Chapter Text
Something strange has happened.
Jim stands in the men's room staring at himself in the mirror.
Ever since the presentation, when Ryan had his meltdown, something changed in the way Jim looked at him.
His big blue eyes staring helplessly at him, frightened, needing him to fix it. It gave him the same feeling he got when one of his kids needed him. And now he finds that protective instinct hard to shake.
Which brings him to today.
He had just collected his soda from the machine when Ryan comes in in a hurry, pausing slightly when he sees him before looking away and collapsing in a chair in the corner.
"Hey." Jim says casually.
Ryan glances at him but says nothing.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Kevin waltzes in. Spotting Ryan he grins.
"Hey, fire boy. Heard you gave a great presentation the other day." He snickers.
Ryan's jaw tenses but his eyes slide back to the wall and he says nothing.
"Knock it off, kev. Ryan wrote a great speech that was obviously impressive to the president of Sabre, alright. So leave him alone."
"Sheesh, chill out man." He mumbles, getting a drink and leaving.
"I don't need you to defend me." Ryan mutters, glaring at the wall.
"I know you don't." Jim says, pulling out a chair and sitting across from him.
Ryan glares for a few more minutes before sighing.
"I didn't used to get so nervous doing a presentation."
He admits in embarrassment.
"No?"
He shakes his head.
"Once," Jim says "when I was in junior high, I got so nervous presenting in front of the class I projectile vomited all over Katy Tisdale's mary janes."
"Did not." Ryan accuses.
"Did too. Of course I also had food poisoning that day, so."
Ryan grins a little. "That supposed to make me feel better?"
"Look man, you're talented, okay? Don't let the people around here make you think any differently."
"Sure," he says, standing. "Thanks, I guess."
"Anytime, sweetie."
Ryan gives him a strange look as he walks out.
Realizing too late what he's said Jim's eyes widen.
He gets up and heads to the bathroom.
Splashing cold water on his face he looks at himself in the mirror.
"I can't believe I just called Ryan Howard 'sweetie!'" He groans.