Ryry: I'm out. Can you come with me after school?? Well, when you're finished? I'm not coming in today.

Ryan's finger hovered about the send sign. He and Gabe had kinda sorted things out and he needed Gabe right now.

Gabe had told Ryan that they needed to have a talk about Brendon. The one thing Gabe didn't understand was why Ryan kept it a secret when he knew about it. Ryan didn't see why it was such a big deal. They'd spoke over the phone, the conversation getting heated by the second.

'You kept something from me! You know there's no secrets in this relationship.' Gabe mumbled, his tone sharp and cold. Ryan chewed on his lip and paced his kitchen, completely forgetting about his food.

'I didn't think it mattered. I honestly didn't think Brendon would sign up. And I completely forgot about it too.' He'd responded and it was true. He forgot about Brendon playing his enemy.

'Why didn't you tell me that afternoon? When he fucking told you? Do you know how much fucking trouble we'd get into by Joe?' Joe was the captain of band and was a senior. He made all the shots in band. He was like a second in command to Mr Weekes.

'I don't fucking know okay? And it's not like we were friends with him while he was in the ensemble. We didn't know. We won't be in much trouble, hopefully.' Ryan's voice wavered and he became quieter. 'I don't want to lose our friendship over something so stupid and petty.'

'Yeah, sure. Whatever. I'll call you later. I have homework.' Gabe had hung up and Ryan felt tears pool in his eyes. I'm going to lose my best friend all because of a new kid who plays for the other team.

He probably won't want to talk to you today, George. And Ryan hit send, his nerves on high. He watched the message send and once it went through, he didn't blink and his phone turned itself off. Ryan immediately turned it back on and saw Gabe's chat bubble.

Gabo: Yea sure. I didn't go to school today. I'll be round in about twenty minutes. Stay safe Ry.

And Ryan couldn't help but smile to himself. He turned his phone off and sat down on his bed, his leg jumping up and down. His fingers were all twisted up in the fabric of his shirt. I can't lose Gabe. It was like a mantra, going around and around like a carousel.

Noises came from downstairs and Ryan knew that his dad was up and probably was looking for more bottles of beer or something. Which meant it wasn't really safe for Gabe to go through the front door.

Ryry: Climb up. Don't go through the front door.

Gabe would know exactly what Ryan meant. They'd been friends for years. The two of them knew each other inside and out.

Every time Ryan's dad was up and about and intoxicated, he'd always tell Gabe to go up the ladder situated on the side of his house next to Ryan's window. The last time Gabe went through the front door while Ryan's dad was awake, he'd ended up being yelled at and having a bottle thrown at his head and Ryan ended up with a bruised cheek. Gabe had said they should go to the police but Ryan just shrugged and said to drop it. They did but every time Ryan sent that text, that memory went through both of their heads.

The top of Gabe's head was seen in the window and he was tapping on the glass. Ryan leapt to his feet and opened the glass, pulling Gabe inside. Both of them looked at each other and Ryan smiled awkwardly. A thick tension settled over them. I've fucked up. I've fucked up badly. It has never been this awkward oh god.

'Did you go to school or what?' Ryan asked, taking note of Gabe's crumpled uniform. Gabe shrugged. What have I done?

'Yeah. I did go to school but only for English. That was when I got your text and well, school's shit without you. Besides, Brendon won't stop bugging me about you and I can't stand the sight of him.' Gabe said and Ryan nodded, letting the silence fall over them again. Ryan's nerves were back and teasing him, poking at him and going, 'you've messed up! You've messed up big time!'

'So, you need me to come with you and get more?' Gabe asked, looking over at Ryan's bedside table. His pill bottle sat hidden behind a dozen papers and books. Ryan nodded.

'Yeah. I had the last few this morning. I'm out.' He admitted and blushed. It was always weird admitting to Gabe that he was out of medication. It shouldn't be awkward every time. I've been doing it for nearly a year.

'Which one?' He asked and strolled over to the table and picked up one of the bottles and shook it, the empty silence from the bottle answering his question. 'Didn't we just fill this up a month ago?'

'No. It was longer than that.' Ryan stuttered. Which was a lie. He'd only gone to refill it about a month ago and Gabe knew that. He kept track of all the dates and times of Ryan's medication plus appointments. Plus Ryan had a habit of stuttering every time he was lying.

'Ryan...' Gabe warned and popped open the bottle. It was in fact empty.

Gabe knew Ryan had a habit of abusing prescription drugs or any type of pill he could get his hands on. By the looks of this, he's done it again. Gabe sighed and raised an eyebrow.

'Okay fine. I may have taken a few when I shouldn't have. It was to help calm me down, Gabe. I'm sorry.' Ryan admitted and Gabe just shook his head and stood up.

'How many?'

'Uh I'm not entirely sure. It was a couple times and it was usually only one or two extra.'

'Okay. You dressed and ready to go?' Gabe asked, looking at Ryan's clothes. Gabe hated bugging Ryan about his medication. It made him feel uncomfortable and like a shit friend. He'd always do it and he'd always write it down if Ryan had abused his pills, for safety measures of course.

'Uh, yeah. I'm dressed.' He mumbled and looked down at his clothes.

'Let's go.' Gabe grabbed Ryan by the wrist and pulled him over to the window. Ryan climbed down the ladder first and landed on the grass with a thud. Honestly the only good thing about him being drunk 24/7 is that I can get away with stuff like this. At his thought he felt sad and he didn't know why. Shaking his head, he tightened his scarf around his neck and waited for Gabe to fall. He watched his best friend carefully land on the grass, a smug look on his face

'I bet you thought I was gonna fall, huh?' He said, taking Ryan's hand and pulling him along to the front of the house.

Both of them walked side by side, Gabe chatting and Ryan only partially paying attention down the street. Ryan was paying more attention to his feet while Gabe held his hand, helping his balance. Ryan didn't really care what Gabe was talking about, mainly Vicky and something Spencer or Joe had done that week.

'So as it turn out, Vicky, the little shit, has a found a girlfriend and called things off with me and I'm very annoyed.' Gabe ranted and Ryan giggled, finally looking up from his feet at Gabe who grinned.

'What's her name?' Ryan stumbled a little and Gabe helped steady him, his hand on his arm.

'Z-berg. What type of name is fucking 'Z-berg'?' Gabe exclaimed, feeling very outrageous that his now ex-girlfriend/fuckbuddy had found someone to settle down with for a while. 'Like, what the fuck? Why would Victoria fucking dump me, a guy who can get her off really fucking quickly for a girl who has a weird fucking name!' Ryan stopped walking and laughed at Gabe.

'Why are you so mad about this? Vicky's finally found someone who can make her happy.' Ryan said and Gabe scoffed.

'I made her happy though.' He grumbled and Ryan couldn't wipe the smile off his face. This is so funny. He's so upset about this.

'Yeah, but, she probably wanted a proper relationship for a while. And I know you aren't the type of person to settle down with.' Ryan tried to reason with Gabe and kept walking, his hand still in Gabe's.

'Yeah, but, why would she call it off?' Gabe sounded genuinely troubled and it kind of worried Ryan. It's not like Gabe to get this attached to someone.

The chemist loomed up over them and Ryan jumped off the ledge, landing next to Gabe who handed his best friend his empty prescription bottle.

'Ready?' He asked and Ryan didn't say anything, just nodded. His anxiety was running really high and the pressure of Gabe's hand in his was the only thing keeping him stable right now.

Every time he went to the chemist or doctor to fill/change up his pills, he felt embarrassed and like he was betraying everyone. He felt like he was disappointing everyone because he was fucked up. He'd admitted this to Gabe, who just smiled sadly and just said that he wasn't upsetting or disappointing anyone at all. IT wasn't his fault that he was messed up. Ryan still couldn't help that it was his fault that he was like this.

Gabe pushed the door open for Ryan, who went in first. Gabe walked in after him. Ryan looked around and squeezed Gabe's hand, trying to calm his nerves. There wasn't many people, less than twenty, Ryan counted. You can do this. If you do this you can go and get red snakes, okay? His pills hadn't worked this morning.

'Gabe, I may need to speak to my doctor about my prescription...' He muttered and walked over to the line, dropping Gabe's hand. Gabe stilled kept quite close to Ryan, not enough to suffocate him but just enough to let him know he was supporting him. Ryan stood behind a lady with pink hair. She seemed to be smacking gum but he couldn't tell.

Both boys stood in line for maybe five minutes before they eventually got to the counter. The lady's name tag read Sarah and she looked nice enough.

'Hello. How may I help you?' She asked, her tone friendly and overly cheery. Ryan smiled slightly and handed her the white bottle.

'I uh, need this refilled.' He lowered his voice and she leaned forward slightly, trying to hear him

'I'm sorry, sweetie but you need to speak a little louder.' She said, a frown on her pretty face.

'I need these refilled...' He spoke a bit louder and she nodded.

'I just need you to say your full name and date of birth.' She said, taking the bottle from his hands and checking the label.

'George Ryan Ross. The thirty-first of August, 1999.' He stated and she nodded, smiling again.

'Okay, George. It'll take around half an hour.' And Ryan nodded, turning to look at Gabe who was staring at Sarah. With a nudge to the ribs, knocking Gabe out of his stare-fest, Ryan grabbed his best friend's hand and pulled him out of the shop as fast as he could. Once they were in the parking lot, Ryan felt like he could breathe again. Ryan knelt over, hands on his knees and he took in a deep breath.

'Hey, Ry. You alright?' Gabe asked, rubbing Ryan's back slowly. Ryan nodded slowly and stood up again, looking at Gabe.

'It'll take half an hour. I deserve red snakes.' Ryan mumbled and Gabe let out a small chuckle. He loved the little reward system Ryan had created for himself. It was so cute.

Every time Ryan got through a stressful situation where his anxiety was getting the best of him without freaking out, crying or relying on Gabe, he'd get a reward. Usually red snakes as he loved them. Gabe had come up with the idea and Ryan fucking loved it. It was a really cool coping method and it usually worked.

Gabe ruffled Ryan's already messy hair and both of them walked to the nearest servo. A car was parked at one of the oil banks and that was it. The place was empty.

'You want me to come with or?' Gabe asked, handing Ryan twenty dollars. That was also part of the reward system. Gabe paid for the reward.

'Nope. I think I can handle it.' He took the money and kissed Gabe's cheek before heading into the store.

The bell went off, alerting the cashier when he stepped into the store and he went to the lollies department. He pouted when he saw that there were no red snakes so he picked up the next best thing. Milko Chews. He looked up at the cashier and slowly walked over. He handed the cashier the Milko Chews.

'Also, can I get a packet of twenty?' He asked and the cashier just raised an eyebrow. Ryan fished in his pockets and produced his fake ID. The cashier just sighed and unlocked the cupboard, grabbing the first packet of twenty he could see. He placed it on the counter right next to the Milko Chews.

'That'll be twenty-three dollars.' He said in a bored tone and Ryan dug out a two and one dollar coin and placed it on the counter with the note. The cashier nodded waved at Ryan who grabbed the items and headed out the shop to Gabe.

'Hey bucko!' Gabe exclaimed and rushed over to Ryan who handed him the pack of cigarettes.

'Those are for you. As a thank-you gift.' He mumbled and ripped open his lollies. Unravelling one, Ryan started walking to the chemist and Gabe followed, lighting a cigarette and offering one to Ryan who just nodded.

'Never thought you'd say yes.' Gabe mumbled, re-opening the pack and handing one to Ryan. He passed over the lighter as well. Once the Chew in Ryan's mouth had dissolved, he stuck the tailormade in his mouth and lit it, slowing his pace to steady his hand.

* * *

The both of them entered the chemist again, the cigarettes long gone and only a few Milko Chews remained in Ryan's pockets.

They went to line up again and noticed there was no line. With a shrug, Ryan went up to the counter and stood patiently, waiting.

'Hello, how may I help?' He looked up and spotted the same girl from before. Her eyes lit up and she smiled. 'Back again for the prescription?' Ryan nodded.

'Yes, please.' He said, picking at the thread of his jacket.

'Okay. I need you to say your full name and birth.' She reminded him and fetched the basket with his name. Ryan repeated his name and birth and Sarah handed him the bag that held his medication.

'Thank you.' He said and handed her the money for the medication. She smiled and waved at him as he left. He headed back over to Gabe who was staring at two people with his mouth open and a look of shock on his face.

'Don't look now, Ryan but, Brendon walked in with who I think is his mum.' Gabe whispered and Ryan tried to shove his bag into his pocket but it didn't fit and the commotion alerted Brendon who looked over, a huge grin on his features.

'Hey!' He called and walked over. Ryan felt his blood freezing up and his hand grabbed Gabe's, who squeezed tightly. Gabe could sense Ryan's nerves and it worried him.

'Uh, hey, Brendon. What a surprise.' Gabe spoke up and Brendon's eyes flickered down to their entwined hands and he seemed to deflate a little.

'Hey you two. Fancy seeing you here?'

'Yeah. We came to pick up some medication for me.' Gabe lied and looked at Ryan who had relaxed a little.

'That's nice.' Brendon said, his voice sounded off though and he couldn't stop watching Ryan.

'Well, we gotta go. Gabe's mum is waiting for us outside. See ya!' Ryan said a little too quickly and he felt hot and bothered all over. He pulled Gabe out the door and once they were in the parking lot, he ripped his bag and unscrewed the lid to his medication with shaking hands. Gabe just watched him, feeling a little upset. Ryan popped two into his mouth and swallowed them dry. He then dug into his pockets and pulled out a Milko and popped that into his mouth, chewing that quickly as he waited for his nerves to calm down.

'You okay now buddy?' Gabe asked and pulled Ryan closer, his hands stroking Ryan's hair. Ryan let out a shaky breath and nodded slowly.

'Yeah. I will be. Can we just go to your place tonight? I don't want to go home tonight.' He whispered and Gabe understood.

'Yeah. We can watch movies and gossip and paint eachother's nails!' Gabe exclaimed and Ryan nodded, leaning into Gabe's soothing touch.

'I'd like that. Thanks, Gabo. I love you.' He mumbled and started walking, keeping his hand in Gabe's as he kept his balance on the edge.

'I love you too, Ry.' Gabe whispered and squeezed Ryan's hand.

_____

Hello. It's me.

I quite liked this chapter. I love writing Gabe and Ryan scenes. It's so cute and lovely. I ship it. You'll get your Ryden soon, I promise.

This was also the longest chapter I've written. Ever. Nearly 3000 words. Should I keep it longer chapters, less updates or shorter chapters more updates?

I know how this fic is gonna end and I don't think it'll be that long of a fic. Maybe, no promises, twenty something chapters??

I'm gonna explain some things:

A Milko Chew is basically a lolly here that is made of condensed milk. Please no milk jokes. I really love Milkos so I made Ryan love them. Don't start or I'll block you :)

Secondly, a servo (for anyone who didn't know or couldn't pick up on it) is a service station with fuel refills are air pumps. We're lazy. Sue me.

I don't think there's anything else??

Oh! I may not update much anymore ( i mean i never did but, y'know) as I'm currently going through a very serious family situation and I need to be there for my siblings right now. Plus I start school in like 2 days so there's that.

Comment and vote if you want, it'll make me happy :)

Xo, Riley.