Fic: Sunshine, Rainbows and Stolen Kisses
They were both getting tired of the secrecy. Some of the crew knew of course - Katie seemed to have a sixth sense for this sort of thing and knew before they even did. In fact Bradley would only painfully admit when under the influence of lots of alcohol it was partly thanks to her that they were together at all. Okay it was entirely down to her as she had sort of locked them in a cupboard together and said she wasn’t letting them out until she heard inappropriate noises coming from within.
‘And everyone thinks she’s so sweet’ Bradley had time to say before Colin had pounced on him and kissed him and that was that.
And because Katie knew, Angel knew and of course that meant that lots of other people knew. Angel had lots of good qualities but secrecy was not one of them. She had a total inability to lie and would more likely blurt out whatever it was at the slightest sign of interrogation... or not as the case could be.
‘How are you today Angel?’
‘Okay I’ll tell you! Bradley and Colin are totally sleeping together.’
So of course a lot of the crew knew but they had been told it was probably better to keep it out of public eye at least until Merlin was wrapped up for good. But it was growing frustrating for both of them. Colin was naturally a gentle and loving person and he found it hard not to display it. He had already slipped up once when it had been a bakingly hot day and Bradley had been struggling with a scene. Once the break was called he had automatically rushed to Bradley’s side, taken the heavy sword off him and gently brushed the hair from his eyes. Only an almost audible gasp from the surrounding fan girls had stopped him pulling Bradley into a hug. He knew Bradley had wanted one too but instead they just had to stare helplessly at each other before going their separate ways.
As for Bradley it was always hard for him to keep anything that mattered to him secret for long and it was taking all his self-restraint not to grab a loud speaker and announce to the world ‘I’m in love with Colin Morgan. What are you going to do about it?’
*
‘Okay five minutes everyone, don’t go too far’ Ed, the director announced a quick break in filming while he sorted out a technical problem. Colin and Bradley were stood on the battlements, looking out over the scenery. The scene was meant to be reasonably light but Colin was struggling to get out of the emotional mode he had had to be in for his last scene.
‘Wanna hear a joke?’ Bradley asked, determined to get Colin out of his funk. Colin turned to look at him. They were standing quite close and usually Colin would be worried about what this would look like but right now he was just happy to have the security of Bradley’s solid presence close by.
‘Sure.’
‘Doctor Doctor I think I need glasses... You certainly do sir this is a fish and chip shop!’
Colin groaned. ‘That was terrible.’
‘Wait I got another one. Doctor Doctor I keep getting pains in my eyes when I drink coffee... have you tried taking the spoon out? No? How about this: Doctor Doctor Have you got something for a bad headache?... Of course. Just take this hammer and hit yourself in the head. Then you'll have a bad headache. ‘
Colin let out a reluctant laugh ‘Okay okay just stop with the doctor jokes.’ Impulsively he took a step forward and grabbed Bradley’s hand, out of sight under the wall. ‘Thanks for trying to cheer me up Bradley’ he said softly, looking around carefully to check they weren’t being observed. Bradley took two steps forward so they were out of sight of the opening in the battlements and kissed Colin lightly and lovingly. Colin responded for a moment before pulling away.
‘Are you crazy? There are fan girls everywhere’ He looked around furtively as if they were going to materialize from the brickwork. Bradley just cupped his chin gently.
‘We’re out of sight here’ he whispered. Colin couldn’t resist leaning into the touch before pulling away again. ‘It only takes one picture’ he said quietly. Bradley let out a small noise of frustration and opened his mouth to say something but they were interrupted by Ed.
‘Alright places everyone. Let’s take this from the top’.
*
It was early and there weren’t many people around yet. They were stood mainly out of sight of the main courtyard under an arched doorway. They were talking softly together, smiling that special smile people get when they are talking to people they love about nothing in particular, just relishing each other’s company. Colin shuffled closer, leaning into Bradley’s side. It was a little chilly and he often snuggled up to Bradley for warmth.
‘You wouldn’t get cold if you weren’t so skinny’ Bradley said, poking him playfully in the ribs but then he slipped an arm around Colin’s waist and pulled him close, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. They stood in comfortable silence for a little while just watching the world go by. Some tourists started to arrive and Bradley sighed and released Colin, knowing it was time to distance themselves. Colin was having none of it though, pressing light kisses to Bradley’s cheeks and then his nose, making him laugh slightly. Bradley glanced around and then pulled Colin backwards so they were more hidden in the alcove. He kissed him properly, a warm, cosy kiss that they often shared first thing in the morning. Almost lazy but longing and lingering and sweet all at the same time.
‘What are you doing?!’ An angry voice said. Bradley and Colin leapt apart immediately, turning on the person who had disturbed them. It was Ed. ‘You have been told that you are to keep your relationship a secret until Merlin is over’ he almost yelled. ‘I don’t think making out in the wide open is exactly conducive to that aim is it?’ His expression softened when he saw their faces. ‘I’m sorry. I understand. I do. But you know how it is. We can’t your relationship outside of filming affect the way people see Merlin and Arthur. And I know that in this day and age it shouldn’t matter but it will. And I don’t want it to affect your careers either.’
Bradley was half-inclined to argue about the being in the wide open bit or pull out the Richard card but this was an argument that they had so many times. It bored him to tears. He looked at Colin, who looked upset and he felt immediately angry at Ed for putting that expression on Colin’s face. But he didn’t say anything and just allowed Ed to lead them back out onto set.
*
Bradley was going to crack any day now. He just wanted to show how proud he was of his boyfriend. What was wrong with that? They had been paranoid since Ed had caught them though and Colin was the sensible one, not even standing to close to him out of fear of what would be read into it and it was driving Bradley crazy. It was another boiling day, they were in the courtyard and they were actually standing closer as Arthur and Merlin than they ever did as Colin and Bradley these days.
‘So I was wondering’ Colin said under his breath as they watched the action on the other side of the yard, waiting for their scene, ‘if you wanted to come home with me this weekend as we have it off.’
‘You want me to meet your family?’ Bradley asked struck halfway between anxiety and joy.
‘Only if you want to’ Colin said, ducking his head shyly.
‘Of course I want too’. Bradley grabbed Colin’s arm and pulled him behind one of the pillars. He pulled him close and looked Colin in the yes. Colin knew exactly was coming but for once he didn’t duck his head or push Bradley away, he just tilted his chin and closed the gap between them. The kiss was slow and luxurious, not feeling like it was really going anywhere, just enjoying the feel of each other’s lips and tongues and hands.
‘Colin! Bradley! Where are those two? I told them expressly to wait on their marks.’
Colin and Bradley started guiltily and separated but only enough to lean their foreheads together.
‘I’ll take that as a yes then?’ Colin asked softly. In answer Bradley just gave him another quick kiss before ushering Colin back into the courtyard.
‘Where have you two been?’ Ed asked, irately.
‘Nowhere’ they chorused and smiled a secret smile at each other.
*
‘Look a rainbow’ Colin said in delight looking up at the sky. It had been drizzling slightly despite the warm sunshine and now a luminous rainbow arced across the sky right behind the castle. No one was actually listening to Colin. The crew were busy setting up and Bradley was a few yards away, greeting a young fan, actually on his knees in order to shake the small boys hand. Colin smiled fondly at him before his eyes skipped past them and onto the other tourists. There were the usual school groups, families and fangirls. He eyes settled on a gay couple who were looking up at the rainbow. Their hands were loosely entwined and they abruptly turned to each other, smiling before kissing softly. Colin felt his stomach clench in jealously. He wished he could be so free with Bradley. Speaking of which, Bradley had finished with the fans and wandered over to him.
‘What’s up?’ he asked, clocking Colin’s expression. Colin gestured and Bradley followed his gaze. Colin knew he had understood when Bradley’s jaw tightened.
‘Right that’s it!’
‘Bradley? What are you going to do?’ Colin called after Bradley as he stomped across the courtyard.
‘I’m putting a stop to this once and for all ‘. He marched over to where all the equipment was kept. He picked up a loud speaker and Colin knew immediately what he was going to do and followed him across the yard anxiously but he wasn’t quick enough.
‘Cast, crew, ladies, gentleman, children and fan girls.’ Bradley’s voice echoes across the yard as he paused. ‘Especially fan girls.’ All the fan girls in the area looked at each other shiftily and tried to act inconspicuously. Fan girls? Us? Oh no we are just normal tourists. Please carry on with what you are doing.
‘I am in love with a very special person and I don’t want to keep it secret any longer. Colin Morgan is the most smart, funny and beautiful person I have ever met and to keep pretending we are just friends is a betrayal to him and to myself. I’m in love with Colin Morgan. What are you going to do about it?’
There was a slight silence and then the fan girls abandoned all pretence and squeed before pulling out camera’s.
‘Kiss him!’ One of them yelled boldly.
‘With pleasure’ Bradley said and pulled Colin towards him. Colin smiled at him, the joy radiated out of his face.
‘That was amazing’ he whispered and then finally, kissed him. Bradley responded with gusto, dipping Colin slightly in a proper Hollywood kiss.
People were going crazy and camera flashes were going off but Colin and Bradley were oblivious to it all as they kissed and grinned and kissed some more.