Sage

C19||Salt or Sugar?

I read somewhere that the most commonly mixed up ingredient is salt and sugar. Without the labels and the obvious taste they look the same. They seem and look the same yet they are completely different. But at first look they seem the same so the real question is, what makes them different?

We had been waiting for my fathers men to come and pick us up for awhile now. It seems we were farther out than we thought. I still hadn't moved from my spot on the side of the warehouse. Truly I didn't have the courage to face my family yet. I knew once they did they would ask questions and now isn't the place for that.

I was so disappointed in myself. I maxed to do the one thing I vowed not to do when I found out I would be living with them. Hell even before that I promised to myself they would never find out. But there was no other way, he was going to kill us and I couldn't let them get hurt because of my problems.

I turned my head to my left to see Mario seated next to me. He was looking out into the distance like I was a few minutes ago. I was too lost in thought to even notice his presence. But he hadn't talked, only kept me company.

"I-I don't know what to say or ask." My twin whispered.

"Are you hurt anywhere?" I asked.

"Stop trying to change the subject Sage." Mario's voice cracked. "W-what happened back there."

I looked back to the skyline not answering him.

"P-please Sage. I was so scared when I saw him touching you. A-and I can't- no no I won't lose you again. That's all that was running through my head. And then I saw the guns and then a-all of a sudden y-you were in front of us. But you didn't seem like you. All I saw was g-green and I was- no I still am confused. You took down those guys flawlessly. A-and you had this power coming off you. And your e-eyes the-they were glowing. I-I" Mario rambled before cutting himself off with heavy breathing.

I snapped my head to him to see his eyes wide breathing hard. He put one hand on his chest and looked at me panicky.

I acted fast. "Mario hey, hey it's okay. Copy my breathing." I stated pulling him into my embrace. I placed his head on my chest so he can hear my breathing. I put one of my arms around his shoulder the other one on his head playing with is tangled hair. "In and out bud in and out."

Mario started to break out into sobs his breathing getting heavier and heavier. I had to try something else to calm him down before he makes himself pass out. So, I brought him back up keeping both of my hands on his face. "Do you trust me?" I asked looking at him questionably. He nodded his had hurriedly not being able to speak.

I brought his forehead to mine looking him in the eyes. I focused on his emotions I could feel the terror and panic radiating off of him. I pushed those aside and sent him calming waves and emotions. By the way his eyes widened I could tell my eyes were glowing. But it didn't take long for him to calm down. Soon it was just us with our foreheads connected staring at each other.

"What's going on Sage." He whispered.

"A lot. Most of it I am still trying to figure out. But the things I do know I will tell you. Just not here not now. " I whispered back shaking my head. "You already see me as a monster."

"Sage Ariana Roman." He stated firmly. I looked up to see some tears still welled in his eyes but that didn't stop the determination in his next words. "I will never see you as a monster. I don't care what anyone or even yourself has to say about it. You are my twin, my sister. Not some monster."

I hadn't even realized I had tears in my eyes till I let one shed. I closed my eyes letting two more fall.

This was it. One of my biggest fears and worries. Ever since I have had these abilities I was always scared of what they would think about me. Would they see me as the monster I saw myself? Would they completely disown me? Would they lock me away in some asylum making me some test subject? This was part of the reason I never wanted them to find out. Most of it was for their protection because of the people in this world that would kill to have the power that ran through my veins. And the quickest way to get to me was my family. I knew that, they knew that. But it never outweighed the fear I felt when it came to the possible rejection I would receive from my family. These kind of thoughts swirled in my mind from the beginning and finally they could be put to silence.

No, it wasn't what my whole family thought if me. But it was my twin brother. Mario might not realize it but he has one of the biggest impacts on my life. And to hear him say this took a weight off my shoulders. There was still our brothers and father I still had to worry about. But in this exact moment I didn't care. Because I had my twin, who is supporting me through something he has no comprehension of. And that's all I need in this moment.

Fuck not getting close to him.

Mario moved to the side of me putting his arm around my shoulders. I leant my head on his wrapping my arm closest to him around his back. I pulled my knees in going close to him. We just watched the sunrise finish off. There were no words spoken between us after all of our tears were shed. But it was as if we were still communicating, understanding.

Once we heard footsteps coming our way we turned our heads. Domani was walking to us with an unreadable expression. When he was close enough he started to talk. "The cars are down the street. Matteo is still hurt from the crash but Dad wants all of us to get checked over. So we are going to our personal doctor instead of the hospital." He stated before looking directly at me. "We can talk then?"

I imagine it was supposed to come out as a question but I knew it was a statement. I nodded to him untangling myself from Mario. We stood up following our brother to the cars I could hear coming. It wasn't long before our brothers and father came into view. Before we even reached them, five SUV's pulled up by us. Mario grabbed my hand before I could walk any further. I looked towards him questionably.

"You'll sit by me right?" He asked. But I could her the underlying message in his words. 'Don't leave me'

I let my mouth quirk up into a small smile. "Of course."

But something was screaming in the back of my mind. Was Mario mistaking me for something else? Am I posing as one thing when I am completely something else? Was I the salt or sugar?

A/N

Hey Y'all I know its a short chapter but we love a good sibling bonding time.