YOU GET ME SO HIGH, ROBBY KEENE
Written by Charlie...© conflictcriminal
01 —— The Venomous Vinyl

˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚ ⁀➷ So drop a bomb on all the things we dreamed about ˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚ ⁀➷
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If there was one word to describe the feeling when at Ryatt's house it'd be cozy. Despite the total upperclass suburban exterior, every aspect had a flair of Ryatt's gentle and welcoming touch to it. The outside was littered in various colorful flowers, backyard even had a greenhouse and garden, and each windowsill you'd likely find a succulent plant in it. The inside looked like if the cottagecore and modern styles decided to have a baby.

The kitchen had upscaled equipment, white and gold marbled counters paired with cherry wood cabinets. The dining room had a long brown rectangular table, circled with many of chairs that never seemed to match, but were all comfortable, and usually had a bowl of fresh fruit, and candies upon it. The living room had a very cushiony couch that had a stack of quilts at the end of it, as well as a couple of high end recliners and 60 inch flat screen television. As well as a big bookshelf that was mostly full but had a few empty shelves towards the bottom. Even the bathrooms, in which there was three, were cozy feeling with their scented candle lamps and luscious soaps. All the walls were littered with artwork whether hand stitched embroidery, or an abstract work of a fox.

Ryatt just had a way of making a house feel like a home. Since the house was mostly empty for long hours of the day, one would think it'd be bare, but Ryatt just had a touch for making things inviting. Not to mention there was always a light on inside, since Ryatt couldn't go to sleep in the dark. Practically everybody knew that if you needed a safe place to go Ryatt's house was the place to go. Hell Ryatt even kept the door unlocked most of the time, after being asked where the spare key was one too many times.

There was one room in Ryatt's house that was Robby's favorite, his music room. The room had burnt orange light filtering curtains so during the day it had a dark honey like glow to it, and you could see the stars clearly at night. There was an orange lily lamp, on top a wooden nightstand that sat in the corner, that illuminated the room in the best sensual light at night. In the opposing corner stood a matching wooden nightstand that had a brown vintage looking record player. Along that wall had long grass green shelves that held Ryatt's massive collection of vinyls. The rest of the wall space was littered with different band posters and even show tickets that Ryatt has attended. There was one big L shaped brown couch in the middle room and it really just tied the whole room together. Though the real reason this was Robby's favorite room was it held his favorite memories in it. The nights they danced together, silently doing homework while a vinyl played, and even falling asleep cuddling on that couch.

So it was no surprise that when Robby arrived at Ryatt's house that was the spot he chose to chill in. Of course not before grabbing a drink and snacks on his way there. As he entered the room, he grabbed a pop rock vinyl and set it into the player. He plopped down on the couch getting comfortable as he scrolled through his phone as he waited for Ryatt to arrive home.

Ryatt arrived home a few hours later, around 1 in the morning, which wasn't necessarily out of the norm. Ryatt was known to work long hours, which he never really understood. His parents were wealthy so Ryatt had to have had more than enough money, but every time he brought up the idea that Ryatt work shorter hours he was dismissed. Something along the lines of they need me there.

What was out of the norm was that Ryatt stomped a ruckus into the house, rather than trudged due to exhaustion. This wasn't a Ryatt that would flop onto the couch with him. This was a Ryatt that..well he didn't really know would do. Ryatt didn't get upset often and certainly not to this level. Honestly, it put Robby on edge, had him curling into his corner of the couch and wrapping the blanket he had grabbed a bit tighter, as he waited for whatever was about to happen. He took a deep breathe as those stomps against hard wood floors slapped louder, his heart rate increasing and ears burning.

He really needs to get a grip. This was his boyfriend. He's probably pissed about the snake being napped, which yes was his fault, but it wasn't like his boyfriend knew that. He's probably going to walk through that door start on a rant then demand cuddles from him, which he could happily provide.

That is not what happened. Instead, he was met with a fiery burning look that matched his boyfriends red hair. A look that felt like he was looking right through him. Which only caused Robby to start putting even more defenses up. He knew he shouldn't be shutting himself in, as a good liar always acted like everything was normal, but seeing his boyfriend this angry he just couldn't. His boyfriend was scarily pissed right now.

"You have anything you want to tell me?" Ryatt asked him as he crossed his arms over his chest. Of course, Ryatt's first words to him would be the opportunity to own up to what he did. Not to immediately yell at him since he had to have known what he did with that look. But still maybe he didn't and this was a ploy to get him to admit it. He knew if he did it'd be better in the end, but he really didn't want to.

"Got fully accepted into Cobra Kai today." He opted for instead. Truly not meeting Ryatt's eyes scared of what he would find. He knew Ryatt wasn't going to be happy with that news, but it was easier to own up to finding community than doing something horrible in order to do it. "Oh was that before or after you decided to steal a snake from my workplace?" Ryatt said again giving him an opportunity to open up to what he did, although this time more explicitly.

"Stop being so fucking dramatic. It's not that big of a deal." Robby grumbles as he clenches his fist. He really wants to punch something. Though, he knew Ryatt wanted him to be open so he unclenched it shortly after. He knew Ryatt would note how he couldn't bring himself to say he did it, but this reaction was confirmation enough.

"I'm not being fucking dramatic. Do you not realize the consequences that could've had? How you could've gotten thrown back into juvi, or gotten Travis fired, or even gotten hurt if that snake had bitten you?" Ryatt countered his eyes growing darker and a frown etched into his features. "Can you even admit why the hell you did it?" He adds his eyes squinting into a furious glare.

"Does it even matter?" Robby spits. He knows any answer he gives isn't going to do any good for him in Ryatt's book. Ryatt just wants to lecture him right now and he's making it seem like they can have a reasonable conversation about it. "Of course it matters! The reason arguably is all that matters! Cause I'm pretty sure I know, but it'd be nice if you could admit it for once." Ryatt says his hands going up and crossing yet again.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" Robby asks. He honestly didn't know what his boyfriend was trying to get at with that. Cause he knew he did it so he could be accepted and prove his worth, but he was never denying that. "They aren't a good influence on you." Ryatt finally says saying they with so much vexation you'd think they were an updating computer on the night a paper was due.

There is something Robby has always hated about his boyfriend. He was such a prick about ethics and morals and it was charming at first. However, if it wasn't right to him then it wasn't right at all. "Why? Cause it's not your way?" He says with just as much displeasure as he decided to finally stand up from the couch.

"Don't you dare put words in my mouth. I never said that. Of course you can do your own thing, but I'm just voicing my concern for you. I left them for a reason y'know" Ryatt states finally taking steps into the room and dropping his arms to his sides.

"Well it's not like you ever told me why."

"You never asked me why!"

"I didn't think I had to. I figured you'd explain it to me eventually, but no you never did."

"I thought my absence would be enough to stray you off. You've always said I have pretty good judgement."

"So I'm supposed to agree with you? Let your word be law and follow you around like a lost dog?" Robby spits out as he closes the gap between them in a few steps. He's looking up at Ryatt, but is standing his ground nonetheless. "You're putting words in my mouth again. You know that's not what I'm saying." Ryatt says with exasperation. "It's just-"

"Why did you leave Cobra Kai?" Robby asks cutting Ryatt off and asking the question he's had for awhile.

"You really have to ask why I did? I know by now you see what it's like over there."

"Oh so Kreese pushed you too hard you decided to quit."

"No! Kreese's morals for karate is just wrong and not a man I want to stand behind."

"Oh but my dad is?" Robby pulls the Johnny card. It's always been a source of tension between them. Ryatt's close relationship with Johnny, while Johnny couldn't seem to give that to him himself.

However, Ryatt stands his ground like he always did with Johnny, which only pissed Robby off more. "Yes he is. Your dad isn't perfect obviously. But he's a man I can stand behind and has even altered his beliefs cause he realized that Cobra Kai is a bunch of bullshit."

Robby clenches his jaw. Sure he was new to the whole Cobra Kai motto, but he didn't find it bullshit. He felt majorly disrespected. "You've barely been with them anyway. Why can't you leave them? Eli did and he was there the longest." Ryatt went on which only made Robby's anger worse. "It may seem like bullshit to a prejudiced wealthy kid like you, but to those of us that have to actually fight to get what we want that's life." Robby states knowing his words would hit close to home.

Ryatt's jaw drops and he flounders around for the right words. "Jesus, can you stop being such a dick? I'm just trying to talk to you." He settles for. Robby notices the way Ryatt rocks on his feet and his fingers start tapping his palm. He's starting to win.

"Fuck you. You're talking at me, there's a fucking difference." Robby says posture straightening as he points at Ryatt. "I'm not trying to." Is whispered between them. Ryatt is no longer yelling. His arms are crossed again but he's looking at the floor. He's acting scared yet confused, and about to fly apart. He can tell he's trying to deescalate the situation. Yet Robby's too far gone.

"You're acting like you're doing this all for my well being when really this is just for you. So you can have me under your control, by your side all the time, and maybe not in this big ass house by yourself huh?" Robby went on.

Chewing on his lip hard enough to bruise, Ryatt goes still. Not openly, but Robby can see it in his eyes even as his arms swing down again. Ryatt releases his bright red lip and huffs, "That is not what I want. I mean some of it yes, but ultimately no. I want you to be your own person, but is it so wrong that I want to be by your side while you do it? That I want you to move in with me and stay here? That I want you here for lazy mornings and late nights. For midnight snacks and afternoon lunch. Why is that so bad?" Ryatt professes.

"Goddamnit Ryatt. I'm not your charity case." Robby breathes and Ryatt pauses. Face overcome with confusion at the dismissal of his feelings. "What?" He says just in complete shock that was the answer to his heart felt feelings.

"You heard me." Robby folds his arms, trying to ignore the feeling of losing his footing in the dark. He meant what he said. Kissing Ryatt and feeling things for him is one thing, but he doesn't have to deal with Ryatt's pity for him. Robby isn't pathetic, not even if his dad decided to never show up for him. "I don't need your big ass house or your pity. It's real sweet of you, but I can take care of myself."

Floundering, making a real hilarious face with his mouth open in a wide 'O' shape that mirrors his bugging eyes, Ryatt stares at Robby, hands stalling where they went to grab one of his hands. He blinks, shakes his head, and then stares some more. Finally, he frustratedly demands, "What are you talking about?"

"Are you being stupid on purpose?" Robby snaps, widening his stance on instinct. It's not gratifying when Ryatt frowns and blinks slowly as the words sink in, but Robby's tired of this fucking conversation. He doesn't even want to cuddle anymore. He wants to go to pump some fucking iron until his body hurts too much to think about anything else.

"You." Ryatt shakes his head and, after a moment of dithering, steps forward incrementally. Even with several feet still between, this is the closest they've stood since they got back. "Okay. Uh. We're dating, right?"

Robby almost stumbles despite his posture straight and unyielding. A chill covers his body even as a tight heat blooms in his chest. "What." What the fuck is he on about? Robby thought they were arguing about him getting into Cobra Kai not whatever this is. The whiplash is agitating, and he begins to feel restless, like he's got sand stuck in his clothes. "That isn't relevant."

"It is." Ryatt insists. "Because you're my boyfriend. Not charity or someone to pity. I care about you, obviously, and I just want you to be safe. And you're not safe there."

"Oh so you don't think I'm strong enough to handle it?" Robby questions. "I didn't say that! I'd just feel better if you were with me" Ryatt reiterates. Robby rolls his neck trying to get some of the tension out of his posture. „That still doesn't change anything Ryatt." he says with a sigh.

Ryatt runs a hand over his face as he assumes he tries to find more words to get Robby convinced to leave. He's stressed, the same way he was when one of the lion cubs was sick and he couldn't watch over them 24/7, but it sits heavier on him in these late night hours. Robby has to bite down on the guilt that tries to bloom within him. No he can't cave now. He has to win.

He debates going to grab another vinyl to stick in the player cause the oldie vinyl he stuck in right before Ryatt showed up is not right for this situation. It would give him an excuse to look away from the dark pool of Ryatt's eyes. Fuck, the worst thing about Ryatt is that he's so fucking earnest all the time. Most people have the decency to pretend every now and then, and Ryatt does that with big things like saying he's totally fine and not even remotely tired around his friends, but he's always so genuine with the little things. It's the way he looks at people like he's cradling their pieces in his hands and wants to know how to put them all together. Maybe that's what's bothering him so much; he's got Robby's pieces put together but the picture isn't making sense anymore. "It's not pity, fine, I still don't need your charity." 

"It's not charity." Ryatt denies loudly, eyes finally winking open as he moves his shirt from around his collar like his work polo is suddenly choking him. A moment's pause, and then, "I want you here."

"Fuck that." Robby barks, anger suddenly coursing through him again, a current of blue fire in his veins. Fuck that, Robby knows the unspoken truth behind Ryatt's opposition, why he's making such a fuss about this, and it's not about Robby. "You just don't want to be alone."

This time, when Ryatt goes still and big eyed, Robby feels vindicated. Screw him for trying to make this about Robby's problems when it's really just Ryatt scared of having to deal with an empty, echoing house and them being on opposing teams again. It's not Robby he wants, it's the loneliness that he doesn't want, and pretending like he's doing this for Robby's sake is wickedly underhand.

"I know you, Ryatt." Robby continues, the space between them going cold under the warm light. The ice of it rakes over Robby with icicle nails. "You do better with people. Having someone here helps you. That's what you want. You are just mad that I chose Cobra Kai instead."

"No." Ryatt says weakly, blinking rapidly.
Robby doesn't notice the tears until Ryatt tips his head back to keep them from spilling. With his eyes fixed on the ceiling and his voice stretched thin, he rephrases, "I mean, yes but no."

That anger that ignited within Robby so quickly becomes extinguished just as suddenly, washed away by a swell of bone-deep exhaustion. "Just because I chose Cobra Kai doesn't mean I won't still choose you"

"I'm not desperate." Ryatt says louder at the same time, completely ignoring Robby's words of comfort. Still not looking at him  with the tensing of his shoulders and the way his face starts to color.

Ryatt's nose burns red, more so than his eyes. Robby wants to laugh at him and call him Rudolph or something similarly stupid, but the look on Ryatt's face stills him more than the churning heat of his own outrage. He finds himself holding his breath to keep the silence deathly and hopefully get Ryatt to continue. Those doe eyes have never looked at Robby like this, through the sheen of unshed tears and a barely concealed quiver to his lips.

But Ryatt's stubborn, and he can't ever shut up without making his point. He presses his lips together and then, like every word is a confession, fingers fiddling with the sleeves of his shirt and eyes glistening with gathered tide pools, he quietly asserts, "I still choose you. As much as I can, I choose you to be here. I want you to be here. For lots of reasons, but mostly because I just want you."

"Ryatt-" Robby sighs, beginning to feel too small for his skin and too big for any more words. The tight walls that encase the turbulent ocean of his emotions are starting to tremble. Ryatt shakes his head vigorously and steps forward, hands again crossed over his chest.

"No." He interrupts harshly, tears refusing to fall but nose remaining bright red. "You got to be a dick, now it's my turn. So - no, I don't want to be alone. I'm bad at it and it hurts. But do you really think that's the only reason I want you here? That I offered you to be here? Bullshit!" Robby is honestly taken aback by Ryatt's outburst. He even opens his mouth to retort back, but is cut off as Ryatt continues.

"You're mine. Okay? It's not easy, because you're mean and a dick and this is a lot, but if you're not with me, I look for you. But I can handle missing you, I'm not crazy. And even then, it's not about having someone, asshole, it's about having you." Ryatt heaves, panting like he's battling a vicious current that's trying staunchly to drag him out into the fathomless deep. Robby stares at him and his bambi eyes that are so fucking genuine and wishes he could go away.

Ryatt continues, fingers gripping at his elbows when he's not pointing them at Robby, "You and your scent, and the way you eat all of my snacks and leave your clothes all over the place and play your music so fucking loud. I choose that, even when it pisses me off or gives me a headache. So fuck you, I'm not desperate to not be lonely. I just want you here, with me."

Robby looks to the ceiling, imagines the empty sky and the emptier heavens and wishes there was a God to curse at. Cause it is in this moment he realizes this is the end. That he couldn't hold onto the good any longer. Not with Ryatt reminding him again and again he'd choose him. That he wanted him so fucking bad. He had to cut the tie for Ryatt's sake. Cause he wasn't going to leave Cobra Kai. „I don't want to be here. I don't think I even want to be with you anymore."

„W-What?" Ryatt stutters. His eyes are back on Robby but they are wide and just on the verge of breaking. Robby tries to prepare himself for the broken look he's about to get. "I think we should break up."

A tear slips. Ryatt wipes at it quickly not wanting to break down so easily though another slips and his voice is shaky as he answers. "N-No. We can work this out."

"No we can't. We are just in two different places right now. We aren't compatible anymore." Robby reasserts. "No it's late. We can rest and talk about this in the morning. Not make any rash decisions." Ryatt tries again. "Yeah let's cuddle on the couch and we can talk about this at breakfast." He goes on even going to walk to the couch. "Ryatt no. I'm ending this now. I've been thinking about it for awhile. I- this isn't me being rash." Robby states. "O-Oh" is all he gets when Ryatt is seemingly stuck on the couch looking at the floor.

"I'm sorry but we just don't work anymore." Robby says as he grabs his phone and slots it into his pocket. There wasn't much he could say. He pivots where he stands and walks out of the room. A gentle run really as he needs to get out of the house before he regrets and takes it all back.

He's having a hard time not thinking about the tears that gathered in Ryatt's eyes. Or the way his lip quivered or even how broken his voice sounded. It was all so sorrowful he just wanted to go back and comfort him. Put him back to the happy joyful Ryatt he was.

"Fuck that." Robby says out loud as he walks down Ryatt's street in no direction in particular. It was for his own good. Ryatt blew this whole thing way out of proportion and hurt his own feelings in the process. Fucking Ryatt and his earnest fucking eyes. Robby cares about him. A lot. No one else gets to flick Robby's nose the way Ryatt does, or touch his hair the way Ryatt does, or hear Robby snort with laughter the way Ryatt does. Robby doesn't feel the way he does about Ryatt for anyone else, not even close. Even when Ryatt's being stupid and making a trickle of water into a roaring waterfall and throwing Robby headfirst into the current.

Though he knew this was coming eventually. He utterly hated that it did, but it was for Ryatt's own good. He wasn't the guy Ryatt fell in love with and he wasn't going to pretend to be anymore. He did feel a tear of his own come down his cheek as he turned the corner and Ryatt's house was finally out of sight.
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I hope you guys enjoyed this wonderfully sad chapter! Just to let y'all know that chapter updates from this point might be slow as I've been very busy getting ready for college. I'll try to keep it not too bad though!

You Get Me So High , © conflictcriminal , July 2023

Started: 5.7.23 Published: 7.28.23