Chapter Text
Driver was pulled out of his thoughts, eyes focusing back onto the elevator doors, by the sounds of a doorknob being wiggled back and forth. His neighbor gave a huff, muttering under his breath, "Gosh darn it this stupid thing." The door frame creaked before a loud clunk sounded as the latch finally gave way. At the same, the elevator arrived with a quiet ding. Causing his neighbor to spin around, eyes wide and a little startled before giving a shy smile and wave. "Sorry!" he spoke, "Door gets jammed easy."
Driver watched him wheel his bike through the door and close it with a click and soft chck of the lock sliding into place. He watched the view of the 3rd floor disappear behind the elevator doors and pressed the button for the ground floor.
The adrenaline was beginning to peter out of his system as the elevator started it's climb to the 3rd floor. Everything was a little too loud, ears accustomed to having to listen to the overlapping sounds of the police scanner, the sports station filtering through the radio, the burglars bickering about how to split the cash, the minuscule ticking of his watch, all the sirens wailing through the streets. The elevator dinged loudly as it arrived at his floor, the doors clunking open.
Taking a slow breath in, he clenched his gloved hands to try to quell the shaking, heaving out a breath. Readjusting his hold on his jacket thrown over his shoulder as he pulled the keys out of his pocket. He could hear his neighbor shuffling around his apartment through the wall, socked feet padding against hard wood floors by the entrance. Right as he unlocked the door to his own apartment, his neighbor's door flung open.
He was wearing a cream cardigan with foxes on it, his glasses were barely hanging on to his ear, the other arm resting against his neck, well-worn converse that were only tightened but not tied, laces haphazardly shoved into the shoe. Driver took note of the puffiness and redness of his startled eyes.
"Uh, sorry, ha," he chuffed, scrubbing at his face, "I didn't think someone would still be out and about at this time. I'll- I'm-" he pointed towards the fire exit behind Driver.
He found the words leaving his mouth before he could question them, "Are you okay?" He watched his neighbors face contort, flipping through various emotions before tears pricked the corners of his eyes. His neighbor quickly wiped them away, "No, no I'm not but you probably asked that just to be courteous. Not the actual answer."
He paused. Both watched each other silently.
He threw his hand out, "I'm Grace, er, Ryland Grace, but everyone just calls me Grace." Driver regarded him with a neutral look, shaking his hand with a nod. "What's—" Grace started before his phone began buzzing. His mouth clicked shut, his bottom lip wobbling, "I'm just down the hall if you need anything." Driver nodded again and watched as his neighbor, Grace, made his way through the fire escape door, phone pulled up to his ear.
Driver shut and locked his apartment door behind him, the light from his bedside lamp the only thing illuminating the quiet room until he clicked the table light on. A cold, clinical light filtered through the room, highlighting the car part and an array of tools that were sat on the table.
It wouldn't hurt to stay up and work on the part, wind down from the minutiae of the day, not to wait for his neighbor to come home.
A couple of hours passed before he heard the escape door open again. Quiet footsteps crossing the floor before the tell-tale sound of the dead bolt being unlocked and the doorknob getting jammed. At first it was quiet before the sounds of the doorknob being jiggled grew louder until it stopped and a muted thump echoed through the hallway.
Driver picked up the can of WD40 that he had set out on the table earlier and exited his apartment to find Grace in front of his door, head pressed against the painted wood. Driver watched as he pulled his head off the door and wiggled the doorknob again angrily. The door frame creaking under the stress before the latch clicked and the door suddenly swung inwards.
Driver stepped forward just in time to grab Grace's collar, stopping him from tumbling completely to the ground. The sudden stop caused his glasses to fly off his face. Grace yelped as he threw his hands out, catching them before they hit the ground. Driver let him go when he regained his footing and he spun around quickly holding his keys out in the air as if they were a weapon. Only for his posture to relax, lowering the keys when he recognized Driver.
"Geez Louis you're quiet! I didn't even know you were there until you caught me." He ran a hand through his hair, "Thanks for that by the way." Driver nodded, holding up the can of WD40, "Thought you could use this." Grace moved out of the way as Driver knelt down, grabbing the door knob and twisting it. Spritzing some of the WD40 in between the face plate and latch. Wiggling the latch to spread the liquid around, he stood up and motioned for Grace to test it.
He stepped into the apartment and shut the door, leaving Driver in the hallway for a brief moment before the doorknob turned. The latch giving way with no resistance and the door swung open again. Driver was met with Grace's wide smile. He couldn't help but return a small smile of his own.
"Do you want to come in for coffee or a drink? As thanks for fixing my door." Driver nodded, "Sure."
Grace stepped aside, letting him into the apartment where he slipped off his shoes. He didn't want to track any dirt into the apartment. He was only slightly aware of the sound of Grace's keys hitting the countertop, his eyes more preoccupied with taking in the well-lived in space.
A coat rack sat by the entrance with a myriad of sweaters, hoodies, and jackets placed upon it. A yellow raincoat, once vibrant, now well worn and slightly sun-faded caught his eye between everything. A small couch sat in the middle of the room facing the TV along the left wall. A throw blanket with little multicolored foxes was placed on the back of the couch. A collection of styrofoam orbs in various sizes and in different stages of paint cluttered the coffee table. A bookshelf hugged the wall next to the TV chalk-full of books with small science-y knickknacks in front of the spines.
A whiteboard sat along the opposite wall of the entrance, he couldn't quite read what was on it but it was colorful. Small doodles took up any free space between bullet pointed statements and equations. His eyes finally ended at kitchen to his right. He noted the hands on the clock pointed at 6:45am. He didn't realize it was that early already, then again sunlight was beginning to filter through the blinds of his neighbor's windows.
Grace set a mug down in front of Driver through the little kitchen window. He picked the mug up and took a sip. "Oh wait! Did you want any sugar or milk with that?" Driver set the mug down, a small smile played on his lips, "No, I'm good." Grace seemed to relax. "Good, I was worried you might spit it out and call me a lunatic for enjoying black coffee." Driver's smile only widened at him. "Speaking of, I never got to ask your name earlier."
Taking another drink of coffee, it was a decent roast, Grace had good taste. He contemplated whether to tell him or try to avoid answering. It'd be easier if they only stayed neighbors but he found himself wanting to get to know Grace.
"Driver."
"Thank you for helping fix the door, Driver." Grace smiled, taking a drink of his own coffee, "How long have you been in San Francisco?"
"For a while, I moved into this building only a couple months ago." Grace grinned, "That would explain why I haven't run into you until now. What do you do for a living?" Driver hummed quietly, the answer came easily, "I drive." Grace seemed a little confused, "Like public transit?" Driver looked down at the mug and shook his head. Grace's eyes flicked up to the ceiling in thought for a moment, "For movies?" Driver looked back up and smiled, "Yeah."
"That's cool! My brother does- did stunts for movies too" His face dropped, redness beginning to creep into his eyes. He rubbed the heel of his palm into his eyes, "I teach at the middle school that's about 15 minutes north of here." He looked down to take another drink of his coffee, checking his watch, when his eyes widened, spinning around to double check the clock, "OH SHHHHI-OOT! I'm sorry but I gotta go otherwise I'll be late." Driver nodded as Grace zoomed out of the kitchen and down the hall to presumably his bedroom.
"I'm really sorry to cut this short- ACK," A loud thump rattled the floor, "but I really don't want to be late. Doesn't set a good example for the kids." Driver heard a couple more thumps accompanied by child friendly swears. Downing the rest of his coffee and standing up as Grace reappeared wearing a blue and white striped button up and a gray blazer, a red tie hung loose around his neck, an apologetic smile on his face.
Driver walked to the door, opening it slightly as Grace slipped on his rain coat from the rack and placed the bike helmet on his head. Swinging the door open further and stepping out when Grace grabbed his bike and wheeled it out. Locking the door behind him and spinning around to face Driver, "It was nice to meet you, Driver." They both smiled at the other as Grace waited for the elevator to arrive, "Feel free to knock if you need anything or just want to chat."
Driver nodded, "Alright."
The doors opened and Grace waved as he disappeared with his bike behind the elevator doors.
The next time he ran into Grace it was a couple weeks later. He was on the way to work when he spotted the yellow raincoat amongst the gray concrete and dull buildings. The teacher was walking his bike, his shoulders drooped. Driver decided to park about half a block ahead of him, watching in the side and rear view mirrors as he slowly walked down the sidewalk. He noticed the chain hanging loose from the gears of the bike.
Stepping out of the car and into the morning sun. He leaned back into the side of his car, watching Grace draw closer. The teacher's face was trained on the sidewalk, his eyebrows pinched together forming a disgruntled look. He adjusted his hold on the bike handles before checking the watch on his left arm, muttering that he's gonna be late before looking up and jolting.
"Driver!" He screeched. "How uh- how long have you been there?" he asked as he adjusted his glasses. Driver couldn't resist the smile from forming, "Not long." Grace blew out a relieved breath. Checking his watch again, his fingers idly tapping the handle bars, antsy about the time.
"I can give you a ride to work." Grace's eyes flew up to him, "No, no I couldn't ask that. I don't want to make you late. I'll be fine." Driver checked his own watch, 7:46am. Grace was probably running behind already. "I don't mind."
Grace looked away and readjusted his glasses, "Okay, yeah if you're sure. Thanks." Driver nodded before popping open the trunk. Grace had rolled the bike over and Driver grabbed it and set it into the space before the other could object. Grace didn't open the car door until Driver had opened his own door.
Driver peeled out of the parking spot as Grace looked around the interior of the car in reserved admiration. "If you can't get the chain fixed, you can stop by the shop and I can get it fixed." Grace turned to him, "The one that's on Russel?" Driver nodded.
"I don't want to be a bother to you while you're working." He scratched at the back of his neck. "Oh, the school should be just a couple more blocks ahead, you can drop me off around the corner so you don't get stuck in the rush." Driver nodded even though he already decided to try for the front entrance.
The school, Grover Cleveland Middle, came into view soon after and Driver maneuvered the car into the drop-off zone despite Grace's insistence he was fine to be let out earlier. Grace hopped out of the car the second Driver parked. Quickly grabbing his bike from the trunk he stopped for a moment at the window, "Thanks again for the ride!" Driver gave him a smile, "Of course." He watched Grace jog to the bike rack and hook the lock through the wheel before he left the school towards the shop.
Driver was laying back on a crawler working on the underside of an old truck when he heard a familiar clicking of a bike being walked. One of the other mechanics must've noticed him because they called out, "Hey, welcome to the shop, what can we do for you?" Driver pushed himself out from under the car and sat up, watching as Grace fidgeted with the rubber grip on the handlebars. "Um yeah," He looked around, "I'm looking for- oh!"
He gave a lopsided grin as he spotted Driver. The other mechanic followed his gaze, "Ahhh you're looking for the newbie. He shouldn't be too busy for you to go bug him." Driver smiled, idly wiping his hands on a rag, as Grace made his way over to him. "Hey, sorry to bother you. Thought I'd stop by while I try to fix the chain. In case I can't get it back on the gears." Driver smiled, "I don't mind."
Driver cleared a spot from the top of the tool cabinet for Grace to set his bag and helmet down. Grace sat down on the stool next to the cabinet and gingerly set his bag in the cleared space. "Thanks." Driver smiled at him, taking in the soft, sun-soaked glow of the other before turning his attention back to the truck. "Let me know if you need anything."
Driver moved back to the vehicle to keep working but found it a little difficult to focus as Grace started humming mindlessly along with the song on the radio. Taking a steadying breath and listening to him for a moment before attempting to refocus on the truck.
Thirty minutes had passed relatively quickly, Driver never fell fully into focus in case Grace needed his help. Always listening to him fidget with the bike or letting out an annoyed huff when something didn't work. It was after three more minutes that Grace seemed to relent, "Driver?" He rolled out from under the chassis. Grace's glasses were barely hanging onto the edge of his nose, head in his hands.
"Can you give it a look over. Make sure the chain isn't going to fall off on me again?"
Kneeling down by the gears of the bike and inspecting the chain. The first thing he noticed was the chain covered in dirt, the other was a pretty sizeable rock stuck in between the teeth of the gear by the pedals. Pushing on the pebble with his thumb until it finally gave and popped out from the gear. Standing up to grab the closest clean rag to wipe the chain down
"Geez, I thought that rock was going to become a permanent fixture. I've tried for months to get it out but the bugger wouldn't budge." Driver returned with a small smile and a miraculously clean rag. "You should try to clean the chain every now and then, helps prevent wear and tear." Grace sighed, "I always forget to, get stuck grading papers or watching a new movie." Driver let out a small chuckle, causing Grace to smile. "My shift is just about up. I can give you a ride home."
"Are you sure? I'm fine biking home now that it's fixed." Driver nodded, "We're going to the same place."
"Okay."
Making his way to the time clock in the office, the boss stopped him right outside the door, "He a new friend?" Driver couldn't stop the smile from spreading across his face, "Yeah." The boss chuckled, "Good for you, kid, see you tomorrow." The boss reminded him a little of Shannon, probably why he stuck around here.
Grabbing his denim jacket off the hooks by the time clock and walking back towards Grace. Holding his keys out, waiting until Grace began to move towards the car. "Thanks again for giving me a ride earlier, and fixing my bike." Driver popped the trunk and took the bike from him, "I don't mind helping." Grace huffed, "At least let me repay you for everything you've helped me with. Dinner on me?" Grace stood by the passenger door, "There's a pretty decent diner not too far from the apartment building."
He didn't really care for being repayed for everything but if it meant getting to hang around Grace more. .
They both got into the car, "Sure."
Grace beamed, radiating warmth in the cabin of the car and bringing a soft smile to his own face. "Okay it's only a couple blocks south from the apartment so you should be able to head east from here. It'll be on the left hand side." Driver nodded and left the parking lot towards their destination.
Grace sighed, deflating into the seat, "I could definitely go for a hot meal right about now, the kids were pretty energetic today. How was your day?" His day was pretty bland, aside from running into the neighbor he was quickly growing fond of. "Good." He said simply. Grace nodded, "That's good." The silence stretched through the air, he was used to it, but not when it came to Grace. It was a little unnerving not hearing him talk about something, he wanted to hear him talk about something, anything.
"What did you teach today?" Grace blinked owlishly at him, "Wait you actually want to know how my day went? Well, you wouldn't have asked if you didn't but you know, most people say that just to be nice." Driver waited patiently for Grace to talk himself back into the initial question and answer. "But you asked so you probably do want to make small talk." He paused, "I taught the kids about Newton's laws of motion. I had little models and experiments for them to do to help them remember. Plenty of different things so they can pick which mnemonic works best for them." After that Grace fell into a rhythm talking about the kids he taught, even as Driver parked and they entered the diner.
The waitress must've recognized Grace because she smiled, waved at him, and pointed to an open booth. Grace seemed to realize how much he had been talking after the waitress had come back with their drinks as he began winding down. "I may have outdone myself this year but they seemed to really enjoy the class today so maybe I didn't go too overboard." Grace's smiled disappeared behind the lip of the mug filled with coffee. Driver didn't miss the sobering look in his eyes as he let the mug back down to the table.
Grace fiddled with the handle, rotating the mug back and forth, "I should apologize for how I acted a couple weeks ago. . When we first met, it wasn't exactly a good night." Driver watched him quietly, listening for him to continue. Grace's eyes were trained on the slight ripples on the surface of the coffee, hands curled around the mug for warmth. "That night I had heard news that my brother, the one that does stunts, had died." His hands tightened around the mug, shaking ever so slightly, creating larger ripples in the drink.
He swallowed thickly before continuing, "As it turns out, he had faked his death to help get evidence that he was framed." He took a shaky breath before forging on. "But that," he paused searching for the right word, "That jerk. That total bonehead! Didn't even think to call me, reach out, tell me not to listen to the news. To tell me that he was okay." He sniffed, his eyes growing a little red as tears pricked the edges of his eyes.
Quickly reaching up to swipe the errant tears from slipping down, upsetting his glasses as he did, "He's done a lot of apologizing, but it still hurt thinking that he was really gone. That the last things we said to each other weren't the nicest of things."
He finally looked up and met Driver's eyes, "Gosh he really makes me angry but I'm just- so relieved he's okay. He even got back together with his girlfriend." He relaxed into the booth, "We talked on the phone and got everything squared away. I think he's going to come visit when he's done shooting."
Driver smiled, "I'm glad you two made up."
"Pfffft," he waved his hand in dismissal, "Saying we made up is putting it lightly. We're always squabbling about something, but it's nice to know he won't be ignoring my texts and calls now." Their waitress arrived with their food in tow. Two plates of eggs, bacon, and a chunk of perfectly grilled hash brown.
They fell into silence as they ate but Grace broke after a couple minutes and started talking about a silly story between him and his twin, Colt, from when they were younger in between bites.
The sun was halfway below the horizon by the time they walked out of the diner. Grace stretched his arms high above his head, groaning at the stretch, "That was good, nice to sit down and chat." Driver nodded, unlocking his door, reaching across the center console to unlock the other side. Grace slumped into the seat, "It's weird sitting in a car after so long of riding my bike everywhere. It's nice seeing how well kept this is too."
Driver rolled the toothpick in his mouth as a satisfied smirk slipped out. He took pride in how well it ran, the lack of rust, the hours he spent to make sure everything moved perfectly. "Thanks." Turning the key in the ignition, engine roaring to life before lowering to a steady purr in it's bay.
Driver felt something twist in his gut as they left the lot and started down the road back to their apartment complex. It was something small but insistent, only growing as they neared their destination, as they stepped out of the car, up the elevator, and the feeling crested when Grace waved goodbye, and threw him a goodnight as he slipped into his apartment, leaving Driver alone in the hallway.
It wasn't until he stood in the entrance of his own apartment that he realized he didn't want to their night to end so quickly.