Alright! Now that the Mineshaft scene is out of the way for now, I can move on! That idea had been fluttering in my head since I started this fic.

And my dog won't leave me alone, so this chapter might be a little half-assed. I'm trying. D:

Here we go! Oh, Steve… you really have your hands full with this one.

Running Blind

Chapter Eight

Salt, Sweat, Sugar

Feng sat on the steps, frowning nervously. The villagers smiled at him as they passed, saying their early goodbyes. Feng nodded to each one, smiling awkwardly back at them, tapping his foot against the ground.

He'd spaced out after some time, thinking of his life in Saol. Of Andy and Max, specifically. He wondered just how they were acting with him gone.

If they even noticed.

How long had it been, for them? Had it been only hours? Days? Weeks? Months? Or, by some horrible twist of fate, had it been years? Would he return home only to find his son to be nearing thirty, like himself, and his friends long gone?

He wasn't sure what his reaction would be if he returned to find them dead. They were both so important to him… It just wouldn't be fair.

"Mister?"

Feng looked up at a little boy, brown hair messy and matching eyes bright. Freckles scattered around his nose and cheeks, a toothy grin on his face. Feng smiled warmly, giving the youth his attention. "Yes?"

"I hope Savior Steve will take you home."

Feng smiled softly, patting the child's head. "Oh, I'm sure Steve will do just that. He sounds like a brilliant man."

Just what did Steve look like? In Feng's mind, he looked tall and strong, a graceful and elegant face, filled with dignity and power. He imagined him with gray eyes and slightly grayed hair, but mostly black. He imagined muscle.

He certainly didn't expect what he was greeted with.

A male of average height, brown hair and matching eyes. His face was the very definition of neutrality, apathetic to everything around him. He was similar to Feng's own slender build, though the muscles on his body had separated him from Feng himself. Though the grace and dignity had been correct, it seemed as if nothing else had.

Feng stood.

"Is this the one?" Steve asked, his voice deep and gravelly. Feng had expected something softer, gentler.

"Yes, Steve. This is Feng. Feng, this is Steve."

Feng smiled weakly and held out his hand, watching the brunette take it, shaking his hand roughly. Feng jolted with the strength and released a short laugh.

"Take good care of him, Steve. He is a remarkable young man, just as you were."

Steve smiled, and Feng grinned. Now that was more like it – the man should smile more often. He looked nicer that way.

"I will, Elder. Don't worry. Come, Feng." Steve spoke smoothly, motioning the youth to follow. Feng nodded and grabbed the pack he'd been given, following quickly behind the male.

Giving one last wave goodbye, they disappeared beyond view.

Steve sat across from Feng before the crackling fire, the man frowning slightly. He sipped at the mushroom stew, watching Feng do the same.

"…Elder tells me you ran into some trouble yesterday, in the Mines."

Feng paled. "Aah… Yes. I suppose… I suppose I did."

"…" Steve cleared his throat, moving closer to the Salamander. "…Did you see Him too?" he whispered, looking around them.

"H…Him?" Feng choked, looking back on his 'adventure'. "…I remember seeing… someone, but I never got a clear look."

Steve cursed under his breath, shaking his head. "Nevermind, then. Come on, we need to get our sleep."

Feng nodded.

"Nice shot, kid," Steve praised, laughing as the cow fell. "You certainly don't look like you can hunt, but I suppose looks can be deceiving."

"Tell me about it," Feng smiled, walking next to Steve as the man gathered the cow. He took one side, the brunette took the other.

"So…" Steve started, watching Feng as he blinked and looked back over at him. "…What city do you come from?"

Feng's eyes brightened. "Saol."

"Saol? Really?"

"Mhm. About a half-hour from Lani."

Steve laughed.

"I had an Aunt who lived in Saol for a while. Crazy place, that city."

"Mm." Feng watched as Steve opened up a little more, following his lead as they set the cow down on stone, Steve brandishing a blade. Feng did the same.

As they carved into their meal it was silent, but as soon as they finished, Feng sat back on his heels, frowning. "…What about you?"

"Hm?"

"Where did you come from?"

"New York, New York." Steve responded, chuckling as Feng smirked.

"I thought I recognized the accent."

"And I recognized yours. You aren't human, are you."

Well.

That was blunt.

Feng smiled weakly, shaking his head.

"No… I may as well be, now. Can't use my fire here."

"Aah. Salamander, huh?"

"Mm."

"I see. I noticed the pull as soon as I saw you."

Feng's smile faded. "…I'm sorry."

"For?"

"I don't mean to."

"I know. It's just your nature. After all, Elementals are beautiful and exotic to humans. It's only natural and it isn't in your control."

"Yeah. I know, it's just… I don't know. When people become attracted to me and I don't know them it just… it makes me uncomfortable."

"If it makes you feel any better, I'm not interested in men."

Feng laughed. "No, but… thanks for trying."

Thunder. It had masked the screaming rather well, and it took several moments before Feng realized what had happened.

"Steve!" Feng cried, spotting the tanned male lying on the grass, his eyes squeezed shut as he clutched a wound on his leg. "Jesus- are you alright!? No, no, that's a stupid question…- Come on, let's go."

The zombie had been killed shortly before Feng arrived, he'd learned – which was a relief to him. At least he didn't have to deal with it.

He dragged the man into their makeshift home, setting him on the ground. "Don't worry," Feng started, ripping part of his shirt.

At this rate I won't have a shirt…

"I'll fix the-"

"Relax," Steve muttered, hissing and touching the wound gingerly. "It'll heal on its own. Just… just get me some of that food."

"What are you- are you joking!? This isn't the time to kid around!"

"It's not a joke, Feng. This world… it's vastly different from ours. Just hand me the food."

Feng sighed and handed him the meat, watching him chew slowly. "So, what, does that food have magic in it?"

"No. I just have to be at full strength for the wound to fix itself."

"I still think this is ridiculous. At least let me bandage it?"

Steve sighed. "Fine, if it'll get you to stop acting like a nervous housewife…"

Feng set his hand on where the wound had once resided, frowning deeply. "How… how in the hell does that even-"

"I don't know. I honestly don't know." Steve sighed, running a hand through his hair and laying back. "All I know is that it comes in handy sometimes."

"Yeah… that it does." Feng smiled weakly, sitting carefully in the corner. Steve watched him with tired brown eyes, squeezing them closed for a moment as he yawned before cracking them open again.

"So… so how did you know what to do, anyway? You kept going on about 'finding ingredients'."

Feng shrugged. "About that… Well, see, I was meant to be the family's healer. I'd been under my grandmother's wing before I ran away from home."

"…Why did you run away?"

Feng paused, mouth open before slipping it closed and shaking his head. "I'd… I'd rather not talk about that." He murmured, lying down. "We should get some rest. Been a long day."

"Yeah," Steve drawled, leaving the situation alone. "It has. In the morning we'll have to go mining. Don't worry, when there are two of us they won't show up."

Feng had already drifted away.