#ryan.ctalk

[dxrkenedheights]

where: firestation

with: ryan cross and beau sullivan @secrettyrant

★・・・・・・★

There were some scenes that were never easy to face, like a collision between car, bike and sixteen wheeler and the real nasty shit used to bond the friends together in the experience but Ryan barely uttered a word for the whole ride over nor back again. It wasn't until they were returned to the station that Ryan threw a water bottle at Beau's hands, giving a quick nod. "Surprised you ain't said something about my bikes, huh?" he smirked faintly because that's how it used to go. Good old Beau keeping an eye out for him whenever they responded to jobs where bikers were flung like rag dolls. He'd probably be prepared to listen these days because of Faith, but not if Beau was the one it came from. It wouldn't be advice from a friend but a snarling comment against his ears.

[dxrkenedheights]

★・・・・・・★

Nodding, Ryan accepted that now wasn't the time but that was the one good thing about the situation. There was time, and Ryan could work to undo the years missed as much as he was able to. Like another second chance flashing right in his face and this time he wasn't going to hesitate about taking it. Relieved to hear he wasn't an after thought, Ryan's smile found its way into a genuine shape like he could feel a slight nudge from hope itself. "Alright, well, to be honest now's the best time to have found me." Somewhat. His life was in the early stages of new beginnings, too early to tell if they could stick but Ryan was desperate for them to. Over a year was good, right? No jail in over a year at his grown age didn't sound as great. "We'll figure it out, all of it." he nodded again, leaning into that hope comfortably.

"Oh man, El got that quick wit. Real quick with it, you gotta be on your toes. Wolf laughs at everything, talks about everything too. So you got a real selection dependin' on the shit you might need." he laughed, always fond about his brothers and he never realized how much he enjoyed talking about them until he noticed he was given a chance to. Ryan grinned about the bull with a quick nod of mutual agreement, already seeing hints in Mason's mannerisms just tiny subtle ones and not to mention the dimples when his son smiled or smirked. It all made sense, and it was a matter of making their lives fit the sense. "Nah, you won't overstay and I don't know, maybe when shit feels a little easier we can work on you not calling me Ryan. 'Cause, I'd like that I guess."

END.

Mason shakes his head. "Not...not exactly it's a long story," he waves his hand dismissively, not quite ready to air his dirty laundry with a father he's just met. While there's a voice inside that says he can just tell Ryan, something holds him back. "You weren't," Mason says quickly, shaking his head again, "I didn't actually know you were still around? I mean...I would've come sooner if I'd had any idea." He hates to think of his mom stuck with her piece of shit husband but Mason would've tried to look for Ryan before things had gotten so bad. Then maybe they might not have ended up the way they did. "I mean..uh, yeah, sure...if you're sure. I mean it, I don't wanna impose or anything," Mason affirms again, because this seems like a giant fucking thing to drop on someone who's just had a kid. He gives a small nod at Ryan's words, not sure what to say but he smile a little, unable to help himself from feeling like maybe something is going right after all.

"What're Wolf and Elliot like? Same sense of humor?" He asks with an easy grin, feeling increasingly at ease talking to Ryan about his other uncles. His family. There's a brief moment when he feels a spark of anger, at the fact that it had all been kept from him unfairly. But it's replaced by gratitude at the thought that he gets a second chance and he knows not everyone does. He scoffs, lifting his shoulders, "has anyone ever hated watching girls on a bull?" Mason laughs. "Someone's gotta do it. And uh, yeah, whatever works. I'd like to stick around but you can let me know when I've overstayed, Ryan. I get it too." He thinks that saying it might make it easier if that does happen. Like he's predicted and prepared for a potential outcome like he had with his mom.

[dxrkenedheights]

where: ryan and tammie's home

with: ryan cross and tammie jones @blackheartatl

★・・・・・・★

The light shift of weight beside him pulled Ryan from his already shallow sleep, eyes still stuck closed as his arm raised in a natural response to the movement and to give Tammie her spot against his chest before it dropped around her. Ryan's eyes were forced open to check the time on the alarm clock, Faith now in a strong enough routine to only make a peep on the dot of six thirty. "We still doing that thing today?" he mumbled, voice thick with sleep as he tucked his head against the top of Tammie's and his fingers circled against her arm. Snapshots like these and they could almost fool the world and themselves that they were a normal little family, and Ryan wished to believe it more than anything. He'd let himself believe during the brief moments between their eyes opening before their daughter's. "Think he's got work, I asked yesterday." Ryan then said, referring to Mason who was still scrunched on a couch that his long ass legs stretched over like it was nothing. Ryan drew a long but soft inhale against Tammie's hair while a smirk formed to the scent, his hand skimming lower to squeeze her waist gently. "You got that honey shampoo thing again. Smells good."

[dxrkenedheights]

with: tammie jones and ryan cross where: fightnight @blackheartatl

★・・・・・・★

He knew as he made a walk towards her that Tammie was on a war path that would try and circumnavigate him. He also knew exactly why she was pissed off but that didn't mean he would get any closer to addressing it. Ryan never saw his own actions as catalysts and his apologies were only ever rare and quick, usually right at the brink of almost losing her completely. Deflect. If he could get Tammie to apologize first, he was just fine. Problem forgotten about. Deflect. The whole movement was deflection wrapped up in affection, his hand lifting up to her face in a bid to stop her walking around him. "Hey, slow down. I just want you to talk to me." Deflect. Even the smile on his face was deflection before he bowed his head to take a kiss from her. As his hands cupped Tammie's face gently, he grinned to her and used his thumbs to force the corner of her lips upwards. "You miss her when you're not there, huh? Is that it?" He knew it wasn't.

[dxrkenedheights]

where: center hill block party

with: wolf cross and ryan cross @secrettyrant

★・・・・・・★

Ryan didn't need to ask where Wolf was, it was possible to hear the eldest Cross as he laughed with the toddlers like he was one of them. For a brief moment, Ryan lingered with a laugh of his own as he watched Nash, Rowen, Caleb and Jax all climbing the Old Wolf or being playfully wrestled by him in fits of hysterical giggles. Before he could make his presence noticed by his brother, it was Nash's keen eyes that spotted Ryan and quickly darted towards him with a squeal. It'd be fucking heartless to ignore a kid, even though Ryan knew exactly what was happening as he picked his nephew into his arms quickly. "Hey little dude but it's me! Not your dad. We been over this your whole life, I'm the funny one." he laughed, pointing around to wherever Hunter was dwelling like some dark cloud. "Your one's around, we'll go find him in a second." he explained, looking over to Wolf and nodding. "You er...gotta help me find these kids' damn parents and we gotta talk."

[dxrkenedheights]

★・・・・・・★

"What you sensin', Wolf?" Ryan teased, copying the movement of his brother's fingers in a wiggle as he laughed but soon was huffing just the once at the accuracy. God damn, Wolf. "I don't got a block, alright? And I don't talk for no damn reason. I'm approachable. Or sociable, whatever the fuck you called it." he touched his chest before the same hand moved to the back of Faith's head gently. "But fine, sure. I'll talk to Dex and Bruce." he added in a mutter, looking to his daughter but not able to say he could talk to Tammie. That was just a whole load of shit he wasn't willing to go near, already sensing an explosion and they'd both promised. Not with Faith. And they were keeping that promise. He swatted away the jabs of Wolf's fingers, making an annoyed face his way but shaking his head. "Nah, it...look, Wolf. We're fine, alright? All our shit from back then is done with, I ain't been back to jail, I got my job back. It's fine." he waved his hand and tried to believe his own words. They still loved each other, he knew that much but, that damn truck. Shaking his head at Wolf's backtrack even after such passionate words, Ryan was sighing but also laughing. "You're- Wolf! I ain't lying to her about the lemon, that's not right." he said all of this while hearing the rolling engine of Tammie's truck outside the house. "Shit." Ryan hissed, glancing to Wolf and the window and moving into motion to set Faith into her high chair. "No, you right. We gotta lie." he flapped. "Just act fuckin' normal, alright? Maybe Faith will hate it twice."

Wolf sighs, nodding in understanding because while The Reapers offer many things such as safety and security there's a pledge they all make. You're in for life, and it's all well and good when you can coast through that pledge with your head above the water just enough but Ryan's drowning. Wolf's fingers tap his temple quickly and then wiggle as he moves them away. "You know what I'm sensing, Ry? You have a real block when it comes to talking about things, which is funny because you almost talk more than me. But, sometimes it's just talking for the sake of it with you." he points, as if in accusation to his younger brother. "Talk to Diego or Blaze first. See what they can offer. Talk to Tammie. We all have things from before that we have to solve, and if you want to make things work then you talk. And I mean talk, not hot air. Not promises, or dreams. Talk. This or that, how and why. The real stuff. Real, real, real." he stands to his feet, prodding Ryan's shoulder in time with his words. He smiles to Faith warmly, looking between the loving gaze between father and daughter and he claps Ryan on the back. "Talk, properly with her. And then I bet you'd get a house full." he mutters, laughing slightly. Despite appreciating the conversation, Wolf doesn't appreciate the turn of it one little bit. He steals Faith from Ryan's arm in a snatch, rushing towards the high chair to begin setting her down. "No, I can't stand seeing women's heartbreak, Ryan. You know this. I can't even see it in movies. It's...it's horrible. I can't break her heart, and it's not even a small thing! It's a mother's heart now! No. I'm lying to her. Get the lemon. But you need to tell her about the job, this is different."

[dxrkenedheights]

where: fight night, abandoned barn

with: hunter cross and ryan cross @manybcdthings

★・・・・・・★

"You almost had'im, I guess." Ryan grinned at his brother, beer waiting to be passed over once Hunter had a moment to weep in the loss. It wasn't even a loss, it was a draw but...a loss, because it wasn't a win. Couldn't be Ryan. "Maybe next time, huh? Or maybe let Asher have a turn in that ring. Think our age is catching up to us, gotta know when to say when." he said lightly before he laughed. He sipped his own beer, squinting one eye as he peered at some of the bruising that was appearing over Hunter's face. He laughed again, a little mean as he shook his head. "Let me guess, you'll rock up to Lia's trailer in the morning like sup honey, look what your big strong man got up to."

[dxrkenedheights]

where: ryan, tammie and mason's house

with: ryan cross and mason archer @ofwrxth

★・・・・・・★

"You know much shit about bikes, Mase?" Ryan asked as he trailed through the house to the front door, nodding his head to get his son to follow. "Got a real nice one that fucked up on me before Faith was born and, obviously me and Tammie ain't had time to look since." Until now and the thought immediately entered Ryan's brain, like a stroke of genius. Some bonding with Mason, and once the issues were solved Ryan would be more than happy to toss him the keys to keep. He wandered quickly to the tarp, uncovering the bikes and putting his hand against the handles of the black Yamaha. "Blue ones my baby right now," he nodded to the one next to it, a newer model but there was a fond smile as he was looking to the other. "But Iuno, this one seems faster to me. Less drag." he shrugged, gesturing for Mase to get on and bring the bike out along the small drive. "You know how to start it?" Ryan offered out the key in a quick throw.

[dxrkenedheights]

★・・・・・・★

Ryan was nodding, the words striking him despite the chosen metaphor something as simple as being neighborly. He sure noticed all the times he could've given it back, years of those moments rolling around his skull in fact. If he had done what he was trying to do now, but then, his life could have looked so different. "I'm makin' those choices." he said quietly, hoping the Jones patriarch could hear the sincerity in his words. He was trying to, at least. Juggling an onslaught of emotions like shame, regret all tied within becoming a father and a better man. He never knew what either of those things looked like but when Ethan offered a make-shift hold of that role, Ryan was sure to listen.

He laughed about Rory, just a light chuckle before he shrugged. "I don't even think Hunter hates her, she'll be fine." he hoped, despite thinking she was a smart-ass and difficult to read but that wasn't something he could judge. Or, any of the brothers could judge. Ryan's head tilted when Ethan continued about Hunter, at first out of protective suspicion but he slowly eased into acceptance that the words were said with no ill-will. "Yeah, think you right." he agreed. "She's kinda gotta, open up I guess. Show us what kinda person she is, think that'd work on him." but the fact she was showing every sign of a Cross, opening up was probably the last thing little Rory was going to be doing. As they spoke about Faith, Ryan's attention moved back to his daughter still sleeping soundly and unable to stop the small twitch of a smile on his face. "Nah, she came at the right time even if it weren't..." It wasn't perfect, but she was everything. He nodded again to the advise about Tammie, knowing it was now or never but Ryan's delay tactics had been sharpened with expert talent. Ryan glanced to Ethan then, not knowing much about the time he was gone other than that fucking truck. "Feels wrong to ask you what she was like, y'know?" But he was curious. "She don't even like crying, doubt she'd want me to know anything like that." Ryan laughed slightly.

Ethan's brows raised and not in surprise to Ryan's question, but a pleasant acceptance that the man was showing strides in a decent direction. Ethan wasn't disillusioned, however, at the man Ryan was. None of them could be good men in the eyes of the law or society, but they could be good men to the people they cared about and that...that was what mattered. "No." Ethan laughed, but then his head tilted to the side. "And yes." he added with a shrug. "It happened fast but I was very, very aware of it happening." he offered simply. "Just one day, the option was there to give the ball back. Never noticed it before then, but when I did I made sure to stop fucking the ball up and give it back whenever the option was there. Sometimes, it isn't." he explained, giving Ryan a quick but supportive nudge against his arm. "That's the hard part."

Nodding at the idea to be there as support, Ethan grumbled in agreement. "Yeah, seems like that's best. There's a lot of you so, I think Rory will turn out fine. Even if one of you don't like her too much, three outta four is a good score." he chuckled but he was sure Hunter's soft spot for family would become evident. "Now, don't hate me for saying this but seems like Hunter has to just...do this sort of thing to show he can, you know? Or he thinks he has to. If someone just showed up needing somewhere and I thought they were a risk to my boys or girls, I'd probably want a close eye on them too. Maybe Rory has some work to put in too." Ethan shrugged, giving more food for thought and he didn't mind being the man any of the Cross brothers came to for that sort of thing. He knew, sadly, they never had it before. He hummed in a nod about Faith, chuckling slightly. "There's never a right time for a baby, even ones you plan. And they're also not bandaids, Ry. You'll have to start thinking about solving things while she's young because next thing you know, she'll be walking and talking and the whole baby fever thing will be gone and well, I don't wanna see Tammie like she was when you left that time. I'll be honest."

[dxrkenedheights]

★・・・・・・★

" You're not wrong, but he means it every time." Ryan shrugged simply because it was a fact. Wolf's helpful demeanor was admirable and sometimes far more genuine than his own, Ryan often wondering how his older brother managed to make it look so easy. He watched Rory as they both smoked, deciding a prying open of his own hands was needed to bridge the ever building gap. He was half certain Rory was building it herself and Hunter's outburst justified her slogging of bricks. "This sounds like convenient bullshit so hear me out a second." he started with a small cough. Memories of their mother weren't warm, but Ryan always loved her far more than the monster she married. "Our mom was told she was gonna have a girl, y'know. One boy, one girl twin. Wolf was fuckin' over the damn moon about it, he really wanted a sister apparently. Always has. So yeah, he'd give the couch or bedroom to anyone who needed it but it wasn't just that." he told her plainly because she clearly needed reassurance and it wasn't even a lie. "She even bought a bunch of girl shit too, ask any of us. There's a photo of Hunter in a pink romper. He'll tell you it's me but, it's not." he grinned, and was struck with another hit of curiosity about Rory's life. Motels and couches but when she was younger. It seemed sad, even if Ryan could never be outright with compassion. He could tell she had glued pages of her life together and he had done the same. They all had. Pages upon pages they'd never let people read. Ryan shook his head at her question, laughing slightly. "No." he muttered, finishing up his cigarette and instead of reacting to her admission he just looked up to her with a shrug. "You should be honest about it at some point." It was said harshly but with a stroke of warmth. "None of us are saints if you haven't worked that out already. But I think Hunter likes knowing what kinda devil he's working with."

Rory chuckled slightly as she smoked, hearing the idea to 'stand up to Hunter' but her inbuilt pessimism made it difficult to see how it would work. What did that even look like? Hey so, no I'm not leaving. And then what? Even Wolf's kindness ended up being lessened by the age old question she visited time and time again. What was the point? She stood up to Hunter and moved back in and then what? She couldn't live there forever. And then what? What if they all got along like a house on fire, suddenly couldn't imagine not knowing one another. Then what? "Wolf's really sweet, don't get me wrong but I get the impression he'd tell everybody that's their home if they needed it." she shrugged softly. There was a shift of her gaze from the pavement to Ryan at his question and Rory hesitated, unsure how to answer. "Uhh...yes and no? I mean, when I was younger, I guess." How much was opening up just enough? But, what was the point? And, if she did open up enough, then what? Rory forced a quick laugh to the observation, shrugging because she'd never grown up with siblings. "You'd know more about that than me. He throw any of you out before?" she waved her cigarette as she gestured and smirked lightly, already guessing the answer to that question. Shaking her head, Rory looked back to the pavement with a shrug. "No. It was the drawers on the dresser more than...that." she mumbled but he was right, the words hurt. Hunter managed to make her feel exposed, make years catch up with her in a split second. "He was right and wrong." Now what?

[dxrkenedheights]

★・・・・・・★

Ryan couldn't even look at Elliot's reaction, instead he focused on the label of his beer but could see the expression on his little brother's face. It made his chest tighten with embarrassment, like he was walking around with the word idiot on his forehead. "I can't." he sighed, shaking his head about talking to Beau. "I won't just talk, and I gotta think about Faith." he added quickly. "If I say anything to Hunter, he'll jump him with me and if I say anything to Wolf, he'll try and get me to talk to Tammie and I can't do that either." He had to just pretend. "Plus, every time it feels like there'd be a good moment to talk about it, something kinda happens? I don't know. Like I was gettin' ready to say something to her but then Mase shows up, it's like life just wants me to forget about it. Probably easier." he shrugged and had accepted he needed to move on from it. Mostly. "Yeah, he's a good kid. I can see how he's one of us sometimes, y'know? And I guess he needs to learn that I won't care what made him come here or need to find me, he's still my kid."

Ryan laughed slightly at Elliot's words, immediately shaking his head. "You're nothin' like that old piece of shit, El. They love you, and all the moments they have with you they'll know you care about 'em. They'll understand when they get older, too. Won't hold it against you." he could say that with absolute certainty because he knew Elliot as more than just a good man. He was a good brother, and a good father. "Everyone 'round here says it too, the young one- that's the best Cross." he added, leaning over to slap his brother on the arm with a laugh. His head cocked to eye the attention they'd both caught, smirking as he looked back to Elliot. "You gonna?" he asked, more with encouragement than anything else. "Those days are kinda gone for me." Ryan chuckled but then was nodding as he leaned back in his seat and finally set the beer bottle down to push away from him, stopping from spinning it mindlessly in his grip. "You got this with Hunt, for sure. Better than me and Wolf can but if it...if it feels hard just holler alright?"

Elliot frowns, brows drawing together as Ryan speaks. "I remember," he nods, not sure what Ryan's getting at until he understands. Fuck. He's quiet for a moment, letting the words settle before speaking. "What the fuck." His glass hits the bar and he sits forward, running a hand over his face. "I'm sorry, man. That's...fucked." What can he even say? "You gotta say something. He can't just fucking walk around like nothing's wrong and you gotta deal with it." He may not be the first to jump to violence as a solution, but he's still a Cross, and his brothers and their lives were important to him. Fuck Beau. But he can tell that Ryan doesn't want to dwell, he wouldn't either, and takes another swig of his drink, shoving his brother's shoulder. "Whatever. They just get off on being assholes." Quirking a brow, he nods at Ryan's decision, "probably better to earn his trust that way. Than trying to pry it from him."

He thinks his brother is a good dad, he can see how he caters to Faith, can see how he's trying to be a good dad to Mason after all these years. And it's all those years that scare Elliot. At this point, the days he's been away from his kids outnumber the days he's been with them. "You think it's as simple as all that? Guess we coulda done with less Jeff in our lives." Their father's presence in their lives had been anything but welcome, a gloaming oppression that darkened the doorstep of their trailer whenever he walked in. "Don't know what you're talking about," Elliot insists with a shake of his head, casting a glance down the bar at some girls looking their way. He returns his attention to Ryan, sighing at his advice. "Nothing's fast with Hunt...he's a stubborn bastard." More stubborn than the rest of them, and they were all pretty damn stubborn. "But I'll sort it out. Rory don't wanna feel like a burden is all. At least not to us. Don't think she's got much problem with it crashing on," he clears his throat, "their couch. I don't think she's so bad." Elliot admits with a shrug. "He's just set in his ways."

[dxrkenedheights]

★・・・・・・★

"Mmk, what's it called when you hear me out but shoot down what I say?" Ryan laughed to his brother, never expecting anything different from Hunter. One thing they could all say about their brother Hunter was that he was himself, never deviated not even once. Ryan was pretty sure his twin was frowning right outta the womb, too. He nodded at his brother's choice, smirking because even when choosing the right thing to do Hunter had a way of making it sound difficult. "Damn. Don't look too excited." he chirped a quick laugh, smacking the back of his hand to Hunter's chest. "Lia lock you in the trailer and sing you songs or somethin'?" Ryan grinned, appreciating that a place as a Cross brother gave certain passes. He always thought it would be funny to be on the outside looking in, all four of them goading and chiding one another but meeting anybody else with harsh stares and cold expressions.

That's what didn't sit right with him when it came to Rory. Even if Hunter's reasoning made sense, Ryan puffed out another sigh that heaved his chest slowly. "A lotta people weren't but she's not people." That's all he was willing to say, because reminders of their upbringing weren't joyful to face even in subtle conversations. "I'm not even sayin' to fix it, Hunt. Just tell her you're sorry for us. Fixin' it with Rory is different, that's y'alls thing. She's bein' stubborn as shit, not wanting to put anyone out so...rock meeting a hard place, right? Gonna be sure interesting to watch, though." Ryan cracked another grin before he groaned at the punch on his knee and leaned into it, still holding Faith carefully. Laughing, he shook his head and shot an disinterested squint at the invitation. "No I'm good, just go be with your damn kids, Hunter. And I know why you're tryin' to get her out here, but I got her wearing shorts so fuck off."

"No. It's called hearing you out, asshole." Hunter snapped back quickly to correct his brother and there was a ghost of a smirk across his lips, shaking his head. He tutted in the same breath as Ryan next, reaching a hand behind his head to fish around for the fucking phone that was dropped into his hood. "Christ sakes." he griped under his breath, fetching it so he could slide it back to his pocket. He just nodded about Lia and his daughter, figuring Ryan was right about that part at least. "Yeah, fine. I'll get goin' soon." There was something different about holding a daughter in his arms, although Hunter lacked any way of explaining it. With all of his boys, his thoughts were about how to make them strong for the world and with Saoirse all he could think about was protecting her from it. He supposed that's why Ryan's progress was made so quickly once Faith arrived. It did something to a Cross, same with Elliot and Cory and Wolf with all of his girls.

Huffing about Rory's likeness to their name made Hunter shake his head quickly again. "So I keep hearing but-" he shrugged to his brother, an indifferent expression back on his face. "She weren't raised the same way as us. Jeff weren't even in her life for long, she...she's blood but she's not us." he explained and anybody who wasn't a brother was subject to a different set of rules. That's how it worked. He laughed quickly as Ryan tried to use Faith's cuteness to his advantage and it only worked slightly, Hunter smiling to his niece with a slow blink of eyes before he glanced back to his brother. "Scared? Ry, shut up. I weren't bluffing, just don't see what it will do because nothing else will fucking change. But, if y'all really say it will fix it then sure. I'll figure it out." he sighed quietly, punching Ryan on the knee as he moved to his feet. "You gonna let your woman take over so we can go for a drink first before I head to Li's?"

[dxrkenedheights]

★・・・・・・★

"Right." the laugh was stilted, Ryan unnaturally obligated to find his friend funny. It could be an easy question to ask. It could be a conversation that caused more good than problems but Ryan couldn't see any potential optimism. He saw his truck once, if it was just once then it's fine. Whatever. But what if it wasn't? Ryan watched Beau's sheepish behavior, suddenly no longer seeing a friend but a man of contrived actions. Suddenly all those times Beau was with them, laughing over drinks, he was waiting for the perfect time to strike. Was it in their bed? Ryan's frown formed quickly at the thought, head tilting as Beau dug himself a hole with his own words. "Yeah? You think you'd do a better job?" he asked with another forced grin. The knife had so many edges it was hard to tell where it was pointing to. Ryan looked away, taking a sip of his beer as his mind flicked through several alternatives to end the conversation. He imagined a crack of Beau's head on the ground, a satisfying break of a nose and he could imagine yelling, Tammie's voice and another bag being packed to throw into his truck but this time not being able to see Faith again. Was she his? Ryan's own laughter broke his train of thought, glancing up to Beau and shoving him again on the arm. "Ah, I'm just fucking with you, man. You need to relax." he chuckled, shaking his head as the smile never reached his eyes. "Shoulda seen the look on your face, though." Finishing up the rest of the beer, Ryan lifted it in his departure. "Getting myself another then I better go see if I can, what you call it? Make her feel special."

"Oh yeah, that's it. Not sure which one is which." Beau laughs dryly with nobody but himself to blame for the tension and awkwardness between the two friends. Of course, he doesn't blame only himself. If Ryan loved Tammie the way Beau believes he pretends to, then they wouldn't be in this mess either. He snickers at the remark because there's not much else he can do, having to take all the jokes and quips with broad shoulders and a forced smile. It's like they're both pretending they both have no idea, and he reckons that's worse. "No, no. Not like that. I was just saying, it's what they all like, right? To feel a little special." he coughs, certain he's now made it worse as he sips his beer and looks anywhere but to Ryan. He nods about the overtime, about to respond when he's been backed into a corner and has nowhere to run. He looks to Ryan finally, scoffing slightly. "What?" he asks the once, tensing slightly but laughing it off in the same breath. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" If they're going to do this, it may as well be surrounded by other members right? Fight nights have never just had one show.

[dxrkenedheights]

★・・・・・・★

"Yeah me neither, guess Hell finally froze over." Ryan laughed, appreciative of his brother's company even if he was the last man on Earth to give rational advise. Which was why Ryan's brows just raised in fake intrigue at Hunter's notion about Tammie, chuckling but nodding in pretense. With his eyes on the shots, Ryan was mentally preparing himself for the evening. It'd be too easy to just have one or two, it rarely happened when he was with any of his brothers but especially Hunter. Double trouble was a stretch but also, stupidly true. "Nah, 'cause I ain't and we're the same damn age. Quit being a bitch." he teased, which became famous last words.

It was always conveniently forgotten about, how much Hunter could fucking talk and Ryan had bouts of self-awareness throughout the evening as his drunk mind tried to clamber any sense from the conversation. He was hopping from one to another, following and trying to keep up. "I wish I coulda been a fly on a wall when you was there, Hunt." to "What? Who? Nah, man. Shut up." to "Kat's had six of your boys, for Christ sake. Give her a break." to gaining a form of consciousness in the form of long brown hair and a movement of hips, along with Hunter's encouragement. It took a moment but Ryan's head shook with an undecided no. Tempted but reluctant. Could he? Then it would be even? It was already even enough, he couldn't. Could he? "Nah, you got her." he waved, scoffing as his drink was stolen again and watching Hunter prowl for his prey. When the friend arrived, Ryan laughed at his brother's expression but his head formed another small shake. He can't, but it'd be even. Then they could start again? He was ready to wave off Hunter's beckon before noticing a small movement through the crowd, two men breaking away and closing in towards his brother and the women. He nodded with a quick glance for the heads up, unaware if Hunter would notice them himself but boy they didn't look happy. Not to mention Hunter was never exactly coy. "Think they claimed, Hunt." he called for his brother's attention, voice easily lost through the music or whatever drunken haze of lust his brother had focused in on.

Hunter laughed smugly, drinking more of the beer that was once his brother's. "Never thought I'd see the day someone likes me more than they like you." he chortled, clapping Ryan's shoulder in a quick slap. Disagreeing, Hunter's head shook in the same motion but he grinned. "You think Tammie don't like the fact you can break a man's face? Shut up, Ry. She's a lil hellcat herself, she likes it." he said with conviction before he quickly finished up the remaining beer, bringing the empty bottle down to the bar with a satisfied sigh. He nudged it away from himself, watching the shots come next and puffed out his cheeks in a sickly preparation. "Yeah, he was quick with it. Can't really be mad about it." he grumbled about his son, eyeing the drinks instead of looking to his brother until he laughed at Ryan's dumb fucking wink. "Right, if that's how you say thanks I don't wanna fuckin' know how you say hello." he sighed, grabbing his first shot and knocking it back in a swift motion- already regretting it. "Too old for this shit, Ry." he stated, because there was never just one round of shots.

And there wasn't. What followed was a steady slam of the bottom of shot glasses and beer bottles against the bar top, Hunter raising his voice above the music as he talked with his brother...which, if he could hear himself, was becoming tangled nonsense as the time rolled on. "...fuckin' Tennessee, man. That shit was weird. I hope she don't ask me to go back so Saoirse can meet her mama." "...you ever think that mullet singer Tammie likes looks like El?" "...think those Westons wanna string Buster up by his paws and cut him open." "...duno know why she couldn't just watch 'em? Talkin' 'bout having shit to do. What shit does she have to do? Cut hair?" Next thing Hunter knew, he was stood shoulder to shoulder with his brother, away from the bar after he and Ryan had ventured closer to the bull to spectate a flash of brown hair that caught both of their attention in equal amounts. He nudged Ryan at first when the woman was done, as if letting his brother have first pick. "If you don't wan'er, I will." he mentioned but didn't let Ryan say much else before he snatched Ryan's beer, yet again, to approach her. He reached her, closing in on her space just as her friend joined which promptly made him wave Ryan over with a nod of head. A one each look on his face.

[dxrkenedheights]

★・・・・・・★

Ryan watched the glances exchanged between his brothers, aware that something deeper was stirring than simply a sister being told to leave the trailer. His head dipped, eyes focused to the ground as he remained in the doorway not wanting to drop his two cents into a situation that didn't truly impact him either way. He could see Hunter's nod about Wolf from the corner of his eye, and he looked up when Elliot also agreed and Ryan was ready to leave there and then. Not even a toe wanting to breach into the trailer any more than it already had. Just as he turned, Hunter spoke again and he sighed while looking back. All Ryan could offer was a shrug to both of his brothers, dumbfounded for a second or two. "I'm not pissed." he said evenly, and it was the truth. "I get it, just coulda...been done a bit differently." he mumbled that part, nodding over to Lia's trailer behind him. "Maybe wouldn't be a bad idea. She got the baby and the toddler all by herself, man. Gives Wolf some space, too." he looked to Elliot, as if he needed a back up on that opinion. "I don't know just er...lemme talk to him, might be fine." Doubted it but Ryan was itching to get off the damn steps as he slowly backed down another one.

Elliot's not really mad. He's just...disappointed? And surprised that he is. Maybe because he thought he'd gotten through to Hunter. Guess not. He sighs, raking a hand through his hair. "So we know for a fact she's got that money?" He's seen addicts and he knows it's not always obvious but Rory doesn't seem like she's been popping pills or doing other drugs behind their back. Besides, the trailer is too fucking small for something like that to go unnoticed for long. "Just because she can doesn't mean –" But he stops himself before he can go further. What's the point? Hunter's made up his mind. He turns his attention to Ryan, knowing his other brother's words make sense. "Yeah...can you, Ry? He's gonna have a moment." Wolf's been over the moon about having a sister and thinking of his reaction is already stressing Elliot out. "Yeah, but you got a say in if she's in our lives or not, Ry." He slips his hat back on and glances at Hunter on the couch. "I'll see if she's got somewhere to stay," he says, holding up his phone before walking over to the counter and grabbing the two certificates there. "If she's kicked out, she'll need these more than either of you." Elliot doesn't know if he cares that much but...it feels like the right thing to do and for some reason that matters to him.

[dxrkenedheights]

★・・・・・・★

Tammie made that face when Ryan mentioned he was heading to the Phoenix which prompted a string of promises and then, just like that he was three sheets to the wind and could feel the steady buzz of his phone as he walked...stumbled with his brothers and the Anderson boys. Squinting at the screen to unscramble the texts, Ryan felt the group break off towards another bar which was the perfect excuse for him to leave...and yet. He couldn't see wood for the trees as the smoke engulfed them, but he could make out Hunter's glowering expression at the bar and stumbled along having to lean against it promptly. All there was from him was laughter as he watched Dusty and then his younger brother's stress levels reach a whole new high. "I got it, I got it. Dusty, man. Fuck off." he waved a hand, trying to tap Elliot on the shoulder but it getting the young Cross' face instead. "What y'all having or what? Make it cheap, assholes." he yelled, grabbing his wallet and throwing crumpled notes to the bar top. Slowly, his vision straightened as the bartender reached them and the way they were dressed made Ryan, in all of his confusion take another sweeping look of the club. "I..."

the arch club, downtown atlanta

hunter, dusty, danny, ryan, wolf and lil elliot

It always fucking went this way, a stop into The Phoenix turned into zig zag steps to Doc's and then to Levi's. More alcohol than one man should really drink but it was easy to lose count among the banter and good natured goads. Last thing Hunter could remember was being pulled out of the honky tonk, hearing a grating noise that belonged to Dusty Anderson's voice. "When the fuck did he get here?" he asked to Elliot, or Ryan...fuck, it could've been to Danny for all he knew.

As the group of them emerged through a new set of doors, Hunter's vision was hit with the floating smoke from a machine and his ears plundered with loud music and...he could swear he felt a pinch of fingers against his ass. "What the fuck?" he jolted, pushing through the row of his brothers with an offended expression and a hope none of them saw his reaction. Instead, he pushed through more bodies to get to the bar. "Who's round is it?" Hunter called above the music as each of the others totted up beside him, a scowl forming as he had no choice but to watch Dusty for a moment.

Dusty wouldn't remember much about the night, he was a live in the moment kind of guy and had seen his brother and friends on the opposite side of the street which he promptly crossed and skirted around an oncoming car to reach them. It was the smoke and glitter that drew him, and from the second the music hit his ears he was lost in the moment. He too had felt a cheeky pinch across his bottom, but simply cackled flirtatiously as his fists pounded in the air and he was dancing with a hip sway near the bar. "This was the right choice." he said above the music, nodding to all of the other men while moving from side to side and dancing on the spot. "All those other places were where miserable old men go to cry about their wives' dry vajeenas." he added loudly, dancing still and waving his hand at the bar. "Not my round, I got the last one." he lied easily, considering he'd only just joined them. "Elliot, it's you."