You were no stranger to River's... variability.

It wasn't his fault, you knew that, but it was getting harder to pretend you weren't bothered by the way he'd ice you out for days on end, holing up inside of his own head and getting swept up in reasons why he just didn't deserve you.

There was something twisted about it. You knew his depression only drifted that way because he thought so highly of you. He wouldn't think he didn't deserve you if he didn't love you so much.

That was the trouble.

You were on your second try of the day. In typical fashion, he'd gone out to the pool, drifting along on his back like he was waiting to slip below the surface.

So you sat on the edge of the water, legs dangling in as you just watched him. He wouldn't talk, not yet. But earlier this morning, he'd kicked you out. At least this was something.

Swim trunks bright red against the water, he looked like a Kennedy. Cursed like one, too.

You just wanted your boy to take you out of your box again.