*reunite*
When Hunter woke up in the morning, two weeks after his nightmare, he was exhausted.
Today was Spencer's regional finals in swimming. Since Oliver had been released from the hospital and sent to several different psychiatrists, they had started talking again, though they seemed much colder toward each other after Oliver's outburst. Red had been gently talking with Pippi the whole time, and Harper was quiet, but happy that her son was okay overall.
Elle was still sick, but the first trimester was long over, and they could start- albeit tentatively- doing treatments for her leukemia. Robin and Jordan were going strong, and overall, everyone was doing much better.
Ryan smiled at him, pulling a shirt over her head, and he gave her a small smile back. "Morning, sleepyhead," she said, kissing his forehead gently. "Sleep okay?"
"Yeah. As well as I can these days."
"Good." She kissed his forehead again, then said, "Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that."
"Hmm?" he hummed, sitting up in bed and reaching for his glasses.
"Hunt, honey," she said gently. "You'll... understand... why I'm worried about you, won't you?"
"What do you mean, worried about me?" he said airily.
"You know why," she said. "The... these nightmares that you keep talking about, and you can't even stay in a room without me anymore... and don't get me wrong, I love the sex, I always have, but... you're not usually like this. Is everything okay?"
He smiled slightly at her, kissing her. "Why wouldn't everything be okay, darling? I love you. I'm just showing you that."
"Look, Hunter," she said. "It's like... it's like when we had sex that first time, afterwards it was so often, right? Like, we had sex all the time. It's like that again."
"And you're upset?" he asked, sounding a little concerned. "Honey, if you're uncomfortable-"
"No!" she said quickly, then cleared her throat. "N-No, that's not... not what I mean, I just..."
He chuckled slightly, before kissing her again. "Is it so strange that I'd fall in love with my beautiful, beautiful wife all over again?"
"Hunter, come on," she breathed, and he pushed her shirt up, off, and she sighed. "Hunt, baby, this is what I mean."
"What do you mean?"
"It's like you're obsessed with me."
"I am obsessed with you." He pulled her closer, bringing her into his body and kissing her again. "I can't resist you. I'm so in love with you."
"It's like you're trying to forget something else," she said firmly, and he froze. "Like you're trying to distract yourself from something, something that you can't forget."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"I..." She pulled away, feeling disgusted that she even had to ask. "Are you... cheating on me?"
"Jesus- no! No, Ryan, I wouldn't ever- I- no, I'm not cheating on you!" he said, aghast. "What the hell gave you that idea?"
She let out a slow sigh of relief. "No, I believe you. I do, I promise. It just... felt so strange. I'm not wrong though, am I? You're trying to drown the memory of someone else by submerging yourself in me."
He stayed silent, and she said softly, "Why has Lilly popped back into your head?"
"I... I don't know."
Ryan caressed his cheek. "We shouldn't talk about this now," she said quietly. "Spence is waiting for us to have breakfast with him, and-"
"We can let him wait a little longer, can't we?" Hunter asked softly, reaching up and unclipping her bra. "God, you are just so, so gorgeous..."
"Bluejay," she breathed, but he just kissed at her neck, pulling her closer still, and she couldn't help but let out a quiet moan. "O-Oh... baby, I..."
"Mmm, let go darling, let's see what else will make you feel good," he whispered, making her shiver, and her head dropped onto his shoulder. "Aren't you just the most beautiful woman in the world?"
"H-Hunter," she whispered back, and they both fell back onto their pillows, kissing. Ryan was completely at his mercy, as he moved his hands over her body the same, practised way that drove her insane, and she moaned into his ear. "Hunt, we can't, the kids are awake, we'll-"
"Oh, Ry, baby, just- mmm, there it is," he breathed as she gasped, her back arching as he kissed her sweet spot. "Good girl. What a beautiful, beautiful woman you are. I'm so lucky to have you, my darling."
"Want you," she breathed, kissing him. "Please, Hunt, I want you so much, I-"
"Ma, Pa?" called Spencer through the door, and Ryan immediately rolled off Hunter, falling off the bed with a thud. "Can I come in?"
"Uh, one sec!" said Hunter, quickly passing her a shirt, and she pulled it over her head at the speed of sound. "Okay, all good, come in!"
Spencer walked in, and he sighed. "God, guys, at least wait 'til we're asleep or something. Or 'til we're not in the house." Hunter shifted uncomfortably, and Spencer continued. "Anyway, can't find my goggles or my nose plug."
"Check the laundry cupboard, left side where I keep your towels," said Ryan.
"Alright. And seriously, try to be a little more subtle."
Ryan went red, and Spencer left the room. Hunter chuckled awkwardly. "Oops."
"Well, to be fair, he's well aware that we're married, so he can get over it."
"True." He helped her up, then kissed her again. "Let's get ready."
"Done."
<><><><><><><><>
Spencer was warming up by the pool when he felt a presence beside him. He glanced over at him, then back at his feet. "Hayes-Lockhart," said Oliver tightly.
"Dalton."
"How've you been?"
"Fine."
"Good to know. I'm fine too."
"Never asked." Spencer sighed, standing up. "What do you want, Dalton?"
"Nothing." Oliver pushed his hair back. "Didn't want anything from you."
"Fine."
"Fine."
Spencer felt hurt, but didn't say anything. Not just one friend lost, but two. His best friend, and now not even Sally was there for him to talk to. So he just quietly continued his stretches, wishing that Oliver would just suck it up and apologise to him.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the 50 metre freestyle for under 18 males. In lane 1, we have Cody Parker, lane 2 is Charles Perry, lane 3 is Oliver Dalton, lane 4 is Spencer Hayes-Lockhart..."
Spencer stepped up to the swim block and put on his goggles. He could hear his parents cheering in the audience, and looked up, seeing Red's handmade 'YOU CAN DO IT!' sign. He smiled slightly, waving at them.
"On your marks," said the announcer, and Spencer braced himself. "Get set..."
The gun fired a blank, and all eight boys dived into the water, a loud splash resounding through the stadium.
Spencer could hear cheering as he swam. He didn't care about coming first- the top four would get into regionals anyway- and he was tired. But he still swam, though he was much more relaxed than his competitors. He didn't want the attention of the podium. Not today. He was too sick of attention. He'd had enough of it these past few weeks.
"And coming in first with an incredible time of 30.12, Oliver Dalton!"
Spencer could hear more cheering, loud cheering, and he eventually finished, coming in fourth. He didn't care- he was still in regionals, and he didn't have to stand on that podium. Though he was still sad and tired of Oliver not speaking to him, he swam over and gave him a hug. "I'm proud of you, mate," he said quietly, and Oliver didn't say anything, simply hugging him back.
He got out of the pool, beginning to get changed, when he noticed a commotion near the canteen. He didn't care too much- instead, he opted to hit the showers. He didn't like the smell of chlorine anyway.
People were congratulating Oliver, slapping his back and giving him praise, and Spencer simply smiled, working on drying his legs so that he could put on his sweatpants. Oliver approached him slowly. "Uh... Spence?"
Spencer looked up, and Oliver sighed. "I- I just wanted to say- I- never mind. I'll... I'll tell you later. This isn't the time."
"Oli, I'm proud of you," said Spencer softly. "Never forget that."
He smiled slightly, and Spencer felt his heart race. He was still... so beautiful. His hair was tousled, wet on top of his head, and his face still slightly pink from holding his breath under the water. "I'm... glad we're friends, Spencer."
"Don't get ahead of yourself, now," said Spencer, punching him playfully, and he chuckled, looking up at him.
"I won't. Trust me."
Their eyes met, and Spencer's smile softened slightly. "Thank you, Oli. I'm... glad you got first place."
"Yeah. Thanks."
They awkwardly stepped away from each other, and Spencer wrung his hands. "W-Well, you'd best go out and get that medal."
"Yeah, sounds- uh, sounds good." Oliver nodded, and their little moment ended with Oliver walking away and Spencer scratching the back of his neck.
<><><><><><><><>
A fanfare played as the boys were awarded their medals. After Spencer got his certificate, he stood off to the side, beside the podiums, as the other two boys were given their medals.
"And, of course, coming in first place is Oliver Dalton, with a time of 30.12 seconds. Congratulations, Oliver!"
Instead of the president of the swimming club coming forward, Spencer's eyes widened as a man with brown hair, brown eyes, and Oliver's smile walked forward. He was wearing camo, and a bunch of war medals. He was familiar. So familiar, that he could only be-
"LIAM!" screamed a voice from the audience. Spencer looked around to see Harper and Pippi running down the stairs, and watched as Oliver turned around and gasped.
"Dad!"
"Hey, kiddo," said the man, whose brown eyes were warm and welcoming. "Stay still. Gotta make this moment count- you've made me proud after all."
Oliver stood, tears pouring down his face as Liam Dalton gently put the medal around his neck. The moment he was done, Oliver jumped forward, hugging him, as Harper came forward, sobbing, and the whole family sunk to their knees as Pippi cried, "Daddy! Daddy!"
"And, courtesy of a very special surprise from Mr Hunter Hayes, I present to you, Liam Dalton, who has just been reunited with his family!" called the announcer, and Ryan gasped, turning to Hunter.
"Hunt?!"
"I did a couple extra gigs," he said, shrugging. "It was nothing."
"I love you," she said, before hugging him tightly. "You're amazing."
And as the family were finally together one more time, Spencer smiled as he quietly shed a tear.
Maybe life wasn't as bleak as he'd thought it was.
<><><><><><><><>
Ryan was doing a few corrections on some homework when she heard a knock at the door. She glanced up, then frowned, looking at her watch. It was six pm, and Hunter wasn't meant to be home yet. She walked to the front door, opening it.
Oliver turned around, holding a box of Oreos, and smiled slightly. "Oh. Hi, Dr Hayes-Lockhart."
"Oliver! It's lovely to see you. How's your dad?"
"Good, he's really good. We also got given a bunch of money from Mr Hayes' concerts and gigs, so we're finally back on our feet. He's... not going to go back on deployment. He's gonna start working as a mechanic. We really owe you."
"You owe us nothing, darl. Tea, coffee?"
"Uh, no, actually, I wanted to speak with Spence."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, I have a peace offering," he said, chuckling slightly and showing her the box of Oreos. "I was gonna ask-"
"Ma, have you seen my- oh." Spencer paused, looking at Oliver, and Ryan glanced at them both.
"Y'know, I actually think I heard my phone ringing," she said quickly. "I'll just go grab that."
Spencer and Oliver were left in the living room, staring at the floor, and Spencer cleared his throat. "Uh... how's everything?"
"Good, good. It's all good."
"Right."
They were silent, and Spencer muttered something about homework, before he felt a hand on his arm. "Spence, wait."
"Mmm?"
"I... I wanted to apologise."
"Apologise?"
"It's been... a really long time coming. I haven't been a good friend, Spence. I called you things I should never call anyone. I hurt you even though all you've ever done is be there for me. And... I tried to leave you. That was my fault. Not yours. But I made you think it was, didn't I?"
Spencer looked down, nodded slightly.
"Well... if you're down to try it, my dad owns a holiday house that he inherited. It's in California, on the beach, and the waves there are amazing. I guess, what I'm asking is... would you wanna join us?"
"You want me to come on holiday with you?" blurted Spencer, and Oliver blushed.
"Only... only if you wanna, I guess."
Spencer tilted his head to one side, before smiling. "I think I'd like that."
"Great!" said Oliver, a little too enthusiastically. "We leave in three days."
"Oh. What?!"
"Yeah, you heard me. Thanks, Spence! See ya!" Oliver bounced out the door, still holding the box of Oreos, and Spencer couldn't help but chuckle.
A beach trip to California.
Hmm.
*a/n: balrjab
nethii <3*