Archive of Our Own

Tom Ryder was prone to some fairly genius ideas, if he did say so himself. They just came to him, striking wherever and whenever, brilliant and awesome. They were part of what made him a star, a global brand, an icon. Somewhere along the line he’d simply been blessed with a mind that could comprehend the possibilities and find the fantastic, and with someone as efficient as Gail by his side, well, they just happened. He tended to use them in his acting, or for publicity ideas, brand deals, things he could give to the world. 

But this, this was his most genius idea yet. 

This was the masterpiece. 

It was almost a shame nobody could know about it.

With a shrug and a bit of swagger, he gestured seriously to the monitor of the last take. Several members of crew were gathered around, mostly people with creative input. Most of them didn’t really matter, as long as he had Gail and the director with him. Not Colt, not yet, but then he’d gone back to his trailer while a few other scenes had been shot, it was only now that they were looking through things again. Only now his plan came into place.

“It’s just... it’s too much chin. And it’s not my chin, you know.” 

He kept his face serious as everyone nodded around him, set in that light but serious expression, that balance of professional and carefree with a touch of diva that he’d perfected years ago. He wouldn’t have built up this career if he couldn’t manage that. ‘Too much chin’, please, these idiots will believe anything. This wasn’t about Colt’s chin; this was about his attitude. 

His actions. 

His stunt man, a man who’s career he’d elevated and tied to his own stardom, walked in on him with Ry one time and suddenly Ry stopped coming to visit on set.  

Don't need to be a genius to see what happened there. 

Good old busybody protective ‘big brother’ Colt couldn’t share his twin, couldn’t let him be happy. Good old Colt Seavers, sticking his nose where it didn’t belong. Gail had told him about them, how they’d only ever really had each other, how that they always looked out for each other. How she’d signed Colt at just 16 and his brother had been tagging along ever since, not much other family in the picture. Moved out into their own place the day they turned 18, nobody else to rely on long before that, stuck at the hip despite how different they were and a fair through storms to weather. He could understand why that would make someone like Colt a bit protective, he was that type of guy, but Tom was pretty sure Ry was old enough to make his own relationship decisions now. Something magical had been forming between them since that New Years Eve party all those years ago, and he knew Ry had felt it too. Even taking it slow, they’d been happy.

Until suddenly Ry wasn’t coming to set anymore. He hadn’t really noticed it at first, Ry’s schedule was always dictated by the semesters, showing up more in the holidays when the kids were off and less when he had to, you know, teach. It had been pretty normal that he’d been around a lot less, between living a city over and having his own busy schedule, but no weekend visits had been odd, and then not showing up over the winter break, not replying to his texts or calls, and then he’d seen Ry with Colt when his double was leaving set and it had all clicked into place.  

Ry wasn’t just busy, Colt had intervened. Colt freaking Seavers, Mr hero, Mr four hours older, throwing himself into his brother's business. Maybe this was why Ry hadn’t dated much before him. His protective, macho twin had been sabotaging anything before anyone could get close. He just couldn’t accept that anyone else loved his brother, that anyone else might want to take care of and look after him. That what they had was magical and amazing and more than just something stupid and physical, god it was definitely more than physical, given he wasn’t into Colt, and Ry wasn’t even that keen on sex and once upon a time that might have been a deal breaker for him but not with Ry. No, Colt just couldn’t share, even if it ruined everything for everyone else.

Well, Tom wasn’t having that. 

Colt just had to get between them, and, well, he was going to pay for that, wasn’t he? 

Colt was going to pay for it, and when Ry came to see him in the hospital, he could finally talk to his boyfriend without Colt getting between them. Was Ry still his boyfriend if it had been months since they’d spoken?

They could finally clear the air, maybe he could even finally take Ry on a proper date. Or at least get his number unblocked or whatever it was Colt had done to stop Ry so much as reading his messages. Ry was awkward and a little reserved, he’d been taking it slow out of respect for that, and because he could totally get why a schoolteacher might not want to be thrust into the limelight. They’d been on and off for a few years, taking it slow, keeping it hidden and not really putting a name on it. He’d been in LA and Ry had been in San Fransisco and Ry had made it clear like a year or two in that he didn’t want it to be physical but even with all of that, they’d been together and happy, and he wanted that again. To continue where they’d left off, to build it to something more. He’d been planning on asking if Ry was ready to make it official and be his boyfriend out and out on the day Colt had walked in on them and ruined everything.

Finally, he’d be able to set things right.

Well, he’d have to be careful about it, could be pretty poor timing to ask right away, but once Ry had sat by his brother’s bedside for a little bit, once he needed to get out of that room for a bit and take a breath and wanted a shoulder to lean on, Tom would be there. Tom could bring him a drink and sit by his side and hold his hand, and they could fix all of this. 

He kept his face still as the stunts team organised from above. As the set shifted from organised chaos to quiet focus. As Colt got ready to drop.

Nobody had noticed him pressing the buttons, nobody had noticed him changing the settings. Nobody really paid attention to most of what he did. The joy of being such a famous actor, a diva and a showboat and all the other things the media called him, they were so busy dismissing it all that they didn’t really notice what he was actually doing. This would be considered an accident, a miscalculation, nobody would know he had anything to do with it.

“Action!”

~.~ 

The hospital waiting area was boring. 

He hadn’t really factored that into his plan, if he was being honest. They’d rushed Colt here, the studio had insisted he be given good care, even with Gail pushing for it. Jody had, of course, jumped into the ambulance with him, and Dan had rushed here as soon as he could after helping the stunt team clear things on set. He’d had to make his own way here once everything had been sorted, though production had been postponed. The director was talking about trauma counselling for everyone who’d seen it and he was certain the tabloids were going nuts over it all.  The press had certainly snapped a few good shots of him sitting in the waiting area before the hospital’s own security staff had shuffled them out. He could already see the headlines now, Hollywood Star Sits Though Vigil For Stuntman, or something like that.

Still, there was very little here to do. A few other members of the crew had come and gone, checking in, and Gail had come long enough to sort a few things out on the studio’s behalf, but for the most part the three of them were stuck here waiting alone. There were a few magazines and half-completed sudoku books on the table in the corner, but he couldn’t focus on them, and there was only so much scrolling he could manage before his phone battery would die. Hospital waiting rooms were capital b Boring. 

“Why are you still here?” 

Jody sank into the chair next to him, passing him one of the three coffees she had in her hands. The other she placed on the table next to Dan, who had fallen asleep about 20 minutes beforehand, and he was certain the coffee would be awful and bitter given it came from some cheap hospital machine, but it had been a long day and he really wasn’t as picky as he pretended to be.

“Colt’s the best stunt double I've ever had, and he fell doing a take for me, I... just need to know he’s ok, I guess.” 

That was a good enough reason, wasn't it?

Better reason than that he was waiting for Colt’s brother, he couldn’t tell her that. Hell, Jody might have been part of Colt’s plan to keep them apart. The two of them were close and he knew she and Ry had been close friends too, there was every chance she was a part of it. It wasn’t fair, they should have all been family, or something like that. Sure he couldn’t actually see them all sitting down at Thanksgiving or whatever together, but they were connected, and it shouldn’t have been marred by this. He could tell she wanted to say something, probably about how she didn’t think he had it in him, but she kept her mouth shut. She was going to be a director one day, knowing when to say what was a key skill, and she was good at it. Even in this moment, she was good at it. She’d go far in Hollywood, he was sure of that.

“That’s nice of you, Tom.”

He wasn’t surprised by the slight undertone there. She knew him well enough to be slightly suspicious of him, and if they were just family, he was sure she’d just say something, but they were coworkers too, and she knew what was best to do there. Not say a word. 

Still, probably best not to linger on the topic.

“Have you called Ryland yet?” 

Jody ran a hand through her hair with a deep sigh.  

“Yeah, no reply yet though. Hospital haven’t been able to get through either.” 

“That’s not like him normally.”

Well, it had been recently, but there were reasons for that. 

“No, I…” she stiffened, “I’m an idiot, he doesn’t always have his phone on him, but his boss does, I can call her, give me a minute.”

Jody shot back up again, pulling her phone back out. He wasn’t sure who his boss was, or why he wouldn’t have his phone on him, but if she could get through to someone to get Ry here, he wasn’t going to push it.

Instead, he slumped back into his chair, and took another sip of the coffee. Maybe he’d give those sudoku's another go.

He hated sudoku.

Still, better than staring at the wall with nothing but the shitty coffee and Dan to talk to. Not that he could talk to the stunt coordinator, the man was fast asleep, upright in this awful chair. It was almost impressive, even though he’d seem them do this sort of thing before, the sleeping anywhere thing. He didn’t really want to talk to him anyway, if anyone could work out that someone had sabotaged the fall it would be him, and Tom was a damn good actor but it wasn’t a risk he wanted to take.

He almost sighed in relief as Jody returned, smiling slightly for the first time since they’d arrived.

“They said he’s coming, probably tomorrow, earliest they can get him here.”

“That’s good. He should be here, for Colt.”

It was amazing that he wasn’t here already, given he was usually ready to drop anything for so much as a bump or bruise on Colt. Yet another sign of their closeness through childhood, he’d show up for a mild concussion or bump even if Colt said he didn’t have to come, all because they were always looking out for each other. No wonder Colt had been so successful at driving them apart, Ry would listen to anything he said, follow any advice, because he couldn’t imagine his brother would ever steer him wrong. They were just that close, and yet Ryland wasn’t here. Having to call his boss instead of him, not being able to get through when something was wrong even knowing Colt had a risky job, it was unusual. Not like Ry at all. 

God, he hoped Ry was taking care of himself. That he was ok.

Dan’s phone startled them both as it started ringing, and the man’s eyes shot open. With an ease he’d seen in a lot of the crew, he had the phone at his ear before he’d even fully blinked himself back to where he was, Tom had to admit it was a little impressive.

“Dan Tucker.”

He couldn’t hear who was on the other end, but Dan’s face fell.

“Ok, I’ll come now, I’m still at the hospital. Yeah, thanks.”

“Everything ok?”

He was glad Jody asked, it would have been awkward if it was him, he was just curious after all, he didn’t actually care.

“Yeah, they just want to talk to the stunt team before the end of the day, what we remember and stuff, how it went wrong. I’ve been going over it in my mind, I just can’t work it out.”

Fuck. They were already investigating? It made sense but ugh why were they on it so fast, why couldn’t they just rule it an accident and move on. Obviously, they never would work out it was him, but that didn’t mean he had to like it.

“Hopefully they can work it out.” He lied, pouring experience into his tone, “I can’t believe it got messed up, it wasn’t like it was the first take, or anyones first day.”

“Yeah.”

“Dan,” she stopped him as he grabbed his coat, “go home and get some sleep before you come back.”

“But…”

“Today has been exhausting and you might be at the studio for a while and that’s going to be exhausting too, get some rest, come back refreshed, he needs us both here for him, preferably not dead on our feet.”

‘Yeah, yeah, ok.“

He pressed his lips as Dan grabbed his coffee and strode off. The production team or studio or maybe even the cops were going to be talking to everyone to work out what happened. What if they wanted to speak to him at the same time Ry showed up, what if they took up all his time, that would ruin everything. 

No, no negativity, that wasn’t needed today, this was all going to plan. Ry was on his way, Colt was alive, and tomorrow they’d be reunited and everything could be fixed. He only had to get through tonight. 

Well, if he was playing the role of a supporting, caring colleague, he might as well play the part properly.

“You should go home and get some rest too, Jody, they’ll call you if they have updates.”

“I’m just going to wait, I can’t leave.”

He understood, if it was Ry, he wouldn’t have gone anywhere.

“You’re going to stay the night?”

“I don’t think I can go home. Were you planning on staying?”

Right, it would be really odd for him to stay. The press might eat up a story about him staying for his future brother-in-law and colleague, his number one stuntman, but Jody knew them just a little bit too well.

“I was hoping they’d have news by now, but I probably should get going. I’ll tell the doctors to bring you a bed so you don’t have to sleep in these chairs,” he said, deciding it couldn’t hurt to use his influence for that, ”I’ll be back in the morning. Let me know if anything changes before then?”

“I will.”

He wondered if she suspected he had another motive or if she truly thought he cared about Colt? Well, he did care about Colt, as his best stunt double and unfortunately probably future brother in law, but not enough to be staying here for that alone. He cared because Ry cared for them, and because they were helping with his career, and because maybe he could convince her that Colt was wrong about him and he wasn’t so terrible after all.

The man on the desk agreed, of course, and he found himself hoping Jody did get a decent sleep on it. 

Unfortunately, Tom did not slept well, if he was being honest. The excitement of being able to finally see Ry again had been thrumming under his skin all night, and he’d ended up pacing or getting another snack that didn’t sit right from the nerves or just working out. Benefits of a basement gym, benefits of being him. His hair wasn’t as styled as he liked it to be, he’d skipped half his skincare routine, and the bags under his eyes hadn’t gone away even with the spoon trick, frankly he probably looked like he hadn’t gone home at all. Still, he was glad he had, if only to have something to do this morning. Even if it was helping pick photos he liked for promo stuff, picking brands he wanted to work with going forwards in the next round of ad campaigns, a bit of press stuff for the movie on hold. He even had a few prospective scripts, though he wasn’t sure he was feeling any of them. It was for the best, given the waiting area near Colt’s new room didn’t have the same level of things scattered around for them to flick through. Jody, true to her word, had messaged him to let him know of the move so he could come to the right place in the morning, as well as confirming he’d come out of his first surgery ok, but been scheduled for another one at 7am the next day, so there was a lot more waiting still to go.

They saw him through to just after lunch without too many issues.

The door swung open and Ryder sat up slightly as several people in black suits filed into their waiting area, setting up at every entrance and exit, one at Colt’s door, and one speaking to the nurse at the desk at the end. It was methodical, calm, organised, with things whispered into earpieces and perfect stances. This was what he’d tried to emulate for ‘Code Red’ almost a decade ago where he’d played a young new bodyguard caught up in a life or death conspiracy, it had actually been his first project with Colt as his double. He’d thought they’d done a good job, there had been rave reviews from critics but now, watching it happen in real time, they hadn’t captured this energy. Not truly. Not enough.

But why were they here at all? They'd only moved Colt to this end of the corridor room this morning after his surgery, if they were planning on putting a VIP in this area and moving him again, that was just poor planning. He had no love for the man but it looked bad on the studio that one of their own was being messed around like this after an on set accident. And politely, they weren’t here for Colt, he was hardly VIP enough to need it, the studio wouldn’t bother. He was a stuntman, not a star.

Unless they were here for him. 

He stiffened as one of the agents (were they agents?) gaze lingered on him for a few seconds. 

Had they found out what he did, decided to arrest him? No way, his plan had been flawless, and even if there had been proof of something, Gail would have taken care of it.  Gail always took care of everything, she was amazing like that. But they’d definitely looked at him. 

This feeling was odd. He was used to people looking at him, it happened, he was Tom Ryder, he was the top movie star, people flocked to get pictures of him and screamed his name and eyes followed him everywhere he went. He was used to the eyes, but this was different, unconformable, exacting. These were agents, or security, or something, and they were armed, they had earpieces, and he couldn’t think of any other reason they’d be here. 

Well, except a VIP. This was LA, the city did have a great many of those, and this was a good hospital.

“Area is clear. Go ahead.”

The agent who’d spoken to the nurse at the desk left vanished, and he took a second to look over at Jody. She clearly hadn't left the hospital since Colt had been brought in, still in the same rumpled clothes, which he supposed made sense. Jody and Colt had this movie perfect romance going on. He was slightly more surprised that Dan wasn’t here, he and Colt had been working together for longer than he’d been working with Colt, though not on every project. They were two of his emergency contacts, and he knew at least Jody hadn’t been home yet. If Dan hadn’t come back in yet, he was probably still working through the studio’s investigation of the fall or whatever protocol the stunt team had to do after something like this. He imagined the man would reappear soon enough.

She didn’t seem to react at all to this, like maybe she’d expected it. Which was odd. 

Unless this was a sting to arrest him and she knew about it. 

Unless they knew, but no, Jody hadn’t left the hospital, how could they know. Except Dan was part of the investigation, there was an investigation, if he’d discovered something, or any of the stunt team, could they know it was him? Not just that it had been tampered with, but that it was him? Was that why Dan hadn’t come back yet, why Jody seemed so calm. Maybe she’d been told when he’d been at home getting a shower and food and sleep, because these chairs sucked and the food here was miserable, and had just been waiting for this moment.

“…telling you, this just feels unnecessary.”

His head whipped towards the nurses desk, and the open door beyond it. 

Ryland was here, that was his voice, just around the corner. He was here. 

Jody bolted upright, almost running forwards and crashing into him the second he rounded the corner. The man at his side, a new one, didn’t stop it. 

The agents were here with Ryland? They were here for Ryland?

That was… an interesting development. What had he been up to since they’d last seen each other, where had he gone, and why was he surrounded by security now?

“Ry, oh my god, are you ok?” 

“Yeah, yeah, I came as fast as I could, is Colt..?” 

“The doctors say he’ll live, should wake up from surgery in a few hours, but what recovery will look like, right now they just don’t know.” 

“And you?” 

“I don’t know, I don’t know.” 

Ry pulled Jody into another hug, and a flash of jealousy ripped through him. Why couldn’t Colt have just acted like this with him, supported them, why did he have to meddle. Why couldn’t he accept them the way Ry accepted his thing with Jody.

“Jody, this is Carl, he does his best never to leave my side. Carl, this is my future sister in law, Jody Moreno.”

If Jody resented being introduced as such before Colt had worked up the courage to ask her, she didn’t show it. He was more focused on the man next to his boyfriend, far too close, far too friendly. None of his bodyguards ever got that close, none of them smiled or got introduced to friends or stayed glued to his side like Ry was complaining this guy did. Who the hell did this ‘Carl’ think he was?

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

“And you.”

She paused, scanning around the agents for a second.

“This is…”

“Yeah,” Ry sighed, “new job.”

“It suits you. Colt’s been happy you’re back in the lab, even if you’re around a lot less.”

Back in the lab? He’d stopped teaching? Why hadn’t he said something? Had he thought Tom would like him less if he went back to research? He had always complemented Ry on how amazing he was at teaching and how good he was with kids and how fantastic it was that the world had teachers like him, but he would have been just of proud of him as a scientist too. They’d only started their thing after Ry had left research, had he assumed Tom wouldn’t want him anymore if he went back to it? Had he said something to that effect at some point over the years? God, he hoped not. He hadn’t meant it if he had, he’d love Ry in any job, no job, as long as he was happy.

“It’s been good, though I do miss you all.”

“And how’s living on a boat?”

“I’m getting used to it, to be fair the boat is fine, the military jets back to land are less fun. I think the pilots are doing tricks on purpose. Colt would love it.”

Jody’s lips pressed together as she clearly held in a laugh, and he added all that information to his mental reserve on Ry. Military jets, a research boat, something big then, big enough that he had security now. Top secret project, of course Ry’s big, beautiful brain would get him pulled into something like that. 

Maybe Colt hadn’t entirely gotten between them, maybe this new job was why Ry hadn’t been able to visit. Though he would definitely have called and said something if it was just that. Colt must have blocked or changed his number or something. That explained it, if Ry didn’t always have his phone on him when he worked and was going to be out of touch for a while, he’d have sent a message to say that, and he’d just never received it because Colt had meddled. 

He watched as their amusement faded and Ry’s whole body slumped back into that worried, tired, stressed hunch, the way his face fell, the way it all surged back in so quickly. A part of him yearned to surge forwards and pull Ry close and tell him it would all be ok. To provide comfort and step in, but he stayed glued to the chair. He had been waiting desperately for this moment for months and now it was here, he had no idea how to approach it. His words were failing him.

“ID please.” 

The doctor who’d walked up to them didn’t even hesitate to show it to the bodyguard, which meant they must have been told about this beforehand. It was crazy, what kind of new job had Ry taken that even the doctors had to be approved. Clearly something government, back in the lab, highly important. He hadn’t really planned for this, but he’d make it work, they’d make it work.

“Carl, do you really have to...” 

“Boss’ orders, I’m afraid.” 

For half a second, Ry looked like he wanted to keep arguing, but he turned to the doctor instead. 

“Doctor, how’s my brother?” 

He zoned out as the doctor explained what they’d already been told a few times, and focused on his maybe boyfriend’s face instead. Pretty amazing, that he managed to stay pretty even when he was stressed. He looked... stonier, like some of the lightness and joy had been taken away, even with his perfectly fluffy hair and silly sweaters and glasses hanging off his nose. Like there was a weight on his shoulders, not just the worry for his brother. He looked tired, really tired.

He was, of course, worried for his brother, and Tom needed to let them see each other first. Trying to get in there now wasn’t going to work, but once he knew his brother would live and he’d seen it with his own eyes, maybe he could show up with a coffee and a shoulder to lean on and then they could talk. He just needed to wait it out. Well, maybe go home, get a good nights sleep this time, shower and make himself look like a real human again and then come back. He didn’t want to look a complete mess for Ry.  Yeah, that was a good plan, he decided, pulling his phone out to call for a car, Ry would know he’d been here and waiting and caring, and tomorrow he’d be able to come back and help, support him. He didn’t need to talk to Ry today.

 “Tom?”

His head shot up from his phone to see Ry standing right in front of him, and his breath caught slightly in his throat. How long had it been since they were this close, so close he could just reach out and trace every line the stress had worked into his face, brush his thumb agains the stubble on his chin, fix those glasses and make everything ok. Ry was right there, and something caught in his throat.

“Hi…”

Seriously? Hi? World famous suave movie star and all he could manage was hi?

“What are you doing here?”

“I was…” he couldn’t just admit he was waiting for Ry, that would seem wrong, “he was doing my stunt…”

It wasn’t the kind of coherent sentence he wanted to give, the thing he’d rehearsed in his head, but Ryland’s shoulders sagged slightly as he exhaled, a tight but real smile briefly dancing across his lips.

“That’s his job, Tom, it wasn’t your fault. You don’t have to wait here.”

He never had before, though it had never been this bad before. He didn’t love hospitals, and even when Ry had waited for Colt, he’d often found excuses to just visit rather than stay, though usually Colt’s stays weren’t that long either.

“They’ve paused production, and I just want…” to what, know he was going to be ok, the doctors had already said he’d live. Know he was going to be able to work again, that came off as too self absorbed, though now that he thought about it he did want Colt to come back sooner rather than later, he was damn good at his job. Damn him for forcing his hand, this was all so inconvenient. And everything he’d rehearsed had vanished from his mind at the mere sight of Ry, let alone him being so close that if they didn’t have an audience he might have just pulled him close and never let go.

The bodyguard would probably have a problem with that, even all the way across the waiting area still talking to the doctor. Ugh. 

“I’m not sure we’re going to know much more until tomorrow anyway. They’re checking him now before I go in but they don’t think he’s going to wake up just yet. And lets be honest, yours probably isn’t the first face he’ll wants to see when he does.”

From anyone else he might have been offended, but from Ry it felt like an inside joke, a soft jab at his brother’s protectiveness. He was right, Colt wouldn’t want to see him, and especially not so close to Ry when there was nothing he could do to sabotage them, but he’d take it if it meant he could be close to his love.

“Dr Grace.”

Ry looked back over his shoulder towards the same bodyguard, Carl, Ry had called him Carl and then turned back to him with that amazing soft smile of his.

“I’m going to sit with Colt. Go home, Tom.”

How could he ever say no to Ry?

Something giddy rushed through him as he watched Ry slip out of sight into his brother’s room and booked his car home. It didn’t leave him through the evening or even into the next morning.

He’d spoken to Ryland, one on one, and they were going to speak again. They finally had a real chance of fixing this, he had a real chance of making sure his love knew how loved he was, the truth, not whatever poison had been poured in his ear.

Luckily, he did have a better nights sleep. Probably helped by the conversation with Ry, the knowledge that they’d see each other again tomorrow, that Ry would be in his arms again soon. God, if he did this right, Ry might even be sleeping next to him in as little as 24 hours, just sleeping though. Close and safe and his. In his dreams, Ry already was.

His alarm came too soon, and not soon enough, but with more than enough time to get to the cafe he’d taken Ry to before, the cafe they both loved, even though it was a bit of a detour.

True to his promise to himself, he was in the waiting area bright and early, ready to go.

 He’d expected Ry and/or Jody to have spent the night, and he’d come to the hospital early to catch him in a quiet moment before everyone else arrived, only to find out he’d gone home or stepped out briefly. When he’d arrived, Colt’s room had been empty and the waiting area chairs were empty, nobody around but the security agents and the hospital staff, and so the waiting game had begun. He’d taken a seat a little way down from the door, the only one with a table, and mentally rehearsed his speech once again. He wasn’t messing this up again.

Except he had.

“Ry!” 

He shot up, nearly spilling the coffee on the table as Ry turned the corner. He was, as always, flanked by his security detail, once again the man from before, Carl, and looking just as tired and worried as he had since he’d arrived. The bodyguard stepped between them as Ry entered Colt’s room. Damnit, he’d been sitting too far away, trying to stay out of the doctors’ way, and Ry hadn’t even heard him. He would have stopped otherwise. Unfortunately, it seemed the man standing between them had, and worse, he was actively blocking Tom’s path. 

“You’re not authorised past this point.” 

“Not authorised?” it had been a long time since anyone had said anything like that to him, “Do you know who I am?” 

The man didn’t seem to care even a little bit. He was the actor Colt stunted for, he had worked with the man for years, he’d dated his brother until Colt had meddled a few months ago, how could he not be authorised. And authorised for what, checking on his co-worker, talking to Ry, it was crazy. 

“I do, but I have a list of people allowed to enter this area, and you’re not on it.” 

“A list?” 

“Of people approved to be alone with Dr Grace.” 

Be alone with? How damn tight did they think his security needed to be? Tom’s own security wasn’t this good or strict and he was a damn household name. They didn’t want him alone with his boyfriend, like they were two stupid teenagers being watched by overprotective parents and not grown adults with lives and jobs, what bullshit.

“I... I'm sure it’s just an oversight that I'm not on it, you know, we were pretty close before he got his new job and had to leave, I’m sure he’d say so if you just ask...” 

“The list has already been checked and approved.” 

By someone who’d just been told his brother was in hospital after a bad accident, it wasn’t hard to realise he’d be in an emotional state and that he might get things mixed up. That a name might be missed from the list. That Ry, who was notorious for putting himself second, might forget to add names for himself and focus on adding the names of people who were close to Colt instead. Who might not have expected Tom to come at all, depending on what his brother had told him. It was an oversight, those happened, and if this guy could chill out for just a second and ask, it could all be sorted out.

“Can’t you just ask him? I just want to speak to Ry, I want to make sure he’s ok, bring him breakfast. He never eats enough when he’s stressed, you know, and I know he and Colt have only ever really had each other, even with Jody and I, so this has to be incredibly stressful for him and I just… yeah, breakfast.”

He lifted the slightly cooled coffee and pastry bag, Ry’s order, weakly. It wasn’t quite the grand charismatic gesture he wanted to be, but how could it be when nobody seemed to be willing to let them have a moment alone together. When everyone was determined to get between them.

“If you’re not on the list, Dr Grace doesn’t want to speak to you.” 

How dare he! How dare this ‘Carl’ think he knew Ry better than Tom? How dare he presume he knew what Ry wanted. Ry who was probably exhausted and worried and stressed and needed support.

But the bodyguard wasn’t going to be moved. Back straight, crossed arms, face set, nothing he’d say would convince the man to let him pass. As he scanned around the room, he realised none of them would. No amount of money or fame or love would shake these people, they were the kind of werido ultra-professional bodyguards reserved for serious people. 

And Ry, apparently. 

How was he supposed to catch him alone so they could talk with all these suits buzzing around like flies, never leaving him be? 

Another bodyguard stepped up to the doorway, and Carl stepped into Colt’s hospital room and closed the door behind him. 

He got the feeling it wasn’t to ask.

Fine, he could wait.

~.~ 

Carl stepped into the hospital room and slid the door closed behind him, taking a deep breath. Both twins looked up at him in unison. 

“Tom Ryder?” 

Grace looked like he wanted to melt into the seat. 

“Please don’t.” 

“You used to have a thing with Tom Ryder?” 

“Carl please.” 

“The movie star?” 

The movie star trying to bring him breakfast and waiting in the hospital for him and how had this never come up? He had so many questions. In all the time they’d worked together, all the time they spent together, and he’d never once thought to mention it. Never once an ‘oh by the way I used to date a movie star’ or ‘I was dating a movie star when I was brought here’ or something to that end, seriously? The movie star, the household name? His movies had played in the mess more than once, not that Grace had typically joined them for movie nights, but how had this never come up? He thought they were friends, and friends told each other things like this. He’d definitely have told Grace if he’d ever had a thing with a movie star. They’d made a baby together, had that meant nothing?

“Don’t get excited.” Colt grumbled, “He’s a fucking asshole once you get to know him.” 

So that’s what it would sound like if Grace swore, huh. Clearly the no swearing was a Grace thing not a how they were raised thing. Unless Colt was the one who’d chosen to break from the mould. Either way, it was a little disconcerting, actually. Felt wrong to hear Grace swear, even if it wasn’t him.

“How could you not have told me this?” 

Grace buried his head in his hands, sinking into the chair. 

“It was a long time ago.” 

“Wait what!” 

He was certain if Colt was able, he’d have launched off his bed with the force of his reaction. Grace had gone an even deeper shade of red, and Carl couldn’t help the grin sneaking onto his face. His friend had actually had some sort of affair with a movie star, this was amazing. 

“It was New Year's like 5 or 6 years ago, I was making bad choices, it was one night and I told him that at the time. I wasn’t expecting him to follow me around like a lost puppy and refuse to take a hint afterwards.” 

“You actually slept with him!” 

Colt looked like he wanted to storm out of the room and do something mildly illegal to defend his brother’s honour. Or maybe massively illegal. Either way, maybe he should have waited before bringing the topic up, he might have jumped the gun slightly on that one. In his defence, even in his line of work it wasn’t every day you came across a movie star like Tom Ryder, especially not one mooning after the scientist you’ve been charged with protecting. And that scientist was his friend too, just to top it off. He was supposed to say nothing? No way.

“Oh, don’t start.” 

“Him?! That pompous, egotistical asshole?” 

“It was a one night's stand, I had imploded my life, I made some bad choices. Many bad choices, but he was never anything more than a fling.” 

“Clearly not to him.”

“It was years ago.” 

“And he’s been a pain ever since.” 

It was like a tennis match. It was good to see Grace smiling though, after the last few days. From the moment he’d been told about his twin’s accident, he’d been crushed. Carl never wanted to see his friend like that again, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes, hands shaky, so worried he was struggling to focus on his work. Grace who usually worked dawn til dusk and then some, willing to leave his work because he needed to see his brother. Ryder had been right to say he skipped meals when he was stressed, and it had been a mission to get him to eat between telling him and now. Hopefully with his brother awake and responsive and in a good position to recover, they could get something down him. Not what Ryder had bought with him, past or not he was not on the list, but he hoped Colt would back him up. Stratt had tricked him into eating something before the flight, she’d be pleased to know he was looking more himself now. He’d make sure to add it to the next report he sent back.

“I knew he was bugging you, I didn’t realise it went back so far.” Colt rolled his eyes and gingerly moved his non-broken hand to his heart, “I don’t know what hurts worse, my back or this betrayal. He's an ass, he’s been an ass for years.” 

“Your back is hurting? Do I need to get the doctors?” 

The joking tone vanished as Grace’s face collapsed into worry again. He considered reaching for his radio to ask for one of the doctors to be sent in, but there was a call button by the bed if they needed it. Grace wasn’t always the best at looking after himself, but if others needed things he was always on top of it.

“It’s a figure of speech; the painkillers are doing their job.” Colt sighed, “I knew he’d been eyeing you up for years, making passes, bringing you gifts and shit, but you actually... God, I can’t believe you, you’re supposed to be the smart one.” 

“It was a bad choice; I’m allowed to make those occasionally.” 

Colt’s eyes widened as he scanned his brother’s face.

“Oh my god it was more than once. What is wrong with you?”

“I… he was charismatic and I was figuring things out. It really was only ever a few times, actually he kinda helped me work out I didn’t really want that kind of thing with anyone.”

The only other person he’d ever seen read Dr Grace that well was Stratt, and she could read most people like books. He almost felt like the twins had forgotten he was in the room, and that this conversation was verging on more private than he should be hearing, but orders were orders. Still, he was definitely going to be prying for more information later. He had the feeling that Grace spent so much time around all of this through his brother’s job that he had no idea how fascinating and wild ‘fling with a movie star’ actually was. Oh if this got out on the Vat…

“I can’t believe you.”

“It was not my best moment, I know, and I knew that even before he started following me around and trying to take me on dates and stuff. I told him I was done at the time.” 

Carl blinked as the words sank in.

Well, that was definitely far less romantic than the actor outside was trying to make it seem. Far less fun than a harmless fling. Far more concerning, because he was outside, waiting, here to talk to Grace, not Colt. He'd been waiting for Grace, not his injured costar, and had been trying to get him alone to talk to. If this was part of a larger pattern... 

“I’m sorry,” he almost felt bad for interrupting, but this had crossed from fun to business very quickly, “he’s been bothering you?” 

Grace could read him well, his own half-embarrassed, half-joking expression morphing into a more tired, deflated one.

“It was fine, most of the time anyway. He never tried to do anything without my consent or anything like that, he just wasn’t great at taking the hint that I wasn’t interested. Eventually it was just easier not to visit Colt on set and to find other times to do things, even if it meant we saw each other less.” 

He thought about the man waiting in the room outside. Sitting with his cup of coffee and pastry, bright and early, staying the whole day yesterday, probably waiting the day before. Spending all this time on someone who didn’t want him around and had made that clear. To the point where he’d had to change his own behaviour and see his only family member less just to avoid him. Not a romantic gesture, not a harmless thing, but a stalker. Choosing a time of vulnerability to make a move, refusing to be told no.

He tapped his earpiece. 

“Can we have Mr Ryder removed from the premises please.” 

“Carl wait, it’s fine, he’s harmless.”

Said the man with the bleeding heart who didn’t even like killing spiders. Indignant streak aside, Grace wasn’t exactly the best at standing up for himself. His work was a different story, he’d defend that to death, but himself, his own personal space or time or interests, he wasn’t great at that. Carl was pretty sure it was half the reason Stratt had sent the security detail. 

“You don’t need any extra stress at a time like this...” he shot his friend a smile, “you have a security detail; there's no harm in benefitting from it.” 

Stratt would have ordered it immediately, she was the one who’d insisted Grace came with a detail, and Carl knew her well enough to know it wasn’t just because she was worried about someone targeting her second in command. She wanted this to be as easy for him as possible, she’d all but said it in the briefing to him while Grace was packing a bag. She’d more or less assigned him to Grace that first day at the school, and it wasn’t just to keep him from physical harm. This needed to go as smoothly and stress-free as was possible for the situation, and clingy situationships weren’t smooth or stress-free. That they were friends was a bonus.

They'd both seen the way Grace’s face had crumpled at the news, the way his body had reacted like he’d been the one hurt, the way his hands hadn’t stopped fidgeting and shaking from the moment he’d been told. The tears in the corners of his eyes as he’d all but run to pack a bag, the first time he’d ever been eager to take time away from his desk or get on a jet. That he’d barely even put up a protest at being told to take some time away from his work to come here had been a pretty clear sign of how hard this had hit him.  

Carl was not about to let some entitled ex decide now was the time to cause problems. 

Not on his watch. 

“Wait you can do that?”

“Do what?”

“Just kick him out? Him? Tom Ryder, nobody can just kick him out.”

“He doesn’t outrank my boss, if Dr Grace wants him gone, he’s gone.”

“Can you open the door so I can watch them haul his ass out?”

“Colt.”

“What?”