Knock, Knock. Who's there? (Richard)

[Callie Montgomery]

It had been a while since Callie had heard from or seen Richard. Which was unusual, but then again, things had been off since his accident. Not to mention, she had been trying to work out her own conflicted feelings with him that his mother had so graciously pointed out to her. So that space was somewhat nice, but also concerning. He wasn’t answering his phone, or returning her texts, so Callie had decided to do the only thing left. Show up at his place. Which wasn’t the craziest thing in the world to do, but she was nervous, only because she had a feeling something was up. It was unlike him to shut her out like this. She had been with him as much as she could and as much as he allowed her to be during his recovery and the past few months haven’t been the easiest but she managed.

Callie found herself standing outside his door far longer than a normal person should. She found herself having trouble keeping the negative thoughts out of her head. She couldn’t help it. She had a bad feeling. The blonde stood there for a bit longer, before adjusting her shirt, taking a deep breath and knocking on his door.

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Tag: Richard Buckles

[Richard Buckles]

Richard had been looking down at his phone since he got the new about two weeks ago and seeing anything he would let it ring. Then he would see Callie and her messages would pause for moments before ignoring them. He couldnt see her now, he didnt want to see her like this. He was just to succumbed to his sorrow and grief. He returned from the funeral and was still taking some time. He hadnt been teaching or in school at all and been held up in his room except trips out for booze and food. He wasnt much of a drinking and Callie had only seen him drunk the one time when he was wallowing in some misery over Elsa.

So when the knocking came he looked down from his bed with his eyes closing shortly after. He breathed in deeply as he brough the bottle of tequila up and guzzled down a few gulps. He slowly slid out of bed to answer the door. He didnt put the open bottle down though as he answered the door. His eyes blood shot as he peered out at Callie with a stare unsettlingly unlike him. His eyes looking irritated from the lack of sleep and increased alcohol consumption. He didnt even speak as he peered out at her face. He was just in some jogging pants and a t-shirt bare foot.

[Callie Montgomery]

Callie’s mouth immediately fell open and she found herself struggling to cover it with her hand. Her mouth was moving but no words were coming out. What had happened? He looked terrible. Her eyes scanned him from head to toe. She felt her heart sink. He looked like someone who hadn’t slept in days, not to mention a bit homeless. She eyed the tequila bottle in his hand.

The blonde pushed passed him and looked around before turning and closing the door. “Are you okay?” She asked, concern evident in her voice. There was more she wanted to say. Like why had he been ignoring her, and a whole slew of other questions. But all that she had to put aside for now. For now she needed to find out what the hell had happened to him.

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Tag: Richard Buckles

[Richard Buckles]

Richard might have seen her mouth fall open but he didn't take the time to notice. He of course was staggered back a little as she pushed her way past him. His room looked messy in a way again very unlike him. While he was never obsesssed with cleanliness he usually kept a sense of tidiness to his living space. That was severally lacking at the moment for certain. She said some words though they were a bit loud for his taste so he winced a bit.

The accumlation of sleep deprivation and alcohol had the effect of light being to bright sounds to loud. So the room reflected this with very minimal and barley had lighting. He took a drink from the bottle as he stagged a little staring at her "What do you mean Callie? I am doing just fine. Nothing to be worried about just a late night is all..." he said with a platant lie. He wasn't ready to talk about it. Even when he went to the headmaster he had been very vague on the details and thankfully she had been very leniant on needing t hem to allow him leave.

He walked into his living room as he flopped into the couch and sighed. He was physically and emotionally exhausted. "Thanks for stopping by Callie but I think maybe you should go. I dont think I am much good company right now." he said rubbing his forehead.

[Callie Montgomery]

Callie looked around the messy room and back to Richard. It had been a while since the last time she was in his place, even then it wasn’t this bad. He was not himself. That much was obvious. In all the years she had known him she was sure that there was never a time that he seemed this bad, and that’s including his encounter with a mountain lion. Even the time with his complicated relationship with Elsa, he had never gotten this bad. What was going on?

She folded her arms across her chest and titled her head, looking at him, expectedly. She was tempted to open all the windows and shades and splash some water on him or something, perhaps later. She cringed as he took a sip from the bottle. Her blue eyes narrowed at him, displeased with his answer. An obvious lie.

She walked over to him and snatched the bottle from his hands. “Don’t you be messin’ wit me. It ain’t funny Richard.” Her eyes followed him as he made his way to the couch. She placed the bottle on a table and took a seat next to him. “How about instead of me leavin’ you take a shower and I’ll tidy up and then you can tell me what the hell is going on with ya. You’ve been ignorin’ me, and I’m here now. I ain’t leavin’ til you talk to me.”

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Tag: Richard Buckles

[Richard Buckles]

Callie of course was taking a hard stance of concern and judgement as a friend. Richard could already tell this was not going to be easy to get rid of her. She would want to talk about things he didn't want to think about let alone speak of. She snagged his bottle which he would have stopped or protested more if he was clearer. He shook his head softly "I am not playing around I have had a rough night that is all. So please just leave me be so I can recover in peace Callie."

He looked over at her with a sullen stare that was building some anger to it. She was trying to shove her way into what was going on. Being blunt and just assuming he would roll over when pressed. "Well you go ahead and stay here as loooong as you like Callie." he said as he slowly stood up and started to walk away from her. He was heading back to his bedroom.

He kicked anything in his way out of it. He groaned as he moved his back there where he just flopped onto the bed. He curled up into a ball and sighed heavily. He just want her to leave him alone and he was trying to be polite.

[Callie Montgomery]

Callie was silent. Hopeful. She thought at least he'd give her something a little more believable and maybe, maybe, she'd let him be. But the crap he was feeding her she wasn't buying and it just made her stay here even more.

From the first day they had met he had been open with her. Telling her things that a stranger usually doesn't tell someone they had just met. It was one of the things she had instantly liked about him. His openness, and his modesty. This wasn't the Richard she knew. His answer only continued her disappointment. "A rough night I could believe, but we both know you ain't been like this for just a night." Her eyes harden, she was trying her best to be understanding, but all she wanted was the truth. If this was his attempt to push her away, it wasn't working.

His eyes were burning a hole through her, but she never wavered. If looks could kill. Her blue eyes narrowed as she whipped her head around and watched as he headed towards his bed. She took a deep breath, and let her exhale drag out with more than disappointment hanging around. She didn't want to push him, but at the same time she wanted answers. Call it selfish if needed, but all she wanted was to help a friend. A friend she really cared for.

She jumped slightly as she heard him kick things. She kept her mouth shut and only shook her head. The blonde stood, her head panned around the room, tempted to clean it, but he needed her more than a clean room. She made her way over to his room, avoiding the various items that had been kicked about. She paused for a moment, taking in the man on the bed, who seemed wounded but too proud to admit it. He took the mountain lion attack better than whatever it was he was going through now. It frightened her, but it didn't show. Her facial expressions relaxed, offering a warm and faint smile.

She slowly approached him, taking a seat on the bed next to him, not saying a word. She lifted his head slightly and placed it on her lap. Callie ran her fingers through his head softly and methodically, as she starred out blankly across the room and began softly humming a song.

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Tag: Richard Buckles

[Richard Buckles]

He didn't care what she believe or didn't he just wanted to be alone. He wasn't ready to talk he wasn't ready for the reason to talk. He couldn't stand it, the idea that she was gone. How could he sit there knowing he was never going to see her smile, never hear her voice, never taste her wonderful cooking again. Just sit there in silence knowing she was stolen from him and be able to accept it?

She followed him into the room she just couldn't accept that he didn't want to talk to her. She just cant leave me alone, just go away. Leave me be and don't keep bothering me with need to talk. He stayed unmoving and without words waiting for her next attempt to pry it out of him in silence. He didn't stop her from moving his head as he was just laying there like a lump.

While the feel of her lap beneath his head softened him slightly he remained strong with silence. Her fingers stroking through his hair and her soft humming stripping away what protection he had. The sweet soothing and loving approach Callie put forth to make him feel better made him feel raw and exposed. After a few moments unnoticed to Richard he had tears welling up.

Within minutes there was a sniffling coming from him as he couldn't hold back the rolling emotions. He began to outright sob as he turned over with his face disappearing into her lap. After another minute his arms wrapped around her waist and held on as the big strong soldier cried like a little baby into Callie. After a heavy and emotional five minutes of unadulterated crying finally he broke the mindless sounds.

"I...I tried to stay....I tried to spend time with my family after the funeral. B-b-but I couldn't...everything there just made me think of her.." he said as his voice was hoarse from the crying and exhaustion. "She's dead...I just want to see her again, hear her voice so bad. Call her up and tell her how I am like I used to. I miss mom." He was squeezing he tightly in his arms tight as he could.

[Callie Montgomery]

Callie sat still, humming the same song over and over. She never knew what it was exactly, but it was the same song her mother would hum to her when she wasn't feeling well, or was upset, or simply couldn't fall asleep. There was something about it that was just...soothing. She never said anything, never moved, kept her blue eyes straight ahead at the wall. Her fingers kept combing through his hair. Yes. She could have yelled at him, said a bunch of things she didn't mean, tried to break him, but what would that have done? Just pissed him off on top off whatever else he was going through. No. That would get no where. She knew, she knew sometimes all that anyone really needs is someone to just be there and not say anything. It was simple. No one really wants to be alone. Besides, silences sometimes elicits a better response even better than the most well thought out argument.

She kept humming, every so often she'd push her messy side braid back over her shoulder. She was glad he had allowed her this far, to join him and allow her to move his head. Even if it was because he was too tired to fight back, she was glad to be getting somewhere. If at the end of it he still didn't talk. She'd give him the space he wants. But she wasn't leaving him alone just yet.

Callie never wavered. She kept at it, and as minutes passed she titled her head slightly when she thought she heard something. Sniffles? She felt Richard move in her lap and still she didn't say a word. She felt his arms wrap around her and she welcomed them with a faint smile. Minute by minute, the strong proud man she had grown to love crumbled in her arms, exposing himself and even with that she didn't do anything. She allowed him to let everything out, her song still on repeat.

She look down at Richard, her blue eyes soft and warm. Not really surprised he started talking. What was surprising, was what was actually coming out of his mouth. At first she didn't quite understand what he was talking about but the last thing he said. It stung. She felt her mouth drop open, her stomach sank, and in that moment it was as though someone had ripped her heart out. Callie tightly closed her eyes, trying to fight the tears she felt fighting there way to the surface. She couldn't help it as she felt one, then two begin to slowly roll down her cheeks. She swallowed hard before opening her eyes again. She pulled him into her as tightly as she could, "Oh Richard...I-I'm soo sorry." She said, voice shaky as she tried to fight back more tears. She was in that moment, speechless. For the first time in a long time, Callie had no idea what to say. There was, nothing she could say. All of her angry and confusion were no longer with her. All she wanted to do in that moment was give Richard something that no one could ever give him...his mother.

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Tag: Richard Buckles

[Richard Buckles]

Richard had teased on more than one occasion that Callie would make a good mom. While teasing her with that statement he was sincere. She would make a great mom the way she was so warm and sweet. This sort of behavior just proved it, this soft and gentle drawing of soothing. She could have fought with him like many their age might have, letting their passions get the better of them. Was easy to do since she felt so strongly about him but no she didn't she simply accepted him and gave him a most loving affection.

Richard while a guy who was never Spartan about his feelings was never one to show them to others when they came this strong. He was a private enough person he didn't want anyone to see him like this. Callie he had let her past a point when she entered his room that no other would have been allowed to pierce. That was because he was very close to her. He certainly wouldn't be able to cry I front of someone else. As some might see it as disturbing but Callie was a lot like his mother. While Callie and was very much different it was the core of who she was that was similar. A sense of unconditional caring and love.

The way she was just a fluffy cloud wrapping him up in love made his mind relax. She made him feel safe in a most primal way that was not describable with words. He just had his heart melt out into a puddle onto her lap. Of course he was a bit incoherent at first because his entire world was warped by chaos and pain. He held onto her still so tightly though his grip loosening as he wore himself down with the expelling of emotions.

After the better part of 30 minutes he started to loosen more and more. The sounds from with in her lap disappeared as he went limp. He had his breathing even out as he seemed to have fallen asleep with his head in her lap for the next few hours. First good sleep he had in a while by any measure. He opened his eyes as he flung himself up seeming disoriented "Who-wha-huh?" he pronounced as he pushed up against the wall on the bed.

[Callie Montgomery]

Callie held him as tight as she could, and for some reason it still didn't seem close enough. She wished she could make the pain he was feeling go away, even if she had to suffer it instead, if it would help him, she would do it. The thought had even crossed her mind, a terrible thought, that she would much rather have lost her own mother if it would have saved his. She thought back to the last time she had seen her, it was in the hospital and it was obvious how much she cared about her son, as most mothers do. But what was even more special was all the stories she had shared about Richard and which only proved further how much he cared and loved his mother.

She wanted to know why. What had happened, but she knew that would come in due time. Instead she just remained as she was, as she has been, letting him get out what he needed to until eventually he was quiet, and even then, she never left.

As time passed, her song slowly faded. She let him rest. Her hand never stopped running through his hair, it was as comforting for her as she assumed it was for him. During that time, in the silence, after the tears had stopped she allowed her mind to wander. She wondered when was the last time he had actually slept since the news, even then, she wondered how long ago it had happened. Maybe a week ago?

The hours that passed never really fazed her. It was peaceful, and even though the reason wasn't good, she was glad to be there, with him. Callie jumped slightly when he shot up from her lap. Her blue eyes wide with shock and confusion. She couldn't help but let out a soft giggle. She covered her mouth to try and hide it, but it was pointless, "Oh, Richard. Sweetie. You okay?" She asked, she knew he wasn't emotionally okay, but it seemed as though he was confused and she couldn't help but find it utterly adorable.

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Tag: Richard Buckles

[Richard Buckles]

Richard clung to the wall clearing his throat he tried to let things come into focus but he was still pretty hazy and worn down. He slowly relaxed a little as his breathing calm and looked over at her and felt like his eyes were on fire as they hurt so much. "Callie?" he said roughly as his voice was hoarse. He rubbed his eyes as he tried to refocus them to get a better look. He was trying to think about had happened but things were blurry from the alcohol and exhaustion.

He moved more center of the bed looking at her "When did you get here?" he said as squinted at her his stomach growling heavily in one rumble. He winced as he held a hand to his stomach it had been a few days since he took the time to eat something. He felt a bit nauseous though given what he had running through his system. He rolled out of bed and took of charging on wobbly legs to the bathroom.

He pulled up to the toilet and went down to his knee wretching until he shortly threw up. This continued for a minute or two. He slowly rose and turned on the faucet to rinse out his mouth and sit the fle song water out. He used a towel to dry around his mouth. He slowly came back out to the bedroom after flushing. He flopped onto the bed and curled up. "I don't feel so good...." he said softly as he closed his eyes.

[Callie Montgomery]

Callie’s blue eyes followed him as he clung to the wall. He was clearly confused. How drunk had he been? She thought back to the tequila that he’d been drinking straight from the bottle. Even through his haze, he seemed a bit more relaxed than earlier, which was a good sign. She furrowed her brows, “Yeah?” She answered, her voice soft hiding her concern. She began playing with the tips of her hair, as she always did. She didn’t want to say more than she had to, instead she waited silently, patiently as she had been for the past few hours.

“Um,” She gave a small shrug, she really hadn’t kept watch of the time. “A few hours ago I suppose.” It hadn’t even felt like that long. Callie tilted her head slightly to the side. “Ya hungry?” She asked, following the sound that came from his stomach. “I can make ya somethin’ if ya’d like.” She offered, knowing that he needed something, anything to soak up whatever alcohol was left. She watched as he rolled out of the bed and stumbled his way over to the bathroom. This may be worse than when he was recovering from his attack.

The blonde scrunched her nose and winced at the sounds coming from the bathroom. It was never a pleasant thing to hear, let alone experience. It was some progress at least. The less tequila in him, the better. She rubbed his back slowly, “Oh, Richard. What did you do to yourself?” She got up and made her way to the bathroom. She grabbed a small washcloth and soaked it in cold water. She wrung out the excess and made her way back to him. She placed the cool towel on his forehead, “Can I make you somethin’ to eat?” She asked as she gave him a kiss on the tip of his nose. Her hand continued to rub his back.

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Tag: Richard Buckles

[Richard Buckles]

Callie and was trying to be helpful as his stomach is was growling but it was also very upset. So when she mentioned making something to feed his hunger he was about to speak yes but then the nausea hit hard and he had to charge off to the bathroom in a rush where sadly he subjected her to the rather unpleasant sounds of his ejecting what little was in his stomach before. Sadly it growled harder now, not knowing it was upset just very very empty.

He groaned as he held his stomach "I am fine I promise." he said still trying to be in denial of what was going on and not remembering he sobbed on her about it already. He was still very groggy and hung over feeling. Felt so dehydrated like someone left him out to bake in the sun. He groaned softly as she tended to him the damp cloth felt good as he felt so hot and the cool helped the headache he had as well.

"You don't have to do this. I can take care of myself. You should get on with your day." he suggested. He really didn't want her to go but he couldn't bring himself to say it. Not to mention he didn't want her asking why he was doing what he was doing. He was not ready to have that talk. Of course this comes from the fact that he didn't remember balling like a baby only a few hours earlier. He was still very out of it. More the tiredness than the alcohol effecting him.

[Callie Montgomery]

The blonde waited for a response from Richard, but when he rushed to the bathroom again, she wondered if he would even be able to keep anything down. Her heart ached for him. What he was going through. She so desperately wanted to ask him for more details but she knew that would only make things worse. Callie felt herself fighting back tears. This wasn’t about her right now.

“Richard. Stop lyin’. Not to me. Please.” She said, although it was more of a request. She stood from the bed and made her way to his kitchen. Maybe if she freshened up the placed it would help. She looked around for a clean glass and filled it with water. She looked through his cabinets and in the refrigerator. Her mind searching of what she could possible give him. Feeling partly defeated, she headed back to his room with the glass of water and placed it on the table next to his bed.

She sat back next to him and flipped over the cloth on his forehead. “Maybe some water will help.” She titled her head towards the glass. Not wanting to force it on him. “I know I don’t have to. But I want to, and I don’t mind really. Besides, I ain’t got nothin’ else goin’ on today. I’m just glad you answered the door.” She said with a faint smile. If he hadn’t, she didn’t know what else she could have done to get in contact with him. Maybe break down the door herself? Who knows. She was just glad to be with him again, even if it was for the worst reason.

She didn’t know how much longer she could fight it. Callie curled on next to him on the bed, it felt good after sitting up for so long. She closed her eyes, as she felt the tears rolling out of them down her cheeks.

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Tag: Richard Buckles