World So Cold

8

Ryan

Was it to soon to ask this question, I didn't want to make him uncomfortable. But I really wanted to ask.

"Woah slow down!" I was teaching Ricky how to drive. Not the best idea with icey roads but he asked.

"But it's fun to go fast." He pouts.

"It is but not when you're driving."

"I'm not that bad."

"No." I laugh, "still terrifying." He pretended to be upset with my teasing and sped up again. I held onto the seat.

"Ok ok you're the best driver ever."

"That's better." He smirks and slows down much to my relief.

"Pull in here, I wanna introduce you to a friend." It was small coffee shop.

"Hey Vin, I'll get two cappuccinos please."

"Ryan its been awhile, is this the Ricky you've been telling me about."

He shakes Rickys hand over the counter. "Its not busy so I'll get Devin and we can sit down."

Dev skips out of the back. "Ryan its good to see you." He hugs me, "this must be Ricky, you're fucking gorgeous." I laugh as Ricky blushes and Devin fusses over him.

Vinny comes back with coffee and we sit down.

"Are you guys dating?" Ricky askes.

"Two years now." Devin smiles.

We continue talking about random shit, catching up.

Devins sweater had slipped off his shoulder and Ricky kept staring. Devin noticed but didn't say anything. I'd never asked him about it, it was a touchy subject.

"I don't mean to be rude, I'm just curious to how you got that." Ricky askes quietly.

"Oh this, its nothing." Devin pulls his sweater over the scar.

"Sorry for asking, it just looks alot like mine." Ricky moves his shirt revealing the scar on his shoulder from when Shaun hit him with a beer bottle.

Devin stares at it, "mines from an abusive ex boyfriend. He took me in off the street so I felt obligated to stay until Vinny, who was a friend at the time, convinced me to leave. I'm happy he did."

"Was his name Shaun?"

"Yes, .. how did you know?"

"Same thing as you except he kicked me back out on the street. I went into Ryan's bar to stay warm. He found me and beat me up but Ryan helped me." I squeeze his hand. Devin was crying and hugged him.

"I'm sorry he did that to you sweetie. Just remember you did not deserve it and nothing is you're fault." Ricky smiles and hugs back.

"And if he messes with you again me and Ryan will go beat his ass."

"We will." I agree with Vinny.

I put an arm around my baby, maybe I should've introduced them sooner.

We talked for awhile until Ricky fell asleep on my shoulder.

"Aw what a cutie, we'll have to hang out soon."

I carry him to the car and gently put him in the passenger seat. Devin comes out to talk to me.

"Take care of him ok. Shaun fucked me up bad I can't imagine what he put Ricky through."

"I promise Dev, have a good night we'll see you soon." I hug him and drive home. I try not to wake Ricky while carrying him in but the wind had picked up. He clung to me until we got inside. In that little bit of time he was shivering. I wrap him in a blanket and hold my adorable shivering burrito.

"Can I ask you something."

"You just did but ok."

"I don't want to make you uncomfortable, and this is totally up to you." He looks at me with slight concern. "Would you like to go to my parents house for thanksgiving, we could stay a few days if you want."

"Really." He says excitedly, "I'd love to." I kiss his cheek.

"Good, you'll love them. They've been asking to meet you."

"Do you think they'll like me." He fumbles with my shirt.

"They'll love you, I promise."

He smiles, "so when do we leave?"

"Hmm.  Wednesday leave Friday or Saturday."

"Sounds good." He kisses me and falls back to sleep.

I was excited for him to meet my foster parents. He hadn't had a real family since his parents died. I knew my parents would absolutely adore him. He'd be apart of a family again.