[fic] Falling | CSI: Miami | Eric/Ryan
Title: Falling
Fandom: CSI: Miami
Characters/Pairing: Eric/Ryan
Rating: NC-17
Warnings/Spoilers: Slightest mention of Sex & Taxes, h/c, light fluff, slash
Word Count: 3,402
Disclaimer: I don’t own
A/N: Written for my music challenge using the song ‘Fell Right Into You’ by Jesse Farell for inspiration
Whenever I hear this song I just get all sappy and stuff, bad for me, good for people around me, and for fic writing. Although this didn’t exactly turn out the way I had originally envisioned it, the muses turned things around in my head, but the bunny was happy with it either way.
Enjoy.
A/N 2:After pimping Coke in the fic I think it’s fair to let everyone know that I don’t even like Coke…or Pepsi XD
A/N 3: I have also pimped a movie I’ve never seen…
A/N 4: And McDonald’s, which I know is bad for me, but I eat it everyday that I can…at this point in time, I think I should start getting paid for product placements XDXD
It wasn’t the first time Ryan found himself sitting in his car in the parking lot of his condo block for no apparent reason.
Well, no apparent reason that anyone else could see.
His hands gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles whiter than the snow that fell in his hometown. All he needed to do was turn the key and drive.
He didn’t know where, just anywhere but here.
He got a step further than he ever had before. He turned the keys, feeling the car roar to life.
That was as far as he got. His hand repositioned itself on the steering wheel in the death grip it had previously been holding.
For two whole minutes he sat there, staring straight ahead, glancing in the rear-view every so often.
Suddenly the passenger door opened and a familiar smiling face sat down beside him.
“Where we going?” Eric asked with a cheerful tone.
“I…we’re going no where. Why’re you in my car?”
“Well I came by to say hi and say you seemed to be heading out, figured I tag along.”
“Why?”
“I dunno,” Eric shrugged. “If we’re going no where, why’s the car running?”
“I was considering going.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know.”
Eric’s face dropped. He stared intensely at Ryan.
“You’re not running away, are you?”
“I’ve thought about it,” Ryan replied truthfully.
Eric sighed, leaning over and turning the ignition off, pulling the keys out and getting out of the car. Ryan watched him with mild curiosity.
“Where’re you going with my keys?”
“Inside. C’mon.” Eric said before closing the car door and heading to Ryan’s condo. Ryan watched him as he fumbled around with the keys until he found the right one and headed inside.
Not wanting Eric unsupervised in his home, Ryan finally complied and got out of the car. He soon found the Cuban in his kitchen, rummaging around in his fridge.
“What’re you doing?”
“Looking for a drink?””
“I keep my beer in a mini fridge in the living room.”
“Oh,” Eric said, standing up and looking at Ryan, “I knew that.”
“Of course you did. You’ve only been here a dozen times,” Ryan sighed. He turned and headed to the living room, Eric on his heels. As the Cuban sat, Ryan grabbed a couple of beers out of the mini fridge and tossed one towards him, who caught it with ease.
“Why’d you come over?” Ryan asked, seeing no point in beating around the bush. Not after he’d admitted he thought about actually running away.
“Dunno.” Eric shrugged, popping open his beer, “Just had a feeling I should come over. Guess some higher power doesn’t want you running away. Why’re you doing that anyways?”
Ryan opened his beer and stared at the foam that fizzed up then died. He carefully calculated his answer. An answer he wasn’t sure why he was giving so willingly to begin with, and to Eric of all people. But sitting here, like this, it seemed like the most natural thing. Like Eric had been a lifelong friend and confidant. And he wasn’t making a big deal out of it like some people would. He was just curious, unimposing, like he cared but didn’t at the same time.
“I’ve just been going through a rough patch, that’s all. Work’s been a little stressful. Um, I’m…I’m sorry for pissing you off. I should have waited.”
“It’s fine. We’ve all done it. Or at least, something to piss off everyone else. I know I can get snappy, but it’s no reason to run away.”
“Oh, don’t be so egotistical. It’s not just you.”
“Well, what else is wrong?”
“I’ve just…nah. It’s stupid.” Ryan said, suddenly bashful.
“C’mon, we’re friends, right?”
“Yeah.”
“You can tell me.”
Ryan briefly wondered why Eric suddenly seemed so interested in his life. Did maybe he think he was going to be suicidal?
“I’m telling you, it’s something just stupid…”
“Ryan…” Eric said with a semi-threatening tone.
“I…I haven’t had a date in a while. I’m just feeling…I dunno, kinda lonely I guess.”
“What? You? You can’t get a date? With that cute mug of yours,” Eric laughed reaching over and lightly tapping Ryan’s cheek. “You just gotta get out more Ry, you hang around your house all the time.”
“Well I’m always tired after work.”
“You have days off, you don’t need to do overtime all the time.”
“I know.”
“Hey, here’s an idea.”
“What?”
“Let’s go see a movie.”
“What?” Ryan asked in surprise. It was the last thing he’d expected to hear from Eric.
“Yeah, gives us a chance to hang out, and you get out of the house.”
“Why’re you suddenly so interested in me?”
“It’s not suddenly,” Eric laughed, “We’ve always had a fucked up relationship like this. Only now we’re being civil. C’mon man, I know what it’s like to be lonely. I’m here to be your friend.”
“Oh, alright.” Ryan said. He still wasn’t sure of himself. Eric stood and lightly smacked his shoulder.
“C’mon. I wanna see Untraceable.”
“Seriously? You want to go watch a movie…about crime?”
“Yeah, what’s so weird about that?”
Ryan sighed with a light chuckle. “Nothing, nevermind. Alright, I’ll go with you.”
“Excellent, I’ll drive.”
---
At the movies Eric kept a close eye on Ryan. And he was quick to notice he wasn’t the only one.
How Ryan had convinced himself he was undatable was beyond Eric’s comprehension. The pair of them were making girls flock.
The sudden though of girls flocking and the British calling women birds made him chuckle, earning a curious and slightly disdained look from Ryan.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing, just a thought I had,” Eric said, trying to look serious but failing with his giant smile.
Ryan rolled his eyes and approached the concession. Eric had bought his ticket, which was embarrassing enough, he would not let him buy his snacks.
“Whatcha want?” Eric asked, looking up at the pricing board.
“I have money Eric.”
“I know,” Eric shrugged.
“You don’t have to be extra nice or anything, I’m fine.”
“I know,” Eric repeated, throwing a flirty look towards the young woman working behind the counter to get her to them faster.
“Then why---?”
“Stop asking why. Just accept that someone actually likes you and wants to do nice things for you,” Eric snapped quietly before turning his attention back to the concession lady. “Hey, can we get two Cokes and a large popcorn, please.” He added as an afterthought.
“Sure thing,” the woman said cheerily.
Ryan had fallen into a silent stupor.
’…someone actually likes you…’
He wasn’t sure if he was being paranoid or not. It was Eric, and Eric liked most people. But he really liked most people too. Was there a hidden meaning or was he just being weird.
Just being weird, Ryan decided. Honestly, there was no reason for Eric to like him like that. Just because he’d had the occasional steamy dream…
Definitely no reason why Eric should like him like that.
“C’mon, snap out of it Ry,” Eric said, handing the smaller man his drink, “Let’s go get our seats.”
Ryan dumbly followed Eric as he wove his way through the crowds to the proper theater, stopping only to get their tickets checked. Only after they sat did Ryan think maybe he should have chosen the seat.
They were almost at the very back of the theater.
The inexplicably empty theater.
“Popcorn?”
“No, thanks. I’m fine.” Ryan said, waving away the offer. Eric shrugged and turned his eyes to the screen where some trivia ad was on.
Ryan wondered why he felt like he was in high school all over again and going on a date he wasn’t aware was a date.
He chanced a side glance at Eric, wondering what was provoking the man to be like this. Sure they’d slowly been getting better with one another, not trying to kill each other every chance they got. It was going the way it had when he’d first joined the team and everyone liked him.
He nearly flinched at his own stupidity. He’d betrayed Eric. But they were cool now, so maybe that didn’t matter anymore.
Eric suddenly turned to look at him and Ryan blushed, knowing he’d been caught staring. But there was a grin plastered on Eric’s face, amused and something else in there too.
Suddenly he leaned over, cupping the back of Ryan’s head and pulling him forward until their lips met. Ryan’s first instinct was to back away; run and this time not stop. Then his defenses slowly melted away. He parted his lips in a soft sigh and allowed Eric’s tongue to invade and conquer. Ryan could taste the faint traces of beer, the salty, buttery taste of the popcorn and the abnormally sweet shock of Coke. Then there was another taste, something that was just Eric. It was the best taste in the world.
Finally Eric released him and just stared in a curious yet ‘I’m so pleased with myself’ sort of way. Ryan couldn’t help but laugh at him.
“You’re so weird, you know that?” he finally said.
“It happens,” Eric shrugged, “You’re happy now though, yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Good,” Eric grinned, turning his attention back to the movie screen as the featured flick came on.
Ryan pushed aside his shame and entwined his fingers with Eric’s.
---
When night fell Ryan found himself making dinner for himself plus one. Eric had offered to help, and despite knowing that Eric knew his way around the kitchen rather well, he had declined.
He needed the time to contemplate what had just happened. In a matter of hours, in an oddly casual unspoken way, he and Eric had started a relationship. He was still trying to work out in his mind how he went from trying to run away from his life, to having Eric swoop in like some sort of guardian angel that had secretly been watching over him the entire time, to having him watch over Eric and his rather impulsive eating habits.
Ryan had to convince him that McDonald’s three nights in a row was not a good idea, no matter how cheap it was.
He wondered what other impulsive habits he would have to break Eric of.
“Hey,” Eric said, bursting through Ryan’s thoughts, “Hurry up will ya? I’m hungry.”
“Impatient, aren’t we?”
“Shush.” Eric replied with a small grin.
“It’s almost ready. Why don’t you get the plates or something?”
“Where are they?”
“Cupboard to the left of the sink.”
As Eric busied himself with getting the plates and trying to figure out where the silverware was Ryan strained the spaghetti noodles and dumped them into a big bowl, which he set next to the stove for serving. He gave the sauce a last quick stir and smiled in satisfaction.
“Alright, you can stop whining now. Dinner’s ready.”
“Good,” Eric grinned, hip-bumping Ryan out of the way.
“Wow, hungry much?”
“It smells good,” Eric shrugged.
“Thanks.” Ryan said with a soft laugh.
Dinner was eaten in the living room in almost complete silence. Eric felt the need to comment on the show they were watching every 5 minutes or so.
Ryan couldn’t remember feeling so relaxed and comfortable. Especially not around Eric. It just seemed right.
“What’s up?”
“Hmmm?”
“You’ve been side-tracked all night. It’s not…because of me? Is it?”
“Well, kinda.”
“I’m sorry.” Eric said suddenly, looking very somber, “I shouldn’t have just---“
“No,” Ryan said with a small smile, “It’s just weird. This…us…it’s so comfortable, you know? I never expected that.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Eric said. He moved himself a little closer to Ryan. They were a few inches from each other now, their knees touching. “Are you going to try to run away again?”
“Nah, it’s never as bad as I think it is.”
“Good, I don’t want you to leave. I like you here.”
“I like being here too,” Ryan said softly, feeling himself leaning in towards Eric without consciously thinking of doing it.
“I should probably go home soon, it’s getting late,” Eric whispered, his words ghosting over Ryan’s lips.
“Stay,” Ryan whispered back.
“You sure?”
“Positive.”
“Hmmm,” Eric grinned, “Only fools are positive,”
“I am a fool for being with you,” Ryan snarked before closing the gap between them and kissing Eric.
Eric leaned forward, pushing Ryan back with gentle pressures until he was lying back on the couch. Almost instantly he could feel Ryan tense up beneath him, but he never pushed him away. If anything he kissed him with more ferocity to hide his nervousness.
“Hey,” Eric said softly, pulling away and staring deep into Ryan’s eyes, “Say something if you don’t like it.”
“Huh?”
“Ryan,” Eric said with a laugh, sitting up and pulling Ryan up with him, “This is why you want to run away.”
“What?”
“When you’re faced with something you aren’t sure you want to deal with you do it without a second thought and bottle away everything else. If you can’t deal with something, if you don’t want to do it, don’t. Say something. I’m not dumb, I could feel you tense up,”
“I…I don’t want to push you away. I don’t like guys, but you…” Ryan got flustered and frowned.
“I get it,” Eric laughed, patting Ryan’s back. “I do. I was pushing, I do that. I don’t mean to, but I do. Just tell me to piss off,”
“I don’t want you to piss off though, I want to…uh,” Ryan snapped his mouth shut and shook his head, “Nevermind,”
Eric stared at Ryan for a moment then he started to laugh. Ryan felt his face flush and he looked away.
“Oh, Ry. I’m not laughing at you. Honest to god. You’re just…you are the most wound up and bashful person I know.”
“I…I don’t mean to be,”
“Well I know that. Look, what I’m trying to say is---“
Eric was taken off guard when Ryan suddenly kissed him, reversing their previous position as he pushed him down.
“You fix me, you make me better,” he said softly. “Just keep doing that…” A quick kiss. “Just keep…” Another kiss, “Keep me from running away.”
“I’ve got you now,” Eric growled, wrapping his arms around Ryan, “You’re not going anywhere unless I say so.”
“Can we go to the bedroom?”
“Haha, I do make you better,” Eric grinned before kissing Ryan while pushing back on him. Finally Ryan broke the kiss and stood, taking Eric’s hand and leading him through the house to his bedroom.
It took a matter of seconds for them to get into the bedroom and fall onto the bed, tangled in each other’s arms.
Eric was content to go at Ryan’s pace. He lay on his back as Ryan straddled him. He kissed along Eric’s jawline, nibbled lightly on his ear lobe, kissed along his neck, nipped at his adam’s apple. When Eric let out little happy noises, Ryan would almost mimic them and get a little braver. He’d bite a little harder or move a little further down.
Finally Eric was getting wound up and impatient. With a growl he flipped them over, pinning Ryan to the bed and leaning in close to him.
“Ryan. I get that you don’t know what to expect. I get that this is new, because guess what, it is for me to. But we’re not in high school.”
Again Eric shocked Ryan. He seemed so suave, so knowing. He was hiding things, and he was good at it. Ryan had never really thought of Eric as straight, because they’d all seen him flirt with men before. As Calleigh had put it once, he was a lover and that was all. Gender didn’t matter, only the beauty.
“Why me?” he asked suddenly.
“What?”
“Why me? There are thousands of beautiful women in Miami. There are plenty of men who are better looking than me…”
“No, you are perfect. Better than everyone else.”
“Don’t lie. Especially not to me.”
“I’m not. Ryan, when we were fighting…” he paused, trying to find the right words, “That was the most passionate I’ve ever been about anything. I realized I wasn’t so passionate because I was mad at you, it was just being near you. Hasn’t it just felt right? I mean, I’ve never seen you so…just…relaxed before. I need you, you need me. That’s all the matters,”
“That’s why…” Ryan muttered, discovering the reason behind Eric’s casualty throughout the day. “Yeah. It’s all the matters.”
“Good, now let me show you how much you matter…” Eric grinned before kissing the smaller man once again. Keeping him occupied with the kiss, Eric began to unbutton his shirt. Soon his mouth was looking for new areas to attack. He was amazed at how smooth Ryan’s skin was. How clean, how tan, how everything.
He attacked one nipple with his mouth, then the other. Ryan moaned, arching into the touches. He’d never realized how sensitive he was until it was Eric caressing his body with kisses.
Ryan let out a mewling moan as Eric led a trail of kisses down his chest and belly to the hem of his pants. Then he sat up and peeled off his own shirt.
“Let’s get you out of these,” he purred, pulling Ryan into a sitting position and pushing the undone shirt off his shoulders. As he did so he nipped at Ryan’s shoulders, producing shivers of delight.
Then Ryan did something Eric didn’t expect from him. His hands snaked up Eric’s thighs until they reached his belt, and he began to pull it open, undoing his pants with a nimble flick.
“Down,” Eric growled suddenly, a need for dominance over taking him. He pushed Ryan back on the bed again and easily worked off his pants. Within a matter of seconds both men were completely free of all confines.
Eric repositioned them on the bed. He hovered over Ryan, staring down, silently trying to know he had his complete trust. Ryan let out a soft moan, arching up and sliding their erections together. It didn’t take long for them to find a pace. They slide against each other, the contact sending jolts through their bodies. Eric moaned, Ryan cried out.
Eric reached between them, taking both erections in hand and pumped along with the rhythm they moved to. Ryan gripped his biceps, whimpering, moaning, mewling, calling out his name. Eric dipped his head down, nipping at Ryan’s throat which succeeded in escalating Ryan’s voice.
“Eriiiahhhh,” Ryan sighed, “Oh god!”
With a few more thrusts he came, squeezing hard on Eric’s arms, head thrown back in ecstasy, mouth slack, eyes closed. Just the sight of Ryan below him, so vulnerable, so perfect and beautiful was enough for Eric. His back arched, his face found a place in Ryan’s neck to muffle his cry as his juices spread messily between them, mingling with Ryan’s. He didn’t want to squish the smaller man but he couldn’t hold himself up anymore. Ryan didn’t mind the weight; he welcomed it as he held tightly onto Eric.
“Afraid I’m going to run away?”
“No…”
“We should get cleaned up.”
“Yeah,” Ryan agreed with a musing tone.
“Well, lemme go then,” Eric said with a light laugh, struggling out of Ryan’s grip, “Should we shower?”
“There’s only one shower,”
“And here I thought you had a keen grasp of the obvious.” Eric laughed, pulling Ryan to his feet with him, “We’ll shower together.”
“I knew that,”
“Course you did.” Eric said, placing a soft kiss on Ryan’s forehead, “C’mon.”
---
Ryan lay awake, listening to the soft sounds of Eric’s breathing as he slept. He was tucked comfortably against Eric’s side, the Cuban’s arm wrapped protectively around him.
From work acquaintances to worst enemies. From enemies to close friends. From close friends to lovers. It had happened so fast, a matter of months.
Eric was right, the passion had been there the entire time, it just took awhile to see it.
Ryan wasn’t used to things in his life going from wrong to right, especially not like this.
He shifted slightly, which disturbed Eric.
“You okay?”
“Fine.”
“Not running away?”
“No, so you can stop asking.”
“Okay,” Eric sighed, rolling onto his side and falling back asleep. Ryan cast one last loving look towards the man before finally settling down for sleep.
Fin.
Fandom: CSI: Miami
Characters/Pairing: Eric/Ryan
Rating: NC-17
Warnings/Spoilers: Slightest mention of Sex & Taxes, h/c, light fluff, slash
Word Count: 3,402
Disclaimer: I don’t own
A/N: Written for my music challenge using the song ‘Fell Right Into You’ by Jesse Farell for inspiration
Whenever I hear this song I just get all sappy and stuff, bad for me, good for people around me, and for fic writing. Although this didn’t exactly turn out the way I had originally envisioned it, the muses turned things around in my head, but the bunny was happy with it either way.
Enjoy.
A/N 2:After pimping Coke in the fic I think it’s fair to let everyone know that I don’t even like Coke…or Pepsi XD
A/N 3: I have also pimped a movie I’ve never seen…
A/N 4: And McDonald’s, which I know is bad for me, but I eat it everyday that I can…at this point in time, I think I should start getting paid for product placements XDXD
It wasn’t the first time Ryan found himself sitting in his car in the parking lot of his condo block for no apparent reason.
Well, no apparent reason that anyone else could see.
His hands gripped the steering wheel, his knuckles whiter than the snow that fell in his hometown. All he needed to do was turn the key and drive.
He didn’t know where, just anywhere but here.
He got a step further than he ever had before. He turned the keys, feeling the car roar to life.
That was as far as he got. His hand repositioned itself on the steering wheel in the death grip it had previously been holding.
For two whole minutes he sat there, staring straight ahead, glancing in the rear-view every so often.
Suddenly the passenger door opened and a familiar smiling face sat down beside him.
“Where we going?” Eric asked with a cheerful tone.
“I…we’re going no where. Why’re you in my car?”
“Well I came by to say hi and say you seemed to be heading out, figured I tag along.”
“Why?”
“I dunno,” Eric shrugged. “If we’re going no where, why’s the car running?”
“I was considering going.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know.”
Eric’s face dropped. He stared intensely at Ryan.
“You’re not running away, are you?”
“I’ve thought about it,” Ryan replied truthfully.
Eric sighed, leaning over and turning the ignition off, pulling the keys out and getting out of the car. Ryan watched him with mild curiosity.
“Where’re you going with my keys?”
“Inside. C’mon.” Eric said before closing the car door and heading to Ryan’s condo. Ryan watched him as he fumbled around with the keys until he found the right one and headed inside.
Not wanting Eric unsupervised in his home, Ryan finally complied and got out of the car. He soon found the Cuban in his kitchen, rummaging around in his fridge.
“What’re you doing?”
“Looking for a drink?””
“I keep my beer in a mini fridge in the living room.”
“Oh,” Eric said, standing up and looking at Ryan, “I knew that.”
“Of course you did. You’ve only been here a dozen times,” Ryan sighed. He turned and headed to the living room, Eric on his heels. As the Cuban sat, Ryan grabbed a couple of beers out of the mini fridge and tossed one towards him, who caught it with ease.
“Why’d you come over?” Ryan asked, seeing no point in beating around the bush. Not after he’d admitted he thought about actually running away.
“Dunno.” Eric shrugged, popping open his beer, “Just had a feeling I should come over. Guess some higher power doesn’t want you running away. Why’re you doing that anyways?”
Ryan opened his beer and stared at the foam that fizzed up then died. He carefully calculated his answer. An answer he wasn’t sure why he was giving so willingly to begin with, and to Eric of all people. But sitting here, like this, it seemed like the most natural thing. Like Eric had been a lifelong friend and confidant. And he wasn’t making a big deal out of it like some people would. He was just curious, unimposing, like he cared but didn’t at the same time.
“I’ve just been going through a rough patch, that’s all. Work’s been a little stressful. Um, I’m…I’m sorry for pissing you off. I should have waited.”
“It’s fine. We’ve all done it. Or at least, something to piss off everyone else. I know I can get snappy, but it’s no reason to run away.”
“Oh, don’t be so egotistical. It’s not just you.”
“Well, what else is wrong?”
“I’ve just…nah. It’s stupid.” Ryan said, suddenly bashful.
“C’mon, we’re friends, right?”
“Yeah.”
“You can tell me.”
Ryan briefly wondered why Eric suddenly seemed so interested in his life. Did maybe he think he was going to be suicidal?
“I’m telling you, it’s something just stupid…”
“Ryan…” Eric said with a semi-threatening tone.
“I…I haven’t had a date in a while. I’m just feeling…I dunno, kinda lonely I guess.”
“What? You? You can’t get a date? With that cute mug of yours,” Eric laughed reaching over and lightly tapping Ryan’s cheek. “You just gotta get out more Ry, you hang around your house all the time.”
“Well I’m always tired after work.”
“You have days off, you don’t need to do overtime all the time.”
“I know.”
“Hey, here’s an idea.”
“What?”
“Let’s go see a movie.”
“What?” Ryan asked in surprise. It was the last thing he’d expected to hear from Eric.
“Yeah, gives us a chance to hang out, and you get out of the house.”
“Why’re you suddenly so interested in me?”
“It’s not suddenly,” Eric laughed, “We’ve always had a fucked up relationship like this. Only now we’re being civil. C’mon man, I know what it’s like to be lonely. I’m here to be your friend.”
“Oh, alright.” Ryan said. He still wasn’t sure of himself. Eric stood and lightly smacked his shoulder.
“C’mon. I wanna see Untraceable.”
“Seriously? You want to go watch a movie…about crime?”
“Yeah, what’s so weird about that?”
Ryan sighed with a light chuckle. “Nothing, nevermind. Alright, I’ll go with you.”
“Excellent, I’ll drive.”
---
At the movies Eric kept a close eye on Ryan. And he was quick to notice he wasn’t the only one.
How Ryan had convinced himself he was undatable was beyond Eric’s comprehension. The pair of them were making girls flock.
The sudden though of girls flocking and the British calling women birds made him chuckle, earning a curious and slightly disdained look from Ryan.
“What’s so funny?”
“Nothing, just a thought I had,” Eric said, trying to look serious but failing with his giant smile.
Ryan rolled his eyes and approached the concession. Eric had bought his ticket, which was embarrassing enough, he would not let him buy his snacks.
“Whatcha want?” Eric asked, looking up at the pricing board.
“I have money Eric.”
“I know,” Eric shrugged.
“You don’t have to be extra nice or anything, I’m fine.”
“I know,” Eric repeated, throwing a flirty look towards the young woman working behind the counter to get her to them faster.
“Then why---?”
“Stop asking why. Just accept that someone actually likes you and wants to do nice things for you,” Eric snapped quietly before turning his attention back to the concession lady. “Hey, can we get two Cokes and a large popcorn, please.” He added as an afterthought.
“Sure thing,” the woman said cheerily.
Ryan had fallen into a silent stupor.
’…someone actually likes you…’
He wasn’t sure if he was being paranoid or not. It was Eric, and Eric liked most people. But he really liked most people too. Was there a hidden meaning or was he just being weird.
Just being weird, Ryan decided. Honestly, there was no reason for Eric to like him like that. Just because he’d had the occasional steamy dream…
Definitely no reason why Eric should like him like that.
“C’mon, snap out of it Ry,” Eric said, handing the smaller man his drink, “Let’s go get our seats.”
Ryan dumbly followed Eric as he wove his way through the crowds to the proper theater, stopping only to get their tickets checked. Only after they sat did Ryan think maybe he should have chosen the seat.
They were almost at the very back of the theater.
The inexplicably empty theater.
“Popcorn?”
“No, thanks. I’m fine.” Ryan said, waving away the offer. Eric shrugged and turned his eyes to the screen where some trivia ad was on.
Ryan wondered why he felt like he was in high school all over again and going on a date he wasn’t aware was a date.
He chanced a side glance at Eric, wondering what was provoking the man to be like this. Sure they’d slowly been getting better with one another, not trying to kill each other every chance they got. It was going the way it had when he’d first joined the team and everyone liked him.
He nearly flinched at his own stupidity. He’d betrayed Eric. But they were cool now, so maybe that didn’t matter anymore.
Eric suddenly turned to look at him and Ryan blushed, knowing he’d been caught staring. But there was a grin plastered on Eric’s face, amused and something else in there too.
Suddenly he leaned over, cupping the back of Ryan’s head and pulling him forward until their lips met. Ryan’s first instinct was to back away; run and this time not stop. Then his defenses slowly melted away. He parted his lips in a soft sigh and allowed Eric’s tongue to invade and conquer. Ryan could taste the faint traces of beer, the salty, buttery taste of the popcorn and the abnormally sweet shock of Coke. Then there was another taste, something that was just Eric. It was the best taste in the world.
Finally Eric released him and just stared in a curious yet ‘I’m so pleased with myself’ sort of way. Ryan couldn’t help but laugh at him.
“You’re so weird, you know that?” he finally said.
“It happens,” Eric shrugged, “You’re happy now though, yeah?”
“Yeah.”
“Good,” Eric grinned, turning his attention back to the movie screen as the featured flick came on.
Ryan pushed aside his shame and entwined his fingers with Eric’s.
---
When night fell Ryan found himself making dinner for himself plus one. Eric had offered to help, and despite knowing that Eric knew his way around the kitchen rather well, he had declined.
He needed the time to contemplate what had just happened. In a matter of hours, in an oddly casual unspoken way, he and Eric had started a relationship. He was still trying to work out in his mind how he went from trying to run away from his life, to having Eric swoop in like some sort of guardian angel that had secretly been watching over him the entire time, to having him watch over Eric and his rather impulsive eating habits.
Ryan had to convince him that McDonald’s three nights in a row was not a good idea, no matter how cheap it was.
He wondered what other impulsive habits he would have to break Eric of.
“Hey,” Eric said, bursting through Ryan’s thoughts, “Hurry up will ya? I’m hungry.”
“Impatient, aren’t we?”
“Shush.” Eric replied with a small grin.
“It’s almost ready. Why don’t you get the plates or something?”
“Where are they?”
“Cupboard to the left of the sink.”
As Eric busied himself with getting the plates and trying to figure out where the silverware was Ryan strained the spaghetti noodles and dumped them into a big bowl, which he set next to the stove for serving. He gave the sauce a last quick stir and smiled in satisfaction.
“Alright, you can stop whining now. Dinner’s ready.”
“Good,” Eric grinned, hip-bumping Ryan out of the way.
“Wow, hungry much?”
“It smells good,” Eric shrugged.
“Thanks.” Ryan said with a soft laugh.
Dinner was eaten in the living room in almost complete silence. Eric felt the need to comment on the show they were watching every 5 minutes or so.
Ryan couldn’t remember feeling so relaxed and comfortable. Especially not around Eric. It just seemed right.
“What’s up?”
“Hmmm?”
“You’ve been side-tracked all night. It’s not…because of me? Is it?”
“Well, kinda.”
“I’m sorry.” Eric said suddenly, looking very somber, “I shouldn’t have just---“
“No,” Ryan said with a small smile, “It’s just weird. This…us…it’s so comfortable, you know? I never expected that.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” Eric said. He moved himself a little closer to Ryan. They were a few inches from each other now, their knees touching. “Are you going to try to run away again?”
“Nah, it’s never as bad as I think it is.”
“Good, I don’t want you to leave. I like you here.”
“I like being here too,” Ryan said softly, feeling himself leaning in towards Eric without consciously thinking of doing it.
“I should probably go home soon, it’s getting late,” Eric whispered, his words ghosting over Ryan’s lips.
“Stay,” Ryan whispered back.
“You sure?”
“Positive.”
“Hmmm,” Eric grinned, “Only fools are positive,”
“I am a fool for being with you,” Ryan snarked before closing the gap between them and kissing Eric.
Eric leaned forward, pushing Ryan back with gentle pressures until he was lying back on the couch. Almost instantly he could feel Ryan tense up beneath him, but he never pushed him away. If anything he kissed him with more ferocity to hide his nervousness.
“Hey,” Eric said softly, pulling away and staring deep into Ryan’s eyes, “Say something if you don’t like it.”
“Huh?”
“Ryan,” Eric said with a laugh, sitting up and pulling Ryan up with him, “This is why you want to run away.”
“What?”
“When you’re faced with something you aren’t sure you want to deal with you do it without a second thought and bottle away everything else. If you can’t deal with something, if you don’t want to do it, don’t. Say something. I’m not dumb, I could feel you tense up,”
“I…I don’t want to push you away. I don’t like guys, but you…” Ryan got flustered and frowned.
“I get it,” Eric laughed, patting Ryan’s back. “I do. I was pushing, I do that. I don’t mean to, but I do. Just tell me to piss off,”
“I don’t want you to piss off though, I want to…uh,” Ryan snapped his mouth shut and shook his head, “Nevermind,”
Eric stared at Ryan for a moment then he started to laugh. Ryan felt his face flush and he looked away.
“Oh, Ry. I’m not laughing at you. Honest to god. You’re just…you are the most wound up and bashful person I know.”
“I…I don’t mean to be,”
“Well I know that. Look, what I’m trying to say is---“
Eric was taken off guard when Ryan suddenly kissed him, reversing their previous position as he pushed him down.
“You fix me, you make me better,” he said softly. “Just keep doing that…” A quick kiss. “Just keep…” Another kiss, “Keep me from running away.”
“I’ve got you now,” Eric growled, wrapping his arms around Ryan, “You’re not going anywhere unless I say so.”
“Can we go to the bedroom?”
“Haha, I do make you better,” Eric grinned before kissing Ryan while pushing back on him. Finally Ryan broke the kiss and stood, taking Eric’s hand and leading him through the house to his bedroom.
It took a matter of seconds for them to get into the bedroom and fall onto the bed, tangled in each other’s arms.
Eric was content to go at Ryan’s pace. He lay on his back as Ryan straddled him. He kissed along Eric’s jawline, nibbled lightly on his ear lobe, kissed along his neck, nipped at his adam’s apple. When Eric let out little happy noises, Ryan would almost mimic them and get a little braver. He’d bite a little harder or move a little further down.
Finally Eric was getting wound up and impatient. With a growl he flipped them over, pinning Ryan to the bed and leaning in close to him.
“Ryan. I get that you don’t know what to expect. I get that this is new, because guess what, it is for me to. But we’re not in high school.”
Again Eric shocked Ryan. He seemed so suave, so knowing. He was hiding things, and he was good at it. Ryan had never really thought of Eric as straight, because they’d all seen him flirt with men before. As Calleigh had put it once, he was a lover and that was all. Gender didn’t matter, only the beauty.
“Why me?” he asked suddenly.
“What?”
“Why me? There are thousands of beautiful women in Miami. There are plenty of men who are better looking than me…”
“No, you are perfect. Better than everyone else.”
“Don’t lie. Especially not to me.”
“I’m not. Ryan, when we were fighting…” he paused, trying to find the right words, “That was the most passionate I’ve ever been about anything. I realized I wasn’t so passionate because I was mad at you, it was just being near you. Hasn’t it just felt right? I mean, I’ve never seen you so…just…relaxed before. I need you, you need me. That’s all the matters,”
“That’s why…” Ryan muttered, discovering the reason behind Eric’s casualty throughout the day. “Yeah. It’s all the matters.”
“Good, now let me show you how much you matter…” Eric grinned before kissing the smaller man once again. Keeping him occupied with the kiss, Eric began to unbutton his shirt. Soon his mouth was looking for new areas to attack. He was amazed at how smooth Ryan’s skin was. How clean, how tan, how everything.
He attacked one nipple with his mouth, then the other. Ryan moaned, arching into the touches. He’d never realized how sensitive he was until it was Eric caressing his body with kisses.
Ryan let out a mewling moan as Eric led a trail of kisses down his chest and belly to the hem of his pants. Then he sat up and peeled off his own shirt.
“Let’s get you out of these,” he purred, pulling Ryan into a sitting position and pushing the undone shirt off his shoulders. As he did so he nipped at Ryan’s shoulders, producing shivers of delight.
Then Ryan did something Eric didn’t expect from him. His hands snaked up Eric’s thighs until they reached his belt, and he began to pull it open, undoing his pants with a nimble flick.
“Down,” Eric growled suddenly, a need for dominance over taking him. He pushed Ryan back on the bed again and easily worked off his pants. Within a matter of seconds both men were completely free of all confines.
Eric repositioned them on the bed. He hovered over Ryan, staring down, silently trying to know he had his complete trust. Ryan let out a soft moan, arching up and sliding their erections together. It didn’t take long for them to find a pace. They slide against each other, the contact sending jolts through their bodies. Eric moaned, Ryan cried out.
Eric reached between them, taking both erections in hand and pumped along with the rhythm they moved to. Ryan gripped his biceps, whimpering, moaning, mewling, calling out his name. Eric dipped his head down, nipping at Ryan’s throat which succeeded in escalating Ryan’s voice.
“Eriiiahhhh,” Ryan sighed, “Oh god!”
With a few more thrusts he came, squeezing hard on Eric’s arms, head thrown back in ecstasy, mouth slack, eyes closed. Just the sight of Ryan below him, so vulnerable, so perfect and beautiful was enough for Eric. His back arched, his face found a place in Ryan’s neck to muffle his cry as his juices spread messily between them, mingling with Ryan’s. He didn’t want to squish the smaller man but he couldn’t hold himself up anymore. Ryan didn’t mind the weight; he welcomed it as he held tightly onto Eric.
“Afraid I’m going to run away?”
“No…”
“We should get cleaned up.”
“Yeah,” Ryan agreed with a musing tone.
“Well, lemme go then,” Eric said with a light laugh, struggling out of Ryan’s grip, “Should we shower?”
“There’s only one shower,”
“And here I thought you had a keen grasp of the obvious.” Eric laughed, pulling Ryan to his feet with him, “We’ll shower together.”
“I knew that,”
“Course you did.” Eric said, placing a soft kiss on Ryan’s forehead, “C’mon.”
---
Ryan lay awake, listening to the soft sounds of Eric’s breathing as he slept. He was tucked comfortably against Eric’s side, the Cuban’s arm wrapped protectively around him.
From work acquaintances to worst enemies. From enemies to close friends. From close friends to lovers. It had happened so fast, a matter of months.
Eric was right, the passion had been there the entire time, it just took awhile to see it.
Ryan wasn’t used to things in his life going from wrong to right, especially not like this.
He shifted slightly, which disturbed Eric.
“You okay?”
“Fine.”
“Not running away?”
“No, so you can stop asking.”
“Okay,” Eric sighed, rolling onto his side and falling back asleep. Ryan cast one last loving look towards the man before finally settling down for sleep.
Fin.