[CLOSED] the ghost of what we used to be.

[ryan leonardo matson]

Ryan relaxed at the touch, unaware he had been so tense. "I'm not asking anything from you, Clae, alright?" He murmured, running a hand through his hair. "As fir drinking, I've been with you haven't exactly had the time. Maybe I din't want to fall in love, yeah? Because believe me, I'll find a way to off myself and I'm nit taking anyone down with me. Plus the fact that love just leaves us broken when it's over." He rubbed at his arm quietly. "I'm sorry she had to see your brother like that..." He whispered. "What I did was brutal and cruel...one shot could have killed him just the same." He let out a shaky breath. "I see it every day, you know? Walking into our apartment... If you look close enough you can still see the darker stains in the carpet from her blood, I can still imagine it on the walls... I can't even fucking sleep anymore."

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

"Ryan.." Clae bit his lip, reaching over to rub his back gently. It was all so strange to him, comforting someone who was older than three. Everyone he had loved that was older than three was dead.

"Why not live for Paislee? She thinks the world of you and she's only known you a day.." He mumbled.

[ryan leonardo matson]

Ryan huffed, tempted to step away. "Yeah well she- she's-...." He growled in agitation. "I need a smoke," He mumbled. Being a gym teacher and smoking wasn't the smartest mix. He headed towards a tree and sat down, pulling a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. He tried not to smoke too much, but was past really caring, lighting up and leaning back against the tree trunk.

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

"She's the reason our families are dead, I know.." He mumbled, but watched him go. He walked back to the edge of the pool, listening to Paislee whining about him getting in the pool. He finally slipped off his shirt, a perfectly toned torso underneath. He slipped off his pants, leaving him in boxers. He got into the pool, and dove under.

[ryan leonardo matson]

Ryan bit his lip, shaking his head. He had.never even thought of it that way until Clae pointed it out. Swallowing, he worked on his cigarette before snuffing out what was left after awhile. He limped back inside, checking on Dyson quietly before fixing himself a glass of water and finishing it off.

He hesitated, then pulled off his clothes, crying out as he willed himself to shift. He didn't know why he did it, especially during the day and so far away from a full moon. It hurt like hell.

Growling, he got to his paws, padding out into the back yard and watching the two with bright eyes, licking at his lips as he sat down.

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

Paislee exclaimed, throwing her arms up. "PUPPY!" She squealed, and Clae looked up, pushing his hair out of his face.

"I'm pretty sure Dyson's human so at least I'm not alone." He said, smiling over at Ryan. Paislee pulled herself up on the edge of the pool, reaching for Ryan.

"Co'see puppy." She said, splashing her fin in the water.

[ryan leonardo matson]

Ryan waved his tail faintly as Clae's words, bending to lick at his injured leg before getting up and limping towards the edge of the pool. Werewolves were already larger than the average wolf, but being fit had helped him bulk up on lean muscles as well. He sat back down, peering down at her with a faint growl and wolfish smile.

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

Paislee giggled, wrapping her arms around his neck. She kissed the top of his head, laying against him. "Daddy can we please keep him?" She whined and he shook his head, swimming over to the other end of the pool. He folded his arms over the edge, shaking his head.

"He's still a person, baby." He said, reaching over to scratch his head. He scratched behind his ear, then pulled his hand away. "Ryan, why are you hurt?" He asked. "Let me see it."

[ryan leonardo matson]

Mentally Ryan was laughing in amusement, eyes slitting as Clae scratched behind his ear. He couldn't help his animalistic instinct.

He pinned his ears back a bit at Clae's words, but stood slowly, starting down at him before looking back at his own leg, bleeding now from shifting.

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

Clae shook his head, pulling himself out of the pool. He shook off the water, grabbing a towel from the shed. He walked inside, grabbing his first aid kit before walking back.

"Are you planning on changing back so I can fix your leg?" He asked, sitting down beside him.