Chapter Text
“Whose idea was it to book just two fucking rooms?” Bruce groaned and finished his beer. He placed the bottle in front of the bed.
“Mine, I didn't expect Clive would take the whole other room.” I looked up from the papers, acting like I was reading something very important. It wasn't important, really. In reality I couldn't see the words clearly anymore because I was probably a bit drunker than Bruce and the others.
“Can you count? There's five of us, you booked rooms for four people!” Bruce yelled at me and sat down on the bed.
“I think... “ Adrian began, ”No, I know for sure that in Clive’s room there's an extra bed or a couch.”
“That's just great.” Bruce put down his shoes and returned his look from Davey and Ade who seemed to have zero complaints about the situation overall. They already laid under the small blanket on the other bed and looked completely content. On the other hand they must have been pretty tired already. From the gig and the drinking afterwards. Davey yawned and turned off their bedside lamp.
“Good night, Bruce,” Dave looked at the pouting singer, ”Good night, ‘arry.” He moved his gaze to me.
Bruce didn't say anything in return and I just nodded. He had to climb over me to lay down, because I took up the edge of the bed. Then he settled right next to me on his back and looked at the ceiling light. I finished “reading” the page, turned off the light and then I joined him in studying the ceiling.
“This is going to be awkward.” I murmured as I laid down much in the way that wooden planks do. I was nervous. It wasn't like I never shared a bed before, but Bruce was new in the band and I didn't know him all that well yet. I wasn't sure what should I expect from him in this situation.
“Shh, don't wake Dave and Ade up.” Bruce glanced at me.
I looked at the guitarists on the other side of the room. They seemed very peaceful. They weren't really cuddling, but they might as well be in a few moments. It was certain that they shared a bed a lot of times before and were incredibly comfortable around each other.
“Why can't we be like them?” I said without thinking. It scared me with how much ease I said those words.
“What? Oh come on, it's not like we can't sleep like them.” Bruce looked at me again.
“I have nightmares, I'll karate kick you off the bed.” I said and smiled.
“Not if I do it first.” Bruce smiled back at me.
“Maybe I don't have to sleep today.” I said philosophically.
“That will make two of us.”
“You can't sleep? Why?”
“Firstly, you're still talking. Secondly, I can't sleep the first night in a new place.”
“How can you tour with that?” I asked curiously.
“I didn't do much touring before. I didn't know.” Bruce answered and scratched his head.
“Are you scared or do you just miss your mum?” I chuckled.
Bruce elbowed me in the ribs. I returned the movement but Bruce blocked it and before we knew it, we had our arms tangled together. We then reduced the hold slightly so we just kind of awkwardly held each other's hands.
“I'm not exactly scared, I just can't sleep.” Bruce admitted, seemingly not moved by the situation.
“And do you think something could help you or is it incurable?” I smirked thinking that it was a good addition to what I've said.
“I don't know. Maybe it's going to be better since I have to share the stupid bed with you.” He chuckled.
I just smiled. I would hug him if it wasn't weird. Then I thought about Ade and Davey. They didn't look like it's a big deal for them, so why would Bruce (who seemed to be a very physical contact seeking person) have a problem with that?
“I'll try to not throw you on the floor.” I said as I moved onto my side and put my hand over Bruce.
“Okay, then I'll try to fall asleep.” Bruce said and patted my hand on his chest. Then he left it there. I could faintly feel his quickened breathing and how fast his heart beat. But I had to admit, although I wanted to be the one in charge and always cool, I wasn't in much different situation than Bruce.
“Steve?”
“What?”
“I need to move to my side.” He just said calmly.
“Sure,” I lifted my arm and let Bruce turn his back to me. Then he took my hand and put it over himself again. That was apparently a perfect position for us, the blanket covered us, we were both warm and I hoped this nice feeling will stay the whole time.
Throughout the night I woke up a few times just to find out that Bruce was still securely snuggled against me. The last time I woke up must have been about 8:30 and Bruce was still asleep while I was pretty much ready to get up and do something. Instead of shaking him awake I decided to wait till he wakes up by himself.
From that day on I would unmistakably tell you how Bruce smelled. Well, he smelled like Bruce. It was this specific combination of the shampoo, deodorant and soap he used, and of course his own personal smell. It was as excitingly nice as the smell of old records and also as calming as the smell of the washing detergent you remember your mother using.
About an hour later I heard rustling of bed sheets. Bruce still laid calmly so I knew it was H or Davey. I decided that the best I could do is to lay still and pretend I'm asleep. That way they couldn't say a thing about how I held Bruce. I heard them whisper something and Davey’s giggles and then him leaving the room to shower, probably. Adrian just grunted and I was sure he tried to sleep again since he finally had the bed all for himself.
Bruce sighed softly and stretched a bit. I didn't really want him to wake up or to go away, but I had to act as if I did. I had to maintain my image in front of the others, hadn't I?