YOU GET ME SO HIGH, ROBBY KEENE
Written by Charlie...© conflictcriminal
02 —— Brooding In The Bonsai Tree

˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚ ⁀➷ 'Cause if I could see your face once more I could die as a happy man I'm sure ˚ ༘✶ ⋆｡˚ ⁀➷
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Ryatt still sat upon his couch in his music room. He was paralyzed there as he fully processed what had just happened. Robby actually broke up with him. He poured his heart out to him and what he got in response was to throw it all in the garbage. Sure it was only five months together officially, but Ryatt felt a forever with Robby. He saw a future and  he really thought they would last. They'd been through plenty of hardships before now, so why was now so different?

He felt stuck as he was just feeling so many different emotions and it was just coming in waves. Just when he thought he was just confused, a twinge of guilt would join, and then he'd be angry that he was so upset. The whole atmosphere just had him off his balance. His world just felt turned on it's axis. The mix of feelings with it being so late, and the unsettling oldie pop playing was getting to him. He needed to start moving.

He soon enough got up in a huff the couch cushions almost shifting off the couch in the process. He went to the record player hurriedly stopping it and putting the record back into its rightful case and place. He walked over to the light switching it off and walking out of the room.

He went into a sort of autopilot as he went into his nightly routine. Grabbing pajamas, brushing his teeth, and taking his depression meds. All the sorrow really hit him in the shower. His cries being tuned out to the running water. He stayed there for longer than usual, not that anybody was there to judge him for it. He felt better afterwards though. Not by much, but he at least felt so drained that he couldn't cry anymore.

He trudged his way over to his bedroom. He sighed as he entered moving over to the lamp that was on and turning it off. He got into his bed moved to the center despite him usually taking up just the left side since Robby preferred the right. He was honestly so drained that he fell asleep very quickly, which would shock anyone if they were here. Since it was the first time Ryatt ever had slept in the dark.

Ryatt awoke the next morning feeling hollow. Like someone had just cut him open and gutted his very essence. He felt like he wasn't even in his own skin anymore. He was just looking at himself and saying he should move but no effort was made. His mind and body had been separated. He was elsewhere and had no idea if he'd ever be returning.

Hours passed where he didn't even make a move to leave his bed. He just snuggled back into his covers, searching for anything to give him peace. He was sure this is what it felt like to be dead to the world, or at least want to be.

More hours passed, he just grew more tired and lazy. He cried at some point, which he couldn't tell you what lead him to that point, but was needed nonetheless. He didn't leave the bed that day. He didn't leave the bed the next day either.

He didn't leave his bed really until the fourth day. It's not like he really wanted to, but when friends start switching from texts to calls you tend to have to pick up. At least Ryatt felt like he had to. It's easy to ignore the buzz of a text message every once in a while, but it's practically impossible to ignore the song ringtones he has set for each friend. To his credit he did sit through a couple, but once he heard the nirvana style guitar and indie vocals of 2000s pop started to play he had to pick up.

"Hey Eli? What's going on?" Ryatt said with as much forged happiness as he could. Though he was quite drained having spent the previous days just crying and sleeping. He was pretty sure he was dehydrated and starving at this point.

"Ryaatt! The gangs planning on partying at Sam's to celebrate the merge of Miyagi-Do and Eagle Fang. Was making sure you're in?" Eli responded with a lot more enthusiasm. Always excited to live on the edge. However, it was news to him that Daniel and Johnny even decided to come together. Who knew though it might've been forced onto them by Sam and Miguel. He was glad that it happened though. Was good for them to join forces against Kreese in this case. He hated that he seemed to be out of the loop, but that's what he gets for not checking his messages for three days.

"Uh I don't know if I'm really in the partying mood E. Works been kicking my ass." Ryatt lied. He didn't want anybody really to know about what happened with Robby just yet. He didn't need the ‚I told you so' and ‚Knew that dude was bad news'.

"Ah come on! It's not a true coming together if everyone's not there! You gotta come." Eli countered though had the feeling something was up. His point was fair though. Would be pretty odd if Ryatt was the only one who didn't show. Then they'd know something was up and worry and pry. Definitely was better to go anyway.

"Okay okay. Sure what time is it gonna start?" Ryatt asked. He definitely needed to prepare himself. Both mentally and physically. He didn't need anyone fussing about him.

"Uh Sam said everything should be ready by like 5 pm, but I figured we could meet up a little beforehand? You know hang out since I swear we haven't done that in like a week and a half. Which is very wack by the way, we can't let that happen anymore." Eli responded hoping to get the opportunity to find out what was wrong with Ryatt. Though he tried to state it subtly so Ryatt wouldn't catch on.

"No no I got errands to run so I'll be at Sam's at five. I'll see you then E. Maybe we can hang like tomorrow or something." Ryatt said quickly. He needed that time to freshen up and really try to put on his happy face. Which was going to be really hard since he felt like an empty husk of his original self.

"Alright if you say so. I'm serious though. If you're late I'm coming over there and dragging you myself." Eli said crossing his arms a bit and putting a bit of edge in his tone, mostly to convey how serious he was. As determined as he was to get to the bottom of this mystery, he knew if he pushed Ryatt too hard he'd shut the theoretical door in his face.

„Okay okay. I'll see you at five E." Ryatt said with a small sigh before hanging up. He looked over at his clock reading 1:23 and groaned. He practically had to throw himself out of the bed, but hey he was at least out of bed now.

He headed downstairs first since he was extremely dizzy. He almost fell about three times on his way, but he soon enough made it to his kitchen. He grabbed a mug and shakily poured some water into it. He grabbed some apples, oranges, and bananas and took a seat. Normally he'd cut the fruit up, but with his shaking it'd be best if he didn't let himself near a knife.

After finally hydrating and feeding himself after four days of nothing, he was feeling rejuvenated. Now to wash away the stink and hopefully that'll have him feeling well enough for this party.

Ryatt changed into his sunflower button up, light blue denim jeans, and yellow converses. Mostly hoping that if he wore bright colors it'd cover up how shitty he was actually feeling. He grabbed his sheets and blankets and went to the laundry room sticking them in. He grabbed a set of gray sheets which really didn't match the rest of the room, but would work for now. He looked over at his clock which now read 4:36 so he needed to get going. He grabbed his wallet and keys before hopping into his cobalt blue Mercedes-Benz G Class.

When he arrived to Sam's house, he was greeted with all the faces of his friends beaming at him. He beamed back smiling big, hoping that he was projecting the happiness he needed to.

"Ryaatt!" Sam exclaims excitedly as she ran down the driveway to give him a hug. Miguel coming up behind her doing a light jog. "Yeah dude! Super glad you could make it!" He says doing their signature handshake to welcome him.

When he finally reaches the house, he greets everybody else that showed up. It wasn't so much of a party as it was a hangout to discuss plans for their future against Cobra Kai. Which he agreed with they needed to do, but it felt so conflicting since he'd be against Robby as well. He knew he'd feel the need to warn him of potential harm for awhile, but he wouldn't betray his friends like that either.

They had mostly everything wrapped up in a couple hours. The plans weren't perfect but it was a start, and trying is better than nothing. They probably would've started fixing some small details, going over it again, if not for the sound of a cats meow. Little did they know that meow was a warning sign. A sign of danger screaming at them to flee. An omen if you will, like if you see a big black dog it means death is upon arrival.

As Bert had left to let check on said cat and consequently been thrown back in through the window. "Bert what happened?" Ryatt found himself asking. "No cat." Was all Bert managed to groan out before Kyler came out from behind the corner. "It's payback time 'Ree" Kyler said as he appeared. A group of three other boys, his goons, trailed behind him. They only had time to pull Bert up from the floor before things got worse and Tory burst through the other door behind them.

"Heard you were throwing a party. Hope you don't mind if we crash." Tory said. Ryatt could see the fear on Sam's face and wanted to step forward to protect her, but he had his own face keeping him in place. He didn't even hear Miguel try to get Tory to back off, everything around him tuned out as his eyes met with the green orbs he was so familiar with. See the situation itself wasn't scary for Ryatt. They've been attacked plenty of times by all these people, from all sides even, but he never had to fight Robby. The possibility of it happening now had his heart racing and sucking in little breaths of air.

"NO MERCY!" Tory's yell cut through his panic and then the group delved into chaos. Each big group branching into smaller ones to fight against the others. He helped out where he could. Helping some of their smaller guys when the bigger guys would try to gang up on them. He was doing well for himself only managing to get hit in the torso a couple of times, which he took well enough.

Nobody else seemed to be fairing as well however. Miguel was honestly getting his ass kicked by Kyler, along with a Tory and Robby dream team was beating up a good number of their bigger guys, the home team was not looking good.

He found himself back to back with Eli for a while as they took out guys that surrounded them. He was just glad to be keeping his distance from a certain brunette. They were throwing Cobra Kai's around against walls and even using a couple of vases to disorient them further. His goal was never major harm, but always defense.

Apparently not well enough. As he saw Sam dash for the exit to the backyard with Tory quick in tow. He knew how terrified she was of Tory. Could see it in the way she closed in on herself. Always holding her arm where those three cuts were. He understood her fear and as her friend wanted to protect her. He noticed nobody else was going to help her, so he did the only reasonable thing. He followed them.

Then he hit a person, which to be honest, he thought was Tory, so could you really blame him for tackling said person without a second thought? Though as they hit the pavement, he slid into a familiarity. Something foreign and yet so dear. Something he used to hold close all the time. He looks down and sees those striking green eyes that he has been doing everything to avoid. Robby.

It's like he was pushed into freezing water as he looks back at an utterly furious Robby. He hops to his feet immediately, but doesn't take guard. He just stands there frozen with his hands by his sides and big eyes.

You see even on opposing sides they had an understanding as boyfriends, no worries I'm not going to hurt you even for appearance sake. Though that was then. This is now. Would Robby hurt him now? Was the emotional damage not enough he had to prove his point physically too? All Ryatt did know is no matter what he wouldn't be hurting Robby. Sure everything was fresh and he should be feeling enough anger to hurt him, but he wouldn't bring himself to do it. He couldn't. Cause it was Robby and he still loved him.

They stand there just staring at each other for a couple minutes. Robby seeming to weigh his options and Ryatt just waiting for his next move. Then the shoe finally drops. Well Ryatt does. Much like Robby a few moments ago, Ryatt is tackled to the pavement.

Despite almost expecting it, he does gasp and a groan following shortly behind as the pain registers. Though a small part of him feels relief. Relief to have Robby this close again. To feel his body again. Is it twisted? Absolutely, but feelings are much like vines around the heart. Suffocating as they twist around and painful to remove.

Robby hops to his feet almost like he regrets doing it in the first place. That might be wishful thinking on his part though. Ryatt just lays there as he doesn't want to fight. He wished he'd just rot into this pavement or disappear even. He is just somber that it has come to this at all. Like how did they get here? Just last week Robby and him were as happy as could be, or at least he thought they were. Maybe he was just naive.

"Oh come on! Put up a fight at least. I know you got it in you." Robby spits out still as ready as ever. Which stings Ryatt all the more. The last phrase echoing back to all the times they practiced together. You got it in you being the foundation to so many triumphs now being used to provoke him. Regretfully it worked, Ryatt bit his tongue and hobbled up onto his feet. He got into his usual fighting stance even, but he wasn't playing Robby's game. Going against his usual instincts, he was going on the defensive.

Robby smirked as he probably assumed Ryatt had gave in. Oh how wrong he was. Seemed like he just wanted to prove that Ryatt could be just as bad as him. Would make him feel vindicated for how he broke things off. He would not be feeling that by the end of this.

Robby in true Cobra Kai fashion struck first. Which Ryatt knew he would, but he at least thought it would be with a body shot protecting his abdomen, instead Robby had gone for the jugular, or more accurately Ryatt's jaw. Ryatt caught very off guard takes a few steps back to try to recuperate from the blow. He shakes his head a couple times to try to loosen the muscles that tightened and throbbed.

Robby barely let him as he followed Ryatt and continued his attack. Ruthless as ever, Ryatt was barely recognizing Robby. Surprised to see this side of him. If you had said Robby was possessed he would probably believe you. He stays high going for Ryatt's shoulder and chest with kicks and punches, but then Robby does something unthinkable. He kicks him square at the left side of his chest.

Ryatt coughs as the air is literally kicked out of his lungs. He hurries to get it back as he goes into a panic. The spots in his vision acting like warning signs that he ignores. He ends up even taking a knee and putting his head between his knees to force himself to breathe. He couldn't let Robby beat him so quickly. He is sent back to a place feeling like he used to before boxing. Almost as of walls are caving in on him, so he holds onto the things he knows.

As Robby embraced his new training, Ryatt did the opposite and reverted to his old one, boxing. For every hard strike, Ryatt tightened up his core and held his hands up to his face. Twists and turns of Ryatt's body had him rocking with the punches, since something Ryatt had a leg up on everyone at, endurance.

Ryatt could take punches and kicks like no other, but this was weighing hard on him. With every hit, it was like someone was tying another stone to his shoulders. He just felt so defeated already. He wasn't trying to win. He was just trying to get through this onslaught alive. Robby had to get tired of this eventually right?

He may honestly never know the answer. As before Ryatt can tighten up for another punch to his side, Robby's fists stops short. Not because he wanted to mind you, no, because he collided with something else.

Ryatt is confused when the pain doesn't come. He lets down his arms to see Eli standing between Robby and him. First he is relieved. Eli taking over finally gives  him time to breathe. He takes a few steps back from the action, too tired to help and not wanting to be in their way either.

He watches as the two of them go at each other. Each aggressive but a lot more evenly matched than he was fighting Robby. Then realization hits him. Eli saw them. Came to his rescue sure, but there was no hiding what was going on. He knew Eli would have questions, and he'd have to tell him. Maybe if he left now he wouldn't have to? That would be a shitty thing to do though. He at least had to thank Eli for helping him out.

How does he explain to Eli without breaking down? He was in bed for days trying to get back to his normal self. Which he still wasn't, but he was at least out of bed. Eli did-

SPLOOSH!

Ryatt snaps back to the scene to see Robby in the pool. He is honestly surprised Robby didn't pull him in with him. The opportunity was there, but Eli is walking up to him now. At least it was all over now, and he's glad Eli was the victor. Then the embarrassment sets in.

As Eli's stormy blue eyes scan over him, Ryatt can't help but to look away and kick his shoe into the pavement a little bit. He feels like a child about to be in big trouble with their parents. He expects an immediate inquisition, but is pleasantly surprised when Eli doesn't.

"Let's get you patched up. I'm pretty sure this shits over." Eli says instead waving him back into the house. Ryatt takes one last look at a drenched Robby retreating. The longing is still there, especially with Robby looking like a kicked wet dog, but he pushes it aside. Following Eli's lead, they enter the house again. The damage is extreme, but there is no more fighting anymore.

He doesn't really make eye contact with anyone, although everyone has their wounds, he just didn't want them to see him this way. By the way Eli had spoke, he knew it likely wasn't pretty. ‚Patched up' means big injuries or at least ones that need more than a bandaid and ice.

"You want your house or mine?" Eli asks and Ryatt really had to think about it. He couldn't really remember how neat he had left his place, so despite how comfortable it might have been he didn't want to take the chance. He didn't need to clue Eli on his mess. It would only cause worry, which Eli didn't deserve to have. "Yours is okay. Your car here?" He asks wanting to know if he'd have to drive them both there.

"Nah Demetri drove me here. I'll hitch a ride with you?" Eli proposes though with enough inflection to phrase it as a question. Which Ryatt was appreciative that Eli was gauging his comfort level. However, he didn't want to rope anybody else into this. If someone else drove Eli, they may just invite themselves in and he'd have to explain all of this to more people. "Yes that's alright." Ryatt says as he grabs his keys out of his pocket as they finally head out the front door.

Surprisingly, Eli snatches said keys right out of his hand. Ryatt looks at him incredulously opening his mouth to protest before Eli explains himself. "Dude you are literally hobbling around. I'll drive." Eli says pointing to Ryatt's left leg. Ryatt stops in his tracks, before taking a step with said foot and seeing the limp Eli had been referencing. He sighs crossing his arms, but says nothing as they walk to his car.

He carefully gets into his passenger seat and connects his phone to the car for the aux. The ride is smooth no sound other than the music Ryatt plays. Ryatt is glad to not be talking about it right now, but the worried glances he's getting and anticipation of said talk is something he could do without. They had him on edge, like waiting for the drop bungee jumping.

Once they got to Eli's house, they quietly enter as to not gain any attention from Eli's mom. Eli grabs the first aid kit as they make their way to his room. Ryatt decides to make himself comfortable taking off his shoes and socks. He sits criss-crossed against Eli's pillows. Eli opens the kit and starts to take out what they need. He first starts with the peroxide dabbing at his lip first. Ryatt winces briefly but soon just lets Eli do the work. He really must've disassociated with how many of his injuries he simply hadn't noticed. They continue like that for a couple moments before Ryatt has simply had enough.

"So are we just not going to talk about it?"
He asks as Eli motions for him to take off his shirt, which he does. Eli rubs some ointment on the scrapes he could see before answering. "I'd like to, but that's also your story to tell man." Eli says as he wraps his mid section in gauze.

Ryatt takes a deep breath. He should tell someone. He's going to have to start eventually and why not with Eli? Maybe he could even give him some insight into Robby's head right now. As Eli places a bandaid on his elbow, he figures he should rip off the theoretical one. "We broke up." He all but breathes out. He gets an eye roll in response. "Oh really? Totally couldn't tell." Eli says sarcastically.

Ryatt has to remind himself not to bite his already busted lip. "We got into a fight four days ago-"

"Four days?!" Eli exclaims as he gets up to grab Ryatt a change of clothes. Ryatt twiddles his thumbs before continuing. "Yeah, he stole a snake from my work and things just got out of hand. He broke it off."

"That doesn't give him the right to beat you up." Eli says as he comes back with an oversized hoodie and sweatpants. Ryatt pulls on the hoodie fiddling with the strings unsure of what to say. "I think he's just trying to prove himself." He says looking down.

"To who? Cobra Kai? Those assholes shouldn't have that much control." Eli says shaking his head as he changes into his own pajamas. "They did over you didn't they?" Ryatt retorts. He honestly has no clue why he's defending Robby so much even now. He really should be angrier. He has a hobbled leg cause of him!

"They did. Which is why I know this is bad news. He's going down the wrong path." Eli says back. Not angry just straight up owning his actions. "I tried to keep him on the right one. I just wasn't good enough." Ryatt voices absentmindedly. A slip up really which Ryatt knows almost instantly. Eli turns to him then with a big frown. "No. You're better than that Ry. He's just an asshole. You were probably the best thing he had and he just lost it." Eli says sternly.

That makes the corners of Ryatt's mouth twitch up slightly. He wants to believe that. Can't at the moment, but was nice to hear. "I wanna hear you say that." Eli continues. "Say what?" Ryatt says confused. "That you are great." Eli says. Ryatt involuntarily scoffs. He didn't feel great right now. He just let his ex beat him up. "Don't think I can right now." Ryatt says looking down frowning. He wanted to. To make Eli happy, but he couldn't even fake it enough for him at the moment. "That's okay. I'll be here when you can." Eli reassures as he grabs products to get the other products out of his Mohawk.

"Still going to be here for me now?" Ryatt asks looking up apologetically. He was being so self conscious and stupid. He hated not being able to be support and needing support. Eli looks at him empathetically. "Of course dummy. Now I'm going to wash this stuff out of my hair. Need anything else other than some ice packs?" Eli responds. "A soda please." Ryatt answers rubbing the back of his neck almost guiltily. He changes into the sweatpants before Eli gets back with all the things he said he would. Eli sets the ice pack on his left leg and makes sure he's comfortable before doing the same himself.

They stay up talking for a few hours. About anything and everything as the fight had Ryatt so on edge he couldn't immediately fall asleep. The wind down was nice, despite the aches and pains, Ryatt was feeling like he was taking a turn for the better.

"Hey E?"
"Yeah Ry?"
"Thanks for being such a great friend."
"Anytime dude."

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DTS
-lostgardens -fairyszn  sectxmsemmpra

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Yes it took me a year. College be crazy. But hopefully I'll be able to get more chapters of this out. I truly do love writing for this.

Credits go to -wonderhaze for the title gif! I literally just realized that I didn't credit that the past two times and am so sorry for that!

You Get Me So High , © conflictcriminal , June 2024

Started: 5.7.23 Published: 6.4.24