FOR MY LOVE | WINGS OF FIRE AU. ✓

07 - Who We Are.

✶ CHAPTER 07 - WINTER ✶

CW: abuse

In the quiet dawn hour, Winter shifted in his bedsheets, the bed creaking slightly under his weight. Warm light filtered in from the curtains, dipping into the shadows of the bedroom. The clock ticked, the only sound in the room. Curled up against him was Qibli, his head buried in his neck, limbs draped over his body. An arm rested across his torso, while his legs straddled his own. Qibli's soft hair tickled his chin.

He groggily recalled the night before. He and Qibli had fallen asleep on the floor, while Lynx and Snowfall took the bed. They must have woken up and carried Winter and Qibli onto the bed. That was nice of them. 

Winter leaned in closer, cautious to not wake up Qibli. He moved a hand to gently rest on the nape of his neck, fingers brushing idly on the curled hair at the back. Winter gazed at the boy, counting the thousands of freckles that painted his face. In the soft warm light, Qibli looked heavenly.

Winter closed his eyes and basked in the warmth of Qibli's bare skin against his. Winter was wearing a tanktop and boxers, while Qibli was half-undressed, only in boxers. The direct contact was comforting.

Qibli's eyes fluttered open. His gorgeous dark eyes caught the soft golden sunlight, glowing amber. He pressed a gentle kiss to Winter's neck, and the other boy awoke, a soft smile spreading across his lips. He cupped his hand to Qibli's cheek, thumb grazing over the harsh stubble. Qibli blinked half-lidded eyes at him, looking as if he could just fall back asleep in a matter of seconds. 

Winter's thumb grazed the edges of Qibli's nose scar. Then he brought his hand to his hair, combing through the dark strands. Winter leaned forward slightly to kiss the scar.

Eyes shut, Qibli leaned further into him-- so, so warm. 

Winter breathed him in and moved his hand to rest on Qibli's bare chest. The ring on his finger glowed in the light, a cruel reminder that he was supposed to be with someone else. Winter shut his eyes.

They remained like that for a while longer, until the hours dragged by, and Qibli would have to leave before he would be caught in Winter's bedroom. 

"Qibli," the prince breathed in Qibli's ear, voice quivering. "You have to go."

Qibli swallowed thickly and leaned closer to him. "I know."

None of them moved for a minute, then Qibli slowly unfurled from Winter's embrace. He missed the warmth immediately. Qibli dragged himself out from the sheets and slipped into some fresh clothes. 

He glanced at the clock, then down at Winter, who gazed up at him. They stared at each other for a long moment, then Qibli moved to the doorway. "See you later, Winter."

"Bye, Qibli."

And the boy closed the door, disappearing behind it. 

Winter sat alone in his bed, wrapped only with the blankets. He missed the comfort of Qibli's embrace. He missed feeling the simplicity of a life he could not have, and could only have in mere fragments that left him wanting more.

He closed his eyes and melted into the blankets, covering his face with his hands. Winter felt a tear trickle down his cheek, tickling his palm. He remained awake for a while, listening to the door opening as Lynx entered the room. The mattress dipped with a creak as Lynx sat down on the edge of it. He could smell her perfume-- but it wasn't hers. He knew that Snowfall loved that perfume and wore it all the time.

"Hey," he mumbled around the blanket covering his face.

"Hey," she replied. "What's up?"

Winter tossed the blanket aside, meeting Lynx's gaze with shadowed eyes. He could feel the familiar sting in his nose that told him that he was about to cry. "I can't stand this."