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Ryland didn't know what he was expecting for Colt and Court’s second meeting with Simon, but it certainly wasn't this. The first meeting had gone so well, albeit both brothers were suspicious. Ryland knew they'd try to do background checks on Simon. Now Ryland is faced with two panicking brothers because Simon doesn't have any records.
Colt had tried to look for anything online but found nothing and Court went through government files and found nothing. Ryland knew Stratt was good at keeping her promises, she promised that anything Simon had relating to his past would be erased so he'd have a clean slate, but damn. Court has contacts that couldn't find anything on Simon, not even a birth record. Hopefully Court doesn't find out that Simon went to prison and what he did that landed him in prison.
Ryland knows it's wishful thinking though, Court will find out eventually. Simon grabs Ryland’s hand, a questioning look in his eyes like he's checking in on Ryland. Ryland squeezes Simon’s hand and shoots him a small smile that's hopefully reassuring. Félicette is on Simon’s lap, somehow sleeping through Colt’s shouting. Laika is on the floor at Simon’s feet, watching Colt and Court like a hawk. The dog is technically Simon’s PTSD dog, but she also helps around when Ryland has trouble moving his hand because of the pain.
Ryland thinks back to the first meeting and what led to it. Both Colt and Court had reached out to Ryland. They had only just recently heard that Ryland had got out of the hospital. The last time Colt had blown up Ryland’s phone this much was after the UNESCO conference. Though it hadn't been a good time for either of them, Ryland had still been mad and all but shut Colt out. Colt’s accident had happened a few months later. Ryland had been there, but then Colt started shutting people out as he recovered. Both brothers had pent up anger and it exploded into the worst fight they've ever had. Court came back and tried to talk Ryland into at least visiting Colt, which led to the first time Ryland had blown up at Court.
Then Colt got framed for murder in Sydney and then declared dead. At the same time Court was being hunted by just about anyone who owned a gun. It was during that period that Ryland had been recruited by Stratt for a mission. Simon was also on that same mission and they both almost died, spent a long time in the hospital, and got released together. Ryland knew Simon didn't have a place to stay, so he offered up his own apartment. One thing had led to another and suddenly they were dating and happy.
After being cleared by physical therapy for light work, Ryland was allowed back to work. Simon managed to find a job at a local plant store, the owners are an older couple that can get really intense when it comes to proper planting. They treat Simon like he's their own son. A week later Stratt had shown up with Laika, stating that she's now Simon’s service dog. The couple had tried to turn Stratt down, but also she's paying for all vet bills, so they eventually gave in. Ryland half suspects that Laika was trained to help when Ryland can't move his arm too much due to pain. Simon had found Félicette in the rain while on the way back and brought the shivering cat inside for the night, she just never left.
Colt called in the middle of the night, Ryland hadn't bothered to look at his phone or respond until the morning. But by then Colt had already shown up at his door with Court, who picked the lock. Colt barged into Ryland’s room to find him sleeping next to Simon, bite marks on his neck. Colt hadn't liked it at all, and Ryland can't help but wonder if this is what parents feel like when their kid interrupts their fun time. After shouting at his twin to get out so he can get dressed, Colt looked even more horrified and quickly escaped the room. Ryland felt smug when he stepped out of the bedroom wearing only sweats, Colt’s disgusted look was so worth it, Court’s constipated look was a bonus.
Simon appeared after a trip to the bathroom, also wearing only sweats. Neither Colt nor Court comment on Simon’s missing arm or the scarring. Though they both make faces when Simon turns around to make a cup of coffee, his back is covered in scratches. The morning had gone well, though Court did try to leave early because he was still being hunted by the CIA. A call to Stratt fixed that issue quickly. Ryland could tell that his brothers were suspicious of Simon though, he knows that they're gonna stalk Simon.
So he isn't sure why he's surprised by their reactions when they can't find anything on Simon, nothing on the internet and no records. Though Court looks more stressed than Colt is.
“What the fuck Ryland! There's nothing about him on the internet! Not even a social!” Colt is pacing around the living room, hands in his hair. Court is a bit more tame about it, leaning against the kitchen counter with his head in his hands. “He doesn't even have a birth record, Ry!”
Simon leans his head on Ryland’s shoulder, whispering into Ryland’s ear. “Just wait until he realizes that we've had a few run-ins in the past.” Ryland sighs, knowing that Simon is referring to when he was still with Eden and had run into Court a few times when he still worked for the CIA. That’s gonna be a fun conversation when it happens. One that Ryland isn't too keen on having.
Ryland’s eyes slip shut as he rubs at his face with his free hand, glasses riding up. “Why does your brother have a knife?” Ryland’s eyes snap open and there Court is, holding a kitchen knife. “Court put the knife down!” Court opens his mouth to argue but Ryland levels him with a glare. Court puts the knife down.
Ryland gets up off the couch and glares at both of his brothers until they're both sitting at the kitchen island. “You guys can't just break into my apartment out of nowhere! Colt I expect this from, but not you Court. I thought you knew better.” Ryland puts his hands on his hips, glaring at the two. Simon winced in sympathy, an angry Ryland can be brutal when he wants to be. UNESCO proved that to the public.
The scolding continues and Simon just focuses on Félicette, the cat seems determined to not move from Simon’s lap. Laika hasn't moved from her spot at his feet either. Ryland eventually kicks his brothers out with a promise to meet later for lunch. Once they've left, Ryland comes back over to Simon and sits next to him.
Félicette takes the opportunity to take over Ryland’s lap once the man sits down. “Why are they like this?” Simon snorts as he plants a kiss on Ryland’s forehead. “Don't know, but look at the bright side. You've been wanting to reach back out to them for a while now.” Ryland hums as he leans against Simon. “I think I’d rather they didn't barge into our room while we were naked under the covers.”
That draws another laugh out of Simon. The two sit there for a moment longer before getting up to get ready, Simon still has his shift at the plant store and now Ryland has plans to meet with his brothers. Hopefully they'll act less stupid in public.