If the World was Ending (Rini)

If the World was Ending

Author's note: Hello! I had this idea in my head for so long that I decided to actually write it out. It is my first piece & I did not proof read so please be gentle :)

His eyes were staring at the stickers on the window of the car in front of him. Ricky had read them all three times by this point while attempting to get home. Once he made it and got settled, he notices the news coverage on the earthquake that happened. Was his mind so far gone that he missed it? Maybe it was when he had trouble reading the stickers for the second time. As his mind drifts on the possibilities, it slowly makes its way to her. Was she out drinking? It was Thursday so that was a possibility, but her favorite show comes out on Thursdays. Or at least that was what he remembered; he didn't even know if it was still on. Hopefully she was in her living room watching it; safe he thinks. Maybe she didn't feel it at all.

Thinking of her, he looks at his phone and sees their last messages. He had let their communication die out towards the end, just over a year ago. Ricky hopes she's okay, they weren't meant for each other and that was fine. She hates the aftershocks even more though so he really hopes she didn't feel it. They weren't mean for forever though it's these moments he wishes he can comfort her. "It's fine" he keeps reminding himself as he's secretly hoping someone is comforting her. Part of him wishes she'd come over if she didn't have anyone, just for the night.

The same thoughts are floating around in his head for the next few hours. Could they just love each other for the hell of it? Make their fears irrelevant? No, they tried too long and too hard at that. The breakup was mutual, everything is "fine." The fears were valid and unwavering— at least he hopes hers are so there's no regrets. So that there had been a reason to say goodbye.

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She was a bit of a mess, he hated earthquakes and hoped he was safe. She imagined he was home— it was late on a Thursday, where else would he be? That gave her some comfort, he was safe there. The earthquake didn't scare her like it usually would. It had hit while coming back from a friend's house, her way of staying sober for the night after she found the polaroid. The photo was simple, just the two of them before celebrating Gina's promotion. Her in a blue dress that showed off her legs and back. Him in a white button down that was just tight enough to show off his toned arms and his hair in that delicious state between clean and dirty.

It wasn't the photo but the events that follows that triggered her to see if anyone was available to keep her company. Thanks to a gracious open bar and the fact that they had just spent a gruesome week apart due to work, they were ready to make it a long night. As they stumbled home, Ricky couldn't keep his hands or mouth to himself. Nini had had enough of his teasing and did something about it as soon as she got the door open. They didn't make it past the kitchen.

A year doesn't feel like a long time, but to Nini it was a lifetime. She'd been practicing how to think about him without it ripping her heart out each time— at least that's what she hoped this feeling was. They weren't meant for forever and that's fine. Memories keep looping, why is she crying again? They had disagreed but the split was peaceful. Her fears had not changed and yet she still wanted him here to hold her for the hell of it. Make her fears irrelevant.

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The knocks were quiet, he almost didn't hear them over his thoughts. His eyes widened when he realized who it was, she looked as gorgeous as ever he thought.
"Nini?"
"I'm sorry, I just wanted to make sure you were okay... the earthquake" she quickly got out.

Ricky's eyes were cast down on her hands, and how her fingers were quickly turning her ring— a tick he knew all too well.
"Do you want to come in?" He finally let out.
Her eyes glossed over as she accepts his invitation. "I thought you'd be sleeping."
"I couldn't, not with the aftershocks" he says while looking directly in her eyes. She simply nods, her next words failing to come.
"Are you okay?" Ricky asks after some time had past in silence. Nini simply shakes her head, too stubborn to admit she hasn't been for some time. He immediately goes to comfort her, wrapping his arms around her noticeably thinner waist. They stay there comfortably, silent, almost as if it were the most natural end to their night. Her breathing was finally a normal rhythm when he pulls back to look at her. 

"Tell me I can stay" she pleads.
"Neens" he says pointedly.
"One night. We can let our fears be irrelevant and hold each other tight... just love me for the hell of it."
"Only for tonight?" he finally relents.
She simply nods, not trusting her mouth to not tell the truth. It's a terrible idea but he does miss her, every part of her so against his better judgement he agrees.

They hold each other that night as if the world was ending, not just theirs. When she opens her eyes the next morning and he's still sleeping she packs as much of her love into a kiss on his temple. He doesn't wake up. When he finally does wake, he starts getting ready for the day even though it's his day off. She knows that her time is up, it's time to go, but she asks anyways.

"Can I see her before she wakes up?"
Ricky attempts to hide his shock while leading her to the door right next to his own.
"She's gorgeous" Nini whispers.
"Yeah, she has your eyes" he responds.

Nini doesn't see them before she leaves.

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Let me know what you think! Also, the cover of this song by Lauren Frihauf and Payge Turner is amazing!!