[JOHN EOIN RYAN]

december 2022 • outfit • kim conor ryan

With all of the excitement of Riley coming back home from Germany and helping her settle in plus continuing to run the business, John had not been the best brother as far as going out to see either of his brothers. But he was aiming to change that now, as he got into the SUV and headed on his way to Clover Lane Sheep Farm to surprise Kim, maybe Holland if he was around. Unfortunately, he knew there would be a shortage of lambs to fawn over, mainly because it wasn't spring yet. But they were just usually an added bonus when it came to visiting the ole family farm. John was always secretly grateful that his eldest brother remained interested in the farm, it kept the burden from falling onto him or Max since he knew his parents wanted one of them to get invested into it.

He cruised down those familiar old country roads, the rickety old trees providing comfort with his travel. It dawned on him that maybe he should have told Marie or his new PA, Ivan, that he would have been disappearing off for a little bit. Shit, "Siri! Group Text. Marie and Ivan. Going to see Kim." Done. John had gotten lazy as of late when it came to tracking things, probably why he ended up putting up an add for an assistant, but life finally felt like it had straighten out. All the drama was aired out between him and the kids thankfully, and while he had been a little apprehensive with Riley's arrival back in the Fall, it seemed that she had forgiven him. John still hadn't exactly figured out exactly what he did, but given her happy attitude, he did little to question it.

The man had been a little suspicious to hear that a groom from Germany had also arrived a little after Riley, and that they knew each other. A situation like that, John didn't exactly believe in coincidences, not when it came to a guy following a girl. Before he could really latch onto any conspiracy theories though, he was pulling up to the childhood farm. John had to admit, Kim had put some really good work into it. Still had that rustic feel but with all of the updates. Maybe Holland had put some impute into it as well. Parking the car, he got out, not bothering to lock it as he went to go have a look around. His feet carried him out around to one of the fields, where he could see the giant walking balls of wool, "There you guys are," he commented, as some of the sheep lifted their heads stared at him and bleat, "You wouldn't happen to know where Kim is, would you?"

whatever it takes 'cause I love the adrenaline in my veins

thanks aofie!

[kim conor ryan]

What time was it now? Kim really needed to do better when at the forge, but with the weather being cooler, it was hard to ignore the flame. He was working on a new blade, as a hunting knife of sorts. Plus, gifts for upcoming birthdays and what not. He had to be a cool uncle somehow!

It wasn't until Holland told him his brother, John, had pulled up - that Kim kind of broke out of his cleaning mood. Kim gave his partner a smile and a nod. Thanking him.

Holland hadn't gone out per se but saw Kim's brother pull up from the chicken coop. Kim wiped his hands and went to find John who was easy to spot.

"Giving them words of encouragement for the birthing season?" he smiled. Out of the brothers, John came off a bit more dapper. Kim could look dressed, but it was rare he was ever out of his farm clothes.

"I'm about to start lunch prep. What are you hungry for?"

JOHN EOIN RYAN // Jan 16 23

[JOHN EOIN RYAN]

december 2022 • outfit • kim conor ryan

"Giving them words of encouragement for the birthing season?" Well that voice certainly did not come from any of the sheep before him, plus, he knew the owner of said voice. John glanced over his shoulder now and grinned, "Something like that. Really I was just asking them where you were though." His older brother was a sight of sore eyes, sometimes he felt guilty and didn't come out enough to visit Kim, which really wasn't any excuse since it wasn't like he lived very far. But they both had their own lives, and quite frankly, John was terrible at wrangling his own life.

The man pushed gently off of the fence now to walk over to his older brother, immediately going in for the hug whether Kim had been ready or not. While John always seemed to have the smell of hay and horse, Kim had a mixture of feed, sheep, and the smoke from iron. It was comforting in a way, reminded him of their childhoods, "I'm about to start lunch prep. What are you hungry for?" Well, that was a pleasant surprise. He broke the hug now, pulling back to look at him, "Man, I come here to surprise visit you and you offer to feed me some Kim Ryan special? I need to do this more often." That was another thing that was great about visiting the farm: Kim's food. And it was like his stomach knew it too.

"How did you know I was out here?" He asked now, suddenly realizing that he had come here to surprise Kim and yet it was his older brother who had gotten the drop on him, "Was it Holland? I swear, that man is a ninja. Was he staking out in the chicken coops or something?" That was another mystery to John, how these two tall men managed to always seem to get around the farm like they were just figments of the imagination, they went one way and popped up somewhere else like a Scooby Doo episode, "I'm not intruding though, am I? I just figured it's been a while and I've been a shitty little brother about visiting."

whatever it takes 'cause I love the adrenaline in my veins

thanks aofie!

[kim conor ryan]

Kim nodded. “Yeah, Holland knows everyone’s movements,” he laughed. "I’m sure he’s already started lunch prep. Cooking for guests is more of his forte.” Kim really didn’t know how he lucked out on such an amazing partner. Granted, the meeting the way they did – it would be hard to ignore their attraction.

“At least you attempt to visit. I don’t even remember the last time I saw Max.” Out of the two younger brothers, John was easier to pin down. Mainly due to the fact he had a wife and kids. Kim was easy because he was still taking care of the parents. They would’ve been happy if Kim hadn’t taken the farm, but being secluded was nice. The sounds of the creek and nature were easier than the sounds of a car racing on the pavement.

“I hear you have a new PA?” Kim started, leading John into the freshly renovated kitchen. It was a gift from Kim to Holland. Took him a year, but it is done now. Holland, as Kim predicted, was whipping up something more than what Kim was going to offer.

“Ah, John! Hope you’re hungry and staying for a while. I’m making mille-feuille nabe,” Holland greeted. If his hands weren’t wrist deep in thinly sliced beef and napa cabbage, a bear hug would have happened.

JOHN EOIN RYAN // Jan 16 23

[JOHN EOIN RYAN]

december 2022 • outfit • kim conor ryan

John could not help but to laugh when his brother confirmed that Holland did always seem to know everyone's movements on the farm, "Are you sure Holland is merely just a martial arts instructor? Or are you two hiding some secret life from me that has nothing to do with the sheep?" As for the cooking, the man simply smiled at Kim, "Ah well, I can't say no to Holland's cooking either. I don't think you're half bad at cooking for guests either though." And with that, he followed his brother through the farm yard as their idle chit chat continued. Sometimes it felt like nothing changed and they never grew up, and they simply traveled back in time to be teenagers once more.

He wasn't really surprised about their younger brother not coming around a lot, "Ah, well, you know Max. He sorta lives by his own rules and a wandering soul." And that was being diplomatic about their younger brother. Still, it was hard to not love the youngest Ryan, and he tended to come through no matter what his current situation is, "How are Mom and Dad doing? I should probably swing by after lunch to say my hellos to them as well before leaving." It was funny to think they technically still lived on the farm, and in their house, with this house being brand new. John knew that he owed Kim a lot too just by being their for their parents, something he hadn't exactly been the greatest at himself since getting into horses as a teen.

Following Kim into the kitchen now, John was hit with the mouth watering smells of beef, cabbage, and spices. It was so distracting that he almost didn't hear his brother ask him a question, "Huh? Oh yeah, Ivan. He's nice, polite, keeps on top of my stuff. He's Rachel Sung's kid, I'm not sure if she sees your sheep or not. I'll make sure he knows who you are if you get a hold of him instead of me." Blue eyes looked to Holland now and offered a smile, "That sounds amazing Holland. I'm happy to be spoiled by your cooking. Looks like Kim did not disappoint you with the kitchen renovation. Happy to see it all came together." His oldest brother always seem to have an eye for interior design, "Do you two need me to help with anything? Or should I just sit around look pretty?"

whatever it takes 'cause I love the adrenaline in my veins

thanks aofie!

[kim conor ryan]

"Rachel? Oh yes. She was actually helping the day Ivan had his accident. I don't think I've ever seen her so scared. I'm glad to hear he's turned into a fine gentleman. And somehow survive your lot." Kim, know the feeling. Not necessarily with children, but about his parents. It was probably why he insisted on them being close by. So if mom or dad fell, they were two long steps away.

Kim grabbed a pitcher of ice water and poured three glasses before sitting down. "He did, didn't he? Did it all himself! I'm pretty sure your mom is envious since I've seen her try to come in and use. Even if to heat a kettle."

"I'm working on the porch for her soon enough, so that should keep her happy until Dad decides he needs to renovate something by himself," Kim laughed. "Mom and Dad are doing well! They're enjoying their retirement. Missing all the grandbabies and great-grandbabies. They whine to me that they aren't visited enough, so maybe pass that along…" It was hard now, with everyone being older and having their own lives. Kim also missed his nieces and nephews, texting them on occasion. Though, they much preferred Max. Probably because he wasn't tied down or anything. But Kim was the uncle they could rely on if anything were to happen that required urgency. And tried his best to catch all of the shows and competitions.

"No, no - sit and look pretty," Holland said, washing his hands. Everything was placed into the specialty pot and the stove turned on. After cleaning up, Holland joined Kim and John at the table. "How's the business going? Prepping for any upcoming competitions? And Marie?"

JOHN EOIN RYAN // Jan 16 23

[JOHN EOIN RYAN]

december 2022 • outfit • kim conor ryan

Laughter escaped John at his older brother's comments, "I believe Ivan is surviving my lot just fine." He hadn't realized that his brother had been working with Rachel the day that happened, he could only imagine what the chaos had been. Granted, everything turned out just fine in the end. If Kim had been there though, it made John wondered if it affected how his eldest brother went about with keeping their parents close - since their parents were not getting any younger by any means, and Clover Lane was certainly off the beaten path.

His mind snapped back to the conversation at hand now though, given Holland set a glass of water down in front of him and going into detail about the kitchen renovation and how Ioanna Ryan would come in to try and use it for her tea. A smile pulled at his lips at that comment, "Ah well, it's so shiny and new. I can't say I blame her. Maybe she's sending Kim a message as well," John said jokingly now before glancing over at his oldest brother, "I'll be honest Kim, I didn't realize that renovating was your thing." Although given the improvements around the farm, perhaps he shouldn't have been surprised at all.

John crinkled his face a little at the mention that their parents were telling Kim that the rest of them didn't visit enough or stop by with the kids and great-grandchildren, "Ah. I can't say I haven't been guilty of not doing that." The equestrian world and his own barn kept him so busy, the man knew he was guilty of putting his family by the wayside. While he wasn't a terrible father when the kids were growing up, John knew he had the tendency to get wrapped up with the horses and the competing, not to mention managing, that other stuff slid by a lot, "I will make sure to wrangle them for a family get together once it gets warmer out. We can host at our house and you all and Max can come over. In the mean time, Marie and I will happily visit Mom and Dad."

At the command to just sit there and look pretty, John simply smiled, "Well, I am happy to do that then," he replied now as he took a sip of the cool water. As for his life, "Ah, never been busier. A few of my students and I will fly to American next month for a competition, so dealing with the logistics of that will be annoying. I've got the Olympic Trials to think about, and quickly, since they are coming up if I want to make it onto the Team for next year. And I'm sure, if I do that, Marie will be curating my horses for me." Man, he really was busy, "As for Marie - she is happy as ever, which is good, since it means that my life is happy. I assume the business is going well by the looks of it?" Sometimes, John couldn't help but to wonder if Kim's children ever reached out, but considering the years it had been, he doubted it and knew better than to ask.

whatever it takes 'cause I love the adrenaline in my veins

thanks aofie!

[kim conor ryan]

“America, huh? That’s quite a trip! I’m sure those students of yours will be playing the straw game to make sure they can go. I’m sure the cost is not an easy thing to cover,” Holland commented. Something that Kim nodded in agreement. Kim knew the cost of travel for anything was expensive. There were times he and Holland had to scrape up a few more pounds to make sure they could travel to Japan for a martial arts competition and convention. They hadn’t been able to take a trip since then, something Kim has been a bit bummed about. But he thankfully had such amazing neighbors to help when he and Holland could afford a weekend trip.

“Wow, it sounds like you got Ivan just in time then! Yeah, business has been amazing. Mutton was a big selling point, and Taylor from up the way has spun a lot of our fiber. Baby season is just around the corner and easter prep is about to get crazy. The local vet program has reached out recently, to see if we can get some clinical stuff done here. So maybe we’ll get a few students wanting to help, too.” The family farm tended to always have a good streak. There never seemed to be a bad year. There were times when it was tough, mainly from an illness or something – but it was probably because the parents made sure to never be fully financially dependent on the flock. If Kim learned anything, was proper financial care.

JOHN EOIN RYAN // Jan 16 23

[JOHN EOIN RYAN]

december 2022 • outfit • kim conor ryan

John certainly couldn't argue how expensive his upcoming trip was going to be - he was willing to cover his two grooms, and Ivan, but everyone else would be on their own. The problem with being an equestrian, especially one on an international competing level, it was stupidity expensive. The joke often was that buying the horse was the cheapest part, "Yeah. I have to say, sometimes I have moments where I think I must have been awfully foolish to get into this," John said with a laugh, "But I can't deny that it hasn't been worth it." He knew that he had been incredibly lucky with his fame and fortune as far as his career went, Marie's as well, and the man knew he would never take that for granted when he knew so many other local equestrians struggling with finances and affordability - John always swore to himself that he would never, nor would any of his family members, be out of touch with the reality of what they have.

"Glad to hear that the farm is going well. I wouldn't say this around mum and dad, but I'm pretty certain it's flourished under you two quite well. Probably even more so than when they were running it." At least, it certainly felt like Clover Lane had branched out as far as community went. John didn't remember much of that growing up, but then again, he had always had his head else where rather than concentrate on what his parents were doing with their sheep, "If you need any extra hands when it comes to the lambs, I may be willing to be bribed into helping if the vet students and Jameson Hughs isn't enough. I'm sure I haven't gotten that rusty." He mulled something over, mainly to distract himself by the growing stomach growls over the scents of delicious food, "Now, don't tell mum and dad that I asked this, but when is their anniversary again? They're coming up on their 50th, right?"

whatever it takes 'cause I love the adrenaline in my veins

thanks aofie!