Babybird."

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