Third Person
Bar Haven: 2nd Floor (Orphanage)
Phoenix never followed anyone who is not Saccharide or the General. Nevertheless, he cannot deny he was eager to catch up with the limping boy climbing the stairs. When he finally caught up, he was treated like he didn't exist. No matter how loud he called and how firm his voice is, Aquilla continuously ignored him. However, he did not pass the opportunity to greet every kid coming downstairs with a smile and a simple, "Hi!"
'Yeah, a great way to mock me,' Phoenix thought.
"Nightmare!"
He called.
Still no answer.
Grabbing his hand and turning him around flashed across his mind, but seeing the bandages made him decline the idea. Besides, they were climbing the stairs; even at a slow pace, they could still fall if he retaliated his touch.
Finally, both Aquilla and Phoenix were on the second floor, and Phoenix was able to grab his hands gently before spinning him around to face him.
"Nightmare..." he called him again. But this time softly...
He sighed when Aquilla kept his gaze low. Phoenix had no choice but to lift his head by mildly fisting his back hair, "You can stay quiet and hide in those bandages, but I will not stop calling your name until you answer!"
And yes, he kept quiet...
"Aquilla Clairmont!"
Phoenix gritted his teeth and called him by his real name. Aquilla shook his head to free his hair from his fingers. As he did, Phoenix can't help but notice how his hair grown long from above his nape to touching the collar of his shirt. It suits him. He looked more ragged, especially with all the bandages covering him.
"I hide in these bandages because someone said they don't want to see my face again," the green-haired boy finally looked up, "What do I expect? You probably don't already remember about that night," he frowned as the other male stood stunned before him.
...
"I do," the blonde boy whispered, "Honestly, I came here not only for the case."
A finger on his lips stopped him. Phoenix parted his lips before closing it again with a gulp.
"Look, Phoenix..." started Aquilla, "You don't have to feel sympathy for me anymore," Bringing down his finger, he smiled and stroked Phoenix's shoulder, "The one you love already did that for you."
Once he brought down his hand, he turned around until a warm hand grabbed his cold ones again.
"If you think I came here for the girl, you're wrong," Phoenix stated.
Believe Aquilla if he says he really wanted to forget him. He wanted to.
But his warmth reminded him how hot he was below him the one night he tasted him. He knew fully well that they were both tired and stressed at that time.
The sap of a lust tree consumed him. It was so sticky. He can't get it off.
While Phoenix was transported to his imagination, where Raine was the one making love with him, the blonde boy was in so much distress and needed something to take his mind off things, so; he accepted the touch and pleasure.
That's all to it. There's nothing more than best friends benefiting from each other.
...
And he came after him because of sympathy. That's all to it.
"I came here because I was wrong," Phoenix confessed and let go of his hand when he sure the other male was going to listen, "I was frantic to see you after Dione told me you are drowning in your blood," his voice was steady, completely the opposite tone of his lines.
"I tried to find you myself, but he hid you damn well," said Phoenix.
So...
That explains the mysterious lock picking Dione was ranting about back when he is still inside the dirty cellar...
He was searching for him...
Aquilla faced him and found two grey eyes sincerely looking at him for forgiveness. He should not be thinking anything besides him apologizing, but all he was getting from this is a false hope for his heart.
"This is a mission I cannot accomplish on my own," Phoenix looked away and seized the fallen strands of golden hair from his face, "I need you, but this will not change my feelings for you, Aquilla..."
"I still love who I love..."
"Shut up!"
It came out of his mouth offensively as he blushed. Nonetheless, it left Phoenix pacified and wide-eyed.
"I know why you love her," he smiled at the thought of the most angelic person he has ever known- Raine Aksenov.
"And I understand why."
She was someone every boy could ever hope for.
"I would've romantically loved her too."
He laughed. But he remembered, he wasn't normal. He was supposed to be loving a girl, but he fell for his best friend, who shares the same genitalia as him.
"I even would've beat you in getting her heart," he bragged and playfully pointed his finger at him just to mock.
"If only she doesn't love Saccharide-"
...
"As much as Saccharide loves her."
...
"And If only you don't love her-"
...
"As much as I love you," As he looked up, Phoenix was smiling at him.
His smile made him smile.
It was so precious that he brought up his hand and touched his cheeks. Phoenix let him rub his soft flesh and lean in. There was a hint of hesitation in the blonde boy's eyes, but all Aquilla could think of is one last taste before Phoenix gives it to someone else.
Just one kiss.
When he wasn't resisting.
...
"Hey, Aquilla, right?!"
A voice at the end of the hallway called.
Phoenix looked back at the person before he gasped as a pair of arms wrapped themselves around his body. Both of them almost fell off-balance, but thankfully Phoenix hugged back and leaned his body to the left so that the wall could support them.
Burying his face on his chest, Aquilla kissed the part where he heard his heart beatings, "I love you. And your heart."
He whispered those words.
He knew Phoenix wouldn't want to hear it.
Just a hug is enough.
His scent is enough.
Hearing his heartbeat is enough.
"Did I interrupt something?"
It was Mrs. Baernaise blushing at their sight hugging. Phoenix parted from the hug after reassuring Aquilla can balance himself after the long affectionate hug.
"It's alright, Sunflower," answered Aquilla.
"Can you show me the bathroom? Raine is busy cooking, and that white-haired boy is rude. I don't want to deal with him,"
"Sure, Sunflower..." Aquilla chuckled before linking his arms around the woman's shoulder to escort her across the hall, "The clean bathrooms are this way," he led forward.
"Aren't you a sweet one?" she giggled, "Unlike that walking dandruff," she rolled her eyes before laughing with the boy who created the mocking nickname for Dione.
Sighing in relief, Phoenix put his hands back inside his pocket and decided to wait downstairs for the two.
"Phoenix!"
A female voice called him, and he stopped to look.
"When I come back, let's start unraveling," Mrs. Baernaise left him with a smile, and he answered back with a simple nod.