A Strange Escape 14/14

[charminglygawky.livejournal.com]

Title – A Strange Escape.
Chapter – 14/14
Author – Charminglygawky
Pairing - Ryan/Colin
Rating – for the most part about a 15 for swearing.
Disclaimer – I own nothing and nobody!
Feedback – Adored - in fact I do believe that it makes the world go round!
 
The last bit of my insane fic - key point is that Colin is English - did I mention that I have a deranged imagination?
As ever thanks to jerluvsdean for her help and for just being on the other end of msn!  XD 

This chapter written in third person not from Colin's pov anymore. I offered it to him but he said he was busy, and the other guys wanted some ink too!

Thanks to everyone who has expressed support and left lovely, heartwarming, inspiringly fluffy comments, and likewise thanks for not throwing the sharp pointy things. You have made me very very happy!


A/N – Colin is dissatisfied with life, does Greg hold the key? 

2 years later.

The sign on the front of the building was no longer new and the carpet in the entrance needed to be replaced; so many people had graced our doors that it had almost been worn through. It was rare when the main cast were performing for the auditorium to be anything but packed.

And they were all performing tonight, well apart from Greg, he was in San Francisco visiting family and he would be flying in the next morning. But most of the original cast were going to be there and so it was a sell out. Especially as it was the last show for a two month period. The Upfront was going on a hiatus; the classes were still going, of course. Wayne was being paid huge amounts of overtime continue to teach, along with Denny and for the first month Jeff. The original cast though, the six friends that had started it all were off.

For the first time in nearly three years they were going on tour again, the gigs were better, the theatres bigger and posher. And they were booked, for the most part, into hotels and not motels. But they were off again.

Brad was moping because he was going to have to leave Wayne behind, a year into their relationship and the honeymoon period was still far from over for them. But nobody worried about him too much; he’d perk up once they got on the road. He always did. Of course Greg had refused to leave Jeff behind despite the fact that he was needed back at the Upfront. They had nearly argued about that until Colin had stepped in. Nobody could argue with his argument that if it hadn’t been for Greg’s ability pick people up and take them with him then nothing that they had now would have come about. So Jeff, it was arranged, would meet up with them halfway through the tour, a compromise of sorts.

Colin was perfectly serious about that and still thanked Greg at least once a month; much to Greg’s amusement and annoyance. But to Colin, Greg had changed his life, and as he stood in the kitchen of his beautiful new home overlooking his perfectly formed garden and his even new swimming pool that Ryan had insisted that they bought. He could not think of how life could get any better, almost, there was still one thing he wanted, but he was hoping that he wouldn’t have to wait long.

He jumped slightly as warm arms wrapped around his waist.

“I thought you were still asleep.” He smiled leaning back into his lover’s embrace.

“I woke up.” Colin could feel Ryan’s voice rumble through his chest.

“Really? I hadn’t noticed.”

A gentle chuckle was the only response to that. “I’ve got a surprise for you.”

“Really?” Colin was almost bouncing with excitement; Ryan hugged him closer and kissed his neck.

“Mmhmm”

“Can I have it then please?” Colin always was like a little kid when it came to presents, and with the promise of a tour starting the next day he was particularly excitable.

Ryan smiled affectionately at him. “Don’t you want breakfast first?”

“No.” Colin pouted adorably.

Kissing the pout away Ryan relented. “Ok, go and look out of the front door.”

Colin darted away as fast as he could, leaving Ryan to follow more sedately in his wake. He caught up with him at the porch because Colin was frozen in the doorway, one hand still on the latch. Ryan stopped next to him winding one arm around his waist and using his free hand to close his partner’s mouth which had dropped open.

For there, in the road in front of their house were parked two very familiar vehicles.

“So, who’s up for a road trip?” Called an instantly recognisable voice.

“Greg?” stuttered Colin.

“Who else?” Came the response as Greg opened the door of the motor home and climbed out. “So you coming or what?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Colin responded automatically before turning to Ryan. “You did this?”

Ryan shuffled a little uncomfortably, “Well I said I would take care of the transport and I thought you’d like this, I..”

He never got any further as Colin reached up and claimed his mouth in a kiss.

“Ewww, do you two mind?” whined Greg in disgust, “it’s far too early in the morning for that.”

Colin pulled away from Ryan still looking adoringly up into his eyes. “Thank you.” Ryan blushed and looked down; he never was any good at accepting praise. Colin leant forward again and ignored Greg who was comically pretending to shade his eyes from what they were doing. Colin didn’t worry, wasn’t going to kiss Ryan anyway; instead he leant closer and whispered in his ear. “I’ve got a surprise for you too.” Ryan’s curious gaze met Colin’s gentle smile almost immediately. Smirking slightly Colin continued. “But I’m afraid that you will have to wait for tonight to find out what it is.”

Colin almost laughed out loud at the fire that was lit in Ryan’s eyes at his words. If Ryan wanted to keep his mind in the gutter then that was fine. He didn’t want the tall guy to work out what his real plans were.

The day passed pleasantly, it was rare for all six of them to be in Bellingham at the same time now and they wanted to make the most of it, tour or no tour. And with that evening’s line up being just the six of them none of them felt any pressing need to actually warm up. Just being in each other’s company and falling back into the easy camaraderie that they shared was the best warm up. So they went for a picnic, Drew somehow managing to provide them with cool beers all afternoon. Wayne and Jeff of course joined them; they weren’t performing but they were part of the group too.

Chip and Drew both had wives now; although they didn’t join despite a warm invitation. Mrs Esten feeling that as the only one among them who didn’t perform for a living she would rather stay away and let her husband catch up with his friends and Denny likewise thought that leaving the boys to themselves would be a good idea. She would, after all, see Drew after the show later.

Colin was feeling decidedly nervous before the show; everything was set up and ready but that didn’t make him feel better, although he told himself that it should.

Ryan of course noticed that there was something wrong and hovered about him like a moth to a flame. Colin tried to reassure him but as he was failing to reassure himself he did a poor job of persuading Ryan. Eventually seeing the state Colin was working himself up into Drew took pity on him and told Brad to distract Ryan. Bemused Brad did as he was told and dragged Ryan into an empty dressing room to moan about how much he was going to miss Wayne over the next few weeks.

Eventually though it was time to go onstage. Ryan’s ‘surprise’ wasn’t scheduled until the very last game and Colin felt the familiarity of performing wash over him and give him the confidence he needed to calm down. Ryan, who was still watching him like a hawk relaxed as well; seeing his love relaxed and happily performing was all the reassurance he needed.

They took their final bow and left the stage to a standing ovation. Nothing new there and so they came back on almost immediately, carrying with them a table of props covered in a sheet and Drew announced that they would be performing Helping Hands.

Drew pulled a scenario out of his pocket although, for once, he knew exactly what was written on it, he was to be a blushing bride talking to his wedding planner, Ryan. As Drew explained all this to the audience Ryan and Colin pulled the sheet off of the table to see what their props were. There was a wedding cake, a bowl of punch, a veil and a bottle of champagne along with several other objects that denoted preparation for a wedding. Taking carful note of where everything was, especially one particular item, Colin took his position behind Ryan and waited for Drew to put his veil on.

Ryan tried to glance over his shoulder as Colin slipped in behind him, he knew the man too well to not be worried when instead of the warm enveloping presence behind him he felt Colin’s tense nervous form.

“Col?” he whispered.

In response Colin cuddled him closer and whispered in his ear. “I’m fine. Love you Ry.”

“I love you too.” Came Ryan’s instant rejoinder, he felt Colin relax slightly at that and reluctantly turned his attention to the game in hand. He could question Colin later.

The scene started normally. Ryan let Colin destroy the wedding cake and then guided his lover towards the champagne, it looked real; he had to try that. Of course Colin shook the bottle before opening it. He hadn’t wanted to waste it, it was an expensive bottle but there were several more hidden backstage, and if he hadn’t shaken it then Ryan would have become suspicious. When he finally opened it the damn thing sprayed a four foot area around them soaking them all. Colin’s sense of the ridiculous made him giggle and feeling this Ryan relaxed; nothing much could be wrong if Colin was able to laugh at a scene. Ever attuned to his lover Colin felt Ryan relax and silently thanked the exploding bottle, it was worth it if it kept Ryan unsuspicious.

Ryan was amazed when Colin lifted the bottle to his lips, it was real champagne, really good champagne as well. He announced this to the audience as Colin took a swig of it over his shoulder causing uproarious laughter. Even over that he heard Colin swear behind him as the fizzy champagne shot out of the bottle and drenched him, he had to wipe his face on Ryan’s back just to get the damn stuff out of his eyes. Still a little Dutch courage never did anyone any harm.

The scene was winding to a close as Drew directed Ryan’s attention to the ring.

“We haven’t given the ring to the best man yet, could you have a look at it and check that everything is alright please? I’m too nervous.”

“Alrighty.” Replied Ryan gallantly as Colin opened the ring box. He blinked in surprise as the ring was held in front of his eyes. “Why that looks real too.” He spluttered trying to focus on the very masculine band of a silver metal, which looked a bit like platinum, with a single stone that sparkled enough to be a diamond.

“That’s because it is Ry.” Answered Drew carefully, dropping his ‘blushing bride’ voice.

“But, Drew, what?” Ryan spluttered as Colin pulled his arms out from around him, still keeping a firm grasp on the ring.

Ignoring the audience Colin’s whole attention was focused on the very confused man that he loved as he led him out from behind the table.

Then he got down on one knee.

“Ryan Lee Stiles. I love you so much and thank God for every day that we are together. Will you do me the honour of becoming my husband?”

He still had his microphone on, and so every word he had said had been broadcast to the audience, the entire auditorium was silent as everyone waited with baited breath for Ryan’s reply.

Ryan however couldn’t find his voice; he gasped incoherently for a few moments and then met Colin’s eyes. The sheer love he encountered in them settled him even as his heart broke to see the fear they held.

Swallowing hard he took a step towards his love and crouched down so that they were eye to eye. “Is this the big surprise you promised me?”

There were a couple of nervous titters from the audience as they watched the drama unfold.

Colin couldn’t find words to answer, so he just nodded, his heart doing summersaults as he waited for Ryan to tell him whether or not he had just ruined the only relationship he had ever truly cared about.

But Ryan seemed to be in no hurry to put him out of his misery.

“Ry, please. Just say something.” He begged in a terrified whisper.

“Yes.”

“Yes?” Colin queried, hope running through his body, making him feel lightheaded.

“Yes you goof. Of course I will.” Ryan laughed beaming at the man he loved more than anything in the world.

That man felt more than a little faint as relief seemed to pour into him, or rather the tension poured out of him leaving him feeling weak and more than a little jubilation. With this strange cocktail of emotions running through his blood he allowed himself to fall into Ryan’s arms and bury his face in his shoulder. Whilst taking deep breaths, and trying to regain some semblance of control.

Ryan was having none of that however and tugging on Colin’s chin claimed his mouth for a passionate kiss, effectively starving the other man of oxygen. Colin, unable to cope sagged against Ryan, trusting the taller man to hold him.

“Col?” Ryan murmured, surprised to find himself holding most of his weight.

“Just need a sec.” Colin answered wrapping his arms around Ryan and hugging tightly.

Ryan was more than content to wait for him, slowly he took in his surroundings, the crowd was going wild; they were mostly locals who knew about their relationship anyway. The two of them had caused quite a stir in the media when the theatre had first opened. They’d never hidden their relationship.

Aside from the audience he could see his friends around him, hugging each other as they waited to be able to congratulate the happy couple. He could even see Wayne Jeff and Denny who had appeared form somewhere. Apparently he was the only one who hadn’t been let in on this elaborate plan. That was just like Colin.

Colin had finally pulled himself together and the bubbling excitement of joy was beginning to bring colour back to his cheeks. Sitting back on his heels he broke their embrace and taking Ryan’s left hand he slipped the ring into place.

“Perfect fit.” Ryan murmured looking at his new and precious piece of jewellery.

“Of course, you don’t think I left that to chance do you?”

“I love you Col.”

“Love you too.”

Leaning back together they shared a quick kiss before Jeff decided that that they had had plenty of time to themselves, and along with Greg hauled the pair of them to their feet and turned them towards the audience.

“Let’s hear it for Colin and his fiancé Ryan!” Greg yelled out over the audience, his voice was met with an almighty roaring cheer. Waving his arms about Greg finally managed to get them as quiet as he was ever going to after an event like that. “Do you mind, I have a little speech I want to say!” He informed them. “Three cheers for these two talented people, who always do things so ass backwards that they are going to be going on a two month honeymoon before the wedding! Hip Hip...”

The hooray was deafening and as everyone around them cheered Ryan took Colin’s hand and smiled. It was fitting really, they had met on a tour and now a second one was to signal yet another major change in their lives.

Colin, as ever was on the same wavelength. “So,” he was talking privately but had to yell to make himself heard, “shall I start planning next year’s tour?”

“But I don’t want anything else.” Ryan whispered, although Colin never stood a chance of hearing.

“Kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss...” Of course it had to be Greg who had started the chant.

Quirking an eyebrow at his fiancé Ryan obliged, without a care in the world.