Chapter 6
As Ryu came inside from smoking his cigarette, he glanced around, hearing a knock at his door. "Hmm…hey, what's Joco doing here?". Ryu mumbled, as he coughed a bit, answering. "Hey man, what's up?". Ryu mumbled, as he saw Chocolove McDonnell, standing, as he fumbled in his pocket for a cigarette…or for a joint. Joco, as he was known as in his English name, stood, glancing around. "Hey, I just came because I knew Samus was sick". "Or I heard…and someone said you were taking her in….I just came to check on her, see if she was alright". "I came as soon as I heard". Joco said. As Joco spoke, the corners of his mouth, his lip corner twitched. Perhaps a nervous mechanism used to deal with trauma.
"She's doing alright now…I just put her down…she's sleeping in the other room". Ryu said softly as he and Joco kept their voices down so as not to wake Samus. "How is she?". "I heard she was having a rough time, recently". Joco said, softly. "She's not doing so well…she was terminated by the Federation, she's had a hard time sleeping, she was homeless for a while, she isn't doing well at all". "I feel bad for her because she's been so traumatized, so troubled for a while, I know she's had it rough". Ryu said, softly. "In her time with the Federation, she's seen death, abuse, neglect, and torture". "She just…she's so fragile right now….underneath the amazing woman, there's a traumatized little girl". "She needs someone, and she will listen to me, but she still has had her moments where she's defiant, where she lies to loved ones, she has a lot of trauma behind her". "She doesn't know what to do with the trauma".
"I understand". Joco said, softly as he nodded. "Hey, I know exactly what she went through, because….I've been through it". "I've lost my parents, I've been in prison, I know what it's like to have something taken away from you". "I know what it's like….and perhaps….I'd like to help her…because she means so much to me". "I've been thinking about her for a long time….and it seems like she and I have been friends for so long….I'm in love with her in so many ways". "I love her….on a deeper level….and I was going to talk to her, about possibly being in a relationship….and dating". Joco said, softly.
"That sounds great, man". "She might be into it…but right now, she is a bit fragile…she still might cry, or become emotional about some things….she likes being with someone who is supportive". "She needs that support right now". "She needs that guiding hand that will reassure her, and tell her that she'll be ok". "She needs someone now more than ever". Ryu said, softly. "She does have PTSD, and some degree of depression, and anxiety". "Right now, she needs someone that can take care of her, and give her love, emotional stability, and gentleness". "She needs a man to take care of her, take her places, keep track of her medicines, and put her to bed at night". "She needs someone….even if that someone might not be experienced yet".
"Well, you're not wrong, I have yet to gain the experience". "but…I love her, deeply". "I've been in love with her for as long as I can remember". "I know she needs someone….someone that can give her everything". "Maybe I can be that someone….that'll protect her from those who will try and take advantage of her". "I want to be her boyfriend, I want to be her protector and soulmate more than anything, and I've never felt more in love, or more sure about anything". Joco said, softly. "I need her, just as she needs me".
"I understand, bud". Ryu said, softly. "She loves you, too". "Right now, she has a lot on her mind, she may not have mentioned it yet".
"Yeah, but, I want to make sure she's ready before anything". "It's entirely her choice…it's all up to her, and whatever her decision is, I can respect, and I will wait for as long as it takes…even if she never feels the same way". Joco said, softly. "In order for love to happen, both people have to have the same feelings….otherwise, it isn't love". "I want her to know it's ok….and the whole point is…I care a lot about her, as a friend….and….as someone who loves her….a lot".
"I understand". Ryu said, softly. "I don't want to decide things for her, because that's not a man's role, that's not a cousin's role, but…I want her to see what's happening". "Just so she knows…and she's aware that you have feelings, that you care".
"Right". Joco replied, softly. Joco looked at the medicine bottle that had antibiotics. "Hey….y'maybe want to…give her, this medicine while you're here?". "Just see if she's awake, and if she is, just nudge her gently towards medicine, and waking up…then, you have the chance to tell her how you feel". Ryu advised, gently. "I brought some soup in case she's hungry…and I have some almond milk she can drink". "That, and I wore this light silk shirt, in case she….y'know…needs a hug". Joco said, softly. "I'll go give this to her".
"Thanks, man". "This means a lot". Ryu said, gently with softness. Joco took his soup, and Samus's medicine into the guest room, as he gently and softly nudged open the door. Samus stirred awake, as she held her bear. "Hey". Joco said, kindly with softness as he came to Samus's bed. Samus opened her eyes, seeing Joco. "hi". She said, with some softness. "Hi, Joco". "How are you?". Samus asked.
"I'm doing well…doin' my thing, y'know?". "How are you, Samus?". Joco replied, gently with softness as his voice became a whisper. "I'm ok". Samus said. "I'm…ok…but not great".
"Yeah, I haven't been doing too well, myself". "I don't know…staying out of trouble has been harder, and harder". "But hey, it is what it is". "At least, my record's been wiped clean". Joco said, softly with gentleness. "You doin' ok?".
"Not really". Samus said. "I guess…I guess…things have been kind of bad, I mean…I haven't had anywhere to go, or anything to do, it's just been pretty bad all the way around". "I am sick this afternoon…so, it's a lot, but I'm doing ok….I guess". "It just feels like no one understands me…and no one cares". "I feel alone most of the time".
"That's how I feel most of the time, too". "And I've tried what I could in every aspect". "Yeah, it can be a pain when you've tried and tried, but you can't seem to get it right". "I know exactly how you feel". Joco said, gently with softness. "I've felt alone, too".
"I almost got shot at, last week by someone in an alleyway". "Luckily, he backed off, but I could've ended up losing my job over it". "Man, it hasn't been too good of a week for me, either". Joco said, gently as he soured. "I still have my apartment, but there's a lot I've had to deal with, too". "I know how you feel, almost exactly".
"Hey, but you look kind of down, today". "Is everything alright?". Joco asked, gently. "It's going ok….not great". Samus said. "Hey, I know it". Joco said, kindly with softness. "I brought you some soup, and those crackers you like". "That, and I have some almond milk I bought at the gas station".
"Thank you". Samus said. Samus took some of her soup. "I guess….I guess….I guess everything is ok…but…why are you looking at me like that?". Samus asked. "Nothing against you….it's just….kind of weird, that's all".
"I might be looking because maybe….I kind of…have these feelings inside….and there's no other way to describe them…they are pretty voracious, I've been having them because….when I see you, there's more that I see". "I see this amazing, beautiful, kind, strong woman that I know was meant to be beside me". "I see someone that I know can change the world, and do anything…because it was what she was put on Earth to do". "When you thought I wasn't looking, I was really seeing the beauty, and awe that was inside you, and that was present in our friendship". Joco said, gently. Joco looked at Samus, with friendly eyes. "What I mean to say is…I'm in love with you". "I want to be more than friends….if that's ok with you". "I want to start dating….only if you're ready….and I want to give you a Valentine every Valentine's Day that's made of chocolate, and filled with the magic and joy of friendship turned to love". "I need you, Samus". "I need you so much, that it makes my heart pound….and it makes me a better man". "Maybe we could try….but it's entirely up to you". "Whatever you decide, I'm ok with". "Just so long as we both know how I feel". "I can finally get it out". Joco said, gently with softness.
"Oh, ok". Samus said. "I guess….I've liked you, too". "I've kind of had feelings for you, too". "They're nice ones, and I don't deny having them….but I guess it just kind of scares me when a guy says he's in love". "Because I start expecting the gushiness, and the wooing, and the constant compliments, as well as the weirdness".
"I guess….I don't know….a guy that kisses, and hugs is someone scary because…he can do a lot of worse things". "I don't know". "It's a scary, new thing". Samus continued.
"I won't be like that….I promise". "None of that mumbo jumbo". "It'll be like we're friends….just as it is, now". "Only…we say goodnight, and good morning, and tell each other we love each other". "Nothing will be new…I promise". Joco said, kindly. He smiled a gentle smile. "We'll talk as much as we always do….if not more…we just know we're dating….and….we're close". "As long as we're good, nothing will be too much". "And we know we're good".
"That sounds good….I know we're good, too". Samus said. "Remember; no shady business". "Nothing Proletariat". "Ever".
"Mm hmm, got it". Joco agreed, in seriousness. "You know the parameters". Samus said. "Yes, space, trust and respect, I understand completely". Joco agreed. Joco's eyes lit up for a quick moment, though. "Although, and…this is just a suggestion….another thing I have to get out, or else it bothers me….maybe one day, when you're better….could I give you a kiss goodnight?". "On the cheek, if it's easiest for you?". Joco asked, gently. "Well…it does kind of scare me…I don't know…it's kind of odd". Samus said. "Please….?". "I promise it won't be bad". "It's not scary, I promise". "If you don't want to, that's ok, too". Joco said, kindly with softness.
"I want to…and I know I have to try…but…I'm afraid of what it'll do". Samus said. "It'll be ok…nothing will happen". "It's just a kiss goodnight". Joco assured, gently with softness. "All it will be is a kiss on the cheek". "Just a kiss, that's all".
"It feels nice, trust me". "Think of what Ryu gives you before you go to school, or to bed, but…this time, it's from me". "It is nice…trust me…this is my first time, too". "I know it's hard…but it feels ok". "Want to try it with me?". Joco asked, kindly. "Ok". Samus said. Joco smiled, as he helped Samus eat her soup. "It's just like this…". Joco said, gently as he leaned in, giving Samus a kiss on her cheek. Samus blushed as she and Joco laughed. "That…was nice". "Thank you". Samus said. "Of course". Joco said, gently. "And….to many more".
Joco and Samus laughed, as Samus ate her soup, and drank her milk. She and Joco shared stories, told one another about their day, and laughed. Samus knew, while Joco was older than her, by 4 years, he was a nice young man. They were still the best of friends, on their way to something much bigger than themselves. Samus was on the trajectory to peace. Ryu glanced into the room, secretly as he passed by. He smiled, knowing Samus was on the proper path. There was much peace in her future.
Joco sat with Samus as she drifted off to sleep, and left her with a kiss on her cheek, as he slunk out. Joco did talk with Ryu before he left, and Samus was still asleep, when Ryu snuck into her room, sitting on the side of her bed. He tickled her cheeks, gently and with softness, as he rubbed her back. "Hey, sweet pea". Ryu said, gently with kind whispery softness. Samus woke up, as she coughed. Tears came to her eyes as she coughed. "Hey, I know we don't want to, but we have to wake up, and take medicine". Ryu whispered, gently. "I know it's late, but it is time for meddy bye". "Ok, sweet pea?".
"Ok". Samus said. Ryu smiled a kind smile as he stroked her cheeks. "Time to wake up". "Only for a few minutes". Ryu said, kindly. "Ok". Samus said, drowsy from sleep. Ryu smiled, gently as he walked with Samus to the kitchen, as they opened the fridge. "We have some of your almond milk, some of your antibiotics, and some cannabis". "Which one would you like first?". Ryu asked, softly with kindness. "Antibiotics, if that's ok". Samus said. "Of course, darling". Ryu said, gently with soft kindness. Ryu helped Samus swallow her antibiotics, as he guided her in drinking. "There you go, sweet pea". Ryu said, gently. "Now, it's time for cannabis, and some cough medicine, and you'll be good to go". Ryu helped Samus swallow her cannabis, while she collected that in quick haste. Then, she drank some cough medicine. That was lovely to see.
Samus drank from her sippy cup, as her fragile, emotional eyes looked up at Ryu. "I know, baby". "I know". "It'll be ok, my lambie pie". "Cuddly bear loves you". Ryu said, gently with kindness. "I love you, too". Samus said. "Time for bed, maybe we can read a story….one that we used to read when you were a baby". "I still have "Goodnight Gorilla", on the shelf from when you were a baby". "I was waiting for the day when you would come back". Ryu said, softly with gentleness.
"Now that you are back, we can read it as many times as we wish". Ryu said, kindly with gentle softness. "Ok". Samus said. Ryu smiled a kind smile, as he walked with Samus to the guest room. "Let's see, "Goodnight Gorilla" it should be here somewhere….ah, here it is". Ryu said, kindly as he took it from the small bookshelf. "There it is….it's our favorite book". Ryu smiled a kind smile as he took the book down from the shelf.
"Gorilla, went into the cave, seeking the girl, the young baby as she looked up at him". "Baby smiled, and played, and asked, "Are you my daddy?". Ryu read. He helped Samus turn the pages, as she laid down, with her sippy cup in hand, head on the pillow. She looked like a vulnerable 5 year old, as she laid.
Ryu kept reading. "No, '' said the Gorilla, but one day, I will protect you, and hug, squeeze you, and call you…Samus". Ryu read. "hmm….I do remember writing Samus in here". "That's because I read this only to you when you were my young baby". "I was 13 years old when I read this, and when I did, you used to sleep in my arms, and drink from your bottle". "Just like you're doing now, a bit". Ryu said, softly with kindness. "It is still special now". Samus said. "Yes, it is, baby". Ryu said, gently with softness. He kissed Samus's forehead. "Anyhow, the Gorilla hugged, and squeezed the baby, he loved her until the end of time". "Goodnight, Gorilla" said the baby. "Goodnight, and I love you, always". "The End". Ryu read, kindly with softness as Samus pointed to the pictures. "Thank you". Samus said, as she giggled. "Of course…". Ryu said, gently with softness, as he rubbed Samus's belly. Or…where her belly would be underneath the blankets. "You know, I'm always here to protect you". "I love you until the end of time". Ryu said, softly with gentleness, as he stroked Samus's face, kindly. "I know". Samus replied. "I always love you". "Because you are my everything". Ryu said, gently with soft kindness. "I love you, too". Samus said. Ryu continued stroking Samus's face with kindness as he kissed it. "You're my baby". Ryu said, softly with kindness, as he stroked Samus's face while she fell asleep. "Then, now, and always". Ryu said, gently.
"You're my Gorilla". Samus said, as she and Ryu laughed. "Yep, I'm always protecting you". Ryu said, kindly with softness as he kissed Samus's cheek, gently. "Thank you". Samus said. "Of course, honey". Ryu said, kindly. Ryu and Samus laughed, as they shared a warm hug. It was time for bed. With a hug, and a kiss, Samus laid down, as Ryu tucked her in. "goodnight, baby". "See you in the morning". Ryu said, kindly. "Goodnight". Samus said, as Ryu patted her head, kissing her forehead one last time before he went into his, and Robin's room. Ryu smiled a gentle smile as Samus lay fast asleep. It was time for bed, and indubitably, it was time to lay down. Ryu laid down beside Robin as well, while everyone engaged in good sleep.