Skipper had noticed how depressed Rico had been lately. He had been moping around and he hadn't blown anything up in a while. Skipper was honestly worried about him. He sent Private and Kowalski away for snowcones, so they can be alone. As soon as they left, he walked up to him. "Rico, I've been worried about you," Rico smiled slightly.
"I fine," He said. His eyes fell to the ground.
"Rico! You can tell me anything! Now tell me what's wrong," Skipper stared intensly at him. He wasn't going to let the situation go so easily. Rico sighed deeply.
" 'Kay..." He didn't raise his gaze off the floor. "I 'lone... I... I nobody ," A tear rolled down his face. That one was followed by two more. Skipper was bewildered. He felt his heart twist as he saw him cry.
"Rico, as long as you have the team, you're never alone. Do you hear me?" Rico still stared at the ground. Skipper hated this. He didn't understand why he would start feeling this way. "Now you listen here, you are NOT a nobody. People care for you Rico! The team cares for you!" Rico scoffed. Skipper got angry. "Rico! I care for you! Okay! Ever since I met you, I cared for you! Heck! I even loved you!... I love you," Skipper felt weird sharing feelings but it just shot out and he couldn't deny it. He'd be lying. Their faces were only inches away. Rico's eyes were wide. He had just heard someone pour their heart out to him. Skipper loved him... Why?
" I no goo'"
"But you ARE good... Great even! Don't let anyone tell you other-" Rico grabbed Skipper into a hug. Rico held him close and Skipper could hear his heartbeat. They stayed hugging. They didn't want to let go. It made Rico forget about his childhood. It was full of neglect and it made him feel inferior. But Skipper swiped that feeling away. He was loved by someone and it made him feel important.
A/N: This idea kept bothering me when I was trying to write another chapter for Experiment R160 so I wrote it!