Let's Talk About Love (Phoenix)

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Whatever time it was, Oriel didn't know. It didn't matter. These things didn't care about time or place, they just dropped on him whenever they damn well felt like it.

The room felt cold, but still drops of sweat poured from his brow. He shivered beneath the covers that were already sticky and damp. The boy's breathing was heightened and a small moan escaped unconsciously from his lips. He rolled onto his side and curled up, as if that would protect him from the phantoms in his mind. They kept him from moving forward, always pushing him back where he came from, and still he struggled against them, desperately. Because he didn't want to go back. He didn't...and they couldn't make him...!

Oriel blinked his eyes open with a catch in his breath, confused for a moment as to where he was, who he was, who he was with... By the time his moistened and bleary eyes adjusted to the low darkness, his mind was finally able to recognize what it was that pulled him out of that hell. Oriel reached over to grab his phone - the darned thing still ringing and flashing multicolored lights - from his dresser and peered down at the screen. He took a breath and flipped it open, setting it next to his ear. "Phoenix...?" he said in a tired, raspy voice.

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Phoenix didn't get like this all that often anymore. He'd gotten into a good pattern of releasing his dust twice a day, making sure his mouth was covered and he didn't inhale any, and then tucking his wings away after they were spent and less tense. He didn't enjoy it, but it was necessary, and his trainer thought he was making good progress. Hopefully good enough to finish his time at Hammel this year.

But even though he hadn't inhaled the damned stuff for a long time, on some nights, especially when he was alone, the yearning would hit him out of nowhere, usually in the form of a panic attack. It was the middle of the night, and he was pacing around his room, shirt ripped onto the floor and back twitching as he fought his wings from coming out. His breathing was quick and ragged, his palms clammy. He thought about going to his dad's room and blubbering his issues, but he... He didn't want to do that...

He needed his Squishy. Oriel was the only one that could talk him out of these things. Phoenix took it as long as he could, because he didn't want to wake his fiance up at these hours, but after a while he just couldn't take it anymore. He picked up his phone, nearly dropped it, then pressed the quick-call button and put it up to his ear. He let out a long, shuddered breath when he heard his name on the other side of the line, oblivious to the other boy's own plight.

"O-Oriel, I'm s-s-sorry, I kn-know it's late, but..." Phoenix's voice quivered as he spoke. "I-I'm... I'm havin'... Another episode, and I just... I just can't get over it..." He kept pacing around his room. "... I wish you were here...!" he whimpered.

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Oriel closed his eyes and rubbed the dampness from them as he listened to his fiancee on the other end of the phone. His own thoughts were a big jumbled, but…even with his voice shaking and shivering like it was, it was still a relief to him to hear Phoenix. Oriel looked to the clock beside his bed. “Late you say….” Oriel mumbled into the receiver. “Ain’t just late. It’s already tomorrow.” It brought a twitch of a smile to his lips, but this probably wasn’t the time to be making jokes.

“Shhh…” he hushed soothingly to Phoenix. “You’re going to make it through this. You always have before, right?” Concentrating on Phoenix was the distraction Oriel needed to push his own demons aside. “You’re fine. And you will be fine…you know that, right?” Oriel wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around his panicked lover, and provide him with the comfort he needed so badly right now. Not for the first time, Oriel felt his heart ache over the distance that was between them now. It was only across town, a couple miles at best, but it felt like they were oceans away from each other. “I’m glad you called me,” he said softly. Oriel wondered if Phoenix could sense the unease in his voice?

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He was being so selfish, Phoenix knew. But he just… He just couldn’t do this on his own, not when it was so late and dark and lonely and cold… He might feel a little less bad if he later found out what he’d woken his lover up from, but for now he felt incredibly guilty, even more so at Oriel’s “joke”. “I’m sorry,” he mewled pathetically. “I-I… I just…” Oriel had heard this spiel before. Phen didn’t need to repeat it all over.

He swallowed hard and took a deep breath as the younger boy started talking back to him. “R-right…” he stammered in response, trying to take comfort from Oriel’s words. His heart was still beating fast, though, and he kept pacing. “I-I know, I know, I just… I want this anxiety t’go away so bad, a-and I’m havin’ trouble keepin’ my wings in, and… and….!” His voice kept rising until he realized he might wake up his dad, and then he stumbled off into silence. Why did Oriel have to be so far away? “You… You are?” he mumbled, confused. It was only then that he realized the strain in the other boy’s voice might not just be fatigue. “…. A-are you okay…?” he asked nervously. “… Maybe… M-maybe I should come over…”

It wasn’t like he hadn’t done that before, but… Not this late at night. He’d have to walk or fly to the school, and his wings still weren’t all that strong. But with his determination, he was sure he could make it. He just… Needed to make sure he went the right way… And didn’t run into any guys that thought he was a woman walking by herself so late at night and thought he was asking to be taken advantage of. “… I could get there in a half-hour, maybe…” And the fresh air and distraction of flying would probably do him good anyway.

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Oriel wasn’t annoyed at having been woken up in the middle of the night. Even if he hadn’t just been rescued from something terrible he couldn’t quite remember, Oriel loved that Phoenix confided in him like this. In the past, Oriel wanted him to do it more. The two had always been so close physically, that perhaps the need for comforting words was ignored. Now that they lived apart for most of the week, they had to discover new ways to be there for each other. In a way, it was a blessing. They didn’t always have to show it with hugs and kisses(and sex). But at the same time, it was tormenting, because just knowing that his fiancee was in distress pulled at Oriel’s urge to flee over there as fast as he could, no matter the consequence.

“I know. But, fuck. I also know you’ve been through a hella lot worse than this, and came out just fine. Just breath and think about…” Fuck. Oriel’s mind raced to think of something Phoenix could concentrate on instead of his anxiety. “You got work tomorrow? Did you…uh, get anything new in at the pet shop?” Oriel didn’t give many shits about animals, but he knew they could easily capture Phoenix’s attention. Not as effective as hugs and kisses, but it’d have to do. Shit, it was like a stab to the heart, being unable to hold Phoenix when he needed it.

Oriel could only assume that it was the same way for Phoenix, hence why he didn’t voice his own issue. Oriel didn’t want Phoenix to worry. Oriel would be fine. He just had to concentrate on helping Phoenix instead of whatever phantoms he still had dancing in his head. He breathed into his next phrase. “I’m fine,” he lied. If Phoenix had noticed the pattern, that was what he always said when he was the exact opposite. Either Oriel didn’t realize that habit, or he was unconsciously hoping that Phoenix would pick up on it without Oriel having to say anything. The boy was chilled and shivering slightly, even though it was so fucking hot in that room. His damp sheets weren’t helping much either. “Phoenix….you don’t have to.” And he probably shouldn’t. “I’ll just worry more about you if you do.” Oriel had the feeling that Phoenix was going to try and fly his way over from across town. He had a history of trying that(at least once), though never from his dad’s place. Oriel wasn’t sure Phoenix could make it without hurting himself.

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Phoenix took in a deep breath and closed his eyes, just trying to focus on Oriel’s voice. “I know… I know…” he mewled, very slowly starting to calm down. He likely wouldn’t get completely over it for a long time, but at least it was becoming somewhat more manageable. He looked out the window as Oriel started asking about work. “U-uh, yeah,” he murmured. “In the afternoon…” Fortunately, otherwise he would’ve been exhausted during a morning shift. “Anything new…? Um…. W-well, we got these really pretty birdies,” he said softly. They were nice to look at, but Phen was wary of birds ever since one had bitten him. Those little things could hurt! “And we’re supposed to get some new kittens this week!” he added, brightening quite a bit. “I’m gonna ask dad if I can get one soon.” Surely he’d say yes, right?

This was doing a decent job at distracting him, at least. His back wasn’t screaming at him so much anymore. When Oriel said he was fine, however, Phoenix’s alarm bells went off. Yes, even he’d started to notice Oriel tended to say that when he was feeling the opposite. Phen liked to think he was in tune with his fiance’s emotions. “… You don’t sound fine,” he mumbled, worrying more. He really needed to see him. “Yes I do,” he insisted, going to his closet and pulling out a thick jacket with two slits in the back; he’d needed them during the winter when he needed to train but didn’t want to strip down to a think t-shirt or tanktop. He carefully put it on and let his wings out, sliding them through each slit. “Don’t worry, I’ll be fine,” he kept talking through the phone. “I’ll be over there soon, okay?” Before Oriel could protest more, Phoenix hung up and stuck the phone in his pocket.

He carefully opened his window and peeked out, shivering in the cold air. Hopefully he’d warm up once he got moving. Phoenix walked for a while, making sure he knew the streets he was on, before determining the best short cut to make in flight. He avoided all alleyways and empty-looking parks as he fluttered and buzzed over various buildings, wobbling only a little unsteadily at certain points. He was definitely stronger than he had ever been before; his wings just weren’t all that strong or stable to begin with. Finally, he managed to locate the gates of the school and fluttered over them, landing with a bit of a stumble in the grass. Then he began meandering towards the dorms, trying to recall which window was Oriel’s. He stood at the base of the building, picked what he hoped was the right one, and fluttered up to it, knocking gently on the windowpane. If the person inside wasn’t Oriel and was asleep, hopefully they wouldn’t wake up. If it was Oriel’s (note – it was), hopefully he would hear and let the pixie in.

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If Phoenix could concentrate on Oriel speaking, then that would work too. Anything to get his mind off his anxiety. Though that was part of the struggle for Oriel. Oriel, so good with talking nonsense and bothering people, but when it came to being serious and comforting, he suddenly became awkward and couldn’t think fast enough. It was only in front of Phoenix(mostly) that Oriel ever let himself been seen stumbling over his words and otherwise just being completely inarticulate and flustered. Only Phoenix got to see(or hear) Oriel show any sort of weakness.

And only Oriel got to see(or hear) Phoenix like this either. This Phoenix was no one else’s but Oriel’s. It made his heart warm, to be considered so special.

“Uh-huh,” he said when Phoenix started talking about birds and kittens. “You are? Think he’ll go for it?” Because despite not really caring for animals, Oriel kind of wanted one too. Mostly because Phoenix wanted one, but if Oriel had to choose a favorite animal, it would be kittens.

Oriel’s shoulders slumped slightly when Phoenix called him out on his lie. Busted, he guessed. “Phoenix…really, you don’t….I’ll be fine.” Though Oriel wasn’t trying very hard to keep his fiancee from doing what he said. “Phoenix…!” he urged, but then the pixie hung up on him. Oriel sighed down at the phone…should he call him back? No…once Phoenix made up his mind, there wasn’t much he could do to stop him short of physical restraint…and Oriel wasn’t over there to do that, so he had no choice but to wait.

Oriel kept a watch on the window, looking out into the night sky, searching for a speck in the distance of his lover fluttering over. It was cold out, so Oriel didn’t want to leave the window open…but if he didn’t, then Phoenix might not know which one to go into. What a dilemma….Oriel left the light on instead, then curled up underneath his comforter, sitting off the edge of the bed. It was a while before a knock finally came at the window, but when it came, Oriel stood, comforter and all, and slugged to the window to open it. He sighed again. “Phoenix….I can’t believe you just did that….” He smiled anyway. “Get in here. Must be freezing.”

He’d help Phoenix get out of his winter wear and wrap the other half of the comforter around Phoenix’s shoulders to help warm him up. “Feeling any better?” he asked with concern. Phoenix had been anxious and with a yearning to take a hit of his dust, yet he was able to let out his wings and fly all the way over here with that temptation following right behind him, without taking a single sniff. He wondered if Phoenix even realized he’d done this.

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Yup, get Phoenix talking about the pets at his store, and he turned into a stupid little kid (well, even more than he was usually). “I hope so!” he said, quiet but excited. “I… I think if he knows I will take care of it… He might say yes…” Phen could hope, right? And maybe a kitten would help him during these lonely nights…

“Nope, I’ve made up my mind,” he said firmly, talking through Oriel’s protest. This would be good for both of their sakes, which was why he dared to hang up on his fiancé. The phone didn’t ring again as he got ready to go, which he was glad of – he would have ignored another call from the younger boy, which he knew would likely upset Oriel even more.

Apart from the cold and the dark, the flight wasn’t really that bad, and it helped Phoenix get his mind off of what had been bothering him. It also made him feel good knowing how far he had come in the last year. He would never have been able to make even half that distance before. He buzzed outside the window, glad to see Oriel’s familiar figure shuffle over to let him inside. “Nothing’s gonna keep me away if I want t’see you,” he said with a meek smile, clambering inside and shutting the window behind him. Brrrr….

He pulled his wings in and let Oriel take off his clothes, shivering now in a cold sweat. He hummed in satisfaction as the comforter wrapped around him, and nuzzled himself against Oriel to steal some of his copious amounts of heat. “You’re so warm…” he mumbled, wrapping his arms around the boy’s torso. He nodded at the question and smiled up at his lover. “Yeah… A lot better,” he said quietly. “Can I stay over…?” He didn’t really want to fly back again, and he had training in the morning anyway; he’d just leave a text for his dad letting him know where he’d gone (hopefully he wouldn’t get reprimanded for it….). “… How’re you doing?” he asked with concern. “You didn’t sound very good on the phone…” Oriel’s skin felt a little damp too, and Phen wondered if he’d woken up sweating from a nightmare. “… Bad dreams?” he guessed. “It’s okay… I’m here now, so I won’t let them come back…”

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Huh, really? That was surprisingly….reasonable for the old man. Oriel wondered exactly how that conversation went? Though Oriel was also starting to suspect that the old man had a weak spot for requests from Phoenix…..or just for Phoenix at all? Must be why all the shit he does doesn’t seem to match the shit he says, especially the shit about Oriel. If he was so against Phoenix being gay, why would he even let Oriel step foot inside their house? Why would he buy clothes for Phoenix for his dates? Why was Phoenix not crying and complaining to Oriel incessantly because of the anti-gay shit the old man had been known to say, especially with Oriel around.

And now a cat. Well, if the old man had a soft spot for Phoenix, then Oriel could understand that. It just ticked him off a bit that he was trying so hard to look like he hated everything.

Well, he had good reason to hate Oriel, considering Phoenix did such reckless things in his name. Oriel was sure he was going to hear about this from the old man, but….there was no helping it until Phoenix got there. He’d chew him out then….if he remembered to.

Because let’s be honest….seeing Phoenix right now was the one and only thing Oriel wanted to do, despite all consequences.

So when Phoenix came in, Oriel’s smile was one of utter relief. Both at seeing that his fiancee had made the trip safe and sound, and that he was able to look on the dorky face of the person he wanted to share the rest of his life with. “Good….” he said softly, wrapping himself around his Phoenix just a little bit tighter. “Yeah….it’s only a couple of hours anyway.” And it really would be a waste to have Phoenix go all the way home just to come back for his training. Oriel kept his hold on his lover, burying his face into Phoenix’s thin, bony shoulders and trying to soak up as much comfort himself. He nodded slightly. “Yeah…..” he said weakly. “Sorry…..I didn’t want to worry you….” But his attempt at keeping Phoenix in the dark only made the pixie worry even more, it seemed. He nodded again, feeling his eyes start to dampen. “Mmhmm….” Fuck, he hated feeling like this….weak and pathetic, and brought to tears from a silly dream he didn’t even remember anymore. He tightened his hold on Phoenix again.

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Let’s be real though, who could dislike Phoenix? He could melt the coldest of hearts with those childish, doe-like expressions he wore, with that quiet, meek laugh of his, how much he fawned and swooned over his one and only~

Okay, the last one probably got on people’s nerves, but whatever. Despite his history, Phoenix had become a right little flower and was so fragile that surely no one would want to hurt him at all! Least of all his own father, even though Derek probably would have preferred a son that was big and bold and breast-obsesessed….

Anyway. Phoenix didn’t need boobs. He just wanted his lovely Squishy to cuddle all night and keep him warm. The smile on his fiancé’s face told him that Oriel felt the same. “Mmm…” he sighed happily, nuzzling his face into the boy’s hair. He didn’t mind the stickiness; at least it was warm. “Yeah… I wouldn’t get any sleep at all if I tried t’get back to my house in time to get ready t’just come back here…” He took a moment to pull out his phone (without removing himself from Oriel) and shot his dad a text letting him know where he’d gone. That done, he set the phone aside and let the younger boy cuddle into him. “Don’t apologize, Squishy,” he murmured, rubbing his hands up and down the boy’s back, trying to comfort him. “It was just a dream. It can’t hurt you, not really. Especially not when I’m here.” Still, he wasn’t surprised to notice the boy starting to cry over it. Nightmares could really be awful.

“Mm… Do you want me t’get you somethin’ to eat, or do you wanna lay down and try t’go back to sleep?” he asked softly. Oriel had probably had time to die down from the adrenaline high he’d gotten from the nightmares, but Phoenix didn’t know if he was ready to try sleeping again. “Or… Do you want somethin’ else?” He pulled back slightly and brushed his thumb over Oriel’s cheek. “What sounds good?” Phoenix was happy to do anything that helped get both of their minds off of their worries.

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“Mmm….or maybe we can just….skip the day…and spend it all in bed?” Oriel sent Phoenix a short wink and licked his teeth. He knew they probably couldn’t get away with that, but god did he yearn for the day when they finally could. Just a few more months, then Oriel could be his own boss and cling to Phoenix as much as he wanted, and there was nothing the adults could do about it because guess what!? Oriel was one of them now, mwa ha ha ha ha!! It was only a short skip from there ’til he finally achieved world domination and put down all those assholes who fucked with him along the way!

….that was merely a child’s dream though. But it made him feel better.

Oriel watched as Phoenix sent the text message. “Sure your dad ain’t going to come ’n cart you back or nothing?” And probably report Oriel for kidnapping. “Shotgun in hand?” For a good old fashioned game of “shoot the Oriel”. Oriel didn’t quite like that game.

Yeah, Oriel was making dumb jokes. It was a defense mechanism, so sue him! With Phoenix by his side, it made him feel better much faster than if he just moped with his face in Phoenix’s shoulder. Well, he’d do that too, but Oriel didn’t want to be a mope the whole time they were together either. “I know….” he mumbled with said face in said shoulder. “…it’s just hard to shake sometimes.” Or all the time. Oriel breathed in his lover’s calming scent, feeling the tears come just a little bit faster. He tried to think through the jumbled mess of his mind. “Uh….m-maybe—” Oriel’s throat stung and he swallowed before trying again. “Food…sounds nice.” It was something to do. Not that Oriel didn’t want sex, of course, but…he really needed to not be so dependent on it when he started feeling like shit, as he was now. He took another breath and pulled Phoenix in tighter. If Phoenix pulled away, however, he’d loosen up so that the older boy could go get that food he spoke of.

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Phoenix chuckled a little at Oriel’s suggestion. “Well… You know I can never say no t’you….” he replied with a wry smile. He caught the sneaky gestures and rolled his eyes slightly. “Oh, you mean that kind of staying in bed….” Well… Phen couldn’t say no to that either, really. Because really, when given the choice between being pleasured by your fiancé for hours or straining yourself with powers exercises, who would choose the latter? “Mmm…. We’ll see in the morning. Okay?” Phen snickered and pecked his lover’s cheek.

He looked up after he sent the text, and shrugged. “Meh… He’s probably asleep and won’t see it until the morning anyway,” Phoenix guessed. “’Sides, he doesn’t know what room you live in, so you should be safe.” He chuckled and head-butted the boy’s chest. “And he doesn’t have a shotgun! …. At least…. I don’t think so….” Now that he thought about it, the pixie realized he didn’t know that for sure. Huh…

Phoenix continued to rub Oriel’s back and do his best to soothe him as he spoke. “I know, Squish,” he murmured understandingly. “It’ll go away, just give it some time. I won’t go until you’re feelin’ better.” Even if that meant missing practice, screw it, Oriel’s mental health was more important. He nodded a little when the boy agreed to food. “’Kay… We’ll get something really nummy for you, like a danish,” he promised, hoping there were still some left in the kitchen. He’d noticed Oriel had been filling out a little more lately, but as far as Phoenix was concerned, it just gave him more to love, and made of for his own scrawniness. So a danish would never hurt. However, when Oriel only seemed to pull Phen in tighter, he blinked and let out a puff of air. “Um…. It’s kinda hard t’get food like this though…” he mumbled, not moving to leave the embrace. If Oriel wanted this more than food, then so be it. Whatever worked best. “Would you rather just stay here like this?”

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“Okay,” he breathed, planting a soft kiss on his lover’s forehead. They both knew better, though. Phoenix really should go to his lesson, or somebody might come looking for him exactly where he was most likely to be. In Oriel’s bed. And possibly on Oriel’s dick. And while they could get away with that easily enough at Derek’s house, it wasn’t something they could manage at the school anymore. At least not while Oriel was still underage and under their thumb.

And back at the house…well, they were more-or-less under Derek’s thumb, but that old guy had a tendency to flee the house whenever Oriel and Phoenix started getting frisky, so maybe it was a little bit more on the lesser side. Oriel was still afraid of what that guy might do if he really got seriously pissed at the boy-couple. “Oh, you don’t think so?” Oriel rolled his eyes. “That makes me feel real safe.” What they both didn’t know what that Derek had two hunting rifles in storage, which he’d intended to bring with them on a hunting trip with his son that they never got around to. Well, maybe this summer…

Oriel was slowly starting to feel better. He’d calmed from the initial shock of waking from his nightmare, but that didn’t mean he was okay. He was getting there though. Phoenix being with him made what would have been a three hour regimen of running and more running and catching his breath and more running before he finally settled down into a mere hour…half hour? How long had it been since Phoenix called? He’d only been there five minutes and Oriel felt like he could breath again, basking in the comfort of his lover’s embrace. “Okay….” Yeah, he still felt pathetic. One would think Oriel was always the one to be there to comfort Phoenix when he was down and sad, but in reality it was Phoenix was was always there for Oriel. The 17-year-old boy was always being emotional about something…and Phoenix was the only one who got to see the full extent of that.

And really, Oriel had been reduced to tears like this over seemingly nothing far too often, especially lately.

A danish sounded good. But there probably wasn’t much out in the common room to pick from. Maybe crackers. If there was a danish, it was a leftover one from the vending machine that he never got around to eating. Oriel chuckled and loosened his grip around Phoenix. “Yeah…you’re right, sorry.” He straightened up, his eyes still slightly damp and managed a smile down at his lover. “It’s fine, you go get the food. I’ll be right here, alright?” He’ll just…chill out on the bed and wait. It wouldn’t be long, right? No, of course not.

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Mehh… Screw the staff members that might come looking. If morning came and Phen determined that Oriel needed him more than he needed to go to practice, then it wouldn’t even be a choice as far as he was concerned. However, he might refrain from putting themselves in too intimate of a position, in case someone did come looking for them… It would be easier to explain that he was here helping Oriel through a panic attack if it didn’t look like he was just skipping training for sex.

Phen’s only real security that Derek wouldn’t do anything bad to Oriel was that his dad knew how distraught/ruined/lost Phoenix would be without him, because he was aware that daddy wasn’t the biggest fan of his unruly-haired lover. “Uh… well…. I dunno,” he mumbled helpfully. “I haven’t seen any, so…” Then again, Phen was a little squeamish around guns. He’d seen plenty of little ones and a couple more intimidating types in his younger gang years, but he had always preferred a knife over the dangerous things. Any sort of kick-back would likely send him flying anyway.

Phen had all but forgotten his own panic attack earlier. Oriel had a habit of doing that, making him forget his troubles. The flight over had helped too, though. But really, focusing his energy on making the younger boy feel better and feel loved drove every other thought from his head. He was really glad he’d come over.

He smiled softly as Oriel finally loosened his grip, and Phen gave him a lingering kiss on the forehead as he gradually pulled away. “It’s okay, Squishy,” he replied with a small chuckle. “I won’t be gone long, it will just take me a second. I’m gonna be right outside if you need anything.” Phen doubted Oriel would need him in the few minutes he was away, but he wanted to be as helpful as possible. “Love you.” With another peck on the cheek, Phoenix got up and wandered out into the common room, rummaging around for something edible. He didn’t find danishes, but he found a half-eaten bag of chips, a couple bagels, and a handful of grapes. Perfect enough. After a few minutes of being gone, he crept back into the room and closed the door behind him. “I have a feast,” he announced as he placed the items on the bed and flopped down beside them. “I’m not super hungry, so you can eat whatever you want.” Phoenix began to nibbled on a grape as he spoke. “Mm, want one?” he asked, holding up another to Oriel’s lips. “They’re yummy~”

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Oriel appreciated Phoenix putting him before…well, life. But doing that would only serve to make Oriel feel guilty for disrupting that life. He was selfish and wanted Phoenix to donate all his time to Oriel at all times of the day and night…that didn’t mean that Oriel didn’t feel pathetic, ashamed, and guilty that his problems interfered so much and created problems with someone else’s life. Primarily, his fiancee’s.

Though if that was what ended up happening, then Oriel would no doubt milk it for all it was worth without hesitation regardless. He was still selfish, after all. And he loved his Squish.

Oriel chuckled softly. “I’ll take your word for it then…but if he comes and shoots me, I’m blaming you.” Oriel stuck out his tongue playfully. It was a joke. Oriel more or less shared Phoenix’s unease about guns. It was hard to not see(or hear) one growing up on the streets of New York City(or Seattle, in Phoenix’s case), especially not when one was involved in street gangs and the like. While Phoenix preferred knives, Oriel himself preferred his fists. He was, honestly too afraid to let himself use anything more than that. Oriel was dangerous enough as it was….

Oriel blinked and raised his eyes to look at his beloved fiancee. How did this silly boy always make him feel better? Always, he somehow managed to wash away all of Oriel’s worries with his simple, innocent actions and words. Even though Phoenix had his own problems, he always worried about Oriel’s more than his own…then again, Oriel did the same thing regularly. Oriel seated himself slowly on the edge of the bed, watching as his fiancee left the room after a brief moment of treasured affection. “I love you too…” he said softly. Oriel closed his eyes again and dropped his head as he waited for his lover to return. As always, waiting felt like forever. He disliked waiting. But when he heard Phoenix return, Oriel popped his head up again like an excited puppy, and he smiled. “Great,” he said, trying to sound more spirited than he was just a moment ago. Oriel chuckled. “You ain’t never super hungry,” Oriel pointed out. “You should eat something too.” He was trying, but yeah…his words just didn’t feel like they had the bite they normally had. Hopefully, he would recover by the time he had to talk to anyone else. Only Phoenix was allowed to see Oriel this way. Only Phoenix and no one else.

“Yeah,” he said softly. Oriel opened his mouth to accept the grape. It was yummy. Just as Phoenix said.