Just before the doors opened, Stan hesitated like he wanted to say something, but it was forgotten as the elevator spat us out on the rooftop. He shuffled out quickly.
Now that we'd arrived, my nerves ramped up. Stan already saw my glitter message and he hadn't gone running. That was good. Did he actually know it was meant for him? I didn't know. But if he saw a love confession written in glitter and accepted it, I had hope that he was open-minded enough for what came next.
Stan faced me, letting out a small nervous chuckle. "So, why are we here? Are you going to turn into a dragon or something?" he asked like it was the most absurd, unrealistic thing he could think of.
I put my hands on my hips and huffed. "Why is it always dragons? People are so obsessed with dragons. There's other mythical creatures out there!"
Stan blinked. His sarcastic question clearly led to an answer he wasn't expecting. "Uh..."
I tapped my foot, the sound filling the awkward silence, then I sighed and pinched the bridge of my nose. "Fine. I suppose there's no point in dragging it out..."
I spread my arms and puffed out my chest. Stan watched with an incredulous expression.
"What are you—"
Stan's question died as magic sparked across my skin, swallowing my body in a warm golden glow. He choked out a startled cry, falling backwards on his ass as he stared at me with eyes the size of plates.
Oops,I thought.Maybe I should've told him to close his eyes...
Too late. Stan Smith—a human omega—was watching me shift. I willed my transformation to hurry along. Soon my fingertips were feathers, my hair was a decorative comb, my feet were powerful talons, and a long flowing tail trailed behind me. I spread my wings to their limit, showing off my true form to Stan.
"Um?" Stan said in a confused squeak.
I folded my wings and approached him, lowering my head to meet his gaze since he was still ass-down on the ground. To his credit, he didn't seem afraid, just shocked.
"Why? Are you? A bird?" he asked.
An annoyed squawk rumbled in my throat. "Abird?" I scoffed. "You have some nerve, Stan Smith..."
"What did I say?"
My feathers ruffled—literally. "I am not simplyabird. I amthebird. I am a phoenix, great bird of fire, riser from the ashes!"
"Oh my god," Stan mumbled incredulously, rubbing his temple. "My boyfriend just transformed into a giant fucking bird."
A beat of silence passed.
"What did you just say?" I demanded.
Stan, who was still pressing his thumb to his head, didn't yet recognize his adorable slip of the tongue. "Am I wrong? Youarea huge bird, so I'm not wrong when I said my—"
Then he froze dead in his tracks. His face warred between wanting to blanch and turning the brightest shade of pink in existence. He went so still that for a second I wondered if he died.
"Stan?" I asked. "Don't make me poke you. My talons are sharp."
"I—I didn't mean—fuck, I—"
It amused me to watch him stammer and backtrack.
"Too late," I teased. "You already said it. You called me yourboyfriend."
"Well,youspelled out 'I love you' in glitter!" Stan cried, flustered.
"I did. And I'd do it again!"
Stan closed his mouth, sank back and then suddenly laughed. "Wait, what are we fighting about?"
I grinned. "I'm not sure. You tell me."
