Riley and Val oneshots

The gift of growing up

Pov Nobody

Val had been looking forward to the hockey camp for weeks. It was her favorite time of the year, not just because of the early morning practices she loved, but also because it was a chance to reconnect with friends she hadn't seen in months. Riley was one of those friends—honest, goofy, and with a smile that lit up any room. 

Riley and Val had met at camp the previous summer, and since then, they'd become inseparable. They bonded over their shared love of ice hockey, spending hours on the rink, pushing each other to improve, and laughing through the exhaustion that came with it. But off the ice, they were just as close, often talking about anything and everything late into the night.

Val had always admired Riley's openness and how she could make anyone around her feel at ease with her goofiness. Riley's honesty was something Val appreciated more than she could express—she knew she could trust her friend with anything. So, when Val found an old toy at a vintage store during a weekend trip with her parents, she immediately thought of Riley.

It was a "Growing Up Skipper" Barbie, a doll Val had heard about but never seen in person. She knew it might seem like an odd gift, but there was something about it that struck her as perfect for Riley. The doll was a symbol of growth and change, much like how Val had seen Riley grow as a person and a player over the past year. It was quirky, just like Riley, and it felt like a small piece of nostalgia wrapped in plastic.

When they finally arrived at camp, Val waited for the right moment to give Riley the gift. It was after a particularly grueling practice, and the two of them were sitting on a bench near the rink, cooling down and enjoying the silence that followed a hard workout.

"Hey, Riles," Val started, pulling the wrapped box out of her bag. "I got something for you."

Riley looked up, her face lighting up with curiosity. "What is it?"

Val handed her the box, trying to keep her expression neutral, but she couldn't hide the excitement in her eyes. Riley tore open the paper and gasped when she saw the doll.

"No fuckin' way! Is this the Skipper doll that...?"

"Yep," Val confirmed, smiling. "Her boobs grow when you move her arm. Thought it might give you a laugh."

Riley laughed, a sound that was both surprised and delighted. "This is amazing, Val! Where did you even find this?"

"Some old vintage store my parents dragged me to. As soon as I saw it, I knew I had to get it for you. It's kinda weird, but... I thought you'd appreciate it."

Riley looked at the doll for a moment, her goofy grin softening into something more genuine. "I love it. It's like a reminder that growing up doesn't have to be so serious all the time. You know, we can still have fun with it."

Val nodded, feeling a warmth in her chest. "Exactly. And you've been growing so much, Riles—not just as a player, but as a person. I see it every day."

Riley's eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and affection. "Thanks, Val. This means a lot to me. And not just because it's hilarious," she added with a chuckle. "But because it came from you."

They shared a quiet moment, the doll sitting between them as a symbol of their friendship—a bond that had grown stronger with each passing day at camp. As the sun began to set, casting a golden light over the rink, Val knew that this was a moment she would cherish forever. They might be growing up, but with friends like Riley, Val knew that they could face anything the future threw at them—with a sense of humor and a lot of heart.