Page 40 of A Winter Crush

He walked back into the studio, grabbed a lantern, lit it, and brought it out with him. With leaden feet, he walked to the kiln and pulled open the door. The pottery shone vibrant green in the lamplight. He looked away. The sight burned his eyes.

When he’d made the glaze, he’d thought entirely of Ori and how amazed he’d be at the vibrancy of the colour. Now he just wanted to get this done as fast as possible. As he unpacked the kiln, he gave a quick, perfunctory wipe to each plate and mug, ignoring the moon and snowflakes around the wordsHappy Solstice. With a heavy heart, he placed them into the crates.

He kept glancing at the forest, hoping to see Ori. But Ori never appeared.

He didn’t understand. Ori had been so dependable. And Ori knew how much work they had to do today. But that wasn’t why it hurt so much. It hurt because Ori had abandoned him, just like Rin. It was clear that Ori hadn’t meant what he’d said about wanting to give them a real chance.

Wareth couldn’t bear to think about it. He’d actually believed that despite Ori’s youth, Ori could care for him and actually stay with him long-term.

You’re a fool.An old fool.

Ori didn’t even last more than a few weeks before he’d left.

His mood darkened as he worked. The weather worsened until he shivered with cold. He wanted to do anything other than this. Finally, far later than expected, the boxes had been filled. One by one, he carried the boxes into the village to deliver them.

He kept his head down against the wind and snow stinging his face. He dropped the crates off to those who’d be selling Solstice cakes, hot chocolate, mulled wine, and other Solstice delicacies.

“I expected you a few hours ago,” Rhorton, who owned the store with his wife, Mila, said with a smile, taking the crates from him.

“Sorry,” Wareth said.

“It’s no problem at all,” Rhorton said.

“Do you want to come in for a bit? Have a bite to eat. It’s miserable out,” Mila said. “We have some food left from the Solstice Eve meal.”

He shook his head.

“Are you sure? You don’t look so good.”

“I’m fine,” Wareth said and left.

Finally, he returned home to his studio. But rather than go inside, he walked to the kiln and opened the door. A single wonky, lopsided bowl remained on a shelf. Throat tight, he picked it up.

Wareth had salvaged Ori’s first bowl from the first day Ori was on the wheel. In secret, Wareth had cleaned it up as best he could. He’d even glazed it a beautiful silver that matched Ori’s eyes. It hadn’t been easy, since Ori was always around the studio, but he’d wanted to surprise Ori and give it to him as a Solstice gift.

He placed it back on the shelf, partially closed the kiln door, and turned away. He picked up the lantern and entered the studio. He knew he should eat, but he couldn’t bear the idea of eating the Solstice Eve meal alone. So he sat by the cold stove, staring at the pottery he’d cleaned and set up for their meal.

ChapterTwenty-Five

Adim light glowed through the pottery windows. Despite his exhaustion, Ori’s steps quickened. Just seeing the pottery studio and knowing the man who was inside soothed him. In just a few short weeks, the studio had come to mean so much to Ori. And the potter himself had come to mean so much more.

Wareth meant comfort and stability. Safety. And after everything he’d been through, Ori needed that more than ever. He needed to be in Wareth’s arms. Then everything would be right in the world again.

He still felt guilty for leaving his brother, even if his aunties had encouraged him to. But if he could just see Wareth briefly, hear his deep voice, be held in his strong arms, then he could return to his family, feeling refreshed and ready to be there for them.

He glanced toward the kiln. The door stood partially open. It looked like Wareth had already unpacked it. He sighed in relief, glad that Wareth had been able to complete the task without him. Still, he felt guilty Wareth had had to do without him. He’d have to make it up to him.

He approached the studio door and was surprised to see the door ajar. He pushed the door the rest of the way open. Wareth sat by the stove. Ori was surprised at the cold. Why hadn’t Wareth kept the stove going?

An apology came to his lips, but Ori paused. Wareth sat slumped in the chair. Something was wrong. “Wareth,” he said. The poor man must be so tired from having to do all the work on his own. “Oh, Wareth.”

As he sat up straight, Wareth’s whole body tensed. He glanced towards Ori. Then turned away. “What are you doing here?”

Ori felt like he had gone back in time, to when they’d first met, to when Wareth hadn’t wanted anything to do with Ori.

What is going on?

Ori licked his lips, suddenly at a loss. “Did you finish unpacking the kiln by yourself?”