It's quiet in the streets now, but it's screaming in your head

[ryan_bretton]

Ryan hadn't let go of Remy easily. He'd conjured all of his strength up, forcing himself not to cry and not to beg and definitely not to kidnap Remy and take him away, to somewhere where the vampires wouldn't ever find them. Ryan told himself that this was what Remy wanted, that this was the life he had chosen way before Ryan had come along

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[blindkohler]

Reggie missed his ghoul.

That was really all there was to it. He missed Ryan, he missed the nights when Ryan used to come over every couple nights just to see him. Ryan hadn't been by in nearly two weeks, and Reggie missed him. He thought Eden Frost's ghoul was to be Embraced quite soon, and Reggie didn't like the idea of Ryan being alone.

Reggie had toyed with the idea of simply calling Ryan, but he thought going to find him might be better, more appreciated.

He dressed in his softest sweater, a nice pair of slacks, and a gift he'd made for Ryan (as well as his Remy).

Logan was gone already by the time Reggie left the gallery, heading for Ryan's apartment with muscle memory. He took the stairs so as to count the flights, headed down the hall, and knocked on the door, leaning against it and calling through the door. He could feel Ryan's presence all over the apartment, he knew Ryan was there.

"Come let an old man in, darling."

[ryan_bretton]

Ryan wasn't sure how long he had sat slumped in one of the Adirondack chairs on the balcony, but his cigarette was burned out by the time he woke himself from his stupor to take another drag. He sat up, unsure what had roused him - had he been dreaming? It was hard to say - and all the alcohol seemed to hit him at once, sending the balcony tilting crazily. He rubbed his eyes, refusing to look over the balcony's railing because the churning waves beyond made him oddly seasick, and then he stood carefully, intending to get another drink.

"Come let an old man in, darling."Ryan's shoulder slammed into the door frame as he turned, moving to follow the sound of Reggie's voice. He didn't hesitate, didn't have the mental capacity to question why Reggie would be calling him from somewhere in the apartment. It took him a few seconds to realize he should check the hallway, then another few seconds to make it to the door, dizzy as he was

[blindkohler]

Reggie waited in the hall, listening to Ryan shifting, stumbling. Reggie was worried, and he gave Ryan a few more minutes to come to the door before electing to let himself in, by whatever means necessary.

Just as Reggie was about to open the door by force, it flew open, revealing to Reggie a slumped form smelling more strongly of gin than anything else. Indeed, it barely even smelled like Ryan. Reggie bit his lip, but quickly turned it into a smile, moving forward to gather Ryan into his arms and sweep him off his feet.

He used one foot to close the door behind them, and carried Ryan in a bear hug to where he knew the couch to be, sitting and settling Ryan in his lap, pressing his nose to Ryan's throat and breathing in. He could practically feel Ryan's ache, and was glad he'd come.

"My darling. You smell like juniper. How much have you had to drink?"

[ryan_bretton]

Ryan breathed a soft, unsteady whoa when Reggie picked him up and whisked him inside - Ryan couldn't remember the last time he'd been picked up or carried anywhere, really. He closed his eyes, willing the room to stop spinning. It wouldn't do for Reggie to see Ryan in such a state. He looked weak, stupid and drunk when he should be celebrating Remy's good news.

"My darling. You smell like juniper. How much have you had to drink?"

"Umm..." Ryan tried to focus, rubbing his eyes in the hopes that it might help the vertigo. He didn't feel particularly sick, just dizzy. This probably meant that the worst was yet to come. "I dunno, enough I guess. Did Eden send you?"

Ryan curled closer to Reggie, resting his head on his shoulder with a sigh. "Did he tell you to come because of Remy?"

[blindkohler]

Reggie was unsurprised that Ryan was frightened enough to turn to a bottle for solace. He wasn't ashamed of his ghoul at all, passion was something Reggie prided himself in, and it was Ryan's passionate love for his husband that had him reacting in such a way.

Reggie held Ryan close, rocking him gently, stroking a hand through Ryan's hair.

"Did he tell you to come because of Remy?"

Reggie smiled fondly. He loved Ryan so.

"No, darling, I don't come bearing any news. I'm sorry. But I am sure he will be fine."

Reggie shifted, leaning against an arm of the couch and holding Ryan to his chest, pressing a hand to Ryan's cheek, stroking his skin with gentle fingertips.

"I came because I love you, darling. I wanted to be here with you."

Reggie pressed his nose to Ryan's throat again. "Would you like a drink, darling?"