Ryan turned his head toward the door the second the voice cut through the bar's noise. The light from the entryway framed a familiar silhouette — Daniel, hands buried in his pockets, grin already lighting up his face like he'd been saving it just for this moment.
"Yo, Ryannnnn!" Daniel's voice carried warm and loud, the kind of greeting that made the place feel a degree safer just because he was there.
Ryan let out a short breath he didn't know he'd been holding. The two men by the counter — Joshua, the bartender, and the younger kid with the slick hair — both straightened when Daniel walked in. Daniel scratched his chin casually, eyes flicking to Ryan and back to the two. "Oh — you fighting these two? Damn," he said, mock-concerned. "Want help?"
Ryan's reply came automatic and flat: "Uh… sure."
