winter_wisp | Phouka

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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From:

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.

From:

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."

From:

winter_wisp

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

From:

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.

From:

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."

From:

phouka

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

From:

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."

From:

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.

From:

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."

From:

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."

From:

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'.

From:

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.

From:

winter_wisp

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

"You are my favourite too, Phouka."

From:

phouka

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

From:

winter_wisp

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

From:

phouka

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

From:

winter_wisp

Winter grinned brightly at that, then nodded. "And when I am small, I will not hide them then," he decided. "I need them when I am small."

From:

phouka

"You will need them when you are small because I shall become my raven-self and chase you and catch you and gobble you up," the Phouka teased.

From:

winter_wisp

Winter giggled, a bright and bubbly sound that was more like the tinkling of bells than any sound a mortal might make. Bright and full of cheer.

"I would like to be chased and caught by you very much," he grinned.

From:

phouka

Phouka pulled him close.

"And gobbled up?" he asked with a smile.

From:

winter_wisp

Winter ducked his head, still smiling as a faint blush crept up his neck and cheeks, turning pale skin pink.

"Yes," he said softly.

From:

phouka

"I would start with your nose," Phouka said. "I would gobble it up first."

He lifted Winter's chin and kissed the tip of his nose.

"Then your lips. I would take my time because they are so sweet..."

From:

winter_wisp

Winter giggled, then blushed again- Before practically pouncing on the Phouka.

"Do you love me, Phouka?" he asked, his enthusiasm sending them both toppling over onto the bed.

From:

phouka

For Willy the concept of love was elusive, or it had been. He'd been among mortals for a very long time and had seen love turn to bitterness, had seen the love of mother for child, the love of true friends that was hearts and minds. He had known people to say love but mean lust, had 'loved' plenty of men and women alike over the years in that he took them to bed and knew their bodies.

But for Phouka it was so much simpler. Perhaps it was not love as the prince and his mortal shared. Perhaps it did not run as deep or as pure. But he did love Winter. He thought of him often. He enjoyed his company. He wanted him to stay and live with him and bring happiness to his life and he wanted always to make Winter smile and blush.

"I do love you, Winter Wisp," he said, some small bit of magic rising with the utterance of the true name. "And do you love me?"