Flight of Fancy, part 2/11
Jan. 22nd, 2006 09:49 am![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
kalimyre.livejournal.com posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
wl_fanfictionFlight of Fancy
By![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
kalimyre
Pairing: Ryan/Colin
Rating: R
Category: First time, romance, AU
Summary: In which Colin is diabolical and Ryan has a reputation.
Notes: Thanks as always toclayangel, without whom this never would have been written, indybaggins, who is a fantastic and encouraging alpha reader, and anesthesiagirl, she who betas like a rocking thing.
Part One
Part 2
Two days later, Colin was still yawning as he crossed the airfield, his breath puffing out in front of him, white plumes in the early morning air. Boston was going through an unseasonable cold snap and, while Jamie had spent the past two days muttering and shivering, Colin had enjoyed it. The crispness seemed to make things clearer, sliding through his head and cleaning out the accumulated junk.
Besides, when he had to get up at such an ungodly hour the cold helped him wake up far better than coffee would ever manage. They had an early flight, and a morning show in Albany where he’d be making omelets and dealing skillets. A short spot this time, just a walk on, which was good in a way because it meant less time under the lights, but it also meant sharing the set with a number of other guests and compromising on space and equipment available. Jamie was working on that end, though, and Colin trusted him to take care of it.
They’d done well in Boston, although that first show had run into a few snags. That was the hardest part about solo performance; if something went wrong, he was on his own. Colin had talked to Jamie about a partner or at the very least an assistant, someone to play off and pick up the slack if he ever stumbled, and Jamie had made reassuring noises about how he wouldn’t stumble and he always did just fine and he wasn’t to worry his head about it.
Colin had taken that as a no and dropped it. He didn’t know anyone he’d want to perform with anyway; most of his friends were either cooks or salesmen, while he needed someone who was a little of both.
“So the pilot is working out for you?” Jamie asked, walking at his side.
Colin didn’t answer for a moment, and then he registered that Jamie had actually stopped speaking and was waiting for a reply. “Sure,” he said, nodding. “He’s fine.”
“I’m fairly sure he was the low bidder,” Jamie said, leaning in as if divulging a secret. “So if there are any problems, if you don’t feel he’s fully professional or respectful, I can talk to some people, take care of it. No problem at all, buddy, you say the word.”
“He’s fine,” Colin repeated. “What, did you think he wouldn’t be?”
“Well...” Jamie pulled them to a stop, just outside the small hanger Colin remembered landing at two days ago. “It’s just that after we did the chowder and slow cooker show, I was coordinating with KT about the flight thing, pros and cons, you know, and Steve--you remember Steve, right? The expenses management guy? Anyway, he was saying he thought they were hedging their bets with this guy a little, because they thought you’d go on one flight with him and decide commercial was better. Apparently he’s got a bit of a weird reputation.”
“Huh,” Colin said, biting back a smile. “Can’t imagine why.”
Jamie shrugged and started walking again, leading them around to the open end of the building. “As long as you’re happy, I’m happy, don’t I always say that? Sure I do. So, the Albany show, again with the eggs, huh? They really are in everything. They want you to push the nonstick deal, so no cooking spray, no grease, any of that. Mention no chemicals, no fatty butter to cook it in, those are the big points. Oh, and even heat distribution. I’ll have some notes for you before the show, don’t worry. You want the vegetables pre-sliced? It’s only a fifteen minute bit, you might not have time to do them all. Maybe we cut some of them in advance, leave just a couple for you to do, you always put on a good show with the knives. You making more than one omelet? Maybe a veggie and a meat, do the variety thing. Space for both of them in the pan, stuff like that. I’m sure you’ve got it covered, you always do.”
Colin let him go on, smiling slightly. It was kind of strange to think that Jamie was probably his best friend. Certainly not the kind of person he’d imagine if asked to think of his ideal friend, but he had to admit Jamie had always been there for him, backing him up and making sure every detail was covered. The guy probably got even less sleep than he did. But still, if Colin had to come up with a friend, it would be someone quieter. Someone who could say a lot with a few words. And definitely someone with a sense of humor.
“Hey.”
Colin looked up and found himself grinning. Ryan was leaning against his plane, still with the blue jeans and sneakers, but he’d added a worn leather jacket against the chill morning. “Hey,” Colin said, lifting one hand in a half-wave before feeling silly and dropping it.
Ryan offered a small smile, yawning halfway through. “Morning,” he said, and the tone made it clear that it wasn’t a greeting, but more of an epithet.
“Yeah,” Colin replied. He stood at the base of the stairs, hands in his pockets, not sure if he was waiting for Ryan to go in first or waiting for a hand to offer help he didn’t really need.
“A car will take you to the studio directly from the airport,” Jamie said, coming up from behind and startling him. Colin had forgotten he was still there. “I’m sorry I can’t make it for this one, you know I love to get to your shows but I really have to be in Detroit to coordinate for the big KT conference there. You’ve got a full week of shows there and we have several other presenters, got to prep for everyone and make sure there aren’t any scheduling snafus. You’ll fly to Detroit from Albany tomorrow, I’ve got the ground transport all set and I’ll call you with your hotel info for tonight, okay? You set?”
“I’m set,” Colin said patiently. “Really.” He was tempted to remind Jamie that he had, in fact, managed to take care of himself for quite a few years before becoming Kitchen Tech’s golden boy. But Jamie meant well, and even if Colin were to say something like that, he’d only smile and tell him he didn’t have to worry about that stuff anymore, that was why he had Jamie.
“Okay, good, I’ll see you in Detroit. Call me if there are any problems at all, right?”
“Right.” Colin watched him walk away, already talking on his cell, one hand waving emphatically, collar pulled up around his ears and his shoulders hunched against the cold.
“Interesting guy,” Ryan said, straight faced but with a telltale crinkle at the corners of his eyes.
“Mmm.” Colin shrugged. “He’s very good at what he does.”
“I can tell.” Ryan turned toward the plane and extended a hand to Colin. “Shall we?”
Colin took the hand, for a moment feeling absurdly like a southern belle who must be escorted everywhere and can never open a door for herself, but Ryan’s grip was strong and solid and perfunctory, refreshingly simple. Ryan followed him into the plane and pulled the door shut, retracting the stairs.
“Hey, uh,” Colin began, watching Ryan fold himself into the pilot seat. “You think I could sit up front?” He half expected Ryan to laugh, or at least roll his eyes, but he did neither.
“Sure, go for it. Just promise not to, you know, knock me out and steal the plane.”
“Damn, there go my plans,” Colin said, snapping his fingers.
Ryan chuckled and began turning things on and Colin settled in beside him, eying the buttons and switches all within reach. It was tempting to push a few and see what would happen... and also to see how Ryan would react. If he had to guess, he thought Ryan would probably act as cool about it as possible, all while frantically trying to correct whatever Colin had messed up.
“What?”
Colin looked up, raising his eyebrows. “What, what?”
“You were smiling. Diabolically.”
“Oh.” Colin caught himself grinning again and schooled his expression. “I’m Canadian,” he said. “We do that.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Ryan said, and the engines rumbled to life. Colin buckled his seatbelt and leaned forward, peering out the front window. He could see the nose of the plane sloping off past his field of view and, just barely, the props on either wing gaining speed. There were the individual blades, then a blurred circle, and then three blades seemed to appear again, slowly turning within an eye-tricking wash of gray metal.
“Okay,” Ryan muttered, staring intently at the runway in front of them. “Today’s goal: don’t die. Second goal: see first goal.”
“You’re so cheerful,” Colin said.
“I’m a morning person. Couldn’t you tell?” And then Ryan hit the throttle and they were pressed back into their seats, the engines straining to a high pitch. The plane lifted with the same ease Colin remembered from the first flight, like a kite in the wind. Ryan sat locked in place, arms quivering with tension, unblinking and pale. Colin could see him starting to sweat again, and from his new position in the co-pilot seat, he noticed that Ryan wasn’t completely still after all; one leg jiggled constantly, the ball of his foot thumping a rapid tattoo on the floor.
From the cockpit, Colin couldn’t see over the sides very well, only straight ahead, so it was hard to tell how high they were. They seemed to go straight up like a rocket, the sky a clear, frosty blue all around. It was dizzying and amazing at once, and Colin was disappointed when they leveled out just above a wispy layer of clouds.
Ryan hit the autopilot, closed his eyes, and sagged in his seat. One hand fumbled in his shirt pocket and pulled out his pill bottle. Colin twisted in his seat and spotted more of the bottled water under the front passenger seat, so he unbuckled and stretched over, snagging a couple. Ryan opened his eyes in time to see Colin holding the water out for him.
“Thanks,” he said, twisting the cap. He swallowed two pills in quick succession and put the bottle away, sighing.
Colin opened his own water and took a sip. “Welcome. Hope you don’t mind sharing.”
“The pills?” Ryan asked without opening his eyes.
“The water. Don’t really need the pills.” Colin winced, hoping that didn’t sound condescending. Ryan opened one eye and gave him a look that Colin couldn’t quite interpret.
“Yeah.” Ryan shrugged. “Lucky you.”
Colin studied the water bottle in his lap, picking at the label. “I didn’t mean... look, I’m sorry, that came out wrong.”
“S’okay. I know it’s dumb, flying is safer than driving a car, all that. I know.” He waved a hand tiredly, then gave Colin a worn smile.
Colin nodded, slightly uncomfortable. He had the odd feeling that he’d offended the other man, but he couldn’t quite tell for sure. “Why don’t you take the medicine before the flight?” he asked after a moment.
“Can’t.” Ryan pulled the bottle from his pocket and passed it to Colin. “It causes drowsiness. Can’t have that during takeoff.”
“Oh.” Colin frowned at the label, but it was mostly a jumble of very long, unpronounceable words and didn’t mean much to him. “But it’s okay to be drowsy afterward?”
“Not really. It’s legal, though, because this is the low dosage stuff. I can’t take the powerful ones and fly but these ones are just safe enough.” Ryan took the bottle and knocked the back of his hand against Colin’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’m not high. Unless you count altitude.”
Colin smiled and looked out the window for a few minutes, but there was nothing to see but sky and more sky, so he watched Ryan. The pilot was stretched out as much as possible in his seat, arms slack at his sides, eyes closed. He’d unzipped his jacket but was still wearing it, and it hung open, showing an equally battered tee shirt with some kind of sports logo that Colin didn’t recognize. He followed Canadian hockey and was a fierce Bruins fan, but most American teams eluded him.
“You know,” Colin began, and then bit his tongue when he realized he didn’t actually have anything to say. “I, uh... I get stage fright.” Which was not what he’d meant to say.
Ryan’s eyes opened slowly, and he turned his head toward Colin, raising one eyebrow. “Aren’t you on stage all the time?”
“Yeah.” Colin shrugged, lifting his hands. “I guess I just... you’re not the only one who gets nervous about something, is all I’m saying. If that makes sense. Um. Which it probably doesn’t. Sorry, I... it’s very early, you know?” Colin closed his eyes for a moment and wondered if banging his head on the instrument console would make the plane crash. He was not one for nervous babble. That was usually Jamie’s department.
“No, it makes sense,” Ryan said, and he was smiling, the first real smile Colin had seen from him. It made his eyes crinkle and his face light up and Colin found himself smiling back without meaning to. Without even being aware of it.
“Oh,” Colin said. “Good.”
“Yeah.” Ryan shook his head a little, chuckling. “Stage fright. Really? Cause I’ve seen your show, and you don’t look nervous to me.”
“You’ve seen my show?” Colin told himself that he really shouldn’t feel so pleased about that. Lots of people had seen his show, after all. That was pretty much the whole point.
“Once or twice,” Ryan said, all nonchalance, but the smile still lingered around his eyes. “It’s not bad.”
“No, stop, you’re embarrassing me,” Colin said dryly. “And I’m okay on stage, it’s just, you know, beforehand. Knowing I have to go out there and come up with stuff and people are expecting me to be funny and clever and if I screw up, I’ll just be standing there like an idiot while everyone looks at me and it’s not like anyone is going to step in and be funny for me so I’m not allowed to make a mistake. It’s kind of an all or nothing thing.” He paused and took a drink of water, looking out the window. He could feel heat rising in his cheeks and knew he was blushing. “Uh... okay, I’m babbling. Sorry. I’m stopping now.”
“It’s fine,” Ryan said quietly, and when Colin managed to meet his eyes, Ryan gave him another smile; smaller this time, but just as real.
Colin shrugged and looked out the window again, not sure how to respond. He hadn’t even told Jamie about his performance nerves, mostly because he knew Jamie would fuss and worry and reassure and tell him he was great and really, that wasn’t what he needed at all.
“You go on anyway,” Ryan pointed out.
“You fly anyway,” Colin replied, waving a hand to indicate the plane.
“Yeah, well...” Ryan sighed and fiddled with the cap of his water bottle. “Still kinda sucks, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Colin said, and surprised himself by laughing. “Sadly, I have no other skills.”
“I could teach you to fly,” Ryan offered.
“Really?” Colin sat forward eagerly in his seat, touching the co-pilot yoke with one fingertip.
“As long as you promise not to crash the plane.”
“I make no guarantees,” Colin said. And Ryan smiled.
~~~
Continue to Part 3
By
kalimyrePairing: Ryan/Colin
Rating: R
Category: First time, romance, AU
Summary: In which Colin is diabolical and Ryan has a reputation.
Notes: Thanks as always to
clayangel, without whom this never would have been written, indybaggins, who is a fantastic and encouraging alpha reader, and anesthesiagirl, she who betas like a rocking thing.Part One
Part 2
Two days later, Colin was still yawning as he crossed the airfield, his breath puffing out in front of him, white plumes in the early morning air. Boston was going through an unseasonable cold snap and, while Jamie had spent the past two days muttering and shivering, Colin had enjoyed it. The crispness seemed to make things clearer, sliding through his head and cleaning out the accumulated junk.
Besides, when he had to get up at such an ungodly hour the cold helped him wake up far better than coffee would ever manage. They had an early flight, and a morning show in Albany where he’d be making omelets and dealing skillets. A short spot this time, just a walk on, which was good in a way because it meant less time under the lights, but it also meant sharing the set with a number of other guests and compromising on space and equipment available. Jamie was working on that end, though, and Colin trusted him to take care of it.
They’d done well in Boston, although that first show had run into a few snags. That was the hardest part about solo performance; if something went wrong, he was on his own. Colin had talked to Jamie about a partner or at the very least an assistant, someone to play off and pick up the slack if he ever stumbled, and Jamie had made reassuring noises about how he wouldn’t stumble and he always did just fine and he wasn’t to worry his head about it.
Colin had taken that as a no and dropped it. He didn’t know anyone he’d want to perform with anyway; most of his friends were either cooks or salesmen, while he needed someone who was a little of both.
“So the pilot is working out for you?” Jamie asked, walking at his side.
Colin didn’t answer for a moment, and then he registered that Jamie had actually stopped speaking and was waiting for a reply. “Sure,” he said, nodding. “He’s fine.”
“I’m fairly sure he was the low bidder,” Jamie said, leaning in as if divulging a secret. “So if there are any problems, if you don’t feel he’s fully professional or respectful, I can talk to some people, take care of it. No problem at all, buddy, you say the word.”
“He’s fine,” Colin repeated. “What, did you think he wouldn’t be?”
“Well...” Jamie pulled them to a stop, just outside the small hanger Colin remembered landing at two days ago. “It’s just that after we did the chowder and slow cooker show, I was coordinating with KT about the flight thing, pros and cons, you know, and Steve--you remember Steve, right? The expenses management guy? Anyway, he was saying he thought they were hedging their bets with this guy a little, because they thought you’d go on one flight with him and decide commercial was better. Apparently he’s got a bit of a weird reputation.”
“Huh,” Colin said, biting back a smile. “Can’t imagine why.”
Jamie shrugged and started walking again, leading them around to the open end of the building. “As long as you’re happy, I’m happy, don’t I always say that? Sure I do. So, the Albany show, again with the eggs, huh? They really are in everything. They want you to push the nonstick deal, so no cooking spray, no grease, any of that. Mention no chemicals, no fatty butter to cook it in, those are the big points. Oh, and even heat distribution. I’ll have some notes for you before the show, don’t worry. You want the vegetables pre-sliced? It’s only a fifteen minute bit, you might not have time to do them all. Maybe we cut some of them in advance, leave just a couple for you to do, you always put on a good show with the knives. You making more than one omelet? Maybe a veggie and a meat, do the variety thing. Space for both of them in the pan, stuff like that. I’m sure you’ve got it covered, you always do.”
Colin let him go on, smiling slightly. It was kind of strange to think that Jamie was probably his best friend. Certainly not the kind of person he’d imagine if asked to think of his ideal friend, but he had to admit Jamie had always been there for him, backing him up and making sure every detail was covered. The guy probably got even less sleep than he did. But still, if Colin had to come up with a friend, it would be someone quieter. Someone who could say a lot with a few words. And definitely someone with a sense of humor.
“Hey.”
Colin looked up and found himself grinning. Ryan was leaning against his plane, still with the blue jeans and sneakers, but he’d added a worn leather jacket against the chill morning. “Hey,” Colin said, lifting one hand in a half-wave before feeling silly and dropping it.
Ryan offered a small smile, yawning halfway through. “Morning,” he said, and the tone made it clear that it wasn’t a greeting, but more of an epithet.
“Yeah,” Colin replied. He stood at the base of the stairs, hands in his pockets, not sure if he was waiting for Ryan to go in first or waiting for a hand to offer help he didn’t really need.
“A car will take you to the studio directly from the airport,” Jamie said, coming up from behind and startling him. Colin had forgotten he was still there. “I’m sorry I can’t make it for this one, you know I love to get to your shows but I really have to be in Detroit to coordinate for the big KT conference there. You’ve got a full week of shows there and we have several other presenters, got to prep for everyone and make sure there aren’t any scheduling snafus. You’ll fly to Detroit from Albany tomorrow, I’ve got the ground transport all set and I’ll call you with your hotel info for tonight, okay? You set?”
“I’m set,” Colin said patiently. “Really.” He was tempted to remind Jamie that he had, in fact, managed to take care of himself for quite a few years before becoming Kitchen Tech’s golden boy. But Jamie meant well, and even if Colin were to say something like that, he’d only smile and tell him he didn’t have to worry about that stuff anymore, that was why he had Jamie.
“Okay, good, I’ll see you in Detroit. Call me if there are any problems at all, right?”
“Right.” Colin watched him walk away, already talking on his cell, one hand waving emphatically, collar pulled up around his ears and his shoulders hunched against the cold.
“Interesting guy,” Ryan said, straight faced but with a telltale crinkle at the corners of his eyes.
“Mmm.” Colin shrugged. “He’s very good at what he does.”
“I can tell.” Ryan turned toward the plane and extended a hand to Colin. “Shall we?”
Colin took the hand, for a moment feeling absurdly like a southern belle who must be escorted everywhere and can never open a door for herself, but Ryan’s grip was strong and solid and perfunctory, refreshingly simple. Ryan followed him into the plane and pulled the door shut, retracting the stairs.
“Hey, uh,” Colin began, watching Ryan fold himself into the pilot seat. “You think I could sit up front?” He half expected Ryan to laugh, or at least roll his eyes, but he did neither.
“Sure, go for it. Just promise not to, you know, knock me out and steal the plane.”
“Damn, there go my plans,” Colin said, snapping his fingers.
Ryan chuckled and began turning things on and Colin settled in beside him, eying the buttons and switches all within reach. It was tempting to push a few and see what would happen... and also to see how Ryan would react. If he had to guess, he thought Ryan would probably act as cool about it as possible, all while frantically trying to correct whatever Colin had messed up.
“What?”
Colin looked up, raising his eyebrows. “What, what?”
“You were smiling. Diabolically.”
“Oh.” Colin caught himself grinning again and schooled his expression. “I’m Canadian,” he said. “We do that.”
“I’ll keep that in mind,” Ryan said, and the engines rumbled to life. Colin buckled his seatbelt and leaned forward, peering out the front window. He could see the nose of the plane sloping off past his field of view and, just barely, the props on either wing gaining speed. There were the individual blades, then a blurred circle, and then three blades seemed to appear again, slowly turning within an eye-tricking wash of gray metal.
“Okay,” Ryan muttered, staring intently at the runway in front of them. “Today’s goal: don’t die. Second goal: see first goal.”
“You’re so cheerful,” Colin said.
“I’m a morning person. Couldn’t you tell?” And then Ryan hit the throttle and they were pressed back into their seats, the engines straining to a high pitch. The plane lifted with the same ease Colin remembered from the first flight, like a kite in the wind. Ryan sat locked in place, arms quivering with tension, unblinking and pale. Colin could see him starting to sweat again, and from his new position in the co-pilot seat, he noticed that Ryan wasn’t completely still after all; one leg jiggled constantly, the ball of his foot thumping a rapid tattoo on the floor.
From the cockpit, Colin couldn’t see over the sides very well, only straight ahead, so it was hard to tell how high they were. They seemed to go straight up like a rocket, the sky a clear, frosty blue all around. It was dizzying and amazing at once, and Colin was disappointed when they leveled out just above a wispy layer of clouds.
Ryan hit the autopilot, closed his eyes, and sagged in his seat. One hand fumbled in his shirt pocket and pulled out his pill bottle. Colin twisted in his seat and spotted more of the bottled water under the front passenger seat, so he unbuckled and stretched over, snagging a couple. Ryan opened his eyes in time to see Colin holding the water out for him.
“Thanks,” he said, twisting the cap. He swallowed two pills in quick succession and put the bottle away, sighing.
Colin opened his own water and took a sip. “Welcome. Hope you don’t mind sharing.”
“The pills?” Ryan asked without opening his eyes.
“The water. Don’t really need the pills.” Colin winced, hoping that didn’t sound condescending. Ryan opened one eye and gave him a look that Colin couldn’t quite interpret.
“Yeah.” Ryan shrugged. “Lucky you.”
Colin studied the water bottle in his lap, picking at the label. “I didn’t mean... look, I’m sorry, that came out wrong.”
“S’okay. I know it’s dumb, flying is safer than driving a car, all that. I know.” He waved a hand tiredly, then gave Colin a worn smile.
Colin nodded, slightly uncomfortable. He had the odd feeling that he’d offended the other man, but he couldn’t quite tell for sure. “Why don’t you take the medicine before the flight?” he asked after a moment.
“Can’t.” Ryan pulled the bottle from his pocket and passed it to Colin. “It causes drowsiness. Can’t have that during takeoff.”
“Oh.” Colin frowned at the label, but it was mostly a jumble of very long, unpronounceable words and didn’t mean much to him. “But it’s okay to be drowsy afterward?”
“Not really. It’s legal, though, because this is the low dosage stuff. I can’t take the powerful ones and fly but these ones are just safe enough.” Ryan took the bottle and knocked the back of his hand against Colin’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’m not high. Unless you count altitude.”
Colin smiled and looked out the window for a few minutes, but there was nothing to see but sky and more sky, so he watched Ryan. The pilot was stretched out as much as possible in his seat, arms slack at his sides, eyes closed. He’d unzipped his jacket but was still wearing it, and it hung open, showing an equally battered tee shirt with some kind of sports logo that Colin didn’t recognize. He followed Canadian hockey and was a fierce Bruins fan, but most American teams eluded him.
“You know,” Colin began, and then bit his tongue when he realized he didn’t actually have anything to say. “I, uh... I get stage fright.” Which was not what he’d meant to say.
Ryan’s eyes opened slowly, and he turned his head toward Colin, raising one eyebrow. “Aren’t you on stage all the time?”
“Yeah.” Colin shrugged, lifting his hands. “I guess I just... you’re not the only one who gets nervous about something, is all I’m saying. If that makes sense. Um. Which it probably doesn’t. Sorry, I... it’s very early, you know?” Colin closed his eyes for a moment and wondered if banging his head on the instrument console would make the plane crash. He was not one for nervous babble. That was usually Jamie’s department.
“No, it makes sense,” Ryan said, and he was smiling, the first real smile Colin had seen from him. It made his eyes crinkle and his face light up and Colin found himself smiling back without meaning to. Without even being aware of it.
“Oh,” Colin said. “Good.”
“Yeah.” Ryan shook his head a little, chuckling. “Stage fright. Really? Cause I’ve seen your show, and you don’t look nervous to me.”
“You’ve seen my show?” Colin told himself that he really shouldn’t feel so pleased about that. Lots of people had seen his show, after all. That was pretty much the whole point.
“Once or twice,” Ryan said, all nonchalance, but the smile still lingered around his eyes. “It’s not bad.”
“No, stop, you’re embarrassing me,” Colin said dryly. “And I’m okay on stage, it’s just, you know, beforehand. Knowing I have to go out there and come up with stuff and people are expecting me to be funny and clever and if I screw up, I’ll just be standing there like an idiot while everyone looks at me and it’s not like anyone is going to step in and be funny for me so I’m not allowed to make a mistake. It’s kind of an all or nothing thing.” He paused and took a drink of water, looking out the window. He could feel heat rising in his cheeks and knew he was blushing. “Uh... okay, I’m babbling. Sorry. I’m stopping now.”
“It’s fine,” Ryan said quietly, and when Colin managed to meet his eyes, Ryan gave him another smile; smaller this time, but just as real.
Colin shrugged and looked out the window again, not sure how to respond. He hadn’t even told Jamie about his performance nerves, mostly because he knew Jamie would fuss and worry and reassure and tell him he was great and really, that wasn’t what he needed at all.
“You go on anyway,” Ryan pointed out.
“You fly anyway,” Colin replied, waving a hand to indicate the plane.
“Yeah, well...” Ryan sighed and fiddled with the cap of his water bottle. “Still kinda sucks, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah,” Colin said, and surprised himself by laughing. “Sadly, I have no other skills.”
“I could teach you to fly,” Ryan offered.
“Really?” Colin sat forward eagerly in his seat, touching the co-pilot yoke with one fingertip.
“As long as you promise not to crash the plane.”
“I make no guarantees,” Colin said. And Ryan smiled.
~~~
Continue to Part 3
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no subject
Date: 2006-01-22 06:44 pm (UTC)Lol! I love this line! Actually, I love this story. *smiles sweetly*
no subject
Date: 2006-01-22 07:43 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-22 07:42 pm (UTC)Hahaha.
Again, I'm amazed at how well you've managed to take their characters and put them into these new roles! They fit so well, it's not even strange to be reading them like this. ^_^
And Colin's nervouse babbling was just sooooo *squee*. Teehee. Yay!
no subject
Date: 2006-01-22 07:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-22 10:50 pm (UTC)I love how Ryan let Colin sit with him in the cockpit... And he's gonna teach Colin to fly! That will be awesome. :) Now Colin needs to teach Ryan how to cook, and we'll be all set. *g*
Their personalities just shine through... I can picture them perfectly, even though they're in a different place, doing different things. It's great! :)
Emily :)
no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 05:11 am (UTC)Now Colin needs to teach Ryan how to cook, and we'll be all set.
Hey! Quit reading ahead! ^_^ Let's just say flying and cooking lessons are coming up, but first Colin has to lure him in with something yummy.
And thanks so much for saying their personalities shine through because that is an awesome thing to hear. I love the guys and wouldn't want to bend them out of shape.
no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 07:27 am (UTC)Oh I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist *laughs*
no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 01:13 pm (UTC)Emily :)
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Date: 2006-01-23 03:35 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-01-23 04:52 am (UTC)I never know what to say in these comments, though *looks frustrated* Uck. Well, for starters, I was surprised at how short the chapter was, when I reached the end. I checked the length before I started reading, but when I got to the end, I was all, 'where'd the rest of it go?'. I don't know. I guess I mean that it never feels like a chore, reading your writing. And I think that's the best way I can word it, lol. I'm just hoping you sort of followed that :\
I loved babbling Colin. So, so cute. And yeah, loved the "I'm Canadian" line *snorts* Although I think my favourite exchange was:
I just love the way you write their banter. *smiles wistfully* It's so cute. And I apologize for using that word, because it doesn't really sound like a compliment ... all, "well, it was ... ". But yeah. *slinks away*
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Date: 2006-01-23 05:14 am (UTC)Ryan/Colin banter is the best thing ever. That, and Ryan's tendency to touch Colin whenever they're within five feet of each other. They're like magnets. And cute is a great thing to say! For my stories, anyway, cute is often a primary goal. Along with sweet and awwwwwww inducing.
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Date: 2006-01-23 05:38 am (UTC)Oh, good grief; I nearly had a heart attack the first time you replied to one of my fics, lol. I was all, "IT'S KALIMYRE! OMG. WHAT DO I DO?" (I have no idea why I'm telling you this. It just makes me sound weirder that I already am *sighs heavily*). I can't count how many times I've read your fics on the archive *looks vaguely sheepish* But hey. *slides down in chair* Anyway.
Well, hell, you definitely achieve that. =)
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Date: 2006-01-23 05:47 am (UTC)*sighs*
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Date: 2006-01-23 05:57 am (UTC)I kinda figured. *g*
It was a nice, healthy length
I find nothing at all wrong with that statement. It makes me smile and think good thoughts. Somewhat indecent, but still fun to think.
speak like a normal teenager
You're a teenager? And you're already that good at writing? Now that impresses me, since I didn't even start writing at all until I was 22.
I was all, "IT'S KALIMYRE! OMG. WHAT DO I DO?"
*laughs* I know the feeling. I remember being asked to join an archive in a different fandom and being so floored because it was very small and exclusive and the other authors were all amazing and I was like, you want me? Why? But really, you're a great writer, and I'm no one special, just someone who likes the guys and likes to write about them. (But I must admit your reaction makes me grin. A lot.)
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Date: 2006-01-24 01:05 am (UTC)And Colin’s going to learn to pilot a plane? Awesome. (Especially since I’m really enjoying how you write the flight scenes -- I was hoping there would be plenty more.)
And after your wonderful expression of Colin love for my story, may I just say how much I <3 your Ryan? He’s pitch perfect in every detail. I appreciate his honesty, how whenever he says something, you know it’s true or he wouldn’t have bothered. It’s what makes all his simple reassurances at the end so meaningful. He didn’t have to say them. He could have poked fun at Colin instead -- it would have been perfectly easy and in character for him. But instead he becomes more open, more generous. I love all these indirect ways you show that Colin is already starting to get under his skin, too.
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Date: 2006-01-24 05:08 am (UTC)Thanks so much for the Ryan love! I'm so glad he's coming across well, because Colin is my favorite and I think that must show and end up with him overshadowing Ryan, which is really not my intention. They're getting closer together without even realizing it, and I've always loved that about their relationship, how easy and natural it is.