AH collections

A dart through the heart

Jeremwood
Word count: 3773
Chapters: 1

After every job gone well, the all of the participating members of the Fake AH Crew, minus Ryan, go bar hopping. It was a tradition, an unspoken agreement.

Jeremy had been with the crew for a year now, knew this agreement, had participated in every post-job bar hopping, but today—

Today he just doesn't feel like it.

He feels twitchy and agitated from the job going to easily, from too much prep and build up and too little actual work, and he wants to do something, not just sit around and get drunk.

So when Geoff approaches him as he's hanging away from everyone else, telling him to hurry up and get his ass in the car they're taking to the first bar, his eyes desperately search for something, any excuse, to get him out of going.

He finds it in Ryan, who's watching them with a curious head tilt. He doesn't know why Ryan's watching, and doesn't really care, just sends him a pleading look.

"Actually, Geoff," Ryan says, stepping forward, "I've got something I wanted to show Jeremy. If he doesn't mind skipping out on the bar hopping, that is."

"I'm good with that," Jeremy says quickly, cutting in before Geoff can say anything.

Geoff narrows his eyes, though, still focused on Ryan.

"You better not be planning on killing him." He says, pointing an accusing finger at the Ryan, but he backs away and climbs into the car with the rest of the crew without any more questioning.

Jeremy can hear them asking about why Jeremy isn't joining them in the couple of seconds Geoff has the door open, but ignores it out and turns to Ryan.

"Thanks," He says, letting the relief he feels bleed into his words.

"It's fine," Ryan says, waving him off before gesturing to his car, "Get in, then."

Jeremy nods and climbs into Ryan's car silently, still grateful that the other man had understood his silent plea, but doesn't say anything else as Ryan starts to drive.

"So, uh, where are we going?" Jeremy asks after they've been sitting in silence for a couple minutes. It's not that the silence was bothering him, what was bothering him was that he has no idea where they're going. He trusts Ryan with his life – he has to, considering their job – but that doesn't mean he trusts him to take him somewhere that isn't creepy.

"Pleasure Pier." Ryan replies simply, not even bothering to glance over at the younger man.

"But... that's a pretty busy place. Won't people be, y'know, freaked out?" Jeremy asks, gesturing awkwardly at the mask the older man is wearing.

"It's a civic holiday," Ryan reminds Jeremy, and he feels his face flush in embarrassment.

"Right," He says with a nod, then glances at Ryan with a grin, "So, you take all the boys here?"

Ryan lets out a startled chuckle, shaking his head, "Nah, you're the first," He says easily, flippantly, and Jeremy forces down the feelings that flutter in his chest, because now is not the time.

"You go there often, then?" Jeremy asks, and Ryan glances over at him. For a moment Jeremy thinks he's over stepped, but a closer look reveals that he's smiling. Not that Jeremy can actually see the smile, but he thinks he's known the other man long enough now to tell what he's feeling according to his body language.

"Can't go telling you all of my secrets," is all Ryan says in reply, before turning his focus back to driving. Jeremy takes that as his cue to relax, and sinks back into his seat, letting out a heavy sigh.