#and Hayle has become a bit of a hugger

[izayoichan]

“I need to order a new one, I managed to drop it.”

The cafe is like it always has been, warm, comfy and filled with sweet smells, the man nodding, and disappearing for a bit. River lets go of Rylan's hand the scents actually making his stomach grumble. He realizes he hasn't eaten anything sweet in well over a year, his eyes falling on the many sweets, but he remains quiet, he honestly feels like running away. He couldn't wait for this day, but now he realizes he was not ready, with so many worries and questions on his mind. Rylan turns slightly towards River, just wrapping his arms around him. 

“Its enough cake for you too if you want.”

Clearly, he heard his stomach rumble, mostly though he just wanted to be closer, to know he is still there, to feel at home.

“I love you.”

He mumbles the words, his attention stolen by the man coming back with a new cake for him, paying and thanking him, then looking back at River.

“They will all be happy to see you again, so... let's go?”

River looks at Rylan, surprised by his words, but before he could answer back, Rylan had already turned his attention to the vendor. Nonetheless, River smiles a little, his heart beating fast s the overwhelming need to cry hits him. He still loves him, always kind, always caring, always so selfless, so much he forgets himself and he can see it on his posture, the way he moves, how much Rylan has lost of himself.

“Allow me, princess”

He gives Rylan a small smile and takes the cake, giving him a small kiss on his cheek whispering

“I love you and I missed you so much.” “I missed you more than I think you can imagine..”

Rylan smiles, almost odd how happy it made him feel to be called princess again, letting him take the cake.

“Thank you for coming back.” “I promised I would. 

He smiled. He had promised and he owed Rylan so many promises, but he had a feeling he had to work slowly, things were different, so different now, so he had to work his way to be worthy of Rylan's heart once more after everything he did. He lets Rylan lead the way as they start walking.

“You didn't have any more daydreams after I said goodbye, did you?”

He had to admit, that still worried him, that his magic, his powers, his will had left a scar on Rylan's mind. Rylan looking up at him as they walk towards his home, and meeting everyone else. 

“No, just those of my own wishful thinking really, but nothing like those.”

He wouldn’t really have minded more of the dreams if he was being honest, apart from the fact that it seemed to be eating him alive, and even now he was far from back to how he used to look, he even had to take time off work as he was simply to thin. 

“And... have been well? I mean... after that no... side effects?” “I think so? I had to do a bit of working out to get back to this, it's still not back to where I was before, I guess it might take time?

He watches Rylan carefully, not able to cast that worry. He sees the house and takes a deep intake of air, nervousness assaulting him, he nearly halts in place. Rylan looking at him, seeing the house as well, knowing something that might make him a little less nervous, putting two fingers to his lips, whistling loudly. This is followed by barking from inside the house, and then a large dog coming running towards them. 

“He has become a spoiled house pet by now.”

River’s eyes widen as he sees his old friend, Rylan managing to grab the cake form his hands before he has Lobo all over him. 

“Lobo! Old man! Come here, boy!”

Lobo runs to him tackling him down, licking his face, tail wagging.

“Oh! I missed you old man!”

River laughs.

“Hey! You don't stink!”

He looks at Rylan with a bright smile, Rylan for a second wishing it was his meeting that had brought this kinda smile to his face. Yet he can’t help but chuckle at them and the feeling of Lobo’s tail hitting his leg every now and then. 

“Thank you! Thank you so much for taking care of this old man for me!” “I think he took care of me as much as I took care of him. Besides, he follows my dad around the house and sleeps on Hayden’s bed with Felix, as I said, he is a proper housepet now.”

Notices Hayle stick his head out the door, a smile on his father's face as he sees him, waving at the two off them. 

“Okay, off boy.”

River gets up, cleaning the snow off his clothes, his eyes falling on Hayle and he looks down, pressing his lips to a thin line. He couldn't run now, so he just takes a deep breath and braces for whatever might come.

“I believe we have been spotted.” “Yes, we have... Lead the way princess.”

Rylan holds the cake in one hand and takes River’s hand with the other as Lobo pretty much dances around them as they walk closer, Hayle stepping properly outside. 

“Well.. you look like you could need a good meal.. or many.”

Hayle smiles, for some reason wanting to give River a hug, but also not sure he should just yet. There is something about him that wasn’t there before, and he wonders just what they have been doing to him while he has been away.

“Welcome home.” “I did say he could have some of the cake if he wanted too, and well… I kinda don’t want to let him go again.. Ever?

He squeezes River's hand, understanding why he is worried, at least some of it. 

“Hey…”

River gives Hayle a small smile, looking down. He owed them all an apology for what he did to Rylan, what he allowed to happen. He looked down his stomach grumbling.

“I don't want to bother you... I actually wished to speak with you and mister Chris, in part about why I am back... specifically... today.”

He rubs his head nervously, his eyes falling on Rylan for he feels these are not the type of news any of them would like to get.

“Hmh, my husband is at work, he probably won't be back in a couple of hours, I can always text him and check when he will be back.”

Hayle looks at River, then at Rylan. 

“But, you are no bother silly, come on, I'll see if he can come home earlier, and you can come to say hi to the two upstairs who are waiting for cake.”

He pulls River into a hug, River stiffening like a board at the unexpected hug, nearly pushing Hayle off, he steps back, eyes wide. Then his reaction sinks in and blushes, Hayle just smiling at him before he opens the door.  

“M.. my apologies!” “Not to worry, I guess I should have asked before doing that, now come on, don't let the cake hungry wait!”

Beginning - Previous - Next