[JOHN EOIN RYAN]

march 2023 • MAX BENJAMIN RYAN

God, how he hated paperwork. It was nothing but the bane of his existence. John Ryan thought that was always the problem when starting a business, nobody ever warns you about the paperwork that follows it - the horses just add on more expense. A sigh escaped the man though, mainly because he knew better to complain, even if it was internally done. He was very lucky that they were not struggling, in fact, Ryan Sports Hall appeared to be excelling between an uptick in students, Marie's breeding program, and then John's return to the show arena garnering attention, the money was there. Yet, money didn't do math for him, it merely added to it.

"This is what you get for telling Ivan to take the day off," John muttered to himself, dropping the pen down on his desk as he leaned back in his chair to close his eyes. He needed a break, or so he told himself, but what that break might be, well, the man didn't quite know. Destiny though, or some greater power, must have heard him though because there soon were footsteps outside of his door and a knock on it, "John? There's some guy hanging out at the borders section." Cerulean eyes opened, glancing at the door, "Claudia, can you give me more than that?" His student just stared at him, "I don't know, he's hot." And just like that, she waltzed off as if she didn't just drop a hypothetical bomb on his lap.

He stared after her, blinking, utterly puzzled by this. Well, it was the break he was looking for and an excuse to get up. Doing so, he pushed himself out from the desk and up from his chair, and went on his way. The walk to the borders section of his barn was a short one, and he couldn't help but to wonder who had managed to sneak by the office unnoticed. Granted, without Ivan in the front office, it was very easy to do. Sure enough, he saw a man there now - hanging out by two obnoxious horses that John knew well - in fact, he knew the man as well. A grin broke on John's features now as he called out, "Well, if it isn't my baby brother, Max. Hope you were planning on saying hello to me as well rather than just visiting your horses."

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

thanks aofie!

[MAX BENJAMIN RYAN]

JOHN EOIN RYAN

max had stopped by to check on his horses, though he knew that if anything had happened in the last few days the staff and his brother would have called him. he'd taken a spur of the moment trip out of town, deciding to hop on a plane and chasing somewhere that was hot and sandy. it would cure the itch he felt in his feet for the next few weeks at least. he'd never been one for settling into one place, but he had to admit it was nice to have a place to call home again. he'd spent so many years going from place to place, being so remote sometimes there wasn't anyone else but him and his team for weeks. since he'd come home to recuperate, he'd enjoyed spending time with his family. he'd come home periodically over the years but now he felt like he was really getting to know them, better than he had in years and plus his parents weren't getting any younger. the last place he wanted to be if something happened was days of travel away from them.

he rubbed his hand over narcs nose lightly as he fed him a piece of carrot. "that's enough." he said with a chuckle as the horse tossed his head. as the footsteps echoed down the aisle, he knew who it was before the voice spoke. he turned his head to look at his older brother and he couldn't help but roll his eyes slightly. "you're just salty i grew taller than you did." he smirked slightly as he straightened up from leaning on the stall door. "i glanced through the window as i walked past, you seemed to be having so much fun with the paperwork i didn't want to disturb you."

[JOHN EOIN RYAN]

march 2024 • MAX BENJAMIN RYAN

He could have been a kilometer away and still would have clocked that eyeroll that his baby brother had given him. John steeled himself for a witty comeback, and sure enough, it hit like a brick. Now it was John's turn to roll his blue eyes, "You're never going to stop rubbing salt in that wound, are you?" It was a rhetorical question though, the man knew very well that it was never going to end. After all, that's what baby brothers were for - insults and laughter. Speaking of, a snort of laughter did escape John now, "Trust me, you can interrupt my fun paperwork any time."

It was still odd seeing Max at the barn, the idea of him sticking in one place still felt like an odd concept to John. He had gotten too used to his youngest brother popping in and out of their lives the second he turned eighteen. It was hard to blame him though, he was fairly certain Max had been an accident even though his parents would never admit it. He got away with a lot of shit that Kim and John would have been skinned for, "Plus - it's weird hearing my students say that there's 'some hot guy talking to the horses'." Arguably though, it was on point. All the Ryan men were catches. Granted, it would have solved some matters if his students paid attention to the boarders.

After that, he stepped up to his brother and gave a hug - whether he wanted it or not - before letting go, "Jokes aside, it is good to see you again. How's the wunderlust doing? I feel like this is the longest you've been in town since getting your driver's license." 

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

thanks aofie!