#finley x riley ;; 001

[cursivebloodlines]

Finn couldn’t believe this. How had he changed? How did this go from a disagreement about their relationship status to talking about how he had changed? Her words silenced him, made him feel like he was stuck in motion. Part of him wanted to tell her to screw it then. If that’s how she felt then fuck her, right? But he couldn’t. Normally, he was the type of guy who could brush it off, not let people’s opinions get to his head. But Riley? She was different. As much as he hated to admit it, he valued what she thought about him. So, to hear her tell him he’s changed, and not for the better…It stung. Was he in the wrong? At first, he thought definitely not but now, he wasn’t so sure. “How have I changed? How?” He quizzed, voice filled with perplexity. “Riley, come on, tell me.” Finn urged gently, his hand reaching out to grab hers in a feeble attempt to prevent her from leaving. Buying him more time.

Slowly shaking her head, Riley had seen the changes in Finley. She saw that he wasn't but at the same time was the same person. Here with her, he was the same. The same old guy that was her best friend. Someone she ended up trusting and letting in. This was why she didn't let people into her life, why she shut them out and didn't give them any care or love because in one quick move they could break you. ❝ You have changed Fin... and I'm not going to stand around and watch it. I'm sorry. ❞ She stated as she shook her head slowly before finding herself going to walk away. If all eyes were on her because she was with him, she could have accepted that. She was easy to ignore other people when they were pestering herself.

[cursivebloodlines]

It was one of the many things he liked about Riley. While he needed to be around people, she didn't seem to need that. They were so different, but that's part of what drew Finley to her. She made him feel special, because he knew it took a lot for her to let someone in, but she did - for him. It's not that she didn't mean anything to him, it couldn't be further from the truth. But he was trying to figure this fame thing out, and dragging her into the limelight, knowing the attention that would increase for her. If it was a lot for him, he couldn't imagine what it would have been like for her. In a world where it was sometimes tricky to figure out whether someone was interested in him for the fame, or for him, he never had to worry about that with her since they went way back. He wanted to tell her how much he appreciated her, how much he did care for her - that was precisely why he didn't want to develop their relationship any further. But he got caught off guard by this conversation, and with confusion came a ton of garbage and an inability to truly express what was running through his mind at the time. Something he would later regret, probably. But it is what it is. "What do you think?" Finn asked, arms folded across his chest. She deserved better, even he knew that. He wasn't going to be around a lot of the time and Riley deserved someone who could actually be present. Someone who could make time for her, unlike him. Yet, hearing her tell him she was done? It irked him. But wasn't it what he wanted? "I thought we were friends anyway," he tried to say with an offhanded shrug, trying so hard to dismiss her comments, pretend like he didn't care. As far as he was concerned, they had been friends. Just with something more on top. Why did it bother him so much now? "Come on, you know you're my favourite, don't you?" He said lightly, giving her a gentle nudge. Finn wasn't kidding around this time. Something about her thinking that he thought he prioritised the new people he found since being famous, rather than the ones who had been here all along. That frustrated him. Yes, his life had changed but that didn't mean he did. She had to know that. Right? "'Cause why would I even be here if I thought there was more out there, huh? I'm still me, Riley."

Riley had always been an outcast, often finding solace in the solitude that surrounded her. She preferred the company art over that of people, finding their unpredictable nature a challenge to navigate. While others saw her as a loner, she saw herself as an explorer of her inner world, where creativity flourished like wildflowers in a meadow. She never once complained about the world she lived, being alone with the distance of people however Finley was an acception. He was the one person that she let into her life growing up and now that her feelings developed more, flourished for him she didn't want to just be a side piece anymore when it was something more she wanted. What would happen if she were to find a relationship? Would he still want to be a friend or would he be pissed off at her. ❝ You can't or won't give me what I'm asking? ❞ She questioned as she shook her head, she was already giving up at this point. Fine. He won. He won the matter of this whole thing being done because she just couldn't fight for it. ❝ Fine, no corner to be backed in Fin but I'm done here. I'm not going to fight for something more if it's clearly something you don't want but you can forget calling me if you want a hook up. My phone will be reserved for the only friends slot now with you because I won't sit back and do this anymore. ❞ She stated as her eyes looked from him before looking away for a moment with a heavy sigh from her lips. ❝ Have fun with your famous life. Us little people will still be here if you're lucky ❞

[cursivebloodlines]

If Finn had any idea that he’d end up where he was now, there’s a part of him that may have decided against starting whatever this had been between him and Riley. But he genuinely had no idea that suddenly he’d be thrust in the chaos of fame, the media’s attention and people hanging on to every word. Whilst he adapted to the limelight with seeming ease, he had slipped up a few times already whether it be accidentally saying something he shouldn’t or whatever. He recovered smoothly but not everyone could say that. He simply thought he was protecting her, in some ways. “Why are you making such a big deal? Jesus,” Finley argued, shaking his head at her. “You’re more than just a convenience, you already know that. But we just…I can’t give you what you’re asking of me. I don’t know what else to tell you.” Can’t or won’t? The jooking, mischievous side of him seemed to dampen with the more she spoke. No, this wasn’t funny anymore. But he didn’t know how to continue. Being in this position only pissed him off. His jaw clenched, inhaling sharply. “And I don’t like being blindsided by ultimatums, either. It’s a shitty thing to do.” Clearly she wasn’t holding back so why should he either? Granted, he was on the defensive side but his version of playing defense was to…make the situation worse. "I don't know what you're playing at but I won't be backed into a corner."

Sure, she was only talking about her wants, her needs but if she didn't share what she wanted she would end up hating herself at the end of the day. It wasn't often that Riley ever talked about her feelings, or even acknowledged the fact that she had feelings because feelings meant getting hurt. It meant getting close and letting someone in to have the possibility of losing them altogether. Now? Now it had to be something she was willing to risk. She knew him before fame. She knew him before he started climbing the social ladder and now it was becoming a lot. ❝ I know a lot of things. I know that what we had was fun, it was convenient when you were here in town but not anymore. I've shared what I want and if it's something you don't, fine. Keep your head up your ass and climb that pop star life style. I just won't be here to sit and watch anymore and I"m not sorry about it either. ❞ Maybe she was being ruthless, heartless even but she was just speaking her mind.

[cursivebloodlines]

Ugh. He wondered how he could possibly have stumbled into the very situation he tried hard to avoid at all costs. Didn't he make it clear enough at the start? He liked her, that much was true. They always had a great time together and he always looked forward to seeing her. Why did it need to be anything more than that? But life was chaotic enough, the sudden success hitting him like a heavy gust of wind, almost knocking him over. Yet somehow he managed to keep upright, strolling through it all relatively unscathed, relishing in the newfound attention he found himself with. Why would he want to change that? Why should he change that? He was still living on the high fame brought and…Finley simply couldn’t imagine himself just settling at a time like this. Not when he was just getting started. “Come on, Riles. You can’t be serious right now.” His initial amusement shifted into something…less so amusing. Fuck. How was he going to spin his way out of this one? To be honest, he had no idea. “We don’t need to fix something that’s not broken.” It was convenient, they both had a good time, why did they need to make it any more than that? Finn couldn’t help but scoff, clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth. All he heard in her words was, I, I, I. Where did his opinions come in all of this? A nonchalant shrug rolled off his shoulders, his hands stuck in his pockets. “And what if I don’t want all that? I just don’t see the point in making a big deal. I thought you knew that.”

Sure, Riley was fine with the hook ups, the secret getting together, the hang outs. The more she hung out with him though the stronger her feelings got which she knew she was screwed. She had spoken to her sister about it and she said there were two options. Walk away and hide or share what her heart was telling her so, here she was talking to Finn about what she was feeling. ❝ Okay.. but what if I don't want it to just be fun anymore? What if I actually want a relationship with you? Share that with the world and fuck what people are going to say. I'm not about to just sit and watch you have fun with everyone. I don't want to be a hidden, side girl who is there just for fun anymore because I like you. ❞