Affliction, Part 1/13

[illyriaone.livejournal.com]

Title: Affliction, Part 1/13
Author: illyriaone (Thesseli)
Pairing: Colin/Ryan
Rating: R
Summary: I once swore I would never write a vampire story...
Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction.
Type of Feedback Desired: Any.




Part One


Colin Mochrie walked tiredly from the plane, squinting in the bright sunlight from behind his sunglasses. The flight from New York had been long, dull, and had done nothing for his peace of mind.

He hefted the once-heavy carryon bag with ease. He didn’t have much luggage, having left most of his taping clothes with Ryan, who would be meeting him at the airport. He was a little nervous about that. He hadn’t seen Ryan since before…well, since Before.

Colin sighed. He knew Ryan had been told what had happened to him while he was gone, and he wondered how it would affect him. He wasn’t even sure if Ryan would even be here to pick him up at all. The thought bothered him. He didn’t want to lose their friendship over something he’d had no control over.

Control. That was the most important thing right now. He had to control himself, or Ryan might vanish and never return. He couldn’t bear the thought of that, and he knew that the way he was now, it wouldn’t be something he could just let go. Damn this thing anyway. He hadn’t asked for this, hadn’t wanted it, would never have wanted it in a million years. He knew that some people did, though, and if they ever found out how it was spread they would be right there, trying to catch it.

“Colin!” He heard the excited cry; turned, then saw his friend waving at him. He smiled in relief. He was afraid Ryan wouldn’t come.

Within seconds, Ryan was there, arms around him and greeting him as if everything was totally normal. As if Colin was totally normal. He was thankful for that. He could sense the tiniest bit of apprehension, but it was nothing like what he’d feared. His own arms came up and wrapped around Ryan, hugging him closely.

“I missed you,” Ryan said warmly. The apprehension was gone; Colin could tell that he truly meant what he’d said.

“I missed you too,” he said back, relishing the closeness. Most people, knowing what had happened to him, would not have been so casual about physical contact.

After they broke apart, Ryan looked down from his greater height and smiled challengingly. “So, Col…you going to let me see them?”

“Ryan…” he pleaded, lowering his voice. Colin knew what he meant, and he didn’t want everyone in L.A. to know…damn, what if they already did? What if word had already gotten out?

“It’s all right, Col, you don’t have to worry. A little thing like this…it doesn’t matter.”

“A little thing like this?” he repeated, shaking his head incredulously.

“Nope,” he said, with another smile. Again, Colin could tell that he meant it, and a sensation of warm happiness coursed through him. Maybe Ryan was right. Maybe this didn’t matter. Maybe they would find a cure, and his life would go back to normal…

“So come on, Col. Open up.”

Colin sighed in resignation. Once Ryan got something in his head, nothing could distract him from getting what he wanted. He only hoped that Ryan really wanted to see this. He supposed he would see anyway, eventually.

Colin’s eyes darted from side to side, making sure that there was no-one nearby. Nobody was.

Cautiously, he opened his mouth…revealing a set of fangs that would have been more appropriate on some kind of creature of the night, and not a tired Canadian with jet lag.