World Without End | Sitkolson [C]

TWENTY-NINE

Ricky raised his hand, bringing it down on the door three times.

This was something he wanted to do on his own, but he and Ryan had made promises. No matter how much Ricky wanted to be alone for it, he knew Ryan would come along, anyways.

Ryan didn't even want Ricky going, because they had only just killed Ronnie and Ricky was jumping into a-whole-nother world for someone Ryan didn't even know.

The others were completely aware of the situation. It was Ricky who told them to stay out of it, and that it was something he had to do. But, Ryan wasn't taking any of that.

So, the two stand outside of the double story house, waiting for someone to answer the door.

Seconds later, Ashley pulled open the door, her eyes red and cheeks damp.

Instead of saying anything, she leaped forward and into Ricky's arms, not caring if it seemed weird.

Knowing how Ashley felt, Ricky hugged back, shushing her.

After she had settled down a bit, she invited the two inside.

"Ryan, this is Ashley," Ricky gestured to Ashley, then back to Ryan, "Ashley, Ryan."

She held a hand out, to which Ryan shook and gave her a small 'hi'.

Ricky sat opposite of Ashley, leaning forward slightly, "Tell me exactly what happened, Ash."

She let out a long breath, looking down, "Two nights ago, a man broke into our house. At first, Nikki and I thought it was nothing. Then, the next day, he was coming down with something. That's when I started to worry, because we're dead, and shouldn't really get those things, but he did. Nikki told me about the time he spent with you in Hell, and the stories you two shared. He told me about how you felt about Ryan, and what you both went through. I... I think that the same thing that happened to Ryan happened to Nikki."

Ricky froze, his eyes dull.

If there was anything he hated more than being away from Ryan, it was being reminded about what happened to Ryan. That memory wasn't the best. It was one he wished he could just erase. But, without that situation, he wouldn't be able to have a relationship with Ryan, so he left it at the back of his mind.

Ryan, being the only one able to speak, did so, only it wasn't to Ashley, "I will help, but I want you to sit this one out."

Ricky whipped his head to face Ryan, his eyes wide, "No. Are you insane?"

He sighed, resting a hand on Ricky's thigh, "I know Nikki was-"

"Is." Ricky corrected, his jaw clenched.

"Is your friend, but there's someone worse than Ronnie. And, that is who has Nikki. I don't want you getting hurt. In fact, I'd feel safer it it were just me going."

"How do you know where this person is?" Ashley questioned.

"Trust me, I just do." Ryan mumbled, then raised his voice slightly, "He has hundreds of people on his side. If you want to get him back, it needs to be in and out. One person is all it takes."

Both Ricky and Ashley disagreed.

"You said so yourself," Ashley started, "He's got hundreds of people. One against hundreds? No, that's a bad idea."

Ricky laid a hand over Ryan's, "She right, Ryan," He mumbled, "I know you don't want me getting hurt, but I don't want you getting killed."

Sighing, Ryan bit his lip.

He himself knew it was a bad idea, but he'd rather him die than Ricky and Ashley. One's better than three, after all. But, he couldn't just leave Ricky. Not again. Because, if he did, Ricky would only run after him. And, it hurt too much the first time. To do it a second would hurt him just as much as it did Ricky.

Ashley spoke up, her voice soft, "We can talk about this tomorrow. I've got friends who know friends that'd be more than willing to help out. You said that this person has hundreds of people, so do we. But, you need sleep before doing anything."

Ricky and Ryan silently agreed and Ryan grabbed Ricky's hand, pulling him up off the couch.

"There's a spare room at the end of the hall, you two can stay there." Ashley smiled, receiving one out of Ricky and Ryan before they left for their room.

Dozens of thoughts were running through Ricky's head, but he eventually came down to one; a conclusion. It wasn't the best, for him or Ryan, but it was what he needed to do.

Ryan walked straight to the bed, resting his arms on his knees and his head on his hands.

He shook his head. Ricky was stubborn, more stubborn than him, so there was no stopping Ricky from participating.

Frowning, Ricky walked to where Ryan was and slowly lifted his head up.

"What's wrong?" He asked, his voice small.

"I can't have you getting hurt, Ricky." he mumbled, "We may not be in seventeen fifty anymore, but I will still protect you at all costs."

Ricky took another small step forward, "I can't promise that I won't get hurt, but I am going to do this."

Ryan stayed quiet.

Like said, Ricky was stubborn. There was nothing he could say or do that could get Ricky to change his mind, so he wasn't going to try.

Ricky ran a hand through Ryan's hair, raising his head a little higher, "I love you, Ryan. Just... Just know that, okay?"

He frowned and set his hands on Ricky's hips, "I love you, too, Ricky, but..."

"But, what?"

Ryan shook his head and looked back down.

It wasn't something he wanted to talk about. Not then, anyways.

Ricky stepped forward and sat so he was straddling Ryan, running his hand through his hair, "You can tell me anything. You know that, right?"

Nodding, Ryan looked up and gave him a small smile, "I just don't want to lose you."

Ricky was shocked. Sure, Ryan had said that a lot, but he sounded so much more sincere then. It wasn't that Ryan didn't meant it every time he said it, but Ricky's thought process was a lot different at that point in time.

Ricky leaned down and pressed his lips to Ryan's.

He had already come to his conclusion, he just needed to do one more thing. If this was it, he wanted to spend one last night with Ryan. If this was the last night he's spend with him, he wanted more than just a kiss. If this was the last time he'd ever see Ryan, he wanted to do the one thing he'd waited hundreds of years for. He only wanted to spend the night with Ryan.

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A/N: This part is the final part and it'll be a lot shorter than the others, so probably six chapters...

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