Work Text:
You had a hand in setting up the stunt scene for Colt. It was the same as usual, except something about him had seemed off. Just this morning, where he was usually burrowed into your warmth, his arms wrapped firmly around your waist and his bare chest pressed against your back, he had gotten up before you had woken up and was pacing on set by the time you had arrived. He hadn't even had a morning coffee, which should have tipped you off that something was wrong. But you were preoccupied with helping re-do the final set, since Ryder had whinged for three days straight, making your props team have to redo everything.
Colt being pissed at Ryder wasn't a new thing, the man irked him to an unreasonable degree with his asshole behaviour and constant attempts to get into everybody's pants. But you thought that what had pushed him over the edge was the out of pocket attempt to flirt with you, Ryder knowing full well you and Colt were going steady. Ryder always pulled bullshit like that, implying he would be better than Colt. generally just trying to piss Colt off. Typically, the jibes and insults rolled off Colt, your boyfriend choosing to be the bigger man, however this time the words had stuck.
You had ignored the man as always but Colt had seemed more worked up than usual, scowling the rest of the day. And when he got you in bed he left harsh bruises on your hips and waist which he never did, your boyfriend was never harsh with you no matter how annoyed he was. You had just assumed it was stress, not that Ryder’s bullshit got to him. Your own stress had made you overlook it and you felt a pit of guilt in your stomach now.
The stunt was one Colt had done many times before, just not in the shitty mood he was currently sporting. He didn't even stop by you for his 'good luck kiss' which made you pout a little. Though you saw the tension in the set of his jaw and shoulders, you didn't stop to wonder any longer as the scene was set to start.
Colt was buckled in, his jaw twitching as he gripped the steering wheel of the car. you stood on the sidelines, coordinating stuff with your team, making last minute preparations and ensuring everything was in place.
Jody called for action and Colt started the car. You bit at your thumb, that familiar anxiety rising in your gut every time colt did a stunt after his accident, even though you knew he was perfectly capable. You couldn't see his expression through the glass, only the tinted reflection of the helmet and the grip he had on the steering wheel.
You flinched as your boyfriend crashed through a glass pane, pieces flying in every direction. Logically you knew he was fine. This was his job, for god's sake. But something inside you said that Colt wasn't okay.
He stumbled out the car and your gaze zeroed in on him. Before you could get a close look, he was surrounded by stunt people, taking his gear and double checking he was okay. You leg started to shake, foot tapping impatiently as you waited for Colt to come your way.
Eventually, he shuffled over to you, a sheepish look on his face. You stared him down unimpressed.
"You hurt yourself, didn't you."
Colt's eyes went wide, shaking his head in a totally believable manner, "No! I'm fine. Totally!", he all but yelped out.
You arched an eyebrow at him, standing closer, fingers skimming over his chest. He stared down at you, voice dropping to a volume only the pair of you could hear, "I uh actually just wanted to apologise for being an asshole earlier…Ryder- Hey!" His rambling was cut off as you pressed two fingers to the meat of his right shoulder.
You scoffed, grinning up him triumphantly, "I knew you were injured, you stubborn bastard." Colt pouted, sagging against you, one arm sliding round your waist and pulling you closer, "It's not that bad, I don't need any medical attention. It's just bruised…" You shook your head as his antics, your free hand sliding into his and spinning, grabbing your keys with the hand not currently in Colt's.
"We're going back to the trailer, I'm going to patch you up and you're gonna give me a proper apology and explanation to why you've been such a prick the past like twelve hours." You waved down Jody, mouthing something about Colt's stubborn nature and walked off, Colt following like a lost puppy. Jody just shook her head and laughed quietly, well aware of Colt's stubbornness from their brief fling.
──────
You kicked the door closed behind you, all but shoving Colt onto the bed. He landed with a quiet 'oof' and a small wince as he jolted his shoulder. You turned away after making sure he wasn't in too much pain, rummaging through the cupboards for the first aid kit you knew was there, kept for emergencies or for instances like this wherein Colt was being a hard-headed dumbass.
You emerged from the cupboard, victorious and holding the box above your head. Colt gave you a wry smile, but you could see how much his shoulder was bothering him. Standing up quickly, you made your way over to him, sitting beside him and tugging his shirt up.
Colt huffed out a pained laugh, "If you wanted me to strip, all you had to do was ask." You gave him a look and he shut up, helping you pull the shirt over his head without further aggravating his injury.
Your eyes widened as you took in the blotchy purple and green of Colt's shoulder, no wonder he was in pain, that shit looked horrible. Colt grinned at you, still putting up a facade of bravado. You swallowed tearing your eyes away from the bruise that covered so much of his skin and opened the med kit, pulling out bruise cream and a coupled rolls of bandages.
"Colt…"
He looked slightly dazed as you looked at him, reaching up to cup his cheek, beard scruff scratching your palm.
"Hmm..?"
You pouted, "You were gonna hide this from me…" Colt blinked at you, pain flickering in his expression as he turned his face to kiss your palm, "Not forever, just so we could shoot the rest of the scenes today." Your brows furrowed, mouth tilting down, "Did Ryder's bullshit really get to you that much? That you don't even want to ask me for help?"
Colt looked away, eyes downcast, voice low, "It's not like he's wrong about some of the things he says…"
Your eyes widened once more, grip on Colt tightening slightly. You dropped the bandages, cupping his other cheek and bringing his face up, though he still avoided your gaze, "Colt. Baby. Look at me please."
He looked up, expression a mix of emotions, conflicted and a hint of self-deprecation evident. You sighed, "Colt I love you. Only you. Ryder can go fuck himself, ignore his bullshit. He's just jealous that someone loves you and not him."
Colt snorted quietly, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards, "He's such an asshole."
You grinned, "Right? So no need to pay attention to the crap he spews. He's a lonely man who's probably gonna die alone. But you, you have me. Always." You leaned in for a kiss, Colt meeting you halfway, lips crashing against yours. You groaned, Colt ever eager to get his hands on you, his kisses proving that.
You eventually had to pull away, hand against his uninjured shoulder, "Let me patch you up and then we can chill, okay?" Colt nodded, eyes glazed and lips pink from where you had bitten. You picked up the bruise cream again, unscrewing the lid and squeezing some out onto your hand.
You rubbed it over Colt's bruise, whispering apologies as he winced and hissed in pain, a small whimper escaping him. Part of you categorised the sound away for later, a time where you could pull that sound out him in very different circumstances. The smarter part of your brain focused on lathering up the injury and bandaging it up so the cream could do its thing.
You sat back on your haunches, observing your handiwork before flopping back on the bed, dragging Colt down on top of you.
"Now we can relax, m'kay?"
Colt just groaned into your neck, his body weight pressing down on you like a very warm weighted blanket. You loved when he did that, it was a comfort to you and you knew Colt loved to manhandle you when you were under him. You chuckled, pulling the covers up and over the two of you, kissing Colt's temple, "Sleep sweetheart, I'll wake you up when I have to go back to set." Colt nodded against you, eyes already closed, face firmly pressed into the crook of your neck.
You let him sleep as long as he wanted, even after you left him to go back to work, you warned everyone to stay quiet and let your boyfriend sleep. Most people were more than happy to comply, Colt having charmed essentially everyone on set. The only person who didn't listen…Well if Tom Ryder turned up to his next press interview with heavier makeup then that was that.