Every Version of You (Part 3)
A few days later Bradley felt he had himself under control enough that he would be able to face Colin again. They would never be close friends again… but he should be able to be around the other man, possibly have a civil conversation with him. That was, if Colin would be able to look at him without revulsion in his eyes. Bradley sighed as he shrugged on a hoodie and drew himself up, using Arthur as a wall to protect his still raw and fragile emotions. The king of Camelot wouldn’t let something like this stop him from running the kingdom and Bradley wasn’t going to let it keep him from work any longer. He’d begged off filming, claiming post-traumatic-stress had suddenly hit him from his time in the other universe, and Julian had immediately acquiesced, but there was only so long before they had to start shooting again, and Bradley would rather go back on his own terms.
He took one more deep breath, opened his door and nearly fell over Colin who was sitting outside.
“I, uh… I was going to knock,” Colin said lamely, scrambling to his feet, eyes fixed firmly on his hands.
“Hence the sitting on the floor,” Bradley said automatically.
A ghost of a smile flickered across Colin’s lips, before he grew sombre and said, just like before, “We’re talking,” only this time it was in a weak and exhausted tone. “I mean, we need to talk. I need to talk. I need you to talk to me.”
Bradley stared long and hard at Colin, who fidgeted and continued to avoid eye contact. He didn’t know how much more his heart could take, but the (very small) logical part of him said that if they managed to clear the air somewhat and redefine their relationship, then it would make settling back into a work routine easier. He was too exhausted to fight this, so he stepped to the side, watched Colin walk in and then closed the door.
The two men stood in silence, Colin shuffling agitatedly and Bradley widening his stance and crossing his arms, face impassive. After another few moments Bradley said, rather harshly, “You said you needed to talk, so talk.”
Colin startled, moved his mouth soundlessly and finally said, “I… about freaking out…” before he went mute once again.
“I have to go,” Bradley said flatly, turning away.
“No Bradley, wait!” Colin called desperately, finally looking at him. “I’m sorry for freaking out so badly, but can you blame me? What if the situation were reversed, if I had gone to another universe and you found out I’d slept with the Bradley there? How would you feel?”
Bradley thought of the Colin he’d left, who was probably with the Bradley in his world, getting to know him, kissing him, loving him, and his stomach knotted in a mixture of jealousy and grief. But then he envisioned what Colin had said - this Colin, his Colin, with another Bradley, and the feeling was a hundred times worse.
“Hurt,” he blurted, “and jealous.”
He caught Colin’s eye and they shared a look of understanding. The atmosphere warmed and relaxed slightly and Bradley walked over to his bed and plopped down with a sigh.
“I’m not sorry I was in a relationship with him,” he said, scrubbing a hand over his face wearily, “but I am sorry you’re so hurt.”
“Thanks,” Colin replied softly, sitting beside him. “I’m sorry you lost something that obviously meant a lot to you.”
“Cheers, and I’m sorry for avoiding you and being a bit of a twat,” Bradley said sincerely. “I just… I needed time to clear my head.”
Colin hummed and they sat in a much more relaxed silence, before he suddenly said, “Tell me about him.”
“You want to know about him?” Bradley asked sceptically.
“I do,” Colin replied determinedly.
Bradley couldn’t help but smile, remembering how the other Colin had asked him the same thing…
*****
“Tell me about your Colin,” Colin said suddenly, one evening when they were curled up on the couch sharing the day’s newspaper.
“You’re my Colin,” Bradley replied immediately, turning his head to kiss the underside of Colin’s jaw.
Colin chuckled and kissed Bradley’s temple. “You know what I mean. Tell me about the Colin in your universe.”
“What do you want to know?”
“Everything - what he’s like, how you met, how you got to know each other and became friends.”
“Really?” Bradley asked in surprise, tilting his head back to look Colin in the eye.
Colin smiled warmly and replied, “Really.”
And so Bradley told him a story of non-understandable accents, attuning to a darker sense of humour, pulling pranks, making video diaries, popping cheekbones, road trips, all-night talks, drinking contests, terrible French, woeful karaoke, swordplay and silent messages during interviews. He told Colin the story of the greatest friendship he’d ever experienced, and Colin held him close, smiled and listened.
*****
“He was really like you,” Bradley told Colin, after he’d told him what had happened from the moment he’d arrived in the parallel universe to the moment he’d ended up in Colin’s flat, “only more…open. He wasn’t so worried about what people thought of him and he seemed more comfortable with himself. That could have been just how he was in private or around me though,” Bradley added ruefully. “But… it reminded me of you a little, how you get when you’re drunk or so happy you forget there’s a judgemental public out there somewhere, and you relax. Spending time with him was like spending time with you when we hide away and ignore the rest of the world. I think that’s why…” he stopped and swallowed thickly before continuing. “That’s why it was so easy to fall for him. That’s why it would be so easy to fall for all of them, all those Colins in all those parallel universes - they’re just variations of you.”
Bradley flushed as he finished, quickly swiping at his eyes as he stared at his hands and willed himself to get it under wraps, it would get easier someday, and at least Colin didn’t hate him and was willing to talk to him. He glanced at Colin and did a double take when he saw Colin was looking at him, really looking at him, like he was seeing him for the first time, like he was both the more wonderful and most terrifying thing Colin had ever seen. Something akin to hope dared to rise in his chest as Colin hesitantly took his hand and looked into his eyes.
“I’ve always been terrified of what I am… of who I am,” Colin said in a small, shaky voice. “I told my mam, and it… it didn’t go so well.”
Bradley gave his hand a squeeze, smiling understandingly. Colin smiled back, turned his hand to lace their fingers together (and Bradley’s breath absolutely did not stutter), and kept talking.
“After that, I couldn’t stand the thought of what might happen if I admitted it to anyone, so I just pushed it away. Ignored it. Acting was one thing, it was easy, fake, just pretend… but if it was real, if I said it out loud, then I’d have to deal with the consequences. Up until Merlin it was easy. I’m rarely attracted to anyone and no one’s ever really gotten me… until Merlin. Until you, Bradley,” he said seriously, and Bradley’s breathing went a little haywire, while the hope in his chest rose victorious.
“I started Merlin, and I met you,” Colin’s voice started to waver, “and I tried and tried so hard, but it’s been getting more and more difficult to deny, to ignore, and with what’s happened with you and… Bradley I… I’m gay,” he gasped out, his body shaking.
Bradley pulled him into a hug, rocking slightly, while Colin shook and clutched at his shoulders. Bradley carded his hand through Colin’s hair, briefly placed his lips on the crown of his head, and then pulled up and said, “I know it’s difficult, and I know you’re scared, but in the end, it’ll be a massive weight off your shoulders if you’re honest about it. Your friends love you Colin, they won’t care, and your fans love you too. Plus most of them think you’re gay for me anyway,” he couldn’t help but joke.
Colin snorted with laughter and pulled back with a quiet, “Cheers.”
He shuffled back a bit and brought his knees up, curling his arms around them, but his limbs were loose and relaxed, so Bradley wasn’t too worried.
Bradley bit his lip, took a deep breath and said firmly, “I’m going to make an official statement to the press. My family already know…and I’m tired of hiding and pretending.”
“That’s really brave of you,” Colin said in an awed tone, then added, “I don’t… I’m not ready.”
“No reason you should be,” Bradley replied gently. “You should take all the time you need, it’s a big decision.”
Colin nodded, sniffed and flashed him a heartbreakingly grateful smile. Bradley took in his red-rimmed eyes and fragile air, and made a decision he knew he would never regret no matter how hurt he got.
“Colin, can we please go back to being friends?”
Colin froze, eyes wide, before he scrambled over to Bradley, pulling him into a crushing hug. “Yes, yes, of course Bradley,” he whispered. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too mate,” Bradley replied quietly, hugging him back.
Colin needed this, needed friendship and support. That, and not Bradley’s quietly pining heart, was what was important.
***
A few weeks later, Bradley was out with a few members of the Merlin cast, having a mini-celebration of sorts for the positive feedback Bradley had gotten since his official coming out. (There had been quite a bit of negative feedback naturally, but Bradley was steadfastly ignoring it in favour of the outpouring of love from his fans and friends). He’d already given a few interviews and had made a video for The Trevor Project, but there were still a slew of interviews and statements to make, occasions to attend, and Bradley was looking forward to it, inspired and encouraged by what his parallel universe self had done.
That morning, Bradley had received a massive package from his fan club, full of gay pride memorabilia, and best of all, stacks of cards full of encouraging and supportive messages. Katie had immediately declared that they were going out to the pub to celebrate (she had decided that she was his official fag hag, and though Bradley had protested and made fun of her “weirdo obsession,” he secretly loved and adored her for it). So Bradley found himself in a booth, sandwiched between Katie and Colin as usual, a drink in hand and several more lined up for him.
He took a long gulp of his drink, and relaxed even further into his seat, laughing at the banter between Katie and Eoin and guiltily enjoying the feeling of Colin pressed up against him. The last few weeks had been somewhat of an emotional rollercoaster but Bradley felt like he was slowly regaining his balance. He and Colin were nowhere near as close as they had been before Bradley went to the parallel universe but they were taking tentative steps towards getting back there. They had been rehearsing one on one, had pulled a few successful pranks, and were functioning easily in a group setting. They had yet to spend any real quality time together, nor had they had an in-depth conversation since the one they’d had when they’d agreed to be friends again, and Bradley felt that it was mostly down to the fact that neither of them wanted to fuck this up. They wanted to be friends, wanted to be the friends they had once been, but they were both so terrified of doing or saying something that would mess it up indefinitely that they couldn’t make the final leap. Bradley knew that a slight amount of hesitation on his part was also due to the fact that he was still pining a little (a lot) for what he’d once had. In terms of the bigger picture though, he was so much happier to have Colin in his life than not at all, so he knew that eventually the pining would fade and he would be able to devote himself fully to this friendship.
Right now though, he wanted to sit back, drink until the world was pleasantly fuzzy and allow himself to enjoy the life that he had been blessed with, because he knew that there was a Bradley out there who didn’t know all these people and how much they brought to his life.
“Oh my God I love this song!” Katie cheered, throwing her hands up in the air. “Let’s dance, bitches!”
“Cheers, but there are a number of drinks with my name on them, so I’m going to give it a miss,” Bradley chuckled, feeling far too loose and relaxed to want to move.
“Spoilsport,” Katie scoffed affectionately. “Colin?” She asked, giving him a measured look.
“Katie,” Colin replied, throwing her look right back at her.
“Ugh fine, enjoy your sitting,” Katie sighed exasperatedly. “All right, come on the rest of you!”
Everyone bar Bradley and Colin headed off to the dance floor and the two men sat in a comfortable silence.
“So, how are you feeling?” Colin asked a moment later. “About the whole…thing,” he finished awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck and giving a rueful smile.
“Good.” Bradley smiled in reply, “I mean, I did go into it knowing that it wouldn’t be a complete disaster, but it’s gone better than expected.”
“Yeah, everyone’s been taking it really well,” Colin said, and bit his bottom lip before quickly licking it.
Bradley tried his best not to stare, failed and then attempted to cover it up by taking a large drink before he said, “Yeah, I think Katie would flail anyone who didn’t.”
Colin threw his head back laughing and when he glanced at Bradley, he looked so happy, so relaxed and alive that Bradley forgot which universe he was in, forgot that he’d barely gotten back to being friends with this Colin. He leaned in, cupped Colin’s jaw and kissed him, sweetly and tenderly, just as he’d imagined doing so many times. Colin jerked and stiffened, and it suddenly hit Bradley where he was and who he was kissing.
He quickly pulled back, immediately stuttering out an apology. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry, I wasn’t thinking, shit Colin I swear this won’t happen again-“
He was silenced as Colin grabbed him by his neck, his eyes desperate. “No no, it’s all right, I - Bradley, I- “ The whole time Colin was rambling, his hands were wandering down Bradley’s arms and then up his neck and into his hair, and his eyes were glued to Bradley’s mouth.
Bradley nervously licked his lips, intending to ask Colin what was happening, and suddenly Colin was kissing him, a little sloppily, but more passionately than anyone had ever kissed him before. Bradley groaned and reached for Colin, pulling the other man against him as best he could. The two lost themselves in their kiss, hands running eagerly over each other’s torsos. Colin’s head fell back with a groan as Bradley rucked up his t-shirt, needing to touch his skin, and Bradley immediately latched onto his neck, nibbling and sucking.
“Bradley, I - I want…” Colin gasped, clutching at Bradley’s hair.
“Yeah?” Bradley asked, nearly groaning at the sight of Colin’s flushed cheeks, swollen lips and bedroom eyes.
“Can we… go somewhere else? Somewhere with a bed?” Colin asked, making sure Bradley knew where this was going.
Bradley gulped and nodded quickly. The two men quickly grabbed their coats and left, Bradley shooting a quick text off to Katie to tell her that they were both tired and going to bed (In the morning he would get a text from her filled with all sorts of dirty suggestions about how they could keep each other awake, and Bradley would reply with a guilt-inducing text about her sullying Colin’s virtue). It wasn’t long until they were back at the hotel, both brimming with nerves and desire.
The moment they were in the elevator and the door closed, they were on each other, kissing desperately, Bradley pinning Colin against a wall and shoving his thigh against his crotch, causing Colin to throw his head back with a wild keen. Colin pulled Bradley flush against him and Bradley moaned loudly as their hips rutted fervently against each other.
“So, my place or yours?” Bradley blurted, and immediately slapped a palm over his face.
Colin stuffed his face against Bradley’s neck and laughed, and that was all that was needed for the last of their nerves to drain away as they relaxed against each other.
Colin kissed him sweetly and then said, “Yours would be best I think. I seem to remember Eoin giving you, um, supplies?”
Bradley nodded and turned slightly red as he remembered the condoms and lube Eoin had given him with a lecherous grin (he and Katie deserved each other honestly) as a coming out present, but he guessed he should be happy about it now.
The elevator doors opened and they manhandled each other down the hallway, tumbling into Bradley’s room once he got it unlocked. Bradley made sure the door was locked and then he and Colin were rushing to the bed, pulling their clothes off until at last they were naked and staring at each other. Bradley felt exposed under Colin’s awed gaze, and so lay down on the bed, pulling Colin on top of him and spreading his legs to cradle Colin between them. Colin rocked his hips down and Bradley bucked up, and the two men groaned as their erections slide against each other. Colin continued to rock against him and leaned down to kiss him deeply for a few moments before he pulled back and stilled. Bradley wanted to moan in protest, but stopped when he saw Colin was staring down at him with a look in his eye Bradley had thought he’d never see.
“I love you,” Colin said softly. “I’m completely terrified, but, I do. I want you, and this, and … everything. I love you, Bradley.”
Bradley smiled so wide his cheeks hurt and his heart felt like it was going to burst from how happy he was right now. He reached up to stroke Colin’s cheek, delighted when the other man nuzzled against his palm.
“I love you too Colin,” he said, and his heart skipped a beat at the smile Colin gave him.
They fell back into each other, and though Bradley wanted to touch and taste Colin everywhere, he knew he wouldn’t last long, and more than anything, he ached to have Colin inside him, to fully connect with this man. He scrabbled to open his bedside drawer and pulled out the lube and condoms. Colin’s eyes widened when he saw them, but Bradley felt his dick twitch, so he was fairly certain that he was okay with this.
“What, um, what way do you want to do this?” Colin asked unsurely.
“Just like this,” Bradley breathed, lifting his hips so that Colin’s dick brushed against the cleft of his arse.
Colin gulped and then kissed him fiercely, breathing out, “Yes,” and, “Fuck,” in between the press of their lips and slide of their tongues.
“Colin, have you ever?” Bradley trailed off, not wanting to upset the other man, but needing to know how he was supposed to handle this.
“Um, I’ve fooled around a few times when I was drunk in university, but I’ve never done anything like this,” Colin admitted, his voice coloured with embarrassment as he hung his head.
Bradley reached up and raised Colin’s head so they’re looking into each other’s eyes.
“Thank you for sharing this with me,” he said in a sincere and grateful tone and Colin smiled, relieved.
They kissed, and then Colin said, “So, what do I do? I mean, oh God, I know you need to be prepared, but do I? Do you?” He trailed off helplessly.
“Either or both,” Bradley told him, rubbing his back soothingly, “it depends on what you prefer. How about I start and you can join in if you’d like?”
“Yeah,” Colin choked out. “That’d … that’d be good.”
Bradley grabbed a pillow and put it under his hips, spreading his legs while Colin scooted back and watched with wide, hungry eyes. He uncapped the lube, slicked his fingers, tossed the tube by Colin, then reached down and circled a finger around his entrance before pushing it all the way in, gasping. He hadn’t done this since he’d come back, and there was a bit of a stretch but it was pleasurable. He slid his fingers in and out a few times before he added another finger, scissoring and stretching himself, relishing the slight burn and then moaning obscenely when he crooked his fingers and hit his prostate. This spurred Colin into action, and he squeezed lube over his fingers, slicking them before shuffling forward. He placed one hand on Bradley’s hip and when Bradley nodded, slowly pushed his finger in alongside Bradley’s. Bradley’s hips bucked and he groaned at how good it feels, having Colin be here with him, touching him like this. Colin’s hand tightened its hold on his hip and his finger sped up as it thrust in and out of him, before he suddenly added another one, twisting and pushing until he was repeatedly jabbing Bradley’s prostate and Bradley was arching off the bed with a high-pitched whine.
“Please, please, oh fuck Colin, I’m not - I need - “ he babbled.
Colin nodded and quickly pulled his fingers out along with Bradley, then reached for the condom. He rolled it on his erection, covered it in lube and then leaned over Bradley, kissing him as he guided himself in and pushed past the ring of muscles slowly. He continued to push in, pausing every now and then, scattering kisses over Bradley’s face, neck and chest while Bradley clutched at his back and drew his knees up to his chest, allowing Colin to go even deeper until he bottomed out, his thighs resting snugly against Bradley’s arse. Colin was panting harshly, his hands running up and down Bradley’s legs and sides. Bradley shifted, drew one leg up over Colin’s shoulder, and the other around his waist, and Colin pulled the pillow out from beneath Bradley, curling his knees under in its place so that the two of them were curled tightly around each other. They kissed, breaking it once Colin started to move, small minute thrusts that quickly built into more. Bradley was lost in a whirlwind of sensations: Colin’s dick in his arse, gliding against his prostate, Colin’s stomach rubbing against his cock, Colin’s lips against his neck. He was overwhelmed, on the verge of climax, but didn’t want to fall over, not yet, not without Colin, so he bit down on Colin’s shoulder and clenched his arse muscles, hanging on as Colin sped up his thrusts with a keen. Colin’s thrusts started to lose their rhythm and he was moaning continuously as he raked his nails down Bradley’s sides. Bradley moved his hips as best he could, meeting Colin thrust for thrust and suddenly lost it. His whole body jerked and shook, and he fairly screamed as his orgasm hit him. He continued to ride the high as Colin thrust wildly into him, and shuddered as Colin keened and jerked through his own orgasm. The two men held each other through the aftershocks, before Bradley shifted his legs with a slightly pained groan, and Colin pulled out, pulled off the condom and rolled off the bed to dispose of it. He headed into the bathroom while Bradley stretched, relishing how relaxed, stated and sore in the best possible way, he felt. Colin returned after a moment with a damp face cloth, cleaned them both, tossed it to the side and then curled up beside Bradley, kissing him as he threw a leg over Bradley’s, and an arm across his chest. Bradley carded his hands through Colin’s hair and poured every ounce of love and devotion he had into it. Their kisses deepened, then lengthened, then softened and eventually wound down into small pecks, before they settled down with contented sighs.
Bradley could feel his eyes starting to droop, when Colin said anxiously, “Do we have to tell people about us?”
“Not if you don’t want to,” Bradley replied, pressing a kiss to Colin’s temple.
“But, it’s not… I want to be with you,” Colin said in a rushed whisper. “I really do, and I want to be your boyfriend, I just… Can we keep it between us for now?”
“Of course,” Bradley replied reassuringly. “We won’t tell anyone until you’re ready.”
“Thank you,” Colin said gratefully.
He kissed Bradley’s cheek, yawned and then said in a sad, sleepy voice, “I’m sorry I’m not as brave as you,” before he drifted off.
His heart bursting with love and empathy for Colin, Bradley wrapped his arms around him, held him tight and whispered against his hair, “you are far braver than you think.”
***
“I want to start telling people,” Colin declared a few weeks later when they were lying together.
“Yeah?” Bradley asked, but he wasn’t really surprised.
The best thing about their new relationship had been that the friendship, which they had been so tentative about restoring, had come flooding back in the wake of their new-found intimacy. Everyone had commented on how well they were getting along again, and how happy they were, and Bradley and Colin could only agree. However, as their relationship had progressed in secret, outwardly they had been getting very friendly, verging on flirty with each other. Bradley had begun to think that they would need to cool off before anyone suspected anything, but he was pleasantly surprised that Colin wanted to choose this option.
“Yeah,” Colin said firmly, his hand finding Bradley’s and linking their fingers together. “Not like officially or to the public or anything, but to our friends, maybe… maybe our families.”
“You want to meet my family?” Bradley asked in a delighted voice.
“Someday yes,” Colin replied, his face red, but his smile bright and happy, “and I’d like you to meet mine.”
Bradley kissed him because he absolutely had to, and then said, “I’d like that. So, how are we going to tell the guys?”
Colin thought for a moment, then grinned slyly and said, “What do you think of kissing during filming?”
Bradley burst out laughing. “I think Katie would enjoy it far too much, and would somehow get her hands on the recording of it to use as blackmail.”
“Hmm, that is true…I guess we just tell them at some point.”
In the end, they decided to tell only their close friends (i.e. Katie, Angel, Tony, Richard, Eoin, Rupert, Ade and Tom), the ones they spent most of their time with, so they wouldn’t have to watch themselves around them anymore. They sat them down in Bradley’s room, linked hands and then told them about their relationship. Everyone’s initial reaction was along the lines of, “Wait, Colin’s gay?!” but then Katie was cheering and hugging them, and the rest of them were giving them their congratulations and well-wishes. Katie immediately declared a celebratory pub trip was in order and hustled everyone out of the hotel. This time, Bradley and Colin did get up and dance with everyone, brushing against each other and sending each other flirty smiles, the promise of later in their eyes. A few days later, Eoin gave them a package with a filthy grin and Bradley and Colin opened it to find even more lube and condoms, nipple clamps, a cock ring and a pair of handcuffs. Both men turned bright red, but after glancing at each other, smiled and locked themselves away to try out their new toys.
Emboldened by the support of their friends, Colin slowly opened up to the other members of the cast and crew and was met with surprised, but overall positive feedback (Bradley personally believed that even if they did have a problem they’d never say it to his face. He hadn’t been exaggerating when he’d said that everyone loved Colin). Finally, Colin plucked up the courage to ring his brother and tell him. Bradley sat next to him, flicking through a book and paying no attention to his murmuring, but burst into silent laughter when Colin suddenly yelled, “What do you mean you knew?!”
All in all, it went rather swimmingly in Bradley’s opinion, though Colin was still hesitant about coming out to the media.
“I just don’t feel ready yet,” he apologised. “I know it went well for you, but…”
“You’ve done so much already Colin,” Bradley told him, kissing him softly. “I’m so proud of you.”
Colin blushed and kissed him back. “Thank you,” he said gratefully. “I want to, I really do. Someday I will, I promise.”
“And I promise I will be right by your side when you do,” Bradley replied lovingly.
***
“Are you sure about this?” Bradley asked Coin, who was bouncing on his feet.
Colin flashed him a nervous smile and nodded, before swallowing thickly. Bradley immediately pulled Colin to him, and the other man folded against him with a happy sigh. They’d been together a year, but Bradley still felt a happy tingle whenever he and Colin touched.
“If you’re not one hundred percent sure about this I’ll just go out there on my own and no one will be any wiser.”
“No no, I’m completely positive I want to do this, I’m just… a little nervous,” Colin replied, giving Bradley a reassuring squeeze.
“That’s understandable,” Bradley chuckled, then added teasingly, “You do realise that you’re going to make the internet explode. All those fangirls will be driven into a frenzy.”
“Whisht(1) you,” Colin said in a mock scolding tone, before giving him a quick kiss.
“Mister James? You’re on now,” a runner nearby told him, holding a microphone towards him.
“Okay cheers,” Bradley said, taking the microphone off him.
He gave Colin one last kiss and then climbed the steps to the side of the stage, upon which the announcer was saying, “and now boys and girls, please welcome to the stage, the hunky heart-throb who knows how to wield a sword - BRADLEY JAMES!”
Bradley checked his microphone was on and ran out on to the stage, shouting, “Hello London Pride!” while the crowd shouted, clapped and cheered. This was their plan; Bradley would go out on stage and do his bit and whenever Colin felt ready, he would join Bradley on the stage.
He knew the instant his boyfriend appeared on stage because the cheers swelled massively, and many people started screaming and chanting Colin’s name. Bradley turned and smiled at Colin, who was blushing, but smiling and waving enthusiastically at the crowd. When the cheering had died down, Bradley said, “Hello everyone, I’m Bradley James and as most of you know, I’m gay.”
The crowd cheered again and Bradley smiled, feeling enveloped in warmth and satisfaction, and above all, love. He turned to look at Colin, and the crowd was quickly silent as Coin raised his microphone.
There was a palpable vibration running through the crowd, an air of expectation and excitement. Colin looked around nervously, before he suddenly grabbed Bradley’s hand. There was a single shriek from within the crowd, which was quickly cut off, and several people in the front looked like they were about to faint.
‘Internet exploding,’ Bradley mouthed at Colin, who laughed, and then raised the microphone to his lips, much more confident this time.
“Hello everyone, I’m Colin Morgan, and I think it’s time you all knew that I’m gay.”
AND THE SHRIEKS OF FANGIRLS COULD BE HEARD THE WORLD OVER, AND THE INTERNET DID IN FACT EXPLODE.
(1) Whisht you = irish saying for ‘be quiet’