Fake Fan Fiction ❯ Three Times A Charm ❯ Chapter 16

Title: Three Times A Charm

Author: JadeHeart

Archived: found on AdultFanfiction. If anyone else would like it, please ask me first!

Fandom: Fake

Rating: X

Warnings: some mild sexual thoughts

Timeline: follows on directly from the end of Vol 7

Summary: Finally making peace with yourself and finding your heart.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters in this, they belong to the creators of `Fake', nor am I making any profits from it.

 

 

Chapter 16

 

 

Ryo sighed as he dropped the keys on the table. Another day over, thank goodness. It wasn't that there was anything really big going on to make it tiring; that was the problem. It was the same old stuff, day in, day out. The past few weeks had just dragged. Without Dee to bother him, his days seemed rather…dull.

 

Although his days may not have been busy, Dee's had in his new precinct. So busy that it had continued to be difficult to arrange times for them to meet in-between shifts. However, they had managed to meet a few times nearly every week; sometimes for breakfast, sometimes for a morning or a quick afternoon coffee. Twice in the past few months they had even managed to squeeze in a quick take-away Chinese meal in the evening on a park bench before having to go their separate ways.

 

He threw himself down on the couch with a deep sigh, leaning his head back and staring up at the ceiling. It was a pretty boring ceiling, he acknowledged. Dull white, fine cracks criss-crossing the paintwork, an old water stain - nothing to write home about certainly. He would much rather be looking at Dee. He was far more picturesque at least.

 

He felt his cheeks heat a little at that thought but didn't feel that embarrassed by it - more a little…excited. He rolled onto his side, stretching out on the couch full length, draping his feet over the arm rest at the other end. He tucked his folded hands behind his head, still looking up at the ceiling, although he wasn't seeing it at all now.

 

Every day had seemed to get longer and longer since Dee had left. Ryo sighed again softly to himself. He had really missed Dee's presence in his life. The bickering, the silliness, even Dee's mood swings that would sometimes drive him crazy; he found he missed them all. He gave a small chuckle. He even missed Dee's laziness at finishing his case paperwork off! Now that, he never thought he would admit to!

 

He had found that every meeting they could arrange he looked forward to more and more. He didn't know if Dee felt the same way about it. He frowned a little. They hadn't talked about what had happened before Dee's secondment. There had been no further discussion about anything like that. Ryo chewed his bottom lip absently. Did that mean that Dee was okay with it all? Or did that mean that Dee had forgotten about it? He worried his lip a little more. Or did it mean that Dee had changed his mind completely? A tooth sliced his lip making him suck in his breath at the sudden sting. He sucked at the bleeding lip, silently cursing his carelessness.

 

Stop it, he scolded himself firmly. This is what started the whole thing in the first place! You worrying so much that you didn't know what to say anymore! Unless Dee says otherwise you don't have to try and make up more problems than are already there!

 

Suitably chastised, he cleared his mind and concentrated on more pleasant thoughts. He thought back to a breakfast they had had just two days ago. They had met at a little café that was a favourite for them both, and fortunately fairly central for them also work-wise. Ryo had been running late that morning - very unlike him, generally it was Dee that was arriving at a run, completely out of breath. However that morning Bikky had announced that he had to have some extra books for school that day and had forgotten to tell Ryo sooner. So there had been a mad scramble for Ryo to do some ringing around to a few stores to locate the necessary items, then rushing off to get them, before dropping Bikky at school so he wouldn't be late. He had soundly threatened Bikky as the boy left the car that he was going to be very sorry for not remembering sooner, not that it made that great an impression on the irrepressible child. He sometimes wondered if Bikky ever listened to anything he said!

 

So with all of that, he had arrived at the café breathing heavily, stitch in his side, chest heaving and dripping hair from the hurried shower he had taken with no time to properly dry it. Dee had looked his bedraggled state over and couldn't prevent his full lips twitching with the start of laughter. Ryo just glared at him. “So help me if you say one word, Dee! Just one word!” he growled, pulling a chair out to sit.

 

Dee chuckled and pushed the cup of coffee towards him. “You look like a drowned rat,” he couldn't resist saying.

 

Ryo frowned at him, picking up his cup and motioning as though to pour it into Dee's lap. “I warned you!”

 

Dee held out his hands in surrender, still laughing. “Okay, okay! Mercy!”

 

Ryo growled and took a much needed sip of the yearned-for caffeine. A drop of water slipped from the wet hair plastered to his forehead, landing with a soft plop in his coffee. He brushed it away, irritated.

 

“Hold on. At least do it properly.” Dee said, and he gently reached out and brushed Ryo's hair out of his eyes and tucked it behind his ear with a smile.

 

It had been a simple gesture, and one that had caught at Ryo's heart strings in its simplicity. That gentle, soft touch was more exciting, more meaningful, than all the times Dee had pounced on him over the years. It had made not just his face flush but also his entire body, and he was sure that if he had removed his shoes and socks even his toes would be tinged pink, and none of it was because he was embarrassed that Dee had done it in public. He flushed because it had sent a surge of emotion right to the bottom of his soul.

 

Ryo stretched on the couch, reaching his arms upwards over his head, stretching so even his fingers began to ache a little with the strain. Oh, that felt good! He relaxed again, letting each muscle go, feeling lethargic.

 

Today, he and Dee had met again, this time in Central Park. Dee had called him mid-morning and suggested it, saying that he would be out that way just before lunchtime and was Ryo able to meet him? Ryo had readily agreed. It would make a nice change from their usually haunts.

 

He had arrived at the designated spot and looked around, not spotting Dee. He seated himself on the nearest park bench and glanced at his watch. There were still a few minutes. He looked up and down the paths, hoping to see Dee but still didn't. He settled back and began to worry. Had Dee been caught up with work? Were they going to have to cancel? It would be a real shame if they did; it was such a nice day today, a perfect day for a lunch in the park. He tipped his head back and watched the few wispy white clouds scud across the blue sky, sent on their way by the gentle breeze. What a beautiful day!

 

“That one looks like a crocodile with wings trying to eat a rabbit in drag.” A dry voice suddenly broke his contemplation of the heavens. He turned his head to see Dee seated next to him, head leaning back just as his had been, staring at the sky.

 

“A rabbit in drag?” he queried, wondering if he was going to regret asking the question.

 

“Yeah,” Dee said, raising a hand and pointing. “See? There's the head and the ears,” his index finger traced the outline he was scrutinizing, before continuing. “That's the back with the little fluffy bunny tail.” Ryo almost sniggered at that. Big macho Dee talking about fluffy bunny tails! “Those are the back legs extended down, and you can see that it looks like there's a stocking line, and it's definitely wearing high heels!”

 

Ryo had to admit that now that Dee had pointed it out to him, it did look a little like…whatever it was, was wearing stilettos.

 

The clouds were pushed again by the wind, changing shape once more. “Now it looks like the crocodile has become a pig, and it's fucking the rabbit.” Dee said calmly.

 

Ryo choked on the burst of laughter. Only Dee could come up with that one from cloud gazing!

 

“What?” Dee asked innocently, finally turning his head to look at Ryo for the first time.

 

Ryo just shook his head at his partner, not taken in by the innocent expression in the least, especially as he could see the twinkle of mischief that lurked in the depths of those green eyes.

 

“Oh, here you go,” Dee held out a paper bag.

 

“What is it?” Ryo asked curiously, taking it and peering inside.

 

“Lunch. It's the least I could do when I made the arrangements so late. So I thought I would shout you.”

 

“Sure you can afford it?” Ryo said with a straight face. “Pay day's not till tomorrow.”

 

Dee glared at him. “Smart alek!” He opened the second bag that was resting on his lap, pulling a sandwich out. “Besides, I borrowed some cash from John!”

 

“Now that I believe!” Ryo said with humour, unwrapping his own lunch.

 

They had both eaten quickly, the many years of working on the Force teaching them to eat as fast as possible in case something came up that cut short their meal breaks.

 

“Come on,” Dee said, standing. “These benches are damn hard. Let's find some place more comfortable.”

 

“Sure,” Ryo agreed, standing and following.

 

They had only walked a short distance when Dee took them under the mottled shade of a tree and threw his self down onto the lawn, resting his head on the bundled up coat he had removed. He had been able to remove his coat whilst also discreetly taking off his shoulder holster, bundling it up in the coat and thus hiding it from the public's view.

 

“I don't care what is going on in the city at the moment. I'm going to have my full hour lunch break for once!” Dee had said firmly.

 

Ryo chuckled as he sat next to him. “You know you're still on call,” he reminded him.

 

Dee cracked an eye open. “I don't care! I've barely managed to grab a bite to eat at the station since I got there. Today I'm going to take the time I deserve!”

 

“Is it still going well?” Ryo asked.

 

“Yep, it is, but we're all trying to do the job of two or three people each. That makes it pretty hard.”

 

“I guess it would.” Ryo pulled at some grass absently. “You haven't got much longer there.”

 

“Three days! Yes!” Dee punched the air then rolled onto his side, propping his head on his elbow. “But at the same time, I'll be sorry to go. They still could do with the help.”

 

“So….” Ryo said hesitantly. “You'd like to stay longer?”

 

Dee was silent for a moment and Ryo threw a quick glance towards him. Dee caught his eyes. “Yes, I would like to stay longer to help them. That doesn't mean that I don't have my reasons for wanting to leave also.”

 

Ryo bathed in the intensity of Dee's gaze and felt warm all over. He smiled at his partner and reached out a hand to brush back the dark lock of Dee's hair, lifting the bangs, so he could see the green gaze unobstructed. “I'm glad about that.” he said softly.

 

Dee looked back at him and raised one hand slightly but didn't touch his hand. With a smile, Ryo clasped it in his, squeezing it lightly. He saw Dee's eyes widen in surprise at his gesture and his smile deepened. It felt good to hold his hand.

 

Ryo lay back, still maintaining his grip. “Well, I, for one, will be glad to have you back,” He turned his head to view Dee's face. “It's been so dull without you there.”

 

“Ah, thanks.” Dee said, casting a glance down at their joined hands.

 

“Oh!” Ryo released Dee's hand slowly with a sheepish grin. “Sorry.”

 

Dee shrugged. “Doesn't bother me,” he said honestly.

 

Ryo laughed. “Yeah, it wouldn't!” He closed his eyes. “It's nice here,” he murmured quietly, as he drifted asleep.

 

******************

 

Ryo rolled over again, pulling a cushion in under his head. He glanced at the clock on the wall. Bikky would be home shortly. He had gone over to Carol's after school to do some homework but had promised to be home in time for dinner. Earlier he had phoned to ask if Carol could eat with them also.

 

Ryo felt a smile curve his lips. The relationship between the two children was so special. He knew that he didn't have anything to worry about just yet with them. Although as they got a little older he knew he would have to have `the talk' with Bikky. He let out a soft snort. Not that he could probably tell Bikky anything more than the boy already knew. He had grown up in a rough neighbourhood and would have seen most of the more sordid side of sexuality. Ryo just hoped that since Bikky came to live with him, that the boy may have realized there was a more romantic aspect to sex other than the straight physical. For all his young age, Bikky was fairly mature and did have his head screwed on right. Carol was no fool either, and she was a strong willed girl. Ryo had deduced from a few things both children had said over time that there was an `understanding' between them, even if they hadn't yet `experimented'. Ryo didn't want them to rush into things and perhaps ruin the close bond they had at this time.

 

The smile broadened as he pictured the two children. They looked good together; Bikky's dark colouring setting off Carol's almost `peaches and cream' complexion, and for all that Bikky was shorter than Carol at this point, he was always very protective of her, and Carol didn't seem to mind the difference in height, or in age. Ryo nodded to himself. Yes, he hoped the two of them remained close - even if it didn't end up evolving into an actual relationship as they grew older. He was very fond of Carol. Sometimes it seemed like she was almost his daughter, just as Bikky was like his son.

 

He chuckled to himself. He's got a ready-made family! Son, daughter, and……he paused for a moment, seeing an image of Dee's face flash through his mind. Was Dee his…What did others call them? Wife? Husband? He frowned at that. He didn't like those labels particularly. It seemed that they were trying to designate a particular role to each person. He didn't want that. He didn't want to try and conform or fit into a box presented to him by society. He was himself. Dee and he were partners. That's how they worked.

 

Worked, yes. At work they were partners, equal. One wasn't stronger than the other, one wasn't cleverer than the other, one wasn't more macho than the other. They shared everything. Sure, they both had their strengths and weaknesses, but in their jobs they worked as a team. Outside of work…….

 

He thought back, right back to the first day he had arrived at the 27th and met Dee. He ran the subsequent months through his mind, remembering the cases, remembering conversations held between them both as their relationship developed and moved outside of work.

 

Okay, he had to admit that Dee had definitely been the aggressor in that time, pouncing on him at almost every opportunity he could, so perhaps it would have seemed like Ryo was the more submissive, but that was more due to surprise and uncertainty back then. He hadn't been able to respond to Dee in the same way, he hadn't even been sure that he wanted to respond to Dee! It had been a long, slow process for Ryo to come to the point where he could realize what his feelings were and finally give in to them. When he had, again he had been quite happy to let Dee take control of the situation and lead him through it. It was all new to him; he didn't know what he was doing! Dee did, however - and he had shown Ryo exactly what it meant to be loved by a man.

 

Ryo felt his face become hot and his heartbeat sped up in his chest. He took a deep breath to calm himself again. Just the memory of that time made him hot - very hot. Images quickly flashed through his mind - darkness, bare skin, sweat, heat. Ryo felt his trousers become tight.

 

Stop it!, he snapped to himself, clamping down on those feelings. He knew what the sex was like, he knew perfectly well that his body had enjoyed it. It didn't need to remind him every time!

 

He calmed himself, feeling his erection flagging once more. He let out a deep sigh of relief. Now he could think again, returning to his original train of thought. Okay, for their initial sexual encounters Dee had been the aggressor, generally the instigator, and certainly the one in control once they were in bed. But that didn't mean that Ryo wanted to be dominated by anyone, in any way. Ryo had looked after himself from the time his parents had died. Yes, his aunt and uncle had taken him in and cared for him, but his decisions to go to college, to pursue a career as a police officer, that had all been his decisions, and he had worked part-time jobs to be able to achieve all that. He knew his aunt and uncle would have gladly provided him with anything he had asked for, but he had wanted to be independent also. He was a strong-willed, capable man - not some weak push-over.

 

So he didn't want to be considered some sort of `wife' to Dee's `husband'. That sounded so derogatory! So degrading! Why couldn't HE be the `husband'?! A quick image of himself lying on top of Dee and doing the things that Dee had done to him appeared in full techni-colour in his mind. Oh……my…!, was the only coherent thought he could have to that! With an effort he pushed it away before he let it go any further. Later….oops, did he just think that? Is that really what he wanted to….do?

 

He was pulled from these thoughts by a rattling outside the door, and turning his head he saw it open to allow Bikky, followed by Carol, to enter. Saved by the bell!

 

“Hi, Ryo!” Bikky called out with a casual wave.

 

He smiled at the kids. “I was beginning to wonder where you two were.”

 

Carol plonked herself down into a chair adjacent to the couch, dropping her bag by its side, as Bikky disappeared into his room to divest himself of his own school related items. “You look comfortable. I think you were probably asleep and only woke up when you heard us!”

 

“I can honestly say that I wasn't asleep.” Ryo assured her.

 

She tipped her head to one side to scrutinize him. “Are you feeling all right?” she asked, a little frown on her face. “Your face looks all red.”

 

Ryo quickly put up a hand to touch his face and could feel the heat. Damn it! He furtively glanced down his body and let out a soft sigh of relief to see there was no sign of arousal showing. Thank goodness for that!

 

“It's just a little warm in here, that's all,” he said, standing and heading for the kitchen. “Would you mind setting the table, Carol?”

 

“Sure!” and the girl bounced into the room behind him.

 

They were able to sit down and eat immediately. Ryo had become quite apt at working a slow cooker and found it much easier to put a meal on in the morning before he left for work, so it would spend the day simmering slowly, and be ready to eat when he arrived home. It saved a lot of time.

 

The meal passed pleasantly and afterwards Carol and Bikky did the dishes between them. It had become an unspoken arrangement when the three of them ate together that the kids would do the clean up, although Ryo would generally have to put a few plates or glasses away in the higher cupboards. Mainly due to the first time Bikky trying to do so and managing to over-balance on the chair he had been standing on, resulting in Ryo having to buy another set of china. After the clean up, they all adjourned to the lounge room, Ryo allowing Carol to choose a CD to play, with much arguing from Bikky.

 

Ryo smiled at their antics as he reached out and picked up the book he had been reading. He noticed the two kids sitting cross-legged before the stereo, and watched as Carol nudge Bikky, motioning with her head in Ryo's direction. There were a few muttered undercurrents of soft speech for a moment between them, with interesting facial expressions accompanying whatever was being discussed. Finally Ryo laid his book down on his knees and looked directly at them both.

 

“Okay, what gives?”

 

They both looked back silently, then Carol nudged Bikky again and said in a sotto voice, “Go on! Ask him!”, to which Bikky replied, “Okay, okay! Will you quit it?”, before he turned to face Ryo with a very serious expression on his face, one that Ryo had seen only rarely.

 

Ryo smiled reassuringly at him. “What do you want to ask me?” he coaxed.

 

He saw Bikky take a deep breath, Carol by his side with wide eyes, then the boy spoke, “Has-something-happened-to-Dee?” He said this all in a rush on that single breath.

 

Ryo blinked. Two sets of young worried eyes watched him. “What do you mean `happened'?” Ryo questioned, not sure what they were getting at.

 

Bikky and Carol shared a quick glance.

 

“Is …is Dee all right? He's not….” Carol broke off, but Bikky continued, “Dead.” he completed bluntly.

 

“What?!” Ryo was stunned. “No! Whatever made you think that?!” he wanted to know.

 

Carol hugged her knees to her chest, her large eyes watching him over them. “Well, we haven't seen him for ages…..”

 

“And you don't talk about him.” Bikky put in, mirroring Carol's pose.

 

Ryo smiled at them both. “Dee's fine. He's just been busy working, that's all.”

 

“So how come he's not been round here?” Bikky wanted to know. “He hasn't been here cadging meals, or cluttering up the couch with his lazy bones, or trying to get into your pants.”

 

“Bikky!” Ryo scolded the boy, feeling a little embarrassed.

 

Bikky was completely unfazed, “So how come?”

 

“He's just quite busy at the moment.”

 

“Even when you two were busy at other times, he's still been hanging around here.” Bikky added.

 

“Did you two have a fight or something?” Carol asked in a small sad voice.

 

Ryo felt his jaw drop. He was beginning to feel a little out of his depth with this interrogation. These two kids had the `good cop-bad cop' routine down pat!

 

“Well,” he fumbled for a moment, wondering what to say. And why should he even be answering or trying to explain to two adolescents about his private life?!

 

“You did, didn't you?” Bikky glared at him. “Sheesh! What was it about this time?” he demanded.

 

Ryo tried frowning at the boy, hoping it would be enough to cower him and cease the questions, but this was Bikky he was dealing with and the boy wasn't distracted so easily.

 

“It's not really any of your concern,” he tried saying.

 

“'Course it is!” Bikky said with a snort. “I live here and you've been moping around for months. It's driving me crazy!”

 

“I'm sorry for that,” Ryo said, “But everything's fine.”

 

“No, it's not! If it were fine, you'd look happier and Dee would be here!”

 

“We really thought something bad must have happened to him, and you just didn't want to tell us.” Carol said in an almost whisper, tears standing in her eyes.

 

Ryo's heart softened, “Oh, Carol, I am sorry. Honestly, Dee is fine.”

 

“Then where is he?” she asked with a sniffle.

 

“He's working at another precinct. They needed some extra help.”

 

“How long for?”

 

“Only a few more days now.” he assured her.

 

“Then he'll be back? We'll see him again, and he'll have dinner with us, like before?”

 

“Well,” Ryo hesitated. Would Dee want to go back to the way things were?

 

“I knew it!” Bikky said, slapping his hand on the floor and startling the other two. “You did have a fight! Is that why he left? It is, isn't it? What happened? Ryo, you've got to tell us! It's not fair!”

 

Ryo was stunned by Bikky's out burst. Perhaps he had been wrong not to let the boy know about himself and Dee. But what could he say? How could he discuss the fact that he was in love with another man, and Dee no less?! It was far too adult a subject matter. It wasn't right to burden these children with such things.

 

“Gods, you make me so mad sometimes, Ryo!” Bikky growled at him. “You keep treating me like a child. It's not like I don't know about things, and more so than most kids my age.”

 

“Me, too,” Carol put in. Ryo had to admit they were right in that. “Don't you love Dee anymore?” the girl asked.

 

Ryo gaped at her forthright question. “Ah, uhm..”

 

“'Course he does!” Bikky said answering her, “Otherwise he wouldn't be so miserable because Dee wasn't around!”

 

“Is that true?” Carol wanted to know from Ryo. “Do you still love Dee?”

 

“Well,” Ryo quickly vacillated, “We're very close after working for so long together….”

 

“She wants to know if you two are still all lovey-dovey for each other.” Bikky interrupted, rolling his eyes. “I think it's pathetic to see two grown men making google-eyes at each other!”

 

Carol whapped him across the back of his head. “Ow!!” he exclaimed, ducking and protecting his head.

 

“It is not pathetic!” she said emphatically. “It's beautiful and sweet.” She clasped her hands together and looked back at Ryo. “I think it's just wonderful! Dee's loved you for so long and you do love him too, don't you? Please say yes?”

 

“What…what if I did?”' Ryo said in a small voice, looking at Bikky.

 

The boy raised his head and the two gazed silently at each other for a moment. Then he rolled his eyes and threw himself onto his back, sticking his legs up in the air with a deep sigh.

 

“I guess that means that old pervert's going to be spending more time here than before.” He sighed again and lifted his head to look at Ryo with a frown. “But you had better tell him to keep away from Carol! If he's got you, he'd better learn to be monogamous, or I'll kick his butt!” Carol giggled.

 

“Oh, and you two had better keep the noise down.” Bikky glared at him with a grimace of mock distaste. “I don't want to have to try to explain to my teachers why I've fallen asleep in class is due to you two going at it like rabbits! Yeech!”

 

Ryo felt his face blush hotly at Bikky's blunt acceptance of the realities of the circumstances. Carol crawled over closer to his couch, looking at him over the arm rest.

 

“Aw, Ryo, you're so cute when you blush!” she said, dimpling at him, which only made his cheeks redden further. Carol laughed softly and moved to sit down next to him, snuggling into his side. She looked up at him. “You do love Dee, don't you? Truly?”

 

He smiled down at her. “Yes,” he finally admitted to them both. “I do.”

 

“Yay!!” Carol let out happily.

 

“Oh, just great!” Bikky moaned from the floor.

 

Ryo glanced between the two of them. “Are....you really okay with it?” He had to know.

 

“Oh, I am! More than okay!” Carol gushed.

 

Ryo waited to hear Bikky's response. The boy pursed his lips, “You know I think Dee's a big pervert, and a lazy good-for-nothing waste of space,” Ryo's heart plummeted.

 

“But,” Bikky continued, the words sounding like they were being dragged out of him unwillingly, “He obviously does care about you, and has for ages now. And he's put his life on the line for both Carol and me.”

 

And me also, Ryo thought silently, thankful that the two children didn't know about that time.

 

“So,” Bikky finished grudgingly. “I guess that means he sort-of is a good guy.”

 

“'Course he is!” Carol said forcefully. “Don't be such a jerk!”

 

“Fine!” Bikky stuck his tongue out at her. “He's a nice guy! Happy?!”

 

Carol smiled sweetly at him, “Yes.”

 

Bikky glared at her again and opened his mouth to say something but thought better of it when he noticed the warning glint in her eyes. Erring on the side of caution, as the girl would be spending the night in his room and he would be completely at her mercy, he wisely chose to stay silent.

 

Instead he turned back to Ryo, “If you really want to be with Dee, if he's the one for you, then you should be with him.” Bikky's face became wistful for a moment. “I remember when things were good between mum and dad. It's nice to see people together who want to be.” He refocused on Ryo. “You'd be a fool to let him go.”

 

“Sure would,” Carol put in, taking Ryo's hand. “You deserve to be happy.” she said seriously.

 

“So,” Bikky said, “Are you going to make up with Dee now?”

 

Ryo reached up and brushed away a tear that had gathered at the corner of one eye before smiling on both children. “Yes. I'll be sure to do so.”

 

“Good! Then now, hopefully, things might get back to normal finally!” Bikky said. “So, can we have some ice-cream?”

 

Ryo laughed and stood, heading for the kitchen. “Sure! I think we all deserve some!”

 

Later, Ryo settled himself in his bed and picked up the phone. Dee was working the late shift tonight so Ryo couldn't call him. Besides there was someone else he had to speak to first.

 

Bikky and Carol had headed off to bed without argument after the ice cream had vanished. He had checked in on them before coming to bed, to find them both sound asleep.

 

He listened to the phone ringing, hoping it wasn't too late to be making this call. “Hello?” a woman's voice finally answered.

 

“Aunt Elena,” Ryo responded, “I didn't wake you, did I?”

 

“Ryo, love,” Elena's voice warmed. “Of course not. How are you?”

 

“Fine,” he said, settling back on his pillows.

 

“Have you been busy?”

 

“Not very. It's rather quiet at the moment.”

 

“That's a good thing surely?”

 

“Oh, yes,” he agreed quickly to reassure her. “It is good, but it makes the days long.”

 

“How's Bikky? Is he doing okay at school still?”

 

“Yes, his marks appear to be improving a little. I think that Carol has helped with that. Bikky doesn't like it that the girl can achieve better marks than him. It seems to inspire him to do better!”

 

Elena chuckled, “He does have a fairly strong competitive streak!”

 

“That he does,” Ryo agreed.

 

“So when can you come for another visit?” she asked. “It's been months since we've seen you.”

 

“I'll try and get away in the next week.” he promised.

 

“Will Dee be coming too?”

 

“Uhm..” Ryo paused for a moment, feeling nervous.

 

“What is it, dear?” Elena asked, worry colouring her voice. “Is anything the matter? Nothing's wrong with Dee, is it?”

 

Ryo shook his head to himself. Every one automatically worried about Dee's well-being. He'd have to tell him about that. He would no doubt find it a real ego boost!

 

“No, nothing's wrong,” he assured her. “Dee's fine. He's been working at another precinct lately as they were short staffed but he'll be back soon.”

 

“Oh, you hadn't said.”

 

“Sorry,” he apologised sincerely. He knew he had deliberately kept this fact from his aunt so as not to have to explain further. “Aunt Elena, can I…tell you something?”

 

“Of course you can, Ryo. You know you never have to ask that.”

 

“Well,” Ryo paused. How to begin? “You know it's been a while since I had a....partner?”

 

“Yes, but you've been very busy with work, haven't you? Are you seeing someone now?” she prodded.

 

“Yeah,” Ryo replied softly. “Yeah, I am.”

 

“Can you tell me who?”

 

“I don't want you to be shocked,” he warned her, feeling uncomfortable.

 

“Shocked?” Elena sounded surprised. “Ryo, why would I be shocked? You haven't got a girl pregnant, have you?”

 

Ryo almost chocked. “No, no, nothing like that!”

 

He heard her sigh of relief. “Don't scare me like that! Now just tell me, please, or I'll just keep working myself into a state thinking the worst!”

 

“Okay,” Ryo took a deep breath. “I'm in love…”

 

“Yes?” she prompted as the pause lengthened.

 

Ryo took another breath to gather his courage. “I'm in love with Dee.”

 

“Oh, thank goodness!” Elena exclaimed.

 

“Wha…at??!!” Ryo hadn't been expecting that response to his declaration!

 

“Oh, I'm so relieved!” Elena continued, “You had me quite worried for a moment.”

 

“You're not upset?”

 

“Why on earth would I be upset, Ryo?” Elena answered, surprise in her tone.

 

“Well, Dee's a…man!”

 

“Yes, and a very handsome one, too. Not to mention he has a lovely physique as well!” she said with mischief.

 

“Aunt Elena!” Ryo tried to sound outraged through the laughter bubbling up from his chest.

 

“What?” Elena said with a laugh of her own. “Can't this old lady admire a nice body?”

 

“You're not supposed to do it to my…”

 

“Boyfriend?”

 

“Yes!” Ryo said a little defiantly. “My boyfriend!”

 

“Then, in that case, I suppose I had better be a well- behaved aunt to him as well.”

 

“You had better.” he mock growled. “Dee's all mine!”

 

“Well, I'm glad. When you were last here and said that you weren't together I thought I had been completely wrong.”

 

“No, you weren't,” he admitted. “I just wasn't ready to tell you then.”

 

“Well, I'm glad you have now.” Elena said warmly. “So will you be inviting Dee to come down with you again?”

 

“I'll ask.” he said.

 

“Good. I'd like you to come as an official couple. I know, we'll throw you a `coming out' party!”

 

Aunt Elena!” Ryo said in shocked embarrassment. “Don't make such a big deal of it! It's embarrassing!”

 

Elena laughed, “You can't blame me. You're the one who kept it all a big secret. You have to let me have my fun now. Besides, this will give me two gorgeous guys to cook for again.”

 

“All right. Whatever you like,” Ryo finally admitted defeat.

 

“Good,” she sounded suitably happy. “Call me as soon as you organize things with Dee. Don't forget to give me enough time to get things ready.”

 

“I will.” he promised.

 

“I'm really glad for you.” Elena said more seriously. “I truly am.”

 

“Thank you,” Ryo said sincerely, feeling his chest tighten with emotion. “That means a lot to me.”

 

“Well, you sleep tight, dear, and we'll talk again soon.”

 

“Good night, Aunt Elena. Say hello to Uncle Rick.”

 

“I will, love. Night.”

 

Ryo returned the phone to the cradle and switched the light off, before settling back to sleep. He would be able to speak to Dee in a couple of days and ask if he would come with him. He hoped he would say yes.