Work Text:
Full Moon, Empty Glass
"Okay, fine," Winter admitted with a sigh, "You were right. This does taste pretty good."
The half-eaten lizard-on-a-stick wasn't exactly what he'd call "ideal" food. The flavor was a weird blend of spices very foreign to Winter's delicate Icewing taste buds, and the meat itself was a rough and stringy texture that was far different than the delicious seal meat and blubber he'd grown up eating. But even so, it was good enough that he'd probably eat another before the night was over.
"Ha!" Qibli beamed in triumph, "Told you all he'd like it. Peril, you owe me three coppers!"
The Skywing in question grumbled and rolled her eyes. She poked Turtle, who was sitting next to her on account of him being the only dragon who could be that close without becoming cinders, with a talon. "Pay him when we get back to school." She instructed.
"Me?" he yelped, "Why me? You're the one who made the bet!"
"And you're the one with the coins. I think he want's money, not a puddle of metal."
"That would be preferable," Qibli nodded, then glanced back to the snack in Winter's claws. "I do have to say that this recipe isn't as good as the one Thorn herself would sometimes cook back in the Scorpion Den. I wish that I would have had time to grab a few when we were there."
"Yes, well, it wasn't exactly like we were there for a pleasure trip," Winter snorted, the memory of him being mind-controlled during much of that time still a sore subject. "We almost died more than once. I still can't believe that between your grandfather and that worm of a Nightwing that—"
"Hey, calm down, Sparkles!" Kinkajou cut in with a giggle as she used her most irritating nickname for him, "This is a party, not a brooding session."
Winter rolled his eyes, but didn't give a retort like he probably would have in most instances. She was right, after all. With Darkstalker taken care of and their lives going back to the monotony of school and homework without much time to even process it, they'd needed to find a time to get away again. So when Qibli had suggested renting out a little recreation room in the back of a tavern in Clarity—the nearby town a short flight from the academy—everyone in the Winglet had been all for it. Kinkajou had been quick to label the event the "Save the World Party", but for Winter it felt more like a chance to finally relax with his friends again.
Or at least, one friend, his mind added, eyes flittering to the dragoness that sat next to him. Moonwatcher had a smile on her face as she munched on a lizard-on-a-stick of her own, her other claw holding a large cup full of punch. As she finished the snack, she took a large gulp of the liquid.
"Oh, this is good, too," she complimented Qibli as she set her glass down, "I love the orange flavor. I don't think I've ever had something like this before."
"Thank you!" the Sandwing beamed, "I whipped that up myself. It's a little recipe I learned in the Outclaws. It was one of the most popular cocktails at our festivities."
"Cocktail, huh? Well I can definitely see why," Moon grinned. She gulped down the rest of her drink before standing up to get another.
Winter shook his head before taking another bite of his lizard. He hadn't thought that Moon would be particularly interested in cocktails or other alcoholic drinks, but he wouldn't judge her too much. Not all tribes were as reserved as Icewings when it came to that vice, and as a prince (or even ex-prince) he had a duty to avoid any sort of public inebriation.
"Oh, Winter, I've been meaning to ask," Turtle piped up as Moon returned with a fill cup, "Have you heard anything back from Snowfall on your appeal?"
"Not yet," Winter shook his head, "I don't expect to hear anything for some time. There's still a lot of political chaos going on as she assembles her council and secures authority after Queen Glaicer's death. Until all that gets taken care of, I don't think she's going to worry about me."
"It still seems stupid," Kinkajou huffed, her scales growing a shade of red, "You saved your brother from certain death and freed Foeslayer from an unfair prison, and suddenly you're the bad dragon? You should let me talk to your so-called 'Queen' so I can give her a piece of my mind! She ought to get the same treatment Glory gave Scarlet, if you ask me."
Winter grinned, both at the mental image of Kinkajou trying to make any sort of argument in an Icewing court as well as the touching sentiment that she absolutely would. "I appreciate it," he told her, "But it's really no issue, Kinkajou. Exile for me was the smart move for her in the moment, and she can change her mind once doing so won't cause major backlash. But even if she doesn't…well…I guess I'm glad that I can be here with you guys."
"Awwww," Kinkajou cooed while Qibli smirked.
"Finally," the sandsnorter chortled, "You admit it. I knew we'd rub off on you eventually."
"Yeah, yeah," Winter waved a talon dismissively, "You're not as awful as I used to think. Don't make too much of it."
"Oh, I most certainly will," Qibli said, and Winter responded by throwing the stick part of his lizard-on-a-stick at him.
Beside him, Moon took another few gulps of her refilled drink before setting it down and smiling sheepishly. "Winter," she began, immediately drawing his attention away from Qibli. His sky-blue eyes met her beautiful emerald ones as her tail curled around herself, "I'm glad that…err…I mean, I think I speak for everyone when I say we're all glad that you're here, too."
That had come very close to not happening. After Darkstalker and his exile, he'd almost left Jade Mountain to pave his own way. But he hadn't, instead choosing to stay with the dragons that had befriended him (no matter how reluctant that friendship had been on his end at first). Right now, looking at her and in a room with all his other friends, he was very happy with his decision.
"I agree with Moon and Kinkajou," Turtle piped up, "The Ice Kingdom's loss is our gain, for sure."
"Yeah," Peril nodded as she snorted a puff of smoke. "Screw those Icewings. I hope all their snow melts."
"Gonna make that happen yourself?" Qibli asked with a snicker.
Peril swished her tail, nearly catching a leg of the table and setting it aflame. They were lucky the tavern had a stone floor and that the owner never saw Peril to ask if she had firescales, or else they probably would have gotten kicked out.
"Maybe I should," she hummed, "Serves them right."
"Serves some of them," Winter tried to correct, "I mean, Hailstorm's still there, and there are other good dragons."
"Then I'll just melt most of the snow," Peril said with a degree of satisfaction, "How's that? Only go after the idiots that would get rid of you."
"It sounds good to me!" Kinkajou opined with an out-of-place cheeriness, "Screw them. Melt their snow!"
"That would make more desert," Qibli said thoughtfully, "Screw 'em. Melt the snow."
Turtle hesitated, then joined in with his own, "Screw them. Melt their snow."
Even Moonwatcher, the last dragon that Winter would imagine to say something like that, grinned as the others spoke. She took another drink from her cup, draining it completely before giving Winter an oddly smug and confident look. "Screw. Them. They don't deserve you anyway."
"Melt their snow?" Kinkajou prompted.
"Oh yeah. Melt all their snow," Moon said.
That left only one dragon left: Winter. He was hesitant to say anything against his tribe. Growing up, it was practically heresy to even infer Icewings were anything less than perfect. But between his recent experiences and the expectant looks on the faces of his friends, he couldn't help but crack a grin. "To the Moons with it," he shook his head, "Screw them. Melt their snow."
"Melt their snow!" the other's cheered. Those that had cups lifted them up like a toast as they burst out laughing. Winter joined them, unable to resist the infectious mirth.
Three Moons that felt…good. Winter had never said something like that out loud before, something so opposed to the perfect Icewing nature. But since they'd turned his back on him, it felt only right that he should return the favor, even if only in jest among friends.
"Awww, I'm out again." Moon said, flipping her empty cup upside down. The others who'd raised a toast had all taken sips, but Moon's was already drained. "I'm going to get a refill. Want any, Winter?"
"I'm fine, thanks," he told her as she rose to get more of the punch. But feeling a little peckish, he stood himself to get another one of Qibli's cooked lizards from the refreshment table they'd set up. The Sandwing saw it on his plate along with some other snacks and grinned knowingly. Winter responded with a roll of his eyes.
"While we're on the topic of familial fallout," Turtle said as Winter sat back down, the Seawing turning to Qibli, "Did you ever hear anything on Vulture? I know that I wasn't around while you and Winter dealt with that whole situation, but from what you told us about it I find it odd that he just kind of vanished."
"It is odd. And concerning." Qibli nodded. "Thorn has scouts out scouring the desert for him and is working with the other queens as well, but that's about all I know other than how his compound got raided and the Talons of Power are pretty much disbanded. Hopefully that means he cut his losses and fled the continent, but knowing my grandfather he's probably plotting something."
"If you find out he is, let me know," Winter told him, "I wouldn't mind freezing his face off. I still haven't forgotten what he was going to do with those scavengers."
"Me too," Peril piped in, "Not the scavengers. I could care less about those. But for the face freezing, or in my case, face melting." She paused, "I mean that I want to burn him."
"Yes, we gathered that," Turtle chuckled.
"Oooh, I can melt his face, too!" Kinkajou exclaimed, flashing her fangs, "Although I guess might be a little hypocritical considering…well…"
Winter winced at the unspoken word. Considering Darkstalker. His friends still hadn't completely filled him in on what had happened with the terrible animus, only assuring him that he was defeated and would never return. It hurt more than a little that they didn't fully trust him, but if he was completely honest with himself it was hard to blame them. He hadn't exactly acted in a way that deserved their full trust back them.
"Yeah…" Qibli swished his tail, glancing nervously at Winter, "But still, thank you. Hopefully it will never come to that."
"If I ever have a vision about it, I'll let you know," Moon offered, "I haven't had anything yet, though. Not since the 'fire and ice' and all that."
"Good," Peril said flatly, "I'd prefer not having to help save the world for a third time."
"Mmm-hmmm," Moon hummed in agreement before shifting uncomfortably. She glanced upwards and frowned before taking a large gulp from her drink.
Winter tilted his head back and forth. "Save the world, no thanks. But school can be pretty boring. I just wish that we'd have a excit—Moon?"
He cut himself off at the sudden feel of warm scales pressing themselves against his side, nearly making him jump up on alarm. She'd scooted over and basically fallen into him, and at his words she perked back up and looked almost as startled as he was. Her eyes blinked, unfocused for a minute before she shook her head.
"Oh, sorry, I…sorry, Winter," she stammered, "I just…it's really warm in here, isn't it? Or is it just me?"
"It feels fine to me," Turtle said.
"Oh," Moon blinked again, "Maybe I just need another drink to cool down. I don't know what came over me."
"Haven't you already had three?" Qibli asked.
"Yeah, but it's really good," Moon said as she made her way back to the punch bowl. She refilled her cup and took a large sip before topping it off again. "Sorry, Winter. What was it you were saying?"
"Just that school can be boring, and I sometimes miss the excitement," he told her, eyeing her with a little concern now, "Not that I want to go through all that again, but classes and classwork feel sort of inconsequential compared to what we did before."
"I know what you mean," Turtle agreed, "For a while it felt like we were characters in some sort of epic scroll. Now we're just normal students again."
Qibli gave a knowing nod of his head. "I feel that. I almost left Jade Mountain after everything that happened. I didn't tell you all, but it was a struggle to decide whether or not to stay or go back and help Thorn. It wasn't an easy choice at that the time, but obviously I decided to stay, just like Prince Sparkles over there." He gestured to Winter with a grin as he used Kinkajou's annoying nickname.
"You little sandsnorter," Winter grumbled in a half-hearted threat, "I ought to—"
"You are sparkly, aren't you?" Moon cut him off, looking at him with her head half-tilted, "Like if the night sky were white instead of black. I've always thought you were pretty to look at, you know?"
Winter stared at her, confusion etched across his face. He was torn between excitement and bewilderment at hearing Moonwatcher say that about him in such an unprompted way, and in front of everyone else. But the way she was smiling at him made his heart flutter. "You…you have?" he asked.
"Uh-huh," she said, then leaned in a little closer, her voice lowering as if revealing a grand secret, "And you're spiky, too." Before he could stop her, she reached out and poked one of his many pointy spines along his back. "Huh, they aren't as sharp as I thought they'd be."
Qibli snorted in amusement and Winter shot him a look. "Yes, well, they aren't supposed to be lethal unless I try to use them to be," he told Moon, "Any particular reason that you wanted to test them?"
"Just curious," she said in a Kinkajou-like sing-song voice, "I don't think I've ever touched them before."
Then why would you touch them now? Winter wondered to himself. But as she settled back down in satisfaction he tried to put it out of his mind. They were supposed to be relaxing and having a party, after all. It was probably just a good sign that she was growing more comfortable around him.
"So, uh, what about Anemone?" he asked, trying to bring the conversation back to the 'familial fallout,' as Turtle had put it, "How has she taken everything?"
Turtle shrugged his wings. "She's been very apologetic over everything, and is really just glad that she didn't actually hurt anyone. She told me that—"
"I don't like Anenememone," Moon said, stumbling over the Seawing's name, her words somewhat slurred, "She hit me with a mop! A mop! You wouldn't hit me with a mop, would you, Winter?" She reached out and clung to his arm as she said that, and Winter stiffened back up. He glanced down to the empty cup in front of her—her fourth of the night—and his mind made the connection that the other's had already put together, judging by their snickers.
"Moon…are you drunk?"
She pulled away from him, looking shocked at the suggestion. "What? No! I haven't had anything."
"You've been drinking that punch all night," Qibli pointed out.
"Punch, yeah," Moon nodded, her heading going further up and down than could be considered normal. "You said it was a cocktail."
"Moon," Winter said gingerly, "Cocktails have alcohol."
Her eyes widened in shock. She looked down at her glass. "What?"
"It's a type of alcoholic drink," Qibli snickered, nearly bursting out in full laughter, "Three Moons, did you really not know?"
"I didn't…I never…" she stammered, still looking down at the cup.
Why should she have? Winter wondered to himself, realizing her situation. Being raised in isolation in the Rainforest, she probably had barely even heard about alcohol, let alone any of the drinks that contain it. It would have had to be a very specific conversation that she'd need to have or overhear to learn about it, and she simply hadn't been around other dragons that long. It would be the same as if he were expected to know every fruit in the Rainforest on his first day at Jade Mountain. There simply wasn't any reason for him to.
"Oh, this could be fun!" Kinkajou exclaimed, "I always wondered what you'd be like drunk. Can you still mind read? Oh, can you still read read? Does anyone have a scroll that she can—"
"Kinkajou!" Turtle admonished her, "Don't tease her. She didn't mean for this."
"It might be funny to mess with her, though," Peril observed, but when Turtle shot her a glare she raised a claw with her palm flat in surrender. "Kidding, kidding."
Moon tilted a little unsteadily, even though she was sitting. "I don't feel too different." she said, then gave a loud hic. "Okay. Maybe a little, teensy bit. Sorry, guys."
"Don't worry about it," Qibli said, although he was still chortling from the scene, "You just relax and don't pay it any mind."
"Oh. Okay. I can do that." She gave a bold face one that slipped away almost immediately as she looked at Winter. "I still feel pretty hot, though."
"Join the club," Peril said wryly.
"Not like that," Moon pouted, "More like…like…like a too hot and too sunny day." Her tail snaked over and wrapped around Winter's before he could react. "Ooooh. But that feels good. Sparkly and comfy." She giggled like she'd made a particularly funny joke.
It does feel good, Winter thought to himself, but he did his best to untangle his tail from hers. She responded by only tightening her grip, and act which caused butterflies to flutter in his stomach. She's not in her right mind, Winter tried to remind himself, trying not to think too much of her actions, She doesn't mean anything by it.
"So, umm, about Anemone," Winter tried again, bringing the conversation back around, "What were you going to say about her?"
There was silence for a moment, everyone else looking at him and Moon with expressions far-too-knowing for comfort. Then Turtle coughed and nodded. "Oh, yes. That. She just, uhh, was pretty remorseful, that's all. And she wants to make it up to us all sometime."
"Good," Qibli said, "I actually have a few ideas for that."
"No animus magic," Turtle warned.
The Sandwing rolled his eyes. "Don't worry, Turtle. I learned my lesson on that with the sandstorm. But there are other ways she can make up for her actions."
"Oh! Oh! I have some too," Kinkajou piped in, "She's a princess, right? So maybe she could make us all, like, honorary nobles in the Sea Kingdom. Or she could get us all pet crabs or turtles or something. Wouldn't that be awesome?"
Winter rolled his eyes at the Rainwing's suggestions. "I don't think any of us want a pet turtle, Kinkajou," he told her.
"Yeah!" Moon agreed enthusiastically. "Turtle is a dragon. He shouldn't be anyone's pet!" She waved a floppy claw vaguely in the direction of the Seawing prince.
"Welp, Moon's officially lost it," Peril observed a moment later, smirking at the Nightwing. Moon's eyes widened.
"Lost? What did I lose?" She rose to unsteady claws and frantically began to look around her.
"You didn't lose anything, Moon," Winter tried to tell her, but before he could finish the sentence she tripped over both of their tails and nearly toppled. Acting quickly, Winter reached out and steadied her before she could collapse, gently returning her to a seated position. She melted into his touch, and as he tried to let her go she sunk against his side, her weight pressed into him. He tried to pull away, but she went almost limp, his body supporting hers. And in that moment, Winter had no idea how he was supposed to proceed.
The face he made must have been priceless, because he heard Qibli snickering loudly from across the table. Winter shot him a glare only to be met with the sandsnorter's signature smirk. He decided to try to ignore him.
"Moon," he tried instead, "What are you doing."
"So cold…so nice. Like the good side of a pillow," she murmured, gently rubbing herself against him. "Can I just…sit here? Just for a minute."
As long as you want, was the first thought that popped into his head, and were he not in the presence of other dragons he might have even said it aloud. He'd fantasized about the two of them being in a position not too unlike this many times, after all. She's just drunk, he tried to remind himself again as he nodded, She doesn't really mean it.
"Mmmm. Thanks." She purred, cozying up enough that she basically put herself under his wing, using it as a blanket without him even lifting it.
The warmth of her scales brought a pleasant shudder down his spine, and he resisted the urge to curl into her in turn. Instead, he tried his best to ignore the drunk Nightwing, hoping that her current actions would pass (even if he didn't want them to). He looked back to the faces of his friends and attempted again to have the topic be anything else than what Moonwatcher was doing.
"So, Qibli, what were your ideas for AnemoNE!" he yelped the last syllable in an shamefully high-pitched voice. Moon had raised a claw and was gently caressing his chest, rubbing her paw against him like she was trying to feel his heartbeat. "Moon!"
"Soft," she said simply, "Nice. Like your mind."
He glanced desperately towards the others for help, but was met merely with Qibli's smug and amused face. Winter could practically see the future teasing in his future. Three Moons, I'm never going to hear the end of this, am I?
"Moon, you aren't feeling right," he said as calmly as he could. Three Moons, she went from normal to completely wasted in no time flat. He wondered if she had ever even had a single drink before, let alone half a bowl of punch, "I think you may need to just lay down."
"I don't…hic…I dunna think so," she mumbled, "This feels better. You feel better." She moved to nestle her head under his chin, and he moved his head away. His heart hammered in his chest, his mind a teetering between I want I want I want, and the cautionary She's drunk, she doesn't actually want this.
"Please, Moon. You don't—"
Then she leaned in close and licked his cheek. Her tongue was warm and surprisingly soft, and if it weren't for the alcohol on her breath it might have been an exceptionally touching moment. As it was, it almost stopped Winter's heart altogether as he stared at her in shock.
"Hehe," she giggled loopily, "I always wanted to do that. Your scales taste good."
She doesn't want—wait, did she say "always"? His internal fight paused as he registered that word as did his efforts to keep her away.
"Aww, you're so cute when you're flustered," Moon giggled again, and he heard the chortles of the rest of his friends as well. He tried to turn and tell them to shut up, but he couldn't quite look away from her beautiful eyes that looked into his—even if they weren't quite as clear and focused as normal.
His tail twitched, heart and mind warring as he tried to search her face for answers. "You're drunk," he reminded her.
"And you're dense," she retorted without venom, rubbing herself against him once more, drinking in the cold of his scales, "C'mon, Winter. You can tell me how you feel."
His eyes widened, "I don't—"
"I'm a mimbeeder, remember. Mindreeeminer? Mindwea—you know what I am," she gave up on the failed pronunciation and twirled a talon in the air, "And you aren't nearly as subtle as you try to act like you are."
Winter's mouth hung open for a moment, then snapped shut without saying anything. Moon gave another drunken giggle as he heard his other Clawmates murmerring. Why does this have to be in front of them?
"Look, Moon, I admit that I really like you but this isn't the time for—"
"Like like, or loooooooooove?" she asked, drawing out the word far longer than would ever be necessary under any circumstance.
"Ooh!" Kinkajou squealed from elsewhere in the room, "Winter? Moon? Oh, I knew it!"
"It wasn't exactly hard to see," Peril commented dryly before Turtle shushed them both up. Winter would have to thank him for that later.
But for now he could only melt before Moon in the same way she had melted against him, her eyes fluttering in a cute and almost needy way as she looked at him expectantly. Yes! His mind screamed, urging him to act, to embrace her, to answer as honestly and truthfully as he could. But here? Now? And with her like this? She probably wouldn't even remember what he said when she woke up in the morning.
But he couldn't bring himself to lie, at least not completely. "I do, Moon," he told her, "But—"
"No buts!" she pressed a talon to his snout. "I've been waiting on you for long enough, Sparkles." Winter couldn't even bring himself to cringe at the nickname.
"Moon…"
"Winter," she said his name back, smiling up at him, "It's okay. I've been waiting because I've been wanting you to."
"But you're—"
"Drunk?" she cut him off, "Maybe that's a good thing, if it got you to say that. And if it lets me say that…that…" she shifted a little unsteadily, taking in a deep breath, "That I feel the same."
Winter's heart leapt in his chest at her admission, excitement only dulled a little by the state she was in. "You really mean it?"
She nodded, silver teardrop scales shining brightly. "Uh-huh." And unbidden by him, she began to lean in her face closing the gap between them. And unable to resist the dragoness that he had fallen for a long time ago, Winter closed his eyes and leaned forward as well.
…Only for Moon to suddenly give a loud HURK, eyes crossing for a moment before her cheeks puffed out. Winter didn't even have a moment to jump out of the way before what was once four glasses of punch and a couple of cooked lizards were emptied out of her stomach and onto the floor between them.
"Moon!" all of their friends cried at once, rising to their claws and rushing towards her, Qibli gently guiding her back from the mess as Turtle went immediately to the cleanup. Winter had gotten a good deal of backsplash from being so close to her, and he wiped it away with some disgust as Turtle offered him a clawful of napkins.
"Sssooorry. I'm soooo, so swooorry," Moonwatcher was mumbling, words now slurring in earnest as if her confession had used up the last of her strength. Her face and wings were droopy, and she swung unsteadily on her talons.
"No worries, no worries," Qibli was assuring her, "Not all dragons can hold their liquor. We should have seen that coming."
"Although we'll have to remember not to let you anywhere near drink again," Peril grunted under her breath as she watched Turtle awkwardly trying to clean up Moon's mess.
"I'll…uh…I'll talk to the tavern owner and see if he has a mop or something," Qibli proposed, taking a step back, although Moonwatcher began to fall the second he let go of her. "Winter, could you…?"
"I got it," Winter said, stepping next to Moon and steadying her. She immediately began to lean into him again. His scales sullied and the moment from before ruined, Winter felt like he should be furious but…he wasn't. He wasn't exactly sure how he felt, if he was honest.
He wanted to believe that Moon's words were genuine, that she meant what she said. Alcohol didn't magically make dragons liars, after all. But it did affect them. The only question was how much.
One thing was for sure, he was going to have an interesting conversation with Moon as soon as she was sober again.
"W—Winter," she stammered his name, "C—can you take me home, please? I want to go back to my room, now."
For a moment, he wasn't sure if he should leave the mess to the others, but with the state Moon was in, it didn't take long for him to decide. He wrapped his tail around hers and squeezed it. "Yeah, Moon. Let's get you home."