winter_wisp | Phouka

Phouka

Winter's colour was slowly returning to him, and his wings were still weak, but were starting to shine once more. He slept often, and for long stretches of time, but it was clear he was slowly mending.

...It was also clear that being kept inside was driving the little pixie mad. He craved sunlight and the kiss of the moon, and he'd taken to spending much of his time pressed against the window looking sad. More so today than ever, since Willy and Fin were out and about. Something to do with Fin's 'work', that was all he'd been told, and he'd blown a raspberry at their backs as the pair had left, then wasted the morning gazing out the window.

"Phouka," he said, whining just a little. "I am bored- The mortal's home is so dull. Give me my potion so I will be tall, and we can go and have hot chocolate in the park," he grinned.

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Winter was playing with a doll's house, but he looked up and nodded with a small smile.

"Alright, let's walk in the park," he agreed, taking Phouka's hand again and walking with him.

"Do you like the mortal realm, Phouka?" he asked. "Do you think you will stay here? You could live with Willy and I in the cottage."

"I like it well enough, little one. Do you truly believe the Prince will come home, though? It seems to me he is more likely to stay with the mortal..."

Until he died, thought The Phouka. There was no way the Prince would survive this love.

"But he has to come home," Winter said, looking worried. "If he does not, who will take care of me?"

Phouka looked at him with a queer smile for a long moment.

"Why...me, primrose," he said.

"Really?" Winter asked. "You would come and care for me in Willy's absence?"

"Of course. Unless you do not like me, and then I will merely guard you from a distance," he explained.

"No, I like you very much, Phouka," Winter assured him, pulling him to a stop, and wrapping his arms around him to embrace him warmly. "You are a better friend than I could have dreamed of."

The Phouka was a bit startled by the abrupt affection but he quickly wrapped his arms around Winter in return. "You are so full of love and light, little pixie. I feel I have been too long at court where fae are so much more reserved," he laughed.

"Then I will return your warmth to you, in return for your care," Winter promised, growing serious and nodding once. "We will mend one another, Phouka. I promise."

There was a deep gentility in Phouka's eyes as he looked into Winter's. His lips curved just ever so slightly, the smitten smile barely there. He was too used to propriety and reservation.

Perhaps the pixie was right- perhaps he did need a bit of mending. It certainly was nice to have the freedom of the sky and the warmth of the sun along with the sweet touch of a pretty friend.

"A promise I will take to heart," he said softly, not looking away for even a moment. He felt as if he might see something, some truth or answer if only he kept looking into Winter's eyes/

Winter beamed, catching both of Phouka's hands and squeezing gently.

"As you should," he smiled. "Come. Let's walk in the park before we return home for more rest."

"Do not exhaust yourself, primrose," Phouka cautioned, then began to walk on, his hand holding Winter's securely. A bird flew overhead and dropped to perch on a branch just above them. At first it looked like a pigeon, but then it cooed softly and it was clear it was a dove.

"Oh, how lovely. They are not so common within the city," Phouka said.

Winter looked up, smiling, and whistled softly.

To anyone passing by, it sounded like a boy trying to do bird calls- But in truth, Winter was saying hello.

The dove sang back, then fluttered down to land on Winter's hand, before moving to land on Phouka's arm.

"We have a new friend. It is unfortunate I have nothing to offer him to eat," Phouka said, stroking the dove's wing with a light fingertip. "You can understand him?"

"Yes," Winter smiled. "He is just saying hello and asking if we have treats."

Winter searched his pockets, finding a pack of saltines unopened in the pocket of his skirt. Old, but fresh enough for the bird to enjoy.

Smiling, he offered them to Phouka.

"He likes you."

The Phouka opened the packet and crumbled the crackers into his palm, then held it out in offering. The bird happily pecked away, eating every morsel.

"He is very pretty," Phouka said. "It pains me that mortals put beautiful creatures like this in cages for their pleasure. They should be free, do you not agree?"

Winter's smile faded away, and he nodded a little.

"Everyone should be free," he said softly. "Being caged, having your wings clipped... I would wish that on no creature. It is like having the whole world taken from you."

"You know this so well...such a pity," Phouka said. "But it will not happen again. The wizard has perished and you are free. And soon enough you shall be well and whole, primrose. Trust to hope."

Winter smiled softly at that, then nodded.

The dove finished its meal, than sang a song of thanks before taking off- Free to go where it pleased.

"I am growing tired, Phouka," Winter admitted. "Lately I feel like a music box that can not be wound, always running slow and warping the tune."

"Drained as you are, this news does not surprise me," he replied, leading Winter to a frosty hillside that went to the edge of a pond. A bridge crossed over the water and there was a space beneath it.

"Come, just in here," he said- and as they ducked and went under the bridge the aid quivered and they emerged from the mirror in the fae prince's cottage. From there they could easily make a trip to Fin's flat but Phouka thought perhaps Winter should rest first.

"You should settle into the bed and rest," he said. "We can join our friends when you've rebounded a bit."

Winter nodded, shedding his coat and shoes, then smiling.

"Will you join me, Phouka? We can lay together," he chirped happily. "I enjoy sharing the bed with Willy, when he is home- I'm certain we can do the same."

Phouka was not tired, not in the least, but he could see Winter needed the comfort and contact. He nodded and simply passed his hand over his form causing his winter apparel to become soft flannel bottoms and a form fitting A-shirt.

Then he attended to the bed, fluffing the blankets and pillows and infusing them with the sweet scent of lavender.

Stripping down to his underclothes, Winter climbed into the soft and familiar bed. It was so warm and inviting, and soon he was curled up against Phouka, has arms around him as he held on and settled against him.

"I am glad to have met you, Phouka. I am glad we are friends now."

Phouka was warm- much warmer than a man- and his arms were strong and solid. When he held Winter it was easy to feel that nothing bad could harm the little pixie.

"I am honoured to be your guardian," he said softly. "You are the loveliest charge I have ever had."

Winter was nearly glowing, a tiny bit of his magic returning to him as he leaned in and kissed Phouka- Not on the cheek, but on the lips.

Startled by his own behaviour, the pixie gasped and pulled back.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have simply kissed you, that was very... Oh no. I am sorry, Phouka."

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