#silverfox9947

Ryan woke up screaming. The sound, low and deep, vibrated off the walls of the apartment and back at him. 

It was the fifth time in as many days. This time, he could feel the sorrow in his chest growing and the darkness filling in around them. 

"Ry?" The lights flickered on in the living room. Geoff and Gavin emerged from the hallway, the elder carrying his wand while the other walked behind him with a wrist full of animal skins. "Again?"

"Yeah," Ryan answered. He shot them an apologetic smile, rubbing at his chest as he did so. Death was seeping all around and he could feel another scream bubbling. "I'm sorry for waking you up again."

"It's not a problem," Gavin murmured. He climbed over the back of the couch, settling himself by Ryan's feet. "You should have stayed in bed with us."

He shook his head, "I don't want to keep you up all night."

As Geoff passed them by, bee-lining for the kitchen, he said, "If we were that bothered by it, we would have broken up with you a long time ago."

Ryan hummed, "Still. It doesn't feel right."

Gavin shifted closer, his thighs straddling Ryan's. He lifted one hand, the furs that gave him his powers tickling Ryan's face, and curled a hand in Ryan's hair. 

"Do you know who it is yet?" Gavin questioned, his voice soft and gentle.

"Mm...The lady next door I think." He glanced towards the wall connecting their apartments, adding, "Soon too. Tonight or tomorrow."

"I like her," Gavin said, sadness in the turn of his lips. "She always leaves food out for me when she sees me, regardless of whether I'm a at or a dog or a bird."

"I know." Ryan leaned into his touch, reaching up to lace their fingers together. "I like her too."

There were soft footsteps and Ryan looked up to find Geoff moving his wand in a circle motion above the cracked mug from Gavin's trip to Ireland a few years ago. The liquid inside was yellow and steaming, stirring under his ministrations. 

"For your throat," Geoff said, passing it off. 

Ryan took it with both hands, bringing it to his nose when Gavin leaned back to give him room. It smelled like honey and flowers. 

"What's in it?" he questioned.

"Not troll toenails if that's what your asking," Geoff deadpanned. He settled on the floor next to the couch, leaning the side of his head against Ryan's thigh. "Some honey, herbs from Ray's garden. I started brewing it for you when this started."

"Thank you." He took a long sip before setting it on the coffee table behind his head. "You two should go back to bed. I'll be alright."

"Nah," Geoff dismissed. "We'll stay out here with you."

Ryan glanced down at him, "I'm going to be wailing all night until she passes."

"We know," Gavin said. "But we didn't want to sleep anyway." 

Geoff snorted, but didn't say anything else.