Falling For You [ Ryan Rees - Twin Paranormal ]

12

Hours passed, and the house was silent except for the occasional creak and groan typical of an older building settling in the night. Ryan had drifted into a deep sleep, his arm protectively draped over Winter. The moonlight streaming through the window cast a gentle glow on the room.

Winter awoke suddenly, a sharp pain radiating from his ribs. He winced, biting back a groan. The pain was relentless, a harsh reminder of his injuries. He gently nudged Ryan, his voice barely above a whisper, "Ryan... Ryan, wake up."

Ryan stirred, instantly alert when he saw Winter's pained expression. "Hey, what's wrong?"

"My ribs," Winter managed through gritted teeth. "It hurts."

Ryan didn't waste a second. He reached over to the bedside table and turned on the lamp, bathing the room in a soft, warm light. "Hold on, I'll get your medication."

He hurried out of the room, his footsteps echoing in the quiet house. Moments later, he returned with the medication and a glass of water. He helped Winter sit up slightly, supporting him with one arm while handing him the pills with the other.

"Here you go, take these."

Winter swallowed the medication, grimacing as the pain flared again. Ryan waited patiently, his eyes never leaving Winter's face.

"Thanks," Winter said, his voice small but sincere.

Ryan offered a comforting smile, setting the glass back on the bedside table. He adjusted the pillows behind Winter, ensuring he was as comfortable as possible before climbing back into bed beside him. Ryan took Winter's hand in his, squeezing gently.

"Try to rest now," Ryan said softly, his thumb stroking the back of Winter's hand.

Winter nodded, closing his eyes. The medication would take some time to kick in, but knowing Ryan was there made the pain more bearable.

"Ry?" Winter's voice was barely a whisper.

"Yeah?"

"Thank you. For everything."

Ryan leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to Winter's forehead. "Always."

~

The days that followed were a blur of healing and quiet moments. Winter's recovery was slow but steady, and Ryan was there every step of the way. Their brothers were pillars of support, their presence a reminder that Winter was not alone in this.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the house, Winter sat on the porch, wrapped in a blanket. Ryan joined him, sitting close and wrapping an arm around him.

"I never thought I could be this happy," Winter admitted, looking out at the twilight sky.

Ryan smiled, his heart swelling with love. "Me neither. But here we are."

They sat in comfortable silence, the sounds of the night enveloping them. In that moment, despite all the pain and struggles, they knew they had found something rare and beautiful.

Love.

A little while later they found themselves on the sofa watching Tv. Ryan helped him lie down, adjusting the pillows to make him more comfortable. "Anything else you need?" he asked, his hand lingering on Winter's shoulder.

Winter shook his head, managing a small smile despite the pain. "Just stay with me."

"Always," Ryan replied, slipping back into bed beside him. He gently wrapped an arm around Winter, careful not to put pressure on his injured ribs.

As the room settled back into quiet, Ryan could feel the tension slowly easing from Winter's body. He pressed a soft kiss to Winter's temple, whispering, "I'm here, and I won't let anything happen to you."

As the evening settled in, Wyatt and River returned to the apartment, carrying bags of takeaway. The delicious aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air as they entered the cozy living room. There, they found Ryan and Winter cuddled together on the sofa, wrapped in a warm blanket.

"Looks like someone's getting spoiled," Wyatt teased, setting the bags down on the kitchen counter.

River smiled, joining in, "You guys look cozy. How are you feeling, Winter?"

Winter shifted slightly, wincing a bit but managing a smile. "Getting better every day. Thanks for grabbing dinner, guys."

Wyatt unpacked the food, setting out containers of steaming noodles, fried rice, and a variety of appetizers. "We got all your favorites. Figured we'd make tonight special."

River grabbed some plates and utensils, handing them out. "Dinner's served. Let's dig in."

As they ate, the conversation flowed easily. They shared stories, laughed at inside jokes, and talked about their upcoming paranormal investigations. Despite the challenges they had faced, their bond had only grown stronger.

As the night wore on, they continued to talk, eat, and simply enjoy each other's company. The shadows of the past began to fade, replaced by the comforting glow of friendship, love, and a future that, while uncertain, felt promising and full of potential.

And so, nestled in the warmth of their shared home, surrounded by those who cared for him deeply, Winter began to heal. The road ahead was long, but with Ryan, Wyatt, and River by his side, he knew he would never walk it alone.