Harpy Boyfriend: Mihalis (rough draft)

It’s a rather chilly morning, and the weather reports say there is a high chance for snow later on in the day. You’ve decided to go into work early, afraid that the thermostat isn’t turned up enough for your patients, and even though your coworker, Colin, was on duty that night, he sometimes complains of being too hot.

You would call to remind him, but your phone charger was never plugged in overnight. As it charges on the way in, it turns back on and all at once a ton of unanswered messages pop up. It looks like most of the night and morning Colin has been trying to reach you.

Eventually when you pull up to the bird rehab and sanctuary there are more than just Colin’s car pulled out front. From the looks of things, he called in the entire team. You race inside where Colin is standing at the front desk. His hands are shaking and there is blood all over his white lab coat.

“Where have you been?” He instantly snaps at you.

Freezing up you shake your head. “I’m sorry. My phone died. I didn’t know.”

Colin huffs and his shoulders sag. “It’s been a night and morning already. I don’t mean to yell but I really could have used you.” He waves a shaky hand for you to follow. “You’re the only one who seems to have any luck calming the birds down. Don’t know if you’ll be able to calm this one.”

“What is it? What’s wrong?” You follow after him, going to one of the operation rooms. You see the other members of the sanctuary standing at the open window, looks of concern upon their faces. As you approach you see an extremely large bird cowering inside. There is blood splattered on the walls and floor.

“I hunter dropped him off this morning then immediately left. Probably afraid getting in real trouble given the circumstances.” Colin grumbles under his breath. “The poor guy was scared out of his mind.”

“The hunter?” You ask.

Colin shakes his head. “No, the harpy.”

Your eyes widen and look back in. At first, you had considered the bird inside the operating room was some giant owl. But the closer you look the more you see the harpy is crouched down. It’s large wings wrapped around itself protectively.

“The poor guy is freaking out. He’s hurt really badly but he won’t let any of us near him. He keeps fighting and clawing, and he’s way stronger than us. We managed to give him some food and get him here. We need your magic to help him.”

“I’ve never-” Your voice catches in your throat as nerves become high. “I’ve never worked with a harpy before.”

“You can calm anything down,” Colin assures you. “I’ll go in with you.” He then hands you a fistful of fish jerky. “We’ve been giving him this. Use it if you need to.”

“Okay.” You psych yourself up, telling yourself if you can work on vultures and hawks, things that would eat your eyeballs like candy, you could work on a harpy. You follow Colin slowly into the room. He stands beside you, close enough to get you out of the way if need be. 

You crouch down so you’re on the harpy’s level. His feathers shift and shiver, aware that you’re there. You can hear his labored breathing and smell the copper twinge of blood in the air.

“It’s going to be okay,” you say gently. “We’re here to help you, that’s all we want. It looks like you’re hurt pretty badly.”

The harpy turns and you can see his sharp, golden eyes. The whites are pitch black and they are surrounded by thick, black lashes.

You take a strip of the fish jerky from your pocket and offer it towards him. “I don’t know if you can understand me, but I want to help you.”

You’re used to dealing with abandoned parrots, parakeets, injured mourning doves, small things like that. Bigger birds are a rare thing here at the sanctuary, and harpies are never something you come across. Although you’ve seen them, they tend to be distant from humans. You’ve seen them mainly near large bodies of water where they hunt best. This is the first time you’ve been this close to one.

The harpy stretches out it’s long neck, brown and black feathers fluff up as he tries to make himself look more intimidating. You shakily hold out the fish jerky towards him. 

“I’m know you’re hurt and it’s scary,” you voice trembles. “But I promise, I will take care of you. I’m not scary, am I?”

He sniffs the hair, his flat nostrils flaring. He then glances back into your eyes and a gurgling rasp comes from his throat. “I know you…” His eyes suddenly close and he falls over onto the ground.

“Colin!” You jump up instantly to tend to the harpy. He’s fallen unconscious, probably due to blood loss. Right away, you and Colin get to work on the wound. 

The arrow has pierced through him, narrowly avoiding his heart, but going straight through his shoulder. You mend him up, removing the arrow and patching up the hole. You call up a harpy specialist who tells you how to further treat your new patient.

You place him into one of the recovery rooms, which luckily was empty. You built him a nest of towels and blankets from around the sanctuary so he can feel comfortable. You watch him for when he regains consciousness.

You sigh heavily, rubbing your face between your hands. The harpy was quite large, the biggest creature you’ve operated on since coming to the sanctuary. He must have been at least seven feet tall, but due to his bird-like nature he was relatively light. His feathers were a mix of black, copper, and a few shimmering red ones around the face. He was beautiful, but Colin said he looked creepy to him.

After several hours the harpy began to stir. His wings shifted and he pulled himself into a ball before rising off the makeshift nest. He let out a slow, hissing breath while attempting to roll his shoulders and stretch his neck. He touched the bandages on his arm, then craned his neck back to look at me. Those golden eyes widened as he stared at me.

I remain still in my seat and nod to him. “You need some time to heal.”

“I can tell that,” his deep voice rumbles all around the room. “What are you going to do to me?”

“Nothing. We’re going to keep you safe and take care of you until you can fly again. You’re welcome to stay here and rest as long as you would like.”

He turns and stretches his long neck out, feathers fluffing up again. “And what makes you think you can make me stay?”

You shake your head. “I can’t. Unlike our other birds here, we can’t hold you. But I am asking you to stay and heal.”

He squishes his neck back down then sniffs his shoulder. He glares back at you with those strange eyes. “I’ve seen you before,” he says. “You’ve released birds on the cliffs where I nest.”

“It’s a safe place for them,” you say gently. “It’s far from people, and it’s a place they can feel safe. At least, I hope so.”

He tilts his head to the side. “What makes you think it’s far from people?”

You furrow your brow. “It’s part of a reserve, unauthorized people aren’t allowed to be there.”

He lifts his arm to show his shoulder. “Then how did I get this?”

“A hunter,” I grumble. “I’ll contact the ranger station in the reserve. This is extremely illegal. If there are people hunting there, they need to be caught.”

“It happens more often than you think. They come in and hunt in parts that the ranger’s don’t patrol.” His voice is a low, snarling rasp that makes the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. “They don’t like me mocking them.”

“May I check your stitches?” I ask gently. 

The harpy settles in the makeshift nest and you slowly approach him.. He watches you closely as you pull back the wrappings to see the fine stitches along his shoulder. He inches closer to you, sniffing your hair then getting so close to your face you can feel his breath on your cheek.

“It looks well,” you speak softly. “The painkillers will wear off, so if it starts to hurt or feel tender, please tell me.”

He doesn’t blink.

You swallow nervously. “What’s your name?”

“Why do you want to know?” His voice rumbles like distant thunder, but it is so close you can feel it on your skin.

You smile reassuringly at him. “So I can call you by name.”

He sniffs then sets himself back into the nest. “Mihalis.”

“That’s a beautiful name. Mihalis.”

His eyes go almost completely gold and his feathers fluff up, making him almost look like a ball. You aren’t sure what causes that reaction, but it does make him look cute.

You prepare Mihalis a hearty meal of raw fish and liver for his recovery meal. He happily eats away at it, using his claws to rip and mash the liver before he downs it like a smoothie. He offers you some, but you graciously turn it down.

“You’re the one who needs to build up their strength.” You pat your belly. “I’m fine.”

“You look plump for winter,” Mihalis says. “Are you getting ready to hibernate.”

You frown at the comment. “No, I’m just a little overweight,” you grumble.

Mihalis spits bones onto the floor. “The bigger the woman, the better a mate she makes. A slender male like myself needs a nice fluffy mate to keep them safe during the harsh winters.”

Your cheeks burn and you force an awkward smile. “I get cold easily though. I have so many blankets on my bed right now it’s like a hill.”

Mihalis licks his chop with a long black tongue. “So you already have a nest prepared?” A smile perks the corners of his mouth. “Are you wanting to mate with someone.”

You look down at your hands and press your lips into a tight line. “Nothing like that. I’ve not...do you need more food?” You hope this will change the conversation.

“I’m getting full, but it’s been so long since I had such a fine meal like this.” He spits more fish bones onto the floor. 

“We have more than enough, even if you want just a smaller plate.” You stand up and head to the door. “I’ll go get you some more.”

Mihalis’ appetite grows each day. He has a little more and a little more with each meal. His feathers get a wonderful shine to them after a few days, and he seems more responsive than before.

Anytime he has to deal with Colin he appears agitated, but around you, he fluffs up and seems more alert. Once he starts to feel better, you take him into the main recovery wing with you where the room is like a solarium filled with trees and high perches for the recovering birds to play on. 

Mihalis looks around, watching all the birds that flutter by. One such parrot comes and rests on your shoulder happily singing lyrics from Dolly Parton’s ‘9 to 5’.

“There are so many here.” Mihalis murmurs.

“There are a lot here that were once pets and left abandoned. Some are elderly and just need a calm place to spend their days. This is the long term sanctuary, and we do allow adoptions.” You walk along a row of small cages, taking out from within a small white dove. It coos peacefully and curls up into the center of your palms.

“This one just laid eggs, so once her babies are ready to fly, we’ll be releasing them.” You smile up at Mihalis. “You both should be able to go on the same day.”

He furrows his brow and tilts his head to the side. “If I want to go, that is.”

“Why wouldn’t you?” You gently pet the top of the dove’s head. “Colin and I have been talking to the rangers in the reserve. We’ve offered some help in putting an end to the poaching there. They’re setting up some cameras, and hopefully if they capture anyone, maybe we can positively ID who shot you.”

“It isn’t the hunters,” Milhalis scoffs. He walks away, going towards the biggest tree in the sanctuary. He looks up at it then walks around so he’s hidden behind the trunk. 

You set the dove back into the cage then walk around to see Milhalis sitting at the foot of the tree, “Is something the matter?”

Mihalis closes his head and bows his head down so it blends into the fluffy feathers of his neck and chest. “It doesn’t matter. You want to me to go.”

You sit down beside him. “Because if you go, it means you’ve gotten better. That’s why I’m helping you.”

He peeks his eye open at you. “But what if I stayed?”

Your heart is pounding, his deep voice mixed with his odd choices of words has your mind spinning. Your thoughts collide and mix, jumbling together to make your pulse race with nerves and excitement. 

“Why would you stay?” You chuckle nervously. “What could there be here for you?”

Mihalis inches close to you, pressing his forehead to yours. “You’re here,” he whispers. “I’ve always wanted to get closer.”

“What?” You’re knocked breathless. 

“I’ve not just seen you on the cliffs,” he says. “I’ve seen you outside this place. Your voice is like a beacon to me. I want to have it ringing in my ears always.”

You look down. “Why didn’t you say so before?”

“Harpies aren’t supposed to fraternize with humans. It’s against our ways. I would be seen as a freak if I were to choose a human woman for my mate.” He touches your cheek to lift your gaze to him again. “I never wanted to get close, because I knew if I did I wouldn’t have a fighting chance against you.”

“I’m not trying to fight,” your voice squeaks nervously.

Milhalis laughs and nuzzles his cheek to yours. “You’re soft and sweet, you may not have realized it, but all this time, you were only proving me right.” He looks back into your eyes. “I don’t care how I am seen by anyone except you, and I want you to see me as a man and mate.”

You gulp down the growing lump in your throat, but it does no good. “Milhalis, you’re my patient.” It’s the only argument you have.

“Then take care of me always.” He cups your face in both his hands. “Or am I not the mate you want?”

You gently wrap your hands around his wrists. “I don’t know. This is...so sudden,” you say breathlessly. You look into his eyes and your heart sputters. “No one has ever said anything like this to me before.”

He presses his forehead back against yours. “Morons, fools, the lot of them. I can say it to you everyday.”

“Where would you stay? My apartment? That is no place for a harpy like you.” You run your hands up his arms. “I can’t keep you like that.”

A low rumble vibrates his chest. “You think you could keep me?” He whispers into your ear. His tongue then darts over your skin. “I could come and go as pleased, but I would always return to you. I wouldn’t sleep anywhere but the nest we would share. I would want nothing more than your body to warm me.” He moans and breathes against your neck. “And as mates, it’s my responsibility to see to your every desire.”

You gently push against him. “Mihalis-” 

He chuckles. “Sorry, did I go too far?”

You look up at him and frown. “Are you trying to get a rise out of me?”

Milhalis dips his head back down and kisses your forehead softly. “Not at all. I am only telling you the truth as I see it. So, for you, I will wait until you release the dove. Once she and the babies are released, I will wait on your answer.”

You nod in agreement. “I think that will be fair.” You stand up from the ground and tuck your hair behind your ear. “I’m still in a bit of shock.”

“What’s so shocking?” Milhalis asks.

“You’re so beautiful and I am so plain,” you murmur.

Mihalis stands his full height, towering above you.  His feathers fluff then relax. “You do not see what I see,” he says. “My view is much different than your own.”

You put your arms around him for a hug and his hands gently rub your back slowly. “Thank you,” you whisper. 

“I would do anything for you,” he whispers. “Remember that as you think of your answer.”

A few days later, the rangers come in with footage from their cameras. They’ve captured quite a few people sneaking into the reserve, not just hunters. Apparently there is a small group who has been growing a pot garden in the reserve. But Colin is able to identify one of the people caught on film as the hunter who dropped off Mihalis.

“Oh, the garden, right,” Milhalis scoffs. “They’ve been there for a long time now. A few weeks ago one of them trampled some of my favorite mushrooms. I called him on it every time I saw him. Not to mention all their awful traps. I suppose he thought I was a threat and shot me.”

“Were you threatening him?” I ask.

“Possibly, I say a lot of things,” Milhalis scoffs. “Especially when they were hurting things. Their garden is surrounded by traps, they’ve killed quite a few supposed trespassers just looking for a meal.” He grimaces. “They just want an easy way to their own joy.”

Colin sighs and stands up. “Well, the rangers have warrants out and have sent photos to the police. So we’ll see what happens. Until then they’ve found the garden and have dealt with it appropriately. If these idiots are caught, they’re in for a world of charges.”

Mihalis smirks. “I always thought I would have to do something a little drastic before they were caught. I just tried to scare them off before.”

“Wouldn’t you consider getting shot a drastic measure?” Colin asked, almost teasingly.

Mihalis sniffs then lets a grin spread across his face. “I suppose you’re right. But I wasn’t planning on being the hunted.”

On a rainy afternoon you remove Mihalis’ bandages and attend to his stitches. You remove them slowly and then clean the area. Mihalis is very quiet and intense the entire time. He watches you with a serious eye and only his breath seems to give away any discomfort.

“Just a bruise now,” you say softly. “But it looks so much better.”

He wiggles his shoulder. “It still hurts.”

“I’m sure. Healing isn’t a comfortable process.” You smile up sweetly at him. “But you’ll be good as new before you know it.”

Mihalis’ feathers around his neck ruffle up. “Sorry, rain always makes me a bit agitated.” He goes back into his nest and hunkers down, wrapping his arms around himself so his wings hife most of his body. 

You think he looks like a stuffed animal when he sits this way, but you’d never say that out loud. “It’s okay. Is it too cold for you? I can turn the heat up a little.”

“It isn’t that,” he grumps. “I mean, I am not one for the cold. But it’s something about the wet, the sound, it makes me understand how alone I am and I start to ruminate upon it.” He grimaces and closes his eyes. “It isn’t something I like to think about.”

The day to release the dove is coming up soon and you’ll have to answer his question. “Why haven’t you found a mate yet?”

He sharply cuts his eyes at you, knowing exactly what you’re aiming at. “No one has been right. No one has felt quite like the match I’m longing for.” He stretches his neck out. “Not until I saw you.”

The heat rises from your neck to your face and prickles all the way up to the tips of your ears. “You’re a very handsome fellow, surely you must have your pick of anyone.”

“My plumage isn’t as colorful as some of my brothers,” he answers. “I don’t stand out, I barely have a chance.”

During his time with you, you’ve noticed more and more the red undertone in his black feathers. The ring of red ones around his face has become more crimson as well, less dark wine. He looks like he would stand out regardless. “Really? I find your feathers very beautiful.”

His smile blooms on his face again. “Then maybe that’s a sign.”

You smile shyly then return to cleaning up from taking care of his stitches.

On the day you’re supposed to return the dove and her chicks to the wild, you load up the jeep to take them into the reserve. It looks like storm clouds in the distance, but for the time being it’s sunny and warm.

Mihalis watches from the tree in the main room as you take the dove’s cage off it’s stand. He jumps down from his perch and comes up to you.

“Today is the day?” He asks.

You nod. “If you’d like to come with me.”

Mihalis searches your face for some sort of sign. “I suppose.”

You load the dove into the jeep and Mihalis sits in the seat beside you. As you drive off and go through the checkpoint at the reserve, you park and start walking along the trail. Mihails stays beside you, both of you quiet as you walk.

Once you get to your favorite spot, you open up the cage and step back. You watch with anticipation for the mother and babies to come out. Mihails puts his hands upon your shoulders and you feel a current run through you.

The sun hits the white feathers of the dove as she steps from the cage. She stands for a moment, still and complacent, but then she takes off into the air with her babies close behind. You watch happily as they fly away, bidding them farewell as they return to the wild.

You turn quietly, looking up at Mihails as he watches you with a very serious look. You take his hand and hold it then press your face against his chest.

“I’m not sure if what I want is what will be good for you,” you whisper. “If I want to hold you, to love you, will that be hurting you in the long run?” You wrap your arms around him. “As much as I want this, I don’t know if I can have it.”

Mihails puts his hands on your shoulders again. “I do not doubt there will be struggles, but I also do not think that I was meant to love any one else on this earth.” He places his claws under your chin and lifts it so you look at him. “I will be your mate as long as you want me.”

A few tears slip down your cheeks and you nod your head. “I want you, Mihails.”

He dips down, giving you a kiss that steals your breath. You stand on your very tiptoes to reach him, but he’s so tall you feel as though you cannot get close enough to him.

He pulls away slowly. “Go back to work,” he whispers. “I’ll find you tonight.” He gives another small kiss. “I need to fly a little today before the storm comes.”

“Be careful.” You sort of forget how to walk, nearly tripping as you walk away. Making it back to the jeep, you nearly pass by the sanctuary. You’re excited and nervous, unable to keep your thoughts straight. 

You go home that evening and when you do, you find Mihails perched on your porch waiting. His feathers shimmer red in the moonlight, making your heart pound faster as you approach him.

You rush onto the porch to meet him and he sets his feet down, stooping under the roof of the porch. “You’re here,” you gasp.

Mihails smirks. “I couldn’t wait, sorry if I am too early.” He bends down to kiss you again, and this time, there is a sharpness to the kiss that feels very deliberate and needy. His tongue traces your lips and he moans softly as he pulls back. 

“I’m glad you’re here already.” You fumble with your keys to unlock the door, nearly dropping them. As you let him in he takes a deep, deep breath, breathing in your scent and ruffling his feathers.

“I know now, more than ever, I am where I’m meant to be.” His golden eyes go wide as he looks at you. “My mate, show me your nest.”

You silently go into your bedroom and he stoops to go through the door. You look at your bed then hesitantly look back at him. You hold your breath as he moves closer, wrapping his arms around you and holding you close to his body.

“I’m a little nervous,” you confess.

“I’m excited,” he whispers. He dips down and presses his lips to your ear. “I can barely contain it. I finally get to lay with you.”

“What should I do?” You peer up into his eyes, seeing his chest is fluffed up.

“Undress,” he murmurs. “And lay in our nest for me.”

You nod, slowly removing your clothing. You find it exciting as he watches you. He crouches down and stretches his neck out as you stand naked before him. You then climb into bed and he follows close behind.

He kisses you, moving his lips down to our neck. His feathers brush against your body, tickling and electrifying you. Your nipples grow hard and your wetness begins to pool. Mihails nuzzles to your neck, breathing hard as his hands grab hold of your hips. You fear his talons might hurt, but his touch is so gentle you don’t even notice their points.

Mihails lifts your hips off the bed, slipping one hand onto the small of your back, while the other holds the nape of your neck. He brings you close to him, pressing his waist between your thighs. Something long and slippery presses to your folds and Mihails lets out a choked breath. His eyes are nearly completely gold and his long tongue hangs from his lips.

“You’re so warm,” he finally breathes. “This heat...I don’t know how I’ll survive it.” He prods for a moment, finding his place between your legs.

You’re hovering off the bed by his hands, trembling slightly from the nerves of it. You reach down, opening yourself and helping him find the right place. “Here,” you moan. “If you want it, it’s here.”

His eyes focus upon yours, his mouth open slightly. He breathes as he eases himself inside you. He lashes flutter and you make the first sound. Your back arches and Mihails brings you closer. He keeps a hold of you but presses his body against yours. His hips buck sharply up, burying himself deep within you. The low, snarling rasp in his throat comes to the surface and breathes into your ear.

He takes his time to get used to you, slowly moving himself. He watches closely, his bright red shaft slips between your lips, appearing, then disappearing. He breathes deeply, moaning in pleasure as he savors everything.

He lays you back down onto the bed but keeps your hips lifted. He watches you, studying your face and body as he moves within. “Does this please you?” He whispers.

You look at him, a few tears in your eyes. “Yes.” You reach up and touch his face. “You take my breath away.”

Mihails nuzzles into your palm, kissing it as he gazes into your eyes. “I want you to breathe deep, my mate,” he moans. “I am yours from now on.” After a few moments he allows himself to go faster. You whimper as he hits deeper, clinging to his arms as his hands dig into the bed. His hips move sharply, grinding himself within you before pulling out.

He takes his time, sometimes going harder, most of the time going at a slow, luxurious pace. You feel almost pampered by his affections, the tender motion of his hips. As the night wears on and the storm begins to rage he gets closer and closer, until you feel wrapped up entirely by him.

When you have that first climax all Mihails does is kiss you and touch you. He even licks himself from within, making you come all over again. He then lays beside you, watching you breathe with a dreamy look in his eyes.

“It’s raining,” you whisper. “How do you feel?”

“For the first time, I’m not thinking about it.” he kisses your cheek. “What about you?”

You smile and nuzzle to his chest. “I’m so happy you’re here.” Thunder rumbles in the distance, but it feels so very far away.

“I’ll always be here,” Mihails chuckles. “From now on, I protect our nest.”

You look up into his eyes and smile. “You won’t regret this?”

“Never.”