"My phoenix." Oleander whispered, fingers ghosting along the man's thighs as he sat in front of Kayden on his knees. A pang of regret and sorrow billowed through his heart as he looked at the other. "I suppose I shouldn't say mine anymore... or ever. You were never mine to have, were you?" He spoke in a hushed voice, afraid that anything above a whisper might break this, might break them. "You've always been your own and that is what I've admired about you. You were born of smoke and ash and you burn yourself out, you self destruct and come back harder than ever after every hit. I suppose that is why you are a phoenix." He leaned his face forward, kissing Kayden's chin. "I never meant to hurt you, just as I never meant to lose you." He was close to crying, he could feel the tears well in his eyes as he tried to keep his composure. "There are a lot of things we learn to regret, and there are a lot of things I do regret. But loving you will never be one of them." He licked his lips that suddenly felt far too dry before pressing them gently to Kayden's. "I am so sorry I couldn't be the one to save you from yourself or anyone else."
