A/N: Don't you judge me. :T I wanted some fluff, all right?
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Finally, with dread weighing down his heart, he presses Kink’s name and lifts the cellular device to his ear, waiting for the ringtone. A smooth voice answers, and he shivers a bit before speaking.
“Hi, Kink… Listen, I’m really sorry for how I acted while under that magic anon. It… it wasn’t me,” Winter Once-ler swallows. He can’t even do this conversation in person; he’s too ashamed of himself, how rude and outrageously flirtatious he behaved.
Why? Why did he have to remember everything he said and did while he was personality swapped, but couldn’t remember his old self while under the magical influence? It’s… it’s just not fair.
Winter grips the phone tightly and sighs into the receiver. “I’d understand if… you didn’t want us to interact any longer.”
“That isn’t the case at all,” finally comes Kink-ler’s reply. He sounds soft and understanding, and it relaxes part of Winter’s troubled mind. “I know it wasn’t you. It’s not as if you are given a choice when a magic spell turns your world upside-down and forces you to be someone else, look like something else, or what-have-you. I understand perfectly well that you were no more yourself than if someone had swapped bodies with you. I don’t hold you accountable for a scrap of it.”
“…I still feel like it’s my fault, since I have memories of all of it,” Winter murmurs in reply. “And I just wanted you to know that I’m aware I was out of line with you, and I apologize.”
“I do know that, Winter, and it’s all right, I assure you. But what I would like to know is: how much of that was your reversed personality traits in effect, and how much of it was something you would do if given the opportunity and courage to do?” Kink inquires sincerely, and for a moment, Winter’s breath hitches.
“You mean, like… H-how I wanted to kiss you?” he clarifies.
“Yes,” Kink answers softly. “That’s precisely what I meant. And I told you, once you were yourself, if you still wanted something along those lines, that you ought to… try again. But differently, of course. With your usual attitude.”
Winter laughs a bit, airily and nervously, and shifts in his seat on his couch. He switches ears on the phone and shrugs to himself. “I-I, well…” He inhales for confidence, then responds carefully, “I would still like that. Very much, in fact. I’m, I—” He hesitates. He fancies of Kink-ler; he’s attracted to him as a friend, as a person physically, and as a potential… well, as an option. But he has been too fearful of ruining their newfound friendship, and worried that Kink-ler, considering his profession, wouldn’t like to be remotely committed to anyone, even casually so, because he doesn’t seem the type to do relationships a step past friendship or fuck-buddies. And Winter liked Kink too much for that, although he would gladly remain his friend. “I like you a lot, Kink. But I didn’t think you’d… want me like that.”
“You shouldn’t assume about me what you can just ask me,” Kink answers, but not unkindly. He sounds a bit regretful. “I’ll admit I don’t normally take people up on intimate matters, and I do have my job to do, but what I do for my clients is no-strings-attached. No feelings; no friendships, even. I set all of that aside and do my job. But I’m not incapable of… greater attachments. And I would like that, with you. But not as you were when you weren’t yourself, because that isn’t who I’ve grown fond of, fond enough to… want to try something I’ve told myself I would never aim for, not again, after so many failures.”
“I… I understand that,” Winter replies slowly. He clutches the phone and switches ears again, licking his dry lips. “And I respect it. You already know I’m a hopeless romantic at heart, but I’m not expecting anything, I swear. I’ll take what you’ll give me. I just want to see more of you, and spend more time with you, and… touch you.” His voice grows soft and he blushes frosty blue, peering down at his sweater and picking nubs off of the hem.
Kink’s voice lowers a smidge, and it sends a ripple through Winter’s spine. “And I would let you. I would love to get to know you more personally, and see you more often. You’re some of the best company I’ve ever had, and that’s saying a lot. I also wouldn’t normally go for something as intimate as kissing and touching the way you mean it, but for you, I would. I don’t believe it, but I would. You’re… an exception, Winter. As BlackGold was, for a while. He’s merely my friend now, however. And you… are hopefully something else.” He speaks slowly, uncharacteristically unsurely, and waits for Winter’s response.
Winter brings a hand up to cover his face. He feels giddy, sunshine blossoming in his cold heart, and he can’t stop grinning to himself. “Okay. Yeah, okay. When can I see you?”
“Today I have no more appointments after four o’clock. You can be here by five; I should be done and showered by then. We can have dinner.”
“Sounds good,” Winter smiles broadly, beyond happy. “It’s a date, then. See you soon.”
And after they say their goodbyes, Winter sets down the phone and stares at it a minute, disbelieving and contented, and sighs, all the dread drained from his body.
