"We just hold it up to them. They'll grab the food and start eating." Matthew smiled gently, wing going around Rowan a bit.
"Now, you're going to have to pick them up first, so they recognize you as their momma." he chuckled lightly.
"Alright." Rowan laughed a bit and finished his breakfast. "What are you gonna bring along for them?" He asked.
"Worms, grubs, a few bugs," Matthew started. He stood, putting the last of his food in his mouth.
"Protien, mostly. We'll be able to add other things to their diet later." He smiled a bit.
"Want to come with me to look?"
"Sure!" Rowan got to his feet and made up follow Matthew. "I'll just follow your lead. I don't know anything about foraging." He laughed softly.
Matthew smiled, nodding.
"Okay then! We'll go for grubs first, they're the easiest to find and catch." Matthew hummed a bit, leading Rowan into the trees around the camp. He knelt down when he came across a decaying log.
"Here- you find grubs and insects all the time under logs, rocks, and even leaf piles." Matthew turned the log with his foot, kneeling down and pulling out a bag. Underneath were all sorts of creepy crawlies. He pulled up a few fat, round worm-looking creatures.
Rowan knelt beside Matthew and cringed at the sight of all the bugs. "But they're icky…" He whined, hesitating before tentatively reaching out and grabbing one. He pushed it into Matthew's hand, sticking out his tongue out a bit.
Matthew chuckled lightly.
"They're also high in protein, which is good for the chicks." Matthew put the wriggling grubs in the bag, humming faintly as he collected a few more.
"Now, we have to be careful not to grab any poisonous bugs," he explained. He ignored a centipide that was scurrying away from the light, instead reaching out and catching a fleeing grasshopper.
Rowan shied away from the centipede with another soft whine, sticking close to Matthew's side. "But they've all got too many legs and they're slimy and gross… why don't birds like eating nice things like cheese or something?"
Matthew wrapped one arm around Rowan, holding the man close.
"They'll be able to handle those things when they're older," he promised. He actually pulled Rowan up onto his knees easily to get him away from the bugs.
"You know, you'll have to be the one to feed them," he warned.
"I know, I know… don't they like berries and stuff too, though? Why do they gotta eat the gross worms and bugs and stuff…?" Rowan sighed and huddled closer to Matthew.
Matthew chuckled a bit.
"They do, they do, but they need the meat to get big and strong." He smiled, letting Rowan rest on his legs as he continued to gather up food for the chicks when they hatch.
"Yeah… I'll try my best to feed them anyway." Rowan sighed. "I gotta make sure my birdies grow up big and strong."
"I'll make sure to kill anything you fed them before you have to, okay?" Matthew eventually stood, one arm holding Rowan close still.
"Thanks, Matthew…" Rowan sighed again and rested his head on Matthew's chest. "I just don't like killing things… and bugs are gross."
Matthew set about picking some berries, nodding.
"You're welcome! Anything to help!" Once he thought he had enough food, Matthew carried Rowan back to the camp.
Rowan smiled softly and rested his head on Matthew's shoulder when the avian picked him up. "You said you thought they'd hatch today, right?"
"Yes, I did. Especially if they're moving!" Matthew made his way back to the camp, starting to gather everything up again for the day.
Rowan nodded a bit, smiling a bit more brightly. "I can't wait to see them! Baby birds are so cute!"
Matthew smiled, nodding.
"Yes, they are." He hummed faintly, turning to Rowan.
"Okay, everything is packed up! Ready to go?"
"Yeah, I'm ready. Will you help me up?" Rowan asked, standing beside the horse in preparation.
"Sure thing!" Matthew carefully lifted Rowan and the nest up onto the horse. He climbed on, wrapping his arms around Rowan as he urged the horses on.
"This is exciting!"
"Yeah!" Rowan closed his eyes once his was on the horse, but made sure to keep a firm hold on the nest. "I can't wait to see them."
Matthew rested his head on Rowan's, grinning.
"You'll be a great dad to them," he said confidently.
"I'll try my best…" Rowan smiled softly and shifted a little closer to Matthew. "We'll have to protect them from Fluff."
"Once they're born I'll be able to get Fluff to understand he's not too try to eat the birds." Matthew smiled, arms secure around Rowan.