Snowflakes & Feathers WATTYS 2019

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A short story featuring Viktor! To show why his relationship with Alex is so rocky.

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He was my first friend, after meeting him; I did not want anyone else. My love for him grew as we did as well. I tried to stay away but I still wanted him and only him. It did not bother me that he would yell at me as long as I heard his voice and it was just for me. I did not care that he would smack my arm because it meant he touched me. I did not care that he would glare at me because at least he saw me. He was hurting himself more until we finally learned the truth.

He was my happiness to give and I became his sadness to take. My heart beats only for him because I live to keep him safe from harm. He was my warrior but I could not handle seeing him get hurt. I knew that I was walking a dangerous path to protect him but I did not have the urge to turn away from him. I could see behind every soft hit and insult that he was hurting behind his eyes. Because it was never meant to actually harm me but to push me away to protect me. I will give my life and soul for him, but I already have many times before. I wanted to remove his pain by having him see only me. He was my one and only love, my blond snowflake. I tried to save him and he became my hero instead.

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    I first met my snowflake when I was seven and he was barely six years old. He reminded me of a small teddy bear with his little ears on top of his head. He had such big brown eyes full of innocence and wonder. I knew about his mother from the stories my father would tell me at bedtime.

“Albert, could you keep an eye on Alexander for me. Little Ashen is sick and I don’t want him or Florence to get sick as well.” Alex’s mother told my father as I was hiding in the hallway.

    Whenever the front door is open, most of my family have to hide to make sure the humans do not notice our wings. Everyone in the village thinks that my father lives alone because they cannot know about us or we can get killed. I hate the war against humans and werebeasts because it makes me feel caged. No bird should ever feel caged with the sky open above them.

“Anything for my General!” His laugh sounded forced. “I’m just kidding, I know that you are retired! But I don’t mind him staying at my wild home.”

“Thank you. I am sorry that it was so sudden.” She said before I heard her walk away.

    I came out of my hiding spot and walked over as soon as the door closed. My father saw me and motioned me to come closer to this new kid.

“Viktor! Perfect, you can talk to him while I tell your mother to add an extra plate for dinner.”

    He walked away as I got a better look at him; he had chocolate brown eyes with hair that was a golden honey color. He had a brown scarf wrapped around his head that hid most of his golden curls. He was a taller than me by at least an inch or two but my wings made him look shorter than me. He stayed still as I walked around him to see all of him. I think he could sense my curiosity because he did not say anything. Then, I walked over to the front of him and held my hand out.

“As you heard, the name’s Viktor! The coolest person who ever lived.” I told him and I noticed that he was looking more at my wings.

“Are they real?”

“I should hope that they are, since they are connected to my back.” My wings did a small flap as I spoke.

“Amazing!” He took my hand and shook it. “My name is Alexander, but you can call me Alex.”

    He reached up and took off his scarf, my eyes widen as two small bear ears were twitching on the top of his head. The fur on his ears was a slightly darker golden color than his hair.