After last week's episode (3x05), I finally had inspiration to write a fic for the first time in a while. I also may have gone through probably all of the Hournite fics on Ao3 and tumblr at this point, so here's to more!
This is set after the cafeteria scene in 3x05. Most definitely does not follow cannon after this weeks episode 3x06. It follows my cannon that plays out in my head instead lol.
Maybe spoiler-ish if you haven't already watched it!
As always, happy reading!
Beth watches as Courtney storms off. Not to long after Yolanda grabs her bag and mumbles that she needed to study for an algebra test the next day. This only left Beth and a steaming Rick alone.
She glances at him from the corner of her eye, seeing how his hands keep clenching and unclenching ever so often, and the slight tremor to them. He was scarily silent. Beth can usually read Rick well, but something told her it was best not to say anything right now. She pushed her lunch around her tray a few more times and gives up trying to eat all together.
"You're not going to say anything?" His voice is gruff and short. Beth tries not wince at his tone. She's been around Rick when he's in a mood, but for some reason this time it felt different.
She sighs and shifts herself to look at him. "Rick," she says his name softly. "I'm not sure what to say. And I didn't want to make you upset by saying the wrong thing."
His hazel eyes narrow, "Oh, so then you agree with Court then?" he lets out a humorless laugh. "Wow. I thought maybe I would have at least you on my side."
Beth gapes at him, feeling herself getting riled up. "No, I never said I agreed with Courtney." Rick slumps back in his chair and crosses his arms. Beth recognizes his posture as his defensive one. He's open to hear her but he's already made up his mind.
Part of her really wanted to reach out to him but she knew this wasn't the time. "But I also am having issues hating someone I don't know. Yes, his father was a terrible man, but we've known Cameron long before we knew who his father was. I can't judge him without knowing him."
She looked down at her lap, "And of course I am on your side Rick, but why do sides need to be taken?" She chances a glance up at him and she wishes she hadn't. He looked heartbroken and disappointed. It confused Beth greatly why her opinion mattered to him so much.
Rick's shoulders fall in defeat and he leans closer to her, "Beth, I can't just accept the guy. He's a loose cannon and for all we know, he can be Icicle Jr! You may not have known Cameron back then, but I did. The difference being his rich daddy always got him out of trouble." He rests his elbows on his knees, and lets his head fall between his shoulders. "I just don't want us to get hurt in the end. I don't want Court to get hurt."
Beth feels her heart break seeing Rick like this. She's used to seeing Rick being Hourman and being tough, but she seemed to have forgotten that Rick has changed over the last two years. He's no longer closed off and stoic; he has feelings and can finally express them to someone and Beth never realized that person is her.
Taking a chance, Beth lift Rick's chin so he can look at her properly. He doesn't push her away but wait patiently for what she has to say.
"You're right, I don't know the Cameron that has a past. And you can be right too. Maybe he does have his dad's powers and he's plotting against us. But we also can't doubt that he can be a better person. Look at Artemis!" Beth glances in the direction of the football team. Artemis was animatedly reenacting last night's game. She catches the pair staring at her and she waves excitedly in their direction.
Rick chuckles and nods his head, "You're right." Rick lifts his head, making Beth's hand fall from his face to her lap. He shifts his chair closer to hers, his long legs entangled with Beth's when he shifted forward, but he makes no move to shift back. His large warm hands cup Beth's and holds them tight.
"I know the last few weeks have been hectic with everything going on. Between the Gambler's murder, the Cindy situation—"
"Which is also something we need to—"
He gives her a sharp look and she stops talking.
"We're SO not getting into that now, I'm already too heated about Cameron…" He takes a deep breath and continues. "As I was saying…" He runs his thumbs over the tops of her hands. "Us looking for a murderer. It's been insane and I—" His eyes soften as he takes her in. Her hair is parted slightly to the right and perfectly shaped. She was wearing these cute white pants with strawberries on them (which Rick thought was funny since he loves strawberries) and her signature yellow. If he ever saw Beth not wearing yellow, he'd know something were wrong.
He meets her large brown eyes. Patently waiting for him to continue.
"I miss us." He finally states. There. He said it. He never realized how much of a constant Beth became in his life. Even before JSA, and they sat by themselves at the loser table, she would try to engage with him and be his friend (even when he was being a jerk to her). But he always looked forward to lunch because it was the only time he never truly felt alone. Beth was the highlight of his day and recently his days have grown cold without her.
Beth could feel her face flush at his admission. Rick Tyler, misses me? She looks bashfully down at their intertwined hands and then back up to him. He seemed better, much better than he was twenty minutes before. The anger he had towards Cameron dissipated and was replaced by something Beth quite couldn't place.
I'll have to consult with Chuck later about this.
But his whole mood was giving Beth butterflies in her stomach and her nerves to short circuit. "I've missed you too." She admits because it was true. She misses her best friend and it feels like they're all drifting from each other.
From afar, Beth can hear the bell ringing signaling lunch was over. But neither teen makes a move to leave the cafeteria.
"Do you want to go to Richie's after school and get dinner?" Rick asks. A hopeful look on his face. "I understand if you can't if you already have plans with your parents."
"No!" she says suddenly. "No, I mean." She says more calmly. "They're both working late tonight so I'm free."
Rick smiles bashfully. "Great! Meet me in the parking lot after last period. We can get some work done at the pitstop first and then head over to Richie's after."
"Yeah, that sounds great!" Beth gives his hands a squeeze and lets go. Part of her felt sad to let go of his hands but brushes it away as she stands and throws her backpack on. "I've gotta get going to chem lab. We're doing test prep for the exam on Friday."
Rick nods in understanding and stands up too. "I'll walk you to class, I have a free period." They toss their trash and head down the hallway to the science classrooms. They walk down the hall in silence, but ever-so-often Beth felt Rick's hand graze her own. Feeling bold, she reach out and takes his hand, interlacing their fingers together.
She risks a glance up at him and he's looking ahead with a big goofy smile on his face. She's glad she followed her instincts. When they finally reached her classroom she let go of his hand.
"Thanks for walking me to class, I'll see you later!" As Beth turns to go into the classroom, Rick takes a hold of her arm and pulls her back to him. She falls into his chest and looks up at him. He seemed to be contemplating something.
"Rick?" She ask, confused by his behavior. Slowly, he cups her chin and leans down. Beth's breath hitches as he presses a kiss across her cheek and steps back. He smirks at her dumbfounded expression and says, "I'll see you later, Beth."
She slowly touches her cheek still in shock. Did Rick Tyler just kiss me?! Shaking herself from her stupor, she walks into the classroom and takes a seat. The rest of the class was spent thinking of Rick and why all of a sudden he's being expressive towards her.
"Psstttt Beth." Beth turns in her seat to see Artemis smiling at her. "Are you and Harris a thing?!"
Beth's heart drops to her stomach. She didn't even realize that the entire school just saw them in the cafeteria, the hallway, and just now outside the classroom.
Beth lets her head fall onto her notebook. "Oh no…" It's one thing to be a teenaged superhero trying to solve a murder. But being a teenager with a crush will truly be the death of her.