Shane and Ryan one shots

Chapter 1: Little Talks

~platonic~

I don't like walking around this old and empty house
So hold my hand, I'll walk with you my dear

Ryan shivered as he stepped into the hallway of his new house. It was freezing, he had a blanket wrapped around his shoulders and he flinched further and further into it as the walls creaked around him. Ever since he moved in he felt- alone. But never fully alone. When his girlfriend broke up with him and he cried for days, he felt someone there with him, comforting him.

It was dark, 2 am when he check his phone. He couldn't sleep again. He slid down the stairs, getting himself a glass of water which only froze him further. Again, he felt a sudden cold on his left side, the open part of the couch space. It felt like someone was sitting beside him.

"Hello..?" He whispered softly to what seemed like air. No answer, of course. 'Ryan, it's fine, there aren't ghosts here.' He told himself. He wasn't convinced. Slowly, he walked back upstairs and laid down.

The stairs creak as I sleep
It's keeping me awake
It's the house telling you to close your eyes

He held the blanket up to his neck as he listened to the soft creaking of footsteps coming up the stairs. His body shook and shivered as they came closer and closer.

The bed dipped as if someone sat on the opposite side. Nothing felt hostile and a small wave of calm flushed over him. He snuggled deeper as the thing made him cold

Rest Ryan, it's ok.

The wind seemed to whisper to him in a calm tone, he relaxed instantly. His eyes slowly slid shut as the presence stayed there beside him.

And some days I can't even dress myself
It's killing me to see you this way

Ryan sat on his bed, tears streaming down his face. He felt so alone, no one even cared about him anymore. He sniffed and wiped his red eyes, looking up as footsteps entered the room.

The bed next to him sunk down and a cold touch spread on his shoulder, but it calmed him.

You are loved Ryan

"Who are you?" He called, looking at the empty space beside him

I can be a friend.

"Yeah... ok." A friend, that's what he needed. Who cares if it's a ghost.

Call me Shane

"Thanks for being here Shane."

Always

Shane seemed to get up and leave and Ryan felt better than he had for the past 3 weeks. He got up to get dressed and take care of himself.

'Cause though the truth may vary
This ship will carry our bodies safe to shore

Ryan paced in the living room, a woman yelling at him over the phone.

"It's not-"

"You're telling me my own sister would lie to me? Just because she hates you?" Ryan sighed deeply and put his head in his hands, he felt a hand on his back.

"It's fine, hate me, bye." Ryan hung up and stared down at the counter. "Shane?"

Right here, what's up little guy

"Little guy? What's that?"

You're tiny.

"How tall ar- were you?!"

Like 6'4 or something.

"Jesus Shane." Ryan sighed. "But what am I supposed to do now? I don't know who told her that but I would never steal from my best friend." He groaned as Shane moved away and he jumped up onto the counter.

If she's that willing to listen to others and not hear you out then maybe she isn't your best friend.

"That's.... not a horrible point. Thanks Shane."

There's an old voice in my head
That's holding me back
Well, tell her that I miss our little talks

They hadn't really talked recently, Shane had watched Ryan show up with a new girl and since then he's kind of been treated like an actual ghost.

Finally they had a quiet moment in the large house and Shane 'approached' him.

Ryan, you've been ghosting me.  He tried not to giggle at his pun.

"Shane, if Mari learns about you she'll think I'm crazy!" Ryan's voice was always so nice to hear, he hated being alone.

But- were friends Ryan. I miss talking to you. Shane watched the man soften at his sad tone and he smiled softly, hoping he wouldn't lose his friend.

"Ok, you're right Shane. I won't ever stop talking to you."

Good, I'd have to actually haunt you. They both shared a laugh.

Soon it will all be over, and buried with our past
We used to play outside when we were young
And full of life and full of love

"So what were you like when you were alive?" Ryan was sitting on the floor in front of Shane, the Shane he could actually see now. His body sat right next to him. Astral projection was weird at first, but the two friends kept trying until Ryan had seen Shane for the first time. They talked every night now

"Well me and my friends would always play outside, we loved to dance and sing to literally anything." Shane had a look of euphoria in his eyes. "It was my fault for not watching the road for cars." He shook his head.

"So you age in the afterlife?"

"No, I chose to grow up, I didn't want to be a kid forever." Shane smiled at Ryan. "I'm really happy I finally have a friend."

"I'm happy I finally get to see you face to face." And they hugged, standing in the middle of Ryan's room while his actual body sat on the floor peacefully.

"We're a package deal now, I love you man."

Ryan chuckled lightly, "I love you too."