Winter

[willysilver]

It wasn't warm but it was pleasant. The wind was light and the air crisp. Willy needed nothing to guard against the weather but knew mortals would look at him strangely if he did not wear a jacket. So he wore his leather with the buckles and studs that he was so fond of. It was punk as punk could be and was a signature look for him. He wore a black Blue Oyster Cult t-shirt, black jeans, black belt- his uniform, practically. The only color was his white forelock and the silver triple moon earring he wore that was so shiny it glinted in the merry light.

The London Eye was a popular destination. The sun was only just beginning to set and people clammored to ride the wheel to see the sunset over the Thames. Willy played not far from the queue. Tonight it was his violin that filled the air with music.

So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
Rock me mama, any way you feel
Ooh, ooh mama rock me...

He sang the original, not the newer country version. Willy was quite partial to the Old Crow Medicine Show's repertoire.

He was to meet Winter soon and they would spend the night together. Willy had promised the little one dinner and was thinking Indian food would be a delicious treat. On an autum night like this perhaps a pumpkin curry. He kept his eyes out for the pixie, unsure if he would have taken his potion or not.

Comments

[winter_wisp]

He'd called a cab and taken a potion- and though money was complicated (as was transport), he'd made his way to Willy at last.

He had dressed for the cooler weather, and he puled his sleeves down over his fingers as he wove through the crowd towards Willy. The fae had drawn a crowd as always, and Winter swayed to the music as he made his way closer.

[willysilver]

Willy could feel him. Practically taste him. Even with his magic greatly reduced under the influence of the potion he was still kin and Willy felt him. And he spied his lovely white hair through the crowd. When he finished the song he thanked everyone. charmed them intentionally to get as many tips as he could, then collected the notes and put his violin away.

"So good to see you, my friend," he said warmly. "Do you want to ride to the top or shall we search for dinner before things go back to the way they are?"

[winter_wisp]

Winter looked up at the wheel, tilting his head slightly, then shaking his head.

"No, Fae Willy. The next time I dance in the clouds, I want it to be because my wings have carried me there," he decided.

[willysilver]

"A decision I support," he smiled. "It will not be long. I am sure by spring when the sun once again warms us you will have such strength. Come then, we will dine on pumpkin and lager."

[winter_wisp]

Winter smiled brightly at that, nodding and taking the fae's hand without a second thought.

He found that lately he craved contact- but had few people he trusted enough to seek it from.

[willysilver]

Willy gladly held his hand, his violin case hanging from the other. He thought nothing of the contact- he was often quite physical and not only with Fin. It was simply natural to touch and be touched. And that Winter was kin only made it all the more normal. Fae had different customs.

"My bike is in the car park. We shall ride to the restaurant," he said.

[winter_wisp]

"Your bike growls like the Cheshire when he is hunting his dinner- It makes me uneasy," Winter confessed, looking a bit nervous as he spoke. "I would be happier on horseback I think."

[willysilver]

Willy laughed outright at that. "Oh, my friend, there have not been horses in London for transportation in many, many years," he said. "If you are to survive in the modern world you will have to accept some machines. Some you can avoid- I never use the tube and I do not even particularly like cabs. At least on the bike the air is fresh. I can charm the sound of it if you like."

[winter_wisp]

"No, it's alright- I will ride your metal horse. I hope it doesn't bite though. ...A metal horse ate my uncle you know. Swallowed him whole," Winter chirped, oblivious to the curious glances he drew as he walked along at Willy's side.

[willysilver]

"Your uncle came to the mortal world?" he asked, then his brow furrowed. "Or did one get into the fae realms?"

Such a thing was uncommon, but not impossible. Mortals had been crossing the veil since time immemorial.

[winter_wisp]

"He went to the Wizard Village where one had been brought through," Winter said, shaking his head sadly. "It was a tragic loss."

[willysilver]

"That really is quite terrible. I am sad for your family," Willy said. "But it is not the same for all things.With me you are perfectly safe, Winter Wisp. In all things with me you are perfectly safe."

[winter_wisp]

"Of course I am. You are my keeper now, fae Willy," Winter said, smiling- then looking upset.

"Oh no. Not fae Willy. Keeper Willy," he realized with a gasp. "How rude of me."

[willysilver]

"You may simply call me Willy if you like, my friend. I gave up titles when I chose to leave the Seelie lands," he said gently. "Only if you are comfortable with that. Otherwise I will accept Friend. To call me keeper suggests I control you...and you are free."

[winter_wisp]

Winter looked uncertain for a long moment, then wet his lips as he nodded.

"Alright," he agreed quietly. "...Thank you, Willy."

[willysilver]

"I understand that you have been through so many changes, and so quickly," Willy said, pulling the pixie to a stop. He looked down into Winter's eyes and smiled. "Freedom will make sense eventually. One day your captivity with Aspid will only be a bad memory."

[winter_wisp]

"I know," Winter said softly. "It is simply hard to adjust to the mortal realm. Everything is so strange and complex here."

[willysilver]

"Would you prefer to live in the fae realm? I could set up a home for you, though I could not be with you," he said. In truth, he could. He was not banished. But he hated it there and his love was in London. He could not leave Fin.

[winter_wisp]

"No, Willy. I don't want to be alone," Winter said quietly, holding on tighter to the fae's hand as he shook his head.

[willysilver]

"Then you shall stay with me," Willy replied, his voice warm and airy. He squeezed Winter's hand briefly, then let it go so he could embrace him with one arm. "We are fast friends, are we not? Fear not, little one. I will not abandon you."

[winter_wisp]

Had winter been small, he'd have been glowing brighter than all the street lamps in London combined. As he was, however, he simply smiled and leaned into Willy's embrace.

"You are so kind to me, Fae Willy."

[willysilver]

"It has been many years...too many years...since I had any of my kin to call friend. You know how our kind feel about the mortal world. The closest I have is Brown Meg, surly Brownie that she is. I don't know she would call me friend."

He headed for his bike again.

"You remind me of times long past. you remind me of my fae life," he smiled. "For that, I am grateful."

[winter_wisp]

Winter made a soft chirping sound as he huddled close to Willy, warmed by the fae's touch and embrace.

"I am grateful also. I feared I would die in that cage. Aspid told me once that before he died he would make me tall all the time, with my wings and all, but I never believed him. I knew him to be stubborn and proud. He wouldn't know death was taking him until he was gone, and I would surely die as well, left helpless in my prison."

[willysilver]

Willy shuddered at the thought of that. What an awful way for a faerie to die, alone and trapped, withering to nothing. It was horrifying.

"Let us think no more on it," he said softly. "You are safe now. Secure with me. And soon you will be fat and full. Come," he said, easing away from Winter and onto his bike.

[winter_wisp]

Winter followed along, looking uneasy at first, but eventually climbing onto the metal horse.

"Do not go too fast, Fae Willy," he said quietly.