( it's so strange to hear laurent as vulnerable, and aspen mildly decides he doesn't wish to discourage it. so instead, even though everything inside of him tells him to bat laurent's hand away from his back, he shifts in his seat.

it means exposing his back for a few brief moments before his good wing is in laurent's reach. )

It's not bad. ( he finally admits, holding his stomach. ) They're just quite sensitive, and sometimes itchy. It's growing pains, in a way.

After feeling my other wing, no doubt you'll feel the difference.

( once laurent does, it is clear what he means: this wing is much more plush, more densely feathered. it's warmer, but not all by much. one could bury their hand in his down and just barely see it. unlike the other wing, there are no patches of skin and no holes; it's all quite healthy, even when the feathers are raked back or fluff up like they're doing now due to the chill. )

I wrap this one around me on cold nights first.