(Rivers has depression) (Berry) (Berry + Rivers QPP) (Fluff)
Berry always knocked the same way.
It wasn’t something Rivers expected to pick up on. It’s not something people normally talk about recognizing. Faces, voices, laughs, sure, but people don’t recognize knocks. But nonetheless, they always knocked the same way, every time. Three knocks, then a pause, then 4. And that’s how he knew it was them at the door, it felt like xyr day started with that knock, sometimes it actually would, since Berry would wake him up.
“You again? At this rate I’m going to need a restraining order.” Rivers quipped, opening the door and leaning on the frame.
The ghost stifled a laugh at that, “Oh no, better watch my back,” It said sarcastically, while pushing past into Rivers house, “Have you eaten today?”
“…Yeah…” Xe lied. Berry raised an eyebrow. “Okay so I haven’t, but it’s like, nine! I have time!”“Rivers, it’s two P.M.”
“Nevermind then.”
There was a sigh and roll of the eyes, before they got to work, “Alright then, there should still be some leftover food in the fridge from last night, you can put that in the oven for a couple minutes to reheat it as lunch,“ As it spoke, they shuffled the various mugs and clutter off the nearby stovetop, it had been in his house enough times to develop a sense of what was “organized chaos” and what was actual mess. Xe wasn’t entirely sure if he liked that they knew that or not, but it was certainly helpful, “ You should probably brush your teeth and hair if you haven’t already, as well as change into some fresh clothes, and then after that we can either go on a walk or just stay in and hang out depending on how much energy you have left. How’s that sound?”
“Jesus christ, what are you my mom?” Xe teased, “I can take care of myself B,”
“Can you though?” It teased back, putting a mug back up into a cupboard.
“No I’m serious!” It wasn’t that he didn’t like the company, xe did, but Berry was coming by a concerning amount. He didn’t want to be a burden to them, these were xyr problems and he had to sort them out for xemself. “You don’t have to come by every day like this, I’ll survive a day on my own.”
Berry stared for a moment, calmly put what they were holding back down onto the stovetop, composed themselves, and asserted itself, “Have you ever considered that I’m here because I want to be? Because I enjoy being with you? Because I care about you and want to make sure you're okay?”
“I-“
“Because I am.” they proceeded, “I’m not here out of pity or because I feel like I have to be. I’m here because you're my friend, Rivers.” It usually tried to make themself smaller and less intimidating, folding up and in on itself in hopes that any passing observers would just skip over them. It was surprising, to say the least, to see it like this. Rivers couldn’t help but feel like he must have really fucked up this time.
“Hate yourself all you want,” They said, as if responding to xyr thoughts, “But you don’t get a say in how I choose to manage my time, and if I choose to spend it with you, then you have to deal with it.” Berry laughed and returned to stacking cups, “Besides, I feel like I’m more like those nagging spouses in those old movies you keep showing me.”
“I’m pretty sure for you to be my spouse we would have to date first,” Berry froze in place, “Rivers.” it pronounced his name slowly, enunciating each syllable, “Are you asking me out?”
Oh. Oh. Shit.
“I- I- N- not if- I guess pl-platonically? B-n-it’s- H- Y-“ Xe dissolved into a stuttering mess, certainly trying to get some kind of coherent sentence out, just not succeeding.
Rivers was regretting every life choice he had made up until this point, Berry on the other hand, found this positively adorable. They calmly walked towards xem, grabbed his hands, said, “You lovable idiot,” laughed, and then just as calmly, kissed xem, “Yes. I’ll go out with you,” Rivers looked like he was just about to pass out from all the blood rushing to xyr head, “And go brush your teeth, you have bad breath.”