Fic: Mud

[noxnoctisanima]

Title: Mud
Author: Nox
Fandom: Primeval
Pairing/character: Ryan/Stephen
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Not mine. No offence or liability intended
Summary: Stephen is tired, Ryan is not sympathetic.

Stephen’s bag clattered against the doorframe as he juggled his keys into the lock. He fell a little over the doorframe as the door came open and really did fall over as he balanced on one leg while tugging off his boot.

 

Ryan emerged out of the kitchen just in time to see him sprawl ungracefully onto the floor and sit for a moment staring rude thoughts at his footwear.

 

The rude gaze was turned to Ryan as he laughed at him from the hallway, leaning against the wall with seemingly no interest in helping him to his feet.

 

“You’re looking very housewifely.” It was a little snide as Stephen tried to sit up, failed and instead rolled onto all fours and got up that way with much use of the hallway table. 

 

Ryan just laughed at him again, the laugh of someone on leave who hadn’t been required to frolic around in the forest for the better part of two days after something big but more playful that dangerous. Something that had left Stephen in his present predicament.

 

“And you’re looking very muddy.”

 

Which was quite pointing out the obvious as Stephen was not only covered from head to toe but had been tasting brackish mud at the back of his tongue for about thirty six hours and was rather upset about it.

 

The scowl he was getting did not seem to phase Ryan in the least, possibly because bigger, scarier and much less mud covered enemies had been trying for years, and he, using some sneaky special forces skills, stole Stephen’s bag and shoved him towards the shower.

 

“Shower. You’re cracking dried mud everywhere. I’ll feed you when you come out and don’t fall asleep, I’m not in the mood to be resuscitating you when you drown.”

 

Stephen slipped on the tiles as Ryan shoved him in and shut the door but at least managed, with much struggling and occasionally getting trapped in his pants to get naked and get into the shower without causing himself serious injury. 

 

Now all he had to do was wash and stay awake. Which was easy.

 

Thirty seconds later Stephen drifted off, slipped down the tiled wall and curled up for a nap in the corner. Ryan found him as the tap water started to cool and laughed at him as he dragged him out and into bed. Stephen didn’t see the humour in it, but at least he was clean. And asleep.