He's Such A Livewire (Holland March x Driver)
Info: Bit of violence, Driver being protective of Holland. They've just completely captivated me. Enjoy!
Frien tag: Let me know if you want to be tagged!
There was a system in place for Driver’s partnership with Holland. Driver was in charge of getting them to and from places, and he was put in charge of finances (Holland couldn’t barter to save his soul). Driver helped with the stakeouts, keeping track of the likely spots they could go for information. Holland was the real investigator; Holland could piece together motive, he knew what was evidence and what was a crock of shit, Holland hadn’t let go of being a cop and it showed. What Holland didn’t do was intimidation or physical altercations, the man knew how to throw a punch but he certainly didn’t have the skills to win a fight without a lot of luck.
Their case was relatively simple tonight- a woman asking them to get evidence that her sister’s husband was cheating. They’d figured out his usual routine, Driver able to point out on a map which side streets they could camp out in like he was reading a menu. Tonight wasn’t a stakeout though, tonight involved going in the bar the man frequented. Holland knew from experience that nothing made honesty appear faster than alcohol, and there was always someone who would talk for the right offer. Driver eyed the inside of the bar, crushing the middle of his toothpick between his teeth as he figured things out. It was a rough place; low lighting, filthy, and the way everyone stared when they came in was enough of a clue that outsiders weren’t easily allowed into this joint. Holland didn’t show his nerves if he sensed the same things Driver did, easily sliding up to the bar and asking for two fingers of whiskey.
“Any reason you guys picked this bar tonight?” The bartender asked, clearly annoyed that two strangers had the nerve to show up. Holland pulled out a cigarette and the photo he kept of their person of interest, lighting the end while the bartender took a look. “Looking for this guy Dennis- got told he was a regular. See him around lately?” Holland asked, Driver replacing his toothpick and glancing to the side when two guys decided they’d had enough of their game of pool and wanted to see what they were up to. “Yeah, I’ve seen Dennis… but what the fuck makes it your business?” The bartender asked, Holland feigning disinterest as he put his lighter away and grabbed the origami bill he kept in his pocket. “Let’s just focus on what really matters nowadays. You let us know and we’ll be out of here so you can get back to- whatever it is you do.”
Holland’s answer was met with a glare from the bartender and low chuckles from the guys that decided to move even closer to them. “How about we just get you out of here?” The bartender shot back, and Holland felt a hand on his shoulder and braced for yet another night of going home bruised and battered- but then the hand was gone, and he turned to see the guy stumble back- and Driver’s standing between them. Holland blinked a few times, frozen stiff as he watched Driver slam his fist into the other guy and keep them back. Holland knew Driver could fight, but this- watching his partner punch and kick at those two guys like they threatened to kill them both, his eyes wild and burning with a rage Holland hadn’t seen-
Holland got up quickly once his daze wore off, his fingers curling around Driver’s bicep to stop him. ‘Christ, how long has he actually had muscle there?’ Holland thought absently before he finally managed to find Driver’s eyes. “Clearly they aren’t talking.” Holland said, low and simple, like he hadn’t just seen what his partner was capable of. Driver breathed heavily, absently tasting blood and realizing one of the guys must’ve gotten him in the jaw and split his lip. He could feel Holland still staring at him, carefully being pulled back from the rage that filled him from Holland’s fingers curling tighter in his jacket. Driver let out a huff and finally backed down, heading out the door and going right to the car. Holland lingered for a minute, slightly smug when one of the guys babbled the last time they’d heard Dennis talking about a strip joint he was going to later this week.
Once Holland wrote the name of the place down he went out to join Driver, slightly concerned when his partner was already in the car and ready to leave. Holland got in the driver seat, pulling out another cigarette and frowning a bit when all Driver did was pull away from the bar and glare. “What’s the look for? We got the info and barely a scratch, thanks to you.” Holland complained, Driver huffing out a breath as he finally tore his eyes from the road to look at Holland. “I lost control in there,” Driver replied simply, squeezing the steering wheel for a second to get rid of the lingering tension in his body. Holland rolled his eyes as he leant back. “You were lookin out for me, coz my brain neglects that sometimes, often, I piss people off when I ask my questions.” Holland pointed out, turning to look at Driver properly as he smiled a bit. “Thanks for that, by the way… you could’ve just let me take the hit.”
“No.” Driver spat far too quickly, his grip tense on the wheel again. The idea of Holland taking a hit, being hurt- it made his thoughts less clear and made the rage he kept bottled up spill over the edge. Holland blinked a few times at the response, his cigarette almost falling out of his mouth before he caught it and inhaled deeply to settle his nerves. “Right, no. But… thanks. For lookin out for me.” Holland said softly, tempted to reach out and touch Driver’s arm again, to reassure him he was fine. Instead he curled his fingers around his cigarette again, the corner of his mouth quirking into a smile when Driver finally let himself just relax.
Eventually they got back to the March house for the night, Holland sighing as he flicked his cigarette butt out the window and stretched. “Alright then… I’ll see you tomorrow night, got the address for where our Prince Charming will be.” Holland quipped before he opened the door, leaning against the side of the car for a second as Driver gave him a simple nod goodnight. “Oh and by the way- you look good when you get all intense. Real good.” Holland emphasized before he smacked the side of the car and walked back to the house- grinning the whole way back from how pink Driver got in the face. Driver shook off the comment, rubbing a hand over his face before he smiled a bit and started to head back to his apartment.
It felt nice, someone liking all of him for the first time.
