“Mostly, yes.”
“That’s awesome! Do you play shows?”
“I do. I play here in the Village a lot. But all over town. Sometimes in other cities. I have a show at the Lighthouse next Saturday.”
Ryan frowned. “There’s a lighthouse here?”
Oh no. Ryan Price is still adorable.“No,” Fabian laughed. “It’s a bar, just in the neighborhood here.”
“Oh.” Ryan’s face turned pink. “Yeah, that makes more sense.”
“Yes. The show is a fundraiser for a shelter, and it’s a big venue. It should be good.”
“Oh. Cool.” Ryan looked at the floor. Then up at Fabian. Then behind him. “Uh, I have to pick up a prescription, so...”
“Right! Don’t let me stop you!”
“Yeah. So, um...it was nice seeing you again.”
“You too. And congratulations? For playing for the Guardians? I understand that is a very big deal.”
That earned Fabian another warm smile. “Thanks.” Then Ryan turned and headed for the back of the store.
Fabian hugged himself because suddenly he felt very exposed and weird. He hadn’t expected to ever see Ryan again, but suddenly he was transported right back to being seventeen with a confusing and ridiculous crush on the hockey player who had lived with his family for less than a year.
Fabian’s parents had housed members of the Halifax Breakers junior hockey team for years. Young Fabian had always resented it, and had actively avoided interacting with the obnoxious jocks who’d invaded his home every winter. To be fair, the hockey players hadn’t seemed at all interested in Fabian either.
Except Ryan.
Ryan had been different, and it had completely thrown Fabian off balance. Teenage Fabian had been all thorns, unable to hide his queerness, so he’d guarded himself by being a self-important grouch. Mostly, he’d just kept to himself, practiced his music, and dismissed anyone who’d tried to talk to him. A big dumb hockey player couldn’t hurt him if Fabian didn’t give a shit about him.
Which was why Ryan had been so fucking dangerous.
Ryan, who wasin Fabian’s store right now.
Something occurred to Fabian: if Ryan was picking up a prescription at this pharmacy, it meant he probably lived in the neighborhood, which was not only where Fabian lived, but it was also Canada’s largest queer village.
Which didn’t necessarily mean anything. But it was interesting. Maybe.
Fabian spotted Ryan as he was leaving the store, a small paper bag in hand. Just as he was about to step through the doors, Ryan paused and looked over at Fabian. Ryan gave him a bashful little smile and a wave, and then he was gone.
Chapter Three
Ryan looked straight ahead as he entered the plane. He didnotlook at the bolts on the aircraft’s exterior, or the intricate mechanics visible around the open door. He didn’t think about how crucial it was forevery single oneof those bolts and wires and thin plates of metal to stay together; that the slightest malfunction could cause the fiery death of everyone on board.
Ryan couldn’t think about any of that. Instead, he ran through his usual preflight list of sensible, calming thoughts.
Millions of people fly every day without issue.
This plane has probably taken off, flown, and landed hundreds, if not thousands, of times without issue.
The pilot wouldn’t fly this plane if it weren’t safe.
The flight attendants are calm and happy and smiling. This is their job every day.
Your teammates are calm.
Flying is safer than driving.
