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

[ryan leonardo matson]

Ryan felt Clae moved, and peered through slitted eyes, watching Paislee absently. He had a hand on Clae's knee, let out a soft breath and smiled at Paislee in his half asleep state. "Hey little rascal," He mumbled.

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

"I not a rascal." She said, wrinkling her nose at him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a wet kiss on the cheek.

"Yes you are. Now go brush your teeth, dirty girl." Clae told her, and she toddled off to the bathroom to brush her teeth. Clae reached up, messing with Ryan's hair. "Morning.." He told him, looking down at his hand. But it all seemed so normal to him. Which might explain why he was so confused.

[ryan leonardo matson]

Ryan shifted his weight, laughing at her. He smiled at Clae faintly. "Morning.." He murmured softly, yawned again. "How did you sleep?"

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

"Surprisingly good." He said, waiting to hear the water shut off. When it did, Paislee toddled back into the living room, stopping to investigate Dyson before she climbed up on Ryan.

"You gotta go home today?" She asked sadly, looking up at him. Clae reached over, fixing one of her curls, and then yawned into his hand.

[ryan leonardo matson]

Ryan watched her study the sleeping teen, then shrugged. "I have to gobat some point, I doubt your daddy wants boring old me hanging around much longer." He smiled, poking her nose gently. "Cute as a button," He teased, watching her.

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

Paislee pouted, crossing her arms across her chest. "Daddy, please?" She asked, and he sighed, picking her up.

"Ryan's a big boy. He doesn't want to stay here with us. He has stuff to do."

"What kinda stuff?"

"He's a teacher. He has to work. He already has a house."

"So? We can share with him. Please? He says I'm cute's a button. Please?"

"Only if he wants to stay. But don't use that face on him and make him stay. I told you. He's a big boy."

[ryan leonardo matson]

Ryan chuckled. "Ah, I don't want to be a burden, though..." He insisted. If he went home he would be a dead burden sooner or later. He still had his head on Clae's shoulder, finally sat up. He smiled at her faintly. "Tomorrow's Monday, you wanna come to work with me if you're allowed?" He smiled just faintly, gym wasn't all periods of the day, he may as well spend a little more time with her. at the same time he was terrified of getting attached.

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

"Please daddy can I?" She asked, looking up and Clae. He realized Ryan had sat up and felt kind of odd, like something was missing.

"I guess, if Ryan wants your crazy self there." He said, then wrinkled his nose. She smiled, hugging Clae tight before she laid down across their laps.

"I want my raisins." She said, and Clae sighed.

"Go get them. You're gonna get fat." He said, but she toddled off, climbing up one of the stools to grab her raisins. She sat down at the counter, pulling open the bag.

"You really won't be a bother if you want to stay." Clae mumbled.

[ryan leonardo matson]

Ryan chuckled softly, watching her go with a faint smile. He glanced at Clae and hesitated. "I-..." Staying meant letting them see his mood swings, depression, anger and being just fine. Maybe he was bipolar, he hadn't bothered get it check out, had refused therapy after killing Clae's brother. "If you want me too.." He murmured, knew he shouldn't live alone, anyway.

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

"I tend to leave my decisions up to Paislee." He said with a smile. But he reached over, squeezing his leg gently. "If you want to stay. Not if I want you to stay. It gets kinda boring around here when hyper mouth over there goes to bed." He got up, walking into the kitchen to make another pot of coffee.