Experienced Huntsman x Phoenix

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HBD ELI CLARK.............

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The cloaked figure walked in the snow, the cold and white coat burning his bare feet as his steps left marks. The blizzard was strong and the small town behind him was slowly disappearing in the distance. He stopped in his tracks for a moment, turning around to have one last glance at the village. How ironic. He had come back after three years with the hope to be able to settle here again, only for his dreams to be crushed and be forced to leave once more. 

Fenix... Phoenix, the immortal bird...

The torches that lit up the path leading to the village reminded him of the dark flames he had seen that night raging like a storm. The pressure that could split mountains and raise the seas as the evil was absorbed by the blue fire from which the celestial bird emerged. A mighty screech pierced the skies so fiercely that the foundations shook.

Before his last hour came, he had visited his cell.

"I knew this would happen sooner or later."

"I-I'll find a way to get you out of here! I'm sure the Great Oracle will be able to show some kind of understanding-"

"Don't, it's no use."

"Fenix!"

"I was prepared for this and I have no regrets. At last... I think I owe you an apology. Sorry."

That sad, melancholic smile should never have been his final vision of him.

On the night of the judgment, Huntsman left the village forever.

Perhaps it was a foolish wish that he desperately clung to, but he firmly believed that it was not the end of the story.

Somewhere, Phoenix had to be there.

He had no evidence to back up his claim, but deep down he had this feeling, a hunch, that as his name suggested, Phoenix could emerge from his ashes at any time and place.

He was determined to find him even if it took him days, weeks, months, decades, until his last breath if necessary.

"Wait for me, Fenix."

And so, scouring the vast lands before him, Huntsman searched. Over and over again. Without giving up hope, even for a single day. Finding Phoenix was the only thing that kept him alive. He did not accept the presence of any other companion during his long journey for fear of straying from his goal or that his misfortune would befall poor innocents.

He eventually arrived in a village somewhere in a southern region after five years of wandering. The landscape was definitely different from his hometown, the barren land and dead trees had been replaced by fresh grass and green foliage. By a twist of fate, he found himself invited back to a banquet. He stayed away, not liking the crowd, but he managed to make out a few familiar faces despite himself, although none were the ones he was looking for.

However, a detail in one of them caught his attention and without even giving his brain time to process the information, he tugged on the individual's arm before pulling them aside.

"Moonblessed!"

"Gee... What a pleasant surprise, dear old friend."

"Give it back!"

"Hm? What are you talking about? Could it be..."

The young woman waved what she held in her hand under the other's nose, a dark blue feather that seemed to emit a faint glow. It was Phoenix's feather! He was right! Caught by a mixture of relief and excitement, Huntsman carefully snatched the object from Moonblessed' hands.

"Where is he-?!"

"Him? I don't know. To tell the truth, I'm looking for him too."

"What...?"

"I've done everything I could to no avail, but seeing you here... I'm beginning to think that you might be the key to getting at him. You two were pretty close after all."

Huntsman didn't really know what to think of the former Saintess now. Her actions were certainly influenced by Samhain, but he couldn't bring himself to completely trust the young woman.

"Anyway," Moonblessed resumed, "You can keep that. I see no need for it now that you're here. It's only a matter of time before he shows up again."

Moonblessed let out a petty laugh before exiting the premises, leaving behind only the sweet smell of pumpkin. Huntsman didn't stay at the banquet after that either and returned to the inn room where he was staying. 

Phoenix's feather emitted a faint heat that warmed the palms of his hands and a whirlwind of emotions washed over him. After so long, finally, he had gotten a clue about him.

"I found you... Sorry it took me so long..."

Tears rolled down his cheeks and his eyes closed as if recalling the childhood he had spent with Phoenix and Moonblessed. Suddenly, Huntsman felt something rubbing against him, or more precisely wiping away his tears, causing him to jump in surprise and turn to the source of this newfound warmth.

"I-It's-"

"Tears don't suit you, Eli."

"P-Phoenix-!"

Huntsman lunged at the starry-eyed man before he could respond, knocking the other onto the mattress. Phoenix widened his eyes slightly in surprise but sketched a weak smile before returning Eli's embrace.

"It's been years, hasn't it...?"

The blue bird continued to stroke the masked man's back before burying his face in the crook of his neck, the dark-haired man's hair tickling his nose a little. He had missed this warmth and closeness to the male too.

Huntsman straightened up then and grabbed Phoenix's face, moving it gently to check that there were no scratches on his porcelain skin.

"You're okay..."

Phoenix let out a low chuckle as he placed his hands on his, squeezing them weakly as if to confirm to him that he was indeed alive, in the flesh.

"I'm here."

"I'm so happy and relieved... I knew I would find you one day..."

"I'm sorry I worried you. It took me a while to get my strength back but I always stayed by your side."

"What do you mean?" Phoenix slid his hand to the satchel Eli always carried before pulling out what looked like the exact same feather he'd retrieved from Moonblessed. "Since when-"

"Since the beginning."

"You always manage to surprise me..."

The two men exchanged a meaningful gaze and Eli then leaned in towards Phoenix's face until their noses brushed against each other but before he could reach his goal, the blue-haired one interposed his hand between them.

"Eli-"

"Aesop?"

"I've never been able to say it before but... I've really enjoyed these years with you in the village. You and Moonblessed were always there even when the other church members were suspicious of me for being a strange orphan brought by the Oracle."

"The feeling is mutual, you brought light into this monotonous life we were leading."

"Also...- Um..." Phoenix took a few moments to gather the courage to say what was on his mind, and Huntsman was patient with him, reassuring him with his gentle smile that he rarely showed to the young man alone. "I love you, Eli."

"I love you too, Aesop. Never leave me again."

"I won't, I promise. From this day on, we will forever be together." Their feelings finally unveiled, Aesop didn't reject Eli's advances this time and let his lips meet his for a tender, languid kiss. "One last thing... Happy birthday, Eli."

The dark-haired man's eyes widened before he hugged the Phoenix again, turning the page on a new chapter...