Dagger

I

*Phoebe*

5 years earlier
"Richard! I thought I told you to stop letting me win!" I shout in frustration as I stand over him with my katana in hand. I can see the grin plastered on his face as he groans in frustration.

"And I told you that I'm not going to hurt you Pheebs." He chuckled beneath me. He stared up at me his eyes roaming over my entire face and my bright blonde hair until his blue eyes locked with mine.

"Ugh, I hate when you do this!" I pout and stomp my foot. At that moment, he grabs my ankle and pulls so I fall down, but before I hit my head, he places his hand under it. Just I realise what has happened, Richard is strattling me with both of my hands pinned over my head and my katana halfway across the room.

"Wow, that was even worse than letting me win!" I complain to him.

"Well, you get what you ask for, and you asked me not to let you win." A cocky smirk took its usual place. It was so frustrating when he does stuff life this but at the same time, it's what I like about him.

I stare into his bright blue eyes as he stared triumphantly down at me.

"Let me go Richard." I plea as I struggle against his strong grip. He was fourteen and I'm only two years younger but he is still a hell of a lot heavier than me.

He sighs and stands up, then proceeds to lift me up with him.

"You know, you're the only one that calls me that." He points. I give a smug grin.

"Well that's your name isn't it?" I tease then proceed to run away from him. I sprint as fast as I can through Wayne Manor, stumbling a few times, I manage to make my way up the few flights of stairs until I reach the attic then use my acrobatic skills to climb into the rafters.

Hopping from one to another I make it to our 'perch' as the two of us liked to call it. It was like a little loft in the huge attic that Mr.Bruce had Alfred clear out for us. Over time me and Richard have managed to bring pillows, blankets, books, lanterns and other things to make it more comfortable.

Just as my feet hit the edge of the loft side Richard jumps infront of me, making me lose my balance.

As I panic and fall backwards he quickly reacts, snatching my arm and swinging me so I fall onto the pillows in the perch.

We both land with an 'oof' and an ache in my back as I've landed on a book.

"Thanks Richard." I gleam and he just smiles and nods at me. I reach over and flick on the radio before cuddling up to him.

We've been friends since the day he showed up at the orphanage all the way until now. Mr.Bruce took him in and I'm still in the orphanage, but I'm here at the Manor more than that horrid place. I come to visit everyday and sometimes spend the night in the spare bedroom.

We both lie quietly listening to the music before we even attempt to say a word.

"Why do you want to learn to fight?" He asks out of the blue. I sit up, a confused look on my face then my memory flashes to pain. "Is someone messing with you?"

I stay silent for a moment.

"Yes- well, no! I mean... just incase they do.." my words are soft, as if I'm four again when those people took my parents and started asking where the safe was.

"I swear to God if anyone lays a hand on you I'l-"

"You'll do nothing. I won't let you do anything... I don't want you to do anything." I cut him off.