As much as Dexter loved nature, he hated his daily encounter with birds. Something about them gave him the creeps, and more than one occasion in the forest led him to some close encounters he had a hard time forgetting every time the little beasts flew overhead. He loved the deer, the squirrels, and the rabbits - he even loved the big predators that roamed the mountain's lush landscape. But, when it came to those little demons and their flapping wings, he kept a safe distance, and at times found himself running away with his tail tucked between his legs at the sight of a little songbird in his path.

Everything changed one day when he saw wings overhead that were not carrying the feathered body of his most feared forest critter, but rather, a body much like his own. Paws dangled below that magnificent set of wings that darkened the sky above him for the briefest moment as whatever it was soared by. At that moment he questioned: was it wings he was afraid of? Or was it something else about the birds? Curiosity got the better of him as he followed along where he had seen that winged creature fly.

When he found her in a clearing, he could only stare as an enormous flock of birds surrounded the... dog? She was gorgeous, though, he couldn't deny that. And she was something he had never seen before in his life. For weeks he returned to that same area where she, like clockwork, soared in to play with her bird friends. He was never quite brave enough to approach her. He only wished there weren't so many birds in his way.

When she took notice of him, he froze where he had been lurking in a dense brush trying to stay out of sight. He couldn't help but to watch her, she was always so happy and carefree. That happiness was contagious and left him feeling so full of joy. When she made eye contact with him, he wasn't at all prepared and just stood there the whole time she made her way over to him. With her came the birds, too. She was almost in front of him when one of them landed atop his head. His eyes widened as he felt the tiny daggers of its claws hopping along his head.

"Are you afraid?" Asked the dog... bird... what was she? He still wasn't sure. She laughed when he remained completely still both in shock from her presence as well as the thing atop his head. "Ok, leave him be," she said, and just like that, the bird flew back to the ground. "You've been coming here for a while but you never play with us, why? We won't hurt you." She said as she studied him.

"I'm not a fan of birds..." he admitted shyly.

"Really? Who doesn't like birds?" She asked, opening her wings up wide. They were even more impressive up close, spanning much wider than he realized they did. No, it's not the wings I'm afraid of, I like the wings. "When you're not afraid, you should join us sometime." She said before prancing back to her flock.

He thought about that for a long time after that. He wanted her. He knew she was someone that would make his life better, yet those stupid birds... No, my stupid fear. He decided it was time to get over it, and with the next day he brought confidence to his stride as he ran to the spot he knew she'd be. He was still afraid of them. He didn't want to walk near them and feel their wings flapping near his head, but he also wanted so badly to get to know her. To share that happiness she always had.

He walked through the birds, closing his eyes for the first few steps. He heard them chirping and felt the air around him move as they got out of his way.

"You're here!" She said excitedly, dancing around him.

"I am." he said, opening his eyes. The birds did nothing to him, they were just birds, after all.

"See, nothing to fear," she said as her body wiggled in that contagious happiness that was all the more strong now that she acknowledged him, and now that that happiness was for him. He couldn't help but laugh.

"You're right, there is absolutely nothing to fear."

Of course, it still took time before the beasts became friends with him. With Priya's help, he found himself enjoying the birds eventually. He'd bring them seeds on his daily outings to meet her. They'd perch along his back as he listened to Priya humming songs to them. He realized one of his biggest fears was nothing but a hurdle to get him to the best place he'd ever been in his life.