Page 35 of Where the River Meets the Skye

River looked at it. The one that said, ‘Rise’. “What about it?”

“You live up to that, every single day. You’re amazing, and strong. And I’m so proud of you.”

River gave a soft smile and his cheeks pinkened. “Thank you.”

River’s phone rang just then and he walked into his room to answer it.

Skye heard him say a hello, and then something muffled, followed by several minutes of silence. When River walked back out of the room with the phone in his hand, he looked dazed, shell-shocked, and a bit unsteady. Like he wasn’t quite sure he believed whatever he’d just heard on the phone.

“River?” Skye said, moving closer to him. “Is everything okay?”

But River was still in a daze and now tears were starting to form in his eyes. His knees gave out and he collapsed, his breath coming in short gasps, as he let out a broken, choked sob. Skye knelt next to him as he shook and wept, gathering him in his arms. “My aunt…” River choked out between sobs, “there was an accident.” Then he was pressing closer as Skye’s arms enveloped him, his hands rubbing up and down River’s back and arm, Skye’s forehead pressed to River’s temple. River turned, burying his head in Skye’s neck, his body shaking as he wept, his arms wrapping around Skye’s shoulders, and Skye hugged him tighter, his arms sliding around River’s waist as he pulled his friend close. River was practically in his lap now. “She’s dead,” he wailed. The anguish poured off of him in waves, and Skye couldn't help the tears that filled his eyes now, too.

Fuck. No. Not this. River doesn’t need any more shit to deal with. Not this. Not Jodi. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

As tears fell from Skye’s eyes he held River close and let him weep. This beautiful warrior who never seems to be done fighting, losing, enduring. “I’m so sorry, River,” he whispered. He kept one arm around his friend’s waist and the other moved to the back of River’s neck. He stroked the short hairs there, and River folded into him even more.

Skye promised himself that he wouldn't let go until River did.

“Riv, can I do anything for you?” Skye asked later that day after River had called his boss to talk about taking some time off for bereavement and a trip to Cincinnati for Jodi’s funeral.

“I think I’m gonna go lay down,” his friend said. “I’m feeling pretty drained. Thank you, Skye.” His eyes were red and puffy from all of the crying he’d already done, and he looked exhausted in every sense of the word. And Skye knew this was only the beginning.

River puttered off to his room and shut the door, and didn't come back out for hours.

Around five o’clock, Skye decided to check on him and see if he was awake and wanted to eat something, so he knocked on the door softly.

“Come in,” he heard River say. When he opened the door, River was wiping tears from his eyes and sniffling.

“Hey, came to see if you’re hungry. Can I bring you anything?”

“I don’t really feel like eating,” River said, sitting up. “But I probably should.”

“Soup sound okay?”

River nodded and Skye headed to the kitchen to start on his spinach and tortellini soup. It was one of River’s favorites and Skye was hoping it would help comfort him, even a little. When it was ready he brought it to River’s room, and his heart shattered when he saw River sitting in bed, against his wedge pillow that Skye had bought him, staring into the distance as silent tears spilled down his cheeks.

“Hey.” Skye sat on the side of the bed next to him. “It’s ready. Try to eat something.” He handed the bowl and spoon to River and brushed his thumbs over his friend’s cheeks, wiping away his tears.

River took the bowl but didn't touch the spoon for the longest time. Finally he looked up at Skye and said, “Would you stay with me?” His voice was so broken, just a shell, and Skye nodded.

“Of course.” He ran his fingers through River’s hair and pressed a kiss to his forehead, his heart lifting at the thought that just his presence might be a comfort to River right now. He sat on the bed next to his friend, pillows propped up behind himself, and he smiled when River started eating. He smiled even more when River finished in only a few minutes. Then Skye took their dishes and brought them out to the kitchen before coming back to check on River and deliver a glass of water.

River took the glass gratefully and drank it down. “Do you still want me with you?” Skye asked.

River’s cheeks reddened a little and he nodded. “If that’s okay.” He rubbed his arm with his hand. “I don’t want to be alone right now. And my bed is more comfortable than the couch.”

“It’s always okay,” Skye said, climbing back onto the bed. “Do you want me to set up the laptop so we can watch something?”

“Sure,” River shrugged. “You can turn on anything. I don’t really care.”

So Skye set the laptop up on the bed and turned on Disney’s Up.

River raised an eyebrow at him. “Really?”

“What?” Skye said. “It’s cute. I like Dug.”

River smiled ever so faintly, and that made Skye’s heart soar. Being able to put a smile on his face in the midst of such a difficult time was priceless.

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