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Wise_yet_harmless
FANG'S POINT OF VIEW
You're just like your father…
No. It wasn't true. I was different, I was-
Just like.
My breaths came in quick, short bursts that sounded like gasps. My chest ached, but I wasn't sure if it was from the running or not. I kept a fast pace, the strings on my jacket whipping around, my hair bouncing around my eyes. Though my lungs burned I didn't stop or slow down once.
I had to find Max.
MAX'S POINT OF VIEW
"Alright, guys, go inside. Here are my keys. I'll be right there, okay? I just need a sec."
My siblings obeyed, snatching the keys from me and running inside. They were all excited to start a movie Nudged had borrowed, so I knew they wouldn't mind my absence.
I opened the glove box in my truck, pulling out the extra pocketknife I stashed there. I pulled out my other knife from my pocket and exited the car. I took a few steps toward the pine trees in our front lawn, opening both knives.
I raise the larger of the two, aiming carefully. With a grunt, I chucked the knife towards the tree closest to me. The knife landed at an upward angle, sinking into the bark an inch or two.
I then threw the other knife at a tree a few feet farther from the first. I threw it too hard and missed, the knife hitting at the wrong angle and clattering to the ground. I grabbed both knives and started over.
Breathe, aim, chuck.
Breathe, aim, chuck.
Aim, chuck.
Chuck.
Chuck.
I let out a frustrated growl when I missed for the third time in a row, throwing a knife to my feet in retaliation. The sharp weapon pierced the ground not an inch from my shoe.
I walked over and grabbed my other knife from where it lay. I faced the large pine in front of me a moment before thrusting both knives deeply into the bark with a grunt. I yanked them out and repeated the process three or four times. Once I was satisfied, I put both knives away.
I paced underneath the victimized trees, fuming. Fang had been a jerk, for sure. He had freaking hit me.
You two have fought each other before. He hit you then, my conscious reminded me.
That was different. That time we agreed to. That was different, right?
It hadn't really hurt. I skidded a little, sure, but that only meant I'd have a couple bruises. The emotional blow was far worse.
I huffed, kicking at a bush. I had been just as bad. I was the one who called him that… But I felt it was justified. Was it? Was it too far? I had no idea. I ran my hand through my hair a couple of times, confused.
Just then, I heard a tapping sound, quiet and distant. I pulled out a knife, opening it. I was too on edge and paranoid. The sound got louder and closer, turning from small tapping noises to...footsteps? The steps slowed down a little, getting close. With the trees and curve of the road, I couldn't see who it was. They were panting from their run, the sound loud in the otherwise quiet neighborhood.
Fang came around the corner, shocking me. I tried my best not to show it, rolling my eyes and giving off an indifferent aura. On the inside I was panicking, wondering why on earth he was here. He only looked back at me, his eyes wider than usual, his body frozen.
I ignored him, pulling out my other knife and going back to my dangerous game. After a few minutes of silence and Fang's breathing, I broke the silence in between throws with what I hoped was a bored sounding voice.
"What do you want?"
"I need to talk to you."
"So talk."
"Max."
I kept my eyes trained on my targets, waiting for him to continue. I threw especially hard, my pocketknives making little swishing noises when I threw them.
"Max, look at me." My eyes flicked over him, his hand partially outstretched. His black hair was tousled, hanging in his eyes. His pale cheeks had a tint of pink to them, either from running or embarrassment.
"What," I demanded, scowling.
"I'm sorry." This caught me off guard. I was ready for some excuses or something. A stutter or two, at least. As soon as I thought that I sighed, letting my shoulders drop. I was being harsh, making me a hypocrite.
"I didn't mean it," Fang said, his eyes flitting around. "I just...exploded. It was stupid."
"No, Fang, you have every right to be mad. I shouldn't have said what I did either," I confessed, gripping the handle of my knife tightly. I didn't like apologizing and I didn't want to talk about my feelings, but here I was. It needed to be said, and I knew that. That doesn't mean I liked it.
Fang laughed, the sound very different then the laughter I heard him show before.
"No, it's obvious you were right," he said, his dark eyes full of an amused self hate. My words hurt him a lot more than I thought.
"Fang, if you believed me, you're a bigger idiot than I thought. You can't really believe that." When he said nothing in return, I assumed the worst. "You do believe that."
Fang looked down at his hands, his palms facing him. He looked hesitant to respond, his actions emphasizing just how much I had hurt him. Crap.
I stuffed my weapons in my pocket, reaching for Fang's hands. I turned them over, clasping them. I did my best to get the words out, not wanting to sound mushy or anything.
"Fang...you're not, never will and never could be like him. I was stupid to shove you but I was even stupider to say that. Acting out like that makes you a fool. Believing what I said though...that just makes us both wrong."
Fang nodded, his mouth twisted with emotion. He tried to give me his signature smirk, but it just looked like a grimace. I laughed, holding out my arms.
"It's okay Fang, it's okay." Fang held onto my tightly, like I was his anchor. I could have been. His face was buried in my shoulder, his hair tickling my face. I put one hand in his hair, my fingers getting lost in the tangle of his black waves.
"I got you. I got you," I whispered to him, hoping to calm him.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, his voice muffled in my shoulder.
"For what? I can handle a couple bruises, hon, I'm not-"
"I'm weak."
Wait, huh? What did he-
Wait.
I'm not a baby, and you're not my mother! I can handle this without you, okay?! I don't need you. Got it? I don't even want you around!
Is that what he was mad about?
Really?
"Fang, don't tell me that's what this is all about," I said, my voice curious. He, of course, said nothing, conforming I was right. I sighed.
"I have never seen you as weak. Most people couldn't handle what you do, dude. I'm not kidding. I respect you for keeping your sanity and for keeping Ella safe. You're not weak, you're human." Fang didn't respond, just stayed there in my embrace. I held his for what seemed like forever, the sky darkening. Fang would never admit it, but I was guessing he didn't get a lot of physical contact in a good way. Ella often put her hand on his arm while they spoke, but I had never seen them hug or anything. So I was happy to be able to offer him some comfort, even if only for a moment.
Then Fang's phone rang. He stepped back, his face back to the calm demeanor he usually had. He pulled the phone and answered it without a sound. I could hear Ella's voice on the other end, the sound oddly electronic sounding.
"Fang?"
Fang grunted, meaning yes?
"Where are you? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
"Good. I was just worried because you never returned and you left so suddenly..."
"I know. I'll be back home soon and I'll explain."
"Alright."
Fang hung up, looking back at me. I crossed my arms, looking at him with an eyebrow raised playfully.
"Did little Fangles leave without telling mommy where he was going?"
"Shut up," Fang said, his signature smirk back for real this time. I motioned to my truck.
"Wanna lift?"
"Yes ma'am."
I ran inside to grab my keys from the kids and then piled in the car with Fang. There was silence between us as I drove to Iggy's, where I guessed they were staying. When I pulled up, Fang looked at me, a look of uncertainty in his eyes. Before I could process it, Fang leaned over and brushed his lips against my cheek.
"Thanks," he whispered near my ear before leaving the truck without a backward glance.
I sat there, dumbstruck.
Wowza.