Chapter Text
“Hey, can we talk?” Riley heard Chase ask before he could make his way out of the base. Riley had been avoiding him all week, and now that today was their final da together as a team, Chase has had enough of dodging the problem. The two rangers had started of as acquaintances that quickly grew into best friends, who accidently fell in love shortly after. The two had been inseparable, but now that they had found the last Energem, and defeated the last of the monsters, they were all starting to part ways.
Ivan was heading back to Zandar to be apart of Philips secret guards. Tyler and Shelby were going to continue searching for his dad while Kendall and Koda were going to stick at the museum until they could find a way to incorporate the cave man into everyday society. Riley was going to start school at Amber Beach University in a few weeks after heading back to the farm, whereas Chase was finishing up his last week at work before heading home to New Zealand.
“Yea, I guess.” Riley shrugged, keeping his emotions hidden and eyes downcast.
“Come on now, mate. Are you really going to avoid me until I leave?” Chase asked, voice sad. “That’s not fair to me, and you know you’ll regret it latter.” Riley was silent for a while before throwing his arms around the kiwi.
“I don’t want this to end.” Riley said into his shoulder. “I finally found a group of friends and they’re all leaving, and the man I love is going to be thousands of miles away.” He sobbed, Chase rubbing his back and whispering softly in his ear.
“I know Baby Raptor, I know.” He whispered, pulling the boy into a kiss. “But I promise you, I will be back, and I will love you just as much as I love you now if not more.” He smiled into his hair. “Right now I know things are falling out of your control and that kills you, and I wish I could slow time down, make it all easier, but I can’t.” His voice was sad as his eyes locked with the green ranger.
“How do I know you’ll come back? How do I know you wont grow tired of me with distance and find someone better back home.” Riley said, voice cracking.
“Hey, I can’t find anyone better then my Riley Griffin.” Chase said stern. “And we have a lot to talk about, why don’t you spend the rest of the week with me? It’ll allow us to spend all the time we have together and talk through all that we need to before I have to leave.” Chase said, happy when the blonde nodded up at him. “Good, now lets go out to dinner with Ivan before he flies out in the morning, ok?
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The team said their good byes, and held each other close as they watched Ivan board the plan back to his home country. Sad as they watched a teammate and close friend leave after all of their adventures. Tyler held Shelby tight as she cried, while Riley clung to Chase for dear life. Shelby finally broke free and gave the other four a huge hug.
“I can’t believe we’re all leaving.” She cried, “I’m going to miss you all so much.” Tyler took her in his arms again, trying to calm her down.
“We still have communication,” Kendall smiled sadly. “I know its not the same, but between computers, cell phones and your Dino Coms we’ll always be able to keep in touch.” Shelby just nodded, still crying in the red rangers arms. Koda sniffled, and embraced them both, picking them off the ground, getting her to chuckle.
“We’ll be out in the morning.” Tyler said. “It’d be nice to have a final breakfast before we leave, if you’re all up for it?” He asked, to which everyone nodded.
“Riley and I work one last shift at Dino Bite, but we could always open a little early for a meal.” Chase smiled, holding the mentioned blonde tight.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The next morning was just as bad as the night before. The café opened a half hour late trying to calm Shelby down. When the two finally got on the road, Koda and Kendall helped the boys clean up and start the days set up, before going back to the base and making documentation for Koda so he could find housing and another job away from the museum.
Riley went through the motions of his shift, not paying much attention, until Chase picked him up from behind and carried him to the time clock.
“Ok Ri, one last clock out before we can go home.” He smiled, happy to be off. Riley just shrugged, running his card through the system for the last time. “Hey, no pouting, it mares that beautiful face.” Chase scolding lightly, kissing him softly on the lips. Riley just curled himself around the black ranger, letting him carry him to his car before heading home.
As soon as they were there he slumped down on the couch and laid his head on Chase’s lap.
“I know you don’t want to think about it, but since we only have two more days, we should talk about everything.” Chase sighed, as Riley just rolled his face down into his lap, trying to get away from the topic. “Ok then if you don’t want to talk, will you at least listen to me?” He asked, as the blonde gave a curt nod. He sat him up as he moved to grab his phone from his bag, taking it to the small stereo that came with his apartment. “When I heard this song, I knew it was about us, especially right now. I think this will help you fell a little better.” Chase said as he pressed play and moved back to sit on the couch, pulling Riley into his lap, wrapping his arms around him as the music started.
I promise that one day I’ll be around
I’ll keep you safe
I’ll keep you sound
Right now it’s pretty crazy
And I don’t know how to stop or slow it down
Hey
I know there are some things we need to talk about
And I can’t stay
Just let me hold you for a little longer now
Take a piece of my heart
And make it all your own
So when we are apart
You’ll never be alone
You’ll never be alone
When you miss me close your eyes
I may be far but never gone
When you fall asleep tonight just remember that we lay under the same stars
And hey
I know there are some things we need to talk about
And I can’t stay
Just let me hold you for a little longer now
Take a piece of my heart
And make it all your own
So when we are apart
You’ll never be alone
And take a piece of my heart
And make it all your own
So when we are apart
Never be alone
You’ll never be alone
Chase held onto Riley during the whole song, rocking them from side to side, shushing the sobs that started to fall from the blonde’s mouth, and trying to kiss away the tears. He started to sing along at the chorus, his baritone voice weaving with Shawn Mendes’ voice. When the music stopped Chase squeezed him tighter.
“I love you Riley, so much. I don’t want to leave you, but until I can get my visa figured out to come back, I’ll have to stay away. That doesn’t mean I can’t call, skype or text you, and I plan on doing just that.” He smiled at his lover. “You mean more to me then I could have ever imagined, and I don’t plan on losing you.” He kissed him, softly while pulling out a box from behind the couch, handing it to Riley.
Riley looked at Chase, confused, but started to open the box. In side was a framed picture of the two smiling, arms slung around the others shoulders, a photo album of other photos of the pair, as well as others of them and their friends, and a stuffed Parasaur. Riley couldn’t help the tears that fell from his eyes as he held the stuffed dino tight and flipped through the photo album, laughing at old memories until he got to the last page. There was a photo of Chase smiling with a sign that read: I’ll always love you Baby Raptor, your Hotshot.
“I love you so much.” Riley cried, wrapping his arms around Chase’s neck. “And I’m going to miss you like crazy, but if you promise you’ll be back, I’ll be okay.” He sniffled, a small smile on his face as Chase gave him a huge bear hug.
“I promise you, I’ll always be yours, just like I will be back in your arms as soon as I can be.” Chase smiled, as the two made out, holding their lover tight before they had to separate.