Sleeping with Giants

Ryoga doesn't like labeling himself as a con artist; but life is almost too easy when you can talk your way into just about anything that you want. That is, until you do the one thing you're absolutely not supposed to do- fall in love. Hellshark AU.

The sun had gone down about an hour ago as the soft vibration of the cicadas floated in through an open window. Ryoga stood in front of his full length mirror with a sour pout on his face, his nose scrunching as he stared at his reflection.

"What's wrong?" His sister, Rio, asked from where she had perched herself on his bed.

He angrily ran his fingers through his hair, bunching it up into a pony tail as he did so. "Can't decide, up or down." He said as he pulled his bangs down to frame his face.

"Ugh, down." Rio commented as she got off the bed. She stood behind her brother, her chin resting on his shoulder as she watched him in the mirror. He was wearing dark wash skinny jeans that had professional tears for only eighty dollars more, and a black Henley that may have been a size too small.

"You look too fruity with it up."

"Isn't that the point?" He couldn't stop the smirk that slid across his face as he tied off his hair.

Rio just rolled her eyes as she returned to the bed.

"Aren't you going to get ready?" he asked some time later. He had added black boots that had buckles across the toe, and his silver shark tooth pendant to the mix. He was still trying to decide on a jacket (it may still be too warm) that he barely heard his sister say she wasn't going out.

"What? Why not?" It was Saturday night, he couldn't possibly fathom a reason not to go out. As many military service members as the eye could see packed into every bar up and down the River Walk. Many of them deprived of any kind of attention because they were fresh out of boot camp or technical school. Honestly, his mouth was watering just at the thought of it.

"Boring." She huffed as she fell back on his bed, her head hitting his pillow with a muffled thump.

"You're just bitter you couldn't charm your way out of getting caught last week." He teased as he slipped on a black knit jacket with so many useless zippers and buckles on it that he looked like a Kingdom Hearts character.

She bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from jabbing her brother back. He had gotten caught plenty of times for trying to sneak into a bar underage. And as she could remember he would sulk around harder than she currently was. But she kept quiet because they did have rent due Monday after all.

"Where are you going?"

Ryoga shrugged, "Newt's, probably." He said as he brushed a few stray strands out of his face but otherwise was finally satisfied with his appearance.

"You're just going because Durbe is bar tending tonight."

"No." Maybe. Yes. "Their bouncer is an idiot, and barely looks at your ID." He looked over his shoulder at her, "You should come, you won't get caught this time."

"It's a gay bar."

He raised an eyebrow, "point? Afraid Durbe is going to mix gay into your drink."

"No! If I'm going out I expect to be laid." She huffed, not caring if she was over sharing.

"Well, you're certainly not getting laid staying in either." He shrugged, "whatever, it will be easier to use you as an excuse if you're not there. Later."

The chilly October air bit at the tips of his exposed ears as Ryoga walked down the street, his hands jammed in the pockets of his jacket. It was cooler than it had been, and in that moment he was thankful he had brought a jacket. When he got to the door of Newt's there was a different bouncer than the one he was used to seeing.

With a sigh he pulled out his wallet and went up to the door, handing over his fake ID to the bouncer. He looked over the ID, his eyes narrowing as he flipped it over.

Crap, Ryoga thought, this is what I get for giving Rio a hard time.

The bouncer stuck the ID in his back pocket, "do I look like an idiot, boy?"

Ryoga's eyes widened. Dammit. "No, sir."

"Get out of-" the bouncer started when he was cut off when an arm flew around his shoulder.

"Girag, come on, let the boy in." The man said. He was tall, much older- Ryoga guessed late 20's. His hair was spiked and he had a thick leather jacket trimmed with fur on.

Ryoga stood there cautiously smiling. He didn't know who this was, maybe Durbe had asked him to come out.

Girag's beady eyes narrowed further as he shrugged the man off him, "I'll get in trouble, punk had a fake ID."

"Yeah, and? I'll personally make sure he won't drink," the leather clad man said, he looked over at Ryoga and winked, "kid looks like he just wanted to come have a little fun, am I right?"

Ryoga smiled innocently enough, "that's right, I just want to dance. I don't drink anyway." Ryoga said as he held out his hands, palm down.

Girag huffed, yanking Ryoga's hands with all the attended force to pull the kid off balance and drew a huge black 'X' on each and stepped aside.

Ryoga walked inside, the man close behind. His eyes scanned the bar, there weren't very many people here yet. Only a few people gathered around the bar.

Ryoga walked up and took a stool. He folded his arms on the counter, his chin resting on them. He let out all the air in his lungs out of frustration, and to get the bartender's attention. The silver haired bartender did look over at him, giving him a small nod as he finished some nasty looking neon blue drink.

"Your stupid new bouncer branded me." Ryoga stated holding one of his hands, "this marker better come off easy."

Durbe just shook his head, "you're lucky I saw," he nodded toward the leather clad man at the other end of the bar who was talking to two guys, "and that Rei was willing to save your ass."

"Whatever, I had a Plan B that involved you letting me in the back." Ryoga said motioning toward the rum bottles as he sat back up.

"Like hell I would have," Durbe protested (but he so would have) as he poured his friend a rum and coke, "I really should make you start paying for these."

Ryoga scoffed taking the drink out of Durbe's hand before he could set it down, "I do, just not in a monetary sense."

The bartender rolled his eyes, "you should go thank your knight in shinning armor."

Ryoga shook his head, "I appreciate it, but he's way too old."

"Wow, so you do have standards after all," Durbe pushed his thick framed glasses back up the bridge of his nose, "I've known you how long now? I know your type, and I know your game. And because of that bouncer, he's the only one in here right now that fits. You're not going to waste your whole night are you?"

Ryoga groaned and took a long drink. Karma was being a royal bitch tonight. "Why did you have to get a new bouncer on fucking Liberty Pass[1] night?"

"Clearly to make your night hell." Durbe shook his head, "Tetsuo will be back next week and this place will be back to its usual fair of uncultured, fresh faced military that you love."

"Swell, I'll just come back next week." Ryoga finished his drink and set it down. He turned to get off the stool but Durbe had grabbed his wrist.

"Don't you have rent due Monday?"

Ryoga glared at Durbe. But little would mouthing off "what are you my landlord now?" do. Because, well, yes, Durbe was his landlord. And, yes, he did still need two hundred dollars to continue to live in the barely two bedroom apartment above Durbe's garage.

"Hey don't look at me like that!" Durbe said letting go, "how many times have I offered you an actual job here?" He asked as he poured one more drink, a Long Island this time because he knew Ryoga would need it.

"I am not doing your slave labor."

"Right because what you do isn't slave work."

"Fuck off," Ryoga snapped as he took the drink and slid off the bar stool, "what I do takes skill."

Durbe didn't bother replying and just shook his head, turning his attention back to his other, paying, patrons.

Ryoga sighed, trying to push his irritants to the side as he made his way across the bar. His face melted, washing away the anger that was plastered there, replacing it with his sweet, kind fresh face. He reached out, tapping the man on the shoulder to get his attention.

Rei spun around, his eyes falling on Ryoga's mess of purple hair. (He really shouldn't have pulled it up.)

"Ah, oops, you're drinking already." Rei laughed even though his face looked a little guilty, "I'm Rei, and you?"

"Everyone here calls me Shark," Ryoga replied, his eyes wide and curious.

"Shark, eh? I've swam with sharks off Florida's coast once, Miami I believe." Rei's attention almost seemed glued on him, and the men he was talking to quickly grew bored and wandered off.

"Really? That sounds scary actually," Ryoga replied, his enthusiasm well played up. His eyes fell on the chain peaking out from the collar of Rei's thin shirt. "Are you military?" He asked, rubbing his neck in mirror to where the chain was.

"Oh? Yeah!" Rei laughed again pulling his dog tags free from under his shirt, "Isn't everyone in this city, though?"

Ryoga nodded, "That's so cool. I love the military, couldn't join myself. What branch?"

Rei smiled softly as he put a hand square on Ryoga's back. Ryoga's steps were shy and gentle as he let himself be led to a booth in the corner of the bar.

"Army."

Huh, Ryoga thought, wouldn't have guessed that. Rei was too well groomed for a soldier. "Must be an officer." Ryoga stated.

Rei chuckled, "that's right, captain actually. How did you know?"

"You're too gorgeous for a grunt," Ryoga looked up him through his lashes as he took a sip of his drink.

"You're sweet, kid."

They sat next to each other in the booth talking idly as they nursed a few mixers and some beers. Ryoga started to feel warmer as the alcohol spread through him. His fuzzy haze had him snuggled into Rei's chest; he mindlessly played with his tags, wrapping the chain around his finger as he listened to Rei talk about his time in the army. And Rei loved to talk. Ryoga was sure he had heard the cliff notes version of his last ten years in service. He also learned that he was down at Fort Sam from Fort Hood on TDY [2] and was going home tomorrow.

As the night went on the bar seemed to fill up more regardless of who was at the door after all. He had eyed a few more kids that would have been a lot easier than where he currently was; but this was warm and Rei's voice was soothing. He thought about not drinking any more for the night as he reached for his Newcastle.

"Hey, Shark, you said earlier you couldn't join, why is that?" Rei asked as his fingers ghosted across a sliver of Ryoga's lower back his bunched up shirt exposed.

Ryoga shivered at the sudden cold fingers against his warm skin, "mphhm, because my twin sister has always been sick our whole lives," his insides flared up, twisting and knotting together. Regardless that was all a well timed act he actually didn't like using his sister in his lies. "Our parents died in a car crash when we were young. I'm all she has left." He nuzzled his head closer into Rei's chest, "and it sucks. Because she has an appointment soon and the hospital said if we don't pay her bills down by a grand she won't get her treatment." A few tears slipped from his eyes as Ryoga rolled his face into Rei's chest, making sure his tears soaked through Rei's thin shirt. He sniffled, "sorry. I just-"

Rei hooked a finger under the boy's chin, guiding his face up so they're eye level, "no it's OK. It must be rough." Ryoga's eyes scanned Rei's face. Rei's eyes were soft, his face relaxed and apologetic.

Ryoga shifted his eyes away focusing on a beer bottle Rei must have picked the label of while he was talking earlier, "I just don't know what I'm going to do." He lamented.

Ryoga's eyes widened when he felt a pair of lips on the top of his head. "Why are you here then, Shark?"

"What do you mean?" he asked carefully, looking back up at Rei to get a better read on him. Butter Bars[3] were one thing, but he was getting drunker and drunker, and pretty sure he was going to be homeless on Monday.

Rei chuckled, "I mean why is a teenager here, obviously overdressing to impress someone and getting drunk with some guy who's too old for him, instead of with his sister?" he clarified as he finished off the rest of his beer.

"Oh," Ryoga breathed, as he tried to produce an answer that would satisfy him, "is it bad for me to want to ignore reality for a night?"

"Is that going to solve your problems?"

Ryoga shook his head solemnly, whispering a weak "no."

"Here," Rei said nudging him to sit up straight. He reached in his coat pocket, pulling out his checkbook. Ryoga's eyes widened at the sight of it. Really? That wasn't even difficult. "You said you needed a grand right?"

"I... uh, yeah... but." Ryoga stuttered, and for once it wasn't an act. He was speechless at how easy it was to get to his endgame so quick it threw him, "but you don't-"

He was silenced when Rei pressed the end of his pen against his lips, "Shush, I'm a single army captain with too much money and not enough charity." Ryoga watched as he filled out the check for one thousand dollars stopping at the pay to order of field, "Ah, suppose I can't just make it out to The Cute Kid at Bar or Shark."

"Kamishiro. Ryoga Kamishiro," Ryoga gave him breaking his first rule of the game. He'd usually use Durbe's in cases like this, but there was a chance Rei actually knew the bartender.

"Well, Ryoga Kamishiro," he said tearing out the check and handing it to him, "go home and take care of your sister."

Ryoga took the check, staring at it for awhile. Shame he's leaving tomorrow, probably could get more out of him. Ryoga thought, "th-thanks, I don't-" he was silenced again, but this time by Rei's lips. The shock caused Ryoga to lose his balance as his body pitched back. Rei caught him, his hand snaking into his hair, fingers rooting deeply into the purple mass as the kiss deepened. Ryoga let himself kiss the older man back, he did just get a grand out of him without meeting him in the alley later. Rei broke the kiss but kept their faces close as he rested his forehead against Ryoga's. His hand fell from the younger boy's hair, fingers skirting down the side of the his face.

"Neither of us should drive, do you want to split a cab?" Rei asked as he sat back up.

A whimper died in Ryoga's throat at the loss of warmth. He knew he shouldn't, either Rei would find out where he lived or he'd end up staying in Rei's hotel room. And that broke both rules three and five. Ryoga pulled out his phone, checking the time. They were going to be calling last call soon. He shook his head, taking a gamble on Rei not indirectly asking for some sort of repayment, "no, Durbe promised my sister he'd babysit me tonight," he said, sarcastically putting air quotes around the word babysit. He looked at Rei, his eyes wide and apologetic.

Rei nodded, "that's okay." he said as he took Ryoga's phone out of his hand, Ryoga let him do what he wanted, knowing there was nothing on it that would give him away. Rei scrolled through the phone, putting his name and number in the contacts, "if you're ever up in the Fort Hood area, you should definitely give me a call."

Ryoga smiled as he took the phone back. Yes, I definitely will, Easy. "OK, yeah."

Rei stood up out of the booth, leaving Ryoga sitting there suddenly feeling small, and gave an excuse of leaving early in the morning so he should probably get back. He leaned back down, leaving a quick kiss on Ryoga's cheek before leaving the bar.

Ryoga watched the man weave through the crowd and out the front door. Once the door closed behind him Ryoga squirmed out of the booth, heading to the bar. His heart was light and his insides tingled from happiness he was nearly skipping to the bar. His hyper dog attitude immediately caught Durbe's attention.

"What the hell did you do now?" Durbe asked, honestly curious how his friend could be so happy. He had kept his eye on them when he could, and knew nothing even happened between them.

"Jesus, that was too easy," Ryoga couldn't stop himself from laughing as he showed his spoils to Durbe, "fuckin' sucks he's only here on TDY until tomorrow, though."

Durbe snatched the check out of his hand to make sure he was reading it right, "A grand, are you serious." He didn't know Rei personally, but he knew of him and he wasn't a pushover. He looked it over again in disbelief when he saw the name on the check, "rule breaker."

"Shut up," Ryoga said taking it back, "I'll never see him again, anyway."

"Are you going home now that you have enough?" Durbe asked as he started to put the clean glassware away.

"Nah, I'll wait for you. But I think I need another drink to celebrate of course."

The bartender just rolled his eyes as he poured him a drink, "you're paying for this."

Ryoga shook his head as he took the drink, "No I'm-" he paused mid-sentence, with the glass frozen against his lips, as someone caught his eye. Durbe stared at him for a moment before following his gaze.

There were only thirty minutes before last call, but people still seemed to stumble in from other bars along the river. But the one who caught his eye at least still looked sober or, if going off Ryoga's standards, wasn't at least falling over himself. He was thin, but had a solid build that immediately gave away his profession. The man's hair was a deep red that fell in all different directions, and there was a scare across his right eye that had Ryoga way too curious already.

"You're ogling," Durbe teased to snap his friend out of his trance.

Ryoga's gaze shifted to Durbe as his eyes narrowed, "shut up." He sat down and nursed his drink as he watched one of the other bartenders wait on the guy. He chuckled into his drink, bemused when he noticed he wasn't the only one watching the new comer. But the guy was either really good at ignoring it, or he had no idea. He was certainly younger than Rei, but looked legal enough to be in here. It may have been his ego from his last victory, but he figured it'd be easy enough, even with the bar closing in an hour. A shark isn't going to let his prey get away after it's been decided.

Notes:

[1] Liberty Pass: A town pass given to new Airmen upon graduating Basic Training.

[2] TDY: Temporary Duty Assignment (yonder), an assignment at a base or instillation other than the one stationed at. Usually lasts less than six months.

[3] Butter Bar: Slang for the lowest rank of a military officer, as it is a single gold bar.

BONUS!

Ryoga's Rules to "It's Not Coning People" Game

Never give out your real name, aliases only.

Don't get too drunk.

Don't let him come home with you.

Don't go home with him.

Barracks and Hotels are dirty shit holes.

Always agree with them, no matter how wrong or annoying they are.

Always try to turn gifts down. This actually makes it easier in obtaining them later.

Never go on dates, unless you know you're getting something out of it; but never go just to go.

Never get attached.

Absolutely, never, ever fall in love.