World Without End | Sitkolson [C]

TWENTY-SIX

Ricky and Ryan held each other close, both awake, yet neither of them showing it.

Ricky was simply afraid that Ryan would leave him again, whereas Ryan was afraid Ricky was just a figment of his imagination and would disappear the moment he let go.

They both may've been dead, but they still had their fears. The fear of abandonment and loneliness etched in each of them.

Abandonment; Ricky didn't want to wake up to another letter. He didn't want to have to deal with hundreds of years without Ryan, again. The thought alone dimmed his mood.

Loneliness; Before Ryan met Ricky, he hadn't felt what he had felt before. Sure, he was hundreds, hundreds, of years older, but they always said that age was just a number. Angelo and Chris had lived happily. Why couldn't Ricky and Ryan?

The two cared for each other more than they knew.

Ryan didn't just protect Ricky because it was his job, but also because Ricky was unlike anyone he had ever met. Ricky was strong, but had his moments. Ricky would defend anyone he possible could, and sort problems out the best he could. Whenever Ryan wasn't feeling right, Ricky would try and help. Whether that be humming something completely random, or hugging Ryan, Ricky would always brighten his mood. It was just a shame neither of them could actually show how they felt, until then, when they had known each other for a little over two hundred and fifty years.

"I know you're awake." Ryan mumbled, breaking the silence.

Ricky sighed, his grip on Ryan slightly lessening, "I'm sorry, I-"

"It's fine, Ricky." Ryan lightly kissed Ricky's forehead, draping a leg over Ricky's.

Letting out another sigh, Ricky nuzzled Ryan's shoulder, "How long were you awake?"

"I didn't get too much sleep." Ryan answered, his eyes on the window.

"Why not?" Ricky moved so he was sitting up, frowning at Ryan.

Ryan shrugged his shoulders, looking away.

He didn't want to sound clingy, but he also didn't want to sound like some guy that had fell too hard. When, in all reality, he had.

Ryan liked to see himself as tough, just like he was around everyone. Everyone but Ricky.

Ricky brought out the best in Ryan, but also the worst. Ryan wanted nothing more than to be strong, and to come off as the guy no one could make friends with, but Ricky ruined all of that.

Around Ricky, Ryan wanted to be nice, and loveable, and he was. But Ricky was the only one that brought out that side of Ryan, whether he knew it or not.

Ricky set his hand on Ryan's jaw, turning his head so they were face to face again.

They stared at each other for a few seconds before Ricky leaned up, his movements slow as he pressed his lips to Ryan's.

Ryan kissed back, moving a hand to Ricky's neck and the other to his waist.

As the kiss started to get slightly faster, Ryan shifted so he was hovering over Ricky, using a hand to support him as he did so.

Ricky lifted a hand to Ryan's hair, tugging on it whilst letting the other slide up Ryan's shirt, letting out a moan when Ryan rolled his hips on Ricky's.

"Ricky, Ryan, do you guys-" Lynn was cut off by the sight in front of her, covering her mouth in shock and surprise.

Ryan simply groaned and rolled off of Ricky, covering his face with his hands.