Fic: One Day (Part 2)
15th September 2011
9.21
‘Katie guess what’ Bradley said when she joined them at the bottom of the hill. Katie ignored him. ‘Katie. Katie. Katie. Katie. Katie...’ Bradley repeated.
‘Please answer him or this will go on all day.’ Colin begged.
‘Katie. Katie. Katie...’
‘But I know what he’s going to say. He has the afternoon off and so do you but I don’t’ Katie said. ‘He’s been going on about it all week.’
‘Katie. Katie...’
‘Well it is rare for us to have time off when you don’t’ Colin said fairly.
‘Katie. Katie. Katie...’
‘WHAT Bradley!’ Katie yelled finally.
‘Your hair looks nice today’ Bradley grinned.
‘Ahh!’ Katie screamed.
‘Woah that’s quite an impressive colour there Katie’ Bradley said nervously.
His saviour came in the unlikely shape of Angel who was listening to her ipod. ‘Ooh I love this song!’ she said. ‘If I had a million dollars by the Barenecked Ladies.’
‘What would you do if you had a million dollars’ Bradley asked the group at large, seizing on the distraction before Katie killed him.
‘I’d change it too pounds’ Colin said promptly.
‘Ha ha’ Bradley said sarcastically. ‘Fine if you had a million pounds.’
‘I’d give mine to charity and buy some presents for my friends and family’ Angel said. ‘And myself of course. I’m not a saint.’
‘Good because it was starting to sound like it Angel’ Bradley said.
‘I’d put into a high interest account and live off the interest’ Katie decided after a moment’s pause.
Bradley and Colin exchanged a look. ‘Boring!’ they chorused.
‘Well what would you do?’ Katie demanded.
‘Well buy a house for starters. No more crummy flats that fall apart.’ Colin said.
‘And a dog. I’ve always wanted a dog and you can’t have them in flats.’ Bradley chipped in.
‘Called Percy. I’ve always thought that was a good name for a dog. And a car...’ Colin continued.
‘A Porsche. Or a Ferrari. Something snazzy and extravagant.’ Bradley sighed dreamily. ‘And an indoor swimming pool?’
‘Why not?’ Colin replied. ‘We have a million dollars after all.’
‘We?’ Katie asked. ‘Are you two actually planning your future together?’
‘What? No!’ Colin exclaimed. ‘We just have similar dreams that’s all.’
‘Similar dreams? Colin you just named his dog. And I notice you’re sharing a coffee again.’
‘So? We always share coffee. What are you implying?’ Bradley said suspiciously.
‘Nothing’ Katie sing-songed sweetly.
Bradley was about to reply when Rupert came skidding down the hill, announcing the imminent arrival of the cars.
‘I’ll talk to you later.’ Bradley told Katie sternly.
‘Whatever Bradley.’
*
3.21 pm
‘D’you wanna come over?’ Bradley asked into the phone. ‘I’m bored.’
‘Bradley I left you like... half an hour ago! And I can’t believe you called me when I am quite literally ten steps away.’ Colin cried in disbelief.
‘Yeah but I’m too lazy to move’ Bradley moaned. ‘And bored. So entertain me.’
‘Yes master’ Colin drawled and Bradley could picture him rolling his eyes.
‘Aw come on Colin. Countdown is about to start. Countdown’s our thing.’
‘Everything is ‘our thing’ according to you.’
‘Well we have a lot of things.’
Colin chuckled and then sighed in defeat. ‘Fine but you have to come to me.’
‘Awww’ Bradley whined. ‘But Colin...’
‘Hey you’re the one that wants to hang out.’ Colin pointed out and hung up.
It took Bradley about ten seconds to decide his boredom outweighed his laziness and another ten to muster the energy to get off the bed. So it was approximately thirty seconds later that he stood outside Colin’s door, raising his hand to knock. Colin pulled it open before he got the chance.
‘You were wrong’ Bradley announced.
‘Eh?’ Colin was understandably confused.
‘It’s seven steps to your room actually.’
Colin rolled his eyes, something he was somewhat of an expert at, especially when Bradley was around. ‘Are you coming in or what?’
They both made themselves comfortable on Colin’s bed and flipped on the TV.
‘Remind me again why we’re spending our afternoon off watching countdown’ Colin said as the titles rolled.
‘Daytime television gives you a greater appreciation of your job’ Bradley said knowledgably.
‘But I already appreciate my job.’
‘Well...’ Bradley was momentarily floored. ‘Then it makes you appreciate your job more.’
‘Who d’you reckon is gonna win then?’ Colin asked getting down to that matter at hand.
‘Definitely Alan. Wisdom over youth any day. That’s why we’re so shit at it. Or at least that’s the story I’m sticking too.’
Colin laughed. ‘Well I’m backing Daniel then. Four time winner after all and with a job description as boring as ‘Search Engine Optimization Consultant’ he can’t lose.’
‘But he’s from Manchester!’ Bradley exclaimed.
‘You’re a twat.’ Colin said calmly. ‘Now shhh they’re doing the letters. God Rachel is hot. Do you think they make her wear short skirts and low cut tops to try and attract a younger audience? Because it works on me.’
‘She could pick my consonant any day’ Bradley agreed.
‘That sounded both creepy and perverted.’
‘My speciality. Oh the time’s starting.’ They both grabbed their pens and notebooks. GILENAFUD Colin wrote at the top of the page.
‘You know if there was an S we could have Giles’ Bradley commented as they scribbled. They didn’t enforce the no talking rule.
‘You’re obsessed. It’s weird.’ Colin said simply.
Bradley just frowned at him as the music signalled the end of time.
‘Six!’ Bradley shouted.
‘Me too’ Colin said.
‘Nailed.’
‘Oh weird I got failed.’
‘What the fuck they got a seven and an eight!’ Bradley scowled. ‘Finagled? What the hell does that mean?’
They watched in silence for a moment.
‘To obtain by dishonest or devious means’ Colin echoed Susie.
‘Well I never would have got that.’
‘We could have got dealing though.’ Colin pointed out.
‘Your mum could have got dealing’ Bradley muttered with his usual level of maturity.
‘Probably’ Colin said agreeably. ‘She’s great at anagrams and shit like that.’
‘Urgh what a horrible collection of letters’ Bradley noted as Alan finished making his first pick. VSTEIEGSI.
‘Well I can see one right off’ Colin said, scribbling it down. ‘It’s a gooden too.’
‘You can’t psyche me out Colin Morgan’ Bradley said determinedly, concentrating so hard he stuck his tongue out. They worked in silence until the music sounded.
‘Six!’ Bradley yelled.
‘Eight in your face!’
‘Sieges’ Bradley said miserably.
‘Vestiges. But you did better than Alan who I might add you are backing to win this thing. He only got a five’
‘Yeah well your guy got another eight. I think me and Alan are doomed. Damn you Alan!’
*
4.11 pm
‘We are not watching Deal or No Deal.’ Bradley complained.
‘Hey you made me watch Countdown so it’s all fair. Beside my guy won so you have to do what I want.’
‘When was this agreed?’
‘Just now. It’s a new rule I just made up. Anyway be happy. Now you don’t have to buy me rolos’ Colin said referring to their old rule which meant the loser buying the winner a tube of rolos.
‘Fine!’ Bradley grumbled. ‘It’s just so over dramatic. ’22 boxes. A quarter of a million pounds. Just one question’ Bradley said in a whiny imitation of Noel Edmonds voice. ‘With the heartbeat soundtrack in the background. Gah! I can’t take it!’
‘Aw it’s just a bit of fun.’ Colin said. Deal or No Deal was one of his guilty pleasures.
‘And Noel Edmonds is a twat’ Bradley wasn’t done ranting.
‘How is he?’
‘He just is!’ Bradley cried.
‘That’s not a reason. You’re just in a bad mood because you lost Countdown aren’t you?’
‘No’ Bradley pouted.
‘Look if you watch with me I’ll buy you some rolos. Deal?’
Bradley snorted. ‘...or No Deal. That is the question. Fine deal.’
‘Ooh number 21 is quite hot. I hope it’s her.’ Colin said distracted.
‘Is that why you watch this shit? To perve on young women?’
‘It’s a perk’ Colin responded cheerfully.
‘Ah number 11. She’s not so hot’ Bradley groaned in disappointment. ‘Oh and look this is another thing I can’t stand. They’re hugging her like ‘good for you’ and ‘well done for being picked by the absolutely random generator’.’
‘Yeah and secretly they’re like ‘Bitch that money was mine!’ and are hoping she’ll fail.’ Colin chortled.
‘Ooh her boyfriend is quite hot. Batting below his level I would say.’ Bradley commented.
‘Really? She’s not bad looking.’ Colin said fairly.
‘True but he’s hotter’ Bradley insisted. On set he had made no secret of the fact that he was bi and he knew Colin was totally comfortable with his comments. That’s why he liked spending time with Colin. He didn’t have to worry about censoring himself at all. He could just speak his mind.
‘Oh God what’s this with photo’s now? We’re not interested in your life story!’ Bradley shouted at the TV. ‘And why are you half naked?’
‘Ad campaign’ Colin muttered as he was actually listening.
They watched quietly for a few moments before Bradley had another complaint.
‘And see now she’s thanking him just because he had ten pounds in his box. Even though he picked the box at random and she picked him at random. It’s totally ridiculous!’
‘Ahhh! Bradley’s you’re driving me crazy. Do you want to watch something else?’ Colin yelled.
‘No I want to see if she wins now.’ Bradley said as if Colin was being stupid.
Colin sighed, sensing it was going to a long half an hour.
*
4.44 pm
‘And now people are crying because she got the one p. It doesn’t affect them!’ Bradley had continued in this vein throughout the entirety of the show. Colin had developed a slight twitch. ‘God and listen to the bollocks her boyfriend is spouting. ‘Yeah but you had the courage to go all the way’. Twat! He’s not so hot anymore.’
‘Bradley?’ Colin said.
‘Yeah.’
‘We are never watching this again. Are you satisfied? In fact I won’t ever be able to watch it again either because anytime I do I will have flashbacks to this day and have to curl up in a corner. Satisfied?’
‘Yep.’ Bradley beamed.
*
9.29 pm
‘Katie, Angel, there you are!’ Bradley said, shouldering his way through the crowds. ‘How are you? I haven’t seen you since this morning.’
Colin appeared by his side moments later, holding two beers and handed one to Bradley.
‘Hey guys!’ he grinned.
‘Yeah it was pretty good.’ Katie said. ‘I didn’t realise how weird it would be without Tony on set though.’
‘I know!’ Bradley said. ‘It’s weird. I’m finally King which is what I always wanted and yet now I feel so hollow inside.’
Angel laughed. ‘Mine was pretty boring. Just doing some scenes with Santiago. We fight, we break up, we kiss, we make up blah blah blah.’
‘Did you just quote Katy Perry lyrics?’ Bradley asked.
‘I was hoping no one would notice’ Angel admitted. ‘How was your afternoon off?’
‘Well we watched countdown and realised how little we knew about the English language. Although I won out of me and Bradley’ Colin told them.
‘Yeah and then he made me watch Deal or No Deal!’ Bradley cried.
‘And he hasn’t stopped complaining about it since. After that we caught the second half of Pointless on BBC and realised how little we knew about everything else.’ Colin said.
‘It was an eye opener’ Bradley agreed.
‘You wasted your afternoon watching day time TV?’ Katie asked with an arched eyebrow.
‘It made us appreciate our jobs!’ Bradley and Colin chorused and then laughed.
‘Glad to hear it’ a voice boomed from behind them and they turned as one to see Julian two, which wasn’t his real name but it was easier than dealing with surnames. The Julians didn’t know they did that of course but the whole cast referred to them as Julian one and two.
‘Hey happy birthday mate!’ Bradley said.
‘Yeah great party!’ Colin smiled, raising his pint in a cheers motion.
‘Oh don’t remind me. I turned forty yesterday. Forty!’
‘Well you look good for your age’ Bradley said, a bit unsure of what was required of him.
‘Thank you Bradley’ Julian said dryly. ‘Well you four enjoy yourselves. Day off tomorrow remember!’ Then he disappeared into the crowd with a grin and a wink.
‘Well you heard the man!’ Bradley said. ‘Another drink anyone?’
*
11.37 pm
Colin and Bradley were both outside ‘getting some air’. Meaning they had both drunk too much.
‘Maybe I shoulda stopped with the teqeeela’ Colin slurred, half leaning on Bradley to keep himself upright.
‘I could not agree with you more Cols’ Bradley said, slurring almost as much.
‘‘m gonna miss you Bradley’ Colin said abruptly with drunken sincerity.
‘Not going anywhere’ Bradley mumbled, confused.
‘No! Shhhhhhhh listen! I mean next year.’
‘Oooh. Me too dude. You’re like the best friend I ever had. You’re like incredible.’
‘No you’re incredible’ Colin said. ‘I mean you’re such a good friend. It’s like you can read my mind sometimes.’ His eyes widened comically.
‘Hey hey hey look!’ Bradley flailed excitedly. ‘A shooty star. Make a wish!’
‘That’s an air-o-plane Bradley’ Colin laughed, over pronouncing the word. ‘Notice the blinky red light?’
‘Then wish on the plane Col’ Bradley insisted. He shut his eyes tightly and mouthed something to himself. Colin sighed but then followed suit, closing his eyes and wishing hard. He opened them again to find Bradley staring at him.
‘Dude you’re awesome’ Bradley said honestly like it was the best compliment he could bestow upon anyone.
‘So are you’ Colin said with a dazzling smile. Bradley leant forward and pressed a soft kiss to Colin’s smiling mouth. It was quick. No more than a swift slide of their lips, something to be laughed about the next day and written off as a drunken mistake.
Bradley pulled back and then slung an arm around Colin’s shoulders. They both stayed there until Katie and Angel came looking for them, holding on to each other and staring at the stars.
*
September 15th 2012
9.03 am
‘Cheer up guys. I’ve never seen so many miserable faces.’ Johnny said bracingly. ‘I know this is the last day of Merlin. No more seasons. We are done. Today our Merlin adventure comes to an end. But I want you to remember that you were all part of this brilliant show and helped make it a success. We all go our separate ways tomorrow. Bradley’s off to America. Congrats on the job mate.’ There was a brief pause for cheering. ‘Julian’s already got his teeth into a new BBC drama so good luck with that. Tony sent me an email and he’s very happy in his new role and he sends his love to everyone. And everybody else good luck for the future, you all deserve great things. Now let’s have one last push today and make sure Merlin ends with a bang!’ There was more cheering but it was a lot more subdued than usual and then everyone dissolved into soft chatter.
‘I can’t believe it’s over!’ Angel said despondently.
‘Hey cheer up Ange!’ Santiago said, putting an arm round her. ‘Don’t you have that audition on Tuesday?’
‘Yeah’ Angel sighed, ‘you’re right. I have to be positive. I’m just gonna miss you guys.’
‘We’re gonna miss you too!’ Colin said and hugged her. Soon all six of them, Katie, Angel, Colin, Bradley, Santiago and Rupert were embroiled in a group hug.
‘It’s weird enough not seeing Tony and Richard anymore.’ Bradley said without extricating himself.
‘Yeah’ Katie agreed sadly.
‘You smell nice Bradley!’ Colin piped up suddenly and there was brief pause before everyone laughed.
‘That wasn’t creepy at all’ Bradley said sarcastically and finally let go of him. They all broke apart and stood in an awkward circle instead.
‘We’ll have to still see each other’ Rupert said determinedly.
‘That’s easy for you guys. I fly to LA at six am tomorrow morning’ Bradley said with a shudder. He noticed Colin staring at him and met his eye steadily. Colin’s face was hard to read but Bradley had had years of practise. I’m gonna miss you most of all.
Bradley nodded slightly as if to say: Yeah me too.
*
12.12 pm
‘Our last lunch together!’ Angel wailed as they all tucked in.
‘She’s been doing this all day’ Santiago told the others. ‘This is the last time I’ll wear this dress! This is the last time I’ll kiss you’ Santiago imitated.
‘Come on guys we should have fun. It’s like... the last supper. Apart from we will all be having dinner together tonight but meh. That’s not important.’ Bradley said, as usual waving his fork around wildly.
‘Cutlery Bradley!’ Colin said automatically.
Bradley grinned. ‘What am I going to do without someone warning me about cutlery?’
‘Stab someone probably’ Colin said with a chuckle. ‘Maybe on your next set they’ll just learn to give you plastic cutlery.’
‘Great they’re gonna think I’m special with a capital five.’ Bradley moaned.
‘What? You can’t have capital numbers.’ Rupert said.
‘Don’t bother’ Colin advised him. He had already had this conversation with Bradley which had resulted in Bradley inventing capital numbers and scrawling two sets of numbers on a napkin when they were having dinner. See? A clear distinction between the two! Bradley had shouted triumphantly. He even managed to write two different eights. Colin smiled fondly at the memory and then frowned when he realised that they wouldn’t be having many moments like that from now on.
He was bought back to the present by Bradley who squeezed his arm comfortingly and gave him a swift smile as if he knew what Colin was thinking. Heck he probably did. Colin gave him a small smile back and then returned moodily to his salad.
‘Hey Col at least you’ll be able to eat your own food from now on’ Katie pointed out as Bradley swiftly stabbed a piece of Colin’s cucumber and ate it before Colin had time to react.
‘Yeah every cloud had a silver lining!’ Colin agreed and he tried to grin but he wasn’t fooling anyone. Nobody was quite sure how to go about cheering Colin up. It was so rare for him to be out of sorts. Naturally everybody turned to Bradley.
‘You know the one thing we have to do before we leave Col?’ Bradley said.
‘What’s that?’ Colin asked.
‘Throw something at Phil!’
‘Eh?’ Katy said which is what most of the rest of the table was thinking.
‘Phil is a techie dude that pulled Lisa, you remember that girl that Bradley was interested in?’ Colin explained.
‘But that was four years ago!’ Katie exclaimed.
‘Yeah but I hold a grudge’ Bradley said darkly.
‘Anyway I said he deserved to have something thrown at him...’ Colin said shrugging in a ‘it seemed a good thing to say at the time’ kinda way.
‘And that day is today’ Bradley declared grandly. ‘But what should I throw?’
‘A bottle’ Angle suggested. They all looked at her. ‘What?’
‘We don’t actually want a lawsuit on our hands’ Bradley said.
‘A mongoose’ Rupert said seriously.
‘A rabid mongoose’ Santiago added.
‘No lots of rabid mongooses’ Colin said.
‘Mongeese.’ Bradley corrected.
‘Nuh uh. Mongooses!’ Colin insisted.
‘If the plural of goose is geese then the plural of mongoose should be mongeese’ Bradley said.
‘Should doesn’t come into it. The plural of moose isn’t meese is it?’ Colin pointed out.
‘Well it should be’ Bradley declared.
‘There you go again with your should. English is a fucked up language.’ Colin said.
‘What is the plural of moose?’ Angel asked.
‘It’s moose.’ Santiago said.
‘What? The plural of moose is moose? That’s stupid!’ Angel exclaimed.
‘The word moose is losing all meaning!’ Katie cried.
‘Yeah it’s like sheep isn’t it?’ Colin said, having been thinking about it. ‘One sheep, two sheep etc.’
‘Anyway I think we’re getting off topic’ Rupert said.
‘I think it would be quite unsafe to throw a rabid mongoose’ Angel said thoughtfully. ‘I mean what’s to stop them turning around and biting you. I think you should use wombats.’
‘Why wombats?’ Rupert asked.
‘Easier to train’ Angel said like it was obvious. The others laughed.
Colin had definitely cheered up but it was conversations like these that served to remind him just how much he was going to lose when Merlin was over.
*
7.30 pm
It was a reception not a party. Johnny insisted on that. It was a reception because it started with dinner and only then did it dissolve into drunken dancing and awkward speeches, much like a wedding reception. Colin was feeling a lot brighter, mainly because Richard and Tony had turned up out of the blue along with Michelle, Joe, Emilia and a bunch of other guests from the older series. It really did have the feel of a big reunion about it.
‘The last supper’ Bradley said thoughtfully.
‘It really is now!’ Angel agreed. The six of them were sitting together as usual.
‘I have to say there really was no expense spared for this party’ Rupert said, looking around at the large hall, clearly impressed.
‘It’s a reception not a party!’ Bradley said, using the Johnny voice he had cultivated to perfection over the years.
‘Do you think he’s saying that in a hope it will stop us getting drunk?’ Santiago asked.
‘Nothing stops us getting drunk!’ Colin cried proudly.
‘Hear hear!’ The others chorused and they all clashed their glasses together, slopping a good amount of wine over the table.
‘Ah don’t waste the wine!’ Colin joked.
‘I don’t even like wine.’ Katie said, wrinkling her nose up and then promptly tipped the remains of her wine into Rupert’s glass.
‘Dude!’ he cried. ‘They were different wines.’
‘I’m sure it won’t make that much difference’ Katie said airily.
‘Mine was red and yours was white!’
‘Don’t go messing with a man’s wine Katie’ Bradley said like it was an unwritten rule of life.
‘You know this reminds me of the time that me and Katie went to the pub’ Angel said. ‘She said ‘I don’t like rum and I don’t like coke... I’ll have a rum and coke please!’’
Everyone laughed and Katie grinned a bit sheepishly.
‘Oh look I think Julian two wants to make a speech.’ Santiago gestured towards the front of the room. Julian was waving his arms trying to attract the crowd’s attention with little effect. Bradley picked up a knife and bashed it experimentally against the side of Katie’s empty glass. A little too hard as it turned out because the glass shattered.
‘Plastic cutlery’ Colin warned in undertones and Bradley blushed. However the noise had the desired effect of attracting everyone’s attention and Julian ‘two’ Murphy was finally able to speak.
‘Hey guys I just want to say a few words. I won’t keep you all night. This is a party after all. Oh sorry I mean a reception’ Julian corrected himself upon seeing Johnny’s glare. There were a few sniggers at that. ‘I just want to say thank you to everyone for all your hard work over the last five years. Each and everyone one of you has helped make this show a success. From the cast and extras to the tech crew in charge of lighting and cameras to the fabulous prop and costume department. All of you have very bright future ahead of you and who knows? Maybe our paths will all cross again someday. So I propose a toast. To the Future!’
‘To the future!’ everyone in the room chorused and downed their drinks.
‘I too have just a few words’ Johnny announced to muted groans. He pulled some paper out of his pocket. Colin took one look at it and settled back in his chair, deducting that from the amount of paper Johnny was holding this speech was going to take a while.
He was right.
*
8.58 pm
‘Bradley wake up!’ Colin hissed, elbowing him.
‘Wassat?’ Bradley mumbled sleepily.
‘Johnny’s speech is finally over’ Katie said looking faintly amused.
‘I fell asleep?’ Bradley said in amazement.
‘It was really boring’ Santiago grinned.
‘It was also really embarrassing. I had to keep coughing to cover up your snores.’ Colin said.
‘I do not snore!’ Bradley protested. ‘And you could of just woken me up.’
‘Yeah but then you would have been unbearably fidgety and bored. I figured this was the lesser of two evils.’ Colin explained. ‘And you do too snore.’
‘Children!’ Angel said, cutting through Bradley’s retort and putting an end to the argument.
‘Wait does that mean we can go party now?’ Bradley asked.
‘Don’t you mean go reception!’ Rupert said. ‘See what I did there?’ The others groaned and Rupert pouted.
‘We’ve all drunk quite a lot of wine while listening to Johnny though so now you have to catch up’ Santiago told Bradley.
With the speech over, people had started to get up and walk about, mainly gravitating towards the dance floor where some cheesy pop was blaring out the speakers. Santiago went the other way to the free bar.
‘What’s he getting?’ Bradley asked nervously.
‘I don’t know but I can’t help thinking a free bar was a terrible idea’ Angel said.
‘Free alcohol is never a bad idea’ Bradley and Colin chorused and Angel rolled her eyes at them.
Santiago returned with a pint glass filled to the brim with a revolting looking blue liquid. ‘Bottom’s up Bradley’ he said gleefully, handing him the glass.
‘What is it?’ Bradley asked suspiciously.
‘Probably best you don’t know’ Santiago admitted.
Colin smirked and then started to sing which the others promptly joined in with. ‘I like to drink with Bradley because Bradley is my mate. He drinks in moderation and I think that is great. Chug chug chug...’ they dissolved into chanting.
‘You guys must be drunk if you think this is a good idea’ Bradley whined still stubbornly refusing to drink.
‘Ok Bradley you drove me to this.’ Rupert said apologetically. The others watched curiously as Rupert dug into his pocket and produced a penny. Bradley tried to pull away but he was too late. Rupert dropped the penny into the glass and looked at Bradley innocently. ‘Well Bradley? Save the queen!’
The others cheered and then broke into a tuneless rendition of the national anthem. It was a rule in their little group that if you were ‘pennied’ you had to down the drink in order to save the queen. Some of the other crew members who had also resorted to drinking to get through Johnny’s speech got unsteadily to their feet and joined in the national anthem with drunken gusto.
Bradley sighed, glared at them one last time and then proceeded to down the blue liquid. He winced visibly once he was done. ‘Ok seriously what the hell was in that?’
‘Umm a lot of blue curacao, some vodka, tequila and some lemonade to act as a mixer.’ Santiago listed. Bradley frowned. He could already feel it going to his head slightly.
‘If I puke I’m blaming you’ Bradley said, frowning at all five of them.
‘No one forced you to drink it Bradley’ Katie said sweetly and Bradley scowled.
‘Hiya!’ A small blonde, perky woman with a huge camera and a bigger grin approached them. ‘Are you having fun tonight? Good good’ she said without waiting for an answer. ‘I’m Lucy. Here’s my card.’ She thrust out her hand with six cards fanned out in it. They looked at each other nervously before all taking a card. ‘I’m a photographer. I’ve been employed to take pictures of y’all tonight. To get the photos you can visit my website and print them off for free within the next month!’
There was a brief pause as everyone recoiled from the pure energy this woman was exuding at them and then Rupert spoke. ‘Er... good?’
‘Yes it is good young man. What about a group one to start?’
Lucy was very efficient behind the peppy exterior and soon had them arranged. After the group shot they took singles and doubles and triples. Anything they could think of really. In fact it got to the point where Lucy’s smile was dimming and she was trying to get away to take photos of everyone else but they kept dragging her back to take some more of them.
‘Me and Colin’ Bradley demanded suddenly, realising that they hadn’t had one together.
‘I should really get going...’ Lucy said, glancing at her watch.
‘Please Lucy just one more’ Colin gave her his trademark dazzling grin and she was of course immediately won over.
‘Alright. But only one!’
Bradley flung an arm over Colin’s shoulder and felt Colin’s arm slip round his waist. He turned to Colin for a moment, possibly to say something. He forgot instantly though when he caught Colin’s eye. Colin’s eyes were bright with suppressed laughter as they so often were but there was an underlying softness as he looked at Bradley now. A fondness that made Bradley’s chest hurt to think about. There was a flash and Lucy disappeared before they could badger her to take any more. Colin released Bradley and turned away. Clearly he was not having the same crazy mind fuck moment that Bradley was.
‘Damn we weren’t looking at the camera!’ Colin cursed. He scanned the crowd for Lucy but she had effectively vanished.
‘Never mind’ Angel said. ‘We have plenty of others. Now come on. We’ve got behind on our drinking!’
Everyone laughed and turned to the bar. They were half way across the room when they realised that Bradley wasn’t with them.
‘Where’s Bradley?’ Rupert asked in surprise. The all turned in confusion.
‘He was right there’ Katie said bemusedly.
‘He’s probably just in the loo’ Colin said. ‘Maybe he really is puking up that devil drink. I’ll go see.’ Colin tossed them one last grin and then he too disappeared into the crowd.
*
10.02 pm
‘Bradley? Bradley!’ Colin shouted and bashed on Bradley’s door. A small crack of light under the door told him that Bradley was either inside or had left the light on. Colin hoped it was the former. ‘Bradley! I know you’re in there. I have a key remember and I’m not afraid to use it!’
Colin heard a sigh from inside before the door was flung open and Bradley stood there with an unreadable expression on his face. ‘Colin what are you doing here?’ Bradley asked acting surprised. Colin wasn’t fooled though. He hadn’t known Bradley for five years and not picked up a few things.
‘What’s wrong?’ Colin asked in concern. ‘I’ve been looking all over for you.’
‘I just... don’t feel well. That drink.’ Bradley lied. Colin scowled and Bradley realised that Colin wasn’t going to let this go without a fight. ‘Look come in yeah?’
Bradley stood back and Colin passed him. It was weird seeing Bradley’s room so tidy. Bradley was generally messy with clothes and bits of paper littering every bit of available floor space. It was something that Colin had learned to tolerate over the years. But now the floor was bare and he was all packed up ready to leave tomorrow morning. Colin winced at the thought.
‘So what’s really wrong?’ Colin asked without preamble. It must be something major to pull Bradley away from his last night with his friends. Bradley didn’t seem like he was going to answer. He wandered over to the window and stared out, his back to Colin and his arms folded defensively across his chest. After a long pause in which Colin wondered whether he should repeat his question, Bradley finally spoke.
‘I’m gonna miss you’ he said quietly to the window.
‘Yeah...’ Colin said uncertainly. ‘I’m going to miss you too...’
‘No!’ Bradley span to look at him, almost angry and Colin flinched back without thinking. The look was foreign to Bradley’s face which was usually so prone to smiles and mischief. ‘I’m really going to miss you.’
Colin had the feeling that Bradley was trying to tell him something without words. But he couldn’t work out what it was. He shook his head more out of frustration that anything. And then Bradley got that look on his face. The one he got before he was about to do something very ill thought out and stupid. The one he got before pelting Katie with water balloons on her birthday, the one he got before he punched a guy in the pub for having a go at Colin, the one he got before using his car in a bet against Angel. Which he won incidentally.
‘Bradley what...’
But Colin ground to halt as Bradley crossed the room in a few easy strides. He paused in front of Colin, evidently still unsure about what he was going to do. He just stared at Colin for a moment and Colin held his gaze, his mouth dry and his palms sweaty. He suddenly knew what Bradley was going to do and had no desire to fight him as he leaned forward and pressed their lips together.
It was a chaste kiss reminiscent of the one they had shared at Julian’s birthday. But then Colin was fisting his hands in Bradley’s shirt and pulling him closer. A part of him thought that he and Bradley should maybe talk about this but a much bigger part of him thought that talking was distinctly overrated.
Bradley’s lips were soft but a little chapped even though he carried Vaseline around in his pocket constantly. In a way it was like kissing a girl but at the same time it wasn’t like it at all. He could feel the scrape of Bradley’s stubble against his cheek and when his hand inched under Bradley’s shirt he was met with hard muscle instead of soft curves.
Bradley nibbled gently on Colin’s bottom lip and Colin made a small sound of appreciation. Bradley took the opportunity to lick his way into Colin’s mouth. Colin tasted like wine and the trifle they had had for desert and something else that was perhaps unique to Colin. Their tongues met softly, tentatively as they both learned each other’s mouths for the first time. He allowed one of his hands to thread its way through Colin’s hair. It was soft to the touch and Bradley tugged on it gently, loving the feel of it running through his fingers. Colin had one hand on the bare skin at his hip, tracing delicious circles into the skin there. The other was cupping Bradley’s chin tenderly and Bradley suddenly felt overcome by affection and want and yearning.
He pulled away and looked at Colin. His eyes were bright and almost completely black with desire, his lips wet and his hair stuck up oddly where Bradley had been running his hand through it. He had never looked so beautiful.
‘Is something wrong?’ Colin was anxious and looked suddenly self-conscious.
‘Nothing. I just wanted to... look at you’ Bradley said in barely more than a whisper. And then he captured Colin’s lips in his again, determined to wipe the frown of Colin’s face. He felt Colin’s mouth curve under his and he smiled into the kiss too, loving the feel of it. Colin pushed him back gently, and they both toppled onto Bradley’s bed in a tangle of limbs and breathless laughter. Colin took advantage of his position on top of Bradley by undressing him. He took his time, slowly revealing Bradley. Bradley might have felt uncomfortable under Colin’s scrutiny if it wasn’t for the obvious wonder and delight in Colin’s face. It was weird. Colin had seen Bradley practically naked before, many times. But now he wanted to touch every bit of skin with his fingers and his tongue. He wanted to find the places that made Bradley squirm. Bradley allowed the scrutiny a moment longer before deciding he was at a distinct disadvantage and flipping them so he was on top.
Colin didn’t fight him, just smiled as Bradley returned the favour. He took his time as well. In a way they were both in denial, pretending they had all the time in the world together. But at the same time they knew that this was it and they wanted it to be special, not rushed or desperate.
Bradley had been wrong earlier. Colin was the most beautiful he had ever been like this. All pale and long-limbed, spread out beneath him, looking up at him through his lashes.
‘You look beautiful’ Bradley said honestly, without making a conscious decision to do so. Colin blushed furiously and smiled shyly.
‘You don’t look too bad yourself’ he said with his trademark cheeky grin. Bradley grinned back and then kissed him again. There was more of an edge now, a hunger to his kiss that wasn’t there before. He traced Colin’s skin with him palm, feeling the twitch of Colin’s muscle beneath the skin. Colin felt dizzy with sensation. Bradley’s heat and weight on top of him. But he didn’t feel trapped. He felt safe.
The kiss reached a feverish intensity until Colin felt that Bradley was stealing his breath away. But he still wanted more, wanted Bradley closer even though their bodies were flush together and he could feel Bradley’s erection digging into his hip. He twisted, seeking friction.
‘Move’ he muttered breathlessly against Bradley’s lips.
‘Oh demanding!’ Bradley teased and Colin managed a small chuckle.
‘You just can’t help but be a twat can you?’ Colin asked with a good stab at calm.
‘I don’t think you’re really in a position for insults are you Colin?’ Bradley reprimanded. Colin’s reply was lost because Bradley finally did move. He lifted his hips and then allowed them come together, slowly, teasingly so they could both feel every inch of each other.
‘God!’ Colin moaned.
‘You don’t have to call me God. Bradley is fine.’ Bradley murmured but he didn’t look all that composed himself. Once again he stopped Colin’s response by moving again, grinding against him harder this time.
‘You don’t play fair’ Colin gasped when he was able to talk coherently again. Bradley didn’t bother to answer; he just started moving again with a steady rhythm now. It was reasonably slow, the delicious, teasing friction, driving them slowly towards the edge. Bradley looked down at Colin who was flushed and breathless, his eyes cloudy with arousal but they still twinkled back at Bradley with that usual suppressed laughter. Bradley groaned at the sight of him and increased the pace to a messy jerky rhythm. The air was filled with the sound of their harsh breathing, small moans and the sound of skin on skin. Colin could feel the pleasure building until it was almost too intense and then his hands fisted into the duvet and he shuddered violently as he came, Bradley’s name on his lips.
The sight of Colin falling apart beneath him and the way his name sounded like that, half moan, half whimper was enough for Bradley to come apart as well. He felt the spread of warmth between them and then rolled quickly to the side so that he wouldn’t crush Colin. They lay panting for a few moments until Colin’s hand sought his and their fingers intertwined.
‘I never knew it could feel like that... with a man’ Colin said still slightly breathless.
‘Neither did I and I’ve been with men before’ Bradley admitted, eliciting a chuckle from Colin. He knew why. Sex before had mainly been about the physical but this was different. This had been about love, friendship and... goodbyes. ‘You’re not going to have a gay freak out on me are you?’ he asked to lessen the sudden pain in his chest.
‘Nah I’m too tired. Maybe tomorrow.’ Colin said and it was Bradley’s turn to laugh. ‘Anyway I can think of worse things than to be gay for Bradley James.’
‘And don’t you forget it’ Bradley said.
Colin turned over and started to get up off the bed and Bradley felt a sudden wave of panic. ‘Don’t go!’ he said and could hear the desperation in his voice.
Colin smiled gently at him. ‘I’m not. I’m just getting a towel.’ He disappeared into the bathroom and there was the sound of running water before he returned with a damp towel. He wiped the sticky combination of sweat and come from their bodies and then threw the towel away, snuggling back into Bradley’s side and threading their fingers together again. He nuzzled sleepily into Bradley’s cheek before pressing a gentle kiss there. Bradley flung his free arm over Colin and held him close.
‘Colin I feel like I should tell you. I lo...’
‘Don’t’ Colin said calmly.
‘What?’
‘I know ok. Me too. But don’t say it. It hurts too much.’
Bradley wanted to argue but he realised Colin was right. They may never see each other after today. Their lives were taking them on separate journeys and they would already have to live with wondering what could have been without making it even harder.
‘How long have you...?’ Bradley asked. The words ‘loved me’ unspoken in the air.
‘Pretty early on. That day that you gabbled to that French extra for about ten minutes before you realised he didn’t understand a word you were saying. And then you got all apologetic about it and flailed so much that you spilt your coffee over all three of us. Then you were trying to dab me dry with a dirty cloth and just covering my clothes in grime. And instead of being irritated I found it sort of endearing. And that’s how I knew.’ Colin said.
‘That was like in the second week of filming’ Bradley realised. ‘For me it was when I went a whole week without misunderstanding you once and I was so proud of myself. And then I suddenly realised why it meant so much to me that I could understand you’ Bradley said quietly and he felt that clenching in his chest again. ‘So much wasted time.’
‘We’ve had an amazing five years together. I couldn’t have asked for a better friend, someone I can be myself with, someone who always somehow knows the right thing to say, and can always put a smile on my face. No regrets!’ Colin said fiercely and Bradley grinned at him, pulling him closer. A thought occurred to him.
‘Can you say... the others.’ Bradley couldn’t even say it. But he would be up and gone tomorrow before any of the others were even awake. And he hadn’t said goodbye to them. Colin understood him of course.
‘I’ll tell them you said goodbye.’ Colin said quietly.
‘I suppose I should be saying the same to you’ Bradley said, aware that he would probably leave without Colin waking or noticing. He was a notoriously deep sleeper. Bradley could feel sleep tugging at him and he fought it, not wanting to waste a moment with Colin. But Colin smiled knowingly and pulled the duvet over them and shifted so his head was pillowed on Bradley’s chest.
‘Sleep’ Cold told him. There was a long pause and Bradley thought that maybe Colin, like him, couldn’t bear to say goodbye so he was just going to say nothing instead but then he spoke. ‘Until we meet again’ Colin murmured against Bradley’s chest.
‘Until we meet again’ Bradley said and couldn’t help the flare of hope that rose in his chest. He held Colin close until they fell asleep in each other’s arms.
*
Part 3
9.21
‘Katie guess what’ Bradley said when she joined them at the bottom of the hill. Katie ignored him. ‘Katie. Katie. Katie. Katie. Katie...’ Bradley repeated.
‘Please answer him or this will go on all day.’ Colin begged.
‘Katie. Katie. Katie...’
‘But I know what he’s going to say. He has the afternoon off and so do you but I don’t’ Katie said. ‘He’s been going on about it all week.’
‘Katie. Katie...’
‘Well it is rare for us to have time off when you don’t’ Colin said fairly.
‘Katie. Katie. Katie...’
‘WHAT Bradley!’ Katie yelled finally.
‘Your hair looks nice today’ Bradley grinned.
‘Ahh!’ Katie screamed.
‘Woah that’s quite an impressive colour there Katie’ Bradley said nervously.
His saviour came in the unlikely shape of Angel who was listening to her ipod. ‘Ooh I love this song!’ she said. ‘If I had a million dollars by the Barenecked Ladies.’
‘What would you do if you had a million dollars’ Bradley asked the group at large, seizing on the distraction before Katie killed him.
‘I’d change it too pounds’ Colin said promptly.
‘Ha ha’ Bradley said sarcastically. ‘Fine if you had a million pounds.’
‘I’d give mine to charity and buy some presents for my friends and family’ Angel said. ‘And myself of course. I’m not a saint.’
‘Good because it was starting to sound like it Angel’ Bradley said.
‘I’d put into a high interest account and live off the interest’ Katie decided after a moment’s pause.
Bradley and Colin exchanged a look. ‘Boring!’ they chorused.
‘Well what would you do?’ Katie demanded.
‘Well buy a house for starters. No more crummy flats that fall apart.’ Colin said.
‘And a dog. I’ve always wanted a dog and you can’t have them in flats.’ Bradley chipped in.
‘Called Percy. I’ve always thought that was a good name for a dog. And a car...’ Colin continued.
‘A Porsche. Or a Ferrari. Something snazzy and extravagant.’ Bradley sighed dreamily. ‘And an indoor swimming pool?’
‘Why not?’ Colin replied. ‘We have a million dollars after all.’
‘We?’ Katie asked. ‘Are you two actually planning your future together?’
‘What? No!’ Colin exclaimed. ‘We just have similar dreams that’s all.’
‘Similar dreams? Colin you just named his dog. And I notice you’re sharing a coffee again.’
‘So? We always share coffee. What are you implying?’ Bradley said suspiciously.
‘Nothing’ Katie sing-songed sweetly.
Bradley was about to reply when Rupert came skidding down the hill, announcing the imminent arrival of the cars.
‘I’ll talk to you later.’ Bradley told Katie sternly.
‘Whatever Bradley.’
*
3.21 pm
‘D’you wanna come over?’ Bradley asked into the phone. ‘I’m bored.’
‘Bradley I left you like... half an hour ago! And I can’t believe you called me when I am quite literally ten steps away.’ Colin cried in disbelief.
‘Yeah but I’m too lazy to move’ Bradley moaned. ‘And bored. So entertain me.’
‘Yes master’ Colin drawled and Bradley could picture him rolling his eyes.
‘Aw come on Colin. Countdown is about to start. Countdown’s our thing.’
‘Everything is ‘our thing’ according to you.’
‘Well we have a lot of things.’
Colin chuckled and then sighed in defeat. ‘Fine but you have to come to me.’
‘Awww’ Bradley whined. ‘But Colin...’
‘Hey you’re the one that wants to hang out.’ Colin pointed out and hung up.
It took Bradley about ten seconds to decide his boredom outweighed his laziness and another ten to muster the energy to get off the bed. So it was approximately thirty seconds later that he stood outside Colin’s door, raising his hand to knock. Colin pulled it open before he got the chance.
‘You were wrong’ Bradley announced.
‘Eh?’ Colin was understandably confused.
‘It’s seven steps to your room actually.’
Colin rolled his eyes, something he was somewhat of an expert at, especially when Bradley was around. ‘Are you coming in or what?’
They both made themselves comfortable on Colin’s bed and flipped on the TV.
‘Remind me again why we’re spending our afternoon off watching countdown’ Colin said as the titles rolled.
‘Daytime television gives you a greater appreciation of your job’ Bradley said knowledgably.
‘But I already appreciate my job.’
‘Well...’ Bradley was momentarily floored. ‘Then it makes you appreciate your job more.’
‘Who d’you reckon is gonna win then?’ Colin asked getting down to that matter at hand.
‘Definitely Alan. Wisdom over youth any day. That’s why we’re so shit at it. Or at least that’s the story I’m sticking too.’
Colin laughed. ‘Well I’m backing Daniel then. Four time winner after all and with a job description as boring as ‘Search Engine Optimization Consultant’ he can’t lose.’
‘But he’s from Manchester!’ Bradley exclaimed.
‘You’re a twat.’ Colin said calmly. ‘Now shhh they’re doing the letters. God Rachel is hot. Do you think they make her wear short skirts and low cut tops to try and attract a younger audience? Because it works on me.’
‘She could pick my consonant any day’ Bradley agreed.
‘That sounded both creepy and perverted.’
‘My speciality. Oh the time’s starting.’ They both grabbed their pens and notebooks. GILENAFUD Colin wrote at the top of the page.
‘You know if there was an S we could have Giles’ Bradley commented as they scribbled. They didn’t enforce the no talking rule.
‘You’re obsessed. It’s weird.’ Colin said simply.
Bradley just frowned at him as the music signalled the end of time.
‘Six!’ Bradley shouted.
‘Me too’ Colin said.
‘Nailed.’
‘Oh weird I got failed.’
‘What the fuck they got a seven and an eight!’ Bradley scowled. ‘Finagled? What the hell does that mean?’
They watched in silence for a moment.
‘To obtain by dishonest or devious means’ Colin echoed Susie.
‘Well I never would have got that.’
‘We could have got dealing though.’ Colin pointed out.
‘Your mum could have got dealing’ Bradley muttered with his usual level of maturity.
‘Probably’ Colin said agreeably. ‘She’s great at anagrams and shit like that.’
‘Urgh what a horrible collection of letters’ Bradley noted as Alan finished making his first pick. VSTEIEGSI.
‘Well I can see one right off’ Colin said, scribbling it down. ‘It’s a gooden too.’
‘You can’t psyche me out Colin Morgan’ Bradley said determinedly, concentrating so hard he stuck his tongue out. They worked in silence until the music sounded.
‘Six!’ Bradley yelled.
‘Eight in your face!’
‘Sieges’ Bradley said miserably.
‘Vestiges. But you did better than Alan who I might add you are backing to win this thing. He only got a five’
‘Yeah well your guy got another eight. I think me and Alan are doomed. Damn you Alan!’
*
4.11 pm
‘We are not watching Deal or No Deal.’ Bradley complained.
‘Hey you made me watch Countdown so it’s all fair. Beside my guy won so you have to do what I want.’
‘When was this agreed?’
‘Just now. It’s a new rule I just made up. Anyway be happy. Now you don’t have to buy me rolos’ Colin said referring to their old rule which meant the loser buying the winner a tube of rolos.
‘Fine!’ Bradley grumbled. ‘It’s just so over dramatic. ’22 boxes. A quarter of a million pounds. Just one question’ Bradley said in a whiny imitation of Noel Edmonds voice. ‘With the heartbeat soundtrack in the background. Gah! I can’t take it!’
‘Aw it’s just a bit of fun.’ Colin said. Deal or No Deal was one of his guilty pleasures.
‘And Noel Edmonds is a twat’ Bradley wasn’t done ranting.
‘How is he?’
‘He just is!’ Bradley cried.
‘That’s not a reason. You’re just in a bad mood because you lost Countdown aren’t you?’
‘No’ Bradley pouted.
‘Look if you watch with me I’ll buy you some rolos. Deal?’
Bradley snorted. ‘...or No Deal. That is the question. Fine deal.’
‘Ooh number 21 is quite hot. I hope it’s her.’ Colin said distracted.
‘Is that why you watch this shit? To perve on young women?’
‘It’s a perk’ Colin responded cheerfully.
‘Ah number 11. She’s not so hot’ Bradley groaned in disappointment. ‘Oh and look this is another thing I can’t stand. They’re hugging her like ‘good for you’ and ‘well done for being picked by the absolutely random generator’.’
‘Yeah and secretly they’re like ‘Bitch that money was mine!’ and are hoping she’ll fail.’ Colin chortled.
‘Ooh her boyfriend is quite hot. Batting below his level I would say.’ Bradley commented.
‘Really? She’s not bad looking.’ Colin said fairly.
‘True but he’s hotter’ Bradley insisted. On set he had made no secret of the fact that he was bi and he knew Colin was totally comfortable with his comments. That’s why he liked spending time with Colin. He didn’t have to worry about censoring himself at all. He could just speak his mind.
‘Oh God what’s this with photo’s now? We’re not interested in your life story!’ Bradley shouted at the TV. ‘And why are you half naked?’
‘Ad campaign’ Colin muttered as he was actually listening.
They watched quietly for a few moments before Bradley had another complaint.
‘And see now she’s thanking him just because he had ten pounds in his box. Even though he picked the box at random and she picked him at random. It’s totally ridiculous!’
‘Ahhh! Bradley’s you’re driving me crazy. Do you want to watch something else?’ Colin yelled.
‘No I want to see if she wins now.’ Bradley said as if Colin was being stupid.
Colin sighed, sensing it was going to a long half an hour.
*
4.44 pm
‘And now people are crying because she got the one p. It doesn’t affect them!’ Bradley had continued in this vein throughout the entirety of the show. Colin had developed a slight twitch. ‘God and listen to the bollocks her boyfriend is spouting. ‘Yeah but you had the courage to go all the way’. Twat! He’s not so hot anymore.’
‘Bradley?’ Colin said.
‘Yeah.’
‘We are never watching this again. Are you satisfied? In fact I won’t ever be able to watch it again either because anytime I do I will have flashbacks to this day and have to curl up in a corner. Satisfied?’
‘Yep.’ Bradley beamed.
*
9.29 pm
‘Katie, Angel, there you are!’ Bradley said, shouldering his way through the crowds. ‘How are you? I haven’t seen you since this morning.’
Colin appeared by his side moments later, holding two beers and handed one to Bradley.
‘Hey guys!’ he grinned.
‘Yeah it was pretty good.’ Katie said. ‘I didn’t realise how weird it would be without Tony on set though.’
‘I know!’ Bradley said. ‘It’s weird. I’m finally King which is what I always wanted and yet now I feel so hollow inside.’
Angel laughed. ‘Mine was pretty boring. Just doing some scenes with Santiago. We fight, we break up, we kiss, we make up blah blah blah.’
‘Did you just quote Katy Perry lyrics?’ Bradley asked.
‘I was hoping no one would notice’ Angel admitted. ‘How was your afternoon off?’
‘Well we watched countdown and realised how little we knew about the English language. Although I won out of me and Bradley’ Colin told them.
‘Yeah and then he made me watch Deal or No Deal!’ Bradley cried.
‘And he hasn’t stopped complaining about it since. After that we caught the second half of Pointless on BBC and realised how little we knew about everything else.’ Colin said.
‘It was an eye opener’ Bradley agreed.
‘You wasted your afternoon watching day time TV?’ Katie asked with an arched eyebrow.
‘It made us appreciate our jobs!’ Bradley and Colin chorused and then laughed.
‘Glad to hear it’ a voice boomed from behind them and they turned as one to see Julian two, which wasn’t his real name but it was easier than dealing with surnames. The Julians didn’t know they did that of course but the whole cast referred to them as Julian one and two.
‘Hey happy birthday mate!’ Bradley said.
‘Yeah great party!’ Colin smiled, raising his pint in a cheers motion.
‘Oh don’t remind me. I turned forty yesterday. Forty!’
‘Well you look good for your age’ Bradley said, a bit unsure of what was required of him.
‘Thank you Bradley’ Julian said dryly. ‘Well you four enjoy yourselves. Day off tomorrow remember!’ Then he disappeared into the crowd with a grin and a wink.
‘Well you heard the man!’ Bradley said. ‘Another drink anyone?’
*
11.37 pm
Colin and Bradley were both outside ‘getting some air’. Meaning they had both drunk too much.
‘Maybe I shoulda stopped with the teqeeela’ Colin slurred, half leaning on Bradley to keep himself upright.
‘I could not agree with you more Cols’ Bradley said, slurring almost as much.
‘‘m gonna miss you Bradley’ Colin said abruptly with drunken sincerity.
‘Not going anywhere’ Bradley mumbled, confused.
‘No! Shhhhhhhh listen! I mean next year.’
‘Oooh. Me too dude. You’re like the best friend I ever had. You’re like incredible.’
‘No you’re incredible’ Colin said. ‘I mean you’re such a good friend. It’s like you can read my mind sometimes.’ His eyes widened comically.
‘Hey hey hey look!’ Bradley flailed excitedly. ‘A shooty star. Make a wish!’
‘That’s an air-o-plane Bradley’ Colin laughed, over pronouncing the word. ‘Notice the blinky red light?’
‘Then wish on the plane Col’ Bradley insisted. He shut his eyes tightly and mouthed something to himself. Colin sighed but then followed suit, closing his eyes and wishing hard. He opened them again to find Bradley staring at him.
‘Dude you’re awesome’ Bradley said honestly like it was the best compliment he could bestow upon anyone.
‘So are you’ Colin said with a dazzling smile. Bradley leant forward and pressed a soft kiss to Colin’s smiling mouth. It was quick. No more than a swift slide of their lips, something to be laughed about the next day and written off as a drunken mistake.
Bradley pulled back and then slung an arm around Colin’s shoulders. They both stayed there until Katie and Angel came looking for them, holding on to each other and staring at the stars.
*
September 15th 2012
9.03 am
‘Cheer up guys. I’ve never seen so many miserable faces.’ Johnny said bracingly. ‘I know this is the last day of Merlin. No more seasons. We are done. Today our Merlin adventure comes to an end. But I want you to remember that you were all part of this brilliant show and helped make it a success. We all go our separate ways tomorrow. Bradley’s off to America. Congrats on the job mate.’ There was a brief pause for cheering. ‘Julian’s already got his teeth into a new BBC drama so good luck with that. Tony sent me an email and he’s very happy in his new role and he sends his love to everyone. And everybody else good luck for the future, you all deserve great things. Now let’s have one last push today and make sure Merlin ends with a bang!’ There was more cheering but it was a lot more subdued than usual and then everyone dissolved into soft chatter.
‘I can’t believe it’s over!’ Angel said despondently.
‘Hey cheer up Ange!’ Santiago said, putting an arm round her. ‘Don’t you have that audition on Tuesday?’
‘Yeah’ Angel sighed, ‘you’re right. I have to be positive. I’m just gonna miss you guys.’
‘We’re gonna miss you too!’ Colin said and hugged her. Soon all six of them, Katie, Angel, Colin, Bradley, Santiago and Rupert were embroiled in a group hug.
‘It’s weird enough not seeing Tony and Richard anymore.’ Bradley said without extricating himself.
‘Yeah’ Katie agreed sadly.
‘You smell nice Bradley!’ Colin piped up suddenly and there was brief pause before everyone laughed.
‘That wasn’t creepy at all’ Bradley said sarcastically and finally let go of him. They all broke apart and stood in an awkward circle instead.
‘We’ll have to still see each other’ Rupert said determinedly.
‘That’s easy for you guys. I fly to LA at six am tomorrow morning’ Bradley said with a shudder. He noticed Colin staring at him and met his eye steadily. Colin’s face was hard to read but Bradley had had years of practise. I’m gonna miss you most of all.
Bradley nodded slightly as if to say: Yeah me too.
*
12.12 pm
‘Our last lunch together!’ Angel wailed as they all tucked in.
‘She’s been doing this all day’ Santiago told the others. ‘This is the last time I’ll wear this dress! This is the last time I’ll kiss you’ Santiago imitated.
‘Come on guys we should have fun. It’s like... the last supper. Apart from we will all be having dinner together tonight but meh. That’s not important.’ Bradley said, as usual waving his fork around wildly.
‘Cutlery Bradley!’ Colin said automatically.
Bradley grinned. ‘What am I going to do without someone warning me about cutlery?’
‘Stab someone probably’ Colin said with a chuckle. ‘Maybe on your next set they’ll just learn to give you plastic cutlery.’
‘Great they’re gonna think I’m special with a capital five.’ Bradley moaned.
‘What? You can’t have capital numbers.’ Rupert said.
‘Don’t bother’ Colin advised him. He had already had this conversation with Bradley which had resulted in Bradley inventing capital numbers and scrawling two sets of numbers on a napkin when they were having dinner. See? A clear distinction between the two! Bradley had shouted triumphantly. He even managed to write two different eights. Colin smiled fondly at the memory and then frowned when he realised that they wouldn’t be having many moments like that from now on.
He was bought back to the present by Bradley who squeezed his arm comfortingly and gave him a swift smile as if he knew what Colin was thinking. Heck he probably did. Colin gave him a small smile back and then returned moodily to his salad.
‘Hey Col at least you’ll be able to eat your own food from now on’ Katie pointed out as Bradley swiftly stabbed a piece of Colin’s cucumber and ate it before Colin had time to react.
‘Yeah every cloud had a silver lining!’ Colin agreed and he tried to grin but he wasn’t fooling anyone. Nobody was quite sure how to go about cheering Colin up. It was so rare for him to be out of sorts. Naturally everybody turned to Bradley.
‘You know the one thing we have to do before we leave Col?’ Bradley said.
‘What’s that?’ Colin asked.
‘Throw something at Phil!’
‘Eh?’ Katy said which is what most of the rest of the table was thinking.
‘Phil is a techie dude that pulled Lisa, you remember that girl that Bradley was interested in?’ Colin explained.
‘But that was four years ago!’ Katie exclaimed.
‘Yeah but I hold a grudge’ Bradley said darkly.
‘Anyway I said he deserved to have something thrown at him...’ Colin said shrugging in a ‘it seemed a good thing to say at the time’ kinda way.
‘And that day is today’ Bradley declared grandly. ‘But what should I throw?’
‘A bottle’ Angle suggested. They all looked at her. ‘What?’
‘We don’t actually want a lawsuit on our hands’ Bradley said.
‘A mongoose’ Rupert said seriously.
‘A rabid mongoose’ Santiago added.
‘No lots of rabid mongooses’ Colin said.
‘Mongeese.’ Bradley corrected.
‘Nuh uh. Mongooses!’ Colin insisted.
‘If the plural of goose is geese then the plural of mongoose should be mongeese’ Bradley said.
‘Should doesn’t come into it. The plural of moose isn’t meese is it?’ Colin pointed out.
‘Well it should be’ Bradley declared.
‘There you go again with your should. English is a fucked up language.’ Colin said.
‘What is the plural of moose?’ Angel asked.
‘It’s moose.’ Santiago said.
‘What? The plural of moose is moose? That’s stupid!’ Angel exclaimed.
‘The word moose is losing all meaning!’ Katie cried.
‘Yeah it’s like sheep isn’t it?’ Colin said, having been thinking about it. ‘One sheep, two sheep etc.’
‘Anyway I think we’re getting off topic’ Rupert said.
‘I think it would be quite unsafe to throw a rabid mongoose’ Angel said thoughtfully. ‘I mean what’s to stop them turning around and biting you. I think you should use wombats.’
‘Why wombats?’ Rupert asked.
‘Easier to train’ Angel said like it was obvious. The others laughed.
Colin had definitely cheered up but it was conversations like these that served to remind him just how much he was going to lose when Merlin was over.
*
7.30 pm
It was a reception not a party. Johnny insisted on that. It was a reception because it started with dinner and only then did it dissolve into drunken dancing and awkward speeches, much like a wedding reception. Colin was feeling a lot brighter, mainly because Richard and Tony had turned up out of the blue along with Michelle, Joe, Emilia and a bunch of other guests from the older series. It really did have the feel of a big reunion about it.
‘The last supper’ Bradley said thoughtfully.
‘It really is now!’ Angel agreed. The six of them were sitting together as usual.
‘I have to say there really was no expense spared for this party’ Rupert said, looking around at the large hall, clearly impressed.
‘It’s a reception not a party!’ Bradley said, using the Johnny voice he had cultivated to perfection over the years.
‘Do you think he’s saying that in a hope it will stop us getting drunk?’ Santiago asked.
‘Nothing stops us getting drunk!’ Colin cried proudly.
‘Hear hear!’ The others chorused and they all clashed their glasses together, slopping a good amount of wine over the table.
‘Ah don’t waste the wine!’ Colin joked.
‘I don’t even like wine.’ Katie said, wrinkling her nose up and then promptly tipped the remains of her wine into Rupert’s glass.
‘Dude!’ he cried. ‘They were different wines.’
‘I’m sure it won’t make that much difference’ Katie said airily.
‘Mine was red and yours was white!’
‘Don’t go messing with a man’s wine Katie’ Bradley said like it was an unwritten rule of life.
‘You know this reminds me of the time that me and Katie went to the pub’ Angel said. ‘She said ‘I don’t like rum and I don’t like coke... I’ll have a rum and coke please!’’
Everyone laughed and Katie grinned a bit sheepishly.
‘Oh look I think Julian two wants to make a speech.’ Santiago gestured towards the front of the room. Julian was waving his arms trying to attract the crowd’s attention with little effect. Bradley picked up a knife and bashed it experimentally against the side of Katie’s empty glass. A little too hard as it turned out because the glass shattered.
‘Plastic cutlery’ Colin warned in undertones and Bradley blushed. However the noise had the desired effect of attracting everyone’s attention and Julian ‘two’ Murphy was finally able to speak.
‘Hey guys I just want to say a few words. I won’t keep you all night. This is a party after all. Oh sorry I mean a reception’ Julian corrected himself upon seeing Johnny’s glare. There were a few sniggers at that. ‘I just want to say thank you to everyone for all your hard work over the last five years. Each and everyone one of you has helped make this show a success. From the cast and extras to the tech crew in charge of lighting and cameras to the fabulous prop and costume department. All of you have very bright future ahead of you and who knows? Maybe our paths will all cross again someday. So I propose a toast. To the Future!’
‘To the future!’ everyone in the room chorused and downed their drinks.
‘I too have just a few words’ Johnny announced to muted groans. He pulled some paper out of his pocket. Colin took one look at it and settled back in his chair, deducting that from the amount of paper Johnny was holding this speech was going to take a while.
He was right.
*
8.58 pm
‘Bradley wake up!’ Colin hissed, elbowing him.
‘Wassat?’ Bradley mumbled sleepily.
‘Johnny’s speech is finally over’ Katie said looking faintly amused.
‘I fell asleep?’ Bradley said in amazement.
‘It was really boring’ Santiago grinned.
‘It was also really embarrassing. I had to keep coughing to cover up your snores.’ Colin said.
‘I do not snore!’ Bradley protested. ‘And you could of just woken me up.’
‘Yeah but then you would have been unbearably fidgety and bored. I figured this was the lesser of two evils.’ Colin explained. ‘And you do too snore.’
‘Children!’ Angel said, cutting through Bradley’s retort and putting an end to the argument.
‘Wait does that mean we can go party now?’ Bradley asked.
‘Don’t you mean go reception!’ Rupert said. ‘See what I did there?’ The others groaned and Rupert pouted.
‘We’ve all drunk quite a lot of wine while listening to Johnny though so now you have to catch up’ Santiago told Bradley.
With the speech over, people had started to get up and walk about, mainly gravitating towards the dance floor where some cheesy pop was blaring out the speakers. Santiago went the other way to the free bar.
‘What’s he getting?’ Bradley asked nervously.
‘I don’t know but I can’t help thinking a free bar was a terrible idea’ Angel said.
‘Free alcohol is never a bad idea’ Bradley and Colin chorused and Angel rolled her eyes at them.
Santiago returned with a pint glass filled to the brim with a revolting looking blue liquid. ‘Bottom’s up Bradley’ he said gleefully, handing him the glass.
‘What is it?’ Bradley asked suspiciously.
‘Probably best you don’t know’ Santiago admitted.
Colin smirked and then started to sing which the others promptly joined in with. ‘I like to drink with Bradley because Bradley is my mate. He drinks in moderation and I think that is great. Chug chug chug...’ they dissolved into chanting.
‘You guys must be drunk if you think this is a good idea’ Bradley whined still stubbornly refusing to drink.
‘Ok Bradley you drove me to this.’ Rupert said apologetically. The others watched curiously as Rupert dug into his pocket and produced a penny. Bradley tried to pull away but he was too late. Rupert dropped the penny into the glass and looked at Bradley innocently. ‘Well Bradley? Save the queen!’
The others cheered and then broke into a tuneless rendition of the national anthem. It was a rule in their little group that if you were ‘pennied’ you had to down the drink in order to save the queen. Some of the other crew members who had also resorted to drinking to get through Johnny’s speech got unsteadily to their feet and joined in the national anthem with drunken gusto.
Bradley sighed, glared at them one last time and then proceeded to down the blue liquid. He winced visibly once he was done. ‘Ok seriously what the hell was in that?’
‘Umm a lot of blue curacao, some vodka, tequila and some lemonade to act as a mixer.’ Santiago listed. Bradley frowned. He could already feel it going to his head slightly.
‘If I puke I’m blaming you’ Bradley said, frowning at all five of them.
‘No one forced you to drink it Bradley’ Katie said sweetly and Bradley scowled.
‘Hiya!’ A small blonde, perky woman with a huge camera and a bigger grin approached them. ‘Are you having fun tonight? Good good’ she said without waiting for an answer. ‘I’m Lucy. Here’s my card.’ She thrust out her hand with six cards fanned out in it. They looked at each other nervously before all taking a card. ‘I’m a photographer. I’ve been employed to take pictures of y’all tonight. To get the photos you can visit my website and print them off for free within the next month!’
There was a brief pause as everyone recoiled from the pure energy this woman was exuding at them and then Rupert spoke. ‘Er... good?’
‘Yes it is good young man. What about a group one to start?’
Lucy was very efficient behind the peppy exterior and soon had them arranged. After the group shot they took singles and doubles and triples. Anything they could think of really. In fact it got to the point where Lucy’s smile was dimming and she was trying to get away to take photos of everyone else but they kept dragging her back to take some more of them.
‘Me and Colin’ Bradley demanded suddenly, realising that they hadn’t had one together.
‘I should really get going...’ Lucy said, glancing at her watch.
‘Please Lucy just one more’ Colin gave her his trademark dazzling grin and she was of course immediately won over.
‘Alright. But only one!’
Bradley flung an arm over Colin’s shoulder and felt Colin’s arm slip round his waist. He turned to Colin for a moment, possibly to say something. He forgot instantly though when he caught Colin’s eye. Colin’s eyes were bright with suppressed laughter as they so often were but there was an underlying softness as he looked at Bradley now. A fondness that made Bradley’s chest hurt to think about. There was a flash and Lucy disappeared before they could badger her to take any more. Colin released Bradley and turned away. Clearly he was not having the same crazy mind fuck moment that Bradley was.
‘Damn we weren’t looking at the camera!’ Colin cursed. He scanned the crowd for Lucy but she had effectively vanished.
‘Never mind’ Angel said. ‘We have plenty of others. Now come on. We’ve got behind on our drinking!’
Everyone laughed and turned to the bar. They were half way across the room when they realised that Bradley wasn’t with them.
‘Where’s Bradley?’ Rupert asked in surprise. The all turned in confusion.
‘He was right there’ Katie said bemusedly.
‘He’s probably just in the loo’ Colin said. ‘Maybe he really is puking up that devil drink. I’ll go see.’ Colin tossed them one last grin and then he too disappeared into the crowd.
*
10.02 pm
‘Bradley? Bradley!’ Colin shouted and bashed on Bradley’s door. A small crack of light under the door told him that Bradley was either inside or had left the light on. Colin hoped it was the former. ‘Bradley! I know you’re in there. I have a key remember and I’m not afraid to use it!’
Colin heard a sigh from inside before the door was flung open and Bradley stood there with an unreadable expression on his face. ‘Colin what are you doing here?’ Bradley asked acting surprised. Colin wasn’t fooled though. He hadn’t known Bradley for five years and not picked up a few things.
‘What’s wrong?’ Colin asked in concern. ‘I’ve been looking all over for you.’
‘I just... don’t feel well. That drink.’ Bradley lied. Colin scowled and Bradley realised that Colin wasn’t going to let this go without a fight. ‘Look come in yeah?’
Bradley stood back and Colin passed him. It was weird seeing Bradley’s room so tidy. Bradley was generally messy with clothes and bits of paper littering every bit of available floor space. It was something that Colin had learned to tolerate over the years. But now the floor was bare and he was all packed up ready to leave tomorrow morning. Colin winced at the thought.
‘So what’s really wrong?’ Colin asked without preamble. It must be something major to pull Bradley away from his last night with his friends. Bradley didn’t seem like he was going to answer. He wandered over to the window and stared out, his back to Colin and his arms folded defensively across his chest. After a long pause in which Colin wondered whether he should repeat his question, Bradley finally spoke.
‘I’m gonna miss you’ he said quietly to the window.
‘Yeah...’ Colin said uncertainly. ‘I’m going to miss you too...’
‘No!’ Bradley span to look at him, almost angry and Colin flinched back without thinking. The look was foreign to Bradley’s face which was usually so prone to smiles and mischief. ‘I’m really going to miss you.’
Colin had the feeling that Bradley was trying to tell him something without words. But he couldn’t work out what it was. He shook his head more out of frustration that anything. And then Bradley got that look on his face. The one he got before he was about to do something very ill thought out and stupid. The one he got before pelting Katie with water balloons on her birthday, the one he got before he punched a guy in the pub for having a go at Colin, the one he got before using his car in a bet against Angel. Which he won incidentally.
‘Bradley what...’
But Colin ground to halt as Bradley crossed the room in a few easy strides. He paused in front of Colin, evidently still unsure about what he was going to do. He just stared at Colin for a moment and Colin held his gaze, his mouth dry and his palms sweaty. He suddenly knew what Bradley was going to do and had no desire to fight him as he leaned forward and pressed their lips together.
It was a chaste kiss reminiscent of the one they had shared at Julian’s birthday. But then Colin was fisting his hands in Bradley’s shirt and pulling him closer. A part of him thought that he and Bradley should maybe talk about this but a much bigger part of him thought that talking was distinctly overrated.
Bradley’s lips were soft but a little chapped even though he carried Vaseline around in his pocket constantly. In a way it was like kissing a girl but at the same time it wasn’t like it at all. He could feel the scrape of Bradley’s stubble against his cheek and when his hand inched under Bradley’s shirt he was met with hard muscle instead of soft curves.
Bradley nibbled gently on Colin’s bottom lip and Colin made a small sound of appreciation. Bradley took the opportunity to lick his way into Colin’s mouth. Colin tasted like wine and the trifle they had had for desert and something else that was perhaps unique to Colin. Their tongues met softly, tentatively as they both learned each other’s mouths for the first time. He allowed one of his hands to thread its way through Colin’s hair. It was soft to the touch and Bradley tugged on it gently, loving the feel of it running through his fingers. Colin had one hand on the bare skin at his hip, tracing delicious circles into the skin there. The other was cupping Bradley’s chin tenderly and Bradley suddenly felt overcome by affection and want and yearning.
He pulled away and looked at Colin. His eyes were bright and almost completely black with desire, his lips wet and his hair stuck up oddly where Bradley had been running his hand through it. He had never looked so beautiful.
‘Is something wrong?’ Colin was anxious and looked suddenly self-conscious.
‘Nothing. I just wanted to... look at you’ Bradley said in barely more than a whisper. And then he captured Colin’s lips in his again, determined to wipe the frown of Colin’s face. He felt Colin’s mouth curve under his and he smiled into the kiss too, loving the feel of it. Colin pushed him back gently, and they both toppled onto Bradley’s bed in a tangle of limbs and breathless laughter. Colin took advantage of his position on top of Bradley by undressing him. He took his time, slowly revealing Bradley. Bradley might have felt uncomfortable under Colin’s scrutiny if it wasn’t for the obvious wonder and delight in Colin’s face. It was weird. Colin had seen Bradley practically naked before, many times. But now he wanted to touch every bit of skin with his fingers and his tongue. He wanted to find the places that made Bradley squirm. Bradley allowed the scrutiny a moment longer before deciding he was at a distinct disadvantage and flipping them so he was on top.
Colin didn’t fight him, just smiled as Bradley returned the favour. He took his time as well. In a way they were both in denial, pretending they had all the time in the world together. But at the same time they knew that this was it and they wanted it to be special, not rushed or desperate.
Bradley had been wrong earlier. Colin was the most beautiful he had ever been like this. All pale and long-limbed, spread out beneath him, looking up at him through his lashes.
‘You look beautiful’ Bradley said honestly, without making a conscious decision to do so. Colin blushed furiously and smiled shyly.
‘You don’t look too bad yourself’ he said with his trademark cheeky grin. Bradley grinned back and then kissed him again. There was more of an edge now, a hunger to his kiss that wasn’t there before. He traced Colin’s skin with him palm, feeling the twitch of Colin’s muscle beneath the skin. Colin felt dizzy with sensation. Bradley’s heat and weight on top of him. But he didn’t feel trapped. He felt safe.
The kiss reached a feverish intensity until Colin felt that Bradley was stealing his breath away. But he still wanted more, wanted Bradley closer even though their bodies were flush together and he could feel Bradley’s erection digging into his hip. He twisted, seeking friction.
‘Move’ he muttered breathlessly against Bradley’s lips.
‘Oh demanding!’ Bradley teased and Colin managed a small chuckle.
‘You just can’t help but be a twat can you?’ Colin asked with a good stab at calm.
‘I don’t think you’re really in a position for insults are you Colin?’ Bradley reprimanded. Colin’s reply was lost because Bradley finally did move. He lifted his hips and then allowed them come together, slowly, teasingly so they could both feel every inch of each other.
‘God!’ Colin moaned.
‘You don’t have to call me God. Bradley is fine.’ Bradley murmured but he didn’t look all that composed himself. Once again he stopped Colin’s response by moving again, grinding against him harder this time.
‘You don’t play fair’ Colin gasped when he was able to talk coherently again. Bradley didn’t bother to answer; he just started moving again with a steady rhythm now. It was reasonably slow, the delicious, teasing friction, driving them slowly towards the edge. Bradley looked down at Colin who was flushed and breathless, his eyes cloudy with arousal but they still twinkled back at Bradley with that usual suppressed laughter. Bradley groaned at the sight of him and increased the pace to a messy jerky rhythm. The air was filled with the sound of their harsh breathing, small moans and the sound of skin on skin. Colin could feel the pleasure building until it was almost too intense and then his hands fisted into the duvet and he shuddered violently as he came, Bradley’s name on his lips.
The sight of Colin falling apart beneath him and the way his name sounded like that, half moan, half whimper was enough for Bradley to come apart as well. He felt the spread of warmth between them and then rolled quickly to the side so that he wouldn’t crush Colin. They lay panting for a few moments until Colin’s hand sought his and their fingers intertwined.
‘I never knew it could feel like that... with a man’ Colin said still slightly breathless.
‘Neither did I and I’ve been with men before’ Bradley admitted, eliciting a chuckle from Colin. He knew why. Sex before had mainly been about the physical but this was different. This had been about love, friendship and... goodbyes. ‘You’re not going to have a gay freak out on me are you?’ he asked to lessen the sudden pain in his chest.
‘Nah I’m too tired. Maybe tomorrow.’ Colin said and it was Bradley’s turn to laugh. ‘Anyway I can think of worse things than to be gay for Bradley James.’
‘And don’t you forget it’ Bradley said.
Colin turned over and started to get up off the bed and Bradley felt a sudden wave of panic. ‘Don’t go!’ he said and could hear the desperation in his voice.
Colin smiled gently at him. ‘I’m not. I’m just getting a towel.’ He disappeared into the bathroom and there was the sound of running water before he returned with a damp towel. He wiped the sticky combination of sweat and come from their bodies and then threw the towel away, snuggling back into Bradley’s side and threading their fingers together again. He nuzzled sleepily into Bradley’s cheek before pressing a gentle kiss there. Bradley flung his free arm over Colin and held him close.
‘Colin I feel like I should tell you. I lo...’
‘Don’t’ Colin said calmly.
‘What?’
‘I know ok. Me too. But don’t say it. It hurts too much.’
Bradley wanted to argue but he realised Colin was right. They may never see each other after today. Their lives were taking them on separate journeys and they would already have to live with wondering what could have been without making it even harder.
‘How long have you...?’ Bradley asked. The words ‘loved me’ unspoken in the air.
‘Pretty early on. That day that you gabbled to that French extra for about ten minutes before you realised he didn’t understand a word you were saying. And then you got all apologetic about it and flailed so much that you spilt your coffee over all three of us. Then you were trying to dab me dry with a dirty cloth and just covering my clothes in grime. And instead of being irritated I found it sort of endearing. And that’s how I knew.’ Colin said.
‘That was like in the second week of filming’ Bradley realised. ‘For me it was when I went a whole week without misunderstanding you once and I was so proud of myself. And then I suddenly realised why it meant so much to me that I could understand you’ Bradley said quietly and he felt that clenching in his chest again. ‘So much wasted time.’
‘We’ve had an amazing five years together. I couldn’t have asked for a better friend, someone I can be myself with, someone who always somehow knows the right thing to say, and can always put a smile on my face. No regrets!’ Colin said fiercely and Bradley grinned at him, pulling him closer. A thought occurred to him.
‘Can you say... the others.’ Bradley couldn’t even say it. But he would be up and gone tomorrow before any of the others were even awake. And he hadn’t said goodbye to them. Colin understood him of course.
‘I’ll tell them you said goodbye.’ Colin said quietly.
‘I suppose I should be saying the same to you’ Bradley said, aware that he would probably leave without Colin waking or noticing. He was a notoriously deep sleeper. Bradley could feel sleep tugging at him and he fought it, not wanting to waste a moment with Colin. But Colin smiled knowingly and pulled the duvet over them and shifted so his head was pillowed on Bradley’s chest.
‘Sleep’ Cold told him. There was a long pause and Bradley thought that maybe Colin, like him, couldn’t bear to say goodbye so he was just going to say nothing instead but then he spoke. ‘Until we meet again’ Colin murmured against Bradley’s chest.
‘Until we meet again’ Bradley said and couldn’t help the flare of hope that rose in his chest. He held Colin close until they fell asleep in each other’s arms.
*
Part 3