Bodyguard (YN x Beyonce)

Part Seventeen

It was barely 7AM and the sun was just starting to stretch over the trees when I laced up my sneakers and slid on my hoodie. AirPods in, playlist loaded. I was ready to clear my head with a good run and maybe sweat out some of this anxious energy. But when I opened the front door, I stopped dead in my tracks.

Leaning against her car with a water bottle and sunglasses on was Solange — effortlessly cool, just like always. Tight curls pulled into a bun, her hoodie cropped and her leggings matching her mood: chill, confident, and probably ready to outrun me.

"Well damn," I said, laughing. "You stalking me now?"

Solange pushed her shades down and gave me that slow, crooked grin. "Nah. Beyoncé told me you were up early every morning. Figured I'd come see if you really had the discipline."

I smirked. "You tryna test me?"

"Something like that." She handed me a second water bottle. "Come on, let's move."

We took off down the quiet residential street, feet hitting pavement in rhythm. At first, it was quiet — just our breaths and the occasional crunch of gravel. But after a mile or so, Solange slowed down, and we shifted into a walk. No rush. Just time.

"So." she said, glancing over. "You and my sister, huh?"

I let out a breath, chuckling. "Straight to it, huh?"

She shrugged. "I mean... I knew something was going on. B ain't smiled like that in a minute. She got a glow. That's you?"

I bit my bottom lip and nodded, looking out at the rising sun. "Yeah. It's me."

Solange didn't say anything right away. Just nodded like she was trying to see the full picture in her head.

"She seems really happy." she asked finally, voice softer.

"Yeah," I said, honest and sure. "And so am I."

We walked a little further. I didn't feel the need to fill the silence — not with her. She had that kind of energy that made you want to say the truth.

"She tells me things," Solange said. "Not everything. But enough. And I'm not here to scare you or anything, but... just know she's not someone who gives her heart easy. If she gave it to you, don't fumble it."

"I love her, I would never hurt her." I said, just above a whisper, but loud enough for her to hear.

Solange looked over at me again, this time with something like respect in her eyes. "Good," she said flatly. "Because I would hate to do you like I did the last one. I'll be the one showing up at your door at 7AM for a different kind of workout."

I laughed. "Damn. Noted."

Solange looked me over one more time, then seemed satisfied. "Then we're good."

I exhaled.

After a beat, I glanced over. "Why didn't you go on the trip with them?"

Her face twisted. "Chile, because he's there. I can't stand that bastard."

I laughed. "Tell me how you really feel."

She rolled her eyes dramatically. "Please. I don't do fake family vacations for Instagram. And I'm not about to sit around pretending like I forgot what he did. Blue deserves the memories, but me? I'll make mine on my own terms."

We kept walking, the morning air thick with heat and honesty.

"I respect that," I said.

She smiled and bumped her shoulder into mine. "Come on. Let's finish this run. I gotta make sure you can keep up — with me and her."