โlooks like you could use a place to crash, i happen to live in a really big penthouse.โ as if dangling food in front of a starving kitten.
โyou're not some sick serial killer or something, right?โ
"...Ain't no help you can provide me, kid."
Ash groans, opting to sit up on top of the garbage instead. They were grumpy, but there was a notable softness to their deep tone.
๏ดพ well now ryan just felt bad. ๏ดฟ
you don't deserve that. even if you don't talk or take off your mask, people shouldn't treat you differently. i'm sure ๐ก๐ gives you a lot of crap too. why do you hang around him so much?
( reaching to grab his booklet of paper homelander had given him to communicate with, flipping to a free page before scribbling something onto it, showing it to ryan )
โ iโm used to it โ
.. sorry. shit. ๏ดพ ryan crossed the room and took a seat next to noir. ๏ดฟ
it's my dad. he's really controlling and it makes me angry. i didn't mean to take that frustration out on you.
๏ดพ he listened as homelander left his room, closed his door and stepped out into the hallway. the silence in the penthouse was devastating. a broken father and a confused son.
( he doesn't want to go. he wants to keep ryan in his line of sight, but he needs to respect his son's boundaries. he stands there for a moment, feeling like the epitome of a walking disaster. )
alright, buddy. okay. i'll go, but if you need anything... i'm here.
ryan didn't understand his hate for butcher, why couldn't they just get along? maybe butcher had some answers for him. an hour later ... ryan pushed open his window and jumped out.
๏ดพ ryan realized very quickly that his father wasn't going to budge on his decision. he couldn't see butcher like this. feeling defeated, he took a seat on his bed and lowered his eyes onto the floor. ๏ดฟ
( slow realization of his mistake. he glances to the mirror in the corner of ryan's room for a split second, catching his reflection. his face falls, and the anger drains out of him like a leaking balloon. )
no. no, no, no. i didn't mean that. i was just... i was angry, okay?
๏ดพ ryan's hands tightened into fists and trembled, unable to come to terms with it. his head dropped low. ryan lost his determined outlook to fight his father. ๏ดฟ i want butcher.
๏ดพ the knife penetrated deep, twisting inside him, allowing memories to flood his mind once again. it was his fault his mother was dead, his power that took her life. ๏ดฟ nโ no... i just wanted to help. i was trying to help!
( he lashes out, fist slamming into the wall hard enough to crack it. )
that's the thing, ryan. you didn't ask, but you certainly *take*. i came into your life because i love you. your mom was...
( leans in and whispers, knowing just where to twist the knife. )
that was +
ungrateful? ๏ดพ closing the distance between, ryan glared up at his father. ๏ดฟ it's not like i asked for the bare minimum from you. you're the one who showed up in my life, brought all your problems and shoved me in the middle of it.
important?
( a bitter laugh. he doesn't care if he was scaring his son. he's too far gone. )
you think he's important? he's not giving you a house, food --
( pinches the sleeve of his shirt between his gloved fingers. )
-- the clothes on your back or the time of day... and +