Acts of Desperation
Title: Acts of Desperation
Chapter: 1
Fandom: Jackass/Viva La Bam AU
Rating: R
Pairing: Ryan/Bam
Warning: Twelve year age difference between main characters...
Disclaimer: Fiction. Learn it, live it, love it.
Word Count: 2078
Summary: Ryan Dunn is a truck driver who chances picking up a hitchhiker...
Ryan Dunn hated fucking winter… fucking hated it with a passion. Freight slowed down. DOT got on your asses more. But most especially, he hated the cold. Cold meant snow. And snow meant snow chains… and days upon days of detention. Which led to no fucking pay check. And much to his disliking his current trip was taking him further north… to fucking Malvern, PA. At least, it wasn’t Ebensburg.
His qualcom beeped loudly drawing Ryan from his inner monologue. One hand on the wheel, he pulled the keyboard up onto the passenger seat and hit enter. The message light was still blinking, but at least the damn beeping wouldn’t cause him to get a headache. Shoving it back between the seats, he sighed loudly.
The truck stop exit had to be at least ten miles behind him when Ryan looked out and saw… him. Trudging along the side of the road there was a young man. He was dressed in a mere t-shirt and jeans… not hardly enough for the weather outside. Even without a layer of snow covering the ground, the wind would cut through you like ice.
A moment considering his employer’s policy on hitchhikers, and a quick check in his mirror for a bear, Ryan slowed to a stop on the shoulder of the road. Leaning over he pushed the door open.
The young man, who Ryan could now see was much more a boy, peered in over the seats. “I don’t follow the fucking book… so if you had any ideas… I’ll just be on my fucking way…”
Blinking in confusion, Ryan stared at the kid for a few seconds before grumbling. “And you’re gonna fucking freeze to death out there. Get in the damn truck.” Frowning the boy climbed in and silently buckled his seatbelt. Frowning, he noted the goose bumps raised along the kid’s arms; the redness of his wrists where metal bracelets gathered and the blueness barely hidden beneath chipped nail polish. Ryan shifted gears and began driving again. “Look, I’m putting a lot on the line even picking you up… so where are you headed? But as long as it doesn’t pass a weigh station… I can help you out.”
“I don’t care… just away form this hellhole…”
“Do you even have anywhere to go?”
“No.”
“Got any money?”
“No…”
Ryan did a double take. “You ain’t got any money?!”
“Look asshole… I said I didn’t… what do want from me?!”
Pausing Ryan ran a hand through his beard. “A little god-damn respect would be nice… I didn’t have to pick up your haggard ass…” His nostrils flared, but he held his tongue. They drove in relative silence until Ryan finally spoke again. “Hey, I have to deliver this load up here in about five-ten miles… There’s a sleeper back there… If you want to go any further… you’ll have to climb back there while I’m getting unloaded.
“There’s a what?!”
“A sleeper… you know a bunk…”
“I told you I don’t follow the god-damn book…”
“And I’m telling you that you need to climb your skinny ass back there while I unload my truck… or you’re hitting the curb.”
The boy pointed behind them. “Back there?” Suspicious blue eyes regarded him warily.
“Yeah…”
“Hey kid…” Ryan glanced over at him. “It’s not like I expect the truth… but what’s your name… what do you want me to call you?”
“Yeah, right.”
“Ryan… Ryan Dunn…” He offered.
Put out, the kid sighed. “Fine… Bam.”
“Bam?”
“Yeah, Bam… so am I suppose to climb back there while you’re still driving?’
“Yeah… I can’t exactly wait to stop at the customer’s then let you…”
Grumbling Bam stood and started to step between the seats when Ryan yelled out. “Watch the keyboard!” Ryan peered at him in the rear view mirror. “And don’t even think about stealing anything!”
“Fuck you… as if you’ve got anything to steal.”
Ryan’s jaw dropped. At least the little shit was already back in the bunk so he couldn’t see it. Jesus, what a little shit! With a smile on his face for the first time in days, Dunn turned into the customer’s driveway and prepared to back up to unload.
***
“No, I get it… I should never have picked up a hitchhiker… You’re all assholes.” Ryan spat vehemently. His knuckles where white where he gripped the steering wheel. And even though he was still holding back a full on smile at the brat’s attitude, it was starting to piss him off a little. He was glad they’d finally arrived at a truck stop; at least here he could busy himself with fueling and what not.
“Whatever, cunt, maybe I just don’t feel obligated to share my fucking life story with you.”
“It’s called a fucking conversation, Bam.”
“Well… Ry-an, I hope you are giving yourself adequate props for picking my ass up… but don’t worry you don’t have to deal with me any longer.” Bam jumped to the ground from the cab and stormed off the fuel island.
The diesel nozzle was already inserted into his tanks so all Ryan could do was watch the kid leave. “Good fucking riddance…” He muttered out loud. But in the back of his mind he worried on the brat… worried about what trouble would find Bam and just how much it could royally fuck the kid up. After paying for his fuel, Dunn parked his truck. Grabbing a duffel bag of toiletries and fresh clothes, he headed towards the showers. Even as he quickly stripped out of his dirty clothes, he thought about the kid. How long had it been since Bam had a shower or a decent meal? And why was he so worried about some smart-ass punk?
Hot water splashed against his pale skin. Holding back a moan, Ryan scrubbed shampoo into his hair and beard before rinsing off. The shittiest thing about trucking, he’d decided, was the lack of a regular shower. They were fucking heaven. Wrapping a towel around his waist, he stood before the mirror wishing he at least had some of the comforts of home. He’d give anything to be able to blow his hair dry without getting hassled by the rest of the men around him. Ryan sighed and wrapped a bandana around his head quickly tucking away the blonde mass. He’d brush the tangles out in the privacy of his sleeper later that night or tomorrow morning. Quickly sliding fresh clothes on, Dunn set about taking a couple of laps around the building before settling down in the sleeper. He still wasn’t tired enough to sleep. If he went back to the cab now, he’d end up spending half the night watching television or staring aimlessly at the ceiling.
The chilly autumn air hit his still wet hair and sent shivers down Ryan spine. Shivering, he lit a cigarette and was almost around the back of the building when he saw the hitchhiking brat again. Heart sinking and gut clenching Dunn noticed that he’d been cornered by a couple of really hick truck drivers. To make things worse, one of them was holding Bam against the wall, while the other spat out insults.
“Fucking, pretty-boy faggot… “
“I bet this sick fuck gets off on touching little boys…”
Ryan flinched when the first punch is thrown. He was about to walk away despite the stirring in his gut telling him that it wasn’t right to leave the boy there no matter how much of an asshole he was. Then he heard one of the men suggest that Bam suck their dicks. That statement alone made his decision for him. Throwing down his cigarette, he yelled. “Hey…!”
“Fuck off, this ain’t none of your business…”
Eyes impossibly wide, Bam looked up and over at Ryan, his expression pleading him not to leave him there at the mercy of the men. Dunn spied a rusted tire iron leaning against the building and grabbed it. Mind racing he said the first thing he could think of that would make the men more likely to leave. Family was always important… no matter how much of a freak you were, right? He cleared his throat. “It is my business, if you two fuck are laying your hands on my sister’s kid… now fuck off.”
A sigh of relief fell from Dunn’s lips as, much to his surprise, both men sauntered off without so much as even a single retort or punch thrown. He could still hear them muttering and yelling shit about the two of them. Eyes falling to his half smoked cigarette, Ryan sighed. What if he had actually quit? There would have been a chance that he’d just headed back to his bunk. Glancing over at the kid, he half expected Bam to start bitching at him again. So when the kid wiped his face smearing blood from his split lip across his face and mumbled thank you… he was taken back. Throwing down the tire iron, Ryan offered him his hand. “What’s really your story, kid? How old are you?”
Grabbing Ryan’s hand, Bam pulled himself up from his slumped position against the wall. “My parents kicked me out… and I’m… nineteen.”
“Nineteen?
“Yeah.”
“Bullshit, try again.”
Bam sighed. “Seventeen.”
Mimicking Bam, Ryan sighed as well. “Shit, they just kicked you out? What the fuck for?”
“You writing a god-damn book?”
“No, just curious… Jesus. You’re the most defensive little asshole I’ve ever met.” Shifting on his feet, Ryan looked Bam up and down. “Look, I have to shut down for ten hours before I can start driving again. You want to get your face cleaned up and have a warm meal or something…?”
“Sure…”
***
The diner was the typical truck stop diner; late night platters of burgers, chicken strips, and steak. Upon realizing Ryan meant to pay for his meal, Bam quickly ordered a steak. He was halfway done before he realized that Dunn had been staring at him. “What?!”
“When did you last eat?”
“Uh… few days ago…” He admitted meekly before stuffing another cut of meat into his mouth.
Ryan’s shoulders slumped. He looked down at his plate for a moment before gingerly picking up his tinfoil-wrapped baked potato and placing it on Bam’s plate. Neither said anything and soon Ryan began munching on his chicken strips. “Hey, Bam. You really don’t have anywhere to go? No one to take you in?”
“…No.”
Ryan considered this for a moment before nodding. “I know you have no reason to fucking trust me, but I’ve got a proposition for you.” The protest he expected from Bam doesn’t come, although worry flashed in his eyes. Dunn pointed out the window. “You see those trailers out their with the canvas over the loads?”
“Yeah…”
“Do you know how much those fuckers weigh?”
“Not really.”
“They’re heavy as fuck… and it’s a bitch tarping a load like that.”
“Your point?”
“You help me tarp my loads and shit… you can ride shotgun.”
“How often will I have to hide in your bunk?”
“If I can get you authorized, never.”
“Why would you want to do that?”
“Back behind the truck stop…” Ryan began to explain. Bam flinched. “You reminded me of someone… and I don’t want to see anyone end up like him…“ Dunn’s next words were chosen carefully, their meaning and intent clear. “I don’t want to see anyone end up smoking cock just to survive… just to eat… just for their next fucking hit.”
Bam’s mouth dropped open. Food still in his mouth, he asked. “You aren’t some bible thumping freak that’s going to try and convert me…?”
“Hell, no!”
“I was such a dick to you when you first picked me up...”
Ryan grinned much to Bam‘s surprise. “That was probably the most fun I’ve had in months…”
The murmur of the other patrons played soundtrack to their silence over the next few minutes. Bam’s eyes drifted outside towards the trucks Dunn had pointed out then back to him. In all truth, he’d been propositioned with worse and he didn’t want to end up like the driver’s friend either. He shuddered at the thought. “Do you need to call your boss or something?”
“Yeah, but I need to know your real name… like first, middle, and last.”
“Margera...” He mumbled.
“It says Bam Margera on your drivers license…?”
“No…” Bam paused then throwing caution to the wind added. “Brandon Cole…”
Chapter 2
Chapter: 1
Fandom: Jackass/Viva La Bam AU
Rating: R
Pairing: Ryan/Bam
Warning: Twelve year age difference between main characters...
Disclaimer: Fiction. Learn it, live it, love it.
Word Count: 2078
Summary: Ryan Dunn is a truck driver who chances picking up a hitchhiker...
Ryan Dunn hated fucking winter… fucking hated it with a passion. Freight slowed down. DOT got on your asses more. But most especially, he hated the cold. Cold meant snow. And snow meant snow chains… and days upon days of detention. Which led to no fucking pay check. And much to his disliking his current trip was taking him further north… to fucking Malvern, PA. At least, it wasn’t Ebensburg.
His qualcom beeped loudly drawing Ryan from his inner monologue. One hand on the wheel, he pulled the keyboard up onto the passenger seat and hit enter. The message light was still blinking, but at least the damn beeping wouldn’t cause him to get a headache. Shoving it back between the seats, he sighed loudly.
The truck stop exit had to be at least ten miles behind him when Ryan looked out and saw… him. Trudging along the side of the road there was a young man. He was dressed in a mere t-shirt and jeans… not hardly enough for the weather outside. Even without a layer of snow covering the ground, the wind would cut through you like ice.
A moment considering his employer’s policy on hitchhikers, and a quick check in his mirror for a bear, Ryan slowed to a stop on the shoulder of the road. Leaning over he pushed the door open.
The young man, who Ryan could now see was much more a boy, peered in over the seats. “I don’t follow the fucking book… so if you had any ideas… I’ll just be on my fucking way…”
Blinking in confusion, Ryan stared at the kid for a few seconds before grumbling. “And you’re gonna fucking freeze to death out there. Get in the damn truck.” Frowning the boy climbed in and silently buckled his seatbelt. Frowning, he noted the goose bumps raised along the kid’s arms; the redness of his wrists where metal bracelets gathered and the blueness barely hidden beneath chipped nail polish. Ryan shifted gears and began driving again. “Look, I’m putting a lot on the line even picking you up… so where are you headed? But as long as it doesn’t pass a weigh station… I can help you out.”
“I don’t care… just away form this hellhole…”
“Do you even have anywhere to go?”
“No.”
“Got any money?”
“No…”
Ryan did a double take. “You ain’t got any money?!”
“Look asshole… I said I didn’t… what do want from me?!”
Pausing Ryan ran a hand through his beard. “A little god-damn respect would be nice… I didn’t have to pick up your haggard ass…” His nostrils flared, but he held his tongue. They drove in relative silence until Ryan finally spoke again. “Hey, I have to deliver this load up here in about five-ten miles… There’s a sleeper back there… If you want to go any further… you’ll have to climb back there while I’m getting unloaded.
“There’s a what?!”
“A sleeper… you know a bunk…”
“I told you I don’t follow the god-damn book…”
“And I’m telling you that you need to climb your skinny ass back there while I unload my truck… or you’re hitting the curb.”
The boy pointed behind them. “Back there?” Suspicious blue eyes regarded him warily.
“Yeah…”
“Hey kid…” Ryan glanced over at him. “It’s not like I expect the truth… but what’s your name… what do you want me to call you?”
“Yeah, right.”
“Ryan… Ryan Dunn…” He offered.
Put out, the kid sighed. “Fine… Bam.”
“Bam?”
“Yeah, Bam… so am I suppose to climb back there while you’re still driving?’
“Yeah… I can’t exactly wait to stop at the customer’s then let you…”
Grumbling Bam stood and started to step between the seats when Ryan yelled out. “Watch the keyboard!” Ryan peered at him in the rear view mirror. “And don’t even think about stealing anything!”
“Fuck you… as if you’ve got anything to steal.”
Ryan’s jaw dropped. At least the little shit was already back in the bunk so he couldn’t see it. Jesus, what a little shit! With a smile on his face for the first time in days, Dunn turned into the customer’s driveway and prepared to back up to unload.
***
“No, I get it… I should never have picked up a hitchhiker… You’re all assholes.” Ryan spat vehemently. His knuckles where white where he gripped the steering wheel. And even though he was still holding back a full on smile at the brat’s attitude, it was starting to piss him off a little. He was glad they’d finally arrived at a truck stop; at least here he could busy himself with fueling and what not.
“Whatever, cunt, maybe I just don’t feel obligated to share my fucking life story with you.”
“It’s called a fucking conversation, Bam.”
“Well… Ry-an, I hope you are giving yourself adequate props for picking my ass up… but don’t worry you don’t have to deal with me any longer.” Bam jumped to the ground from the cab and stormed off the fuel island.
The diesel nozzle was already inserted into his tanks so all Ryan could do was watch the kid leave. “Good fucking riddance…” He muttered out loud. But in the back of his mind he worried on the brat… worried about what trouble would find Bam and just how much it could royally fuck the kid up. After paying for his fuel, Dunn parked his truck. Grabbing a duffel bag of toiletries and fresh clothes, he headed towards the showers. Even as he quickly stripped out of his dirty clothes, he thought about the kid. How long had it been since Bam had a shower or a decent meal? And why was he so worried about some smart-ass punk?
Hot water splashed against his pale skin. Holding back a moan, Ryan scrubbed shampoo into his hair and beard before rinsing off. The shittiest thing about trucking, he’d decided, was the lack of a regular shower. They were fucking heaven. Wrapping a towel around his waist, he stood before the mirror wishing he at least had some of the comforts of home. He’d give anything to be able to blow his hair dry without getting hassled by the rest of the men around him. Ryan sighed and wrapped a bandana around his head quickly tucking away the blonde mass. He’d brush the tangles out in the privacy of his sleeper later that night or tomorrow morning. Quickly sliding fresh clothes on, Dunn set about taking a couple of laps around the building before settling down in the sleeper. He still wasn’t tired enough to sleep. If he went back to the cab now, he’d end up spending half the night watching television or staring aimlessly at the ceiling.
The chilly autumn air hit his still wet hair and sent shivers down Ryan spine. Shivering, he lit a cigarette and was almost around the back of the building when he saw the hitchhiking brat again. Heart sinking and gut clenching Dunn noticed that he’d been cornered by a couple of really hick truck drivers. To make things worse, one of them was holding Bam against the wall, while the other spat out insults.
“Fucking, pretty-boy faggot… “
“I bet this sick fuck gets off on touching little boys…”
Ryan flinched when the first punch is thrown. He was about to walk away despite the stirring in his gut telling him that it wasn’t right to leave the boy there no matter how much of an asshole he was. Then he heard one of the men suggest that Bam suck their dicks. That statement alone made his decision for him. Throwing down his cigarette, he yelled. “Hey…!”
“Fuck off, this ain’t none of your business…”
Eyes impossibly wide, Bam looked up and over at Ryan, his expression pleading him not to leave him there at the mercy of the men. Dunn spied a rusted tire iron leaning against the building and grabbed it. Mind racing he said the first thing he could think of that would make the men more likely to leave. Family was always important… no matter how much of a freak you were, right? He cleared his throat. “It is my business, if you two fuck are laying your hands on my sister’s kid… now fuck off.”
A sigh of relief fell from Dunn’s lips as, much to his surprise, both men sauntered off without so much as even a single retort or punch thrown. He could still hear them muttering and yelling shit about the two of them. Eyes falling to his half smoked cigarette, Ryan sighed. What if he had actually quit? There would have been a chance that he’d just headed back to his bunk. Glancing over at the kid, he half expected Bam to start bitching at him again. So when the kid wiped his face smearing blood from his split lip across his face and mumbled thank you… he was taken back. Throwing down the tire iron, Ryan offered him his hand. “What’s really your story, kid? How old are you?”
Grabbing Ryan’s hand, Bam pulled himself up from his slumped position against the wall. “My parents kicked me out… and I’m… nineteen.”
“Nineteen?
“Yeah.”
“Bullshit, try again.”
Bam sighed. “Seventeen.”
Mimicking Bam, Ryan sighed as well. “Shit, they just kicked you out? What the fuck for?”
“You writing a god-damn book?”
“No, just curious… Jesus. You’re the most defensive little asshole I’ve ever met.” Shifting on his feet, Ryan looked Bam up and down. “Look, I have to shut down for ten hours before I can start driving again. You want to get your face cleaned up and have a warm meal or something…?”
“Sure…”
***
The diner was the typical truck stop diner; late night platters of burgers, chicken strips, and steak. Upon realizing Ryan meant to pay for his meal, Bam quickly ordered a steak. He was halfway done before he realized that Dunn had been staring at him. “What?!”
“When did you last eat?”
“Uh… few days ago…” He admitted meekly before stuffing another cut of meat into his mouth.
Ryan’s shoulders slumped. He looked down at his plate for a moment before gingerly picking up his tinfoil-wrapped baked potato and placing it on Bam’s plate. Neither said anything and soon Ryan began munching on his chicken strips. “Hey, Bam. You really don’t have anywhere to go? No one to take you in?”
“…No.”
Ryan considered this for a moment before nodding. “I know you have no reason to fucking trust me, but I’ve got a proposition for you.” The protest he expected from Bam doesn’t come, although worry flashed in his eyes. Dunn pointed out the window. “You see those trailers out their with the canvas over the loads?”
“Yeah…”
“Do you know how much those fuckers weigh?”
“Not really.”
“They’re heavy as fuck… and it’s a bitch tarping a load like that.”
“Your point?”
“You help me tarp my loads and shit… you can ride shotgun.”
“How often will I have to hide in your bunk?”
“If I can get you authorized, never.”
“Why would you want to do that?”
“Back behind the truck stop…” Ryan began to explain. Bam flinched. “You reminded me of someone… and I don’t want to see anyone end up like him…“ Dunn’s next words were chosen carefully, their meaning and intent clear. “I don’t want to see anyone end up smoking cock just to survive… just to eat… just for their next fucking hit.”
Bam’s mouth dropped open. Food still in his mouth, he asked. “You aren’t some bible thumping freak that’s going to try and convert me…?”
“Hell, no!”
“I was such a dick to you when you first picked me up...”
Ryan grinned much to Bam‘s surprise. “That was probably the most fun I’ve had in months…”
The murmur of the other patrons played soundtrack to their silence over the next few minutes. Bam’s eyes drifted outside towards the trucks Dunn had pointed out then back to him. In all truth, he’d been propositioned with worse and he didn’t want to end up like the driver’s friend either. He shuddered at the thought. “Do you need to call your boss or something?”
“Yeah, but I need to know your real name… like first, middle, and last.”
“Margera...” He mumbled.
“It says Bam Margera on your drivers license…?”
“No…” Bam paused then throwing caution to the wind added. “Brandon Cole…”
Chapter 2