Guardian Angel

It was an overwhelming feeling, it rose from her gut to her chest as she stared at the blond for a moment too long. She only wished it was the same as years before, but too much had changed, burdens of life and the choices they had made. It had left them with many issues and many worries, and it reflected on their faces. She only wished they were more wise, and fled whilst they could, but time had gone too quickly and here they remained. “She always was—-” She agreed, a smile on her lips. Her mother thought the world of Aiden, there was no doubt about that. “I miss what we used to be, Aiden.” She mused, a frown on her lips.

He gave the blonde a small smile in reply. “Is she here too or she back at home?” The male asked curiously. A sad expression made its way to his face as he met her gaze. “Me too Ava, me too.” He reached out gently taking her hand in his own. “I never did tell you why I went to the death eaters... I think I probably owe you an explanation.” 

Seeing her brother get thrown around like this because of their sister wasn’t something that Addison wanted to watch. Part of her was glad, though, that Aiden was out of the firing line, even if he was stuck in a less-than-ideal situation. The brunette took in a deep breath at his words. “She has given up on you.” Perhaps they were harsh, but weren’t they true? “Why are you even bothering?” She asked. “She never asked for it.” Addison was long done trying to reason with her sister, and even resented her more for taking her brother with her. The witch wondered if Aiden was even aware that she needed her brother, too. With him gone, she’d lost both of them. 

Huffing a sigh out of his nose, the male rubbed his temples feeling stressed by the whole conversation. His sister was right of course, but it didn’t make anything easier. In fact, it made it harder because he knew he was fighting a losing battle, and apparently so did Addison but he couldn’t just give up on her. His sister was still in there somewhere. “She’s our little sister, I just can’t stop seeing her as that little girl who would do anything to make people smile.” His heart began to feel heavy as memories of them all as kids played in his mind. “...And I promised mom and dad I’d look after you both.” He explained emotion filling his voice.

It was difficult to think of a time different to this, as it had been a long time since things remained normal. She wished for a time when they had smaller problems, like her feelings for him— now they were the least of their worries. “I’d go to the beach, or even just have a meal with my family. I’d even deal with the inevitable arguments.” She sighed, tilting her head, “And my mother telling me I was wasting time not dating you.” She smirked teasingly, eyes turning to him.

Aiden found himself smiling as he listened to the blonde describe what her day would entail. He found himself thinking back to the things they used to do together, the times they’d brought a bag of chips and had just spent their day on the beach enjoying the sun and most all enjoying each others company. It was mad how quick things had changed. It felt like a lifetime away now. A small laugh fell from his lips at her next comment. “You’re mother was always smart, good at advice to from what I remember.” He gave her a wink, a smirk tugging at his lips.

@protectoraiden

Leaning against the door frame of her brother’s newly assigned room, Addison sighed lightly. She felt sorry for him, truly. After everything he had sacrificed, he had just ended up in this position. “You’re not helping anyone in here, Aid.” Her gaze lifted from the floor to meet her brother’s. “Can’t you just give it up?” 

Aiden looked up at his sister glumly, giving a shrug. “Well, this wasn’t exactly part of the plan Addie.” A sigh passed his lips as he ran a hand through his hair. “I...I just can’t give up on her-- not yet.” 

She tried to remain optimistic, but it was exceedingly hard to. It was unknown how long she would have his company for, before they made an escape and she lost him. It was hard not to think about. “I’m not very good at cheery these days.” She shrugged, sighing a little as she did.

“I guess you can’t be blamed we are in the middle of a war after all, but how about we try and forget that even if it’s just for the next thirty minutes.” He suggested with a smile, “Come on, if you could do anything, if none of this was happening what would you want to spend today doing?” 

She only wished things were different, and that they remained side by side rather than against one another. Although she was being kind to him, she needed to ensure that she remained safe, and the prisoners who surrounded them would begin to realise he was a soft spot for her, putting him at risk. She heaved a sigh, turning to lock her gaze with his. “Probably, but I wouldn’t hold your breath, there’s some people in the Order who don’t see things so morally as I.” She told him, sighing as she leaned her head on his shoulder. “You need to be careful.”

He nodded, “Don’t worry I’ll be careful, I promise. Now stop worrying, I’ll be fine.” The male gave her a pointed look. “Come on, let’s talk about something a bit cheerier.” 

He appeared to be taken it well, but that did not remove any concern she had for him and his welfare. She knew he was putting on a brave face and that hurt her more than she would admit. She wanted him safe, she wanted her friend back. She wanted him by her side, and the feeling alone terrified her. “I don’t do payback, I play fair.” She sighed, sitting down beside him with a concerned look on her face. How did things get so screwed up? “I hate seeing you in danger.” She admitted with a frown, hand moving to rub his shoulder.

He smiled at her reply. “I know, I was only teasing.” Aiden knew she wasn’t that petty. He shook his head, placing a hand on her knee, smiling at her. “I’m not in danger, I’m probably safer here than I would have been back at our camp.” The male reassured her, though there was always the risk of danger - they were in the middle of a war. He was just glad he had the opportunity to spend some more time with the female if he was honest.  

@protectoraiden·

    “It looks like our roles have been reversed.” Ava thought aloud, as she stood in front of the prisoner with a small smile on her lips. She did not aim to be patronising, or make him feel as if she had the power now, but it was strange how things worked for them. She moved towards him, handing him a plate with some food, and placed a glass of water beside him.  “You’re welcome.” She smirked a little, teasing him a little. 

Aiden smirked at the blonde. “It’s alright I prefer it like this.” He replied truthfully, he’d rather be held as a prisoner and have his free will taken from him than risk Ava’s safety by having her in the clutches of the death eaters. A chuckle left his lips as he took the plate and glass from her. “I’m surprised you’re not withholding it from me as some form of payback.” He joked before thanking her. 

It was not uncommon for her to feel afraid, even if she tended to mask it well behind a fake kind of confidence. She was afraid now, even in his company, an unfamiliar feeling. She felt this way because she was unsure if he would defend her, or watch her be tackled by Death Eater’s that loomed around her. She could not bare the thought, the friend she used to know standing in front of her. “Thank you.” She replied, heaving a sigh as she brought her knees into her chest. “Can we be honest with each other?” She asked, eyes narrowing a little.

Aiden noted the look of the blonde’s face, she looked uncomfortable or maybe even afraid? Not that he’d blame her, she had no idea what would happen from one minute to the next. “I’ll be right back.” He told her as he left the room briefly to go searching for a blanket or something to at least keep her warm.. Luckily his room was only a few minutes away. Picking up a spare blanket from his bed, he also walked to the kitchen grabbing a spare bottle of water for the blonde. He quickly rushed back not wanting to leave Ava unguarded just in case another death eater tried to approach her. “Here you go.” Aiden walked over to her and passed her the blanket and bottle of water. He settled down on the ground next to her nodding. “Of course.” He had a feeling he knew where the female was going with this but it would be interesting to hear. 

Although she was grateful that Aiden had put the time into seeing her, deep down she knew that he was still on their side, making it risky for her to admit any emotion truthfully to him. It was hard to deny she trusted him, but she knew not to be naive. “I understand.” She responded, lowering her head before heaving a sigh. “I’m alright— surprisingly, I did get something to eat, even if it was only small.” She wondered why they were feeding her, truthfully she knew it would not last. “A blanket would be nice though.” She smiled weakly, lowering her head a little. 

He could see from the way she watched him and the way she acted around him that she didn't trust him, it was different to how they used to be. Not that he could blame her after all. They were on different sides. "I'll try to bring you more later, when I can. I mean there's no rules saying that we can't give you food. The others are just choosing not to." He attempted to reason, though it came out more like he was trying to explain himself. "I'll see what I can find."

@protectoraiden

  The evening had set in, and it was after dark, Ava was sat down on the ground, arms chained as a guard overlooked her. It was unpleasant, the guarding technique was very different to that of the Order, and she only assumed that the worst would come to pass eventually. She did not expect to make it out alive, any hope she had, diminished the moment she arrived. The only hope she had was the thoughts of returning home, and it was keeping her going. She was remaining quiet, knowing the wrath of the current guard was strong, and did not take much to be agitated. However, Ava looked up as she heard someone new enter the room, and the previous guard leave. Her eyes set upon him, and her features softened. “God am I happy to see you.” 

Aiden made sure he stayed silent until he was sure the male had left the room. He gave her a small smile. “How are you doing? Sorry I couldn’t get here sooner, the night shift was the only one available. I mean, I could’ve tried to switch shifts but it probably would have been too suspicious, I hope you understand.” The male gave a shrug before walking over to her. “You look tired... Is there anything I can get for you? A blanket or something? Maybe some food?” 

She did not want to argue with him anymore, even if this was a situation she was unsure about getting out of. She wanted things to go back to how they used to be, even if there was a lack of chance of such happening. It was hard without him, especially when deep down she had unrequited feelings she had not managed to explain to him. She only wished she had been more honest to begin with, maybe he would not be who he is now. She sighed, eyes locking with his for a moment before looking away. “I guess so.” She nodded, turning her gaze away. “I just wish things were different for us.” She spilled out, looking at him with a smile. “I’ve missed you, even though every part of me wants to hate you.”

He was glad when she dropped the topic, knowing they were both too stubborn to agree. A sad smile made it’s way to his lips. “Me too. If you told me in school we would end up like this I wouldn’t have believed you.” Aiden lent against the fence she was chained to a few steps away from her, not stressing too much about if anyone spotted him knowing he would have just looked like a tired guard. “I’ve missed you too Ava, truly I have.” 

The situation was only going to go from bad to worse, especially if he put himself in dangers way to protect her. She knew this was her own doing, and she was willing to face up to sigh a fact. She did not want to see him harmed, especially not due to her. “I’m serious Aiden, I can look after myself.” She huffed, though the predicament they were currently in proved otherwise. Despite this, she would remain optimistic, as unwise as it may be. “You need to remain away from me, if they see you talking to me, they’ll assume you’re trying to help. I don’t want you hurt as well as me.” She told him with a sigh. “If you hadn’t suggested that, they’d have killed me anyway.” She replied, hand moving to reach out to him, but dropping once she realised what she was doing.

Aiden shook his head, not wanting to offend his old friend. “I never said you couldn’t, I’m just telling you I’m not about to sit around and watch you get hurt.” He wasn’t going to back down, no matter what she said. “There’s no rules against talking to the prisoners. They’ll think I’m just messing with you. I’ll just be sure to talk to the others too so it doesn’t look like I’m favouring anyone.” The male gave a shrug, hoping his calm attitude would help he relax. He was itching to reach out and take her hand but it was just too risky, so he settled by giving her a small smile.  

She did not know what to believe, not anymore. Truthfully, he had tried to do right by her, and her stubborn self had chosen not to listen to him. This was her own doing, and he had played no part in it. However, this did not settle her mind. This was never ending, and now she was stuck in her hands of the Death Eaters, which was incredibly unnerving. “I should have listened to you, I assumed the worst in you, and I’m sorry for that.” She sighed, shaking her head. “I’ll consider this my comeuppance for not listening to your advice.” She raised her gaze to fixate on him, eyes wandering his for a moment. “You must promise me that you wont put yourself in harms way, not for me. I did this, this was not your doing.”

He was almost glad to hear the female’s words he just wished it was in a different circumstance. In fact he’d rather her still be mad at him and not trusting him than be in the situation they were in now. “You don’t have to apologise, I should be the one apologising. I should have done something.” He shook his head frustrated with himself. “I can’t promise that Ava, I’m going to do whatever it takes to keep you safe.” Aiden shrugged as if it was an obvious answer. “It is my fault Ava. I’m the one that said we should take you as a prisoner remember.” 

    All her confidence had diminished, as she stood chained to the fence beside the camp, their prisoner. She knew that no one would be looking for her, that she would be assumed dead instantly, and she knew that her way of escape was almost minuscule. She was expecting the worst, and as she heard footsteps she winced a little, preparing herself for the scorn. “Have you not messed with me enough?” Ava sighed, sighing as she looked up at the individual. She wished for nothing more than home, she wished this was over.

Aiden felt sick as he saw the female chained to the fence like a dog. He walked over, making sure no one was around first. He shook his head, running a hand through his hair as he listened to her. “You’ve got to know that I didn’t want this, I tried to tell you to leave. You should have listened.” A sigh left his mouth as he rubbed his forehead. “I’m going to get you out of here, okay? Somehow, I’m going to get you back home. I won’t let anything happen to you.” He knew Ava probably wouldn’t believe a word he was saying, but it was the truth.