V & V - Rageous Rageon Redemption.

Near Kiss

Rollie POV:

As I finish my quesadilla, Fred ends his shower. He exits the bathroom in nothing but a towel, and Kid Ritz follows him into his room before leaving for the bathroom with his change of clothes. Fred enters the kitchen with a smile and looking very hungry.

Fred: "Dude, I'm famished."

Rollie: "Kid Ritz made you quesadillas; they're on the stove."

Fred: "Incredible."

He grabs them before pulling up a chair next to me. He eats as fast as Kid Ritz, using his good arm as the other lies limply at his side. He's done within five minutes, and the two of us get up to wash the dishes.

I wash them quickly and only have him dry them down as best he can. I put the dishes away where he points for them to go, and feel happy we were able to do a small act of kindness for Kid Ritz and his mama.

Fred: "Want to go sit in Kid Ritz's room?"

Rollie: "Sure."

I follow him and sit on the bed a little awkwardly. It feels weird to be hanging in the room without Kid Ritz here, but it's okay. Fred breaks the silence by yawning and stretching his good arm over his head.

Fred: "I'm so tired, you know?"

Rollie: "Me too. We're going to my apartment next, where we can rest. We'll pick up Jewels from your store, and then once we get to the apartment, you guys can pick up your rooms."

Fred: "Pick our rooms?"

Rollie: "Mhm. And I'll pay you and Kid Ritz for taking care of me. Kid Ritz's mother can use Gloria's room, and there is enough space for us to move around comfortably. Plus, I was thinking of turning on the hot tub if you wanted to join me tonight."

Fred stays quiet as he turns his head to look at me. Kid Ritz's room has a star lamp emitting a soft glow, which makes the ambiance calming.

Fred: "That sounds like it'd be wonderful, thank you."

I nod, letting a mixture of bravery and exhaustion fuel my next action. I move so we sit side by side before I lean my head on his shoulder. Fred slowly wraps his arm around me, holding me close.

Rollie: "How's your arm doing?"

Fred: "It hurts, but I think it'll be fine. Thank you for asking. I'm lucky I was bit on the left; the right is my yo-yo arm."

Rollie: "Yo-yo arm?"

Fred: "Yeah. I'm the leading yo-yo Mount Rageous champion. My name is the record holder for best tricks ever done with a yo-yo."

Rollie: "Wow... um, that's incredible?"

Fred laughs, his hand tickling my waist as he giggles.

Fred: "I'm just messing with you. There is no yo-yo Mount Rageous champion title to win, but if there was, best believe my name would be on there."

I look at Fred, enjoying the goofy side of him I don't think I've ever seen. Kid Ritz enters the bedroom dressed, smirking as he sees how Fred and I are sitting. He closes the door before lying on the floor tiredly.

Kid Ritz: "Okay, guys. What's the plan?'

Rollie: "We'll drive to the shop and pick up Jewels, then go to my apartment. We'll divide the rooms, and I'll show you guys around, then I think we can relax. I told Fred how I want to put the hot tub on tonight, maybe crack open some wine."

Kid Ritz: "That sounds amazing, I'm in. Can we look for Veneer or Velvet in the street while we're over here? I don't think either would be out here, but I just want to check."