Baby of the Family

Chapter 7 : Not in trouble

Chapter 7 

Later...   

Ross POV

I went with dad to pick up Riker from his friend's house. They were waiting for us on the porch when we got there.

I immediately pulled Riker into a hug. He was shaking and started crying.

"Hey, you're ok. We'll talk to dad, alright?"

Riker hugged Curt goodbye and then we got in the back of dad's car.

"Dad, we need to talk about this," I said.

"You mean how you can't just run away from home if you're mad at your siblings?"

Riker started crying harder. I put my arm around him tight.

"No. Look, Riker only ran away because he couldn't take the teasing from Rocky and Ryland. They shut the power off on purpose to scare him because they made him watch a horror movie."

Riker turned his face into my shoulder and clung onto me.

"You can't just run away from home and expect that to solve your problems," dad said.

"I know. He shouldn't have run away. But they're being mean to him! You need to make them stop!"

"I'll talk to them, ok?"

"Good. Is Riker in any trouble?"

Dad sighed.

"Not this time. But next time he will be."

"See? You're not in trouble. It's ok. Calm down, Riker."

I felt so bad. Riker never does anything bad. So I know he really couldn't take the teasing from Rocky and Ryland. I think it's mostly Rocky though.

The bad thing about Riker is that he bottles up his emotions. And then does something really drastic when he can't take it anymore. And I'm glad that this time he did something safe. He just went to his friend's house. But I don't want it to be something reckless next time.

When we got back home, it was super late. But Rocky and Ryland were still awake.

I walked Riker upstairs, but he wouldn't go into his bedroom and he clung onto me and started crying.

"Stop. You're fine, Riker. I'll handle it."

I went into Riker's room. Ryland was sitting in his bed, doing something on his phone.

"Can you go sleep in mine and Rocky's room tonight?" I asked.

"Why?"

"Because you teased Riker all night and he ran away from home because of you. Can you please just go sleep in my room tonight?" I asked, getting annoyed.

"Fine."

He left. I went back out in the hall and grabbed Riker's arm. 

"See? I'll sleep in here with you tonight. It'll be ok. I'm done letting them bother you."

I lifted Riker's covers for him and he got in.

"Don't leave me," he said, grabbing my hand.

"Ok. I won't. Don't worry. Are you still freaked out about the movie?" I asked, getting in bed beside him.

"Yes."

"Don't be. You're safe, ok? And Rocky and Ry are sleeping in another room."

Riker snuggled into my side and clung onto me again.

"Are you going to be able to sleep tonight?"

"I don't know."

I put my arm around him and started rubbing his back, hoping he would relax enough to fall asleep.

"Ross?"

"What?"

"Why do you care?"

"Care about what?"

"Me."

"You're my brother, Riker."

"So? I'm Rocky and Ry's brother too but they keep tormenting me anyway."

"I'm sorry, Rik."

Riker sighed, but it seemed like he relaxed a bit more.

"Try to get some sleep, ok? I'll be right here if you need me."

"I need you," he said, holding onto me tighter.

"Why? What do you need?"

"Why am I not important?"

"Riker, you're totally important. What are you talking about?"

"Well nobody acts like it. Because I'm the youngest, so what does my opinion matter?"

"Riker, I wouldn't have gone with dad to pick you up and convinced him not to punish you if I didn't think you were important. You know, normally you'd be in so much trouble for doing something like that. I think dad feels bad for you."

"Well good. I need someone to feel bad for me for once."

Riker turned his face into my side.

"Night, Riker."

"Night."