Running into the Fire (Skye Blue x OC)

xii

Ryders eyes were trained out the window as Skye drove back to their houses. As they got caught in a bit of traffic she couldn't take the silence anymore. Gently her fingers slipped to his chin before she got his head to turn. Their eyes met and she instantly saw the tears welling in his blue-grey eyes. She didn't even hesitate. Her arms wrapped around his neck as her fingers threaded in his dark brown hair. When his head fell into her shoulder he broke down. She held him for the longest time grateful that traffic was at a complete standstill.

"I-I'm sorry...." She shook her head as his shaky words. "I just.... They just.... We...." The words were stuck. Gently her fingertips ran along his scalp and she could feel him lean into her even more. "Th-The reason why I hit the edge of the crash pad was because my partner was...." As a sob escaped his lips her arms carefully tightened around him. "He was supposed to be right behind me." She could feel tears begin to fall into her shirt as he leaned even more into her comfort. "H-He wouldn't go until I did. H-He...." Her lips met his temple as his emotions finally began to pour out.

It was then that Skye knew exactly why Ryder had wanted her and not Anna. Anna would've been more worried about his injuries but Skye was concerned about him. He knew he didn't have to hide his emotions around her.

"Breathe Ryder." The words came as she heard him begin to struggle to catch a full breath. He had told her that it had been a warehouse fire where chemicals had been held. Between the smoke and the chemicals the inside of his lungs had all but been burned making it that much harder for him.

"I-I c-can't." He stuttered out before she carefully pulled away so she could look into his eyes. Her hands slipped to cup his face, her thumbs slowly running along his cheeks. His eyes closed his head falling slightly before he finally was able to catch his breath. She moved forwards, her lips just barely pressing to his cheek. She could feel his good arm slip behind her back hugging her lightly. "Thank you." Her lips pressed firmly to his cheek.

"You don't need to thank me...." When he nodded she took a page out of his book. "It's kinda my job Ryder." When he laughed she couldn't help the breath she released.

"Is it now?" He questioned before she could feel his head turn. Though his lips were close to her cheek he refrained from kissing it.

"It is." He chuckled quietly.

"Thought your job was wrestling...." Her head carefully turned so she could look at him.

"It may be but my job is also to make sure that your dumb ass is okay." Another chuckle escaped his lips.

"That's Anna's job." Her lips pressed to his temple and she could see him smile.

"Fine then. My job is making sure that you stay sane so I stay sane." His lips were along her cheek as the words slipped from her lips.

"I hope you realize you've become my happy pill." A light laugh escaped her lips as she nodded.

"You realize you've become mine?" He nodded before he carefully pulled away. As he did she wiped the tears from his cheeks. "I would say what I want to but I know it's probably not what you want to hear so I'll ask you this. Do you want to go back home? Or would you like to pick a random place and drive to it once we're out of this mess and just forget about everything."

"I have no clothes...." He trailed off as she bit back her laugh. "You know what fuck it. We can stop somewhere and I'll get some awful gas station clothes and you can truly have a laugh."

"This is about making you laugh not me." He chuckled before his eyes met hers.

"Who said we weren't getting you something? There will be loads of options for you." She laughed as she leaned forwards and her lips pressed to his cheek.

"I'll let you have your pick. The more ridiculous the better. As long as it'll get you to smile." His head turned and his lips found their way to hers.

"Just you being here has done that." His quiet words made her kiss him. His lips pressed to her cheek before he spoke again. "Seriously cannot thank you enough."

"You really don't need to. You've done the same for me." She said as her thumbs gently strayed along his skin.

"I do though.... Like I know we've been talking for weeks now but nobody has ever dropped everything for me.... Not for something like this. Not even Anna. I.... I truly don't understand why you've done it but I really can't thank you enough." A smile appeared along her lips as she lightly chuckled.

"Because I know you'd do the same for me Ryder even if you won't admit it." He nodded as a small smile appeared along his lips. "Now tell me since I'm not all that familiar with Georgia where should we go?"

"Have you ever been to Senoia?" She shook her head and his smile grew. "It's like halfway to home so we'll have to get through this shit but it's worth it. My grandparents left me a house there. I rarely use it but would be a good place to just get away from everything. It's nice and quiet. Also if you've ever seen The Walking Dead a lot of it was filmed there." He could see her eyes just about light up at the statement. "We'll have some fun." The smile along his lips grew as she nodded. "You want me to drive at all?"

"I'm good. You just have fun being a passenger princess for once." He laughed before she could feel his fingers lace with hers.

"Definitely not a princess." She laughed as she nodded.

"No you're definitely not, you're more like Shrek trying to save Fiona from the castle." When he looked over at her, her eyebrow raised. "What?" Ryder laughed lightly before his eyes met Skyes as he replied.

"I will happily be Shrek because it means I wind up with a princess."