Title: Protection Detail
Fandom: FAKE
Author: badly_knitted
Characters: Ryo, Dee.
Rating: PG
Setting: AU where Ryo is a country singer.
Summary: Dee is determined to be the best bodyguard Ryo could wish for when they’re in public, but when they’re alone together it will be a different matter.
Word Count: 635
Content Notes: Nada.
Written For: Challenge 342: Protection.
Disclaimer: I don’t own FAKE, or the characters. They belong to the wonderful Sanami Matoh.



“I don’t even know why I’ve been assigned a police bodyguard,” Ryo admitted as he and Dee sat on the sofa in the palatial hotel suite. They’d been talking practically nonstop since Dee had arrived, catching up on everything that had happened in the two years since their Hawaiian holiday fling. “I mean, I’ve never needed police protection before. The road crew, my band and I, we all look out for each other, and I can take care of myself. Besides, I’ve never had any trouble with any of my fans.”

Dee shrugged. “Way I heard it, the Mayor of New York’s wife is a big fan, so she bent her husband’s ear until he had a word with the Commish, and then he assigned the task to his favourite precinct, where the Chief picked me.”

“What are the odds that the only police detective I know in the whole of New York would get the job?” Ryo shook his head again in disbelief. “I’m still not entirely sure I’m not dreaming.”

“Want me to prove I’m real? ‘Cause ya know I can.”

Ryo snickered. “At this rate, you’re the one I’ll need protection from! Rain check? Only I have to be at the TV studio for an appearance on the Terri Brooks show in…” He checked his wristwatch. “Ack! Two hours, and I still have to shower and change!” He leapt to his feet. “How long does it take to get to the studio from here?”

“With the sirens goin’ and my foot on the floor? We’ll make it in plenty of time, but I guess I’d better let ya get ready. I don’t know where the time’s gone.” It had been broad daylight when he’d arrived at the hotel in the early afternoon, but now it was getting dark.

“Same place it always goes whenever we’re together; straight out the window.” Ryo leaned over to kiss Dee lightly on the lips, and his black Stetson fell off.

Dee picked it up. “You always wear this thing?”

“Well, not in bed or in the shower, but yes. It’s sort of camouflage; nobody recognises me when I’m not wearing it.”

“Seriously? I do.”

“You’re the exception. You saw me without it before you ever saw me wearing it.”

“Ah, so I can see right through your disguise to your secret identity, that it?” Dee grinned, but Ryo turned serious.

“You always could, right from the moment we met.”

“Except I never knew you were famous.”

“I know, I’m sorry. I should’ve told you. I wanted to.”

“I get why you didn’t though. We knew each other three weeks, babe, and you were still firmly in the closet back then. Guessin’ ya still are. You had to protect yourself, and your career. You couldn’t know I wouldn’t go straight to the press and sell my story about how I had a secret gay fling with a big country star.”

Ryo shook his head in denial. “I never believed you’d do anything like that, Dee.”

“Maybe ya didn’t WANT to believe, but it still wasn’t a chance you could afford to take. It’s okay, I’m not mad about it. In your place, I’d probably have done the same. And ya don’t haveta worry; while we’re out and about, doin’ all your public appearances as Randy Lane, I’ll be in full bodyguard mode, totally professional. Protectin’ your gorgeous bod will be my only purpose; you can count on me.”

“I know I can. I trust you completely.”

“Okay, good, now we got that settled you’d best go get ready for your interview. Here.” Dee handed Ryo his hat. “Ya might be needin’ this; can’t have anyone seein’ ya outta uniform.” He winked.

“You’re really okay with all of this?”

“Better than okay, babe. Nobody’s gonna mess with ya on my watch, that’s a promise.”

“I can believe that. But when we’re here and it’s just the two of us…”

“Then we can forget about bein’ bodyguard and famous country star, and just be you and me, see where we go from there.”

“I like that idea.”

“Good. I let ya get away once, but I’m not gonna lose you again, no matter what it takes.”


The End