Welcome to Gaia! ::

He could have taken the car, except his boyfriend wouldn't have fit. You couldn't stuff a pineapple into the space reserved for an apple, after all and while Björn was a human and decidedly not a pineapple (or apple, for that matter), the size-reference was pretty apt. Colin's mother had wanted him to take the car, but after having her son talk about the difference between pineapples and apples, she relented and told him to "be careful" walking around.

So instead of waiting in a nice, safe vehicle for his boyfriend's bus to come in, Colin found himself standing around waiting with a small group of tired-looking people that were also awaiting friends or family coming in on the last run of the evening. Unlike the other people waiting, however, Colin had a little 'extra' protection (if you could call it that) - he could duck for cover, whip out his henshin pen and become the tragically-dressed but-ready-to-kick-a** Sailor Aegir. Luckily he was able to keep his long dancer's legs clad in denim, his upper body in a thick, over-sized hoodie that all but hid him under some brightly-colored graffiti pattern instead of bared by his costume and he made small-talk with a rather tired-looking middle-aged woman. She worked two jobs to make ends meet and this would be the first time she'd seen her eldest daughter for most of the year - Genna, the girl's name, had gone to some women's college and was coming back home for the holidays.

She probably felt the innate goodness in him and latched onto it for "company" whilst waiting. At any rate, Björn would arrive to find his boyfriend safe and happy; excited even. Yay.

Poor thing! Björn looked like he'd had one of the absolute worst times of his life. Colin watched him squeeze his way out to the waiting area where he and Genna's mother stood - had stood. The older woman had moved quickly to embrace her daughter when the sharp-looking collegiate came striding up like she had the biggest balls in all the bus station. He whistled to himself a little bit, but waved at the elder of the two women as they headed off to go home, likely in a car. Not a lot of attention went towards the women after they moved past his line-of-sight; he had other, better things to concern his sci-fi loving self.

Björn waved and Colin waved back, moving forward to meet his boyfriend; he wanted to launch himself into his arms but kept himself from doing it because the poor blond looked like he probably need three days in a medieval rack before he properly stretched out again! "I'm stubborn and persuasive and have this fantastic puppy-dog look that works on her really well." He grinned and reached up to smooth some of Björn's frazzled hair away from his face; the decision to let him walk to meet his boyfriend had been hard won, but in the end Mom hadn't wanted their guest to have to walk out to the apartment alone.

"I've got several layers underneath. Including the 'Trek stuff, if you're wondering." He laughed a little and stood on tip-toes to kiss his boyfriend briefly, "You look like you're over half-squished. Did they stuff you in with the luggage?"

Whether it did or did-not attract attention wasn't Colin's big concern, though he probably should have been bit more cognizant of such things...especially if he ever got around some really hateful types of people. Luckily the few people out and about the station at that time were pretty much ignoring everything around them save for their own personal, precise interests. Or the weather. "Hey now, don't you need this?" Colin didn't bother protesting further though, he'd learned by this time that Björn would win any such argument; if there was one thing that his boyfriend had, it was chivalry. Outdated, adorable and very, very sweet - it was one of Björn's more endearing quirks and even if he thought the bigger youth needed the coat more than he did, it was a moot point.

"Mm...a few, I'm sure." Quite a few, actually - Colin tried to go for the rarer stuff, because friends or family could go after the newer stuff, easier stuff...the crap that came out almost every. other. day. " 'ej chaH chenmoH latlh Hoch poH." Which was basically what he said, in Klingon: new stuff comes out all the time.

Björn's odd half-fumbling questions brought a curious tilt to the curly-haired dancer's head, "Hmm? Oh! No, it's not a problem. Mom n' I had a long conversation and it's not a problem. I mean, she's not weirded out or anything." Such a lovely conversation he'd had with his mother about his sex-life. His mom might have been a little old-fashioned about some things, but she was fairly progressive when it came to her children and sex: unlike many parents, she'd educated her children about the ins-and-outs of human sexuality, as well as the potential dangers in the hopes that they would make good, educated decisions with their bodies. She didn't really have issues with Colin being interested in boys (though she might have a pause once she actually met Björn!) but she did kind of hope that one day he'd give her grandbabies...and women were usually involved. In some manner. /tangent

"Mom's surprisingly cool about sex. I think she'd rather not hear anything but all she said was to lock my door at night." His cheeks were pink from the cold and also from remembering that conversation. So awkward, even IF Mom was cool about that sort of thing. One did not want one's Mother contemplating one having sex when under the same roof!

Colin's had fit nicely within the Swede's meatier paw and he fell into step with Björn, talking animatedly about the audition. "Yeah, I did actually. Me and four others got in - but after the first day they cut two guys 'cause they just weren't learning the moves fast enough. We had a day and a half to learn before they started doing the commercial shoot, so...slow learners got nixed fast." And in two weeks the commercial would be out and the masses would have yet another over-priced, over-gadget-ed phone on the market to "oooh" and "aaahhh" over. Another phone that Colin wouldn't buy, wouldn't want to buy but would totally tell other people interested to buy, since he'd be getting a nice paycheck for the commercial work. "How'd the competition go for you? Did Talia make it?"

He wanted to know about his boyfriend's exploits too, dammit!

"Yep. Before I ended up at Hillworth I came home every day with Miri. When I left, Mom said she'd turn it into some sort of study or sewing room or something, but she never has. I think she was kidding." Colin shrugged under his many layers, eyes watching the shadows between the lightposts warily. Even walking with Björn, there was no telling if he'd need to leap into action; the Swede might have had hold of one of Colin's hands, but the other was stuffed in the deep front pocket of his hoodie, loosely holding the pen that would turn him from civilian into froofy, frooty Sailor Aegir.

"I've had my own room since I hit puberty." More specifically, since he'd discovered what fun he could have alone with his p***s. Since his Mother had thought such things were possible. But he wasn't going to say that...Björn could probably figure as much out, or at least understand why a young boy and a young girl should not share a room. "It's not huge or anything, but it's my space and it's got a lock on the inside for privacy." "Mhmm, all done for now. If they have any problems and need more shoots, then they might call us back, but otherwise, it's done."

It was very sad to hear that his big, strong boyfriend hadn't done as well as he might have hoped, but...it was s he said: right now, the focus was more on schooling than on strong-man, no matter how much Björn might want it otherwise. Very unfortunate..but some day, the schooling would be done and Mr. Tall, Blond and handsome would be winning the crap out of events like that, with Colin by his side. Hopefully. "You should ask them to start one, it might be really popular, you never know." Fruit tossing. Oh lord, what an amusing thought!

"I know they do! They're both junk-food queens, I swear. There's always some sort of cake or pastry at home. I think your gift will be just perfect! Mom might want to kick me out and adopt you as a son instead." He chuckled a little, but started at what was only a normal, every-day feline running through the shadows to some place only a cat could know. He was keyed up, but thankfully the walk wasn't horribly long, they'd get to his street, to his apartment after walking under an hour or so, mostly because Colin refused to take any of the short-cuts he knew of. Not with Negaversers potentially roaming about, wanting him and Björn dead. Or alive.

"Yep. Mom made sure everyone got their own room. In the past it would be me 'n Miri or Mom 'n Miri, but this time we all have some space of our own, which is pretty nice." Playing Twenty-Questions didn't bother Colin at all, even if they were about to enter the place that all the questions were about! Curiosity was good when one was talking about the family/home of one's lover - hell, if their situation were reversed, Colin was sure he'd have about a million (exaggerating just a little bit, because why not!) questions about Anna and the baking and everything else about Björn's life before he'd met him.

"Just a cat. A normal cat." And yet he didn't stop scanning about - in the distance he could feel power signatures; some faint, some burning brightly like stars - good, evil and inbetween (Dark Mirror Senshi? Something Else?) - but nothing close enough to really bother them, unless he powered up. Not going to happen, not right then. Not when he was bringing his over-sized lover home for the first time to a sleeping house. Miriam had been over at a girl-friend's house doing a sleepover or something and Colin's Mom was sleeping soundly after leaving a note - and some food - out for the returning teens; she needed her beauty sleep and they could all meet properly when the world woke up the next day.

They came upon a nicely landscaped apartment complex, it was fenced in and opened with codes, key-cards or just plain old keys. Three stories (the top were lofts for artsy-fartsy types, gay couples with cats or people that just "vanted to be alone" or something like that; floors one and two were basically family units like the one the Hargroves lived in (blessedly on the ground floor or Colin's constant dancing would have driven the downstairs neighbors to murder long before Björn ever came to visit!

Once inside the complex, Colin relaxed just a little bit. Not only were they nearly "home", but it was highly unlikely they'd find any real trouble within the complex. Possible yes, but unlikely. "Almost home." He grinned at the taller boy and squeezed his hand reassuringly, "We live on the ground floor in building 2, right near the back of the complex where it's quiet."

Considering how often in their recently shared past that cats were not just cats, it was not surprising that they both would have started at the sight - or sound - of one roaming about in the darkness. Things were...often not what they seemed, anymore and Colin often times thought their lives would be much simpler if they were "normal" teenagers. But that cat really had been just a cat and they were fine and dandy and away from any immediate dangers...save really cold ones caused by sneaky-playful boyfriends. Colin would have been so surprised to have a handful of snow stuffed down his pants - he probably would have tackled Björn and tried burying his big blond a** in piles of icy cold snow.

"Exactly." Colin gave him a rakish grin, then fished keys from his pocket, letting go of the transformation stick for the first time since he'd left the house earlier that evening. "Mom, maybe. If she didn't get any calls. Miri's having a sleepover at one of her friend's houses. We can make some noise, but no marching bands or rock music full blast. Apartment B-4's door opened silently to admit the pair of boys, a light in the foyer welcoming them - but no female face, no voice.

"A shower? Sure. Best take your shoes off here though, Mom doesn't like tracking dirt in on the carpet." Colin hung Björn's coat up first, then bent so he could tug off his shoes and put them under a small bench with a few other pairs. "Want something to eat after?" There was a note stuck to a small cork-board on the wall next to a table for keys to one side of the bench; the blond reached back to grab it, scanning the contents. "Looks like Mom went to bed already. Says there's some left-over meat loaf in the fridge and some rabbit soup for me."

'Rabbit Soup' didn't mean that it was literally made of rabbit. It was Rebecca Hargrove's nick-name for Colin's favorite leek and potato soup. "I can heat it up while you shower, if you like." He gave his lover a nod of his head to indicate that he should follow further once his shoes were properly settled in their new, temporary home. "Kitchen's in there, past the dinning room. Living room's straight ahead," He was pointing things out or just nodding in the general location of where the rooms where; a better "tour" would be done later, in the light, "Mom and Miri's rooms are that way, with the linen closet. My room and the shower's over this way."

Not only was Colin's room on the opposite side of the apartment, but even though he had to share his bathroom with any visitors, it was like he had it to himself. It was pretty small though, with a sink, mirror, toilet and enough room for a shower. "And here's where I used to spend my days before Hillworth." Door opened, room exposed. Just as nerd-wonderful and mish-moshed with dance, music and Trek-ery as one might think; shelves covered in books, magazines and all sorts of Star Trek paraphernalia; walls covered in posters (some precious ones, signed ones, framed but others bare-assed and tacked up) and photos, performance sheets and whatnot. It was busy, but neat and obviously well-lived in. His bed was full size (a splurge from the money he'd earned that he had never regretted) and had a bedding set of grey and blue stripes. A ceiling fan hung motionless until the blond turned it on low.

Colin didn't know about his boyfriend's liliputian thoughts brought on by seeing his family's footwear next to his own, though he would have chuckled a bit at them before reassuring Björn that everything was fine - he wouldn't break anything (at least, nothing that Colin himself wouldn't have, given half the chance and the right music!) and even if he did, it would not be wholly due to his size. Anyway.

What he did know about was the way Björn's face fell hearing about the bathroom that Colin liked to claim for himself; having been with the long-haired muscle-man for a good while now meant that in at least a few circumstances, Colin could figure out just what was going on behind those blue eyes. "Mmhmm, I helped install it. But you don't have to use the small shower...the other bathroom's got way more space, I think it'd be better if you used it." A slightly crooked, half-apologetic smile went along with his offer of the master bathroom; he was pretty sure that the smaller shower would have worked for Björn, since two people could fit in it as long as they liked being close - but for comfort's sake, the master bath's massive tub and shower combo would suit the Swede better. With or without the detachable shower-head and it's five different settings.

Women seemed to just love those things...he'd once asked a girlfriend why they were so popular with the fairer sex and gotten quite the earful about the various 'pulse patterns' and so forth that one might have with the various models available. Colin did not say a word when his mother had insisted both bathrooms get them...he'd just helped her with the installation and tried desperately to avoid thinking about the very disturbing thought of his mother or sister using the shower the way that Lily had said she liked to.

"And no, you won't wake Mom or anything."

Björn was sweet and thoughtful about such things, so Colin felt he should head that off before it even came up. "Pretty obvious, huh? I like blues more than greys, but they go together really well. Very sci-fi, but that's not why I like them. Orangey-reds too, like rust or autumn leaves." Going over to the closet, he tugged the accordian-folding doors open but ignored the dangling cord that would have thrown some weak, eco-friendly light over his clothing, shoes and various storage boxes full of god only knew what. "You can put your bag in here, at the end of the bed or anywhere against the wall. As long as it's not smack in the middle of the floor, I'll be fine."

Colin's neatness was something he'd had drilled into him; Rebecca Hargrove detested having a messy home and she'd always tried to use positive reinforcement to get her kids to do their chores. But really, life worked much more easily when things were neat - plus, there were these little gnomish creatures that would come out at night and devour any stray items they found laying out of place! Okay, so that was something his cousin had told him when they were young and he'd totally believed it and always tried to keep his room clean because he liked his things and no gnomish gremlins or whatever were going to take his toys/clothes/whatever.

While digging out a pair of pajama pants to put on while he puttered about the house during Björn's shower, he thought about offering to join in but thought better of it. Even if his mom probably would have slept through a five-alarm fire, he just wasn't sure he wanted to take the chance that this would be the one night she woke up and got an earful of her 'baby boy' and the humanized-version of King Kong. Time enough for that after the scent of gasoline, stale food/air and travel no longer clung to Björn.

"Get your stuff and let's get you clean." So he could dirty him aaaall up, right? Eh hem. Waiting for Björn to dig out whatever toiletries and clothing he might need, Colin set about peeling off the rest of his layers so he could shimmy into pajama pants that he didn't plan on wearing long; walking around nude wasn't a safe thing to do, even with his mom asleep and his sister away. Soft, light cotton with a NERDS candy pattern on it ($9.99 at your local Target!) was far more comfortable to walk around the house in than jeans. Boyfriend ready, Colin would lead him off to the linen closet for towels, then to the master bath. "Do you want me to stay?" Would the walking wall of muscle feel uncomfortable in the bathroom alone, so close to a sleeping parent? Or maybe it was more that the curly-haired dancer liked to watch Björn? Whatever the reason, he'd offered...just in case.

As much fun as the mental image of his over-sized boyfriend trying to use his shower to bathe was, he didn't really want to put Björn through that sort of trauma after having been squished on the bus for such a long time. That was punishment enough, really. Now was time for relaxing and feeling good - not knocking about and twisting like a contortionist. That wasn't Björn's specialty at all; more along Colin's skill-set, being a flexible dancer and all.

Cute pink Ziploc. Colin raised an eyebrow at the plastic baggie filled with necessary items but didn't say anything about the traditionally un-manly color as it was likely procured from his mother. Moms tended to buy normal items in weird colors - no idea why. Colin didn't get it, Björn probably didn't either - did any man, really? "That's kind of what I was thinking. Not that she'll probably get up, but just in case..." And of course, Colin enjoyed watching his boyfriend. Especially wet. And naked. He knew it wasn't just a guy thing or a "Colin" thing either; Talia probably would have enjoyed seeing Björn like that too!

It was interesting to hear about other people's family lives - that Anna didn't sleep well at night was something worth knowing beyond just the general interest in how other's lived away from the strictures of Hillworth and with their families. "I'll try to keep that in mind if I'm ever there overnight." He chuckled and perched on the closed lid of the toilet; the bathroom was done up in one of those ocean-y themes that so many women tended to go for: sand and seashells. But at least it wasn't violently pink or Sponge Bob or something like that. He pulled one knee up, wrapping his arms around it and setting his cheek against his knee to watch Björn getting into the shower.

Goodbye Bus, hello Björn! "I"m lucky Mom sleeps so deep, Miri doesn't sleep as deeply, but she doesn't wake up that much. It's why I have to wear pj's outside the room." Implying that otherwise he'd just run around naked, like the heathen he really was. Colin inhaled deeply when the soap and shampoo smells rose with the steam vapors - it was so nice. Woodsy and fresh and totally connected in his mind with Björn: all scents that meant only good things in his world ever since the blond-haired strongman came into his life.

"At least we don't have to wear shower-shoes here." Pain in the a**, but better than getting fungal infections!