Happy Days - Chapter 9

Malcolm is roused from sleep suddenly by the sound of his alarm clock, and quickly reaches out to turn it off. Only then does he become aware of the presence next to him - the arm slung across his chest; the long-forgotten feel of warmth from another body. He turns his head slightly and takes in the sight of Colin lying on his front, squinting sleepily at him. Colin makes an unintelligible noise in greeting and pulls himself closer to Malcolm, arm tightening across his chest.

"Good morning to you too," Malcolm says with a smile.

"How did I know you'd be a morning person?" Colin mumbles. Malcolm laughs, extricating the arm that Colin has pinned against his side and managing to wrap it around Colin's shoulders to draw him closer. Their legs tangle together.

"Okay, now it's a good morning," Colin says cheekily. Malcolm swats him lightly on the arm.

In truth, Malcolm's just pleased that there's no awkwardness between them; last night had been intense and fraught with emotion, and part of him – though he hadn't realised it until now – had been worried that things would be different in the morning. They are different, but in the best possible way: the love shared between them is an almost palpable thing.

The early morning sun filters through the blinds, and Colin buries his face in Malcolm's neck to shield his eyes from the light. His breath tickles Malcolm's skin when he exhales, leaving a tingling trail in its wake. Malcolm doesn't move away. They simply lie there, revelling in the feel of having the other so close.

Colin slowly finds himself getting distracted by their proximity; he's acutely aware that the only thing separating them is the thin fabric of their clothing. Judging by Malcolm's now shallow breathing, he's noticed too. But rather than pull away, as Colin half expected him to, Malcolm turns his head and brushes a gentle kiss on Colin's forehead. Colin reads his meaning: this is okay, I want this; it's not too much.

In return, Colin presses a kiss to the patch of skin on Malcolm's neck that his mouth is resting against. He can feel Malcolm's pulse racing beneath his lips.

It would be easy for this to turn into something more, but they're both aware that now is not the time. Instead they're content to simply stay entwined and relaxed once more.

Eventually Malcolm speaks. "As much as I'd love to spend all day like this, we probably ought to get up." Colin playfully responds by holding Malcolm tighter.

"Come on, up!" Malcolm laughs. Colin sighs dramatically, but then stretches and moves to sit on the side of the bed.

He glances back at Malcolm, still lying on the bed, and cannot resist leaning over quickly to kiss him. When he pulls away, Colin braves asking, "So, tonight?" It's not a particularly articulate question, but the meaning is clear: he wants Malcolm to affirm that he's sure about this.

Malcolm smiles reassuringly, knowing that Colin probably thinks he's not ready after what he said last night, even though that's actually far from the truth. Malcolm needs Colin to understand so that there's no doubt in his mind. So even though he can't help feeling slightly awkward – the habit of a lifetime is hard to break, and Malcolm has never found it easy to talk about his feelings – he sits up and begins to explain.

"Yes, I was planning on booking a table at the restaurant around the corner for half 7 if work doesn't get in the way."

Colin laughs. "Unfortunately national crises don't stop just because we've got a date."

"Inconvenient," Malcolm agrees, unable to stop the smile that spreads across his face at the word 'date'. He's going on a date with Colin. That thought both terrifies and excites him.

Rather than delaying the inevitable any longer, he reaches out and takes Colin's hand, which is resting on the bed between them. Colin's gaze flickers to their joined hands and then back up to Malcolm's face, concern in his eyes.

"Don't worry," Malcolm reassures him. "I just wanted – I needed – to say that I'm sorry again for last night." Before Colin can interject, Malcolm squeezes his hand and says, "I know you didn't mind, but I can see the doubt in your eyes."

Colin does interrupt now, feeling the need to explain himself. "I just need to be sure that you are alright with this," he says. "I understand about last night: thinking back on it, it was too soon and I'm glad we waited."

Malcolm senses that this is the perfect opportunity to say what he needs to. "That's exactly it. I am alright with this, I promise, it's just – as I said yesterday – I don't have much experience and I partly let my lack of self-confidence get in the way, but it's not just that."

Colin says nothing, simply letting him get this off his chest, but he does squeeze Malcolm's hand reassuringly, encouraging him to continue. He can tell that this is difficult for Malcolm; being so open and exposing his heart.

"It's just – I've wanted you and fantasised about us being together more than I can put into words. But yesterday, so much happened, and I didn't want our first time together to happen under those circumstances; borne out of a day of fear and exhaustion." At the look in Colin's eyes, Malcolm says, "Yes, I have imagined it, believe me. But I want to savour every moment, and that wouldn't have happened yesterday."

Colin nods, relief flooding through him now that he finally understands. Unable to prevent the urge, he leans over and envelopes Malcolm in a hug. "You're right," he whispers raggedly in Malcolm's ear. "That's not how I imagined it either. I guess I should thank you for stopping it before we went too far."

In lieu of response, Malcolm clings to Colin tighter before turning his head, seeking out Colin's lips. The kiss starts out lightly, but in view of what they've just admitted, there's no chance it could remain like that. Colin almost involuntarily parts his lips and the kiss deepens. They are so close that the heat between them cannot be missed.

Reluctantly Colin pulls away. "God, right, I need to get off this bed now," he pants. "Otherwise I won't be able to stop myself."

Malcolm's eyes are heavy with lust and he feels dazed from lack of oxygen but he comes back to himself at Colin's words. "You're right, sorry."

Colin grins, standing up and looking lovingly at Malcolm. "Oh don't apologise, I'm as much to blame and I can't say I didn't enjoy it."

Malcolm returns his smile, following Colin off the bed. "Come on then, let's go to work and hope the country doesn't implode before 7 o'clock tonight."