Somewhere In Time

I hope you enjoyed the sweet, sweet lovin' in the last chapter, but how will things turn out when the lovers have to return to reality? Disclaimer: I don't own Fake Slowly, Dee opened his eyes. Beneath him, RyoÕs chest rose and fell with the steady breath of someone deep in sleep. He didnÕt remember when he drifted off, but Dee did recall the last words heÕd said, ÒI love you, Ryo.Ó Then heÕd laid his head over the other manÕs heart and listened to the gentle rhythm. Sitting up, he looked around him at the disorder of the room; clothing strewn about, RyoÕs shirt lay in tatters, their bodies still sticky from their earlier love making. Sighing, Dee reluctantly rose to collect his clothing. The last thing he wanted was for rumors to spread, for RyoÕs sakeersoersonally he couldnÕt care less, years of conquests had left him little mind for what others thought of his reputation. However, he knew Ryo would care, not least of all because of his son. He had no idea what time it was, but Dee decided he had to find Diana and get Ryo some new clothes, or somehow get him into the guest quarters without being noticed. After pulling his clothes on, Dee stole a glance back at Ryo as he walked to the door. He prayed the man wouldnÕt wake up while he was gone. Knowing Ryo, he would take it the wrong way if he woke up alone. Well, there was nothing for it, he had to get Ryo out with his reputation in tact and if he woke him up it would only complicate matters. He slipped out the door and locked it behind him. In the card room, Diana breathed a sigh of relief as she finally saw Dee appear. Quickly walking over to her, he said in a low tone, ÒDiana, IÕm sorry to bother you, but Ryo has been feeling ill all evening and I think he might need your attention.Ó DianaÕs eyes widened in worry and Dee kicked himself for having to scare her, but it was the only thing he could think of. Berkely, who was sitting near, didnÕt seem so concerned. From the look on his face, the man knew Dee was lying, and why. Rose had told many a similar lie himself and he wasnÕt buying it. Dee narrowed his eyes at the man in warning. If he said anything to hurt Ryo, swear to God, Dee would finally call him out. ÒLetÕs go Dee,Ó Diana said, seeing the two men eying each other warily. She lead him out of the card room and quickly down the hall. ÒSo whatÕs really going on?Ó she asked. Dee looked at her with surprise and quickly made a note to himself never to underestimate this woman. ÒI- well, I need to find Ryo some fresh clothing...Ó he began. Diana looked up at him incredulously. ÒYou do work fast, my dear Dee. IÕll fetch some of his clothing myself so the servants wouldnÕt gossip. Where is he?Ó ÒThe study. I better get back to him, before he wakes without me there,Ó Dee said, a slight frown on his face. Smiling up at him Diana replied, ÒYou go, IÕll be right there.Ó She watched him go and marveled at his concern for Ryo. She had never seen him so sweet, and so worried over his loverÕs reputation and needs. It really was touching. Dee quietly opened the door to the study and let out a breath he didnÕt know he had been holding when he saw that Ryo was still dozing. He stood there for a moment, just watching Ryo sleep, his naked body stretched out languidly on the sofa. He looked as pure and tempting as an angel fallen from heaven. But what would happen when the angel awoke? DeeÕs brow furrowed with the thought of things to come. Ryo was considering moving to New York, but then what? Dee would see him when he was in town, but his visits were becoming increasingly rare as his claim became more and more prosperous. Actually, he had been ready to move to California permanently before he met Ryo. A hand came up to rub his temple as the thoughts spun in DeeÕs head. Could he be happy just seeing Ryo during the occasional visit? wondwondered. What if...what if he asked Ryo to come to California with him? Would Ryo consider it? His head began to ache as the reality and hopelessness of the situation hit him. Ryo had the son to consider, and moving from Connecticut to New York was one thing, moving across the county to California was another. Maybe he should save both Ryo and himself the headache of figuring things out and just leave now. He could just slip out the door and out of RyoÕs life right now, saving them both from the complication and heartbreak that would inevitably follow once they faced the world in the daylight. He looked back at RyoÕs face, steeling himself to turn and leave... No, he couldnÕt do it. ÔI could never leave you, RyoÕ The words he had spoken earlier that evening echoed in his mind. No, I canÕt leave you, but what are we going to do now? A soft knock interrupted his thoughts. Opening the door, Diana passed him a clean set of clothes and winked before turning to leave. Just as Dee was closing the door, however, she stuck her head back in and said quietly, ÒTake care of him, Dee.Ó Then she was gone. At the sound of the door closing, Ryo stretched, his eyes fluttering open. ÒHello,Ó he said in a groggy voice, smiling up at Dee. ÒHello yourself handsome,Ó he replied, sitting himself down to snuggle in closer to his lover. "I have a change of clothes for you since you somehow tore your shirt," Dee said teasing. "I tore? I seem to remember a tall, dark, handsome man ripping it off for me," Ryo joked, running a finger tenderly over along Dee's cheek. Looking down into Ryo's shining face, Dee could think of no sight more perfect. And he wanted to be able to see it again and again, everyday. "Ryo," Dee began suddenly serious, "I want to ask you something." "Yes?" Ryo asked, yawning. "I... I want you to come to California with me." There, he'd said it. But Ryo didn't reply, he sat there looking at Dee with surprise. Sensing his hesitation, Dee continued, "I know it's not what you were planning, but I'm sure you'd like it there. People are more open-minded, everything is raw, wild, exciting. We could be happy there...together." In an instant, Ryo was sitting straight up, grabbing for his clothes. "I- I don't think so Dee." Holding his clothes out of reach, Dee tried to get Ryo to look him in the face, "Why not?" Ryo sighed, "Dee, don't misunderstand me. I do care for you," he looked at him as he spoke, "but...I have to do what's best for Bikky. New York has some excellent schools for him-" "Don't make this about Bikky, Ryo, because it's not. They have schools in California!" "And what about you, Dee? Why do I have to move out there? If you want us to be together so badly, why don't you sell the claim and stay here permanently?" Ryo was loosing his patience and immediately regretted his lack of tack. Dee had offered to share his life with him and Ryo was throwing it back in his face. He watched as Dee's face grew pale with anger, his eyes narrowed dangerously. "I can't do that, Ryo. The claim is the only way I make my living. I wasn't born into wealth, like you or Berkely," he said coldly. Ryo felt like he'd been slapped in the face from the strength of Dee's words. "Dee, I- I'm sorry! I didn't realize..." "No, you didn't. You assumed it would be easy for me to arrange my life around you because I'm single and frivolous?" he replied bitterly. "No, Dee, I- I don't know what I thought," he said pulling his jacket over his body. "I think I'd better go," he said walking toward the door. He hadn't gotten two steps when Dee's hand closed tightly about his wrist. "Wait, Ryo. Don't leave like this. Please, don't walk away," he said gently, his eyes soft once more. "Dee..." Ryo said, torn with indecision. Dee's hand was so warm, so firm. His mind filled with images of all the delicious things he could do to him with those hands... but then what? No, he had to think of the future, and he couldn't see how Dee fit into it. "I'm sorry, Dee," he said quietly. Slipping from Dee's grasp, he turned and swiftly walked out the door. "Ryo!" came Dee's voice from inside the room, but Ryo ignored it. No, Dee, he thought, this is the only way. It can't work. I'll always remember you, he said to himself as he arrived back in his quarters and sank to the floor, tears stinging the back of his eyes. Back in the study Dee looked at the empty doorway where Ryo had stood just a moment before. If Ryo thought he could walk away from him so easily, Dee was about to teach him differently. *****Wait and see just how Dee plans to 'convince' Ryo they belong together! ^_- This chapter was shorter, I know, but Chapter 6 was so fun to write with all the sexiness that's its hard to get back into the rhythm of normal chapters again! Reviews welcomed!