Chapter Text
I know I stand in line until you think you have the time to spend an evening with me…
Time off the field was short and precious for everyone, so every moment had to count. Rivers had been planning a trip to the Pier with Lou all season. She had tickets on hold, an in with Lou’s favorite restaurant for an impromptu reservation, and was prepared to rent out the Time Travel show for an entire hour. But every free moment, the answer always felt the same.
“Sorry! I promised Declan I would help him with his Stream Night.”
“I can’t, I’m exercising with Isaac.”
“Oh, sorry, I already made plans with Eizabeth. It’s date night!”
Time and time again. Another plan, another activity, another night for Rosa to spend trying to find something else to do. And, while she wanted to be mad, she didn’t want Lou to know. She didn’t want to make Lou feel bad for having a life.
Then, almost suddenly, the season was over and for a short time, Rivers’ life was quiet.
She was sitting at her computer, playing a game of Solitaire, when she heard the knock at her door. She looked over, she left it open tonight. Lou smiled from the doorway.
“You...still wanna do that thing?”
And if we go some place to dance I know that there’s a chance you won’t be leaving with me…
Another season, another free weekend, another shift at the firehouse.
“Rivers!” Lou called as she dashed by on her skates, a second pair in hand. “Come skate with me!”
With no one else around, Rivers cracked a smile. “Alright, alright.” She snatched the skates as Lou crossed back the other direction.
Rivers insisted they go out to the rink. Something about less of a chance of breaking something and giving Josh a conniption. Something else about Spoon spoiling their fun. They hopped on the L train and rode off, dropping off right outside.
There was something magical about the rink, no, about skating with Rivers. Something about the way her red-eye caught in the blacklight? Something about the way she loosened up? It didn’t really matter. Lou loved to see it. Lou loved the feeling, it was enough to make her giddy.
They stopped a few hours later, taking a seat in the dining area for a bite.
“Rivers?”
Rivers looked over. “Dreamy?”
Lou watched Rivers get up and skate over. She watched them talk. She smiled. Something about the way her posture looked so relaxed? Something about the way she laughed at Dreamy’s jokes? It didn’t matter. Lou got up.
“Hey, I’m gonna head on back,” she said.
“Oh, uh...I’ll meet you back at the Firehouse?”
Lou nodded, and headed out.
Then afterwards we drop into a quiet little place and have a drink or two…
Rivers’ favorite moments weren’t the parties or adventures and certainly weren’t the rush of the game of Blaseball, but the quiet in-betweens. Lou had an opening, and Rivers seized it. It wasn’t anything fancy, of course. Rivers had invited Lou over for a few cheesy movies, maybe some popcorn. Lou’s shadow blended into the darkness, curled in a corner fast asleep. Rivers sat on the couch, barely focused on the drama playing out on screen. Lou stretched, then lay down, her head resting on Rivers’ lap.
It took a long while for Rivers to realize she had been playing with Lou’s hair, her mind so far away from that dark, quiet place. She looked down and smiled.
“I love you,” she whispered. She regretted it instantly. Her whole body tensed. Lou didn’t move, she had fallen asleep. Rivers sighed.
And then I go and spoil it all by saying something stupid like I love you…