Chapter Text
The scottish morning was clouded, and hardly a ray of sunlight peaked through them. Geoff looked down from the sky and torward at the large castle-like mansion before him with a hefty sight. It would have been a beautiful sight if the weather had been a bit more sunny.
Geoff raised his hand to knock but instead grabbed a golden bull-shaped door-knocker and pulled back before sharply hitting the door several times. Geoff smirked. He’d always wanted to use one of those dumb things.
The door opened and a larger man smiled at Geoff. Geoff smiled back and stuck a fist out for the man to bump. “Hey, what’s up. I’m Geoff Ramsey, the lawyer clerk who you should have been notified about?”
“Of course,” The other man said, giving Geoff’s fist a stiff bump before swinging the grand door open wide for him. “Come on in.”
Geoff stepped in and the wooden door closed behind him with a heavy slam. Geoff followed the other man into a large sitting area where the other man sat, gesturing for Geoff to follow suite. Geoff dropped himself into the seat across from him.
“My name is Ryan Haywood, by the way.” Geoff studied the man across from him. He was sturdy and tall. His eyes were a piercing blue and he had a small amount of beard stubble. But what intrigued Geoff most what the man’s attire. He wore a regular suit jacket and dress shirt, but below that was a kilt, knee high socks, and hideous dress shoes.
“Is that regular Scottish wear?” Geoff asked, knowing that he couldn’t keep the question from blurting out much longer.
“Hm?” Ryan asked before looking down to what Geoff was referring to. “Ah. I suppose I do look strange, don’t I?” Ryan chuckled warmly. “This is normal in Scotland, yes.”
“Well, I hope you plan on updating your wardrobe once you get to America.” Geoff stated with amusement.
“That I do, Mr. Ramsey.”
“Call me Geoff.” Geoff said, more as a demand than as a request. Ryan nodded, respecting Geoff’s words.
“Well, I suppose I should show you to your room, unless you’d like to join me for a drink first?” Ryan proposed. Geoff raised a brow and smiled.
“Now you’re speaking my language.”
Ryan stood and beckoned Geoff to follow him to the kitchen where he opened several cupboards. Ryan allowed Geoff to take his pick of glassware, to which Geoff responded gladly, taking a beautiful, waterford crystal whiskey glass. Ryan complimented him on his choice before picking out a matching wine glass.
“So, what kind of drinks do you have?” Ryan smiled darkly, which slightly unnerved Geoff, before he began going down the kitchen counter, opening up all of the cupboards along the way, exposing dozens of varieties and brands of drinks.
Geoff smiled broadly, falling in love with the sight before him. He wiped away a fake tear jokingly and took Ryan by the shoulders before hugging him. “You’re an angel.” He said, his voice breaking humorously. Ryan chuckled and smiled in return.
Geoff left Ryan and went through the cupboards, picking out a glass every so often to open and sniff them before putting them back. This process continued for a moment longer before Geoff poured his glass full of Jameson, a large grin still plastered under his mustache.
“So you’re a drinking man, eh?” Geoff inquired. Ryan shook his head.
“No, I actually avoid drinking more often than not.”
“Uh, then why have a huge as fuck collection of alcohol?”
“Jealous?”
“Yes,” Geoff said grumpily, taking a swig of his whiskey. He grimaced slightly, realizing that he forgot ice.
Ryan chuckled. “I keep it around for guests.”
“You get many all the way out here?”
“No, sadly. That’s actually why I’m moving to America.” Ryan admitted. “I’m a bit of a loner, but I think this move could really open things up for me.”
“Hell, according to the deed you’re not going to live too far from where my boys and I live. You could always visit,” Geoff added a sly smirk. “But only if you bring the alcohol.”
“Your boys?” Ryan asked, skimming over the offer of friendship. Geoff nodded as he took another sip of his drink.
“Yeah. They’re technically not mine, but I love ‘em like they were. No matter how dumb they are.” Geoff’s eyes lit up and he set his drink down. He then reached into his pockets, fumbling around until he pulled out his wallet and opened it.
“The goofy looking one is Gavin,” Geoff said, pointing to a photo of a blonde headed boy with a cheeky smile. He had his arm around another lad. One with curly brown hair and mischief burning in his eyes. “That one is Michael, Gavin’s friend and practical boyfriend.”
Next to Michael was a smaller lad with colorful hair and attire. “That’s Jeremy. He’s the newest addition to the family.”
Next to Jeremy was a thin lad who stood alone. He smiled sheepishly as he made a peace sign with his hands and winked. He was adorned with a baggy hoodie and glasses which only made him look smaller than he probably was. “The last one is Ray. He’s a bit antisocial.”
“Ray,” Ryan repeated quietly, his eyes continuously being drawn to the younger man.
“Yeah,” Geoff sighed, a proud look in his eyes. “They’re all in their twenties now, probably too old for me to get so sentimental over during a first meeting with someone, but they make me proud.”
“Mmhm.” Ryan mused, forcing himself to look away from the photos. Geoff stashed them, along with the wallet, swiftly back into his pocket.
“So what do you plan on drinking?” Geoff asked pointing to Ryan’s empty wine glass.
Ryan raised a brow. “Wine?”
“What kind of wine, numbnuts.” Ryan was slightly taken back by the playful insult, but smiled at it. Geoff was just one of those people who presented himself as he was, and Ryan appreciated that. It was too hard trying to get along with people who faked their friendship.
“Red.” He said, reaching into the cupboard and pulling out a startling red wine bottle and easily pulling out the cork. “It’s just about the only thing I’ll drink.”
“Really? What makes it so special?”
Ryan opened his mouth to answer, but Geoff quickly snagged the bottle from him and examined it. “It looks thick.” Geoff took a whiff of it and recoiled sharply. “And it smells like someone mixed salt and batteries together!”
Ryan swiftly took the bottle back. “It’s a special Scotland mix. I’m not sure what they put into it, but I enjoy it immensely. I hope you’ll understand why I don’t want to share?”
Geoff made a noise of disgust. “Yeah man, drink it all if you want.” He groaned.
Ryan laughed and poured his glass. “Now, let’s discuss this deed further?”
“Ugh, back to the boring stuff already?”
Ryan wrapped his arm around Geoff shoulder, his piercing blue eyes looking down on him with amusement. “Unfortunately, but you can drink as much as you like while we talk.”
“Thank god for mercy.” Geoff joked.
“Ryan frowned. “Yeah, god.” He agreed, taking a sip of his wine which left his teeth stained crimson.