Chapter Text
Four weeks ago your parents died. Your mom had been fighting breast cancer for a couple of years and in the end, she had lost the battle. Your father committed two days after her death. With your mom, you always had the lingering thought that she wouldn't make it so you mentally prepared for it. But with your father, it was a completely different story.
For the last three weeks you have been cooped up at your apartment. You called and told your job that you would be taking time off because of it, and your loving employer understood. You were a part-time florist and a part-time author. This meant that you were only gone a couple of days of the week, and for the rest, you could work from home.
Keigo, your hawk hybrid who has been with you since you were a child, was worried. You would hear him pace around the small apartment and make grim chirps when you wouldn't open your bedroom door. He understood, of course; he loved your parents too but watching you so depressed took a toll on him. Unlike before, he would instead do the cooking and would bring the meal to your room and place it on your nightstand while you lay in bed, back faced to him. He would come back and see only the smallest amount was gone, which worried him immensely.
But, one day, out of the blue, you came out of the room. You looked better than he had seen you in weeks, but still nothing like your usually upbeat and cheerful self. It was the day to see your parents' attorney, to see the will. Your parents were, bluntly put, wealthy.
“Keigo, I am going to see mom and dad's attorney, to see what I inherited. It will probably be boring, but do you want to come? Sorry I have been keeping you cooped up for so long.” You weakly smiled at him. It was time to cheer up, you decided. It's going to be a hard couple of months and even years, but your mother and father wouldn't want you to wither in self-pity.
“Are you sure you are ready to leave the house, Dove?” He questioned.
“Yeah. I think it's time to get some fresh air. And who knows, maybe I inherited a yacht. I think we deserve to go on a vacation,” You tease, trying to lift up the mood. He spread out his huge red wings and slightly flapped them, a sign that he was excited, but given the tentativeness of the flap, he was still nervous.
“Alright. But, if you don't feel comfortable at any point, we are going home.” You rolled your eyes but nodded. Still as overprotective as you guys were when you were kids. You technically owned him; shouldn't you be the protective one?
“Yeah, yeah, alright. Go get your collar. We should probably get going before we are late.” He grinned at the statement and dashed around the hall, mindfully tucking his wings in so he didn't hit anything, to where his collar hung. Hybrids were required to wear a collar at all times in public. You hated it; it showed that hybrids were inferior to humans. But Keigo doesn't mind; in fact, you believe he actually enjoys wearing his collar but is too prideful to ever say it.
The next thing you know, he's back in front of you, feathers ruffling as he handed you the yellow collar. It had little red feathers sewn on that matched his wings. It was a customized design that your parents insisted on you buying. His name was attached in all caps, followed by your name and phone number. Once again, it was stupid to have that attached because Keigo had already memorized your phone number and the chances of him getting “lost” were extremely low for the predator bird.
He ducked his head and closed his eyes, waiting for you to secure them. You knew that he knew how to put it on and was asking you to do it solely for the extra attention, but you didn't mind. You secured the collar, knowing precisely what hole to clasp it into to ensure it was secure but still had breathing room.
Once finished, you ruffled his hair and said, “Alright, ready, Birdie? Let's see what mom and dad left us.” He grinned.
Two hours later, the both of you walked out with wide eyes. What’d you get? A mansion you have never heard or seen of, and an extra five million dollars. Shock was an understatement. You knew your parents were rich, but this wealthy? You had no idea. The attorney explained that your mother and father wanted to keep it a surprise. He handed you a note that said:
Dear Sweetheart,
If you’re reading this, I have passed. I just wanted to say I loved you wholeheartedly, and I am so sorry that I have left you behind. I couldn’t live a life without your mother in it. Please try to forgive me. I saved up a bit of money and bought you a house with dozens of rooms. It will be perfect for fulfilling your dream of loving and caring for many hybrids. I think you will love it. I know you never liked to accept our money, but let this be an apology gift. I love you so so much. Please live a good life. And tell Keigo not to get too upset about sharing your attention with other hybrids. He should have known this was coming.
With love,
Dad.
Tears flowed freely from your eyes as you smiled a bitter-sweet smile down at the note. You handed it to your hybrid to read and noticed he had tears in his eyes but was smiling non the less.
The attorney came back and handed you the keys and address. He told you that you would receive the money shortly after processing everything. You nodded and were on your way.
Once arrived, the two of you gaped at the house–no mansion. “This…This is crazy,” you said in awe. Keigo was speechless, so he nodded in response. When you unlocked the doors, you were greeted with a large staircase and a chandelier in the main room. You wandered around the house and eventually discovered 7 rooms, including the master, 10 bathrooms, each bedroom having its own, two large playrooms, a movie room, and a vast living room connected to the kitchen. But the backyard was your favorite. It was designed for hybrids with a pool, playground, large cat trees, a garden, huge trees, and many toys. You wondered if your dad personalized this for you.
Keigo immediately transformed into his hawk form and started flying around all the trees, producing a bird-like screech, causing a dopey smile to cover your face. The apartment you guys lived in was too small for the giant predator. The walls were too compact for him to open his wings in his human form. It saddened you, but you couldn’t afford a bigger house without asking your parents for help. You used to ask him if he would like to live in your parent’s house, which was larger than yours and had a huge backyard. Still, he blatantly refused, telling you not to say such “stupid, irrational things.” But now, he had a house where he could live comfortably.
You called him over, and he perched on your shoulder, mindfully aware of your thick jacket, which protected you from his talons. “This really is a dream come true. So Birdie, when should we get our new housemates?” You were smiling so hard that you felt a little pain in your cheeks.
He jumped off your shoulder and transformed back. He had a pout on his face. “Do you really need new pets? Let’s live here, just the two of us, hmm? Now that you have the money, you don’t have to work…you can hang out with me all the time. Let’s not ruin that with extra distractions, yeah?” At this point, he had buried his face into the crook of your neck and had a slight smile on his face from the thought.
You chuckled. “Oh, come on, you know this has been my dream since we were young. Not going to give it up that easily. What if you like hanging out with them more than me? Or maybe we will find a potential mate?”
His wings twitched in annoyance, and you saw him scowl a bit. “Not likely.” You knew he was okay with the idea of having more hybrids, but now that it was here, it made him nervous. What if you liked them better than him? What if you abandoned him for a new hybrid? What if you were bored of him? What if you became mates with one of them? He almost whined at the thought.
You saw him tense and scratch his head, successfully reading his thoughts, “There is no need to be nervous. I’ll still love you the same as I do now. You’ll always be my number one.” He visibly relaxed at that statement.
He looked pleased with your answer. “Yeah yeah, I know, I know. So when are we heading to the shelter?” You paused in thought for a second.
“Hmmm… Maybe in a week? I want to move all of our stuff in here and buy a couple hybrid essentials so that our new companions are comfortable. How does that sound?” He nodded in response, and you guys were on your way.