Chapter Text
The apartment building Ryland lived in was quiet. Especially for San Francisco, wild thought, huh? But, that suited him just fine, he wasn’t one for wanting to overhear wild parties or other… activities.
In fact, the most interesting thing to happen in a while was the new neighbor across the hall. Ryland didn’t see who it was for a week, though he heard their footsteps occasionally, the familiar creak of 202’s door opening and closing.
Uuuntil they oiled the hinge, then, no more squeak. Just quiet footsteps, never seemed hurried, how odd.
Finally, he caught sight of the guy one night while he was on his way out. Clean, white jacket with a scorpion embroidered on the back. Ryland saw just a glimpse of his face as he turned to duck into his car.
Oh. Oh, no, he’s handsome.
On the weekend, Ryland was coming back from a trip to the grocery, always a fun endeavor on a bicycle, you know!! He was fumbling with his bag, keys, and helmet as he came out of the stairwell, nearly running right over the new neighbor on his way out.
”Oh! Sorry, sorry, didn’t see ya, just trying to—“ Ryland blustered, his bags and keys rattling noisily as he shuffled out of the way. One bag tore and several cans of chunky soup plunked to the floor and rolled away. The neighbor stood in still silence and watched the moment until one can rolled to his shoe.
Ryland stood in dejected silence for several more seconds before sighing. He glanced, mortified and blushing, over his glasses at his neighbor and sighed. “Sorry. G-go on, I’ll get them, don’t let me hold you up.”
He wore a neutral expression, completely unfazed by Ryland’s fumble, except the slightest raise of an eyebrow.
“Oh-,” Ryland was moving all his bags to one hand to reach for his loose cans when the guy bent, neat and graceful, to pick up two of them for him, “-No, don’t w—well.. Thank you..”
The three cans retrieved and deposited in other bags, Ryland nodded a bow of gratitude. His gaze met guarded blue eyes, and the slightest smirk. Ryland offered him a rueful smile in return.
”You’re my new neighbor, in 202, right? Nice to meet you, sorry for the.. thing. I’m Ryland, in 203 across the hall. If, uh, if you need anything don’t hesitate to knock…” He made his way down toward his door. The neighbor just watched, unfazed, other than to nod once.
Ryland unlocked his door and turned back, but when he did, the guy was gone. Great. Now he probably thinks you’re a major idiot, huh, Ry. Some PhD you are! Gosh, that sounded an awful lot like Colt. Ryland snorted and toed his door closed quietly.
He didn’t give his name, he wondered what it might be. Andrew maybe. Nah. It didn’t seem to quite…fit. Oh, Cole would suit him, he was kinda quiet, but didn’t seem shy. He didn’t say a word to Ryland, actually, was that weird? Was he some kind of serial killer?
Rolling his eyes at himself, Ryland put away his groceries. He saw the guy as he got into his car, out on the back street. It was a nice vintage red. Ryland didn’t know cars, but he definitely recognized it as an old classic something or other. Colt would probably love it instantly.