World Without End | Sitkolson [C]

TWENTY-THREE

Ricky slowly raised his arm, knocking on the door several times before stepping back, sharing a look with the four that stood behind him.

To say he was nervous would be correct. But, to say he was ecstatic, would also be correct.

His whole time in Hell, he had wondered what it would be like to speak to his best friend again. Those years–that felt like weeks to him– he had wondered what Chris and Angelo had gotten up to. Now, he was able to find out.

The door was slowly opened, Chris smiling at something to his right before he saw who was at his doorstep, his smile fading as confusion clouded his eyes.

After Ricky died, Chris had kept just about everything to himself. For hundreds of years, Chris had spent every second he could with Ricky. Then, when Ricky passed, he didn't have anyone to speak to. Sure, he had Angelo, but Chris felt that Angelo would eventually get sick of hearing everything he had to say. Now that Ricky was in front of him, Chris felt something relight inside of him.

With a small laugh, he pulled Ricky towards him, wrapping his arms around his neck, rocking them to the side as tears threatened to spill.

"Chris, babe, who's-" Angelo cut himself off when he saw Ricky's head peeking out from under Chris' arm, his eyes widening.

Angelo, much like Chris, had shut a lot of people out. Though, he still tried to help them get through everything. Well, mainly Ryan because it was just then for a while. But he had served to be Ricky's protector. Even if those times are history–literally– Angelo still wanted to protect Ricky. Really, it became a habit.

Once Ricky pulled away, he ran to Angelo, almost tackling him.

"This- This can't be real." Angelo whispered, his eyes wide.

Chris, who was still by the door, also had wide eyes, though he was more than glad to have his best friend back.

He then turned back to the door where Josh, Ryan Ashley, Kuza and Ghost stood, each looking at Angelo and Ricky with smiles.

"Josh, Ryan." Chris gave them a small smile, followed by a hug. He then turned to Kuza and Ghost, confused.

"I'm Ghost," He held his hand out, smiling when Chris shook it, "This is Kuza."

"Thank you guys," Angelo said from his position next to Ricky, "For bringing him back."

Josh smiled, "I had a hard time believing it at first, but you're welcome."

It was then that Angelo's phone rang, causing him to frown in confusion.

"Hello?"

•|•|•

Ryan looked down at the two pieces paper Ivan's wife had handed him, his eyes running over the numbers in confusion.

If Ivan's wife was right, one was Brian's phone number. If he was right, it would lead him to the hunters. And, the other piece was Angelo's number.

After taking a deep breath, he dialled the number in his left hand, waiting a few seconds before he was met with Brian's sleepy voice, obviously having woke him up.

"Brian?"

Said person gasped, moving around before walking out of his room, "Ryan?"

Ryan chuckled, nodding his head, "Yeah."

"H-How are you?" He asked, tapping Lynn's shoulder as her, Vinny and Alex were having a conversation.

"Good." Ryan answered, listening as Brian got the attention of Lynn, Alex and Vinny, putting the phone on speaker.

"Ryan?" Lynn asked, smiling when Ryan responded with a simple 'hi'.

"So, um, I need to talk to you guys." Ryan mumbled, waiting for the hunters to listen before starting off with how Ricky had come to him in a dream, then explained everything that happened since.

He left the part about he and Ricky 'kissing', because he felt that it wouldn't be necessary to anyone but him.

"So... He's alive?" Lynn asked quietly, biting her thumb nail.

"Yeah, we just need to find a way to get to him."

"I have an idea," Alex said, then raised his voice, "We'll meet somewhere, then find our way from there. Simple, easy."

Ryan nodded his head, "Alright, where?"

"Remember the house?" Lynn asked, continuing when Ryan answered, "We'll meet a hundred miles north of that. Sun down, today."

"Because that's not far at all." Brian muttered, rolling his eyes.

Ryan chuckled, "Okay, I'll see you guys then."

"It was nice speaking to you, Ryan." Lynn smiled, even though Ryan couldn't see.

"You too, Lynn. Bye, guys."

With that, Ryan hung the phone up, staring at the piece of paper in his right hand.

Calling Brian's number was much easier than thinking about calling Angelo. Ryan left him. After spending centuries together, Ryan practically ripped their friendship–brotherhood– away like it was nothing.

After fighting with himself for several minutes, Ryan typed the numbers in, waiting three rings before the phone was answered, Angelo's soft voice confused.

"Hello?"

Ryan took a deep breath, "A-Ange?"

Angelo stood with wide eyes, his brother's voice flowing through his ears.

For years, Angelo had wondered if Ryan was okay, now he's getting a phone call from him?

"Ryan?" Angelo whispered, watching as Ricky's head snapped to where Angelo was, confused yet excited.

"Yeah," Ryan breathed out, "Listen, I'm really sorry about-"

"No," Angelo cut Ryan off, smiling whilst shaking his head, "It's fine. Besides, I have someone that wants to talk to you."

Ryan frowned, staring at the wall in front of him, "Who?"

Angelo grinned, handing the phone to Ricky who was practically frozen in his place.

"Ryan...?"

Ryan stood up, his eyes slowly filling with tears, "Ricky?"

"Y-Yeah, it's me."

Ryan's breathing started to become heavier as he paced around the room, "Oh my God. You're really- Oh my God."

Ricky chuckled, walking forward until he was in front of a wall, leaning his forehead against that as he closed his eyes, "Yeah. I wasn't going to go that easily."

Ryan held back tears as he rested his forehead against the wall in front of him, closing his eyes as Ricky's smile flashed behind his eyelids, "You have no idea how much I wish you were with me right now."

Ricky chuckled, "We'll see each other soon."

It was then that Ryan's head snapped back to reality, explaining to Ricky the place he and the hunters had arranged to meet up, also mentioning the time.

Ricky smiled, his eyes lighting up as he spun back around to face the guys, "We're only a few hours away from there."

Ryan also smiled, something inside of him lighting up, "I'll see you soon, then?"

"Yeah, you will."

"I love you." Ryan mumbled into the phone, squeezing his eyes shut.

"I love you, too."