Hey you all scavengers! I wrote this story about what just happened between me and Winter. I am also coming out with a Wings of Fire truth or dare story soon. NOW READ OR YOU DON'T GET THESE! (::) (::) (::) (::) (::) (::) (::) (::) (::) (::)

Winter glanced around at all of the sleeping dragons in the RainWing healing sanctuary. The only other dragon awake was Moon.

"Scarlet says your brother is still alive."

Moon said as she read Icicle's sleeping mind.

"Icicle asked for proof, but Scarlet only laughed at her. I wish I could read Scarlet's mind, but she's too far away and it's not really her in Icicle's dream, only a projection of her. I can't tell whether she's lying or not. I'm sorry."

She gave him that quick, confused look again.

"Icicle offered Scarlet a deal."

"You don't have to-" Winter started.

"I'm not." Moon said. "Worried, I mean. I know you won't kill queen Glory."

"Do you know that?" he asked. "How?"

"Because I think she is the type of dragon you respect." She said slowly. "And I think you wouldn't want to start a war between the IceWings and both of her tribes. Also, you're her guest; she's trusted you. you're not the type of dragon who would betray someone's trust."

Winter studied Moon's slender profile as she wound a vine between her claws.

"That's a lot of thoughts," he said. "Weren't you paralyzingly shy at one point? What happened to that unobtrusive, quiet dragon?"

"It turns out it's actually much easier to talk to you when I can't hear what you are thinking." Moon admitted, smiling shyly.

Winter stared into her dark eyes for a moment. "But all of that about Queen Glory... are you sure you are not still reading my mind?"

He finally asked, quietly.

"I don't have to," Moon said. "I've already been in there, for one thing- I know you. And I've watched you. I saw you put out the fire in the history cave. I saw you save me and Starflight from your own sister. I think you can think bigger than just one tribe against the other- you can think about what's best for all of the tribes. I guess I just- I trust you."

"You seem very sure of certain things about me," Winter said. "That I would never hurt a dragonet. That I would never kill Queen Glory. That I am somehow honorable and brave."

"I am," said Moon. "I am sure of those things. Even with everything else inside of you is confusion and mirrors and pain, those things will always be true."

Winter gently lifted the vine from her claws and wrapped it around his own talons, lowering his voice even more. "Sometimes I'm only sure of one thing," he said. "That I hope I never hurt you."

Moon gasped and gazed up at him in surprise. "Me? But I thought you hated me!"

"Then you're not much of a mind-reader, are you?" he said with half a smile. "I mean- I should, but for some reason, I can't."

He took a step closer, tilting his wings forward to brush hers.

Moon blushed profusely. Winter, too, hid a hint of a blush on his cheeks.

"You know, I have always-" Winter began. Out of nowhere, Kinkajou came barging over, tripping all over herself. he turned around, his back to Moon. "Hi Winter- oof!"

The clumsy little RainWing ran up to Moon, bouncing up and down excitedly. "Moon, Moon- I just had this cool idea! We should totally-"

Suddenly, Kinkajou slipped on a stray firefly jar that had fallen from the ceiling and wobbled all over the place. She tried not to fall by flapping her wings like her life depended on it, but it just made the situation worse. She eventually crashed into Winter and knocked him over.

"KINKAJOU!" Winter roared as he flew through the air. He smashed into Moon and landed on top of her. The three dragons tried to untangle themselves from the heap, but it was useless.

"So, this was your great idea, Kinkajou? To tie us up in this huge knot?" Growled Winter. What he didn't know, however, was that his SkyFire pouch had flung off in the scuffle and now Moon had access to his thoughts.

"Get off of us, you smooshed papaya!" He scolded. "Sorry," Kinkajou squealed, turning red. She crawled off of Winter and scampered away.

He rushed off of Moon the second Kinkajou left and helped her up.

"I- I'm so sorry- I didn't mean to-" He sputtered, blushing. "That's... that's okay. You're not hurt, are you?" she said. "Of course I'm not hurt! A RainWing can't hurt me!" he said, a large scowl forming on his face, but Moon noticed he was blushing even more.

Geeze, he thought. If only Moon could read my thoughts now. I shouldn't have tried confessing, anyway...

Moon was startled. Why could she hear Winter's thoughts now?

"Uh... Winter? I think your-" she began. "Ugh, would you just tone it down? I gotta go think about something."

Think about you. No! No, no, no! I can't love a NightWi-

"Is everything okay, Winter?" Moon asked.

"I'M FINE! I have to leave now, OK? Can you get that through your skull?"

He hissed. Then, Winter climbed through the window.

"I'm going to Queen Glory's guest lodges."

He said as he took flight.

I need to be away from you, Moonwatcher. I can't be with you a second longer. I need to concentrate on hating you. And all NightWings, for that matter.

Moon leaned out of the window and watched him fly away into the forest, sadness growing inside of her. Why does he have to act like he hates me? A tear rolled over the silver scales under her eye. Why?