Rhink One Shots

Memories | (Part 5)

It has been long five days both for Rhett and Link. Especially for Link.
Visiting the therapist sometimes went to frustrating ways as Link sometimes would leave the room because of a panic attack and Rhett would feel his heart break. Visiting friends sometimes was also pretty hard mentally, but for the taller man's happiness, Link was all about "meeting new people". He remembered some of them, which was a huge win every day and for everyone.
They'd arrive home tired and after one night sleeping at the sofa, the two agreed it was alright to sleep on the same bed. Rhett would fall asleep turned backwards to the dark haired man and wake up with tickles on his nose because Link was sleeping on his arm and his smelling like apples hair would be everywhere.
He'd mess with Link when the other woke up, saying he needed to get a fence between them two, but secretly he liked it. Link fit inside his arms perfectly and Rhett felt a lot warmer.
One day, at the end of the week, Rhett woke up alone. A quick feeling of anxiety passed through his body when he thought Link could be hurt or unwell without him knowing.
The bearded man quickly threw the sheets away and got up from the bed. As he opened the door to the bathroom of the room, Link was nowhere to be seen. The blond closed it and headed downstairs.
As soon as he opened the door, a sweet smell invaded his nose. It smelled amazing in the entire house, and it made the tall guy even more confused. He slowly walked down the stairs, thinking about who he would find inside the house and what was actually happening. He was sure that if someone else was here, the dark haired would have waked him up. But as he entered into the bright kitchen, there was no one besides Link. The dark haired stood in front of the stove, completely oblivious of Rhett's presence. The blond man realized he was making pancakes.
The taller decided to enjoy the moment a bit more as he leaned against the door and crossed his arms on his chest as a small smile spread on his face. Link was mumbling some melody and softly following it with a little dance as he carefully put another pancake on the plate beside him. He missed Link's silly dances. He usually didn't hold back on them to entertain everyone, but this one seemed a lot more intimate. Like it was just for him but Link didn't knew he was there.
They had nothing planned to do that day, and seeing Link like this, a bit happier, a bit more comfortable, it made Rhett smile even wider.
- Someone has woken up in a good move. – the taller finally spoke, not wanting it to get creepy as he observed his friend without the other knowing, which made Link immediately turn forward to him. Some bits of his fringe were sticking to his forehead as he was exposed to the heat from the pan.
- Dammit, this was supposed to be a surprise. – the smaller softly punched the top of the kitchens counter. – You scared me. – he smiled.
- Didn't mean to. Sorry. – Rhett smiled back and made his way to the fridge. – How did you get up so early? I am the one who always wakes up first.
- I have my ways. – Link shrugged while making another pancake.
- Were you having trouble sleeping? – the bearded asked, this time in a more serious tone, while he took off the milk from the fridge.
- I slept just fine. – Link answered not looking back at his friend.
Rhett sighed. – I'm serious.
- Me too.
So the taller decided not to ruin the mood and said nothing more. As the dark haired man finished the pancakes, Rhett made both of them coffee and they finally sat behind the table, slowly enjoying their breakfast.
The bearded man didn't know what he was expecting, but the pancakes were actually really good. Best ones he had in a long time, actually. He wondered if Link remembered the recipe or looked for one somewhere. Either way, he was proud of his best friend.
- Do you want to go out for lunch? – Rhett asked, taking another sip of his coffee.
- Where?
- I can think of a cool place.
Link smiled. – Alright.
And so Rhett did. Both of them got into his car and drove for a good couple of minutes until Link opened his window and stuck almost his entire head out.
- Are we going to the beach? – he asked with a smile.
- Yap. – the blond confirmed Link's enthusiasm and soon they were walking on the warm sand with bags in their hands.
- Why the beach? I was thinking more of a park. Isn't that where people usually do picnic's?
- This is quite a special beach. – the taller answered while observing the sea. Only a few people were there, walking their dogs or just looking at the horizon. The waves weren't big enough for surfers. – Me and you used to get up early, like 4am, and drive to here to surf. Usually it's perfect for that. It was a real big struggle to get you out of bed though. Sometimes you'd still fall asleep in the car. – the blond chuckled.
- I don't have trouble falling asleep quickly. – Link smiled.
- I know. – Rhett smiled back.
They walked a bit more until there was no more sand to walk on, so both of them sat beside the rocks, finding a nice quiet spot. Rhett brought a wide blanket for them to sit on and Link helped him to put out the food and the drinks. He had helped Rhett back at home to make the sandwiches and the salad as he insisted for him and Rhett to "eat healthy" today. The blond laughed but didn't protest. It was nice to see Link care about that kind of stuff.
- How often did we used to come here? – the dark haired asked his friend while taking a bite from his sandwich.
- We would come at least once a month. If not too busy, two or three times.
- Was it only us two?
- I mean, there would always be people here, but yeah, just us two. – Rhett smiled and looked over at his friend.
- Do you think you can teach me how to surf again?
- Sure. – the blond kept smiling but this time forcing himself to do so. Link's eyes were still so lost in everything. He couldn't even imagine how his friend must be feeling towards all this.
Link nodded and looked back at the sea. – It seems difficult.
- I'm sure you'll be a quick learner.
- No, in general. It seems difficult to learn everything again. Have everything again. It seems impossible.
- Well, think of it like you're making new memories.
- It's not that easy. – Link looked back at Rhett.
The blond lowered his head. – I know. I'm sorry, I know.
- But it all seems so natural with you.
- What? – he looked back up again.
- Everything. I don't remember a single thing about you. You were a complete stranger walking into my hospital room. I remembered Christy's voice, I remembered Jessie's cooking, I remembered small bits about so many people but you. Yet you're the one who I feel better with. Like, it didn't needed to be from memory, it's just natural. The cliché of "soulmates". – he made air quotes at the last word. – Is it weird?
- It's nice. – Rhett smiled making the other man smile too.
- Thank you for not giving up on me.
- I'd never.
Link put his food to the side and sat on his knees. – Can I try something?
- I guess. – Rhett felt a bit confused.
Link then sat closer to Rhett, his knees touching the side of Rhett's right leg. The dark haired put his shaky hand on the blond man's chin, trying not to smile at the fact that his beard tickled his fingers. He got lost in Rhett's eyes for a bit, in how they were warm and gave out that giant man's softness.
Then finally, he lightly put his lips on top of Rhett's, praying for his heart not to jump out of his chest. Rhett's lips were warmer than he expected, and the other man didn't back up, which made Link feel even better.
He felt one of Rhett's hands on the end of his back, softly grabbing the material of his t-shirt, and his own hand moved to Rhett's cheek. He wished he could stay like this for at least one hour. Or two. Or the entire day. But unfortunately the kiss ended quicker than he thought.
Rhett separated their lips and pressed his forehead against Link's as the dark haired man felt his friend's grabbing his t-shirt stronger.
- You kiss nicely. – he said, expecting a reaction from the blond, but the other just nodded, keeping their foreheads glued and his eyes closed as he deeply breathed. – I did have trouble sleeping. – he tried again, admitting the thing from earlier that day.
- I know. – Rhett simply answered, not changing his position.
So Link did the same. He let out a sigh as his hand dropped to Rhett's lap and held the end of his shirt with two of his fingers. He closed his eyes and tried to make sense out of this confusing world.

A/N: Well it has been a while since these two! Sorry it's small, I promise I'm trying. Hope yall enjoy it!