Figuring it Out (A Rickian Story)

Morning Moves

Ricky's POV

I wake up to beams of morning light streaming through the curtains and a feeling of total warmth. Orienting myself, I realize the warm pillow I am sleeping against is another person, Kian, fast asleep and cuddled up next to me. I have fuzzy recollections of the events that brought Kian to my bed but here he is next to me, warm and sleeping peacefully. I look over and watch him breath comfortably. He has a hand on my chest and I briefly reach up and stroke it gently. Sometimes it is so beautiful and warm to share your bed with someone. I laugh slightly. That would make a good cryptic tweet from Connor. I briefly think about tweeting it myself but oh the questions and comments it would bring. I am no good at being cryptic so I would end up admitting it was Kian and the Rickian rumors and innuendos would flow like waterfall.

Kian's bare foot shifts slightly against mine and tickles me slightly. Some realities hit me. For all the success on youtube, all the followers, even the money, the last person I shared a bed with was Kian and the time before that on tour and probably the time before that. Kian can be my best friend for life but isn't going to be my partner. I think about Sam and the fact he never really found his partner, his true lover in life. It makes me sad but also determined to overcome that for myself. The person I love the most is lying next to me but he's a straight boy that I refuse to ever see as more than a friend, whose friendship is the most important thing I have in my life right now.

I want to linger in bed much longer but several things catch my attention. First, I really have piss. Second, I realize my door is open and although I know they wouldn't freak, I don't really want to discuss our current situation with JC or Connor. Third, we're moving and there is so much to do today. Fourth, I'm awake, I realize I actually had a really restful night's sleep, something that hasn't happened much lately. I slowly extract myself from Kian and he rolls over to keep sleeping.

I use the bathroom and wash my face but don't bother to shower. There is lots of sweaty work ahead. Connor's door is open so I knock lightly and walk in. Naturally it's almost completely packed except his bed. He wanders out of his bathroom wearing only a pair of sleep pants and puts a pile of towels in a box. "Hey Ricky, almost packed?" He asks, "You want to grab breakfast and go pick-up the truck?"

I nod. "When do you want to go?"

"Give us fifteen minutes to wash up and and let's go. Are the others up?"

"I don't think Kian is and I don't know about JC. I haven't been downstairs." I reply. I am guessing Connor hasn't been downstairs or past mine or Kian's room to see how we ended up last night. Unlike the rest of us, Connor tends not to parade around the house with his shirt off although with his swimmer's build he has nothing he needs to hide. I accept Connor's plan and head to my room to change.

Kian is still passed out although a little more sprawled out than before. I change into different shorts and another tank top not worrying about briefly being naked with Kian in the room. I slip on a pair of checked Vans and pull my door partially shut as I leave, making it harder for someone to spot Kian in my bed while passing by. I also shut Kian's door and head downstairs to wait for Connor.

Connor comes down in dark grey shorts and a dark shirt with his hair not done in the usual quiff. We head out. I drive so he has to drive the truck back. I am kind of scared of driving the moving truck, even if it is a small one. We'll make JC drive it later. Breakfast with Connor is usually something special and we stop at this French cafe he knows. We sit and order, fruit and a croissant for me, french toast for Connor. After the waitress leaves, I notice the couple sitting next to us. I saw them at Sam's funeral. It's the blond girl and the cute guy, did I just think that, who new all the prayers. I point them out to Connor who whispers, "Do you want to talk with them?" I nod and get up and walk over to the table.

"Excuse me, I'm Ricky and this is Connor, sorry to interrupt but did we see you at Sam's funeral yesterday?"

A sad look crosses the girl's face. "Yeah," she responds, "it was so sad. I know who you are. I've seen a bunch of your videos. I was in school with Sam and Kian a couple of years back. I'm Cindy and this is Cooper."

I shake both their hands.

"Do you want to sit with us?" Cooper asks. I look back at Connor who normally doesn't want to join people in these situations but he gets up and comes over. "Hearing some Kian and Sam stories would be nice," he says. We sit down.

"Did you know Sam and Kian in school too?" I ask Cooper.

"No, I graduated before they got there. I just came to the funeral to support my sister and if you will excuse me, I thought it would be meaningful."

"So you two are brother and sister?" Connor asks. I almost see him edge his chair forward.

"Yes, definitely." Cindy replies, "did you think we are a couple? We get that too often, Cooper!"

Connor and I both blush. I ask Cooper what I want to ask which is, "Cooper, you seemed to know all the songs and prayers. Do you go to church a lot?"

"I guess you could say that," he responds, "I'm studying to be a priest."

I probably have the same surprised look as Connor on my face.

"He's really good at it." Cindy exclaims, "If you guys are struggling with Sam, he'd be happy to talk. Do you go to church?"

Cooper looks a bit shocked at how forward his sister is. "Cindy, we're not fishing for converts here. Sorry guys. But I am happy to talk about it with you if you want."

Connor and I both explain that we attend church with our folks but not in LA. I decide not to get into of discussion church being too rigid and judgy. But then I say what I feel which is, "I might want to talk sometime." Cooper smiles with wide white teeth set off by his dark rimmed glasses. We exchange numbers.

"Where is Kian?" Cindy asks.

"Hanging out back at the house." I reply, which sounds a lot better than "sleeping in my bed", given the context of the situation. We have breakfast and enjoy Cindy's stories of Kian and Sam's antics in gym class. It helps to think of Sam that way.

We finish breakfast and Connor and I have to go. We both agree that it would be nice to hang out again and for Kian to catch-up with Cindy. We make plans to invite them to the new house sometime. As we leave, I look back at Cooper. I don't know what it is. He intrigues me.

Connor is talkative as we head to get the truck. He seems excited and relieved to be moving with us, even if he can't stand the mess. I just sit and listen and kind of think about Kian, wondering what he is up to.

Author's Note: A shorter update. Thanks for all the reads and comments.