The war was almost over. Only a tiny flicker remained from the burning inferno over the country for what had seemed like forever. Only the borders were left gleaming as the last creatures were defeated. As their bodies were burned, bruised, trapped.
The fight was grand and the humans had won.
The peaceful unicorns were the first to go, bound and tied in regular horse barns to serve as an entertainment. Mermaids were stabbed and trapped in aquariums with the remaining ones fleeing into the depths of the sea. Fairies dissolved and suffocated on the tainted air. They were all gone. Even the dragons, who had fought fiercely, were finally facing defeat at the sheer number of their enemies.

They had won. They celebrated. Nothing was going to hold them back anymore.
And while the mood was bright and people got drunk, a lone figure sneaked along the hallways, and down an ancient stairwell made of stone.
Further and further, deep into the dungeons.
His steps got slower as he peaked around a corner and into a cell as dirty and rotten as the wall he was leaning on.
The cell was rather spacious and the middle was sharply parted by a wall made of metal bars. Those were in no way of an actual function. They didn't even separate the whole cell, seemingly useless in their position. That wasn't their purpose, though. They merely served as a separation between the two prisoners.
Both tied to the wall, they barely reached the metal bars, much less were they able to get a hold of each other.
They could have tied them at the opposite sides of the cell. But no, they decided to place them in a close proximity, letting them suffer.
Close, yet never close enough.
It was a cruel thing to do and yet neither of the two had ever begged for it to be changed.

Not attempting to get rid of the hood he was wearing, he stepped in front of the cell.
They wouldn't even spare him a glance.
And Tao was not happy about it.
He didn't say anything, though. For the longest time, he simply stood there, staring into the cell where both prisoners were leaned sideways, away from him, to gaze at each other through the metal bars.
Occasionally, one of them would speak in a really hushed voice.
Words that Tao didn't know the meaning of.
Words that sounded calming, caring, loving.
They were a couple. A phoenix and a dragon, both proud and dazzling in their appearance. The imprisonment hardly seemed to affect them, their human bodies flawless and enticing.
To the left sat the phoenix with his shiny dark red hair and the clear, warm eyes.
To the right sat the dragon, sharp features turning soft at the sight of his lover, with bright eyes peeking out under the dirty-blond, unkempt hair.
The affection between them was so strong that Tao could feel it cause a shiver to run down his spine at the amount of tenderness between them. He felt a hot surge of jealousy responding to it.
He wanted it as well. Wanted to be looked at, to be acknowledged, to be loved.
Creatures hated humans. They hated him.
The phoenix and the dragon hated the human Tao.
Still, he couldn't stop returning to their cell to look at the beautiful creatures.
Those beautiful but sad beings. Those sad but happy beings.
For they had something great that would never come to Tao.

Today, he took another step, and for the first time, he entered the cell.
The door made an ugly screeching noise, but still they wouldn't look at him. With careful and deliberate steps, he closed the distance between them until he stood on the phoenix' side of the cell, only a couple steps away from them.
That moment, he could see the phoenix' eyes flitting over to him, for the fraction of a second, before they sought his lovers' gaze again.
Gulping in nervousness, he slowly reached into his pocket, trembling fingers grasping the cool wax of a candle.
He crouched down in front of them, and even though they were now both looking at him, none made an actual movement. Too scared to look them in the eye, he put down the candle and took out a match to light it up with his shaky fingers. The burnt match was returned to his pocket, and Tao retreated with wobbly knees. Before he left the cell, however, he turned around one more time.
Two pairs of eyes were following him attentively with an intense, but unreadable gaze.
Confusion, mistrust, anger, disgust. It could have been anything, yet he could read nothing in them.
Creatures didn't die if they were denied food or their life essence. They also weren't affected by the cold which was fortunate, cause the dungeon was bitingly cold and they had nothing but their garments and a ratty old blanket.
They grew weak, though.
Tao knew that a phoenix fed off flames, and he hoped the candle's light would ease the pain he felt. Maybe he was being silly, but whenever he managed to sneak away, he would place a new candle in the cell, always under the watchful gaze of the creatures. Neither him nor the creatures ever attempted to communicate, until one day brought a change.
Tao had grown too careless. And just when he stood halfway in the cell, the noise of footsteps resounded, making him freeze on the spot.
"Come out you stupid brat!"
The preceding noise of aggressive footsteps got louder, and his body began to tremble.
With wide eyes, he stared at the phoenix' blank face.
"If I'll actually find you down here, I'll swear you won't ever see the sun again - move your useless up here RIGHT NOW!"
Reacting without thinking, Tao leaped forwards and crouched down behind the phoenix' body, trying to hide himself. The phoenix made some room, indicating for him to slip beneath the blanket, which he did.
The blanket was dirty and disgusting, but Tao tried to avoid touching the phoenix' back as much as he could. The footsteps finally reached the cellar, coming to a halt.
"...I swear you're just begging for a beati-"
The aggressive voice came to a halt as its owner couldn't see the person he was looking for.
For a moment, no one said anything and subtly, the phoenix pressed backwards, pressing Tao against the wall. The human had been holding his breath, but the warmth radiating of off his body would have taken his breath away either way.
The voice grunted moodily.
"in' scum."
Then the dragging footsteps distanced themselves and grew more and more faint.
With his eyes squeezed close, Tao didn't dare to move until even the echo of them had lost itself in the depths of the dungeon.
Somewhere along the way, he had tightly grasped the fabric of the phoenix' garment. Realizing the situation he was in, he hurriedly scrambled out of his hiding place and a few steps away from the warm body.
Not quite knowing where to look, he kept his gaze lowered. He wanted to run away, but instead he stepped towards his savior again, kneeling down in front of him. Well-aware of the observing gazes he got, he made sure to move slowly as not to alarm them.
This time he did not bring a candle. Instead, the smell of fresh bread filled the air as he carefully broke a small piece from the loaf of white goodness he'd brought.
Since the creature in front of him was tied with agonizingly short chains, he lifted the piece up to his mouth, offering it cautiously.
When he avoided it by tilting away his face, Tao couldn't deny the disappointed prick in his heart.
He was about to retreat when the shining, warm eyes found his.
And the phoenix made a nodding gesture at his lover. The message was obvious, so Tao shakily stood up, walked around the bars and over to the dragon.
Dragons were known to be fierce and merciless, so he approached carefully, his eyes flitting in between the dragon's and the floor as he crouched down. Tentatively, he lifted his gaze to look at the dragon from up close for the first time.
His appearance was still magnificent, but the short distance made him see the growing dullness in his eyes, his features seemingly tired and strained.
A dragon's life essence was freedom and the imprisonment had slowly taken its toll.
Still, he watched him attentively and hesitated as the bread was offered to him.
His eyes darted over to his lover's, before he finally opened his mouth to accept the gift. For the longest time, the room was silent with nothing but the quiet chewing and occasional swallowing sound resounding off the stone walls. A soundless sigh escaped his lips after a few bites, but he kept eating slowly; a wise decision in order to keep the food in his weak body.
Patiently, Tao fed him more bread, trying to keep his hands calm.
Half-way through the loaf he stopped eating though. Even though it was obvious that his appetite couldn't have been sated yet. Throwing a glance downwards at the remaining bread, he turned his attention to the dragon again, biting his lip a little before gathering the courage to speak.
"I have another one," he whispered, barely audibly. "You can have all of it..."
With his voice trailing off uncertainly, he kept holding up the bread. The dragon just looked at him, seemingly pondering, but a hushed sound of encouragement from the phoenix made him slightly wet his lips before parting them again, taking another bite.
It went on like this until the loaf was gone, and true to his promise, Tao padded back to the phoenix to offer him the other one he had brought.
This time, he didn't protest and immediately opened his mouth.
While the dragon had mostly kept his eyes lowered, the phoenix' warm orbs would search his as he chewed. Trying not to falter under the imploring gaze, Tao's hands fidgeted with the fabric of his hood, itching to pull it over his head.
The silence felt a little suffocating, and as time went by, he found himself occasionally looking up, amazed at the warmth and softness the phoenix emitted.
When all of the bread was gone, his hand sank into his lap, not quite knowing what to do. Just as he decided to take his leave, the phoenix suddenly yanked towards him until the chains restricted him with a harsh sound of clanking metal. Tao flinched back in panic, but the other had already relaxed his posture again upon noticing the fear in his gray eyes.
He seemed to intently look at something, alternating between lowering his gaze and looking up at him in a silent request. A curt nod was sent towards... his hands?
Tao was puzzled as he presented his palms openly. The phoenix shook his head and swallowed, the sound very much audible in the otherwise silent cell.
"Closer."
His voice was quiet and a little raspy, his accent thick as if he wasn't used speaking in this tongue anymore.
"Your hand."
The accent seemed to dissipate already, and more than confused, Tao slowly stretched out his hand until he could almost cup his cheek. Again, the redhead leaned forwards, and with his nose he pushed back the wide sleeves of his hood. At the contact of his warm skin, Tao flinched again but forced himself to sit still.
As his sleeves were gradually pushed up, he couldn't contain the warm and fuzzy feeling that spread through his body, drowning out the questions of 'Why?'.
The phoenix' eyes didn't linger on the variety of black and purple bruises littering his arm for too long. Instead, he closed his eyes and nuzzled his face against the ones he could reach, letting his pale and smooth skin meet Tao's bruised one. He didn't know why, but the gesture felt kind of intimate, and he couldn't help but looking to the right, at the dragon. Said one seemed relaxed though, watching the interaction with neutral interest.

An unnatural, but not unpleasant warmth crawled up his arm and when the phoenix retreated, his skin had returned to the bronzed canvas it was supposed to resemble.
In a mix of awe and gratitude he inspected his healed arm before bowing his head to the creature.
He only slightly tilted his head in response, a tiny spark of fascination dancing in his eyes as he motioned for his other arm. Tao complied readily and watched the captivating scene repeat itself.
Something about it pulled at his heart.
Something about the caring gesture harbored a gentleness that sent a shiver through his entire body. He had yearned for a feeling like that so badly. Yet now that he felt it, it was almost surreal. He felt the tears before they actually spilled, leaving hot streaks in their wake. Before he knew it he was crying, biting his lip in an attempt to stay quiet. The ragged breathing and violent trembling wasn't stopped however. The phoenix continued caressing his arm as he inspected his face. When he withdrew himself, confusion and a tinge of sadness were reflected in his eyes.
Bowing once more, Tao scrambled up to leave the constricting cell with its heavy emotions.
Before he could leave around the corner, he heard the deep voice speak up once more.
"What's your name, human?"
Shyly, he looked at them, meeting the imploring gaze of both the dragon and the phoenix as he tried to dry his tears with his sleeves.
"Tao."

Tao didn't stop to visit the lonely cell, cautious of his movements. He would bring whatever food or drink he could get his hands on without catching any attention - and he also kept bringing candles after the phoenix had one day made it clear that yes, they indeed were of a big help to him.
The first time he stepped into the cell after that bread incident, the phoenix had softly called out his name in acknowledgment and Tao had felt like crying again from the happiness surging through his body at the simple three letters.
It took a couple more visits until he said the name with a small smile on his face, which got a little warmer with every time. Even the dragon's features softened up ever so slightly, deciding that if his lover would accept him, so would he.
Their communication remained at a minimum for the longest time, with Tao being intimidated and the creatures still wary. Even after countless moons passing by they hadn't revealed their names yet. Still, the small gestures and smiles exchanged gave the lost human a sense of belonging and tenderness he'd never experienced before.
So when the dragon called out to him one day when Tao had just finished offering him some water, he was a little surprised. The blond very rarely initiated a conversation, after all.
"Do me a favor?"
Their condition had gotten much better, but whereas the phoenix' voice had regained a velvety smooth texture, the dragon had a slightly rough and raspy sound by nature.
Anything, Tao thought. Anything at all.
So he nodded once.
"Come closer," he calmly ordered. Even though it didn't sound like a mere suggestion, Tao didn't feel threatened and followed it.
"Closer," he added quietly.
Feeling a blush creep upon his cheeks, he scooted closer until only a few inches were separating them. Their eyes wouldn't break contact as the dragon's whisper filled the room.
"Can you pass it on?"
Before he was able to utter a question, the others lips firmly met his, and Tao jerked back a tiny bit in shock, breaking skin contact.
The dragon's bright orbs only eyed him with a very silent plea hidden behind his intimidating appearance.
Tao wasn't able to actually refuse it. His eyes fluttered shut as he leaned towards him and the lips met his again.
They were warm, and even though the dragon was still being the weaker of the two, the way he kissed him showed strength and security, soothing his anxious heart with every move he made.
His lips were slightly chapped, but the feeling was pushed aside by the moist tongue the seam of the human's lips in a coaxing manner. With a hitched breath, Tao parted his lips and experienced the foreign feeling of a tongue against his. It was weird, and at the same time overwhelmingly good.
The dragon let his tongue wander thoroughly, and by the time he broke away from his wet and slightly swollen lips, Tao felt as if there was no part of his mouth left untouched.
Blinking rapidly, he looked at him in disbelief.
The blond didn't seem fazed though, and only looked in the general direction of his lover. And back at him.

Getting the clue, Tao shakily stood up and stepped over to the phoenix, kneeling in front of him.
He was expecting to see unwillingness or disgust. Or at the very least anger at the unfaithful action.
Yet he got an almost hopeful look that encouraged him to place his lips on the more plush ones. He wasn't met with resistance.
Instead, a content sigh rumbled through him. Soon, the phoenix began to nip at his lips in a series of short kisses, increasing in pressure with every touch. Remembering what he had been asked for, Tao parted his lips readily and the kiss deepened, sending a shudder ripple through both of them.
The phoenix could clearly taste his lover on him as he languidly replaced his taste with his own.
Kissing the phoenix was different, but also pleasant.
Whereas the dragon had tasted almost salty and wild, his ways insisting and firm, the phoenix was  sweeter with a passion that built up with every second that flew by. The sensation was almost too much, and finally, Tao couldn't suppress a quiet moan. Shocked at the noise, his first instinct was to retreat, but the phoenix wouldn't let him and added more urgency to his movements. With a quiet mewl, he reciprocated to his best abilities while the question of whether he was allowed to enjoy all this kept whirling in his head.
It felt like it had lasted a lifetime when they ultimately broke apart with rather ragged breathing on both sides. Gradually, Tao came down from his high and a wary feeling of shame settled in his stomach.
Shame at his own presumptuousness.
Neither of the kisses were directed at him, after all. It was merely a message between lovers.
And Tao knew his place - he had none.
All of a sudden a peck was left on the tip of his nose, and his gaze flew up.
Again, a feeling of guilt made him look over at the dragon immediately, but he only warmly smiled at them.
It was then, with the phoenix pecking his nose again and the dragon's tender smile widening, that he realized there was no turning back for him.
Tao had finally experienced love for the first time.
As time passed by and the realization set in, Tao came to understand a lot more about love. Finally he had been on the receiving end of affection. This, however, led to the feelings growing inside of him. And one day he woke up to realize that he couldn't avoid it anymore. The inevitable, his greatest fear. The fact that he couldn't keep it in any longer.

The manor was lost in commotion.
It shouldn't have been noticeable down in the depths of the dungeon, but neither the phoenix nor the dragon were mere humans and had superior senses. They shared a slightly worried look as they concentrated on the happenings above ground.
Both their ears perked up at the sound of nearing footsteps. Instead of the usual tip-toeing, Tao bolted down the stairs, almost tripping as he flew into the cell. He took off the mask he'd been wearing and tossed it into a corner without sparing it a glance as he hurriedly crouched down beside the phoenix and attempted to open his shackles with the key he had stolen.
His fingers were trembling, and more than once did the key slip through his fingers only for him to scramble after it. The phoenix clearly noticed the state his body was in. Even on good days, dark bruises would taint his skin, but now? Dark marks and scratches were littering seemingly every spot they had managed to hurt him in. Even though the mask had protected his face, his poorly woven hood hadn't done the same for his body.
When the shackles finally opened, Tao wasted no time by walking around, and instead reached through the cage bars to work at the dragon's. Again, he took several attempts, but finally the complex lock made a loud clicking sound as it gave in.
The sound hadn't even stopped echoing through the room when a strong hand shoved his shoulder from behind, and he was painfully pressed against the metal bars.
He silently whimpered, more out of shock than of actual pain - he was used to worse than this.
The hand roughly turned him around to press his back against the bars. It was the phoenix, and like every creature he harbored great physical strength, holding Tao in place effortlessly. Contrary to the brutal action, his eyes remained a warm shade of brown, now a flicker dancing in his eyes.
He looked mildly astounded as he tilted his head to get a good look at him.
"You're such a weak, fragile, little human."
The pressure increased, knocking the air out of Tao's lungs.
"I could burn you to ashes so very easily."
As if on cue, a soaring heat seemed to spread from his hand and through the human's body.
The burning sensation was fascinating, in a horrible way.
And as his life flashed before his eyes in an instant, Tao was faced with the reality that the only moments worth remembering were the ones he'd experienced in the cold, dirty cell. Dying with a burning heart only seemed appropriate, after all.
To his own surprise, he found himself not regretting a thing.
And so he closed his eyes with the first genuine and relaxed smile in what felt like forever, accepting his fate.
"But you won't," the dragon spoke up quietly from somewhere nearby.
For a while, nothing happened. Then the heat retreated and dissipated, leaving only moist air in its' wake.
"No," the phoenix answered equally pensively. "No, I won't."
He withdrew his hand, and Tao almost tumbled down to the floor.
Both creatures were now standing in front of him, searching his eyes for something. The noises in the distance grew louder, and Tao flinched. Soon they'd find them.
That's when a hand was offered to him. It was the dragon who looked at him with an unreadable gaze.
Tao stared at the hand, not sure whether it meant what he thought it would.
"You should think this through," the phoenix suddenly said, amusement flickering in his eyes as he crossed his arms to look at the two.
"Dragons are known to be very possessive."
A serious tinge was mixed into it as he deeply locked gazes with Tao.
"...and a phoenix doesn't even consider anything other than 'forever'."
Tao reached out without hesitating for even one second.
They both smiled at him tenderly.
"My name is Chanyeol," the phoenix immediately offered, petting his head softly.
"Yifan," the dragon murmured as he kissed the side of Tao's palm.
The phoenix', no, Chanyeol's hand slid down to rest on his shoulder as he spoke.
"You should know that a name holds great power. We're baring ourselves to you, a human.
Please know what you're getting yourself into."
Tao lightly squeezed Yifan's hand and placed his other one on top of Chanyeol's.
"If you won't let go, neither will I."

...Will I ever grow tired of phoenix-Chanyeol?
*pretends to think*
Uhm, nope.
I don't think there's anything to say to this other than that. I didn't delve into Tao's background a lot, but then again, neither did I regarding the other two.
Ah, threeway relationships are as interesting as I expected.
(Do I sense the beginning of an infatuation with ot3 stories? Possibly.)

Anyways, I hope you had some fun reading this~
Forgive me for any typos, non-native at work! :)
Any for of feedback is greatly appreciated

Love,
Sugar-and-Salt ♥