The Seasons

Chapter 43

Despite his harsh words, Aether was at Winter’s studio bright and early with a bright smile. He looked refreshed, his long black hair flowing behind him, wearing a sage green crop top with a little seashell in the corner today, white high-waisted shorts revealing his long, toned legs and some sandals. On the other hand, Winter had just rolled off the couch in the same clothes from yesterday, some loose boxers and socks, his hair a mess and eyes red. He groaned a little as he rubbed his head.

He stared at Aether through squinted eyes as he opened the door further and let the merman in. “Don’t say anything,” he groaned. “I have a bitching headache.”

“You are hungover.”

“Of course, I’m hungover. I had a bottle of moonshine and two bottles of vodka. If I were human, I would be dead.”

Winter went up the stairs to his loft bed and changed. He wore a white button-down which he left open and some shorts. He grabbed his sunglasses and ushered Aeher out.

The two walked silently down the road, with Winter groaning about the sun under his breath. Of course, it had to be so bright. It hurt his eyes when he was fine, and being hungover, it was good he had a couple of pairs of sunglasses. He didn’t miss how the people stared at Aether, who was oblivious to the stares of lust on everyone’s faces.

Winter shrank in on himself as he kept his eyes on the ground. Which, in hindsight, was a pretty bad idea to do on a crowded street. He bumped into someone, and Aether’s hand shot out to steady him. Winter was having a s**t day, and this had ruined it, so before he could start at the person. He noticed them staring at Aether in awe. The merman in question smiled politely at the man.

“I’m sorry,” he replied. “He’s hungover, and I took him outside. I know that’s not a good enough reason, but he’ll watch where he’s going.”

The man nodded slowly as he exited whatever trance he had been in. “That’s fine,” he said, clearing his throat. Winter stared at him, and he realised this man was human and somewhat attractive. He had short dark hair, a nose ring, green eyes, and was taller than Winter. “Just look after your brother.”

Winter scowled, but Aether nudged him as he continued smiling. “I’m sorry, you’re mistaken; he’s not my brother; he’s my friend.”

“Oh,” he said, his eyebrows raised. “Do you have a lover?”

Aether smiled, looked down at Winter and then back at the human. “I do not.”

Winter stared at Aether and then at the human, but he exhaled. Right. This was the right thing to do. Winter held no feelings for Aether, and despite the merman's insistence, his feelings would not change, and Winter did not believe him. And this was good; maybe they would end up being lovers, and he would leave him alone.

But as he stared at the two of them talking, he couldn’t shake off the twinge of jealousy. So, without really thinking, he grabbed Aether’s hand, and he and the man both turned to look at him. He saw Aether’s black eyes widen before a soft smile danced across his face. When Winter tried to let go, Aether held on tight.

“I’m sorry,” he said, turning to look at the man. “We must go; it was lovely meeting you, Ryan.”

“You too, bye,” Ryan said as he walked off.

Winter tried to shake off Aether’s hand, who finally let him go. “He was lovely, don’t you think?” Aether asked as they walked towards The Seasons.

“I don’t know.”

When they arrived at the store, they spotted Blue sitting in a booth away from everyone; he went to the counter where Wing and Summer were. He frowned as he stared at Summer. “Aren’t you meant to have a day off?”

“He’s avoiding Autumn,” Wing replied, snorting as he finished serving a customer and began making their drink.

“Oh, yeah, how’s it going with that?” he asked.

Summer stared at him blankly. “I’m fine,” he said; Winter snorted, but then he stopped when he realised Summer was being serious.

“There’s no way you’re fine,” he replied, and Summer shrugged.

“I got over him.”

Wing smiled as he placed a drink on the counter. “Large mocha with a shot of espresso and caramel.” A blonde lady smiled at them as she took the drink, put a tip in the jar and left.

“What’s with the glasses?” Wing asked as he cleaned the used mugs.

“I’m hungover.”

“Right,” he replied. “When are you not?”

The door chimed as someone walked in, and Wing lit up. “Cairo,” he said, smiling as Cairo walked over in the most hideous Hawaiian-themed shirt he had ever seen. It was neon orange with neon pink palm trees. Wing snorted when he saw the shirt. “I can’t believe you actually wore it.”

“I felt terrible not wearing it, as how did you put it? The first thing you bought from your paycheck was a gift for me.”

“Wing, could you not have chosen something more appealing to the eye?” Aether asked with a slight frown.

"I got it because it was hideous. I didn't think Cairo would actually wear it."

Winter’s eyes landed on Blue, and as Wing, Summer, Cairo, and Aether talked, he slipped over to them. They looked up as he slid into the space beside them. Blue’s long blonde hair was tied in a messy bun with loose strands tucked behind it. “Winter,” they said, smiling as they peeled their eyes away from Cairo and Summer. “How can I help?”

“Hey, how come you’re here?”

“Everyone in this family under the age of sixteen is at my house right now, and I needed to work on this, and I couldn’t entirely focus with all the screaming, crying and laughing.”

“Ah, who was crying?”

“Warren.”

Winter snorted but nodded. “I wanted to ask you, is it possible to have a mate who is not your species?”

“Are you talking, lover or mate?”

“Mate. I’m sure you know by now by the f*****g shadow I have hovering over me, but Aether reacted to the pheromones of my heat.”

“I know it is possible; I’ve heard of it happening a few times.”

“Do you know how I can break it?”

~*~