Chapter Text
When the snow started to fall, Charles waited silently in front of the cottage for Winter to arrive. He wore the coat Max had given to him, but he was still cold in the icy wind.
When Winter still did not arrive, Charles got impatient and headed off into the woods. The snowfall had gotten heavier and not before long, Charles could not see where he was going anymore. The chill was sleeping through the thick coat now and Charles started to panic, when he suddenly saw a shadow nearing him. The shadow turned out to be a man, dressed in thick woolen pants, a coat that swamped him in wool and fur and a bright blue coloured bobble hat that stood out starkly against the white snow.
Charles swallowed thickly, but stood waiting with his head held high, even though his whole body was trembling. Somehow, the thought of Winter visiting him unnerved him deeply.
Would Winter be as cold and challenging as the season itself? Would Charles not find the warmth and kindness in him that he had found in the other seasons?
"Here." Winter said as he was close enough, holding out a thick cloak which he wrapped around Charles's shoulders. Charles swallowed thickly as he looked into those icy blue eyes.
"I'm cold." He whispered. Winter touched his cheek, and Charles sighed as his fingers were warm, easing the cold from his skin.
"Let's go back then." Winter muttered, brow furrowed slightly as Charles's lips got a blue tinge to them. Charles nodded, steps wobbly as he let Winter lead him back through the snow. Winter brought him into the cottage and with a flick of his wrist, lit the fire in the hearth. Charles sat down in front of it, still shivering as Winter took the cold and went cloak for him.
"You'll be okay." Winter muttered, pressing a kiss to Charles's head. Charles gasped as he felt the chill leave his body abruptly.
"Better?" Winter asked, sitting down next to him. Charles nodded.
"Much." He muttered. They settled into silence, the both of them staring into the fire. Eventually, Winter turned to him again.
"My name is Valtteri." He said in a soft murmur. Charles smiled.
"I'm Charles." He answered. Valtteri nodded.
"I know." He said simply. "My brothers spoke fondly of you." Charles sighed.
"I miss them. And I'll miss you all when I leave here." He muttered, pulling his knees up to his chest. Valtteri sighed.
"Nobody misses Winter." He said. Charles shook his head.
"That's not true! Winter is time to be with family, to enjoy nights in." He argued. Valtteri shrugged.
"I never get to spend it with my family." He said. "I always spend it alone." He said. Charles took his hand.
"Not this time around." He said. Valtteri smiled, taking off his bobble hat.
"I'm glad."
Valtteri visited a bit less often than the others had, really seeming new to having company. He did really enjoy Charles's company, and Charles liked having him around too. Still, it hurt knowing that at the start of the new year, Charles would have to leave this precious cottage. He somewhat tried to distance himself from Valtteri, not wanting to go through more hurt when he had to leave again. But Valtteri was so kind, Charles couldn't keep away from him.
Valtteri took his ice skating one day, holding Charles up as the man kept slipping on the ice. Charles clutched on to Winter tightly, laughing as he kept slipping up.
"Laughing isn't going to help you skate better." Valtteri had chuckled fondly at him, arms safely wrapped around Charles's waist to keep him upright. Charles stuck his tongue out at him, before leaning in to press a chaste kiss to Valtteri's lips.
"You'll keep me safe right?" He chuckled. "The ice won't break?" He asked. Valtteri chuckled and knelt on the ice, pressing his palms to the surface. Charles gasped when he saw the ice strengthen, frost patterns spreading over the surface.
"That's beautiful." Charles sighed. Valtteri gave him a tender smile.
"You're beautiful." He answered. Charles blushed.
"Oh stop it." He said, biting his lip. Valtteri chuckled and pressed a gentle kiss to the tip of Charles's nose.
"Let's get off the ice, before you freeze over too."
~~~~~
One night, after Valtteri had taken him on a walk through the forest, they cuddled together on the veranda, a thick blanket wrapped around the both of them. Charles snuggled closer to Valtteri's side, savouring the man's unexpected warmth. Valtteri kissed his temple.
"Winter is a clean slate." He whispered, ever a man of few words. Charles sighed, taking Valtteri's hand and pressing a kiss to his knuckles.
"Winter is beautiful." He said, turning and crawling onto Valtteri's lap, straddling his hips. Valtteri swallowed thickly, looking up at Charles. Charles smiled, and leaned in to kiss Valtteri. Valtteri tasted like mint and a hint of chocolate, and Charles sighed happily when Valtteri returned the kiss.
"I don't want to leave here." Charles told Valtteri softly when they laid curled together in bed. Valtteri chuckled.
"I thought that was supposed to be my text." He said softly. Charles sighed and cuddled closer.
"Maybe." He muttered with a chuckle. Valtteri kissed his forehead.
"It's past midnight, that means it's Christmas." Valtteri muttered. "I have a surprise for you." He added, nudging Charles until the man reluctantly got out of bed. Valtteri wrapped his own warm coat around Charles's shoulders.
"Go outside." He said softly. "And Merry Christmas, little angel." He said. Charles gave him a curious look, before stepping outside. At first, he did not understand what was happening, but then, near the veranda where the lights from inside still lit up the snow, he saw grass peeking through the white blanket. A small seedling was growing from the soil, next to a small sunflower. When Charles stepped closer, a young hedgehog ran over too. Charles sniffled, stepping off the veranda and kneeling down in the snow. He let his fingers brush over the two plants, before letting the hedgehog sniff at his fingers.
"Charles." Someone said, but it wasn't Valtteri. When Charles looked up, he saw Lando, Daniel and Max looking down on him. He got up instantly, pulling all three of them close into a tight hug.
"How is this possible?" He whispered, crying as he touched and hugged all of them. Valtteri stepped closer.
"Normally we don't have anything to tie us together." Valtteri explained, rubbing his hand over Charles's back in a soothing gesture before also greeting his three brothers with a hug. "But now we all have you trying us to this place." He sighed.
"You are the reason we can all be here." Max muttered, kissing Charles's forehead. "You are the reason we can all be together." He added, meanwhile ruffling Lando's hair, the youngest of the 4 seeming more than overwhelmed. Charles was crying, hugging them all close the best he could. Lando was snuggled up against his chest, and Valtteri behind him while the other two were pressed against his sides.
"You can be here always?" Charles whispered. Daniel shook his head.
"Not always. But, a few days every year." He said. "It's more than what was possible the last centuries." He explained. Lando nodded and snuggled into Max's side, who fondly ruffled his hair.
"You allowed us to be together. And to be with you." Max whispered. Charles sighed, closing his eyes.
"I love you all." He whispered, and he meant it.
In a few weeks, he'd leave this beautiful place, and these amazing guys. And he wasn't ready for it. That's why, two days before he had to leave, Charles signed a very important document.
The cottage was now his.
Of course he still had to go on tour, still had to perform his songs for his fans. But at least now he had a place to fall back on, where he knew he would find love, peace and happiness.
Pierre and Esteban were surprised about the new music Charles sang for them when he returned home from the cottage. About seedlings and freckles, burning heat and a smile as bright as the sun, falling leaves and soft hugs, and snow and warm hands.
"This is beautiful." Pierre sniffled after Charles had finished one of the songs.
"I had good inspiration." Charles smiled fondly.
He had four beautiful man in his heart now, and through his music Charles could tell their stories. No one would ever believe him if Charles told the full truth. But that was okay too.
They could be his secret, and Charles would keep the for seasons safe in his heart.
Until they'd meet again.