Running into the Fire (Skye Blue x OC)

xxvii

"Ryder...." Skye finally got Ryder to stop tapping along her hand. He had been driving but had been focused on the road the entire time ignoring any conversation that had occurred. "Can we get food?"

"Y-Yeah.... Sorry." He said before clearing his throat after his voice had cracked.

"You're still freaking out about the shit with Anna aren't you?" A breath escaped his lips as he nodded. "Trust me when I say Julia, Matt, and myself are going to take care of it. You just need to worry about Anna and making sure she's alright."

"I know y'all will.... It's just...." Her hand gently squeezed his.

"Trust me when I say he even tries to push that button and I will break every last one of his fingers. Those pictures aren't going anywhere." Ryder chuckled as he looked over at her.

"I'll help." Skye couldn't help her laughter.

"I'm sure you will but like I said you just deal with Anna and we'll deal with the dumbass." When he nodded her lips pressed to his cheek.

"You're lucky I know you'd do more damage than I would." A laugh escaped her lips as she leaned into him. "Where do you wanna stop for food?"

"Let me look." She said as she pulled out her phone. He adjusted carefully before she could feel his arm wrap around her. "Fuck you're so comfortable." She said as she cuddled even more into him.

"Says you." He said quietly before his lips quickly pressed to the top of her head. "You know.... As much as I hated leaving Anna alone I'm so fucking glad that I've gotten this bit of time alone with you." Her fingers laced with his before her head turned and her lips pressed to his cheek.

"I think Julia and Lee wound up bringing her along but I totally agree. It's been a nice drive with you." Just as she felt his arm tighten around her, she could feel him just about slam on the brakes. Her phone dropped to the floor just as he brought the car to a stop mere inches from another.

"Fuck Skye brace yourself." His eyes were on the rear view mirror as his arms wrapped protectively around her. Seconds later a car slammed into the back of theirs. Skye couldn't help her scream as she tried to bury even more into Ryder while they were smashed into the dashboard. "Fuck." His words came as almost a wheeze as he got the car into park and turned it off. His attention moved to Skye who was still frozen and buried into him. "A-Are you alright?" Her head shot up towards him and he could see tears in her eyes. "S-Skye." He was struggling to speak and she could tell.

"Stop talking you're hurt. I'm fine Ryder." His eyes met hers.

"I-I'm fine." She separated from him and could hear him groan. "D-Don't get out. W-Were s-safer h-here." He said as he saw her begin to move towards the door.

"Ryder. Stop talking. I'm not getting out and neither are you. I'm trying to find my phone to call 911." He sat back in his seat with a groan before digging into his pocket for his phone.

"Here." Her eyes met his before he sheepishly sat back knowing she was mad at him for speaking. As she talked to the dispatcher she was watching him she could see the fact that he was breathing uneven. "W-What are you...?" He stopped as she lifted up his shirt before her fingers moved along his ribs. He almost instantly winced when her fingertips moved along the side and she could feel the fact that they were out of place. As she pulled away his head fell into her shoulder before she carefully wrapped her arm around his neck.

"It'll be five minutes." She said quietly as she set the phone down now on speaker with the dispatcher. While Skye continued to answer the questions she could feel Ryder lean into her more as his breathing got more and more ragged. "I've got you." She said quietly into his ear. He slowly nodded before she could feel his lips along her shoulder. She couldn't help the fact that she was holding her breath as they were waiting for the first responders.

By the time they both had been checked out it the sun was setting. Skye got what she could out of the car before going over towards Ryder who was leaning on a guard rail texting.

"Anna?" He nodded. "Your mom too?" Another nod. She stepped forwards before her hand carefully landed along his arm. His phone was ignored for a moment as his eyes landed on hers. "You sure you're okay?"

"I-I'm sore. B-But alright." His words were still shaky but they both knew there wasn't much that could be done for broken ribs. "D-Dealt with it b-be...."

"I know you have. I'm just worried about how your breathing." His head dropped before she took a step forward and her lips pressed to his cheek. "Do you want to go to the hospital?" He shook his head. "Do you want to go home?" Once again his head shook. "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." Their eyes met and she knew he was telling the truth.

"You just let me know if you change your mind...." He nodded. "Now we've got to figure out how we're getting to the show."

"Julia and them are coming. A-Anna...." Skye cut him off.

"Was running late as usual...?" He nodded. "Typical Anna but at least we have a ride. Though.... Let's just hope it's Lee that's driving." He chuckled before he hissed in pain. "Ryder are you sure you're alright?"

"It just hurts. I'm fine." He snapped before she could almost instantly see him regret it as his eyes sheepishly met hers.

"I'm sorry.... I'm just worried about you Ryder." He slowly nodded. "Do you want to wait here or walk up the exit?"

"Let's find some food while we wait. They're gonna be an hour." Skye looked at him for a moment as she could hear the pain in his voice. On the outside he looked fine but she could tel he was simply putting on a show. Before he could even attempt to protest she slipped beneath his arm. He almost instantly leaned into her before they slowly began the walk up the exit ramp. As they got to the top they could see a Waffle House across the road.

"Oh fuck yes." Ryder just barely chuckled at her words. They walked into the restaurant before they slipped into a booth. His head fell into his hands almost instantly. That was when she texted Anna. It was minutes into their conversation that they both agreed that they were getting him to the hospital whether he liked it or not. As he released a long breath her eyes met his.

"I-I think I need to...." Skye finished Ryders sentence.

"When they get here we're taking you to the hospital."