#ryan wolfe

“You know just because I’m tall, doesn’t mean I deserve to be called a giant.”

You shake your head, “it’s not entirely because of that.”

“Then what is it?”

You tilt your head, “you remind me of the iron giant. You know, you’re taller than us but you're the gentlest and always curious.”

“Damn, now I can’t stay mad at you.”

You raise your hand to high five him. “I knew it, nobody can stay mad at me for long.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Walter rolls his eyes.

“What about me?” asks Ryan.

You hum, turning to face him.

“What character do I remind you of?”

“Gollum,” you say with no hesitation.

His jaw drops to the floor.

Walter can’t help himself and does little to hide his amusement. “Damn, that’s cold.”

You smile and walk over towards him, wrapping your arms around his shoulders. “I mean it in the nicest way.”

You rest your head on his shoulder. “You know you’re my favorite.” You peck his cheek before walking to the table behind them to start taking samples with warm cheeks.

Walter nudges his friend’s arm and gestures his head in your direction, mouthing, “ask her out.”

Ryan shakes his head and responds, “no.”

You lift the sample, wondering if you’re seeing the right thing. “Hey guys.” You misstep and shake your head before stepping closer.

“Are you-” Ryan tries to ask but fails as he starts to feel the effects.

You set the plastic tray down and hold onto the edge of the table, staring out of the room to find a focus point when the others outside begin to fall too.

Walter is the first of you three to fall, Ryan tries to keep himself balanced but is unable to when he sees you start to lose your grip. He reaches for you and pulls you into him, giving you a cushion.

You open your eyes when the sensation of the warmth under you begins squirming.

“Look who decided to wake up, glad you decided to join us.”

You want to kick him but still feel as if your whole body is lagging. “Shut up.”

You push yourself up and find Ryan curled up behind your arm. “What the-”

Natalie crying out for Jesse sends you into a tailspin.

“What the hell happened?” You ask out loud, not expecting to get an answer.

-

After solving the case and consoling Natalie, you’re drained.

The end of the week could not have come any sooner.

You pinch the bridge of your nose and release a big sigh.

“You done for the day?”

You lightly shake your head, “just about. What about you?”

He shrugs, “heading out as soon as I change.”

“I’ll leave you to it.”

“Hey, uh-” he hesitates.

“What’s up?”

“Are you- uh-” Ryan hesitates.

“You, okay? Do you smell toast?”

He cracks a smile, knowing your only asking so he’ll stop overthinking. “I- Do you want to go out?” He turns towards his locker, pulling out his bag. “With me, I mean.”

“Ryan Wolfe, are you asking little ol’ me out?”

“When you phrase it like that it makes me not want to.”

“Oh, shut up… but yes.”

“Re- really?” He asks, surprised by your answer. He kind of thought you were just flirting with him for fun, and it wouldn’t really go anywhere.

“Yes, you dork. I’ll go out with you.” You grab your bag and knock it against his. “Where are we going?”

He slams his locker shut, “somewhere you’d like.”

“Very vague of you. Should I be worried? Is this gonna be a meet and murder rather than a meet cute date?”

“It wouldn’t be the wisest move if I killed you considering our profession.”

You shrug, “that’s why it’d be one for the books.”

“Let’s get going before I become more concerned about your thought process.”