Hanging On

All previous disclaimers apply.
A/N: WARNING: This chapter could make some uncomfortable. It is not explicitly sexual, but does deal partially with the sexual aspect of Ryan and Chad’s relationship. If you don’t like that, please just don’t read. Sorry this has been so long in coming and that it is so short and thanks to all who continue to read it.

“Chad…” There was a persistent pleasant jolt along his spine that accompanied the soft voice just next to his ear as he was brought slowly into wakefulness. Slowly and pleasantly, he thought as he realized that the persistent pleasure was Ryan pressing kisses to the back of his neck and shoulders.

“Mmm…” he moaned and turned his head away from Ryan, smiling secretly as he did so, knowing that it would annoy Ryan just a little bit.

“Chad…” Ryan’s voice took on a distinctly annoyed, whining tone. Chad had to resist a chuckle when Ryan straddled his back and leaned down over him. The chuckle turned into a moan that he bit back when he realized that they were, both of them, buck naked, “Chad,” Ryan whispered right next to his ear, “Chad, I don’t know where you put our clothes and your mother is right downstairs. She’ll probably head up in a minute here.”

With practiced grace and a laugh Ryan rolled off of Chad as he sat up and began frantically looking for his clothes. It took him a moment before he realized that Ryan was just sitting on the bed, hands folded demurely in a lap covered by the sheet, watching him and laughing without sound. It took him a moment more, blinking at Ryan stupidly, to put two and two together. When he finally did he growled from the back of his throat and launched himself at Ryan. They were both laughing hard as Chad laid Ryan out over the bed and pinned him with his own body.

“Not funny at all, Ry,” he tried to look severe, but the laughter that shook him ruined the effect. Ryan laughed right along with him, then framed Chad’s face with his hands.

“You should have seen your face,” He giggled, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you move so fast.”

“Just because my mama loves us,” Chad murmured, “Doesn’t mean that she’s gonna want to see us…like this.”

“Hmm,” Ryan moaned quietly from the back of his throat as Chad’s hips pressed more tightly to his. Their physical love life was, on an everyday basis, wonderful and passionate but there had been something about it recently, since they had come out to all of their family and friends, that made it so much better. It was strange, but sometimes Ryan could swear that he could feel Chad’s thoughts and emotions in his own heads when they made love. Of course, that was ridiculous, but as Chad kissed him senseless and their hips connected, sending sparks of desire through him, and it was all so wonderful and intense he almost believed it yet again.

“What time is it?” Chad asked as he pulled back slightly to press kisses to Ryan’s neck and chest.

Ryan tried to concentrate and looked at the clock. He blinked twice at the neon numbers before he was able to answer, “Nearly two o’clock,” around a moan.

Chad hummed from the back of his throat and sat up, much to Ryan’s disappointment, “We’d better get into the shower, don’t you think?”

“Shower?” Ryan’s brain felt fuzzy as Chad kept running his thumb over his palm in just the way he knew would drive Ryan to distraction.

“Yeah,” Chad put his feet on the ground and stood, resisting the urge to laugh when Ryan followed like a puppy, still a little dazed, when he pulled him up, “We should probably make an appearance at the hospital when Bri and Jackson are there, don’t you think? See Emily and Darrick? Hold Sage for a little bit?”

“Hmm,” Ryan smiled dazedly when Chad held him close even as he reached behind himself to turn on the shower, “Sounds good.”

“How long has it been since we made love in the shower?” Chad asked suddenly.

Ryan’s dazed smile turned into a feral grin, “Too long.”

“Thought so.” They were both laughing as they jumped into the tub and under the spray of warm water.


“Mr. Danforth, please take your seat. Mr. Evans will still be here at the end of homeroom. Mr. Bolton, the same goes for Ms. Montez. Sit, both of you.”

Chad flashed a grin at Ryan before he gave Ms. Darbus an apologetic, sheepish smile, completely false, of course, and moved to sit down in his own chair. After their shared shower the previous afternoon they had gone to the hospital where they had spent time holding Sage and entertaining Bri and Jackson so that the adults could coo over the baby without interruption. Entertaining had eventually turned into a game of hide and seek out on the grounds when the two young children had become too restless to stay inside without damaging something. When Carmen and Paul had decided that it was time to go, Chad and Ryan had had to promise that they would be over soon to play with the kids again to prevent a major scene from occurring when their parents came to get them. When they had gone back inside Ayana had met them in the hall, saying that the young family was taking a quick nap but that the doctor had been by and said that Emily and Sage were looking just perfect and would be able to go home the next morning. When she had hugged Chad she had whispered that she knew their special night had been interrupted and had slipped a fifty into his hand and told him to treat Ryan to dinner like he had intended. When Chad had objected to taking her money she had just given him the look that he could not argue with. The look that said “I’m your mama, boy. You really want to argue with me?” Chad had decided he didn’t want to, not at all. Their dinner had been wonderful and they’d gone back to Ryan’s to make love one last time before Chad had gone home. He’d picked Ryan up just an hour before.

Now, looking at Ryan he had to wonder how he had gotten so lucky. Everything seemed to be just about perfect right now. He had the best family in the world, great friends who accepted him just as he was, and a boyfriend he would do anything for who would do anything for him. Ryan was well, both in body and spirit and he knew that it was key in his own continued mental and physical health. In the fall he would be heading to a great school and he’d only be an hour away from Ryan. He didn’t know what he wanted to do yet, but figured that didn’t really matter just yet. He still had time to figure it out. As he leaned back, putting his hands behind his head nonchalantly and watched Ryan paying rapt attention to whatever Ms. Darbus was prattling on about he just didn’t think that life could get any better than it was right now and that fact could only make him smile.

A/N: Okay, here’s where I ask for help. I’m a little stuck. I’d appreciate any ideas on where to go from here. I need some conflict in the story, but Chad and Ryan have proven their loyalty to each other, so having them break up would be out of character and Ryan’s health declining seems redundant. Any ideas aside from those would be very greatly appreciated! Please PM or review. If I use someone’s idea I promise to give full credit where it is due! Thanks so