Homesick;;

gardenflowerfree:

Ryan laced their fingers together and gave Gavin’s hand a happy squeeze, free hand coming up to cup Gavin’s face. He was smiling so wide he thought his face might split; it had been such a hard day but he didn’t care, that didn’t matter now because he was so happy, could tell that Gavin was too, they’d bonded and it was perfect. Ryan would chase Gavin as far as he went, wouldn’t ever stop chasing him. He wanted this, wanted it so badly he thought he could cry, and now here he was bonded to one of the only two people he’d ever wanted this with, and Ryan could have cried. His eyes might have even been wet, but he didn’t really care.

He knew that he’d keep Gavin safe as long as Gavin would let him, and even after that, he would never stop being there for this dorky little plant witch he was so in love with. He brought their foreheads together, just watching the emotions dance in Gavin’s eyes, soaking in how happy he looked. “I love you, Gods, I love you so much Gavin…”

They were so cute, sitting in their little hotel room, crying and holding hands. Somehow this awful day had shifted into something more wonderful than Gavin could’ve ever anticipated. He was holding hands with someone so amazing that he couldn’t even think straight. Hard to think straight when you’re being so gay. 

The thought barely registered in his head before he had his lips pressed to Ryan’s, bringing up one hand to gently card through his hair as he just let things happen. He was so warm and safe right now, he never ever wanted to move. Right now, he was the only person in the entire world.

Relaxing into the kiss, Ryan couldn’t have been happier in that moment. All of the other shit he’d been stressed out over in the past weeks didn’t matter, not when Gavin was kissing him like that. He let go of Gavin’s hand long enough to wrap and arm around his waist and pull Gavin close, wanting to soak up as much of him as he could.

The kiss was gentle and sweet, and Gavin was the center of Ryan’s universe right then and there. He was so in love, and now he was bonded to the sweetest person he’d ever known, the sweetest person to ever want to know him, and Ryan felt like he was on top of the world.

After a while Gavin pulled away to look back up at Ryan with a sheepish smile. “Sorry about... Well... Everything I guess. It’s been a real shit week, I know but... I’m really glad you’re here. It’s really been... It’s been wonderful.” 

He laughed, lightly, sitting back. “You’re something else, you know. You try to be so dark and mysterious. You just seem like a lovesick puppy dog, to me.”

Homesick;;

gardenflowerfree:

Ryan laced their fingers together and gave Gavin’s hand a happy squeeze, free hand coming up to cup Gavin’s face. He was smiling so wide he thought his face might split; it had been such a hard day but he didn’t care, that didn’t matter now because he was so happy, could tell that Gavin was too, they’d bonded and it was perfect. Ryan would chase Gavin as far as he went, wouldn’t ever stop chasing him. He wanted this, wanted it so badly he thought he could cry, and now here he was bonded to one of the only two people he’d ever wanted this with, and Ryan could have cried. His eyes might have even been wet, but he didn’t really care.

He knew that he’d keep Gavin safe as long as Gavin would let him, and even after that, he would never stop being there for this dorky little plant witch he was so in love with. He brought their foreheads together, just watching the emotions dance in Gavin’s eyes, soaking in how happy he looked. “I love you, Gods, I love you so much Gavin…”

They were so cute, sitting in their little hotel room, crying and holding hands. Somehow this awful day had shifted into something more wonderful than Gavin could’ve ever anticipated. He was holding hands with someone so amazing that he couldn’t even think straight. Hard to think straight when you’re being so gay. 

The thought barely registered in his head before he had his lips pressed to Ryan’s, bringing up one hand to gently card through his hair as he just let things happen. He was so warm and safe right now, he never ever wanted to move. Right now, he was the only person in the entire world.

Homesick;;

xxthedeadofnightxx:

Gavin’s laugh was a bit stronger this time. God, at this moment, Ryan was the entire world to him. He protected him against his father and loved on him in a way he’d never experienced before. It was strange, really. He felt the same fluttery lightness in his chest that he felt with Miles, and it was so wonderful and lovely. 

“You’re wonderful. I hope you know how much this all means to me.” His voice was quiet as he stared down at the hands on his knees. He had a soft, gentle smile and he felt more relaxed than he had been the entire time he’d been in England. It was almost a natural movement to reach up and place his hands over Ryan’s.

Ryan froze, looking up to meet Gavin’s eyes. Gavin, who was smiling at him, had his hands on Ryan’s and looked like it was what he wanted to be doing, and fuck wasn’t that new? It was new and it was amazing, and Ryan suddenly realized that this was something he wanted, that he was ready to do this with Gavin, because Gavin wanted to do it with him.

He wasn’t looking at Ryan like he was scared, or worked or under any sort of obligation, Gavin was looking at Ryan like he loved him. And fuck, Ryan wasn’t kidding, he didn’t know when it had happened, but he really did love Gavin, more than he’d realized.

Giving Gavin a warm smile, Ryan turned his hands over so that they were palm to palm.

It was wonderful, really. He felt that same spark he’d felt when he held Miles hand. Ryan meant the absolute world to him. Ryan and Miles both. But right now, it was Ryan that filled his thoughts. Someone who would chase him, who wanted to make sure he was safe. Someone who didn’t sit and think ‘well, he’ll be okay. He’ll come back eventually.’

Ryan made him feel safe and warm. He felt like he was going to be protected if he was with Ryan. He felt like he was home. 

Maybe he couldn’t help it, he had to let go with one hand to cover his mouth as he tried to fight back tears that still tried to spill over. These were different than the others he’d been crying all night. These were an overflow of the love that he just couldn’t keep inside himself.

Homesick;;

xxthedeadofnightxx:

Gavin’s laugh was a bit stronger this time. God, at this moment, Ryan was the entire world to him. He protected him against his father and loved on him in a way he’d never experienced before. It was strange, really. He felt the same fluttery lightness in his chest that he felt with Miles, and it was so wonderful and lovely. 

“You’re wonderful. I hope you know how much this all means to me.” His voice was quiet as he stared down at the hands on his knees. He had a soft, gentle smile and he felt more relaxed than he had been the entire time he’d been in England. It was almost a natural movement to reach up and place his hands over Ryan’s.

Homesick;;

xxthedeadofnightxx:

Gavin got them a cab that took them to the nearest hotel where they checked in for the night and got him pretty well cleaned up. He was quiet most of the time, lost in his thoughts, generally only giving short answers to any questions. 

He came back to the world after a while, sitting on their hotel bed, a worried looking Ryan hovering nearby. Before he could think better of it, a question was out of his mouth that he maybe shouldn’t have asked. “Why did you fall for me?”

Ryan turned from where he’d been looking out the window, squinting in thought at Gavin. That question had come out of nowhere, and worse, he wasn’t sure how to answer. He watched Gavin for a minute or so, still a bit lost in thought, before pulling a chair over to sit in front of where Gav was on the bed.

Ryan chewed on his lip; how do you answer that kind of question? The last thing he wanted was to give an answer that wasn’t enough, somehow, and to disappoint Gavin, not today. But he really didn’t know how to explain. “Well… I don’t know that there’s a definite answer. But I can try?” He slid closer until their knees were touching, not really sure where to start. “You… well, there’s a lot to love about you. But for me, specifically… you’re different. But in the best way. You don’t take magic and life and things like that nearly as seriously as everyone else seems to all the time, and… I think I needed that? I mean, I get so stuck in my own head sometimes, focused on all of the bad, but Gav, you’re so good. You’re kind, and funny and honest, and… well, sometimes it feels like you’re the exact opposite of everything I am. But being around you… things are better, somehow. And despite how much of a prick I was when we first met, you didn’t run. I was awful that night down Belladonna, and the night you showed up at my house, but you’re still here and… that’s not worth giving up, to me. I don’t think I could tell you exactly when I knew, but that night on the way to Yule, it felt really right to say it, and I meant it. I probably did a shit job at explaining but I don’t know how to put things into words, I’ve never really had to before. You’re just… You’ve got to be the most genuine person I’ve ever met, and you’ve never been scared of me, not once. I think… I think maybe part of it is that I love you for thinking I was worth your time. But mostly, it’s just because of who you are. You’re someone I didn’t realize I wanted in my life and now that I have you, I’m starting to realize that I need you.”

Ryan stopped, chewing on his lip again. That was… not really a good description at all, Gavin was so much more than that. But he didn’t know how to say that. “I dunno, like I said. I don’t think there’s a definite answer to that questioned.” He winced; flub it on the last word, Haywood. Great job.

Of course he laughed. He wouldn’t be Gavin if he didn’t laugh at every little flub Ryan made. It was just a small, breathy little laugh, but it was enough to make him smile. God, Ryan talked a lot. He wasn’t sure what he really expected, but it definitely wasn’t a full rant. He smiled, weakly, up at him before shaking his head and staring down at his knees. Ryan was warm, pressed against him like that. 

“It’s funny... I try so hard to be such a ray of sunshine but... heh... Well, I guess I’m still the one who kind of ruined all this.” He sighed, folding his hands in his lap. “And then there’s you. All self-deprecating... Like you’re not one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met. It’s crazy...”

Homesick;;

xxthedeadofnightxx:

Gavin got them a cab that took them to the nearest hotel where they checked in for the night and got him pretty well cleaned up. He was quiet most of the time, lost in his thoughts, generally only giving short answers to any questions. 

He came back to the world after a while, sitting on their hotel bed, a worried looking Ryan hovering nearby. Before he could think better of it, a question was out of his mouth that he maybe shouldn’t have asked. “Why did you fall for me?”

Homesick;;

xxthedeadofnightxx:

Gavin tried so hard to be the sunshine in Ryan’s life. In Miles’ life as well. He put aside his own feelings to be able to brighten up their days. Even on his roughest days, he often found himself still smiling brightly and cheering others up. And sometimes he hated it, of course he did. Sometimes he felt like he could burst with all the pent up emotions he hid. Mostly, though, he was happy to make them happy. 

Right now he could sense how awful Ryan felt. He tried to be sunshine. He was quiet as he tried to muster up the energy to give a warm smile and a gentle “it’s alright” but it wasn’t happening. What did happen, however, was something he sorely needed but never anticipated. With almost no warning, he broke down crying.

“Oh, Gav…” Ryan didn’t even have to think about it, he adjusted his hold on Gavin’s shoulders and pulled him in, tight against Ryan’s chest. It was a bit shocking to see Gavin cry, but under the circumstances, not exactly surprising. If he’d known what Gavin was thinking he would have told him not to try and be happy for them, never to hide his own feelings to try and save face for him and Miles. But Ryan didn’t know what Gavin was thinking, so he couldn’t tell him that.

Arms wound tightly around Gavin, Ryan kissed the top of his head. “It’s okay. Let it out, sweetheart, it’s okay. You’re allowed to do that, it’s only me.” He’d be there as long as Gavin needed him, as long as Gavin wanted him.

Ryan was a godsend for him right now. He leaned, heavily, into him, just sobbing his little heart out for who knows how long. It felt like forever. He was just so tired and desperate. Every emotion he’d had for months came flooding forward and left tear stains on Ryan’s shirt. 

After a good while of crying, he finally settled down to just small hiccups. He hadn’t quite pulled away though. He wasn’t ready for that yet. Not at all. He sniffled a bit, giving Ryan a small squeeze. “I’m so sorry… Thank you Ryan…”

Ryan squeezed him back, smiling a little against Gavin’s hair. “Hey, I said you have nothing to apologize for, didn’t I?” It made him ache, seeing Gavin so torn up, but Ryan was just glad that he could be here for his boyfriend. The thought of Gavin bottling all of this up, or trying to go through it alone, wasn’t something Ryan wanted to consider.

Rubbing Gav’s back, he kissed the top of his head again. “You don’t have to thank me, either. I’m always here when you need to let things out, okay? I hope you know that. You don’t have to keep it all in, I don’t… you’re allowed to be unhappy, especially with me. I’ll always be here if you need someone to cry to, Gav.”

Gavin sniffled squeezing Ryan a bit and rubbing his face against his shirt in an attempt to wipe away the tears. "It didn't even hurt that bad, really. I mean. Kind of." He shook his head and sighed.

"I really need to get my arm fixed though, mostly." He forced a sad smile and reached up to tousle Ryan's hair. "My arm hurts more than my face. And its gonna really hurt if we don't get it cleaned.

“I love you, too!

Gavin? You there?”

“Hi Miles, love! I miss you!”

“Hey, there! Long time, no hear. Hi… How, uh, how are things?”

“Things? Um… Well things are alright I suppose. They’re okay. Howre you?”

“You sure, babe? 

…

I’m, ahhh…. I miss you both a lot. It’s pretty lonely around here.” 

“I’m sure!

I miss you too. I can’t wait to come home. I’m gonna snuggle the hell out of you.”

“That’s real sweet of you darling. You’re… You’re very sweet. I’m not getting teary hearing you at all. Fuck.”

"Oh don't cry! Its alright darling. Its okay love, I can't wait to see you soon!"

Homesick;;

xxthedeadofnightxx:

Gavin tried so hard to be the sunshine in Ryan’s life. In Miles’ life as well. He put aside his own feelings to be able to brighten up their days. Even on his roughest days, he often found himself still smiling brightly and cheering others up. And sometimes he hated it, of course he did. Sometimes he felt like he could burst with all the pent up emotions he hid. Mostly, though, he was happy to make them happy. 

Right now he could sense how awful Ryan felt. He tried to be sunshine. He was quiet as he tried to muster up the energy to give a warm smile and a gentle “it’s alright” but it wasn’t happening. What did happen, however, was something he sorely needed but never anticipated. With almost no warning, he broke down crying.

“Oh, Gav…” Ryan didn’t even have to think about it, he adjusted his hold on Gavin’s shoulders and pulled him in, tight against Ryan’s chest. It was a bit shocking to see Gavin cry, but under the circumstances, not exactly surprising. If he’d known what Gavin was thinking he would have told him not to try and be happy for them, never to hide his own feelings to try and save face for him and Miles. But Ryan didn’t know what Gavin was thinking, so he couldn’t tell him that.

Arms wound tightly around Gavin, Ryan kissed the top of his head. “It’s okay. Let it out, sweetheart, it’s okay. You’re allowed to do that, it’s only me.” He’d be there as long as Gavin needed him, as long as Gavin wanted him.

Ryan was a godsend for him right now. He leaned, heavily, into him, just sobbing his little heart out for who knows how long. It felt like forever. He was just so tired and desperate. Every emotion he’d had for months came flooding forward and left tear stains on Ryan’s shirt. 

After a good while of crying, he finally settled down to just small hiccups. He hadn’t quite pulled away though. He wasn’t ready for that yet. Not at all. He sniffled a bit, giving Ryan a small squeeze. “I’m so sorry... Thank you Ryan...”

“I love you, too!

Gavin? You there?”

“Hi Miles, love! I miss you!”

“Hey, there! Long time, no hear. Hi… How, uh, how are things?”

“Things? Um… Well things are alright I suppose. They’re okay. Howre you?”

“You sure, babe? 

…

I’m, ahhh…. I miss you both a lot. It’s pretty lonely around here.” 

“I’m sure!

I miss you too. I can’t wait to come home. I’m gonna snuggle the hell out of you.”

Homesick;;

xxthedeadofnightxx:

Gavin tried so hard to be the sunshine in Ryan’s life. In Miles’ life as well. He put aside his own feelings to be able to brighten up their days. Even on his roughest days, he often found himself still smiling brightly and cheering others up. And sometimes he hated it, of course he did. Sometimes he felt like he could burst with all the pent up emotions he hid. Mostly, though, he was happy to make them happy. 

Right now he could sense how awful Ryan felt. He tried to be sunshine. He was quiet as he tried to muster up the energy to give a warm smile and a gentle “it’s alright” but it wasn’t happening. What did happen, however, was something he sorely needed but never anticipated. With almost no warning, he broke down crying.

Homesick;;

gardenflowerfree:

“Shit.” Ryan saw Gavin fall, running until he made it to where the younger man was on the ground. Dropping to his knees, Ryan realized he really didn’t know if following Gavin had been a good idea. What if Gavin just wanted him gone?

“Gav, are you alright- shit. Miles is the healer not me, you picked the wrong boyfriend to fall around.” He tried for a joke, an immediately regretted it. Fucking moron. Reaching out, he made a attempt to lay a hand on Gavin’s side. “Gavin, I’m sorry. But I couldn’t - I couldn’t let him do that. I…”

What? He didn’t know what else to tell Gavin, how to explain himself. This wasn’t anything he knew how to handle, and once again, Ryan found himself wishing Gavin had brought Miles instead of him.

Gavin sat back on his heels, not shooing Ryan away but not saying anything either. He held his hand tight against his chest, staring at the ground for a long time as he tried to piece together his thoughts. Honestly, he wasn’t even entirely sure what he was feeling, just that he was feeling a lot of it. 

He shook his head, still trying to fight those damn tears. “Thank you. For standing up for me, I mean. I know you were just protecting me. I’m sorry I made it a hassle for you… I’m so sorry.”

Shaking his head, Ryan realized he felt like he was close to crying, and he pushed it back. “No, don’t apologize. You have nothing to be sorry for Gavin, nothing at all.”

He watched Gavin for a minute, still unsure what to do. “Let’s get off the ground, yeah? It’s cold, you’re gonna get sick if you sit here too long. I’m sure there’s a hotel or something nearby I can get us a room in, we could order something in for supper if you want?”

“I shouldn’t have brought you here... I’m so sorry. I just... I thought maybe it would be okay. They’d be better if I wasn’t alone...” He stood up with Ryan, staring off into the middle distance. “I just wanted company but I was selfish...”

He shook his head, watching the blood that slowly dripped over his wrist. “I could’ve done this alone. I was just... I don’t know... You didn’t need to know how awful they are. I could’ve stood it just fine...”

Homesick;;

gardenflowerfree:

“Shit.” Ryan saw Gavin fall, running until he made it to where the younger man was on the ground. Dropping to his knees, Ryan realized he really didn’t know if following Gavin had been a good idea. What if Gavin just wanted him gone?

“Gav, are you alright- shit. Miles is the healer not me, you picked the wrong boyfriend to fall around.” He tried for a joke, an immediately regretted it. Fucking moron. Reaching out, he made a attempt to lay a hand on Gavin’s side. “Gavin, I’m sorry. But I couldn’t - I couldn’t let him do that. I…”

What? He didn’t know what else to tell Gavin, how to explain himself. This wasn’t anything he knew how to handle, and once again, Ryan found himself wishing Gavin had brought Miles instead of him.

Gavin sat back on his heels, not shooing Ryan away but not saying anything either. He held his hand tight against his chest, staring at the ground for a long time as he tried to piece together his thoughts. Honestly, he wasn’t even entirely sure what he was feeling, just that he was feeling a lot of it. 

He shook his head, still trying to fight those damn tears. “Thank you. For standing up for me, I mean. I know you were just protecting me. I’m sorry I made it a hassle for you... I’m so sorry.”

Homesick;;

gardenflowerfree:

“Gavin wait!” 

Ryan spared one last glance towards Gavin’s father to see that the bastard didn’t look the least bit concerned, before running after Gavin. He felt the fear grow, turn into panic, but he used it to push himself to run faster. He had no idea where Gavin would be going, didn’t know the neighborhood at all, but he wasn’t just about to let Gavin run, not like this.

“Gavin! Gavin please, stop - Gav!” He went in the direction he thought he’d heard Gavin go, praying to all 5 of the Gods for whatever help they’d give him.

He wasn’t ready to face Ryan. Not yet. He couldn’t. He was too freaked out. He just had to keep running. And he did for a while. He kept up the chase for a good while. But Gavin is as Gavin does, his two left feet got the better off him. He cut a corner too sharply, catching the curb with his foot and falling to the ground, skinning his elbow and part of his hand in the process. 

He flipped over to his hands and knees, breathing hard and coughing just a bit as he cradled his injured hand to his chest. Everything hurt now, why did it all hurt? He couldn’t run anymore. If Ryan caught him, that’s what would happen.

Homesick;;

xxthedeadofnightxx:

“Oh, all parents butt heads with their kids at some point, sure. But not ever like him and Gavin. Gavin’s just too… Free spirited, I suppose. His father is very controlling.” She shrugged, flipping through her magazine, absently. 

It wasn’t very long before both voices were loud enough to be heard through the walls, though they still couldn’t quite be made out yet. But there’s hardly any need to decipher the words that were heard when the sound of a slap nearly echoed through the house, even startling poor Mrs. Free.

Ryan was up and out of his seat before he could even register what he was doing, paying Mrs. Free no attention as he practically ran to her husband’s office. “Gavin!” When he tried the doorknob and it was locked, he didn’t hesitate to magic the stupid thing open, barging into the room to see Gavin holding his face, and his father’s arm still raised.

The sick feeling in his stomach quickly turned from dread to fury, and he tried to reach for Gavin. “What the hell is going on?!”

Gavins head shot up to look at him, struggling to fight the tears back that threatened to spill over. It wasn’t the first time this had happened but that didn’t mean it still didn’t hurt like hell. “Ryan get out!” His voice cracked on the last word, stepping away from him.

“Mr. Haywood, this is not your place to step in. I’d like to ask you to kindly leave.” Mr. Free, grabbed Gavin’s arm to keep him in place.

Ryan didn’t really register Gavin asking him to leave, or stepping away. He had suddenly acquired tunnel vision, narrowed down to where Gavin’s father was gripping his arm. He felt the clammy, cold feeling that came with his magic run through him, and he wouldn’t have been surprised if his eyes had started to lighten.

Sidestepping around Gavin, he placed himself in between the witch and his father, drawing himself up to his full height. “I’m afriad I can’t do that.” His voice was low, and far calmer than he felt on the inside. “Get your hands off of him.”

Gavin gave a quiet little whimper, trying to shy away from both of them as his father’s eyes narrowed. “Mr. Haywood, you are a guest in my home, you have no right to talk to me in this manner. This is not a room you’re welcome in.”

This was not good. Ryan was only going to make things worse the longer he stayed here. “Ryan… Please, if you love me, you’ll leave!”

Ryan had opened his mouth to retort to Gavin’s father, but he closed it slowly in disbelief when Gavin cut him off. Turning to look at his boyfriend, Ryan felt the cold feeling in his chest change. The cold, unnatural feeling his magic gave him was replaced by a hollow, empty coldness that was almost like a shock. That had hurt. “Gavin, you don’t really…”

He watched Gavin’s face, looking for something to reassure him that things weren’t as awful as they felt. When he found nothing, he took a deep breath, resolve hardening. He deliberately ignored Gavin this time, turning back to his father. The energy his magic had been fueling him with was gone, scared right out of him, but he was still pissed, and it showed on his face. “I apologize Mr. Free, but I will not leave him alone with you again. And I belive I told you to let go of his arm.”

Ryan ignored him. Straight up ignored him. How could he just ignore him? Didn’t he understand what he was doing? “Ryan… Please… You’ll make it worse…” He tugged against his father, trying to ignore the stinging in his cheek.

“Not only are you ignoring what I have to say, you’re also ignoring Gavin, who I thought you cared so much about? I don’t have to listen to you, get out of my office, Haywood.” His fathers voice was low and stern as me made solid eye contact with Ryan.

Ryan held back a flinch, feeling his magic flare up again. He hoped these people weren’t too fond of their plants. Ryan was stupidly out of his element here, and hearing Gavin say he was going to make it worse caused a fear to creep in to the back of his mind. What if he did? What if Gavin had meant it, and if he didn’t back down, Gavin would…

No, no way. If he didn’t stand up for Gavin here, he was no better than his mother, watching from the sidelines since Gavin was a child. He couldn’t just stand here and watch Gavin take abuse like this; Ryan Haywood could be all kinds of scum when the situation called for it, but this was a line even he wouldn’t cross. He stood his ground, squaring his shoulders and setting his jaw.

“I’m not ignoring him, I’m just choosing not to listen to him because I care. I care about him too much to leave him alone in a room with someone who sees nothing wrong with physically abusing their child. I’m sorry, but I’m not going anywhere as long as he’s still here.”

Gavin felt so entirely helpless. His arm was trapped and his face stung and tears were dangerously close to spilling over. Ryan wasn’t leaving what the hell was he supposed to do? He vaguely heard his father make a comment about how he was old enough he could handle one hit. This was too much, his mind was racing and he wasn’t entirely sure why, he just had to get out. 

Without warning he wrenched his arm out of his father’s grasp hard enough for Gav to stumble a few paces back, nearly falling into the wall. He looked up at both of them for just a moment before sprinting out the room and nearly bursting through the front door. He had no idea where he was going, he just had to get out. 

He knew Ryan would be coming after him. He didn’t want to be caught, though. All he had to do was keep running. Run fast, don’t look back.

Homesick;;

xxthedeadofnightxx:

“Oh, all parents butt heads with their kids at some point, sure. But not ever like him and Gavin. Gavin’s just too… Free spirited, I suppose. His father is very controlling.” She shrugged, flipping through her magazine, absently. 

It wasn’t very long before both voices were loud enough to be heard through the walls, though they still couldn’t quite be made out yet. But there’s hardly any need to decipher the words that were heard when the sound of a slap nearly echoed through the house, even startling poor Mrs. Free.

Ryan was up and out of his seat before he could even register what he was doing, paying Mrs. Free no attention as he practically ran to her husband’s office. “Gavin!” When he tried the doorknob and it was locked, he didn’t hesitate to magic the stupid thing open, barging into the room to see Gavin holding his face, and his father’s arm still raised.

The sick feeling in his stomach quickly turned from dread to fury, and he tried to reach for Gavin. “What the hell is going on?!”

Gavins head shot up to look at him, struggling to fight the tears back that threatened to spill over. It wasn’t the first time this had happened but that didn’t mean it still didn’t hurt like hell. “Ryan get out!” His voice cracked on the last word, stepping away from him.

“Mr. Haywood, this is not your place to step in. I’d like to ask you to kindly leave.” Mr. Free, grabbed Gavin’s arm to keep him in place.

Ryan didn’t really register Gavin asking him to leave, or stepping away. He had suddenly acquired tunnel vision, narrowed down to where Gavin’s father was gripping his arm. He felt the clammy, cold feeling that came with his magic run through him, and he wouldn’t have been surprised if his eyes had started to lighten.

Sidestepping around Gavin, he placed himself in between the witch and his father, drawing himself up to his full height. “I’m afriad I can’t do that.” His voice was low, and far calmer than he felt on the inside. “Get your hands off of him.”

Gavin gave a quiet little whimper, trying to shy away from both of them as his father’s eyes narrowed. “Mr. Haywood, you are a guest in my home, you have no right to talk to me in this manner. This is not a room you’re welcome in.”

This was not good. Ryan was only going to make things worse the longer he stayed here. “Ryan… Please, if you love me, you’ll leave!”

Ryan had opened his mouth to retort to Gavin’s father, but he closed it slowly in disbelief when Gavin cut him off. Turning to look at his boyfriend, Ryan felt the cold feeling in his chest change. The cold, unnatural feeling his magic gave him was replaced by a hollow, empty coldness that was almost like a shock. That had hurt. “Gavin, you don’t really…”

He watched Gavin’s face, looking for something to reassure him that things weren’t as awful as they felt. When he found nothing, he took a deep breath, resolve hardening. He deliberately ignored Gavin this time, turning back to his father. The energy his magic had been fueling him with was gone, scared right out of him, but he was still pissed, and it showed on his face. “I apologize Mr. Free, but I will not leave him alone with you again. And I belive I told you to let go of his arm.”

Ryan ignored him. Straight up ignored him. How could he just ignore him? Didn't he understand what he was doing? "Ryan... Please... You'll make it worse..." He tugged against his father, trying to ignore the stinging in his cheek.

"Not only are you ignoring what I have to say, you're also ignoring Gavin, who I thought you cared so much about? I don't have to listen to you, get out of my office, Haywood." His fathers voice was low and stern as me made solid eye contact with Ryan.

“I love you, too!

Gavin? You there?”

“Hi Miles, love! I miss you!”

“Hey, there! Long time, no hear. Hi… How, uh, how are things?”

"Things? Um... Well things are alright I suppose. They're okay. Howre you?"