Title: Time in a Bottle Rating: G Pairing: Ryan/Colin Disclaimer: Still don't own them..... Summary: Ficlet based loosely on 'Time in a Bottle' by Jim Croce.......I love that song and it seems like the perfect song to accompany a declaration of love. Time in a Bottle - Jim Croce If I could save time in a bottle The first thing that I’d like to do Is to save every day Till eternity passes away Just to spend them with you If I could make days last forever If words could make wishes come true I’d save every day like a treasure and then, Again, I would spend them with you But there never seems to be enough time To do the things you want to do Once you find them I’ve looked around enough to know That you’re the one I want to go Through time with If I had a box just for wishes And dreams that had never come true The box would be empty Except for the memory Of how they were answered by you But there never seems to be enough time To do the things you want to do Once you find them I’ve looked around enough to know That you’re the one I want to go Through time with -- They'd met only a few months before, two strangers in an improv class, but now he couldn't remember a time when Colin wasn't in his life. He still remembered that first night, sitting back in the folding chair and watching Colin's performance, abundantly clear that his talent far exceeded any of the others. He remembered watching the man masterfully play out the scene and he remembered that first feeling, knowing that he wanted nothing more in life than to meet him. He remembered when that chance arose, later that same evening when they were picked to perform together, their chemistry defied reason and the class stood to applaud at their conclusion. They'd spoken then, introducing themselves, and had fallen into strange, easy conversation, conversation that lasted late into the night over coffee. He remembered the odd tension that filled his body and mind throughout the next week, distracting him from his everyday life, his mind constantly drifting to Colin. He couldn't explain the tension, well, that was, until he returned to class the following week and Colin entered the room, and he could literally feel the tension melt away. He remembered the first night they'd kissed, the night in the park with the full moon hanging in the cool, crisp air. They sat on the swings, daring each other to fly higher and higher, giggling like children. He'd lept off when the swing reached its peak, his long limbs flying through the air in a graceful arc, but his legs had betrayed him and he'd fallen forward, landing in a heap in the dust. He remembered the brief moment when he wondered if he was really ok, but that moment was broken by Colin's frightened voice, calling his name, and his touch, grabbing his shoulders and turning his body to face him. Their eyes met, both shining in the moonlight, more conveyed in that moment than in any words shared before. He remembered their lips meeting, both of them trembling slightly, but relaxing into the touch. He remembered knowing that, in that moment, everything changed, forever. He remembered everything about Colin, everything about the time they'd shared. He remembered every touch, every kiss, every soft word. His life had been complete since he'd met Colin. He'd shared everything with him, everything except that one little word. Love......he didn't know why he was having so much trouble saying it. He'd tried countless times, always failing, each time making it harder and harder to say it. But tonight would be different. They'd spent the evening at his home, enjoying a simple home cooked meal and wine they couldn't afford. He now sat with Colin on the sofa, feet up on the table, lights down, with a fire ablaze in the fireplace. That fireplace was the only reason he kept the shabby apartment. He watched the crackling flames, drawing from them the strength he so desperately needed. The silence, though comfortable, only served to fuel his nervous state, and finally he drew a reassuring breath and spoke. "I love you, you know." Colin turned slowly to look at him, his features soft and open. "I've never told you, but I've loved you since the day we met. Everything about us is so right. You've changed me so profoundly that I can't even remember what it was like to be without you......and I don't ever want to find out." "I know Ryan. I love you." He leaned forward, pulling Colin close, reveling in his warmth. He would remember this moment forever, the moment where their paths joined and life began. -- If I could make days last forever If words could make wishes come true I’d save every day like a treasure and then, Again, I would spend them with you -- ~fin (11/22/05)~