Chapter Text
The museum was beyond packed.
It should've been a given, what with it being a sunny Sunday afternoon, but Ryland slept in and neither of them could be bothered with waking him up early on his own birthday. It was rare that Ryland got an opportunity to truly sleep in, and Court figured that they could just eat on the way to the museum.
When his older brother crawled his way out from bed with the worst bed head Court has ever seen, it was well past their usual breakfast.
"God what time is it?" Ryland mumbles, pawing blindly towards their shared dresser to feel for his clothes. His eyes were barely even open.
"Five past ten," Court says. Ryland hums vaguely in response. He doubts his brother is even processing actual words right now, it was probably said out of habit than any actual curiosity.
Colt takes pity on Ryland after a few more seconds of watching the man fumble at the pile of clothes and tosses a clean shirt and pants his way.
"You sure we'll still make it on time?" Colt asks, eyeing Ryland warily as he stumbles towards the bathroom to freshen up. "I don't want to waste the tickets…"
Court hums. Adrian won't like it, has always been a stickler for sticking to schedule, but—"We'll be fine, Rocky said that the people up front don't mind you being a little late as long as it's within the hour."
He can see Colt grimace. "Ah well, Ryland can deal with Adrian when we get there."
It would be intimidating. Adrian towers over most people, and the perpetually unimpressed look on their face only adds to the intimidation factor. Nobody showed up late to plans without bearing the brunt of Adrian's quiet disappointment and disdain.
However, most people also don't know that Adrian is physically and emotionally incapable of holding a grudge against Ryland. Quite a feat, given both Rocky and Adrian are rare to forgive and never forget. Ryland's own words.
More likely, Adrian will attempt to give Ryland the cold shoulder for all of five minutes before they cave and act like nothing was amiss all along. For all that Court and Colt make jokes about Ryland trailing after the couple like an oblivious third, Rocky and Adrian have a soft spot for Ryland the size of Africa.
Case in point, the soft ping of Court's phone alerting him to Rocky sending him a photo of three incredibly cute lunch pails along with a blurry thumbs down. "Adrian makes very cute lunch" the text attached reads.
Colt straightens up on the couch. "Is that them? Are they waiting for us?"
Court shakes his head. "Just giving me an update. I already told Rocky we would be late." They were only really waiting on Ryland, who should be out any—
"Woah!"
Colt only barely catches Ryland from slipping as his brother comes careening out of the bathroom.
Ryland looks wide-eyed and frenzied, not really helped by the fact that his clothes are only half on. "Guys we're late! Adrian is going to kill me!"
Court wastes no time in swiping all three pre-wrapped little burritos into his pockets, they'll have time to eat on the short walk to the bus stop.
"Relax, we're not going to be that late." Colt is a liar and a fraud, drawing out his words in a lazy drawl that doesn't mirror the way he's been anxiously watching his phone for the past half hour. The hurried way he shrugs on a jacket belies his true self though. "Plus, we already told Adrian it's your fault for over-sleeping."
He stifles a snicker at Ryland's squeak and follows his brothers out of their little doorway, helping Colt wrestle Ryland's coat firmly around his shoulders. "You guys wouldn't, not on my birthday." Ryland cranes his neck to look back at them. "Right?"
"…Guys?"
By silent agreement, they don't answer him.
"You are late."
"I know, I know, sorry, I must've forgotten to set my alarm…"
Court sidles up next to Colt, both safely out of range while Ryland rushes on ahead to give Adrian an apologetic bow of his head. Adrian says something softly enough that it gets lost in the dull buzz of the people around them milling to and from the entrance. Ryland stops bowing to reply while rubbing the back of his neck, obviously voicing more apologies.
Rocky is swaying from side to side next to them, holding two large bags that must contain their food for the day. "Adrian's not really mad," he chirps brightly, "we barely got here before you."
Colt raises an eyebrow. "You guys were late? I thought Adrian would've dragged you out an hour before 'just in case.'" He makes exaggerated quotes with his hands. Adrian ran a group outing with all the poise and tough love of a grizzled war commander.
"I wanted to get Grace extra sugar coated doughnut from Uncle Memo." He pulls out a small yellow box from one of the bags. "Here, we got one for each."
Court thanks him as more little boxes emerge from Rocky's bag, individually wrapped so there was less mess. "Strawberry cream cheesecake? Rocky you're actually the best." God and it was still warm as well.
"Rock, I would trade Ryland for you in a heartbeat, you godsend." Colt cradles his coffee to his chest with a long sigh, doughnut already gone. Court isn't sure his brother didn't just unhinge his jaw and swallow the thing whole. "How did you know I didn't get coffee this morning?"
"You get angry and stupid like Grace. And you always forget coffee."
Court barks out a surprised laugh. God he's missed Rocky. Now that everything's settled down, Ryland has been too busy with work to have the couple over as often. It wasn't that long ago that Court associated home with the sound of Ryland and Rocky bickering in the living room. Sometimes he missed it.
He takes a second to just bask in the familiar sound of Ryland's best friend snicker as Colt sputters in mock outrage.
"Alright campers!" Ryland calls, making his way back to them with Adrian in tow. Seems as though Adrian's mandated five minutes of pouting were up. "Make sure you pick up those boxes later, I don't want the security guards running us out. I would rather drop all association with any of you than be banned from this museum."
Adrian makes a soft huff from behind Ryland.
"Well, obviously not you darling, but Rocky and the boys can't be trusted."
Colt sticks his tongue out and yelps when Court elbows him in the side. "Birthday boy gets to be annoying if he wants," he whispers loudly. Ryland rolls his eyes.
"Grace catch!"
It's the only split second warning any of them get before Rocky is charging full speed at Ryland. His brother lets out a short yell of surprise, forced to let go of the tickets clutched in his hands in order to fully catch Rocky as the two collide.
"Holy smokes, Rock, give a guy some warning?" Ryland squeaks. The rest of them watch as their tickets slowly float to the ground.
Rocky just smirks. "Gave you enough warning," Rocky says smugly, "You're lucky I said anything at all, dumbass." He also, however, holds up a perfectly pristine yellow box as a peace offering. "But I also got you a doughnut because I love you."
Court can see Ryland's ears turn red. "Okay fine, you're forgiven, you're the best." His tone wavers a bit at the end, because Ryland's always been the worst at smoothly accepting nice words.
"I'm always the best, your brain is full of stupid shit."
Ryland groans. "Three languages and somehow none of them are suited to be around all these impressionable young ears," he complains.
"Yeah Rocky, have some fucking shame," Colt pipes up.
"Adrian is just a little guy," Court adds.
"Baby crying noises," Adrian says flatly.
Ryland and Rocky both roll their eyes.
"…so are you done now or…?"
"No, you said you have big muscles always, you can carry me up the stairs."
"Come on Rock, you're really heavy!"
"Fine, since you're weak, Adrian will carry me because Adrian loves me."
"Guys I think Colt is leaving with the tickets—"
"I am strong enough to carry Rocky, I will carry him up since you don't love him enough."
"Oh come on—"
"Hey losers! I'm going in without you if you don't run!"
Ryland is red-faced and huffing, but they all make it to the entrance in time for the very unimpressed looking guards to check their tickets and let them through. He manages a short apology as they get hurried through security.
"Maybe you should go to the gym more," Rocky says with a sunny grin, then adds, "slash great encouragement."
"Not how tone tags work, bud, but nice try."
"Grace is being awfully mean and rude," Adrian says.
"Adrian not you too—"
"Slash disappointed."
"Guys, this is bullying."
Nobody told Ryland, but the day has been thoroughly planned and structured by Adrian and Court beforehand. Colt and Rocky were deemed too unreliable to keep to a strict schedule, so they've broken it down like this:
Colt is going to stick with Court, splitting off from Ryland, Rocky, and Adrian in order to communicate with Jody and Dan for their next destination. Court is there to keep Colt on task and make sure the two occasionally check in with Ryland to keep suspicion and worry to a minimum while allowing Ryland some time to hang out with his friends.
In the meanwhile, Adrian will herd Rocky and Ryland through exhibits that Adrian and Court decided would be the most interesting, neatly arriving at the food court in order to reconvene and enjoy a specially prepared meal.
It's got a good amount of wiggle room, enough for everyone to enjoy their time at the museum. Colt drags Court off immediately to go gawk at the large dinosaur models looming over the main entrance. No doubt to rattle off fun facts about movies filmed on museums and quote Night at the Museum like his life depends on it. Ryland watches them go with a fond smile.
He figured they would all hang out together, but it's also good to see his brothers so happy darting around the museum together. Court is paying rapt attention to whatever Colt is monologuing about, giving his brother room as Colt sweeps wide circles with his arms as if to act out the different scenes he's no doubt referencing.
It's a novel feeling, knowing that they're off to spend time together, no ugly arguments splitting open the space between them. Ryland gives himself a few moments to just watch as his brothers catch sight of something behind the next marble corner, and vanish from view.
"They'll be fine," Rocky says. He's watching the spot the two disappeared behind as well, brown eyes soft with affection. "Colt is doing much much better now."
Ryland shakes himself, like he could physically shake off the emotions that settle deep in his gut. "Yeah, he's good, he's good." He'll keep an eye out for Court as well. He knows his brothers, much as they think they're subtle sometimes. He knows they also just want to give him space to hang out with Rocky and Adrian again. He gives his head one last shake. "Yeah we'll go see if they got thrown out later."
Adrian is standing at the ready, poised next to the nearest map sign with a quiet dignity that used to intimidate him. Now, it just sparks a deep well of affection, especially once he sees them hold up a folded map of the museum in both hands to squint at the guided signs floating up ahead. "I found our first route," Adrian says.
Ryland grins. "Lead the way, boss."
One of his favorite things about museums is how they're slightly different as you visit. Because this one is a science museum, it changes significantly less than the local art museum, but Ryland has always been a sucker for science.
Even as a kid, he loved how much science teachers encouraged them to ask questions, any questions, nurturing the curiosity that functioned as the basis for the entire subject. He lost his mind when their class began to learn about how there was life so small, you couldn't even see it with your naked eye.
The other areas of his life were not as charmed by his enthusiasm and curiosity.
He used to ask his dad every mundane question that would cross his mind. To him, his dad seemed like he knew it all. How did he know who Ryland wasn't supposed to talk to at the grocery store? How did he know that stuffing towels under the door made the bathroom extra warm during showers? Why did the worms come out when it rained? What made chocolate stay hard on chocolate dipped pretzels but not when it was in a Hershey's bar? Why did the bugs sing more at night?
Typically, he'd get a short clipped response. But most were the simple request that he "stop thinking so damn loud." It was a 50/50 chance most days, whether his dad would humor him or not.
When Court was born, when—when their dad started to get that slightly crazed look in his eye, started hearing disrespect where none existed, drove himself mad with thoughts of them turning out more like their mother than him, Ryland stopped asking. It wasn't worth the coin flip anymore.
Not that it mattered. Ryland didn't know enough to recognize the signs for what they were.
While he stifled the urge to question while at home, up until the point he left it behind for good, he never lost the underlying curiosity.
But turns out, it wasn't something that his dad had a monopoly over. People who came and went throughout his life found his incessant questions inconceivably annoying.
Rocky was an exception.
The first time he witnessed Rocky get into an extended argument with a professor int he middle of a lecture over something he didn't quite understand, he wanted to shrivel up from the secondhand embarrassment. God, it lasted ages, back and forth with the professor growing noticeably more irritated until finally Rocky seemed satisfied and sat back down. He didn't seem to mind that the entire class had been staring at him, or even feel the pressure of pausing a class of over seventy people.
"Why would I feel embarrassed?" Rocky had asked. "I am here to learn, I'm allowed to ask questions so I actually understand."
Ryland hadn't known what to do other than accept this and follow Rocky around like a lost puppy. Or maybe a starstruck disciple.
Rocky is a force of nature when it came to academics. The smartest person that Ryland has ever met, his best friend has never met a social rule he wouldn't trample over for the sake of clarity. "I don't understand bigger uh—nonsense rules. They seem stupid, shithead way of thinking. Gets in the way of expensive learning."
Slowly but surely, that indomitable spirit is rubbing away at Ryland's hunched posture.
Sure, Ryland has always had something of a temper when it came to things he believed strongly in, but Rocky would egg him on. Every doorway Ryland hesitated at, Rocky barreled into him and said they would deal with the aftermath together.
Adrian assured him it was just the natural effect of being around Rocky for too long. That Rocky made you unafraid to speak your mind, because he would always stand next to you while you did it, equally as stubborn and three times as loyal.
And so, Ryland doesn't feel even the slightest bit bad as he forces both Rocky and Adrian to read every single little blurb on every single case in the museum.
Well, force implies that Ryland had to convince them. Rocky and Adrian are more than happy to debate with him about the ethics of museums when they get to the artifacts. Every so often, Adrian will pull out their sketchbook and sketch a quick rendition of certain sculptures or artifacts. Ryland is sure that they'll be incredible references for future designs, Adrian works absolute magic with architectural design.
They steer him slowly through each room, in a very controlled steady manner that immediately clues Ryland into Adrian's involvement in all this.
Adoration burns low in his stomach as Colt and Court dash past them at a pace only barely within social acceptability. He was being managed, yes, but managed with utmost care and consideration. And his anxiety did alleviate once he saw them well and whole and laughing, so really in the end they were right.
Not that he would ever admit to it.
"Grace look look, that one looks like you when you are in public speaking class."
He turns to follow Rocky's pointing, and snorts when he sees the bronze animal statue in display. It's face is contorted in an uncomfortable open-mouthed horror, it's muzzle retreating into the rest of its face. "No it's not, I'm not anywhere near that bad!"
"Last time, you forgot how to pronounce 'Socrates' and then threw up on the professor," Adrian comments, lips lifting into a self satisfied smile as Ryland whirls on them.
"That was one time and I was running on no sleep and four Red Bulls." Frankly, it was a breach of trust to bring up the one time Ryland threw up in the one class they shared. "You know my stomach doesn't do well without food."
"You get especially stupid with no food yes yes, still very funny," Rocky laughs, "your face looks exactly like this thing before you throw up."
Absolutely foul. Ryland wouldn't trade either of them for anything.
Eventually, Adrian herds them towards the cafeteria with a purposefully flat "Oh look, how fortuitous that our incredibly efficient route led us to the cafe right in time to miss the lunch rush."
Ryland laughs with Rocky and they head in. Court definitely begged them to be subtle about it, he always placed such an adorable emphasis on surprises. Combined with Rocky and Adrian's "nuclear missile in a china shop" mastery of subtlety, it made for a guaranteed fun time. Adrian always knew when Ryland was onto them, and adjusted accordingly.
"Ry! Ryland!"
Colt was waving them down. They settled at the table near a far window, just enough to be separated from most of the noise.
"Haul time!" Colt crows. He immediately slaps down a weirdly lumpy thing, wrapped tightly with tissue and tape. It's clear he's been waiting for a while to do this.
Adrian tuts disapprovingly. "Gift shop purchases are for after our lunch." They continue to stare Colt down before the young boy caves, wilting slightly.
"Damn, fine…" He swipes the bundle back off the table to whisk into his jacket pocket.
Court is obviously trying to stifle a smile. "It works out anyway," he says consolingly, "you were getting annoying about how hungry you were anyway."
"Court, I'm taking this as a personal betrayal."
Ryland ignores them both, god was he always this hungry? "Adrian? Are we allowed to see what you brought now?"
Adrian had basically swatted all three of the boys away from the bulky bags they and Rocky brought, saying that they would rather watch as Ryland drank an entire bottle of vodka on an empty stomach again than let any of them hold the bags all day. Not that Adrian was carrying them, no no. Rocky arrived holding both, and continued to play pack mule for the entirety of their excursion.
Adrian motions now for Rocky to place both on the table, which he does with an impressive thump.
Ryland lets out a low whistle. "I can't believe security let you in carrying enough food to feed an army."
There's a second where he thinks they're going to confess to something shady, the way both of them still slightly, but they move on quickly.
"They can be understanding, at times."
Mm, yeah no, still vaguely suspicious, but Ryland supposes there's nothing to be done about it. It's not like they smuggled in a gun or anything.
However, none of the three are ready for what Rocky starts unpacking.
"Is that…an entire rotisserie chicken?"
"Oh my god, Adrian you didn't."
None of them have ever seen Adrian look so smug before. They were practically preening as more and more containers were pulled out of the bag.
"Holy shit, we might need to move tables."
They did in fact, need to adjust their seating situation slightly. Rocky ended up dragging over another table segment after multiple scouting sessions to see if any larger tables had opened up. "Adrian spent all night preparing," Rocky says, voice brimming with pride, "we have enough for many many leftovers."
"Sure do Rock," Ryland says, still in shock. The two had brought enough to look like a small Thanksgiving dinner, complete with an entire chicken which was stewed with aromatics and rice, not rotisserie like they had assumed at first. It was certainly impressive.
"You three like to share foods. Rocky and I usually have our own plates and our own portions, but I thought for your birthday, we could all share a meal together. We can eat from the same shared dishes." Their words are hesitant, like it wasn't the sweetest thing that Ryland has ever heard.
Ryland did like to share his food. He was always of the opinion that sharing a meal with someone instantly made the food taste better. No matter who he was eating with, it just felt right to offer some of his own plate, and enjoy in sampling a little bit of everything from his brother's plates as well. It was ingrained in them, the act of passing food back and forth. No amount of withholding food ever worked for long. There were three of them, one always found a way to sneak something to the others.
If I eat, you eat. We all eat together or not at all.
It really just cemented itself once Court learned to properly make food, good food. Groceries were expensive, fresh produce even more so, and it was always more efficient to make a giant serving to make the most of produce before they went bad. To serve them on their bigger bowls and plates so they could help themselves to whatever appealed without the fear that they'd take too much from any one plate.
Rocky and Adrian seemed to find it a bit weird at first, the way the three would ladle pasta and stir fry onto big serving bowls to bring to the table, instead of everyone getting their own little portion. Adrian even said they found it funny that they didn't experience dog-like food aggression the way Rocky did when he felt he had to share.
It's a small thing, maybe, but Ryland knows that Adrian doesn't do anything without five layers of intent behind every action. The way they eat is something all three of them held on frantically to even through the absolute hell of the last few years. It was a remnant of their old house, but one that was untouched by their dad.
"I—Adrian I don't know what to say…" Ryland says. Neither of his brothers seem to be able to conjure any words either.
Adrian makes a motion like they're waving him off. "No words are needed, just enjoy the food."
Rocky hums. "Tell us if you want anything different, we will change it for next time."
Next time.
The food is incredible, and they're all very eager to tell Adrian and Rocky this.
"You have to give me the recipe for the dumplings," Court says eagerly, leaning forward to take get another heaping spoonful, "does this have zucchini in it? I feel like I saw zucchini in there."
Rocky laughs and pushes the bowl closer to Court before answering. "Adrian stayed with host family in China who made incredible pork dumplings. They can text you recipe tonight." His partner nods along in agreement.
"You two are crazy good at cooking, is it because you've been literally everywhere?" Colt asks.
Ryland raises his hand before chiming in, "Rocky used to be a horrendous cook until about a year ago, he couldn't be trusted around any stove without supervision." It was a mess honestly, Rocky made concoctions that smelled like they could wither flowers.
Colt's smile dims a bit. "Oh, really?"
Sensing the energy, Adrian jumps in. "We've both been to many different countries, but I always liked to cook more than Rocky. I enjoy being able to see the different ways that people treat the same ingredients, it makes cooking more interesting when you're aware of more options."
"You should take Court with you next time you take a food tour," Ryland says fondly, watching as Court ducks his head in embarrassment, and then stops when he realizes what he's doing, "he's the best cook in our family for sure, I'm asking this for purely selfish reasons."
"I mean I think I'm already reaping the benefits, I'm definitely stealing most if not all of these recipes," Court says.
Adrian and Rocky share a grin. "We've got them all written down just for you," Rocky cheers.
"You guys are the actual best, holy shit."
"Guys, I think there are easier ways of going about this."
Colt groans. "Ryland, stop being a baby and get in the car."
Ryland looks doubtfully at the way Colt and Court are practically fused together in the middle seat. They're currently trying to figure out if they can get the buckle to wrap around them both. It's looking like no.
Rocky is in the front passenger seat in the loosest sense, given the way he's stretched halfway into the backseat in order to help the two strain the seatbelt around their waist. "Sorry sorry, I forgot to unload car yesterday, Adrian asked me many times. I didn't remember."
So their car was down to four seats in total, with one of the back chairs pushed down to accommodate for what looked like several planks of wood, all wrapped in dense canvas.
Adrian sniffs pointedly from the driver's seat. "I told Rocky many many times to unload the car before today so we would have enough room."
"Yes, I know I know!" Rocky whines, "I forgot, my bad."
Ryland winces as the amalgam of Colt and Court force a breath all the way out to attempt to buckle both of them in again. "Maybe I'll just…walk. This doesn't seem super safe."
"Ry, get in the fucking car before I stuff you in the trunk."
The ride is, in one word, janky.
Maybe two words: janky and unsafe.
Ryland and Adrian seem to be the only ones unhappy about it. Ryland, because he currently has one arm looped through his brothers' seatbelt and Colt through his, neither of them secured back to the buckle. If they manage to somehow get into a bad crash (they were going to be traveling at a maximum of 20 mph) his arm would be snapped in half like a twig!
Adrian just seems generally displeased that Rocky forgot to unload their trunk, which Ryland guesses is fair and equivalent to his own situation.
Somehow, they make it home without incident.
("I told you it would be fine!" Colt groans. Colt was very aware of automobile risks. He stands that they were traveling at a sedate 15mph the whole time, on a very traffic-y road no less. Court just shrugs and says it would have probably been fine even on the freeway. Court is abundantly wrong, but he is also a little kid.)
Like every time Rocky and Adrian visit, they don't even make it all the way up the stairs to their apartment before getting into a squabble. Ryland says something that has Rocky stomping in outrage, Adrian eggs both of them on, Colt tries to defuse the situation, and Court gets roped in regardless of how much he was trying to stay out of it.
"Let me go! I got it, I was wrong, I'm sorry for hanging up on you when you were complaining about your English professor for the ninetieth time—" Ryland cuts himself off with a squeal when Colt and Court, on Rocky's signal, poke his exposed sides in unison.
"Stupid birthday boy should shut up maybe?" Rocky says, hauling Ryland's upper half up another set of stairs. This is so dumb, he doesn't even sound out of breath yet, despite having been hauling his ass up the last three sets of stairs.
Adrian sedately moves in unison with their partner, hands secured under each of Ryland's knees. "Grace should eat more, you are very easy to manhandle."
Ryland sputters, shooting betrayed looks towards his two brothers as they just snicker. "There are four of you! This is so unfair."
Colt lifts his eyebrow. "Court and I are here just for emotional support, Ry." To demonstrate, he takes his hands away from where they were under Ryland's back, motioning for Court to do the same.
Ryland doesn't even drop an inch closer to the ground.
"Jesus, Rock. Adrian I can understand, but it gets to me every time just how strong you are."
"I'm strong like movie Rocky as well!"
Adrian hums, not even a hint of strain in their voice, "Stronger than movie Rocky."
"If you two start flirting right now I'll roll down the rest of the stairs."
Ryland would like for it to be known that he was a fully capable adult man, and he was being reasonable. There were big threats out there! Burglars and serial killers and CIA people who used really intimidating weapons. Very serious threats that he had to contend with as someone who payed rent and lived at an address.
Which is why he thinks it's very reasonable that he reacts to Jody and Dan leaping out from their kitchen with a shrill "Surprise!" by screaming and knocking over both of his brothers in his haste to turn back around.
"God, Ryland get your heavy ass off of me!"
He doesn't know if he's the right way up, or if he knocked over one of their frail stands in his flailing. Ow! Yep, that was Court's foot standing directly on his arm.
Once his ears stopped ringing, he could hear the telltale sound of Rocky wheezing with laughter from somewhere above him.
"Court just move your—no, the other way—get that stupid table away from us—"
It takes a bit of maneuvering and help from Dan to get the three untangled and settled, and much longer for all of them to stop laughing at Ryland. He's pretty sure his face is bright red, just from how hot it feels.
"I could've hurt one of you!" He says hotly. He could've. Probably.
Rocky is still laughing. "You did, you knocked over both of them like—like bowling pins!" Adrian pats Rocky's back rhythmically as he gasps for air, but even Adrian has a wide smile on their face.
"This is very concerning," Adrian says, "Grace seems like a very easy target for manhandling and breaking-and-entering."
Court snorts from where he's starfish-ed on the carpet, holding the arm that ended up underneath Ryland when they all went down. "Yeah, Ry, way to protect us when you got scared."
That one stung a little, but Ryland laughed it off. No need for that today. "I mean, maybe it would have worked better if you guys weren't crowding me, I went first, what else could you ask for?" He pauses. "If you really think about it, the problem was you two blocking the only exit."
Colt rolls his eyes. "Like us being slightly further away would've stopped you from running us both over." He buries into Jody's side and sticks his lower lip out obnoxiously. "Now my ribs hurt because Ry used me as his own personal landing pad."
Ryland huffs. And then, unwanted, a smile spreads across his face. God, he's going to be a bit sore for the rest of the night, but at least no one was acting like he ruined the day by startling like a spooked animal to the surprise.
Gifts end in tears, no surprise there. Colt finally gets to show off the souvenir he got at the museum, a misshapen little bundle that turns out to be a magnet in the shape of the cringing animal sculpture that Rocky had likened to Ryland.
"It's that face you make every single time you're about to throw up," Colt says as explanation, which causes Rocky to let out a sound like a mouse letting stepped on. They share a high-five in front of Ryland's exasperated expression.
Jody and Dan bring out the poster once again, this time letting Rocky and Adrian add their own little message to the back before helping Ryland secure it to the blank wall by the kitchen.
They all present their gift. Singular, because apparently they all worked on it. Ryland's proud he doesn't immediately start bawling, but it's close, and there might've been a tear or two that escaped. It was…a cardigan. A sweater? A heavy knit cardigan. It felt weighty in his hands as he lifts it up closer to his face.
Rocky takes over the explanation from there. Jody saw someone wearing the cardigan at the last theater volunteer session, and when asked, they said that it was a pattern online. Jody shared it with Dan, who immediately told Colt, and all three of them decided it was perfect for Ryland.
None of them knew how to knit, so they asked Rocky and Adrian for help. Adrian reached out to Court about the idea, and Court was the one who decided that the wolf depicted in the original pattern was a little too aggressive for Ryland. Still, none of them knew how to knit.
Court was the one who took on the task of learning. Jody bought the pattern and the knitting needles, as well as some practice yarn to use while Court was still learning. Rocky adjusted the pattern, with some help from Court and Adrian on the revised design and a whole lot of googling. Ten swatches of very lopsided foxes later, and they were ready to make the real thing. Dan, Rocky, and Adrian bought the yarn in the right colors, Court knit every panel and piece needed, and Colt stitched them together.
Everyone but Court insisted that Court did 90% of the actual work, so Court was the one who ended up handing it to Ryland, face neutral if you didn't spot the subtle red spotting his neck.
And yeah, there were tears.
Ryland thinks he should be let off the hook for this one. He's pretty sure he would be buried in this cardigan.
He composed himself in record time just to turn the cardigan over in his hands, realize they all embroidered their names onto a tag in the side of the cardigan, and started crying all over again.
There's no cake, Ryland doesn't actually enjoy cake all too much, but they do end up sprawled across the couch and carpet to watch Star Trek. Rocky and Adrian meld into one big figure, and pull Ryland flush against them so his back is leaning against them. Court sits on the other end, Ryland's legs draped over his lap and a bowl of cut fruit nestled in between the web of their legs. He occasionally passes a fork with a fruit skewered on it down whichever line of people he chooses.
Dan, Colt, and Jody sit side by side on the ground. Dan has his arm wrapped securely around Colt's shoulder, reaching all the way over to curl behind Jody's neck. Jody has her head pillowed onto Colt's shoulder, and she's holding his hand loosely. All of their legs are tangled in various throws.
The air is warm and heavy, and the TV has long since been turned down so that they could all talk amongst themselves.
Tomorrow, they'll go back to their regular routines. Tackle all the problems they put on hold for the sake of celebrating one of their own, but for tonight, they all bask in each other's company. In this little room that functions as a home, there isn't a single thing more important than the soft curl of laughter floating in between them.