i'll be gone | rangerxreader

Day 03: Balcony

The popcorn ceiling is the first thing you notice as you wake up. It's different, yet similar, to the dirtier version your bedroom. The too-sterile hotel room was missing the ink stains from years ago, the opening to the dank attic, the familiar patch of mould in the corner. You suppose this feeling is homesickness.

You reflect on your two nights at the hotel, your conversations with Ranger, and the struggles with your parents. A sigh escapes your mouth.

Ranger must have heard the slight sound, as the knocking sounds again. You rush to the wall; talking to Ranger was so comforting. ‘‘Heya, Y/N,’’ came the sweet tone of his calm voice.

‘‘Hey, Ranger.’’ You notice your voice was becoming gradually more confident with practice. With a smile, you ask, ‘‘What did you do while I was out yesterday? And what did you do last night?’’

Ranger slumps against the wall again. ‘‘Nothing much. Well, I ate a bit. I, uh, sorry I didn't talk last night, I was probably in the lobby when you came back. What did you end up doing? Was it fun?’’

You sigh, recalling your rather uninteresting trip around the city. ‘‘That's alright- I don't see why you'd just wait the whole time. We went sightseeing. It wasn't really great, I guess- but some of the things were alright. We had to go real quick because my parents didn't wanna be out in the dark. Did get some cool photos, though... I finished unpacking when I came in and got a lecture on how I'm always on my phone.’’

‘‘Ah,’’ Ranger trilled simply, ‘‘How'd you deal with that lecture?’’ His voice sounded genuinely interested in what you had done. Before you can speak, however, the voice behind the wall comes again. ‘‘Hey, someone's coming,’’ he points out, ‘‘I won't be here until... six tonight, sorry. See ya, Y/N!’’

You glance upwards - Ranger was correct, the door handle was beginning to turn. Your father pushes though the gap, standing tall and looking down at you. You have no time to consider Ranger's strange and sudden disappearance. ‘‘Y/N, we're going for breakfast.’’

You trail behind your parents as they lead you through the lobby and to the dining area. The journey takes only three levels of that game. ‘‘We haven't got anything planned today,’’ explains your mother, ‘‘So you're free to do whatever. Just tell us if you're leaving the hotel building, and don't go too far.’’

You don't plan on leaving - your room was pleasantly silent and the streets of Calais certainly were not. Returning to your suite takes four levels.

A door beside the entrance to your room intrigues you. It leads to the balcony. You had never liked balconies, or heights in general, but something told you this balcony in particular would be alright. After all, you are only on the first floor. You wait until your parents have set up in the kitchen before slipping out into the morning. It is warmer outside than in, you notice. And the ground is a long way away. You rest a trembling hand on the railing and look back at the wall. There is another balcony very close to yours, close enough to reach if you weren't so scared to move your hand. The space was dusty and showed no signs of use, since at least two weeks ago, you guessed.

A thought hits you: the balcony must be Ranger's - he was staying in the suite connected on that side. If he was on his ninth - now tenth - day in the hotel, did that mean he had never used the balcony?

A breeze slid over your hand and you pulled it back. Time to go inside, and kill time until Ranger's return.

You check your watch: two minutes until six. You had been playing that game for hours. As you raise your hand to knock on the wall, the sound you aimed to make echoes from behind you. ‘‘R-Ranger?’’ you ask quietly.

‘‘Yeah.’’ His voice, the one that you had come to love, is suddenly desperate and grating. You cock your head as he continues. ‘‘Listen, Y/N, don't go out of your suite tomorrow. I gotta go now, but just... Stay safe for me, will ya?’’

You open your mouth to answer, but instead you hear a scrambling, like he had stood up suddenly and dashed away.

a/n woah this part doesnt have a storyline pls i need ideas before i give up -