Damn so many ships active in this chapter

-

After Aaron practically forced me to eat this giant meal I simply sat back down on the sofa again. Aaron seemed disturbed by that, and just sat in the chair opposite trying to revise even though it was clearly better for him to do it upstairs alone. He was on his laptop but with one earphone out, and kept frowning at it.

I was expecting myself to go on my phone, but I seemed to be finding frowning at the black TV screen plenty entertaining so whatever I guess.

I used to daydream all the time when I was a kid...

Of unicorns and Hugh Jackman of course.

"What are you thinking so intensely about?" Aaron eventually asked and I smiled.

"Men." I answered and he gave me a look. "And various other things."

"Right..."

"What, you don't find yourself thinking intensely about men?"

"No, can't say that I do."

"Huh, you're a mystery."

He just blinked at me like he didn't know whether I was joking or not.

"What are you thinking about?" I shot back.

"Why you're acting off, and methane gas." He said as he looked back at his laptop.

"I'm just tired I guess." I rested my cheek on my palm.

"Ugh, tell me about it. Do you want some coffee?" He asked, yawning as he picked up his empty mug and stood up.

"You've had like six coffees already." I pointed out and he blinked at me.

"So?" He questioned and I shook my head with a smile.

"I'm sorry I kept you up last night." I apologised as I stared down at the floor.

"You don't need to apologize, in fact I forbid you from apologizing, okay." He stated and I smiled up at him. He returned it before sitting next to me.

"Maybe I have had enough coffee... doesn't seem to help though." He shook his head trying to wake himself up and I bit my lip.

"Maybe you should go to bed then." I suggested and he looked me in the eye.

"And leave you down here alone?"

I just made a face and he sat back with his arms crossed.

"I'm staying down here." He stated. "But I'm too tired to revise..." He sighed and I clicked my tongue.

"Suit yourself..."

It was then silent for a while, which would usually be fine but I felt bad for distracting him from his work.

"I think we should go on a walk later, detox." Aaron suggested and I looked a him with a raised brow.

"I thought Alex and I were grounded?" I reminded.

"Well, if you can tell me what you did wrong then I'll let it slide." He said and I gave him a look.

"Are you trying to parent me?"

"Someone has to."

I rolled my eyes. "Um, well I punched your little brother for one, that's never good. And I got angry in the first place, which I should have more control over, but no one's perfect so."

"Right."

"Hmm, what else even happened, apart from Alex insulting both you and I."

"Well you provoked him didn't you."

"Did I? I was just responding to what he was saying."

"No, you took it too far and made it personal."

"Well, not everyone is okay with just standing there and letting people insult them like you are." I huffed and he smiled.

"The world would be a lot more peaceful if they were."

"Hm." I grumbled.

"What damage did it do for me to ignore him?"

"Uh... well he continued to insult you."

"Yes, and what does that matter now?"

"Well, I would have felt the need to defend my name, at least."

"Is that really important? It was hardly reputation breaking stuff he was saying, besides everyone knew he was being stupid."

"... Right. Fine, it didn't do any damage."

"Mhm and what did fighting back and punching him do?"

"Well it gave him a big ass bruise for starters...okay I get it, be a passive bitch."

He chuckled. "No, that's not what I'm saying. Just know when to pick your fights."

"Apart from that, I don't think there was anything else I did wrong. Just saying." I defended and he seemed to be in thought for a few moments before blushing.

What?

"At one point, Alex said that I was too obsessed with you like a lovesick puppy, and you said it's not like the feelings not mutual, it was a confusing conversation, what did you mean by that?"

"Ummmm." I chuckled awkwardly and stared at the wall. "I meant that is not like the feelings not mutual?"

"In what context? I mean you could have meant that the negativity Alex was portraying was mutual or... something else."

Why are you asking me this, isn't this the type of thing you'd pretend didn't happen??

I looked him in the eyes and then sighed.

"I meant that I didn't mind....you...and that." I cringed from the awkwardness and he smiled.

"Is that all you meant?"

"I answeredokayalright can we move on now?" I puffed out and he chuckled.

"I'm glad I don't... irritate you." He admitted and I smiled.

"Not in the slightest. I really appreciate what you do, and you in general. You're a good person." I reassured and he smiled before gently resting his forehead against mine.

I closed my eyes for a few moments with a smile.

He eventually moved away slightly and I opened my eyes, staring into his own with a warm smile.

He didn't move back any further and seemed serious as he looked at me. Okay...a bit close...

One probably subconscious glance at my lips immediately made me feel that strange tension and I blushed.

What are you doing...

The longer you stay like this the stronger the tension gets...

Um...

He eventually sighed and then kissed my cheek gently and moved away.

I just blinked in shock, feeling slightly light headed.

What the fuck was that.

I stared at him as he looked away from me, before chuckling and resting my head against his shoulder.

I really can't understand whether he's just not interested in that or he's too shy. Either way I appreciate it, and to be honest it may be why I can tolerate touching him.

"Are you okay with that?" Aaron asked quietly.

"With what?"

"Leaning on me...I know you panicked with Alex earlier."

"I've literally not been doing anything but leaning on you since it happened, so yeah, I think so."

"Good point." He said, and I smiled when he kissed the top of my head and rubbed my arm gently.

I exhaled tiredly and rested my eyes as I relaxed.

"Riley?" Aaron eventually interrupted the silence.

"Mhmm..." I replied lazily and felt him laugh slightly.

I closed my eyes tighter and complained when he moved around, but he just leaned back against the sofa.

"I could use a nap..." He mumbled and I sighed tiredly before opening my eyes breifly and moving myself to use his chest as a pillow.

"Mhm..." I mumbled and heard him give a sound of amusement before feeling his hands gently run through my hair.

"Get some rest Sunshine..." He practically cooed as he stroked my hair like he was talking to a baby lamb or something. I didn't complain however, but opened my eyes and looked up at him.

He tilted his head in question before I leaned up and planted a kiss on his cheek. He immediately blushed and gave me this confused look, and I chuckled before lying back down.

I didn't say anything and just closed my eyes again, and neither did he. I felt his arm grip round me tighten though, and his breathing seemed relaxed.

I can really get to sleep easier when I have company... Which is really inconvenient, I must admit...

-

"Riley..." A voice brought me out of my sleep, and I frowned as I opened my eyes.

Alex was standing at the end of the sofa, with his arms leaning against it.

I blinked at him sleepily and he motioned to beside me.

Oh... Aaron.

He was still asleep despite my sudden movements, but his arm was wrapped firmly around my waist.

Ummmm...

"Sorry." I apologised and he made a face.

"I'm going to have this imprinted into my brain for a while." He commented, devoid of humour, but he wasn't acting annoyed or immature which was a change.

"How long has it been?" I asked and he looked down at his phone.

"Four hours, the others should be getting back soon..." He went silent. "I want lunch." He said before standing up straight and walking out into the kitchen.

I sighed before groaning groggily and resting my head back down on Aaron's chest.

I don't want to mooovee.

"Aaron..." I nudged lazily but he didn't stir.

Jesus he is tired...

I sighed again before eventually lifting myself up and looking at him.

I brushed the hair out of his face and he began to move slightly.

"Aaronnnn." I called again and he opened his eyes.

"Uh huh...." He mumbled and I smirked.

"The other's should be back soon." I said. "And Alex is awake." I added when he didn't react much and he jumped up slightly.

"Oh."

"Yeah it's too late for that..." I commented as I stood up and cringed at my aching muscles.

I heard him sigh before he brushed past me and walked into the kitchen as well.

I picked up my phone before walking out into the hallway.

"I can feed myself asshole." Alex's voice seemed to be replying to something Aaron had said.

"You just buttered both sides of a piece of bread..."

"So??" He snapped and gave him a look before quickly escaping out of the room.

Aaron stared after him with a frown and I sighed.

I really hope his brothers don't get to him...I'd really hate it if he did what Alex did. I guess that's a really selfish thought...

I stayed at the entrance to the kitchen, feeling too anxious to approach him. But eventually he just smiled at me. Hopeful...

"Are you hungry?"

"I won't be hungry for a while with that so called breakfast you forced me to eat." I commented and he chuckled.

"I didn't force you to eat anything!" He defended and rolled his eyes. "I'll give the others some time to have lunch after they get back, and then we can go out for a bit. This house is getting smaller by the minute..." He said before turning and busying himself with some food supplies.

I sighed before heading out of the kitchen and into Alex's and Caleb's room.

The horrifically buttered piece of bread was on the other side of the room on a table, and he was lying on his bed staring at the wall.

"Hey..." I announced myself quietly but he didn't seem surprised or look at me.

He sighed gloomily. "Hey..."

"What's up...?" I asked as I sat on Caleb's bed opposite him.

He looked at me with a flat expression.

Okay...

"You like honest people right." He said and I frowned.

"Right..."

"You love him." He suddenly said and I practically choked.

"What??"

"You heard me."

"What as in, platonically??" I questioned but he stayed silent.

"You're always sleeping with him, so... and you obviously trust him more than me."

"You punched me?"

"Before that..."

"You rejected me?"

"...Right... before that?"

"I'm pretty sure I disliked him before that..." I stated and he just grumbled. "Alex..." I sighed in exasperation before walking over and crawling over him so I was lying between him and the wall. "I do trust you..." I said and he glanced at me.

"Really..."

"Yes."

"Well you don't like me touching you..."

"I'm sorry I hurt you because of that, but I can't control it..."

"Why do you trust him more than me..."

"Well he doesn't act like a child for one." I snapped and he sat up with a start making me jump.

"That's not my fault..." He defended with an annoyed frown.

"Is it really?" I asked him sceptically.

"I can't help my hyperactivity..."

"Hyperactivity and maturity are very different things."

"Well... I'm only like a few months older than you...so."

"Yeah, and you cook worse than me. And I'm so bad at cooking I survived on lettuce for a few years." I stated and he tried to hide his snicker.

"And that's what makes him better, cooking skills?"

"No, Alex." I sighed in frustration. "Who said I thought he was better? You're both completely different from eachother! So you're incomparable. Besides, Aaron has been around, you haven't. You've been distant. What does that tell me but that you're not interested enough to be around me?"

He leaned back down and sighed as he stared at the wall facing away from me.

...

Should I leave or?

He looked at the door left slightly ajar and then sighed again sulkily.

I rolled my eyes at him with a smile.

"Would I scare you if I kissed you?" He asked quietly without looking at me.

"Uh, no, I don't think so... why?" I answered and sat up slightly.

"Because I want to..."

"U-um, noted?" I said awkwardly and seriously regretted cornering myself in this situation.

He sat up and looked me in the eye, making me give him a nervous smile. "You said it wouldn't scare you?"

"No I'm not scared that's just a bit of an awkward thing to suddenly say. I mean. I didn't think you liked me in that way..." I admitted and he smiled.

"Well that explains a lot then." He commented and I felt like his face was awkwardly close to mine.

Don't do it...don't you...do it.

I didn't move away when he looked down at my lips, and he took that as permission to firmly press his own against them. I took a deep breath in before kissing him back.

I closed my eyes and put a hand around the back of his head before sucking on his bottom lip, and he sat up even more and leaned into me.

He licked at my top lip before sucking on it and I nipped him making him pause for a second and allowing me to get our lips to move in sync.

What the fuck am I doing.

He rested his hands on my hips and I sighed into him.

Wait, stop this.

I gasped as I suddenly broke away and shoved him back slightly.

"Kissing me isn't going to fix anything." I snapped and he just stared at me, running his tongue along his lip.

"Why? I'm sorry, but it's obvious that you like me and I like you back so."

Bitch??

"That isn't enough. I'm sorry but I don't feel secure with you. Our relationship is too unstable. I don't trust you, and kissing me isn't going to change that."

"Then how can I get it back?"

"I don't know..." I sighed, and he looked at the covers sadly before moving out of my way.

"Thanks..." I said before quickly escaping. I looked back once before sighing and walking straight outside.

I paced slightly before hearing some shouting from the other side of the house. They're back. Thank god.

I really shouldn't have done that...I shouldn't have gotten on that bed in the first place...

I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

It's so frustrating, everyone makes me nervous, it's like they're strangers again. Perhaps if I was around them more often it would go away, but he's hardly ever there. And it's not just my fault, he doesn't make the effort to be around me either. Blaming me last night was completely unfair.

"Riley..." A voice made me jump and I practically squeeked as I turned round.

Aaron was at the doorway making an awkward face.

What...

"Um, so, you know how this is a really small house and everything..."

Oh god, what.

"And the walls are also kinda thin..."

"Ugh god, you're fucking kidding me!" I grabbed my hair in frustration, and then just started laughing.

"Well I think you handled that pretty well to be honest." He said while staring down at his phone that wasn't even on.

"Aaron! You know, sometimes there are things called white lies, or maybe, pretending you didn't hear anything or something." I huffed and he chuckled, seeming amused rather than annoyed.

"Sorry." He said as I face palmed.

I looked at him through the gaps in my fingers and he smiled at me.

"You're not going to lecture me?"

"Do I look blonde with control issues to you? No, that's none of my business."

"Uh, okay..."

He does seem unusually happy to be honest...

How much of the conversation did he actually hear...

Oh GOD.

"The others are back right?" I changed the subject with a red face and he nodded.

"Sure you don't want lunch with them?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

"Okay, I'm not hungry either. But I'm telling Nate to tell Alex to come get his lunch..." He made an awkward face and I chuckled.

"Good idea..."

-

"Fuck this..." Hunter complained after we'd been walking around the woods for only about ten minutes.

Aaron practically slapped him on the back and he squeeked.

"You're unfit."

"What, no I ain't!!"

"You totally are." Nate teased as Alex was just silently staring off into the trees.

"It'd help if I had my phone..." Hunter complained and gave Aaron a look.

"You need to unplug once in a while! It won't do any damage."

"Well what if a serial killer comes after us and we can't call for help."

"I seriously doubt that's going to happen. Besides, I have a phone."

"Oh so you get to have your phone huh?"

"Hunter..."

I rolled my eyes at both of them and stared up at the trees.

So green and sunny, makes me feel much better.

Ugh, can't imagine how bad I'd feel right now if it was winter.

I noticed Caleb had fallen behind slightly and slowed down.

He smiled as he caught up.

"You okay?" I wondered.

"Yes, I really like it here. It would be better by myself though." He admitted.

"Introvert problems huh." I chuckled

"Don't get lost you two." Aaron called and I looked to see they were just about to turn a corner into thicker trees. They all stopped and stared back at us making Caleb visibly tense.

I locked eyes with Alex as he stood with his arms crossed and he looked away with a glare.

So immature...

I guess he needs time to sulk before he's willing to make an effort.

"Coming." I said before taking a few quick steps to catch up. Caleb stayed directly behind me which made me feel slightly on edge, but I understood why he was doing it.

"You know if you force yourself to smile even if you're unhappy it will release endorphins and you become happier anyway." Aaron commented when he noticed Alex's bad mood.

Alex gave him the deadliest look I've ever seen and he put his hands up in surrender.

"Right, you're angry at me, I forgot." He rolled his eyes and Nate and Hunter shared a look.

"Um, what's going on?" Nate wondered and I sighed.

"Nothing important." I explained tiredly.

"Oh, so it involves you, that explains it." He smirked and I raised a brow at him.

"Excuse me?" I growled semi seriously and he chuckled.

"Did you tell Alex to fuck off or something?" Hunter enquired.

"No, drop it please." I bit my lip as Alex glared back at them.

"Okaayy." Nate clicked his tongue awkwardly and Hunter chuckled.

It was slightly awkward as we walked for a few minutes, Alex was giving off a very tense vibe.

"Deer!" Caleb whisper-squeeked suddenly and I smiled at him as I watched him freak out over a doe staring back at him from across the river.

"You get a lot of them around here." I said and Nate rolled his eyes.

"Look how clear that water is..." He looked down at the river as it glistened in the dappled sunlight.

"It's so damn