Never Be Like You | Cricky

Chapter 5

After their talk outside, the duo took the time to enjoy the cool breeze flowing by instead of going back into the stuffy hospital room. Once they made their way back inside Rick caught Devin's gaze and shook his head with a look that said he would fill the other in on what happened. It wasn't bad news but it was personal to the point it didn't need to be shouted out in the midst of the room. 

Ricky and Chris shared a fond smile as the taller stepped past to make his way to the chair while Ricky settled back on the bed. This gave him a lot to think about. Sure, he had felt something towards his friend but was it good enough for him to risk their whole friendship based on a finicky thing like love. 

The group of friends hung out as if they were back in high school. Sharing juvenile jokes that would make actual adults cringe at the crass things that would fly from their mouths. It was like pulling teeth to get them to leave the hospital that night. While Ricky enjoyed their presence some time to himself would help. 

As the sun settled below the horizon line, his mental state began to drop along with the star. Breathing out deeply, Ricky leaned back against the window sill, running his fingers through his hair as he unpacked the events that happened to the best of his ability. Just as he felt like the demons clawing at the ground was at his ankles his phone began to ring. With a glance over, he was able to read Chris' name off of his lock screen. 

For now his ill willed friends would go back into hiding. 

Staying there for a while longer Ricky was able to go back home but he had to attend therapy once a week. That being said his therapist was enlisted to keep a very close eye on him. Ricky was standing in the kitchen with his mom and gave her a gentle smile. Of course they had talked about what happened but his mom acted as if she was walking on egg shells around him. Afraid to trigger her son and push him back to that edge he had jumped from before. While Ricky filled himself to the brim with guilt that he had for causing the older woman distress.

"Mom.." As soon as he spoke she began to cry, shaking his head and he pulled her in for a hug. "I'm sorry for putting you through that shit mom, I love you and it was fucked up for me to leave you behind like that..it won't happen again I swear." He could promise all he wanted, but it was best to show through actions rather than words. 

He hated that he made his mom cry and it made him feel like shit but all he could do now was try and make it better. After a few minutes his mom calmed down and he laughed gently, wiping her face for her. Memories of her doing the same for him when he was a kid was heart warming..

The doorbell ringing accompanied by a knock broke their family time. "Hm?" Ricky turned towards the door and walked out, opening it to see Chris standing there, laughing lightly. "Missed me already?" 

The taller grinned and shrugged his shoulders. "You could say something like that." Ricky shook his head and led Chris inside before calling out to his mom. "Chris is here! We're going to go up to my room!" Said male turned to offer Ricky's mom a wave which she happily returned. 

"I won't need ear plugs, right!?" Ricky nearly tripped on his way up the stairs in shock at what his mom said and Chris couldn't help but start laughing. "Mom! Come on!" He smiled when he heard her start to laugh. "She's crazy, I'm telling you."

Chris looked up at him and offered a coy grin. "Where do you think you get it from Rick?" The shorter rolled his eyes and shook his head. 

Once they were in his room Ricky closed the door and flopped on his bed while Chris kicked off his shoes. Turning on his side he watched his friend in a new light. "Still don't believe you feel something for me if I'm honest." Chris walked over and planted himself on the edge of the bed. "Yeah? Because you don't see you how I see you." 

That earned a smile from the shorter and a small snort. "Makes me curious about what goes on in that head of yours then Ceruli." His room was filled with laughter as they talked and hung out with each other, talking for hours on end. Stopping when they were hungry enough to go downstairs for hot pockets and candy.

"You ate the whole bag." Chris stared at Ricky with wide eyes feigning hurt to tease the other. Ricky started laughing and handing one gummy worm to Chris. "I saved that for you, aren't I the best?" The taller laughed and ate the last gummy worm. "You have more, don't you?"

His eyes shifted from side to side as he slid his hand out of his sleeves to reveal a few more. "I was saving these for uh lunch tomorrow." Chris stole one making Ricky gasp before reaching for it. "Who said you could have one?" The taller grinned and continued to hold it out of the other's reach. "You're trying to starve me out already?" 

Ricky tried to jump and grab the gummy worm and left his guard down in which Chris had the opportunity to reach out and tickle the shorter. The air left his lungs in a rush as he squirmed away with loud laughter ensuing. "You ass!" 

Soon it was dark out and they were cuddled close together back in his room and in bed. Ricky listened to Chris' heart beat on the verge of sleeping when his phone screen lit up along with buzzing signaling a text.

"Hand that to me..?" His voice was slow and heavy with sleep as he took the device from Chris and he recognized that number anywhere it was Ryan.

Ryan:
𝙸'𝚖 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚢𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚜𝚎..𝙸 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚗𝚎𝚎𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚛𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚗𝚘𝚠..
𝙸 𝚍𝚘𝚗'𝚝 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚘

Ricky silently stared at the phone and Chris began to look worried. "Who is it..?" His eyes flashed up to the male momentarily. "Ryan..he said he's outside and he needs me." He should have just left him out there to die but still a part of him wanted to go out.

With a sigh Ricky got up and pulled on a hoodie. "You're going out to see Ryan?" Chris' voice was filled with disbelief and a tad bit of jealousy. "Chris..I'm just going to check on him." Chris began to sit up to follow the shorter out. "No, I want to go out there alone. I'm sure he doesn't want anyone else to see him like this."

Keeping a quiet voice, Ricky felt bad for doing this. He felt like he was shoving Chris aside for Ryan and that's probably what Chris was thinking too. Making his way outside and onto the porch he walked down the few steps and stood in front of Ryan.

The streetlights casted a glow on Ryan's face and the tear streaks were obvious on his cheeks and Ricky felt a pang of sadness in himself. 'Fuck, I should be happy to see him in pain.'  Ryan sniffled and reached up to rub at his eyes. "They don't think he's going to make it." Ricky felt his heart sink. It was Ryan's grandfather, he was basically all that Ryan had since his parents were never really around.

"Ryan.." His voice died out and Ryan engulfed him in a hug, listening to his ex's sobs. He sighed gently and rubbed Ryan's back, sniffling as his own eyes glazed over. Ryan's grandpa was a real angel, every time Ricky came around his grandpa would ensure that he ate something and would always try to get Ricky to smile. That was just the kind of guy he was.

"He's going to pull through, you know? Your grandpa is super strong." Ricky kind of spoke to himself in a way of comfort too since he wanted to believe his words.