The Chase

Fahmeen's POV:

His large back is all I see from this distance. He sits alone, similar to how Raven was when she was drawing. I almost didn't want to disturb him but the party was happening, people were happy yet River stayed mostly to himself tonight. Rolf noticed but seemed to want to give him space and so did most people, to be honest. But I was the foreigner here, I just had to do things differently I guess.

Before I could make some sort of excuse as to why I'm checking up on him, he turns around.
"Oh! Sorry if I'm botherin-
"No, it's okay."
His voice is gentle and he looks very calm. All I hear is the soft wind against the water and crickets.
"Come sit."

I join him at the end of the pier and study the same view before me, as him. With the sun already gone, it's replaced by the dark of the night. The stars are bright out here, there isn't much artificial light as we're in the country.
"I see you've met Sandra."
"I have. She's lovely." I notice the fondness in which he says her name.
"She's great, always looks out for me. Even when I don't want it she'd still do it. Like a mom, I guess." He chuckles though he wasn't smiling. I remember that his mother is indeed alive, but far away from him.

A sad tone sets between us, I feel as if River carries a storm with him and it weighs heavily on his shoulders. When he does smile, it's rare and beautiful. It's real, too. We've hardly spoken but I feel something with this man. It's like two lost souls reconnecting though I've only met him a few days ago.

"Are you not fond of parties?" I look at his profile as he's yet to look away from the movement of the still water.
"Not anymore." He shrugs and throws a small rock into the lake.
"When did you... Er actually never mind." Shit, I shouldn't have opened this can of worms I have no right. God knows if he's mentally okay after Xiamora's death-
"When did I lose her?"
He meets my eyes. I have to look up a little as he was considerably taller than me. I gulp, wandering if there was always that red rim around his eyes.
"Not too long ago. But if you asked my mother, it's been long enough."
He shakily sighs and looks back to the stunning view.

"It's nights like this where I miss her the most."
"Why?" I just wanted to empathise with him and his great loss, help him in any way that I can. It was difficult witnessing death in love.

"Because the night was when we could meet, really. The darkness became our protector. It wasn't enough though." He picks up a few rocks from his pile besides him.
"I just had to ruin it. If I didn't force it out she would still be here, in the darkness with me." Instead of tossing them one by one, he pushes them all into the water angrily and bows his head.

I felt an urge to comfort him, it was heartbreaking.
"No River. What you did, was what anyone in true love would have done. You were brave and if you hadn't have told the world that you loved her enough to risk yourself - would Xiamora have known a more powerful love? Was it not worth it, the fact that she knew that's how much you loved her? Even if her time was cut short."

He doesn't say anything but his body takes in a deep breath.
"What's the point of this life if we can't taste its greatest joy?"
I place my hand on his shoulder, he doesn't tense which is a good sign.
"And what's more greater than love?"

This time he looks at me and I see clearly the tears on his face. His eyes are intense as they study me, he's working me out. What are my intentions with him? Why am I here and not at the party, maybe.
I put my hand back on my lap and look away from him. I see his head turn too.
"Not everyone gets to experience it. But you did."
"And you have?" He asks me and I look at him again.
I nod shyly, thinking of Rolf.
"Then promise me something?"
I nod for him to go on.
"Don't lose it. Because God... the pain is unbearable when you do."

...

Fahmeen's POV:

Don't lose it, because the pain is unbearable when you do...

Pain. It's something we both know, I think as I look at Rolf. He's happy, smiling and talking to people he hasn't seen in years. That makes me happy. I look up towards the balcony and find Angie drinking from the classic red party cup, sandwiched between two of her closest friends. She raises her cup at me and I smile back. Raven is even socialising and she usually hates to do so. The cheery mood is contagious, spirits are high and the music, loud. This was Angie's birthday alright.

I brought River back in with me. He seemed to want to distract himself tonight and I believed it would be best to socialise and drink. That usually did the trick. He's towards the back of the room. That's the last time I saw him. I'm standing somewhere in the middle, admiring the gigantic chandelier hanging from the ceiling. If you look closely, you would find the small droplets of glass move with the pounding of the music and people. I go to sip my cup before realising I didn't have one. And the bar is somewhere behind all these people. When my eyes land on Rolf, I see he had a drink.
Bingo

"Babe?"
God his back is huge. I can't see past him nor the people he's animatedly talking with. Must be deep in conversation as he didn't hear me so I try again.
"Rolf!"
I quickly look around to see if anyone else heard that. Would be embarrassing.
Still no luck.
I tap his shoulder this time. Finally, the giant turns back and when his eyes land on me they're bright and cheery. Maybe even a little buzzed?
"Hey sweetheart, everything okay?"
He was speaking very loud, even though I'm right behind him. His friends, three similarly tall and unbelievably attractive guys watch me.
God, this is awkward and Rolf isn't helping.

"I was thirsty, could y-
"What was that, baby?" He leans in with the entire top half of his body and one of his friends hold him back.
"Woah there buddy you're gonna crush your girl." He chuckles and introduces himself as Alex.
After I was done getting acquainted with his posse I ask again.
"A drink, I just wanted a-
"A what?! Come closer baby, let me hear it from your lips." Rolf pulls me close to him and I smell the beer. Great (!) I've never encountered a drunken Rolf before as he never drinks but I'm guessing he was feeling good tonight, or I have his friends to thank for that. I take his cup nonetheless and walk off. It must've been ten seconds before Rolf realised he had no beer.
"Hey, where's my cup? Guys, have you see my cup?"
I look back at him and see that he's scratching his head, seriously searching the room. I make sure to hide it and approach the bar. I'm giggling to myself as he reminds me of Thor from the Avengers.

"Can I have a Coke Zero, please?"
"Make that two."
Raven sits besides me and we smile at each other.
"How's the party going?" She asks. I make a point of looking at Rolf and she just laughs at me, shaking her head.
"This was him back in the day. Then he left the alcohol and the poor choice of friends and made for a better life."
Just as she said that, Alex grabs a beer and as he sips from it, he winks at Raven.
"Hey."
She ignores him and sighs, turning around to the bar.

I politely smile at him before turning around myself.
"What's wrong with his friends? They seem nice enough."
Raven raises her eyebrows at me.
"They always seem nice."
She thanks the bartender and sips from the bottle. I didn't think she'd want me to question her on that further so I ask about something else.
"He drank before?"
"Hm? Oh yeah. He was heavily into that. Especially after-
Her expression turns secretive.

"Losing his baby? And Jessie? I know about her too." I assure her and Raven's surprised face turns to one of understanding.
"Yeah, my brother's not proud of those stories so don't be surprised he never brought it up."
I nod, watching him as the centre of attention. People loved him and with all that alcohol in his system, he lapped it up. Otherwise he would've run far away from it.
"It was never his."
Raven looks at me confused.
"Jessie's kid? His name is Archie and the father is Jasper. To cut a long story short, it was Jessie and Jasper kissing in a tree, not Rolf."
I fill her in on the details as the party goes on around us.