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

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

Clae stepped on the brakes, looking over at him. "Why don't we just go back to my place? It's a lot closer.." He suggested, and Paislee giggled in the back seat.

"Snuggles!" She exclaimed as Clae back the car up, and drove a bit down the road. He pulled into his driveway, getting Paislee out of the back before he walked over to Ryan, helping him out of his seatbelt.

"Are you okay?" He asked, looking down as Paislee tugged on his leg. He handed her the key and she toddled off to play with the door. "Let's go before she scatches her name into my door, yeah?"

[ryan leonardo matson]

Ryan shook his head faintly. "No," He slurred, stumbling from the car. He huffed, watching the little girl quietly before rubbing at his scarred wrist.

He ran a hand through his hair. So much for drinks and pills. But he didn't have it in himself to do much about it.

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

"Paislee, give me the- no.. Key." He helped her put the key in the hole, and turned it. She clapped her hands, then toddled inside. He waited for Ryan before he closed the door.

"Go watch TV." he told her, and she toddled to the living room. He took Ryan's elbow, leading him to the guest bedroom. "I'll go find you pajamas, okay?" He offered. "The bathroom is right there."

[ryan leonardo matson]

Ryan nodded faintly, stumbled drunkenly into the bathroom, shoulder striking the door frame. He grimaced. Something told him not to do anything around the little girl. His stomach was churning, he had had a good three hours of drinking. Gagging softly, he managed to figure out the sink and splash water over his face. It didn't help, he felt nauseous. Stumbling towards the toilet he dropped down, retching.

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

Clae came back in in a pair of pajama pants, and a set for Ryan. He had Paislee at his heels, begging him to let her sleep with Ryan.

"No, okay? You sleep in your own bed." He told her, setting the pajamas on the bathroom counter.

"Hims sick, see?" She scolded Clae, toddling over to him. She wrapped her tiny arms as far around him as they would go. "It's okay. Me here."

[ryan leonardo matson]

Ryan groaned, closing his eyes. He gagged softly again but was down to dry heaving, slumped forward and rested his head against the edge of the toilet, booze strong on his breath. Despite how quick he was to anger, he was of course rather good with kids, even drunk. He didn't shake her off, just sat there drawing in rapid breaths.

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

"Come on, Paislee. You wanna show him your night gown?" He asked, and she toddled back to Clae. He lured her to her room where he changed her into her night gown. She combed her hair, and he sat there making ringlets in her hair with his fingers.

"I pretty?" She asked him, and he nodded with a smile. She climbed into his lap, a yawn passing her lips. "A go tell Ryan night night." She complained, and he sighed, carrying her back into his bedroom.

"Ryan? Paislee wants to tell you goodnight." He called, standing at the door.

[ryan leonardo matson]

Ryan had managed to get into the pajama bottoms and only trip once, and finally his stomach was settled enough for him to curl up on the bed. Sweat matted his hair to his forehead, and he hadn't bothered with the blankets, lips parted faintly with his rugged and shallow breaths. He looked up at the voice, nodding faintly and managing to smile at the little girl, his high tolerance to alcohol already starting to take the edge off his drunk mind.

[thomas 'clae' claeton booker]

Clae walked over with her, setting her down on the edge of the bed. She pointed to her flowery night gown, then scooted over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She kissed his forehead, then snuggled close to him. "Night night." She told him, and Clae walked over to pick her up. She started to cry, reaching for Ryan.

"Oh, Paislee." He sighed. "Goodnight. I'm across the hall if you need me." He told him, then walked out with a crying Paislee.

[ryan leonardo matson]

"Good..night..." Ryan mumbled, gently running a hand through her hair. He watched her start to cry and bit his lip, nodded at Clae's words. He had spoken to him sober at school plenty, they often got stuck doing a lot together. He had had his ideas who he was, but had never said anything. And even drunk right now he felt like he was intruding. He closed his eyes, soon asleep. But sleep was never good anymore, riddled with nightmares and memories. He tossed and turned, waking in a sweat throughout the night. He always did.