Ryder

Ryder stumbled from Kralla's song, having just finished drinking with her crew. Drack had called everyone there to simply get rowdy. Ryder had dumbly attempted to keep up with Drack at first, but soon realized she had hit her limit. Now she was making a poor choice: looking for Reyes. She opened her omni-tool and typed out a message.

whre r u? i ned u

She stumbled through the market in Kadara Port, headed for the new Collective HQ (formerly Outcast HQ). Maybe Keema would know where he was. The guards let Ryder in, one of them smirking. Ryder didn't care that it was obvious she was drunk. She deserved a chance to relax, for once.

"Ryder, are you alright?" Keema asked, surprise coloring her usually casual tone as she stood and rushed up to Ryder, who had tripped shortly after coming into the throne room.

"I'm fiiiiine." Ryder waved Keema off. "Where's you know who?" Ryder's tone insinuated her intent.

"You're drunk," Keema stated, amusement coloring her tone. Ryder never let the general population see her in this state. She had an image to uphold. Apparently she didn't care tonight.

"Yeah, and you're green," Ryder stated smugly. Keema rolled her eyes, smiling.

"He's not here."

"Well I can see that." Ryder replied, gesturing towards the rest of the room. Just then her omni-tool blinked.

Where are you?

"About damn time," she said to no one in particular and began to stumble towards the exit, attempting to reply to Reyes.

"Ryder," Keema said, using her commanding tone.

"What mom?" Ryder complained when Keema grabbed her arm and dragged her to a chair.

"Stay here until I get him here." Keema sternly ordered and Ryder groaned, rolling her eyes, but complying with the demand. Keema walked off and motioned for one of her guards to keep an eye on Ryder. Keema pulled up her version of the omni-tool and clearly called someone. Ryder was sure that it had to be Reyes. "Your girlfriend is with me. She's drunk," Keema's tone still displayed her amusement.

"I'm not his girlfriend!" Ryder called out. While this was true, it wasn't that she didn't want to be. Those trust issues still lingered. Keema ignored her and said a few more words before ending her call. Ryder pulled her omni-tool back up and attempted to type a response to Reyes again.

Keemss sidm i was ur girfirend butt im not yu know? yu lieed to me

Roughly 10 minutes later Reyes walked into the throne room. His eyes immediately met Ryder's. "Thanks, Keema," he said casually and Keema nodded.

"Any time, dear," Keema responded. Something about Keema calling Reyes 'dear' bothered her. In her drunken state, she made another poor decision.

"Back off, lady," Ryder said in Keema's direction as Reyes pulled her up from the chair, gently putting an arm around her waist and guiding her to the door.

"Ryder, are you jealous?" Reyes whispered the question to Ryder softly, his lips nearly grazing her ear. She shivered before nodding her response. He chuckled as he continued to lead her out. "You really are drunk."

"And you smell good," she replied, leaning into him and inhaling. She struggled to focus on where Reyes was taking her. Her head was beginning to spin and she was feeling nauseous. Within what seemed like hours, Ryder realized that Reyes had brought her back to his place, the same one she stayed over at. When her eyes fell onto the bed, she remembered the way he had pressed her down on it all the months ago. She wanted him to do that right now. Without a word, Ryder wrapped her arms around Reyes' neck and began kissing him. At first Reyes didn't respond, clearly surprised by the sudden attack.

"Ryder," Reyes attempted to say, pulling back from the kiss. "You're drunk."

"So what?" Ryder replied, continuing to kiss Reyes. She began pulling at his clothing, trying to undo buttons and zippers.

"Whoa, whoa," Reyes captured Ryder's hands in his, stopping her in her tracks. "Slow down, Lila."

"Why? I want you, you want me, what's the big deal?" She attempted to lean back in to kiss him. Reyes leaned his head back.

"Lila, as much as I want you, I don't want to do this while you're drunk as shit." This statement pissed Ryder off.

"Seriously?" She yanked her hands from his. "Again? You're turning me down a second time?" The sting of rejection pierced her heart.

"Lila," Reyes attempted to step closer, but Ryder held up her hand to stop him.

"No!" Lila was furious and hurt. "I've basically thrown myself at you 2 times and you've rejected me both times. God, why am I even here?" Ryder turned to leave Reyes' apartment. He ran over and stood in front of the door, blocking her exit.

"Lila, you're drunk." He informed her as gently as he could. "You are still very much angry with me about lying. I wouldn't be able to handle it if I gave in and you woke up tomorrow regretting everything." Ryder looked into Reyes' eyes and could see that he meant it. Suddenly, Ryder's stomach began to turn. She could see a range of emotions reflect on his face. From confusion to sudden understanding as Ryder attempted to stop the vomit from coming up. Reyes grabbed Ryder and hurried her into the bathroom, where she began to violently throw up into the toilet. She felt his strong hands pull her hair out of her face while she emptied her stomach over and over again.

After a few minutes, Ryder's stomach calmed and she slumped back into Reyes' chest. His arms wrapped around her, holding her tightly. She vaguely felt him press a kiss into her hair before she slipped into darkness.