Willy

[winter_wisp]

He'd not sent word he was coming, so he hadn't been surprised to find no sign of anyone home the first night he'd stopped by, but the day after he'd happily tried again, knocking lightly on the familiar door and whistling happily.

He'd missed Willy and the Phouka. He may have even missed the blind mortal a bit as well- However, his new life with his own kind had done wonders for the pixie. Time moved so differently there, and Winter almost looked like an adult now. Older, and slightly calmer too. 

His hair had gone from shock white to a pile of red and brown curls, and his skin was ever so slightly sunkissed and pink, rather than pearly white. Changes brought on from living so deep in the woods.

"Willy Silver, Willy Silver, open your door!" Winter sang happily.

Comments

[phouka]

Phouka tilted his head and blinked, his dark eyes filled with confusion.

"Why did you do that?" he asked.

[winter_wisp]

"I had to. It needed to break," Winter replied, going pink again and taking off, flying away from the Phouka.

Maybe he was sick. ...Or maybe he just needed to not feel so warm. curling up by the window, he used the glass to cool himself off.

[phouka]

Phouka was sure Willy wouldn't care, though Fin might be upset. He cleaned up the mess, mopped up the wine, and soon enough everything was as it had been.

He went to where Winter huddled by the glass and with a fingertip he stroked the pixie's arm.

"Winter," he said softly. "Have I upset you?"

[winter_wisp]

"No," Winter lied stubbornly, wrapping his wings around himself like a shield.

[phouka]

"I have. When I mentioned my friendship with Sunny...that upsets you. Come, Winter, I am ever your friend and you are so dear to me. Does it hurt you for me to befriend a mortal?" he asked in his confusion.

[winter_wisp]

"You will become like the prince, with time only for your mortal," Winter replied, pressing his cheek against the window as he sulked.

[phouka]

Phouka laughed at that and shook his head.

"I do not love her," he smiled. "She is a delight, and deserves love and sweets and all good things...but I do not love her, Winter."

[winter_wisp]

"Willy probably said the same of the Zombie when they first met," Winter huffed, resting his chin on his knees and looking even smaller than usual as he curled up into a ball.

"I shouldn't have left. If I had stayed, maybe you would love me. ...Not that I want that. Love is stupid."

[phouka]

"Why do you think that I do not love you?" Phouka asked, reaching to stroke Winter with one finger. "It may not be a love like what the prince and his mortal share, but, Winter, I do care for you beyond measure and I have missed you terribly."

[winter_wisp]

Winter perked up slightly at that, eyeing the Phouka curiously.

"Really?" he asked. "...I suppose I love you too. A bit. ...And I missed you very much."

[phouka]

"There, now. You see? You didn't need to break the glass and worry me so," the Phouka said, reaching to scoop Winter up and bring him close so he could kiss the pixie on the top of the head.

[winter_wisp]

"I'm sorry Phouka," Winter said, ducking his head to accept the kiss. "My heart got very angry.It's never done that before."

[phouka]

"All is forgiven, little pixie," the Phouka replied. He brushed his lips against Winter's hair and breathed him in, enjoying being close.

"Perhaps we should leave te prince's flat and go to mine. We can set you up a space to sleep. A bed your own size, hmm?" he suggested.

[winter_wisp]

"I'd like that very much," Winter cooed happily.

[phouka]

Phouka held him close to his bare chest and left Wily's flat to go to his own. The door wasn't locked, it never was.

Inside everything was tidy, in its place. The whole flat was decorated in jewel tones and various textures. The curtains were purple damask, the sofa black plush, rugs of blood red and sapphire blue, pillows of purple and saffron. It smelled of incense and spicy food.

And then Phouka took him in the bedroom where the bed was made up and all his clothes clean and hung in a neat fashion.

"Now what shall we use for a bed for you?" he asked, humming to himself.

[winter_wisp]

Winter fluttered around the room, exploring, then fluttering over to the bed and flopping onto the pillow.

"I like your bed!" he chirped.

[phouka]

"Would you like to sleep with me, little one?" he asked, smiling at Winter's joy.

[winter_wisp]

"I would," Winter sang. "Very much so. That is, if you don't mind."

[phouka]

"I would like that very much," Phouka said. "How long can you stay? All winter until the snow melts and the crocus bloom?" he asked hopefully.

[winter_wisp]

"Until after the festivities of mortal holidays I think," Winter chirped. "Though how long after, I'm not sure yet."

[phouka]

"Until the mortal new year. Lovely," Phouka smiled, his chest expanding with a breath of pure happiness. His heart beat faster at the thought of having Winter for so many days. Time in the mortal world was different than at home. He knew it would seem like the shortest stay ever, but he meant to enjoy every moment.

[winter_wisp]

"I've left my luggage in a locker at the station. I've packed plenty of potion. More than I should need. It lasts much longer now. Nearly a full day. I could sleep beside you at mortal height," Winter smiled.

[phouka]

"I would like that," Phouka said softly. "I would like that very, very much. I should go collect your things and bring them here. Unless you'd rather I wait until the prince is back so you are not alone?"

[winter_wisp]

"I'm not afraid to be alone any more," Winter smiled. "I was on my own in the city all last night. It was nice. ...Though I look forward to sharing my time with you, Phouka."

[phouka]

"Then I will go fetch your baggage and be right back home. Where will I find the key?" he asked, eager to have Winter be his own size.