The White Phoenix

Chapter beta by Kylee.


Chapter Four:

As soon as they returned, Alistair demanded that Skylas clean the dried blood from the wound that he had received earlier.

Skylas couldn’t help but be amazed that the damn man had not bled to death from a wound that was so deep. “It needs to be stitched,” Skylas told Alistair as he cleaned his chest.

Danny nodded his head in agreement upon seeing how deep the cut was. “He is right Father, it needs to be stitched,” he said.

“Go right ahead," said Alistair.

“We will need a needle and a thread,” said Skylas.

“No problem, I have them with me,” Danny said with a bright smile.

“Danny why in the hell do you carry a needle and thread around with you?” Alistair asked his son with a scowl on his face.

“Well, Marcus told me that I need to be prepared for anything when it comes to you Father,” Danny answered while he rummaged through his bag for the box with the needle and thread.

“Found it!” Danny said with a smile and tossed the small brown box to Skylas.

Skylas caught the small box with both his hands. “You will need to remove your shirt,” Skylas told Alistair as he carefully threaded the needle.

Alistair stripped his shirt off and tossed it into the fire. “Go ahead,” said Alistair, his eyes on the boy kneeling in front of him.

Skylas inserted the needle into Alistair’s skin, expecting him to flinch in agony, but to his surprise Alistair didn't make a sound. Seeing that he wasn't hurting the man, Skylas continued on. Once in a while he glanced up and saw Alistair watching him with a calm expression on his face.

“There, all done,” Skylas said out loud once he was finished. “Now we need to bandage it,” he added.

“Sorry, I didn't bring any bandages with me,” Danny said when he heard Skylas.

Skylas grasped the fabric of his shirt where it met his shoulder, and tore off the sleeve. He quickly did the same to the other side.

“Did you sew that shirt?” Alistair asked.

“Yes, why?” Skylas asked, wondering what Alistair was curious about.

“The stitches seemed to rip easily,” said Alistair.

“I assure you that your stitches will hold well enough if you are careful to not move around too much,” Skylas said in a defensive tone as he wrapped the bandage around Alistair’s chest.

“Then let’s hope that you don't try to run away tonight brat,” Alistair said, his voice back to being cold.

“I wouldn't have attempted to escape if you were a bit nicer,” Skylas retorted. He quickly finished bandaging Alistair’s chest and got up to sit far away with his back turned to Alistair.

“Danny, you watch and make sure nothing happens to him while I am gone,” Alistair commanded and walked off into the dark forest.

"Your father really hates me,” Skylas said as soon as Alistair left.

Danny let out a soft chuckle. "I don't know why you think that he hates you, but I can assure you that he does not. If he did you would be dead by now.”

Danny was Alistair’s son, of course he would take Alistair’s side. Skylas decided to change the subject. “So where are your friends?” Skylas asked.

Danny grinned and looked up at the night sky. "Right now I think that they are where they should be," he replied.

“Huh?” uttered Skylas with bewilderment.

Danny laughed just as Alistair returned with food in his hands. Danny took a green plum from his father and bit into it.

Alistair dropped some fruit in front of Skylas and then walked to his spot by the fireplace.

Skylas chose a delicious looking banana from the pile of fruit before him. He peeled it and bit into it right away, unaware of Alistair watching him. He finished it and ate another banana and then another until there were no more bananas left.

“That was delicious,” Skylas said with a big smile right before he let out a yawn. His hand came up right away to cover his mouth as he yawned. He was almost asleep when he heard Alistair’s voice.

“Do you usually sleep sitting up?” asked Alistair irritably.

“No, but I have gotten used to it ever since I met you,” Skylas replied in the same tone as Alistair.

“Danny!” said Alistair, his eyes on Skylas.

“Yes Father, I know,” Danny said as he got up and right away went to work on setting up a place for Skylas to sleep.

Alistair walked over to Skylas and swiftly bound his hands together. Skylas stared up at him with angry reddened eyes which he ignored.

“All done Father,” Danny announced once he was finished setting up a sleeping spot for Skylas.

Alistair dragged Skylas towards the comfortable blanket and pushed him down onto it. “Sleep,” he ordered, then he returned to his spot by the fire.

Skylas lay down on the warm blanket and mumbled a few curses. He made sure that they were loud enough for Alistair to hear. Then he shut his eyes and let sleep claim him.

“Father, you’re watching him again,” Danny said with a chuckle from where he was sitting.

“That damn idiot. What is he thinking kicking the blanket away?”

“It is chilly tonight Father.” Danny commented.

“You know Father, if you are that worried about him, why don't you just go warm him up?” Danny suggested to his father with a grin.

“No,” came Alistair’s short reply.

“Don't expect me to tend to him if he gets a fever Father. He is your responsibility, not mine,” Danny told his father. Then he leaned back against the big tree and closed his eyes for some sleep. He smiled when he heard his father get up and walk over to Skylas.

Skylas’ eyes snapped wide open when he felt an arm around his waist, pulling him back into a warm chest. He knew immediately who the chest belonged to.

“What are you doing?” Skylas asked in a worried tone.

“You’re shivering,” Alistair replied.

“I'm fine. You don't need to concern yourself with me Alistair,” Skylas hastily assured Alistair.

"Go to sleep!" Alistair commanded in a low voice. "There is no need for you to worry, I have no intention of doing anything to you.”

“Really?” Skylas whispered as he gazed into Alistair’s eyes.

“For God’s sake, why would I want to touch you? You are Ramsey’s son. I hate him with a passion. I would sooner rot in hell than touch you. Now go to sleep,” Alistair demanded and pulled the blanket over the two of them.

Skylas felt a sharp pain in his heart when he heard what Alistair had said. He shifted to his side with his back to Alistair and tears just came rolling down his cheeks. He didn't understand why he was crying or why it hurt so much to hear Alistair say all those things. The only thing he knew for sure was that Alistair’s words had hurt him. He fell asleep with tears still rolling down his cheek.

Alistair knew that Skylas had been crying. As soon as Skylas fell asleep, he leaned over and wiped away the tears with the back of his hand, whispering his apology softly. Then he too went to sleep holding Skylas tightly in his arms.

-----
Keriya felt a heavy cloak being placed around his cold body. He looked up and gave a small, sad smile to the man who put it on him. “Thank you Noah,” he said.

“You should dress warmer Keriya, you get sick easily,” said Noah as he sat down next to him.

“I'm not a little kid anymore Noah. Even if I do get sick I can take care of myself just fine,” retorted Keriya.

"Tell me, why were you crying when I found you?” Noah asked Keriya.

"I-I- forget. It- it was nothing," replied Keriya. He had no intention of telling Noah that he was the reason why he had been crying earlier.

"You know that you can tell me anything Keriya. After all, we are friends aren't we?”

Keriya nodded his head and looked up at Noah. His eyes went to the big scar on Noah’s left cheek. He raised his hand and gently traced the scar with his index finger.

“I'm sorry, because of me you have to carry such a scar on your handsome face,” Keriya said as he recalled the day when Noah risked his life to save him. It was also the day that he fell in love with Noah. He could never forget that day as long as he lived.

“How many times have I told you already Keriya? The scar doesn't bother me. So stop apologizing for something that happened long ago. As far as I was concerned back then, it was also my fault for putting you in danger,” Noah said firmly.

Keriya brought his hand back to his side and turned away from Noah. "Noah, why did you chase after me?" Keriya asked.

“Because I was worried about you. You are not very good with directions,” replied Noah.

“But you still shouldn't have left your fiancé with Urian. You know what kind of man he is don't you?” said Keriya.

“Of course I know, but Urian is my friend and I trust him. As for Fan, he is very capable of looking after himself. There really is no need for me to worry,” replied Noah as he tossed a twig into the fire.

Noah turned to look at Keriya. He was still staring at the fire in front of them, unaware of Noah’s eyes upon him. Keriya’s face was a picture of beauty, with high sculpted cheekbones, a narrow delicate brow and cherry stained lips. His eyes were a nice shade of green and his hair was black and soft as silk. He never grew tired of looking at Keriya. Keriya was the most beautiful person Noah had ever seen. He used to think that Keriya was an angel when they were little, and he still thought so to this day.

Keriya turned around and caught Noah watching him. He quickly turned away and stood up as he felt his face turning red. “It’s getting late, we should get some sleep,” he murmured.

Noah stood up and went to set up their resting place for the night. He spread the blanket on the soft ground and smiled up at Keriya.

“You first,” said Noah.

“Noah, please tell me that we are not sharing?” Keriya asked with wide open eyes.

“Sorry but there are only two blankets. One to sleep on and the other to protect us from the cold,” replied Noah.

“Don't tell me that you’re shy Keriya, we used to sleep together all the time when we were kids.” Noah recalled their childhood days.

“We were kids back then, it is different now. We are both grown adults. Surely you can see the difference Noah,” Keriya said frantically.

Noah laughed. "Very well my angel, you can have the place to yourself." With that said, Noah removed the warm cloak from Keriya and walked over to the place where they were sitting earlier. He sat down and leaned his back against the rock behind him and covered his body with the warm cloak.

“Good night Keriya,” Noah called out right before he shut his eyes and let sleep claim him.

Keriya lay down and gazed at Noah with a smile on his lips.

----------
Urian wanted more than anything to sleep next to the person who was sleeping peacfully across from him. This was pure hell. Why in the world did he have to fall in love at first sight with his best friend’s fiancé. This was pure torture. Urian wanted to scream his frustration out loud. He shifted to his right side and tried to count some sheep to get himself to fall asleep.

Mira opened his eyes and laughter shone in his eyes. He immediately closed them when Urian shifted back to face him. He pretended to be asleep once more. He rolled to his other side and reopened his eyes, the laughter still shining in them.