Roadtrip Oneshots

Rylyn, Stressed

Brooklyn

I must've been going insane or something, and to be honest that didn't exactly surprise me. But I knew I must've because no one else seemed to see the very prevalent tears in Rye's eyes every day. To me they were clear as day, but yet it appeared that it was only me that saw them.

And I was the only one to notice the pale complexion to my friend's face, his exhaustion, the new lines to his forehead... they had never been there before.

But whenever I asked the other boys about it their response was always the same.

"He probably just had a late night."
But yet I had watched as he'd turned in early the night before, and I knew he'd fallen asleep (or gone to bed) because I went in and checked on him.

"He got in late last night."
I knew Rye had stayed in, so I didn't know what the hell they were talking about.

"He's fine Brook."
But he clearly wasn't.

And it seemed that I was the only one to note this.

***

The five of us and Harvey had all bundled into the Mindy room to watch TV, but I was distracted by the empty spot on the sofa. Rye had wordlessly stood up and left about ten minutes, and had yet to return... the other boys didn't even notice that Rye was gone, too engrossed in the TV, and the fact that Harvey was home with them for two weeks... the longest he had been home in about a year.

After another five minutes Rye was still absent, so as quietly as I could I followed suit, and went to find Rye. The boys didn't even acknowledge my movements, didn't even question where I was going.

I guessed Rye had taken refuge in his own room for now, seeing as it was at the other end of the flat to where every one else currently was... it made sense. His door was closed when I got there, so before opening it I knocked quietly. Hearing no response I pushed it open, and my heart broke at the sight before me.

My friend was on his knees between the two beds, clutching the blanket on his bed tightly with one hand. His back was facing the door, so I couldn't see his face, yet I could hear his heavy breathing from all the way over here.

I shut the door as I slipped inside, blood pounding, and I crouched beside him the second I got close enough. His breath sounded even heavier the closer that I had got to him.

"Take deep breaths for me Rye... just close your eyes alright?"
I said quietly, rubbing his back. I couldn't tell if he actually closed his eyes or not, but I heard him inhale, watched his whole body shudder.

What the hell was wrong with him?
Is this what was happening every time he left the room this past week? Why didn't I ask him about it sooner? What was wrong with me?

"Keep taking deep breaths Rye... that's it! Keep doing that. You're fine."
I encouraged softly, trying to keep myself calm as well as trying to get Rye to calm down. I was trying to reassure myself with that last statement, but I wasn't sure if I believed it... Rye was most definitely not fine.

I could see that Rye was legitimately trying to do as I asked him, and I smiled sadly as I just sat there (having transitioned from a crouch to a seat on the floor, my back against Harvey's bed) and waited for him.
His breath didn't seem as heavy as it had been before, yet with my hand still on his back I could still feel his back quivering. In this position he seemed so small... an adjective that I had never associated with Rye before. With a painful twinge to my heart I notice the shake to his hand as he remained clutching the blanket, his knuckles white.

I didn't know what to think when none of the boys came looking for us... I must've been gone for about twenty minutes now, Rye longer than that.

But it went quiet for a minute or two as I guessed Rye tried to shake whatever this was away. My heart snapped when I heard the unmistakeable sound of a sniffle.

"Rye?" I asked softly, leaning forwards slightly, placing my hand on his shoulder. I froze when Rye bowed his head completely, his shoulders heaving.

I couldn't believe it. He was crying... my best friend was crying.

"Come here mate."

I pulled him towards me when I snapped out of it. Rye spun around and held onto me, hiding his face in my shoulder. His crying was silent to begin with, but with each heave of his shoulders I could hear his crying, his sobs, grow progressively louder. I couldn't remember the last time Rye had cried like this, if at all.
How the boys didn't hear...

"Hey hey hey, you're alright... you're alright..."
I soothed, worming my arms around him and holding him close to me. My shirt was damp now, but I didn't care. I just held him, knowing that he needed to get this out, knowing that he needed to release these pent up emotions that had been building for God knows how long. Yet it seemed that my words only made him cry harder.

I started to sing to him then, quiet and soft, closing my own eyes in the process.

I didn't realise that he'd fallen asleep until I felt him slump in my arms, limp, his grip on me falling slack.

I smiled softly, albeit sadly, and kissed his head as I gently picked him up, chuckling when he muttered under his breath. Slowly, I lowered him onto his bed, pulling the covers up and over his body, however when I turned to leave his grip on my shirt seemed to tighten.
With warmth flooding my heart I climbed in beside him, wrapping him in my arms as he subconsciously curled into me. If he needed comfort at this moment, I would happily comply.

I flicked his lamp off, being the only light source, and the room was plunged instantly into darkness. It took some time for my eyes to adjust to the darkness, but when they had I looked down at my friend who was fast asleep. His breath was shallow and even, completely the opposite to what it had been like earlier.

"You'll be okay Rye... I promise." I whispered in the darkness.

After all, we all have our days like this. Rye's main problem, to me, was that he always stayed a closed book... But today was a clear example for when he does crack. And when he does so, I'll be there to hold him together... or as much as I could hold him together anyways.

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Part 2 coming soon😉
And sorry that this was a bit shorter...

Thanks so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this one!😊😘

Also thank you to volleyball_player_36, and Oli_Loves_RoadTrip for voting!❤️

Love WolfGirl.❤️