one shot - Home

The party last night had been lovely, and yet... Yet this morning he felt as miserable as ever.

Sitting in his bedroom he found himself alone again. John hadn't lingered, and he wasn't sure where Hex had wound up. It was just him, his packed trunks, and his thoughts. ...And he hated it. His crown was still sitting on the nightstand and he picked it up, turning it over in his hands for a moment, before tossing it aside.

He didn't want to go back to the ship. It wasn't as though he was wanted there anyway. Perhaps Hex would miss him, but maybe he wouldn't.. He still wasn't sure how much of their relationship was just the lingering pull of the bond, and it wasn't as though they spent much time together anyway. Hex was always busy, working. That wasn't likely to change. John put up with him, but clearly wasn't attached. Bond hated him. House had been kind, but it was clear his attention was elsewhere.

He had never felt more alone, if he was honest, and for a moment he considered looking for Guy- But why? That was already complicated, and Guy had left once before already. Just like everyone did.

He could feel tears starting to prick behind his eyes, but he willed them away with a calming breath. He wasn't going to cry. Tears did nothing except leave the eyes red and the throat dry. Instead he got to his feet and looked through what remained in the wardrobe.  A silver vest and robe hung near the back, and he layered them over a sheer button down top and a simple pair of white trousers. It was bright and airy, but somehow he looked like he was in mourning.

Stepping out into the hall he found it was silent, almost eerily so, and started to make his way to the main entry. He passed Bond and Harry, who seemed to be waiting on Silver, and considered lingering. What if he left with Willy? What could anyone possibly do if he did? Hunt him down? Let them. He could just refuse to come home anyway.

But no, why would Willy want him any more than anyone else?

Moving on, he considered hunting down Pippa, maybe begging to stay, but in the end he wound up in the gardens. Passing the pixies he followed the familiar path to the secret garden, letting himself in and settling in on what had once been his favorite bench. Staring into the hedge, he almost didn't notice the tiny creature fluttering beside him.

"You look sad," Winter said. "How can you be sad? Last night was fun!"

Nyx glanced over and forced a smile. "I'm not sad, little one," he lied.

"Liar," Winter chirped happily.

Nyx nearly laughed, offering a small shrug. "If I'm sad, there's not one reason- There's many."

Winter considered that, then perched himself on the arm of the bench. "You're free now. That's a happy thing."

Nyx nodded slightly, then shrugged. "At least when I was kept, people had to pay me mind."

Winter pulled a face at that, then shook his head. "Now you can have whoever's attention though."

"It's not that simple, Winter," the fae assured him.

Winter hummed, then shrugged.

"You should get back to John," Nyx said gently. "He'll want to know where you are, I think."

The pixie lit up at that, nodding. "Yeah, he likes knowing where I am," he agreed, giggling a little, then taking off.

Nyx watched him go, his smile fading the moment the pixie was out of sight.