So this is summer. The place where spring bleeds into the blaze of the sun and the colors of the earth explode into vivid greens and vibrant blues. Summer feels too arid to be true, so distant from the wet air outside of Haven and the soft ground their boots had treaded on long ago.

"Your hands okay there, buddy?" Jax jokes as he takes a seat next to December sprawled across a red-plaid blanket.

Wren had insisted they eat lunch outside today, rambling on about perfect clouds and blue skies in between scattered shėä phrases. It was an odd request, the idea of a lunch with someone who couldn't eat. Yet the excitement in Wren's eyes was something December couldn't turn down at the time. Yet now, as he glances at Wren cradled into Ryder's arm, a part of him wishes he had come up with a better excuse than just working.

The manila folder lays on the plaid blanket beside him, a rock holding down the files from the aggressive breeze that slides into the field from the nearby cliff points. He grasps a few of the pages in his hands, red marks scribbled over black ink as he works tirelessly. His  attempts to block out the sight of the two boys cast off on their own already proving to be futile.

"I'm fine." December feigns. "It was just an accident, but I actually have some work to do so..."

The message flies over Jax's head as he falls into the plaid blanket, hands resting behind his head and feet crossed as he stares into the azure sky. "You're not allowed to work anymore-

"Celeste told me-"

"Celeste isn't here." Jax interrupts, body flying upright before snatching the papers from December's grasp. "We are in probably the happiest place in the entire kingdom and you have your nose buried in depressing paperwork. Plus you haven't eaten a single sandwich!" He adds on, voice somehow more distressed about the food than the paperwork.

December can only laugh at the other boy's actions, one of the few genuine laughs he's let out in his nineteen years of life. Perhaps there is something about this field that fills one with happiness, a light December hasn't felt in years tugging away at him until he finally decides to give in. "Fine," he laughs, injured hands grabbing a fistful of grass with a childlike joy. "maybe this is the happiest place in the kingdom and I should ease up on the work a bit. If Celeste gets mad I'm blaming it on you though."

"See?" Jax speaks between chews, mouth full of bread as he digs into the wicker basket in front of them. "It's impossible to be angry in the soul bloom fields."

So that's what these are... the large flowers that surround the group in neat rows, divided by patches of plain grass housing benches and gazebos. It appears more like a park than anything else, groups of people audible from far off though the vast blooms shield them from view. Their appearance is closer to that of cabbages or pumpkins than flowers, large buds that grow close to the earth connected to one another by thick green vines. Each plant is surrounded by colossal leaves that nearly encase the bloom entirely, only a few peaks of white petal visible from between the thick foliage.

Their presence leaves December with an odd discomfort, body instinctively drawing away from the large bloom beside him. Jax seems to notice the movement, a sandwich filled hand coming up to stifle his laugh before explaining.

"Don't worry, the babies don't know you're there, they aren't really conscious until their petals are unwrapped. You're a doctor though, so I can understand why the concept would freak you out."

"Are you guys okay over there?" The voices falls from the nearest empty patch, Ryder and Wren placed on their own plaid blanket in the nearby clearing. "December, you look awful." Ryder adds, a short laugh escaping him with the comment.

As he turns away his hand falls into Wren's hair, hand gingerly pushing the boy closer into his body as Wren leans into his embrace. December can't help the twinge of jealousy that stabs away at his rib cage as he watches the two pull each other closer. They both seem so at peace, Ryder absentmindedly stroking Wren's bare shoulder, his green robes having slipped down to the lower region of his arms. It's the first time he's worn a crown since their arrival, an oversized wreath of flowers balanced around his forehead adorned with baby's breath and ivy. The king is nearly laying in Ryder's lap, legs sprawled beside him as he rests his weight against Ryder's chest.

It isn't until the king turns away that the jealous pangs within December subside, a new sensation replacing them as hazy burgundy eyes fall upon him. Wren's gaze lingers for far too long, eyes locking onto December's before he gifts him a small smile. His fingers lifting slightly in greeting from their position rested against the plaid blanket.

"Looks like someone might have a crush." Jax chuckles under his breath. The voice breaks December out of his reverie, Jax merely smiling before scooting closer to the human with wicker basket in tow. "You're staring pretty hard over there, you know." Jax winks before drawing away, a ridiculous grin forever plastered across his lips.

Is it that obvious...? "I guess... honestly I don't even know." December admits shamefully, head ducking away so the others can't possibly overhear. "I didn't even like Wren as a person and then all of a sudden I have these weird feelings towards him."

It's the first time he's even admitted it to himself, let alone spoke the words out loud. To have feelings for Wren, for someone so out of reach and so far from everything December's ever known about this world, about himself? His fingers dig into the blades of grass between his criss-crossed legs, sharp points marking his palms red to keep him from drifting away with his thoughts.

"How do you watch that?" December whispers, head downcast as he pulls each blade between his fingers. "Weren't you in love with Wren? Then all of a sudden Ryder is in your place and somehow you still manage to be happy about it.

"Oh, December." Jax drags out the words in a sing-songy tune, tattooed arm flying around December and pulling him close in his embrace.

He smells of allspice and anise, a fragrant cloud emitting from his linen shirt as he throws December into his open chest. "How do I put this nicely? Wren has always been very... free love."

Though December attempts to move, Jax is as strong as he looks, his muscles barely tensing and yet December can barely move within his grasp. "Free love?"

"Wren would have a harem if Sasha allowed him. Actually, I'm pretty sure he did ask Sasha for a harem." Jax laughs. "Wren courted around four other guys at the same time that he was in waiting. In waiting essentially means the same being engaged does for humans." He explains, catching December's confused expression from the side of his eye. "When it became official that I would be his High Priest he blatantly told me that that title meant nothing to him and how against it he is. Apparently it's too 'restrictive' and he doesn't want to be held down to one person for the rest of his life. He told me he would continue seeing other people as he saw fit and said I was welcome to do the same."

With this, December pulls away as that familiar sensation creeps towards the pit of his stomach, eyes widening slightly at Jax and his remarks. He can't help the small smile that pulls at his lips at the news, the back of his hand drawing up to snuff the expression before it can fully form. "Do you think he's told Ryder that yet?"

"Most likely. He makes it a point to tell people early on so he can't be accused of deception at a later date. I know you both see Wren as this small, delicate creature too innocent for this world but I've known Wren for years. He's stubborn, a complete and utter brat who will always want to get his way no matter what. He's also a trickster and has problems with being emotionally manipulative at times. He's a fully fleshed out person with a faceted personality and interests and I think sometimes both of you forget that."

It's one of the few times Jax's smile has faltered, a silence washing over him as he sits cross-legged in the oncoming breeze. His gaze falls to Wren if only for a moment before gliding to December, his auburn eyes soft and full of life. A warmth emits from them that puts December at ease, as if his watch is one of protection and trust. Such is the hound that shelters the sheep.

"Wren used to drag me out here every morning. He had this obsession with coffee and sunrises and would drag me to the cliffs to watch the sun rise over the soul blooms. These flowers, these children, are the only love that Wren will never share. They have his complete heart. I'm genuinely happy that he has Ryder in his life because it means I can see him so carefree like that again." Jax chuckles though the sound falters halfway, his tone distant and dreamy as his mind wanders off to better days.

December can't help but chuckle softly, face falling into his hands before dragging through his hair with a pitiful smile. "How are you so happy all the time? I'll admit it was a bit annoying at first but now I actually find it quite admirable."

"Happiness fills people with warmth, and it's that warmth that turns into trust. Sometimes the night is long and cold and you start to believe it will last that way forever." His face turns towards Wren slightly, a pain dashing across his features before vanishing in an instant. "But if you hold a bit of the sun inside yourself, it'll help remind you that at some point the moon sets just like the sun, and everything won't be so dark anymore."

Jax cocks his head with a soft grin before his head falls back, basking in the glow of the summer's sun. "My dad taught me that. He said to be a good leader, to be Alpha Amir, you must become the moon that rocks the tides, the North Star that guides the way, and the sun that shines with hope and love."

What would Haven of become if guided by those words... If led by truth, by trust and a love that surpasses the barriers of tribes and otherness. If it weren't guided by a false prophet and the words of Satan that bled from her mouth as gospel.

"Oh, looks like we're leaving already!" Jax points towards Ryder and Wren rising from their spot in the field.

Wren's arms wrap tightly around Ryder's forearm, their own wicker basket handle locked tightly between their intertwined arms. His sheer robes still hang from his bony shoulders, rib cage visible beneath the thin veil of fabric that wavers with the breeze. If the wind blows hard enough it will surely knock him over, waif body clinging tightly to the human in his grasps as he grabs at his floral crown with a twinkling laugh.

Gingerly, he turns his head towards the two boys still sat in the field, the twinkling laugh of moments prior riding away with the summer wind. It's the same hazy gaze as before, eyes soft and gentle as they squint against the sun to fall upon December. It's a gaze that leaves too much to be said, too much to be questioned as the small king smiles once more, a movement that drips of honey and drags December within its depths.

How a smile and a gaze, a gesture so small and insignificant, burn a fire within one's soul is unknown to December. Yet he can feel the blaze that draws within him, the heat that washes over his body and ignites within his chest until his breaths draw hot and shallow. To know what that smile tastes of, what the forest, what strawberries and blood and gossamer taste of. A taste he can crave but never devour. A taste that another has already indulged in.

Though Wren's gaze falls away the watchful presence remains as brown eyes lock onto blue. Ryder's stare wavers if only for a moment as it bounces from Wren to December before falling upon his cousin with furrowed brows and downturned lips.

Ryder doesn't speak, expression falling away as he turns back to pull Wren closer, his finger gliding beneath Wren's chin before lifting him up to face him. His hands wrap around the small boy's waist, grin flickering across his lips before he pulls him ever closer.

Embracing him with a kiss.