Winter

[petty_dabbler]

The winter was miserable. John was tired of the cold. He grumbled as he gathered wood and stoked the fire, magic making it blaze to chase away the morning chill as quickly as possible. He made his tea and smoked his pipe and waited for Winter to turn up. Sometimes he slept late, sometimes John never heard him duck out to bother the chickens or gather dawn mushrooms.

John had a thought and smiled to himself. The midwinter preparations would be well underway in the King's Realm. Maybe he could convince the pixie to come to the market with him.

Comments

[petty_dabbler]

"I haven't been to anywhere fun in quite some time," John said. "In the spring there will be more to do."

He opened the portal and stepped through to the tower. THe weather was much colder and a soaking mist was hanging in the air.

"Put the goat in the pen and I'll set up our feast," he said, giving Winter's shoulder a squeeze.

[winter_wisp]

Winter nodded a little, taking the goat to the pen and making sure there was plenty of hay and bedding.

He eventually joined John, lingering so close he had to be in the way.

[petty_dabbler]

John was just finishing a pot of cocoa for them both. Once oured, he produced a paper packet and opened it to reveal two peppermint sticks. He dropped Winter's in his cup and handed it to him.

"Sit down, sit down," he scolded, taking his own cup.

And a meat pie in his fist.

He settled into his favourite chair before the fire.

[winter_wisp]

"I like this," Winter said as he sat, happily sipping his drink. "It's delicious."

[petty_dabbler]

"I like it on a night when snow is on the wind. We'll be covered by morning," he said. "It'll be a cold night."

He took a sip.

"A good night to not sleep alone."

[winter_wisp]

Winter blushed, but looked giddy.

"We will be terribly warm tonight. The most cozy we have ever been," he decided.

[petty_dabbler]

"You're excited about this, hmm? How long have you been keeping quiet about this?" he asked curiously.

[winter_wisp]

"I don't know, some time... Don't pick on me, I didn't know how you'd react. I thought you might think it was gross," Winter shrugged.

[petty_dabbler]

"No, I don't think it's gross," John chuckled softly.

"I think you're lovely, Winter. I have for some time now."

[winter_wisp]

"You could have said so," Winter replied. "I'd like to hear it."

[petty_dabbler]

"I didn't want you to feel obligated to...oh, nevermind," he said, frowning a moment before taking another sip of his cocoa.

[winter_wisp]

Winter giggled a little, sipping his drink and wiggling his toes inside his thick socks.

"You are funny when you're cross."

[petty_dabbler]

"I like being cross," he argued, stirring his cocoa with his candy stick.

He tried very hard to keep up the frown, but Winter's brightness chased away all the sourness that clung to him.

[winter_wisp]

Winter just giggled again, drinking deep from his cup.

[petty_dabbler]

"Stop giggling and eat your dinner," he said.

He'd laid it all out, even the cake. It would all get eaten, he reasoned. He never cared if the cake was eaten first.

[winter_wisp]

"Bossy," Winter giggled again, sitting up and starting to pick at his food.

He ate quite a bit, sitting on the floor in the end as he helped himself to sweet and savory alike.

[petty_dabbler]

John ate his fill and sighed happily, leaning back and rubbing his belly.

"A good day," he decided. "Good food, a lovely market, and a goat. Enough to make a man tired. Are you ready to go upstairs?"

[winter_wisp]

Winter got to his feet, wandering over to John and perching himself on the other man's knee. "Maybe," he said.

[petty_dabbler]

John's hand rested low on Winter's back as he looked into the pixie's eyes.

"Maybe?" he asked.

[winter_wisp]

"Maybe," Winter said again, leaning into the touch. "I do like a cuddle," he added with a grin.

[petty_dabbler]

John's arm snaked around him and pulled him closer.

"I have to cuddle you now, too?" John asked, as if it would be so troublesome to do.

He held on tight, though.

[winter_wisp]

"Yes! I demand cuddles," Winter said, growing bold and leaning in to kiss him.

[petty_dabbler]

John gasped softly, his hand rising quickly to cradle Winter's cheek. His surprise vanished quickly, though, and he melted into the sweetness of it.

[winter_wisp]

"I like your taste," Winter whispered. "Take me to bed."

[petty_dabbler]

John smiled, utterly charmed. He rose and kept his hands on Winter as he tugged him along to bed.

John's hearth was burning and his room warm. He waved hand and candles flickered to life. The room was warm and inviting.

John slowly began to undress.