Love Me Now

make time for you

note: most of my one shots are in the off-season time zone (between seasons 4 and 5) or beyond unless said previously

(Not proof read)

•Riley•

I arrive in my apartment that I share with my boyfriend. It's been a really long day since I had a three hour lecture in business school today. What I'm looking forward right now is to talk to him.

I close the door behind me and see him sleeping on the couch. I sigh slightly, it's been like this for weeks now. The band is just breaking through in their music and James has been staying up late with them at the recording studio. He comes home tired as hell and sleeps all day long.

I lean against the couch and observe him quietly, I don't want to wake him up because James deserves his sleep. I get up and walk to our bedroom, grabbing a blanket.

I come back to him and place it over him gently, James stirs slightly and his eyes flutter open tiredly.

He gives me a soft smile, "Hey babe," He whispers

"Hey," I smile back and kiss his cheek, "Goodnight, James,"

James mumbles something under his breath and closes his eyes again. I stay by his side for awhile, watching his chest rise and fall. I miss the nights where it was just us... Where we cuddled up with each other and talked endlessly.

Ever since I went to business school this year and James's music career, it's different. But I know now that my relationship with him is not going to change, if there's one person in the entire world who is going to love me with their whole heart; it's James.

I get up and cross over to the computer, I have an assignment due this week so I better get some study done tonight...

•James•

I rub my eyes and get up from the couch, stretching my sore back. I look around in the dim light to see Riley asleep by the computer on the desk.

I walk over to her and scoop her gently in my arms. Walking to the bedroom.

"James..." She mumbles half-asleep.

"I'm here," I tell her softly.

We look out for each other, we care about each other. This is why I love our relationship. We've been so busy lately but I'm always going to make time for her.

"Are you going?" Riley whispers against my chest as I place her down on the bed and pull the covers under her chin

I stroke her hair, "The band needs me, I'm sorry baby. I'll be back tomorrow morning,"

Then I realise she won't be here tomorrow morning because of business school and that I would be sleeping.

She closes her eyes and I sigh in frustration, our schedules have been so conflicted. I place a lingering kiss on her forehead and Riley smiles softly.

I'm about to leave but I turn back to her, this past year has been hectic. I just don't know if I can do this anymore...

I quickly pull out my phone and hit John's number, knowing he's up already.

"Hey James," He answers

"Hey, can you tell Mr. T and the rest of the band that unfortunately I can't make it today. I've been feeling pretty sick since I woke up," I lie

"Sure, it's fine, I think we are just going to listen to demos anyways so it doesn't matter," John replies after a moment, possibly to check in with Mr. T.

"Sweet, thank you," I hang up and smile, turning off my phone.

I come back into the bedroom and lie down under the covers next to Riley. She immediately wraps her arms around my torso, like she used to whenever we slept. Although I'm not sleepy, I wouldn't change this moment for anything.

Riley notices that I'm still here and opens her eyes in confusion, "Ja-"

I place a finger on her mouth to stop her from talking.

"I'm sorry," She suddenly says

"For what?"

Riley traces my jaw with her finger, "Being so busy all the time,"

I shake my head, "We have no control over that,"

"I know... I just- sometimes I don't know if I'm good enough for you," She whispers, "I mean, you sacrifice so much for me and I don't know how to repay you back,"

I take her hand on my jaw, "Riley... You make me happy and that's all I can ever ask for, you are enough to me and I'll happily make time for you," I tell her, kissing her hand, "And there's a way to repay me..."

"How?" She raises her eyebrow

"Kiss me,"

Riley smiles, places a hand on my neck and another on my chest and leans up to kiss me. I smile back, moving lips with hers.

"Would you like to go on a date with me tomorrow night?" She suggests, breaking apart.

I nod, "I would love to," Riley stares at me for awhile, "What are you thinking about?" I ask quietly, pulling her close to me in the darkness.

"How much I love you,"

***
855 words.

I wrote this to show that James and Riley's relationship isn't one-sided and they do clearly love each other.

Thanks so much for 10K reads ❤️