Belgard ; petekey

6: The Sound of Rain

Sunday November 29th

Before anyone could answer the quiet knock at the door, Mikey had already rushed down the stairs and opened the door to a soaking wet Ryan in a massive coat. Mikey really couldn't help but laugh at how tiny he looked almost buried under the coat. Ryan glared at him angrily which only made Mikey laugh harder, only just being able to step aside to let him in.

"I hate you." Ryan muttered as he was let inside, quickly shuffling into the warmth of the house and shaking off his coat. Mikey was just beginning to contain his laughter and it got slightly quiet when Ryan was taking of his damp over-clothes. The light patter of the rain on the door was the most prominent sound at that moment, like a thousand tiny fingers drumming against the door and windows. The sound was relaxing, somehow enchanting, blanking your mind as you sit there listening to the rhythmic drumming of the rain. one, two, three four. Drumming getting louder the longer you listen as all of the other sounds drown out.

Mikey's laughter finally died down and Ryan (after quite a struggle) managed to get his coat off and hang it up. Ryan started to walk up the stairs before Mikey did, instantly making himself comfortable on a beanbag once in Mikey's room. Following slightly short, Mikey walked in and sat on the other beanbag he had, reaching across the room for the remote and turned the TV on. "How was your day with Brendon then?" It felt like there had been an eternity of silence before Mikey spoke up, and Ryan seemed instantly more comfortable as soon as he started talking. Effortlessly, Mikey turned on his TV, then facing Ryan, awaiting his response.

"It was... good?" Ryan answered hesitantly, his eyes darting around the room, trying to find something to look at other than Mikey. The day was honestly fine, just a bit weird, new and awkward for him, Ryan wasn't used to hanging out with more than one person at a time, and when everyone there was very loud and slightly intimidating, he would only feel smaller. Like he was shrinking into the ground every time one of them told an inside joke he wasn't apart of. He just felt tiny compared to them, it wasn't a healthy feeling. Sure, they were nice people but maybe not people compatible with Ryan. Mikey glanced at him, eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he waited for an answer as to why he was so unsure about it. "Well, the people were a bit intimidating and loud, apart from two of them. Patrick and someone else, can't remember his name. They left about half an hour into it though. They went to have a talk or something and one of them ran off. I mean the rest were nice people, I'm sure. But I didn't really like them all that much."

Mikey sat up on his beanbag slightly, turning to face Ryan more. "You know the person that ran away?" Ryan nodded. "What did he look like? This is a bit weird but today I saw someone running away from something and it might just be a slight coincidence if it's not him that two people ran from something on the same day. But really if you look at the odds of it happening th- Oh, sorry. I'm rambling again." Mikey laughed nervously at himself, straightening his shirt out.

"He was short, dark hair, wearing all black." Ryan answered and Mikey's laugh at this point confirmed that it was him. To be honest, Mikey didn't exactly know why he was laughing, but then again he didn't know what other response would be appropriate.

"That's him." Mikey smiled, standing up and tossing Ryan the TV remote. "Put something on, I'm going to get some food." Ryan instantly obeyed, stuck between two choices before eventually settling on Doctor Who.
A slight smashing of a glass caused Ryan to run downstairs, seeing Mikey staring into a reflective surface, eyes wide with shock. Ryan thought he might have found out who it is and be happy about it but the scowl that came straight after spoke otherwise. "It's getting clearer." Ryan stepped forward and looked at the surface as well, sure enough, the face had gotten clearer but not recognisable yet.
Ryan could now see a clear image of his own face in any mirror or reflective surface without having to strain. Once you've established a relationship with your soulmate, their image begins to fade, eventually you can see yourself. You can obviously see yourself before, it just takes a slight strain to focus on clearing that image and bringing up your own.

Gee walked into the kitchen after hearing the glass smash and bursting into laughter at the sight of their little brother with the sheer look of terror on his face over a slightly less blurred image. Mikey managed to stop staring at the surface just to glare at Gee before walking upstairs again, Ryan quickly following. Gee sighed at the broken glass still on the floor. "Are you two going to clear this up?" Gee called up but there was no answer. They sighed again, beginning to clean the mess up for them, hoping this would earn them a thank you from him for once.

Upstairs, Mikey was being quieter than usual, staring at the wall and only blinking when he really had to. No attempts of conversation were made on Ryan's part, he knew it wouldn't make it better. Mikey had always been... sensitive on the topic of soulmates. He would always come up with theory's and ways that soulmate's were a bad thing, people thought he was crazy for not wanting a soulmate. It's not that Mikey ever disproved of the idea, its just he was always afraid of it. But then again, many people were. And Mikey couldn't truthfully say he didn't care about soulmates, because it was evident he did. Fear was in control of him, and it wasn't healthy.

The room stayed silent apart from Ryan drumming his fingertips on the wall beside him in four beats. The rain seemed to tap along to the tune, making the most calming sound that either of them had heard. This continued until Mikey had fallen asleep, the sounds of rain pulling him into the dark abyss. Ryan stood up, grabbing his bag, walking out of the room quietly, turning the lights off before shutting the door.
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Word Count; 1086