Deception, Chapter Nine
Title: Deception
Author: Why, me, of course. Un-beta'd cuz that's just how I roll
Warnings: Language, violence
Summary: AU version. Sandy didn't go in when he dropped Ryan off in the pilot. Ryan has been trying to make it on his own but reaches out to Sandy for help, only for Kirsten (an uber-bitch in this one. For now. That may or may not ( Read more... )
There's so much we don't know, and will never know now, about what was going on in the very opening scene and what had precipitated any of it. We do know that Trey had moved out and that had happened some time ago, as in years, not months. We know that Ryan and Trey had grown apart well before then, probably by the time Trey realized that Ryan was well ahead of him and that they had so little, other than the ties of shared history and what passed for family in theory, if not in practice.
There was never an explanation as to why Ryan would have been with Trey, four years his senior, with a lifestyle at odds with his own and a different address and orbit. Certainly, Trey would have been a visitor at the Atwood "house of trash" when he needed something. This could have been one of those times. It could have coincided with a night when Dawn and A.J. were partying heavily, and A.J.- and possibly others- posed a threat to Ryan or even kicked him out. Dawn was clearly still drunk, possibly high, and in hangover hell of sorts the following day at juvenile detention.
From the beginning, we were led to believe Trey was stealing the car for his own purposes, but beyond a joy ride, since he was involved in a chop shop- or two. This wasn't an occasional hobby, but a thrill and a way to cash and street cred. It also would have financed/paid off the drug use and debts. While we won't know if Trey was looking for that specific vehicle, planned to steal it that night, and decided to "toughen up and educate" his little brother in a way without "useless books" or "pointless dreams," or if he happened upon it and decided in the moment, we also won't know how Ryan ended up with Trey, or if he knew what Trey had planned before going with him and even setting eyes on the car. We only know that he looked, scared, appeared very reluctant, and apparently had decided to bail before the cops appeared. Then his fate was sealed either way. He may not have been the one who committed theft, had possession of the stolen property, drove- or was old enough to drive it, and definitely had no gun, drugs, or "impressive record," or any record, but he was at the scene, involved, and would at least have been taken for questioning. That would have created another dilemma. The fact that he fled from the cops is proof of the family history at work and years of conditioning, both with law enforcement as threats and with being obligated to be loyal to Trey, do his bidding, or at least follow if ordered. The notion that he entered into the act "willingly" and with full knowledge is one I think is very much open to dispute and speculation. We know Trey's track record and how different Ryan's was. The backstory leading up to the events of that night have been explored, especially in "A Week Before Cohen" by joey, so there are many possibilities to consider about how it all started and played out, especially with an impulsive Trey, who at least appeared to be using.... something, and a very sober Ryan who probably had no options that night other to be with Trey. Back to the not knowing!
I do agree about the complex dynamic that would have developed and changed profoundly with the years. As Trey's realizations grew while Ryan grew, so would have the resentment and jealousy. Ryan just couldn't- or didn't want to see it. The gap between them would have narrowed in many ways long before Trey was prepared for it, despite the age difference. That would have fueled Trey's issues and anger, whatever his bravado and image he wanted to uphold to his friends as the "big bro" playing father figure to the "baby brother."
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