Running into the Fire (Skye Blue x OC)

ii

"On your left." Skye heard the words and moved to her right slightly before Ryder carefully ran past her. "Thank you." He gave her a quick wave before he continued his fast pace. Though Skye knew she wasn't going to fully be able to keep up she followed him. It was nearly five in the morning and the last thing she had expected was for someone else to be running.

She followed him for nearly a mile before she started to feel her legs begin to protest. Ryder who had noticed her following him could see her slow down. That's when he did as well. Slowly she could see him match her pace. As she removed one of her earbuds she could see him do the same.

"You know you probably shouldn't try and keep up with me. Anna's tried for years, finally learned it's not worth it." He said with a laugh as he looked over at Skye.

"I don't mind pushing myself every once in awhile." A chuckle escaped his lips.

"Pushing yourself is going father than you normally go not trying to keep up with me." She looked over at him.

"I can keep up with you." He laughed. "Alright for a lap I can, more than that is just insane."

"Exactly. You even realize you were full sprinting for a mile?" Her eyes met his and he could tell she hadn't meant to do what she had done. "Like I said. I wouldn't try and keep up with me. I can keep that pace for about five miles then I slow down. Unless you feel like training for a marathon, follow the path I take but don't attempt to match my speed." She laughed as she nodded at his words.

"That's what I was trying to do but I didn't realize until my legs started burning that I was trying to keep up." A chuckle left his lips.

"You know Anna says the exact same thing." His words came with a laugh as he continued to match her speed. "Speaking of Anna.... I'm sure she probably told you my name but in case she didn't.... My names Ryder." He said as his hand stuck out towards her. Skye laughed as she took it.

"Skye." She replied with a smile that he matched. "And before you ask yes that is my name." He chuckled.

"Am I safe to assume that you wrestle like Anna?" She nodded a light laugh escaping her lips. "You know.... Y'all call me nuts but I'd take running into fires over constantly slamming onto my back or neck."

"You just need to learn how to fall." He laughed at her words.

"I have trust me.... When you're constantly falling through floors you learn very quickly the best way to fall and land." Skye looked over at him for a moment.

"Yeah I'm with Anna. You're insane. I'd take wrestling over that any day." He chuckled.

"It's not for everyone. That's for sure. But I love it." Though his words seemed genuine she couldn't help but notice that his smile had all but disappeared.

"So if you don't mind me asking why are you out running this early? Been seeing you more at night." He chuckled.

"Could ask you the same question.... But to answer yours I usually run both in the morning and at night but I've been a bit lazy and have just opted for at night. Today I couldn't sleep so I just said fuck it." He could see her nod as he turned down a path she hadn't seen him take before.

"Same reason for me. Got back from Dynamite and was exhausted but four hours of sleep and here I am." Ryders hands stuck in his pockets as he slowed down to a walk. "Thank you." She found herself unconsciously saying.

"Sorry even when I try to walk slow I'm still pretty quick. Need to learn how to match other peoples pace's better but I'm horrible at it." She shook her head.

"I could've said something, not all on you." He flashed her a quick smile. "So where are we going?"

"Was going to try and see if we could catch the sunrise.... If that's alright with you...?" Skye nodded at his words.

"Honestly has been years since I've watched the sunrise." She could see him look over at her for a moment. Before he could say anything else his head snapped behind them when he felt a small rock hit his back.

"You're an ass Anna." Skyes head snapped back towards the other woman who was now catching up to them.

"I'm surprised I even hit you." Ryder chuckled at Anna's words. "Why the fuck are you both up so early?" She questioned as she moved between them both. When they shrugged Anna couldn't help her laugh. "You two are nuts. I swear y'all don't sleep."

"I sleep." She rolled her eyes at Ryders words.

"For two hours." He laughed.

"Sleep is sleep." Both women shook their heads at his words. "What? It is. I sleep at the station. Just hard sleeping for more than a couple hours when it's what you're used to."

"You're nuts." Both Anna and Ryder couldn't help their laughter at Skyes words.

"Thought we already established that." He said with a laugh as he looked over at Skye.

"We hadn't but you just confirmed it right now." Another laugh escaped his lips. "So how are you two friends because someone as nuts as him shouldn't be friends with someone as calm as you Anna."

"Our moms were best friends since high school. My mom is actually his god mother. I think if it weren't for that fact we definitely wouldn't have spoken more than a few words to each other but over the years he's become the brother I never wanted or needed." Ryder chuckled at Anna's words.

"Because I wanted a sister and three brothers. Was perfectly fine being an only child." He retorted before she pushed him. "And that is exactly why." Anna started laughing before she jumped on his back.

"You love me." He rolled his eyes.

"I'm forced to put up with you. That's a long stretch." Skye had to bite back a laugh as she saw Anna hit Ryder, who instantly looked over his shoulder, an offended look across his face. "That was uncalled for."

"So was your comment." Ryder let out a huff.

"I put up with you. Says a lot more than four letters." Anna knew how he felt about the word 'love' but Skye however was slightly confused. As Anna slipped from Ryder's back she looked over at Skye seeing the look on the younger woman's face before she lightly laughed. Anna's next words were confirmed by a nod from Ruder.

"He hates the word love. It's a long story why but you'll never hear him say it."