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Ever since Pete and Ray started living together, the others visited them often.
It was mostly just Art and Hank, since they were all close friends.
Harkness, when he was not busy with writing his books, would call them to check in. Stebbins tagged along if he feels like it. Ever since his dad died, he has been hanging around the house more. He didn't seem particularly sad, but that seems to be the type of person he is.
Patrick and Tressler had been discussing their plans of moving in together, so the group hadn't heard from them much, but they still make an effort to drop in every now and again. The couple sometimes bring Ewing and Pearson with them since they were becoming good friends with the duo.
Rank and Curley were the ones that spent the most time at Ray and Pete house. For Curley, it was because his mother was busy during certain days, and so the kid had to be watched. In Rank's case, he didn't really tell them why his mom dropped him off at Ray and Pete's house. However, Pete suspected that it may be due to his brothers, which he had talked about before. Ronald was kind enough to bring his two kids so they could play with Rank and Curley.
Collie, while at first he didn't visit them at all, he now only visits whenever he needs to. There was no doubt he got a secret soft spot for Rank, so whenever Rank was around, it was a 50 percent chance Collie would also be around.
However, Barkovitch was the complete opposite.
He would crash in on random times whenever he needed a place to stay. Pete had wanted to kick him out, but Ray was kind enough to give Barkovitch some kindness.
Unlike Collie, Barkovitch and Rank do not get along. So the others tried to make sure they wouldn't be at the same house at the same time. Unfortunately, this was one of these times.
It was about dawn when Barkovitch woke up.
He sat up from the couch, blinking so he wouldn't fall back asleep.
He didn't eat anything yesterday so the first thing he does is go to the kitchen. He certainly didn't need Ray and Pete permission to take anything.
But his choices were rather limited. He also didn't want to wake anyone up. Not because it would be rude, but because he just didn't want to deal with anyone.
He opened up a cabinet, the only one he had memorized. He pulled out the cereal and a bowl, pouring both the cereal and milk into it. He sat down, watching as the spoon swished the liquid around. He begins eating, thinking to himself.
Suddenly, light footsteps were heard walking down the stairs.
Barkovitch glanced up, and scowled once he saw who it was.
Rank froze as his gaze landed on Barkovitch. Despite looking like a deer in headlights, his fingers were still folding the piece of paper he was holding, as if it was more out of habit. They didn't hold eye contact for very long until the boy ducked his head, averting his eyes away as he walked past the table.
How long has he been awake for? He didn't look like he got much sleep, not that it was surprising. It was no secret that Rank stayed up way longer than he was supposed to most days.
Barkovitch watched Rank in silence, slowly chewing, and before he could help it he decided to speak up.
“Hey sissy boy. You're up early.” Barkovitch noted, although he couldn't resist the urge to taunt.
Rank glanced at him. “Uh…yeah.” He mumbled.
Barkovitch smirks. “What were you doing, huh? Creating those fuckass paper models like always, Ranklin?” He teased the boy.
Rank glared at him. “It's called origami. And that is not my name.”
Barkovitch stood up, snickering to himself. “Oh, you wanna be a big boy now?”
In just a few steps, he was able to easily grab the paper crane out of Rank's hands, holding it out of the boy's reach.
Rank blinks, startled.
“What? You're not gonna stop me?”
Rank narrowed his eyes at the taunts. “Give it back.” He muttered.
“Make me.”
That appears to have made Rank angry enough.
“Give it back!” He lunges at Barkovitch.
Barkovitch, however, dodged. He chuckled. “Is that all you got?”
Rank scowled, and attempted to take the paper crane again.
Barkovitch dodged just like last time, but Rank slipped.
There was a loud thud.
Barkovitch paused, his smile faltering as he took a look at Rank.
Rank held his head in pain as he curled up.
“Barkovitch?” Ray called from upstairs.
The noise must have woken them up.
Instantly, Barkovitch knew he was going to get in trouble for this.
Ray turned the corner, with Pete following behind him.
“What happen-”
Ray's voice trailed off as he noticed the scene.
“Rank!”
Ray quickly went to Rank side, crouching down next to him. “Rank? Are you okay?”
The boy slowly sat up, clutching the back of his head. “I…hit my head.” He mumbled quietly.
Pete glanced at Barkovitch. “What did you do?” He asked, a bit of accusation in his voice.
Barkovitch bristles. “I didn't do anything! I-It was his fault for taking me so seriously!”
That was when Pete gaze lowered to the paper crane in Barkovitch hands. “Then why do you have that?”
Ray looks up, frowning in disapproval. “Barkovitch…”
“I-I didn't…”
Rank sniffles, blinking back tears. He pushed Ray away, standing up. He walked off towards the stairs.
“Wait, Rank…” Ray tried to call him back, but it wasn't successful.
Barkovitch glanced down. “I didn't mean to…”
Pete sighed. “You know Rank doesn't understand your sense of humor. Besides, what you are doing isn't right at all.” He told him sternly.
Ray stood up. “Barkovitch, go apologize to him.” Despite sounding just as stern as Pete was, he was more softer in his approach of Barkovitch behavior.
“I…” Barkovitch groans. “...Fine.” He muttered reluctantly.
Pete nodded. “Good. In the meantime, I will go wake up Curley.”
The two left Barkovitch alone with his thoughts, and the feeling that he had messed things up.
…
Barkovitch paced back and forth, trying to find the courage to knock on Rank's door. Only a few minutes had passed by, but it felt like hours to him.
It's not like he couldn't do this. If he went back down, Pete and Ray would force him to say sorry. It was just hard for him to face his emotions.
Eventually, he took a deep breath. It will be better now or later. Running a hand through his hair, he knocked on the door.
There was a moment of silence.
Barkovitch nervously shifted.
The door cracked open slightly, before it was pulled open fully.
Rank, to say the least, looks very annoyed at seeing Barkovitch.
“Oh…uh…can I come in?” Barkovitch asked.
Rank didn't speak, but he did retreat into the back of his room. So, Barkovitch guessed he could go in.
Barkovitch walked inside, closing the door behind him.
Rank has taken a seat on the ground next to the desk, folding a paper crane. Was it a way to calm himself down?
Without saying a word, Barkovitch sat down next to him.
They sat in silence while Barkovitch was struggling to find the exact words to say.
Barkovitch risked a glance at Rank, whose head was lowered as his fingers fidget with the paper.
Barkovitch huffed, deciding to just get it over with.
“Look…I'm…sorry, Rank. For what I did. I was only joking.”
Rank didn't respond, so Barkovitch kept talking.
“I just…I don't know how to talk to you. You don't talk much, and you are always doing that…that origami bullshit. But despite that, everyone seems to like you. I guess…I wanted to get to know you more, but I'm not very good at making friends.”
Rank paused in his folding of his crane for a second.
“I know I probably don't deserve to be forgiven, but I just…want you to know that I'm really sorry. I just wanted to be friends, but I understand if that is not possible anymore.”
Barkovitch pulled out the paper crane he had taken away from Rank earlier, holding it out to the boy.
Rank slowly took it, staring at Barkovitch.
Finally, he spoke.
“It's okay. I’m used to it.”
Barkovitch's eyes narrowed. “Used to it? What do you mean?” That sounds suspicious to him.
Rank shrugged. “My older brothers did the same to me. They didn't like that I wasn't interested in the things they like to do.” He explained.
Oh…
Now Barkovitch just felt like more of an asshole.
Barkovitch frowned. “So your brothers didn't like you very much?”
Rank nodded. “Yeah. They mostly just bullied me. My father is disappointed in how I turned out. He thinks that hanging around my mother and helping her around the house has made me less of a man. I know I'm his least favorite son.”
Suddenly, Barkovitch put an arm around Rank's shoulder, pulling him closer.
“That doesn't make it right. Your family should love you for who you are. My…um, father didn't like me very much either. I was a disappointment to him as well. I cut him out of my life forever. He's probably drowning with alcohol in a ditch somewhere.” Barkovitch chuckled dryly. “All I'm saying is that…I like you for who you are. You don't care how others view you, and I…I admire you for that. I wish that I could…be myself without caring what people think of me.”
Rank looks up at him. “...Thanks. I should probably apologize as well.”
Barkovitch made a small confused noise. “About what?”
“For making a hate club about you in school.”
“...What?”
Rank averted his gaze. “Well, you were being an asshole and I thought others should know about it.”
“Okay, we will unpack that later, but I'm serious. I’m glad we could talk this out.” Barkovitch smiled.
Barkovitch pat Rank's shoulder a couple of times before speaking again. “But I do think you need to go to bed when you are supposed to.” He says bluntly.
“...I do go to sleep when I'm supposed to.” Rank retorts.
Barkovitch shook his head. “No, you don't. Literally all of us know you don't go to sleep. Sleep is not that scary. Will you promise me to go to sleep when Ray tells you to?”
“...Maybe.”
Barkovitch shook his head. “That wasn't a yes or no question, Rank. You will be going to sleep when you need to.”
Rank frowned at Barkovitch, but didn't protest any longer. “Fine…” He leans his head on Barkovitch's shoulder. “If you say so.”
They stay in that position for just a little bit.
…
Barkovitch walked down the stairs, being greeted by the sight of Ray and Pete in the kitchen.
“So, how did it go?” Ray asked, turning to look at Barkovitch.
Barkovitch huffed. “We talked, and…everything was good. He went back to sleep. He will probably come down if he feels hungry enough.”
Pete smiled. “That's great. He needs the rest. Maybe you aren't so bad after all, Barkovitch.”
Hearing that, Barkovitch was hopeful that he could actually gain some friends.
Sure, he has a lot to make up for when it comes to Rank, but Barkovitch was willing to put in the effort.
And maybe he would be able to gain a more friendly relationship with Rank.