ext_96486 ([identity profile] clayangel.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] wl_fanfiction2007-12-05 02:24 am

[fic] Aftermath

Title: Aftermath
Author: Clay
Pairing: Ryan/Colin/Greg
Rating: PG-13 for some cursing
Summary: Colin and Greg take care of Ryan and discuss the way of things.
Author’s Notes: Originally written for Sue’s challenge from nearly a year ago, but typed up for Indy’s birthday. Happy birthday. ^_^ Actually, this is more of a pre-birthday present. You shall get your actual present soon enough. ^_~
Word Count: 634



“I can’t do this anymore,” Greg groaned, hefting his half of the load higher, adjusting his grin on the slim ankles and then almost smirking—almost because he was far too worn to conjure up any real enthusiasm—when ash from the cigarette bobbing between his lips fell and spattered across the pale jeans between his arms.

Colin let out a sigh, and his smile was small but genuine as he adjusted his own hold on Ryan’s shoulders.

“Just down the hall,” he practically begged. “Twenty more feet. You can do it.”

You can do it,” Greg shot back grumpily. “I’ve seen you fucking carry Ryan all over the God damned stage. Don’t know why you need my help now.”

“I need your help,” Colin countered, slowly edging backwards as he considered how, exactly, he was supposed to fish his key card out with so much dead weight in his arms, “because I’ve never had to carry him this far before.”

“And why’d he have to drink so much, anyway?” Greg grumbled. He watched Ryan’s face, so peaceful in slumber, a thin line of drool trailing from the corner of his mouth, soft snores resonating through the ninth floor hallway.

Colin sighed, though whether from frustration or relief—as they’d just reached their suite—Greg couldn’t say.

“You know,” Colin replied wearily.

“But this is what he wanted! No more lies! No more games! He can be with us now, guilt free.”

Greg set down Ryan’s ankles, and Colin shifted the body again, taking him more fully into his arms as Greg opened and held the door for him.

“He’d been hinting at it for years,” Greg continued, his voice softer now as Colin carried Ryan past him. “Now he has his divorce...and us.”

“It’s not that simple.”

“The hell it’s not! It didn’t see you or I getting wasted to the point of fucking passing out when we left our wives!”

We,” Colin said, gently but firmly, “didn’t have baby daughters to worry about.” He set Ryan down as gently as possible on the wide bed, then cracked his back, bending backward with a satisfying grunt before straightening up and turning back to Greg, a sad smile on his lips. “Remember that he retired so he could watch her grow...and now he still can’t do that. Try to understand.”

Greg frowned. His arms were crossed tightly over his chest, lips turned down in a scowl, but Colin could see the fear in his eyes.

“I understand,” Greg said, even as Colin let out another sigh and went to him, gently prying his arms free to wrap Greg in a loose hug. “I understand that he regrets this whole mess,” Greg continued, holding Colin back, tightening his grip as his frown deepened. “And now he resents us.”

“He doesn’t.”

“I need a drink.”

Colin only shook his head, smiling kindly at Greg before dropping a kiss to his forehead, his arms tightening around the other man briefly.

“Help me undress him,” he prodded softly. “I promise you, things will look better in the morning.”

Greg raised an eyebrow defiantly, and Colin was sure he’d have another baby to coddle that night, but after another moment of silence, Greg relented, drawing away only to go to the side of the bed, grasp one of Ryan’s sneakers and prize it from his foot. His words were almost too low to make out.

“You’d better be right.”

Colin’s grin widened, and he came up behind Greg, placing a hand on his back and laying a soft kiss to the side of his neck along with a whispered, “Have I ever been wrong before?”

The smile they shared warmed Colin through to his core, and if wasn’t until that moment that he believed his own words.

End.

[identity profile] sandssavvy.livejournal.com 2007-12-05 08:04 am (UTC)(link)
Is it bad that I love insecure Greg so much?

Great fanfiction, sorry I don't have more time to review it.
I like how Colin is trying to look after both of them if he has to.

[identity profile] sungreen70.livejournal.com 2007-12-05 01:54 pm (UTC)(link)
I've said this before to both you and Indy, die-hard R/C shipper that I am, the way you two write Ryan/Colin/Greg (or Ryan/Greg) makes me GET it - know what I mean? You did it again here.

And I love the last line.

[identity profile] indybaggins.livejournal.com 2007-12-05 02:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Yay birthday fic!!! *squees*

“I need your help,” Colin countered,(...) “because I’ve never had to carry him this far before.” Oh. I like the dual message in this. It's probably my favorite sentence of the whole fic.

I understand that he regrets this whole mess,” Greg continued, (...) “And now he resents us.” Your Greg is this is very interesting. I feel like he's somewhat different from how you usually write him. I do like him all doubtful and woobie like this though. *pets* Colin'll fix it.

...wasn’t until that moment that he believed his own words See this I adore. Colin convincing himself, drawing his certainty from Greg in a way. Very nice.

Thank you! *hugs*

[identity profile] indybaggins.livejournal.com 2007-12-05 02:34 pm (UTC)(link)
*smiles* Thank you!

[identity profile] indybaggins.livejournal.com 2007-12-05 06:33 pm (UTC)(link)
I like the word "woobie." *nods* Me too. And I have time! (I'm also curious though. Yay for presents :)

[identity profile] box-dweller.livejournal.com 2007-12-05 08:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Really enjoyed reading your fic, insecure Greg is lovely when done well.... Which you did.

[identity profile] indybaggins.livejournal.com 2007-12-05 08:40 pm (UTC)(link)
*laughs* Oh god. Should I start making sure I'm awake when the mailman comes by in the mornings?

[identity profile] indybaggins.livejournal.com 2007-12-05 08:50 pm (UTC)(link)
*burning curiousity*

Did I tell you I'm getting the little kitty?

[identity profile] indybaggins.livejournal.com 2007-12-05 09:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Honestly, I think she's going to drive me insane *laughs* Apparently she's very curious and all over the place. But with all the obsessive mothering I have to do with Morgan, I figure it will be a nice change ;) I really hope they get along.

[identity profile] captanonymus.livejournal.com 2007-12-05 09:42 pm (UTC)(link)
I have to echo sungreen's words :-) It's hardly a secret who my otp is, but the way this has been written, makes me understand how it *could* work... I went all squishy :-) a lovely piece, very touching :-)

[identity profile] oakapea.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 12:04 am (UTC)(link)
I've never really been a fan of this pairing, but this was still a fic I could enjoy :D It was all sweet and sentimental... I think I must have smiled the whole way through it, because my cheeks are sore now.

Thanks for posting it!!

[identity profile] almostjulie.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 01:15 am (UTC)(link)
I always like your Greg. You're showing a different side here than you usually do with him. He's vulnerable, as if he's trying to hide his fear and jealously, but isn't being successful at all.

“Remember that he retired so he could watch her grow...and now he still can’t do that. Try to understand.” Yay for addressing consequences of actions.

[identity profile] ktnflag.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 02:54 am (UTC)(link)
Beautiful vignette - very evocative! You've got a great ear for dialogue (I especially loved "And now he resents us"/"He doesn't"/"I need a drink." That's SO Greg!). If I had to nominate an OT3, Greg/Colin/Ryan would definitely be it :-)

[identity profile] hammerofgold.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 09:06 am (UTC)(link)
Oh, what a lovely fic. I adore a strong Colin, and it felt more like I was watching them than reading- you write so vividly.

[identity profile] sungreen70.livejournal.com 2007-12-06 02:12 pm (UTC)(link)
Ya done right! Most definitely. :)