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Winter and Claus

Chapter 9

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After wishing Claus goodnight, Winter began his long trek through the walls back to his home. When he arrived back, the borrower peeked his head through the curtain separating his and his brother's rooms. Ryan was fast asleep in his cloth corner. Winter didn't really get why his older brother always opted for the pile of scrap fabric over their sponge beds, but he supposed it was understandable. At their size, the sponge beds were more scrappy and scratchy, and they were far too small for it to actually be plush against their bodies. But still, borrowers weren't akin to waiting supplies. Winter had manufactured a way to carve out portions of the sponge to fit his sleeping habits and positions.

Winter shrugged it off and went to the water room. The dripping wire that funneled dew out of the drains for filtering was a great idea. Winter had come up with it after seeing one of the humans books about the mechanism. This way they didn't have to venture out into the sink to get water every week. Winter stepped over the small pile of threads he assumed Ryan had brought back from their parents house. The borrower grabbed his micro tip paintbrush and dipped it into the massive bottle of toothpaste he and Ryan had managed to sneak out of the human toiletry bag one time. He brushed his teeth with the coarse fibers of the brush then rinsed with some already boiled water.

He shuffled into his night clothes and went to his room, nestling himself in bed. For one reason, he found himself missing the comforting warmth of Claus's hand, his neck, the way the human's pulse thrummed so melodically, like a lullaby. Winter shot up, sitting in his bed trying to process what it was he was thinking. Sure, Claus wasn't as scary as he had first thought, but was winter really fantasizing about sleeping on Claus instead of his safe...spongy bed? What was wrong with him? Claus was supposed to be scary, winter was small, a borrower, Claus had proven different ways in which he posed a threat to the borrower. So why did winter crave to feel the humans touch? Why did he want to be embraced like they had earlier? What the hell was wrong with him!?

The borrower sighed, shaking his head to rid himself of these thoughts. Not now, it was too soon. He didn't even know claus. So what if he had the humans schedule fully memorized, including holidays. So what if winter knew the different breathing patterns that Claus had depending on how deep his sleep was? That was irrelevant. Just normal borrower stuff. It didn't mean that winter....*liked* claus or anything. He was just overthinking again. After all, what borrower wouldn't like being surrounded by a gentle safe warmth? It was instinct, in his nature. He was just doing what he was supposed to. With these thoughts out of the way, winter laid back down to sleep, though not without tossing and turning a few times.

The next morning winter was awoken by an annoying amount of poking to the face by none other than his older brother.

"Ngh....RYAN!!" Winter swatted at the other borrower's hand as he groggily sat up and glared drowsily.

Ryan laughed, a deep, warming sound that echoed through the creaky hollowed out part in the wall where they lived. "Common lil whinny~ its time to get up. The red currant ain't gonna pick themselves!" Ryan grabbed Winter's hand and dragged the stubborn borrower out of bed.

Winter groaned and complied, rubbing the tiredness from his eyes as his brother dragged him out "didn't we harvest some before you left last week?" Winter yawned as Ryan finally let go of his hand.

"Well yeah, but I gave that stock to mom and dad, remember?" Ryan said chipperly. The mention of their parents made winter's face sour.

"Ugh. Fine we can go, but at least let me gear up man. I swear don't you know the first thing about borrowing? The early worm gets caught remember" winter grumbled as he pulled his shirt over his head. The walls were drafty today, which meant they'd need to prepare for cold weather and wind.

Once winter had finally gotten dressed and eared up, his overly energetic brother wasted no time in pulling winter through the walls and vents until they reached the small garden. The mistress of the house often busied herself and the little girl here during her husband and stepson's 'little spats' as she so underwhelmingly called them. Nevertheless, the garden is a welcome and appreciated resource for the borrowers residing in the area. Fresh fruit and vegetables were hard to come by for most borrowers so of course, winter's neighbor's often used the garden themselves.

By borrower courtesy, winter and the other borrowers in the area also helped grow the garden, doing menial tasks that took groups such as pulling weeds and planting extra seeds that weren't fully buried. Winter had realized quickly that if the humans thought they were good at gardening, they would plant more, which meant more supplies and resources for the borrowers in the area.

As they reached the current bush, which was Ryan's obvious favorite, the borrowers set out their fruit bag. It was an old jewelry bag that was the size of winter himself, but the mesh pattern was breathable and the perfect size for holding berries.

Ryan scrambled up the bush as winter set out the bag and prepared to catch the falling berries. One by one, Ryan used his blade to chop the berries off the stem. Each one was the size of winter's head. current was a spherical red berry mainly used to make jams. It was the easiest berry for borrowers to use because the skin was very thin and the seeds were easy to spot.

Winter hummed contentedly as they filled up the bag half way. Ryan clambered down the tall plant and hopped down to winter. The two made quiet conversation as they lugged the bag of berries back home.

"so...uh...how was the trip?" Winter asked awkwardly.

Ryan raised an eyebrow "surprised you asked at all, seeing as how they treated you." The other borrower pushed his lips in thought as he walked backwards "i guess it was alright, the usual. Mom's doing well. Apparently the humans started fostering yet another kid. I kinda forgot how loud that place was honestly, glad im back here anyways."

Winter nodded as he led both of them into the drainage pipe, hopping down and gently lowering the bag through the grates "did...did anyone ask about me?" Winter asked, a look of faint hope sparking in his eyes.

Ryan sighed, knowing the question would come up "I mean, you know how it is, i don't want you to hurt your feelings but if I'm telling you honestly, they're so caught up in their own little world that they don't care man. Although~" Ryan smirked as if remembering something.

Winter perked up momentarily "although...what?" He said as they both stepped into the hollow interior of the wall, their footfalls echoing quietly as they walked.

"Well, Pat asked how you are, you know how she is" Ryan smiled coyly, as if his words held deeper meaning.

Winter sighed and deadpanned "common Ryan, she can't still have those feelings, you and I both know how it ended last time" he looked down blush ringing his cheeks "plus even if she did, it wouldn't work anyway. Not with me living two days' journey out. Just leave it as is, "Winter said in a more stern tone as the two borrowers finally reached the interior wall, pulling away the old soda can in place to hide their entrance.

Ryan just shrugged "whatever you say bro" he said as he let go of the bag. Winter stepped into the other room and removed his gear as Ryan started the pot. Winter checked the mini wristwatch hanging next to Ryan's bed. The borrower silently cheered, because Claus would be getting home soon.

"Ah-" Winter caught himself, looking at his brother through the curtain door, he chewed on his knuckle's anxiously. He would have to inevitably tell Ryan about claus, it would be for the both of their safety, and if he didn't aren't Ryan about the human then that could end terribly for the both of them later.

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