#Jacinter is canon in this but Scarlet has Feelings™

[distancingreality]

snippet from "of endings and beginnings"

(Winlet | 2 years post book 4 | Scarlet and Winter speak after a long time apart)

The door swings open and Winter Blackburn flounces in. “Good afternoon Scarlet-Friend.” She says with a trill. “It’s good to see you.”

“Likewise.” Scarlet rises from her bed. Her fists find her hips and she gives Winter a look up and down.

Winter floats through the room on graceful feet. She curtsies diligently.

“Still crazy?” Scarlet asks.

“So the physicians tell me. They use a much nicer word.”

“Oh yeah? What’s that?”

“Mentally unstable. They seem to think I’ve improved though.”

“Have you.” Scarlet is unconvinced.

Winter closes her eyes and recites in a shrill voice, “The quirks and mannerisms Winter Blackburn has developed over the years to cope with her family dynamics and medical hallucinations are ingrained. Others may continue to find her odd but she is harmless and healthy.”

Scarlet widens her eyes in disgust. “They said all of that to you???”

“Indeed.” Winter saunters over to the wide window overlooking the grey city.

Her slender hands rest on the frame. She gazes out into nothing. Whatever she sees is invisible to Scarlet.

“They say many things about me.” Winter looks back at Scarlet and smiles sadly. “They tell me my beauty is diminished and my appeal has gone.” She gestures to the faint pock marks patterning her bare arms and throat. “I’m no longer a princess you know.”

Scarlet scowls. “They’re idiots! You should fire them all! Don’t listen to lies. If I ever hear that sort of thing come out of your mouth again, I’ll shake it out of you!”

“Don’t be absurd. I do not hold those views of myself.”

Scarlet narrows her eyes in suspicion.

“Jacin tells me I am beautiful. Why should I need any other assurance? He tells me I am clever. He says the madness has left me. I believe him.”

Scarlet watches her move to sit primly on the foot of the bed.

“And these things are enough to stave off the murmurings of others. Sit with me.” Winter says.

Scarlet is well and truly angry now. “You will always be the true Lunar Princess. Nothing can take away your people’s loyalty or their love. You belong to them.”

“And to you?”

“Yes.” She says fiercely.

Scarlet feels her throat begin to tighten and that makes her angrier still. She strides to the bed and drops down into a crouch beside her princess. “Anything you command I must obey.”

Winter sighs sweetly. She claps her hands around Scarlet’s. “My knight in a red hoodie, will you also protect me from the unkind rumors of the masses?”

“The best I can.” Scarlet answers.

“Good. Shall I bestow a kiss to show my thanks?”

Scarlet sighs in exasperation. Winter doesn’t pay her any attention. She presses a soft kiss to the other girl’s forehead. She traces Scarlet’s lips absently.

Scarlet shivers at the touch. Her heart hammers away with something she can’t identify. Something she won’t examine.

It’s too close to disappointment.