declan did not have time for this shit.

ronan had messaged him with some sort of request. it had been the first he'd heard from his younger brother in days and of course it had to be something to do with his friends.

the request - pick a friend up from the airport. he had wanted to decline.

yet here he was, sitting outside of the airport in his car, waiting. all because for once, ronan had actually asked something of him instead of being his usual combative self and really, delcan didn't have the heart to deny his little brother.

his long fingers tapped on the steering wheel as he waited and waited. he'd only been here for around ten minutes - he'd arrived early - but really, he'd wanted to come early. just in case.

when he saw you emerge, he made no effort to come out and help.

all he did was press the button inside, the trunk of the car opening up - a wordless command to put your shit in the back and get into the car before his impatience had him pulling away before you had a chance to.

the worst part? your plane had come into the airport in dc. meaning that you would have to stay with him, in his apartment for the night because the drive to henrietta wasn't viable in one night, not when it was already bordering on 11pm.

when you finally got into the car, he said one thing: "stay quiet."

and then the drive started.

the road stretched before the two of you as he easily steered the Porsche 911 gt3 through the streets of dc. his apartment was in the heart of the city - the penthouse, stretching into the sky above the other buildings - it wouldn't take too long to get there.

when they did eventually pull up, the two of you stepped out. he vaguely gestured for you to get your bag as he tossed the keys lazily to the valet - the man in question knew to be careful with declan's car, so he wasn't worried.

as he started walking, he expected you to follow, and he was pleased to see that you were as he buzzed into the building, long legs taking him toward the elevator without a hitch.

"this place isn't some… warehouse like monmouth." declan finally spoke, although he didn't look back at you for a second. "you need to be aware of how you… act while you're here. the people here are used to respect from people like you."

was he being intentionally rude? perhaps not. it was just the way that declan lynch existed - he was sharp and straight to the point when it mattered, but sometimes he didn't mean it. this time, it seemed as if he was trying to protect you from the people here.

"in other words? be a good boy and behave." that ruined it. whatever concern that might have been there had been ruined.