Note: I have a few upcoming stories set in an Avian AU. The birds are humanoid, similar to harpies. They have feathers for hair, and wings, tails, and bird legs/feet. The pigs are human. For this particular story, the islands are the same as in the movie.

Ch 1: Enemies with Benefits

"Not that your quaint little home isn't lovely," Leonard insisted, the moment the other man released his arm. "But I really don't see why you had to drag me all the way here before I even had a chance to finish dessert." He glanced around, immediately noting the lack of guest-friendly furniture. The single room that made up the main floor of the avian's home boasted a small kitchen table with two wooden chairs, a simple rug on the floor, and a rather beaten-up and very roughly repaired flower pot. The entire place screamed lonely. Before the man could say more, the little avian turned on him, golden eyes blazing.

"The two of you are driving me crazy!"

One of Leonard's eyebrows immediately rose, even as his gaze drifted over the shorter man's vivid red headfeathers which seemed to be puffing up as a result of his anger. "I don't know what you mean," the king stated, honestly confused by the accusation.

"You and HER. Every time she's around, you get all weird. She showed up with her purple feathers and fancy dresses, and everyone thinks she's just perfect. Just because she's tall and exotic doesn't mean that she's THAT amazing," Red huffed, crossing his wings over his chest.

How cute. Little Red, the most outspoken avian on the island, had a crush. The human king nearly chuckled aloud at the thought. "Awww, Red. Do you like Zet…"

"She keeps TOUCHING you! She's always batting her stupid eyes, and getting close to you. Doesn't that bother you?" the avian interrupted, waving a wing in annoyance.

Leonard had to pause for a moment to consider his words. "Does it bother me that a pretty avian lady wants my attention?"

"She's not that pretty," Red grumbled under his breath, crossing his wings over his chest again.

"Red…" The king was gobsmacked at the idea that was beginning to form in his mind. Perhaps he was reading too much into the other man's words.

"I just wish she'd leave already. You're MY enemy, not hers," the avian snapped, his golden eyes latching onto the human with a fury and passion that was normally unseen outside of battle.

Leonard gaped at the little birdman. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say that you had a thing for me, Red."

"Don't be stupid. I've never had a thing for anyone," the avian shot back, making air quotes with his wingtips. "But you're my enemy, and she just showed up and got all touchy with you."

Leonard felt his lips drawing up into a smirk. "You like me," the human concluded, resisting the urge to stroke his beard in triumph. The avian had proven to be a worthy adversary, but he'd never expected the little birdman to form feelings for him.

"I do not," Red snapped back, huffing in annoyance.

Stepping into Red's personal space caused the smaller man to take a step back. Their little game of chase only ended when Leonard effectively pinned the petite avian to the wall.

"What are you doing?" Red demanded to know, his eyes shooting daggers up at the other man.

"I'm going to kiss you," Leonard announced, drawing his fingertips up the other man's lovely wing.

"What?!" Red's headfeathers rose even further. "Why?"

"If you don't like me, as you claim, than us kissing won't be a big deal," the king stated calmly, his fingers running over the strap of the other man's tunic. It was a dull, wheat-like color, and it lacked any originality in design or detail. Leonard instantly found himself fantasizing about finding the perfect tunic for the avian's pale, freckled skin, and crimson feathers. Perhaps green… it was Leonard's favorite color, after all. Although, combining green with the little man's bright red feathers might be a bit too festive for summer. White, perhaps. Or blue.

"Enemies don't kiss… do they?" Red asked hesitantly, his fierce gaze softening in confusion.

Leonard considered his words carefully. "Some do," he finally stated, waiting to see what the avian would say to that.

"I…" the petite man glanced around, his wingtips absentmindedly tugging at fabric of his tunic as he thought about Leonard's words. "I guess we could… give it a try. Just to prove that it isn't a big deal."

"Of course. This is nothing more than a little experiment," the king agreed, leaning down to bring their faces closer together. In the last instant before their lips could touch, the avian surged forward, rubbing their cheeks together. He pulled back just as quickly, his entire face flushed in embarrassment.

"There, see, it didn't mean anything," the petite man stated, his golden eyes refusing to meet Leonard's gaze.

"Why that was…" Absolutely adorable, Leonard thought to himself. Perhaps the avians were more bird-like then he originally thought. But still… he would prefer to actually walk away from this little encounter with a memory more pleasant than just a cheek rub.

"You can leave now," Red suddenly huffed, his headfeathers calming back down to normal, even as his cheeks lost their crimson hue.

"I could… but I still haven't gotten my kiss," the king stated, cupping the smaller man's cheek with a single hand.

"I just gave you a..!" Red's argument was immediately swallowed by the lips pressing against his own. His wings shot out, settling on the bigger man's chest. He wasn't pushing him away… not yet.

Leonard tilted his head, wrapping his other arm around the birdman's waist to pull him closer. He couldn't be certain how long they stood there, but he noted the moment the avian's wingtips grasped his shirt, even as he pressed back into the kiss.

When they finally pulled apart, the human was amused to see the dazed expression on his rival's face. There was a plumpness to his lips that hadn't been there before their little experiment. "Was that your first kiss?" Leonard asked, leaning forward to whisper into the avian's ear… or where he thought the avian's ear might be. It was rather hard to tell if they even did have ears beneath all those headfeathers.

"Never been kissed like that…" Red softly admitted. "I mean, Chuck kissed me after we rescued the eggs, but he's with Bomb, so it wasn't really that big of a deal. And we don't kiss like that!" Golden eyes darted away uncertainly. "At least, I don't think we do."

How could the little avian be this cute, and still unspoken for? Leonard could only shake his head in bemusement, before he chanced another press of his lips against the other man's freckled cheek. "You really are an intriguing enemy."

"Of course, I am. I'm the best enemy you'll ever have," the avian immediately boasted.

"Well then, if we're done… I should be heading back to dinner," the king stated calmly, turning toward the door.

"What?"

"It's nothing really, but I was going to invite Zeta out for a walk,"

"WHAT!" Crimson wings latched onto the human's arm, stopping him in his tracks. The owner of said wings was oblivious to the smirk curving over the king's lips. "You've never asked me to go for a walk!"

A dark-skinned hand settled over the crimson feathers on his arm, drawing Red's attention to the now charming smile of the taller man's face. "Would you like to join me for a walk this evening, Red?"

"I… um… wait… I… argh! Fine! I don't have anything better to do, and it beats having to watch you and HER make eyes at each other," Red finally grumbled, practically yanking Leonard toward the door.

"Of course. This is just a leisurely stroll between two close enemies who enjoy each other's company. Nothing weird about that," Leonard commented. "There's no need to rush. In fact, if you just take my arm lightly, rather than trying to pull me along, this stroll will be much more enjoyable."

"Oh… right," Red said, allowing the larger man to maneuver his wing until it was gently hooked around his smooth-skinned arm.

"That's better. I'm looking forward to our first delightful stroll as enemies with benefits," the king announced, gently guiding the petite avian out the door.

"What benefits?" The only answer Red received was a light chuckle from the taller man. Puffing out his cheeks, he tightened his wing. And he wasn't secretly enjoying the attention of his most hated enemy. Not even a tiny bit. He was only doing this to keep the human away from the purple-feathered empress. After all, he was Red's enemy first.