Chapter Text
Riley was a mess, Chase had been gone for a week now, and he was back on the Ranch with his family for two weeks before school started. He sat in his room, listening to Shawn Mendes’ album, repeating Never be Alone over and over again. He had polished his Saber at least 15 times in the last hour, between each song, tears tarnishing the polish. He went to change the song back once again when Rubick jumped up on his bed, rubbing his snout in his face, making him hit the back button one to many times. He pet his dogs head as he heard the words fill his room, he went to go change it when he hear these words.
Tripping over myself
Aching, begging you to come help
And now that I'm without your kisses
I'll be needing stitches
He held Rubick tight as he felt the tears streak his face once again. He didn’t realize he was sobbing until his mom walked in.
“Honey, your brother, Oh my God, Riley what’s wrong?” She rushed over to him, pulling him into her arms. He started to sober up a bit, ashamed to have his mother find him like this.
“Its nothing mom, I’m just trying to get used to the idea of not seeing my friends anymore.” He sniffled.
“Riley Michael Griffin, I know you miss them, but you can’t lie to your mother.” She said, sternly. Riley sat there for a moment, trying to find something to say, when the song came back on. He couldn’t help the sob that came out when he heard the vocals that he so wished were deeper. His mom took notice of the change in music as well. “Did you lose your first love this summer, too?” She asked timidly, not wanting to embarrass her youngest, but also knowing what heartbreak felt like. Riley just nodded, and sobbed a little harder, curling up with his head in her lap as she stroked his hair, trying to calm him.
“I know break ups are hard honey, but you’ll move on, there are other girls out there, and you’ll be going to college here in a…”
“We didn’t beak up mom.” Riley sobbed, interrupting his surprised mother.
“Then why are you crying, baby you’ll see her again even if she doesn’t go to school with you.” His mother said lightly, wishing his father was still alive; he’d know what to do in this situation.
“No, mom, Chase went back to New Zealand, and doesn’t know when we’ll be able to see each other again.” He said whipping the tears from his face, hearing his mom’s audible shock.
“New Zealand, wow, that’s a large distance, but Chase is a pretty name, I’m sure she misses you just as much honey.” She hushed, not sure how to handle this anymore, break ups sure, but long distance wasn’t her forte. She was relived when Matt walked by, coming in when he saw the sight in his younger brothers room.
“Is everything okay in here?” He asked.
“He’s just a little upset, apparently our little Riley found himself a girl, but she had to go back to New Zealand.” She explained, hoping Matt could help calm the younger Griffin. “What was her name again honey, Chase? Isn’t that a pretty name, Matthew?” She asked, eyes pleading for help from her oldest son.
“Chase? The skateboarder?” Matt asked confused. He remembered talking with his brother about his roommate, Chase and how he was always leaving his skateboard around their apartment. Riley’s only answer was another sob, as his brother pointed out the truth. “Mom, could we have some time? I think I can help him out.” Matt smiled to his mother, ignoring her questioning gaze.
Mrs. Griffin finally gave up, and left her two sons to their brotherly conversation, thankful for a way out of the problems that she didn’t know how to fix. As soon as she was out of the room, Matt sat on the bed, hand on Riley’s shoulder.
“You didn’t tell her that Chase isn’t a girl.” He said, more as a statement.
“I didn’t really want to explain why she found me in here crying more or less about my sexuality too.” Riley cried, surprised when his brother pulled him up into a hug.
“Hey now, crying isn’t going to bring him back, and it sure isn’t going to help explaining this all to mom.” Matt smiled at his younger brother weakly. “Now since I’m a little out of the loop, why don’t you fill me in on what I’ve missed?” He asked. Riley took a moment before he spilled everything to Matt, how he and Chase realized how, even tough they were opposites, they were still similar in other ways, and how they became best friends. Then how they started to fall in love, right up until the moment when Chase had to leave., only leaving out the part of their secret identities as rangers.
“I told him I was going to be fine, and I know deep down that he’s going to come back, but I miss him Matt, so much.” Riley finally finished, thankful that he didn’t start crying again.
“I know Ri, and I’m sure he feels the same, but you have to stay strong. He wouldn’t want you to give up on everything, and just stay in your room until he finally gets back now, would he?” Matt said, giving his brother a squeeze and a small shake, hoping to shake him out of this funk. “Have you tried calling or Skypeing him yet?” Riley shook his head no, causing Matt to laugh. “Well little brother, I think that’s your first step, and I know you’ll feel better when you hear his voice again.” He smiled, standing up to leave, turning around once he got to the door. “And you tell him, that I don’t want him causing any more tears, or I may have to go kiwi hunting.” Matt winked, smiling at the small laugh that finally broke through the green ranger.
Riley sat in is room again, alone, Rubick left with Matt in hopes of getting fed. He turned to his phone, looking at the time and trying to do the math as to what the time was in New Zealand. Thankfully it was only noon here so it would be around six over there. He quickly typed a message to Chase, seeing if he had anytime for a quick call. He wasn’t surprised when he got an instant response; leave it to Chase to be always on his phone
C: I always have time for my Baby Raptor. ;)
Riley smiled, as he whipped at his face, finally drying the last of the tears, when his computer popped up with an incoming video chat from on Chase Randall.
“Hey there, handsome.” He heard as he went to turn the lights on before sitting at the desk. “Woah now, what’s wrong mate, why do you look like you’ve been crying?” He jumped when Riley finally was settled in front of the computer.
“It’s just been a really long week.” Riley sighed, cursing himself for not going to the bathroom to clean up first.
“Riley, have you been holed up in your room all week?” Chase said, sadly. Riley hung his head in defeat, smiling shyly up at the screen. “I thought you said you were going to be okay?” The kiwi said, hurt that his boyfriend was so far away, and in need of comfort.
“I did.” Riley admitted. “But its hard, I know we’ve been texting, but I miss your voice.” He said, relief evident at the ability to hear it now. The kiwi laughed causing the blonde to get confused. “What?”
“Do you have your phone out?” Chase asked, smiling at the cute confused nod that he got in answer. “Go into your settings, and hit messages.” Chase smiled, as he saw Riley do as he was told, still unsure of what was happening. “Now scroll to the bottom of the page, and turn audio and video message expire to never.”
“Okay, but why?” Riley asked confused. Chase just laughed, until the sound cut off and Riley saw him raise his phone, mouthing words that Riley couldn’t hear. He felt his phone buzz with a message from Chase.
“Now you can hear my voice when ever you want, love.”
Riley’s eyes lit up as Chase turned his microphone back on.
“You’re welcome, Baby Raptor.” Chase said, smirk on his face. “Now you can receive, and save any audio or video messages. That way you can see me or hear my voice, even if I’m not able to actually call you.” Chase smiled, laughing when he heard the music playing behind his mate. “You may not be able to have my kisses, but hopefully this will help, so you wont be needing those stitches.” He chuckled as Riley blushed, turning off the music.
“I love you Ri.”
“I love you too Chase.” Riley smiled happy for the first time since his love went home.