Third Reich

(Image is not mine, credits to creator!)

(NOTE: Please do not copy. Inspo is allowed, but not copy.)

As you wandered the halls, you could hear a hiss. Tired but curious, you followed the sound.

Inside his office, door open a sliver as if forgotten to be shut all the way, you saw him---Third Reich, hands curled around a long bandage as he winced and hissed.

He was binding his wings, medium to small sized things that look ruffled, painfully so.

You never knew he had wings, but it made sense now why. Wing binding was never recommended for avian hybrids, never. And yet, he was pulling that bandage so tight you could hear the bones creak.

From observing him over the months, you learned on his habits of self loathing, often digging into his own skin, waking up staring at himself with little to no recognition, and other things.

But he never said anything---he was the Third Riech, a strong and feared country who held absolute authority over his citizens, He was a cold and ruthless being afterall.

And yet, for a moment---between all the layers of cold authority, you saw something eerily human beneath every wall he built.

Again, he winced as he tightened the binds on his own wings, the black appendages fluttering futilely protesting their binds, only to be tied down more with a vengeance, blood mixing with spit as he spat into a tissue.

As he finished tying up the wings, he got ready for the day, dressing in that sharp black uniform you've seen so many times, combing his hair and hiding the rest under his hat.

You had moments before he turned and saw you staring through the door...