Every tradition starts somewhere. For Riley and Lucas the tradition of running into each others arms when the world was crumbling down around them started when Riley was being bullied in middle school. That night changed everything for them.

….

Lucas was waiting for everyone to leave, knowing fully well that she will ask to be left alone. Riley won't want them to see her breakdown, to be anything less than her happy go lucky self. She is the fixer and would refuse to be the one that needs to be fixed. And just like clock work she tells them all that she is tired and would like to get some rest.

Everyone starts to make their way to the bay window. Zay is the first one to leave after saying goodbye. Farkle hugs Riley and whispers to her "I'm always here for you," then walks out.

Lucas just stares at her eyes not wanting to say goodbye. He knew she needed him. Her eyes told him that much. But he also knew Maya wasn't about to let him stay. To his surprise Riley spoke up.

"Maya that means you too. I love you Peaches but I really would like to be alone right now."

"Riles… are you sure?" Maya asked hesitantly

"Yes peaches. Please"

"What ever you want honey." Maya gave her a soft smile and pulled her into an embrace. "Call me if you need anything."

"I will Maya. Thank you." And with that Maya crawled out the window.

Now that they were both alone, they were silent just staring into each other's eyes.

He had so many questions for her. Questions she didn't think she could answer. He wasn't sure if he should ask her or let her come to him. But he knew he needed one of those questions answered. "Why would you not tell me?"

"I'm sorry," Riley quietly muttered out as she lowered her head. He could hear her start to quietly cry.

How had he let this happen? He had failed her. He was supposed to be the one to protect her, the one to be her knight in shining armor. Yet here she was crying because someone was bullying her and he had done nothing to stop it, he hadn't even known. He gently raised her chin with his fingertips so she could look at him. As their eyes met, her eyes turned red and the tears started pouring from her already puffy eyes. He felt his heart grow heavy and his chest constrict as if he had been punched. He needed to do something to fix this.

He wiped a tear away and said "Come here," as he pulled her into his chest. He held her tight as she clung to his shirt. He rubbed circles on her back to try and soothe her.

Little did he know that his presence alone was soothing to her. She felt ridiculous for feeling this way but right now in his arm she felt safe, like no one or nothing could hurt her. Her sobs began to dwindle but his grasp on her remained tight. He maneuvered them to the bay window where he gently laid her head on his lap and began to brush her hair with his fingertips just like her mom had done so many times when she was a child.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Lucas asked her with his sweet voice that warmed her heart.

"Not yet. I just need time to process everything, to come up with a game plan."

"I can leave if you want?" He was glad she didn't look up at him as his face showed his instant regret the minute he said it.

"No!" Riley said to eagerly. "Can we just stay like this just a little bit longer?" She looked at Lucas and her eyes pleaded him to stay.

He looked into her eyes and said, "I will stay here for however long you allow me to Princess. Or until your father comes in and chases me out and steals my boot." at that they both chuckle.

"Good." She smiled at him. "Lucas why can't I just be invisible?"

"Because you are Riley! You are the sunshine in our lives, you are my Princess Dancing Sunshine, you are the kindest person I know, because you are a Matthews and no Matthews is invisible. And because this world needs more Rileytowns in it." He stopped himself there, afraid to reveal to her how much he was in love with her.

"But what if I am not good enough to be a Matthews? I am just a weird little goof ball"

"Have you met your father? Goof ball and Matthews go hand in hand." Riley giggled at that knowing that he was right. She was after all, Corey with Topanga's hair.

"Tell me it will be ok Lucas." She said.

"Everything will be ok Riles. You have me, Maya, Farkle and Zay. We will always be here to help you. You do not have to handle this alone. We are your friends and true friends let you be who you are. And Riles I.. we love who you are." At this Riley began to cry again and Lucas just rubbed her back afraid to say anything when he was this angry. He had not felt this angry since he left Texas. How could anyone do this to his Riley?! He felt Texas Lucas start to boil up.

Riley felt Lucas body start to tense up and she knew he was becoming angry. At that she sat up and curled next to him laying her head on his chest. Riley instantly felt his body relax and Lucas wrapped his arm around hers and placed his chin on top of her head. Neither of them knew what type of affect they had on one and other. Lucas heard Riley begin to lightly snore and couldn't help but kiss the top of her head. He didn't want to move because he was afraid to wake her. Before he knew it his eyes had closed and he had fallen asleep as well.

Cory wanted to check in on Riley hoping Maya had fixed whatever phase she was going through this week. But he was surprised to see what he saw. There in his daughters room was Riley asleep cuddled into an equally sleeping Lucas. Cory's fatherly protectiveness instantly kicked in until he saw his daughters face. Her eyes were puffy and her cheeks were tear stained and he knew what ever was going on was serious. Then he saw Lucas was holding Riley. He was not holding her the way a daughter stealing Casanova would, but he was holding her as if he was protecting her from the world. Lucas was protecting his Topanga. In that moment Cory was sure that Riley would always be ok with Lucas by her side. And although he was not ready to give up his little girl any time soon, he knew that one day he would be handing her over to Lucas to protect.

"How is she?" He heard his wife ask behind him. Cory stepped to the side for Topanga to see for herself. Topanga smiled at the two teens. "Cory let them be. This is a sweet innocent moment," she warned him. He knew she was right and they both stepped back to close the door. He gave the teens an hour before he sent Auggie to "call Riley for dinner." Cory and Riley both knew how much Auggie admired the Texan and not even his super spy would tell him that Lucas was in Riley's room. Cory also knew that right now Riley did not need the extra stress of thinking she was in trouble for being alone in her room with Lucas.