Who Knows || Riff (West Side Story 2021)

Chapter 9

𝟸𝟶. 𝙵𝚎𝚋𝚛𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚢 𝟷𝟿𝟻𝟼

Riff didn't ignore Rose for the time between their midnight walk and the present, but he was rarely there. When he was, she smiled, when he wasn't, she became nervous.

    Of course, she was aware that he had things to do. He was in a gang, and there were things that Riff would have to do that would frighten Rose. The idea of it made her nervous.

     The Everly girl didn't have to see Riff doing things in the gang to be nervous for him. She was nervous for everyone she cared for, even if it was something as simple as shopping for food. Rose wanted Riff to be safe but she knew it was an unlikely request.

     She had to tell him.

     Didn't she?

     She had to let him know what he meant to her.

𝟸𝟺. 𝙵𝚎𝚋𝚛𝚞𝚊𝚛𝚢 𝟷𝟿𝟻𝟼

It had been five or so days since Rose had seen Riff in person, and she became more and more worried by the second. Her friends didn't understand, and she couldn't talk to her family about it. When she was alone, at home, all she could think about was how worried she was for Riff.

     He could take care of himself, but that changed nothing. He was still human.

     On the morning of the 24th, Rose was walking to the post office alone. The sky was blue and bright, white clouds floating about. It was a stunning view, and quickly, the girl found herself distracted.

    It was whilst she was distracted that the thing she thought wouldn't happen, did.

     "Hey there, lil' darlin'." Riff grinned, swinging around the side of Rose, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, lazily.

  "Riff!" Rose exclaimed, softly. It had been so long since she'd seen him, and seen him looking happy.

  "Do you wanna come with me today?" He questioned, without a second thought. His aloofness was admirable.

  "I can't." Rose said, regretfully. "I've got to go to work."

  "Ditch it." Riff grinned, playfully. "Come on, spend the day with me."

    It was safe to say that Rose was easily persuaded after that. Riff was a kind soul, but his words were intoxicating.

     Their first stop was at Doc's as Riff had things to say to Val. Rose stayed outside of the shop, because if she went inside, they would stay there a lot longer than expected. She loved Val, and the shop owner knew that.

    When Riff was finished in the dug store, and walked back out, he directed Rose towards one of the local parks. Apparently, this was the day for a stroll.

    It was sort of romantic.

    It was definitely romantic.

    There was a comfortable atmosphere between Riff and Rose. It made her happy because she was sure he felt it too. This was the sort of thing that couldn't be ignored.

     Rose didn't know the time, but it was the afternoon when she decided to bring up her thoughts. There wasn't a better time, but it was important for her to be completely transparent.

  "Are you safe?" She mumbled, causing Riff to look at her, confused.

  "What?"

  "In life. Are you safe when you're with the Jets?" The questions made her nervous, especially when Riff was such an intense person.

  "Enough..." grinned Riff. "What's got you thinking about that?"

  "I get worried."

  "About me?" Rose nodded, embarrassed. Her face was clearly flushing red. "That's pretty cute."

  "Is it?" The Everly girl furrowed her brows,  not expecting that to be the answer given to her.

"You care." Riff announced, brightly. "It's been a while since anyone's cared for me like that."

  "I'll keep caring for you this way for as long as you want me to." Rose smiled, taking Riff's hand from her shoulder, and squeezing it.

     They walked that way until Riff finally announced he had somewhere to be. Gladly, Rose would let him go, but only easily as she knew how happy he had made her. But, he wouldn't let her go until he had escorted her home.

   It was gentlemanly.

   It was gentlemanly, and romantic, and beautiful.

    Not only that, it was unexpected. That made it all the better.

    Riff was by Rose's side all of the way back to her apartment block. They talked some of the way, and for some of it, they were silent. He was warm as the cool breeze brushed past them. Rose revelled in the feeling, so when he let her go, she frowned, visibly.

    "This is where I have to leave you." Riff said, quietly.

  "Will you be safe?" Her eyes were large, and brown, sort of sad as they gazed at the gang member.

  "For you, lil' Darlin'," Riff took her hand and kissed her knuckles tenderly, "I'll stay safe forever."

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Disclaimer!!!
I do not own West Side Story or the characters originally from the book, play, or musical. I do not own Riff, or any events from the 2021 film that this book is based off. However, I do own Rose, her friends, family, and her relationship with Riff prior to the film.
All of this is purely fictional, anything that relates to real life is purely coincidence.