Richozzy Endgame (Oneshots)

Just the Two of Us

A/N: Guys, I've written another one. I'm officially obsessed, and I just hope that the reality of their relationship lives up to my many expectations!! Enjoy!!

Richelle's POV:
"Hey Heath, how are you doing?" I asked, a concerned expression on my face. Heathcliff was sat on the floor of our dressing room, his head between his hands.
"I don't feel too good, Richelle," he mumbled in response. "I think that chicken I ate was bad - I've thrown up 5 times in the last hour. I don't know if I'm going to be able to dance."

This was a disaster. Heath and I had been working on this duet for weeks, and we were due to go onstage later that afternoon. If we didn't find a replacement - and fast - we were going to have to forfeit our chances at Nationals. After everything that happened, with us rejoining the team to finally live out our competitive dreams, this meant everything to me.

I found the rest of A-Troupe in the lobby, casually drinking their coffees, completely oblivious to the situation. I took a deep breath.
"Everyone! I have some bad news," I said. "Heath is sick, and he can't dance our duet in the next round." Panicked, the team broke out into nervous chatter.
"So," I said. "Does anyone have a duet?"
"Me and Kenzie have one," Pete offered. "But we haven't rehearsed it in weeks."

Once again, the team erupted with noise, chaos ensuing as numerous ideas were thrown about.
"Me and Ebby have one too," Ethan piped up. "And personally, I think it's the best option we've got."

"No," Kenzie interjected, shaking her head. "None of these duets have been rehearsed enough and they're not up to Nationals level. I'm not prepared to send dancers onstage unless I'm 100% sure we can win." I looked towards my co-captain, an incredulous look on my face.
"What other choice do we have, Kenzie? I can't go out on that stage by myself, and if we send nobody, we automatically lose." Kenzie shrugged her shoulders.
"I don't know. I just know that there has to be a better solution."

Panic was igniting in my chest as I considered the reality of the situation. I just wished I had some kind of distraction.

At that moment, I looked towards the door and was shocked to see Ozzy enter the building. I ran towards him and jumped into my best friend's arms as he span me around.
"Ozzy! What are you doing here?"
"What do you mean, what am I doing here? Your duet is today. I've come to support you." I looked at him with such compassion, my heart swelling with gratitude.
"That's great, Oz," I smiled a sad smile. "But I won't be dancing anymore. Heath is sick and we have to come up with a replacement."

He pulled me in for another embrace, and I rested my head on his chest, inhaling his scent.
"I'm so sorry, Richelle. I know how excited you were to do this dance." No matter what happened, no matter the drama that was going on, things were always better when Ozzy was around. He was my home.

Kenzie's POV:
This was a mess. The team was arguing, and an air of suffocating panic enveloped around us. No-one knew what to do, and time was counting down fast.

I looked over towards Richelle and Ozzy, who had come to show his support. Richelle was laughing effortlessly, immediately more at ease now he was here. When Ozzy took Richelle into his arms to comfort her, I averted my eyes, feeling I was intruding on a particularly intimate moment.

And then I had an idea.

"Richelle," I called out, approaching the pair of friends. "I have an idea." Richelle's eyes lit up with hope at the words.
"Well, don't waste anymore time! What is it?"
"You two have to do the duet."

"Me and Ozzy? But he's not even on the team," Richelle exclaimed. I needed her to understand the brilliance of my plan.
"No, not anymore," I explained. "But his name is still on the list of approved names for Nationals, from before he left to start his new job." Richelle looked surprised, shaking her head in confusion.

"Of course," she said. "I didn't think of that. But do you really think we should do it? What about the team?"
"None of them have the experience you guys have. And none of them have that kind of chemistry," I said. "It has to be you two."

Richelle looked up at Ozzy, her eyes wide.
"What do you think, Ozzy? Are you in?"
"All in. Let's go and get ready," he replied, taking her hand as they ran towards the rehearsal rooms.

Richelle's POV:
Ozzy and I stood side-stage, hand in hand. I looked through the wings to the audience and swallowed.
"Hey," he said, squeezing my hand reassuringly. "I can see that you're nervous, but don't look out at the crowd. Just look at me. For the next 2 minutes, it's just us, okay?" I looked up at him, heart pounding. I nodded.
"Just us."

As we took to the stage, I took once last glance at Ozzy. I couldn't believe he was doing this for us. He's always stepped up when I've needed him, but this was different. It was beyond anything I could ever have imagined; I was so grateful for him.

Cleo's voice filled the auditorium as "New Reality" began to play. We began dancing our duet from Step Inside, my body working effortlessly to complete each move. This duet was my favourite I'd ever done, and the steps were ingrained into my memory. We were so in sync, a magnetic force holding us together, even when we danced apart.

As the music reached a climax, Ozzy was spinning me in the air, and just as the song said, this reality truly felt like it was meant for dreams. We were on top of the world.

We made our way through the final sequence and as the song ended, we were stood looking at each other, breathless. I basqued in the feeling as the crowd erupted in applause. But I wasn't looking at them - there was only him.

We ran off stage, feeling high on adrenaline.
"I can't believe you just did that for us," I said, reaching out and brushing his cheek lightly with my fingers.
"I did it for you," he mumbled. The world truly fell away at that moment, and I felt something inside me fall into place.

"Ozzy..." I whispered, shaking my head in disbelief. Wasting no more time, I pulled myself towards him and kissed him. I kissed him like I'd never been kissed before, like he was the only thing that I'd ever needed. My heart leapt from my chest as he began to kiss me back, a hunger driving his lips on mine. His hands were in my hair and mine gripped his back as I tried to bring him closer to me, as if it was physically possible.

I heard the sound of the team whooping and cheering behind us, but I didn't care. I smiled against his lips as he planted one final tender kiss on mine. We stayed in each other's embrace as he looked down at me with a look of pure wonderment in his eyes.
"You have no idea how long I've been wanting to do that," he said, our noses brushing against each other as we breathed each other in.
"Ozzy," I whispered.
"Yes, Richelle?"
"I love you."

And then he was kissing me again. I hoped he would never stop.