Ryan West

AJ: Are you really asking that. It's late, I'm alone, why else would I be looking for you to come home?

Ryan: theres that motherly side of you coming out again.

Ryan: alright just throw the age in there.

For the past two weeks the apartment has been filled with the sounds of the ticking from the wall clock, water dripping down the faucet from the bathroom sink, and the sizzling of bacon that AJ cooks in the morning. Not many words have been exchanged between the two since that night. As much has Ryan has longed to hear those words, he knows better than to push things and receive in outcome he doesn't want, like cutting off communication and one of them ending up pregnant. 

As he struggles to find his way out of the bed sheets, he jumps into the shower as AJ's starting breakfast. A man's best thinking is always done in the shower. In a typical AJ scenario, she wouldn't want anything to be said, at least that's what Ryan's thinking. Ryan should just forget what happened and move on, at least that's what he's thinking. There are boundaries that cannot be crossed, at least that's what he thought. The problem with Ryan's thinking is that it's not always spot on, and this isn't a typical AJ scenario. The tables have completely turned, there are new rules in this game and the players are completely different people now. Should Ryan just stick to the plan or go on a limb? 

As the water get's colder, Ryan exists the shower. 

After he's dried off and dressed for school, he makes his way over to the kitchen. "Mornin'" he whispered, his voice still a little raspy from waking up. He made his way over to AJ and gently placed his hand not he arch of her back then slowly leaned down to kiss the corner of her forehead, as part of the daily routine. They both sat in their usual places, with the tension in the room feeling hotter than the over-cooked eggs. The same sounds filled the apartment, the ticking, the dripping, and the clanking. 

"Ryan—"

Neither of the two had said a word during the entire meal and Ryan was surprised that AJ was the one to break the silence. 

"Don't forget the electricity's due tomorrow."

Of course. Typical AJ in a typical AJ scenario. Ryan nodded in acknowledgment of her comment and stood up to grab his backpack. No goodbyes were exchanged as he opened up the front door. There's nothing typical about this situation. Typical AJ and Ryan would still be at Bella Nova, seeing each other when it was convenient. Now they're not only doing thing for each other, but for the little boy they're about to introduce to the world. This is completely new territory for the both of the, their typical boundaries do not exist in this world.

"AJ." he called out.

AJ peeked her head up and raise an eyebrow, waiting for him to finish.

"I love you, by the way."