Chapter Text
Guilt. Anger. Indecision. Sorrow. Emptiness.
Winter's head swirled with these sensations. He had suddenly woken up from a dream. Or was it a nightmare? He couldn't remember. The details were already fading. But he could still distinctly recall some parts.
Rough, sandy scales that shimmered in the sun. A mischievous smile that scorched his very soul.
Pitch black scales as dark as the night itself. A kind face with emerald eyes unfathomably deep.
The IceWing stared up at the ceiling, trying to convince himself he didn’t know whom the dream was about. That he didn’t miss them with every scale on his body. That he didn’t feel the deep longing weighing down his chest.
A knock at his door snapped him out of his stupor. He glanced over as a single letter was slid in through the mail slot. With a groan, Winter heaved himself to his feet and slowly padded over. Gingerly grasping the paper in his claws, he broke the wax seal and unfolded it.
Winter's breath hitched as his eyes scanned the letter, his heart pounding as he realized who it was from.
Dear Winter,
Hey Igloo-Face! It’s been a little while, hasn’t it? Sorry for not writing more often, things have been incredibly busy since the whole “an entire second continent exists and is being taken over by a sentient plant” ordeal. Moon and I have been trying to help Queen Thorn out with relations with Pantala and provide support where we can with helping the SilkWings find their footing as an independent tribe. Hopefully, you and Riptide are having more success with Sanctuary because man , it is hard to get the SilkWing council to agree on anything. I’m half considering convincing them Moon really is the second coming of Clearsight so that they’ll listen to her, at the very least. Having them listen to what at least one dragon has to say would be a massive achievement.
If that sounds like a headache so massive that it gives the experience of listening to me for more than five minutes a run for its money, you’d be right! That’s precisely why I and Moon am going to be visiting Sanctuary for a break from it all. Moon especially needs a breather. I joked about it, but some Pantalan dragons seriously think that she’s Clearsight reincarnated and are constantly trying to worship the ground she walks on (which is my job, by the way). It’s starting to take a toll on her. Having the responsibility of being, y’know, the sequel to god is a lot of pressure to be suddenly shoved onto any one dragon.
If this letter arrives on time, we’ll be there in about three days. Plenty of time to prepare yourself mentally, am I right? I know I’m joking a bit, but I genuinely can’t wait to see you again, Winter. It’s been way too long since we got to just hang out without any world-ending scenario occurring in the middle of it. It’ll be like old times.
See you soon,
Qibli
Winter felt dizzy. He blinked multiple times, trying to figure out if he was still asleep and if this was a dream. They’re coming to visit… both of them. Winter took a deep breath and steadied himself, trying to slow his racing heartbeat.
It had been almost a year since the Othermind was defeated and Queen Jewel took the throne from Wasp. Winter hadn’t seen Qibli and Moon in person since shortly after they returned to Pyrrhia. Even then, they hadn’t stayed long. The two had hastily and vaguely explained to the IceWing what had happened on Pantala and then left before he could get a word in.
Before Winter could process any part of what they had told him, they just flew off, leaving the IceWing reeling. He remembered how he had sat on the outskirts of Sanctuary watching them wing away, his head spinning with confusion and worry. They were captured? Are they alright? Were they hurt? They said they were paralyzed with a toxin! They were almost mind-controlled? They attacked Queen Wasp herself? They had to fight the RainWing that went with them? I… I don’t understand… Wait, where are they going!? Hey! WAIT, COME BACK-
Winter squeezed his eyes shut to try and block out the memory. Despite his efforts, familiar feelings of hurt and anger swelled inside him. Did they not care how I felt? Could they not see how scared I was? Was I just an afterthought to them?
But then again, he wasn’t all that surprised. Who am I kidding? Of course I was. Why would they actually give any attention to me? Whenever I’m around, all I do is get in the way. Moon chose Qibli, and Qibli chose Moon, and all I have ever done is get in the way of that. They don’t actually care for me… not in that way, at least.
And yet, something about that thought wavered. They were coming to Sanctuary to see him . They could have gone anywhere in Pyrrhia for a break. They could’ve visited Jade Mountain Academy, they could’ve gone back to the Rainforest and visited Moon’s mother, they could’ve gone back to the Kingdom of Sand and visited Queen Thorn, they could’ve even just gone on a trip by themselves and enjoyed some alone time with each other. But, instead of doing any of that, they decided to go and see Winter .
There had to be some other reason, something he wasn’t seeing. Why in Imperial’s name were they coming to visit him? He was the one who treated Moon horribly, simply because she was a NightWing. He was the one who insulted Qibli for his impoverished upbringing. He was the one who yelled at Moon in the old Night Kingdom. He was the one who attacked Qibli with his ice breath, nearly crippling the SandWing’s arm.
Every horrible thing he had done to them. Every harsh word, every pompous sneer he directed towards them. Of course they chose each other in the end, why wouldn’t they? Qibli and Moon were perfect for each other. They didn’t need a hostile, depressed, and all-around pathetic IceWing in their lives.
But that one line from Qibli’s letter echoed in his mind.
I genuinely can’t wait to see you again, Winter.
The SandWing was a lot of things, but a liar wasn’t one of them.
Winter didn’t understand, but he knew one thing for certain: this endless roundabout of asking “why?” wasn’t getting him anywhere. The only thing he could do at the moment was wait.
They would be there soon. Winter was ecstatic, yet terrified at the same time.