Declan went from booth to booth making sure all of the volunteers were stocked on the various prizes, occasionally being stopped by a former student from the his year of student teaching and was even introduced to siblings who would be in his class in two days time. He forced a smile as he listened to stories of summer vacations and plans to win stuffed bears or basketballs until their parents would convince them that Mr. Coyne needed to get back to helping with the carnival. As he the latest run-in he heard an excited shout coming from end of the parking lot that served as the ticket booth which blocking his view of whatever was going on. All he was able to see was a young boy with curly hair turning to point in his direction, most likely at the dunk tank set up next to where he was standing. There was something familiar about the child, but he shrugged it off as a forgotten student as Fiona came up to him.
"Declan, I need you to take over the ice cream cart." His sister requested, "Andrew's got a rush and I've got to go help inside."
"You said I would…" But he was interrupted by a thank you and his sister rushing off towards the building. He swore as he made his way to assist Andrew Torres that would be the last time he got talked into helping for a big event, he was already involved in the tutoring and mentor programs, surely that was enough.
"Oh, thank you." The relief could be seen on the younger man's face as he took an apron.
"Heard you could use the help."
"Between the kids asking for flavors we don't have and having to explain to a couple of flirting guys that I have a girlfriend? Yes, I could use a little help." Andrew agreed, "I can't believe I got talked into helping."
"You and me both." Declan said turning to the next customer in line. The pair of them worked quickly dwindling the line down to a couple of kids and their parents, though Declan couldn't help but notice a couple of the kids leave with out their ice cream, apparently the line wasn't going fast enough for them. Declan was just about to head back to stock the booths again when the boy he noticed by the ticket booth appeared.
"Hey, buddy," You want some ice cream?" Drew greeted, but the boy kept his eyes on Declan, smiling, while he shook his head.
"I told Dad we'd find you again." the little boy came around the booth and wrapped himself around Declan waist, "I've missed you."
The teacher silently responded to Drew's confused look that he didn't know what was going on either before looking around to see if he could figure out who the boy belonged to and was answered as a man came to a stop, supposedly looking for his son who had run off. A breath got caught in Declan's throat as he realized who it was currently giving him a hug.
"Did you miss me, too?" The eight year old pulled away.
Declan quickly lowered himself to eye level, taking in how much the boy had grown since the last time he had seen him. He couldn't believe it as he pulled the boy into a better hug, "Of course I've missed you too; I've missed you every day, Kyle."
"You're welcome." Riley signed an autograph quickly before moving to the last child waiting patiently with his father. He only half-listened as the man gave a small dose of sympathy over the events and the injury, hope that Riley would be able to return the next season, and gratitude that he was spending his recovery year helping coach at the local high school and Riley's alma mater. He had heard these sentiments repeated a number of times in the last five months to the point he had nearly gotten used it. He only felt guilty receiving them today because it was suppossed to be his son's day. He turned to find Zane talking to one of the event volunteers and Kyle no where in sight.
"Zane." He got his boyfriend's attention, "Where's Kyle? He was right here."
The blank response nearly sent Riley into a panic, but Zane recovered quickly, "It's alright, he probably just got distracted and is at one of the booths. I'll go inside see if he's there, you'll look outside. It's okay, we'll find him."
Riley nodded, slightly reassured, and as Zane headed off he started asking around the nearby booth until the dunk tank pointed off. Anxiety casued him to run as he followed her directions, ignoring the calls of recognition along his way. He nearly relaxed as he saw the familiar pile of hair only to tense up again as he saw who was currently there with Kyle.
Neither he or Kyle hadn't had any contact with Declan Coyne in over six years though due to the pictures littering photo albums, Riley had been forced to tell Kyle of the man who in two years had been more of a father than Peter Stone ever would be. The man who disappeared off the face of the earth, the man who caused more pain to father and son than the want to be rockstar cold have.
"...pictures." He could heard snippets of the conversations he approached the pair.
"You've grown up so much." For a moment Riley could almost swear there were tears in Declan's eyes had he made the observation.
"It happens when you disappear for six years." He had found his voice.
The excitement in Kyle's voices nearly caught him off guard, "I told you we'd find him!"
"Yeah, you did buddy. Well, now we've got to find Zane, he off looking for you. You scared us both." Riley tried to pull him away, but the eight year old stood his ground.
"Can he come to my birthday dinner?"
The football player was saved by a response as Zane came up to him, "You found him..." He turned his attention to Declan, "Hi, I'm Zane...I'm actually going to start volunteering here."
"Declan." the other man took the newly arrived's hand. "Volunteer here too."
Recognition lit Zane's eyes and he had enough sense about him to recover, "Ah...well, Ky how about we go see if you have your father's aim at the football toss." He practically had to drag Kyle away, leaving the two men struggling for the right words.
Bit of a cliff hanger, hope you enjoyed it. Up next the two guys talk, awkward birthday dinner and some flashbacks/insight into what happened that seperated the Riley/Declan pair. Alright I can't wait to hear from from ALL of you...Keep up the reviews and I'll keep up the chapters.