just_muse_me | 27.1.1. Anon quote
27.1.1. "We were given: Two hands to hold. To legs to walk. Two eyes to see. Two ears to listen. But why only one heart? Because the other was given to someone else. For us to find." - Anon
Co-written with tartanqueer
Ryan was trying to wrap his head around the fact he was actually on a date. Logistically, he usually didn't have time to scratch himself, but here he was was and had actually managed to clear his schedule for the event he had been unsure would even happen. Hayden was safely at his grandparents place, both of them desperate to see him and spend time with him after their holiday. They had missed him, and Ryan knew Hayden had missed them. To make up for it, Ryan had agreed that Hayden could spend the weekend with his grandparents. It gave Ryan a much-needed breather and also the opportunity to tell Iain he had the weekend free... if they wanted to catch up. Iain had immediately, and without hesitation, suggested they give that date a shot. He was more than happy to head home from Surrey, especially considering his brother was in the throes of packing for the cruise and due to depart on Monday. His other brother, the one with marital issues, could take care of himself at Iain's place with the remote control and a few healthy six packs.
Their day in Surrey with Hayden had been a success. There had been nothing heavy about it, and mostly just spent the time enjoying the fresh air, playing football and chatting while Hayden ran around like a typical nine year old lad with more energy than his Dad could keep up with. He had loads of fun with Iain, and Iain managed to keep up with him, listening and interacting with him. It made a nice change. Most of the people Ryan had tried seeing in the past got awkward and stiff around his son, leaving Hayden automatically not liking them and telling his Dad outright of the fact. If Hayden didn't like someone Ryan dated, there was no way he could continue the relationship. His boy came first, and he always figured relationships were just a lost cause.
Until now, where he found himself sitting in a nice restaurant across from Iain after they had just ordered and the waiter had brought over a bottle of fine red that Iain had selected from his extensive experience running a restaurant. He knew what was good and what sucked, where Ryan usually just picked from the price tag. He sipped his wine, nodding in appreciation and wetting his lips as he swallowed. "That's awesome, good choice," he said, shooting Iain a smile. "I meant to ask, how's your brother? You were well worried about him with that stomach bug the day in Surrey. Did it all pan out okay? What about your baby brother? It all going well?"
Iain grinned a little as he raised his glass in a partial toast. "Cheers, love. Cannae complain too much. Havenae spent all this time in the restaurant business to nay learn a think, or two about wine. I'm nay an expert, or tooting my own horn, but I have learned what tastes good. I'm glad you like it, too." He took a sip before he smiled again, and reached out to briefly touch Ryan's hand. He had been more than glad that Ryan and Hayden had made it up to Surrey. The day spent with them had been enough to give Iain a hit of what he'd been missing. Especially since he'd watched his own little brother take his boyfriend out into the hallway to give him a handjob. "Aye, aye... he's a lot better. I think he just needed a wee hit of Evans family love. Cannae blame the lad. He's been having nightmares aboot his lover being dead. That's the baby brother. The slightly less baby brother didnae have such a good run for a wee while, but he seems to be better now he's back hame."
Ryan watched Iain's hand and then with a smile, turned his over so their fingers loosely linked together on the table. His other hand was still dancing around the neck of the wine glass and he would be lying if he didn't admit he had been nervous about tonight. He had gone into work during the day knowing Hayden was in good hands to try and catch up from paperwork, but he had been distracted, his mind continuously turning back to what might come that night. He was a little at a loss without Hayden, too. It was a while since his social life didn't involve his son, but he knew this was more than healthy. He just had to get back into the groove again. "I bet your big brother skills were just finely polished. It sounds liked they definitely needed you around for awhile... but on the same token, I know you were needing to spend time with them too. I got that hint when you were taking care of Hayden. You don't like being away from them too long, do you?"
Iain held up his free hand as he chuckled. "I'm that obvious? Aye, I dinnae like being away from them for too long at all. I dinnae like not knowing what's going on. If they're okay. I've had them right there with me most of their lives, and I just always need that visual confirmation that they're okay, like. Dinnae believe them until I see it with my own eyes. Nay that I want them to think I'm hovering, either. I dinnae really know how to explain it. They're my brothers, aye? How's Hayden?"
"It's not a bad thing that you're obvious about your brothers. In fact, I think it's pretty damn cool. You're protective of them, and you really can't beat that. Family is important, and I know from the sounds of it yours has been having a rough patch lately. I can vouch for that with your youngest. His lover suffered quite some serious injuries, he was barely hanging on when we got him over from the public hospital. Strangely enough, your brother stuck in my head a lot. I worried how he was coping because people don't usually come out of something like that with some sort of strain mentally. A few angry outbursts, and I knew he wasn't dealing so well. But I never did see you there, I must've been off doing some secret hospital business," Ryan said with a small laugh. "He's doing good, much better. His grandparents are home now, obviously, so he's over the moon. Grandparents back from holidays inevitably mean a shit load of presents. Hayden will keep them busy firing questions at them all weekend, and I get to finally chill out and put my feet up."
"Do you ever really chill?" Iain couldn't help but ask with a small smirk. "Still cannae believe you were there, and that you know Stuart and Tom. It can be such a wee world sometimes. There's all these wee links we dinnae realise are really there. I just wanted to protect Stuart from anything like that, but I couldnae. I couldnae help him other than just sitting there and waiting. Now I cannae really protect him while he's asleep, but just try and talk him through it the best I can. At least I'll be in London now. Oh, aye, grandparent gifts. I mind those. I still mind them when Nana gives us something."
Ryan laughed and shrugged. "I manage it sometimes, just not very often. When you've got a kid, you tend to be always listen with one ear, no matter what they're doing. It's like a built-in radar so you can snap into gear if they ever get into any trouble. Hayden isn't a chilly kid, either. I mean, he can be. He'll have his quiet and calm moments, sad moments, lethargic moments, but in general, he's sparking and keeping me on my toes. I do what I have to, too. I don't want him growing up with half a functioning brain because all he does is watch TV and play computers games like some kids these days. If he wants to go out and kick a footy or toss a frisbee, I'll do it, even if I'm knackered." He sipped his wine again and nodded slowly. "It is a small world, but then, we're one of the top private hospitals in London and Thomas has the cash. It wasn't a hard leap. We could offer him the privacy, too. Didn't stop the media trying to get a piece of him, though. Also coupled with the fact Ethan Williamson was a regular visitor, my head didn't stop spinning that week, I swear."
"I'm sure they appreciated the fact you battled so hard to keep the media out. I know Stuart does, and I know I do. I couldnae imagine what would have happened if my brother's personal life was invaded like that. I dinnae think he would have coped well seeing Tom all over the pages of the paper, and the TV. They've needed their time together. They've both needed to heal. I willnae ever deny them the space like that. I cannae say I'll always be so supportive of my wee brother being such a sexual deviant, though." He shook his head with a chuckle, and raised his free hand up to scratch at the corner of his mouth. "I really do admire the way you take care of him. I'm glad to see he knows how to kick a proper footy. Nay any other kind of football. He'll grow up just fine, Ryan."
Ryan reflexively glanced around to make sure they had their privacy and no one was listening in on their conversation. The restaurant had the tables at an intimate distance, though, and it wasn't intrusive in any way. "They deserved to have their privacy. It's not something a public hospital can guarantee, understandably. It was a huge thing. He was probably the most prominently placed patient I've ever had to deal with. Then to have him come under police watch because he was technically a suspect, having people stopping my staff in the streets hissing at them to pull the plug on him-" He stopped and gave Iain's hand a squeeze. "I'm sorry, you probably didn't need details like that. Not when he's hovering in the realms of being your brother-in-law. The general public are fickle, though. They believe what they papers are saying, and in a case like that, when there is no info being offered, the media makes it up to fill their columns. Should I ask about the sexual deviancy?" he laughed, trying to shift the tone of the conversation if Iain wanted it. "The lad wants to play at school. He's got visions of playing professionally, like most sporty kids do. In fact, I got a right healthy interrogation about whether, uh... whether you would come watch him play sometime if he joined the team."
Iain cleared his throat before his eyebrows furrowed. "They told your staff to pull the plug? Jesus. I dinnae ever want Stuart hearing that. Ever. I dinnae care aboot hearing those details, but this is where I can protect him. I dinnae think those people are ever going to feel bad for thinking that about him, either. They'll just carry on and nay think aboot him ever again. He'll just be a nostalgic fact, or something. That lawyer that almost went doon for murder." Iain tried to relax again, taking the change of subject along with the discussion about the accident. He could do both sides of the spectrum. "Probably nay, but I cannae fault my brother. We all get a little horny when we're pished. Stu had Tom out in the hallway giving him a handjob after the lad only just walked in the room. I think he'd nay ever seen Tom in glasses before. Oh, aye? Professional? He should meet Cal sometime. He'll be able to interrogate him all he wants. Aye, of course I would. I'd love to."
Ryan watched Iain in concern and pressed his lips together apologetically. "I really am sorry. I think it's better to talk about this sort of thing, though. It gets it out in the open and doesn't make it some covert unavoidable thing that just creates tension. If it's any consolation, the papers have been painting Tom in a much more positive light, as the victim. Doesn't sound like a positive thing, but it hasn't tarnished his reputation in any way. Just a blip in the system, really. He's now the lawyer who was nearly framed for murder. Whole different ball game. It's a good thing they've been away from it, though. By the time they get back from the holiday, it'll be old news. How did you get on with the guy? Did you have an urge to kill him or hurt him?" he asked in amusement. "Did you bond with him? I know it musn't have been easy, or easy from his view, either with, what, three brothers swooping on him? Cal, he's the Scottish Premier League player, right? See, I'm following now, remembering the names. Hayden would think all his Christmases had come at once. He follows the English and the Scottish games."
Iain gave Ryan's hand a squeeze, and winked at him as he smiled in appreciation of his date getting it. "Aye, aye... I cannae really argue there, but I still just want to protect him as much as possible. Let him get the distance he needs before he starts to find this stuff out. He needs to know Tom's alive and well, and that nay anyone's pulling the plug. He cannae die, he willnae die. I think Stuart's scared of losing him still. He still blames himself because he was the one to go arrest Tom, and bring him in for questioning." Iain took a sip of his wine. "Ach, nay, I didnae kill him. He makes my brother happy, and turns him into a Cassanova. Cannae complain. I think we bonded a wee bit once he stopped hiding. He handled us all pretty well, although after that first night there was really only two of us to contend with. Aye, that's right! You are getting it. Hearts are the only team I care aboot."
"He doesn't need to know any of it. At least not yet. But he's a copper, I'll bet a month's wages on the fact he'll start asking questions and looking for all the missing answers sooner or later. He won't be able to help it, and he probably won't put the whole thing to rest until he does. Probably sort of similar to a military mind. If he ever wants to talk to me about any of it, from my view point, he's more than welcome. I'll help him out where I can if he wants it, that is," Ryan told him. "You haven't seen your kid brother all horny and deviant like that before? Or is it just because it's with a bloke, or a potentially serious love interest? I doubt it would be easy just trusting your baby brother with anyone. You'd want to know all about them before it got serious. I'm dreading the day Hayden starts dating. I'm not sure I'll trust anyone or think anyone will be good enough for him." He paused and cleared his throat. "I just wanted to say that if the kid's getting too full on for you, just let me know, okay? He's been asking a lot of curvy questions and he's getting attached to you. From your angle, I know it's probably made you stop and think a few things."
Iain nodded. "Oh, aye, I know he will. He willnae rest once his mind starts kicking over with questions, and stops fearing the worst. He probably needs to be back on the job, but he cannae until he's more comfortable inside. He's still got his cruise, so the leave will last a little longer. Cheers, I'll let him know aboot the offer. Cannae thank you enough for everything. I'm glad it was you Tom was under the care of." Iain smirked as he rest his fingers against the bottom of his wine glass. "Nay, it's nay the bloke thing. I think it was for Gus, but he'll just want our wee brother happy. I think it's more that he hasnae ever been so open with someone. I dinnae know how to explain it. He's nay ever minded PDA, but I dinnae think it's ever been like this. There's something different, like. I think it's the fact that he's really fallen hard. I cannae even imagine a kid dating. It was bad enough just watching my brothers. First there was Cal. He wasnae such a worry in the end. Gus has been... interesting," he chuckled. "Brades has always been the quiet gentleman, even as a teenager. And Stu wasnae always much different. He just was the first of them to swing between blokes and lassies. I willnae blame you for never thinking there's nay one for Hayden." Iain paused as he'd gone to lift his glass again, and gave a shake of his head. "Nay, nay he isnae too much. I mean, aye, I've had to stop and think a few things. I was paranoid I'd break the kid, or something, and I didnae ever want to hurt him. Or you. I just... I want this. I want to try, and I want everything that comes with it."
"He's young, too. Worked his way quick up the ranks to detective, so that's that just telling that he's good at what he does. The trauma might have affected him psychologically and emotionally, but he'll claw it back, even if he needs some more time away or counselling or whatever it takes. In fact, both him and his lover might need counselling, or even Ethan, Tom's best mate. When you nearly lose a loved one in a situation like this, completely out of the blue, you can't stop it affecting your mind and your usual coping mechanisms falter... at risk of sounding like a doctor," Ryan added with a smirk as he glanced at a passing waitress. "Plus, it can't have been easy trying to start out a new relationship with that all dumped on them. It's probably given Stuart a wake up call, he's not holding back because of the fear he might lose Tom again. But that's not a bad thing, it just means that instead of the strain splitting them up to the point of no return, it's done the opposite and brought them closer together. And I can vouch for nursing someone through a serious injury or illness isn't easy. No holds barred there. It's like cutting yourself open and baring your soul to them. He seems on the right track, but you're still worried about your other brothers. Three of them all facing emotional things simultaneously... you've gotta be wondering which way your big brother eyes need to turn first, who you're supposed to be trying to catch first." He offered Iain an encouraging smile over the table and shook his head. "You can't break him, I promise. He might abruptly break himself occasionally, but he's a kid, it's what they do. I just... I've done the whole single parent support groups and social groups and all that shit. Never worked for me, I preferred to tough it out and find my feet on my own. But without a doubt, a common thread they all kept warning me about was a kid getting attached to a potential love interest a lot more than you could get attached to them and then the kid gets hurt when the relationship fails... or the love interest feels an obligation to stick around because of the kid even if the relationship isn't that sparking... And I'm not implying at all that any of that is going down here. Just one of the many things I'm aware of."
"Personally I'm glad you sound like a doctor, it actually helps me keep my head on straight and nay go into a big brother flap. I'm sure I seem incredibly unshakeable, but I'm nay really. Cannae help but lose it sometimes," Iain revealed with a sheepish look. "I'm just good at nay losing it in front of my brothers. Aye, it's true... I dinnae really know where I'm supposed to look first, or even if I should look. Sometimes they dinnae want me catching them. I think I know Stu's fine. He's where he needs to be. Now I just have to watch Brades and Gus. Brades will keep telling us he's fine, but I'm nay so sure." Iain rubbed his thumb against Ryan's fingers as he looked down at their hands. "I've nay looked after anyone like that in a long while. Or vice versa. Cannae say I'd know how I'd deal with it, but looking after Hayden was close, like. Only he was a wee little soul. I wouldnae ever want anything to hurt him. I couldnae bare it. Especially if it was me that hurt him, aye? I dinnae want to hurt you, either. I'm getting quite attached to the both of you. But I get why you'd be aware of those things, and I dinnae hold it against you. I just want to prove you wrong," he added with a smile.
Ryan watched Iain over the table with an intrigued smile. "You just really need to chill of the worrying about hurting him thing, okay? Kids sense that sort of stuff. Hayden especially. He has like a sixth sense that seems to manage to zero right in on people's feelings. He's just..." He paused and scratched his fingers through his hair with a laugh. "Kid's doing my head in right now with all the questions. I wasn't joking when I said they were curvy. They're also pretty to the point. Life seems so easy through the eyes of a nine year old. When I try to see the same perspective through the eyes of a thirty-two year old, it all gets skewed. And just for the record, you really did do an anwesome job with Hayden when he was sick. I'm sure you'd rock it just as much with an adult. You did fine with your brother this past week, right? Same deal, only not your brother. If you've got the mojo, you've got the mojo."
"Maybe I missed my calling?" Iain suggested with a smirk. "Could have been a nurse, like. You wouldn't be the only one getting to wear those sexy scrubs. I hope I havenae caused too many of the curly questions, but if I have, I dinnae mind trying to answer some of them. I liked getting his call while I was in Surrey. I just dinnae hope I sounded too pissed. I still remember trying my best to sound sober. Nay that I'm all that different when pished. I didnae have you to get inappropriate with."
Ryan smirked and waved his hand a little. "Hey, it's one thing cleaning up a loved-one's puke, but it's entirely another story to sit through Med School for five years to clean up a stranger's." He raised his eyebrows a little at Iain's offer and then cleared his throat. "Is Iain your boyfriend, Daddy? Do you like him? Daddy, do you love Iain? Do you want to kiss him? Is Iain going to stay over again, Daddy? To name a few," he added, scratching his forehead with the edge of his thumb. "Awkward, huh? I don't think he noticed any different, which isn't in any offense to you. I applaud your acting skills."
Iain grinned. "I was in the Scottish Play once in high school. I got rave reviews, and my shag. The boy was a Shakespeare nut. He just wanted in my tights. I didnae even mind wearing them. They made my dick look awesome." His mouth fell open just a little bit before he started to laugh. "Ach, Jesus! I cannae blame you for getting uncomfortable with those kinds of questions. I dinnae even know where to start. Other than I hope you could at least answer the one about liking me, and wanting to kiss me. And I would stay over again if you'd have me. He doesnae mind?"
"I didn't want to preemptively answer them and get his hopes up," Ryan had to admit with a smile. "That doesn't mean my mind wasn't working overtime to answer them as they were being fired at me. I got worried he was well attached too quickly and it would scare you off. Kids see the world through rose-coloured glasses and don't realise that words like 'love' and 'boyfriend' and 'kissing' can actually make some grown adult want to wet their pants in anxiety."
Iain arched an eyebrow. "Are you wetting your jocks now in anxiety?"
Ryan pressed his lips together and shook his head. "No. I thought you might be."
Iain gave a shake of his head, his gaze locked with Ryan's. "I thought a wee bit of pee came out while I was up in Surrey trying to explain it to Stuart, but I was wrong. I'm nay scared. I really do want this. I want all of it."
Ryan laughed, shaking his head in amusement. "Sorry, I know I shouldn't laugh but I bet your brother was just as nervous about you getting on with his other half as you were trying to explain this. Did he take it okay, or did he give you the third degree about it? And just for the record, I'm okay with it too. I can't promise I'm always going to be perfect, or in a great mood, because I won't, but I'll try not to take it out on you," he promised.
Iain raised his hand. "Dinnae worry aboot it. I'm nay always in the greatest of moods. Once the restaurant opens I'll be something else entirely. I'll be working a fair few nights, and I can get cranky when it's nay going well." He raised his glass in a toast. "Here's to us then, aye? And he's nay giving me the third degree. Just worried aboot me. Cannae blame him, and nay ever will. He's concerned you were just looking to off load your kid."
Ryan quirked his eyebrow just a little. "He thinks I hate my kid?" he asked with a smirk. "Well, that's a new one."
Iain cleared his throat. "Nay, more like he thinks you're taking advantage of my willingness to take care of him when I'd barely known you."
Ryan glanced away, unable to do much to really hide the discontent the comment raised within him. It was a sore point, and he still felt rotten leaving Hayden when he was ill for the sake of work. He just couldn't afford to lose the job. If he did, it would mean moving out of London, and moving Hayden away from the only family he knew. "Next time, I'll tell my kid to make sure he gets sick on my day off," was all he said quietly.
Iain frowned and reached out to cover Ryan's hand with his other one, and gave it a squeeze. "Hey, I'm nay complaining. Do I look like I'm complaining? I already had a few words with Stu about it. Several over the weekend. You werenae taking advantage, I offered. He's just doing the brother thing. He doesnae mean to stick the boot in, aye? I dinnae want to change any of this. Any of how it happened."
Ryan looked back to Iain to meet his eyes. There was a little less animation in his face now, but he held up his hand in apology. "It should probably be known, that the biggest and quickest way to put me in a bad or less than perfect mood is to start knocking my fathering skills. It's hard enough trying to pull it off every day and know that sometimes, I'm barely hanging on by the skin of my teeth. But to actually hear that someone thinks I suck as a father... it's not ever gonna go down well. Call it my Achilles Heel."
"He doesn't think you suck," Iain quickly said as he leaned over the table, his eyes searching Ryan's. "He was just worried, aye? Didnae mean anything. I'll give him a wedgie when I see him to teach him a lesson. He'll realise when he meets you that it isnae you. That you're a great dad. Which you are. I'm still in awe."
Ryan maintained the eye contact as he took a sip of wine from his glass. Better to try and wash away the anxiety that Iain's family were going to hate him with booze. If the little brother already thought along those lines, the rest of the family would be the same, right? "Teach him a lesson for an opinion?" he had to asked when he set the glass back down. "Well, if my evil genius plan succeeds, he might have a full time nine year old nephew on his hands and I can... run away and join the military or something."
"You've already been in the military," Iain pointed out. He wasn't smiling anymore. Something deep in his gut was twisting, and he just wanted to make it stop. He wanted to stop Ryan from hurting. "Gus doesnae mind, Brades was giving me pointers for kiddies. He was only asking, I reassured him that you're nay being a... whatever. I dinnae want you to feel like he hates you, or anything. He doesnae."
Ryan quirked his eyebrows a little. "My point exactly. You know, there are not many people in life who can say they have mapped out their lives exactly how they wanted or anticipated. Probably no one, even. Mine is certainly right up there on the list. Would I have chosen this life if I got sent back in time for a do-over? No, probably not. I would have been ashamed to admit that once, thinking I was betraying Hayden. But it's the truth. I wouldn't have wanted to knock my girlfriend up just months before we split. I wouldn't have wanted her to die of cancer. I wouldn't have wanted my kid to grow up without his mom. I wouldn't have wanted to just be scraping by to give him everything he needs. But it's brought me all here, and this is my life. I wouldn't change it now for the world, but there are parts of it - and me - I'm not proud of. You were amazing with Hayden and I really, really appreciated the help and the opportunity to save my ass. But I can't lie, and I mean this is no way offensive to you. There was a few moments there initially that me considering to leave him with you out of the blue like that would've... been right up there with your brother questioning his boyfriend for murder. But sometimes you just have to take a course of action that is the safest and best to protect someone, not always the easiest. Your brother needs to see that I could have done a whole lot worse to you and your trust than just ask you to sit with my puking kid."
Iain raised his hand and gave his fingers a brief wave. "Seriously dinnae worry about it. I get it. It's not offending me. I would've been wondering more if you hadnae doubted the choice, or doubted me. I still dinnae really know what made me offer, but I guess there are some good things in life you cannae fight. There's just an instant recognition somewhere deep down that tells you it's a good thing, that it's right. That if you do this... you might find something special. And I think I really have. I dinnae want to jinx anything, but I could fall head over heels for you, love. Probably already have. I feel the same about Hayden. I do anything for him. I just want you both to meet my brothers so there's nay worry aboot whether or not they like you. Of course they will. They're just trying to play devil's advocate so I'm sure I know what I'm getting into. They'll love you."
Ryan watched Iain closely over the small, intimate table as he listened to him talk. He let his fingers brush softly over Iain's hand. "This is the first time I've ever actually been faced with the notion of meeting a lover's family. I didn't even meet Emily's parents until we had split and I came here to England when she was sick, it wasn't that same sort of thing. It just feels like something massive for me to meet them and to get along with them. Not massive for me, for you... us. I was scared for a moment there I had fucked it up just by being me," he admitted and then softly cleared his throat. "Stay with me tonight. Come back to my place. Just us. We need a chance to explore that part of it without family distractions."
Iain's lips were thin for a moment, but only because he was still sure he might have fucked up with Ryan by telling him about the conversation with Stuart. Only Ryan was still holding his hand, and he was still asking him to stay. Iain's shoulders relaxed again, and he gave a nod before the familiar smirk was back in place. "Aye, alright. You dinnae really need to twist my arm there."
"Forgive me for being an oversensitive prick?" Ryan asked with a smirk and squeezed Iain's hand. "I just need to figure out how to pull off the seduction tactics without tripping over a Lego set or finding a Buzz Lightyear up your butt. And for some reason I'm thinking chicken nuggets aren't quite the aphrodisiac that oysters are," he joked.
Iain raised his eyebrows before he started to chuckle, the sound deep as it emanated from within his chest. "You know, I did once have a Buzz Lightyear up my butt, but I'm nay thinking this is the same one. Kids characters arenae sacred in the sex toy world. I dinnae mind chicken nuggets so much, like. I actually cannae stand oysters."
Ryan laughed as he looked at Iain in disbelief. "Okay, new rule. I get to choose the sex toys if we ever want to experiment with them. I can tolerate a lot of things, but my kid's favourite cartoon character up my ass isn't one of them," he said with a smirk. "Scratch the oysters. How about ice cream with sprinkles for pre-foreplay?"
Iain grinned as he winked at Ryan. "Aye, deal. I dinnae have any complaints aboot letting you choose. You know what? I would love ice cream with sprinkles for pre-foreplay. And maybe chocolate sauce?"
Word Count | 5,829
Co-written with tartanqueer
Ryan was trying to wrap his head around the fact he was actually on a date. Logistically, he usually didn't have time to scratch himself, but here he was was and had actually managed to clear his schedule for the event he had been unsure would even happen. Hayden was safely at his grandparents place, both of them desperate to see him and spend time with him after their holiday. They had missed him, and Ryan knew Hayden had missed them. To make up for it, Ryan had agreed that Hayden could spend the weekend with his grandparents. It gave Ryan a much-needed breather and also the opportunity to tell Iain he had the weekend free... if they wanted to catch up. Iain had immediately, and without hesitation, suggested they give that date a shot. He was more than happy to head home from Surrey, especially considering his brother was in the throes of packing for the cruise and due to depart on Monday. His other brother, the one with marital issues, could take care of himself at Iain's place with the remote control and a few healthy six packs.
Their day in Surrey with Hayden had been a success. There had been nothing heavy about it, and mostly just spent the time enjoying the fresh air, playing football and chatting while Hayden ran around like a typical nine year old lad with more energy than his Dad could keep up with. He had loads of fun with Iain, and Iain managed to keep up with him, listening and interacting with him. It made a nice change. Most of the people Ryan had tried seeing in the past got awkward and stiff around his son, leaving Hayden automatically not liking them and telling his Dad outright of the fact. If Hayden didn't like someone Ryan dated, there was no way he could continue the relationship. His boy came first, and he always figured relationships were just a lost cause.
Until now, where he found himself sitting in a nice restaurant across from Iain after they had just ordered and the waiter had brought over a bottle of fine red that Iain had selected from his extensive experience running a restaurant. He knew what was good and what sucked, where Ryan usually just picked from the price tag. He sipped his wine, nodding in appreciation and wetting his lips as he swallowed. "That's awesome, good choice," he said, shooting Iain a smile. "I meant to ask, how's your brother? You were well worried about him with that stomach bug the day in Surrey. Did it all pan out okay? What about your baby brother? It all going well?"
Iain grinned a little as he raised his glass in a partial toast. "Cheers, love. Cannae complain too much. Havenae spent all this time in the restaurant business to nay learn a think, or two about wine. I'm nay an expert, or tooting my own horn, but I have learned what tastes good. I'm glad you like it, too." He took a sip before he smiled again, and reached out to briefly touch Ryan's hand. He had been more than glad that Ryan and Hayden had made it up to Surrey. The day spent with them had been enough to give Iain a hit of what he'd been missing. Especially since he'd watched his own little brother take his boyfriend out into the hallway to give him a handjob. "Aye, aye... he's a lot better. I think he just needed a wee hit of Evans family love. Cannae blame the lad. He's been having nightmares aboot his lover being dead. That's the baby brother. The slightly less baby brother didnae have such a good run for a wee while, but he seems to be better now he's back hame."
Ryan watched Iain's hand and then with a smile, turned his over so their fingers loosely linked together on the table. His other hand was still dancing around the neck of the wine glass and he would be lying if he didn't admit he had been nervous about tonight. He had gone into work during the day knowing Hayden was in good hands to try and catch up from paperwork, but he had been distracted, his mind continuously turning back to what might come that night. He was a little at a loss without Hayden, too. It was a while since his social life didn't involve his son, but he knew this was more than healthy. He just had to get back into the groove again. "I bet your big brother skills were just finely polished. It sounds liked they definitely needed you around for awhile... but on the same token, I know you were needing to spend time with them too. I got that hint when you were taking care of Hayden. You don't like being away from them too long, do you?"
Iain held up his free hand as he chuckled. "I'm that obvious? Aye, I dinnae like being away from them for too long at all. I dinnae like not knowing what's going on. If they're okay. I've had them right there with me most of their lives, and I just always need that visual confirmation that they're okay, like. Dinnae believe them until I see it with my own eyes. Nay that I want them to think I'm hovering, either. I dinnae really know how to explain it. They're my brothers, aye? How's Hayden?"
"It's not a bad thing that you're obvious about your brothers. In fact, I think it's pretty damn cool. You're protective of them, and you really can't beat that. Family is important, and I know from the sounds of it yours has been having a rough patch lately. I can vouch for that with your youngest. His lover suffered quite some serious injuries, he was barely hanging on when we got him over from the public hospital. Strangely enough, your brother stuck in my head a lot. I worried how he was coping because people don't usually come out of something like that with some sort of strain mentally. A few angry outbursts, and I knew he wasn't dealing so well. But I never did see you there, I must've been off doing some secret hospital business," Ryan said with a small laugh. "He's doing good, much better. His grandparents are home now, obviously, so he's over the moon. Grandparents back from holidays inevitably mean a shit load of presents. Hayden will keep them busy firing questions at them all weekend, and I get to finally chill out and put my feet up."
"Do you ever really chill?" Iain couldn't help but ask with a small smirk. "Still cannae believe you were there, and that you know Stuart and Tom. It can be such a wee world sometimes. There's all these wee links we dinnae realise are really there. I just wanted to protect Stuart from anything like that, but I couldnae. I couldnae help him other than just sitting there and waiting. Now I cannae really protect him while he's asleep, but just try and talk him through it the best I can. At least I'll be in London now. Oh, aye, grandparent gifts. I mind those. I still mind them when Nana gives us something."
Ryan laughed and shrugged. "I manage it sometimes, just not very often. When you've got a kid, you tend to be always listen with one ear, no matter what they're doing. It's like a built-in radar so you can snap into gear if they ever get into any trouble. Hayden isn't a chilly kid, either. I mean, he can be. He'll have his quiet and calm moments, sad moments, lethargic moments, but in general, he's sparking and keeping me on my toes. I do what I have to, too. I don't want him growing up with half a functioning brain because all he does is watch TV and play computers games like some kids these days. If he wants to go out and kick a footy or toss a frisbee, I'll do it, even if I'm knackered." He sipped his wine again and nodded slowly. "It is a small world, but then, we're one of the top private hospitals in London and Thomas has the cash. It wasn't a hard leap. We could offer him the privacy, too. Didn't stop the media trying to get a piece of him, though. Also coupled with the fact Ethan Williamson was a regular visitor, my head didn't stop spinning that week, I swear."
"I'm sure they appreciated the fact you battled so hard to keep the media out. I know Stuart does, and I know I do. I couldnae imagine what would have happened if my brother's personal life was invaded like that. I dinnae think he would have coped well seeing Tom all over the pages of the paper, and the TV. They've needed their time together. They've both needed to heal. I willnae ever deny them the space like that. I cannae say I'll always be so supportive of my wee brother being such a sexual deviant, though." He shook his head with a chuckle, and raised his free hand up to scratch at the corner of his mouth. "I really do admire the way you take care of him. I'm glad to see he knows how to kick a proper footy. Nay any other kind of football. He'll grow up just fine, Ryan."
Ryan reflexively glanced around to make sure they had their privacy and no one was listening in on their conversation. The restaurant had the tables at an intimate distance, though, and it wasn't intrusive in any way. "They deserved to have their privacy. It's not something a public hospital can guarantee, understandably. It was a huge thing. He was probably the most prominently placed patient I've ever had to deal with. Then to have him come under police watch because he was technically a suspect, having people stopping my staff in the streets hissing at them to pull the plug on him-" He stopped and gave Iain's hand a squeeze. "I'm sorry, you probably didn't need details like that. Not when he's hovering in the realms of being your brother-in-law. The general public are fickle, though. They believe what they papers are saying, and in a case like that, when there is no info being offered, the media makes it up to fill their columns. Should I ask about the sexual deviancy?" he laughed, trying to shift the tone of the conversation if Iain wanted it. "The lad wants to play at school. He's got visions of playing professionally, like most sporty kids do. In fact, I got a right healthy interrogation about whether, uh... whether you would come watch him play sometime if he joined the team."
Iain cleared his throat before his eyebrows furrowed. "They told your staff to pull the plug? Jesus. I dinnae ever want Stuart hearing that. Ever. I dinnae care aboot hearing those details, but this is where I can protect him. I dinnae think those people are ever going to feel bad for thinking that about him, either. They'll just carry on and nay think aboot him ever again. He'll just be a nostalgic fact, or something. That lawyer that almost went doon for murder." Iain tried to relax again, taking the change of subject along with the discussion about the accident. He could do both sides of the spectrum. "Probably nay, but I cannae fault my brother. We all get a little horny when we're pished. Stu had Tom out in the hallway giving him a handjob after the lad only just walked in the room. I think he'd nay ever seen Tom in glasses before. Oh, aye? Professional? He should meet Cal sometime. He'll be able to interrogate him all he wants. Aye, of course I would. I'd love to."
Ryan watched Iain in concern and pressed his lips together apologetically. "I really am sorry. I think it's better to talk about this sort of thing, though. It gets it out in the open and doesn't make it some covert unavoidable thing that just creates tension. If it's any consolation, the papers have been painting Tom in a much more positive light, as the victim. Doesn't sound like a positive thing, but it hasn't tarnished his reputation in any way. Just a blip in the system, really. He's now the lawyer who was nearly framed for murder. Whole different ball game. It's a good thing they've been away from it, though. By the time they get back from the holiday, it'll be old news. How did you get on with the guy? Did you have an urge to kill him or hurt him?" he asked in amusement. "Did you bond with him? I know it musn't have been easy, or easy from his view, either with, what, three brothers swooping on him? Cal, he's the Scottish Premier League player, right? See, I'm following now, remembering the names. Hayden would think all his Christmases had come at once. He follows the English and the Scottish games."
Iain gave Ryan's hand a squeeze, and winked at him as he smiled in appreciation of his date getting it. "Aye, aye... I cannae really argue there, but I still just want to protect him as much as possible. Let him get the distance he needs before he starts to find this stuff out. He needs to know Tom's alive and well, and that nay anyone's pulling the plug. He cannae die, he willnae die. I think Stuart's scared of losing him still. He still blames himself because he was the one to go arrest Tom, and bring him in for questioning." Iain took a sip of his wine. "Ach, nay, I didnae kill him. He makes my brother happy, and turns him into a Cassanova. Cannae complain. I think we bonded a wee bit once he stopped hiding. He handled us all pretty well, although after that first night there was really only two of us to contend with. Aye, that's right! You are getting it. Hearts are the only team I care aboot."
"He doesn't need to know any of it. At least not yet. But he's a copper, I'll bet a month's wages on the fact he'll start asking questions and looking for all the missing answers sooner or later. He won't be able to help it, and he probably won't put the whole thing to rest until he does. Probably sort of similar to a military mind. If he ever wants to talk to me about any of it, from my view point, he's more than welcome. I'll help him out where I can if he wants it, that is," Ryan told him. "You haven't seen your kid brother all horny and deviant like that before? Or is it just because it's with a bloke, or a potentially serious love interest? I doubt it would be easy just trusting your baby brother with anyone. You'd want to know all about them before it got serious. I'm dreading the day Hayden starts dating. I'm not sure I'll trust anyone or think anyone will be good enough for him." He paused and cleared his throat. "I just wanted to say that if the kid's getting too full on for you, just let me know, okay? He's been asking a lot of curvy questions and he's getting attached to you. From your angle, I know it's probably made you stop and think a few things."
Iain nodded. "Oh, aye, I know he will. He willnae rest once his mind starts kicking over with questions, and stops fearing the worst. He probably needs to be back on the job, but he cannae until he's more comfortable inside. He's still got his cruise, so the leave will last a little longer. Cheers, I'll let him know aboot the offer. Cannae thank you enough for everything. I'm glad it was you Tom was under the care of." Iain smirked as he rest his fingers against the bottom of his wine glass. "Nay, it's nay the bloke thing. I think it was for Gus, but he'll just want our wee brother happy. I think it's more that he hasnae ever been so open with someone. I dinnae know how to explain it. He's nay ever minded PDA, but I dinnae think it's ever been like this. There's something different, like. I think it's the fact that he's really fallen hard. I cannae even imagine a kid dating. It was bad enough just watching my brothers. First there was Cal. He wasnae such a worry in the end. Gus has been... interesting," he chuckled. "Brades has always been the quiet gentleman, even as a teenager. And Stu wasnae always much different. He just was the first of them to swing between blokes and lassies. I willnae blame you for never thinking there's nay one for Hayden." Iain paused as he'd gone to lift his glass again, and gave a shake of his head. "Nay, nay he isnae too much. I mean, aye, I've had to stop and think a few things. I was paranoid I'd break the kid, or something, and I didnae ever want to hurt him. Or you. I just... I want this. I want to try, and I want everything that comes with it."
"He's young, too. Worked his way quick up the ranks to detective, so that's that just telling that he's good at what he does. The trauma might have affected him psychologically and emotionally, but he'll claw it back, even if he needs some more time away or counselling or whatever it takes. In fact, both him and his lover might need counselling, or even Ethan, Tom's best mate. When you nearly lose a loved one in a situation like this, completely out of the blue, you can't stop it affecting your mind and your usual coping mechanisms falter... at risk of sounding like a doctor," Ryan added with a smirk as he glanced at a passing waitress. "Plus, it can't have been easy trying to start out a new relationship with that all dumped on them. It's probably given Stuart a wake up call, he's not holding back because of the fear he might lose Tom again. But that's not a bad thing, it just means that instead of the strain splitting them up to the point of no return, it's done the opposite and brought them closer together. And I can vouch for nursing someone through a serious injury or illness isn't easy. No holds barred there. It's like cutting yourself open and baring your soul to them. He seems on the right track, but you're still worried about your other brothers. Three of them all facing emotional things simultaneously... you've gotta be wondering which way your big brother eyes need to turn first, who you're supposed to be trying to catch first." He offered Iain an encouraging smile over the table and shook his head. "You can't break him, I promise. He might abruptly break himself occasionally, but he's a kid, it's what they do. I just... I've done the whole single parent support groups and social groups and all that shit. Never worked for me, I preferred to tough it out and find my feet on my own. But without a doubt, a common thread they all kept warning me about was a kid getting attached to a potential love interest a lot more than you could get attached to them and then the kid gets hurt when the relationship fails... or the love interest feels an obligation to stick around because of the kid even if the relationship isn't that sparking... And I'm not implying at all that any of that is going down here. Just one of the many things I'm aware of."
"Personally I'm glad you sound like a doctor, it actually helps me keep my head on straight and nay go into a big brother flap. I'm sure I seem incredibly unshakeable, but I'm nay really. Cannae help but lose it sometimes," Iain revealed with a sheepish look. "I'm just good at nay losing it in front of my brothers. Aye, it's true... I dinnae really know where I'm supposed to look first, or even if I should look. Sometimes they dinnae want me catching them. I think I know Stu's fine. He's where he needs to be. Now I just have to watch Brades and Gus. Brades will keep telling us he's fine, but I'm nay so sure." Iain rubbed his thumb against Ryan's fingers as he looked down at their hands. "I've nay looked after anyone like that in a long while. Or vice versa. Cannae say I'd know how I'd deal with it, but looking after Hayden was close, like. Only he was a wee little soul. I wouldnae ever want anything to hurt him. I couldnae bare it. Especially if it was me that hurt him, aye? I dinnae want to hurt you, either. I'm getting quite attached to the both of you. But I get why you'd be aware of those things, and I dinnae hold it against you. I just want to prove you wrong," he added with a smile.
Ryan watched Iain over the table with an intrigued smile. "You just really need to chill of the worrying about hurting him thing, okay? Kids sense that sort of stuff. Hayden especially. He has like a sixth sense that seems to manage to zero right in on people's feelings. He's just..." He paused and scratched his fingers through his hair with a laugh. "Kid's doing my head in right now with all the questions. I wasn't joking when I said they were curvy. They're also pretty to the point. Life seems so easy through the eyes of a nine year old. When I try to see the same perspective through the eyes of a thirty-two year old, it all gets skewed. And just for the record, you really did do an anwesome job with Hayden when he was sick. I'm sure you'd rock it just as much with an adult. You did fine with your brother this past week, right? Same deal, only not your brother. If you've got the mojo, you've got the mojo."
"Maybe I missed my calling?" Iain suggested with a smirk. "Could have been a nurse, like. You wouldn't be the only one getting to wear those sexy scrubs. I hope I havenae caused too many of the curly questions, but if I have, I dinnae mind trying to answer some of them. I liked getting his call while I was in Surrey. I just dinnae hope I sounded too pissed. I still remember trying my best to sound sober. Nay that I'm all that different when pished. I didnae have you to get inappropriate with."
Ryan smirked and waved his hand a little. "Hey, it's one thing cleaning up a loved-one's puke, but it's entirely another story to sit through Med School for five years to clean up a stranger's." He raised his eyebrows a little at Iain's offer and then cleared his throat. "Is Iain your boyfriend, Daddy? Do you like him? Daddy, do you love Iain? Do you want to kiss him? Is Iain going to stay over again, Daddy? To name a few," he added, scratching his forehead with the edge of his thumb. "Awkward, huh? I don't think he noticed any different, which isn't in any offense to you. I applaud your acting skills."
Iain grinned. "I was in the Scottish Play once in high school. I got rave reviews, and my shag. The boy was a Shakespeare nut. He just wanted in my tights. I didnae even mind wearing them. They made my dick look awesome." His mouth fell open just a little bit before he started to laugh. "Ach, Jesus! I cannae blame you for getting uncomfortable with those kinds of questions. I dinnae even know where to start. Other than I hope you could at least answer the one about liking me, and wanting to kiss me. And I would stay over again if you'd have me. He doesnae mind?"
"I didn't want to preemptively answer them and get his hopes up," Ryan had to admit with a smile. "That doesn't mean my mind wasn't working overtime to answer them as they were being fired at me. I got worried he was well attached too quickly and it would scare you off. Kids see the world through rose-coloured glasses and don't realise that words like 'love' and 'boyfriend' and 'kissing' can actually make some grown adult want to wet their pants in anxiety."
Iain arched an eyebrow. "Are you wetting your jocks now in anxiety?"
Ryan pressed his lips together and shook his head. "No. I thought you might be."
Iain gave a shake of his head, his gaze locked with Ryan's. "I thought a wee bit of pee came out while I was up in Surrey trying to explain it to Stuart, but I was wrong. I'm nay scared. I really do want this. I want all of it."
Ryan laughed, shaking his head in amusement. "Sorry, I know I shouldn't laugh but I bet your brother was just as nervous about you getting on with his other half as you were trying to explain this. Did he take it okay, or did he give you the third degree about it? And just for the record, I'm okay with it too. I can't promise I'm always going to be perfect, or in a great mood, because I won't, but I'll try not to take it out on you," he promised.
Iain raised his hand. "Dinnae worry aboot it. I'm nay always in the greatest of moods. Once the restaurant opens I'll be something else entirely. I'll be working a fair few nights, and I can get cranky when it's nay going well." He raised his glass in a toast. "Here's to us then, aye? And he's nay giving me the third degree. Just worried aboot me. Cannae blame him, and nay ever will. He's concerned you were just looking to off load your kid."
Ryan quirked his eyebrow just a little. "He thinks I hate my kid?" he asked with a smirk. "Well, that's a new one."
Iain cleared his throat. "Nay, more like he thinks you're taking advantage of my willingness to take care of him when I'd barely known you."
Ryan glanced away, unable to do much to really hide the discontent the comment raised within him. It was a sore point, and he still felt rotten leaving Hayden when he was ill for the sake of work. He just couldn't afford to lose the job. If he did, it would mean moving out of London, and moving Hayden away from the only family he knew. "Next time, I'll tell my kid to make sure he gets sick on my day off," was all he said quietly.
Iain frowned and reached out to cover Ryan's hand with his other one, and gave it a squeeze. "Hey, I'm nay complaining. Do I look like I'm complaining? I already had a few words with Stu about it. Several over the weekend. You werenae taking advantage, I offered. He's just doing the brother thing. He doesnae mean to stick the boot in, aye? I dinnae want to change any of this. Any of how it happened."
Ryan looked back to Iain to meet his eyes. There was a little less animation in his face now, but he held up his hand in apology. "It should probably be known, that the biggest and quickest way to put me in a bad or less than perfect mood is to start knocking my fathering skills. It's hard enough trying to pull it off every day and know that sometimes, I'm barely hanging on by the skin of my teeth. But to actually hear that someone thinks I suck as a father... it's not ever gonna go down well. Call it my Achilles Heel."
"He doesn't think you suck," Iain quickly said as he leaned over the table, his eyes searching Ryan's. "He was just worried, aye? Didnae mean anything. I'll give him a wedgie when I see him to teach him a lesson. He'll realise when he meets you that it isnae you. That you're a great dad. Which you are. I'm still in awe."
Ryan maintained the eye contact as he took a sip of wine from his glass. Better to try and wash away the anxiety that Iain's family were going to hate him with booze. If the little brother already thought along those lines, the rest of the family would be the same, right? "Teach him a lesson for an opinion?" he had to asked when he set the glass back down. "Well, if my evil genius plan succeeds, he might have a full time nine year old nephew on his hands and I can... run away and join the military or something."
"You've already been in the military," Iain pointed out. He wasn't smiling anymore. Something deep in his gut was twisting, and he just wanted to make it stop. He wanted to stop Ryan from hurting. "Gus doesnae mind, Brades was giving me pointers for kiddies. He was only asking, I reassured him that you're nay being a... whatever. I dinnae want you to feel like he hates you, or anything. He doesnae."
Ryan quirked his eyebrows a little. "My point exactly. You know, there are not many people in life who can say they have mapped out their lives exactly how they wanted or anticipated. Probably no one, even. Mine is certainly right up there on the list. Would I have chosen this life if I got sent back in time for a do-over? No, probably not. I would have been ashamed to admit that once, thinking I was betraying Hayden. But it's the truth. I wouldn't have wanted to knock my girlfriend up just months before we split. I wouldn't have wanted her to die of cancer. I wouldn't have wanted my kid to grow up without his mom. I wouldn't have wanted to just be scraping by to give him everything he needs. But it's brought me all here, and this is my life. I wouldn't change it now for the world, but there are parts of it - and me - I'm not proud of. You were amazing with Hayden and I really, really appreciated the help and the opportunity to save my ass. But I can't lie, and I mean this is no way offensive to you. There was a few moments there initially that me considering to leave him with you out of the blue like that would've... been right up there with your brother questioning his boyfriend for murder. But sometimes you just have to take a course of action that is the safest and best to protect someone, not always the easiest. Your brother needs to see that I could have done a whole lot worse to you and your trust than just ask you to sit with my puking kid."
Iain raised his hand and gave his fingers a brief wave. "Seriously dinnae worry about it. I get it. It's not offending me. I would've been wondering more if you hadnae doubted the choice, or doubted me. I still dinnae really know what made me offer, but I guess there are some good things in life you cannae fight. There's just an instant recognition somewhere deep down that tells you it's a good thing, that it's right. That if you do this... you might find something special. And I think I really have. I dinnae want to jinx anything, but I could fall head over heels for you, love. Probably already have. I feel the same about Hayden. I do anything for him. I just want you both to meet my brothers so there's nay worry aboot whether or not they like you. Of course they will. They're just trying to play devil's advocate so I'm sure I know what I'm getting into. They'll love you."
Ryan watched Iain closely over the small, intimate table as he listened to him talk. He let his fingers brush softly over Iain's hand. "This is the first time I've ever actually been faced with the notion of meeting a lover's family. I didn't even meet Emily's parents until we had split and I came here to England when she was sick, it wasn't that same sort of thing. It just feels like something massive for me to meet them and to get along with them. Not massive for me, for you... us. I was scared for a moment there I had fucked it up just by being me," he admitted and then softly cleared his throat. "Stay with me tonight. Come back to my place. Just us. We need a chance to explore that part of it without family distractions."
Iain's lips were thin for a moment, but only because he was still sure he might have fucked up with Ryan by telling him about the conversation with Stuart. Only Ryan was still holding his hand, and he was still asking him to stay. Iain's shoulders relaxed again, and he gave a nod before the familiar smirk was back in place. "Aye, alright. You dinnae really need to twist my arm there."
"Forgive me for being an oversensitive prick?" Ryan asked with a smirk and squeezed Iain's hand. "I just need to figure out how to pull off the seduction tactics without tripping over a Lego set or finding a Buzz Lightyear up your butt. And for some reason I'm thinking chicken nuggets aren't quite the aphrodisiac that oysters are," he joked.
Iain raised his eyebrows before he started to chuckle, the sound deep as it emanated from within his chest. "You know, I did once have a Buzz Lightyear up my butt, but I'm nay thinking this is the same one. Kids characters arenae sacred in the sex toy world. I dinnae mind chicken nuggets so much, like. I actually cannae stand oysters."
Ryan laughed as he looked at Iain in disbelief. "Okay, new rule. I get to choose the sex toys if we ever want to experiment with them. I can tolerate a lot of things, but my kid's favourite cartoon character up my ass isn't one of them," he said with a smirk. "Scratch the oysters. How about ice cream with sprinkles for pre-foreplay?"
Iain grinned as he winked at Ryan. "Aye, deal. I dinnae have any complaints aboot letting you choose. You know what? I would love ice cream with sprinkles for pre-foreplay. And maybe chocolate sauce?"
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