[#090] Four For The Road (FAKE)

[badly_knitted]

Theme Prompt: #090 – Road Trip
Title: Four For The Road
Fandom: FAKE
Rating/Warnings: PG
Bonus: Yes
Word Count: 1000
Summary: Dee, Ryo, Drake, and JJ have been invited to a workshop for law enforcement professionals but getting there means a long drive with all four of them crammed in one car.



“This is going to be so great!” JJ was practically bouncing with excitement, and how he could be so full of energy this early in the morning was anybody’s guess. Too much caffeine, maybe. Not that JJ ever seemed to be lacking in energy, day or night.

Dee gritted his teeth; far from being great, this was his idea of sheer hell.

“I still don’t see why we haveta go by car. You’d think the department could shell out for air fare.”

“They probably would have if we were going further, but DC’s only about a three-and-a-half-hour drive; we can be there by lunchtime.” As always, Ryo was the voice of reason. “We should consider ourselves lucky. As far as I know, this is the first time four people from the same precinct have been invited to one of these things. We’ll be learning new investigative techniques, getting to test out the latest equipment before it’s approved for use, and taking part in contests against cops from all over the country.”

“But four of us crammed into one car…” Dee stared at the vehicle they’d been assigned, thankful that at least it was a decent sized four-door sedan and not a compact. Thanks to his shorter stature JJ would have been fine crammed into the cramped confines of a too-small backseat, but Dee and Ryo both had long legs, and Drake was Ryo’s height.

“But that’s what’s so great! We can share the driving so none of us will get tired, and we can play games; I spy, first one to see, those kinds of things!” JJ squeezed the last of his bags into the trunk alongside everyone else’s luggage for their week away. It was a good thing the rest of them had packed more economically, otherwise they couldn’t have gotten everything in.

Dee slammed the trunk. “We’ll be on the interstate most of the way; all we’re likely to see are cars, cars, and more cars. Maybe the occasional truck.”

“Well, we could have a singalong instead! That’s what we used to do on family vacations.” JJ’s enthusiasm for the coming road trip was exhausting and they hadn’t even started yet.

“I’m drivin’ first.” Dee made for the driver’s door.

“Shouldn’t we draw straws, or vote, or something? I mean, it’s not exactly fair just nominating yourself, is it? We should all have a say.” Apparently JJ was the fairness police on this trip.

“I signed the car out, and I’ve got the keys.” Dee held them up. “Any more arguments and you can walk.”

“There’s no need to be snippy!”

“If we don’t get going soon, we’ll get caught in rush hour traffic,” Ryo pointed out.

“He’s right,” Drake agreed. “We’ll all get a turn so what does it matter who’s first? And there’s the trip back as well.”

“Ryo, you’re up front with me. Drake, you and JJ get the backseat.”

“Fine with me!” Drake grinned, happy to snuggle in the back with his boyfriend. He slid in behind the passenger seat, letting JJ sit behind Dee. Five minutes later they were on their way, heading for the Lincoln Tunnel and from there, onto the New Jersey Turnpike.

“Ryo, you got enough change for the toll?”

“It’s a bit late to think of that now, Dee, but yes, I brought plenty. Just don’t stop so I have to climb halfway out the window to reach the machine this time.”

Dee laughed. “I’ll try.” He’d only done that last time they came this way for the view of Ryo’s ass as he tried to avoid having to get right out of the car.

“On the open road at last!” JJ was bouncing around in the backseat. “Turn the radio on, Dee; we need some music in here!”

“Is he always like this?” Dee asked Drake, briefly glancing at the rear-view mirror, where JJ was bobbing about as Ryo turned the radio on and found the station he and Dee usually preferred. Good music for driving.

“Not always.” Drake smiled tolerantly. “He’s just excited. How often do the four of us get to go somewhere together?”

By now JJ was jigging along to the music. “Oh, I love this one!”

Dee threw a long-suffering glance at Ryo. “Why me?” he whispered.

Ryo just laughed and patted his knee. “It could be worse.”

“I guess.” Not much more than a year ago, a road trip in JJ’s company would have meant Dee having to suffer through hours of JJ’s declarations of everlasting love, along with detailed descriptions of romantic evenings together in front of roaring log fires that Dee knew would never happen. At least JJ was no longer obsessed with him, having found happiness with Drake. Even so, he was a bit much to take in a confined space.

They stopped for a late breakfast at a roadside diner, filled up with gas, and got back on the road, this time with Dee and Ryo in the backseat, Drake and JJ in the front. JJ was driving, which thankfully meant he couldn’t bounce around in his seat the way he had been. Dee closed his eyes, worn out just from being near the blue-haired Energiser Bunny. Well, that and the fact that he’d had to vacate his and Ryo’s comfy bed at the crack of dawn. It didn’t take him long to fall asleep, his head on Ryo’s shoulder, oblivious to the radio, or the conversation going on around him. Under the right circumstances, he could sleep through just about anything.

On waking, Dee rubbed his eyes, remembered where he was.

“Are we there yet?”

A soft snort of laughter from the man he was leaning against. “How old are you?”

“It was just a question.”

“Not quite; we’re about an hour out. There was an accident a while back so we’re about thirty minutes behind schedule.” Somehow Drake was driving now. When had that happened?

One more hour wasn’t bad though. Maybe they’d all survive the trip.


The End





 

Comments

[reveetoile]

Dee is always so pessimistic at first instead of enjoying it all from the beginning. But I'm happy for JJ now XD

[badly_knitted]

He would have preferred it being just him and Ryo, but they'll be okay, they're going to have a great time.

JJ is happy with Drake, and Dee is pleased for them both.

Thank you!

[m_findlow]

Dee's getting very worked up about it. He should just relax and try to enjoy it. You can't do much about JJ being so excitable.

[badly_knitted]

True, but having to drive in the first place is annoying him so everything else is aggravating him more than it normally would. Maybe he'll be in a better mood now he's had a nap ;)

Thank you!