#indigo oc | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

pigeonwhumps · 1 year

Text

Beaten

Immortal Cannon Fodder masterlist

Taglist: @extrabitterbrain @wolfeyedwitch

Phoenix finally transfers. But things aren't as simple as just walking out of there...

5.2k

CWs: immortal whumpee, abuse, beating, mentions of being (possibly unintentionally) denied food, broken bones, concussion, plushie whump, belongings whump (for want of a better term), choking

Phoenix packs the tube of capsaicin cream and the box of scrawled reminders into the bottom of their rucksack carefully, then pauses.

They’re transferring to Kai’s team tomorrow, so they need to pack. And they should pack some of the food from the large box under their bed. It’s unlikely they’ll need it, Kai never lets them miss meals if he can help it, but if something happens... if his team does something and he’s not there and doesn’t know... if it gets too much to leave their room... just in case, they should have something.

They rummage around in the bottom of their wardrobe until they find a fairly small plastic box and set about filling it with cereal bars and packets of crisps, a small bottle of ginger beer stuffed down the side. There. That should do until they have more space.

At least, if Kai or Aaron find it, they won’t get angry. But they pack it at the bottom of their rucksack anyway.

Then they stand up, glancing at the door nervously. They really need the toilet now, they’ve been in here for as long as they can, hoping, praying, that they could hold on, that they wouldn’t have to see their teammates before they leave in the morning, but they can’t wait any longer. Maybe they won’t bump into anyone.

It’s not like Abbie can’t come in here whenever she chooses, anyway. If she wants to punish them before they leave, she can. And besides, she wouldn’t want to do anything to them that Kai’s team would see.

Right?

Right.

They’ll be fine. It’s less than 24 hours before they leave, anything Abbie can do to them now Kai would see, and people who don’t already know would see how they’re trained. And Abbie, for some reason, doesn’t like that.

They head to the nearest toilet as fast as they can without running. Okay. Okay. Now to finish, and make it back.

That turns out be more of a problem.

They’re halfway back down the corridor, nearly there, nearly there, when they fall, barely catching themself before they fall on their face.

They try to rise, but they can’t, feeling a boot pressing into the small of their back. It’s a large, solid, leather boot, heavy too.

“Indigo?” they croak as soon as they get their breath back, then add hurriedly, “sir?”

“Yes. It’s me. And Segun.” Phoenix shivers at the malice in her voice. “I want you to listen to me very carefully. You’re not going to tell anyone how you were trained. That’s our secret, and ours alone. And if anyone finds out in some way that’s not through you, you’re not to act all pitiful about it. Because you deserved it, you understand? That was the best way to train you, and it worked.” She presses her boot further into their back. “Do you understand?”

“Yes– yes, sir,” chokes out Phoenix. They know it was for their own good, why are they being beaten up over it?

Segun scoffs. “You’re pathetic. I don’t understand why the agency even took on someone so feeble and worthless in the first place. I think we need to make the lesson stick.”

There’s a sound of agreement and Phoenix is kicked over onto their back. They try to curl up but Segun presses the tip of his trainer under their chin, forcing it back up.

“No. Don’t. Don’t do that, how are we supposed to give you a lesson if you’re hiding?”

“Sorry, sir.”

“Hmm.”

There’s time for Phoenix to take a breath and then it starts. Phoenix can feel kicks, and fists maybe too they’re not sure, hitting their chest and arms and legs. They bite their lip and close their eyes against the pained whimpers threatening to emerge. It hurts so much and they don’t even understand what they’ve done wrong this time. There are other ways to remind them not to tell.

The kicks stop for a moment, enough for them to take in a painful, shallow breath, and then a boot comes down hard on their face. They feel a sharp agony in their nose and something warm and wet trickles down their face. Their eyes water, and they can’t stop a pitiful cry of pain, especially when the foot comes down again, on their forehead this time, hard enough to smash their head into the thin carpet. They see stars, eyes streaming now.

There’s laughter and possibly a burst of light (although that could just be their head) and then finally, finally, the footsteps fade away. After a while they’re left with only the pounding in their ears, and the aches and agony everywhere.

As soon as the throbbing in their head’s died down slightly they force themself to stand, holding the wall for balance. They scrub their eyes angrily to get rid of the tears and pull down their sleeves, brushing off the worst of the dirt carefully. Their camouflage will cover the bruises forming on their skin.

They touch the back of their head gingerly. It’s not bleeding. Good.

Kai’s not here but Aaron should be, in the medbay, and Phoenix pushes themself through the corridors, taking the long way round to avoid the possibility of bumping into Segun or Indigo again. Or Abbie, but they don’t think she’s around. They can’t stay in this flat any longer, they know that much. At least... not until they desperately need to pack. They can take a break at least.

When they reach the medbay they lean against the wall, ignoring the pain, looking around for Aaron. It’s not very busy in this section today, most of the nurses are standing around chatting or organising things. Must not be any missions coming back.

“Phoenix?” Phoenix jumps and looks round, wincing as their head pounds at the sudden movement. “I was going to ask if you’re just here for a social call but clearly not. Come and sit down.” They stumble over to the bed and Aaron draws the curtains. “Let me fetch you some painkillers. I’ll be right back.” He starts to walk away but Phoenix grabs their wrist weakly before they can stop themself.

“Don’t go... please.”

“You’re in pain. And don’t tell me that’s not a bootprint on your hoodie.”

“I know but... ’s only bruises... I just need someone. Please.” Their voice breaks on the last word and Aaron sits down, pulling them into a careful hug.

“Okay. Okay, Phoenix, I’m not going anywhere.”

Every sob, every shudder that racks Phoenix’s body hurts, but they can’t stop it. It’s only one more night, they thought they were safe for one night, but they weren’t and it’s too much. It’s not like they would ever tell anyone anyway.

Eventually they calm down enough to pull away, swiping at their eyes and hiccuping. “I– I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you. Were you busy?”

“Not at all. Just doing some organising while I’ve got the time. But you’re more important than that.” Their mouth twitches. “Want to show me what happened?”

Phoenix nods and pulls off their hoodie, and then their t-shirt too, because that’s where the worst bruises will be. That’s where it hurts the most, aside from their nose of course, they can still feel Indigo’s boot pressing into their back. Then they close their eyes against Aaron’s reaction and let their camouflage go in an icy rush.

“Oh, Phoenix.” There’s no pity in Aaron’s voice and they look up at a soft touch to their back. Their eyes are a mix of concerned and angry – not at them, though, they’ve learned that by now. “They’ve really done a number on you, huh?” Phoenix nods. “Right. Here’s what’s going to happen. You’re gonna stay here tonight. I’ll fetch you some painkillers and something to clean yourself up with, and then collect your stuff, so you don’t have to go back to your team’s quarters. That okay? You be alright for a few minutes on your own? You’re safe here.”

“If– if you’re going,” asks Phoenix tentatively, feeling like a small child and hating it, “will you call Kai? Please? I don’t– I don’t want to be alone for long.”

“Yeah. Yeah, of course.” He squeezes their hand. “I’ll do all that now and be back as soon as I can.” Phoenix nods and Aaron leaves.

Leaves them alone.

They grasp the metal bars of the headboard tightly, taking deep breaths, jumping at every sound. It’s fine, it’s fine, Indigo and Segun can’t get to them here, the staff won’t let them near, it’s fine.

They can’t stop imagining it though. The nurses won’t notice and Indigo and Segun will get them and hurt them again and–

Phoenix yelps as footsteps approach and the curtains open, ducking and bringing their hands up to shield their head.

“Hey, hey, easy. It’s just me. I brought your painkillers.” Phoenix peers up to see Kai, who takes one look at their tear-stained, bloody face and bruised body and pulls them into a careful hug.

“What the hell did those bastards do to you this time?”

Aaron’s fuming as he makes his way up to Phoenix’s team’s quarters.

They jumped them. They fucking jumped them. Phoenix hasn’t said as much, but between the jumpiness and not wanting to be left alone and the goddamn bootprint-shaped bruise on the small of their back it’s obvious.

All those bruises, all over Phoenix’s body. Aaron doesn’t understand why they’d do it, not the day before Phoenix is due to leave. One last bit of fun?

Shaking his head, they push open the door to Phoenix’s room. It’s a mess. And not a Phoenix-mess, he’d recognise that anywhere after the amount they’ve made at his place, this is someone else’s. They pick their way carefully through the scattered belongings, some of them dirty and torn, until they reach the wardrobe and pulls out a partially-packed black camping rucksack. At least that’s not damaged. The photo album of Phoenix and their sister is thankfully perfectly safe as well, and Aaron tucks it securely into the bottom of the rucksack, above whatever’s already there. They pull out all the clothes remaining in the wardrobe and stuff them into the bag, then turn to survey the rest of the room.

There’s no point trying to save the fairy lights, which have been ripped down and crushed. He picks up the books he thinks he can save, most of which have missing pages or covers, but some are torn completely. There’s no saving them.

Then they change their mind and pack those in anyway. Maybe Phoenix can fix them. Or they might want them anyway, even if they can’t.

He strips the bed and covers, piling the colourful bedspread that was a gift from Kai into the bag as well as the massive weighted blanket. The polaroids of the three of them they slip into a secure pocket.

Then they turn to the last remaining item, arm and foot torn off, eye missing, stuffing pooling onto the mattress underneath. Mr Frosty.

The only thing Phoenix has from when they were little, already repaired several times in his long life.

It’s Aaron’s turn to repair him this time.

He picks up the large plushie snowman and packs him away carefully, then gathers as much stuffing and loose plushie fabric as he can find, tucking it into another pocket.

That’s everything then. There’s a few pieces of clothing that would be impossible to repair, and the fairy lights of course, but other than that... Phoenix’s life, packed into one not-quite-full rucksack. He shoulders it and turns to leave.

Abbie’s standing in the doorway, arms folded, a smirk on her face.

“What the hell are you doing here?”

“Such a temper, and I haven’t even done anything.”

“You and your team jumped Phoenix and trashed their room. That’s not nothing.”

She shrugs. “I meant to you. As for that bitch, they shouldn’t have betrayed us.”

“Betrayed you? Betrayed you? You abused them for over five years. Don’t blame them for taking the first exit they could find.”

“That was training. Not abuse. We’re the best performing team in the League, thanks to that. In fact, I’m surprised management let you take our best asset.”

Aaron narrows his eyes, clenches his fists. “Phoenix isn’t an asset, they’re a goddamned person. And you’re very full of yourself. The only reason you lot have the best performance is because on every single mission you send Phoenix to die so the rest of you barely get hurt. You take on far more missions than anyone else because you don’t give Phoenix any recovery time. The three of you are complete and utter bastards. Now get the hell out of my way and let me go back to my friend.”

“Didn’t know they were capable of making any. But then I suppose they’re probably a sucker for anyone who looks at them twice. Pathetic.”

Aaron feels a surge of anger and lashes out, slamming Abbie into the wall. “I said get out of my way.”

“I could report that, you know,” rasps Abbie, massaging her throat. Aaron shrugs.

“You could. But then I’d tell them to look at the last five years of security footage. Phoenix was sixteen when they started here. Only sixteen. So I’d back off, and pray that they never report you. Unless you want child abuse charges brought against you. Understand?” Abbie nods once and they stride off, back towards the medical bay.

Kai holds Phoenix as tightly as he dares. He’s not sure what happened, but he can guess who did it. Aaron had had a face like thunder as he’d handed over the painkillers, and Phoenix’s natural skin colour is barely peeking out under the bruises and blood. They’re shaking in Kai’s arms, and not just from the tears soaking his t-shirt.

“You’re safe now, Phoenix. You’re okay. You’re going to be okay.”

Eventually Phoenix pulls away slightly, wiping their eyes. Their voice is horribly stuffy. “I– I’m fine. Were you busy?”

“Nah. Just tidying up ready for you to arrive tomorrow, but the rest of the team can manage that without me.”

“Oh. You don’t have to clean up especially for me.”

“I know. But we want to.” He hands Phoenix some paracetamol and a glass of water. “Here. Want me to clean you up a bit?” They nod, wincing, and he picks up a cloth, wiping their face gently. “I think your nose is broken.”

“Guessed that,” says Phoenix thickly. “Hurts.”

“I know, I’m sorry. So sorry.” He brushes their fringe out of the way to wipe their forehead. “How are your fringe and forehead so dirty?”

“Indigo’s boots are dirty.”

Kai feels a surge of fury, hand tightening on the cloth. “She kicked you in the head?”

Phoenix flinches. “Stamped on it.”

“Do you have concussion? Is anything broken?”

“Yeah, but it won’t last long. And I think my rib’s cracked, but you can’t bind that anyway, so.”

“I’ll just have to be gentle with you then.”

“You already are.” And Phoenix’s eyes say plainly that they still don’t understand why. It breaks Kai’s heart to see.

“Course I am.” He runs the cloth through their fringe, wiping a few strands at a time. “What happened?”

“I was in the corridor and they, um, they jumped me. Segun and Indigo. I don’t know where Abbie was. They said they were giving me a reminder not to tell anyone else.” They frown. “Which means you’re not just weirdly nice. It must be wrong, if everyone would disagree with it.”

“Starting to get it now?” asks Kai gently. He doesn’t have high hopes though. They bounce between their treatment being wrong and Kai and Aaron being weird every few days. He thinks he’ll know when they finally realise for good.

“Mmm.”

The curtain rustles and Phoenix jumps, raising an arm to shield their head.

“Easy, Phoenix,” soothes Kai, running a hand down their other arm, “it’s just Aaron.”

“Oh.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you. I’ve brought your things. Or what I could salvage, at least.”

“What you could salvage? What happened?”

“Why do you have a needle and thread? Phoenix doesn’t need stitches.”

“It’s not for them, it’s for Mr Frosty.” He sits down on a chair and sets the large rucksack at his feet. “And as for what happened... Phoenix, someone trashed your room. I managed to save most of it, but the fairy lights and a few of your clothes are beyond repair. And possibly some books, I brought them all anyway in case you can fix them but I don’t know.”

“Guess we know where Abbie was then.”

“And Mr Frosty?” asks Phoenix urgently, ignoring Kai. “What happened to him?”

Aaron sighs. "He’s a bit torn up. I’ll fix him, don’t worry too much, but…” He pulls the biggest part of Mr Frosty out of Phoenix’s bag and hands it to them. They stifle a sob and clutch the plushie tightly.

“Mr Frosty…”

“I’ll fix him, it’s okay. Might be a bit messy but he’ll be whole again. Alright?”

Phoenix nods, wiping their eyes. “Can I– can I see the rest of my things?”

“Of course. Be careful though, some of it’s pretty fragile now.” Before Aaron can lift the rucksack onto the bed Phoenix hands them Mr Frosty and slides down onto the floor with a wince, undoing the straps stiffly. They peer inside.

“Oh.” Phoenix pulls out half of a dirt-spotted book. “Are they all like this?”

“No. No, some are intact. Some are worse though. I picked up as many pages as I could find, I’m not sure if you’ll be able to fix them?”

“There’s got to be tutorials online somewhere,” murmurs Phoenix, “I can try. Thank you.”

Aaron smiles weakly. “It wasn’t a problem. Really. If it helps, your photo album hasn’t been touched. Nor have the polaroids of the three of us. Here.” He kneels down beside Phoenix and takes the photos out of their pocket, handing them over. Phoenix looks through them, smiling through their tears.

“They really didn’t touch them.”

“No. And most of your clothes need a wash but they’ll be fine as well. Your suit’s clean. It’ll be okay, Phoenix.”

Phoenix nods. “I– I know. I know.” But their eyes say that they really don’t, not right now.

“I can get these in the wash now, if you like,” offers Kai, “that way they’ll be ready for you when you come to mine in the morning.”

Phoenix shakes their head. “I don’t want them to be somewhere I can’t see them. I mean– if it was just you, but it’s not just you, and I know they’re your team but I don’t know them, and it’s just– I can’t.”

“That’s okay, I don’t mind,” reassures Kai. “C’mere and have another hug.”

Phoenix packs away the photos carefully before scrambling stiffly onto the bed and into Kai’s arms, a small, soft weight in them.

“I’ll give you some privacy to finish washing up and fetch some clean clothes, alright?” asks Aaron. Phoenix nods, and Aaron strokes their hair once before leaving, pulling the blue curtain tightly closed again behind them. Phoenix melts at the touch.

“You really do like that, don’t you?” Kai murmurs. They nod into his damp t-shirt. “Want me to help you finish cleaning up?”

Not too long later, Phoenix is clean, dressed and asleep in an old hoodie and pyjama trousers of Aaron’s. The clothes dwarf them, and they look tiny, the blanket hanging partially off them because they can’t manage it all right now, holding onto Kai tightly as they snuffle. Aaron sits on the edge of the bed on their other side, concentrating mostly on the needle piercing Mr Frosty’s fur repeatedly, glancing at Phoenix worriedly every so often.

“I’m going to kill them,” says Kai, running a hand through Phoenix’s hair. “I’ll bloody well kill them.”

“No you won’t. Phoenix needs you.”

“Later, then. Once they’re safe.” He pauses as Phoenix snuggles closer. “How did we not realise they’d do something like this? It was their last chance, we should’ve known.”

Aaron shakes his head. “We always miss it. Every damn time, we miss it. But we won’t help them by drowning ourselves in regret.”

Kai quirks his mouth slightly. “Sounds familiar.”

“It should. You’re the one who told me it.”

“Mm.” It’s true. Kai was the one to say it first, months ago. It came from his mentor originally, although where she got it from he has no idea. “Didn’t expect you to remember it.”

“It’s memorable.” Aaron curses as the thread drops out of the needle and rethreads it carefully. “Did Phoenix tell you? I’m keeping their weekly check-ups for the foreseeable future.”

“They said. I’m glad, but I’m still not convinced you won’t burn out, taking on another team.”

“Your medic’s retiring, you need one. And it’s the only way I can keep Phoenix under my care without letting on that something’s wrong. I really need to keep an eye on them.”

“My team won’t–” he starts, indignant.

“I trust you, Kai. I trust your team. But I don’t trust Phoenix with themself.” Kai looks at them quizzically and they sigh. “Right now, they still believe that the pain their team put them through helped them learn ‘properly’. And if they believe they need to keep learning that way... well. I don’t want anything to happen.”

Kai swallows, fear rising. “You’re saying they might... hurt themself?”

“It’s a possibility. I want to keep an eye on them.”

“That’s a good idea. Don’t burn yourself out though.”

“Sophia won’t let me.”

“Good.”

Aaron squints at Mr Frosty as he sews on an eye, then he sets down the needle and holds the snowman out at arm’s length.

“Hmm. He’s a bit lopsided. Do you think Phoenix will mind?”

“Nah, they’ll just be pleased you fixed him.”

Aaron leans over and squishes Mr Frosty in between Phoenix and Kai, and Phoenix tightens their grip, pulling the snowman towards them as they sleep.

“At least tomorrow, they’ll be out of here.”

Phoenix wakes in the morning feeling stiff and surprisingly rested. They’re slightly boxed in by warmth and they open their eyes, confused.

Oh. That must be why they slept so well. They’re tucked into Kai’s side, Aaron lying on the other, an arm around their shoulders. Both their friends are asleep. And they’re lying on something. They sit up carefully, wriggling out of Kai’s hold, and pull whatever it is out from underneath them.

It’s Mr Frosty.

He has thick black lines of stitching down him and his eye is a little wonky, but he’s back in one piece and Phoenix hugs him tightly.

“Is he okay?” asks a groggy voice. Aaron’s woken up, and Phoenix beams at him.

“He’s perfect! Thank you.”

“You sure? He’s a bit wonky. And the stitching’s really prominent, but black’s the only colour we have.”

“He’s a frankensnowman,” murmurs Phoenix. “Thank you.”

From Phoenix’s other side, Kai yawns. “Oh. You’ve found Mr Frosty then?” They nod. “Good. Told you they’d be happy with him, Aaron.”

“Yeah, yeah.”

“Right. I’m going to head downstairs, make sure the team’s ready for your arrival, if that’s okay?”

Phoenix nods. It’s weird. They’ve never had anyone actually prepare for their arrival in a nice way before (at least, they hope it’s nice).

“Alright. Do you want me to come back and show you the way?”

“I– um, I think I’ll be okay. Thank you.” They need to make a good impression and turning up clinging to Kai like a lost child won’t do that.

“Noted. I’ll see you soon then.” He gives Phoenix a quick hug and then exits the medbay.

“You sure you know the way?” asks Aaron.

“I might need you to remind me.”

“Now or...”

“Before I leave would be best, I think.”

“Right. Will do. Can I give you a hug?”

Phoenix nods and Aaron wraps an arm around their shoulders. Their friend doesn’t hug much, but Phoenix loves it when they do.

The blue curtains open and Phoenix jumps, raising their arms instinctively.

“It’s just me,” says Sophia brightly, and they lower their arms, heart racing. Still not over yesterday then. “I heard you were awake. When was the last time you ate, you must be starving?”

“Dunno,” they murmur. Now she mentions it, they do feel hungry. They’ve been hungrier, though, so the ache doesn’t register much. “You don’t usually deliver food.”

“I’m off shift now. So, jam on toast and a couple of jaffa cakes.” She grins and waits for them to sit up properly before depositing the tray in their lap. “Enjoy. I think we have a pair of your trousers around here somewhere still, let me go find them.” She hurries off, and Phoenix nibbles on their toast.

Aaron pinches a jaffa cake and takes a bite.

“Hey!”

“Should’ve eaten it first if you didn’t want me to get it,” retorts Aaron teasingly.

“You’re eating it wrong! If you’re going to steal my food, at least eat it properly! You have to eat the chocolate first, and then the dry cake bit, and then the orange jam. Like this.” And they demonstrate. “See? You don’t just eat all the parts together!”

Aaron’s watching them with a fond smile.

“What?”

“There you are. I haven’t heard you ramble properly since the church.”

Phoenix frowns. “But– that was a month ago. Have I really not...”

They trail off as they realise why they haven’t been themself, even less than normal, and Aaron answers, “No. I can guess why, but I’m glad you’re back.”

“So’m I.”

“So, how are you feeling?”

“My nose hurts, and my ribs. But I’m mostly just stiff. I’ll be okay. The bones are definitely healing.”

“Your nose certainly is, I can hear that. Painkillers?”

“Please.”

Aaron hands over a couple of pills and Phoenix swallows them. “Thanks.”

“No problem. Want me to help you put your cream on your back?”

Phoenix nods. “It’s, um, in the bottom of my bag. I wasn’t going to bother this morning, I just wanted to get out of there, but if you’re going to help then–”

Aaron climbs off the bed and unpacks the rucksack carefully, pulling out a tube of cream before re-packing the rest. Phoenix flushes. He’ll have seen the box of food, they know it, and they’re not sure why they’re embarrassed but they are.

They turn away quickly to hide the redness and shrug off their hoodie and t-shirt.

“I won’t take long. Hold the blanket over your chest if you’re cold.”

Phoenix nods. They know that, but sometimes it’s good to be reminded.

It’s a good thing they have the blanket, too, because halfway through Aaron spreading the cold, soothing cream over the worst of the scars on their back and upper arms (they can do the rest relatively easily themself), Sophia appears with a pair of tracksuit bottoms. Phoenix squeaks and holds the blanket tight to themself as she pops in and out, carefully not looking at them.

It’s not long before they’re dressed and re-packed, Mr Frosty sitting carefully in the top of their rucksack. They swallow and with a thought, envelope themself in camouflage, covering up the still quite nasty-looking bruises.

It’s time to go.

When they push aside the curtains around the bed, rucksack over their shoulders and hoodie sleeves tugged down nervously over their hands, both Aaron and Sophia are waiting for them. Sophia gives them a box of homemade biscuits and pulls them into a quick hug.

“Housewarming present. Sort of. For you and your new team.”

“Thank you.”

“Except they’re not allowed to eat them if they’re mean to you,” adds Aaron, clasping them gently on the shoulder when Sophia lets go. “And I’m serious about that.”

“I won’t let them. I promise.”

“Good. Now. Go out of the medbay that way, straight to the end of the corridor, two floors down, and it’s the flat with the very glittery sign.” Phoenix looks at him quizzically. “The team did some babysitting once. There was glitter all over the tower for weeks.”

Phoenix can’t help a smile. Glitter gets everywhere. “Got it.”

“I’ll see you for your check-up on Friday then.”

And something heavy loosens inside Phoenix. Not everything’s going to change. If something happens with Kai’s team, Aaron will be here.

They didn’t even realise the weight was there until it was gone.

“Yep. I’ll see you soon.”

Phoenix grips the straps of their rucksack tightly as they head towards Kai’s flat. It’ll be okay. It’s Kai, it’ll be okay. They slow down subconsciously as they descend the last flight of stairs, heart pounding. Maybe… maybe it would’ve been a good idea to ask Kai to come back. Then they wouldn’t be able to dawdle.

They force themself to take the last few steps until they’re stood in front of the door (they think distantly that the cardboard door number really is glittery). Nearly there now. All they have to do is knock.

As it turns out, that’s harder than it should be, and they pace until someone walks past, looking at them curiously. They can’t wait any longer.

Phoenix knocks.

There’s a clamour of noise from inside and they wipe their sweaty palm on their trousers. It’s fine. It’s fine. It’s going to be fine.

The door opens and Kai’s standing there. He pulls them into a hug immediately.

“Phoenix! You’re here!”

“You sound surprised,” murmurs Phoenix thickly. Kai doesn’t just sound surprised – he sounds delighted, and they can’t understand it.

“I thought you might take longer. Is that Aaron and Sophia’s baking?”

“Yep. And Aaron says your team aren’t allowed any if they’re mean.” They flush and Kai hugs them tighter.

“Well, of course not. Come and meet the rest of the team.”

Phoenix follows Kai down the hallway and into the living room, where the rest of the team are waiting, broad grins on their faces. Santhiya’s wearing a colourful striped party hat, and there’s a shiny banner hanging from the ceiling reading WELCOME PHOENIX.

“Well?” asks Lian impatiently. “Do you like it?”

“Where, um, did you find one saying Phoenix?” is all they can think of to say, stunned by the effort.

“Morfydd ordered it specially.”

Morfydd shrugs and says softly, with a lilting Welsh accent, “You’re new. You should have a banner. I hope it’s not too much.”

“I tried to make you a cake too,” adds Santhiya, almost bouncing with excitement, “although it didn’t go too well.”

Lian snorts. “Understatement of the year. You almost set the oven on fire, Santh. It took us a whole day to clear the smell and I’m sure the smoke’s still clinging to my clothes.”

“Hey! I tried, alright? It was a lemon cake, Kai said they liked lemon cakes. You do like them, right, Phoenix?” But Phoenix’s throat is too choked up to speak, and she frowns in concern. “Phoenix, are you okay?”

And Phoenix–

Phoenix bursts into tears.

33 notes · View notes