Disclaimer: don't own
Author's note: Hope you like it, Miss Meehan! Obviously, this takes place in an AU where Ryan survived the attack by Stuckey.
"Elliot?" Ryan called softly from the doorway.
Elliot looked up from where he was drinking coffee and reading the newspaper. "You shouldn't be on your feet right now. Didn't the doctors tell you that?"
"Ye-es-" He drew out the word- "But I missed you."
Elliot rolled his eyes. "I'm 50 feet from our room."
"Which is too far," Ryan sighed dramatically. Elliot smiled in spite of himself.
"Well, come here and sit down," He ordered. Ryan sat next to Elliot with a sigh. Elliot leaned over and kissed him, hands cupping his face. Ryan pulled away and rested his head on Elliot's shoulder.
"You ok?" Elliot asked with concern.
Ryan nodded and sighed. "Just tired. And..."
"Afraid to return to work?" Elliot guessed.
"Yeah," Ryan agreed quietly.
"We got Stuckey on the murder charges, and several attempted murder charges. It'll be ok," Elliot insisted. Ryan nodded again but stayed silent.
Elliot looked at the clock. "It's getting late. Want to watch some TV or something before we go to bed?"
"Yeah," Ryan agreed softly. Elliot wrapped an arm around his waist and guided him into the living room. Ryan rested his head in Elliot's lap while Elliot turned a cartoon on. The room was silent except for the occasional giggle at the antics on the screen.
Ryan soon fell asleep. Elliot sighed and looked Ryan over. Ryan had mostly recovered from the stab wound, but there was a good chance that some of the damage was permanent. He shook the thought out of his head. Not a thought he wanted to dwell on. He reminded himself that Ryan was okay.
An arm tightened around his leg. Elliot smiled and rubbed Ryan's back gently.
Ryan was alright. Elliot would be concerned for a while, but he was okay. And Elliot was determined never to let that change.