A Qinter Short Story (Qibli X Winter)

This belongs to RiverTumbl
Characters belong to Tui T. Sutherland
Do not steal or plagiarize
You can ask to edit and give ideas in the comments.
Lol, this is NOT a short story
Cringe alert
== Chapter One ==
Winter walked down the familiar streets of Sanctuary. It was the two year anniversary since the Jade Winglet had defeated Darkstalker, and they were all meeting at Winter's house to celebrate, along with some other dragonets from the academy. Winter had gone out to get decorations and food for everyone. 
As he walked back to his house, he thought someone called his name. He walked faster, preparing a blast of frostbreath in his throat. The town was still developing and didn't have a guard of some sort yet, so suspicious dragons lurked in the shadows. He heard it again.
"Winter!" A familiar voice called. He turned, and could see the shape of a dragon running down the street, wings flapping. As they bounded towards him, he caught a glimpse of silver catch in the light of a torch.
"..Moon?" He asked, feeling dizzy. The dragon who he had loved. The dragon who left him. The dragon who wasn't supposed to be here tonight. "Why are you here?" Then he realized something even more odd. "Where's Qibli?" 
Moon approached him, gasping. Once she caught her breath, she replied, "He-um, couldn't make it. Anyways, let's go to the party! I'm sure everyone's waiting for us." Moon said cheerfully.
Winter narrowed his eyes. Why was she acting so weird? Why wasn't Qibli here? Something was going on. His eyes widened as he remembered Moon could read his mind, but then he remembered that he had the skyfire, and self-consciously touched the wolf-skin pouch. He warily led Moon back to his house.
== Chapter Two ==
When they arrived, Umber, Kinkajou, Sunny, Tamarin, and Anemone were already there. Qibli was missing.
"Where are Turtle, Sora, and Flame?" Winter asked, looking around.
"They're coming, probably running late." Kinkajou told him, glancing at Moon.
"Sorry I was the only teacher who could come, the others were busy." Sunny said.
"Well, is there anything to eat? I'm starving!" Anemone exclaimed, eyeing the bags that Winter had.
"Yes, yes, of course." He started to place the food on the table.
An hour and a half later...
Tamarin, Anemone, Umber, Kinkajou, and Flame were playing Spin the Bottle on the floor. Sunny was talking to Sora, and Turtle and Umber talked on a rock ledge lined with leaves.
"Moon, I want to show you something." Winter led the NightWing into a small side cave.
She looked around curiously. "What?"
He put his icy talons on her sleek black shoulders. "Where is Qibli?" He hissed. Silver, cold smoke curled dangerously around his narrow snout.
"I-I don't know." Moon admitted, looking down.
"What do you mean you don't know?" Winter snarled quietly.
"He-He wandered off last night after an argument." Moon's wings and ears drooped.
"Oh." Winter said quietly, loosening his grip. "I... I'm sorry."
== Chapter Three ==
After everyone went home in the morning, Winter lay in his bed. What's going on with Moon and Qibli? Qibli wouldn't have acted like that in an argument; he'd try to apologize, even if he didn't do anything wrong. Sweet idiot. His expression softened. What did Moon do that was so bad? He loves her too much. His thoughts were interrupted as he heard the quiet yet distinct patter of small footsteps. He looked up.
"Daffodil."
"Winter?" She came over to him and patted his cold talon. "Is ok?"
"Is everything ok." Winter corrected.
"Is everything ok?" She repeated.
"To be honest, not really." He said. "But you wouldn't understand. Because you wouldn't understand that much Dragon, and it's personal drama." He added.
Daffodil sat muttering to herself for a moment, and looked up with a confused expression.
"Nevermind." He said with an affectionate pat on her head.
"I will go fishing." She told him, getting up and walking away.
== Chapter Four ==
Another day passed. And another. Winter mostly went about his normal day; fishing, going shopping, supervising the daily development of Sanctuary, though he still worried about Qibli and Moon. He decided to write a letter.
Wait, but it'll go to Moon if he's not back yet. I can't risk her seeing it. I'll have to send it to Queen Thorn, then. He decided. And so he wrote:
Dear Qibli,
This will probably go to Queen Thorn. I am sending this letter regarding his most recent argument with Moonwatcher, that resulted in his absence. I have been wondering where he is and what he is doing. Are things ok with Moon? Please let me know soon, either by sending this to Qibli or letting me know yourself.
Best wishes,
Ex-Prince Winter
With a sigh, he sealed up the letter and put it in his mailbox.
== Chapter Five ==
More days went by. Winter was getting more and more worried. He hadn't gotten a response yet. He thought some other dragons sensed his unease.
I need to find Qibli.
Winter started to pack his stuff. Just a few things; the necessities, paper, ink, a feather, stuff like that.
"Where are you going?" Daffodil asked. Winter face-palmed. Of course!
"Daffodil, can you stay with Wren and Sky?" He asked. "I need to go away for a while, to find my friend."
She shrugged. "Probably. I can go ask."
"Yes, please do that."
After Winter had gotten everything, and ensured Daffodil would be safe, he said his goodbyes. He figured he'd check the Sand Kingdom first. He knew Queen Thorn would be there for Qibli, and if not, at least she could search for him.
He flew west for a few days, only stopping for water. As he neared the palace, heat simmered on his icy scales. Almost there, he thought, giving an extra flap of his wings.
"Hey!" He heard someone shout. Winter spotted an armored SandWing with light brown scales. "What are you doing here?" The dragon demanded, flying up to him.
"I'm looking for Queen Thorn." Winter said with a respectful dip of his head.
"And what business do you have with her?" The SandWing narrowed her eyes, coiling up her barb dangerously. Winter needed to be careful about what he said next.
He hesitated. "Royal business. I am Prince Winter of the IceWings." He said, lifting his chin. He didn't need to mention that his family had basically disowned him.
"Then why didn't you come from up north?" She hissed.
"Like I said, royal business." Winter said confidently.
"Fine." She scoffed. "But you better not try anything." The guard turned around and escorted Winter to the palace.
His talons touched down on the soft but hot sand. Winter hissed lightly, fighting the urge to jump back into the air. He swore he saw the guard smirk. She led him into a white tent in the courtyard, peeking her head inside. "Your Majesty?"
"Yes, what is it?" Thorn's voice called from inside. "Come in."
The guard led Winter inside, standing behind him as he wearily spread his wings in a bow.
"Winter, you know you don't need to bow for me, stand up." Thorn was sitting on a white blanket, with a table that had some scrolls and ink on top in front of her. "Why are you here? Is everything alright?" She asked, worry crossing her face.
"I'm... afraid not. I think something's happened to Qibli. Is he here?" Winter told her, looking around hopefully.
Thorn looked even more worried. "No... I'll send a message to the school, though." She paused for a moment. "And the other queens. Where did you last see him?" Thorn nodded to a nearby guard, and they hurried off, presumably to send out the messages.
"Moon said he wandered off after an argument."
"An argument with her? Huh."
Winter nodded. "Where could he have gone?"
Thorn tilted her head thoughtfully. "Well... Usually he prefers to be alone and clear his head after something like that... That, or something stupid. He usually likes wide open spaces, but if he feels the need to punish himself he'll-" Thorn cut herself off abruptly, looking alarmed. "Winter... I think he might've gone to the Scorpion Den."
(Author's note: oh gosh why did i decide that-)
== Chapter Six ==
"Ohh nooo." Thorn groaned.
Winter felt himself shaking. He had hardly been with Qibli's family, and even he knew how dangerous they were, especially after Qibli had gotten his mother arrested.
"Wait, didn't you arrest Qibli's family?"
"Well... kind of. We did arrest Cobra, but she escaped. I have no clue where Vulture is, but there haven't been any sightings of him since Darkstalker turned into Peacemaker. As for-"
"Wait, WHAT?" Winter roared. 
Thorn looked at Winter with an unreadable expression. 
"Sorry, Your Majesty. Uh, please continue." Winter said, dipping his head. They turned Darkstalker... into a dragon?? I thought magic didn't work on him. 
He snapped to attention when he noticed Thorn had gone quiet. "Excuse me?" He asked, embarrassed. 
"I asked if you wanted to stay in the palace tonight." Thorn paused. "Is something on your mind?" She asked gently. 
"I- It's just, they never told me what happened to.. Darkstalker." Winter's wings drooped. 
"Oh. I didn't realize I'd be the first one to tell you." Thorn said awkwardly. 
It was getting dark, so Winter headed to one of the guest rooms in the palace and lay down on the bed. Closing his eyes, he tried to sleep, but was too worried. Sighing, he decided to pull out a piece of paper and a feather. On the paper was an old drawing, from when he had gone to Jade Mountain Academy. 
(Author's note: not me just realizing that Qibli and Winter are basically adults now and stuff) 
He looked down at the paper. This is the last thing I drew before we became... heroes. 
The drawing was of Qibli and Moon. Not... together, in that way, but more like back-to-back. Winter was proud of this one. Moon looked cool, with her shiny teardrop scales and dazzling green eyes. But Qibli. He looked- it was indescribable for Winter. He told himself it was just how he drew him. His warm, dark brown eyes, round, freckled snout, fluffy sail, and even the amber teardrop earring he wore. Winter sighed again. Carefully tucking the paper away, he closed his eyes again and went to sleep this time. 
Winter woke up to the bright, hot sun shining on his cool, icy scales. He groaned and sat up. I guess we're going to look for Qibli today. I hope he's okay. Winter thought. He packed up his things and went to meet Queen Thorn. 
== Chapter Seven ==
(author's note: wow, chapter seven already??)
Winter followed Thorn, surrounded by a patrol of SandWings. Winter was in the middle, and it felt kind of nice as their wings flapped cool air in his face. Thorn glided down as they approached the Scorpion Den.
(Author's note: help i feel a writer's block coming on after this)
The patrol landed at the entrance, and the guards quietly cleared away once they saw Queen Thorn.
They walked into the Den, and Winter looked around. He'd been here before, but it looked... different. He couldn't put his talon on it.
"Where do we start?" Winter asked, looking down the dark alleys and long pathways.
Thorn didn't answer, but instead approached a mean-looking female SandWing who was selling snake scales. "What do you want?" She hissed.
"I'm looking for a young male SandWing." Thorn said.
"And? There'r plenty of 'em here, you lookin' to recruit?"
"No, he's very important to the SandWing government." Thorn narrowed her eyes.
"Mhm." The merchant sounded doubtful, but she looked more wary. "What does he look like?"
"Pale yellow wings, pale golden-yellow scales, a scar on his snout, and an amber teardrop earring."
The merchant nodded, and Winter noticed other dragons looking in their direction.
"A very large reward will be granted from the SandWing Treasury if the dragonet is returned to Queen Thorn unharmed." Thorn said loudly. Several dragons started asking questions about Qibli, and Thorn answered them gladly.
It was midday by the time they got to the old Outclaw oasis. It looked slightly run-down. The patrol searched the tents and the outskirts, but no sign of Qibli. Winter sighed. Were they ever going to find him? What if he wasn't even in the Scorpion Den?
"Hey, cheer up." Thorn said with a sad smile, approaching him. "We'll find him."
"Maybe..." Winter muttered.
Category:Fanfictions
Category:Fanfictions (Incomplete)
Category:Fanfictions (Semi-Canon)
Category:Genre (Romance)
Category:Genre (Short Story)
Category:Content (RiverTumbl)