***For @EmotionalProblemz15. See that! I remember to put it in the chapter!***
     "Kota! Kota! Where are you! I've done it! I've done it!" A cackle of slightly manic laughter followed this shout that shocked the sleepy morning into alert. A young man with short dark hair and sleepy gummed eyes snapped out of his doze.

     With a sigh he rubbed his eyes and sleepily shuffled out if the kitchen and through the mansion to see what the lunatic wanted this time. They collided on the stairs and Kota clung to a fistful of the other man's shirt to keep himself from tumbling over the banister.

     "There you are! I've been looking everywhere! I've done it Kota!" He said, the usual manic glint in his eyes. His brown hair stuck up, wild and all over the place and his clothes were disheveled and singed in a few places.

     "That is great, really good. I'm so proud, always knew you had it you." Kota said. He waited for the sarcasm to register and when it didn't he added, "mind telling me what it is you did?"

     "I got him!" The other cried, as if it should be obvious.

     Ah, yes....that cleared things up.

     "Well done, spanking good work old chap. Marvelous." Kota said, Turning to walk away. His hand was grabbed and suddenly he was being dragged along down the stairs and whipped around corners. "Averill! Relax! Will you tell me whom 'him' is?"

     Averill came to a screeching halt and whipped around to grasp Kota's shoulders. "I caught the Phoenix." He breathed in excitement.

     Kota at him. He was shocked, impressed, and at the same time a little sad.

     Averill was only fifteen when his grandfather died. He left him the mansion, a notebook and a raven called Poe. The notebook contained his life's work, conducting research on magical shifting birds, to attempt to apply their abilities to humans. The raven was nothing more than a headache, in Kota's opinion. A sly scheming creature with a bad attitude and access to dangerous substances.

     Kota assumed he was only so badly behaved because he was a pet and test subject. Averill cherished Poe, but he cherished the others in his collection just the same.
It was incredably rare to fine a phoenix, catching one was unheard of, and Kota had a bad feeling he would just become part of Averill's collection too.

     "How did you do it?" Kota asked as he followed, more willingly, to the aviarie.

     "That doesn't matter." Which means it was something illegal. "But he is here! Right now!" Averill said excitedly.

     Kota was pulled along into the great round room with the glass domed chilling. The air was humid and large colorful tropical plants filled it. Birds pipped their songs and a chatter of voices added to the din. A large black Raven flew from a fig tree and landed heavily on Averill's shoulder.

     He transformed, the wings stretching into arms, feathers retracting into the skin that lightened as soon a young man was hanging, arms around Averill's neck, looking sulky.

     "I don't like him." Poe stated bluntly. "He is.....strange."

     "Shut up Poe, he is fine." Averill said impatiently, pushing Poe's face away.

     He gave an indignant croak and let go. "Well." He huffed. "Fine then. Hope you freeze tonight." He snapped and stalked off to a far corner of the aviary, climbing into the lap of a lean graceful looking man with snow white hair sitting half in a pond.

     Averill paid him no mind and continued to pull Kota along to a birdcage at the end. The structure stood some ten feet high, arching up. The space inside was circular with a messy, nest like, bed hung three or so feet off the ground. It swayed slightly, a lump under the snowy, down comforter.

     "There he is." Averill breathed, proudly.

     Kota rolled his eyes, but his breath caught in his throat as the covers shifted and the Phoenix reviled himself in human form.

     He was perfect, god like, an aura of warmth and peace surrounded him. His stretched his taught muscles, his back arching and his arms reaching up gracefully before bending back to run through his hair. His hair hung, long, red and orange streaked with white and yellow and when caught in the sun it shimmered like flames. He scrubbed his hands over his face and opened his eyes. Two pools of scorching, molten gold. Feather patterns ran along his forearms in red and gold tattoos and two tattooed wings adorned his pectorals, curving with his muscles and toeing the line of his collarbone.

     "Afternoon." He rumbled sleepily. "Your tranquilizer dosage is a bit high, I'd adjust it. Not everybody is quite as tolerant as I." He fluffed the blanket unconcernedly and propped his chin on his hands to gaze inquiringly at Kota and Averill. He bent his knees, crossing his ankles in the air. "So, how are you?" He asked, attempting to make polite conversation. The pair of them were just looking at him; the mad scientist looking one in a sort of sycophantic way, and the newcomer in relative awe.

     "The raven and the swan make an awful racket while having sex. You should give them a separate room or at least make sure the rest of us have someone to play with too." He said with neither of them responded to his question.

     Kota nearly choked at this remark and flushed crimson, looking over his shoulder at Poe, who flipped him off from across the room.

     "He's got a lot of spunk." The Phoenix said happily, smiling so his eyes squinched shut.

     "Isn't he beautiful." Averill said happily, obviously not having listened to a word he said.

     "Stop it, your embarrassing me." The Phoenix said, pretending to blush.

     "The crown jewel of my entire collection." He went on, as if the Phoenix never spoke. A loud indignant squawk sounded from the corner. Poe was looking betrayed and staring at Averill like he'd caught him cheating.

     The swan man, being a mute, said nothing, he simply caressed Poe's cheek, giving him a sympathetic look. In retaliation, Poe shoved the man on his back and climbed on top, kissing him fiercely.

     "There they go again." The Phoenix said with an unconcerned shrug, rolling to his back and lacing his hands behind his head. "You just have to give him a bit of attention, a pat on the head, a thank you, an at'a boy." He suggested, picking a fluffy feather off his chest. "He does a lot for you."

     "Averill, go get Poe." Kota said sternly. "Before he does something worse."

     With a heaving sigh, Averill did so. Poe screeched at him the entire way out of the room, leaving the swan to look wistfully at the door.

     Kota hated this room. These weren't birds, the were people too, they were intelligent. Keeping them locked away was wrong.

     He was about to walk away when hands grabbed the back of his shirt and pull him sharply against the steel bars of the cage.

     "Do let me become like Valeri." The Phoenix breathed quietly into his ear. Kota cranes around to follow his eyes and saw he was looking at the swan too.

     "Valeri?" Kota asked.

     "His name. He is so alone. Poe is the only other he has ever come to love since Sigfried."

     "Who?"

     "Sigfried, the prince." Kota looked nonplussed. The Phoenix turned him so they were nose to nose and Kota was immediately uncomfortable by the proximity. "Cultural void much! Swan Lake actually happened you know. They story has been changed over the years and Prince Sigfried is long expired, but Valeri," He pointed to the man Poe had been molesting. "Is still alive, trapped on the earth and bound in his curse."

     Kota frowned and the Phoenix rolled his eyes. "Oh my gods, no wonder he is depressed, you are all idiots."

     "Screw you." Kota said pushing the strong hands off his shoulders and stepping back. "How are we supposed to know, he's a mute."

     The Phoenix actually looked sadly at him. "Oh, you don't really believe that do you? Silence speaks volumes, but you don't need a voice to talk." With a sigh he shook his head and flopped backwards onto the bed, making it sway.

     Kota but his lip, looking from Valeri to the Phoenix. He unlocked the door and stepped inside, closing it behind him. He took a deep breath and approached the bed, sitting on the very edge.

     "What's your name?" The Phoenix asked before Kota had a change to think about what he wanted to say.

     "Kota. And you?"

     "Eleutherious."

     "....what?" Kota asked cocking his head to look at the man, er bird, uh...? "You got a nickname?"

     "El, just call me El." He chuckled. Rolling to his side he looked over Kota with a keen eye and a sly grin. "How did you get stuck with Dr. Frankenstein and his monsters?"

     Kota shot him a glare that did nothing to deter his broad grin. "Averill is my friend. We have an arrangement. I cook and clean and help him here and he pays my way in the world." Kota admitted quietly.

     El gave an long low whistle. "A sugar daddy."

     "NO!" Kota barked furiously. "It's not like that!"

     El raised his hands in surrender. "Relax, don't get your panties in a knot. I meant no harm." He cooed. "There is no harm in a sugar daddy."
 
      "He is not my sugar daddy!" Kota snapped, reddening to the tips of his ears. Why did he ever feel sorry for this bird? He made to get up, ready to stalk away and finish what he as doing before Averill sidetracked him. El grabbed his shoulders and pulled him back onto the bed with and "OOMPF!", from the force he used.

     "Don't. Touch. Me." Kota growled, emphasizing each word carefully, refusing to look up at the Phoenix.

     "Tell me the real reason you are here." El said, the pressure on Kota's shoulders increasing slightly.

     "Screw you."

     "Give it up, Kota." He coaxed leaning the bulk of his weight onto him.

     "Why don't you make me!" Kota said through clenched teeth.

     "I will, but it might make you moan." He countered, dead serious. Kota paled a bit.

     El hauled him to the middle of the mattress and dropped on top of him, pinning him down, his face, again, inches from Kota's.

     He could feel the heat from his body, his breath against his face, feel the curtain of red tickle his neck. Kota felt compelled to reach up and tuck the renegade locks behind El's ears. He didn't.

     "Push me away." El whispered softly, almost...sweetly. "Tell me to stop, tell me no."

     Kota finally locked eyes with him, this stranger in man's skin, and found he couldn't look away. It felt as if El was searching his soul, something in his chest stirred and he almost felt scared of what El might find.

     "I own him a lot of money. I got mixed up with the wrong crowd, stole from him, fueled my bad habits on his money and resources. When I was caught he bailed me out and brought me here, got me clean." Kota admitted, his voice was cold as ice. "Happy?"

     El smiled, making his eyes crinkled at the corners. "I always try to be happy." His smile faded, but no coldness took over the handsome features. He looked content as he trailed his fingers to smooth the dark fringe off Kota's forehead.

     "Well I'm not, so if you don't mind," Kota said irritated and blushing again, not in anger this time. He wished he wasn't so close.

     "No, I don't mind. I can be happy for two." He teased playfully.

     "Screw you." Kota glowered at El.

     "You say that so often. I'm starting to think you might mean it."

     Laughter bubbled up from Kota's chest before he could stuff it back. He forced his face back to serious and tried to cover his laugh by turning it to a cough.

     Smirking El hugged a pillow and waved at him. "I'm sure you are busy then. I don't want to keep you against your will or anything."

     The abrupt end to their conversation stunned Kota. He nodded numbly and got up, locking the door behind him.

     He returned the next day, and the day after that, El greeting him happily each time, sprawled near indecently across his bed, nude.

      Poor Kota didn't know if that made him uncomfortable or excited. Perhaps the prospect of handsome naked man exciting him is what made him uncomfortable? None the less, he spent hours with the Phoenix, curled together under the covers despite the heat of the aviary.

      Through he wasn't sure about how he felt about his new feelings, one thing was for sure, he had fallen for the Phoenix and as confusing as it was, it was a great feeling.

     "You smile more, Kota. It looks good on you." El whispered softly against his cheek as he kissed his face.

     Kota tucked away a lock of crimson hair and looked deep into the piercing gold eyes. "I'm happier." He answered simply.

     Kota made to get out of the bed, but El took his shoulders and held him down. "Spend the night with me?" He asked, his unnatural body heat pressed tight to him. "Please." He asked softer, running a hand through dark unruly hair, and leaning in closer.

      Kota meet his lips and pulled the body closer, surrendering himself to the side that enjoyed the Phoenix's heated touch.

     Lips tugged at lips, pressing and pulling, drawing each other into hot mouths as tongues explored new territory. Their hands began to wander, sending shivers of pleasure alone hypersensitive skin. The air was hot to breath, breaths was short and interrupted by soft sighs. Lips abandoned each other to follow the hands, along necks, chests, hips, and the heat of the night swelled.

     A scream of pain woke the lovers in the wee hours. Together they sat up and Kota flung himself from the bed.

     "Averill?!" He shouted, feeling panicked. "Averill what's going on!?" He rammed the cage door closed, leaving El to cling to the bars.
   
     His question was answered in the worst way however. The door to the aviarie opened and Averill backed in, holding his side, bleeding through his fingers and Poe followed, a gun pressed to Averill's forehead.

     Tears streamed down the raven man's cheeks and a twisted snarl adorned his mouth.

     "Poe, Poe wait." Averill pleaded a hand outstretched as he winced and limped. "Please you don't want to do this."

     "Don't I!?" Poe screamed, a psychotic laugh bursting from him. "Shows what you know doesn't it! I don't think I've wanted anything more in my life!"

     Kota made to move forward and Poe turned the gun on him instead. El rattled the bars with a screech of, "Don't hurt him!"

     "You'll get your too, Kota! Just wait your turn, no cutting in line!"

     "What the hell do you think you are doing?"

     "Whom? Me? Well, I'm so sick, of being treated like I'm nothing. I'm not nothing! And you!" The gun was trained back on Averill. "I loved you. YOU HEAR ME! I loved you! You pompous, over zealous, sycophantic mad fucking scientist! You used to love me! I was amazing! So great! A marvel of the world! I was useful and perfect! Your research never had it so good! Then I wasn't enough?" He screamed at Averill. "My whole life! My whole life was this research! Ever since your psychotic grandfather picked me up from my old master for ten fucking shillings! You needed bigger and better and more beautiful, more exotic!"

     The room was dead silent.  All the birds sat, staring in awe, most changed into human form. None of them moved to help Averill,  they just watched as the oldest of them all brandished the gun in his face.

    "And I helped you! I helped you bring them all here! You had so many toys to play with! I was put on the back shelve. A glorified bed warmer! I just want to be the only one again." He sobbed.

     Averill looked tragically into Poe's eyes as Poe sobbed. He opened his mouth to speak and Poe pulled the trigger.

     "NO!" Kota shouted. Blood splattered out of the back of his friend's skull and he hit the ground, dead. Brain matter oozed in a pool as Kota ran forward.

     Poe turned the gun on him and pulled the trigger for a second time. Pain like he'd never experienced ripped through his chest. He felt the heat from the bullet as it buried itself near his heart.

     "You son of a bitch! You son of a bitch!!! He didn't do anything!" El bellowed, flames burning in his eye. He reamed on the bars, but they wouldn't break, forged with magic to keep such beasts contained.

     "But he did! You all did!" Poe snarled. "You did!" His crazed eyes flicked to a man with sleek iridescent blue and green hair, peacock patterned tattoos up his neck. Another gun shot rang out and the man fell from his perch with a wail.

     The others were taken aback. Poe had shot one of them. Valeri stood up, looking broken and pitiful.

     "You did, you did, you did!" Poe yelled a shot ringing out every time, gunning down his fellows.

     Panic was in full flow, people screamed, birds took flight, feather and blood sprayed as they tried to get out, pounding on the glass.

     Poe finally turned to El,  who looked murderous.

     "And you. Averill cherished you. He was obsessed with you. And, I, hate, you!" He snarled as he walked closer and pointed the gun between El's eyes. "You took the mind of the only man I love." He pulled the trigger.

    "N-no," Kota gasped weakly on the ground. He sobbed, bloody froth foaming at the corners of his mouth as he started to shake. "Noooo, n-no...oooo-" He moaned, blood bubbles popping on his lips.

     Fire erupted from the Phoenix cage. El's body was engulfed in flames and burnt into ash in a matter of seconds. Poe watched, his tears sparkling in the firelight as he slowly raised the gun to his own temple.

     "You, you all killed the man I loved..." He pulled the trigger as Valeri screamed.

     Crumpled to the floor Valeri sobbed, broken beyond belief.

     Kota gasped, choking on his own blood, his eyes heavy. A warm hand touched his face, another trailed gently over the bullet hole in his chest. With an immense struggle he opened his eyes.

     A child was prone over him, smoothing the fringe off his forehead. He was maybe eight, with long crimson hair, bright gold eyes and feather patterned tattoos.

     "El?" Kota whispered, but the only sound that escaped him was a gurgle.

     "Shhh," He whispered. I don't know who you are, sir, but please relax. I know you are scared." He took Kota's hand. "But I will save you."

     He left Kota to touch Valeri as he held Poe's corpse. "You selfish basterd..." He sobbed.

      "Please help me." El said imploringly. "We have to leave here."

     Valeri nodded numbly and together, Kota held in between, they broke through the lock on the door and escaped their prison as the new day dawned.