Chapter Text
Summer 1977, you were on break with your college friends; a road trip through the states partaking in any concert or festival you found along the way. Going from one tour to another, following each band and having a wonderful time.
That is until now... you lost track of your group while stopped in New York. Last you heard they where heading to Texas, so that's where you'd be headed too.
With plenty of cash for motels and food on hand to last a few days, you made your way to the city limits setting off on foot as far as you could go before someone comes along and picks you up, that's right you're hitchhiking.
A few kind folks stopped to see where you were headed, but so far, no luck. By noon, you were starting to get worried you'd be stranded out in the dark, but those fears washed away when a Cherry Cadillac DeVille Sedan pulled up.
Approaching the passenger window, you leaned in to see a rather handsome, rugged young man, an unlit cigarette hanging from his lips, shaggy walnut hair cut into a mullet that suited him well. You tried to take in more of his appearance until it dawned on you... you'd seen him before but you didn't get the chance to ask as he spoke up pulling you from your thoughts.
"Where ya headed, Toots?" His voice was gruff and gravelly, with an accent that felt like home.
"Trying to make my way to Texas," you replied, hoping he was headed in that general direction. You'd hitch a ride with him as far as he could take you, then you'd hitch another ride with someone else.
"Texas, huh? You're uh... A pretty long way from there. What ya headed to Texas for?" He spoke absently, working on clearing off the passenger seat as he waited for your answer.
"Well, I was on a road trip with my friends, and they kinda ditched me. We're just following some bands and heard AC/DC would be performing in the States for the first time in late July. Figured I'd head that way and meet up with them there." You watched him toss some stuff into his back seat.
"Buncha flat-leavers- ...hold on did you say July? It's mid-June; you'll be waiting there for a while." Satisfied with his work, he looks up at you expectantly before patting the seat. "Hop in, doll; I'll take ya as far as ya need to go."
He watches you get into his car, unable to help the small dusting of pink that rises to the apples of his cheeks. You’re a real stone fox, that's for sure—hot pants showing off your legs, a Pink Floyd concert tee tied at the front to make it cropped, and a pair of well-loved Chuck Taylors with high socks. It wasn't until you waved a hand in his face that he realized he was staring. "Sorry, what was that, sweetheart?" he asked, clearing his throat.
"I was asking where you were headed; need to know how far I can ride with you," you reply simply.
"As it so happens, toots, I'm headin' to Texas myself, making a few stops along the way... if ya don't mind, that is. Got a gig in Missouri."
He looks you over once more before gingerly taking your bag; placing it between you and him on the bench seat. A simple to give you a little space and make you more comfortable, put a wall between you, so to speak. "Got a name Doll? Or do ya want me to keep callin' ya toots?"
That earned a soft laugh from you before you held a hand out to him. "I'm (y/n). You got a name, Jersey boy?" He takes your hand, giving a firm shake as he barks out a laugh. "You can call me Stan."
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The sun starting to hang low painting the sky like a canvas in beautiful hues of orange and purples, a pleasant drive filled with idle chatter about the recent bands and festivals you'd each been to finding out why he looked familiar; he'd been at a few of the other concerts as well working as a stage hand. Marveled at the grandiose stories he told picking up on what was true and when he was just embellishing to impress you.
Each small laugh he drew from you like a bell, soft and sweet had the tips of his ears dusking a soft pink, urging him to keep going with his jive-talkin' ; that is until your stomach growled startling the both of you.
You look at him wide eyes, mortified. He looks back at you, shocked for just a moment before the corners of his eyes crinkle in amusement and he barks out a laugh.
"Geez Doll, if yer hungry just say so, no need to growl at me" his voice tinged with elation.
"It's not funny slick, that was just embarrassin'" you covered your face trying your damndest to hide, was it really the embarrassment? Or was is just to hide the smile that painted your face at hearing such a genuine laugh from him.
He gave you a slight nudge chuckling all the whole. "Awe shucks honey, don't give me none of that, I think it's pretty cute, now how about we stop at a diner, grab a bite and find a place to stay for the night?"
"Alright sounds good to me, my treat" you smile.
"No." he says matter of factly, earning a questioning look from you, but he didn't look back over at you, keeping his eyes on the road ahead. "I can't let ya do that Doll"
"It's fine really, you're giving me a ride, the least I can do is treat ya to some food and a roof, be kind a rude to object don't ya think?" you watch him hesitate for a moment before he spoke again "alright guess ya got me there sugar" a soft smile tugged at his lips, but there was a hint of guilt in his eyes, focusing back on the road.
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Pulling into the first diner he saw, quick to hop out of the car and trot his way to the passenger door to open it. You hadn't realized how tall this guy was, built like a brick shithouse, yet he held some softness, he looked like he'd give good hugs.
"Well aren't you a gentleman" you chuckles taking the hand he offered, much larger than yours, warm and rough, working man's hands yet they held a tenderness to him.
" 'Course, mama raised me to treat a lady right" his heart swelled when that earned him a giggle from you, helping you out of the car.
Entering the diner and ordering, you both take the moment to ask the waitress for a near by place to stay, she happily gives you directions before leaving the two of you to chat. You want to learn more about him but he seems a little reserved on any more personal details, instead asking you to tell him more about you.
"Well I'm on summer break from college" you spoke and he listened he'd hummed in acknowledgement and chime in to ask follow up questions.
"College eh? Smart girl~ What uh, what kinds stuff ya studyin'?" He rested his chin on his hand, admiring you as you spoke.
"I'm studying a little bit of everything, but I'm focusing on two PHDs for now, Engineering and Astronomy- " it took you a second to realize what be called you, why did that get your cheeks heated? Maybe it was the tone he said it in, maybe you where just tired from the day.
With the waitress bringing by your food, the two of you settle into comfortable idle chatter about your schooling, life in Jersey, music and some such, shared laughs, it was like talking to a life long friend.
The last rays of the sun vanished below the horizon, you paid for the meal and mad your way with him to the near by motel. The attendant said there was only one room available with two beds, Stan not wanting you to feel uncomfortable sleeping in the same room as a stranger insisted he'd sleep in the car; you protested and implored him to stay in the room, you didn't know why the thought of him sleeping alone in his car didn't sit well with you.
You looked up at him, he looked down at you, and then you did it, you gave him puppy eyes and he caved in, something about that pouty lip just did him on.
"Alright alright, I'll stay in the room with ya, stubborn little thing ain't ya" he crossed his arms.
"Yup! Now come on we gotta rest up I don't want you driving tired slick" you took his hand, leading him to the room, missing the way his cheeks dusted pink at the action.
It didn't take long for the two of you to get settled in the room, he took the bed closest to the door 'incase someone tried to come in' was his reasoning; and you went through your nightly routine before laying down getting comfortable under the sheets.
"Hey, Stan?"
"Yeah?" He kicked off his boots laying in bed on top of the sheets.
"I just wanna thank you again...for the ride ~yawn~ you're alot of fun to hang with" you layed facing towards him, the dim light coming from between the blinds doing little to illuminate him.
" 'course Doll, couldn't let a pretty lil' nibg like you go on wandering down the side of the road right?" He lay on his back staring up at the ceiling.
"You're a good man Stan, goodnight~" You smiled softly, closing your eyes. Missing the way his body went rigid at your words.
"Listen doll I'm not really all tha-" he was gonna protest, but when he looked over, in the dim light he could just vaguely make out your features, eyes closed, lips slightly parted, and by the steady breaths you took he could tell you where asleep.
He rolled into his side watching you, smiling softly, for the first time in a long time he felt comfortable, he felt safe even. Finally closing his eyes, a whisper escaping him as sleep sunk it's claws into him.
"Goodnight, (y/n)~"