Missing in Action

Chapter 019

"I can't believe that fucking asshole is coming," Jon hissed, looking around only afterwards to make sure the kids were out of earshot. They were sitting in the garden, Spencer and Brendon plus Jon and the two kids. Ryan had left a little while ago to pick up Jaken and Jon was still sore about it. He took an almost violent sip from his glass of sangria, which he'd become accustomed to over the years, and then slammed it back down. "And of course they're completely wrong for each other," he said vehemently, ignoring Brendon's surprised, choked, sound. "But of course Ryan doesn't see that, and he keeps saying that they're not together, but I have seen things!" He continued ranting, Brendon hanging on his every word and Spencer rolling his eyes and ignoring him. Just as Jon said something particularly nasty, Isaac bounded over and was grinning in a way that scared Brendon.

"Prick!" he announced, and Brendon groaned, covering his face with his hands before looking up and glaring at Jon, who looked sheepish and muttered an apology. The night did not look like it would go well, at all. He looked around for Ryan's daughter, because he was not going to let her get hurt on his watch, and was pleased to see that she was playing calmly. He smiled wistfully, then frowned. Ryan got the normal child, and he got the child who liked repeating curses and never spoke. Just fantastic.

***

Ryan pulled into the garage, laughing and eagerly responding to yet another one of Jaken's comments before opening his door and slipping out. "Oh, and..." He gave another one of those awkward grimaces, wrinkling his nose. "Remember Jon?" he asked. "Well, he's here. With my ex."

Jaken frowned for a moment before suddenly raising an eyebrow. "The ex?" he asked with a laugh. "Should be fun to finally see him." Then he sobered slightly. "And don't worry. I'll be on my best behaviour and stay out of Walker's way as best I can." He reached into the backseat and pulled out his suitcase. "I'm guessing it'd be a bit inappropriate for me to use your room then."

Another grimace and Ryan nodded. "Yeah, probably," he answered, giving a small laugh. "You could always sneak in after every one's asleep," he stated with a laugh and a wink. "At least I got the one soundproof room in the house." Then he shook his head slightly. "Nah, we should probably behave," he stated.

Jaken nodded with a small smile. "Yeah, guess you're right about that, mate. There'll be enough tension as it is. And I'm personally not too much of an addict to keep my trousers on."

Ryan refrained from stating that he could very easily be, laughed and rolled his eyes instead. "Come on, meet the entourage," he invited and led the way around the house, into the garden. "And you're serious about getting an exhibit? Opening show and everything?"

"Absolutely," the younger man answered, running a hand through his tousled, blond hair. "And I cannot for the life of me wait. I feel like a kid before Christmas." Ryan rolled his eyes and responded with an expression that clearly stated that the taller man still behaved like a kid when Christmas was around the corner. Finally the others were in view, and Jaken grinned upon spotting Lucía. "Where's the prettiest little lass in the whole world?" he shouted, only to be barrelled down a moment later by an excited little girl who was picked up and swung around, squealing and laughing lightly.

Laughing, Ryan shook his head in amusement before making his way to one of the empty chairs around the terrace table, hearing the sound of his friend's footfalls behind him. "Jake, this is Spencer and Brendon. You know Jon, and the little boy in the sandbox is Isaac, Brendon's son," he introduced. "Guys, this is Jaken Larsson, my friend from university, now a professional photographer."

Isaac, once again, looked up when his name was said, and regarded the newest addition with curiosity before walking over. He climbed into his father's lap, and stared at Jake. Brendon extended his own hand in greeting, apologizing that he wasn't standing up, but he really didn't want to make Isaac crankier than he already was by moving him again. Spencer followed suit, shaking Jake's hand and smiling widely. Jon simply nodded once in welcome, but didn't open his mouth to say hello. When he caught Lucía's eye, though, he winked and then crossed his eyes to make her giggle.