V & V - Rageous Rageon Redemption.

Cheap Thrills

Kid Ritz POV:

I open my eyes and watch as Ven's flutter open. We breathe for a moment before slowly letting each other go. Ven smiles at me, then leaves the bedroom. I move around, picking up our things and making the bed before leaving the room. I hear Ven helping Rollie in the kitchen while I sit across from Fred at the dining table, who is carefully examining the gun.

Fred: "Hey."

Kid Ritz: "Hey. You taking it apart?"

Fred: "I just want to gauge how many bullets are left. I've never handled a gun before, so I'm kind of left to fumble around."

Kid Ritz: "If you want, I can take a look. Dad always had a heater on him and showed me how his worked."

Fred nods and slowly slides it toward me. I take it gently hold the backstrap as I take out the magazine. I see there are two bullets left and get to work on indexing the magazine back into the gun.

Fred: "Dude, you really know how to handle that."

Kid Ritz: "I guess so. Dad often did target practice, and I guess I never forgot the basics."

Fred nods as I hand him the gun. I watch him slip it into his pocket, and a strange feeling washes over me. It feels wrong for such a carefree kid to be in charge of a deadly weapon. Or, well, I guess we're not... kids... anymore. Still, I never would have imagined Fred doing something like this. But, I suppose that in times like these, even the funniest have to become serious.

Pushing those thoughts aside, Fred and I sit at the table tiredly as Ven and Rollie come out, the two looking proud of the soup and bread they made. Another strange feeling washes over me as Ven hands me silverware, a glass of water, and food.

It almost feels like... we're a married couple, and he's taking care of me by feeding me. He kisses my cheek before grabbing his food and sitting next to me. Rollie does the same thing with Fred, the whole interaction going by quickly.

Fred: "Thank you guys. We really appreciate it."

Kid Ritz: "Yes, thank you! It looks amazing."

Rollie: "Ven made the bread. I did the soup."

Ven: "We're total chefs. New career change if I can't perform anymore."

Rollie: "Oh my gosh, same. We can have our own cooking show."

Ven: "Suburban moms would love us."

The two laugh, creating a light mood for the dinner. I finish my meal and don't even need to say anything as Ven takes my dishes to the kitchen for me. I can't fully explain the feeling I have knowing he's willing to take care of me, as if I were his husband. It inspires me to want to do something nice for him. I walk into the kitchen and see him washing the dishes.

Kid Ritz: "Hey, V."

Ven: "Hi!"

Kid Ritz: "Why don't I finish these up, and you go relax in the room. I don't want you to overwork yourself before we go out."

Ven smiles, looking happy at the offer.

Ven: "Aww, are you sure?"

Kid Ritz: "Yes. You and Rollie did so much by making us dinner and taking care of Fred and me, and I want to do what I can to take some of the load off your shoulders."

Ven smiles wider and pulls me close for a kiss.

Ven: "That's so sweet of you. I'll see you in the room?"

I nod and kiss his cheek before finishing the dishes. Fred walks in, grabbing a glass of water from a glass I just washed with a smirk. I smile and shake my head as he makes a point of drinking the water noisly.