Topic: Brotherly Blessings and a Zen Like State

Stas Ryan

Date: 2009-06-06 18:07 EST
As usual, Stas had walked AJ to the art studio, and had returned home. His shift at the clinic didn't start for another two hours, and he'd not make the mistake of going in early ever again. Once inside, he went to the kitchen to clean up the breakfast dishes. Humming to himself, the plates were scrubbed clean, and was working on the pots and pans. The events of the last couple of weeks were playing in his head and he realized that he'd not seen Devon in all of that time. Stas had meant to do the right thing, in the right order. But in his rush, mucked it all up. Now was the time to set things right. So the last plate was set to dry and the sink rinsed out. He carried the hand towel, drying his hands and arms as he walked towards Devon and Charley's bedroom. He hoped that at least Devon would be there. The door was closed and it was quiet inside. Hesitantly, he knocked, hoping not to wake either of them up.

After a moment of quiet scuffling sounds, the door was pushed open just a crack and a bleary eyed Devon peaks through, the usual artful disarray of his hair replaced by actual disarray. He's clad just in a pair of gym shorts that look like they were just thrown on. He blinks a couple times finding Stas at his door. "Doc...what?s going on man' What time is it?" His words are hushed as he glances back over his shoulder and then slips quietly out the door and into the hall, closing the door behind him.

Crap, he'd woken Devon up. "It's nearly ten am." He couldn't help but chuckle at Devon's disheveled appearance. He glanced into the door just moments before it was closed. As Devon slipped by him, he turned and started to walk down the hall. "Well, I've not seen you in a while and there's a few things I think we need to discuss." He glanced back at Devon's bedroom door, then back to him. "I've just not been able to catch you until now." Stas took the lead and led Devon towards the kitchen.

"Hungry?"

Bare feet carry him in Stas' wake as they head to the kitchen. "Ten am' You serious man' It's the weekend dude....I had a good three or four hours a glorious sleep in me." He blinks a couple times at the 'few things we need to discuss' thing. Their discussions usually led to him wanting to hit Stas. A small shake of his head and then nods to Stas' question. "I suppose I could eat."

"No rest for the wicked, Devon." He smiled and took his place by the fridge. "A little omelet' Maybe French toast?" The way to a man's heart, so he had heard, was through his stomach. And if Devon were relaxed enough, maybe this wouldn't turn out so badly. He waited for Devon to be seated, then moved from the fridge to put some distance and a table between them. "Well, no time like the present. You know that I love your sister, very much."

"Just a little toast would be good....maybe a couple eggs....oh, and orange juice." He pauses. "And maybe a side of some fresh fruit.." His eyes narrow ever so slightly at that second part, he didn't like the way that was starting. "You guys make it a little hard to forget actually....go on."

Stas Ryan

Date: 2009-06-06 18:13 EST
Stas begen to prepare Devon's breakfast, the melon had already been cubed earlier for AJ's meal and the rest was easily seen to. He kept his back to Devon for a while, and only turned back when the eggs were poached and atop the lightly buttered toast. A plate of the cubed melon was sat next to Devon's main plate and a glass of orange juice was sat beside that. Fork and knife had been provided. As he lowered himself into the chair opposite of Devon, he swallowed hard and folded his hands in front of himself. "I want to ask for her hand in marriage."

He had waited for him to speak again, just watching him going about the task of making him breakfast, he had a feeling this wasn't going to be good. When the food was set before him, he simply went on watching Stas, waiting. Then at his words a slight tinge of color comes to his cheeks and his jaw seems to set firmly. "And I want world peace....doesn't mean its gonna happen."

The fact that Stas had already made the proposal and AJ had accepted seemed to be suddenly forgotten at Devon's disapproval of the idea. He leaned forward, putting his hands on the table. "And why not' Am I not good enough for her?" He was truly hurt and it shone on his face. He thought Devon would be difficult, but to out and out deny his request was something he wasn't expecting.

He blinks at the look of hurt and shakes his head at the question. "Well....no, actually, I don't think you're good enough for her, but then I doubt I'd find anyone to be. As far as that goes....you're fine. She's been with worse....okay, I can't actually think of anyone better but....don't you think thats moving a little fast man' I mean, you two have known each other for what, a month or two?"

Stas sat back in his chair and brought a foot up to the seat, hugging his knee to his chest as Devon spoke. Lowering his chin to his knee, he sighed softly. It was encouraging, Devon's words. And he found hope in that. "I know it's fast, but Devon, there's no doubt in my mind that she's the one that I've waited a lifetime for. And, she feels the same way about me." He recalled the day before, out in the Glen. Color tinged his cheeks and he turned his head away with a secret smile. "Please say you'll give us your blessing. It'd mean the world, to both of us."

He blinks slowly at the last bit of that. "It would mean the world to both of you? That almost sounds like you've already asked." He tilts his head suddenly, eyes closing and a sigh escaping his lips. "Damn it....you already asked. Why am I even surprised?" He shakes his head slowly, exasperated but at least not flying off the handle.

Stas' eyes widened and he quickly averted them to anywhere but at Devon. "I. uh, I did" He stammered, nodding quickly. "I just, I had bought the ring already, and was going to ask you first, but you're never around, and it was perfect, the time was right, the picnic in the field, horseback riding, laying with her..." He clapped his hand over his mouth, he knew he had said too much.

Stas Ryan

Date: 2009-06-06 18:16 EST
"Dude.." He leans his body over and bangs his head softly but repeatedly on the tabletop. "Sometimes I think you purposefully try to say the wrong thing, like you're looking for a beatdown." He looks back up slowly and shakes his head. "I'm guessing we wouldn't be having this conversation if she didn't say yes..." He suddenly looks very tired.

Ok, so Devon was hurting himself, and not Stas. Stas didn't know what to make of it. He simply watched, wincing as Devon's head struck the table. "It slipped, but I assure you, we've not....done what you and Charley do." He nodded slowly. "And yes, she said yes."

His eyes flash with exasperation. "Dude....seriously, a little tact' I mean come on! Done what you and Charley do' Why exactly do you know our business anyway?" There was a touch of anger finally coming into his voice.

"You two aren't exactly quiet. And only my bedroom has soundproofing." He shrugged and hugged his leg to his chest even more tightly. "And that's not the point here, Devon. Do you give your blessing?"

"Jesus hoppin up Christ on a pogostick, man....can I have a minute to process this all." He runs a hand back through the disheveled mess of hair and takes a bite of the melon, his mind working quickly as he chews slowly. "Well....this is gonna happen whether I give my blessing or not, right' AJ can be a little stubborn." Said as if that didn't run in the family. He simply nods slowly. "You have my blessing for her sake....just don't expect me to like this whole idea....I think the two of you have lost your freaking minds but....whatever."

Begrudgingly or not, Stas had the answer he was looking for. "Thank you, Devon." He smiled warmly and finally let go of his leg to drop his foot to the floor. Leaning on the table, he watched Devon as he ate. "I know, it's crazy. But it's so right, Devon. And she'll be so excited to know that her baby brother gives his blessing." He reached out and nabbed a cube of melon from Devon's plate. "Since we're coming clean about a few things..." he grinned and chewed on that cube of melon thoughtfully.

He gave a brief nod to his words in reply, he knew how right everything could be, even if he and Charley were taking things at a slightly more normal pace than Stas and his sister. He drops his fork with a clang on the plate at that last bit. "Oh sweet lord, don't tell me there's more..."

Stas laughed at his future brother in law's reaction. And truly, where Devon and Charley were miles ahead of Stas and AJ in some areas, he would have to concede that they were miles behind in others. "It's nothing awful or anything. It's just that I'm confused about a couple of things and don't really know who to ask, besides you."

He blinks at that, raising a brow ever so slightly. "Please tell me that your parents had the birds and the bees conversation with you, cause there aint no way I'm filling you in on any details..." A tiny little smirk coming to his lips. "What is it man?"

Stas Ryan

Date: 2009-06-06 18:17 EST
"Yes, yes, we had that talk. And look at what I do, Devon. I know about that stuff. It's just that AJ seems to want to do things. She pushes and pushes, a lot. And it's getting harder to say no." He sighed and went back to hugging his knee. "I'm almost at the point where I don't want to say no anymore."

"Stick to your guns man." Said perhaps a little too quickly and eagerly....it was his sister they were talking about after all. He bites at his lip lightly and shakes his head. "Why on earth do you think I'm the right person to ask?"

"You're the only guy friend I have, Devon. The only one I feel comfortable enough to talk to about these kinds of things." He glanced out the window with a thoughtful look. "How far do you have to go before it's actual sex?"

"I uh..." He blinks a couple times at that comment, he really didn't want to feel touched by the way Stas viewed him, but it was hard to not be. He clears his throat slightly. "I guess that kinda depends entirely on your own perceptions man....I don't think I can answer that for you."

Stas scratched his head and nodded. "She is amazing, isn't she?" Turning his baby blues onto Devon he smiled softly. "Sometimes I can just see her with a swollen belly. Is that stupid?"

"Dude....again, this is my sister we're talking about..." He sighs and then thinks on his own situation before shaking his head. "I don't think its stupid at all doc."

He shook his head and smiled his kindly doctor smile. "I'm sorry. How are things with you and Charley' Amelia has said that you wish to move out?"

"Things with me and Charley are freakin groovy. She's amazing." Doesn't even notice how he just echoed Stas's words about his sister. "And we both just kinda wanna be making our own way in the world, you know" I'm kinda down with the whole 'self-made' idea right now. Its so different from back home."

He nodded his head and listened attentively. "Amelia has told me as such. But if you should ever need anything, Devon, do not hesitate to ask. Do not be so proud, ok?" He grinned then and bit his lip. "I've a box of condoms for you to use, just to be safe. Not that either of you has any diseases, but not sure you want little Devons or Charleys running about just yet."

His face falls lightly into his hand a flush of color coming to his cheeks. "Dude....seriously. I'm not an idiot, I've got that covered..." The idea of someone buying condoms for him was beyond mortifying.

"Really, it's nothing. Since I started the planned parenthood clinic at Riverview, I've got access to all the condoms anybody could ever need. Not that I plan on using any of them." he did it again, scowling, he turned away quickly.

He gives a little shake of his head and then releases a slow breath. "Am I the only one who always has you putting your foot so freakin far down your throat' Cause if its with everyone I'm amazed you were able to catch my sister's eye."

He gave a shrug then. "Well it's true. We plan to start a family just as soon as the wedding's over. Both of us want children, badly. How would you like being an uncle?"

"I don't do diapers, but otherwise kids are cool." His breathing coming slow and steady as he continues to try and look at the whole situation from sort of a zen place and not from the volatile overprotective brother place that he usually resided in.

"You're taking this all rather well. I'd expected to have a black eye by now." He chuckled softly and reached for another cube of melon. "Eat up, Devon. Your food is getting cold."

Stas Ryan

Date: 2009-06-06 18:17 EST
"Don't think the idea hasn't crossed my mind man....but I'm trying to be a better brother. AJ sorta deserves that, she's been pretty damn supportive when it comes to me and Charley." He looks down at the food and then starts to rather mechanically take it down.

"She loves you, Devon. Of course she's going to be supportive. And she does expect you to be who you are, regardless of my eyes." A soft chuckle then. "She told me of how your parents didn't exactly shower you two with love. And I'm sorry for that. I know that she's all you've got, in the way of family."

He gives a little uncomfortable shrug at that. "Lots of people had it a heck of a lot worse than we did. Our parents weren't like, horrible, or anything. But yeah, she is family in a way that nobody else seems to be." He lets a small smile touch his lips. "So....are you saying she wouldn't be totally pissed if I clocked you? Cause seriously....that does seem tempting from time to time."

He nodded, then a grin emerged when Devon said it was tempting. Rising from the chair, he walked over to Devon's side of the table. "Take your best shot, make it official. While I've not had actual intercourse with Amelia, we have done some exploring."

His jaw clenched and he closed his eyes, taking deep calming breaths once more. His fingers curled and uncurled a few times before he reopens his eyes and looks to Stas. "What exactly are you trying to do here..." He seriously didn't understand the doc just now, and if and when Devon was going to hit him, it wouldn't be by invitation.

"Isn't that how it goes" The overly protective brother beats the hell out of the fiancee, to save face, family honor, stuff like that?" He frowned slightly. A part of him was going to be proud to sport the black eye that he figured Devon would give him. His beeper went off then and he pulled it from his pocket. "Sorry, Devon. We'll have to continue this discussion some other time. Babies wait for nobody." he gave a pat to his arm and moved out of the kitchen.

He released another tense breath as Stas moved away, suddenly very glad that Stas was called away before things had a chance to escalate, he was a little sick of AJ yelling at him. He gives a little nod to him as he goes. "Luck man..."

"Piece of cake." he grinned and went into a squat, holding his hands up like Johnny Bench. "They do all of the work, I just stand there and watch mostly." He chuckled and grabbed his black bag. Tapping his chin, he jutted it out. "Last chance.."

He yawns and stretches, flashing him a little smirk. "Nah....no good knocking you senseless when you're needed for actual do-gooding. Besides, you need something to look forward to for the next time."

"Rain check it is." he smiled and started for the door. "Don't forget to pick up Amelia from the studio." he called out over his shoulder. "Then you can tell her all about what a good boy you were and not decking me when you had the chance." His laughter filled the hall until the door closed behind him. The good doctor nearly bounced as he walked to the clinic. Oh yes, a good day.