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Crotania’s wings are around half their original size, and yet it is only now that he feels their weight along his back. Burnt, jagged edges, curling up like paper- a heavy reminder of what he’s lost.
Most days, he wears a cloak to not think about them so much, but it is warm today.
Spring, maybe? This part of the feywild was fussy about seasons. Either way, flowers bloomed across the field as far as he could see- at least while sitting down. It was a pretty sight, with dappled light coming to a close as the sun began to set. Aster seemed to agree, that’s for certain.
Speaking of.
Despite her loud claims that she wouldn’t do such a thing again, Aster has once again fallen asleep on him. She purrs loudly, only interrupted by the occasional content chirp or trill as she rests. It was probably spring. His little sister had been more enthusiastic than usual about going outside today. It clicked as for why now- Spring was Aster’s favorite season. The weather, the blooming flowers… and the fact that she was blessed with a strong lack of allergies. Not that the common fae had a pollen allergy anyhow.
Also, Aster’s birthday was in may.
Crotania sits up a bit when he realizes this, causing Aster to make a noise of protest in response. He tries to laugh quietly as he adjusts her to lay on the tree instead of his shoulder. She lets out a small yawn as he does so, sharp teeth poking out as she gets comfortable in the new position.
Hopefully, she didn’t wake up while he was gone. And even if she did, she was plenty independent. Aster didn’t need him to find her way home.
Quietly, he gets up and dusts himself. The idea of getting Hermmia involved had been on his mind for awhile. It didn’t hurt to ask, surely.
————————————
Hermmia opens the door, standing posed and proper. A polite, slightly forced smile sits on her face. When she notices it’s him, however, the front falls apart faster than a wind blown dandelion. “…Crotania. I’m busy.”
“No, you aren’t.” He attempts to look unbothered, opting to lean on the wall next to him.
“That- I can make myself busy if you’re just here to bother me.” She brushes off her skirt, looking more than slightly frustrated.
Crotania tries not to fiddle with his hands. “Aster’s birthday is coming up.”
Hermmia squints. “And…?” The skepticism in her voice seems to be mostly an exaggeration, as she opens the door a bit further in curiosity.
“I was wondering if we could do something nice for her.” He pauses. “Y’know. Together.” He doesn’t look Hermmia in the eyes as he proposes this.
His sister only sighs. “You know she wouldn’t want me to get her something.”
Crotania clicks out a noise of frustration. As time went on, it only felt like Hermmia got more stubborn about not putting effort into her familial relationships- that weren’t their parents, of course. Like she wanted to pretend that they weren’t related, like the distance of their relationship was his fault somehow. “Sometimes, it feels like they aren't even your sister.” He pretends to muse, looking at his hands.
Hermmia flinches, startled by the sudden change of his tone. She inhales sharply, and closes the door behind her as she stalks up to Crotania. “You don’t get to say that.”
“Oh, is that right?” He doesn’t move, and this seems to frustrate Hermmia further.
She stiffles something that resembles an angry chitter, trying to still seem unaffected. “Not when you ignored her pitiful existence for the first 2 years she was alive.”
Crotania rolls his eyes. Did she have to keep bringing that up? Gods forbid Crotania be slightly bitter about their parents leaving their own children a whole baby to take care of. “Unlike you, I seemed to get over the whole baby fever thing. Let Aster make their own choices, Hermmia! Not everyone in this godsforsaken family wants to be a fucking ambassador.”
“The choice of what , following you around like some kind of lost puppy?” She scoffs.
“I-” Crotania’s voice falters at this. “She’ll- that. That won’t last forever. She knows I have to leave some day.”
The confusion is evident on her face when she speaks. “..What do you mean, leave?” Shit. He hadn’t really brought that up yet, had he?
“I don’t belong in this realm anymore, Hermmia. Not without my wings. If- If by some miracle, I can find a solution to that, I’ll come back.”
“Crotania-”
“I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” He snaps. Takes a moment to calm himself. “I came here to talk to you about Aster. Not me.” He briefly makes eye contact with Hermmia as he says this, hoping she could see him mentally pleading for her not to push any further.
“You- “ She hesitates for a few seconds. She looks up at Crotania, and for a moment, he swears he can almost see sadness ripple through her eyes.
“…Alright, Crotania.”