Tasting Sunshine (Remember the Titans, Gerry/Sunshine)

“Thanks for the ride.” Ronnie shut the door carefully behind him as he got out of the car. He glanced back over his shoulder for a long moment, staring at the roof of the car while his mind toyed with a thought. An absurd thought, but a thought nonetheless. What the hell, he only lived once, right? Turning, he leaned on the doorframe and smiled at Gerry through the open window.

“Do you want to come in?” It was a long shot, he knew, but he couldn’t help but try.

Gerry gave him one of ‘those looks’. Really, he should be used to them by now but it still kind of hurt when he paused to think about it for more than a second. It was the same look he got from everyone on the team, anytime he so much as mentioned someone coming over to his apartment, so full of disgust, fear, revulsion, and guilt all rolled into one that it made his stomach churn every time he met that look face on. Never crossed their minds that hey, maybe he was a bit lonely living all by himself in a strange town and that maybe all he was interested in was some friendly, one-hundred percent platonic, companionship. All they saw was that he was gay and maybe coming into his room would make them gay too.

“Sure.”

“Huh?” His ears must be playing tricks on him because could have sworn he just heard Gerry Burtier say yes.

“Yeah, sure. I don’t have anywhere to go right now so I guess it’d be alright to hang out for a bit.” Gerry looked at him funny. “You alright there, Sunshine?”

He realized his mouth was hanging open and slowly recovered enough wits to shut his jaw and stand up straight. “Yeah, I’m fine just… thanks.” Gerry probably had no idea what Ronnie was thanking him for but he meant it.