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Joshua was a well mannered child. Most of the time he was an obedient and smart boy. He would never displease his parents or break any rules. Most of the time. There were only a few occasions where his parents actually had to scold him.
Dion actually witnessed one of those occasions. The last time was at the ceremony. Dion could tell that the boy, who was the same age as him, was a formidable and gentle soul. Yet he seemed a little bored when the leaders of each nation held their usual conversation. Not that Dion was any more interested into those boring adults talking.
He remembers how Joshua took his hand. How all secretively they acted. Without getting caught they ran away. Dion never dared to disobey his father. He never would. However being with the phoenix made him feel .. different.
Why did he decide to go with Joshua that day? He could not give a clear answer to that. Perhaps there was a reason why he was so drawn to the dominant of fire. Yet he cannot grasp onto a clear reason.
Dion would have been lying if he did say he was not looking forward to seeing Joshua at the ceremony again… he was sure that they would rub away somewhere again. The thought of the excitement of the danger getting caught and just being with Joshua made him feel warm. Giddy. However he had to hide it.
As the two of them ran through the royal garden they ended up at a dead end. Both of them, very young and did not know what they were doing. But running away seemed to be fun, thrilling. Dion helped the other boy to climb up the wall to jump over. Joshua waited for him on the other side. With ease, Dion jumped over, effortlessly landing on his feet.
Following the roots that lead from the garden to the woods the sound of rich politician’s banter dampens. Joshua led him deeper into the woods, he wanted to show Dion something. Giggly and with clumsy steps Joshua took the lead. However Dion noticed immediately that something was off.
He heard slow paced footsteps.
“Watch out!” I pulled Joshua behind him as a goblin attacked them. Blocking the attack with his bare hand Dion took care of the goblin quickly, scaring it away. The two boys watched the goblin run away.
“I… you didn’t have to protect me.” Joshua said. “I am the Phoenix, I’m not weak and it was just a goblin.”
“I meant not to offend you-” Dion was caught off guard when Joshua’s fingers wrapped around his palm. Joshua's fingers were long, yet his hands were much smoother and delicate than Dion's.
“You are hurt.” Joshua’s voice was soft as his eyes lingered on Dion’s hand. Perhaps it was due to the situation that Dion did not notice the wound. Suddenly a warm sensation started in the middle of his palm, spreading through his whole hand. The pain he noticed a second ago vanished just as the wound closed. Joshua gave him a weak smile as he stumbled a little back.
Dion immediately caught him, sliding his arm around the other boy’s waist. “You didn’t need to do that, you look pale now.”
Joshua gave him a pout, however before he could complain Dion added “You have to take care of your own health too, remember that, Phoenix.”
“You sound like my brother.” Joshua sulked.
“Good, that means you have family who cares about you.” Dion gave him a nod “May I?”
Joshua did not seem to get what Dion meant but gave him a nod back. With ease Dion picked up the boy, carrying him like a bride. “Woah!” Joshua held onto Dion. “You are strong!”
“I cherish the compliment.” Dion said as he carried Joshua back to the ceremony. Joshua did not seem to notice how Dion was struggling at the end to carry him further- or perhaps it was due to Dion’s own ego, acting like carrying a boy that was the same size as him won’t be an energy draining task.
It doesn’t matter what it was. He made sure that the two of them got back to the ceremony without anyone noticing them that they actually were gone.
“Let’s do it again next time!” Joshua giggled.
“Let’s rather not, Phoenix.”
Waking up from a deep slumber Dion stared into an unfamiliar ceiling. His mind needed a moment before he could think of anything. Right, he killed his father, destroyed Sanbreque, hurting and killing his own people he swore to protect. Why did he had to wake up?
“Had a nice dream, sweet prince?” The voice of honey was too familiar to him. His body was caught between feeling numb and too much pain. He tilted his head a little to see Joshua’s gentle smile. He was sitting at the edge of the bed that was next to Dion’s.
“The ceremony…” Dion’s voice was still hoarse. “I dreamed about where we ran away…”
“Where I burnt your fingers accidentally?” Joshua asked him.
“No, the one after…” Dion slowly tried to get up “Where…are we?” A hiss escaped his lips when he felt the pain sting at almost every part of his body.
“Don’t” Joshua rushed towards him. Gently pushing back to the bed. “We are at my brother’s hideout, please don’t move.” Joshua was gentle as ever, an oil that fueled the fire higher called Dion’s guilt.
“Back then… you carried me quite well.” Joshua chuckled slightly. “I’m sorry that I couldn’t carry you this time- but Clive did. I guess that means we are even, kinda.”
Dion did not answer back, only looking at him with an unreadable expression.
“I never saw you look so sad, your Highness.” Joshua said softly.
Almost an unreadable expression.
“Let me get you some water.” Joshua walked towards the door. “I think the soup is ready to be served too.”
“You know very well that I do not deserve this kindness, Phoenix.” Dion almost whispered.
“If anything, that's what you need right now, Dion.” Joshua said and gave him a slight smile “If your highness needs to, I gladly would feed him then.” he said as he left the room.
Joshua, you really say the weirdest things at the oddest times.
“You did not change much…” Dion whispered to himself, alone in the unfamiliar room.