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 Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2025 6:08 pm
Pap.
Riker knew this was a stupid idea. He should just give up and sulk his way back to Evan’s house.
Pap.
The sky was weird. Like really weird. He was pretty sure he felt his hair standing on end a couple of times, but he ducked down, as low to the ground as possible, but a lightning strike never came. At least not yet.
Pap.
Cassidy probably had his headphones on. Or was watching something. Or maybe wasn’t even in his room. Or maybe he was taking a shower.
Riker sighed and sank down against the edge of the jacuzzi on Cassidy’s back porch, rubbing his arms as he looked around for where a few more rocks might be hiding. Nothing too big! He didn’t want to break the window.
Maybe this was a sign that it was a bad idea and he should give up.
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Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2025 7:18 am
Cassidy appeared in the window, still fussing with the tie on his bathrobe. His hair was tied up in a towel and he squinted into the backyard.
He spotted Riker immediately and his face contorted into one of confusion, and then immediate delight. He reached over the shelf in the way and immediately opened the window so he could lean out a bit.
“Riker, what are you doing out here? Is this your idea of romancing me? It’s very sweet but it’s too cold outside, and I don't like the way this storm looks. Do you want to come in?”
He swatted at the cold air, as if that would prevent it from getting too close to his freshly steamed skin.
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Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2025 7:38 am
R-romancing him?
“No,” Riker sputtered, his ears burning as he crossed his arms over his chest. He certainly hadn’t thought of it that way. He just didn’t want to potentially get Cassidy’s dad at the door, and he had no other way to contact him. He could have tried to get closer to the window to take a look, but that was creepy.
As for coming inside…
He shivered a bit. He still had on the same clothes he’d worn after he changed into at Evan’s house. He usually left his extra uniform there anyway, just in case. Long, but thin sleeves and old jeans that were getting much too short for him as he grew.
Part of his shirt, along his side, looked like it was wet, but he wasn’t paying much attention to it. His hair was a mess, much more disheveled than it had been a handful of hours prior.
Riker hesitated, unsure if he wanted to follow through with getting help from Cassidy. He looked like he was settling in for the night and probably didn’t need the distraction. He wasn’t sure if he could make it to Evan’s without coming down with hypothermia, though.
“Maybe for a bit. If that’s okay,” he mumbled noncommittally.
He hadn’t had a chance to look at himself since leaving home. There was already a faint bruise forming along his jaw, and what looked like fresh scratches down the side of his neck. It would eventually fade and not matter, anyway.
Above him, the storm sparked and fizzled. He grimaced up at it, silently cursing it since he was sure it was part of the reason why he couldn’t get to Reims.
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Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2025 7:46 am
“Yeah, well, I wouldn’t have offered if it wasn’t okay,” Cassidy said rather leisurely, but he seemed like he was having fun. Despite the flashing lights of the storm, Cassidy couldn’t see Riker that well. The glow of the house only showed so much, and he didn’t have all of the lights on in the backyard.
“Did you get into a fight?” he asked, but realized he’d leaned forward to prop his elbows on the windowsill as if he was getting comfortable for a good story so he pushed himself up quickly. “Come meet me at the back door, I’ll bring you a blanket. Don’t try to run away, I’ll chase you. And I’m not wearing shoes so I’ll be mad about it.”
He didn’t give Riker much time to think about it; he left the window open but disappeared from sight. A moment later, the patio light flicked on, and Cassidy opened the door. He stuck his head out to make sure Riker wasn’t trying to leap over the fence or something.
In his arms, he had a blanket ready to drape over his friend’s shoulders.
“Hurry up, it’s like four degrees. How long were you out here for?”
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Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2025 8:11 am
He was thinking about running away. It wasn’t as though Cassidy could catch him. It wasn’t as though he could go to school any more. They’d know right away that his tuition wasn’t going to be getting paid, right? Why bother going to school if he was just going to get kicked out, anyway?
But that was a problem to worry about for Monday. For now, he awkwardly waited for Cassidy to appear. And when he did, he almost reluctantly stepped out of the shadows and strangely colored clouds, into the light and warmth of Cassidy’s house.
And blanket. Which he ducked down a little to help make it easier to get onto his shoulders, muttering a quiet thanks as he did so.
“I don’t know. What time is it?” he mumbled miserably, stepping inside so Cassidy could at least close the door. In the warmth of the house, it was very obvious how numb he felt. His fingers tingled and his nose felt like it was burning from the change in temperature.
He felt sore and achy and tired.
And helpless.
And lost. And desperate. And worthless.
He hated it. He hated letting anyone see him like this. He wouldn’t have had to worry about it if he had just been able to get to Reims. He could have hidden there as he wallowed in self loathing. Instead, he had to subject Cassidy to it. Pathetic.
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Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2025 8:28 am
“A little past eight, you want to spend the night?”
Cassidy closed the door, locked it, and then turned back to Riker.
Who had a bruise on his cheek. Whose hair was messed up. Who looked half frozen. Who looked miserable.
He didn’t know what had happened and he didn’t know if Riker would tell him so he didn’t ask right away. Instead, he tugged at the fabric of his robe, loosening it enough that it hung loosely around his torso. It was still belted well enough that he wasn’t worried about flashing Riker.
Sometimes, Cassidy showed off his scars like he was proud of them. Sometimes, he wore extra layers so he didn’t surprise anyone with them. He wasn’t easy to read and he liked it that way. He didn’t ask for Riker’s hands, he took them, and he grimaced when they were as cold as he thought they’d be.
“You better appreciate how much I like you,” he muttered, and before Riker could move away, he drew each cold hand to him and placed one on each side.
Cassidy sucked in a breath at how cold it was but he was freshly steamed and radiating warmth. Riker’s hands would warm up quickly pressed against his skin. And, with those out of the way, Cassidy wrapped his arms around Riker’s shoulders and held him close.
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Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2025 8:44 am
Riker didn’t understand what was happening. It was as though he was experiencing things on a delay now that he was allowed to breathe and relax. His body wasn’t fighting so hard to try and stay warm in the freezing cold.
He saw how Cassidy loosened his robe, but figured it was just more comfortable for him like that. He also wasn’t too surprised when Cassidy took his hands, although he expected him to lead him somewhere instead of doing what he did next.
There was no time to pull away, and after a moment, with Cassidy’s arms around his shoulders, it seemed as though everything suddenly caught back up with him.
Cassidy was warm. Almost burning with how cold his hands were. He felt guilty for touching bare skin like this, but he couldn’t deny that it was very much needed. He just expected to be wrapped up in a blanket, not this.
He was aware that he hadn’t said anything. At this point, he wondered if he even had to respond, or if Cassidy just wouldn’t let him leave now.
His fingers twitched hesitantly, then shifted to wrap his arms beneath the robe but to press them against Cassidy’s back, able to hold him tighter this way. Riker lowered his head to his shoulder, hoping the shivering wasn’t too obvious.
He didn’t deserve this level of care. When Cassidy had been hurting -- dying -- Riker had avoided him, too afraid of what might happen. But Cassidy never seemed to hold that against him. Riker didn’t understand why.
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Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2025 8:55 am
Riker’s hands were so cold. All of Riker was so cold, but Cassidy was just more aware of them. With great resolve, he hadn’t started shivering, or jolted at the touch. Riker just needed a minute to thaw, he’d be back to making his own body heat soon enough.
There had been no clever quips, no sarcastic jabs, no sputtered insults.
Cassidy rested his warm cheek against Riker’s cold one. The towel didn’t get in the way but it did make his head a little heavy. They stood in silence for a moment, and Cassidy was okay with that, but Riker was worrying him a little.
He rubbed his back gently. “You said you’re spending the night, right? It’ll be cold tonight, you can sleep in bed with me. I’ve got a heated blanket warming up already so that’ll be nice. I don’t want you going back out in this storm. It was freaking me out. I feel better with you being here.”
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Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2025 8:59 am
“You haven’t had enough of me today? I wouldn’t be ruining any plans of yours?” he couldn’t help but ask, mumbled maybe a little more gruffly than he actually intended. As though giving Cassidy another chance to get out of a potentially miserable night.
It sucked because Riker had a really good day. A good birthday. With his friends-- people he cared deeply about. He should have just stayed at Evan’s when everyone else started heading home, but he knew how his mother liked doing her own thing--
“Sorry,” he sighed after a few moments, moving his hands to a spot on Cassidy’s back that hadn’t been iced over by his touch.
“I feel like an idiot. I thought things would be different--”
No, he knew he shouldn’t dump his troubles on Cassidy. He had enough of his own to deal with.
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Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2025 9:22 am
“Huh? The only plan I had was turning on a movie so you wouldn’t be ruining anything,” he answered, glad that Riker couldn’t see him making faces. He wanted Riker to warm up! His hands were just cold! It wasn’t anything unbearable, and he’d be lying if he said he didn’t enjoy the closeness.
“I’m glad you’re here, really. I could never have enough of you.” He wasn’t even being overdramatic when he said it.
“What happened? You don’t have to talk in circles around me. It’s more energy than it’s worth, you know I’ll just keep asking questions until I figure it out. What was supposed to be different?”
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Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2025 10:47 am
Riker wilted against Cassidy. He knew he should be trying better to not seem so pathetic, but he felt abandoned and knew he was clinging to any ounce of affection he could find. He didn’t deserve it, he knew. Part of him wondered if he was just taking advantage of Cassidy liking him. But… he liked Cassidy too. Even though he felt guilty for thinking it after his poor behavior over the years.
“When everyone started going home from Evan’s, I did too,” he mumbled, but felt stupid for explaining because he’d already debated while they were all together if that was what he was going to do. Eventually he decided it was best to make sure he kept the peace at home as best he could. Even if he would have been happy to never go back. He was certain his mother would try to call the cops on Evan for kidnapping him or something ridiculous.
“Mom does this thing where she decorates for pictures for her social media or whatever. I guess she thought it was my eighteenth birthday. She’d already torn down everything by the time I got home, said I wasn’t-- said it wasn’t worth the trouble.”
He forced a shrug, feeling embarrassed and awkward.
“You should get dressed. I didn’t mean to interrupt you,” he mumbled, finally lifting his head to take a step back so Cassidy could warm up as well.
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Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2025 12:15 pm
“Hm,” Cassidy said, as if he’d take Riker’s suggestion under consideration. He adjusted his robes but didn’t seem in any sort of rush.
“Well, your mom’s going to feel real stupid when everyone realizes she’s celebrated your 18th this year and your 16th last. My dad’s home but he’s got some important work going on, he’ll be in the office. I don’t think he’ll be out tonight but I don’t want him to spook you so I just wanted to give you a heads up. But you probably figured he was here or I bet I’d have seen you at the front door. But don’t worry, you can just stay in my room, it’ll be our fun little secret.”
He withdrew from the hug but didn’t break contact; instead, he wrapped an arm around Riker and began to guide him back to his room. “Do you want some ice for those bruises or did the snow take care of it?”
Cassidy didn’t exactly give Riker an opening to slip away, and he was deceptively strong despite what muscle mass he’d lost since the accident, though he had little reason to use it now. Riker wasn’t exactly fighting him. Cassidy walked with a bit of a bounce in his step, maybe to encourage Riker not to overthink things.
The lights were still on in Cassidy’s room, and the connected bathroom. His television was on and a splash page cycled through suggested movies.
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Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2025 4:28 pm
Riker tensed a little when Cassidy mentioned his dad being home. He’d hoped he wouldn’t be, and hadn’t wanted to risk drawing his attention if he had been home, but the confirmation made him feel like bolting.
Not that Cassidy was letting him.
He hissed suddenly in pain when Cassidy put his arm around him, shying away from the touch, and closer to Cassidy as a result. He immediately regretted it because of course it would probably mean Cassidy would waste more time on him.
“I’m fine,” he mumbled stubbornly, both in response to asking about the bruises and his sudden reaction to being touched. “Ran into a railing,” he insisted with a shrug.
At least they were in Cassidy’s room soon after, and Riker pulled the blanket tighter around him and stared at the floor in case Cassidy wanted more privacy.
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Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2025 4:45 pm
It took a great deal of effort not to recoil when Riker hissed, but Cassidy was afraid that Riker would take off. He drew back only a little, letting his hand hover lightly over Riker’s back and side instead of holding him like he wanted to.
“You’re not even a good liar, I don’t know why you try. How fast were you running? The speed of, what, a fist?”
Cassidy gave him a quick look-over but when they were in his room, he shut and locked the door behind him. It wasn’t to trap Riker, just for the reassurance that no one was going to come in. He crossed the room in a few steps, leaning over the furniture so he could shut his window.
He was a hypocrite for nagging at Riker being hurt and keeping secrets when he ignored the sharp, needly pain that shot up his arm when his shoulder locked up. He was already here though, he had to play it cool. He’d pushed the window up too hard but he wasn’t going to leave until he shut it.
Riker was busy staring at the floor so Cassidy wasn’t worried about his reflection in the glass giving away how much it hurt just to close the window, and instead of massaging his shoulder he let it hang limply at his side. His robe had fallen open just a bit, once again exposing a bit of skin at his chest, but that just meant he had another distraction.
“You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to but you don’t have to lie about it. I’ll get you some clothes to change into. Do you want a shower? I didn’t use all the hot water.”
He’d tried, though. The bathroom was still steamy and warm from his shower so Cassidy wouldn’t have blamed him for wanting to go stand in there for a minute just to heat up. Not that he was trying to kick Riker out. He’d have been happy to stand there and hug him until he warmed up, even if he was worried about whatever was bruised underneath his clothes, now.
But Riker didn’t respond well to worry. Cassidy didn’t let him see it.
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Posted: Sat Mar 08, 2025 4:46 pm
Wow, Cassidy didn’t have to be that blunt about it.
Riker clamped his mouth shut, keeping the blanket over his shoulders as he sat down on the edge of the bed and warred with himself about what he wanted to do. He would have liked to get to Reims…
To what? Be miserable and alone? At least that way he wouldn’t have to come up with lies that weren’t even good, apparently.
He didn’t want to go back into the cold. Cassidy had already asked if he was going to stay the night. Already offered him clothes.
A shower would help him warm up, yes. But…
“I don’t want to be alone right now,” he admitted quietly, his fingers already pressing bruisingly hard against his thigh. Not quite hidden under the blanket, but also not really thinking about what he was doing.
What he was doing was making things weird. Maybe he really shouldn’t have bothered Cassidy like this.
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