16. Close for Comfort

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He was nervous for some reason. Phoenix was nervous and he didn't know why. Was it because he felt conscious of learning the dance even though he had flat out told Ace there was no need to learn it. What happened to the brave hearted Phoenix? He was thrown away in a single moment.

They arrived at the book house, walking in silence as they didn't know what to say. Phoenix walked along the bookshelves, tracing his finger along the books.

His intention wasn't to come to the book house to read like he usually did. Even himself was surprised by his own action. He came to practice his dance and not lose himself in another book. Siobhan was right, Ace had an effect on him. For Phoenix to do something other than indulging in a books was a miracle.

Ace would always come into his line of sight, looking at books then glancing Phoenix's way for a brief second. He was here now, so Phoenix didn't have to do it on his own. The problem was he didn't know how to go about it. He could walk up to the boy and tell him that he practiced and wanted to put his skills to the test. It was easier said than done, the brave Phoenix was not only nervous but suddenly shy.

He looked away when Ace placed back the book he had. Only then did Phoenix realized he was staring too long, the heat in his cheeks rising. He'll just find a book and forget about dancing. It wasn't going to do him any good. Just like how it was uprooting odd emotions withing him.

Phoenix didn't have time to be playing around. He needed to focus on one thing and one thing only and that was taking care of his family and others. Not about the boy who walked into his life and bought about change. He looked back in the direction where Ace was standing to see that he was gone.

"Can I ask you something?" He heard Ace's voice behind him. He placed a hand over his chest to calm his beating heart. "Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you." he apologized.

Phoenix turned to face him and realized how close he was standing. He peered up at the boy who was no more than an inch or two taller. "What is it that you wanted to ask?" Phoenix tried to rid his fright and calm himself.

"What are fifteens?" Ace asked, his expression turning serious.

Phoenix fumbled with his words. He was never asked that question before. He couldn't help but wonder why Ace would ask the question, he was here so he should know. Fifteen was just a name given to those who inhabited Area fifteen. Phoenix never thought about it.

They called them fifteens and that was it. It was a new name branded to those as soon as they where branded with the mark. Then there was those like Phoenix who didn't wear such a mark. He claimed the name fifteen regardless. Anyone could be called a fifteen, rather those who don't fit into the norms of the Kingdom of Seridina; The King.

Phoenix concluded his answer. Fifteen was just a name, but who are the people who claim such a name. It was simple. "A fifteen is a person."

The look on Ace face showed that it wasn't the answer he desired. He tapped his chin. "Why are these people inside the Iron Fortress?" He rephrased his question.

It was even odder to Phoenix. You wouldn't just be thrown in here without a reason. Only children that were unwanted were thrown inside the walls along with the rest of them. Was Ace trying to perhaps understand why the people were here when they did nothing wrong. Phoenix was trying not to be suspicious. Ace wasn't Axton. He was going to give him a chance like Siobhan suggested, though he wasn't keen on the idea of being friends just yet.

Phoenix sighed. He knew why they were all here. Yet, he still couldn't comprehend why they were actually here. What could be so bad about them that the King had to separate them from the rest of the Kingdom. They only did one thing and even that wasn't enough to raise anger in the King. He knew why these people where here but why was this place here in the first place. What was so bad that the King wanted them all to waste away and die.

"We're here because of love." Phoenix said. Ace looked at him confused. He answered his question but Ace was rising with new ones.

"Love?" He repeated. "I don't quite understand. How can love be the cause of all this." He ran a hand through his hair, thinking of how love, something so right could result in such awful things.

Phoenix shrugged, "I'm not quite sure. I always believed that the people of Seridina thought our love was different, odd." he explained. "I don't see why they would think that. Isn't love the same regardless of who we give that love to. There's no difference with who I love, who Siobhan loves and who who the people of Seridina loves. In the end it's the same emotion we feel."

Ace allowed what Phoenix said to settle in his mind. He couldn't see what the problem was no matter how hard he looked at it. Phoenix noticed how wreck with emotion Ace was. He could understand why he felt angry, sad, all his emotions becoming one thing confusing him. Phoenix tried understanding it too. He didn't know the King, he couldn't look into his mind or heart and figure out why he treated them differently.

Phoenix outstretched his arms towards Ace. "There's no need to over think it. We can't understand the King's reasons. He's too far, high up on his throne for people like us to reach. Trust me, I want to fight for something greater but I'm only an ant in a storm. Most of us have already accepted our fates." Phoenix took a deep breath. "How about we dance? Take our minds off things. I quite enjoyed it yesterday." he admitted.

Ace didn't take his hand, he took him in a hug. Phoenix was surprised by it. "There's always something that could be done. Even for those who have given up hope. They can find hope again. I see how you care for these people. I know you believe that one day they would get a better life. You have hope Phoenix, you just need to spread it. Trust me if it's you, I'm sure you'll pull it off. I'll even help you along the way."

Phoenix chuckled, placing his hands around Ace. "What makes you think I hold such a power. How can we change the thoughts of the King when we can't even reach him."

Ace ran his hand along Phoenix's hair. "I always thought you were a do-er not a thinker. Don't worry about such things, there's always a way." it almost sounded like he was telling Phoenix to leave it up to him.

Phoenix pulled away from Ace even though he found his hold to be welcoming. "Are we going to dance or not?" He held his hand out again.

This time Ace took it, giving Phoenix a quick spin making his back pressed up against Ace. "I thought you said there was no reason to learn it." Ace reminded him, a smile playing on his lips as he released Phoenix.

"There's no need." Phoenix said. "If I'm going to dance. I rather dance with someone who allows me the full enjoyment of it and makes me remember the tiniest bit of detail." He flushed from embarrassment. Telling Ace that he would rather dance with him than others.

"I'm honoured." Ace spoke, taking his stance with Phoenix. They danced about in the small space. Each enjoying the touch, the closeness and feeling the dance brought. "You've improved." Ace said.

"I practiced all night." Phoenix admitted. Ace was shocked by his words. "Don't look at me like that." he added, seeing Ace stare at him with fond eyes.

"Is it wrong of me to do that?" He frowned.

"No," Phoenix told him. "It isn't, I'm just not use to it."

"I don't know why but I want to look at you in such a way. This is also new to me." Ace admitted as the dance came to an end.

"Are you sure you want to look at me in such a way?" It was a question left for Ace to think about.

-

They were back at Stella's place. Phoenix wanted to check on the baby he had drop off sometime ago. Ace had accompanied him. It was clear as day that he was thinking hard about something. It was either one of two things, the question Phoenix left him to think about or the answers to the questions he asked.

Phoenix was starting to see what Siobhan meant when she said they were alike. Phoenix himself was thinking about things, what Ace said. He enjoyed himself with him and he's felt strange over the last days. It was exactly the small amount of time that made him doubt what Ace had said. Even Ace himself was unsure of his own emotions.

They both needed to think, to let a little more time pass between them before they are sure. Phoenix didn't see Stella in sight, venturing more until he saw Nevaeh. She was tending to someone and didn't see the two enter. Phoenix walked up to her, giving her a hug. Nevaeh was startled, smiling when she looked over her shoulders to see that it was Phoenix.

"I feel like I haven't see you in forever Ma." Phoenix said, giving Nevaeh another squeeze before letting go. Ace stood to the side, wondering if he had heard wrong. He recalled Phoenix calling someone else his mother. Ace was sure it wasn't this woman.

Nevaeh finished up, turning to face Phoenix, flicking his forehead. "That's because you always run off somewhere. Leaving me and Stella to worry, even poor Siobhan too."

"I'm sure you've missed me Ma." Phoenix teased. Nevaeh wanted to pinch his cheeks but her eyes settled on the boy behind Phoenix.

"And who might this be?" Nevaeh said, walking over to the boy. She smiled at Ace, waiting for an introduction from either of them.

"I'm Ace," the boy said. "I'm somewhat of a friend to Phoenix." Nevaeh turned to look at Phoenix who shook his head in denial. They weren't friends but there was something they needed to figure out.

"That's great. Phoenix hasn't had a friend in along time. He always refuses to." Nevaeh spoke happily. "I'm Nevaeh by the way. I'm somewhat of a mother to him. Though I'm not quite use to the title."

"Is Ma here?" Phoenix asked, wanting to shift the conversation. Ace looked at him confused. "I want to see the baby I dropped off sometime ago." Nevaeh nodded in understanding, leaving to find Stella and the baby.

Phoenix sat down, looking anywhere but at the boy. He was suddenly so aware of him now that Nevaeh was gone. Ace took a seat beside him, making Phoenix even more conscious. Their arms brushed, the familiar feeling coursing through him. Ace was too close. It was making Phoenix feel like he was going to go insane. He was close and it was a closeness that felt comfortable.

Nevaeh returned with the baby in hand, Stella walking closely behind. Nevaeh handed the baby to Phoenix. He kissed her cheeks, looking up at Stella who crossed her arms. "I don't think I can argue with you anymore." She sighed, allowing her ams to fall. "Ace, it's good to see you again. Is that son of mine treating you well?"

Ace nodded, "I enjoy being with him." Stella looked at Phoenix a smug look on her face as she took on another meaning. "He's a great person."

Phoenix cleared his throat. "Does she have a name yet?" He asked, his index finger held by a small hand.

"Her name is Luna." Stella informed him. "My beautiful wife here came up with the name." she gave a quick kiss to Nevaeh.

It was then Ace understood the love Phoenix spoke of earlier. The love that Seridians thought was different. Ace shook his head at the thought of what the Seridians said. There was nothing different about it. All he saw was two people in love that raised a boy who he was feeling something he never had before. He didn't know the first time he met them and knowing now didn't change anything. Stella and Nevaeh was still the same kind hearted people.

He looked towards Phoenix and thought, then that meant Phoenix and I could....

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