Ryker just sighed again.

"If you say so." he muttered.

"Well, welcome home." he then said.

"Glad you had fun on your outing." he went on.

"And it's good that you've met someone." he then told him further.

'...we'll see how long THIS lasts...' he thought cynically.

"........." Ryker was silent, before shaking his head slightly, sighing, and smiling.

"Mmhmm." he replied.

He then knelt down and lifted Eke up in his arms.

"All right, let's go." he said as he started to walk.

"Where we headed?" he asked.

Ryker nodded, and started to Carry Eke to the bathroom so he could clean himself up.

"Well, she sounds very nice." he said.

"Certainly like someone with getting to know better." he commented further.

"But... practicing?" he then asked.

"For what?" he asked further.

"One normally doesn't usually practice for a date." he chuckled.

Ryker just interrupted Eke by placing a hand on his shoulder.

"I get it." he said with a soft, sincere smile.

"You're smitten, and for good reason." he said further.

"Tell me later. Over dinner." he suggested.

"For now, concentrate on getting yourself clean. I'll have dinner ready for you by the time you're done." he chuckled.

"......that cough is bad." Ryker said, hearing the cough.

"Seriously, that sounds awful." he told him, concern in his tone.

"Are you all right?" he asked.

"Does it hurt at all?" he asked further.

"...there anything I can do to help...?" he then asked, but this time more quietly.

".......if you say so." Ryker responded.

After a few more minutes, Eke was handed a plate of food.

It had mashed potatoes on it, as well as mixed veggies on the side, and 2 thick steaks as well. Ryker then set down a loaf of fresh bread, with soft butter in a small dish as well.

"Let me know if that's not enough." he told him.

"I have some more steaks ready to cook up."

Ryker just shrugged.

"Not much." he replied.

"....not much at all." he said further.

He then put a finger in his mouth and looked like he was picking at his teeth slightly... but nothing came of it.

"Anyway, I have a job now." he told him.

"That construction company. REALLY good money."

"........tomorrow." Ryker responded.

"But now I wonder if that's such a good idea." he then admitted.

"That cough was worse." he said. "WAY worse." he went on.

"You're gasping for air now, Eke." he continued.

"What happens if it goes further, and I'm at work, and you're alone?" he asked.

"....no. I know what'd happen. And it'd be unacceptable." he then mumbled, sadness and anger in his tone.

Ryker just sighed deeply, and hung his head a little.

"....right." he said.

"You're right." he said further. "I AM overreacting." he admitted.

"I just... worry about you is all." he told Eke.

"Perhaps I shouldn't. Not as much, anyway. You... you can take care of yourself." he went on.

'With a little demonic help.' rang through his head.

'Shut it.' Ryker mentally snapped back.

"I did." Ryker responded.

"We'll see what happens in the future." he told him.

"They... should be a little lenient with me." he mumbled.

"And good idea on the cell phones." he then said further. "I'll get a home phone set up, too." he went on.

"Just so we can keep in contact with each other, if need be."