Xiao Xiu was the first young eagle in the tribe to grow feathers.
Jun Ye guessed that this was because Xiao Xiu had been overfed, his body reaching the peak of horizontal development. With excess nutrition, feathers began to grow.
The originally soft down that felt great to touch started to shed, replaced by warmer bird feathers.
At first, Xiao Xiu, who had grown to the extreme horizontally, looked entirely different from the valiant yet goofy adult eagles, resembling a chubby and silly penguin or duck.
The eagle chief remarked that Xiao Xiu might never be able to fly but could try swimming instead.
Unwilling to go into the water, Xiao Xiu chose to lose weight.
Jun Ye accompanied him on the artificial island for exercise. The once soft-feathered bird, now rougher, was not spared Jun Ye’s tough training.
Under the supervision of the big fish and the mandatory baths after each exercise, Xiao Xiu took half a year to transform from a “penguin” into an eagle.
In that half-year, Xiao Xiu’s companions also grew their feathers, and joint flying and hunting lessons began.
Jun Ye often swam to watch the eagles leap off cliffs. Some were caught by adult eagles, some fell into the water, and some successfully took flight.
Xiao Xiu was among the successful ones.
Seeing him plummet straight down, Jun Ye was ready to dive in for rescue. But just before hitting the water, Xiao Xiu struggled and flapped his wings, managing to take off.
Jun Ye looked up at his flapping and balancing companion, feeling like a parent watching their child grow up.
“Cheep—”
Xiao Xiu saw the big fish in the sea, letting out a long cry, overwhelmed with excitement.
He could fly! He wanted to catch the tastiest fish to court the big fish!
Watching his silly companion fly away from the eagle training area, Jun Ye, fearing his poor flying skills might lead to a crash and drowning, followed.
Xiao Xiu flapped his wings, nervously searching the sea for the big fish’s favorite prey.
He saw a dark school of fish swim by, spotted two tentacled fish chasing each other underwater, and noticed solitary fish lingering below the surface.
But… why wasn’t any fish coming to the surface? He wouldn’t mind if one jumped out of the water.
Just as he thought this, Xiao Xiu heard something emerge from the water and immediately dove down.
Such a loud noise must be a big fish!
Wait, that’s… the big fish?!
Xiao Xiu quickly changed direction, flapping his wings to ascend, but it was too late. He didn’t crash into the surfacing Jun Ye but plunged into the sea.
Jun Ye: “…”
He had only encountered a school of fish, and instinctively wanted to catch some.
Thinking his companion was flying smoothly without immediate problems, Jun Ye dove to catch two fish.
Then, with fish in hand, he surfaced, seeing his companion circling above.
Who knew that just as he emerged, Xiao Xiu would plunge down?
What could he do but go rescue his companion?
Jun Ye released the fish, swiftly dove, and accurately found the large bird struggling underwater, creating bubbles.
Quickly moving behind him, Jun Ye grabbed Xiao Xiu’s wings from below and propelled them upward.
Breaking the surface, fresh air filled their lungs, and Xiao Xiu coughed out some water.
Knowing who was behind him, Xiao Xiu stayed still, frozen like a dead bird above the deep sea.
Jun Ye carried him to a large, smooth reef, sufficient for an adult eagle to spread its wings and lie down.
Jun Ye climbed onto the reef, watching Xiao Xiu cough violently, unable to do much but pat his back.
After a few pats, Xiao Xiu suddenly turned his head.
Thinking he had patted too hard, Jun Ye saw Xiao Xiu cough up a small, silver fish.
The fish, still barely alive, weakly twitched its tail under their gazes.
Jun Ye: “…”
Xiao Xiu’s eyes were full of expectation, softly cheeping, “Chirp chirp—” I caught a fish, the kind you like. Will you be my mate?
Jun Ye, not understanding bird language, guessed from the situation that Xiao Xiu sought comfort, so he gently petted his feathers.
“Xiao Xiu, you’ve had it tough. I’ll make fish soup for you when we get back.”
“Chirp?”
Xiao Xiu, also not understanding, tilted his head in thought.
Since the big fish was gently patting his back, it must mean he accepted his courtship.
Ah, the big fish is still patting him. Does it mean they should settle down now?
Xiao Xiu felt a bit shy.
He also wanted to prove his abilities to the big fish.
Cautiously, Xiao Xiu raised his wings and wrapped them around Jun Ye’s waist, half-shy and half-hopeful.
“Are you…cold?” Jun Ye glanced at the blazing sun above and increased his body temperature slightly, then reached out to embrace his partner.
Xiao Xiu had already grown to the size of an adult eagle, and Jun Ye could barely encircle him with both arms.
“Chirp~ Chirp~”
The big fish was so enthusiastic! Xiao Xiu felt overwhelmed with happiness!
Adjusting his posture, Xiao Xiu spread his wings and pressed his entire body against Jun Ye.
“Chirp~”
Jun Ye sensed something was amiss. Perhaps it was the unusually passionate chirping today, or maybe it was the first time he truly felt the weight of an adult eagle.
Under his touch, the bird feathers turned into the sensation of human skin, and the sunlight, previously blocked by the eagle’s large body, shone through again. Before him was the clear sky, bright sun, and a man with gray feathers and hair.
The wings around him had transformed into strong human arms, and the bird head nuzzling his face had become a handsome, rugged face.
“…”
Jun Ye froze. If he hadn’t known instinctively that this was his partner, he would have thrown this naked man off of him long ago.
“Chirp~”
In his naked human form, Xiao Xiu affectionately nuzzled Jun Ye’s face with his nose, then leaned back a bit, bending over to explore Jun Ye’s tail for his cloaca.
Jun Ye was still in shock.
When did his partner learn to shape-shift? And why did he turn into such a form?
He had always treated Xiao Xiu like a baby, and suddenly the baby he fed and cared for had become a rugged, muscular man.
Jun Ye’s paternal instincts were hurt, and the world felt surreal.
While eagles considered the ability to fly as a sign of adulthood, Xiao Xiu had only just reached adulthood. Yet, here he was, with well-developed muscles and a robust chest.
Were eagle genes always this powerful?
Xiao Xiu had no clue about Jun Ye’s thoughts. He carefully lifted Jun Ye’s tail to inspect it.
From biology lessons, he knew that eagles mate by connecting their cloacas, and in human form, males and females had a more intimate way of mating.
But he didn’t know if merfolk were considered humans or eagles, and no one had taught him how merfolk mate. Asking his partner directly would be embarrassing, so he decided to figure it out himself.
Jun Ye finally noticed Xiao Xiu’s actions. After a moment of pause, he pressed down on his partner’s claw.
Turning into a naked man suddenly was one thing, as all birds transformed this way, only some had clothes prepared. But why was he, in broad daylight, with his rear in the air, flipping his tail?
“Do you want to mate with me?” Jun Ye voiced his first guess, with a hint of surprise.
His partner had received an eagle’s education, and judging by the eagle leader’s demeanor, this species was quite straightforward. He hadn’t even begun to seduce his partner, yet the other was already so knowledgeable?
Xiao Xiu and Jun Ye locked eyes. Blinking, Xiao Xiu looked down at his hand held by Jun Ye and suddenly understood.
He got it. The mermaid hadn’t differentiated yet, so they couldn’t mate.
But why hadn’t the big fish differentiated yet, even after accepting his courtship?
Was it because the big fish hadn’t received his courting gift?
Lowering his head, Xiao Xiu saw the fish he had placed was gone, a trail of water extending from where it had been. Following the trail, he saw the silver fish had moved to the edge of the reef.
Jun Ye watched as Xiao Xiu gently removed his hand and then lunged towards the edge. A moment later, he turned to see Xiao Xiu lying at the edge of the reef, rear in the air, looking towards him.
Jun Ye’s breath hitched. Years of abstinence left him vulnerable to such relentless teasing.
Maybe they should just do it here. After all, this was a world with low shame values, filled with openly mating creatures.
Jun Ye straightened up, ready to embrace his partner, but then saw Xiao Xiu turn back, a familiar fish in his mouth.
In the next second, Xiao Xiu charged towards him with the fish.
The fish’s stench hit him, nearly touching his lips. Jun Ye had to lean back.
As Xiao Xiu, with the fish, persistently moved closer to his mouth, Jun Ye’s face grew stiff, especially when he noticed the fish’s tail twitching slightly, still alive.
“Chirp…” Big fish, eat the fish.
Jun Ye leaned back further, forcing words through clenched teeth, “Are you hungry? Let’s go back and have fish soup, okay…”
“Chirp!”
Xiao Xiu, with a sudden thrust, pushed the fish against Jun Ye’s lips, causing him to fall backward.
Xiao Xiu quickly caught him, preventing his head from hitting the ground.
“Chirp?”
Seeing the big fish lying motionless with eyes closed, Xiao Xiu panicked, spat out the fish, and chirped anxiously.
The silver fish, upon hitting the ground, flopped and splashed into the water.
“Chirp?!”
Xiao Xiu’s courting gift had escaped into the water?!
Cradling Jun Ye, Xiao Xiu rushed to the edge, just in time to see a white blur, the fish’s tail disappearing into the deep sea.
“Chirp…” How could he keep his partner if he couldn’t even guard the courting gift?
Xiao Xiu lowered his head in despair.
“Chirp?”
The big fish’s body seemed to be heating up?
The tribe’s old shaman had once mentioned that merfolk’s bodies heat up during gender differentiation.
Xiao Xiu grew more confused. The big fish had accepted his courtship and was differentiating into a female for him, but he had lost the courting gift…
Still, he wanted to be the big fish’s mate.
Gently laying Jun Ye on the reef, Xiao Xiu returned to his eagle form and covered Jun Ye with his wings.
He couldn’t take the big fish home now. If the big fish woke up from differentiating and found the gift missing, he might not accept him. At home, there were humanoid puppets that might mate with the big fish after differentiation.
He wouldn’t give those puppets a chance.
If the big fish woke up and refused to mate with him, he’d… he’d peck his scales!
Just getting that scale he had pecked at for so long would satisfy him…
The sunset painted the sky red.
The hunting eagles returned with their prey, and one flew low upon seeing a fellow tribe member lying on a reef.
Xiao Xiu raised his head, wary of the approaching eagle.
Don’t expect a courting male to be friendly to other males.
The approaching eagle seemed to have seen something and quickly flew away.
“Coo coo coo—it’s the Great Shaman and his young bird!”
The eagles fled hastily.
Xiao Xiu heard his fellow eagles’ words and lowered his head, noticing the big fish’s tail fin had slipped out.
He had clearly covered the big fish completely.
Feeling frustrated, he shifted his wings, but the big fish’s head emerged. Adjusting again, the tail fin was exposed once more.
The big fish seemed to have grown…
Xiao Xiu positioned himself over the big fish’s tail, pressing down with his wings.
Now, he covered him entirely.
Pressing his head against Jun Ye’s forehead, Xiao Xiu’s eyes were filled with affection.
Something poked his belly, probably the big fish’s scale, still warm.
The big fish was differentiating for him, and he was the only one who could see him…
The merfolk’s breath warmed his face, making Xiao Xiu tremble.
So warm, so fragrant.
“Ugh…” Jun Ye groaned, frowning in discomfort.
“Big fish, are you awake?” Xiao Xiu called softly.
Jun Ye slowly opened his eyes, seeing darkness and sensing his partner’s presence.
“You…” Jun Ye pushed the heavy bird off him, explaining, “I need water…”
“Oh, okay.” Xiao Xiu quickly moved, feeling the “scale” on his belly lift again.
Before he could examine it, the big fish slid into the water with a splash.
Just like the escaped silver fish.
Fearing the big fish might flee, Xiao Xiu rushed to the edge, looking down.
In his reflection on the water’s surface, he saw a familiar face – his big fish.
“…” Jun Ye pushed the eagle’s head away from the water. No need for a horror movie vibe at night.
Nuzzling Jun Ye’s hand, Xiao Xiu brought his head back, asking, “Big fish, are you done differentiating?”
Big fish…
Jun Ye glanced at his tail, noting its impressive size. Even submerged, it remained prominent.
Maybe… his differentiation was complete. It had never been this formidable before.
Wait!
Jun Ye suddenly realized he understood his partner’s words, not just a series of indistinguishable chirps.
Using his racial ability, Jun Ye spoke underwater, “Can you understand me?”
Xiao Xiu: “!!!”
“Big fish! Am I dreaming? Can we communicate telepathically?!”
“…Big fish?” Jun Ye raised an eyebrow. “Is that what you usually call me?”
Xiao Xiu timidly replied, “But you are a big fish…”
Jun Ye refused to speak, realizing that his anger seemed to make his tail react even more.
After a long pause.
“Big fish… when will you come up?” Xiao Xiu lay softly by the reef, his eyelids drooping, mumbling, “I want to eat you…”
Jun Ye turned silently in the water: I want to mate with you, you little troublemaker.
Staying underwater wasn’t just to dissipate desire; the differentiation had nearly drained all his bodily fluids.
This pain was akin to being sun-dried for a month, completely dehydrated. His newly differentiated appearance seemed moist only because he remained in water.
“I really want to eat the big fish’s scales…” Xiao Xiu, adjusting to understanding the big fish’s words, continued to voice his thoughts.
“…”
Jun Ye: If you dared to dive in, I’d already have you in my mouth. Why endure this agony?
“When will the big fish mate with me…”
“…” Jun Ye: You’re begging for it!
I will miss the cute lil birdie form :’)))
