‘That waiter. He must be of Oni and Elf descent. Very red. And nervous. But nice.’

I find it amusing that Winter consistently gets his romantic hopes up each and every date, yet still finds a random man to which he gives his cellphone number. There must be a part of him not ready to settle down. Of course, this was always a pointless concept for any of us. We are all well into our hundreds and he still insists on this “the one” ideal a lot of mortal beings have nowadays despite publicly-known, open relationships losing their stigma.

“Well well, what’s your name?”

There is a Minotaur standing before me now. Winter’s Minotaur. It hasn’t even been five minutes and here he stands, attempting to seduce me. Why can’t I have a muffin in peace?

“You were just rejected by that Nymph there, so now you come to me in the hopes that I, what? Fall prey to your attempt at charm and physical appeal?”

He stared a moment, the cogs in his mind turning slowly. Very slowly. Before he started a fire thinking too hard, I turned from him.

“Go away. You aren’t my type.”

The nerve. You’ve left Winter heartbroken--though he has brought this upon himself partly--and have the nerve to come over to me? Because I, too, am a Nymph? I can see the thirst in his eyes. It isn't the standard attraction between beings, but that deeper, more disgusting desire: the want for servile behavior from me.

“Damn, what’s up your ass?” He snorted. Like the pig he was.

“Not you. So leave.”

His scent was finally out of my nostrils as the bell above the door rang, signaling his exit. Finally. Winter, what on this Earth are you thinking? When will you find what it is you are truly searching for in this life? When will you toss aside this notion of having one, sole source of romantic love and happiness? When will--

“Excuse me sir, here’s your lavender tea with lemon and honey. They gave it to me by mistake.”

“Oh I see. Thank you.”

This customer. Without his presence, Spring surely would lose his mind. I thank him mentally each day I see him here. Although, I don't enjoy having my inner monologue interrupted. He is an exception to that rule, however.

Their flirtations have increased lately, it seems. Just yesterday, there was a full, 5-second mutual stare between them. Here’s hoping this goes beyond awkward blinking and glances. Today may very well be that day. He claimed last night he would quit today, but I think it is much more likely that he will somehow pull off having the manager fired and still maintain his own employment. He could always take this place over and become the manager himself. Maybe even the store owner. The current owner has been speaking lately about successors. I can only assume she is going to die soon with such talk.

As if on cue, the owner entered the cafe just as Spring was verbally slaughtering his manager. While customers had their attention on the gold that was presented before them, my phone began ringing.

“What is the matter?”

“Hey, hurry your ass back home. I'm bored.”

“Don't you have someone to entertain? I can hear how breathless you still are. Also you're teeth are chattering. Another snow creature, is it?”

“This wasn't a planned thing, shut up!! ...Ice Demon...”

“Oh? In this heat? What is it with you and sweaty guys?”

“Shit if I know! Look, he left already, but I'm still in winter. Wait, that's not what I meant. Speaking of, I don't even know where that goofball is right now.”

“Here at Spring's café. He's still in shock I assume from his disastrous date. I told him that site was a mistake to use.”

“That's what I told him yesterday! Spring told him that shit just last night, too!”

“I told him this morning not to go through with meeting a stranger. At least it was a public place.”

“Thanks to me! That idiot was ready to meet that Bull shit at his own house or cabin, whatever the fuck.”

“Cerberus' tail, are you serious in what you say?”

“Yea. And stop talking like that. I'm gettin' on his ass when he gets home tonight. He's too trusting of randos. He's gonna get hurt. Then I'm gonna have to go and waste time killing some asshole.”

“Indeed. We all would.”

“So when are you coming back? I need some warming up.”

“Your power is literally heat. Turn off the air conditioner and drink some tea if you’re so cold.”

“Fuuuck tea. You make me warm...Autumn.”

“I'm hanging up.”

'He's wasted three minutes of my time. Now Spring is gone and I have no idea where…'

I turned in time to see him walking down the street with that Satyr. Good for him. At least one of us will have a pleasant end to this day.

When I arrived home after a few stops to buy apartment necessities, I could hear yelling. Winter specifically. His voice always had the tendency to travel far.

“Shut up!! I already feel like nothing, you don't have to rub it in!!”

“Well what did you think was gonna happen with a guy you found on "Greecey Giants" dot com?? That guy wasn't lookin' for no husband and kids, dumbass!”

Winter turned to me instinctively and had me on the floor from his violent tackle within seconds, clinging to me and sobbing.

“That's enough, Summer. He's been through enough today without you piling on 'I told you so's'. Spring won't be home tonight, so I'll make dinner.”

I stood up, holding him in my arms as I walked into the kitchen, setting down the bags of supplies and food I had obtained. Wholesale stores are a dream. I have two dozen light bulbs. And frozen foods. From the same place.

“What do you mean he won't be home?? His job closed already.”

“He has other matters to attend to tonight. He will return tomorrow morning most likely.”

A knowing grin spread across his face so I turned from him and started putting food away one-handed, holding Winter in the other. He finally started calming down so I set him on the floor and let him lean against my arm. His hands on my forearm always leave a subtle chill. 

“Ooh, it's gonna take all night, huh? I thought that weirdo wasn't into flings.”

“Not the way you do them.”

“And what is that supposed to mean??”

“The guy he's with is someone he has known more than five seconds.”

“Well it only takes five seconds--”

“Yes.“

That earned a quiet chuckle from Winter. “More like two,” he mumbled.

“Both of you can get this! I was gonna say it only takes five seconds before a guy wants to jump into bed with yours truly.“

“Yes. Then another five to lose interest.”

While he literally steamed from anger, I lightly patted Winter’s shoulder for reassurance. His eyes lit up their bright, cobalt blue as snowflakes puffed from his mouth. That was and is usually a sign that he wants us to, well, be alone with me.

'Are you sure?' was in my eyes. After what he went through only a few hours ago, I didn't want to seem like I was taking advantage of him in a moment of weakness.

“Well well, looks like Sweet Wonderland is horny. Want me to leave you two alone? Fat chance!! I live here too and I ain't goin' nowhere! Especially so YOU two of all people can bonk!”

His crush on Winter was even more obvious than Spring's feelings for me. It's been so long now I can't recall whose bright idea it was for all of us to live together. In a diverse city, no less. We should have stayed in the safety and familiarity of the forests back home. The Mermaids and Satyrs weren't so bad there, I suppose. The partying got a little more rowdy than I would have liked some nights, however.

Summer stared at me with an almost desperate gaze, as if trying to convince me that he'd be better for Winter tonight. Either way, I don't think either of us should be trying anything with him right now. His face was still wet from tears even in this moment.

“I'm going to make dinner. We will all eat together and that's it. Am I clear?”

“Who died and made you Queen??”

“I outrank both of you. In power and age. Spring was always second in command but since he's the only one with a steady income, he is in charge first and foremost.”

“Wait, I have a steady income!”

“Ha, you and your sugar daddies don't count, Snowflake.”

“What? You still maintain contact with those men?“

“Wh--No! Well, sort of. O-Only when we really need money! The gas got shut off last month, remember?? I didn't have a choice!”

“You always have a choice. Always, Winter. We're not letting you get hurt or worse. End connections with those men right this second.”

He took out his phone only to chase Summer who quickly grabbed it, deleting numbers left and right.

“Man, you have five dudes?? And they're all old as shit, look at these raisin lewds!! Hahaha!!!”

They sent him those kind of pictures? I could feel myself sighing in annoyance. Why am I even surprised? They look at him like a piece of candy or some such item. We should have watched out for him more closely when we moved to this place. He wouldn't have been this far gone if we paid him more attention and care each day.

“Hey Autumn, how bout you and me go pay one of these guys a visit? Looks like he owes little Winter some money.”

“He doesn't! Well he does, but it doesn't matter anymore. I didn't want to keep asking him…”

“How much does he owe you, Winter?”

“Seems here he provided some ‘services’ and never saw the money end of this business transaction.”

“It wasn't sexual! I just went with him to events and stuff…Dinners, shows...”

“How much does he owe you, Winter?”

He turned from the both of us and folded his hands, tearing up from the sound of his voice. “F...Five…”

“Five hundo?”

“...thou..sand..”

Summer stared at me with wide eyes and I couldn't help but return the expression. What exactly is he doing with this man to ‘earn’ so much? Then again, it occurred to me: Winter is a Nymph with snow and ice capabilities. He is also the youngest out of us all and a "virgin" by their definition. Apparently, sex between Nymphs doesn't "count". Especially two, male Nymphs. I honestly grow tired of this place some days. It takes all my willpower not to break necks when idiotic ideals and stereotypes smack us all in the face on a regular basis.

“5K sounds like a road trip~” Summer sang. I already had my keys in hand as he grabbed his motorcycle helmet.

“Stay here. We will return in an hour.”

“Wait!”

He handed us each a small, silver bell. “If anything goes wrong, just...well, I'll hear these and come save you. But don't make me have to come and save you two!”

“Very well. If you get hungry, I have those frozen foods you enjoy so much.”

“Make me a plate too, sweetheart.”

Summer winked as we left the apartment, both looking back to see Winter standing in the doorway waving nervously at us.

I called Spring while we drove back home, bloody money in Summer's pockets as he screamed about getting delivery packages or something to do with ships. Spring was, needless to say, pissed. He always treated Winter as a little spouse that needed protection. I think we all did, even more so nowadays as we all delve deeper into the world of internet communication.

“Hey, when we get back, show me a new feature coming this Fall~”

“Your puns are worsening by the second.”

“Gimme five seconds to make you love em.”

“Tomorrow. Tonight, we should watch movies Winter likes. To cheer him up.”

“Ugghh, that one with the singing girl? Or the other one with the two, singing girls? Or the one with the…”

As he listed every movie in the most vague way possible, I felt my phone ringing. I saw a snowman image and swiped the screen immediately, putting it on speaker when we reached a red light.

“What's wrong?”

“Nothing! You know the phrase is "Hello" right? You always answer all paranoid. Anyway! I made you guys food, too! And maybe we can all watch movies together? Scary ones, maybe?”

It is like he read my mind. But those movies always made both he and Summer cling to me screaming. Spring always abandoned me to retreat to the safety and quiet of his room. I guess there is something about being afraid, but knowing you're in no real danger that makes it ‘fun’. Strange…

“Sure. We'll have a marathon.”

“Who's that, Winter?? Hey, Snowflake! The offer still stands for tonight, but let’s push it tomorrow maybe. Or another day. I don't know, whenever you feel better ya know? Forget that stupid cow from earlier. You got the biggest Nympho around right in our own apartment!”

“Thanks...but Fall doesn't call himself that.”

“I'm talkin' bout me!!”

While they argued back and forth it made me realize that we all had our own way of wanting to protect him: Spring was always kind and nurturing, Summer was harsh and blunt as always, and as for myself, I always try to be honest and stern, but gentle in a way; a mix between Summer and Spring, perhaps.

“Aw shit, I just remembered that the place is gettin' gassed for bugs. I swear I’ll burn the apartment to the ground if I see one more of mini lobsters crawling around.”

“They’re called ‘water bugs’ here, I think. But very well, I have my credit card. We will just have to stay the night in a hotel. I’ll book something now and add Spring as our fourth adult.”

“Fine, let's grab Winter and our valuables, then head to a nice hotel for the night. Know any places that take last-minute reservations?”

“None. However, an acquaintance of mine works at a decent establishment. She can pull some strings for us.”

“Oh, noice! Bet Snow White’ll like any place. Whatever makes him stop bawling, I don’t care…”

“Sure you don’t.”

“What’s the hotel? I’ll text Winter to get ready.”

He was smiling to himself behind his helmet’s visor as he typed on the screen, almost getting us hit because of his negligent behavior in traffic.

I think deep down we all act as "the one" for him. Maybe he should just marry all of us at once and switch things up seasonally.

“The Four Seasons.”