Friends First, Benefits Second

by Schweetpea1870

They've been best friends for years. Nothing more, nothing less. After one drunken night, they slip into new territory with each other. Admittedly, they have a great thing together. Determined not to ruin their friendship, they decide to give a FWB relationship a chance. They know the mistakes the movies have made. They can handle it without developing feelings. How hard can it be?

32. Last Chance

My friends. We've made it to the final chapter. Yes, for realsies. No one is more shocked than me.

For the last time, my thanks to the very best of the best (proper thank you's coming ASAP):

King Kroniiclez, Guest, Zangetsu12, taydo-the-potato, TheMoonlighter01, mvsta, N. Risa, LovinHueyFreeman, SuadamPanyuthapum(2), Winzoxox, NarutoPlug, Firegirl19, QuestionyTheQuestionMark, CocoaMoon, Cai-the-potato, Chel29, TifaEsque, World War Wolf, Guest(2), and SweetStarre123.

Please stick around to read the author's note at the end of the story. I have more to say and more thanks to give.

Now… for the last time in this story… please enjoy the chapter :')

Disclaimer: I do not own any part of Aaron McGruder's The Boondocks or any of his characters.

---

"Yeah, I'm talking to you! Open your bag! What's in your bag?! I'll kill you bitch!"

"But what I REALLY liked about her, was that she had less compassion than the average girl."

~Cindy McPhearson & Riley Freeman; The Fundraiser

---

Riley's POV

He didn't know what to do with himself. He just stood there, still tightly gripping the phone in his hand though it'd been minutes since he'd disconnected the call. His thoughts were racing, the weight of the threat on the forefront of his mind. He knew what he wanted to do, but driving around aimlessly looking for this nigga didn't seem like a viable option, no matter how much he wanted to break his legs, along with every other bone in his body.

He needed someone to talk him down off the ledge.

Dialing his brother's number felt like a hit or miss, given the fact that it was now past two in the morning. But it hadn't even gotten all the way through the second ring before the call was answered.

"Yeah?" Huey said into the phone, sounding wide awake.

"Uh, hey." Riley replied, caught off guard. "You still up?"

"Dealing with some stuff." Huey told him, notably quieter than he had before. "You too?"

"Same shit actually. We got a problem."

"Bigger than the one we already have?"

"Much. He threatened us."

"He what?" Huey's voice lowered into a growl.

"All of us." Riley added, feeling less numb as the words replayed in his mind. He felt himself nearing the brink again as he said the threats aloud, hearing the way Huey's breath hitched slightly when he said Jazmine's name. Riley noticed his own breathing a bit more ragged by the time he finished, waiting impatiently for his brother to say something.

"So?" Riley broke the silence again first, unable to hold out for long. There was a long pause before any answer, and Riley could just picture him rubbing at his face and pinching his nose.

"…So what, Riley." Huey uttered calmly. Riley immediately could tell he was forcing it, which instantly pissed him off.

"Nigga, the fuck you mean?!" He snapped right away, fighting to keep his voice down.

"I mean, so what exactly. What exactly is the plan? To run up on him? Drag him outside and beat him senseless?"

"Hell the fuck yeah!" Riley said immediately, the visual already a clear picture in his mind.

"Seneca Park would probably be the best place to bury his body afterwards, it's pretty secluded there." Huey suggested, making Riley's eyes widen.

"Really, you think?"

"No, you dumbass." Huey's voice was suddenly harsh. "You don't fucking think. That's not a plan, that's a suicide mission to either wind up in jail or worse."

"He's not gonna do shit to me."

"Obviously not. That doesn't change the fact that we need an actual plan in place. And you need to—"

Riley raised an eyebrow when Huey abruptly stopped talking, other noise now prominent in the background.

"Is that Riley?" He heard Jazmine's approaching voice from the other end.

"I'm in the middle of a conversation." Huey spoke, his voice strangely even with her. "Can you please not—Jazmine!"

"Hello, Riley?" Jazmine was suddenly speaking directly into the phone, clearly having maneuvered it away from Huey.

"Hey?" Riley answered questionably. "What's up—"

"What type of car does Landon drive?" She cut him off curtly. "It's black, right?"

"Uh, yeah?" He said after a pause, completely thrown off by the question. "He drives a Range Rover."

"Year? Model?" She asked right away.

"Probably either this year's or last, it looks brand new. Standard model I think, why?"

"Why are you calling so late, something else happen?" She asked instead.

"You mean aside from this nigga's threats?" Riley scoffed.

"Threats?" Jazmine echoed, and Riley could've sworn he heard his brother groan. "So now he's threatening us?"

"Some shit about meeting at the house tomorrow morning so he can take Cindy with him wherever the fuck. It ain't happenin' but—"

"Sir, thank you for holding, he drives a black Range Rover, newer issue, standard model." Jazmine said loudly, her voice further away from the phone now. "I also just found out some additional information as well."

"Jazmine, don't." Huey's voice hissed.

"The fuck is going on?" Riley demanded. He was met by a long pause of silence until Jazmine finally spoke again.

"Yeah, Dolan threatened to come to 327 Timid Deer Lane tomorrow morning." He faintly heard her, Huey letting out another obscenity into the phone.

"Yo, who is she talkin' to right now?"

"She called the goddamn police." Huey seethed into the phone.

"She snitched?!"

"Are you actually surprised?"

"Not really, but why didn't you stop her, the fuck?"

"Because she's pissed off and won't listen to me!" Huey shot back. "I don't want them involved. And now that they are, everything we do will be monitored and potentially look premeditated, Riley."

"Mannnnnn…" Riley let out while aggressively scratching at his braids, beginning to pace around the kitchen. "Does Tom know?"

"Hell no." Huey said at once. "I told her not to think about it. He doesn't even know she's over here."

"I figured." Riley rolled his eyes. "Him with the police would make it ten times worse."

"He'll be in Baltimore for a case tomorrow morning. Jazmine said Sarah's going with him, so they'll both be out of the way."

"Yeah, let's keep it like that." Riley muttered. "…The fuck we gonna do though, man?" He asked quietly. He listened to Huey breathe a deep sigh into the phone, sounding the exact way that Riley felt. He had stopped pacing by this point, staring ahead down the hall to his bedroom. He wondered briefly if she was asleep but doubted it. He already knew he had no chance of getting any sleep of his own.

He hated this. All of it. There wasn't a thing he could do in the moment to make this go away, and the jury was out on how to make it go away for good tomorrow.

Rest wasn't an option until it was over.

"What we always do." Huey's voice broke him from his thoughts. "We're going to handle it."

---

Her eyes were the first thing his met with as he re-entered the bedroom. Partly out of habit. The other part being that she was standing right in front of the door.

"I told you to stay in bed." Riley admonished her right away, closing the door shut behind him while maintaining her gaze.

"What happened?" Cindy ignored him while she stiffly crossed her arms. The stern tone and look she was going for wasn't nearly as threatening without her full range of motion.

"Everything's fine, relax." He said as he reached out to unfold her arms. She swatted at him immediately in frustration.

"Don't tell me to relax, Riley!" She fussed at him. "Jazmine literally texted me out of the blue asking for Landon's address."

"You give it to her?"

"Yeah, and she hasn't gotten back to me on why she wanted it. So I'll ask again: what the hell is happening?"

"Everything is fine." Riley repeated, still as calmly as he did before. "I just talked to Huey. Jazmine apparently called the police, but—"

"He let her call the police?!"

"Calm down." He shushed her, carefully placing his hands on her shoulders. "It's fine. From what I could tell before I got off the phone, the police are gonna go up to the address and see if he's there. If he is, they'll take him in and it's done."

"And if he's not?" Cindy gave him a look.

"We're gonna meet at Granddad's tomorrow morning." Riley willed the calmness in his voice to continue. "Huey and Jazz are gonna be there too. If he shows up, Huey and I are gonna take care of it."

"Did he say he was showing up?" She asked pointedly.

"Doesn't matter what he said. You're not talking to him and not going anywhere with him."

"But that's what he wants, isn't it?" Cindy's eyes flickered with fear.

"I don't give a fuck what he wants." Riley stated, harsher than he intended. "He's not getting near you." He felt her shoulders slightly tremble a bit beneath his hands. She wouldn't even meet his eyes anymore.

"Riley—"

"Hey." He interrupted as he took her face gently into his hands. "Do you trust me?" He asked her quietly. The look she met him with in return instantly made him feel undone.

"You know that I do." She answered him softly, a bit of color rising to her face.

"Then trust me when I say, he's not going to touch you again." He told her seriously. "We'll go over tomorrow, you'll stay in the house, and I'll handle things with his bitch ass if it comes to that. But he's not getting near you again, alright?"

Cindy's piercing gaze didn't waver from his. "What if something happens?"

"I ain't lettin' nothing else happen to you, Cindy." He responded at once.

She blinked at that, her eyes looking shinier than they'd been moments ago. "What if something happens to you?"

He shook his head right away, feeling a stir at the pit of his stomach the longer he looked at her. "Don't worry about me." He told her lowly, giving her cradled cheeks a gentle caress with his thumbs. She practically scoffed at that, noticeable tears lingering along the brim of her eyes.

"I can't not worry about you, Riley, I—"

He cut her off again, this time with a kiss. He hadn't expected to, he'd just reacted. But damn. Just on contact, kissing her felt like a weight had been lifted. He felt lighter. For the first time that night, he wasn't thinking about the situation they were in or what they were going to do or anything. His only focus was her. Being in this moment with her.

It felt too soon when he started to ease back, feeling stupid and irritated with himself for pulling away when Cindy had made no move to. The fact that she had kissed him back at all had him feeling better than he'd felt in days, weeks if he was being honest. He hadn't even known how much he'd missed her.

"I gotchu." Riley murmured in response, meeting her eyes again. "I promise." He waited until Cindy gave the slightest of nods, bringing her close again to press his lips to her forehead. Reluctantly, he lowered his palms from her warm cheeks, reaching instead for her hands. "Let's get you into bed."

She nodded again, allowing Riley to lead her back to his bed and carefully help settle her onto it. He felt her eyes on him the entire time; as he leaned over her to tuck her in, as he crossed the room to turn out the light, as he came back and slid in to face her.

"Can I hold you?" He asked quietly, noting her surprised expression even in the darkened room. He didn't know exactly where the question was coming from, given he never had asked before.

"You want to cuddle me?" She asked innocently enough, but Riley heard the light tease in her voice.

"I said hold you, there's a difference."

"I'm sure."

"Get over here." He grinned with the roll of his eyes, sliding closer to her while carefully draping an arm around her waist. It took an extra few minutes of situating to reach a position that was comfortable enough for Cindy.

"You okay?" Riley asked her, now lying on his back with her tucked at his side.

"Mhm." She nodded with heavy eyes, her head snuggled against his shoulder.

"You sure?"

"Yes, Reezy." She told him, her eyes now closed while she grazed her hand across his chest. "Thank you."

He shook his head, lightly brushing his own hand along her wrist. "Don't thank me."

"For what, wanting to cuddle me?" Riley caught the grin on her face even though she kept her eyes closed.

"Holding you." He corrected her again, feeling his chest tighten slightly when she opened her eyes to meet his stare.

"That's what this is?" She asked him softly.

"I told you…" He matched her hushed tone, bringing his hand down to brush her long hair back from her face. "I gotchu."

Cindy didn't respond, continuing to look up at him with those eyes. They held him in a trance the way they seemed to study him, making his pulse start to quicken again in that familiar rhythm. "Hm?" He hummed in question, tucking back another lock of hair that wasn't even in her face, only in an attempt to distract himself. To no avail, as expected, but especially when Riley felt Cindy's hand move from his chest to his face.

He froze at the touch of her fingers resting gently along his jaw, borderline feeling that he was holding his breath while she continued to look at him like that.

"I believe you." Cindy all but whispered to him. Riley barely heard or comprehended her words before she had lifted her head from his shoulder, this time being the one to reach up and kiss him.

Riley returned the kiss at once, gradually holding her closer to him as he did so. It was at that point he decided to turn his brain off for the night. He didn't have it in him to analyze anything else. Not when she was in his arms and her lips were on his. For tonight, she was safe and with him. Regardless of what happened or what was going to happen, for tonight they could just be.

He lost count of how many times their lips met each other's. Enough that whenever she did pull back, he felt slightly out of breath, but still wanted more.

"Goodnight." Cindy whispered, her lips just centimeters from his. Riley was about to steal another, but she beat him to it, gently kissing his lips again.

"That's what this is?" He murmured, unable to resist. He was also unable to resist matching her pace by giving her another soft peck. He knew it was worth it when he felt her lips upturn against his own.

"A goodnight kiss?" She suggested. "Yea."

"Mm, ok." Riley accepted, providing her with another slow kiss.

"What was yours?" Cindy mumbled in between them. "From earlier?"

Riley grinned slightly to himself, lifting up to press his lips to her forehead instead. It'd be too much for her right now. His thoughts were still too chaotic to articulate and he'd already committed to keeping his brain in silence mode. He met her warm gaze before leaning down to kiss her one more time.

"Goodnight, Cindy."

---

Jazmine's POV

"I understand… yes." Jazmine closed her eyes and fiddled with the charm necklace she wore, a feeble attempt to displace her nerves. "Thank you for the update. I'll wait to hear from someone in the morning… okay… bye." Jazmine said before disconnecting the call. When she opened her eyes, she purposefully avoided making eye contact with Huey as she started to walk past him.

"What did they say, Jazmine?" Huey asked her testily, turning to face her directly while she walked by. The heat of his stare and his footsteps behind her instantly set her off again.

"Who?" She quipped sarcastically, not breaking her stride as she went into his closet and turned on the light.

"Jazmine..." There was a warning in his tone that she knew too well, but she didn't care. "You're eventually going to have to talk to me."

"I'll wait, thanks." Jazmine snapped, whipping her head around to glare at him. The glimpse of the hurt look she saw behind his guarded expression pulled at her heart, but she tried to will the feeling away. Especially when she saw the scowl that took over his face in response.

"Can you stop treating me like I'm the one on fucking trial?" He retorted coldly.

"Don't curse at me." Jazmine shot back levelly.

"I apologized already." Huey kept talking, noticeably fuming. "Do you really think if I knew what I know now, I would've sat on it?"

"The point is that you should've said something, Huey!" Jazmine turned her back on him, beginning to rifle through boxes. "If you would've said something, anything—"

"What, Jazmine? What would that've done?" He raised his voice.

"I don't KNOW!" Jazmine yelled back, sinking down to her knees. She clutched at her pendant again, trying not to hyperventilate as she felt tears well in her eyes. She tensed when she felt Huey near closer and kneel down behind her. She weakly resisted when she felt his arms start to go around her.

"Don't touch me." She whimpered.

"Stop." Huey shushed her, holding her tighter while resting his face into her neck, and adjacently, her curls. "Take a deep breath."

Jazmine took in a shallow inhale before letting it out slowly, feeling her muscles begin to relax at the feeling of Huey doing the same against her back. "Three more times." He said calmly. As usual, she did feel more grounded after the impromptu meditation. She remained still, Huey's arms around her middle as he sat behind her.

"I'm sorry." Huey broke the silence quietly. "For cursing at you." He clarified, making Jazmine's eyes slightly well up at the simple apology. "And again… for not saying anything." He mumbled.

"We promised we wouldn't keep secrets from each other, Huey." Jazmine said plainly.

"I know."

"You know, and yet this isn't the first time you've broken your word."

"…I didn't want you to worry."

"Huey, I'm a worrier." Jazmine threw her hands up. "It's what I do, you've known me almost my entire life. That's not an excuse."

"I know."

"Do you want me to lose trust in you?" She asked him seriously.

"I love you."

Jazmine sighed, turning to look back at him. She had a love-hate relationship with the way he would tell her that he loved her unprovoked, specifically in moments like this. "Your love for me has nothing to do with my trust in you." She told him, receiving a slightly raised eyebrow in return.

"Not even a little?"

"Don't be cute, Huey Freeman." She gave him a look.

"Not even going to say it back, wow."

Jazmine bit her lip in a failed attempt to conceal her grin as she rolled her eyes. "You already know that I fucking love you."

"Don't curse at me." Huey smirked, leaning forward to kiss her lips before she could interrupt him. She sighed into it as she cupped his cheek, too exhausted to be upset with him any longer.

"You're a brat." She murmured, pecking his lips again before turning back to what she was doing.

"Sure, just me." He muttered, ignoring her offended gasp by kissing her cheek. "And why are you looking through my things?"

"For supplies." She said as if it were obvious, lifting a pair of nunchucks out of the box and setting it down.

"I can handle my own supplies, thank you." Huey snorted. "There's nothing you need to worry about."

"He wasn't at his apartment." Jazmine told him quietly, examining another weapon before deciding against it. "The police said he wasn't there, his truck was gone, and it seemed like things looked scarce inside. As if he's on the run."

"He is."

"What if he comes here tonight?" Jazmine asked nervously. "Like tries to break in?"

"If he would be stupid enough to step a foot inside this house, I'd drag the rest of him inside and end it."

"Huey." Jazmine glanced back at him.

"He'd be trespassing, I'd be well within my rights."

"I'm scared, Huey." Jazmine's hand trembled as she took another item out of the box.

"You don't need to be. We've dealt with worse than this." Huey told her, gently taking her hand after she dropped what she was holding. "I'm here and you're safe. Nothing's going to happen."

"I still think I should tell my dad—"

"Absolutely not." Huey cut her off and shook his head.

"Huey!" Jazmine huffed, turning around to face him.

"Jazmine, it's going to make it worse." Huey pinched the bridge of his nose. "Number one, you snuck out. He'd be hysterical that you did that and have been here alone with me. Number two, he'd make it a big production tomorrow and it's already enough with the police involved. Can we just… not? He's not good in high-stress situations, especially when you're involved."

Jazmine shifted her jaw. He wasn't completely wrong.

"Can I tell my mom?"

"She would tell your dad. And also, we already have one white woman to deal with tomorrow. Let's not make it two."

"Hueyyyy!" Jazmine pushed him with a smile, annoyed that he barely moved.

"Besides, they would both probably want to remove you from the situation and I'd rather you'd stay with me where I know you're safe." Huey admitted. "The less people involved at this point, the better."

Before Jazmine could respond, her phone started buzzing loudly from the floor, prompting them both to look. Caesar's ID lit up her screen.

Jazmine lifted her phone and put it on speaker. "Hello?"

"WHERE THE FUCK HE AT, YO?!" Caesar shouted into the phone, making Huey snap his head up towards her.

"You told him?" He glared.

"I texted him." Jazmine shrugged.

"What's the plan, for real? How we handlin' this nigga?" Caesar asked heatedly.

"The police didn't find him when they went to his apartment." Jazmine began. "So because of Landon's comment—"

"Dolan's." Huey interjected.

"Right, because of Dolan's comment." Jazmine corrected herself. "Because of him saying he wanted to come to the house in the morning, the police said they're going to perimeter the three main entrances to get into Woodcrest. So they should catch him before he even gets into the neighborhood."

"Okay, that's cool, but when can I lay hands on the nigga?" Caesar responded easily.

"Ceez." Jazmine giggled.

"Listen, he threatened my family, like my entire family. Not just blood. He gotta go." He told her seriously.

"Would've been easier had someone decided not to call the police." Huey said, looking elsewhere when Jazmine shot him a glare.

"What time can I come over?" Caesar asked. "I wanna be there in case shit go down."

"I mean… anytime, I guess. I doubt either of us are getting much sleep tonight." Jazmine told him.

"I'd like to try and get some." Huey muttered.

"What time are Riley and Cindy coming?" Jazmine asked him. Huey gave her a look in response.

"By this point? Just a few hours."

---

Huey's POV

He hated coffee, truly. Yet here it was, his unofficial vice for the past two going on three weeks. He wasn't pleased with that fact at all, but was thankful that it was at least keeping him alert. The two-hour nap (if that) he went for had been pointless, his body too on edge to really rest, too tense about the chance of a surprise attack. After two cups of what felt like straight caffeine, he retreated to the roof to catch the sunrise and overlook the shadowed neighborhood. Even with his binoculars, it appeared as though the town was still in a quiet slumber. On normal circumstances, the sight would usually bring Huey a sense of peace. However, today the calm was different. It was too much. The quiet felt suffocating. And more than anything, it just felt like Huey was waiting for the chaos to start.

He had a dreading feeling that this "peace" wouldn't last for long.

A few minutes later, he received a text from Caesar to let him know he had just pulled into the neighborhood. Huey returned the message before rising from his spot to make his way off the roof and back into the house. His brow furrowed slightly in concern while he passed the doorway to the living room, spotting Jazmine's slouched figure on the couch. She was bundled with a blanket around her shoulders while holding a steaming mug in her hands. Though slumped, her eyes were glued to the TV screen that appeared to be playing the news at a volume that was way too loud for the time that it was.

"Caesar's pulling up." Huey announced, making Jazmine startle slightly. She eyed him quickly, noticing that he had on his shoes.

"Where are you going?"

"I don't want him parked on the street in plain sight. I was going to have him park in your parent's garage."

"Did you see them leave already?"

"Yeah, they left together around six."

"Do you need the garage code?"

"Your parent's anniversary I'm assuming?"

"Yeah." Jazmine nodded. "That's fine, but do you have anything on you to take? Just in case?"

Huey gave her a questioning look. "I'm just going to your house, you can see me from the windo—"

"Take something."

"Jazmine, I was just looking out on the roof. He's not h—"

"Take… something." She repeated seriously, pointing to the box of items she apparently had brought downstairs.

Huey let out an exaggerated eye roll as he entered the room. "Would you recommend the katana or nunchucks for my ten-yard trek across the street?" He deadpanned as he approached the box of his belongings.

"Mm, take your throwing stars. You'd need something with range in case he did a drive-by or something."

Huey turned to give her a look at her offhanded statement while she took a long sip from her mug. "That's not going to happen."

"Now it won't." She nodded in approval as he slid his pouch of shurikens into his pocket. Huey rolled his eyes at her again before leaving to exit the room towards the foyer. "Check the peephole!" She called behind him.

He sighed loudly in response, briefly glancing through the hole before unlocking the front door. Still, he was cautious to open the door, doing a slow scan of the yard before venturing out onto the porch and pulling the door closed behind him. Yet again, everything appeared tauntingly peaceful and quiet. He had already reached the garage when he started to hear the sound of nearby tires, prompting him to orient himself so his back wasn't to the street. Admittedly, he did notice a slight glimmer of relief when he saw it was only Caesar's truck approaching. Huey waved him forward as the door to the garage finished lifting, still checking their surroundings as Caesar pulled in next to Sarah's car.

"We stompin' him in the nuts here now?" Caesar asked as soon as he shut and locked his doors behind him.

"Just wanted your car off the street." Huey replied, pushing the button for the garage door to close once he exited.

"The element of surprise before we stomp him, gotchu." Caesar bobbed his head as they started back towards the Freeman house.

"I don't want it to come to that." Huey muttered in return.

"I doubt it's gonna be all kumbaya, my guy. Which is why I brought this guy." Caesar emphasized, whipping out a switchblade dramatically from his pocket.

"You're going to cut yourself."

"Rude." Caesar huffed as they reached the porch steps. Jazmine was already opening the front door for them, urging them inside with the hurried wave of her hand.

"You guys are taking forever."

"Did you expect us to run?" Caesar grinned, sliding past her into the house.

"Yes." Jazmine answered at the same time that Huey said "Probably." He closed and locked the door behind them, noticing the way Jazmine tightly hugged Caesar, worry still etched all over her face.

"Did you see police on your way in?" She asked him.

"Yeah, they were there. Kinda just standing around. They glanced at my car, but didn't stop me or anything as I drove past."

"At least they noticed you."

"Barely. But Jazz, check this out." He stepped back while reaching into his pocket, making her let out a noise of surprise as the blade to his knife audibly flicked open.

"Please be careful with that." Jazmine told him seriously.

"Why does nobody trust me?"

"Also Huey, Cindy texted me." She said, turning to him. "They're on their way too. Probably will be here in about five minutes."

"I'm going to go watch out for them." Huey responded, already heading for the stairs.

"I don't like you on the roof by yourself." Jazmine mumbled from behind him.

"Need me to come with?" Caesar offered.

"No, just look out from downstairs." Huey told him without turning.

"Can do, boss, can do-whoaaa, look at all this stuff!" Caesar's focus shifted, clearly having seen the box of Huey's things.

"Caesar, no, put that down!" Jazmine's voice chastised. Huey tuned out their back and forth as he reached the second-floor landing, heading to the attic pull-down stairs. He scooped up his binoculars he had left once he reached the top, looping the strap around his neck as he went towards the far window. It creaked reluctantly the way it always did as he lifted it open, a clear sign that it wasn't and shouldn't be used for roof access, but Huey had adapted.

Easing over the sill while still holding onto the edge, his footing found the flatter parts of the roof tile. Huey gracefully edged his way around the dormer until he reached the corner edge, using the crevice and slant to help him ascend further up the roof. It reminded him of the early days when his family had first moved to Woodcrest; he and Riley propping the old ladder along the house to sneak up to the roof and spy on (or pelt) unsuspecting neighbors. Huey had always found the activity innocuous. Nothing but a way to make the day go faster.

The fact that an old pastime now mirrored a suddenly very real situation… it all felt like some bullshit.

Huey propped himself over the top ledge of the roof just in time to see Riley's blue car start to come down the street. He should've figured he'd be sooner than five minutes as fast as he drove. Huey reached into his pocket to pull out his phone, dialing Riley's contact while he inched further down the roof.

"Hey." Riley answered, the volume of his radio turning down after a moment.

"Hold on before you get out of the car, I'm checking it out." Huey told him, nearing a section that leveled out.

"Whatchu mean you're…oh. You crazy nigga." Riley snickered as he pulled into the driveway, clearly having noticed him. Huey had kneeled to straddle over another dormer ledge, now lifting his binoculars to scan the area.

"Didn't notice anybody tailing you, did you?" He asked while he surveyed.

"Nah. I was definitely checkin' though."

"And he didn't call or text either of you this morning?" Huey focused his sight down on the car. Riley was resting an arm along on the steering wheel while looking up at him. Cindy was seated beside him as she looked out the back window.

"No." Riley said shortly, glancing briefly towards Cindy.

"Alright." Huey accepted, giving one more quick look with his eyes. "I don't see or hear anything. You should be good to get out of the car."

"We're good?" Riley asked even though he remained seated, his eyes on Huey before he glanced again towards Cindy. She met his gaze before she seemed to look briefly in front of her before back at Riley again.

"Yes, hurry up." Huey told him, not understanding why they were both hesitating. Riley leaned his right arm on the dashboard and glanced up again. "What are you waiting for?"

"Did you check the back of the house too?" Riley questioned, his eyes still on him. Huey turned instinctively to look, carefully standing as he did so with his binoculars. It was pointless though. Even from a standing position, he couldn't get a full view of the yard.

"Nothing was off when I came out that way." Huey said into the phone while he lowered down his binoculars. "I'll look again before I head into the house." By the time he turned back around, Riley was now out of the car, adjusting his oversized shirt at his waist.

"Cool." Riley replied, lowering the phone from his ear while quickly walking around the car to open Cindy's door. Huey slid his own phone into his pocket while he watched him slowly help her out of the car, feeling the guilt again at the uncomfortable expression on Cindy's face. He didn't need his binoculars to see that she was clearly in pain.

Huey lifted his binoculars up to scan again once they started to make their way to the front door, Riley shielding Cindy from behind the entire time. Once they were out of sight and having made it to the covered porch, Huey turned back to the roof ledge to head back in, pausing beforehand to scan the back of the yard. Once finished, he returned into the attic window to make his way back downstairs.

"I'm okay… really." He heard Cindy say before she was in view. "It looks worse than what it is." As Huey reached the landing, he felt the guilt stir again once he did see her. She was the only one who noticed him as he started down the stairs to foyer, and he wished she hadn't. Though she was currently trapped in a tearful embrace by Jazmine, the brief glance they shared between them bared a weight he hadn't expected. Even from the distance away from her, he could make out the welt across her cheek. The marks at her neck. The bandages on her left hand. The bulky long-sleeve she'd opted for that no doubt concealed more bruises. He felt a sudden surge of anger beginning to clash with the remorse he had inside. He wanted to rip his head off. For Cindy. If it had been Jazmine…

Huey took a slow blink along with a deep inhale through his nose, allowing the thought of thoroughly eviscerating him to pass. He had to stay present and focused.

"Hey." Huey said quietly, eyes on Cindy while he gave a slight head nod.

She acknowledged him similarly as she pulled back from Jazmine. "Hey."

"You two good?" He asked, his gaze flickering between both her and Riley, landing back on Cindy for confirmation.

She nodded, her eyes unwavering. "Yeah. Thank you."

"Thank goodness." Jazmine spoke, and Huey was grateful for the distraction. "We've been so worried." She said, now turning to Riley to start to wrap herself around his waist. But he gripped her arms gently before she could connect.

"We're fine, Jazz, c'mon." He told her lightly. "Stop cryin' all over everybody."

"I'm not!" She huffed, pulling her arms back indignantly before she swiped at her eyes.

"No more tears, just action." Caesar uttered theatrically before whipping out his switchblade.

"Jesus." Cindy muttered in surprise, taking a quick side-step closer towards Riley.

"Put that away." Huey gave him a look. "We need to think things through before weapons are involved."

"Long as they're involved." Riley murmured, earning a glare from his brother and a concerned glance from Cindy.

"We need a real plan." Jazmine's focus was back on Huey, expectantly. "One that keeps us safe."

"You and Cindy will be safe." Huey responded, looking between them. "No matter what happens, both of you will be here inside the house. If he does happen to show up, we'll handle things outside."

"Hell yeah we will." Caesar agreed, crossing his arms.

"By us, I meant all of us." Jazmine kept her eyes on Huey. "We all need to be kept safe."

"We will be."

"He won't be." Riley commented.

"Not helping." Huey shot him another look.

"What about the police?" Jazmine asked, to which the room groaned. "What?" She demanded.

"They're useless."

"They'll get in the way."

"They'll get in my way."

"I don't want them to make it worse." Huey said carefully to Jazmine, feeling her growing panic. "But… I also know you. And I'm sure you'll be ready to call them as soon as he steps foot on our property." He wagered, to which she nodded right away.

"But she shouldn't, right?" Riley asked pointedly. Huey eyed him for a moment before turning back to Jazmine.

"…She can call them. But…" Huey glared, waiting for the complaining to quiet. "Under the condition that we already have things under control. And not a second beforehand. I don't want any misinterpreting about what's going on and we all end up shot or in jail."

Jazmine's expression dampened a bit at that. "But… how am I supposed to know if it's 'under control' or not?"

"Rule of thumb, Jazzy: if we're still kickin' that ass, maybe wait a bit to call them. Let us get it all out, 'kay?" Caesar patted her shoulder.

"Hold her to it?" Huey turned to Cindy, who let out a puff of air.

"I'll do my best." She offered wryly.

"Hide her phone." Riley muttered to her under his breath.

"I heard that!" Jazmine whipped her head to him.

Huey rolled his eyes before checking the time on his watch. "It's still early. Let's try to relax for a bit."

"You? Relax?" Caesar grinned.

"As best we can." Huey replied dryly, gesturing to the living room.

"Cindy, can I make you any coffee? Or tea?" Jazmine turned to her, gently grabbing her hand.

"Maybe some tea." She said with a nod and a light squeeze to her hand. Then she looked to Riley. "Do you want anything?"

"Nah, I'm fine." He told her quietly, and Huey didn't miss the way he gently touched a hand to her lower back. "Thanks though." He held her gaze for an extra moment, Cindy being the one to break eye contact as she allowed Jazmine to lead them towards the kitchen.

"No worries, I didn't want any coffee anyways." Caesar chirped good-naturedly from behind them.

"You are getting tea."

---

Huey was indifferent by the first hour. Even the second. But after the others that followed, particularly now that they were nearing almost noon… his nerves were on edge again. And it was pissing him the hell off.

"This doesn't make any sense." Jazmine said aloud, more-so to herself as she continued to pace from the dining room and back into the living room.

"What exactly did he say?" Caesar asked without turning from the dining room window.

Huey watched the way his brother tentatively glanced at Cindy seated beside him. His eyes were focused on the ground while he spoke, now avoiding Cindy's gaze as she turned towards him. "That he'd be here in the morning. Early morning, he'd said." Riley supplied, clearly holding back some of the more explicit details.

"Meanwhile it's past eleven-thirty." Cindy let out bitterly after checking her phone. "He's doing this on purpose."

"He's trying to psych us out." Huey agreed from his spot at the doorway.

"What if he's changing his plans? Trying to wait for Cindy to go home or something?" Jazmine asked nervously, hugging herself as she continued her loop.

"She's not going to be alone." Riley responded, earning an appreciative glance from Cindy.

"Yeah, but what if—eep!" Jazmine shrieked and everyone in the room jumped once her phone started to ring. "H-hello? Officer?" She answered immediately once she pulled it from her pocket and saw the ID. Huey leaned away from the doorframe and stepped closer, watching the way Jazmine's eyes danced by the chatter on the other end of the line. The pit at his stomach hollowed more by the way her eyebrows crinkled and her frown deepened.

"I understand that, b-but can't you spare a few more than just…?" She started to question, her lip trembling a bit as she massaged her temple. "Okay… thank you." She let out in a whisper, pulling the phone down from her ear soon after.

"What's going on?" Cindy was the first one to ask.

"There's a situation in town. They have to pull some of the officers that are stationed at our entrances." Jazmine answered quietly. "They said they'll leave us with one officer to patrol."

"That's reassuring." Caesar snorted.

"Useless." Cindy muttered again, shaking her head while her leg bounced.

"It changes nothing." Riley spoke lowly, resting a gentle hand on her knee to settle her. "He's not getting anywhere near you. You're safe." He told her seriously, meeting her eyes again. She held his stare for a brief moment before lowering her eyes down to place her hand over his.

"Let's keep monitoring the windows more closely." Huey straightened, directing the statement towards Riley and Caesar as he looked at them each in turn. "I'm going to head up to the roof." He said before he headed for the hallway.

"I'll come too." Riley said from behind him. His fingers slid gently past Cindy's as he stood from the couch, letting their hands part from one another's.

"We need to stop in the bedroom for a second." Huey mentioned to him halfway up the stairs.

"…We?"

"Shut up and come on." Huey gave him a light shove in the direction of their once-shared room when they reached the second floor. Riley pushed open the door and strolled to the window, turning to see Huey move towards the closet.

"Whatchu lookin' for?"

"Something that should still be here that I forgot about." He responded, his voice slightly muffled from the smaller crawl space of the closet. He knew he was right once he spotted it, recognizing the tote bin from memory. He dragged it towards him before lifting it with slight effort, moving to return into the bedroom. His eyes went to Riley right away, as his gaze was focused intently out the window while he pressed some of the blinds out of his way.

"What is it?" Huey asked immediately, dropping the bin next to the bed before heading over.

"…Nothing." Riley answered after a beat, letting go of the blinds. "Just… thought I saw something." He shook his head, rubbing at his eyes. "Should've had more coffee."

"You alright?" Huey studied him, patiently waiting until he made eye contact with him again. His eyes were noticeably weary, the lack of sleep more than evident. Still, he nodded simply.

"Yeah." He said in a sigh, his mouth setting into a thin line as his eyes turned back to the window again.

"I'm sorry." The undeterred words slipped out before Huey had a chance to even consider them. He blinked, Riley doing the same as he looked at him with a furrowed brow.

"For what?"

Huey shook his head slightly, his shoulders shifting to raise while he let out a breath. "I just feel I could've maybe prevented things from reaching this point." He admitted, the frustration and guilt still gnawing at him. "I should've said something sooner and I didn't. I owe you both an apology for that."

Riley continued to stare at him, unyielding in his blank expression… until he let out a low scoff. "Your complex is showing again." He quipped, glancing back out the window.

"I mean it, idiot." Huey slugged Riley on the arm out of habit.

"Ow nigga, so do I!" Riley retorted, whacking him back. "You didn't cause this, stupid. And there's no way you could've prevented it either. Me though…" He trailed off for a minute, looking away while he rubbed at his arm. "I might've been able to… maybe. Not that it fucking matters at this point." He muttered the last part solemnly.

"She okay?" Huey ventured. "Really."

Riley met his eyes again after a pause. "As much as she can be."

"And you?"

"You already asked me that."

"I meant the two of you." Huey implied, watching the change in Riley's now surprised expression. But in the next moment it turned almost… nervous.

"I hope so."

It was now Huey's turn to scoff, causing Riley to give him a dirty look and supply him with another shove. Riley opened his mouth to sneer but Huey beat him to it. "From where I'm standing, I'd say so." He stated before turning towards the bed. "Not that it's any of my business though." He added casually over his shoulder.

Riley rolled his eyes, but was unable to hide his smirk. "Glad to see you're still a bitch."

"I'm sure." Huey retorted dryly, his back to him again as he lifted the bin onto the bed.

"What's in the box by the way?"

Huey let out a smirk of his own as he opened the lid, eyes landing on the first object on top of the pile. "More of our usual." He revealed by lifting one of their old BB guns out of the box.

"Yo, I remember that one." Riley's eyes lit up as he studied the hefty rifle. "I think that one was mine-"

"You wished it was yours." Huey cut him off immediately.

"Naw man, that was the one with the best sight on it, I always used that one!"

"You always took it." Huey said pointedly. "This one was mine."

"Was." Riley mirrored his emphasis with a cocky grin. He had now ventured closer, gazing into the box as well. "These pellets hurt like a bitch."

"These aren't what I'm looking for." Huey replied, setting another gun aside before he reached his true target. "These are." He said after he lifted one up. Riley's eyes widened a bit in understanding.

Huey could imagine how the bulletproof vest he had once worn would bring back memories. Unpleasant ones at that.

"Still has a hole in it." Riley muttered, his eyes going to the frayed spot where a bullet had once pierced through.

"I wasn't exactly going to ask Jazmine to patch it." Huey said before extending it towards him, reaching back in the box to grab the second.

"There's no way this still fits me."

"It'll be tight, but not impossible. It's not like these were kids sizes."

"I guess, but—yo, what are you doing?"

Huey didn't bother to look at his brother while he continued to pull his sweatshirt over his head. He still wore the tank he'd slept in underneath. "The obvious." He answered before reaching for the vest again, beginning to slide it on. It did take a little extra effort around his shoulders and was a snug fit once it was in place, but manageable. He rotated his torso slightly, thankful it didn't limit his movements or breathing too terribly before he reached again for his shirt. He was confused to still see Riley glancing between him and the vest in front of him after he turned back.

"What are you waiting for?" He asked him for the second time that day, raising an eyebrow.

Riley paused, not quite meeting eye contact. "What about Caesar?"

"What?"

"Is there a vest for him?"

"Why would there be three vests when it's only ever been the two of us?" He gave him a look.

"Give him this one then, I don't think I'll need it." Riley took a step back from the bed, from the vest. "It ain't gonna fit me right and I'on wanna be uncomfortable."

Huey stared at him, his stubbornness even more random than usual. "Riley…" He started slowly, trying but unable to keep the edge out of his voice as he talked to him like a child. "Caesar is bigger than me. If I can handle wearing it, you'll be fine."

"…No homo."

"Secondly," Huey narrowed his eyes. "Out of the three of us, who do you think Dolan would go for first? Because I'd wager that Caesar is last on the totem pole."

Riley didn't say anything, continuing to look away from him as he shifted on his feet, scratching around the collar of his bulky shirt. Huey's eyes remained pinned on him. He was doing that thing. The thing he did every time he was hiding something. And the longer Riley averted his gaze, the stronger the conviction felt. He'd felt something off about Riley since he and Cindy had arrived at the house. Both of them actually. The tenderness between them was something separate completely, he wasn't taking that into account. But the way Cindy looked at him occasionally, specifically when they brought up Dolan's name. It was full of concern and nervousness and something… else. Like she knew something the rest of them didn't know. Like they both knew something from the way Riley had leveled his gaze back towards her.

"And all I'm saying is that the motherfucker's not gonna touch any of us ever again."

There was something about the way Riley had uttered the words earlier and the way he spoke today regarding Dolan. Almost like he was planning… really planning to…

"Riley." Huey's eyes hardened as he looked him over, his gaze scrutinizing. He still refused to meet his eyes. "Take off the shirt," Huey instructed, noting the way Riley's hands clenched. "And put the vest on." His tone was nonnegotiable and clearly heard by the way Riley set his jaw. He'd just started to turn his head, just started to cut the corner of his eye at him, just started to open his mouth in a clear retort when—

CRASH!

Both of them jumped, slightly ducking down in response to the loud sound of shattering glass, followed immediately by a brief scream.

Riley took off with Huey right on his heels, his heart plummeting, his mind racing as his brain registered that the scream had come from Cindy. Just Cindy. Which meant…

Please. Huey didn't know if he thought it, prayed it, or said it aloud, his breathing almost ragged as they bolted down the steps. He almost overtook Riley as they skirted around the banister, about to run into the living room when they heard her again.

"Caesar, Ceez, look at me." Cindy's voice shook, and a slow groan responded. Then another voice, quieter and strained.

"Omigod, Caesar." Jazmine's words were also pained. Huey's eyes found her immediately as they dashed into the dining room, simultaneously trying to take in everything at once as he went for her. She was on the ground towards the side of the room, but her focus, like Cindy's, was towards the middle of the room on Caesar. He laid on the floor underneath the broken window, a mix of glass, blood, and a crumbling brick around him, Cindy desperately pulling him into her lap as she gripped at the open wound on his arm that was spilling blood.

"Fuck." Caesar let out, his eyes squeezed shut as he clutched the inside of his elbow.

"He pushed me out of the way, I'm fine." Jazmine spoke before Huey could say anything, his hand already lifting her face up towards his as he frantically looked her over. The confirmation didn't bring him much relief as he turned towards his friend, both Cindy and Riley now beside him. But then Riley jumped to his feet, staring directly out the window and into the backyard. His body stilled for the shortest of breaths before he shifted. It was as if one moment he was frozen in place and the next he was gone. Huey hadn't even gotten the word wait out of his mouth, too slow in grabbing for his brother when he was already out of the room, heading into the kitchen and towards the back door. Huey was on his feet right away, torn between helping Caesar and following Riley when the terror in Cindy's voice broke him.

"He has a gun." She breathed, her eyes already on Huey when his head whipped towards her. "Riley does." He didn't have a response, couldn't even formulate one as he heard the door open.

"Go." Caesar gritted out. Huey's position shifted, but in doing so, another movement outside the window caught his attention. His scattered gaze focused not quite on the figure stealthily concealed behind a tree, but at the unconcealed piece that was revealed from behind him while he seemed to wait, his focus directly the door.

"So does he." Huey didn't hear himself, could barely hear anything as he ran. The kitchen door had already closed shut behind Riley's exit, the distance between rooms never seeming so great.

"Please." He felt himself mouth the word for certain this time. Whether the prayer was audible, he couldn't tell. He couldn't hear anything over the ringing in his ears, his heart thrashing in his throat as he hurled the door open.

Things processed in slow motion again as he dove off the porch, making a beeline for Riley. His brother was still striding across the lawn, presumably to the direction he originally saw Dolan, but he was facing the wrong way, he was in a different position at the opposite edge of the yard, his arm now leering from around the tree, his weapon drawn—

"NO!" Huey leapt.

BANG!

He felt the connection, felt Riley as they collided, his arms around him as he propelled them into a tuck and roll. Once his body landed and steadied on the grass, he felt like the wind had been knocked out of him, the pain at his back so sharp he nearly saw stars when he blinked.

"Huey!" Riley's voice was panic-stricken. Huey forced himself to open his eyes, the image of him hovering above him more than a little fuzzy. He then saw Riley snap his head up and his nerves toiled inside him, but he was too disoriented to shift from his current position.

"Move—" Huey urged, attempting to push him away from him, towards shelter or safety, but then Riley drew his own gun up and fired.

The blast of the gun sounded through the yard, making Huey's ears ring again from the proximity. But he didn't have time to focus on that before he was hauled forward suddenly, sucking in another gasp from the pain near his spine.

"C'mon, c'mon, c'mon." Riley uttered, pulling him to his feet with surprising strength. His arm was around Huey in an instant as he threw them behind a nearby tree, right as another shot went off, the bullet nearly missing them as it skimmed the trunk of the tree.

"Shit!" Riley panted, looking to his right after the stray bullet. "Shit fucking shit." He swore, his eyes were practically blazing. Huey noticed his vision was finally starting to even out and moved to position himself more comfortably against the trunk. Riley looked to his left at him, and Huey noticed his hand was still clasped underneath his arm, partially holding him up. "You alright?" He asked quietly.

"I'm fine." Huey tried to bite back the wince as he pulled his arm away, making Riley let go of him. His back was definitely going to sport an ugly bruise.

"Don't take a fucking bullet for me, you fucking asshole." Riley hissed, knocking a fist without malice into his arm.

"Maybe don't run out of the house without a fucking vest, you stupid dumbass." Huey bit back quietly, returning a light punch.

"Where's my fiancée, Riley?" The voice across the lawn suddenly spoke, making Huey stiffen. He didn't sound remotely like himself. Not the previous way Huey was accustomed to. That light, stupid, everything's-all-hunky-dory way he'd always talked amongst their group. This new voice, his real voice, was cold and blunt, with such an edge that took even Huey aback.

"Out of your league and out of your life, Dolan." Riley answered loud and clearly. The derisive laughter that responded was unsettling.

"Is that right?"

"Yeah, turns out she doesn't like felons or psychos, can you believe it? Especially cowardly ones that hide like a scared little bitch."

The air seemed to still. "…What was that, Riley?"

Riley let out a snort. "I said you're a pussy—"

BANG!

Huey cursed, catching a glimpse of a bullet zip by the tree, followed by another one immediately after on the opposite side. He took a step nearer to Riley, feeling him do the same without any stupid comment as more flew by. "Congrats, you got his attention." Huey muttered to him.

"Why don't you say that again, I still didn't catch it." Dolan went on, still firing shots at and by their tree, his voice nearing closer. "Who's the bitch hiding again?"

"Yeah, I got his attention." Riley admitted quietly, his voice oddly cool as he paused. "I also got him out of cover and got him to fire five… six now shots."

Huey's eyes widened, watching another go by. "Seven. Nine counting the initial two."

"He's gonna have to reload sometime." Riley smirked as Dolan fired another. "Dumb motherfucker and his intimidation tactics."

Huey was inclined to agree. "It looked like an automatic pistol. It could hold anywhere from 10 to 18 rounds."

Riley lifted the gun in his own hand, his finger sliding over the trigger. "Let's hope it's on the low end."

"What are you doing?" Huey's eyes narrowed.

"What's it look like, getting ready?"

"With what defense, you don't have a vest!" Huey hissed.

"We're not gonna have a choice if he doesn't use up his entire round and makes it over here." Riley shot back, keeping his voice low. "And if he gets close enough in range, I'm going for it."

"No you're fucking not."

Huey and Riley swore again, a stray bullet actually getting close to them as it came from a different angle, and they quickly started to maneuver around the ring of the tree. Riley matched Huey's glare with one of his own.

"Watch me."

---

Caesar's POV

Finding his happy place was, in most cases, a cinch. It'd never been something he struggled with, unlike most guys, at least the majority that he knew. His friends, shit, his family especially, all the men he knew since growing up kept their temper close to the surface. Allowed it to lash out at the slightest inconvenience, warranted or not. That had never been his style; if anything it was the opposite.

You had to work to take him to the edge. Even so much as a verbal snap was a rarity for him. He honestly couldn't even think of a time that he truly lost it on anybody. Even when somebody pissed him off and did warrant the reaction, he remained collected. His happy place, his zen, was almost always central.

But now… somewhere between learning about the threat towards his chosen family, the echo of multiple gun shots firing, and the blinding pain of a projectile brick to his fucking arm…

He couldn't find the happy place.

Couldn't see it.

More importantly, Caesar didn't want it.

"Jazmine, focus." He directed in a tone and towards a person that sounded foreign even to him. But she was in the midst of falling apart and he couldn't have that right now. They couldn't afford it. They didn't have the time. "Bind it and—aht, look at me, eyes on me. Bind it and knot it quickly." He kept his grip on her knee as she knelt on the floor beside him, her tears freely flowing and her body shaking as she struggled to keep her gaze on him and away from the window.

"Cindy," She pleaded tearfully.

"They're still behind the tree." Cindy reported thickly, her trembling fingers barely supporting Caesar as she continued to peer out the window.

"Get your head down." Caesar ordered seriously.

"He's getting closer, way too close." She ignored him, her voice cracking.

"Please, please, please," Jazmine whimpered, her fingers fumbling over the fabric around Caesar's arm. He sucked in a breath, releasing her knee and gripping on the opposite end of the fabric as Jazmine held hers, fighting back the sting of tears as he pulled it taut.

Then he rolled away from them, bringing himself up from his knees to a standing position, immediately locking onto what was happening outside of the open window. He didn't give himself any time to react. Or the girls.

He dove.

And ran.

If they screamed, he didn't hear it. Didn't hear anything.

And ran.

He saw Huey in his peripheral, the hair mainly, from behind the tree. His face was looking towards him. He couldn't decipher his expression. He was too focused directly ahead of him. Especially when the figure before him started to turn, slowly. It all felt slow.

He ran faster.

He dove again.

BANG!

---

Cindy's POV

She wouldn't be able to recount the short moments that followed to save her life. She felt like she was in two places at once in a way. A part of her trapped in a hazy fog, still clouded in shock and disbelief. The other part of her barely aware as she tried to make sense of the here and now.

It was the moment Caesar jumped out of the open window and into the yard towards the boys, towards Landon, Dolan, that snapped her back into the present. Somehow she had the sense and capacity to grab Jazmine, clamping her hand over her friend's mouth before she started to scream. Caesar was bolting across the lawn, his steps mostly muffled by his socked feet. It wasn't until he was almost upon him that he turned, Caesar leaping forward, then-

BANG!

The scream that echoed came from Cindy, her grip dropping from Jazmine as she brought both of her hands to her mouth and faltered. Her eyes darted to so many things instantaneously—from Caesar, Dolan, the tree, the boys—before focusing and locking onto one fallen object in particular.

Time felt weirdly palpable again as she started to move, things fading in and out of the background around her. She barely registered Jazmine's obscenity, her phone already to her ear as she shrieked into it. Cindy wasn't even near her anymore, halfway across the kitchen as she sprinted, her pain not even a factor in her mind as she surged ahead and out the door.

Her focus was pulled slightly as she ran, but she kept moving towards them. Towards it. But it was impossible to block out the blood. The screaming. The cursing and pummeling happening meters away from her as Caesar and Dolan rolled in the grass. Huey and Riley were around the tree by this point, also running towards them. She didn't even think they noticed her. Which was probably for the best. She darted ahead again, noticing the way Riley already had his gun drawn as he and Huey approached.

BANG!

Cindy went still, her breath finally catching up to her as she stood there, her chest heaving when the eyes of the men all turned to her.

Her hand specifically.

Shakily, Cindy lowered the gun she had fired into the air, but kept her arm extended as she began to stride forward. Her gaze dropped immediately to Caesar and Dolan, both of them still on the ground, and both smeared with blood on the front of their shirts and arms. Caesar currently had Dolan pinned to the side as he kept him in a headlock. His pocketknife was also bloodied and rested a few feet out of reach beside them.

"Are you alright?" Her words wobbled as she addressed Caesar.

"I'm fine. He missed." Caesar's focus shifted between the gun in her hand and his tight grip around Dolan's neck. Cindy felt a fleeting touch of relief, but felt it fade just as quickly as it came when her eyes lifted to the others.

To him.

He didn't even acknowledge her. Hadn't even met her gaze or looked in her general direction. He was laser-focused on Dolan. Way too focused. His stare hadn't wavered with each approaching step, his expression dark and deadly serious as he started to loom, his finger already covering the trigger, and Cindy knew what she had to do.

"Let him go." She spoke again to Caesar, raising her gun towards Dolan as she adjusted her position and stood so she was now blocking Riley's path.

"What?" Caesar asked, his eyes focused on the gun. Dolan even raised his eyebrows a bit, but his face shifted again when he glanced over Cindy's shoulder.

"What are you doing?" His voice was demanding, and she expected it. She didn't react, continuing to stare at Caesar as she gave him a nod.

"It's okay, I got this." She told him reassuringly. Caesar glanced from her, to him, then down at the person below him. He tightened the lock on his neck suddenly, making Dolan audibly choke.

"Fucking try it and see what happens." Caesar hissed in a menacing tone before releasing his grip and shifting away from him, scooping his knife on his way up.

"What the fuck, Caesar?" Riley fumed from behind her. "What the hell are you doing?"

She knew without turning that the latter question was for her. "I said I've got this." She said calmly.

"And I'm saying to move, Cindy."

She gripped the gun a little tighter as she stared ahead, locking eyes with Dolan as he clutched his neck and gasped for air. Her eyes narrowed. "He is disarmed, Riley." She spoke quietly. "He is disarmed, surrounded, and already on the ground. It's past self-defense at this point."

"I don't care."

"I care! The police are going to be here any minute. He isn't worth the murder charge." She snapped, aiming her disgust towards the man in front of her instead of behind her. "So unless you want to be in the cell next to him, hand your gun to Huey."

"I'm starting to hear sirens." Huey interjected. "They're far off but they won't be for long. And you can't be caught with that."

You can't shoot to kill with it either. Cindy thought grimly to herself, sparing a quick glance at Huey from the corner of her eye. His face was devoid of emotion as he gradually held out his hand. "Give me the gun, Riley."

She listened to him suck in a sharp breath and waited for the fight, or frankly, his gun to go off in response.

"Fuuuck." The swear burdened all the animosity it could've possibly held, but Cindy was almost shocked to hear the trace of resignment in his voice. She hadn't turned to look, but heard the sound of Huey immediately disarming the pistol that had been handed to him. She could practically feel the heat rolling off from Riley as he stirred behind her, and she wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch him. But she couldn't allow herself to be distracted. Not while she was preoccupied with staring down the root of all of their problems.

Cindy felt herself go rigid and her fingers twitched when she watched Dolan take his hand away from his throat, slowly rotating and lifting both palms outwards to show them to her. Then he spoke.

"Cynthia, I'm sorry."

"Don't FUCKING call her that."

"Don't you speak to her."

"Shut the fuck up."

Cindy had a difficult time processing when the boys immediately responded, their voices overlapping each other. Dolan didn't react or move, only continuing to blink at Cindy. She couldn't help but notice how his voice suddenly sounded like the Landon she'd thought she knew.

"I am sorry." He persisted, still only looking at her and using that voice. The one that belonged to a man who didn't exist.

"Just shut up." She told him finally, hating herself for how quiet it came out.

"I did it for you. I just wanted to be with you."

"You're still fucking talking." Riley practically snarled, edging closer behind her.

"I said shut up." Cindy made sure to raise her voice.

She watched him lick his lips before he opened his mouth again. "Cynthia, I love y-"

BANG!

She hardly felt anything as Dolan screamed in pain, gripping his left knee that was now gushing blood. She flicked her eyes up to a slack-jawed Caesar next to him before feeling comfortable enough to turn her back, wordlessly extending the gun to Huey. Even he could barely contain his slightly stunned expression.

"What was that about self-defense again?" He quirked a brow with a small smirk while carefully taking the gun from her. Cindy shrugged a shoulder as he began unloading it before she turned to Riley. Surprisingly, he didn't have much shock on his face as he turned from her to glare back at Dolan, who was still screaming.

"You should've shot him in the head." He told her bluntly. Her only response was to step towards him.

His arms enveloped her into a tight hug before she had the chance to lift her own. She sighed into him, the embrace feeling like the first time she was able to truly breathe in days. By the way his body seemed to slacken, she couldn't help but wonder if he felt the same.

---

Riley's POV

Two Weeks Later

He didn't use to study her like this.

The thought whispered through Riley's mind as he looked away, still trying to catch his breath. But he only lasted a few moments until he caught himself glancing back, thankful that she was still facing the other direction at the top of the bleachers.

He didn't use to study her at all.

When they were kids… shit, he barely wanted to look in her general direction, she was so damn aggravating. He couldn't pinpoint when it shifted. To when it was tolerable to look at her and not completely revolt. Until it was normal.

It used to feel normal… until it wasn't. And it shifted again to where it was almost pleasing to look at her as they got older. From a friend standpoint of course. But it was still alarming. He didn't want her, he just could admire her. As a friend. It was fine. Weird. But it was fine. She was fine. Until she became more than fine, and things shifted yet again, in just one night. One night that changed everything.

And made it impossible for him to ever look at her the same way again.

He flicked his lighter out, quickly sparking a flame to divert his thoughts.

"Having a smoke after a run defeats that whole healthy aspect." Cindy said without even turning, her voice soft.

"Better than a donut." Riley responded, watching the way her shoulder shifted into a shrug. The cigarette found his way into his hand, but he didn't light it, still too preoccupied in her. In her caring. The semblance of caring anyway. She cared, but not enough to really fuss.

He didn't know if he liked it. To be honest, he missed her truly fussing at him. He'd give anything for her to fuss at him. Snap at him. Yell at him even. That would feel normal.

But they weren't there yet. None of them were.

Things following Dolan had been a whirlwind. It still seemed that way, even though the worst of it was past now. It hadn't taken the police too much time to arrive at the Freeman household the morning everything happened. Their leisurely pace did provide Huey time to safely hide Riley's gun (along with the rest of their own supplies) to avoid any accusations. Not that it'd been necessary. As soon as the police had entered the backyard, surprisingly led by Jazmine, they wasted little time and arrested Dolan. Due to the situation, the obvious gunshot wound, and Caesar's injuries, the police did require them to meet down at the station for questioning after the medics did a routine check on everyone involved.

To their surprise, that part had actually gone smoothly. The police had barely batted an eye at Cindy's admission that she had shot Dolan in the knee. One of the officers had even chuckled. Riley had almost been jealous, but had a feeling he wouldn't have gotten a laugh if he'd been the one to shoot.

But he also wouldn't have aimed for his leg.

They hadn't seen Dolan again once they'd arrived to the station. He'd apparently been taken in right away and had already started the process to transfer him back to the prison from whence he came. It hadn't stopped Cindy from being on edge the entire duration, glancing to the nearest doorway anytime anyone entered the room. Riley was hoping her anxiety would leave once they left the station, but it'd only lessened slightly. Barely. And she just looked so broken.

"I don't want to go home."

Her words had physically pained him when she'd uttered them that day. She'd said them once they'd returned to Granddad's house, all of them gathered in the living room, yet she'd only glanced at him. He hadn't been able to tell whether it was intentional or not. It probably wasn't. But he couldn't stop the pang that went through his chest at that just the same. Which is why he, intentionally, glanced across the room at Jazmine, catching her eye right away.

"Stay at my place tonight, Cin." Jazmine barely missed a beat, crossing the room towards her as she already started suggesting things for them to do that night. Cindy had nodded at once, her focus solely on her. Riley kept his eyes on Jazmine too, actively willing himself to not look at Cindy again.

After everything that happened, she needed this. A friend. Just a friend. Not whatever complication that he was to her now.

She had slept over Jazmine's house for almost a full week. He saw her every day, along with everyone else when they hung out. With Huey and Jazmine heading back to school in a few days, they wanted to spend as much time altogether as they could. On the fifth day, Cindy had mentioned needing to go back to her apartment for some things. It was Jazmine that had initiated the strong gaze with Riley this time, prompting him to volunteer to drive her.

He'd somehow resisted the urge to touch her on the way. The need he felt to reach for her hand seemed ridiculous and inappropriate, but also so right. He didn't know when or why the gesture suddenly felt natural to do, but he held off. It wasn't until they'd reached the entrance of her apartment that she had been the once to reach for him, stopping him in place when she'd clutched at his arm.

"It's fixed." Cindy's voice had been quiet as she stared at her brand new door.

"Yeah." Riley nodded, sliding his free hand into his pocket and pulling out his set of keys. "I came back the day or so after and told your apartment guys about the door. They fixed it up and put on new locks." He explained, extending his key ring towards her by holding out her key. She'd just stared at him, as if in disbelief. Or awe. She dropped her gaze to the key as she took it, letting go of his arm after a moment to open the door. When she stepped inside and flicked on the light, she gave a surveying look before turning back to him.

"The apartment guys didn't fix everything else." Her voice held a small tremble to it while she gazed at him, clear awe on her face this time.

"I was in the area after work." He shrugged a casual shoulder as he stepped inside, closing the door behind him. That part had been true, even though it hadn't been a casual effort. It had only taken him two days to clean up her apartment from all the damage, but getting her building landlord and staff to replace her door had been a pain in the ass since he wasn't on the lease. It took him talking to multiple people and physically bringing them up to look at the severity of the door before they agreed to get it taken care of. The last time he'd been there to clean, the locksmith happened to be there and had blindly given him the new key set, assuming he lived there. Riley had just kept his mouth shut and accepted them. His mouth had fallen shut again when Cindy was suddenly in his arms, hugging him tightly.

"Thank you." She had whispered, her lips brushing softly against his collarbone when she spoke. Riley bit his own lip, returning the hug and swallowing down the itch in his throat before he responded.

"You don't need to thank me." They'd stood in their embrace for awhile, Riley willing to hold her for as long as she needed him to. She made no move to loosen her grip, so neither did he. It was such a long, comfortable stretch of silence, it'd almost surprised him once she spoke again.

"I think… I'm ready to stay here again." She'd said as though she was thinking out loud. Riley had to pull back a little at that. One, because her lips tickled his skin again, and two, because he needed to see her face. He kept his arms around her, but looked into her eyes watchfully. Those blues watched him back with the same intent.

"Are you sure?" Riley had asked her, mindful to keep his voice neutral.

"I think so." She repeated with a nod.

"Do you…" The words started to fall out on his own and he'd mentally cursed himself. "Do you need anyone to stay with you?" He asked, having forced himself to say anyone.

Cindy nodded again, slowly this time as the corner of her mouth curved up a bit. "I'll give anyone a call if I need them."

Riley let out a grin of his own as he pulled her back into a full hug again. "For real. Call anytime."

"I will."

She had. Not the first night. But three days later. Officially a week since Dolan had been arrested. Riley had jumped awake at the volume of his ringer, putting the phone to his ear right away. "Yo, what's up?"

"I woke you." Cindy's voice was oddly calm in contrast to his.

"Nah, nah, I'm always up at… four in the morning." Riley said, still trying to ease his breathing and accelerated heartrate as he sat up. "What's goin' on?"

"I had a nightmare." She admitted quietly. "I just… I can't get back to sleep."

"I'm sorry." Riley frowned, then glanced at the clock again. "You work today?"

"Not til noon."

Riley stood up as he moved to his closet. "I'm off today. I'm gonna come over."

"Riley please, you're not about to drive here this late."

"Early." He corrected her.

"Boy…" She said in annoyance, making him smile without even knowing it.

"I'm coming." He told her again, pulling down a hoodie from his hanger. "I got an idea."

He never would've expected that his suggestion to "walking it off" would lead to this new routine between the two of them. Once he'd arrived and suggested they'd go on a walk through the park, she'd looked at him questionably.

"A walk?" Her tone had been dubious.

"A real walk. Exercise-y or whatever." He had rolled his eyes in a tease. "We can walk first, transition to a run, then after about a mile or so, cool down."

She seemed to consider for a minute, almost making Riley doubt his own idea before she gave a little smirk. "One mile's all you got?"

It had been. At least that morning. He was slightly embarrassed, sweating as much as he was in the cold. He felt like death. After one stupid mile. But Cindy… she seemed better than she had since he'd arrived. Even looked better, practically glowing.

"That felt good." She'd told him that day while they caught their breath on a bench. "Really good."

"Good." Riley tried not to wheeze before he continued to chug his water, hoping that he didn't throw up.

"Can we do it again?"

"Now?" Riley practically choked, definitely prepared to throw up.

"No, not now." She had the nerve to grin at his reaction. "But sometime. Another morning maybe. I liked this. A lot."

He believed her. Which is why he found himself saying: "We can do this every morning if that's what you want."

Granted, he had not been prepared for her to take that literally. The text he'd received that evening asking when and where he wanted to meet the next morning had him feeling exhausted already, but he made himself remember how she'd looked earlier. He knew without a doubt he'd be willing to put his body through it daily if it made the start of Cindy's days a little easier.

It probably wasn't acceptable for him to tell Cindy that she made his days easier.

But he was going to try.

He finally lit the cigarette between his teeth as he continued to watch her. They'd met at their deserted high school track early this morning, finally cooling off on the bleachers after Cindy had managed to talk him into a two-mile run today. Her back was still facing him as she looked out towards the view of the sunrise, making a slight noise of what he'd assume was contentment. She had a lot of audacity honestly. To stare at the sun and sigh like that, as if it was the beauty. In just running pants, a half-zip jacket, and her tousled updo, she was breathtaking. A muse if he ever saw one. A muse that had him so wrecked on the inside he felt incoherent, even to his damn self.

Everything he'd been feeling for weeks, months, felt like it was ready to bubble over the surface now. He didn't want to keep it in anymore, not that he thought he could for much longer. He wished he would've said what he should've said a long time ago, but the timing always seemed off. Especially now since everything happened. But he couldn't hold it in anymore. He had to tell her. She—

Is turning around, shit. Riley's eyes naturally widened when Cindy turned suddenly to cause instant eye contact.

"What?" Cindy asked him, consciously tucking back a loose strand of her hair.

Riley managed to hold her gaze, letting out a small puff of smoke before he replied. "Are you okay?"

She shrugged slightly. "I'm alright this morning."

Riley shook his head. "Not just about this morning."

She blinked at him for moment before shrugging again. "As alright as I can be."

"…And how much is that?" He saw the way her eyes slightly changed, but held her stare. He had to know. She broke first, turning back towards the steadying sunrise. He didn't think he was going to get an answer, but then she spoke evenly, still not facing him.

"What do you want me to say, Riley?"

He hedged at that, trying to consider his words. "Whatever you want to say. A truth for a truth."

"What's yours?"

"Not this time." He grinned at her quick reply. "You first."

She was quiet for a longer stretch of silence, continuing to stare ahead. Then she brought the back of her hand up to brush at her cheek. Riley sucked in a breath, ready to stand and move up towards her.

"I still feel like such an idiot." She said, her voice sounding so hollow.

"Cindy, for what?" Riley struggled to keep his tone in check as he stilled. "You did nothing wrong."

She finally turned back to him. Her eyes were slightly glassy, but hardened as she stared at him. "I was with a sociopath and didn't even know it."

"How would you?"

"And I thought he loved me-"

"He's a worthless fuck-"

"Cuz who could ever…?"

The tirade Riley was in the process of unleashing stopped short immediately. "What are you talking about?" He demanded.

Cindy rolled her eyes languidly before letting out a scoff. "I'm a hard person to love. Hell, I'm a hard person to like. I know that. And I know I don't make it easy for most people."

"Stop it." Riley glared at her, already mad as he stomped out his cigarette. "The people who actually matter love you and like you, knock it off."

"I'm okay with it." She went on with a shrug. "I'm at peace with it actually. It's just something I'm realizing."

"You're easy to love, Cindy." He said seriously. The look she gave him in return broke him, her expression softening just slightly before it was immediately back fighting it. Fighting him. He couldn't take it.

"Reezy, please. I know that I'm-"

"I love you." He told her strongly, hearing his heart pound as he took in her reaction. Her brows lifted in surprise, but he noticed the way her eyes studied him guardely. As if she were trying to make sense of the words instead of accepting them for what they were.

"I know you care about me." She responded carefully.

He held her stare. "And I know that you heard me."

"Riley," Cindy let out in a breathy sigh as she stood to her feet, shaking her head while she crossed her arms. "What are we doing? What is this?" She gestured between the two of them. "At this point, I have no idea. And I'm tired. So just tell me."

Riley remained seated and continued to stare up at her calmly. "I just told you."

"As a friend, I know." She countered.

He shook his head. "More than that."

"Your best friend."

"Cindy."

"The sex fucked things up." She was pacing now, arms still wrapped around herself as she shook her own head. "That's the only reason you're talking like this."

"It's not about that." Riley refuted at once.

"We've never talked about our feelings or anything like this before. Why wouldn't it be about that?"

"Just because I haven't said anything doesn't mean I didn't feel shit." Riley said adamantly. "I've been thinking about you." He heard the way she scoffed, clearly flustered, and spoke again before she could. "Have you ever thought about me in that way? Your feelings about us? Ever?"

Cindy stopped pacing and eyed him directly. "So what if I did, Riley?"

"So what?" Riley echoed, rising to his feet.

"So what is that I don't want to let my own stupid thoughts blow up what's left of our friendship." She shot back. "Everything about us is complicated and now I don't even know what I'm feeling." She paused for a moment, looking away from him while subtly brushing at her face again. When she spoke again, her voice had lost most of its edge. "We should've never done it… never compromised us. At least that was safe. And I knew I'd never have to worry about losing you."

"You don't ever have to worry about losing me." Riley said right away, taking a step up the bleachers.

"You say that now." She muttered in return.

"I know that always."

"No, you don't."

"The same way I know you will always be stubborn as fuck."

Cindy eyed him as he approached. "…I'm fucking right."

"You're actually fucking wrong and here's why." Riley told her, stopping once he was one bleacher step down from her. "If I may?" He asked her sarcastically.

"Please enlighten me." She rolled her eyes while propping a hand on her hip.

Riley couldn't help but smirk. "I know for a fact that you don't have to worry about losing me. Mainly because you get on my fucking nerves." He told her, watching the way her mouth slightly fell open but noticing the way she couldn't hold back her slight grin either. "See, I can look you in the eye and say that to you easy." He went on. "I can say anything to you. I don't trust nobody but you. And you know that. You're the only one I can be honest about my shit completely and just be me, girl. You're not wrong, we are complicated. We're messy. I know I get on your damn nerves about as much as you get on mine." He said, lighting up at the way she let out a small chuckle. "Together we're a fucking trainwreck. I know that. But… I'd rather be a mess witchu than just okay by myself. Or with anybody else."

"…Why?" Her voice was small again as she kept looking at him like that.

"Because I'm not okay when I'm not with you." He answered her honestly. "Even when I am a mess… everything's better when I'm with you."

Cindy blinked and her eyes were shiny again. "Riley…."

"Look, I don't want you to feel you have to tell me what you think I wanna hear." He interrupted her gently. "You don't have to tell me anything. I just… I need you to know that when I say 'I love you'… that's how I mean it." He told her seriously. "I can't keep it a secret anymore. And I don't want to."

Cindy's eyes were still wide when Riley lowered his foot down from the next bleacher stair, giving her one more look before he started to turn to walk back down the full flight. He'd just gotten to the bottom, both feet firmly on the ground, when he heard the abrupt sound of metal footsteps behind him.

"Reezy-"

He'd barely turned all the way around before she crashed into him in an embrace, having jumped off the bleachers and into his arms, her own arms and legs around his body before she was kissing him again and again.

"I'm not okay without you either." She whispered against his lips before pressing hers to his firmly again. "I love you too."

Riley's head felt light and his stomach was doing somersaults, but he'd never felt more okay than he had in this moment. He lifted a hand to her damp cheek and gently kissed her again. "Yeah?"

"Yeah." She smiled against him while they kept kissing. Then she let out a tiny giggle.

"Hm?" He hummed, too distracted.

"Oh, just the fact that you were the one to break your own rule."

That got his attention, prompting him to nip at her bottom lip. "Not you playin' me like you ain't do the same thing."

Cindy giggled again. "I'm just saying, I'm not the one who made it."

Riley pressed his forehead to hers, giving her a playful look before kissing her again.

"And all I'm saying is real niggas don't follow instructions."

---

THE END

---

I have no words. I am but a puddle.

Just thankful. Thankful to have finally… finally finished this story. A full, complete story. Not a one-shot. Not a part 1 of multiple. But completely finito. It has not been the perfect story. Not even close. So many errors and things in general that shouldn't have been written and/or could have been written better lol. But I'm thankful for the ride, the growth in my writing, and for the entire process. I hope you enjoyed it with me along with how the conclusion turned out (no epilogue this time, but just know that all of our faves ended up happily ever after).

And.

Also.

In addition.

I am insanely, wildly, and so incredibly thankful to everyone who ever clicked on this story, let alone follow, favorite, or review. Y'all really have me in my feels seeing all of your names and all of the love over the years. Thank you.

THANK YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK TO THE PEOPLE WHO FAVORITED AND FOLLOWED THIS STORY:

9 Tailed Beast, Abyss Trinity, Aeonmaster Aeroza, ArtMystery26, Ashcash23, Axel106106, Berserker0089, BlaqRubySun, BoondocksFever234, BrittJ, Brittany246, BrownBae, Brxktee, Caesar808, Cai-the-potato, ChickenNugget25, CielUzumaki, CocoaMoon, Comfuzzelled17, CukooCoa, DJ Marvin, DaBhaddestBih, DarkAfro03, DarkLordK, DarkRosez, DarkXDShadow, DarthJeffOG, DemonicHeart44, DryestPeregrine, EDTHE3RD, EJthe24th, ExoticVixen, Firegirl19, Fro Ninja, Gallifrey denizen, Ghost7393, Globalim, GoldenBuu, GrimsReaper, GroovyGrape, Gunbladez19, HeyMani, HeyitsJayBee, Hypertime Vacuum, ILoveYou1234567890123, InThatMomentISwear, InfamousX07, JA16025, JJ9194, Janiyah1, Jazavelli, Jblahr, K BO XXV, Kagz419, Kaioo, Keiara Akasuna, Kernal Dirty Corn, Kiara Baloney, Kidd Uzumaki, Killerbee77, Killing Kunoichi, Killjoy funny man, Liyah247, Loki-416, Lolwut8898, LovinHueyFreeman, Lucypher-From-Southcide, Maloko, MariJarvis, Minji12, Mischiefsoul93, MissLuver09, MissminnieA, Misspisces0315, Mr. Alaska, Mrbrownprider, Mrs. HoneyBunns1, N Risa, NaiaKirra, Nando the Animelover26, NarutoPlug, NewKidInTown, Nickai Funchez, Nicky7994, NighshadeIceheart, Novaya Model, Nyx Calliope, OTAKU AWESOMENESS, PaytonRWBY, Phantom2Kold, PippElulu, Puff's Charm, Pumkin21, Punch Line McSwagger, QueenRamona, QuestionyTheQuestionMark, RainbowBoxer, RawrRawrie, RayBansandSkittles, Reader2838, RedtheForgetful, RequiemDreamer56, Revanchist21, Rico1xl, Riley Freeman Bae 23, RileyFreemanRules, Sage-of-Ink, SammiSweetheart, SchoolRumble96, Serbia, Shadowninja22, ShagLadd, SharinneGod Of Destruction, ShelleyB, Shemar893, SifTheGreat, Silverstone007, Sodakandy, SpoonyGoony34, StarKiller9l, Sunflowah, SunshinePixie1, SweetKawaiiAiko, TJMurray, ThatNerdySense, The Lucha Warrior, TheMoonlighter01, TheNewBoyGenius, TheQueenofAnime, The Zebra Hybrid, Themanchestermolester, TifaEsque, Tjxlol, Toto Yoshio, Tropical BlueJay, Tsyne-Oblivion, Vanillatwix22, VictorD1988, WASTE TEH coofie, WhittBitt, Winzoxox, World War Wolf, XChristinaAngelX, XZeroXTwoX, XxOtakugamerxX2, YXXTBIX, Zangetsu12, Zeon Paralysis Crystal, ahenderson2, aicooldude, andre4108, ashcash200, babieschangelife, babiluv22, behavingmindlessly, blankslate101, bon7o, brittanybbey, bunnybabe247, cancerchrist2-0, compa16, darkistorrik, datboixx12, denardra, doggy bye, domday0314, flamerboy2000, foxsadist712, freegirl999, fumblindublin, hotracecar, hueyisbae143, iWasNotNeeded, jaksonvip, janiyah, jonesgirl7693, kadienewberg, kingofmonsters1, kyuubikaruma92, ladyrere1985, lakomadt, leogirl321, liteMARGARITA, liyahw, lizacuki12321, lmc9389, lollipop-chan, loveaholik, lowclouds, luv ta luv ya, lxolita, macer2016, masterthief1115, mayholder3, megustathemustache, mvsta, natasha annalise, npm061098, nune101, nykkia, otakunovi21, ponysarenotlittle, rampagingmuffins, rawgeminii, sergeant peace, shilley9, sho'nuff1985, smolliljunnie, sophiefreeman22, sugarbat93, thevirginalvixen, three333cb, thunda17, uw0tm8, vanillatwix, viperkishino, wickedhpnerd, yatozai, yawan5, and zaynwife1

I will be individually DM'ing and thanking those who have reviewed as usual. Y'all already know how I feel about you.

Am seriously in my feels/tears, not a joke lol. Eternally grateful always. Thank you for everyone who had made this experience for what it was. Guess it's about that time to finish up my last chapter of From Uncle Reezy, To Daddy Reezy to make it an official wrap on my stories. I'll get there. Thanks to y'all.

Thank you. It's been a pleasure. Miss this/y'all already.

~Schweetie