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

[ryan leonardo matson]

Ryan tensed, teeth grtting and lengthening into that of a canines as he gripped at the grass. He eased up some once his shi. Was wrapped, the painful sting still lingering, and let out a slow breath, letting go of the grass. "Yeah.." He mumbled. "Thanks..." He shifted his weight a bit, but didn't bother getting up, remaining sprawled in the grass until the pain ebbed to a dull throb.

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

"It's okay." He said, patting his thigh gently. He pulled himself up, and walked over to his clothes. He pulled on his sweat pants, then his shirt.

"I'm gonna go get her raisins. You want anything?" He asked. He knew Paislee would be fine in the pool. "It's saltwater so you don't have to shower if you don't want to."

"I wanna get out." Paislee complained, and he grabbed her bikini bottom, then her, pulling her out of the water. He sat her beside Ryan, handing her her bottoms.

"I'll be right back, okay?" He asked, and she nodded, snuggling up close to Ryan, her head and arm on his chest.

[ryan leonardo matson]

"Maybe just a soda," He murmured, smiling up at Clae faintly. He still didn't bother get up, watching him help Paislee out of the pool. He smirked faintly her way. "Fish outta water, huh?" He teased, playing with her hair. "We can go inside if you want." He honestly just didn't want to get up.

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

She giggled at his remark, but stayed put where she was. She focused with tracing her finger around his belly button. "I gotta wait for my legs to come back." She said, thumping her tail in the grass before she curled up closer to him. Clae smiled, glad she was so comfortable with him. But he also wouldn't be there forever, and he knew that would break her heart more than anything.

He walked through the house, checking on the sleeping Dyson before he drove to the store, grabbing a bunch of chocolate covered raisins, and sodas for all of them. He grabbed some chips, then paid for their junk food and drove home. He put everything on the counter, and walked out back to see Paislee curled up sleepily on Ryan.

"You want a shower, baby?" He asked, and she shook her head.

"A movie? i got raisins." But she shook her head again.

"Nap?" And she nodded, holding her arms out to him. He picked her up carefully, rocking her gently.

[ryan leonardo matson]

Ryan stirred at Clae's voice, opening his eyes and yawning lazily. He felt the weight lifted off his chest and sat up, rubbing tiredly at his eyes before picking up the towel carefully and wrapping it around himself as he stood. He paused next to Clae, kissing the top of Paislee's head in his arms, then continued to the house, pausing to check on Dyson who was moving about some, before he reached for his clothes.

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

Clae smiled over at him, carrying Paislee into her room. He laid her down and tucked her in. Then he wandered out of her room, glancing at Dyson before he walked to the fridge to grab a bottle of water. He started a fresh pot of coffee for Dyson, thinking maybe it would help his hangover. He looked over at Ryan, and his heart started to pound. 'Im so confused..' He thought.

[ryan leonardo matson]

Ryan pulled on his boxers and studied his bandaged shin for a momemt before pulling his jeans on as well. He picked his shirt up and set it on the back of the couch, raising his arms over his head.in a slow stretch as he yawned. He smiled hesitantly over at Clae when he caught his gaze, chewing on his lip some.

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

Clae chewed on his lip, a bit embarassed that Ryan had caught him looking. "I.. Sorry.." He breathed, looking down at the counter top. He rocked his bottle from side to side, pretending to be preoccupied by it. He heard Paislee come around the corner crying, dragging her blanket behind her.

"Daddy." She cried, holding her arms up. He picked her up, holding her close as he wrapped her blanket around her.

[ryan leonardo matson]

"It's fine," Ryan murmured softly, glancing over his shoulder as Paislee came around the.corner. He frowned, biting at his lip somewhat guiltily. He wondered how much of this was.his fault, shooting Clae's brother, killing him as savagely as he had. It had been almost inhumane.

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

"What's wrong?" He asked her, playing with her curly black hair.

"I dunno. I got a bad dream." She said, sticking her thumb in her mouth. She looked over at Ryan and smiled at him from behind her thumb.

"You guys wanna go take a shower?" He asked Ryan.