Small Fandoms Flashfiction

Title: He Ain't Heavy, He's My Jimmy
Author: oddmonster
Fandom: Riptide
Crossposted: pier56
Prompt: Secret
Pairing/Characters: Cody Allen/Nick Ryder
Rating/Category: PG / Slash / Established relationship
Word Count: 625
Summary: What do you get for the guy who wants everything?
Beta: tinx_r knows exactly what I'm talking about, even when I don't.

From this cap.




Nick found his partner slouched in one of the big rattan chairs at Straightaway's, empty shot glass in front of him. He didn't look up when Nick approached. "What's her name?" Cody asked brokenly.

Nick grinned. "I have no idea," he responded. "You're gonna have to tell me when you meet her." He tossed some bills on the table and gestured for Cody to follow him. "C'mon, let's get out of here."

Cody didn't move. "I don't wanna meet her, Nick," he responded dejectedly. "I thought we were--"

Nick turned serious in a heartbeat. "Cody, will you calm down? There's no girl. This is the good kind of surprise. Now come on, let's go."

His partner straightened up in the chair and looked at Nick. "No girl? But where have you been all this time? The late nights, the long trip--"

"No girl, I promise you," Nick responded, his smile returning. "Now will you come with me, or do I need to carry you out of here over my shoulder? People will talk."

Cody answered with a grin, pushing himself up out of the chair. Nick put a hand on his back as they left.

Six months ago, after a day they'd spent surfing near Redondo, Cody had spotted a convertible Jimmy and he'd been lusting after it ever since. Now it had a near-perfect twin in Straightaways' parking lot. Nick tossed him the keys. "She's all yours, big guy."

Cody shook his head. "Mine?" he asked. "What do you mean 'mine'? Nick, where'd this come from?"

"A pick-and-pull near Pedro, mostly. Other bits came from Carson and South Gate, Topanga and Costa Mesa. The carburetor came from Carpinteria, new trans-boots from Huntington, and one of the axles came from Henley. That was the overnight trip." Nick looked apologetic. "Wasn't meant to be, but Mimi had other ideas on the way home."

Cody's jaw dropped. "You did this all yourself?"

Nick stuffed his fingers in his jeans pockets and grinned.

"Aw Nick," Cody said. "I can't believe you did this for me. This is...this is..." He trailed off, raking a hand through his hair. "How long did this take you?"

Nick looked pleased and embarased all in one go. "S'nothing," he said.

"Nothing? Nick, this is...." Cody shook his head in amazement. "Are those--wow! Nick, I can't believe you!"

"Believe it, babe. A genuine K5 half-cab Blazer. You said you wanted one, and a friend of mine in Pedro had this one lying around. A little TLC, nights, weekends, looking out for the right parts to come along and there you go."

Cody tilted his head to one side. "You made the paint job match your Vette," he said with a gentle smirk.

"Well...I didn't have time to get to the flames. Murray called and told me he'd run out of ways to keep you occupied."

Cody roared with laughter. "If I never see another actuary table, it will be entirely too soon! I should have guessed."

"But, you know, if you want flames, I'm sure I can light a fire somewhere."

Cody stepped in close, his face lit up with happiness. He reached for Nick's arm.

"People will talk..." Nick warned. Cody pushed him up against the side of the new truck, shaking with the effort of not kissing him right then and there.

Cody looked at Nick, asking a question with his eyes. Nick's answer was instant and Cody dropped his hands and raised his eyebrows. "Let's take her for a spin," he said. "Someplace nice and quiet." With a grin, he hopped into the driver's seat, running his hands over the leather steering wheel with obvious relish.

"Yeah, I should have seen that one coming," Nick muttered, walking round to the passenger's side.