Chapter Text
Winter has always been known for getting a little in over his head, for never backing down from a challenge, even if he knew he would lose. He was stubborn, a little arrogant, and very prideful. Never wanted to seem weak or scared. Back home, showing such perceived weaknesses got him punished and ostracized, so he learned and adapted. A real IceWing never backed down from a challenge, never admitted they were scared (or admitted to any other 'weak' feelings). Winter got really good at building icy walls around his heart and steel cages around his nerves. He often thought wryly to himself that he could be an actor with the show he put on for his family and his kingdom, the show he continued to put on to this day. Why am I still like this? I don't have anything to prove to anyone anymore. Is this who I've really become? He shuddered at the thought. I don't want this to be me anymore. I can drop the act, I'm safe now. I'm far, far away from the Ice Kingdom. I have friends and people who care about me, more than anyone in my life before ever did.
Maybe it was because Qibli knew it was all a facade from the beginning, that Qibli knew exactly what buttons to push to get a rise out of him. That he was infuriatingly smart, brave, and loyal. He wasn't afraid to stand up for what he believed in. He was loud-mouthed, confident, and bright. He radiated warmth and energy; heat practically crackled under his skin like lightning. He held the sun in his palms and supernovas in his eyes. Even after everything he had been through, he glowed like a sunbeam. Maybe Winter was jealous (although he'd never admit it out loud). Maybe Winter felt like he had a point to prove. Maybe... Qibli was everything Winter wished he could be. I used to hate him for that, but now, it's what draws me to him. It's what makes me love being around him, talking to him. Oh, how the Ice Kingdom would hate to see Winter now, locked in a losing bet about a kiss.
The first day passed without Winter breaking a sweat. Qibli practically curled up in Winter's lap like a dog begging for attention, but Winter simply lifted his chin and refused to give in. Then, on the second day, Qibli flashed his dimples every chance he got. He smiled a wide, ridiculous grin, stretching his mouth as far as it could go. Winter called him an eyesore out loud (but cute in his head).
The third day, Qibli brought Winter breakfast in bed and asked for a 'tip', to which Winter took the food and replied with "You're still not getting a kiss". Qibli shrugged his shoulders and when back over to his bed, and completely unprompted, began to undress. He pulled his shirt off over his head and tossed it to the side, and Winter audibly, involuntarily gasped, inhaling a bite of food and proceeding to choke. He coughed and spluttered as tears filled his eyes and he reached for the mug of cool water Qibli had brought with the food, taking small sips to relieve the feeling in his throat.
"Made you choke?" Qibli said, his bare back to Winter as he rummaged through his bag. Asshole isn't even bothering to look back.
"No, it was the food, you dick."
"And it just so happened to coincide with me taking my shirt off, right?"
"Yes, precisely."
"Whatever you say." Qibli's back was still turned, and Winter couldn't see his face, but he knew that jerk was smiling.
"Just so you know, taking your shirt off isn't going to make me kiss you. In fact, it's going to make me want to punch you in the face," Winter said curtly as he stabbed his fork into a sausage patty.
"From how badly you want to kiss me?"
"You're insufferable, you know that?"
"I try my best," Qibli said, turning his head and flashing a dimple at Winter. Winter felt heat rise under his skin and took a breath, forcing himself to remain calm.
"May I remind you that it's been three days and you still haven't gotten me to kiss you?" Winter pointed out. "You're not doing so good, Qibli. Tsk tsk. I thought you'd be better than this."
"Oh, don't worry, this is all part of a bigger plan. You haven't seen nothing."
"Anything, Qibli. The word you're looking for is 'anything'."
"Grammatically speaking, yes, that would be the correct word. However, language shifts and words and phrases can change and take upon new meanings over time. Sometimes, slang can also convey feelings and meanings that the 'grammatically correct' usage of the language cannot. For example, what I just said. 'You haven't seen nothing' evokes a much different feeling than 'You haven't seen anything', would you agree?" Qibli said as he turned around and began walking back and forth in between their beds, not much different to how a professor would pace back and forth in front of a chalkboard while lecturing.
"I would agree, it actually evokes the feeling of wanting to punch you in the face."
"To buy my silence, your fee is one kiss." Qibli tilted his head, his curls flopping gently over to the side.
In response to this, Winter reached into his bag and retrieved his phone and earbuds. Without breaking eye contact, he popped an earbud in each ear, then arched an eyebrow as if to say 'what now?'.
Qibli rolled his eyes and quirked up one side of his mouth. He pulled a shirt from his bag and finally put it on. The knot in Winter's stomach settled and he felt like he could breathe properly again. "You have until tomorrow night, Qibli, or you lose the bet."
"Trust me, I won't be the one losing," Qibli said with a slight laugh, folding his arms over his chest.
Winter scoffed. "I don't lose." Liar.