Unchartered Waters ✅

Chapter 141: Home Sweet Home

Chase makes his way into the house, clutching the trophy to him, as Ryan follows closely behind. A glance at the time, and they both knew they would've preferred to have gotten back a little earlier.

"Congratulations!" Chase hears immediately, followed by a pair of arms wrapped around him. It wasn't the embrace he was looking for upon arrival, but he wasn't going to deny a hug from his mom. After all, your mom is your biggest and first fan.

"That was a pretty sweet move on you..." Bill adds, to which Ryan couldn't help but chuckle in response. Leave to the Elliott parents to get a dig in about the win. Ryan almost wondered if it went deeper with Bill knowing their history, but shrugged the thought off immediately. 

"Alex is laying down in his room. He watched the whole thing - maybe not the best idea afterwards, between watching and the nerves." Ryan could only look over at Chase with a smirk, knowing he had shared the thought in victory lane. He knew Alex couldn't totally let them go without peeking in on the action that was happening. "But there's nothing to worry about guys. He was fine the whole time you were gone." 

"Thank you," Chase simply says, knowing it wasn't easy for them to hang back with him from the track, or make the trek from Dawsonville to Charlotte to just play babysitter. "I really appreciate it - honestly. You don't have to leave tonight. I know Alex wouldn't want you traveling too late." 

"There's also enough room here," Ryan adds, already knowing where both he and Chase would end up in a matter of moments. After spending a week away, there was no way they were leaving their buddy unattended.

The pair then make their way down the hall, slowly looking around the edge of the bedsroom door. Chase couldn't help but smile in seeing Alex curled up, with a dog on either side of him, with a pair at the bottom of the dog. If there was any doubt, the dogs had the babysitting under control - and Chase knew that would mean more to Alex than anything with the bond he had with animals. 

Part of him wanted to wake him up and announce he was home. The selfish part of him wanted to response in return of celebration, spoils for all of his hard work. However, he couldn't bring himself to do it. A single glance at him, and a smile, and he knew the rest was better than anything he could offer for Alex right now. It was all about getting him better so they could return to being the perfect trio together.

He makes his way into the room, petting Fletch as Ryan does the same with Sturgis, clear and obvious from the dogs they had missed their owners despite taking their role with Alex very seriously. Chase makes a motion to Ryan, to which gets a nod in response, as the pair begin to slip off their shoes, followed by sweaters quietly. They then reach for their shirts, already having the same goal in mind once the clothes were discarded.

"Shit!" Ryan lets out, earning a stern glance in return from Chase - so much for being quiet and allowing Alex to rest as much as possible. "I didn't mean it but fuck that hurt!" He then reaches down, rubbing his toe, hoping he had broken it kicking the dresser, though knowing it was going to hurt for awhile.

"Ryan? Chase?" The pair hear from the bed, causing them to freeze, as they glance over at Alex together. A pair of smiles formed on their face to match his, though Ryan couldn't help but feel a bit of guilt of his own. "You're home...." 

"We just got in," Chase comments as he slips off his pants, climbing up in the bed behind Alex. 

"Congratulations..." Alex then rolls over, placing a light kiss on Chase's lips. "I'm proud of you, extremely. That was a mastermind performance." Chase couldn't help but smirk at the compliments. "You deserve all the spo-"

"How are you feeling?" Alex lets out a sigh, though wasn't surprised by the question given everything going on currently. The longer they talked, the longer the wait until celebration.

"Tired, groggy, head swirling, headache, anxious a little....." Chase wraps both arms around Alex, tucking him close to himself, lying his head on Alex's shoulder. "Chas-"

"Close your eyes, relax, you need to take care of yourself. We can celebrate when you're feeling better." Ryan nods his head, even if he knew there'd be a cold shower in the making before he joined the pair for cuddles, having known what he wanted since the victory lane visit. However, he wasn't about to push the issue. Alex's health had to be priority, and he knew frustrating Chase in front of Alex wasn't going to go over well. 

"Are you sure?" Chase nods his head, placing a light kiss on the bare shoulder. 

"Of course. You're the most important one here - and we can do that anytime. I love you so much.." Alex wasn't going to argue, easily accepting the cuddles as his eyes slipped closed.

It wasn't long until Ryan joined them - following the aforementioned cold shower, climbing in on the other side so he was facing Alex and Chase together. Small kisses traded back and forth for both, followed by a calming deep breath. Alex was the first to fall asleep, with both Chase and Ryan quietly watching him together.

"I'm sorr-" Chase starts, having heard the shower running shortly after he had joined Alex in the bed earlier. He could only imagine what was happening in there and the feelings for Ryan, having felt a couple of those himself but somehow managed to put them aside for now. 

"Like you said - he comes first right now, and we can celebrate all together later," Ryan cuts him off, knowing there was no point complaining or arguing about it - as this just felt right tonight.