𝒇𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒌𝒔 . . .
a riff x graziella short written by @elysiandances
character count: 9.4k+ (1.7k+ words)
summary: riff and graziella have a moment away from the boys per graziella’s request.
warm nights during the weekdays were the perfect time for the jets to take part in what they called their ‘jet-tivities’.. (well, not all of them called it that, but the younger members seemed to find it hilarious) each of the boys would bring their girls and they’d head out to one of the large piles of rubble knocked down in the slums, seeking refuge under metal rods holding up fallen rock which, wasn’t the most stable environment, but it was a place to mess around other than docs.. usually, at the front of the clump, would be riff and his first lady leading the group towards the pile they’d meticulously picked out earlier that day, but tonight, no tonight was different. they’d been the last ones to leave the doors at docs, falling roughly ten feet behind the huddle of teens, lost in their own little world as they chatted. riff had his arm around graziella’s waist, hand gently caressing bare skin where her shirt and shorts didn’t quiet meet..
“an’ so moly decides that it’s a great idea to take mouth’s hat, an’ you know how that boy is about his-“ riff was caught off guard by a tug downwards, a kiss being placed onto his lips, but there was no protest, only a little hum and quirked brow in confusion.. “what was that for?” he asked when she pulled away, seeing the smile crawling onto her expression and only causing his suspicion to grow..
“we’re almost there, don’t you think ice ‘n karen can lead them there an’ you ‘n me can catch up later?” graziella asked, slowing their walking pace down.. riff watched as they grew a bit farther from the group and he picked the pace back up, trying to makeup for the time him and graziella had lost through their little moment..
“for what?” riff asked simply, his gaze not leaving the blonde attached to his side once they’d caught up a bit more with the group.. “what’re you plannin’, graz, huh? cant be nothin’ good,” he teased, his own smile curling mischievously as graziella playfully swatted his chest.. “what? ‘m tellin’ the truth! usually your little ‘lets sneak away’ ideas ain’t exactly good. yer settin’ a bad example,” riff huffed, but he was following as she slowly strayed them away, meeting eyes with mouthpiece, who gasped and scampered to the front of the clump with velma’s arm hooked in his to, what she assumed, tell ice.
as they were walking from the group, they could hear a burst of laughter come from who riff believed to be action, then a few of the other boys joined, and he heard the faint mumble of a quick, “stay outta it, mouth, you don’t wanna know,” from ice.. graziella laughed quietly as her suspicions were proved correct.
they didn’t go too far from the group, far enough to where they promised they’d be alone, but close enough in case riff had to get back to them quickly.. when the pair arrived to the little blocked off area, graziella led riff into an apartment building, one that was mostly rock and dust, but they could go inside of it and have decent coverage from the other boys if they began to pry.. “i need ten minutes before you go back to the boys,” graziella huffed, brows furrowing on her forehead as riff tugged her closer, kissing right above each of them..
“i’ll give you five,” the brunette challenged, kissing the bridge of her nose and grinning.. he was surprised to hear a quick ‘five works,’ from the blonde before she grabbed the front of his belt loop and then the back of his neck, tugging him into a kiss… lovingly, he let a hand caress her cheek and laughed quietly, “i love you,” he whispered fondly as he tugged away, looking down at the blonde.
“i love you too, baby,” graziella said back, her arms looping his neck and her hands then burying into his hair.. it was soft and smelled of her shampoo.. he may or may not have stayed with graziella last night and bathed with her soaps.. it drove her wild too, she loved it. she never told him how much she loved it, but he knew. he knew from how when she held him close that night and buried her face in his chest, gently kissing the center of it that she loved it. she hated how early he got out of bed to tend to the jets, it was always right after sunrise.. riff and ice would meet up to discuss with war council about any upcoming things that they needed to look out for, leaving graziella in an empty bed with only the warmth his body left to comfort her.
“is this all you wanted me here for? just wanted to kiss?” riff queried, quirking a brow and leaning in to press a few kisses to graziella’s chin, then one on her jaw.. “i’m takin’ that as a yes?”
“it’s part of the reason.. we’ve been with the boys all day, i haven’t gotten to pull you away yet. i kinda just.. wanted a hug,” she explained, the hand on the back of his head falling to his cheek… riff retreated from his little kisses and they made eye contact, worry seeming to immediately cloud his vision,
“i can do that… are you alright?” he asked, gently tugging her into his chest where she nestled in close, arms around his neck falling to wrap his torso so she could get closer. “graz?” riff whispered after he got no reply, kissing her hair in an attempt to soothe.
“i’m fine, just—“ she stopped, squeezing him tighter as she felt riff’s hand begin to glide through her curls.. “i’m okay, just wanted some love, that’s all,” she muttered, the hand in her hair halting for a few seconds before continuing its comforting motions..
“are you sure, baby? is somethin’ wrong?” he wasn’t getting good vibes from this… he knew something was going on, but wether or not graziella would tell him was an entirely different game. she was one to keep her feelings hidden, and riff knew that, and he knew it wasn’t likely for her to crack; he was the same way with his emotions, holding them behind a wall, but sometimes they let their walls down with each other, and he was hoping this was one of those times… “just you an’ me, ain’t gotta worry,” he added for a bit more reassurance..
it took a little bit of time; clearly, graziella needed the hug she was receiving and riff was happy to provide, one hand carding through her curls and the other holding her waist— but she eventually spoke, head still buried hidden away in his shirt, “sometimes, i just want time with you,” the blonde put it as simply as she could, tugging back from the hug just enough to look up at him. grazi was immediately met with his gaze, though it was dark, the only lighting being the moon shining through the cracks of the broken down building, she could see his expression soften into one she loved to see… his expression shaped into love, watching as he moved forward to kiss her head whispering sweet words against her skin,
“we’ll have a day tomorrow, mkay? you can get your new pretty dress on and get all dolled up.. we can get dinner, maybe dance a little?” riff suggested, finishing the proposal with another kiss to her forehead, “you could pick out my outfit.. help me do my hair.. afterwards we can go back to your apartment?” the last question was met with a grin from either side, both starting to laugh after a moment of silence hanging in the air from the question..
“yer an idiot, y’know that? goof,” their laughs carried on for a while, whispering little comments back and forth that only prolonged the laughter, but finally, there was a silence, one that loomed. it wasn’t sour, it was good. it was comfortable.. they made eye contact and held it, riff never ceased to give graziella butterflies, and this was one of those moments, her stomach felt fluttery.. she began to scan his features, happy the moon allowed her to still make out his face, but it didn’t matter if she couldn’t. she’d know his face regardless. she’d know the sound of his voice anywhere.. she’d know the crease in his brow when it furrowed, how his lips turned upwards into a smile— and how his eyes squinted during said smile. graziella had riff memorized, his face, his voice, and body.
graziella’s thoughts were cut short when she felt his lips capture hers, letting out a little hum before relaxing into the action. the blonde was forced to raise up on her toes, tipping her head as she placed her hands against his chest, grabbing at the opening of his jacket in her fist and tugging him downwards.. he didn’t fight it, bending down to meet her height and laughing quietly, both hands now on her waist and squeezing gently. the affectionate caressing was meant to soothe her, to comfort her; he wasn’t going anywhere— even if there had been close calls before.
they stayed this way for a while, eventually, his hands met the backs of her legs and he picked her up, graziella’s legs wrapping around his waist and her arms wrapping his neck. riffs kisses trailed down her jaw, then stopped at her ear, “i love you,” he mumbled, kissing her ear a few more times.
“i love you too,” the blonde whispered back, moving him away from her ear to peck his lips once, then she loosened her legs from riffs waist and he set her down. graziella began smoothing out her top and riff flattened his hair, then took the back of his hand and rubbed it across his lips in attempt to remove the stain of lipstick she’d left behind.. “ready?” she asked, looking up at the brunette who was shrugging off his jacket, shaking it slightly before he looked at her with a lopsided grin, laying the leather over her shoulders and kissing her forehead.
“ready.”