Tethered

Animate

I don't know what to tell you about this chapter. I hope it shows why Fia is the way she is and I hope it conveys Sachiel's feelings for and about her. This is the seventh of eight chapters. Don't forget to comment and vote.

Enjoy

Mac

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He wakes the next day to the sound of loud arguing. His body feels like it's ceased up, but when he hears Fia scream his whole being leaps into action. Wrenching open the bedroom door, he rushes downstairs in time to see an older man harassing Fia. His greying hair is greasy and his clothes dirty, however his features are familiar enough for Sachiel to make the connection. This is her father. He contemplates leaving again, seeing as the situation doesn't seem as bad as he originally thought. His mind is changed for him when the older man, still yelling, reaches out and smacks Fia harshly across the face.

Sachiel doesn't think, only acts. Throwing himself before Fia, he shoves hard at the other man's chest, successfully sending him stumbling back. Sachiel's body aches with the effort of it and he sways on the spot. Gathering his strength again he rushes forward, pushing the man repeatedly. He keeps going until the other man falls out of the open door and onto the pavement. Sachiel slams the door shut and locks it behind him. Leaning against it heavily as his breathe comes in short pants. His body shakes, muscles aching and his knees give out as he leans against the door. His wings settle around him before drawing back into his body.

Sachiel slumps sideways with closed eyes, the only thing keeping him up is the door which supporting all his weight. He wonders briefly when breathing became so difficult.

There's a soft touch to his shoulder, warm, slender fingers caress the skin and elicit delightful tingles. Fia turns him gently until he's sat on the floor, his back resting against the door. Another set of fingertips come to his jaw, gently lifting his face and he battles his eyes to get them open, staring through his fringe into the concerned gaze before him.

"Are you okay?" They ask at the same time. Sachiel can see the delicate white of her skin turning pink where she was hit. He hates it, hate's it with everything in him, but it also explains so much.

"Why are you so sick?" She asks almost immediately after, confused and a little scared. Sachiel brushes a hand over his head, pushing his hair out of his eyes weakly.

"Guardians aren't supposed to stay around this long." He says, bending forward as chesty coughs rack his body.

"Then why did you?" She asks desperately, helping him as he tries to stand. He has to lean heavily on the wall with one hand, since he's a good 45cm taller than her. The front door is rattling where her father's pounding on it, but they both choose to ignore it.

"Because I care for you." He tells her, catching her eye briefly and allowing her to guide him onto her sofa. He doubles over as a wave a pain dances between his shoulder blades, signalling his wings have decayed a little more. He wonders how his mentor spent over 400 years on earth, when he's barely lasted eight weeks or so.

"That's just stupid, you don't even know me." She scolds, not willing to admit aloud how much that means to her. She grabs a blanket off the back of the sofa and wraps it around his shaking form. He's so thin, she wonders how he is able to support himself.

"Yeah I do." He counters, snuggling into the softness of the blanket. "You're a phycology student who loves watching crap telly in her underwear after a bad lecture. You think you can dance like Ginger Rogers even though you've got about as much rhythm as a cardboard box." He starts, leaning back on the sofa and closing his eyes. "You like big dogs because you think they're cuddly. You prefer Galaxy chocolate to anything else because you think it taste smoother, even if your friend Kerry disagrees and constantly buys maltesers to throw at your professor to confuse him-"

"That's a level of creepy I can't even begin to understand." She says seriously, cutting off Sachiel who just shrugs. The sofa dips beside him, so he's guessing she doesn't mind all that much. "Have you been watching me all this time?" She asks, shooting him a look he doesn't see since his eyes are still closed, head tipped back against the sofa.

"I didn't watch you get changed if that's what you're asking." He says dryly, opening one eye to give her a pointed look that she blushes at. "I have morals." She nods, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear as she looks down.

"Good to know." She mutters and Sachiel snorts a laugh, coughing again shortly after. He stays slumped over his knees clutching at his side when he's done. He wonders how he ever got into this mess. Wonders how his life got to a point where he'd give his wings and soul for another.

Wonders how in hell he fell for a human.

He glances to his side where Fia is playing with her fingers, lip pulled between her teeth as she gazes at her hands. Dark hair falling around her in curls, covering the darkening mark on her cheek.

Sachiel guesses the answer to all his questions is sat right beside him.