Chapter Text
Ryan and Shane have been hanging out a lot after work lately and despite their differences in shifted forms, they get along great.
Shane struggled a bit at the beginning of their friendship because Ryan wasn't simply a predator, he was a black panther which Shane wasn't expecting. He thought his friend was a Lil cat at best, until one day he shifted and caught Shane off guard, making him shift into the little parrot he was..and they ended up staring at each other. It was a terrifying moment that was broken by Ryan, sticking his tongue out and looking innocently at him, maybe even apologetically, so he relaxed a little and they both changed back.
Shane's been completely comfortable around Ryan in his shifted form for months now, he doesn't even remember whose idea it was to take some photos of Shane in his parrot form, chilling in the professor mug, looking adorable. Probably Ryan's.
"Okay, I admit that's a pretty good picture," Shane says after he shifts back and leans over his shoulder to take a peek at it.
"Right? I'm gonna put this on the gram for sure, I love it" Ryan answers, grinning at Shane. He loves posting about him anyways, but he'd rather not tell that to his friend though.
"Sure, tag me!" Shane smiles back at him sweetly. Ryan posting anything about him always made his heart flutter a little. Like it's special. In reality, it's not really. Ryan posts about all of his friends, but Shane can dream.
"Sure I'll tag you" he looks at him softly. He's been harboring romantic feelings for his pal and best friend for a while and been posting a bit more about him too. He's glad it's not obvious because he posts about literally everything...
"Anyway, want to get lunch then see a movie? " he offers, trying to be casual. Ryan just wants to spend more time with him and he's desperate.
"Yeah, let me grab my bag and we can go. Taco Bell sounds good to you?" Shane asks and goes to grab his bag, and that's when Ryan panics internally.
"Actually... " Ryan had been thinking of asking him out to a more fancy place but.. that would be too obvious so he decides against it and says "that sounds perfect, yes" instead, with a smile.
"Sure, buddy." Shane gives him a bit of a weird look before turning, giving a squeeze to his shoulder. It seemed like Ryan wanted to add something but he lets it go for now.
"Well, we could. We could just walk around for all I care, see if we find a cool place, like a hidden gem?" Shane offers. "You know like Tourist Trapped. We just let LA lead us." He laughs.
Ryan beams at him "that sounds so dope, man! We can do that for sure. " he grins "we can take silly pics of each other too.. " he's very happy Shane can't hear how his heart is going crazy right now.
It'll be like a valentines day date..well more like a valentines day not-date but he can pretend at least.
Shane nearly melts as he's looking at him. That silly idea was so worth mentioning, just so he can see Ryan smile like that, no matter what he does, even if he makes a fool of himself, it's so fucking worth it.
"Yeah, we can do that. Gonna roast you on my Instagram."
He teases, almost breathless when he remembers where he is and what they're doing.
"Sounds great big guy" Ryan gives him a clap on his shoulder
"Should we?" he asks and gestures for the door with a grin.
Shane grins back at him, it's easy when Ryan looks at him like that. He locks arms with him, going for the door, feeling brave because they're so carefree lately. "A tribute to us hopping off into the sunset like this in that Ladylike video. Remember that?" He says, all smiles.
Ryan feels so giddy all of a sudden and he beams at him "yea! I had so much fun. Let's go" he giggles, like a fucking teen girl
"You're so weird." Shane snorts, but doesn't pull away, he just continues walking with him like that. Until they get to the street and then he does pull away. Ryan probably would've anyway.
Ryan feels a bit disappointed by that but tries not to show it.
"So which direction we're going? Or should I pick it? " he grins, seeing an opportunity to make his plan work.
"Sure, go for it, little guy," Shane says, lips twitching into a smile. "Let's go on an adventure, baby!"
Ryan snorts and takes the lead.
"An adventure indeed" he murmurs.
He's going to lead them to that restaurant he wanted to take him in the first place but tries to act like he doesn't know where they're going.
"I don't even know when was the last time I just walked around here aimlessly. It's pretty nice." Shane hums, he walks up next to Ryan, just letting him choose where they're going and fuck, Shane is struggling. He wants to reach out and take Ryan's hand so badly. But he doesn't, because he shouldn't.
Meanwhile, Ryan is struggling as well, but he also radiates excitement. He is so ready to take Shane to a fancy restaurant. Even if it's not a real date, damn it.
"It's pretty nice, yea," he says, breathless, and looks around, taking a turn at one point, making it seem random.
The restaurant has to be at the end of this street, so he has to try not to beeline for it because that would be suspicious.
"But I'm also getting to the point of starving so I hope we find something soon. I'm sure there are some taco trucks around here at least." He hums, glancing around.
Ryan wants to roll his eyes but he just snorts and keeps going
"No worries, I'm sure we find something" he glances at him, Ryan hopes there aren't any taco trucks before they can reach the restaurant.
But of course, Shane is out there wanting to thwart his plans.--
"Hey, I think there's a Wendy's down that street on the left." Shane grabs Ryan's wrist instinctively, just gently holding onto it to get his attention and point it out for him.
Ryan panics and looks around, pretending not to see anything
"Uh, I don't think there is, big guy. We could just go on. "
He murmurs to himself but doesn't shake Shane's hand off
Shane lets out an exasperated sigh. "Fine. But if I die here, on the curb, you will be responsible, Ryan." He huffs and follows him. And well, he forgets to let go. He still has his fingers curled around Ryan's wrist, almost holding his hand but not quite. "So hungry, and so cold, all alone in my last moments on this world."
"I'm right here you asshole" he wheezes, and he enjoys the little press of Shane's fingers so he doesn't say anything about it, or move his hand too much so Shane won't let go.
I bet you'd just leave me here." Shane wheezes softly. "With all the talk about murdering me on Unsolved, I bet you'd be happy your big pal would bite the dust, huh Ryan?" Shane teases, he's joking around, mostly to rile Ryan up a bit. He knows Ryan would care and that's why he's grinning so bright.
Ryan looks at him and smiles "oh you look very happy about me, leaving you here to die on the churb...so enthusiastic. "
"I'd be very happy if it would mean you shut up for once.. " he wheezes but it's obvious he doesn't mean it. He loves Shane too much.
Shane puts a hand on his heart, squeezing Ryan's wrist with the other, just lightly and he lets out a very offended gasp. "How dare you! I wouldn't want you next to my deathbed anyway." He huffs. "You'd miss my glorious voice and you know it, Bergara."
"Of course I would, big guy..stop being dramatic" he smiles at him brightly. He almost can't believe he's in love with this man.
"Can't stop my true nature shining through, baby." Shane grins back at him, he always seems to mirror Ryan's smile. He throws in a wink too, for good measure. "But seriously Ryan if we don't find anything in the next five minutes I'm calling a Lyft and we're going to Wendy's." He groans.
"Okay, fair"
He snorts and starts going a bit faster "it's a deal, I'm sure we'll bump into something eventually. It's LA, baby!"
That wink killed something in Ryan. Probably his last threads of never claimed heterosexuality.
"It's ridiculous, everything should be littered with fast-food restaurants and food trucks. All I see is the twentieth expensive ass clothing store. Seriously, who would pay that much for a white T-shirt?" Shane scoffs, glancing over at a storefront.
"Not me for sure" he huffs, focused on his mission. The restaurant has to be pretty close and he's thinking if he should let Shane notice it first.
Shane walks with him for a few minutes still, he almost zones out when he sees the little restaurant and perks up.
"Oh my god is that a restaurant? Fucking finally, I don't even care how expensive it is, come on."
His hand on Ryan's arm slides lower and he holds onto his hand without even really noticing it, he starts insistently tugging him towards the place across the street.
Ryan is fucking happy, he could burst.
"Oh heck yes, I need something to eat" he giggles as he squeezes his hand, following him.