It was only three weeks, Winter told himself. That's how long it was. So why does it feel like it was three years? The prince had asked himself this question six times now, and each time his thoughts repeated themselves, the giddiness in his stomach would flutter even more, the butterflies of excitement flipping up and down and back and forth. He'd only been visiting his brother, Hailstorm, for three weeks, but he missed Moon more than ever.

And with each wingbeat, he was getting closer to her. With each flap, he was getting closer to the rainforest, where they moved after they had graduated Jade Mountain Academy some time ago. He could see the trees lining the horizon, could almost hear the calls of the birds he'd thought he'd never miss, and the squealing of happy RainWings. 

Finally, thirty minutes later, he swooped down in between the trees, dipping and folding his wings to soar through the thick branches as Moon had taught him. He weaved through the forest as fast as he could, ducking under and above hammocks, startling a few RainWings. However, they didn't get annoyed, but instead smiled at him as he flapped by.

The NightWings bustling below him looked up in surprise as he swooped above them, and he scanned them, just in case Moon was out looking for something, or one of her friends. Unfortunately, but also fortunately, none of them were Moon. 

That meant she was at home, waiting for him for him to land delicately on the forest floor, waiting for him to give her one of his rare smiles, waiting for him to sweep her up in a hug. 

Winter couldn't keep back his grin as he spiraled down through a thick oak tree's branches, landed on the grass, and shook out his wings. They were tired from flying all this way, but he was simply happy to be home. He shook his head, making the spikes on his neck rattle, and stepped forward, smiling slightly at the small hut Moon had agreed to build in the middle of the rainforest.

Tamping down his excitement, he stepped up to the door, lifted his arm, and knocked twice. He folded back his wings and waited, ready for what was coming through the door. 

A loud clatter sounded from the inside of the house, and Winter flinched, but the smile remained on his face. He knew who that was, and he knew she would be the first to greet him from his long flight here.

The door swung open, and Winter tipped his snout down. The dragon before him was not Moon - but she did look a lot like her. Thankfully, there were no silver teardrops behind her eyes, but she shared the emerald green eyes, the starry wings, and the thick snout. However, the spikes on her neck and tail showed that she wasn't simply a NightWing. 

"DADDY!" Luna screamed, her whole face lighting up and her wings flaring. She crouched for only a moment, then she launched herself upward into Winter's chest, making him stumble backward. The prince sat down, wrapping his arms around the wiggling dragonet.

"Luna?" a female voice called from somewhere in the house, and Winter felt his smile widen. The NightWing stepped into view, her green eyes immediately locking with his, her dark scales shining in the sun, her shocked face lighting up the room. 

Finally, Winter thought. Before he'd met Moon, he'd never known the feeling of missing someone so terribly (besides Hailstorm, of course). But now he knew exactly what it felt like, and he hardly wanted to feel it again.

Luna untangled herself from Winter, leaping up and down with joy. 

Moon's shocked face melted away into a soft, happy smile. She hurried forward, throwing aside a scroll she'd had in her hand. She opened her wings slightly, stopping just short of Winter, giving him her "Come on" look. 

Winter stood back up and opened his wings as well, wrapping Moon inside them, letting her fit perfectly against his chest with her chin resting against his shoulder. Her wings and arms tucked around his torso, and her tail found his and curled around it. 

Moon took a deep breath, and even though she could read minds, Winter knew that she'd missed him as well, and she was happy to see him. She let her breath out as a happy sigh and hugged him tighter as Luna bounced around their talons, giggling happily. Moon sighed happily again, and Winter felt satisfied. Happy. He was home. 

"Welcome home, Winter."