RIVER

           River started to wake up with the sun shining annoyingly in her eyes, River squinted to her eyes and slowly sat up. She looked to her side and saw Powder curled up in a ball underneath, River tilted her head and smiled softly before quietly leaving the bedroom.

River looked to the couch to see Mylo was asleep there again, while River and Powder shared a room, Mylo and Claggor shared one, and Vi had her own since she was in charge. River read the old clock, it was 8:34am, usually everyone would be awake by now but they weren't. River figured Vi was still asleep because she was out till the same time as her.

River went to leave the basement until she saw Vi and a girl with long dark purple hair leave her bedroom... holding hands... River stopped in her tracks and stared at them in confusion before it clicked. Her eyes widened "oh? ohh, oh! no! no. you are gross! Take that shit somewhere else!" River realised "you're being dramatic" Vi started to laugh at Rivers reaction "fuck off!"

River raced up the basement stairs with wide eyes, into the main area of the last drop. The two watching her with wide eyes.

"is she ok?" the girl asked Vi, Vi sucked in a breath "yeah she's just.. i don't know. she's just River" Vi shrugged her shoulders "she seemed really disgusted about..." Emmy pointed between her and Vi, Vi shook her head and chuckled. She knew that Emmy thought River was disgusted about them both being girls but Vi knew River better than that.

"no! she's just grossed out by the thought of us doing stuff not us both being girls or whatever. Nah Rivers chill but she is still just a twelve year old you know?" Vi explained to Emmy "yeah of course" Emmy answered before eventually Vi showed her out.

There wasn't many people in the last drop since it was still early, Vander was at the bar pouring drinks.He looked over at River once he heard the door open from the basement. River felt bad for being rude to Vander.

River silently walked over to the bar and started wiping the counter before she stopped and looked at Vander, River sighed, she hated apologies "i'm sorry" River said to him quietly. Vander stopped what he was doing and sighed and looked at her "don't worry about it River. Sevika explained to me"

Rivers eyes widened and she internally panicked "don't worry, all she told me was to lay off you. Nothing personal" Vander reassured her when he saw her panicked look. River put her lips into a thin line and nodded her head "I won't do it again"

Vander chuckled and ruffled her hair up "doubt that" he remarked, River rolled her eyes and chuckled. Vander turned his body to her after he grabbed something from under the counter, he held them out to her, River grabbed them revealing to fingerless black worn out leather gloves, they had string in the so you could make them fit you properly.

"there uh... for your arms" Vander informed her, River snapped her gaze up to him "no one told me anything but I.. um. I've seen it before and noticed that you never were shirt sleeves and thought maybe that was the reason" Vander hesitated as he explained to her.

"i-it's ok if you.. did that" Vander had no idea what to say "i didn't do it to myself. I promise. I... it was someone else" River tried to make him believe her. Vander nodded his head with a sigh. River brought him into a quick hug of gratitude "thank you. so much" River added in before walking off outside.

River climbed up onto the roof and took her zip up hoodie off before looking at the gloves. She slid the left one on and tied the strings firmly so it would fit her properly, she then put the other glove on. They looked pretty good in Rivers opinion and it was a relief that she didn't always have to wear a jumper.

River jumped off the last drop roof and ran around the under-city. Stealing stuff from shops without the owners knowing until they realised that she stole from them leaving her to runaway from the angry shopkeepers. River loved it, she would laugh whenever they made a mistake or as they shouted at her and threaten her when she would climb somewhere they couldn't.

River was sitting on a random rooftop catching her breath "nice gloves" a voice spoke, River shot up and on instinct she punched the person leaving them stumble back, holding their face. Once River calmed down she got a proper look at the person to see that it was Caspian. River cupped her mouth and started to laugh as she looked at him knelt down holding his face.

"Why would you punch me!" he shouted her "why would you sneak up on me" River snarked "fair enough" He answered and dropped his hand revealing his cheekbone that already started to swell and bruise slightly.

"what are you doing here" River crossed her arms and tilted her head "saying hi? i don't know." Caspian answered "what are you doing here" Caspian replied with a quirked brow "nunya" River chuckled before turning around and sitting where she was before. Caspian following after her.

The two sat and talked for a couple of hours, they got to know each other better and River started to feel more comfortable around him but she still wasn't completely sure about him and didn't trust him yet. River was sure that Caspian felt the same way.

The two were now walking side by side through the streets of the under-city. That was until a familiar, annoying brown haired boy bumped into Rivers shoulder. River not recognising Mylo turned around and pushed his shoulder hardly making him stumble a couple steps forward. Mylo whipped around with an angry look on his face until he saw it was River.

"well, well, well" Mylo smirked and crossed his arms, staring at the two. River noticed that Claggor, Vi and Powder were there also "who's this Rivera, your boyfriend?" Mylo teased but Caspian got quickly distracted hearing her name, he gasped and turned to her.

"Your names Rivera?" Caspian giggled like a little girl, River stayed silent and glared at him then Mylo "I fucking hate you Mylo" River grumbled in annoyance and looked to the ground "ok ok, i'm sorry. Rivera it's not actually that funny, it's better than mine" Caspian chuckled.

"what is your name anyway" Powder spat making River look at her in shock "Uh, Caspian" he smiled brightly at her "so?" Mylo interrupted "so what Mylo?" River asked rudely "this your boyfriend?" Mylo made kissy lips and laughed while the rest stared at him with blank stares.

River sighed and rubbed her forehead, Powder bit her lip and glared at the floor, her fists clenched. She didn't know why it made her so angry. It just did... "he's not my boyfriend Mylo, you're pissing me off" River glared at him but Mylo ignored her and laughed "ohh. am I pissing you off" Mylo mocked her accent horribly.

"i'll never get over your weird ass, ugly accent" Mylo was the only one laughing, not even Caspian was smiling anymore, instead he was glaring at Mylo. And river tried to not let it affect her, but she'd been bullied for her accent her entire life and so much more so Mylo constantly saying those type of things about it made River feel how she used to.

"Mylo shut the fuck up for once in your life. The only thing you have against River is her accent and by the way, you're the only one who thinks that's weird. Because it's fucking not, you're just jealous at this point" Vi defended River, she was sick of his shit by now.

Mylo quickly shut up when he saw how angry Vi looked and how she sounded "to answer your first question Millie, we're not together. she's my friend" Caspian smirked, trying to diffuse the angry tension in the air, River looked at him with narrowed eyes "are we though" River scrunched her face up.

Caspian went to answer but was cut off by Mylo "my name is Mylo" he corrected "oh of course, sorry Molly" Caspian replied making Mylo huff in anger "anyways, good meeting you Caspian. Vera you wanna come with us back home or what?" Vi asked her.

River nodded her head and turned to face Caspian "see ya around" River half smiled at him, Caspian nodded and smiled before waving bye at the rest. River walked over to the others, River switched from her place by Vi to walk next to Powder who had been weirdly quiet the entire time.

River gave her a worried glance before nudging Powders side "you good, Bluey?" River asked her, Powder gave River a smile but it wasn't her usual bright, cheery one. River could tell that it was fake "yeah, course..." she answered, River looked at her questioning but decided to leave it for the moment.

Once the two were finally alone River would find out what was wrong, as the two walked River kept looking at Powder to hopefully see a smile playing on her lips whenever someone made a joke or someone tripped but she never did. Powder was walking with her head down, not paying attention to where she was going and accidentally bumped into someone.

The large, gruff man pushed Powders shoulder making her stumble, River quickly caught her so she wouldn't fall. River looked at the man in anger and gently moved Powder to the side "don't fucking touch her" Rivers jaw was clenched as she had her hand placed gently Powders forearm.

"What ya gonna do about it" he challenged, River went to go over to him but Claggor stepped between her and the man, Vi grabbed her shirt and pulled her away, they all walked away "you're spending too much time much time with me River" Vi smirked and winked at her, Vi was secretly proud of River for being so ready to jump into a fight just because someone pushed her little sister.

They all arrived to the last drop, River saw the same girl with dark purple hair was sitting at the bar talking to Vander, she turned around when she heard the door open and smiled when she saw everyone. She walked over to River "hi, I know when we first met it was kinda awkward but i'm Emmy" She smiled at River who was looking at her awkwardly.

"River" she introduced herself, by now the others had gone to the basement "me and Vi-" Emmy was cut off "I don't care what's going on with you and Vi. I don't care if you're together or doing stuff or just friends. Just keep me out of it please" River said to Emmy. Emmy giggled and shook her head "got it" she nodded her head "you seem nice though, so I guess i'll see you around" River half smiled at her before walking away.

River walked into the basement and straight to her and Powders bedroom. Powder was on the top bunk, working on a new project "Powder" River called out, Powder ignored her making River confused "Powder" ignored again. River huffed and walked over to her, she climbed up the bunk so she was sitting on the edge of the bed with her legs hanging.

River poked Powders shoulder, Powder did nothing still so River placed her hand on Powders shoulder, River frowned when she shrugged it off "what's wrong?" River asked in a soft, gentle voice. Powder finally sat up and looked at River with big, teary eyes. River cocked her head "are you mad at me?" River asked her quietly.

Powder was upset and frustrated at River and she had no idea why. There would be moments where Mylo would tease River about having a boyfriend and River not denying it made something in Powder angry. And earlier when River was with that random boy, Powder was mad at River for being with him instead of her. She hoped that he wasn't River's boyfriend, Powder kept telling herself that she only felt that way because River was her best friend and she wanted her to be ok.

Powder looked at River like she wanted to tell her everything, but Powder couldn't tell River how she was mad at her for hanging out with someone that wasn't her, Powder couldn't tell River that she wished she was the only person River thought about, Powder couldn't tell River that she was mad at her for a reason that didn't even make sense.

"can you just... leave me alone" Powder quietly asked, she watched as a flash of hurt went over Rivers expression, River nodded her head and climbed off the low bunk. Powder had her eyes closed and looked like she was going to sleep. River sighed and walked over to Powder, River went on her tippy toes and brushed a strand stray of hair out of Powders face "i love you, Bluey" River whispered.

When Powder opened her eyes River was gone, her eyes were wide and her heartbeat was thumping in her chest. Her cheeks felt hot, Powder was sure River saw her as a sister or something, River was Powders best friend, nothing more... Powder told her self that she was far to young to understand why she was feeling this way, but she felt something.

After Powder told River she didn't want her there River went to Vi's room. River knocked on the already opened door capturing Vi's attention. Vi signalled for River to come in "uh, Powder is upset about something and... she doesn't want me with her, but i'm worried so maybe you could see what's up?" River explained to Vi.

Vi cocked her head and smiled slightly at River "thanks for telling me. And don't worry about Powder, she be attached to you again in no time" Vi smirked and ruffled Rivers hair causing her to roll her eyes and swat her hand away.

Vi left the room to go check on Powder, in all honesty Vi was very surprised that Powder didn't want River with her. Powder told her everything, they were best friends and there was no secrets between them, well... maybe one big one.

"hey Pow Pow" Vi greeted her younger sister gently, Powder looked at Vi and mustered up a smile, Vi closed the door behind her before walking over to the bunk, the top bunk was low enough so Vi could stay standing up and she was tall enough to see over it. Powder sat up and brought her knees to her chest as she stared at Vi with teary eyes.

Vi climbed up the ladder and sat where River previously did, Vi placed her hand on Powders shoulder, rubbing her thumb on it gently "i'm mad at River" Powder blurted out. Vi's scrunched up her eyebrows in confusion, she couldn't think of any reason why Powder would be made at her. River cared about Powder and her feelings so much and would beat herself up and continually apologise if she accidentally hurt Powders feelings.

"what? why?" Vi asked her, Powder at a perplexed look on her face as she sighed "-i-i'm not mad mad, but i'm just mad" Powder tried to explain to Vi her confusing feelings. Vi listened patiently for Powder to find the words about what she was feeling.

"i'm - i'm just mad but i don't know why, and i hate myself for it because River did nothing wrong. S-She was so worried about me but I just told her to go away and she looked hurt, what if she hates me now?" Powder looked at Vi in worry.

"hey, River doesn't hate you, you know how understanding River is. River could never hate you, but... tell me something that River did or said that made you mad. It doesn't have to make sense but just, tell me" Vi asked Powder carefully "um. Like when she was with that weird boy and Mylo kept on teasing her about him being her boyfriend, and... she didn't say he wasn't... I was mad for some reason"

Vi nodded her head, indicating that she was listening "I guess. I thought me and River were really close cause you know, she's told me stuff she hasn't told you but... what if she likes him better and she won't care about me anymore. What if she becomes his girlfriend?" Powder looked as if she was jealous or mad as she thought about it.

Vi thought about what to say "you aren't replaceable Pow and River would never do that. River may of made a new friend but that doesn't mean she'll like him more than she does you. And as for them getting together... i'm pretty sure River likes-" before Vi finished her sentence she quickly cut herself off. She didn't want to blab her mouth when the talk they had was private and River wasn't one hundred percent sure of her sexuality.

Powder tilted her head and looked at her older sister curiously "River likes what?" Powder asked Vi with big eyes. "uhh, you know what that's something only River can tell you alright? but I think that you should apologise to River." Vi suggested, Powder thought with a huff and crossed her arms "you hurt her feelings plus whenever you even get annoyed or a little bit hurt by something River said or did she straight away apologises and makes it up to you"

Powder frowned and nodded her head "she told me she loves me" Powder muttered quietly, Vi instantly smirked "oh yeah?" Vi asked "did you say it back" Vi asked her, Powder's frown deepened "she left before I could" Powder told Vi "is it... normal if I get jealous by... like... the thought of her having a boyfriend" Powder hesitantly asked "you wanna know what I think?" Vi asked with a suggestive smirk playing on her lips, Powder innocently nodded her head.

"what?" "I think you have a big crush on her" Vi told her, Powders eyes widened and her head shot to Vi "w-what! no? no i don't. She's- Rivers my best friend, I- I don't" Powder stumbled over her words, desperately trying to convince Vi and herself that she didn't have a crush on River.

Vi started laughing and brought Powder closer to her, she put her arm over Powders shoulder and held Powder's head with her other hand "yes you doo" Vi teased, Powder squirmed underneath, when she got away she jumped off the bunk and glared at Vi "why would you even say that" Powder grumbled at her. Vi jumped off the bunk as well and walked in front of Powder "because I think River has a crush on you too" Vi whispered to her before walking out.

Once Vi walked out she was expecting to see River sitting on the couch but she wasn't. Violet figured that River wanted to go for a walk to think for a little bit. And that is exactly what River was doing, at first River was hurt about Powder but decided to just tell herself to get over it. As River was walking, someone bumped into her shoulder before turning around and pushing her.

River stumbled and shot around, she glared at the person who did it. It was a guy with greasy long hair, he was taller than her and muscular but River didn't care. The guy launched at her and tried to throw a punch but River quickly dodged it. All the training with Vi and Sevika were really paying off.

The man threw another punch at River but she quickly blocked it with her arm and put all her body weight behind her punch straight to his jaw. River continued to block and punch him, he landed a hard punch to Rivers mouth which followed by a harsh punch to her ribs.

River felt pain shoot through her ribs, he punched her again and then punched her in the face again. River fell to floor, winded. He grabbed her hair and dragged her against the floor before yanking her up and shoving her into an ally way. He threw her against the wall, the back of Rivers head hit the stone wall behind her.

River yelled out in pain, there was a loud, painful ringing in her ear. He continued to punch her in the ribs and the face. He let go off her and started taunting at her. River grunted in pain before jumping up to her feet and launching at him. Her fist collided with his head, she grabbed a wood board and hit him repeatedly in the back and legs. He was on the floor grunting in pain. River started punching him in the face until he was almost unconscious.

River limped away in pain, her vision was blurry in there was still a ringing noise in her ears. She brought a shaky hand to the back off her head. She felt hit, thick blood coat her fingers. She looked down at her shaking hand and saw the blood on her fingers from the back of her head.

"shit" she cursed, River continued to try and walk, having to use the wall as support. River tried her best to stay up but ended up falling against the wall. River saw someone stop in front of her, once her vision cleared she looked up to see it was Emmy. Emmy was staring down at her in shock.

"Oh my god River. What the fuck happened" Emmy instantly knelled down and placed a gentle hand on Rivers shoulder "hva tror du har skjedd" (what do you think fucking happened) River grunted out as she tried getting up with the help of Emmy "what?" Emmy asked in confusion "some guy randomly attacked me" River told Emmy in a nicer tone.

Emmy nodded her head and sighed "god... you look like shit" Emmy rubbed her forehead, looking River up and down in worry, River smiled lazily at her "sorry I can't always look as pretty as you princess" River muttered as Emmy put Rivers arms around her shoulder "you can't call me that, i'm way older then you" Emmy muttered.

"oh yeah? how old are you" River asked, her accent coming out strong "thirteen..." Emmy muttered, River chuckled "you're one year older than me" River laughed "shut up" Emmy scrunched her face up as she continued to help River walk to the last drop.

The two finally made it back to the last drop after River started to lose a lot of blood and was getting extremely dizzy, almost passing out multiple times on the way. Emmy opened the door and no one was there, not even Vander at the bar "Vander, Vi" Emmy called out loudly. She heard loud foot steps coming up from the basement.

Vi opened the door curiously before she quickly rushed over to them once she saw the state of River. Vander quickly following behind, Vander and Vi helped River down to the basement. Vander gently placed River onto the couch "what happened" his British accent thick. "Some guy attacked me" River muttered. The colour draining from her face.

Vi looked at Vander in worry, "Powder get a rag and those bandages quickly!" Vi called out. Powder was confused to why she needed them but got them anyway then left her rooms Once she saw River she quickly ran to her in worry "what happened" Powder yelled in panic.

"Someone attacked her" Vi told her " hold the rag to the back of her head" Vi told her, gently holding her head up for Powder to see the back off her head "holy shit!" Powder exclaimed in shock with wide eyes. Vi looked at the back of her head seeing all the blood. Emmy was biting her nails in worry as she watched anxiously.

"is she gonna be ok?" Powder asked, her eyes welling up with tears as she held the rag to Rivera head firmly "of course Pow Pow. She's gonna pull through" Vi tried comforting her little sister but truthfully she was really worried herself.

"don't worry girls, once the bleeding stops we can wrap her head up and let her rest alright? she's gonna be just fine" Vander said gently, he grabbed a different rag and put some alcohol on it before wiping the blood off her face and cleaning the cuts.
Once Rivers face was clean you could see all the cuts that looked like from rings and all the swelling and bruises.

River had her head laid back, Powder supporting it with the rag still against her wound. Rivers eyes were slowly opening and closing "don't lent her fall asleep, she probably had a concussion" Vander told the girls. Powder gently stroked Rivers cheek with the back of her hand "River, don't fall asleep Star, please" Powder talked to her, biting her cheek.

River opened her eyes and looked up at Powder, River nodded her head. River focused on Powder as she tried to fight off her weariness. Her eyes traced over Powder's freckles, she looked at Powders big blue eyes that were shiny with tears, the way Powder would bite her cheek and her nose would sniffle.

Powder stared down at River, she had her free hand on Rivers jaw. Vi looked between the two as they stared at eachother, Vi and Emmy exchanged looks and smiled at the two. "River" Vander called. River slowly lifted her head up, grunting in pain "yup"

"how many fingers am I holding up" Vander held up three fingers, River tried to focus on his hand but couldn't "uhh, i don't know" River said before she started gagging. Emmy quickly ran to get a bucket. She ran back to River and held the bucket in front of her. River leant forward and vomited into the bucket.

Emmy winced and looked away in disgust as she moved Rivers hair out of her face for her, once she was done she spat into the bucket and panted before sitting back again "the bleeding's stopped" Powder told them. Vi handed Emmy the bandage since she was the best with medical stuff.

Emmy unwrapped the bandage and started to gently wrap it around her head firmly. River winced in pain and slapped Emmy's hand away, Emmy frowned and slapped it back "don't" Emmy scolded with a pointed finger "sorry" River muttered.

River was finally left alone to rest in her bed, her face and body was pulsating in pain making it hard for her to fall asleep. River slowly sat up and winced in pain "Powder" she called out. The door opened and revealed Power. She rushed over to River and sat on the edge of the bed. River bit her lip and looked down at her lap, her fingers fiddling with the blanket.

"can you sleep with me?" River hesitantly asked, the two had slept in the same bed together basically every night. But for some reason River found it more vulnerable and hard to ask Powder to sleep with her.

Powder smiled at River and nodded her head, she slid next to River under the blanket "how are you feeling?" Powder asked her quietly, River sighed and turned her head so she was looking at Powder "everything hurts" River shamefully admitted. "What even happened" Powder asked the blonde.

"I was just walking then this guy bumped into me then pushed me. Next thing i know we're getting into a fight. I was kinda winning at the start but then he knocked me over and started beating the shit out of me... then because of like an adrenaline rush or something? I went back to him and beat him up. After that luckily Emmy found me" River explained

Powder nodded her head as she listened "i'm sorry" Powder mumbled, taking Rivers hand and fiddling with her finger. River furrowed her brows "what for?" River asked "for being mean to you when you were just trying to help me" Powder didn't dare to look at River who was staring at her intently.

"don't worry about it alright.. let's go to sleep" River closed her eyes. Powder didn't though, she stared at River for a moment longer "I love you too, Star" Powder muttered before closing her eyes and drifting off to sleep. River smiled and cuddled closer to her best friend, ignoring the pain.

Just best friends, just a little childish crush...

AUTHORS NOTE
pretty long chapter, I love River and Emmy,
later into the story you'll see there relationship more but just know it's always going to be
River and Powder

much love x