Főnix

Phoenix

Part 66: Spoken Desires

The camp had grown quiet, only the last sparks of the fire flickering faintly.

Phoenix stood up from the tree stump to smooth the embers, though her mind was still swirling from the fall earlier that day.

Albatross stepped up behind her, soundless.

ALBATROSS:
“You shouldn’t be moving around so much.”

Phoenix sighed.

PHOENIX:
“My brain works. My legs too. I don’t need supervision.”

Albatross tilted his head, a playful smile touching his lips.

ALBATROSS:
“Of course. I noticed.”

Phoenix turned to respond—
but suddenly the world tilted.

Albatross caught her on instinct, his arm closing around her waist.

ALBATROSS (softly):
“Hey. Slow down.”

Phoenix stiffened, but had no choice except to grip his shoulder.

PHOENIX:
“I just… moved at a bad angle.”

ALBATROSS:
“The ground attacking again?”
—or are you pretending so you can stay in my arms?”

PHOENIX (indignant):
“Don’t call this pretending!”

Albatross leaned closer.

ALBATROSS:
“Then don’t wander too far.”

The air between them tightened.

Phoenix tried to pull away, but Albatross’s hand still held her—carefully, as if he were afraid to let go.

PHOENIX (whispering):
“Let me go.”

Albatross didn’t move.

He stepped even closer—so close there was nowhere left to escape.

ALBATROSS:
“If I let go… you’d just step back anyway.”

Phoenix would have protested, but their eyes locked—
the same look they’d shared during the kiss in the forest.

Words ran out.

Time stopped.

Albatross slowly bent down—
no questions, no explanations.

He kissed her.

This time longer. Surer.
Not hesitantly—
as if this had always been where they belonged.

At first Phoenix forgot how to breathe, then she gave in.

Her hand rose on its own to Albatross’s chest before she kissed him back.

There were no words.
No negotiations.

The kiss itself was the decision—
the moment when, instead of speaking, they finally found each other.

When they pulled apart, only a few centimeters remained between them.

A soft smile crossed Phoenix’s face, as if something inside her had finally settled.

Albatross gently rested his forehead against hers.

He didn’t say anything.
He just stayed.

Phoenix did too.

Because there was nothing left to say—
they had already chosen.

The sounds of the camp slowly returned, but around them everything felt muted,
as if the world itself knew a new chapter had begun—
without anyone needing to say it out loud.

---

---

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.

---

Phoenix

Part 64: Where It’s No Longer Just the Forest That Hurts

The paramedics stood gathered around as Phoenix slowly tried to come back to herself.
Albatross was sitting beside her, holding her hand, visibly tense though clearly trying to hide it.

PHOENIX (squinting):
“So… is this my new morning routine now? Falling down and getting bandaged?”

ALBATROSS (arms crossed, but his voice trembling with concern):
“Looks like it… you do have very special ways of waking up.”

PHOENIX:
“If you didn’t keep sending me wandering through forests, maybe I’d have normal mornings.”

ALBATROSS:
“If you watched where you were stepping, maybe I wouldn’t have to collect the pieces of you.”

One of the paramedics chimed in while disinfecting the wound.

PARAMEDIC:
“The injury isn’t deep — it just looks nasty. A bit of rest and she’ll be fine.”

Phoenix nodded with a thin smile.

PHOENIX:
“See? You don’t have to overreact.”

Albatross gently tightened his grip on her hand.

ALBATROSS:
“Let me overreact this time, okay?”

PHOENIX:
“So now you’re trying to save me? Again?”

ALBATROSS:
“I always want to save you.”

A brief silence followed. Phoenix looked away so it wouldn’t show how much that meant to her.

The paramedic finished packing up.

PARAMEDIC:
“That’s it, all bandaged. Get some rest — and try not to take any more dramatic falls today.”

They left.

Albatross was still holding Phoenix’s hand.

PHOENIX (a little embarrassed):
“You can let go… I’m not falling anymore.”

ALBATROSS (quietly, with a half-smile):
“I’m just making sure. Who knows what you’re still capable of.”

PHOENIX:
“What are you, my bodyguard now?”

ALBATROSS:
“When it comes to you…
I just might be.”

Their eyes met.
The air between them vibrated — real feelings hidden behind teasing words.

---

Phoenix

Part 63: Unspoken Feelings

Albatross carefully lowered Phoenix to the ground, still holding her in his arms.
The rest of the camp gathered around them anxiously as the paramedics arrived at a run, equipment in hand.

PARAMEDIC:
“We’ll bandage her head quickly, but don’t worry — the injury isn’t serious.”

Albatross sat down on the ground beside Phoenix and gently took her hand.

ALBATROSS:
“It’s okay, I’m here with you.
— Just focus on me.”

PHOENIX:
“I didn’t want… the day to start like this.”

ALBATROSS:
“Neither did I.
But right now, it’s not about the mistake — it’s about you being okay.”

The paramedics worked quickly but carefully, bandaging Phoenix’s head while Albatross held her hand tightly, making sure she didn’t feel alone.

PHOENIX (with a faint half-smile):
“You know… this almost sounds romantic.
Except my head really hurts.”

ALBATROSS (firm, but with a soft voice):
“This isn’t about romance right now.
— What matters is that you’re alive and that you’ll be okay.”

PHOENIX:
“Hm… I thought logistics and routes were your true passions.”

Albatross let out a quiet laugh.

ALBATROSS:
“They don’t matter now.
— Only you do.”

For a moment, Phoenix’s gaze softened — then she turned her head away, as if trying to deny her own feelings.

MINA (sharply, from a distance):
“Well… he’s paying a lot of attention to you, isn’t he?”

ALBATROSS (quietly, only to Phoenix):
“Right now, yes.
Nothing else matters.”

PHOENIX:
“Hm… then let this be the ‘almost-accident day.’
— At least this way, you’ll remember me.”

ALBATROSS:
“I won’t forget.
— Ever.”

At the campsite, the air filled with tension, worry, and something quietly hidden, as the paramedics finished the bandaging.

---

Phoenix

Part 62: Back to the Path

The Next Morning

Above the campsite, the streaks of fog slowly began to dissolve.
Phoenix was already awake, a steaming cup of coffee in her hands, watching as the sun broke through the trees.

A few minutes later, Albatross stepped out of his tent, still drowsy — but his eyes immediately found Phoenix.

ALBATROSS:
“Good morning, Phoenix.”

PHOENIX (taking a sip):
“Let’s call it… an acceptable morning.”

Albatross smiled and shook his head lightly, then handed her a tablet.

ALBATROSS:
“Would you check the route before we leave?
We need to know if everything’s in order.”

Phoenix raised an eyebrow.

PHOENIX:
“Why is it always me?
Doesn’t anyone else have eyes, legs, or a brain?”

Albatross shrugged.

ALBATROSS:
“Everyone’s busy.
And… you have time.”

Phoenix muttered.

PHOENIX:
“What a brilliant logic.
— Fine, I’ll check. But if I disappear in the forest, give a speech about how busy everyone was.”

She set off and disappeared down the trail.

---

Later, in the Forest

Phoenix glanced at the map, then at the surroundings.
The markings didn’t match.

PHOENIX:
“This can’t be the path…” she muttered.

She stepped back — but the ground slipped beneath her.

A shout.
Then a fall.

The world spun, and a tree trunk met her head with a hard impact.
Everything went dark.

---

Back at the Camp

The crew was preparing for work.

ALBATROSS:
“Has anyone seen Phoenix?
She should’ve been back by now.”

Everyone shook their heads.

Something like unease crossed Albatross’s face.

ALBATROSS (quietly):
“I know something’s wrong.”

He didn’t wait — he headed down the trail, the others following.

---

After 15 Minutes of Searching

Albatross spotted something below.

Phoenix.

Motionless, half-covered in leaves.

He carefully climbed down to her.

ALBATROSS:
“Phoenix!” he called — but there was no answer.

Her head was bleeding, her face pale.

Albatross knelt beside her, gently lifting her head with his hand.

“God…” he whispered.

He lifted her into his arms as if she weighed nothing and carried her back to the campsite.

---

At the Camp

The moment they saw them, someone immediately called an ambulance.

Phoenix slowly regained consciousness, groaning.

PHOENIX:
“Why… are you carrying me?
…I could’ve fallen on my own legs.”

Albatross held back a smile.

ALBATROSS:
“Not right now.
— Don’t worry, your injury isn’t serious.
But we almost lost you.”

For a moment, Phoenix’s gaze softened — then she turned her head away.

PHOENIX:
“That’s why I hate it when you put me in charge of things.”

ALBATROSS (quietly):
“I put you in charge because I trust you.”

Phoenix’s eyes suddenly met his — anger, fear, and something else…
Something deeper.

A feeling.

---

---

Phoenix

Part 61: Unspoken Desire

At the edge of the camp, the first rays of the sun paint the treetops in gold.
Phoenix adjusts her bag, her fingers nervously fiddling with the zipper, her gaze darting back and forth.
Albatross steps up to her, his voice quiet but firm.

ALBATROSS:
“Phoenix… do you have a moment? I’d like to talk to you.”

Phoenix winces slightly, her face showing both embarrassment and playfulness.

PHOENIX:
“Uh… sure… let’s talk. What do you want to say?”

ALBATROSS:
“I just want to clear up what happened last night.”

Phoenix answers with a half-smile, embarrassed, speaking a little too fast.

PHOENIX:
“Yes… it was because of the drink. I really didn’t mean anything…
There must have been alcohol in it, because I… I don’t drink!
And if I do, I talk nonsense… like some kind of clown…”

Albatross steps a little closer, patient, with a faint smile.

ALBATROSS:
“Alcohol… is that really what you’re blaming it on?”

Phoenix blushes, her hands moving nervously, her voice trembling as she tries to sound lighthearted.

PHOENIX:
“No… I’m not trying to hide anything. That’s the truth!”

Albatross moves closer again, calmly, patiently.

ALBATROSS:
“You know I don’t believe that. I can see it on you —
when you’re near me, you blush, you tremble…”

Phoenix almost freezes, her gaze locking onto his — playful, afraid, and honest all at once.

PHOENIX:
“I don’t care what you think… just focus on Mina…”

ALBATROSS:
“We’re not together. And you know that only you matter to me…
and I can see that you feel the same.”

Phoenix takes a deep breath, a small smile appearing, still flustered.

PHOENIX:
“Albatross… I… I can only see you as a friend now.
If you want… let’s be friends.”

ALBATROSS:
“Friends? All right.”

Phoenix exhales, a small half-smile appearing on her face —
embarrassment and relief completely mixed together.
Albatross remains calm, steady in his presence.

---

---

Phoenix

Part 60: Unspoken Desires

The bus is waiting in front of the company, everyone is boarding.
Phoenix fiddles with her bags, trying not to look around — of course she’s looking for him.

Albatross gets on and stops beside her.

ALBATROSS:
“Good morning. Everything okay?”

Phoenix shrugs, deliberately cold.

PHOENIX:
“Why wouldn’t it be?
You don’t need to worry about me.
There’s… someone you already know better.”

A sharp glance — then she turns away.

ALBATROSS (with a challenging half-smile):
“If you want to say something, say it.”

PHOENIX:
“Nothing.
I’m just focusing on my job.”

She watches the crew as if he doesn’t matter —
while inside, she wants him to keep asking.

---

The team unloads: spotlights, cameras, makeup tables, a temporary tent.

Albatross gives instructions to the models.
Phoenix adjusts makeup, trying to work with determination —
but every two seconds her focus slips.

She glances over.
Albatross is checking the lights.

Phoenix quickly looks away, as if she never looked at all.

Another moment — the same.
They always catch each other’s gaze.

ALBATROSS (stepping closer, quietly):
“If you want to look at me, then look.
Save your neck from all that sudden turning.”

PHOENIX (contemptuous, cheeks red):
“You’re imagining things!
I’m watching the models.
I have work to do.”

Albatross smiles — he knows she’s been caught.

---

The sun sets, the team finally sits by the campfire.

An assistant walks around with a tray of colorful cups.

ELVIN (assistant):
“Innovator! Against the cold!”

Phoenix smiles and, without thinking, takes one.

One sip — her face lights up.

PHOENIX:
“This… is heavenly!”

No one is really paying attention.
She already takes a second.

The drink slides down smoothly, sweetly —
she has no idea there’s alcohol in it.

Zeynep tilts her head.

ZEYNEP:
“There’s… a bit too much sparkle in your eyes.”

Phoenix waves it off.

PHOENIX:
“It’s just… the oxygen-rich forest!
Trees make air… or something like that.”

She laughs at her own thought, then stands — swaying slightly.

ZEYNEP:
“Where are you going?!”

Phoenix grins ear to ear.

PHOENIX:
“To think!
About the world!
And about why someone is always looking at me…
It’s fine! I’ll figure it out!”

She wanders into the dark forest, touching flowers, kicking pebbles, laughing uncertainly and talking to herself.

---

In the background, several meters behind her, Albatross looks up from the fire.

Phoenix is gone.

His gaze tightens.

He stands and quietly follows —
doesn’t speak, doesn’t call her name, just watches,
as someone who knows trouble is coming and knows he can’t leave her alone.

---

The camp grows quiet.

Phoenix stumbles through the darkness, still holding the half-empty cup.

PHOENIX:
“This was a good idea… thinking… here…
Because trees don’t talk back.
At least… I hope they don’t.”

Something rustles in the bushes.
Phoenix jumps.

PHOENIX:
“That’s just a… squirrel!
A mega-squirrel!
But… a squirrel!”

Another sound — Phoenix steps back.

PHOENIX (to herself):
“You know what? I’m going back!
This is a living forest and I…
I don’t speak forest language!”

She turns — Albatross is standing behind her, having followed silently.

Phoenix screams, jumps back, slips on the wet leaves.

ALBATROSS:
“Careful!”

He catches her — his arm around her waist, their faces inches apart.

Phoenix is breathing hard, her hands instinctively on his chest.

PHOENIX:
“You scared me!
Why are you following me?
Go back… to Mina!
She’ll miss you!”

ALBATROSS:
“Oh… so that’s what this is about.
You’re jealous.”

Phoenix protests instantly — with drunk honesty.

PHOENIX:
“Me?! No!
Just… just…
You can be with anyone… but it doesn’t matter!”

She stumbles over her words, steps closer, her lips uncertain.

PHOENIX:
“Because your heart… it’s… it’s mine!
Only mine!”

Her words are hoarse, emotional —
like someone who can no longer hide the truth.

Albatross slowly releases her.
Phoenix wavers, but doesn’t step back — she drifts closer instead.

ALBATROSS:
“Do you really mean that?”

Phoenix’s eyes are hazy, but honest.

PHOENIX:
“If it weren’t true…
why are you always the one who catches me when I fall?”

Albatross wants to smile — but doesn’t dare.

The silence between them tightens, their gazes lock.

And suddenly Phoenix reaches up and kisses him.

Passionately.
Vulnerably.
In her drunk, overly honest way.

Albatross freezes — then kisses her back for just a moment.
Too much and too little at the same time.

The kiss ends. Phoenix’s eyes widen.

PHOENIX:
“Oh… no… I’m sorry!
I… I didn’t mean to!
Or I did… just not like this!
There really must be alcohol in that drink!”

She gestures frantically.

PHOENIX:
“I’m sorry, Albatross!
I… I’m going!”

She runs back toward the camp, her heart pounding, her lips still tasting of him.

Albatross remains in the forest —
with a smile only the night can see.

---

Phoenix

Part 59: Secrets of the Forest

At the company, late morning

The office is buzzing.
Phoenix is doing makeup in the studio, Albatross is reviewing photos on a monitor.

Suddenly the door swings open — Mina enters, smiling as if she belongs there.

MINA (in a bright, chiming voice):
“Surprise!
I thought I’d brighten your day, Alby.”

Phoenix freezes, makeup pen still in her hand.

Albatross turns around, surprised — but his face shows no excitement.

ALBATROSS:
“Mina… why are you here?
This really isn’t a good time.”

Mina lightly hooks her arm into his.

MINA:
“It’s always a good time for me.”

Phoenix’s shoulders tense.
She doesn’t look at them, but she hears every word.

Albatross gently removes his arm from Mina’s grip.

ALBATROSS:
“We’re busy.
It would be better if you went home.
We’ll talk later.”

The tension in his voice makes Phoenix’s eyes flicker.

Mina is visibly offended — her gaze slides toward Phoenix.

MINA:
“Hm… I see.
Work is more important.”

She walks over to Phoenix, smiling sweetly — but sharply.

MINA:
“I hope you’ve been giving him a good day.”

Phoenix’s smile is neutral, but her voice has an edge.

PHOENIX:
“I try to work professionally.
That’s my only task.”

Mina walks away.

Albatross looks after her — then back at Phoenix.
He notices the jealousy in her eyes.

Slowly, he steps closer. Too close.

Phoenix’s hand trembles around the makeup holder.

ALBATROSS (quietly, teasing):
“Don’t grip that brush so hard.
It won’t run away.”

Phoenix looks back at him, sharply.

PHOENIX:
“Neither will you.
Unfortunately.”

Albatross smiles — that smile meant only for her.

Phoenix works on the model’s eyes, but her fingers search for air, trembling.

Albatross steps behind her again. Too close.
She feels it — but doesn’t move away.
Only her jaw tightens.

ALBATROSS:
“You’ve been very… precise this morning.
Or did something disturb you?”

PHOENIX (sighing, without looking up):
“I’m just trying to avoid unnecessary noise.”

ALBATROSS:
“So essentially… me.”

PHOENIX:
“Exactly.”

Albatross leans in — too close.

ALBATROSS:
“I thought you only noticed noise when it bothered you.”

Phoenix slowly looks up at him.

PHOENIX:
“I’m not watching you.
You just have… too much presence.”

Zeynep enters, knocking, holding papers.

ZEYNEP:
“People!”

Sanem asked everyone to gather!”

Albatross steps back.
Phoenix secretly exhales.

Sanem enters energetically.

SANEM:
“Attention! We have the next project:
We’re shooting in the forest.”

The team murmurs.

SANEM:
“We leave tomorrow.
So bring warm clothes — it’ll be cold, we’re leaving early,
and I don’t want frozen statues in my photos!”

Everyone smiles.

Phoenix starts writing notes when Albatross steps beside her — just as close as always.

ALBATROSS:
“Find a warm coat.
I don’t want you freezing.”

PHOENIX (without looking up):
“You don’t need to worry about me.”

ALBATROSS:
“I’m not worrying.
I just know how easy it is to get lost when someone doesn’t pay attention.”

PHOENIX (with a sharp smile):
“Not everyone gets lost.
Some people just run away from the forest.”

ALBATROSS:
“And some look back at the ones who followed them.”

Phoenix falls silent — it would be different if Mina weren’t there.

Mina steps between them, overly cheerful.

MINA:
“So I’m coming too, right?
I can’t miss an experience like this!”

Albatross grimaces slightly.
Phoenix’s shoulder finally relaxes — into empty air.

ALBATROSS:
“This isn’t a trip, Mina.
It’s work.”

Mina looks around, offended.

MINA:
“Then I’ll show you how useful I can be.”

Phoenix turns away, quietly, to herself.

PHOENIX:
“I’m curious to see that.”

Albatross hears it — and smiles.

ALBATROSS:
“The adventure starts tomorrow.
I hope you survive it.”

PHOENIX:
“I’m surviving today already.
Tomorrow it’s just a forest — today’s jungle is more than enough.”

---