Title: A Day in the Life Pairing: Ryan/Colin Rating: NC-17 Disclaimer: Wish I owned something..... Summary: There's just something about mornings...... A day in the life of our favorite couple. Chapter 1: Morning It had been a few weeks since I had been home. Though I would never complain about my job, the constant touring with Brad was taking its toll on me. We didn't really have time for sleep, rolling into town a few hours before a show, doing the show, signing autographs, settling up with the theater, and heading back to the hotel, sometimes for a drink, but usually just to fall into bed and get ready to do it all again the next day. Was it any wonder that both Brad and I looked like zombies by this point? I had opted for the first flight west that morning, originally thinking it would give me a day to get caught up, but as I was realizing, it actually meant it would give me a day to sleep. As I fought to stay awake, my eyelids kept slipping shut. Oh, a little nap won't hurt..... "Folks, we will be landing in LA in about 20 minutes. I hope you enjoyed your flight. Thanks for flying with us." I awoke with a start, the captain's voice bringing me out of my "nap". Wow, I must have been out. I almost always dream, but I can't remember a darn thing. I glanced at my watch, suddenly remembering that it was still on Chicago time, and set it back, noticing it was 6 am. On the ground in 20 minutes, home by 7? Was it possible? Probably not, but a nice thought none-the-less. A grin crossed my face as I thought of surprising Ryan. I had caught the early flight with just that in mind. We had talked yesterday and I'd told him I'd catch a late morning flight and I'd call him from the airport. After all these years I'd found it was growing harder and harder to actually surprise the man. We knew each other so well that we could easily see when the other was up to something. But it's alot easier to be "misleading" over the phone than in person and, if you ask me, I think I did a pretty good job of sounding convincing. I sat back, allowing daydreams to fill the last few minutes of the flight.....images flashed through my mind......Ryan's arms reaching out for me, his stubble filled cheek pressing against my neck as I fell into his embrace.....I smiled as I could almost feel his soft, warm breath on my skin. I almost ran through the corridors of the airport. It felt so good to be back, but it also fostered an intense sense of urgency to get home. Through some miracle my bags were actually the first ones on the belt and I grabbed them up and raced outside to hail a cab. In a town where almost everyone was someone, it was actually kind of nice to not have to hide my face. Usually I was more than happy to be recognized and would always stop to chat with a fan, but sometimes I just wasn't in the mood, and I would don a baseball cap and keep my head down and hope for the best. This was one of those times and I ducked into the cab, figuring that no one really cared here anyhow. In LA it was all about prestige, and I was definitely not an A-list celebrity, so I found it fairly easy to go about my business unnoticed. The cab ride was uneventful, albeit far longer than I would have liked. Damn LA traffic. Maybe it was time to start thinking seriously about Ryan's proposal to move up north. A cabin, miles away from anything, hiding from the world and making our own......it sounded really nice right now. The cab pulled up in front of our house and I quickly settled up with the driver, grabbed my bags, and fought the urge to skip to the front door. Suddenly I was not tired at all, a huge smile filling my face and spreading to my eyes as I slipped the key into the door. It was only 7:30, and I'm sure Ryan wouldn't be awake yet, so I closed the door as quietly as I could, set my bags down in the foyer, slipped my shoes off, and headed for the stairs. As I reached the top step, I slipped my shirt over my head and started on my belt buckle. By the time I reached the end of the hall I was carrying my shirt and pants, wearing only my boxers and socks. I paused before the door, pulled off my remaining clothing, and slowly turned the knob, pushed the door forward and silently thanked the makers of WD40 for facilitating my stealthy entrance. He looked so angelic laying there. He was curled tight, knees pulled up to his chest and a pillow clutched in his embrace. No wonder his back always hurt if this was how he slept when he was alone. A sudden pang of guilt racked through me as I realized that it was my fault that he had to sleep alone at all. Although his body looked tortured, his face was the picture of peace, and I couldn't help but wonder what sweet images filled his dreams. I found myself just standing there, looking down on him, wonder and love washing over me. Slowly I pulled back the covers and gently climbed into bed, careful to not disturb the sleeping form next to me. Ryan mumbled softly, his deep warm voice forming one word....."Col". I focused on him in the dark, and realized that he was still fast asleep. "I'm here Ry.", I whispered as I slid closer to him. He released the pillow and I gently moved it away, allowing room for him to pull me close. It always amazed me how completely trusting he could be, welcoming me into his embrace without even waking. As his arms settled around me I could feel his warm, rhythmic breathing at the back of my neck. "Love you" he mumbled and I felt his lips press softly to my skin. Suddenly I was more tired than I ever thought possible. My eyes slipped shut, I was at peace, I was home...."Love you too, Ry. God, do I love you." Chapter 2: Afternoon The afternoon sunlight filtered through the slit in the curtains, casting a ray of light across the bed. I awoke slowly, blinking away the invasion of light, silently willing someone to close the drapes. Out of habit, I reached over to pull Ryan to me, but found a cold, empty spot instead. He had left some time ago and I cursed myself for the sense of loss that immediately filled me. Feeling less than rested, but far more at peace, I climbed out of bed and grabbed a pair of boxers and a t-shirt from the floor. I pulled the clothing on and realized immediately, both by smell and feel that the shirt was Ryan's. It was a realization full of warm fuzzies which caused me to pause and breathe in his scent, strong and manly. A smile spread across my face as I headed downstairs. "Good morning sleepy head!" His voice greeted me as I rounded the corner into the kitchen, following the wonderful aroma on the air. It dawned on me that I had no idea what time it was and I glanced at the clock, shocked to find that it was 4 pm. Ryan was standing in the kitchen, bent slightly over the stove, stirring a pot of something. He was dressed simply in jeans, a grey t-shirt, and wool socks, one of which was turned strangely on his foot, leaving extra material at the toe. "Whatcha makin'?" "It's a surprise. Go make yourself a drink. I'll come join you in a few." I learned a long time ago that arguing with Ryan just plain wasn't worth it. Even if you won, you lost, so I headed back to the den where I managed to find a cold beer and settled back in the cool leather of the couch. That couch was the best argument we'd ever had. I remember standing in the store, pouting as he listed all the reasons why we didn't need it, only to concede when he looked up and saw the tears threatening to spill over. "You know I can't say no to those eyes." he had said, pulling me towards the sales desk. Alot of wonderful memories had been made on that couch, but the best times had been just the two of us, falling asleep in each others arms in front of the tv. Sometimes it's the simplest things that mean the most. "What are you thinking about?" I hadn't heard him come in, and I jumped a bit at the sound of his voice. "Nothing." I lied. Ryan thought I was too cheesy sometimes when I would get lost in memories, so it was often easier not to explain. I'm sure he knew completely that it was a lie, but, as always, he was understanding enough not to pursue it further. "I missed you." "I missed you too. I'm so glad to be home. So, what'd ya make me?" "I told you, it's a surprise. But it has to cook for awhile, so what do you say we go out back and have a few beers?" He extended his hand to me and I took it as he pulled me up from the couch and into his arms. "Seriously, I really missed you." he whispered as he gently met my lips with his own. We sat together, his arm slung around my shoulders, our thighs touching, and our feet propped up on a small table, sipping our beers and watching the sun set over the trees. We sat in silence, enjoying the heat of our bodies touching and the brilliant flares of light extending across the quickly darkening sky. As the last rays darkened to purple, Ryan stood and extended his hand again. He escorted me to the dining room, which was actually set up, a rarity as we usually just ate in the kitchen. I sat as he lit the candles, casting a warm glow to the room. Two wine glasses sat ready, and he poured a fragrant red, ending the pour with the flare of a high class waiter. He disappeared into the kitchen, reappearing moments later with two plates, and setting one in front of me before setting the other down as he settled into his chair. Before me sat jumbo tiger shrimp on a bed of cous cous, with a drizzling of some sort of sauce across the top. "A toast", he said, "To our past, our present, and our future.......always." I loved him more in that moment than I had ever thought possible. "Always", I said, with a tear slipping down my cheek, as our glasses clinked. Chapter 3: Night Dinner had been delicious, but the wine had been even better. And now here we sat, four bottles, and many hours, later, enjoying the warm glow afforded by the alcohol. The conversation had spanned just about every topic and had now settled into reminiscing about past adventures. Ryan had attempted to bring up "the cat" episode, but he had dissolved into uncontrollable laughter after only a few words. I couldn't help but smile, watching his eyes tear up with pleasure. It really was a beautiful thing to see him laugh. The fine lines around his eyes gave him a measurable level of distinction, even when he was giggling drunkenly. As I sat there watching, I couldn't help but notice the shift on his face, as the laughter died away and a look of saddened contemplation crossed his features. "What's up?" I asked. "Oh, nothing." "Ryan...." "Well, I was just thinking about the last taping of the Drew Carey Show. I was remembering how sad I, well everyone, was. When Drew stepped off that set and we all fell together into each others arms. The pain was palpable. In that moment we all wondered why we were ending it. It took me a long time to get past that hole in my heart. I was thinking how glad I was that we didn't ever really "end" Whose Line. We didn't have to go through the finality together.....look into each others eyes and know that it was our decisions that caused the pain. It hurt that others made that decision for us, but at least we could direct the anger, rather than just feeling the empty loss. That was our baby, you know. That show was the product of our chemistry and I'd hate to think that we'd ever consciously turn our backs on that. I feel like we've lost so much already....." And with that, Ryan dissolved into drunken tears. I felt an immense stab of pain in my heart, both at realizing that everything Ryan had said was true, and at watching him break down like that. I slid across the couch and pulled him into my arms, choking back my own tears as he hitched against my chest. "I know, sweetie, I know." I comforted, laying soft kisses on his head. After a little time I spoke, "Hey Ry...." "Huh?" he replied, looking up at me, eyes glistening. "Do you remember the boa constrictor?" I asked, hoping to lead him in a different direction. It was so many years ago, but I knew for sure that he remembered. That night had been the turning point for both of us. We'd led a secret life for what seemed like forever, and that night, hearing the crowds reaction to the little "scene", we'd both decided enough was enough. Back in our seats, crossing our legs to hide the obvious bulges in our pants, it took everything to not "finish the scene" right then and there. That night, lying together, exhausted and fulfilled, we'd decided not to hide anymore. A smile crossed Ryan's face as the memory played out in his mind. His eyes, still red from crying, met mine and pulled me in. "Of course I remember." he said, his lips meeting mine softly. "Of course I do." A mischievous smile played through his eyes and a moment later he pushed me back, falling on top of me with his full weight. He captured my lips with his and pushed into the kiss, forcing my lips apart and gaining entry with his tongue, flicking like the constrictor. I moaned into his mouth and could feel his lips curl into a smile at my reaction. I bit down on his lower lip, gasping as his hips bucked against me. The heat building between us threatened to burn away any clothing in its way and Ryan grabbed at my shirt, pulling it deftly over my head, removing one barrier. He placed kisses down my chest, stopping to flick his reptile tongue over each of my nipples. I groaned with pleasure, grabbing his shirt and ripping it open. His bare skin seared against my chest and I relished in the burn. I could feel his erection straining against his pants and pushing into my thigh and I pushed up against it, willing the cloth between us to be gone. Suddenly, the heat disappeared and was replaced with cold. Ryan had stood, and he grabbed my hand, pulling me up and into his arms. "Bed" he moaned into my neck before biting down on the tender spot. It took only a few moments before we were upstairs, remaining clothing heaped on the floor, and under the warm covers of the bed, together. We picked up in no time, his teeth finding every sensitive spot on my body, taking me to the brink, the point where I couldn't take it anymore. I rolled him over, pinning him to the bed, and sliding down his body, trailing my tongue along his stomach and further down until I found his erection and took it into my mouth. He gasped and bucked into my mouth. My tongue danced circles around his shaft, relishing in the flavor that was uniquely Ryan. His moans were collating into a prolonged low-pitched scream and I pulled away, letting my tongue flick off his crown as I moved. An exasperated sigh escaped his lips before I captured them with mine. "Take me" I breathed into his mouth. He sighed, "Are you sure?" It had been quite awhile since we'd actually had sex, preferring in our old age, to just pleasure each other with our hands and mouths. It wasn't that we didn't enjoy it, it was just more than we really needed. Thinking about it, it'd been quite some time since we'd done anything. My schedule was so unforgiving that I was usually too tired to do anything more than fall into bed and fall asleep in Ryan's arms. Time to change that. "I'm sure" I moaned, my tongue sliding over his lips. He reached over to the nightstand, opened the drawer, and took out a small tube of lubricant. He poured a small amount into his palm and slicked it over the expanse of his shaft. I spread my legs, allowing him access, and he slid a finger inside me. It had been some time, but my body immediately remembered and I relaxed at his touch. He quickly added a second and then a third finger, gaging my reaction with each addition, until the look on my face begged him to continue. He withdrew his fingers and as he poised his erection at my entrance, he leaned down to kiss me gently. "I love you" he whispered as he slid into me. There was a momentary flash of white light behind my eyes as my body remembered just how large Ryan really was, but it passed as his initial thrust met its target, sending waves of pleasure rocketing to my core. A brief scream escaped my lips as he continued to thrust. He grabbed my legs and pulled them up and around his neck. That subtle change allowed for even deeper penetration, almost immediately bringing me to the brink of ecstasy. "Ryan, I can't hold....." "Love you, Col. Love you so much." "Ry, Ry......oh God, Ry......love you." I screamed out, unable to hold back any longer as I exploded, sending slick warmth between us. Still flying from my orgasm, I was suddenly aware of Ryan's passion exploding over and the sensation was enough to bring me over the edge again. We melted into each other, and in that moment we were one. We remained like that, one with each other, for as long as we could, finally parting only for him to slide around behind me and pull me into his arms. We lay there, the warm glow still palpable around us, and he kissed the back of my neck softly. My eyes slipped shut as my body drifted off into peaceful sleep, a sleep filled with dreams of the many more sweet days to follow. fin (10/29/05)