Mission Failed Successfully (A Yoru x Phoenix)

Thirteen

Yoru left Raze two hours later, the jacket thankfully intact but a little stained and roughed up.

Hopefully, he wouldn't get into too much trouble.

After a quick goodbye to his paint covered companion, he made his way down to the infirmary. A couple more turns and the scent of antiseptic tinged his nose.

He slid open the door quietly, spotting Phoenix near the window, lying still. Sage fussed around him with all her medical tools, grumbling under her breath fondly.

Having known them for a while, he'd heard of the stories. It was a closeness bred from familiarity, and long days forcefully spent together.

Yoru knew this, but it didn't stop him from clenching a fist.

Sage turned around at the sound of the door, and offered him an inviting smile, though she raised her brows as she looked him up and down.

"What happened to the jacket?"

"Raze has a rather colourful personality," he said, sitting down opposite Sage with a huff, "Brimstone should consider locking the paints away from his children."

Sage giggled, and with a wave of her hand she stood to make some tea.

Yoru took the opportunity to take a closer look at Phoenix. Although paler than normal, he was alive, his breath coming slow and shallow. Upon his face was a cut Yoru hadn't noticed before, and a frown line still present in his brows.

Every now and then Phoenix would shift uncomfortably under the sheets, lips turning down before finally relaxing.

Yoru had the sudden temptation to reach in and touch his face, to wipe a thumb under the rough mark scabbing over his cheek.

Sage sat back down with two cups in her hand, and Yoru snapped out of whatever trance he was in. Warmth rushed to his ears in self-consciousness when she levelled him with her gaze.

"I do not know if I should be the one telling you this," she sighed, and he sat a little straighter, accepting the cup of tea, "But - "

She takes a small sip.

"Phoenix, he cares quite a bit for you," said Sage, "Of course, he cares about all of us, but I can tell, well, you get what I mean."

Yoru absolutely did not get what she meant.

However, he nodded anyway.

"Do not take it for granted. I do not want to see him being used for his kindness. It would be cruel, even for you."

He almost raised his own brows in offense, but realised that she might have a tiny little bit of a point. Yoru already knew he wasn't the most social, and would bite back a little too hard in conversation.

Granted, it wasn't the best impression, but Sage still looked at him knowingly.

They finished their tea in silence with the beeping of the monitors around them. Yoru took another chance to stare at Phoenix.

Sage gave a tired sigh, and he turned back to her.

"You can go, I'll keep an eye on him."

"Are you sure?"

He gave a firm nod and Sage smiled, "I'll leave you two to it then."

Yoru frowned at the strange wording, watching her back as she walked out of the infirmary. A quiet settled over the room, and Yoru took what few moments of peace he could get before the other woke up.

If he had the strength to admit it, he'd say the idea of a Phoenix who didn't talk bothered him. He was too used to his constant blabbering throughout the day.