Title: The Season of all Natures

Characters/Pairings: Bradley James, Colin Morgan

Rating: K+

Summary: Sometimes, to help a friend, you have to step outside your comfort zone. Cuddles ensue.

A/N: Most of the one-shots in this collection seem to be Colin-centric, from Bradley's POV. It seems to be easier writing in Bradley's voice. I guess maybe I can identify with him better, because he also seems to think Colin is the most beautiful thing he's ever seen ;) Some of my other one-shots have more Bradley-angst in them, if that's more your thing. And I promise, this is not slash, but it IS the Boys, so… you know…

Disclaimer: I don't own Merlin.

She hadn't been right for his friend. He suspected that even Colin had known for some time, but that didn't stop the break-up from hurting. Bradley wasn't sure who had finally been the one to call it off, but he watched as the tells began to show on Colin's face.

At first, it was just the stricken look on the young actor's visage, whenever they finished a scene and he was allowed to drop Merlin's goofy expression. The Irish boy's eyes took on sad, defeated appearance, as if he had failed miserably at something, and knowing Colin, Bradley guessed he was probably blaming himself. In between takes, his friend would follow the blonde over to the folding chairs set off to the side, as usual, but would sit forlornly watching the camera crew, the joking banter noticeably absent between the two.

The younger man's appetite had apparently fled, and Bradley began clandestinely checking his filming partner's plate at meal times, alarmed at the lack of nutrition being consumed by the already scrawny Irishman.

But after about a week of moody sullenness, Bradley decided he had to step in. Waiting and giving Colin his space was not working. It was when the dark circles deepened under his friend's eyes, indicating to all the crew the many sleepless nights his colleague was suffering through, that Bradley decided he'd had enough. He watched that afternoon as Richard draped an arm gently around the dark-haired lad's shoulder, drawing him away during a break in filming, their heads bent close together in earnest conversation. Bradley knew of his costar's respect and affection for the elderly actor, but if Richard couldn't get through to Colin, the blonde was prepared to take whatever action was required to help his friend.

Sitting next to Colin on the van ride home that evening, Bradley's heart was saddened to watch the younger man's eyes listlessly gazing out the windows, purposefully avoiding the other costars chatter. Reaching his arm out to playfully bump his friend's elbow, he waited for Colin to look over before inviting him back to his room to watch a film he'd downloaded to his laptop, a film in English instead of French, thank you very much. To his surprise, Colin stared dully at him for a moment, then silently nodded his consent. Good, first hurdle conquered.

Arriving in his hotel room, Bradley kicked his shoes off with an air of relief, and plopped tiredly down on the bed. Colin quietly followed his actions, and they soon had the film playing, the computer propped on the bed between the two. It was an old 80's film, and the campy humour set the right tone, as both boys settled back into a comfortable silence. Bradley watched his friend in brief, sneaking glances, and was relieved to see the fine lines on the pale face start to ease.

By the time the film's credits began to scroll by, Bradley was feeling decidedly sleepy, but one look at his friend showed the younger man was still wide awake, his long, thin fingers fidgeting on the blanket, his mind clearly wandering again despite the evident exhaustion bordering on near-collapse. It was now or never.

With a slow, cleansing breath to steady his nerves, Bradley pushed his stockinged feet beneath the bed coverings and burrowed under the duvet. He nestled his head comfortably into the cool pillow, then stretched his right arm out and patted the mattress beside him, glancing up at his friend.

Colin broke out of his reverie at the sound, and looked down at the Englishman confusedly, before lifting one eyebrow nearly into his hairline. Bradley fought the urge to laugh, and maintained a nonchalant expression on his face.

"You can't be serious."

Bradley shrugged from where he lay on the oh-so-comfortable-bed-and-why-can't-he-just-shut-up-and-let-me-sleep-already. "Col, I know you haven't been sleeping lately." He lifted his head up, and turned his tone earnestly as his friend continued to gaze at him as if he had suddenly grown two heads, the cerulean eyes watching Bradley almost fearfully. "No one will know… no one will ever know, but you can't keep going on like this, and I'm not going to stand by and watch you self-destruct."

He paused as a look of hurt and anger flashed through the dark blue eyes. Bradley pushed on. "It's alright to need someone once in a while," the blonde continued gently, "….we all do."

Bradley held his breath and the moments ticked by in silence. The dark haired lad hesitated, two pink spots appearing on each well-defined cheekbone, but a moment later, he slowly lay down on the mattress, refusing to look at his friend. But despite pointedly ignoring the other actor, the Irishman settled his head on the outstretched arm which Bradley had refused to move, surprisingly drawing comfort from the mere close proximity of his best mate.

The blonde could sense the body beside him beginning to relax, and soon the dark lashes fluttered closed. Within a few minutes, his friend was fast asleep, having capitulated to a deep weariness, his breath rising and falling evenly in the quiet, dark room. Bradley smiled to himself, satisfied and a bit relieved that he hadn't destroyed the most important friendship he'd ever known. He closed his grey eyes in complete contentment….

Until he awoke the next morning to a face full of dark fluff, which turned out to be the most adorable bed-head he'd ever seen in his life.