National Treasure Fic: Undercurrent. Ben/Riley. PG.
Happy birthday, berlinghoff79!
Title: Undercurrent
Author: velocitygrass
Pairing: Riley Poole/Ben Gates (unrequited, Riley POV) (John Sheppard is not the only one pining)
Rating: PG
Spoilers: National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets
Word count: 456
Summary: They've been through so much together, escaped death, found the treasure of a lifetime-twice. It can't be over.
Note: This is for berlinghoff79, whom I recall asking about this pairing. The scene as they escape from the City of Gold was so slashy, it broke my heart for poor, pining Riley. Although in my mind there's always hope :)
Undercurrent
"Abigail!"
It's her of course. The one he calls, the one he says his last words to. His last words.
Riley can't accept this. They've been through so much together, escaped death, found the treasure of a lifetime-twice. It can't be over. It can't.
Even if Ben tells Abigail his last wish and she reaches out to touch him one more time, as if he is the greatest treasure. Because he is the greatest treasure.
She lets go and leaves him and Riley cannot understand this, cannot understand how she can love him and just let him die. He'd take his place in a heartbeat. He knows they never quite take him seriously, but he means it every time. And he can't just give up this time either.
"No!"
Patrick and Emily understand at least. Abigail tries to persuade them. It's what Ben wants. Them and not him, of course, because of all the people here, he doesn't have any claim on Ben. He's not family. He's... the "assistant".
He looks at Ben, hoping that he'll figure it out one more time. Because there has to be a solution.
The stone moves again and the current is so strong that he has to fight to stay on his feet, in this room, with Ben. But he cannot hold up against this force. He's swept away.
Abigail is with him, then Patrick and Emily, but not Ben. They have to get Ben.
He's going for him, hoping against hope, willing to try until the breath he took before diving runs out.
And then he's got him. It's a miracle. Maybe they can all make it out alive, but the stone falls down, holding the water back, Mitch inside. Riley didn't want this but if it had to be one of them, he's glad it's Mitch. Because everyone else is needed.
He looks at Patrick and Emily, united in the worry over their son and maybe more. And Ben and Abigail have reconciled in all but words. One family.
And him.
It could have been him in there and it wouldn't have made a difference.
He's glad to be alive though. He's used to not being noticed. And it doesn't matter as long as he can do his part and be a part of this. He doesn't know what more he can expect.
He introduces himself to Emily and she takes his hand and gives him a weak smile.
He may not be a member of their family, but they know him and appreciate what he does.
What more does he want?
They make their way out and he watches Ben's arm over Abigail's shoulder as she supports him.
Not that it matters what he wants.
Title: Undercurrent
Author: velocitygrass
Pairing: Riley Poole/Ben Gates (unrequited, Riley POV) (John Sheppard is not the only one pining)
Rating: PG
Spoilers: National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets
Word count: 456
Summary: They've been through so much together, escaped death, found the treasure of a lifetime-twice. It can't be over.
Note: This is for berlinghoff79, whom I recall asking about this pairing. The scene as they escape from the City of Gold was so slashy, it broke my heart for poor, pining Riley. Although in my mind there's always hope :)
Undercurrent
"Abigail!"
It's her of course. The one he calls, the one he says his last words to. His last words.
Riley can't accept this. They've been through so much together, escaped death, found the treasure of a lifetime-twice. It can't be over. It can't.
Even if Ben tells Abigail his last wish and she reaches out to touch him one more time, as if he is the greatest treasure. Because he is the greatest treasure.
She lets go and leaves him and Riley cannot understand this, cannot understand how she can love him and just let him die. He'd take his place in a heartbeat. He knows they never quite take him seriously, but he means it every time. And he can't just give up this time either.
"No!"
Patrick and Emily understand at least. Abigail tries to persuade them. It's what Ben wants. Them and not him, of course, because of all the people here, he doesn't have any claim on Ben. He's not family. He's... the "assistant".
He looks at Ben, hoping that he'll figure it out one more time. Because there has to be a solution.
The stone moves again and the current is so strong that he has to fight to stay on his feet, in this room, with Ben. But he cannot hold up against this force. He's swept away.
Abigail is with him, then Patrick and Emily, but not Ben. They have to get Ben.
He's going for him, hoping against hope, willing to try until the breath he took before diving runs out.
And then he's got him. It's a miracle. Maybe they can all make it out alive, but the stone falls down, holding the water back, Mitch inside. Riley didn't want this but if it had to be one of them, he's glad it's Mitch. Because everyone else is needed.
He looks at Patrick and Emily, united in the worry over their son and maybe more. And Ben and Abigail have reconciled in all but words. One family.
And him.
It could have been him in there and it wouldn't have made a difference.
He's glad to be alive though. He's used to not being noticed. And it doesn't matter as long as he can do his part and be a part of this. He doesn't know what more he can expect.
He introduces himself to Emily and she takes his hand and gives him a weak smile.
He may not be a member of their family, but they know him and appreciate what he does.
What more does he want?
They make their way out and he watches Ben's arm over Abigail's shoulder as she supports him.
Not that it matters what he wants.