wl_fanfiction | FIC: Celebrations (3/4)

Title: Celebrations (Part 3/4)

Rating: PG

Pairing: Ryan/Colin

Summary: It's going to be some celebration this year.

Author's Notes: I'm not sure what this is, really. I'm just a sucker for happy fics, when I'm in the right mood. So ... yeah. These are all set in the US WL era (lol). And, like always, they're separate from each other.

He'd produced, with a flourish, a cupcake with a single candle. Colin had stared at it for a moment, before turning his amused gaze up to meet Ryan's. The taller man had shrugged, a tiny smile tugging at his lips, as he'd reached out to light it with his cigarette lighter.

"Didn't think you'd be into the whole big party scene," he'd explained, as he cupped his hand around the flickering flame. "Now, quickly, make a wish."

Colin had snorted. "Yeah."

"No, come on," Ryan had urged. "You gotta," he'd insisted, nudging him with his hip, and Colin had smiled.

"OK."

He'd thought about if for a moment - taking it slightly too seriously, really - then leant down and blew out the candle. "There. Happy?" he'd asked, still smiling a little, and Ryan had smirked.

He'd reached out and smoothed his hands over the top of Colin's head. "I guess it didn't work," he'd said, with mock sorrow, before pressing a quick kiss to the skin there, and Colin had nodded, slightly. "Funny," he'd said, dryly. "There's always next year," Ryan had continued, shaking his head, and Colin had snorted.

They're not performing tonight; Colin almost wishes they were.

It'd be better than sitting here, alone, in another nondescript, only semi-decent - semi-clean - motel room.

There'd been a break in the taping, and Colin had excused himself; he'd been washing his hands when Ryan had flung the bathroom door open. He'd raised his eyebrows slightly at his friend as he reached for a paper towel, and Ryan had leant against the wall near the door, his arms crossed lazily over his chest.

"So," he'd said, as he balled up the now damp towel, and Ryan had smirked at him. "So," he'd repeated, with a tiny smirk. "Hi?" Colin had offered, and Ryan had actually smiled a little.

"Where do you want to go?" he'd asked, not taking his eyes off the shorter man, and Colin had paused, and thought. After a beat, he'd shaken his head. "Nope, you lost me," he'd said apologetically, as he smiled, and Ryan had pretended to sigh. "
Tomorrow," Ryan had explained, and Colin had paused. "Well, we can't go out tonight," Ryan had pointed out, screwing up his nose, and Colin had thrown the paper towel into the bin.
"Uh huh," he'd replied, slowly. "So, where do you want to go?" Ryan had asked again.

"Um, I really don't - why don't
you pick?" he'd muttered, as he reached for the door. Ryan had watched him, amused. "Col, it's your birthday," he'd said, his lips twitching slightly, and Colin had sighed. "Yeah ..." he'd replied. "I know," he'd added, flatly, and Ryan had chewed on his bottom lip for a moment. "Huh. OK. Well, how about I just surprise you?"
Colin had shot him a wary look, and Ryan had reached out to squeeze his shoulder, as he laughed. "Trust me," he'd said as Colin finally opened the door, and Colin had just shot another uncertain look over his shoulder.

Brad had asked him if he wanted to go out and get some dinner or something, celebrate their night off.

Before he'd really thought about it, he'd politely declined; now he eyes the blank screen of the television.

It's going to be some celebration this year.

Drew had glanced over at them; they'd been gathered on the stage, receiving some last minute instructions from Dan. "We about ready to go?" he'd checked, and they'd all nodded - except Ryan, who'd held up a finger. "Just quickly - do we have a minute?" he'd asked, worriedly, and everyone had turned to look at him, concerned.

"What's wrong?" Dan had asked, lowering his clipboard, alarmed, and Ryan had shaken his head slightly. "Just -" he'd turned to face the audience. "Hey!" he'd roared, waving his arms, and most of them had turned to look at him. "OK, so it's Colin's birthday today, right?" he'd bellowed, and Colin's eyes had opened further than he'd thought possible, as he half-heartedly reached out, as though to try to stop Ryan, even as some people in the audience cheered. "So on the count of three, we're all gunna sing 'Happy Birthday' to him, OK?" he'd yelled, and there'd been some
more cheering.
Colin had shaken his head, and Wayne had grinned at him. "One, two,
three!" Ryan had announced, waving his right hand - and, surprisingly, nearly everyone had begun singing. Colin had buried his face in his right hand, embarrassed, and Wayne and Brad had closed in on both sides of him. "Happy Birthday to you," they'd sung, semi-musically, and he'd looked up and smiled at them, even as he blushed.
He'd glanced over at Ryan; Ryan had been glaring at Dan, and - and this had almost
made Colin's birthday - Dan had reluctantly joined in, his lips barely moving - but it had been enough for Ryan to smirk and glance back over at Colin.
They'd finished the song, and Brad and Ryan had yelled, together, "Hip-hip?" and the crowd had - far too enthusiastically for Colin's liking, replied, "Hooray!"

"OK," he'd muttered, moving forward, before they could finish. "That's enough," he'd added, and he'd reached out and hugged Ryan loosely with one arm. Ryan had patted the small of his back, gently. "I know you don't like people making a big deal," he'd murmured, quickly, "but I thought we should do something special for your fiftieth," he'd added, pulling away.

Colin had glared at him; Ryan had winked, and Colin had shoved at his chest. "It's
not my fiftieth," Colin had replied, witheringly, and Ryan's eyes had widened in mock surprise. "Isn't it? Shit - sorry," he'd pretended to apologise, and Colin - he's still not sure why - had all but tackled him, and hugged him again, hard. "Thank you," he'd muttered, as fast as he could, into Ryan's collar, before pulling back, and Ryan had just laughed, and let his hand rest on Colin's hip for a moment.