Disjointed Heart

Chapter Six

Mike didn't know why he was suddenly nervous to ask Ryan if he wanted to see Chester. The half Asian had been waiting for today just so he could please Chester, it had made him happy to know that the blonde man was grateful to be told about his friend from the clinic, and making Chester smile had warmed Mike's heart.

But now that he stood in front of Ryan's door, worry flooded his mind. What if Ryan didn't want to meet his old friend, and that he had gotten Chester's hopes up for nothing? Surely, the blonde man would be devastated by that.

Mike sighed and shook his head. There was only one way to know. He knocked at the brunette's door and waited patiently for the other man to open it.

"Mike?" Ryan said as soon as he opened the door to see the deliveryman standing behind it. He looked at the clock on his wall and frowned. "You're fifteen minutes earlier than usual, is something the matter?"

"Sorry, it's just... we need to talk."

"Okay." Ryan said, his eyes squinting in curiosity. He opened the door wider and motioned for Mike to sit on his couch, sitting right after, across from him. "What is it? Spill it out." The brunette relaxed against the back of the couch as he motioned towards Mike, waiting for him to talk.

"So... I didn't tell you yesterday because I wanted to do something first but... I know Chester." Mike smiled awkwardly as if he was expecting an outburst from the other, but Ryan only furrowed his brows in utter shock as his jaw dropped.

"You what?!" he basically shouted, getting up from the couch and gripping his hair in disbelief. "You're not pranking me are you? Because if you are-"

"I'm not! Calm down, I'm not." The half Asian interrupted before he got too nervous, causing a laugh to leave the older man's lips.

"How?" Ryan looked amused, his eyes shining as well as his smile that was brighter than ever. Mike could see that whatever the two men had, it was a strong connection. He flopped on the couch again, eagerly waiting for Mike's explanation.

"He's the next person on my client's list."

Ryan's eyes widened as he shook his head. "You mean he got out? He actually got out?" He let out a sigh of relief. "I'm so happy about that, he... he must be doing better now... I... I need to see him." The brunette's eyes were so pleading that even if Mike hadn't decided on that choice before, he wouldn't have been able to resist Ryan now.

"I know, I asked him, and he wants to meet you too."

Ryan got up once again as he walked toward his bedroom. "Okay, I'll go see him right now. Right after my pills, I'll-"

"Wait, Ryan, I need to tell you something first." The half Asian said as he, too, got up, walking toward the other man. "Chester is... well, let's just say you're doing better than him."

Ryan frowned at that as he turned toward the deliveryman, fear present in his eyes. "What do you mean?"

"It's nothing major, really, he's just... agoraphobic. He always stays home and he doesn't want to see people. He's a shut-in, I'm sorry to use that term, but I just want you to understand."

"Oh... do you think he wouldn't like me going there?" Ryan asked as his smile fell.

"No, it's not that. I just think it's better if we warn him first. I'll go to his house right after you take your pills so I'll talk to him."

"Is it okay if he comes here instead then? Can you bring him after your work?" the brunette asked with those puppy eyes and Mike couldn't help but agree without even thinking straight. When he noticed, it was too late though. Chester would not like the news at all. Sure, he wanted to see Ryan but did he want to see him so bad that he'd leave home? Mike doubted that, but there was only one way to find out.