Shut Up and Dance :: A Rikoss Fic

Bound to Be Together

:: Ch. 3; Bound to Be Together ::

It's been two weeks after that night-I've been calling it that ever since I came home a few hours after Riker and I went for breakfast the morning after. It helped me get less distracted by the fact that that night had been the best night of my life, and calling it anything other than what it actually was ("Ross's Best Night Ever") wouldn't help stop myself from dwelling on these stupid feelings that just wouldn't go away.

It's been two fucking weeks, and I'm still feeling butterflies in my stomach every time my phone buzzed and Riker's caller ID (Blond Angel) appeared. And that shouldn't be happening.

Ross Shor doesn't get butterflies.

And he definitely doesn't just like people after getting fucked senseless.

But this wasn't just a person I could just forget the next day and never talk to ever again. This was Riker, my Adonis, my angel. It was hard to forget someone like him. My feelings were beyond confusing. I had never felt anything like this before. I was supposed to be the smooth-talker that could get in anybody's pants, but after that night, I've lost all words. I was a tongue-tied loser, falling head over heels for this guy I've slept with.

We've been texting for some time-pretty much the entire two weeks since that night, and we haven't seen each other since breakfast that morning. (Breakfast that morning after was interesting to say the least. We talked over coffee and shared pancakes. And within those few hours together in that booth, we learned that we really did have a lot of common. The butterflies in my stomach only intensified since then as I sat there grinning stupidly at Riker as he animatedly talked about his favorite animal.)

I was certain about one thing: I really wanted to see him again. The only reason I've been hesitant to ask him to hang out again was that I just didn't know if he wanted to see me again.

But if he's texting you non-stop, he kind of wants to see you, idiot.

I was heading towards the record shop when I felt my phone buzz once again. A dorky smile spread across my face when I saw that Riker had texted me again.

"Hey, you free today?"

I stepped into the shop to escape the busy LA sidewalk, basking in the peaceful silence inside the music store. I didn't reply to Riker until I reached the back of the store-there was a private listening section, where you were able to listen to records as long as you don't ruin them-with a Fleetwood Mac vinyl in my hand.

I sat down in the soundproofed booth, carefully laying the record on the turntable and placing the needle in its correct spot. As music began to fill the small cubicle, I unlocked my phone to reply to Riker's text.

"Yeah. I'm just at the music store, but I won't be too long. So I could meet you somewhere?"

I waited a few minutes to receive Riker's reply.

"I could just meet you there. I need to check out new music anyway."

The butterflies flapped wildly in my stomach as I read over his text three, four times. What are you- a thirteen-year-old girl?

"Okay. I'll see you soon, then?"

"Yeah, I'll see you soon, Ross Shor."

My face felt like it was going to melt off because of this stupid blush. I don't even know why I was blushing in the first place. Riker was just asking if we could hang out. It wasn't like we were going on a date or anything.

Seriously, man up, Ross. He's gonna come in any minute now.

I had finished the A-side of the record and was just about to change it to the B-side when I heard a knock on the door of my little private listening cubicle. I looked up to find Riker's smiling face behind the glass. A matching smile appeared on my own face as the butterflies in my stomach came back full force. I stood up and let Riker in. It was big enough for the both of us to sit on the bench along the wall. I then noticed that he had a couple of more records in his hands.

The music continued to play in the background as we sat beside each other in silence. He was the first one to break it.

"It's been awhile."

"Yeah, it has.."

"I've missed you."

"...what?"

"I know we've texted and all, but...sometimes just talking through a phone doesn't seem enough. And I-"

"I get it, Riker..." I laughed softly, "I've missed you, too."

The two of us shared a smile, before we fell back into a comfortable silence, listening to song after song, record after record.

The bench was big enough for the both of us to sit in it without being too squished, but for some reason, we found ourselves scooting closer to each other until there was no space left between us. Our bodies were flushed against each other, and my mind instantly flashed back to that night.

I felt a hand close over mine, which was resting on my knee, and I looked over at Riker to see him giving me a slightly nervous grin, almost as if he was asking me permission to hold my hand. I gave a small nod, and before I knew it, our hands were linked and it had never felt so right.

I had never called myself romantic. I didn't like holding hands. I just wasn't a big fan of affection in general. I was all about the drunken nights and one night stands, but with Riker, I threw all caution to the wind. I would do anything to be with him, and this scared the living shit out of me.

"What're you thinking about?" I heard him murmur into my ear after he had replaced the Fleetwood Mac vinyl with another of his choice-Walk the Moon's TALKING IS HARD.

I looked over at Riker, and our faces were so close that our noses were touching. I could feel his breath against my lips, and all I wanted to do was lean forward and kiss him. I didn't know what to say.

...Ooh, different colors. Ooh, we carry each other...

So I just decided to be honest.

"Us," I breathed out, not sure why I had been holding my breath.

"What about us?"

...Why don't you stay with me and be my sidekick?...

"I don't know. I'm...just really confused."

"About what?" He asked in that sweet, sweet voice of his.

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes for a moment to recollect my whirling thoughts.

"About my feelings for you," I eventually whispered out. I shied away from Riker's gaze and his touch, pulling my hand out of his and placing them both on my lap, as I tried to hide how embarrassed I was feeling. It had only been two weeks, but it felt so much longer than that. I was falling hard, and falling fast.

"Hey," he said, his voice gentle in my ear. He felt his fingers graze my cheek and rest on my chin, guiding my head to look at him. "I think I'm falling for you, too."

...I felt it in my chest when she looked at me. I knew we were bound to be together...

And then...

We were kissing, softly and slowly, pouring every ounce of passion we had into that kiss.

Pulling away, we were both breathless. Kissing without any alcohol in our systems felt absolutely thrilling.

"Be my boyfriend?" Riker asked me, a smile tugging at his lips, though I could tell he was a little nervous.

...I realize this is my last chance...

"Yes."

:: - ::

A/N: super fast update, am I right? But yes, progress has been made between Ross and Riker. I hope you liked it! And don't forget to comment and vote!

Twitter: @rocky_jesus