Sins of the Warrior
Summary: Sometimes good people do bad things for the right reasons. | Begins during 99 Problems 10x06, after Drew refuses to snitch on Riley. | Drew/Riley ship. M-rated. Also features Peter and Adam. Four-shot.
Story Warnings: Soft-core yet graphic sex, manipulation, Drew does some bad things (surprise, surprise).
Notes: This is more an exploration of Drew's character as of 10x06. While this exploration is informed by later things, it is not restricted by them. Drew could have very well been bisexual in 10x06. His character was originally intended as such and if you watch with gay glasses, he seems less straight early on. Also, Drew seemed like a manipulative little bastard so I'm exploring that. He seemed people-smart, and we know he is very people-smart, if not academically, from his later time on the show.
Warrior's Conflict
Drew Torres was an ass. This was something that Riley didn't doubt for a moment. A shame really, considering that for a moment there it seemed as if they could be good friends. But now, that friendship would come into use as he had managed to learn where Drew's locker was – not that he could let the younger boy know that his eyes had been following him during their short friendship.
There he was now, kneeling in front of his locker retrieving his books. He had to give Drew some credit. He may be one of the most academically stupid people Riley had met, but at least he tried. He was above and beyond Drew when it came to academics, but even he occasionally was too lazy to bring his books to class; though, if Drew's off-hand comments were anything to value, it was his mother who made him keep up with his school work.
"Hey," Riley greeted as he pat Drew on the shoulder to get his attention. Drew looked up to him with only the slightest of scowls on his face, and Riley had to squash the rumblings in his heart at the sight. It wasn't appropriate to harbor feelings for the kid. First of all, the kid was pretty shitty – his actions of not ratting him out in the gym today notwithstanding. Second, Riley Stavros was not the kind of gay to crush on his straight friends; their shared smile over Drew's success in econ was just that. Riley had to squeeze his eyes shut to block out thoughts of Peter. Regardless, he was with Zane… well, not anymore. Torres has taken that away from him.
Whatever, Riley thought to himself. I came here with something to say.
"Thanks man," Riley continued as Drew turned away with a snort. "Really, it was cool of you… I mean, nobody likes a snitch. But, I feel kind of bad." Riley meant it, though he wanted to slap himself for how obvious he was making it. Drew was a dirty type; he would catch the guilt in his voice and twist it to his needs. He wouldn't put it past Drew to carry around a recorder just waiting for him to spill the words: "I'm gay, can you not tell anyone? Sorry for tying you to a flag pole – bygones be bygones?"
Drew stood up straight and tall, and Riley nearly stood at attention along with him. He hated to admit it, but a rival really turned him on in a way that he didn't understand. Really, being competitive was normal for a guy, particularly one into sports. It was after all Wii Sports and good ole boxing practice that had spurred him into kissing Peter and realizing his feelings for the first time - though the body-to-body contact didn't hurt.
"You feel kind of bad that the school saw me wrapped up like a sandwich?" Drew snarked as he flung his backpack over his shoulder in dismissal of Riley's words.
"I really appreciate you bailing me out," Riley murmured hesitantly as his eyes darted up and down Drew. He frowned at Drew's next words.
"I didn't do it for you, dumb ass," Drew scoffed. "Zero tolerance," he continued as if speaking to a child. "If I told anyone, it might forfeit the entire season. There's not much point in making QB1 if there's no season."
Drew slammed his locker closed with a little more force than one might consider normal, though Riley couldn't blame him as he understood anger. Drew's reaction was nothing compared to what he had done as recently as last year. Riley contemplated leaving it at that, though something about what Drew said still irked him.
"Making it?" he taunted. "You mean by threatening to tell the world that some guy is gay. That's heroic." Riley's disgust was back. No matter what he might think of Drew's lips, lean arms, or tight pants, Drew was not a great guy.
"I don't care how gay or not gay you are," Drew whispered with barely concealed contempt. "I just did you a huge favor back there," Drew hissed as he buried a finger painfully into Riley's chest. "And now, you owe me."
Riley frowned. "Look dude, there is nothing I can do. If I tell them, I get kicked off the team. If I just leave, they will be suspicious."
"Sounds like a 'you' problem," Drew retorted as he walked away.
Riley's vision turned red and the world was little more than motion around him, and he had to close his eyes to still the spinning.
No, no. He was past this. No Twinky-Torres was going to take him back to being the old Riley. He may have taken his Zane away, but he wasn't making him into the angry fuck he was last year. He took a deep breath, and his lungs rumbled as he growled it out. When he opened his eyes he found Drew up against the wall pinned by a forearm at his throat. Drew blinked as they made eye contact with one another, Drew's face etched with an indignant scowl – though, as Riley studied him, he could see the other's boy's lips trembling.
"You scared now?" Riley mocked. "You realize you're in too deep with the big boys?"
He saw Drew's lip roll, and he pressed his arm harder into Drew's neck to the point of him grimacing.
"I swear if you spit on me, I'll pound you into next week," Riley threatened, then pulled his arm off as the Drew nodded as best he could. He took a moment to eye that the halls were mostly empty now, and the tardy bell for 6th period was imminent.
Drew took a breath. "Careful," he sassed. "That sounded very… gay."
"We need to talk," Riley ordered. His eyes searched and a few feet to Drew's right he found a supply closet. "In here," he demanded, yanking Drew along with him. He wasn't sure if the boy was going along because he was afraid, or was still waiting for some way to play this situation into his grubby hands.
He heard the bell ring as the door slammed shut behind Drew, cutting it off mid ring. Riley brushed his hand through his hair, and he felt how hot his head was as he felt a droplet of sweat on his forehead. Hot-head Stavros could be no more – he couldn't let Peter down like that.
He looked to Drew who was giving him a look that could be summed up as, 'what's up, stupid?'
"Look, Drew, let's work this out. I can't just quit, it would be suspicious. How about I treat you as my second. We can plan plays together, I can coach you outside of practice, and I can help prep you for next year. Colleges won't care when you started being QB as long as you were one," Riley rambled.
"No," Drew stated coolly. "That won't work. I need to be QB now."
"What is the big deal, Drew?" Riley hissed. "No one want to be QB this badly, it's just a position. You're good looking enough to get any girl you want as is."
"I have my reasons… and careful, you're sounding quite gay," Drew chided.
"Could you stop it with the homophobia, it's 20-fucking-10, and you're better than Owen and you know it," Riley growled.
"Who says I'm homophobic?" Drew retorted. "I might be into guys for all you know."
Riley's heart stopped – could this be real? "Then… then why…"
"I know how to get what I want," Drew smirked.
"And if I don't believe you?"
"What does it matter?" Drew mocked.
"Then let's see then," Riley murmured as he pushed Drew back against the closet door to prevent anyone from interrupting them and their lips met. He felt Drew begin to gasp at the contact, but it was broken as Riley slid his tongue into Drew's mouth. Riley stroked his hands up and down Drew's hips as their bodies melded together.
Riley groaned as their cocks rubbed together through their pants. "I… I believe you," Riley murmured into Drew's ear before nibbling on it.
Drew groaned and pressed his dick into Riley. "I guess this is what guys like you do," he sneered.
Riley froze with his lips on Drew's neck, withdrawing slowly as his heart dropped. Drew gasped as Riley's teeth drug across his neck.
"Wha-what?" Riley said as he backed away, mouth agape. "You were into it, I thought you were…"
"I like guys, yeah. But I'm not ashamed of it," Drew retorted. "Unlike you. Closet-case loser. Hookup in closets often like this? Or do you prefer to get pounded in the woods?"
"I… I'm trying…" Riley whimpered.
"You're pathetic, Riley. I could really like you if you were as brave as you think you are."
"I can't," Riley cried out in a long drawl.
"Just do it," Drew hissed. "Or perhaps you were thinking of telling me to meet you in the park tonight?"
"I just want…"
"Well, I just want to be QB," Drew demanded. "I need to protect my brother, and you're in the way. Tell people what happened here, I dare you. I can deal with the ridicule – better at me than my brother. But you… you'll go running for the hills. And you're the only thing stopping me from being QB."
"My parents…" Riley pleaded.
"Don't tell 'em. I won't be telling mine anytime soon."
"Do you really think the team will be okay with a gay QB?" Riley asked desperately.
"Bi," Drew corrected. "And they're fine with Zane – most of them at least. I can deal with their jokes, you can't – and, let's be honest, I'm a better pick than you."
"Drew, please…"
"Look, Riley, I don't want to tell your secrets. But I will be QB. Don't fight it, or I will destroy."
"I… I… you made me lose everything. Zane, football. I have nothing else," Riley heaved, and his eyes burned with partially shed tears.
"That's not true," Drew tried to console him, kindness dripping into his voice. "You're a smart guy. You really helped me in econ yesterday."
"Just because you're an idiot doesn't mean doing well in class is worth anything," Riley mocked.
Drew blinked. "Harsh. And here I was thinking of letting you suck my dick."
"I would never," Riley lied.
"Yeah, sure, I can see your mouth watering," Drew bragged.
"I just want things to go back to how they were… I was happy this summer," Riley muttered.
"And you still can be," Drew coaxed. "What was the difference between summer and now? You're stuck playing football. I'd suggest you stop."
"I…"
"Don't," Drew whispered as he approached Riley, and pulled him into another kiss. "Just think on it."
Riley groaned as Drew's hand brushed over his dick on the way to his pocket, and Riley grew harder at Drew's devilish smirk – he knew exactly what he was doing.
Drew withdrew Riley's phone from his pocket. "I'm going to give you my number. Call me tonight and we can talk – though don't ask me to meet you in the woods." Drew gave Riley an amused laugh as he turned toward the door. "Really, Riley, I would like for us to get along – perhaps even more? But I will be QB."
Riley nodded absently as Drew departed. This was bad. Maybe. He wanted to tear this room apart and pretend every box was Drew's face. But he couldn't; he was the new Riley!
He opened the door and peeked out into the hallway, and he found no one in sight. He darted out, and headed for his car. He was in no state to attend further classes today. The only thing he could think about was Peter.
He need to talk to his best friend.
Riley groaned as he pushed open the door to The Dot in honor of the shitty day. It started out fun enough as he and Owen had grabbed Drew and sandwiched him to a flag pole – and Riley enjoyed stripping Drew a little more than he should have. And now he wanted to slam his head against the door of The Dot at how rapey that sounded. Zane would personally kill him if he actively enjoyed that – Peter surely would too - though he didn't need them to tell him right from wrong in that regard.
"Peter," he said as he spotted his oldest friend, and took a seat at the bar. "I need to talk, like now."
"Whoa, there Riley. It's two o'clock. Shouldn't you still be in class?" Peter asked over his shoulder as he was cleaning some logoed glass mugs.
"Yeah, well, some things happened today and I just wasn't in the mood for classes. Plus, it's a ghost town in here," Riley said as he waved his hands around the empty diner. "It's best to talk like this."
"So what happened?" Peter asked as he shut off the faucet, and approached the counter. "Want anything while we talk?"
"I'm good," Riley dismissed. "Today just had a whole bunch of bad. Zane dumped me yesterday. Did I tell you that yet? And then Owen and I hazed the new kid, Drew."
Peter nodded. "I think I met him."
"Giving him eyes?" Riley tried to joke, but it fell flat as he couldn't even laugh at it. "Ugh, Drew's been threatening to out me to the team to get QB."
Peter raised an eyebrow at that. "Wow, what an ass. I could kind of tell from the first time I met him though."
"Yeah, he really wants to be QB. I can't talk him out of it, and he is willing to take me down to do it. He says he has to protect his brother or something, whatever that means."
"Sucks," Peter stated plainly.
"Tell me about it," Riley groaned.
Peter smirked knowingly as he put a hand on Riley's arm. "Have you considered, you know, coming out?"
Riley let out another groan as his eyes drifted close. "Not this again," he mumbled.
"You wouldn't have to keep hiding if you just came out," Peter said calmly as his hands drifted over the sticky counter. "I should wash this," he stated as he reached under the counter for a rag, leaving Riley to his own devices.
Riley took a deep breath as he contemplated. He wanted more than anything for this to be over. He knew he was gay now – there was no doubt in his mind after the many, many things that he and Zane had gotten up to this summer.
"It would be nice; to finally be done with this," he intoned after Peter sprayed the counter down. Peter looked up to him and gave Riley the look he was dreading – he had the slightest of smiles on his face, and his eyebrows quirked with intrigue. It was the face that said, 'so what's different this time.'
"Maybe Drew has a point," Riley muttered in a voice just loud enough to travel to Peter. There was a pause before Riley repeated. "Maybe Drew has a point," he stated a little louder and with enough force to emphasize that he wanted an answer.
Peter sighed as he turned around and tossed the rag into the sink before rinsing his hands. He shook his head as he turned around to face Riley. "Maybe you should come out… finally," he suggested kindly, with a degree of patience that was forced but nonetheless present for one of his closest friends. "It really is time. I doubt your family will hate you for it – and if they do, I already offered to let you live with me while you finish high school. I can weasel some money out of dad to help out."
Riley nodded in thanks, remembering fondly their conversation over the summer where Peter almost, almost convinced him to come out. He was ready to too, but he chickened out as he approached his mother. His 'hey mom, I'm gay,' speech turned into, 'hey mom, what's for dinner.'
He sighed. "But my family… I love them and all. Even if you can give me a place to live, I don't want to lose my family."
"And what people think about you act school don't factor into that at all?" Peter queried.
"No…. yes… no?" Riley questioned himself. "I don't want people to know, but also… I don't really care?"
"That's good," Peter said with a grin. "Think you can finally push through this time?"
"Ugh, the team would never respect me if I were gay?"
"Are you sure of that? Hate to break it to you Riley, but Toronto's hardly the worst place to be gay. I mean, I was pretty cool with you kissing me wasn't I?"
Riley groaned again. "I know, I know. I just can't take the shit talking behind my back. But it's like Drew said… if they're okay with Zane, wouldn't they be okay with me?"
"Exactly," Peter chimed. "If an asshole's words are good, listen to them."
"He's not that bad?" Riley asked or stated, he couldn't quite tell the intent behind his own words.
"Somebody has a crush?" Peter teased.
"No. NO!" Riley huffed. "I do not… he has soft lips though," he muttered under his breath.
"You kissed him?" Peter nearly yelled. "What are you getting yourself into?"
"Well, he kissed me too."
"Oh?" Peter wondered aloud. "And he still wants to out you?"
"Yeah, I guess. He said it's not that he wants to, but that he is willing to if I don't step down. Or something."
"Why?"
"His brother. That's all that he said – he was intent on protecting his brother."
"What's wrong with his brother?"
"Don't know."
"You should try to find out. See if you can use it against him…. Or uhmmm, not. Getting someone else involved is probably a bad idea. But still, if you learn more about him, maybe you can convince him to not 'out' you."
"I can try…" Riley considered. "He did put his number in my phone."
"Gonna call him?"
"And what would I say?"
"Tell him you want to take your kissing further?" Peter suggested. "If you're ready and stuff, after Zane. I can give you my place, I'll be here till 9."
Riley blinked, and took a moment to consider. "Maybe. Just maybe."
Hope you enjoyed the story so far and that I managed to capture your attention! Please let me know what you think! It's not often I write pre-season 13 stuff.
Stay tuned for part 2 of 4 next week :D
