(Requested by pawznmawz15 and other guest commenters. Hope you enjoy!)

(set between the end of Jade Winglet arc, and beginning of Pantala arc)

The moons were brightly shining on the sea below, as Winter stared out from his cliffside perch. He felt well and truly alone, not just physically, but spiritually, too. He couldn't go home to the Ice Kingdom, having sacrificed his spot so his brother Hailstorm could return. The Jade Academy was a wreck following Darkstalker's rampage, so who knew when that was opening up again. Kinkajou and Turtle were back in Possibility right now, no doubt enjoying themselves in a rented hotel room as a new couple. But worst of all - the one thing that made his icy heart shatter into a million tiny pieces - was knowing that Moonwatcher and Qibli were a couple.

The last time he saw his closest friends, their tails were intertwined, their faces happy and shining like frozen roof of the Icewing Palace. They came out at the party celebrating Darkstalker's defeat, announcing to all their friends that they loved each other. Watching the Nightwing and Sandwing kiss for the first time, Winter was buffeted with practically every emotion at once. He didn't know how to feel - Happy that his best friends were happy? Disgusted that dragons of different tribes were dating? Hurt that neither of them chose him? Sad that they could have a Tribe and a home and even build a family, while he was left with nothing? It was too much for the proud ex-Prince to handle, and he fled the party before either of them could ask him what was wrong.

And how could he even answer that question, when even he didn't know how to answer that question? Winter had known he was different from other Icewings, especially in his family. His parents and sister reminded him all the time, insisting he was a failure for one reason or another. He was sent to Jade Academy with the hopes that he'd find some level of redemption, but mainly to get him out of his parent's way in their political machinations. When he left the Ice Kingdom, he hadn't had any friends, no real prospects for marriage, and down towards the bottom of the Ranking. Surely he couldn't sink any lower in their eyes?

But as it turns out, he could, for he found himself in the middle of a truly taboo love triangle. On one talon, there was Moonwatcher. One of the ancient enemy, this Nightwing wasn't like the others of her Tribe, or how the old stories described them. Yes, she had psychic powers, and yes she hid them from him at first, but it wasn't for malicious reasons. She was nice, and insecure, and loyal. She kept coming back to help him and offer her friendship when he was adamant that he didn't want or need it, but she kept at it, wearing down his defenses until he finally accepted. Maybe it was her eyes; pale green emeralds that both peered into his soul, and offered hers in return. There were many times when their eyes would meet, and the world would fall away as everything shrank down to just them.

But on the other talon, there was Qibli. Winter snorted, as he wondered what would upset his parents more: That he fell for a Nightwing, or that he fell for a lowborn Sandwing male? The Prince had been beyond annoyed to have had to share his room with the chatty, affable bandit, but it was hard not to come to like him. Always with a joke at the ready and a smile on his face, it was like he was made to be his exact opposite. And yet just as he was drawn to Moon, he came to enjoy the Sandwing's company. When they were in prison, and Qibli quipped that they were going to be married, the Icewing felt his heart flutter like a timid butterfly. The idea of being mated to another male had once been so disgusting and wrong, but when he suggested it, somehow it seemed like a great idea.

As Darkstalker was finally defeated, and they had time to really think about their future, Winter felt more conflicted now more than ever. He no longer had to worry about what his family thought, but without that constraint, he didn't know who he wanted more: Moonwatcher, or Qibli? He could envision his life with either of them, and thought he'd be happy to be with either one. And yet, in the end, he'd waited too long, and the choice had been made for him.

And now? Now he was alone, with no one to love, and no one to blame but himself.

"Winter?!" A voice called out, carrying over the roar of wind and waves, "Winter?! Where are you, buddy?!"

Oh, Great Ice Dragon, He thought, recognizing that voice anywhere, Please, not him. Not now. The ex-prince briefly considered trying to fly away, trying to hide, but soon realized it'd be pointless. There were no rocks to hide behind, his cave was but a shallow overhang, and as he spotted the tan-colored dragon coming down, he knew there was no way he'd miss his great white body flying away. Winter didn't feel like being chased around all night. Better to let his friend come over and say what he had to say and get it over with.

"I'm down here." He called out, stepping out into the moonlight. He steadied himself as best he could, trying to hide his inner pain behind a mask of tired aloofness.

"Winter, are you alright?" The Sandwing called, landing next to him. "You left the party so quickly, Moon and I were worried about you."

"I'm fine." Winter lied, turning away. "I just needed some air."

"Winter, c'mon, it's me." Qibli insisted, moving around to face him. "You don't have to keep up that tough Icewing act anymore. Not around me. Not after what we've been through."

"I said I'm fine, sand-snorter." He growled, avoiding his gaze. "You should go back to the party. You shouldn't keep Moon waiting."

"Wait, hold up," The Sandwing said, "Is that what's bothering you? Me and Moon?"

"No, of course not!" Winter insisted. "You two are perfect for each other! Why would I be upset that my friends are happy?"

"Are you happy, Winter?" Qibli asked.

"Who cares?" The Icewing snorted.

"I care," Qibli stepped in front of him, daring him to hold his gaze, "Winter, I care. You're my best friend. You've been with us through thick and thin, and I want you to be happy too. Now I want to know: What do you want?"

Winter looked back into his warm, dark eyes, and his cold heart fluttered. His eyes started to sting with unspoken emotion, and he had to look away. "I can't have what I want."

"Do you want Moon?" Qibli asked, finally getting to the heart of the issue, "Do you want me?"

"YES!" Winter shouted, before panicking, quickly adding, "I mean no! I mean... I don't know!" He closed his eyes, fighting back tears as he finally spoke aloud what had been troubling his heart. "Ever since I went to the Academy, I've been torn. Everything I used to be is gone, and I've been trying to find myself. My fate was to marry another Icewing and produce future heirs, regardless of how I felt about it. But then I leave home, and I find myself paired with a Nightwing seer and a Sandwing commoner. Everything I ever learned my entire life told me to hate you both, and yet the opposite's happened. I feel things for you and Moon that I've never felt for anyone in my life. I've tried to figure it all out on my own, but I feel so torn, and just as I think I'm about to make a decision, it gets made for me. I know it's selfish, but some stupid part of me hoped one of you would pick me, so at least I could still have one of you as a friend. I don't know who I want, but now you have each other and I have nothing, and it's not fair!"

The last part came out as a whimper, as the last barrier broke, and his emotions poured out of him like an avalanche. He felt cold tears roll down his cheeks, any hopes of keeping his dignity falling away with them. He'd fallen so far, and now that his friends had found each other, he was well and truly alone. He didn't know what to do with his life now, no clue for where to go. He felt himself falling into a pit of despair, with no way out.

But as he was about to let his emotions go, he felt something warm wrap around him. Winter opened his eyes. Qibli had pulled him into an embrace, his wings wrapped around his body, his neck crossing his.

"You're not alone, Winter." Qibli whispered, stroking his back with his wing claw. "We'd never let you go alone again. You're more than just our best friend. Moonwatcher loves you, you know, and I... I love you, too."

The Icewing had never heard anything more beautiful in his entire life. He buried his face in the Sandwing's shoulder, and released all those feelings of loneliness and inadequacy. Happy tears moistened Qibli's neck. Claws rubbed the Icewing's back comfortingly, as silent sobs wracked his body. Qibli held his friend close, ignoring the coolness of the night air and the icy-white scales against his own. They both needed this. After everything that happened with Icicle, and Scarlet, and Darkstalker, they both could go for some catharsis.

What neither drake had expected, however, was that as Winter's crying died down, and he pulled away to thank his friend, he leaned over and kissed Qibli's cheek. It was a quick, impulsive move, catching them both by surprise. They leaned away from one another. "I'm sorry!" Winter sputtered quickly, embarrassed beyond words, "I-I didn't mean-!"

His apology was cut short by interrupting Sandwing lips. They were warm, gentle, but insistent. Winter again pulled back, his eyes wide and his cheeks blue. Qibli smiled his trademark smile, raising a suggestive eyebrow. "Was that your first kiss?" He teased. "I bet I'm your first guy kiss. Was it as good for you as it was for me?"

"Q-Qibli?" Winter sputtered, "Why did- W-what're you- You can't just-... What about Moon?!"

"Moon sent me out here to make sure you're alright," He explained, getting close enough to feel the warmth emanating from his scales, "And I'm not leaving until we've worked out this tension between us. So why don't you stop thinking about what others want, and ask yourself what you want? Tell me, Winter: What do you want to do, right now?"

"I...I..." Winter stammered, trying to think of an answer. Trying to think of any reason, any way to stop what was coming. It wasn't that he didn't want Qibli - he wasn't flying away or slapping him for his insolence, after all - but some small part of him was warning him this was wrong. Moonwatcher and Qibli were in a relationship, which meant that this would be cheating. Just keeping that a secret would be bad enough, but the Nightwing could read minds, too. She would find out, sooner rather than later. Winter hated the idea of ruining the happiness she had, of making her just as sad and lonely as he felt. But in that moment, feeling the heat between them, hearing his own heart beating like a drum, looking into those dark, dreamy eyes, there was only one answer on his lips.

"...I want you, Qibli." He murmured, "I want you."

"Then kiss me like you mean it."

Winter didn't need any further encouragement. He leaned forward, pressing his lips against Qibli's. Their tongues met, snaking into each other's mouths, tasting and savoring one another. The Sandwing's tongue was warm, a little rough and muscular, tasting of agave and the spiced meats from the party. It was everything he hoped for, and the Prince leaned into it. His icy-white wing-claws grabbed onto the Sandwing's neck, wrapping his partner in a blanket of scales. Winter broke off the kiss for a half-second to take a breath-

Before he realized what had happened, he was on his back, looking up at Qibli, his smug smirk illuminated in moonlight.

"Much better." Qibli chuckled, looking hungrily down at him. "Hope you don't mind, but I want to start this on top."

"B-but I-" Winter started to protest, before those warm, sand-colored lips pressed against his again. The wonderful scent of sandalwood and agave - Qibli's scent - filled his nostrils, and he closed his eyes. His heart fluttered, as their tongues came together with gusto. Cool arms wrapped around the Sandwing's torso and pulled him down, reveling in the heat against his scales. He realized the tongue wrestling against his was the same one that had tasted Moonwatcher, and that this might be the closest he'd ever get with the beautiful Nightwing. Winter moaned into Qibli's mouth, instinctively thrusting his crotch up against him. Something was poking his belly.

"Watch your tail," He warned, breaking off the kiss for air, "I don't want to get stung."

Qibli, covering the Icewing's cheek and neck with kisses and licks, exhaled and answered, "That's not my tail."

Winter's eyes went wide. He looked down, gasping at what he saw. Both of their penises were growing, emerging from their slits, twitching with excitement. They were of equal size and length - Qibli's a reddish-pink, Winter's a light blue. They were so close that each twitch almost made them touch, and he could feel the heat of the Sandwing's crotch against his.

"Good to see you're enjoying this just as much as me." Qibli gloated, looking down at their drakehoods. "I thought you'd be a little bigger, but this is pretty good, too." He started to move back, his length moving down, the tip glancing across scales near a most sensitive area.

"Whoa whoa, Qibli stop!" The prince shouted, holding the Sandwing up in a panic. Qibli pulled back, his expression one of surprise and concern.

"What's wrong?" Qibli asked, searching his eyes. "I thought, I mean, don't you want to..."

There was a lot of things Winter wanted to say about this. That no self-respecting Icewing would "play the girl" to another Tribe; that he wanted to penetrate his sexy Sandwing ass for weeks; that this felt wrong, to go behind Moonwatcher's back when Qibli was already with her (especially since he always wanted to take her virginity). What he said instead was, "Qibli, I'm not ready for... that. I'm sorry, I don't want to lead you on, but-"

"Hey, its alright," He insisted, "We don't have to do anything you don't want to do. We don't have to go all the way. We could do other things, if you're up for it."

"'Other things'?" Winter asked, "Like what?"

The Sandwing smiled. He shifted forward, laying his dick against Winter's. A tantalizing thrill ran through the Icewing, forcing in a breath of taboo pleasure.

"This is something I've seen done a couple times back in the Den." Qibli explained, grinding his crotch against Winter's. Flesh rubbed against flesh, sensitive and erogenous. "Feels good, right?" He huffed, licking his lips. "Almost as good as oral, I'm told. All we do is rub our dicks together until we cum. Simple, easy, and no one gets a sore ass or mouth. Though I gotta warn you, we're gonna leave a bit of a mess."

The Icewing groaned, rubbing back against the Sandwing. Qibli leaned forward, his paw landing close to Winter's. He took his partner's paw, interlacing claws. It was a bitch move, but he didn't care. Everything was making him feel so good: hot breath in his ear, warm and wet kisses and licks on his neck, the comforting weight pressing against his chest. And of course the warm, slippery feel of his friend's drakehood against his.

Is this what I've been missing? Winter thought, his free paw guiding Qibli's tongue back to his. By the Great Ice Dragon, he was my roommate. We could've done this every night!

Qibli pulled back, a saliva string linking them together as he leaned back and sat on Winter's tail. Winter looked up, perplexed as to what he had in mind, when the Sandwing grabbed both of their dicks with his free paw. He slid it up and down, the tight squeeze feeling amazing.

"And now for the main event." He huffed, the sensations starting to get to him. "Don't hold back. Just focus on the pleasure, and relax."

"Oh, Qibli!" Winter moaned, his body becoming a tingling mess. He started to thrust into Qibli's paw, as he felt a familiar pressure starting to build within him.

"That's it!" Qibli growled, his paw pumping their cocks faster and faster. "We're close, I can feel it. Cum with me, Winter!"

"Yes! Please!" He pleaded, closing his eyes, giving himself entirely to the moment. He was getting close, fast. "Pleasepleasepleaseplease-!"

"Okay, here we go!" Qibli growled, his paw moving faster and faster. Winter's cold breath tickled his neck, his desperate cries triggering his inner Alpha. "Here we go, here we go... Ohhh yesssss!"

Winter came first. Pent up with weeks of sexual frustration, the Icewing's load was a large one. Hot, thick, virile seed shot out his dick, each strand landing on his chest and neck. Blissful release filled his body as he moaned, high and needy as a common slut. Qibli came soon after. With a hungry, dominant growl that didn't match his laid-back personality, he released himself. White, sticky jizz shot out onto Winter's face, into his open mouth, mixing with his partner's and completely coating him in fluids.

They rode out their orgasms together, and after the better part of a minute, Qibli fell to the side, both of them utterly spent. They laid together, staring into each other's eyes as they caught their breath, moonlight shining in their eyes and on their scales.

"Feeling better?" Qibli asked.

"...Yeah." Winter sighed. "Much better."

"Good. I've gotta say, this is a good look for you."

"Shut up, cactus licker." He hissed, though the hint of a smile and blue cheeks showed that he didn't mean it. The Sandwing leaned over and licked the Icewing's neck, lapping up a thick strand of nut.

"You might want to try adding some fruit in your diet," He suggested, "It'll make you taste much better. Moon swears by it." Winter idly licked his lips, tasting some of Qibli's jizz. It had an interesting taste, equally salty and sweet. The Prince decided that he had a point, quite liking it himself. But what good feelings Winter had nearly completely evaporated, as a sudden realization struck him like an avalanche.

"Three Moons!" He swore, starting to get up, "Qibli, what about Moon?! You just cheated on her with me!" As much as he loved Qibli and enjoyed what just happened, he loved Moon too, and the thought that he had just wronged and betrayed her threatened to hurt him more than being burned alive by Peril.

"Hey, hey, it's okay, dude." Qibli said, nuzzling the cleaner side of his friend's muzzle. "Don't you worry about it. Moon sent me to make sure you were okay, and I did just that. She didn't specify how I should do it."

Winter blinked, confused. "But, but we cheated on her. We had sex!"

"No, we masturbated together. Not the same thing. Besides," He leaned in close, whispering conspiratorially in his ear, "This whole thing was her idea. She probably saw this coming, literally and figuratively. Do you think she'd really mind, if the two males she's been crushing on her got frisky with each other? I think she might actually enjoy it."

Winter just stared at him, not sure how to process this. Did his friends set him up? Was Moon trying to set him up as their side piece? Was Qibli just making up crap to make him feel less guilty?

"Anyways," Qibli said, getting on his feet, "You should go wash all that off. Dry, crusty nut is a bitch to get off, and smells terrible. See you soon, Winter." With that in mind, he jumped up and took to the sky, flying back the way he came. Winter watched him, covered in dragon fluids, feeling more confused than anything else.

Just what had he gotten himself into?