Live Forever - River x Payton Oneshots

✈️Board Games✈️

🦋Fluff, prompt from _strange_and_unusual🦋

"Payton you need to take your mind off this campaign." River huffed as he closed the laptop that was sat in his lover's lap.

Payton sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "River, I told you, the election is in a month and Astrid has higher r-" he began, before cut off by a soft kiss from his partner, "I understand this is important to you Payton, but you're becoming more politician than person, and you're forgetting what's really important." River said softly, cupping one of the light brunettes cheeks, "I know it may seem impossible, but there is more out there than politics, and you need to see that world."

Payton frowned. He knew River was right, and he hated that with all his body. He stood, "fine. but only because i love you-" He accepted. River told him to go to the dining room table, to which he obeyed.

The taller of the two returned with a stack of board games. Payton's eyes went wide. He didn't even know they owned those.

River smiled at him "Here we go."

~~

Time flew and River was beating Payton's ass, and Payton wasn't particularly good with losing. Rematch had been called 23 times so far.

"Aaaaaand, I win again. Gotta step up your game, Hobart." River teased, not knowing that this was actually making Payton doubt himself, "Can't beat me, can ya?" he joked.

Payton huffed and leaned back. "Rematch." he called. Four hours of this bullshit and Payton was still pressing.

"Okay, Payton, I actually need to shower. Sorry d-" he was cut off by a hand over one of his, which was placed on his hand. "Not happening, Barkley." Payton corrected.

"Payton-" River huffed "It's just games it's not big deal, and you can go back to your politics which is exactly what you wanted this whole time."

"No, I need to beat you now. it's my new goal." Payton demanded. "Payton I need to shower." River huffed.

"I don't give a shit, I'm winning this, dammit!" Payton barked.

There was a long pause.

"I think you need a nap-" River commented. "Oh my god- fine. fine. go shower. do whatever the HELL you want." Payton sighed, standing up and attempting to shove the char in angrily but it actually just tipped backwards and dropped on his foot. He winced and picked it up, slamming it onto the floor and leaving.

"Payton wait-" River sighed, standing and following the boy. "Go shower!" Payton yelled from their room, already back on his laptop and writing emails and documents.

River came in and took the laptop away, sitting next to Payton and hugging him. "listen, i'm sorry. But you need to learn that losing isn't always the end of the world." River explained.

"Well it is if it's 19 years from now and i'm running for office-" Payton huffed.

"But if we're playing Uno, it shouldn't be a problem." River replied. Payton loved and hated how smart his lover was. "you're right, you're right. i just- suck at handling that stuff." he explained.

"I know, and we need to work on that. and we can play more games tomorrow if it means that much to you." River smiled softly.

Payton leaned into his chest. "Sounds like a plan."

"A- game plan-?" River snickered. Payton pulled away with a look of disgust "we were having a good moment- and you just had to go full dad mode?" he laughed.

"Yes. Yes I did." River chuckled, "I'm sorry Payt. forgive me once more, my love?" he asked, opening his arms again.

Payton sighed, and leaned back into him. "Forgiveness granted."

And with that, they played board games every night. It became tradition. Payton got better at the games, and wasn't as sore of a loser anymore. And honestly?

River was proud of his boyfriend.

He was finally showing Payton, not Payton Hobart. Just Payton. The normal, wonderful Payton that wasn't a politician more so than a human being. The Payton that felt things.

And who knew Hungry Hungry Hippos and Monopoly could change someone that much for the better?