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Rain hit the ground with the swift sting of a knife and with numbers akin to a battalion. A crowd emerged from the tower, a centre piece within Inkopolis Square. The Square-King Cup was moving along swiftly and the battle just played had been satisfactory. However, the mass of youthful Inklings quickly came to a halt at the sight of the appalling weather. They would be singed and sliced if they were to even dare set foot outside the main building and a quick glance around the square saw many taking shelter in the nearby shops. The Inkling's laid-back nature meant that none really had the forethought to bring an umbrella prior to bursting out the door in the morning.
Rider lightly shoved past the mob in order to reach the exit. Shedding his jacket, he placed it over his head for some semblance of protection and mentally prepped himself to brave the billowing death sentence before him. That was before his wrist was snatched with a considerable force.
"What are you thinking?! You're gonna get yourself hurt!" Goggles yanked Rider back and continued to hold his wrist firmly.
"I'll be fine." Rider seemed frustrated by the sudden stop yet made no attempt to free himself. "I need to help Sheldon get the spare brellas out, as no one seems to have bothered bringing one." Rider grimaced at nothing in particular and Goggles could only give a relenting sigh.
Despite the clear concern plastered on his brow, Goggles let go. He took off his signature coat and offered it to Rider. "This will protect you better."
"Goggles-"
"Take it."
"But-"
"Please."
Rider reluctantly took the coat and put it on. "When should I return it?"
"Don't worry about that right now." Goggles gave him an affirming nod and Rider returned the gesture as he put on the hood. He took a deep breath and darted across the street into Ammo Knights.
Goggles let out a breath he wasn't aware he was holding in once Rider reached the door and slipped inside. The crowd was growing restless but Goggles felt Rider's safety was far more important than their constantly thinning patience.
He turned to his team who were idly chatting amongst themselves. Specs was frantically ranting 'I told you so' as he recalled bringing up the forecast a grand total of once in the morning. Headphones could only nervously chuckle about their predicament. Bobble was shifting in place, giving Goggles a smug grin. She was most likely gonna tease him later on the little performance he had just put on with Rider but Goggles couldn't bring himself to mind.
His team was fully aware about his little crush on their mentor and would egg him on at every possible opportunity to make some sort of progress romantically. No interaction with Rider however, had the express purpose of romantic progression in Goggle's mind. He just get an incredible sense of joy at Rider's mere presence to which the nature of those feelings would hit him like a freight train as he say his goodbyes to his new-found beloved. He couldn't quite pinpoint what it was about Rider, or in actuality, what specifically in a mountain of loveable little quirks and good-natured personality.
Goggles thought back to the image of Rider in his coat and felt his cheeks heated rapidly with endearment. He must have been bright blue as his team echoed whispers and giggles with one another.
"Thinking of a certain someone?" Headphones said slyly. Goggles could only snicker awkwardly as he avoided her gaze. This didn't last all that long as the door to Ammo Knights flung open and Goggles whipped around as if it were reflex.
Out came Sheldon in a sage raincoat, pushing a stack of plastic crates on wheels that were almost three times his size, each was filled to the brim with disarmed brellas. Rider wasn't far behind as he rolled out an identical stack. Goggles' coat framed his face perfectly in a way that made Goggles short of breath.
Sheldon attempted to speak above the, now restless, crowd but to no avail. He gave Rider a bored look and Rider could only roll his eyes in response. Rider then cleared his throat to a degree that somehow shut everybody up. Most likely because he wasn't Sheldon. Rider raised his voice, declaring that the trains will keep their doors open a while longer due to this delay and spoke a few sentiments about watching your step and staying safe in such horrendous weather.
Once he had finished, he and Sheldon made their way back to the weapon shop. Everybody was quick to grab a brella and dash in the direction of the train station. All except Goggles was blankly staring at where Rider was once stood in some sort of trance. It took Specs calling his name a few times and a light shake of his shoulders to snap him out of it. None of his team were phased by this anymore.
"Come on. We've got to move." Specs flatly spoke and his team nodded. They took an umbrella each and began the short trek through the square.
Goggles stopped almost immediately in his tracks however, and stared into Ammo Knights. A sudden realisation had washed over him that made him stand there and ponder for a good while.
"Goggles, seriously." Specs turned, he was beginning to lose his temper, "You can say goodbye or go get your coat or whatever later!"
"But what about Rider? He has a bike he can't use in this weather and his apartment is nowhere near the railway. Can I just ask what he's gonna do, make sure he's got somewhere to go?" Goggles stared at Specs with something akin to puppy-dog eyes. His team thoughtfor a second and could see the logic in his concern and began to wonder about Rider's situation themselves.
"Okay. But we need to be quick about it." Specs decided. The four Inklings entered the weapons shop to see Sheldon behind the counter and Rider in front having a discussion. He had put Goggles' coat on the counter to the side to dry.
Rider turned at the sound of the door and was promptly confused. "What are you guys doing here? Aren't the trains going soon?"
"Yeah, but we needed to know where you're staying since you can't get back on your bike!" Goggles quickly chimed innocently enough.
"Don't worry about me, you all need to go." Rider said with little conviction. He fiddled with the sleeve of his jacket, his eyes fixed at a dot on the floor.
"But Rider!"
"I was just going to wait it out here. I'll be fine."
"Wait it out?!"
Team Blue quickly glanced outside. It was clear the rain was going to last till morning and it was clear Rider knew that. His gaze stayed fixed solemnly to the ground. The team looked at one another, each of them were thinking the same thing and were waiting on Goggles to say it.
Goggles caught Rider's eye, extended his hand toward him and smiled. "Stay with us for the night."
Rider could only stare at him, bewildered. "No.. No I can't. Thank you but I can't"
Goggles showed no signs of relenting.
"… Are you sure? You don't have to do this."
"Of course we're sure!"
After a couple more seconds of silence Rider stepped towards Goggles and took his hand. "Thank you."
"Okay! Let's go!" Goggles beamed as he quickly threw on his coat, only letting go of Rider's hand for a moment. The group then made their way out and quickly walked towards the train station.
Rider had not initially taken his own umbrella so he was neatly stowed under Goggles'. Goggles was loving the whole set up. Rider having to brush arms with him in order to stay under the umbrella, their hands still holding to one another. Rider's hand was slightly cold but, however the condition, Goggles would've deemed it perfect regardless. He didn't want to make Rider uncomfortable though, so he did occasionally take a glance at Rider's face to try and get an idea as to what he was feeling. Rider's eyes were fixed on the path ahead, not taking any notice of the closeness and was most likely trying not to slip or trip over anything. This satisfied Goggles and he could only grin to himself as they walked down the street.
Him getting to spend the night with Rider was something he never could've guessed was going to happen today but he was ecstatic that it was.
They approached the train, which luckily still had a few minutes before it left. The group had sat in a row, Team Blue exchanging joyful chatter. Rider settled to look out of the window for the journey.
"You okay?" Goggles would say to Rider every couple of minutes. Rider seemed to be in a world of his own, but not distressed in any regard. Rider gives Goggles an affirmative nod at the question.
---
The evening and subsequent night had been enjoyable to all those involved. Team Blue's dinky little table was the site of a plethora of rainy day activities, food, and an overall warmth that made the apartment really feel like a home.
It soon came to the point in time in which most the apartment's occupants decided it was about time to hit the hay. Specs was in bed, scrolling his phone, as Headphones and Bobble laid down their respective sleeping bags in Specs and Goggles' shared room. Goggles idlely spoke to Rider, leaning on the doorway.
"Are you sure you don't want to join us in here? We don't mind at all and the couch dosen't seem like the most comfortable place in the world." Goggles lets out a soft chuckle.
"No, it's alright. No offence, but five seems like a bit of a crowd. I'd rather be on my own." Rider scratched the back of his neck, discomfort at the prospect making itself clear.
"Fair enough. I forget not everyone lives with their teams. Well, feel free to wake me if you need anything."
Bobble's laughter echoes throughout the room. "You sleep like a plank of wood! There's no way you'd wake up!"
Goggles shot her a mock glare before crossing his arms, a smug look plastered on his face. "Rider's just magical like that, I'm sure he'd be able to."
That earned a chuckle from Rider. It was barely audible to the average anyone, but Goggles heard it as clear as day and as bright as the sun. It wasn't a sound he'd hear often and was one he cherished dearly along with the warm, fuzzy feeling it would give him.
He probably had the dopiest grin plastered on his face, but he didn't really care.
Goggles let out a yawn and, as much as his heart protested, said his goodnights to Rider and went to bed.
---
Rain continued to patter relentlessly on the glass on the windows well into the night. It made Rider's sit in the dark just that bit more bearable. He'd stare at the ceiling, expression clouded, as if he were looking through it. He couldn't help but have a sense of melancholy and guilt wavering at his core.
He wondered what he'd done to deserve such kindness. Among whatever else decided to rear it's nasty head into his thoughts and prevent him from actually being able to sleep.
A soft dip in the couch next to him seemed to snap him out of his thoughts momentarily.
"Rider..?"
He hadn't even noticed Goggles enter the room, let alone approach him.
Rider attempted to sit up straight. Humming to try and tell Goggles he's listening, but it comes out far shakier than he would've liked.
"Is everything alright? Having trouble sleeping?" Goggles' eyes held a soft concern that made Rider feel ill.
"I could ask you the same thing. It's late. Shouldn't you be asleep?" He tried to have some sort of authority in his voice, to convince Goggles that everything was perfectly fine and he didn't need to waste another minute catering to him.
"Don't turn this around. I was just grabbing a drink," he shows Rider the bottle of fruit juice for emphasis, before setting it down on the coffee table, "I wasn't the one looking petrified at the ceiling for cod knows how long."
Dammit.
"Look, it's fine, I'm fine. Just go. I'm sorry for disturbing you." His voice betrayed him once again. Wavering with a sense of uncertainty that Goggles caught near immeadetly, furrowing his brow in response.
"You're not disturbing me. Look, if you don't want to talk about it, that's fine. I won't push. I just want to know if you're alright and if there is anything I can do to make it better. Because I care."
Rider was taken aback by Goggles' determination yet continued softness. And what he had said, "because I care." He couldn't possibly mean that. Yet the certainty in Goggles' eyes made him think otherwise. Even if it was only for a moment.
Rider stares at the floor for a couple of moments, fiddling with his hands. He settles on a pathetic yet true "… I don't know."
He wasn't particularly sure what he didn't know. Goggles' offer, what he wanted to say, or whether he wanted to speak at all. He just didn't know. Someone else's presence being more than he would've bargained for. It wasn't unwelcome, just unexpected.
"Would you like me to stay for a while?" Goggles seemed to get the memo, now offering something more quiet, more Rider's style.
But he was still reluctant.
"I wouldn't want you to miss out on sleep."
"Being able to spend more time with you is worth the sacrifice, I'd say. Always a win in my book."
"You flatter me."
"It's true!"
Rider thanks whatever there is to thank that it was far too dark to see a green blush stretch across his face. Goggles' kindness is going to be the death of him.
"Rider? You alright?"
"Yeah, sorry."
"I.. I think I'd like you to stay."
"Okay!" Said with zero hesitation, zero conflict. Simple and clear.
They were sat there for a good while. Basking in the quiet comfort of eachothers presence. There was no trace of irritation or anger in Goggles' features and Rider hopes that this could be something he can get used to.
A few more moments passed by before Rider spoke up.
"Why?"
Goggles turns his head, looking at Rider.
"Why what?"
"Why do you even bother with me?"
Rider wasn't sure if this was something he wanted to talk about. But his tired brain had already said it.
"Bother? Rider what are you talking about? You're not a bother." Said with such certainty and clarity. Rider met his gaze, still looking unconvinced. "I don't know where you got that idea from, but it's just not true."
Goggles turned so he was facing Rider. Taking one of his hands in his own, Goggles held it in a firm and gentle grip.
"You mean a lot to me. You really do." Goggles rested one of his hands on Rider's shoulder, giving it a light shake. "Please. Please give yourself some credit. You're incredible, really."
Rider resorted to looking at the couch. The sudden affection foreign to him, but was still met with no resistance. He'd usually push away anyone without realising it, but this. This was different.
With no response Goggles decided to push his point further. It may have not been the best idea but Goggles was willing to try.
He wrapped his arms around Rider, so that his head was resting on the crown of the other boy's head. He'd try and copy the force from holding his hand, firm yet gentle. Though not too firm, so Rider could pull back whenever he'd like. Though he didn't seem to be, which is contrary to what Goggles would've expected.
Rider wasn't really expecting anything when Goggles had popped himself next to him in the middle of the night, certainty not this. Still, Rider couldn't bring himself to dislike it. It was just so… warm.
After a moments hesitation, Rider reciprocated the gesture. Burying his head into the crux between Goggles' shoulder and neck and wrapping his own arms around Goggles' torso. He unintentionally let's out a sound somewhere between a content sigh and a sob. Goggles chooses not to comment and only held him closer.
They weren't particularly sure how they fell asleep in that position. The warmth of the embrace had made Rider doze off and Goggles, who didn't want to disturb Rider in anyway, kept the same position. Only lightly shifting to have them both layed down.
Goggles would just have to hope that Rider doesn't freak out about this when he gets up. He looked so peaceful now, anyways. Goggles, whilst succumbing to sleep, himself thinks about how maybe it should be him freaking out and flustered. He was laying there cuddling his crush, after all. But any semblance of that never came. He was too filled with content and a quiet sense of glee to really do anything at all.
Squeezing Rider, almost like a teddy bear, Goggles' eyes finally fluttered shut.
---
Specs and Headphones were the ones to usually rise the earliest out of Team Blue. Specs would be reading, on his phone, or just laying there wishing he'd slept just that little but longer. He decided on the latter this morning. Headphones was slowly rising from her sleeping bag, attempting to rub the grogginess out of her eyes.
"Morning."
"Morning."
Headphones finally stands up with a big stretch and notices one of the house's occupants was missing.
"Where's Goggles?"
"I have a couple hypothesise.." Specs began with his pointer finger poised in the air, as if he was giving a university lecture causing Headphones to stifle a giggle. "One, he's got a bad stomach ache and has permanently taken up resistance on the toilet, or two, in which he's with Rider in some capacity. I'm just hoping he's just chatting with him and not staring at him while he sleeps like a weirdo or something."
"Oh yeah, I forgot Rider was here." Headphones makes her way to the door of the bedroom. "Well, we'll find out when I run to get my coffee from the fridge."
"Can you grab me-"
"A glass of water. Got it"
"Thanks. Now go Detective Headphones. Solve the mystery before it's too late." He spoke with no conviction whatsoever. Headphones wandered though the living room and then the kitchen, methodically shuffling through the fridge and grabbing a glass for Specs. Her head was still fuzzy from sleep but the sunlight through the window helped.
With both drinks in hand, she made her way out of the kitchen and into the living room. With the couch now facing her, she could see what lay apon it.
Their position had changed slightly throughout the night. Rider now laying on his back, one arm still around Goggles' torso and the other was dangling off of the edge of the couch. Goggles' had seemingly barely moved an inch. He still held Rider tight, his forehead now pressed into Rider's cheek.
Headphones had to dash to the bedroom before she made any sort of bewildered and excited noise. Apon seeing Headphones, Specs took his water and narrowed his eyes.
"What happened?"
"You've gotta see this."
"But I don't wanna move. Can't you take a picture or something."
"I think Goggles might actually kill me if I did. "
"That good, huh?" And Specs was up in an instant.
Specs then didn't know what to make of the scene in front of him. He and Headphones discussed in hush voices.
"You think they're a thing yet?"
"How am I supposed to know?!"
"Just look at them!"
"Then why are you asking me?"
"I don't know. Maybe Goggles just somehow climbed in there."
"Nah, he wouldn't do that. I mean Rider has to be aware of him there. Unless he's a really heavy sleeper but again, Goggles wouldn't do that, I don't think."
Goggles began to stir at the sound of their whispers which caused Headphones to grab Specs' wrist and dart out the room.
Goggles' eyes opened in a lagged fashion. He was a bit out of it from just waking up but he had noticed that he felt incredibly well rested. Goggles did not startle when he remembered Rider laying there in front of him. He was far to captivated by the way the sun had painted Rider's face and just how beautiful he was. Goggles resorted to moving slightly, not enough to disturb Rider, but enough so that he was staring at the ceiling. His heart may actually explode if he stared at Rider any longer.
It was after a few minutes that Rider started to stir. The first thing he immediately noticed was a weight pressing down on his right arm. He groggily turned to identify it.
"Hey."
He should've probably ran, jolted back, anything to get himself away from this clear act of intimacy. But he couldn't bring himself to.
"Hello."
Rider had taken to alternating his gaze between the window and the ceiling. He wasn't thinking of anything in particular but was somewhat appreciatory at the silence that instilled itself. It wasn't awkward at all, instead it had a very calming presence.
After a minute, Rider finally sat up, attempting to stretch any last semblance of sleep out of himself. Goggles, was sad he had to let go but made none of it known. He proped himself up on the armrest of the couch and watched Rider.
"How did you sleep?"
Now that Rider had thought about it, he slept quite well.
"Pretty good, actually."
From that statement, Goggles sprouted a large goofy grin. It slipped slightly when Rider continued.
"Is that weird?"
"Is what weird?"
"Like, having good sleep and feeling pretty good and stuff when taking into account we were laying there like that. I mean even the laying there is also probably weird."
"I don't think it's weird. I mean as long as it worked, why should it matter? I won't be weird about it, I know and trust you won't either."
"Yeah."
They sat there for just a couple more moments before Rider finally stood up.
"Now that it's stopped raining, I should probably go."
Goggles saddened "You're not staying for breakfast?!"
…
"Yeah, alright." Rider mused, "I'll stay."