muses_w_remotes | 9.20. Eli Stone quote
9.20. "You don't have a suitcase, and the theme to The Odd Couple isn't playing, so I assume Beth didn't kick you out already."
| Eli Stone
Co-written with imnodoctor
[Follows THIS]
Talking to Tab hadn't really helped Riley at all, which was extremely unusual. It was just one of those times that Riley wasn't sure he even deserved comfort, let alone knew how to fix what he had done. As the time for Evie to come home drew nearer, Riley ended up near hyperventilating. He hoped she hadn't had a bad day at work because he knew if she did, there was no way he would tell her. He would sit on it and stew even more. He had tried to call Pat, but Pat was screening his calls, clearly avoiding Riley for the moment. To make matters even more strained, Lachlan had called and Riley immediately thought he was about to get torn a new arsehole over the kiss, but the Scotsman was oblivious to it. He had just to wanted ask if it was still okay for Riley and Evie to babysit the wee one for a couple of hours on the weekend while Tara had a post-natal doctor's appointment which Riley confirmed as if nothing was wrong. The last thing that was needed were baby Riley's godfathers ignoring each other over a stupid, stupid mistake that was neither the baby nor his parents' fault. Something needed to be resolved and Riley knew he had to tell Evie. If he didn't, it was going to kill him.
He had bitten all his nails off and was sitting stiffly on the edge of the sofa while he waited for Evie to arrive home. He should be happy and excited about his godson being healthy enough to go home and their first babysitting session on the horizon, but he was nervous and guilty. All he could see was it all falling apart around him.
Evie let herself into the apartment and smiled as she saw Riley there waiting for her, oblivious to his nervous state as she dropped her bag and worked on getting her coat off. She hadn't had a bad day, in fact her day could really only be described as 'meh'. Nothing had really happened, no disasters had occurred and she'd just spent the day trying to fill each hour. She was so glad to be home, ready to sit on her ass and fill her hours with all the fun things in life. Like curling up with Riley and watching a movie or something.
Evie came over to Riley and bent down to kiss his temple as she rubbed a hand against his shoulder. "Where's your sister and her sax player? Don't tell me we actually have the place to ourselves?"
Riley gave a small nod. "Yeah, Luke took Tab out to dinner and a movie..." He didn't add that it was mostly an unsubtle move to give Riley and Evie the place to themselves so Riley could admit to his error. He swallowed and folded his arms around his stomach. "Evie, you have to sit down, love. There's something I need to tell you."
It was only now that Evie was starting to realise just how tense Riley looked. She sat down like he asked, her hand on his shoulder. "Riley, are you okay? Are you sick? Is it the medication?" Evie's stomach flipped, and she tried to fight off the sudden dread she felt.
"I'm okay. It's nothing like that," Riley assured her quietly. He closed his eyes for a moment. "Something happened today that shouldn't have and the last thing I want to do is try to sound like I'm making excuses, but it really did just happen and I feel terrible about it..." He had to bite back a wave of fear as he looked at her sadly. He felt so fucking terrible. He was choking up on the words again. It had been much easier to tell Tab.
Evie drew her eyebrows together as she looked Riley and stroked her fingers down his cheek. "Hey," she said softly, "you can tell me anything, sexy. You don't have to be worried. Whatever it is can't be that bad. What's happened that shouldn't have happened?" Again her stomach flipped and Evie wasn't even sure what it was that she was expecting to come out of Riley's mouth. There were too many scenarios flashing through her mind for her to actually focus on any of them.
Riley's face crumbled and he put his face in his hands for a few moments. But he lifted his head again, not letting himself fuck this up. "Pat and I kissed. This morning. I-It was never meant to happen. He was really upset with Cameron leaving and trying to face the move and I was trying to comfort him and it just... just..." He trailed off, shaking his head apologetically.
Evie's eyes went wide as she stared at him, and for a second she forgot how to breathe. Then she managed to drag a breath inwards and get her lungs working again. "You... what?" She frowned as she tried to process what Riley had said. She wanted to be understanding about it, but she was still in shock. "I... Pat?"
Riley gave a slight nod, pressing his lips together. "It was just a slip, barely even a few moments and then we both pulled away in shock. I don't even know what to say to fix this, but he was in a really bad way and we just slipped. I'm so sorry, Evie. I... I know this is unforgivable," he whispered, twisting his fingers together in front of him.
Evie was still staring at him, but as she heard his final comment she just had to shake her head. "No, sexy. It's not unforgivable. It's a bit of a shock, but it's nowhere near unforgivable." She placed both her hands on top of Riley's and leaned her head against his. "If you say it was a slip, and there was nothing in it... then I believe you, okay? I'm not going to get angry. I just need a few moments to get past the surprise, that's all."
"I just wanted to help him feel better. I was helpless. I know what it's like to say goodbye to your twin and he's upset about leaving Princeton. I was just sitting with him and giving him a hug, but it was a lot like when I was back in Scotland and he was trying to comfort me when I missed Tab. That's when... well, I think we just got caught up. But there is nothing in it. You have to understand that and I wish I could somehow convince Aiden that because Pat was going to tell him. But there isn't. There never was... just a deep, deep affection. I don't know how it happened or how I could be so fucking stupid. He was distraught and I'm making it worse." Riley shoved his hand through his hair and met her eyes sadly. "I really am sorry. It wasn't anything."
She sighed and pressed a kiss to Riley's cheek. "You don't need to worry about me, okay? I get it. Really. I was just surprised. I do understand though. And you're right, you probably do need to make Aiden understand, but at the same time you just need to let Pat and Aiden work this out themselves. Pat's not going to be coming to me to try and explain it. You shouldn't go to Aiden. It's not your job. So is Pat okay, or not? Kiss aside."
"I don't know. He's screening my calls. He wasn't, though. He really wasn't. When you're a twin and you get separated it..." Riley rubbed at his chest a little, never really forgetting how it felt to get on that plane in New York to leave for Scotland without Tab. "It's a physical pain and you feel sick. Like, empty and like someone just tore your leg off. And it's the same everytime you say goodbye to them. He was already upset about packing his stuff to move to New York, but then Cam had to leave a few days early for a press conference, so Pat didn't have time to prepare for it. Lachlan asked me to go see he was okay because he's had to be at the hospital with Chase. And this happens."
"I can only imagine how bad it must be... so I do understand to a point. He must have been extremely distressed." Evie combed her fingers through her fiance's hair and shrugged. "You really don't have to keep explaining it to me. You kissed him because you got caught up in the comfort and you wanted to help him. That's because you're an amazing man, Riley Browne. You haven't fucked him, or had an affair, or decided to leave me for him, so you just need to stop with the self flagellation. Not that you're actually getting any pleasure out of this..." Evie took his face between her hands and made him look at her. "I love you, okay? This hasn't changed that."
"They trusted me to try and help him." Riley made a small, whimpering sound. "I love you, too. You should hate me for this. Even if it was just Pat. But I would never do anything like... I would never hurt you by being unfaithful, Evie. I wouldn't. And that's not Pat, either. He's going to have to try and shoulder this already on top of everything else and fuck it! I just wanted things to be good! It should be a happy time!"
Evie wrapped her arms around Riley and pulled him against her as she hugged him. This side of him just made her heart ache. He was so quick to blame himself for anything that happened, and Evie had to wonder what it was that had ever made him be this way. She could feel a couple of tears spill over onto her cheeks and she blinked rapidly to stop more. "Jesus, Riley... I can't hate you. I could never hate you. Why would you even think something like that? I know you wouldn't be unfaithful, but I'm still allowed to be shocked. It doesn't mean I hate you, it doesn't mean I love you any less. It just means that you told me you kissed Pat and I wasn't expecting it. You did try and help him... you just got caught up in it."
"I was worried you would think that... because of my history with him... but it's not like that anymore," Riley insisted. "For the first time in ever, since I ever met Lachlan or anyone attached to him, it's the first time we've all been happily attached. Even Tab, too. It's never been like this. I just want everyone to be happy. Not devastated and crying like Pat was."
Evie kissed the top of his head and nuzzled into him. "Riley... I trust you. More than I've ever trusted anyone. You've never given me any reason not to. I still trust you... I know you just wanted to help. Sometimes you can't. Just like no one could make you happy all those months ago."
"But everything was supposed to be better," Riley said in a small voice. "Happier. Tara and Riley are home and everything was going good."
"You said it yourself a twin leaving hurts. But I don't... why's Pat hurting so much over leaving for New York? Doesn't he want to live with Aiden anymore?" Evie smiled a little. "That's good. That's great, even. It'll be nice for them to out of the hospital."
"It's nice to see them out of hospital and being a proper family at home. Though, I sympathise with the neighbours. He has a little pair of lungs on him when he wants to. Like father, like son that is. He didn't like the maternity nurses holding him." Riley sucked on his lower lip. "He wants to live with Aiden but I don't think he wants to leave Princeton... or leave all us, to be more accurate. Not that he said as much. He didn't say all that much. I think that's why he's so upset. He's torn."
"Maybe we should get Tara and Lachlan some ear plugs, or something?" Evie tugged on a lock of Riley's hair. "That's really not something you can help him with, sweetheart. That's something he and Aiden need to work out."
"I don't think they mind. Lachlan has this way with him. He stops the minute he's in his dad's arms. Tara just has all the patience in the world. To be married to Lachlan, she would have to," Riley had to add with a slight laugh. "I know. Now he might not even talk to me ever again. He was horrified. We both were. We didn't exactly part well."
"This is very true. I'm in awe of both of them. Always have been." Evie shifted to lie back on the sofa and brought Riley with her. She wasn't really in the mood for going anywhere. "Just give him time, sexy. You both need time."
Riley managed to let himself relax, not protesting the closeness. "I'm sorry," he murmured again. "I love you."
"I know you are, but if you apologise one more time I will hurt you." She kissed him. "I love you too."
All muses referenced with permission and are from the princeton2nyc universe
Word Count | 2,220
| Eli Stone
Co-written with imnodoctor
[Follows THIS]
Talking to Tab hadn't really helped Riley at all, which was extremely unusual. It was just one of those times that Riley wasn't sure he even deserved comfort, let alone knew how to fix what he had done. As the time for Evie to come home drew nearer, Riley ended up near hyperventilating. He hoped she hadn't had a bad day at work because he knew if she did, there was no way he would tell her. He would sit on it and stew even more. He had tried to call Pat, but Pat was screening his calls, clearly avoiding Riley for the moment. To make matters even more strained, Lachlan had called and Riley immediately thought he was about to get torn a new arsehole over the kiss, but the Scotsman was oblivious to it. He had just to wanted ask if it was still okay for Riley and Evie to babysit the wee one for a couple of hours on the weekend while Tara had a post-natal doctor's appointment which Riley confirmed as if nothing was wrong. The last thing that was needed were baby Riley's godfathers ignoring each other over a stupid, stupid mistake that was neither the baby nor his parents' fault. Something needed to be resolved and Riley knew he had to tell Evie. If he didn't, it was going to kill him.
He had bitten all his nails off and was sitting stiffly on the edge of the sofa while he waited for Evie to arrive home. He should be happy and excited about his godson being healthy enough to go home and their first babysitting session on the horizon, but he was nervous and guilty. All he could see was it all falling apart around him.
Evie let herself into the apartment and smiled as she saw Riley there waiting for her, oblivious to his nervous state as she dropped her bag and worked on getting her coat off. She hadn't had a bad day, in fact her day could really only be described as 'meh'. Nothing had really happened, no disasters had occurred and she'd just spent the day trying to fill each hour. She was so glad to be home, ready to sit on her ass and fill her hours with all the fun things in life. Like curling up with Riley and watching a movie or something.
Evie came over to Riley and bent down to kiss his temple as she rubbed a hand against his shoulder. "Where's your sister and her sax player? Don't tell me we actually have the place to ourselves?"
Riley gave a small nod. "Yeah, Luke took Tab out to dinner and a movie..." He didn't add that it was mostly an unsubtle move to give Riley and Evie the place to themselves so Riley could admit to his error. He swallowed and folded his arms around his stomach. "Evie, you have to sit down, love. There's something I need to tell you."
It was only now that Evie was starting to realise just how tense Riley looked. She sat down like he asked, her hand on his shoulder. "Riley, are you okay? Are you sick? Is it the medication?" Evie's stomach flipped, and she tried to fight off the sudden dread she felt.
"I'm okay. It's nothing like that," Riley assured her quietly. He closed his eyes for a moment. "Something happened today that shouldn't have and the last thing I want to do is try to sound like I'm making excuses, but it really did just happen and I feel terrible about it..." He had to bite back a wave of fear as he looked at her sadly. He felt so fucking terrible. He was choking up on the words again. It had been much easier to tell Tab.
Evie drew her eyebrows together as she looked Riley and stroked her fingers down his cheek. "Hey," she said softly, "you can tell me anything, sexy. You don't have to be worried. Whatever it is can't be that bad. What's happened that shouldn't have happened?" Again her stomach flipped and Evie wasn't even sure what it was that she was expecting to come out of Riley's mouth. There were too many scenarios flashing through her mind for her to actually focus on any of them.
Riley's face crumbled and he put his face in his hands for a few moments. But he lifted his head again, not letting himself fuck this up. "Pat and I kissed. This morning. I-It was never meant to happen. He was really upset with Cameron leaving and trying to face the move and I was trying to comfort him and it just... just..." He trailed off, shaking his head apologetically.
Evie's eyes went wide as she stared at him, and for a second she forgot how to breathe. Then she managed to drag a breath inwards and get her lungs working again. "You... what?" She frowned as she tried to process what Riley had said. She wanted to be understanding about it, but she was still in shock. "I... Pat?"
Riley gave a slight nod, pressing his lips together. "It was just a slip, barely even a few moments and then we both pulled away in shock. I don't even know what to say to fix this, but he was in a really bad way and we just slipped. I'm so sorry, Evie. I... I know this is unforgivable," he whispered, twisting his fingers together in front of him.
Evie was still staring at him, but as she heard his final comment she just had to shake her head. "No, sexy. It's not unforgivable. It's a bit of a shock, but it's nowhere near unforgivable." She placed both her hands on top of Riley's and leaned her head against his. "If you say it was a slip, and there was nothing in it... then I believe you, okay? I'm not going to get angry. I just need a few moments to get past the surprise, that's all."
"I just wanted to help him feel better. I was helpless. I know what it's like to say goodbye to your twin and he's upset about leaving Princeton. I was just sitting with him and giving him a hug, but it was a lot like when I was back in Scotland and he was trying to comfort me when I missed Tab. That's when... well, I think we just got caught up. But there is nothing in it. You have to understand that and I wish I could somehow convince Aiden that because Pat was going to tell him. But there isn't. There never was... just a deep, deep affection. I don't know how it happened or how I could be so fucking stupid. He was distraught and I'm making it worse." Riley shoved his hand through his hair and met her eyes sadly. "I really am sorry. It wasn't anything."
She sighed and pressed a kiss to Riley's cheek. "You don't need to worry about me, okay? I get it. Really. I was just surprised. I do understand though. And you're right, you probably do need to make Aiden understand, but at the same time you just need to let Pat and Aiden work this out themselves. Pat's not going to be coming to me to try and explain it. You shouldn't go to Aiden. It's not your job. So is Pat okay, or not? Kiss aside."
"I don't know. He's screening my calls. He wasn't, though. He really wasn't. When you're a twin and you get separated it..." Riley rubbed at his chest a little, never really forgetting how it felt to get on that plane in New York to leave for Scotland without Tab. "It's a physical pain and you feel sick. Like, empty and like someone just tore your leg off. And it's the same everytime you say goodbye to them. He was already upset about packing his stuff to move to New York, but then Cam had to leave a few days early for a press conference, so Pat didn't have time to prepare for it. Lachlan asked me to go see he was okay because he's had to be at the hospital with Chase. And this happens."
"I can only imagine how bad it must be... so I do understand to a point. He must have been extremely distressed." Evie combed her fingers through her fiance's hair and shrugged. "You really don't have to keep explaining it to me. You kissed him because you got caught up in the comfort and you wanted to help him. That's because you're an amazing man, Riley Browne. You haven't fucked him, or had an affair, or decided to leave me for him, so you just need to stop with the self flagellation. Not that you're actually getting any pleasure out of this..." Evie took his face between her hands and made him look at her. "I love you, okay? This hasn't changed that."
"They trusted me to try and help him." Riley made a small, whimpering sound. "I love you, too. You should hate me for this. Even if it was just Pat. But I would never do anything like... I would never hurt you by being unfaithful, Evie. I wouldn't. And that's not Pat, either. He's going to have to try and shoulder this already on top of everything else and fuck it! I just wanted things to be good! It should be a happy time!"
Evie wrapped her arms around Riley and pulled him against her as she hugged him. This side of him just made her heart ache. He was so quick to blame himself for anything that happened, and Evie had to wonder what it was that had ever made him be this way. She could feel a couple of tears spill over onto her cheeks and she blinked rapidly to stop more. "Jesus, Riley... I can't hate you. I could never hate you. Why would you even think something like that? I know you wouldn't be unfaithful, but I'm still allowed to be shocked. It doesn't mean I hate you, it doesn't mean I love you any less. It just means that you told me you kissed Pat and I wasn't expecting it. You did try and help him... you just got caught up in it."
"I was worried you would think that... because of my history with him... but it's not like that anymore," Riley insisted. "For the first time in ever, since I ever met Lachlan or anyone attached to him, it's the first time we've all been happily attached. Even Tab, too. It's never been like this. I just want everyone to be happy. Not devastated and crying like Pat was."
Evie kissed the top of his head and nuzzled into him. "Riley... I trust you. More than I've ever trusted anyone. You've never given me any reason not to. I still trust you... I know you just wanted to help. Sometimes you can't. Just like no one could make you happy all those months ago."
"But everything was supposed to be better," Riley said in a small voice. "Happier. Tara and Riley are home and everything was going good."
"You said it yourself a twin leaving hurts. But I don't... why's Pat hurting so much over leaving for New York? Doesn't he want to live with Aiden anymore?" Evie smiled a little. "That's good. That's great, even. It'll be nice for them to out of the hospital."
"It's nice to see them out of hospital and being a proper family at home. Though, I sympathise with the neighbours. He has a little pair of lungs on him when he wants to. Like father, like son that is. He didn't like the maternity nurses holding him." Riley sucked on his lower lip. "He wants to live with Aiden but I don't think he wants to leave Princeton... or leave all us, to be more accurate. Not that he said as much. He didn't say all that much. I think that's why he's so upset. He's torn."
"Maybe we should get Tara and Lachlan some ear plugs, or something?" Evie tugged on a lock of Riley's hair. "That's really not something you can help him with, sweetheart. That's something he and Aiden need to work out."
"I don't think they mind. Lachlan has this way with him. He stops the minute he's in his dad's arms. Tara just has all the patience in the world. To be married to Lachlan, she would have to," Riley had to add with a slight laugh. "I know. Now he might not even talk to me ever again. He was horrified. We both were. We didn't exactly part well."
"This is very true. I'm in awe of both of them. Always have been." Evie shifted to lie back on the sofa and brought Riley with her. She wasn't really in the mood for going anywhere. "Just give him time, sexy. You both need time."
Riley managed to let himself relax, not protesting the closeness. "I'm sorry," he murmured again. "I love you."
"I know you are, but if you apologise one more time I will hurt you." She kissed him. "I love you too."
All muses referenced with permission and are from the princeton2nyc universe
Word Count | 2,220