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Since being back there had been a lot of changes, large and small. One of which was his moving in with his boyfriend and the boyfriend's current roommate. It was a good thing, but he did need to pick up a few things...mostly in the form of vegetarian appropriate foods. That had been his intent - to pick up some food so he could have a larger variety, but he ended up at one of those bookstore-cafe places...you know, where you can get an over-priced latte and then browse the titles for hours on end.

Colin didn't get an overpriced latte, he got a nice hot chai latte because it was chilly outside - and because they were extremely tasty.

The blond wandered around the bookstore idly, sometimes humming the main Star Trek theme without realizing he was doing so. Eventually he ended up in the comic section, poring over the various titles and their glossy paper intently, beverage in one hand so he could pick up any selection he might make with the other.

Happily off in his own little world (and enjoying the vibrantly inked comic shenanigans) , Colin had no idea that the bookstore had become the newest sanctuary of warmth for someone already having a bad day; as a matter of fact, he couldn't have been aware of his surroundings if he'd been wearing noise-cancelling headphones!

Until he heard a string of curses; the blond turned his head toward the commotion just in time to see some guy in a scarf falling into one of the bookshelves. Colin's breath caught as it seemed the entire thing would fall, exhaling only when it was clear the only thing(s) falling were thankfully paper-based.

"Oh my gosh--!" With a flurry of long limbs, Colin rushed over to help Tolliver; forgetting for a moment that he still had his drink in one hand until some sloshed onto the hand holding it, whereupon he set it carelessly on a shelf near-by. "Hey, are you okay?" He looked down, saw the stack of books that had started the whole thing and frowned, "I hate when they don't put them back! Someone could get really hurt--"

Understatement of the hour, seeing as Tolliver had just tripped over them and nearly sent an entire section of heavy, book-laden shelves falling like dominoes. Colin reached out to help right the gentleman in question, expression one of concern and worry despite the fact that they didn't even know each other.

Oh, he was plenty magical, but not in any way that Tolliver was ever likely to get to know. If he didn't talk about such things with his Mother, sister or even his boy friend, he wasn't likely to discuss it with some person newly met. Poor guy, he must feel absolutely mortified - even if there wasn't any real reason for it; were there situations reversed, Colin supposed he would probably be red-faced and wanting to sink into the floor (or under a rock) and disappear.

"If you're sure.." The guy said he was okay, but Colin was still hovering like a concerned person, which was very lucky for both of them, because Tolliver over-corrected and ended up going backwards and right into Colin's cotton-clad arms.

"Oof--" Thankfully the blond was stronger than he looked, or he might have done more than stagger a little under Tolliver's weight. "Heh, no problem. Not gonna complain if good looking guys are falling for me." With an open smile and a bright laugh, Colin helped set the brunette to rights, eyes catching the cane he'd missed before.

"I'm Colin, by the way."

"It's nice to meet you, Tolliver." Since the gentleman in question wasn't offering a hand to shake (and had a cane to boot), Colin didn't bother offering his own hand, instead deciding that a hand-shake was really a bit behind them; he'd 'rescued' Tolliver, and had his arms around him. It didn't really help that the other man seemed extremely uncomfortable, was clinging to his cane, and turning some interesting shades of red that Colin hadn't seen since -- well, never mind when.

Nope, a hand-shake really wasn't the way to go.

"Any time." Colin shoved his hands into the pockets of his dark jean pants, head tilted at his current companion thoughtfully. "So...did you forget to pay your gambling debt? Hit on someone Very Important's unwilling Bride? Or maybe....hm, did you come in here looking for your pimp hat?"

Perhaps a horrible joke or three would relax Tolliver?

When the guy just looked at him, mouth opening and shutting as though his brain couldn't quite figure out whether he should be insulted or amused, Colin felt a stab of apprehension. Great, he'd insulted this person and was about to get verbally mauled - just what he needed from someone he'd tried to help. But then the guy snorted and shook his head, the lines of his body easing from that fight-or-flight tension that had been there, to something far less wound up. Colin exhaled, not realizing that he'd held his breath until it came out in a rush.

"I knew it! You've totally got the look." He grinned at Tolliver; now that things were more relaxed, he went after his drink, still sitting on a shelf near at hand and took a sip.

Pathetic? Naw. Embarrasing was something Colin could agree with; no one liked to (nearly) take a dive in front of another living soul - hell, most people got all up in arms even if they were completely alone when it happened! But he definitely didn't think there was anything pathetic about it, especially when the aisles were supposed to be cleared so people could walk without having to stare down all the damned time.

"Eh, I don't know about that. It could just be a really unique way to meet someone." He really was a kind person...unless you really worked at pissing him off.

Even tinged or tainted, a smile was a smile was a smile and Colin was the sort of fellow that really did like being able to get another person to smile. Especially someone like Tolliver who seemed to need being put at ease and seemed to also need an overtly-friendly extrovert to bully them into friends. Not that Colin thought things like that out, he just wanted to be friends with just about everyone!

"I think they made a TV show sort of like that. Mum watches it." He sort of wanted to roll his eyes at Tolliver, maybe shake him a little while telling him that he didn't look like a pathetic cripple, but he had a feeling it wouldn't work and would probably only make him clam up again.

So instead, he just joked through it. "Very popular with the ladies, I hear." Having absolutely no sense of personal space, Colin grinned and moved so he could do the "nudge, nudge, wink wink" thing to his red-headed companion.

"Hmm?" The blond blinked a moment before reaching up to fuss with his earring, sheepishly. "Oh, um...actually, I was supposed to be grocery shopping. I mean, I like to read...but I don't usually get a lot of time to any more." Although he wasn't getting his self-subscribed "chores" done, Colin was making a friend in Tolliver, which was a lot more fun than picking up veggies, tofu and peanut butter (or whatever else was on his list)!

"What about you? Did you step in for the books or the drinks?" Or the heat; it was freaking cold outside!

He totally agreed; as a matter of fact, Colin didn't really like newer television programs...they'd put almost anything on screen these days and most of it was pure and absolute garbage. "That's one reason I don't really watch TV anymore. I only know about a handful of programs 'cause of my Mum and sister."

Colin chuckled a little bit as Tolliver's cheeks went red again; that was a reaction that he was quite used to getting from other people, so it didn't bother him at all.

"Well, this is certainly a good place to rest and get warm in." He cocked his head thoughtfully, eyes picking up the way his companion was shifting and seemed uncomfortable. Clearly the cane wasn't just for show, which told Colin that his new friend probably suffered more than usual due to the chill outside. "Do you want to get some coffee or something? My treat." A warm drink from the Bookstore's little cafe would do wonders, as would sitting in one of the little tables there; the blond wasn't going to take "no" for an answer, he would actually begin herding Tolliver towards the cafe, being careful of his cane and knee all the while.

Without knowing just how much pain his new friend was in, Colin could still read body language enough to tell when someone was uncomfortable - and Tolliver read as just a bit beyond merely uncomfortable. So it was a bit of a relief when the older man accepted his offer; the pause and consideration of said offer didn't bother Colin at all. They had just met, naturally Tolliver was cautious of him!

"Absolutely. I wouldn't have offered if I didn't mean it." The blond was smiling all the way to the counter, where he would let Tolliver order first. "If you snag us a table, I'll bring the drinks." It wasn't just to be nice that he suggested doing this, the in-store cafe was actually busy enough that if they did want to sit, it was necessary one of them save a spot.

As soon as Tolliver headed for a table, Colin would finish up with his order and pay the cashier. He accepted a small bag from the girl at the counter and then stepped aside so that the next person could make their purchase; as with so many of these sorts of places, it took a minute or two before both drinks were ready. Colin would take both paper-capped cups - and the bag - over to their table.

"I don't know if you're interested, but I got some of those vanilla-bean scones too." Six, to be exact: enough to share evenly so no one had to feel like a d**k eating the last one. And if Tolliver didn't like them or was allergic, he would just take them home and eat them later. Either way, it worked out.