Qinter Drabbles

Nightmares

 After Darkstalker, normal life seemed like such a foreign concept. Returning to the Academy and the classes and other dragonets after months of spells, genocide, and complete absurdity was more challenging then expected. Winter seemed particularly affected, Qibli had noticed. Seeing as during their time away he learned that his family, the dragons who he had spent his whole life trying to gain the favor of, had tried murder him in a grotesque and elaborate fashion. That couldn't have been good for his already wearing mental health.

Qibli was abruptly shaken out of his observation when the Tragic Hero himself brushed his wing. "Hey, Camel-Face, we need to go to History. Start moving, you're creating traffic." Qibli flashed his signature, charming grin at Winter. "Why of course, my dear sweet snowflake." Winter let out an indignant huff. "Do not call me that." Although he was scowling, Qibli could see a restrained smile creeping up in his face. "Oh don't act like you don't love it, Sparkles." Winter turned his head away, and swept into the classroom grumbling, leaving Qibli in a fit of giggles. The rest of the day passed by quickly, and after having dinner with Moon and Kinkajou, night had rapidly fallen.

Winter had already fallen asleep in the bare sledge below. Qibli was reading an engrossing scroll, the gentle light from the lantern above painted the room a warm burgundy. The academy was quiet, except for the gentle murmurs from the dragons in the dormitories around them, until it wasn't. Qibli bolted upright as he heard as sudden scratch on what sounded like stone. There was no one outside the doorway. He looked down at Winter. His talons were splayed across the wall like he had abruptly rolled over in his sleep. Ah. That explained it. Qibli looked at him a bit longer, watching the light turning his scales the color of pale violets and pastel roses. He got settled down and returned to his scroll. "No, please, I can't." Qibli jumped out of his bed and onto the floor. Okay, there was definitely something wrong. Winter was tense, his claws twitching and eyes shut painfully tight. "Winter. Winter, are you okay?" Qibli asked, attempting to shake his friend out of what looked to be a nightmare. "Please. STOP" Winter's large wings parachuted out, almost knocking Qibli to the ground. Three moons, what sort of torture had he endured from his youth in the Ice Kingdom to become so out of character like this? "Winter, please wake up, c'mon man." He put his front legs on the bed, shaking his shoulder frantically. Winter rolled over and Qibli noticed that tears were forming in his closed eyes, and his face was contorted in something that resembled pure sorrow and desperation. Qibli sighed in relief when his eyes shot open, filled with panic. "Qibli?" "Yeah, It's me Winter. I'm here." Winter let out a shaky breath. "Could you-could you stay?" Qibli felt his heart break a little seeing his closest friend completely falling apart in front of him. "Of course." He slipped into the space near Winter and wrapped his wings around him, sinking into his frame. Qibli felt the occasional suppressed sob coming from him. He brought his talons to his face, holding him in an embrace. "It's okay. You're okay now. I will always, always, be here for you."