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‘C Long. C Long. C Long.’ Phoenix chanted ‘C Long’ in his head. It was a stupid attempt at getting himself to focus and divert his full attention to the angle he was watching. Which was C Long. Or, it was supposed to be. Focusing was a bit difficult when you were used to rushing head first into things. Throwing yourself headfirst into danger with the (idiotic, in some people’s minds) confidence that you’d live. Extra difficult when there was a persistent throb in the side of your neck. A throb that wasn’t actually there, one that you were imagining. It’s difficult, when you could see (your crush? Ex? Lover? Mate?) Yoru out of the corner of your eye. When he was the cause of the throbbing.
“...I’m going to kill ‘im,” Phoenix muttered under his breath, finger tapping persistently against the trigger of his Marshal. Instead of watching C Long, his eyes were trained on the back of Yoru’s head.
“That’s ze plan!” Killjoy chimed. Phoenix hadn’t meant to say that out loud, especially over comms - he was just grateful she thought he meant the enemies. Or, maybe she was just trying to diffuse some of the tension that hung in the air. Most of the Protocol knew that things between Phoenix and Yoru were tenser than usual, but didn’t know why. The exceptions being Sage and maybe Brimstone.
Yoru spared him a glance before he teleported away once enemies were spotted at point A. It was pathetic that it made him happy. Yoru had only looked at him. And it made a hot and ugly feeling ignite in his chest. He burned with the want to do something, anything. Rip the stupid mating mark off his shoulder, push Yoru against a wall and threaten him or kiss that ugly scowl off his face. Phoenix didn’t know what he wanted to do. Maybe cry and ask what he’d done wrong.
It was the perfect energy to channel into a mission.
——
Things like heats and ruts were tracked closely within the Protocol. Memberswere given suppressants and blockers, yes, but not enough to where they could stop heats and ruts completely. That could be dangerous. Phoenix didn’t care either way though. He sucked at keeping track of things, like his heats and when to take his stupid medicine. Sage usually reminded him. Like the angel she was.
Point was, Phoenix was in his heat.
Face pressed against a tank top he’d stolen from Yoru like some type of lovesick house wife who’s husband is at war - which he wasn’t. Kinda. There’d been a knock at the door, Yoru saying something along the lines of ‘close your fucking vents’. Things were becoming a bit hazy. He remembered imagining how long Yoru had stewed because he was able to smell him, afterall,he’d lived next door. He remembered how he begged before unlocking the door for Yoru.
“Don’t regret this,” Yoru said as he pressed Phoenix’s broad chest against the wall. He could feel onyx eyes staring at his plump ass. His hands were cold against Phoenix’s feverish skin. Breath hot when he brushed his lips against Phoenix’s neck.
Knee deep in his heat, Phoenix couldn’t have given a shit whether he’d regret it or not. But, even before this Phoenix had been sporting a crush on Yoru for the longest. A crush he hadn’t pursued because he assumed Yoru didn’t want him. Begrudgingly, they were friends, or at least he’d thought so. They liked to egg each other on in battles, and knew the other had their back. Phoenix hadn’t wanted to ruin things.
“Never,” Phoenix breathed. He looked over his shoulder and leveled Yoru with the sharpest look he could muster with his head clouded by heat. “Now fuck me.”
——-
No, Phoenix didn’t regret it. Didn’t regret getting mated to Yoru, didn’t regret sleeping with him, and didn’t regret loving him. No. What Phoenix regretted was ruining things, coercing Yoru into sleeping with him - because why else would the Alpha be avoiding him? The last day of his heat Phoenix had woken up to a cold bed. And, a cold shoulder from Yoru.
“You are angry.”
Phoenix rolled his shoulders and let out a huff, turning away from the dead Raze at his feet, “...Just lettin’ off some steam bruv.”
Sova stared at him silently until Phoenix grimaced and turned away. The Alpha was far too observant and caring for his own good. Maybe he should’ve asked Sova to help him then instead of bothering Yoru. Phoenix twitched when a hand landed on his shoulder - turning his eyes back to Sova. Unaware of Yoru staring at them as Killjoy approached him to talk to him.
“He is scared, give him time,” Sova said softly. He smiled and squeezed Phoenix’s shoulder a little, before his eyes hardened. “And if he does not come around? Потом он пожалеет.”
“..What the hell does that last bit mean, yeah?”
“Tis’ a threat, worry not, my friend.”
“You’re a good dude ‘n all Sova, but you’re also intimidating as hell so when you start threatenin’ folk I do get a bit concerned,” Phoenix said, trailing after Sova to meet up with Yoru, Killjoy, and Chamber.
Sova just chuckled - Yoru scoffing. When he looked, Yoru had already turned away - combing out as he tidied up his hair. He wanted to do shit like that with him. Comb his hair. Help him rip apart the Icebox looking for shit about his ancestors. Phoenix took in a shuddering breath and tuned into Killjoy instead. He didn’t think he deserved any of that, apparently.
The mark on his neck itched.
—------
“Have you tried…you know…talking to him?” Jett asked, tossing her knife into the air and letting it float gently back down.
“Of course I have!” Phoenix threw his hands into the air and fell back onto the bed. “But have you tried cornering Yoru? Dude’s like a startled cat! Teleports away at the first sign of danger.”
He’d tried, so goddamn much. When he’d first woken up, he hadn’t known that Yoru was avoiding him - basking in the afterglow of being freshly mated. Half the day had passed without seeing him and he’d asked around. But, just as Phoenix had entered the training grounds, Yoru had to leave. When he went to Yoru’s room, he never opened the door even though Phoenix knew he was inside. It grew outrageous how hard Yoru was trying to avoid him and with every escape the hurt in his chest burned hotter.
Jett laughed and turned over, when she saw that Phoenix was not laughing with her she stopped and frowned. Instead joining her he was glaring stubbornly at the ceiling with misty eyes. She reached out and started prodding him until he swatted her away.
“Then stop,” she said. Phoenix turned to look at her, raising a brow. She rolled her eyes and grinned. “Look, pretty boy, if he’s avoiding you, then stop chasing him. If it’s something you did - which I highly doubt - then give him time and he’ll seek you out. If he doesn’t…then move on! There’s plenty of fish in the sea. Sova’s nice, right? Chamber’s a beta but he’s rich sooo…or maybe Cypher? Omen? Does Omen have a presentation?”
“...What if I don’t want to?” He asked quietly, voice cracking. “What if I can’t?”
“...You’re great at adapting to things Phoenix,” Jett said, smiling softly as she punched his shoulder. “You’ll adapt again. And, I’ll help you.”
It was hard to imagine having to accept being complete strangers with Yoru again. But, Except this time it was worse. At least as strangers last time they’d argue, but now there was just silence. Jett nudged him - throwing her knife in the air again, and he watched her.
—----
Phoenix tried to find different ways to distract himself - and hopefully - fall back into his usual rhythm. He threw himself at the range with vigor. But, unfortunately, some of the people here actually cared and wouldn’t let him work himself until he collapsed. Namely Sage, Jett, and Raze. He listened to music with Raze and definitely didn’t blow something up - not at all.
It was difficult. Because just a mention of Yoru or even catching a glimpse of him out the corner of his eye caused Phoenix’s eyes to follow him like he was some sort of kicked puppy.
He had a problem.
“Focus, Phoenix,” Sova chided, moving the chess piece across the board.
Somewhere nearby Cypher chuckled and Phoenix scowled a little as he stared at the board, “I am focusing.”
“…Now uhm, what piece did you move again? You know what - Nevermind.” Phoenix moved a piece at random then groaned when Sova immediately claimed his King.
“When will you learn?”
“Why did I decide to play chess with you two again?”
“Because you and Yoru cannot communicate,” Sova said. “But it is alright, Cypher cannot either.”
“I communicate very well, do not listen to him Phoenix.” Cypher chimed in, before waving him over. “Now come, come, I could use your heat.”
“For what?” He asked while walking over to the other Omega.
“My trinkets, here, heat it like this,” Cypher said while holding out some gadget Phoenix didn’t know the name of. Phoenix took it and cupped it in his hands.
“Like this?”
“No no, you’ll break it.” Cyphers hands covered Phoenix’s and did tiny corrections to his fingers.
Phoenix heated his palms and glanced up with Cyphers hand twitched.
“I’ve never touched you when you’ve used your ability.” Cypher chuckled. “You really do run hot.”
“…What are you two doing?”
Phoenix’s eyes snapped up when he heard Yoru’s voice. The rift Walker was standing in the doorway of the common room, watching him and Cypher with furrowed brows. When Yoru looked him in the eyes Phoenix glanced away nervously. His fingers twitched in Cyphers palms.
“We were playing chess and Cypher required Phoenix’s help.” Sova briefly glanced up from the board while fiddling with a chess piece. “Unless you need him?”
“…No.”
There was awkward silence for a minute. Cypher hadn’t let go of his hand.
“…If you would leave us?”
“I do what I want.” Yoru said to Sova, before finally leaving the room.
“…You should have seen his face,” Cypher whispered while learning forward. Phoenix could hear the mirth in his voice and just knew he was smiling under the mask.
“He’ll live. Do you wish to go another round, Phoenix?”
“And wound my ego more? No thanks.”
——-
“You’re an Omega.”
Phoenix blinked. It was a weird conversation starter when you were being held at gunpoint by your mates evil clone. Like commenting about the weather. While staring down the barrel of a gun. He held his hands up, eyes trailing from the gun to Yoru’s face.
“…Is that your way of saying I smell nice mate?” He asked, quirking a brow.
Yoru looked vaguely amused and moved the gun a little, “In a way.”
“You too,” Phoenix said, then paused. “….You’re an Omega then?”
“I’m guessing I’m not in your world. You aren’t in mine.” Yoru moved the gun closer, ignoring Phoenix’s flinch as he shifted the collar of Phoenix’s jacket with the barrel. “You’re marked.”
Phoenix grimaced. “…Sensitive topic…prefer not to talk about it really…”
Yoru’s eyes flickered back to his. He held Phoenix’s gaze long enough for Phoenix to start shifting nervously. The likelihood of him being shot was just as strong as the likelihood of having an awkward conversation. Phoenix was unsure of which he’d prefer more at the moment. He watched as Yoru frowned and glanced away.
“…Don’t give up on me. I’m a fighter as much as I am a runner.” Yoru said, then paused as he looked back at Phoenix. “And sorry about this by the way.”
“Sorry about what-“
——-
“He shot me bruv! While talking about his commitment issues!”
“At least it was just your leg!” Jett clapped him on his shoulder and laughed at the dirty look he gave her.
Phoenix mocked her under his breath before rolling his eyes. “Will you help me change my bandage or not?”
“It’s your fault you kept trying to fight with an injured leg and ended up breaking a few ribs you know,” she pointed out.
“Like you wouldn’t have done the same.”
“Which is why we’re friends!”
There was a knock on his bedroom door. While Jett hopped up to open it, Phoenix grabbed a new roll of bandages. However, when she opened the door a bit she just stood there. Then glanced over her shoulder at Phoenix.
“…Uhm…we were about to change his bandages but guess I’ll go…” Jett said, opening the door fully as she quickly made her escape. Leaving Yoru standing in the doorway. Staring at him.
“…..” Yoru slowly stepped into the room when Phoenix didn’t say anything. He shut the door behind him. “…You still need to change your bandages.”
“…Yeah.”
“But Jett left.”
“She did,” he said. When Phoenix got his hands on Jett he was going to break one of her knives.
Yoru walked closer until he was standing over Phoenix - who was perched on the edge of the bed. He held out his hand expectantly until Phoenix slowly passed him the roll of bandages. Phoenix pulled his shirt off over his head and tried not to shiver at the way Yoru’s eyes traced his chest. Kneeling down in between his legs, Yoru was gentle when he slowly undid Phoenix’s bandages. He flinched a small bit when Yoru’s fingers lightly traced the mirage of bruises around his ribs.
“あなたはばかです.”
“I don’t know what you just said but I feel like it’s some sorta insult, yeah?”
“You’re an idiot.” Yoru bit out, looking up at Phoenix with anger etched into his expression. “How did you let me sneak up on you? Then you went to fight with a bullet wound in your leg?”
“Hey! I didn’t just let you sneak up on me-“ Phoenix started. He couldn’t say much more than that though. Because honestly, he had. Momentarily distracted by Yoru finally approaching him, he’s briefly forgotten about the whole Mirror thing. “Not like you care anyway.”
Yoru bandages Phoenix’s ribs in silence before moving onto his leg. Thankfully, Phoenix was wearing shorts so he didn’t have to strip for Yoru to have access. He couldn’t even imagine any dirty thoughts while watching Yoru kneel between his legs. All Phoenix wanted was to lay down and sleep. Cry a little, maybe. When Yoru finished his leg, Phoenix expected him to just leave.
No,instead the alpha leaned forward against Phoenix’s stomach, hands resting on his thighs.
“..Uh…Yoru?”
“I’m sorry.” The words were so quiet Phoenix had to strain to hear them. Yoru’s fingers flexed against Phoenix’s legs.
“I’m sorry.” This time he said it louder.
“For what?” Phoenix knew, but he wanted to hear it.
“For marking you. For running and avoiding you.”
“You…did you…,” Phoenix started. His heart hammered in his chest, he licked his lips. “Did you want to? Or did I pressure you?”
“No.” Yoru lifted his head, eyes a bit misty but still fierce. “I mean - no, you didn’t. I wanted to but you…your heat, I thought -“
“…..”
At Phoenix’s silence Yoru started to shift nervously. Only to freeze when he heard Phoenix start laughing. His chest shook as he bent over, trying to stop himself and catch his breath. When he finally calmed down he wiped a tear from his eye. Phoenix lifted his head and grinned in the face of Yoru’s confusion and concern.
“Are you really tellin’ me we both wasted all this time cause we thought we pressured the other?”
“…Oh.” Yoru blinked as he averted his eyes, face flushing a bit once he finally caught on to what Phoenix was saying. “…I guess we did.”
“We really do suck at communication.”
“We’ll work on it,” Yoru said. His hands moved to Phoenix’s waist as he pressed his face against his stomach again. Phoenix felt the tension leaving his frame.
For a moment they both just basked in the feeling. Eventually, though, Yoru slowly let him go and stood up. And, despite everything, there was still that insecurity chipping at him that had him thinking Yoru was just going to leave. Until hands cupped his face, that is. He sighed and leaned against Yoru’s cold hands, shutting his eyes - remaining still when one hand traveled down his neck to brush over his bond mark, making him shudder a small bit.
“It’s healing,” Yoru whispered. There was something about the tone of his voice that had Phoenix opening his eyes. Yoru looked at him and smiled softly as he leaned forwards, “I think we should fix that.”