River lay on his couch, vacantly pondering the ceiling. E Business played on the Television set--hooked up on the wall. Showing footage of Sebastian Black, speaking to the Press outside of the Black Co. building.

The moment River heard his voice, his attention was quickly drawn to the TV set. Eyes squinting in annoyance yet intrigue. Entranced by a man that turned him down, just the day before. He glared at Sebastian Black for a long moment, then--almost calmly, straightened up in a seated position.

"Mr. Black, what do you have to say about the Merge with Merit Global?" A female News Reporter approached Sebastian, who smiled.

A smile that River never had the pleasure of seeing, yet he felt slightly irritated by it. He didn't intend to harbor any disdain towards Sebastian, but a part of him wanted to. Or maybe it was just the bitter resentment he faced, from being turned down. An emotion that would have been expressed by anyone.

Anyone who had their time wasted, driving into the middle of Manhattan. Only to get a broken down automobile, and a dislodged bumper.

"Merit Global is a wonderful Corporation, and Black Co. joining arms with them, would skyrocket the reputation of both our Companies." Sebastian answered, addressing not only the Reporter--but the entire Press Conference outside of the building.

"But this merge, means that Merit Global will no longer be its own name. What of the rumors?" Another Reporter approached.

For a second River could see the annoyance in Sebastian's eyes. Something he had seen before, only it disappeared in a second. He was being bombarded with question after question, with countless microphones--shoved into his face. It would have been enough to make River snap as well. But he knew he wasn't anything like Sebastian.

"Or is this just another tactic to remove the competition?" The Reporter asked, without giving Sebastian the chance to answer the first question.

"In all honesty, Merit Global does well on its own and no, this is not Black Co. removing the competition." Sebastian forced a smile and River grunted.

He wanted to turn the Television set off, but he was even more interested in hearing Sebastian's reply. For his smile was discernibly faked, and River could just imagine what Sebastian was thinking.

"I hate all of you. Just all up in my business. I'm rich. I'm handsome. I can spit on you and get away with it." River recited, his voice lowering to mimic Sebastian's huskiness. The voice that sent chills down River's spine--with an equally beguiling smile to match.

"This merge is at an advantage for both Companies, for it will increase the Supply-Chain Pricing Power. By merging distributors, we can eliminate a level of costs. This is known as a vertical merger. When a Company buys out a distributor, it may be able to provide affordable and steadfast investments for the future, of the Corporations." Sebastian spoke into the microphone.

Grace Keller, from the meeting walked up beside Sebastian. She quickly whispered something to him, and he nodded. Sebastian rose a hand, as the chaos of the Media erupted. He was then lead away by a group of Bodyguards, while Grace addressed the Press.

"Thank you all for coming out to this Press Conference. Any other questions you may have, can be answered on our websites, that's all for today." Grace announced, avoiding the Media as she too was escorted back into the Black Co. building.

River quickly shut the TV set off, grimacing as he dropped the remote on the couch. There was an annoying ebb, pulsating in his head that he couldn't seem to shake. He then began to worry about the next coming weeks.

He had been dreadfully drained, and mentally overtaxed. Submitting countless resumes, to other Corporations and Companies like Black Co.--but got no replies. Even from the ones he had submitted, long before getting the call from Jonathon Keller. He hadn't slept much, since being turned down and he was enervated. Lethargically prostrated from a lack of proper rest.

He did tell James about being fired, and he wasn't all that upset. James had even offered to speak to some of his contacts, which River politely refused. Only to be shot down by an insistent James, who wanted nothing but the best for River.

Of course River was forced to comply to James' terms, and it warmed him. River however, had another thing to worry about--which was his car. Luckily he knew the Mechanic well, and was able to convince the reluctant man to fix the old and battered, metal contraption. With promises of paying him in the next two weeks--once his check was cleared.

But River had no check to be cleared--because he was now jobless, desperate and disreputably broke.

The door to the Apartment Complex banged and jostled loudly--shaking River out of his ramblings. The door swung open, revealing James. Sporting a broad smile, and two bags from his and River's favorite Restaurant--Big Joe's Burger.

"Hey, Babe!" James greeted rather loudly and River grinned.

"Hey, big head," River chuckled and James quickly and quietly closed the door, then hurried over to take a seat beside River.

"How are you holding up?" James asked concernedly and River sighed, shrugging marginally.

"I'll be fine. What's in the bag?" River queried as his belly rumbled.

He hadn't realized how hungry he was, before he could smell the grease. James peered at River, his lips curling up into a smirk. He knew then that he'd done something right, because River was smiling. Something that River had rarely done, since the day before.

"I know when you're stressed you don't like eating, or going out to eat, or cooking." James rose a free hand, but dropped it back in his lap hurriedly. "As I can recall, you never cook." James remarked flatly and River rolled his eyes.

"You don't cook either," River grabbed after a bag, but James's much longer arms held them away. Forcing River to press up into James's chest.

"You're an idiot," River breathed, noticing how close he was to James.

"See, I was going to kiss you, but you're being rude." James joked and River pulled away swiftly--hiding his flushed cheeks.

It had never appeared to River, that perhaps James was into him. So he quietly blamed his scattered vehemence. After years of being friends, River hadn't once thought of the possibility. Even after quite a few spontaneous wrestling matches, that ended with James's gloating--and River's raging erection. But there was something different about the past few weeks. Something that only River seemed to notice.

"Whatever, I'm not hungry." River rasped, roughly laying back into the couch with a breathy sigh of exasperation.

"Lies from the book of lies." James droned, rising from the Couch with the paper bags in hand.

"How did today go?"

James peered at River, hesitantly withheld by a thought. He had left earlier, to attend an Art Convention where some of his work was featured. "It was fine," James replied almost dismissively.

"It was fine?" River rose an eyebrow in question, at James's uninterested tone.

"Yes, babe, it was alright. Just a bunch of amateur artistes like myself, who desperately want to be noticed." James shrugged and River nodded, his mouth parting and closing.

River then began worrying about James, who's mood had suddenly changed. He chose not to make a big deal out of it, for he knew James. Whenever he was ready, he would speak to River about it. Even if River felt it wasn't going to favor any of them.

"Anyway, I know you were feeling down. So I got us some Burgers from our favorite joint," James spoke excitedly as he walked towards the Kitchen, placing both bags atop the Counter.

"You didn't have to, James." River goaded and James rolled his eyes in contempt.

"Babe, you need to eat. I got you a Burger, and you're gonna eat it." James spoke sternly and River rose an eyebrow at him. "I thought we could binge watch Assassination Classroom, like we always did back in College."

"Is James Bordeaux actually being romantic?" River queried jokingly, his eyebrows raised and arms crossing over his shoulder. An amused yet scrutinizing glint in his emerald green eyes. "And I prefer Vampire Knight." River said, pouting at James.

"Shut up and come eat, I could hear your tummy growling from the second floor." James complained, and River shook his head, smiling.

They soon gathered on the Couch, watching their favorite show. Eating and chugging down Root Beer--another favorite pastime between them. It was James's big plan, to distract River from his stress and frustrations. And it worked for the first three episodes of the show they watched.

River sighed heavily beside James, who shifted his gaze to him. Grimacing as he realized that River was reverting, to his stressed out state. He stopped laughing, or shouting out 'yassssss', every time an action scene played out.

"River, Babe." James nudged River, breaking him out of a subtle trance.

"Hmm?"

"You gotta stop stressing so much about this. Are you going to sulk forever? Or are you going to get up off your arse and find another bloody Internship?" James asked and River regarded him for a second.

"I can sulk today," River rolled his eyes, thoroughly annoyed with James's worrying.

"No the fuck you can't!" James countered and River fell back into the Couch, wiping his palms across his face wearily.

"Don't curse, James." River said musingly and James grunted indifferently. "It's totally ruining the little, chivalry isn't dead thing you got going on right now." River implored. James peered at River, something in his eyes that was unreadable.

There was nothing in the world, that James wouldn't do for River. But there were also things he needed to do for himself. The next words that came out of his mouth, would surely make River feel worse. But he didn't like hiding things, neither did he like fighting with River.

"River, there's something I gotta tell you." James said, looking away from River's worried gaze.

"What is it?" River leaned forward, his eyebrows scrunched up.

"I got an invitation to Minnesota, for a trial run at the Dubois Art Gallery." James said, and River's eyes widened.

"No way!" River suddenly forgot all his frustrations, as happiness for his best friend, replaced everything that bothered him. "That's so awesome!" River jumped onto James, wrapping his arms around James's shoulder.

"Y-yeah, it is haha." James let out awkwardly as he hugged River back.

They released each other, and River was grinning in pride. Proud of his best Friend. "That Gallery has been your dream, for-," River paused, counting the years since James expressed his vision, to present art at The Dubois. "Since like, forever!" River said with a squeal and James laughed forcedly.

"But I don't want to go," James finally said, and River's smile faded.

"Are you fricking kidding me, James?! It's been your dream for so long!" River practical shouted and James rose from the couch--pacing as if it was hard to decide.

River was confused as to why James didn't seem excited. It was baffling to watch him, just pacing and worrying. Something that James rarely did, unless it was something the people he cared about, wouldn't or didn't like. It finally dawned on River in the moment. That James didn't want to leave the life they led behind.

"James," River said, rising from the couch. "I don't know what's going on in your head. But whatever it is, that's holding you back. You need to let it go." River advised, placing both hands atop James' broad, rigid shoulders.

"If they like my work, and the feedback is good. They'll sign me to a four year contract, and I'll have to relocate to Minnesota."

River was caught off guard, and didn't know how to respond to that. Yet he refused to not be happy for James. He refused to not push James, to make sure that he chased his dreams. The thing James had always done for River everyday.

"You don't want to leave Cassie, huh?" River asked, peering away from James.

James peered down at him, through hooded eyes. "Cassie is my Girlfriend, River. You're my best friend, you're my Brother. I can't just up and leave you like that." James said with a frown, and River smiled. "Who's going to take care of you?"

River frowned at James's words, feeling slightly offended. "I can take care of myself," River huffed, and James sighed.

"I didn't mean it like that, River. I just-," James paused, raking a large hand through his tousled hair. "We take care of each other, we always have. I'm not ready for that to change just yet." James finished and River's eyes squeezed shut for a second.

Admittedly, River couldn't stand the idea of James Leaving either. Neither could he imagine living in a world, without his best friend. But even he didn't have the heart, to stop James from chasing his dreams.

"James, the Bird has to leave the nest at some point and, I won't stand in the way of you chasing your dreams," River said, straightening James's simple, blue, button down shirt. "That would make me a bad Brother and the worlds worst best Friend." River smiled, feeling his eyes stinging with tears that he held back.

"River-," James began, but River swiftly interjected.

"No, James, you're going. That's an order," River chuckled nervously, feeling choked up.

James smiled down at him, pulling River in for a hug. "God this is so corny," James chuckled as he gathered River into his arms. Both feeling emotional over what was to happen, in the next couple of days.

Neither of them had prepared for any of the occurrences. But James felt terrible about having to leave River, in his time of need. For longer than they could remember, they always had each other's backs. Through thick and thin, they toiled and struggled together. Making better men of each other, as they grew and survived as a team--as a Family.

"Yes," River chuckled, pulling away from James. "But you're gonna go to Minnesota, and you're going to show those people what Art is." River said and James looked down at his feet, then back up at River.

"I'm proud of you," River said, nudging James.

Despite feeling emotional. River was happy for James, and all he'd accomplished. They were the only family they knew. The only clear connection, that kept them both in favor of each other.

"Thanks, Babe." James said and River smiled.

River opened his mouth to speak, but he was interrupted by the loud ringing of his Cellphone. He quickly turned to the couch, then back to James with a bewildered glance.

"Get it, I'll clean this mess up." James gestured to the mess they had made, from eating earlier.

River nodded solemnly, walking towards the couch to pick up his phone. He peered at the number on the screen, baffled as to who could be calling. For in truth he rarely got calls. Unless it was Dr. Hasan at the Hospital--or James.

"Hello?" River put the phone to his ear.

"Hello, Mr. Kennedi, this is Grace Keller from Black Co." the woman's voice chirped on the other line, and River's brows scrunched up in limpid bafflement. "Are you free to speak at the moment?"

"Y-yes, I-I am." River answered swiftly, feeling his legs wobble beneath him.

"Great! I wanted to see if we could schedule another Interview, but honestly I've seen enough to know that you're well deserving of this Internship." Grace said and River could hear the smile in her voice.

"I-I don't understand, you turned me down."

"Yes, we did and I am very sorry about having to do that. However, the Board of Directors has reviewed your application again, and they're quite pleased with what they see." Grace answered nervously and River frowned.

James walked past River, watching him with curious eyes. He quickly mouthed 'who is it' and River covered the receiver with his hand.

"It's Grace Keller, from Black Co." he whispered and James rose an eyebrow.

"Are you there, Mr. Kennedi?" Grace's voice cut through again, and River straightened his composure.

"Yes, yes I'm still here. Just a little bit confused is all." River said honestly.

"Don't be confused, Mr. Kennedi. I'm calling to tell you that you've got the internship." River felt like screaming, but kept his cool. "Can you come in Monday? We really need to get you started as soon as possible."

"Yes! Most definitely, I can definitely make it Monday."

James stood by the counter, discarding the empty paper bags into the trash. He then walked up to River, noticing the change in his Best Friend's mood.

"Splendid! Looking forward to seeing you on Monday, Mr. Kennedi." Grace announced and River fist-pumped the air--the biggest smile on his face.

"Thank you so much! Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is unbelievable!" River said excitedly and Grace chuckled on the other end.

"I take it you're excited. Hope you bring that attitude here on Monday. See you then." After a long beat, the line went dead and River covered his mouth.

"So?" James asked curiously and River grinned.

"I got the internship!" River hollered and James' face lit up tenfold.

"Wait, didn't they turn you down?"

"They did, but apparently they did another review on my application!"

"Well whaddya know," James said hugging River, hoisting him up into the air. "I knew today would be a good day." James said and River giggled as James put him down.

"It is now." River said, but in the heat of the moment, he crushed his lips against James's.

River's eyes flitted closed, but the kiss only lasted a second or two. James was mind blown, but not from disgust--just shock. So they stood there in silence. Peering at each other, like never before.

"I-," River was dumbfounded, and embarrassed by his actions.

He waited for James to shout at him, or glare in disgust.

But it didn't happen.

"Well that was, different." James chuckled, amused at River's wound up expression.

"James, I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me, it was stupid and-," River began fidgeting, and James clutched his shoulders to steady and calm him.

"River, hey, look at me." James ordered, and River's shaking halted. "It's fine," James said simply, his smile unfaltering.

James reached up with his right hand, and River flinched marginally. Only he calmed when James brushed a strand of hair away from his forehead. River gazed away, his cheeks flushing madly. River half expected James to remove his hand, but it lingered there on his cheek. So gently, that River felt like dying inside from the meager, yet colossal display of affection.

"I'm gonna hate leaving you here all by yourself." James said, scowling as his hands fell away from River's face.

"I'll hate it when-when you l-leave." River stuttered, but James sighed as if in relief.

"But, you got your internship and I got this gig. We should go out and celebrate." James suggested and River groaned.

"Are you inviting Cassie?" River asked, and James gazed at him for a few fleeting seconds.

"Nah, Babe." James nodded his head and River rose an eyebrow in question. "Tonight it's just going to be you and me." James grinned and River smiled.

"O-ok," River blubbered, feeling his cheeks warm fiercely.

"Now go put on some clothes. I'm gonna show you, the time of your life tonight." James nudged river, then spun on his heels and walked towards his room.

River nodded as James flashed him a smile, and for a second. There was a glint in James's eyes, that made River feel odd. The kiss however, was a different story but James played it off. Nonchalant and clearly not repulsed by it. Like it had faded from existence, only it had etched itself into River's mind.

Seconds passed, with River just standing there--weighing his mind and considering his options. A talk with James was now due, which left River anxious and afraid of the outcome. River feared what it could mean for both of them, but he felt like an utter moron for doing what he did.

〰