Phouka

[winter_wisp]

Winter slunk back to Phouka's flat, still sulking a little and shrinking himself down so he could play.

He wasn't sure where Phouka was, and so he made himself at home, building a little nest from discarded socks and the Phouka's pillow in the middle of the bed. He still had the tablet he'd acquired when he'd first come to London, and small hands easily found Netflix and something entertaining to watch. Zombies no longer appealed, and so he settled on a show about mortals who worked in a police station.

He sat happily with a bag of sunflower seeds and a small bottle of pop that was nearly as tall as he was, trying not to think too much about his chat with Willy.

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[phouka]

Phouka came home with shopping bags full of food. It was such a mundane task but one he did every week. He had treats for Winter, meat for himself, as well as milk and cheese and a carton of something called eggnog he had been told was delicious.

"Winter, are you home?" he called.

[winter_wisp]

Winter had cheered up slightly, enjoying his food and the mindless show- But he wanted sympathy, and he turned off the show as he slumped in the little nest he'd made and let out a sad coo.

[phouka]

Phouka heard and came to the bed, peeking inside the fort.

"There you are my little friend," he said. "What has your wings drooped so?"

[winter_wisp]

"The mortal scolded me, and made Willy take his side," the pixie complained, fluttering out of his nest and letting the potion take control again as he grew to mortal height.

"He said I can not play with cats, and that I must be dressed. Then Willy said I had to practice hiding my wings," he sulked. "They are very mean to me, Phouka."

[phouka]

"Oh, my dear," he said sympathetically. "We must do as the prince orders, though I can see you are not happy to do so."

[winter_wisp]

"The mortal wanted to take my telly away though!" Winter whined, slumping against the Phouka's side.

[phouka]

"What Fin says is only important because the prince takes his wisdom into consideration," the Phouka pointed out. "Have you tried to do as he asked? Have you tried to hide your wings?"

[winter_wisp]

"Yes, but it's hard and makes me very tired," Winter complained, fluttering his wings, then folding them neatly and focusing all his power on making them vanish.

It was an odd feeling, drawing them into his body. Some pixies were born with the ability, others never mastered it. Most, like Winter, could do it if the focused, and master it with practice.

The wings vanished, and Winter looked light-headed. So much so that he wobbled on his feet and had to hold Phouka's arm to keep himself upright.

[phouka]

"Ah, ah, be careful little one," the Phouka said, pulling Winter close into his arms. "I can see that is a task. I remember when I first learned to take the shape of animals. It was natural, but quite disorienting at first," he said.

[winter_wisp]

"I don't like it," Winter said, the sulking and pouting fading into something more honest.

"It reminds me of how Aspid was always taking my wings," he admitted softly.

[phouka]

"Oh, my dove," he said softly. "Then let them back out. We can buy you clothes to hide them so you go unnoticed. And here, at home, you can set them free."

[winter_wisp]

Winter shook his head, looking slightly distressed. "Fae Willy said he would banish me home."

[phouka]

The Phouka was quiet at that news. He didn't want Winter to leave in the spring, much less have him banished home earlier.

Instead, he tipped Winter's chin up and placed a soft kiss on his forehead.

[winter_wisp]

Phouka towered over him, but Winter pulled him down as he pushed up onto his toes, chasing his lips with his own and kissing him hard.

"I don't want to go," he said quietly. "I don't want to leave yet."

[phouka]

"I don't want you to go," Phouka whispered, kissing Winter again tenderly.

[winter_wisp]

Winter seemed relieved to hear it, and he returned the kiss before slipping his arms around Phouka's middle and holding n tight.

"I can be better. I can be less pixie. Tell fae Willy I'll be good. He will listen to you."

[phouka]

"I will tel him," he said. "I will tell him you will do as he says. But in here, with me, you can be al the pixie. I adore my pixie..." he said between kisses.

[winter_wisp]

Winter lit up at that, his smile growing wide and bright as he looked up at the Phouka.

"I like being your pixie, Phouka."

[phouka]

"You will always be my pixie. From now on," he replied. Phouka stroked his face and bent to kiss him once again. "You are my favourite."

[winter_wisp]

"Your favourite pixie? Or your favourite?" Winter asked curiously. "Fae Willy told me when I returned I should tell you that... That I am selfish, and wish you were just mine."

Not in those words, but those words felt more honest to the pixie than 'love'.

[phouka]

That made the Phouka smile and his chest puff up.

"You should not make wishes around faeries, little one," he teased, then caught Winter's face and kissed him soundly one more time.

"You are my favourite," he said.

[winter_wisp]

Winter smiled brightly against the Phouka's lips, then sighed contently.

"You are my favourite too, Phouka."

[phouka]

"Then I want you to stay and not be banished," he said. "I would miss you terribly."

[winter_wisp]

"Then I will learn to thrive without my wings," Winter said quietly. "I will be a good pixie."

[phouka]

"Will you show them if I ask? We will not tell the prince," Phouka said.