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Mira wanted to see what things looked like on top of the bookshelf. Kaya always told her no, but Kaya wasn’t here right now. She pulled out her hook and threw it up to the first shelf. That climb was easy and one she did all the time. She could make it to the top and prove to Kaya she’s fine. She could handle getting anywhere on her own if she just had time.
She didn’t start to get worn out until two shelves below the top. She also started to notice that the empty spots weren’t just empty. Kaya had these strange metal things that looked like they were holding the books up. She shivered thinking about if the books fell and she was in those spaces. She was still determined though, she could get up there without a problem.
She made it up to the last shelf before the top and laid on her back. Climbing up half a bookcase was more tiring than she expected it to be. She hadn’t done much like this in a while, but she was still in shape. She might need to do this weekly…or monthly. Just because Kaya is there for her now doesn’t mean they always will be. She should try slipping into other apartments again just in case too.
She climbed to her feet, ready to reach her goal. She threw the hook up and started her final climb. She heard the door to the apartment open and started to rush her climb. She had to do it before Kaya walked in, they’d panic and beg her to stop. They probably wouldn’t just grab her, the two had discussed that at least. She nodded to herself as her hands reached the top of the bookcase. She heaved herself over the edge, slightly out of breath.
She took in the space around her, it was so high. She turned to look over the room and couldn’t even think. It was strange to see everything like this. She’d been at human heights before, but never got to take in the way everything looked. She sort of understood how humans seemed careless and reckless now. If everything always looked this small to her she wouldn’t think to be too careful either.
“Mira I’m home,” Kaya yelled.
They must think she’s in the walls. She started bouncing, excitement bubbling out for Kaya to see what she managed. There was a clicking noise behind her that she vaguely recognized. She ignored it as the sound of the bedroom door opening sounded. She wore a proud smile as Kaya looked around for her and didn’t even think to look up.
“Kaya I told you I could get up here fine!” she called out. The smug grin on her face fell as the human stared at her with a look she didn’t recognize.
“Mira what the hell?” they shouted. She winced, they weren’t usually loud. They rushed over and tried to reach her, but she stumbled away from the usually comforting hands. “Mira, get down from there!”
She couldn’t speak. She started to think about the last time she saw a human who met someone like her. Mira disobeyed, would Kaya be mean now? She backed up until she hit a cold metal thing. She turned to see a vent, if she’d been smarter she would have used it as a path before meeting Kaya. The clicking sound came again and now she felt a cool wind against her back. The rule she’d forgotten about after so long on her own flew to the front of her mind. Stay away from high vents. Sometimes they blow out air and could send you flying.
She didn’t get to try and run before the cool air picked up strength and pushed her forward. She tried to keep herself grounded, but the top of the bookcase was dusty. She was sliding forward quickly and panic gripped her heart. Kaya could have told her there was a vent. They just said it wasn’t safe up here, they never said why. She didn’t get to push the blame off on them any longer, the air finally blowing her off her feet and off the solid ground.
“Mira!” Kaya shouted again. She hoped they were going to catch her. When she did land in soft warm hands she was terrified for a second. They could still be mad and decide to stop being her friend like they have been. Her doubts were forced away as she was brought to their chest and held tightly. “Thank god I was home. Mira I told you it wasn’t safe up there. The heater and air conditioning come out there.”
“You didn’t tell me that meant a vent and strong air!” she defended. She knew she was shaking, but she really thought she was going to die. She’d never fallen quite like that before. She was pulled away from the comforting chest and held in front of Kaya’s eyes. “I-I would have been fine if I knew a vent was there. I know how to take care of myself.”
“Mira…” they sighed before using a finger to rub her back. It was more helpful than she wanted to admit right now. “I know you can take care of yourself and you don’t need me to watch you. I know I can’t protect you from everything, but I wish you’d let me protect you from the things I can control. If I’m here I can at least make sure the vents can’t push you off anything.”
She just looked away. She didn’t need protection from anything, except maybe Kaya doing that sometimes would be nice. They didn’t say anything more, just pulled her close again and curled up on their bed. She almost wanted to argue, but she was tired. Their heartbeat was calming and felt nice after all the climbing and the fear. She snuggled closer smiling as their fingers wrapped around her like a warm embrace.
“Maybe you can protect me… sometimes.” she offered. Kaya squeezed her slightly, they seemed happy with that answer.