Chapter Text
After the morning where everything went down with Bernie, Driver did what he did best. He drove. He wasn't sure where he was going really, just sort of aimlessly driving. The rabbit foot on his chain dangled, hopefully to bring him better luck this time around. It certainly didn't help in the past. Where he eventually ended up detouring to was a small rundown apartment west of San Fransisco. It seemed disarming enough. It was also close to an autobody shop. Driver had walked in with a simple demand of letting him work. It seemed the shop was shortstaffed or desperate, because after a quick preliminary test, Driver had a job in no time. It felt like he could breathe again to have the familiar machines under his hands. Perfect. In no time, everything was starting to shape up into some bastardization of normalcy. Driver had a schedule again, something to stick to. Familiarity always seemed to help him regulate better. He went into his shift at the shop in the mornings and late afternoons, sometimes he stayed later to work on his Malibu, then he would drive back to the apartment. Most people would consider his life boring, empty. He considered it a blessing to even be able to have this. It got lonely, but he had his cars again. That would have to be enough.
There was something that did stick out to him though. It was the blur of bright yellow he would occasionally see when he passed the hall with his head down. It didn't take him much longer to figure out it was his neighbor. The man mostly stuck to himself, but he was polite and always throwing around a smile. Something Driver was not accustomed to. The obnoxious raincoat wasn't the only thing that caught his interest though, but the bundle in his arms most days. It was a pup, couldn't be any older then 5. A parent. Driver couldn't be sure if the man was an alpha or an omega, given the scent patches, but it seemed he was doing it all by himself. There didn't seem to be another soul over at that apartment. He would notice the bags under the man's eyes, the disheveled hair. It must have been exhausting, but he would always have a pep in his step.
Driver couldn't help the way his attention diverted to the struggling parent down the hall. One way or another, his eyes always seemed drawn to that dot of yellow. Maybe it was a reminder of a different time, of the memories with Irene and Benicio that haunted him. Maybe it was the childish dreams for a family. Whatever it was, Driver couldn't help but keep an eye out for them. He just wanted to check and see if they were safe. Maybe it was some innate alpha instincts at the sight of a child, or maybe it was simply because Driver was always drawn to families. He never had one of those but he longed for one. A place to belong to. He tried once upon a time, but he saw how that turned out. The scar on his abdomen enough of a reminder. It simply was not in his card. People needed more than wishes to get what they want. Life was unfair and unbiased, not everybody got what they craved.
So, he kept his distance. A friendly nod every now and then. When he noticed his neighbor would go grocery shopping every Wednesday, Driver coincidentally changed his schedule to fit that. He now did his shopping on Wednesdays as well. Sometimes he didn't even have to go shopping, but would drive out regardless. There was no real reason, but it felt necessary to peek into how the pair were living. Was the pup getting adequate food? Driver didn't have any doubts, but it helped quell the restlessness in him to actually see for himself. Sometimes, he would slip his spare coupons into his neighbor's mailbox. A single parent needed them more than he ever would anyways. It never failed to make his chest feel weird when he would notice his neighbor buying the items with the coupons he supplied. Like he was somehow a direct help to keep them well fed.
It was weeks before he ever had an actual conversation with the man, though. He was struggling to carry up his bag of groceries and his bike at the same time. "Oh, cheese and crackers." He muttered out in frustration as the bike started to slip from his grip. His pup had already gone up the steps, fretting at the top anxiously as he watched his parent. Driver was a few steps behind them, watching silently. Pausing momentarily, he stepped forward and grabbed the bike to heft it up. His neighbor let out a squawk of surprise, eyes widening slightly as he looked over towards Driver as his glasses started slipping down his nose. "Oh!" He gasped in surprised, momentarily stunned. Driver didn't comment on anything, just continuing on up towards the stairs with the bike. There was no reason to leave the man struggling over something Driver could easily do himself. At the rate he was going, he could have injured himself. He would rather not have a pup watch their parent get hurt again. The image of Benicio's fear still ingrained into his mind. No pup needed to see that.
The man quickly followed along, face dusted red from exertion. "Wow, you really did not have to do that." He said bashfully, rubbing the back of his neck as he glanced over his glasses. A silence soon followed as Driver just nodded and set the bicycle on to the floor. There really wasn't much else to say. "Um my name is Grace, by the way." His neighbor eventually said, sticking out his hand as an offer. "Ryland Grace. I cannot believe I'm only now introducing myself. Not very neighborly of me, huh?" He chuckled softly, appearing slightly ashamed. Driver didn't understand why. It wasn't like the two previously knew each other. It certainly wasn't like Driver made any efforts to introduce himself either. Driver glanced at his hand momentarily, feeling his own flex against his gloves. Eventually, he gave a small handshake before stepping back. He glanced down at the pup before him with a look of curiosity. The poor pup was too nervous for his own good, grabbing on to his parent's leg and hiding behind them. Ryland chuckled softly, running his fingers through his pup's hair tenderly. The softness of it all made Driver's teeth hurt. He didn't feel worthy to look upon it. "And this little guy is Lars. I don't think I got your name?"
Driver decidedly ignored the question, making a gesture for Ryland to hand over his groceries. "Let me help." His voice came out gentle, like he was afraid to damage his surroundings. Ryland was briefly surprised at just how soft it was. It may not have been the voice he expected, but it did suit his neighbor. When Ryland hesitated to hand over his bags, Driver took a step forward to grab them himself. There was never a question placed anyways. Driver was not offering, but requesting. Without even giving Grace time to react, he continued forward with both the bags and the bike down the hall. The small pattering of footsteps falling behind him. It was weird, this sense of deja vu he was getting. Such a familiar yet different scenario. Driver never thought he'd experience something like this again.
"Well, this is us!" Ryland says, awkwardly pointing towards his locked door. He teetered on his heels, looking Driver over. Did he expect a sort of response? When none came, he just clapped and nodded to himself. Turning around, he fumbles with his keys before eventually unlocking the door and letting everybody in. "I really do appreciate your help! I don't know what I would have done without it. Probably would have a broken bike on my hands. That would have sucked, given that it's my main mode of transportation." Driver took in his surroundings as he set the groceries down on a nearby table. It was cozy, clearly well lived in. The smell of gingersnaps and the mellow milky floral scent of a pup was drifting all throughout the place. The stark difference between his apartment and Driver's were clear. There were books and papers scattered across a coffee table. A small record stand sat in the corner with beat up vinyls crammed below. The sink had remains of what looked like the dishes from breakfast, a couple mugs with varying degrees of emptiness spread on the counter. Toys littered about on the floor. "Sorry for the mess, I wasn't expecting company." Ryland said bashfully, his cheeks again turning a red. He seemed to turn red quite easily, Driver noted absentmindedly.
"It's fine." He mumbled out as he shoved his hands in his pockets. His job here was done. Driver noticed the stare of a certain pup. He tilted his head to the side silently, observing Lars back. He was still behind his parent's legs, but he seemed less wary. That was good. It would have made him sad if he seemed that scary to the pup. Lars tugged on Grace's pant leg as he looked up at him silently. Ryland glanced down with a soft smile, humming out curiously. Lars just tugged on his leg a bit more frantically, letting out a small pout. Ryland glanced towards Driver momentarily, laughing softly as he shook his head fondly. It seemed this was a normal occurrence. Seemingly frustrated with Grace ignoring his cues, he spoke up with a shaky quiet voice. "Mama, you're being rude." Mama? So an omega, then. That information didn't really matter to Driver, but he still pocketed in the back of his mind. A lone omega with a pup? Even more reason he needed to keep an eye out for their safety. Ryland gasped out dramatically at his son's words, placing a hand to his heart. It was amusing watching the two. "Rude? What in the world did I do to be called rude?"
The pup bit his lip hesitantly, looking between the two adults. Lars didn't trust very often, but this man didn't seem dangerous. "He helped us. You got to offer a drink or candy or something as a thank you." What a courteous child, Driver thought in mild amusement. He couldn't help but feel endeared. He always did have a soft spot for children. It was a weakness that always seemed to catch up on him. He should go before any attachments are formed. Ryland snorted at that, arching up his eyebrow at that response. He looked over towards Driver with a quirk of the lips. "Well, you heard the man. Would you like anything to drink? Or candy?" He laughed again at that, but the offer seemed genuine enough. There was no urgency to get rid of him. It was nice how welcoming the pair seemed. Driver should say no. He did not belong here, did not want to ruin another family with his tainted hands.
Still, he yearned. "I could take a water." Was the soft agreement he eventually said, an awkward tilt to the corner of his lips. When was the last time he had smiled? He struggled to remember. Grace's smile widened at that, seeming happy with the outcome. He gestured to his couch, telling Driver to make himself at home as he padded down towards the kitchen. Driver was hesitant as he still stood by the doorway. It felt wrong to be here, but he was not strong enough to deny such warmness. He was tired of the coldness, of the loneliness. The sound of crinkling brought him out of his head. When he glanced down, he saw Lars standing nervously in front of him. It seemed the pup was fidgeting with something in his hands. "Here." He whispered out, offering what looked like a wrapped piece of chocolate. "For helping my mama." Driver was staring momentarily, caught off guard by such a sweet gesture. Gingerly, he took the candy and turned it around in his hands. Once the pup seemed content with the offering, he rushed off towards the kitchen. His heart tugged at the scene, before quietly pocketing the chocolate and making his way over towards the couch.
Ryland came back soon after with two glasses of water. "I wasn't sure what you'd prefer. Ice or no ice. So I brought both." He said with an awkward laugh. Shifting where he stood, he glanced down towards the two glasses in his hands. "And I'm also now realizing I could have simply just asked you. But here I am, so..." Trailing off, he offered up the two waters. It was sweet, if not a little silly. It seemed the man was used to overthinking most things, given how wrapped up he had gotten with something as simple as a cup of water. It shouldn't have endeared Driver as much as it did. He took the closest drink, not really caring. He'd drink both if it made the man feel better. "Thanks." He mumbled out, taking a quick sip. In all honesty, he wasn't even really thirsty. But it was nice, this was nice. To be in company of people again.
Ryland seemed relieved at that, taking a seat across from Driver. "So, I still didn't actually get your name." He was much more direct this time around, arching up an eyebrow. Driver remained silent for now, focused more on the ice clinking around in his drink. His name. When was the last time anybody called him anything? He hadn't uttered his name in god only knows how long. There was vulnerability in a name. It held power, power he wasn't quite ready to give up. "Driver." He settled on. It was what everybody had referred to him in the past. It got the job done. Ryland didn't seem amused by that though, staring unimpressed over his glasses. He ignored the look, continuing to look forward instead. There were family photos hung up on the wall. Driver noted it was mostly just Ryland and Lars. Someone who looked similar enough to Ryland. Family? Nobody who seemed to look like a sire though. "Driver? Alright then." Grace eventually muttered out when it looked like his neighbor did not plan on elaborating. "I've encountered some pretty unique names in my career, but Driver is a first. Oh, I'm a teacher by the way. For context." A teacher? It fit him.
He hums quietly at that, setting his now empty glass down on the table. This would be the time to excuse himself, but for some reason he felt tethered to the couch. It wasn't even a good couch, lumpy and seeming secondhand. He wished the small family had something better. "What do you do?" Ryland prompted. It seemed he wasn't the only one not quite ready to end things here. That was dangerous. Driver refused to get greedy with a potential friendship. He was better off alone. Being involved with anybody seemed to only bring them pain. Maybe it wasn't Shannon that was unlucky, but Driver all along. "I drive." He leaned back into the uncomfortable cushions as he glanced over towards Ryland. He seemed too sweet to be wrapped up in Driver. A teacher. A mother. Someone who opened up his door without a second thought.
His neighbor's eyebrows furrowed slightly at such an ambiguous response. That could mean so many different things. "What, like racing?" He eventually asked, not fully understanding. That seemed to amuse Driver for some reason. His lips did that little quirk up before straightening back out. "Sometimes. And sometimes it's for the movies." He didn't know why, but Driver wanted to actually speak more. He was typically more content being the listener but this was nice too. It was especially nice when Ryland's eyes got a certain sparkle at the words he said. "Yeah? My brother does that. He's a stuntman. Small world!" So Ryland had a brother. That must have been the other man in the pictures. A twin by the looks of it. "I could never do what you guys do! I get motion sickness by just taking elevators. It's so dangerous as well, so I hope you're being safe." Ryland frowns softly at that, looking Driver over like he'd suddenly materialize a broken bone.
"It's only part time." For some reason, Driver had the urge to quell any anxieties the poor omega was having. He was fully confident in his abilities to stuntdrive without injury, but he can see why somebody like Grace would fret. He kind of wondered how Grace would react if he did get hurt. Would he take care of him? That didn't seem bad. "I'm mostly a mechanic. Down on Allen Street." Ryland seemed to brighten up at that, nodding along. It was almost cute. The thought did not sit well with Driver. He shouldn't be thinking such things. Especially not towards a single mother just trying to make it through life. Especially not an omega who was at least a decade his senior. It was uncouth. He was confident Ryland would not appreciate it. But was it really bad to just think about? Thoughts were harmless.
"Oh, that's close to where I teach! I'm at Grover Middle." He answered with an easy smile. Driver was stumped at how careless this man was. How could he just give out his place of work so easily? What if Driver had untoward desires to hurt him? He made it so easy to do just that. It only made his instincts to protect howl inside him. This was bad. This was really bad. Lars had eventually wondered back and crawled into Ryland's arms like it was the easiest thing to do. The domesticity was making Driver's alpha stir around inside. It was too sweet for a man like him to witness. "It's getting late." He abruptly said as he got up from the couch. His hands itched to do something, to drive or work on the engine waiting idly in his apartment. His desolate and barren apartment. The idea didn't seem as welcoming as it usually did.
Ryland blinked at that, seemingly caught by surprise at the sudden departure. "Oh, right! Sorry to keep your time." He said, hoisting Lars on his hip as he walked Driver to the door with a small smile. Something was flickering in his eyes, an emotion Driver couldn't quite get a read on. "Don't be a stranger now, Driver." Ryland smiled over at him as he leaned against the doorway. His neighbor just hummed noncommittally before making a swift exit down towards his own apartment. Grace hoped he didn't do anything to upset the poor man. There was something drawing him towards the mysterious blond. He recognized the loneliness that was clinging to him. He was much too young for the weight he seemed to carry on his shoulders. Hopefully, Ryland can provide some friendship to him.
Driver quickly made it to his own apartment, shutting and locking the door behind him. His back leaned against the door as he took in deep breaths to calm his frantic treacherous heart. He felt a familiar coldness cling to his skin as he looked out at his own place. It looked even sadder now that he had something else to compare it to. There was no calming scent, no place filled with laughter and love. It was just a place to survive. Driver walked over towards his small rickety table and flicked on the desk lamp. He needed to get his mind off of them. It wasn't his place to be there in the first place. His hands swiftly got to work, thoughts slowly slipping from him. Working on a car or its parts always seemed to bring him comfort. His own personal escape. Who knows how long he was at it. It was enough for his back to start aching and his eyes to burn. Letting out a small groan as he stretched his back, he heard a small crinkle. His eyebrows furrowed as he reached for the source. In his pocket sat a much more squished wrapped piece of chocolate. Driver stared at it as the desk lamp illuminated against the foil of it. He turned it over, unsure of what he was feeling. He set it on his desk and got back to work.