You really put a lot of thought into this, and it shows. I love the idea of likening Treize to the Firebird, it's just perfect.

This is one of those stories that I find to be haunting, the kind that will stick in your mind for ages after you've read it -- memorable in the best way possible. There's such a strong sense of regretful sadness to this; the knowledge of what their relationship could've been, had only the times been different.

Thank you very much for picking and writing this prompt, it's exactly the kind of story I was hoping for.