[fic]: it's alright
[mood| 
accomplished]
Title: It's alright
Author: lagolindari
Beta: Not yet beta-ed. Forgive eventual mistakes.
Fandom: Merlin RPS
Rating: PG-13
Prompt: Everything good happens after it rains for bradleycolin's RPS challenge # 2
ETA: 1st place at bradleycolin's RPS challenge # 2! Thank you to all who voted ♥.
"Colin, you have to check the other side first! How many more times - hey, watch out!"
Bradley laughed as Colin tried to knock him down with his bike before riding happily on in the rain, grinning like a loon. "We're on the continent, they drive on the right!" Bradley shouted after him, before concentrating on the pedals, speeding to reach him, water rising in splashes around the tires.
"Got it, right!" Colin threw over his shoulder, his eyes a blue flash as he cast a quick glance at Bradley - who raced past him a handful of seconds later, wet hair wild in the wind, crying out - "Je m'appelle Colin, je suis loser!"
He pedaled on, Colin's laughter trilling in his ears, and could not quite squash down a huge, somewhat silly smile. He was drenched, his clothes a wet weight hanging off him, the bike kept skidding in the puddles and the rain was spraying in his eyes - and he was fucking loving it.
---
It had been Colin's idea. Which was kind of weird because, well, Bradley was supposed to be the sporty one - and he was, he just hadn't thought about it first. So he'd been kind of surprised when Colin had appeared knocking at his door as soon as the sun had warmed up a little, had dragged him out of bed and had all but bounced to a tiny corner shop which, apparently, offered location de vélos.
"And where exactly are you planning on going?" Had asked Bradley, trailing half-grumpily behind him, possibly just because he wanted to make Colin plead.
"Wherever! I mean - just look at that!" Colin had waved his hands, vaguely embracing the green hills that rose just outside the town, encircling it in a graceful arc. The morning sun was fresh still, and made the bright green grass seem almost radiant in the distance - and Bradley had to admit that yes, it was kind of inviting, after all. Then Colin had looked at him with those huge, hopeful eyes, his lips quivering with excited anticipation - and Bradley had had no choice. Really.
---
So, they'd spent the morning cycling up and down the gentle curves of the hills, a bit wobbly at first - Colin swaying left and right and almost toppling off a cliff and then protesting, trying to hide his blush - "It's been ages, alright?" - and Bradley, on his part, forgetting himself laughing at something Colin said while freewheeling downhill and barely avoiding crashing into a tree. As they gained confidence, they’d eventually grown bolder, challenging each other at impromptu races on the uneven track - which Bradley always won, obviously, even though Colin would not quite agree with that.
Then the sun has switched on full force, and it was hot and close to lunchtime, so they'd got off the bikes near some comfy-looking meadow. They’d tried without much success to brush off some of the mud encrusting their jeans, which had prompted Bradley to swipe two muddied fingers across Colin’s cheek - Colin had yelped and insulted him and tried to tackle him to the slushy ground, and had somehow ended up caught in the unbreakable special Bradley-headlock, Bradley threatening to smear mud all over his face if he did not beg for clemency. Colin had been laughing too hard to speak, and Bradley had eventually taken pity and released him, sprinting towards the lawn - Colin had followed close and they’d flopped down, panting still and hiccupping with laughter, sprawling on the grass and closing their eyes in the warm light.
---
"This is brilliant," Colin sighed happily, somewhere on Bradley's right. Bradley opened one eye, taking a peek at him - Colin had his hands behind his head and lay peaceful with his eyes closed, seeming to soak in the sunlight, taking on a glow all of his own. Bradley felt a warm, kind of foolish tug somewhere in his chest and, for once - he just ignored it and lay back more comfortably, stretching his back, and allowed himself to look at him a little more. Not that it meant anything. Obviously.
Then, without notice, Colin opened his eyes - Bradley stared back in shock for an awkward, long instant before turning quickly to look at the sky once again, eyes narrowing against the light, half-hoping the burn on his face was due to the heat of the sun only. It had been there before, hadn’t it?
A few moments of silence followed. "So, this wasn't a bad idea, was it?" Colin asked, eventually, his voice tinged with the barest hint of amusement - or, maybe, Bradley had imagined that.
"Mh." Bradley conceded, fighting the urge to look again, just to see Colin's expression. He scrunched up his eyelids against the blazing light, then mumbled, "'M hungry," trying to play it cool. Because he was. Cool. No doubt, ever.
There was a soft, snorting laugh, and Bradley felt Colin's movements stir the air as he sat up. There was some rustling - then something small and hard landed with a light thump on Bradley's chest. He peered down at it, eyebrows arching, then picked up the brightly wrapped cereal and raisins bar. "Uh. Thanks," he said, looking up at Colin, who was unwrapping his own snack. "Didn't think about bringing anythin'," he mumbled, wondering why the hell he was feeling that bloody tense, before proceeding to wolf down the bar.
"You're welcome," Colin said, smiling, and leaned back on his elbows, munching calmly.
---
Bradley felt like he’d be dozing off within minutes if he didn’t find a way to keep himself active. The grass was fragrant all around him, and the sun was seeping through his t-shirt, roasting his bare arms, his face, a little strip of skin on his belly where the shirt has scrunched up - hell, the make up people would kill Colin the next day of shooting. He cracked one eye open, taking in Colin’s relaxed stance, and listened for a while to his slow, even breathing, before speaking.
“Hey,” he said. It came out softer than what he’d intended - Bradley wondered if it might mean something, and decided he didn’t want to know.
Colin grunted something in reply, before he gave a deep sigh and stretched, arms raised, his back arching up from the grass. “Yeah,” he sort of croaked, blinking at the bright light with a sort of disappointed pout.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to wake you up,” Bradley said, having to fight down a surge of something warm and - yearning - which, just maybe, wasn’t entirely due to the sunlight. He uncrossed his arms from behind his head and spread them wide, enjoying the cool tickle of the grass. “Wouldn’t want make up to tell you off for getting a tan,” he added, feeling a little lame, and couldn’t help a burst of laugher when Colin yelped and jerked upright, fretting to pull his hood over his head.
He sighed, then dropped again on the grass, rolling on his side towards Bradley. “They’re gonna kill me, ” he groaned, rubbing at his face with his lean hands. “How bad is it?”
Bradley turned his head to take a look. Colin’s eyes were still a bit clouded with sleep, but they were blue and bright, glinting in the sun - Bradley wanted to kick himself as he let his gaze linger on his features, taking in the light flush on his cheeks, the beginning of a burn on his nose. “Not that bad,” he said, a little breathless for some reason, and also strangely unable to mock him to no end as he had intended to.
Colin just moaned and turned to hide in the grass, sprawling dramatically face down on the ground. His fingers brushed against Bradley’s wrist, pressing lightly against his skin, and - following a random, sudden impulse, Bradley covered Colin’s hand with his, and tightened his fingers, holding just barely. Colin’s eyes peered out from under his hood, wide in surprise, and a hint of bewilderment - Bradley stared back, hardly daring to breathe and wondering exactly how he’d managed to turn out such a bloody idiot, as panic began to rise in his throat. But Colin’s eyes narrowed, slow, their corners turning upwards in the confession of a smile - and Bradley’s chest thumped hard for a whole different set of reasons, now, as Colin’s fingers slowly entwined with his, warm and dry and soft - Bradley closed his eyes and smiled at the sky, trying to swallow the sudden lump in his throat, and just held Colin’s hand, trying to remember the last time he’d felt so damn stupid and happy.
---
Except, of course, a chilly breeze had started blowing shortly after, brushing through the grass, making the field murmur - and then the sun had been swallowed by a clump of nasty looking gray clouds, and the warmth and light had been gone. By the time they’d been back in the saddle, bumping hastily on the stones and cracks of the road, the first thin drops were already falling, streaking their foreheads, their hands - and when they’d cycled into town, they were soaking wet and cursing and laughing under a downpour of epic proportions.
---
“I thought this only happened in bloody England!” Bradley shouted over the steady noise of the showering rain. Colin just laughed, shouting back something about Irish weather before wheeling gracelessly through a crossroad which was thankfully deserted, Bradley snorting behind him as he slowed down to check the road before crossing as well.
“And look on the right, Morgan!” He called, and still Colin got it completely wrong again as he turned smoothly round a corner, heading towards the hotel. He caught a glimpse of his face - dark hair plastered to his forehead and a ridiculously happy grin making his eyes sparkle - before he disappeared behind the soaked brick wall, and Bradley couldn’t help but shake his head, smiling himself silly, simply because - because that’s what Colin did to him, sometimes.
---
The first thing Bradley heard was the screech. It pierced the air, the sound of tires biting on the tarmac somewhere behind that corner - then, he heard the crash.
Bradley’s heart just froze.
---
“Fuck, fuck, fuck - oh Jesus, fuck,” Bradley chanted, over and over, and had the feeling he’d never be able to breathe again as he sped towards the junction, his legs feeling heavy - and he could not move fast enough, he could never get there fast enough - he clamped down on the brakes as he skidded round the corner, one foot coming down to brace him as he swerved the bike around, too frightened to think, almost too terrified to look -
And there he was, holy fucking Christ, there was Colin who was getting shakily on his feet, disentangling himself from the bike, laying on the wet asphalt. Less than five feet at his side there was a van, halted at an awkward angle across the road, the flustered driver already halfway out the door. He was exclaiming something in French, his hands waving, and sounded more concerned than angry.
But none of that mattered to Bradley - he got off the bike without even bothering to stop, letting it crash on the ground, and within seconds was at Colin’s side, reaching out to steady him, hell, just to bloody touch him. “Colin - oh, fuck, are you - are you alright?” He could not quite stop his hands from shaking as he gripped Colin’s shoulder, offered him an arm to grab to hold his balance.
Colin stared at him, his eyes huge under the dripping locks of his stupid fringe, his face ashen with shock - then gave a tiny nod, pursing his lips tightly, his hand clenching on Bradley’s arm so hard it hurt. “Yeah,” he breathed, the sound almost drowned out by the drumming of the rain. He looked down at himself, almost surprised. “I’m fine,” he said, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
Bradley’s heart was thumping furiously, and he felt the crazy urge to just hug the idiot and never, ever let go again - but the driver had reached them, and was asking questions galore in French, his eyes dark and concerned. “Sorry - sorry,” said Bradley, trying to speak slow. “Pardon. He’s fine. All bien. Sorry - it’s fine,” and willed himself to calm down and try to remember the little French he knew to send the guy on his way. Thank goodness the man was not angry in the least, and only seemed to have had the shit scared out of him - feeling Bradley could greatly sympathize with right now - and after some more nodding and repeating ‘trés bien, tout va bien’ and even the pretence of a smile which Bradley managed to stir out, stiff and sore as it was, the guy climbed hesitantly back in his van and drove off, painfully slow.
Bradley took one deep breath, and turned back to look at Colin - who was standing in the rain, his arms wrapped around himself, looking thin and miserable.
“Let’s go.” Bradley said, setting his jaw hard to try and prevent his voice from shaking. Colin looked at him, pale and wide-eyed, and Bradley sighed. He bent to pick up Colin’s bike, and pushed it until he could pick up his own. “So, how about we walk to the hotel? I think I’ve had enough riding for today.” He tried a smile again, congratulating with himself on how good an actor he clearly was, even though Colin did not smile back.
Colin just nodded and pulled up his hood, and started walking in silence beside Bradley. And when he said, “Thanks,” in the smallest voice, Bradley was kind enough not to turn around to look.
---
“So. How are you feeling now?” Bradley asked, rummaging in a drawer for a tea spoon which he was certain he’d seen, uh, a few days before. Colin mumbled something in response, and slumped down into the sofa, dragging his knees up and sort of hiding behind them.
They’d made it to Bradley’s room managing to avoid everyone on the way, and they’d hastily scrubbed themselves dry - Bradley had gone to fish out some of his tightest jeans from his drawers and an extra jumper for Colin, and had changed quickly. He’d been on his way to make some tea when he’d noticed the way Colin was pointedly not looking at him - the way he stood holding the jumper and making no attempt to get his sweater off, as if waiting for something - and Bradley had understood.
He’d crossed his arms, turning resolutely towards Colin, and said - “Come on. Get on with it.”
Colin had looked at him, his hair all messed up by the all but thorough scrub, and swallowed. “Shouldn’t you - uh,” he’d said. “How about you make some tea?”
Bradley had arched an eyebrow. “Would you rather have someone else check you? Because I can go call someone right now,” he said. “But if you’re thinking I’ll let you just hide the bruises and be done with it - ”
“No - no, it’s fine,” Colin had said, interrupting him. He’d clutched the jumper in his hands, looking at the floor. “Don’t - I’d rather not tell anyone else,” he’d said. “The director would kill me.”
Bradley had just nodded. He’d been there before, and it was not pleasant - their health had a price tag, and an expensive one at that, now. “Alright,” he’d breathed. He had uncrossed his arms, and tried to loosen the muscles in his shoulders, which were pulled so tight it hurt. He hadn’t even noticed. “Come on,” he’d said, and had taken the jumper from Colin’s hands.
---
Bradley tried hard not to show how he recoiled at the carefulness of Colin’s movements, his tiny winces of pain as he raised his arms to slip his hoodie off. But he couldn’t quite repress a gasp at the sight of the harsh, reddened bruise which covered Colin’s side, his right shoulder, his arm, already darkening to an angry purple. “Fuck,” he muttered, and in an instant he was stepping forward - “Here, let me,” he said, grasping the hem of Colin’s shirt and helping him lift it off his head and shoulders.
He grabbed one of the towels and handed it to Colin, letting him pat himself dry before he turned him towards the light to take a better look. “Bloody hell,” he murmured, his hand tracing softly the shape of the bruise, trying to soothe the cold, abused skin.
“It’s alright,” Colin said, his voice low, his accent that had somehow got so thick Bradley could barely understand. “I threw myself to the side just in time. I, uh - I just hit the pavement kinda hard.” He took one deep breath, then let out a shaky laugh, leaning almost unconsciously into Bradley’s warmth. “’M sorry. Should have looked right first…”
Bradley did not find it funny at all, and his chest tightened painfully as he felt Colin tremble under his hands - without event thinking he wrapped his arms around Colin, slowly stroking his back, his neck - he brought a hand up to slip through his messed up hair, and hid his face against Colin’s neck, mouthing against his skin. “It’s alright,” he said, and pressed his lips to Colin’s bruised shoulder, and pretended not to notice how Colin’s breath hitched.
---
“What? I didn’t hear that,” he said, giving up the hope of ever finding the goddamn spoon, and turning on the tap to scrub a pair of mugs clean. He poured some hot water from the kettle and added two bags of that disgusting green tea that Colin had insisted on leaving in his cupboard because, apparently, it was “the best tea in the world” and he would come to realize it someday. That day had not come yet, but Bradley was willing to suffer through soapy awful tea if it would cheer Colin up a little.
He placed the mugs on the cluttered table in front of the sofa, careful not to spill anything, and stood to dry his hands with a rather dirty tea towel. He eyed Colin, huddled up in Bradley’s too big jumper and crouching in a corner of the couch - Colin who still would not answer him properly, and who was now concentrating intently on the rain-streaked window by his side.
“Hey,” Bradley said, concern creeping in his voice. “You alright?”
He stepped forward, moving to sit down beside Colin, who closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He was clutching his hands in his lap, Bradley noticed, trying to hide the way they were shaking, and failing. “Sorry,” he said, and Bradley’s heart gave one small, painful tug.
“Hey. Colin,” he said, rubbing Colin’s cold hands between his own, soothing. “It’s alright, baby. It’s alright,” he murmured, not fully aware of what he was saying, reclining his head to search for Colin’s eyes, one hand coming up to smooth his rumpled hair. And Colin finally let his eyes meet Bradley’s, and managed to offer him a small, though luminous smile, his eyes sparkling - a tiny shard of sunlight trapped under his damp fringe. “I’m not a baby,” he protested, letting his hands close around Bradley’s, his posture relaxing just a little.
“Yeah - whatever you say,” replied Bradley, a little bit enchanted by that smile, and vaguely thought that it must have been the lamest retort in the history of conversation, but - right now Colin was kind of robbing him of his ability of being witty and prattish, leaving him with something warm and fuzzy in exchange. Not that he minded too much.
Colin actually gave a small chuckle at his reply, and Bradley found himself smiling like a fool - he grabbed Colin’s head and pulled him forward, pressing his cheek against Colin’s forehead, ignoring Colin’s surprised gasp. “Never, ever do that to me again,” he whispered, his grip on Colin’s hands tightening, as he breathed the smell of Colin’s damp hair, of his skin, damnit.
Colin did not move for a long moment, then gave one slow nod, adjusting himself against Bradley’s body. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, and Bradley just breathed deeply and turned to brush a kiss against Colin’s brow, then on his eyelids, the corners of his eyes. “It’s alright,” he breathed, feeling Colin smile against his neck, and held onto him tight. “It’s alright.”
.
accomplished]
Title: It's alright
Author: lagolindari
Beta: Not yet beta-ed. Forgive eventual mistakes.
Fandom: Merlin RPS
Rating: PG-13
Prompt: Everything good happens after it rains for bradleycolin's RPS challenge # 2
ETA: 1st place at bradleycolin's RPS challenge # 2! Thank you to all who voted ♥.
"Colin, you have to check the other side first! How many more times - hey, watch out!"
Bradley laughed as Colin tried to knock him down with his bike before riding happily on in the rain, grinning like a loon. "We're on the continent, they drive on the right!" Bradley shouted after him, before concentrating on the pedals, speeding to reach him, water rising in splashes around the tires.
"Got it, right!" Colin threw over his shoulder, his eyes a blue flash as he cast a quick glance at Bradley - who raced past him a handful of seconds later, wet hair wild in the wind, crying out - "Je m'appelle Colin, je suis loser!"
He pedaled on, Colin's laughter trilling in his ears, and could not quite squash down a huge, somewhat silly smile. He was drenched, his clothes a wet weight hanging off him, the bike kept skidding in the puddles and the rain was spraying in his eyes - and he was fucking loving it.
---
It had been Colin's idea. Which was kind of weird because, well, Bradley was supposed to be the sporty one - and he was, he just hadn't thought about it first. So he'd been kind of surprised when Colin had appeared knocking at his door as soon as the sun had warmed up a little, had dragged him out of bed and had all but bounced to a tiny corner shop which, apparently, offered location de vélos.
"And where exactly are you planning on going?" Had asked Bradley, trailing half-grumpily behind him, possibly just because he wanted to make Colin plead.
"Wherever! I mean - just look at that!" Colin had waved his hands, vaguely embracing the green hills that rose just outside the town, encircling it in a graceful arc. The morning sun was fresh still, and made the bright green grass seem almost radiant in the distance - and Bradley had to admit that yes, it was kind of inviting, after all. Then Colin had looked at him with those huge, hopeful eyes, his lips quivering with excited anticipation - and Bradley had had no choice. Really.
---
So, they'd spent the morning cycling up and down the gentle curves of the hills, a bit wobbly at first - Colin swaying left and right and almost toppling off a cliff and then protesting, trying to hide his blush - "It's been ages, alright?" - and Bradley, on his part, forgetting himself laughing at something Colin said while freewheeling downhill and barely avoiding crashing into a tree. As they gained confidence, they’d eventually grown bolder, challenging each other at impromptu races on the uneven track - which Bradley always won, obviously, even though Colin would not quite agree with that.
Then the sun has switched on full force, and it was hot and close to lunchtime, so they'd got off the bikes near some comfy-looking meadow. They’d tried without much success to brush off some of the mud encrusting their jeans, which had prompted Bradley to swipe two muddied fingers across Colin’s cheek - Colin had yelped and insulted him and tried to tackle him to the slushy ground, and had somehow ended up caught in the unbreakable special Bradley-headlock, Bradley threatening to smear mud all over his face if he did not beg for clemency. Colin had been laughing too hard to speak, and Bradley had eventually taken pity and released him, sprinting towards the lawn - Colin had followed close and they’d flopped down, panting still and hiccupping with laughter, sprawling on the grass and closing their eyes in the warm light.
---
"This is brilliant," Colin sighed happily, somewhere on Bradley's right. Bradley opened one eye, taking a peek at him - Colin had his hands behind his head and lay peaceful with his eyes closed, seeming to soak in the sunlight, taking on a glow all of his own. Bradley felt a warm, kind of foolish tug somewhere in his chest and, for once - he just ignored it and lay back more comfortably, stretching his back, and allowed himself to look at him a little more. Not that it meant anything. Obviously.
Then, without notice, Colin opened his eyes - Bradley stared back in shock for an awkward, long instant before turning quickly to look at the sky once again, eyes narrowing against the light, half-hoping the burn on his face was due to the heat of the sun only. It had been there before, hadn’t it?
A few moments of silence followed. "So, this wasn't a bad idea, was it?" Colin asked, eventually, his voice tinged with the barest hint of amusement - or, maybe, Bradley had imagined that.
"Mh." Bradley conceded, fighting the urge to look again, just to see Colin's expression. He scrunched up his eyelids against the blazing light, then mumbled, "'M hungry," trying to play it cool. Because he was. Cool. No doubt, ever.
There was a soft, snorting laugh, and Bradley felt Colin's movements stir the air as he sat up. There was some rustling - then something small and hard landed with a light thump on Bradley's chest. He peered down at it, eyebrows arching, then picked up the brightly wrapped cereal and raisins bar. "Uh. Thanks," he said, looking up at Colin, who was unwrapping his own snack. "Didn't think about bringing anythin'," he mumbled, wondering why the hell he was feeling that bloody tense, before proceeding to wolf down the bar.
"You're welcome," Colin said, smiling, and leaned back on his elbows, munching calmly.
---
Bradley felt like he’d be dozing off within minutes if he didn’t find a way to keep himself active. The grass was fragrant all around him, and the sun was seeping through his t-shirt, roasting his bare arms, his face, a little strip of skin on his belly where the shirt has scrunched up - hell, the make up people would kill Colin the next day of shooting. He cracked one eye open, taking in Colin’s relaxed stance, and listened for a while to his slow, even breathing, before speaking.
“Hey,” he said. It came out softer than what he’d intended - Bradley wondered if it might mean something, and decided he didn’t want to know.
Colin grunted something in reply, before he gave a deep sigh and stretched, arms raised, his back arching up from the grass. “Yeah,” he sort of croaked, blinking at the bright light with a sort of disappointed pout.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to wake you up,” Bradley said, having to fight down a surge of something warm and - yearning - which, just maybe, wasn’t entirely due to the sunlight. He uncrossed his arms from behind his head and spread them wide, enjoying the cool tickle of the grass. “Wouldn’t want make up to tell you off for getting a tan,” he added, feeling a little lame, and couldn’t help a burst of laugher when Colin yelped and jerked upright, fretting to pull his hood over his head.
He sighed, then dropped again on the grass, rolling on his side towards Bradley. “They’re gonna kill me, ” he groaned, rubbing at his face with his lean hands. “How bad is it?”
Bradley turned his head to take a look. Colin’s eyes were still a bit clouded with sleep, but they were blue and bright, glinting in the sun - Bradley wanted to kick himself as he let his gaze linger on his features, taking in the light flush on his cheeks, the beginning of a burn on his nose. “Not that bad,” he said, a little breathless for some reason, and also strangely unable to mock him to no end as he had intended to.
Colin just moaned and turned to hide in the grass, sprawling dramatically face down on the ground. His fingers brushed against Bradley’s wrist, pressing lightly against his skin, and - following a random, sudden impulse, Bradley covered Colin’s hand with his, and tightened his fingers, holding just barely. Colin’s eyes peered out from under his hood, wide in surprise, and a hint of bewilderment - Bradley stared back, hardly daring to breathe and wondering exactly how he’d managed to turn out such a bloody idiot, as panic began to rise in his throat. But Colin’s eyes narrowed, slow, their corners turning upwards in the confession of a smile - and Bradley’s chest thumped hard for a whole different set of reasons, now, as Colin’s fingers slowly entwined with his, warm and dry and soft - Bradley closed his eyes and smiled at the sky, trying to swallow the sudden lump in his throat, and just held Colin’s hand, trying to remember the last time he’d felt so damn stupid and happy.
---
Except, of course, a chilly breeze had started blowing shortly after, brushing through the grass, making the field murmur - and then the sun had been swallowed by a clump of nasty looking gray clouds, and the warmth and light had been gone. By the time they’d been back in the saddle, bumping hastily on the stones and cracks of the road, the first thin drops were already falling, streaking their foreheads, their hands - and when they’d cycled into town, they were soaking wet and cursing and laughing under a downpour of epic proportions.
---
“I thought this only happened in bloody England!” Bradley shouted over the steady noise of the showering rain. Colin just laughed, shouting back something about Irish weather before wheeling gracelessly through a crossroad which was thankfully deserted, Bradley snorting behind him as he slowed down to check the road before crossing as well.
“And look on the right, Morgan!” He called, and still Colin got it completely wrong again as he turned smoothly round a corner, heading towards the hotel. He caught a glimpse of his face - dark hair plastered to his forehead and a ridiculously happy grin making his eyes sparkle - before he disappeared behind the soaked brick wall, and Bradley couldn’t help but shake his head, smiling himself silly, simply because - because that’s what Colin did to him, sometimes.
---
The first thing Bradley heard was the screech. It pierced the air, the sound of tires biting on the tarmac somewhere behind that corner - then, he heard the crash.
Bradley’s heart just froze.
---
“Fuck, fuck, fuck - oh Jesus, fuck,” Bradley chanted, over and over, and had the feeling he’d never be able to breathe again as he sped towards the junction, his legs feeling heavy - and he could not move fast enough, he could never get there fast enough - he clamped down on the brakes as he skidded round the corner, one foot coming down to brace him as he swerved the bike around, too frightened to think, almost too terrified to look -
And there he was, holy fucking Christ, there was Colin who was getting shakily on his feet, disentangling himself from the bike, laying on the wet asphalt. Less than five feet at his side there was a van, halted at an awkward angle across the road, the flustered driver already halfway out the door. He was exclaiming something in French, his hands waving, and sounded more concerned than angry.
But none of that mattered to Bradley - he got off the bike without even bothering to stop, letting it crash on the ground, and within seconds was at Colin’s side, reaching out to steady him, hell, just to bloody touch him. “Colin - oh, fuck, are you - are you alright?” He could not quite stop his hands from shaking as he gripped Colin’s shoulder, offered him an arm to grab to hold his balance.
Colin stared at him, his eyes huge under the dripping locks of his stupid fringe, his face ashen with shock - then gave a tiny nod, pursing his lips tightly, his hand clenching on Bradley’s arm so hard it hurt. “Yeah,” he breathed, the sound almost drowned out by the drumming of the rain. He looked down at himself, almost surprised. “I’m fine,” he said, a hint of disbelief in his voice.
Bradley’s heart was thumping furiously, and he felt the crazy urge to just hug the idiot and never, ever let go again - but the driver had reached them, and was asking questions galore in French, his eyes dark and concerned. “Sorry - sorry,” said Bradley, trying to speak slow. “Pardon. He’s fine. All bien. Sorry - it’s fine,” and willed himself to calm down and try to remember the little French he knew to send the guy on his way. Thank goodness the man was not angry in the least, and only seemed to have had the shit scared out of him - feeling Bradley could greatly sympathize with right now - and after some more nodding and repeating ‘trés bien, tout va bien’ and even the pretence of a smile which Bradley managed to stir out, stiff and sore as it was, the guy climbed hesitantly back in his van and drove off, painfully slow.
Bradley took one deep breath, and turned back to look at Colin - who was standing in the rain, his arms wrapped around himself, looking thin and miserable.
“Let’s go.” Bradley said, setting his jaw hard to try and prevent his voice from shaking. Colin looked at him, pale and wide-eyed, and Bradley sighed. He bent to pick up Colin’s bike, and pushed it until he could pick up his own. “So, how about we walk to the hotel? I think I’ve had enough riding for today.” He tried a smile again, congratulating with himself on how good an actor he clearly was, even though Colin did not smile back.
Colin just nodded and pulled up his hood, and started walking in silence beside Bradley. And when he said, “Thanks,” in the smallest voice, Bradley was kind enough not to turn around to look.
---
“So. How are you feeling now?” Bradley asked, rummaging in a drawer for a tea spoon which he was certain he’d seen, uh, a few days before. Colin mumbled something in response, and slumped down into the sofa, dragging his knees up and sort of hiding behind them.
They’d made it to Bradley’s room managing to avoid everyone on the way, and they’d hastily scrubbed themselves dry - Bradley had gone to fish out some of his tightest jeans from his drawers and an extra jumper for Colin, and had changed quickly. He’d been on his way to make some tea when he’d noticed the way Colin was pointedly not looking at him - the way he stood holding the jumper and making no attempt to get his sweater off, as if waiting for something - and Bradley had understood.
He’d crossed his arms, turning resolutely towards Colin, and said - “Come on. Get on with it.”
Colin had looked at him, his hair all messed up by the all but thorough scrub, and swallowed. “Shouldn’t you - uh,” he’d said. “How about you make some tea?”
Bradley had arched an eyebrow. “Would you rather have someone else check you? Because I can go call someone right now,” he said. “But if you’re thinking I’ll let you just hide the bruises and be done with it - ”
“No - no, it’s fine,” Colin had said, interrupting him. He’d clutched the jumper in his hands, looking at the floor. “Don’t - I’d rather not tell anyone else,” he’d said. “The director would kill me.”
Bradley had just nodded. He’d been there before, and it was not pleasant - their health had a price tag, and an expensive one at that, now. “Alright,” he’d breathed. He had uncrossed his arms, and tried to loosen the muscles in his shoulders, which were pulled so tight it hurt. He hadn’t even noticed. “Come on,” he’d said, and had taken the jumper from Colin’s hands.
---
Bradley tried hard not to show how he recoiled at the carefulness of Colin’s movements, his tiny winces of pain as he raised his arms to slip his hoodie off. But he couldn’t quite repress a gasp at the sight of the harsh, reddened bruise which covered Colin’s side, his right shoulder, his arm, already darkening to an angry purple. “Fuck,” he muttered, and in an instant he was stepping forward - “Here, let me,” he said, grasping the hem of Colin’s shirt and helping him lift it off his head and shoulders.
He grabbed one of the towels and handed it to Colin, letting him pat himself dry before he turned him towards the light to take a better look. “Bloody hell,” he murmured, his hand tracing softly the shape of the bruise, trying to soothe the cold, abused skin.
“It’s alright,” Colin said, his voice low, his accent that had somehow got so thick Bradley could barely understand. “I threw myself to the side just in time. I, uh - I just hit the pavement kinda hard.” He took one deep breath, then let out a shaky laugh, leaning almost unconsciously into Bradley’s warmth. “’M sorry. Should have looked right first…”
Bradley did not find it funny at all, and his chest tightened painfully as he felt Colin tremble under his hands - without event thinking he wrapped his arms around Colin, slowly stroking his back, his neck - he brought a hand up to slip through his messed up hair, and hid his face against Colin’s neck, mouthing against his skin. “It’s alright,” he said, and pressed his lips to Colin’s bruised shoulder, and pretended not to notice how Colin’s breath hitched.
---
“What? I didn’t hear that,” he said, giving up the hope of ever finding the goddamn spoon, and turning on the tap to scrub a pair of mugs clean. He poured some hot water from the kettle and added two bags of that disgusting green tea that Colin had insisted on leaving in his cupboard because, apparently, it was “the best tea in the world” and he would come to realize it someday. That day had not come yet, but Bradley was willing to suffer through soapy awful tea if it would cheer Colin up a little.
He placed the mugs on the cluttered table in front of the sofa, careful not to spill anything, and stood to dry his hands with a rather dirty tea towel. He eyed Colin, huddled up in Bradley’s too big jumper and crouching in a corner of the couch - Colin who still would not answer him properly, and who was now concentrating intently on the rain-streaked window by his side.
“Hey,” Bradley said, concern creeping in his voice. “You alright?”
He stepped forward, moving to sit down beside Colin, who closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He was clutching his hands in his lap, Bradley noticed, trying to hide the way they were shaking, and failing. “Sorry,” he said, and Bradley’s heart gave one small, painful tug.
“Hey. Colin,” he said, rubbing Colin’s cold hands between his own, soothing. “It’s alright, baby. It’s alright,” he murmured, not fully aware of what he was saying, reclining his head to search for Colin’s eyes, one hand coming up to smooth his rumpled hair. And Colin finally let his eyes meet Bradley’s, and managed to offer him a small, though luminous smile, his eyes sparkling - a tiny shard of sunlight trapped under his damp fringe. “I’m not a baby,” he protested, letting his hands close around Bradley’s, his posture relaxing just a little.
“Yeah - whatever you say,” replied Bradley, a little bit enchanted by that smile, and vaguely thought that it must have been the lamest retort in the history of conversation, but - right now Colin was kind of robbing him of his ability of being witty and prattish, leaving him with something warm and fuzzy in exchange. Not that he minded too much.
Colin actually gave a small chuckle at his reply, and Bradley found himself smiling like a fool - he grabbed Colin’s head and pulled him forward, pressing his cheek against Colin’s forehead, ignoring Colin’s surprised gasp. “Never, ever do that to me again,” he whispered, his grip on Colin’s hands tightening, as he breathed the smell of Colin’s damp hair, of his skin, damnit.
Colin did not move for a long moment, then gave one slow nod, adjusting himself against Bradley’s body. “I’m sorry,” he murmured, and Bradley just breathed deeply and turned to brush a kiss against Colin’s brow, then on his eyelids, the corners of his eyes. “It’s alright,” he breathed, feeling Colin smile against his neck, and held onto him tight. “It’s alright.”
.