(Don't know if I need to make this warning, but just in case! There's minor self-degrading in this. As a result, expect angst. But do not worry. There is also love. That was very corny. Enjoy. Goodbye. -May)

Rich woke up, shaking violently.

"H-Have to c-call Jake," he said to himself, his voice quivering.

You think he'll listen? You're pathetic, relying on him for everything. Don't you think he's tired of it?

"N-No. S-Stop," Rich said, answering the voice aloud. But those few simple comments had affected him more than he wanted to admit. His hand hovered over his phone, the blood rushing to his head as his anxiety reached its peak.

Where did your resolve from earlier go? You'll let anything get to you. Really, who could ever truly be friends with you?

Without even realizing, tears had begun slipping down his cheeks, faster and faster. His thoughts were relentlessly being consumed by this terrible, mocking voice until he could no longer hear his own choked sobs.

"Help...." was the only thing he managed to call out before he felt the world go dark.

____________

Jake sat in his room, staring at the ceiling. Rich had stopped texting him somewhere around five o'clock, and it was seven-thirty.

He did mention he was wiped. Maybe he went to bed early, he thought to himself. Feeling chilly, he suddenly remembered he had left his hoodie over at Rich's house and frowned.

Shouldn't be too late. If he is asleep, maybe I can just ask his parents if I can grab it. Nodding to himself, he made his way out of his house and over to Rich's.

When he reached the house, he knocked on the door, not wanting to ring the doorbell if anyone was sleeping. He heard an unlocking sound, and the door swung open.

"Oh, Jake!" Mrs. Goranski exclaimed. "What a pleasant surprise! What brings you here?"

"Hi, Mrs. Goranski," Jake said, smiling. "I think I forgot my hoodie here the other day, mind if I go check?"

"Oh, of course, dear, come right in," she answered cheerily.

"Thanks." He walked into the foyer and navigated through the familiar house, reaching the stairs. As he was climbing them, however, he heard a soft thud sound from the direction of Rich's room. Frowning for the second time that night, he quickened his pace a little.

When he reached the top of the stairs, he turned to the second door on the left and slowly opened the door, hoping he wasn't waking Rich. But when he walked in, his heart stopped. Rich was on the floor, curled into himself and shivering harshly.

"Rich?" Jake called out, running over to him and wrapping his arms under him to hoist him up. Tears were pouring down Rich's face, and he was shaking his head back and forth. "Hey, Rich, please look at me," Jake begged, feeling his heart break as Rich faced him, the soul behind his eyes almost completely faded. "I'm right here," he promised, pulling Rich into a hug and stroking his hair calmingly.

Rich shook as he let out a sob. "Am I pathetic?"

Jake's head shot up. "What?" he breathed, not sure he heard correctly.

"A-All I ever do is r-rely on you. I m-must be such a b-burden by now... Even now... you came. I don't even remember calling, but you came..." He smiled bitterly. Jake could feel the tears dripping onto his shoulder, but he hardly cared as he squeezed Rich tighter, unsure of where to even start.

"Rich... I never thought of you as a burden," he started slowly. "Did something happen...?"

Rich wiped his eyes as best he could and pulled away slightly. "There's something... I haven't t-told you," he confessed. "Do you remember... back at your Halloween party w-when everyone thought I was crazy?" Jake nodded, swallowing nervously. "I had had the squip for a long time by then..." Jake's eyes widened, remembering Rich asking everyone frantically for Mountain Dew red. He didn't know at the time why it seemed so urgent.

"Does this mean... The squip?" Jake asked sadly. Rich nodded, unable to say anymore. "What did it tell you, Rich? Please," Jake pressed softly.

Rich shook his head, needing some time to recover. "I-It said... you were probably t-tired of me calling you, a-and that you p-probably didn't even see m-me as a f-friend."

Jake groaned. "I'm really starting to hate these squips," he confessed. "Rich, baby, you're not a burden. I promise. I love getting to talk to you. I could never get tired of you. You're too important to me for that."

Rich felt a small blush creep up his already red face as he took in these words, struggling to believe them.

"I think there was one thing the squip was right about, though," Jake said, resting his chin atop Rich's head. "I don't see you as a friend."

Rich felt his heart threaten to shatter.

"Rich, I see you as my boyfriend," Jake finished.

The tears Rich had managed to stop earlier gushed out once again. "W-What? Rich? Are you okay?"

"I-Idiot..." Rich sobbed out. "I was s-so scared."

Jake cursed his bad choice of words. "Shit, sorry, that was an awful way to phrase it. I love you, Rich. I love you so much."

Rich clutched Jake's shirt, crying softly while Jake murmured soft assurances and stroked his hair soothingly until they both fell asleep in each other's arms.

___________

I LOVE RICHJAKE. HAVE SOME ANGST AND FLUFF. KILL ME, WHY DID I WRITE MORE ANGST?
-May