Transported: A Wings of Fire story

Fiery Flashback

Flame and the rest of the queens were flying over the emerald plains of Phyrria. The sun was setting, but there wasn't time for rest, at least, that's what the queens said.

So they continued flying deep into the night, only when the moons were high up in the sky did they stop for a break.

Flame quickly collapsed on the ground.
Even for him, being a Skywing, his wings were sore from all the flying, and he didn't even know how the other queens were still standing.

He got himself up and sat down comfortably, only to be met by an equally exhausted Hazel lying down a few paces away.

"Ugh... How in the world do you keep flying for so long?" Hazel asked as she let out a sigh.

Flame chuckled slightly but didn't let it show.
"Don't worry, I'm as exhausted as you are," He let out a sigh, "The queens are dead set on catching them though, I'm not surprised we flew for this long,"

Hazel nodded, before looking Flame in the eyes. Flame noticed this, though instead of shooting her an annoyed glare -as he did to anyone who made unauthorised eye contact with him- his gaze softened.

For some reason, Hazel's eye contact felt different this time, like a gentle friendly gaze rather than the sharp dirty or fearful looks he was used to.

Flame didn't exactly know how to react, instead, he just stared back, getting drawn into her gaze even further. A small sensation made its way into his chest uninvited.

Flame's brow furrowed slightly as he mentally scowled at the unknown feeling. He continued for a little while longer, long enough for Hazel to notice.

The Leafwing queen tilted her head to the side. "Are you alright?"

Flame quickly shook his head slightly and brought himself back to reality. Hazel was looking at him oddly though there was a slight hint of worry behind her eyes.

Flame nodded. "Y-yeah!" He said,
"I'm fine, don't worry,"

Hazel wasn't buying it.
"Are you sure? You seem a little tense?"

Flame panicked slightly.He couldn't let her know he was worried about some unknown feeling in his chest that just decided to pop in.

So instead, he avoided the question by asking one of his own.
"Why were you looking at me?" he said slightly harshly though he didn't try to be.

Hazel's eyes widened slightly in surprise but she kept calm and composed.
"Well, I just thought it was good manners you know? To look at someone when you're talking to them?"

Flame nodded nonchalantly as he tried to come up with an excuse.
That's when he remembered catching Hazel shooting various glances at him while they were flying.

It was his get-out-of-jail-free card and he decided to take it.
"I meant while we were flying over," He explained,
"You looked at me more than once,"Hazel opened her mouth slightly.

"O-oh! That was nothing! I was just... It's not important," She looked away.

Flame felt a slight frown forming but he did his best to somewhat hide it.
"You were just what?"

Hazel looked back at Flame, slightly embarrassed and annoyed.
"I said it was nothing!"

Flame wasn't phased.
"Well, it clearly was,"

Hazel looked him in the eyes and bit down against her teeth secretly before sighing and letting her head drop slightly a few moments later.
"Alright fine... I was just curious about your scar..."

Flame tensed up slightly, his face fell and he felt a sort of slight sadness wash over him.
"Oh... Right..."

Hazel soon matched his expression upon realised she'd might have brought up a sensitive topic.
"I'm Sorry! I just-"