You Never Needed Help

I sipped at my coffee, keeping my hand on the steering wheel as I turned down the dimly lit street. My partner was off sick, and I was left the night patrol on my own. I was always given the bad part of town, mainly because I didn't really care. I hummed to myself, glancing around at the people walking around, drinking and talking. There were a few people in tents or sleeping directly on the sidewalk. I knew I probably should have told them to find somewhere else to sleep, but I left them alone. They had had enough to deal with.
A couple guys were smoking by one corner, talking to a shorter guy with bright red hair. The small guy wasn't wearing much; short shorts with a tight t shirt. One of the other guys shoved him into the stop sign and I pulled over, getting out of my car. As I started walking over, the two bigger men fled and the little guy hugged himself, huddling up against the pole. I smiled to show him he wasn't in any immediate trouble.
“You okay?” I asked him quietly. He glanced up, nodding quickly.
“How old are you?”
He shifted his weight and swallowed hard. “Nineteen.”
His voice was young and a little nasal.
“What are you doing out so late?”
He took a small step back, dodging the sign pole. “Date.”
I smiled again and leaned back slightly. “Is it over?”
He nodded again and I sighed. “What's your name, kid?”
“Gerard.”
“You want a ride home?”
He nodded and I put a hand on his shoulder, guiding him to the passenger seat of my car. As soon as I was driving, he started telling me directions, his eyes fixed on the road.
“Were those guys giving you trouble?”
He shrugged and ran a hand through his messy, long hair. “I guess.”
“It's not super safe to be out late around here. It's nearly two.”
“I know.”
Gerard tapped the window. “This is my building. Thank you.”
He got out before I could say anything else, slamming the door and jogging up the steps. He vanished into the building and I sighed, turning around to finish the patrol.

Pete laughed when I told him. “Dude! He was probably a hooker!”
I rolled my eyes and slammed my locker door, buttoning up my uniform shirt. “You think everyone is a hooker, Pete. He didn't give me that vibe. He just looked like a scared kid.”
Pete shrugged and pulled on his undershirt, tucking it into his pants. “I dunno, Frank. You're the smart one.”
I chuckled and tucked my buttoned shirt in as well. “If you say so.”
I heard the chief call and rolled my eyes tiredly, wandering into the main conference room of the station. Pete followed me after a couple minutes, sitting down next to me. The chief was going through some files, waiting for everyone to get dressed.
As the last officer walked in, he looked up. “Okay. Today is pretty simple for most of you. Iero and Wentz, you're on traffic watch along the freeways..”
I tuned out after that, playing with my fingers. I thought I was a good cop. But I wasn't meant for higher things, I guess. I never got picked for cases or backup. My only real friend at work was Pete, but he was friends with everyone. I didn't get it.

The day was slow. I chatted with Pete, discussing his boyfriend’s erratic behavior and catching the occasional speeder. After our shift, we walked to our usual bar, knowing most of the other cops from our station would be there. When we arrived, however, the bar was closed, for some kind of construction. Pete groaned and kicked the pavement. “Let's go to that one in Vanner Hill..”
I frowned, not really listening to the end of his sentence. I'd spotted the red head in Vanner Hill.

We slipped into the bar and walked up, ordering our drinks. The bar was quiet and seemed decently classy for the area. Pete and I sat down in a booth. After a while, a small guy caught my attention. He was wearing a beanie, all his hair tucked into it, and tight skinny jeans with a leather jacket.
He must have noticed me looking at him, as he wandered over, leaning on our table. “Hey guys..”
My eyes widened a little and I grinned. “Hi Gerard.”
His shock showed for a split second, but he covered it up easily. “Hi Iero. Who's your friend?”
His voice was smoother than before, his fingertips tracing the edges of the table.
“This is my partner, Officer Wentz.”
Pete giggled and waved, taking a long drink from his beer glass. Gerard grinned, something a little predatory in his eyes. “You guys have a good night..”
He walked out of the bar, his hips swaying as he went. Pete nearly choked on his beer. “He's a hooker!”
I rolled my eyes again and kicked him under the table. “I still don't think so. He's too...small. Y’know? Like...damageable.”
Pete snorted. “He's a twink. A lot of guys are into that.”
I glared at him. “You're not gonna let me win, are you?”
“Nope.”

Notes

So here's my new story! Sorry if updates are slow, I'm dealing with a lot rn