Riley sighed, stepping into the building that held Atticus’s office. It’s not really that there was anything wrong with him anymore (not that there was anything wrong with him in the first place, as he’d been put under Atticus’s care by mistake), it’s just that he needed someone to talk to. He needed a person that he could babble to without feeling like he was burdening them – since, after all, it is Atticus’s job to listen to his bullshit.

As well, the only person he could really talk to anymore was Kowa, and Riley felt as though the boy had enough problems for himself, and didn’t want to burden him with his own troubles.

Riley made his way to the office, his tummy suddenly full of butterflies. He wasn’t sure why he was nervous – it was only another visit to Atticus.

He put his hand to the doctor’s door, and paused for a moment, before pushing lightly.

“Ah, Riley, it’s nice to see you again,” Atticus said happily from behind his desk. “Well, I suppose it’s not nice to see you again, seeing as that means you’re having troubles, but…well, you know what I mean.”

Riley laughed lightly. “Yeah, you too, I think.”

“So, take a seat,” Atticus motioned to the plush chairs. “Tell me everything.”

“Yeah, so…” Riley sat down as he was told, pulling his legs up to cross Indian style. “Okay. Well…I’ve just been thinking…and…I don’t know. Now I feel silly…it’s just that I’ve just started senior year, and Chris has been totally bugging me out, and I’m meeting so many new people, and then within the classes, there’s so much to do, and crap…I’m just feeling stressed and I just need to unload on someone.”

Atticus smiled. “That’s totally fine, Riley. That’s what I’m here for. Just let it all out. What do you think is the most stressful thing in your life right now?”

“Jesus, you’re asking me to name just one thing?” Riley laughed a little bitterly. “I don’t know. I’ve met a lot of new people and things, and that’s really cool, it’s just…I’m getting so involved with them so quickly, and it’s kind of like this overload of crap, and I freaked out about…something that happened to me, and it’s just…” Riley sighed. “And don’t even get me started on Kowa…”

“What about Kowa?” Atticus immediately asked.

“Well, nothing about Kowa, I guess, it’s just that…I suppose it’s kind of frustrating, because…I think I may like him…but I don’t know, because I mean, I love Chris, well, I used to, I’m not sure about now. And now I think I might like Mere but he’s with Shadow, but he kind of…led me on once, or twice…and besides, even if I did like Kowa, I mean, what would it matter if he didn’t like me back? Which I don’t think he does, I mean he’s been getting kind of close lately, but I doubt it’s in that kind of way, I think he’s just being friendly, he’s a really friendly guy, and what if I made a mistake in thinking he liked me like that, and did something? He would freak out, our friendship would be ruined, and nothing would ever be the same ever…”

Atticus almost looked to be very amused by Riley’s ranting.

“And anyway, what’s so special about keeping these relationships so perfect, anyway?” Riley continued. “So what if I were to ruin a friendship or two…I’m not even sure why people are so obsessed over other people…though while I say that, I’m still going to obsess over people, people like Kowa and Chris, and…”

“And who?”

“No one. Everyone.”

Atticus smiled. “It’s perfectly normal to have thoughts like that, Riley, especially at your age.”

“Normal, normal,” Riley sighed, tipping his head from one side to the other. “Everything’s normal. I’m normal, you’re normal…well,” Riley eyed the doctor’s pink hair and today’s choice of deep orange contacts, “You’re not very normal, I think I can safely say that. But everything’s so acceptable anymore. We can all do whatever we want. Where’s anyone’s sense of decency? Everything’s normal. No one can be abnormal, because it’s all been done before.”

“I thought I wasn’t normal?” Atticus said, patiently hearing his patient out.

“Well, it’s been done before,” Riley asked. “Your hair – hide, Shuichi…and countless girls have pink hair. I dunno…no one’s normal. Everything’s normal. There’s no such word as ‘normal’.”

Atticus remained silent as Riley lowered his head, looking at his lap and wringing his hands.

There was a long pause. The doctor allowed Riley some time to think, and Riley took the time to try and think of what to say. Then Atticus said the boy’s name in a soft voice to get him to look up. Once their eyes connected, Atticus held out his arms to Riley.

Of course, Riley immediately took the invitation and curled up in Atticus’s lap. “I’m sorry,” he sniffled. “I don’t mean to be a crybaby…”

“It’s okay, just let it all out,” Atticus cooed calmly.

Riley sighed, resting his head in the crook of Atticus’s neck. “I want to tell you everything, but I’m just so scared of trusting…”

Atticus started stroking his patient’s hair. “It’s my job to keep everything said here completely confidential, you know.”

“I know,” Riley replied, his eyes fluttering closed at Atticus’s touch. “But you’re not just a doctor to me…”

Atticus’s hand stopped. “What…do you mean by that?”

Riley looked up at Atticus, smiling. “That you’re my friend, too!”

The doctor forced a smile to his lips. “Yes, of course.”

Just friends…

“Hm, did I say something wrong?” Riley’s smile faltered, and he wriggled in Atticus’s lap, pulling his legs up onto the large chair. “I’m sorry…”

“Oh, no, it’s not you,” Atticus reassured him, pulling Riley closer to him, if possible. “I’m fine.”

As Atticus closed his eyes, leaning his head against the back of the chair, Riley found himself staring at the young doctor.

So pretty…

Before he could help himself, he leaned in, lightly pressing his lips against the other’s.

Atticus’s eyes immediately opened and widened, looking down at the boy. Though surprised, he soon melted into the kiss as it deepened.

Riley suddenly found the name ‘Dr. Strait’ mildly ironic, smiling into the kiss as their tongues danced.

--

A/N: For the lovely Karasu-sama