Drabble: Dark
He should have called ahead, checked that she was home, free to see him and not busy living her life like she should be doing, but deep down Ric knows that he'd have never managed to get the words out over the phone. He would have called and then avoided the real topic, instead asking her about everything and anything that wasn’t to do with him and his fuck ups. The yellow taxi cab pulls up outside of a building, rain streaking down the cab windows and blurring the view as Ric peers out and double checks the address. Paying the driver, a twenty dollar bill that he doesn’t ask for change from and doesn't even contemplate asking to idle whilst he checks Rogue is home. Ric’s not sure how long he'll be if she is here and catching a cab is pretty easy most of the time, just gotta know where to flag them down. Thankfully though his flight home doesn't leave until tomorrow morning and his bags are pretty much packed up and ready for when he needs to leave the hotel. He’s used to this life of living out of a suitcase really.
Collar of his jacket flicked up Ric clutches a bunch of sunflowers in one hand and a small bag from Tiffany's in the other. It's another gift to add to the collection he started when he gave her a bracelet shortly after they'd left the team; at the time he said it would be a way to be with her all the time.
Rapping his knuckles against the door Ric glances up and down the street; it’s pretty busy with people going about their normal every day business which is normal for a Friday afternoon in NY, but not obnoxiously so.
Rogue doesn't usually get visitors, so the knock is a surprise. Turning the tap off at the sink she towels her hands dry, wondering who it could be on the doorstep. There's a small group of people it could be, and not many of them are actually in NY right then, so she's rather stunned to find Ric at the door.
"Darlin'!" The surprise is about as clear in her tone as it is on her face. She counts herself lucky that Raven and Irene aren't visiting, because it would be awkward, as a grin breaks out on her face, "Ah didn't know y' were in town."
Standing to the side, Rogue ushers him inside quickly; she's a fairly new resident in the area, just moved in a few weeks ago and still settling. She doesn't exactly want all the neighbours to see the people that come and go from her apartment because it's not of their business, but the rain is a bitch as well. "What're ya doin' here? How come y' ain't at home?"
Stepping in Ric matches Rogue's smile, though it doesn't quite reach his eyes. He hands over the flowers and the gift bag before taking off his coat, mindful not to let it drip rain water all over her polished wooden floor. At the gifts her face lit up; naturally any girl was happy for gifts, gaze flitting over him as she listens to him reply. "Here on business actually, I didn't think I'd get any free time to see you so I didn't want to pointlessly get your hopes up. I'm not disturbing you am I?"
Toeing off his shoes anyway Ric glances along the hall trying to see if there is anyone or hear other voices, but he can't. Thankfully. He doesn't know what he would do if Rogue turned him away now, not that he'd blame her if she did. "You look good, I like the place too. Taxi driver said it's a good street to live on, quiet."
Rogue almost missed the fact that he wasn't quite as easy natured as usual. Giving a small nod she led him into the apartment while answering, "It does seem nice enough, Ah'm not too close t' the city, but close enough if Mama needs me." Which was important to Rogue, at least for the more legal of Raven's little excursions. Rogue was trying to keep her nose clean for now.
"Y' should always send me a lil' holler, darlin', y' know Ah'd come see y' off at the airport if that was all Ah got t' do." It was nice seeing Ric, his time between the States and his lovely home were usually split. Heading into the kitchen Rogue grabbed a vase off of the window sill; putting the flowers in water and giddily opening up her little blue box -and didn't Rictor always know what to get a girl, Rogue couldn't help but turn to him with a smirk. "Alright; y' drop by in the rain, y' bring me jewelry and flowers, y'r not in trouble are ya?"
Turn him away? No. Rogue would never. But she did worry that he was getting himself back into old habits. Ric however had yet to meet either of her Mama’s and really Ric was thankful that they weren't here actually. Not that he didn't want to meet them, just preferably not when he'd just almost cheated on his fiancée and needed to rely on his sister for some guidance.
"I'll keep that in mind in future sweetheart, I might be up here more often seeing as I've managed to invest in a new business." There were days when Ric really missed having his sister right there to talk to, joke with and just be around. Rogue had this calming presence to her that worked wonders for Ric back in camp, but with him living in Mexico and her all the way in NY now it was harder to see her at the drop of a hat. "Can't your brother just drop by with gifts when he likes?"
Smiling that trademark grin he settled onto a stool. Taking her new necklace out of its cushy little box, Rogue was fastening the clip and listening to Rictor while he played with her fruit. The necklace looked good on her, like he knew it would. Ric had always enjoyed spoiling those he loved with presents and pretty things. When Rogue had first moved to New York he had sent her a $1500 gift card to spend in Macy's and a card that told her to buy something 'pretty and frivolous.' He wondered now what it was that she had spent her money on in the store.
Sure; Ric dropped by, but back then she'd been in California, and it have been easier. She still didn't mind the visits, but to her, it just seemed like he'd been working up to something, some kind of news. Her theory was naturally proved correct when he blurted out his worries. Ric rolled an apple back and forth across the counter, avoiding eye contact at first before finally looking up at Rogue, chewing at his lower lip. "I... I think I might have fucked up big time."
Sighing slightly, Rogue sat down at her kitchen counter and looked at him. "Alright, what's happened? Let's see if we can fix it."
It wasn't like Rictor came to her with all his problems. Just the ones that scared him, the ones that were life altering or a huge decision. The ones that made his lose sleep. Rogue liked to think it was because she was a good ear, that he could bounce his worries off her and reach his conclusion. It was probably just because he was used to her helping him that he kept turning to her, but she wasn't about to stop it. "It's probably not as bad as y' think."
Toying with the ring around his ring finger Ric stared at the gold band as he tried to find the right words. "I went out with my business associates last night and drank too much. I woke up in the morning with some girls number written across the mirror and this." Ric tugs the collar of his white Prada fitted shirt and moves it aside to reveal the purple hickey on his neck.
God, she saw the direction it was going in, and that hickey, good lord why did people suck on each others necks? She just didn't get it. "Darlin' Ah ain't sure y' wanna go finishin' that sentence." She had to get up from the counter.
"I called Candi, the girl who left her number and asked what happened seeing as I couldn't remember a fucking thing. Apparently we didn't sleep together but..."
She wasn't mad, not really. She was fairly protective of Mark, just as much as she was towards Rictor, maybe a little more. Mark was just that little bit more sensitive; she'd lived his life for just over a week, way back before Mark and Rictor were even friends never mind lovers. She knew the hardships, she knew a little bit more than anyone. And if Ric's stupidity hurt Mark, well, she wasn't sure who's side she'd take. "Alright, no, Ah wanna know. But what?"
It hurt like hell to know that he had made Rogue angry, that his stupidity had not only threatened his relationship with Mark but also with Ruby. Gods. If he had actually slept with Candi there was no knowing what would have happened. "I was so close to it though Rogue. So fucking close. Candi said I was ten sheets the wind and barely coherent, that I talked non-stop about Mark and Lucia but that I still invited her back to the hotel room. She said I passed out, the hickey wasn't her but some girl at the club. I just. I could. Oh Dios. Santa Maria!"
Head in his hands Ric couldn't stifle the sob that crept up from nowhere, scrubbing at his eyes with the back of his hand he blinked back the tears and drew in a shaky breath. "H-how do I tell him? He's going to leave me Rogue and I wouldn't blame him. I-I'd leave me too. I just can't stop from jabbing that fucking self destruct button can I?"
It took a few breaths before she shook her head, "Oh, for- y'r such a moron sometimes." Moving around the counter she hugged his back, her head resting between his shoulders while he hunched over her counter and berated himself. She could do that for him too; but he seemed to be beating himself up enough for the both of them. "Why ain't ya thinkin' things through?"
She usually got more than a few random phone calls from pubs and bars and nightclubs around the world when he was on business; it was always loud, he was always drunk and there were always pretty girls all around. Rogue really didn't know why he did it to himself. "Y'r just gonna have t' suck it up, darlin'. Bite the damn bullet and tell him everything. An' Ah mean everything." She wasn't going to give any ground on that.
He leant back into the touch, body still shaking with the tremors of barely contained sobs. Ric was terrified, more scared than he had been when faced with the prospect of living in camp with Daken for that matter. Last time they had broken up, when Lucia was conceived, it had been just one of those things where they needed time apart to clear their heads. Too long living in each others’ pockets and trying to do too much. Then there was the Lucia thing which Ric got and the engagement thing which he didn't till later, when Mark explained he had been protecting both Julio and Lucia but this time? This was his fuck up.
Nodding, Julio sniffled and wiped at his face, still not turning to face Rogue as he broke down in the middle of her kitchen. "I'll tell him, everything. I just... I love him. I love him and without him I'm nothing."
"Ah think y' ought t' look at just how y' get int' these situations, sugah. It ain't like y'r really livin' the best kind'a life, y'know?"
"I don't know why I do this though Ruby. I just don't know. It's what I've always done, ever since I was sixteen; drink, party, dance, shag and get so wasted I can't remember a thing." Hell, he'd happily get wasted without the partying just to clear his head, to keep the monsters at bay. "I think I've got a problem."
Rogue didn’t think he had a problem. She knew he did; the patterns, the signs, the abyss and now the screw ups. She recognised it from long ago in a life she left behind and a man she didn't know anymore. She wasn't about to watch it all over again. "Ah'm sure he knows it, darlin', he does. Y' just gotta work through it." Mark might be mad, he might be disappointed and hurt, and Rogue would be there for him just like she was for Ric. But she hoped beyond hope that they could work through it.
"Y' do, an' y' can see it, so that's the first step." Pulling away slowly, Rogue grabbed her roll of kicten towel and tugged lightly on Ric's shoulders to sit him upright, "C'mon now, lemme see ya." Twisting around, she carefully wiped the wetness from his cheeks without comment, ripping off another sheet and offering it to him. "Blow." Rogue, for all her faults, was a natural at mothering it seemed, and really, she didn't shy away from it.
"When's y'r flight home?"
Blowing snottily into the kitchen towel Ric allowed Rogue to mother him, leaning into the feel of the tissue against his face. He felt like an idiot, sat there in his two thousand dollar attire acting like an overly emotional teenage girl as he sobbed over his mistakes to Rogue.
"Tomorrow morning at eleven am. I planned to go shopping today and finish buying gifts for everyone back home before spending a quiet evening going over the paperwork back at the hotel. You should see the stuff I got for Lucia, proper spoilt little lady she's going to be." And the things he'd bought for Mark, though who knew whether he'd even want the gifts are Ric explained what he'd done.
Leaning forward Ric rested his forehead against Rogue's shoulder and breathed in deep. "I've missed you so much."
She responded by running her hand through his hair, smiling softly, imagining little Lu all spoiled and pretty in her fancy clothes and all her toys. "Ah've missed ya too," She'd missed him so much more than she'd honestly expected -New York was hard at times, and Rogue wasn't used to being on her own yet. "Y' wanna stay here t'night? Ah c'n get someone t' get all y'r stuff brought over."
It would take one phone call to Raven and everything would be dealt with. And Rogue wouldn't mind at all. "We c'n talk 'bout this or not, y'know. Ah could take y' shoppin' or we could curl up with a movie? Have some dinner?" What she really didn't want was Rictor at the hotel, alone, with a mini bar. Sure, he knew that there was an issue, but until he actually dealt with it. Well, Rogue knew how lovely and enticing denial could be.
"Ah'll drive ya t' the airport in the morning." Hopefully, getting Ric's emotional state into hand would help his mental state sort itself out; and wasn't that what Miss Frost went on about? The mental state being dependent on the emotional one? On stress and trauma triggering unwanted issues?
"You really don't mind me staying? I can sort out a driver to pick up and drop off my stuff, part of the perks of being a suite guest at the hotel." He murmured the words against her shoulder and smiled, hadn't even realised that this was what he wanted to needed right now. "Maybe whilst they are sorting that out we can go get the last of my shopping done, pick up a movie or two and I'll pay for us to get some dinner?"
It wasn't much, there would never be any way that Ric could truly repay Rogue back for everything she had ever done but by splashing out occasionally on these little gifts (well he deemed them little) he felt that at least she knew how much he cared. "And we can talk... talking might be good."
He had a long way to go though, but first he needed to know what to say to Mark and then maybe, just maybe he could get better. "It's gonna be har getting on that plane and leaving you behind and you know that Lychee is going to be so miffed that I came to see you without her right? You'll have to come stay soon."
"Ah never mind y' staying." She missed him staying, missed having him around all the time. It was something she'd had while he and Mark were separated for those short but so long periods of time; Rogue spent more time with Rictor just to give Mama V the peace of mind that the idiot wasn't doing something stupid. "An' y' know Ah don't mind shoppin' any more than the next gal."
Keeping him busy and focused, she could do that. Be a shoulder, be an arm around his shoulders, be a slap to the head when needed. It was all part and parcel with their relationship, their bond. It wasn't like it was ever a burden to her. "We'll talk 'bout anything y' want, whenever y' want. Ah ain't gonna push y' t' talk." Tossing the paper towels in the bin, Rogue gave a grin when Rictor mentioned her niece.
"Y' gonna get whupped f'r not bringing her, but Ah think Ah do need the vacation." Whatever happened with Ric and Mark, she'd make a point on getting out of Mexico soon. She needed to help Mama V with the wedding plans anyway, and maybe she could take little Lu for a while, let her Daddy and Papa get a few hours of time together. "Ah could come some time next week, hang out for a few days." Or as long as needed.
"Might be a good idea, seeing as I have no idea how things are going to turn out." Sliding off of the stool Ric straightened his jacket and tried his hardest to look more presentable, though the blood shot eyes were going to take a little time to fade. "It's been long established that I'm a girl when it comes to shopping Ruby."
And he didn't mind that fact at all really, no point in denying that kind of thing either. He was however still pondering over how best to apologise to Mark and what to do if the shit really hit the fan, though it seemed pretty fruitless to worry over the ifs, ors and buts for the moment. Maybe later when they were sat back at the house watching a movie could Ric discuss his options with Rogue.
Offering his arm to his sister he tugged her closer. "What size tv did you say you had? Tell me you replaced that old 42" thing with something bigger?"
Sliding easily into his space, having learned long ago to stop fighting his affectionate side, Rogue just laughed, "Darlin' if mah screen gets any bigger Ah'll be watchin' it from across the street."
Whatever happened, whatever the outcome, Rogue decided that support was really all she could offer. To each side. The hope that they'd sit down like adults and talk things through was still there, but track records aside, Rogue could prepare for whatever outcome and just be there. "Ah ain't goin' int' forty stores with you before we end up back at the first one, y'know. Ah've heard 'bout you shoppin' for the house an' Ah ain't that patient."
Light jesting defined their relationship, and even as she gathered up her stuff; pulling on her gloves and scarf and jacket and slipping on her shoes, Rogue knew she'd end up in as many stores as Rictor wanted purely to keep him happy.
~Several Hours later~
The alarm clock on the bedside table read 02:21am but there was no way that Ric was going to fall asleep any time soon. Not that it mattered really as Ric was able to function on just a few hours sleep when he had to. Not to mention he could catch a nap on the flight back home. He and Rogue had shopped, watched a film as they ate out of takeaway boxes and then talked, for hours on end until his sister had been unable to keep her eyes open anymore and Ric had herded her off to bed.
Settled beneath the fresh smelling cotton sheets of the spare room, Ric stared at the ceiling and watched the headlights of cars passing by cast shadows across the white plaster. The city was noisy and loud beyond the double glazed windows but it was a comfort. Ric was accustom to hearing the low muffled sounds of the television or the steady crash of the ocean waves on the beach so any noise was good noise to him, anything to keep the monsters at bay in his head.
Until tonight Ric hadn’t realised just how much of a problem he had but talking things over helped him put things into perspective. Julio knows he has a problem, he thought it was all down to the alcohol but his sister had made some interesting and thought provoking points about his past and all the things he has kept bottled up. He’s promised to go and see someone professionally when he gets back to Mexico, even if things between him and Mark don’t work out he’ll still go because that self destruct button is too much of a temptation it seems.
He hadn’t realised how long he’s been hiding under a dark cloud of anger and confusion, bottled up pain and regrets that he just hasn’t let go of. But Rogue? She’s shown him that there is light at the end of the tunnel; people who love and need him like Mark, Lucia, Mama Vivi and Rogue. That those storm clouds that have been lingering do have an end and that even in the dark every colour can be found.
Finally sleep claims him but for the first time in a very long time the things that lurk in the dark recesses of his mind stay where they are.
Collar of his jacket flicked up Ric clutches a bunch of sunflowers in one hand and a small bag from Tiffany's in the other. It's another gift to add to the collection he started when he gave her a bracelet shortly after they'd left the team; at the time he said it would be a way to be with her all the time.
Rapping his knuckles against the door Ric glances up and down the street; it’s pretty busy with people going about their normal every day business which is normal for a Friday afternoon in NY, but not obnoxiously so.
Rogue doesn't usually get visitors, so the knock is a surprise. Turning the tap off at the sink she towels her hands dry, wondering who it could be on the doorstep. There's a small group of people it could be, and not many of them are actually in NY right then, so she's rather stunned to find Ric at the door.
"Darlin'!" The surprise is about as clear in her tone as it is on her face. She counts herself lucky that Raven and Irene aren't visiting, because it would be awkward, as a grin breaks out on her face, "Ah didn't know y' were in town."
Standing to the side, Rogue ushers him inside quickly; she's a fairly new resident in the area, just moved in a few weeks ago and still settling. She doesn't exactly want all the neighbours to see the people that come and go from her apartment because it's not of their business, but the rain is a bitch as well. "What're ya doin' here? How come y' ain't at home?"
Stepping in Ric matches Rogue's smile, though it doesn't quite reach his eyes. He hands over the flowers and the gift bag before taking off his coat, mindful not to let it drip rain water all over her polished wooden floor. At the gifts her face lit up; naturally any girl was happy for gifts, gaze flitting over him as she listens to him reply. "Here on business actually, I didn't think I'd get any free time to see you so I didn't want to pointlessly get your hopes up. I'm not disturbing you am I?"
Toeing off his shoes anyway Ric glances along the hall trying to see if there is anyone or hear other voices, but he can't. Thankfully. He doesn't know what he would do if Rogue turned him away now, not that he'd blame her if she did. "You look good, I like the place too. Taxi driver said it's a good street to live on, quiet."
Rogue almost missed the fact that he wasn't quite as easy natured as usual. Giving a small nod she led him into the apartment while answering, "It does seem nice enough, Ah'm not too close t' the city, but close enough if Mama needs me." Which was important to Rogue, at least for the more legal of Raven's little excursions. Rogue was trying to keep her nose clean for now.
"Y' should always send me a lil' holler, darlin', y' know Ah'd come see y' off at the airport if that was all Ah got t' do." It was nice seeing Ric, his time between the States and his lovely home were usually split. Heading into the kitchen Rogue grabbed a vase off of the window sill; putting the flowers in water and giddily opening up her little blue box -and didn't Rictor always know what to get a girl, Rogue couldn't help but turn to him with a smirk. "Alright; y' drop by in the rain, y' bring me jewelry and flowers, y'r not in trouble are ya?"
Turn him away? No. Rogue would never. But she did worry that he was getting himself back into old habits. Ric however had yet to meet either of her Mama’s and really Ric was thankful that they weren't here actually. Not that he didn't want to meet them, just preferably not when he'd just almost cheated on his fiancée and needed to rely on his sister for some guidance.
"I'll keep that in mind in future sweetheart, I might be up here more often seeing as I've managed to invest in a new business." There were days when Ric really missed having his sister right there to talk to, joke with and just be around. Rogue had this calming presence to her that worked wonders for Ric back in camp, but with him living in Mexico and her all the way in NY now it was harder to see her at the drop of a hat. "Can't your brother just drop by with gifts when he likes?"
Smiling that trademark grin he settled onto a stool. Taking her new necklace out of its cushy little box, Rogue was fastening the clip and listening to Rictor while he played with her fruit. The necklace looked good on her, like he knew it would. Ric had always enjoyed spoiling those he loved with presents and pretty things. When Rogue had first moved to New York he had sent her a $1500 gift card to spend in Macy's and a card that told her to buy something 'pretty and frivolous.' He wondered now what it was that she had spent her money on in the store.
Sure; Ric dropped by, but back then she'd been in California, and it have been easier. She still didn't mind the visits, but to her, it just seemed like he'd been working up to something, some kind of news. Her theory was naturally proved correct when he blurted out his worries. Ric rolled an apple back and forth across the counter, avoiding eye contact at first before finally looking up at Rogue, chewing at his lower lip. "I... I think I might have fucked up big time."
Sighing slightly, Rogue sat down at her kitchen counter and looked at him. "Alright, what's happened? Let's see if we can fix it."
It wasn't like Rictor came to her with all his problems. Just the ones that scared him, the ones that were life altering or a huge decision. The ones that made his lose sleep. Rogue liked to think it was because she was a good ear, that he could bounce his worries off her and reach his conclusion. It was probably just because he was used to her helping him that he kept turning to her, but she wasn't about to stop it. "It's probably not as bad as y' think."
Toying with the ring around his ring finger Ric stared at the gold band as he tried to find the right words. "I went out with my business associates last night and drank too much. I woke up in the morning with some girls number written across the mirror and this." Ric tugs the collar of his white Prada fitted shirt and moves it aside to reveal the purple hickey on his neck.
God, she saw the direction it was going in, and that hickey, good lord why did people suck on each others necks? She just didn't get it. "Darlin' Ah ain't sure y' wanna go finishin' that sentence." She had to get up from the counter.
"I called Candi, the girl who left her number and asked what happened seeing as I couldn't remember a fucking thing. Apparently we didn't sleep together but..."
She wasn't mad, not really. She was fairly protective of Mark, just as much as she was towards Rictor, maybe a little more. Mark was just that little bit more sensitive; she'd lived his life for just over a week, way back before Mark and Rictor were even friends never mind lovers. She knew the hardships, she knew a little bit more than anyone. And if Ric's stupidity hurt Mark, well, she wasn't sure who's side she'd take. "Alright, no, Ah wanna know. But what?"
It hurt like hell to know that he had made Rogue angry, that his stupidity had not only threatened his relationship with Mark but also with Ruby. Gods. If he had actually slept with Candi there was no knowing what would have happened. "I was so close to it though Rogue. So fucking close. Candi said I was ten sheets the wind and barely coherent, that I talked non-stop about Mark and Lucia but that I still invited her back to the hotel room. She said I passed out, the hickey wasn't her but some girl at the club. I just. I could. Oh Dios. Santa Maria!"
Head in his hands Ric couldn't stifle the sob that crept up from nowhere, scrubbing at his eyes with the back of his hand he blinked back the tears and drew in a shaky breath. "H-how do I tell him? He's going to leave me Rogue and I wouldn't blame him. I-I'd leave me too. I just can't stop from jabbing that fucking self destruct button can I?"
It took a few breaths before she shook her head, "Oh, for- y'r such a moron sometimes." Moving around the counter she hugged his back, her head resting between his shoulders while he hunched over her counter and berated himself. She could do that for him too; but he seemed to be beating himself up enough for the both of them. "Why ain't ya thinkin' things through?"
She usually got more than a few random phone calls from pubs and bars and nightclubs around the world when he was on business; it was always loud, he was always drunk and there were always pretty girls all around. Rogue really didn't know why he did it to himself. "Y'r just gonna have t' suck it up, darlin'. Bite the damn bullet and tell him everything. An' Ah mean everything." She wasn't going to give any ground on that.
He leant back into the touch, body still shaking with the tremors of barely contained sobs. Ric was terrified, more scared than he had been when faced with the prospect of living in camp with Daken for that matter. Last time they had broken up, when Lucia was conceived, it had been just one of those things where they needed time apart to clear their heads. Too long living in each others’ pockets and trying to do too much. Then there was the Lucia thing which Ric got and the engagement thing which he didn't till later, when Mark explained he had been protecting both Julio and Lucia but this time? This was his fuck up.
Nodding, Julio sniffled and wiped at his face, still not turning to face Rogue as he broke down in the middle of her kitchen. "I'll tell him, everything. I just... I love him. I love him and without him I'm nothing."
"Ah think y' ought t' look at just how y' get int' these situations, sugah. It ain't like y'r really livin' the best kind'a life, y'know?"
"I don't know why I do this though Ruby. I just don't know. It's what I've always done, ever since I was sixteen; drink, party, dance, shag and get so wasted I can't remember a thing." Hell, he'd happily get wasted without the partying just to clear his head, to keep the monsters at bay. "I think I've got a problem."
Rogue didn’t think he had a problem. She knew he did; the patterns, the signs, the abyss and now the screw ups. She recognised it from long ago in a life she left behind and a man she didn't know anymore. She wasn't about to watch it all over again. "Ah'm sure he knows it, darlin', he does. Y' just gotta work through it." Mark might be mad, he might be disappointed and hurt, and Rogue would be there for him just like she was for Ric. But she hoped beyond hope that they could work through it.
"Y' do, an' y' can see it, so that's the first step." Pulling away slowly, Rogue grabbed her roll of kicten towel and tugged lightly on Ric's shoulders to sit him upright, "C'mon now, lemme see ya." Twisting around, she carefully wiped the wetness from his cheeks without comment, ripping off another sheet and offering it to him. "Blow." Rogue, for all her faults, was a natural at mothering it seemed, and really, she didn't shy away from it.
"When's y'r flight home?"
Blowing snottily into the kitchen towel Ric allowed Rogue to mother him, leaning into the feel of the tissue against his face. He felt like an idiot, sat there in his two thousand dollar attire acting like an overly emotional teenage girl as he sobbed over his mistakes to Rogue.
"Tomorrow morning at eleven am. I planned to go shopping today and finish buying gifts for everyone back home before spending a quiet evening going over the paperwork back at the hotel. You should see the stuff I got for Lucia, proper spoilt little lady she's going to be." And the things he'd bought for Mark, though who knew whether he'd even want the gifts are Ric explained what he'd done.
Leaning forward Ric rested his forehead against Rogue's shoulder and breathed in deep. "I've missed you so much."
She responded by running her hand through his hair, smiling softly, imagining little Lu all spoiled and pretty in her fancy clothes and all her toys. "Ah've missed ya too," She'd missed him so much more than she'd honestly expected -New York was hard at times, and Rogue wasn't used to being on her own yet. "Y' wanna stay here t'night? Ah c'n get someone t' get all y'r stuff brought over."
It would take one phone call to Raven and everything would be dealt with. And Rogue wouldn't mind at all. "We c'n talk 'bout this or not, y'know. Ah could take y' shoppin' or we could curl up with a movie? Have some dinner?" What she really didn't want was Rictor at the hotel, alone, with a mini bar. Sure, he knew that there was an issue, but until he actually dealt with it. Well, Rogue knew how lovely and enticing denial could be.
"Ah'll drive ya t' the airport in the morning." Hopefully, getting Ric's emotional state into hand would help his mental state sort itself out; and wasn't that what Miss Frost went on about? The mental state being dependent on the emotional one? On stress and trauma triggering unwanted issues?
"You really don't mind me staying? I can sort out a driver to pick up and drop off my stuff, part of the perks of being a suite guest at the hotel." He murmured the words against her shoulder and smiled, hadn't even realised that this was what he wanted to needed right now. "Maybe whilst they are sorting that out we can go get the last of my shopping done, pick up a movie or two and I'll pay for us to get some dinner?"
It wasn't much, there would never be any way that Ric could truly repay Rogue back for everything she had ever done but by splashing out occasionally on these little gifts (well he deemed them little) he felt that at least she knew how much he cared. "And we can talk... talking might be good."
He had a long way to go though, but first he needed to know what to say to Mark and then maybe, just maybe he could get better. "It's gonna be har getting on that plane and leaving you behind and you know that Lychee is going to be so miffed that I came to see you without her right? You'll have to come stay soon."
"Ah never mind y' staying." She missed him staying, missed having him around all the time. It was something she'd had while he and Mark were separated for those short but so long periods of time; Rogue spent more time with Rictor just to give Mama V the peace of mind that the idiot wasn't doing something stupid. "An' y' know Ah don't mind shoppin' any more than the next gal."
Keeping him busy and focused, she could do that. Be a shoulder, be an arm around his shoulders, be a slap to the head when needed. It was all part and parcel with their relationship, their bond. It wasn't like it was ever a burden to her. "We'll talk 'bout anything y' want, whenever y' want. Ah ain't gonna push y' t' talk." Tossing the paper towels in the bin, Rogue gave a grin when Rictor mentioned her niece.
"Y' gonna get whupped f'r not bringing her, but Ah think Ah do need the vacation." Whatever happened with Ric and Mark, she'd make a point on getting out of Mexico soon. She needed to help Mama V with the wedding plans anyway, and maybe she could take little Lu for a while, let her Daddy and Papa get a few hours of time together. "Ah could come some time next week, hang out for a few days." Or as long as needed.
"Might be a good idea, seeing as I have no idea how things are going to turn out." Sliding off of the stool Ric straightened his jacket and tried his hardest to look more presentable, though the blood shot eyes were going to take a little time to fade. "It's been long established that I'm a girl when it comes to shopping Ruby."
And he didn't mind that fact at all really, no point in denying that kind of thing either. He was however still pondering over how best to apologise to Mark and what to do if the shit really hit the fan, though it seemed pretty fruitless to worry over the ifs, ors and buts for the moment. Maybe later when they were sat back at the house watching a movie could Ric discuss his options with Rogue.
Offering his arm to his sister he tugged her closer. "What size tv did you say you had? Tell me you replaced that old 42" thing with something bigger?"
Sliding easily into his space, having learned long ago to stop fighting his affectionate side, Rogue just laughed, "Darlin' if mah screen gets any bigger Ah'll be watchin' it from across the street."
Whatever happened, whatever the outcome, Rogue decided that support was really all she could offer. To each side. The hope that they'd sit down like adults and talk things through was still there, but track records aside, Rogue could prepare for whatever outcome and just be there. "Ah ain't goin' int' forty stores with you before we end up back at the first one, y'know. Ah've heard 'bout you shoppin' for the house an' Ah ain't that patient."
Light jesting defined their relationship, and even as she gathered up her stuff; pulling on her gloves and scarf and jacket and slipping on her shoes, Rogue knew she'd end up in as many stores as Rictor wanted purely to keep him happy.
~Several Hours later~
The alarm clock on the bedside table read 02:21am but there was no way that Ric was going to fall asleep any time soon. Not that it mattered really as Ric was able to function on just a few hours sleep when he had to. Not to mention he could catch a nap on the flight back home. He and Rogue had shopped, watched a film as they ate out of takeaway boxes and then talked, for hours on end until his sister had been unable to keep her eyes open anymore and Ric had herded her off to bed.
Settled beneath the fresh smelling cotton sheets of the spare room, Ric stared at the ceiling and watched the headlights of cars passing by cast shadows across the white plaster. The city was noisy and loud beyond the double glazed windows but it was a comfort. Ric was accustom to hearing the low muffled sounds of the television or the steady crash of the ocean waves on the beach so any noise was good noise to him, anything to keep the monsters at bay in his head.
Until tonight Ric hadn’t realised just how much of a problem he had but talking things over helped him put things into perspective. Julio knows he has a problem, he thought it was all down to the alcohol but his sister had made some interesting and thought provoking points about his past and all the things he has kept bottled up. He’s promised to go and see someone professionally when he gets back to Mexico, even if things between him and Mark don’t work out he’ll still go because that self destruct button is too much of a temptation it seems.
He hadn’t realised how long he’s been hiding under a dark cloud of anger and confusion, bottled up pain and regrets that he just hasn’t let go of. But Rogue? She’s shown him that there is light at the end of the tunnel; people who love and need him like Mark, Lucia, Mama Vivi and Rogue. That those storm clouds that have been lingering do have an end and that even in the dark every colour can be found.
Finally sleep claims him but for the first time in a very long time the things that lurk in the dark recesses of his mind stay where they are.