Phoenix
Part 65: Closer Than We’d Like
The paramedics had left, and the crew had deliberately “forgotten” to come back.
Everyone knew it was better to leave them alone.
Phoenix slowly leaned back, her fingers still resting in Albatross’s hand, even though she could have let go a long time ago.
PHOENIX (half-turned toward him):
“Well… now that you don’t have to play the hero in front of them, you can let go.”
ALBATROSS:
“Funny how you always ask for exactly what you don’t actually want.”
Phoenix raised an eyebrow.
PHOENIX:
“For example?”
ALBATROSS:
“For example, asking me to let go of your hand—
while you’re holding onto me like I’m the thing keeping you together.”
Phoenix quickly pulled her hand away—
only because she was embarrassed.
PHOENIX:
“It’s just… the ground is cold. Don’t overthink it.”
Albatross smiled and leaned back beside her.
ALBATROSS:
“I don’t need to overthink anything.
I’m just paying attention to you.”
A small silence followed.
The wind stirred the leaves; the camp hummed faintly in the distance.
PHOENIX:
“Are you always this… thoughtful?
Or only when I’m lying here half-dazed?”
ALBATROSS:
“You’re not dazed.
Just stubborn… with a perfectly bruised ego.”
PHOENIX (sharply):
“Is that because I’m not collapsing into your arms?”
ALBATROSS (in a deeper voice):
“If that ever happened, I think I’d be the one panicking.”
PHOENIX:
“Relax. That won’t be today.”
Albatross turned toward her, propping himself on his elbow as he looked at her.
ALBATROSS:
“Phoenix…
why won’t you let me take care of you?”
She looked away. The question hit deeper than she expected.
PHOENIX:
“Because if someone takes care of me…
then I can lose them.”
Albatross went quiet.
He’d never heard her speak like that before—
so raw, so honest.
ALBATROSS (slowly, with certainty):
“I’m not planning on disappearing.”
PHOENIX:
“No one ever does.”
ALBATROSS:
“Then try… believing that I’ll stay.”
Phoenix laughed—
not defensively this time, but softer, more real.
PHOENIX:
“See? That’s why I don’t say serious things.
You immediately start being…
emotional.”
ALBATROSS (smiling):
“But you like it when I am.”
PHOENIX (shooting back):
“You have no idea what I like.”
Albatross leaned a little closer.
ALBATROSS:
“Oh, I do.”
The air tightened between them—
no longer an argument, but that painfully good, awkward silence,
the same kind that had existed right before their kiss.
Phoenix broke it.
PHOENIX:
“I still can’t believe you sent me to check the path instead of going yourself.”
ALBATROSS:
“If I’d gone, then who would save you when you fell?”
PHOENIX:
“Wow. Excellent logic.”
ALBATROSS (winking):
“Always.”
Phoenix’s eyes drifted back to his without meaning to.
ALBATROSS (quietly, more serious):
“I’m glad you’re here.”
PHOENIX (barely audible):
“Me too…
even with the headache.”
Albatross laughed—and this time, he reached for her hand again,
more carefully now,
as if asking permission.
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