Title - Getting Away 10/24

Author - Lena

Pairing - Harry/Ron, Harry/various OC's (slash and het), Ron/OC (slash)

Rating - this chapter - PG

Feedback - [email protected]

For warnings, disclaimers, etc. please see chapter 0/24 - msg#11257

Chapter Ten - Saturday/Sunday

Both were hungry, so even though they both were not in the mood for much conversation, they went down for dinner. The waiter took them to a table by the window and they ordered.

While they were waiting for their food, Harry looked at his paper. He was glad to have something else to look at and think about.

He didn’t need to go to the sports page. The story was on the front page. Harry scanned the article, then showed Ron the picture of Ryan. He was shading his eyes from the lights of cameras and two men were escorting him, but it was still obvious that he was a handsome man. Harry saw Ron’s eyes light up for a moment.

Harry read the story to Ron, who kept shaking his head. Ron said, “That’s not right. They should leave him alone!”

Harry continued reading until their food arrived and they talked about the other sections in the paper. They looked at the sports page, especially the baseball articles to try to get a feel for the game.

After dinner, they asked Frank how to get to the baseball stadium. He racked his brain, thinking of an easy way to get there, but there wasn't. He said, "You guys really need a car."

Harry said, "Can we take a taxi?"

Frank said, "That will be really expensive. I'll give you guys a ride. I don't have to be on duty until two. You guys will just need to find your way back, that's all."

They started to protest, but Frank was insistent and they took him up on his offer.

The next morning they met Frank in the lobby, climbed into his pick-up and took off for the stadium. It was quite far from their hotel and Harry and Ron were glad they had a ride. Frank let them out before they got to the parking area and Harry and Ron walked the rest of the way.

They asked a guard where the "will-call" was and proceeded to it. Harry asked the lady behind the glass, if there were tickets for him and gave his name. She flipped through a box, pulled out an envelope and handed it to Harry. He pulled out the tickets and with them was a note.

They went into the stadium and asked an usher to show them to their seats. The game hadn’t quite started when they realized they wanted food. They hadn’t had lunch and it would be awhile until dinner. They got up in search of food and found a long counter with many people standing in line. They stood at the back of the line.

Ron scanned the menu at the concession stand, as they got closer to the counter. “Oh, what’s that? Na-chos?”

Harry looked at the word as well and said, “Dunno.”

When they got to the lady selling the food, Ron asked, “What are Na-chos?”

The lady looked surprised. “You’ve never had Nah-chos?” She pronounced it differently that Ron had. She continued, “They’re chips with cheese on them. Do you want some?”

Ron hesitated. Harry said, “Sorry, we’ve never been to a baseball game before, so we don’t know what to get.”

The lady said, “Mind if I make a suggestion. I mean, since you’ve never been to a game?”

Harry said, “Sure!”

The lady pulled a tray out and placed two hot dogs and bag of peanuts, two sodas and a container of nachos in it. She added it up on her cash register and Harry handed her the money.

Harry said, “Thanks.”

Ron added, “Yeah, thanks!”

She pushed the tray towards them and said, “Enjoy the game! Napkins, straws, stuff for the hot dogs are over there.” She pointed to a counter against the wall.

Harry and Ron took their tray from the counter said ‘thanks’ again and walked over to the low counter. Ron and Harry put numerous condiments on their hot dogs. They grabbed loads of napkins and stuck straws in their sodas. They then walked back to their seats.

They both loved the food, especially Ron, but Harry reminded him not to overdue it, because they would probably go somewhere with Ryan after the game.

Right before the game, the United States’ National Anthem was played. Harry and Ron looked at each other. It wasn’t their anthem, but so other people wouldn’t look at them oddly, they stood up.

The game started and Harry figured out quickly which team they should be rooting for. Ryan finally came up in what was called the second inning. Harry pointed Ryan out but they really couldn't get a good look at him because they were too far away. Even when his picture came on the big screen, it was fuzzy and with his cap on, it didn't show Ryan's face very well.

Ryan hit the ball and it went into the outfield. It rolled to a fielder and he threw it back in, but Ryan was on one of the bases already and everyone clapped and yelled. Harry and Ron cheered as well, although they weren’t quite sure what happened.

The game continued as Ryan’s team got points on the board. Harry and Ron knew they were both utterly clueless to the game and it’s rules, so they tried to listen to other people around them. This is where they learned it wasn’t points, Ryan’s team was earning, but runs.

Later in the game, in the middle of the seventh inning, the crowd rose again for a new song. The words appeared on the big screen, so Harry and Ron were able to sing along with the others. Girls began dancing on the dugout to Harry's delight. This was a fun, happy song and they enjoyed it.

Harry and Ron talked and pointed things out to each other on the field and around the stadium. There were some exciting moments of the game, as well, as other times; the players just came up to the batter’s box and then went back to their bench, very quickly.

After the game, Harry and Ron asked where the players’ gate was and they were directed to the back of the stadium. They were a bunch of women standing there, along with some people who had notepads in their hands.

They finally saw Ryan. A guard was walking with him. Harry started to wave, but Ryan had his head down, ignoring the press and the women. He glanced up real quick, saw Harry and smiled. He gestured to where some cars were park behind a fenced gate. The fence had plastic covering over it, so the public couldn't see very well inside.

Harry started to walk, when he realized Ron wasn't with him. Ron was standing still, staring at Ryan. Harry walked back and pulled on Ron's arm. Harry mumbled, "Ron, come on."

Now that he was seeing him in person and not in the paper or on a fuzzy big screen, Ron was absolutely taken. Ron whispered, "Damn, he’s gorgeous."

Harry took another look at Ryan and supposed he was. He hadn't paid attention to Ryan’s looks when they were in jail, but now he saw that Ryan was tall, even taller than Ron. Ryan had light brown hair and looked to be a classically handsome man. He had well-sculpted arms and the shape of his chest muscles could be seen through his polo shirt.

They walked over to where the cars were and there was another security guard. Ryan was getting closer and nodded to the guard and Harry and Ron were able to walk through the gate. The gate closed behind them and Ryan guided them to his car.

Ryan turned to Harry and said, "So, you made it out of jail!"

Harry laughed and said, "Yeah, thanks to my mate here." He pointed towards Ron.

Ryan turned to Ron and genuinely smiled at him. Ryan put his hand out and said, "Hi, I'm Ryan Robinson. Glad you could come."

Ron stood there for a second, then smiled back and grasped Ryan's hand and said, "Hi, I'm Ron Weasley."

Ryan continued shaking Ron's hand and said, "Good to meet you, Ron."

There was no hesitating on Ryan's part. Harry knew Ron was pleased that his last name didn't elicit a snort or a giggle, as it sometimes did. After more than a moment, Ryan let go of Ron’s hand.

Ryan said, "Did you like the game?"

Ron was mute, so Harry said, "Well, everyone seemed to like that you hit the ball a couple of times."

Ryan laughed, "Yeah. Well, I guess I'll give you guys a little baseball lesson at dinner. Did you enjoy it, Ron?"

Ron croaked out, "Yeah." Harry could tell Ron liked Ryan, because he was so quiet.

Ryan said, "Let's go to a friend's restaurant. He's protective of me. No press, thank God."

They climbed into Ryan's sports car and took off. They arrived at a small restaurant about thirty minutes from the stadium. Ryan parked his car in the back and they went in. There was a busy kitchen area in the back and Ryan called out "Sal!"

A portly man wiped his hands on his apron and walked over to shake Ryan's hand. "Heard the game! Good you got a couple of hits! That'll show those fans!"

Ryan put his hand on Sal's shoulder. "I'm not worried about our fans. We have great fans! It's the road trip that's going to be tough! Anyway, these are my good pals Harry and Ron and I want to treat them to dinner."

Sal said, "Sure, here a table in the back. You gonna have the regular?"

Ryan said, "Yeah, but let Harry and Ron see the menus."

Sal escorted them to a table and gave them menus and placed a basket of bread on the table. It was an Italian place, dimly lit, with wood paneling.

The three took their seats and Ron scanned the menu. He looked up and smiled at Ryan and said, "What do you recommend, Ryan?" Harry noted that Ron was getting his voice back and now was flirting.

Ryan said, “Oh, anything is great here. I always get the lasagna, but the Chicken Parmesan is excellent, too.”

Ron said chirpily, “Sounds good!” Harry knew Ron had no idea what either dish was.

Ryan said, “So, Harry, did everything go okay?”

Harry said, “Well, yeah, but I have to go to court on Wednesday.”

Sal came by with an opened bottle of wine and glasses. “Did you boys decide what you want?”

Ryan looked at Ron first, so Ron said, “I’ll try the Chicken Parmesan.”

Sal said, “Good choice! And you Harry?”

Harry said, “I’d like the Fettuccine Alfredo.”

Sal said, “Very good. Okay, do you boys need anything else?”

Ryan grabbed the bottle of wine and poured it in the three glasses. “No, Sal, I think we’re fine. Thanks!”

When Sal left, Harry asked, “How about you? Was your boss mad?”

Ryan laughed. “Well, only mad at my momentary lapse of judgment by getting arrested. He doesn’t care who his players go out with as long as we win.”

Ron said, “I don’t get it. What does it matter? Why did it make the paper like that?” Harry looked at Ron in surprise at the burst of conversation.

Ryan took a sip of his wine and said, “I’m the first athlete that has admitted to being gay while still playing. And I outed myself without really wanting to. There’s a lot of machismo in sports in the States. It’s just the way it is, but I’m not the only one.”

Ron said, “It’s just stupid that they are bothering you like that. They should just let you live how you want!”

Ryan looked at Ron and smiled, “Yeah, they should and maybe someday they will. I just hope I can find someone that won’t mind all the trappings that go with dating someone like me.”

Ron swallowed hard and with a silly grin on his face kept looking at Ryan.

Conversation then turned to baseball as their food came. Ryan spent a lot of time trying to explain baseball. Luckily, Harry knew something of cricket, more than Ron did, so he could relate a little.

Ron told Ryan that Harry had liked the girls that danced on the dugout. Harry rolled his eyes at Ron and said, "Thanks."

Ryan laughed and said, "Everyone does."

Ron asked more questions than Harry about baseball, until it got to the point that Harry felt he was starting to intrude in a private conversation between Ron and Ryan. Harry just continued eating the wonderful food.

At the end of the dinner, they were all happily stuffed. Ryan picked up his napkin from his lap and said, “Ron, you have cheese on your chin.” He reached up and wiped Ron’s chin, as he seemed to forget Harry was sitting there.

Harry moved a little in his seat, thinking that he should leave. He hoped they would like each other, but this was more than he had wished for. He was really pleased for Ron.

Harry finally said, “Hey, Ryan, this has been great. I've really enjoyed it, but I’m tuckered. Do you two mind if I head off back to the hotel?”

Ryan looked up quickly and away from Ron‘s face, “Oh, Oh! I need to give you guys a ride back. Sorry!”

Harry waved his hand and said earnestly, “Oh, no, really. I’m sure Ron would probably like dessert, but I’m fine, really.” He said more forcefully, “Really.”

Ryan looked at Ron. Harry looked at Ron. Ron looked at Ryan and said softly, “I want to stay for dessert.”

Ryan got up and said, “Okay, but Harry let me hail you a taxi, okay?”

Harry said, “Okay.” He and Ryan walked to the front of the building and walked outside. They were waiting only a few minutes, both men not saying anything.

Ryan whistled as a taxi was coming and it stopped. Ryan gave the driver some money. Harry said, “That’s not necessary!”

Ryan said, “Yes, it is. Thank you, Harry.”

Harry looked at him. He figured he meant for introducing him to Ron. “But you don’t have to pay for my taxi.”

Ryan said, “No, I don’t have to. I want to. Again, thank you.”

Harry smiled as he got into the backseat and said, “You’re welcome.”

When Harry got back to the hotel, he stood in the lobby. He didn’t want to go up to his room. All that was upstairs was a television. He didn’t really want to go and party, but he at least wanted to be around people. He just didn’t want to be alone.