missmara13: (Suddenly)
[personal profile] missmara13
Title: With A Whimper (Part Twenty One)
Author: Mara
Rating: R
Warnings: Violence, death, language, blood. Did I mention violence and death? And Blood? lol
Summary: Most of the world is either dead or Crazy, but in California a group of survivors tries to find a way to avoid both fates.
Notes: Short chapter, but it's got a lot of goodness stuffed in.


PART TWENTY ONE




Ryan stayed out on the dock for the rest of the day, occasionally moving his gaze from the water to watch the others start emptying out the cabins. Kirsten brought him a sandwich midday, but everyone else mostly left him alone. Finally, as the sun started to get low in the sky and everyone else was gathered in the living room organizing what they had raided from the cabins, Ryan came in on his crutches, looking tired and a little defeated.

"I'm not going on the raids, I'm a liability. I'm not gonna argue about it," he said before starting up the stairs.

"Ryan, you should eat..." Emily began.

"I'm not hungry," Ryan said as he continued up the stairs and into his room. He had just gotten settled on the bed when the door opened and Trey came in, a can of soda in one hand and a sandwich in the other. "I said I'm not..."

"Humor them," Trey said, sitting down in a chair and kicking off his shoes before resting his feet on the edge of the bed. "I volunteered to go on the raids," he said.

"Good, you'll probably be as good at it as me," Ryan replied with a sigh. "Just promise me you'll be careful. I think I could manage to deal with losing anyone else, but if something happened to you... I only just got you back."

"I promise, I'm gonna come back," Trey said, putting his feet on the floor again and leaning forward. "I've got plans, little brother, and they don't involve dying on a supply run."

"What do they involve?" Ryan asked, laying down and turning on his side to face Trey. "Sex with Lindsay?" he teased.

"Yeah, maybe," Trey said. "When it's not so life and death every second. But I was thinking more along the lines of just staying alive and getting to grow old."

"I might copy that plan," Ryan agreed.

"Good," Trey said. They sat in silence for a moment, then Trey lightly kicked Ryan's leg. "You know, that girl of yours is freaking out that she upset you so much."

Ryan sighed. "Trey, I killed somebody in Newport who wasn't a Crazy," he finally said. "I shut down for a while right after, but I had to pull myself together so we could all stay safe. And today... I just couldn't hold it together anymore. The argument was just the trigger, the rest of it... the reason I stayed out there all day, was me trying to process."

Trey was quiet for a long moment, slumped in the chair. "Who was it?" he finally asked quietly. "The non-Crazy you killed."

"Kaitlin's dad," Ryan replied softly. "I shot him. Right in front of her. He was... he was trying to get my gun from me, and... and it went off..."

"Then you didn't kill him, it doesn't count," Trey said.

"Trey..."

"If he'd gotten the gun, would he have shot you?"

"Probably, but..."

"But nothing. If he'd gotten it, you'd be dead. You didn't mean to kill him, it just happened, and anyway it was him or you."

Ryan sighed again. "We need you out on the supply runs," he finally said. "But I don't want you out there. I want you here..."

"You can still shoot, and there'll be at least one other shooter here to help you in case anything happens..."

"I don't give a damn about that," Ryan snapped. "I thought you were dead, Trey. And then suddenly I knew you weren't, but you were working with the son of a bitch who shot me..."

"I didn't know..."

"I know," Ryan said. "But... you're my brother, Trey. You're the only blood I've got left. I don't want you out there where it's not safe. I want you here, with me, safe."

"If you don't want me to go, I won't go," Trey promised. "Just say the word."

"I... I can't," Ryan said. "I can't keep doing this, Trey. I'm 16 fucking years old, and I'm in charge of keeping all these people alive, and... and it's too fucking much."

"Then stop," Trey said, leaning forward again. "Stop being in charge and let someone else handle all this shit."

"And then everyone dies and it's my fault," Ryan said, pulling his legs against his chest and trying to ignore the pain it cause din his injured leg.

"Shit, you still know how to go on a guilt trip, huh?" Trey asked, gently shoving Ryan's shoulder until the younger boy moved to make room. Then, Trey stretched out on the bed beside Ryan, staring up at the ceiling as he put his hadns behind his head and lazily crossed his ankles. "Look, like you said, you're 16 fucking years old. You're a fucking baby. You shouldn't be worrying about this shit, but there's a hell of a lot of other shit you shouldn't have ever been worrying about. Like stealing Ma's paycheck and cashing it before she did, just so we could eat and have power and water. Or figuring out if her latest boyfriend was okay or if he was gonna hit us, all so we'd know if it was safe to go home at night. But you always did that shit because you're Ryan and you worry about that kinda shit."

"That was helpful," Ryan snorted, but he did stretch out again, trying to mimic Trey's pose but only managing to get his good arm under his head, the other he left on his stomach.

"Glad to be of service," Trey replied with a smirk, turning his head and catching Ryan's annoyed look. But at the same time, under the irritation, Trey could still see the glimmer of the hero worship Ryan had once held for him. And that was enough to encourage him. "I've got faith in you, little brother. You'll figure all this out, and you'll do what needs to be done. Just remember, I'm right here if you want help doing that. I'm not going anywhere."

"Thanks," Ryan whispered.

"Anytime," Trey agreed, offering Ryan a soft smile, the kind he had always reserved for his brother. "We're in this together. Remember that."

To Be Continued...

Date: 2006-12-05 08:00 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fifimom.livejournal.com
This is so sad and sweet. Thanks for this moment between the brothers. Partners in survival, a game they have been playing on some level their entire lives. "I'm fucking 16 years old...and it's too fucking much."

That was a great post !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Date: 2006-12-05 08:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] thekiller00.livejournal.com
I like how you had Trey calm down Ryan !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope Summer and Ryan work things out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! POST AGAIN ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Date: 2006-12-05 08:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] supreme-empress.livejournal.com
I like your version of Trey much better. I ca totally see Summer freaking out over upsetting Ryan. Maybe a little Summer lovin' down in the sand is in order? (oi, Grease you magnificent bastard.)

Date: 2006-12-05 02:00 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] jazzyjackrabbit.livejournal.com
That girl of yours...? Strong line. Nobody dares touching Summer because she's Ryan's. Just the way it should be.

There is still a connection between the brothers.
"We're in this together. Remember that." I hope it stays that way throughout the rest of this story, because that would be great. I like their relationship. They know each other trough and trough. Can't wait for more.

Date: 2006-12-05 06:50 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] reader85.livejournal.com
Good thing Ryan decided not to go to the raids. Wounded ones do not move as quickly as others. Also a good thing that Trey doesn't take Ryan's objections. He needs to eat and Trey, being the big brother, will make him eat. For some reason that scene made me go aww, clap, and laugh at the same time.

Trey going to the raids. It's so right. I mean, he is a second Ryan and since the original is wounded, it's only right Trey takes his place. I'm sure that everything will be okay with the raid. And if there is any complications (say there isn't!) Trey still get everyone back safely.

"Sex with Lindsay?"

That line clearly showed that Ryan (or everyone) can see that Trey really likes Lindsay. It's a good thing. I don't know how good it is if Caleb finds out that his 16-year-old daughter is with 20-year-old criminal, but it's still good. *grin* But I'm guessing that he's not going to because he'd have a heart attack and we like him too much for that to happen, right?

"That girl of yours..."

I agree with jazzyjackrabbit. That is a strong line. With that Trey really shows that he knows Summer is Ryan's and only Ryan's. And I'm glad that it's Trey who says all the 'not your job to watch out for others' type of lines to Ryan. It seems that Ryan really listens to Trey.

Ryan/Trey bonding is always my favourite things so you have no idea how much I loved this chapter. Thank you!!!

Date: 2006-12-09 12:19 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dogsbody01.livejournal.com
I can just imagine it now:
"My baby girl(whom I played no real part in her life for sixteen years;or told my older daughters of her existence) is sleeping with a convicted felon foulmouth!Over my dead rotting corpse!"

Date: 2006-12-05 07:36 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fredsmith518.livejournal.com
Lovely Trey, Ryan interaction.
Keep Trey safe? No more guilt for Ryan?

Date: 2006-12-05 08:38 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] reader85.livejournal.com
Ooh, Lindsay playing nurse. That would make Trey to be very sexually frustrated. I vote for that! Don't get me wrong, I only hope a small wound (very small, not nearly bleeding to death kind) which happened doing something heroic, and that's because I want him to get special attention from Lindsay (the guy is so whipped when it comes to her, lol), not because I want him feel pain.

And I hope you plan to keep him alive at least till the baby is happily married with lots of kids. lol

Date: 2006-12-09 12:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dogsbody01.livejournal.com
"Trey is totally whipped by Lindsay."* pats Lindsay's head*Good girl!

Date: 2006-12-05 08:58 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] fredsmith518.livejournal.com
I plan for Trey to still be alive when Kirsten's baby is born,Rubs hands with glee at proposed length of fic:D and no dead Trey all good, and a kirsten baby, yay!

Date: 2006-12-06 09:49 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] beachtree.livejournal.com
I'm not a Treywreck fan, as you know, but I like the quiet, direct, honest and tactless interaction between them. It's the sort of exchange that only people with a shared history of unspoken, but simply understood experiences can have with any believablity. They both ration their words and choose them carefully for maximum impact and they both employ the same methods for observing the other as they think and consider their approach before speaking. The dynamic feels like a throwback to a very different time, but it carries over perfectly despite the extreme circumstances.

Despite the changes to Trey's character, this scene is also very true to canon since it incorporates so many elements of Ryan's personality that many, including Treywreck himself, have acknowledged. Ryan would certainly feel guilt at not being able to do more than anyone expected. Ryan would take on responsibility for everyone and their well-being. Ryan would be world-weary and may only confess that to someone like Trey- and only under duress. Finally, you show us how their roles have changed and been reversed, even if Ryan wishes he did have the older brother he may have idolized and relied only when he was very, very young. It's clear that the tables were turned and Ryan's qualities made him the parent and the one who outgrew Trey far too early.

Date: 2006-12-07 02:02 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] beachtree.livejournal.com
Hey, you're entitled. As we've noted, injecting "M" into that SL at all was a colossal mistake and a needless one. She didn't belong in the middle of exploring a relationship that didn't include her and deprived us of real backstory and the dynamic between the brothers that still could have gone sour, but for more plausible reasons that emphasized that extreme differences in their personalities, perceptions and integrity. IMHO, for all his disgust with the elder Atwoods, Trey displayed the manipulative, selfish, need for immediate gratification and addictive traits of Dawn and the very violent, abusive, materialistic sides of the father.

I do think that he loved Ryan and might have protected him at one time, but once Ryan was old enough to realize how different Trey was and to not trust or idolize his brother, say, by age 8-9 in Ryan's case, that Trey began to be jealous and resentful-especially when he realized that Ryan was smarter, followed his own conscience, and that people responded to him far differently than they did to Trey. That only festered with time and was bound to erupt, especially because Ryan was so desperate to believe that Trey really did care and didn't want to see otherwise. That only fueled the fire. I wish Trey could be a less selfish and self-serving person. For others, such as the Diaz family, to point out that Trey had used Ryan for doing his dirty work and had lied to him throughout his life speaks volumes.

Date: 2006-12-09 12:12 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] dogsbody01.livejournal.com
The interaction with Ryan and Trey, was wonderful!Please keep posting.

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