Angel's Wings

Don't Underestimate Me

   I couldn't help but be curious as the minutes passed by. I got up and opened my door, immiediately I was hit with the smell of something burning. I ran down the stairs.
   "Y/N?" I looked around but I could tell she was gone. It was too quiet for her to still be here. Dammit.
   It didn't take me long to find the source of the smell. It was a bundle of burning sage on the coffee table. She knew what she was doing, she left on her own, and didn't want me to hear.
   She had done this every night. She left, and I never knew. I've got to keep a closer eye on her.
   She had become more independent since that night two months ago. As well as cunning, strong, and well she just doesn't seem as innocent as she once was. It scared me slightly.
   I heard the door handle shake, turned off the lights and leaned against the staircase, letting any and all signs of worry fade from my appearance.
   I let her walk through the dark living room, thinking she was safe, for a few steps. Then I flicked the light switch on and stood there, smirking, twirling the sage. I hoped that I gave off the feeling that I'd win.
   "Mm don't you love the smell of burning sage?" She looked scared at first, then cool and confident. She was learning, and I didn't know if I liked it.
   "Depends. I mean normal sage, not so much, but I've heard of this scented version that is just lovely." She said smiling innocently.
   "Y/N." I said hoping to stop her in her tracks.
   "I heard they have it in pumpkin spice." She kept on.
   "Y/N." I said a little more firmly.
   "Oh, right duh, it's probably on sold in Fall. Wanna watch some TV?" She picked up the remote.
  "Y/N!" I said again, raising my voice just below a yell.
  "Oh come on." She turned on the television. "I'm sure we can find som-" What was on the TV stopped her words immiediately. It was a news story on her being missing.
   I could see the tears forming in her eyes. I wanted to let her go home, I really did, but Brendon was still around, which scared me since she's been going out every night without me knowing. I reached and slipped the remote from her hand. She didn't seem to notice.
   I turned off the TV and wrapped my arm around her.
   "Come on, I think it's time to call it a night. We can talk about the sage in the morning."
   I was not done with the sage. She needed to know that she could not leave, and it was for her own good.

//////

   "Morning, Y/N." I said, bringing her a cup of hot apple cider. She loved the stuff. I always had it ready for her in the morning.
   She mumbled sitting up. Her eyes fluttered open and then she saw the cider and slowly took it.
   "I know, it must have been a long night for you."
   "You could say that." She muttered into the cup, then took a sip.
   I sighed. "You know why you can't go back right? At least not now."
   She sat quiet.
   "Because of Brendon. Because I care about you. I can't let him get you."
   She took another sip.
   "I'll let you wake up first. Come down when you're ready."
   She nodded and I left.
   I went into the kitchen and leaned against the counter. She thinks I'm the bad guy. Doesn't she? I just want her safe.
   She came down about ten minutes later with her empty mug from the cider. She had also put jeans on.
   She put the mug in the sink and turned to me. "Talk."
   I took a breath and spoke in a calm tone. "What were you thinking? Leaving? Yo-"
   "I know. Brendon blah hurt you blah just want you safe blah. I know. I couldn't sleep okay? I wanted fresh air. I'm tired of being treated as though I'm a little girl who can't take care of herself. If Brendon wants to try and get me, let him. I can psych him out faster than you can blink. Plus I'm strong, I can hold my own in a fight. Try me honestly. I'm capable."
   I took a breath. "Okay. Try you? Come on." I said, taking her by the arm.
  I lead us into the training room. It had a mat covering the floor and weapons lining the walls.
  "I get a weapon. You don't. That's how it could go. No rules. Anything to walk away from this."
  "Perfect." She smirked.
  I picked up a bo staff and went at it. I swung and she ducked, at the same time, she tried kicking the feet from underneath me. I jumped avoiding her kick.
   Then she quickly did a back bend into a kick over, knocking the staff from my hand, and into the air. She jumped for it. In that second as she flew up into the air, I thought wings would sprout from her back, but they didn't.
   She grabbed the staff midair and struck me down with it, as I was distracted. She was on top of me. I grabbed at the staff and flipped us so I was on top, both of us pushing the bo staff towards the other, yet she was struggling.
   "Come on, Y/N I thought you were stronger." I taunted.
   She smirked, then I felt her kick me right where it hurt.
   "Fuck!" I shouted, rolling off to the side, arms wrapped around my stomach.
   She sat on top of my arms, and put the staff to my neck. "And smarter." Then she stood, taking the staff with her, and walked to the door, leaning against the frame. "I walked away. I won."
   "Cheap shot." I grunted. "Good work."
   "I think this calls for a break from training for the day. You know, cause I'd feel bad training you, right after I kicked your ass."
   "You kicked something, but it definitely was not my ass." I said sitting up.
   "Close enough. I'll be upstairs watching 'Friends' on Netflix. You can come join when you're done underestimating me."

//////

   I knocked on the door. "Y/N?"
  "Yeah?"
   I opened it to find her cuddled in a blanket in the guest room, as she said, watching 'Friends'.
   "I'm not going to under estimate you any more." I started.
   "Good."
   "Which is why I put a spell on the house so you can't sneak out at night."
   "What? That's not-"
   "I know. But I could tell you would only sneak out again tonight, and I don't know what you go out an do but I know it's not just for fresh air. I knew you'd get up and leave the room at night but not the house. I trusted you, but now I see where that trust got me. I can't let you do something stupid."
   She was quiet and turned her head back to the TV. Ugh.
   "Can I join you?" I asked.
   "I'd ra- you know what? Knock yourself out. Grab some popcorn though first would you?" She said staring at the screen. I half smiled. It's better than nothing.