Nu ser jeg natten i farver

Niall had to resort to desperate measures to gather enough money to keep a roof over their heads and some food on the table. He broke into houses, he sold the stolen goods, and when times got really desperate, he sold comfort to men willing to pay for it. Many of his clients were merchants. They would take him to their warehouses to avoid prying eyes. He made a mental note of what they kept in there while the other man fucked him. One night he broke into the warehouse of a regular client who dealt in French lace. He knew of a new shipment recently arrived and he could make a few decent bob selling it. He hadn’t realised his regular had followed him with his men. They held Niall until he was taken to the gaol. A few days later he was put in front of a judge. He’d been trembling with fear, he knew what happened to thieves like him - 7 years Transportation to Botany Bay. Lori fainted when the sentence was proclaimed. He didn’t get the chance to say goodbye. 

When Niall arrived in Sydney Cove, after the near year-long voyage he wanted to kiss the ground. One of the Officers on the ship, a dark-haired man with a Spanish countenance who went by Butch, had taken a liking to him from the moment they set sail from Portsmouth. He’d given Niall extra rations, allowed him precious candlelight at night so he could write his stories, and used Niall as his private secretary of sorts. Niall knew that this kindness and trust did not come for free and Butch extracted what he wanted from Niall often. 

“A boy whore who can read & write? Scotland really is another country,” Butch had whispered into his ear one night, the scent of rum clouding Niall’s senses as Butch plowed into him. He was more violent than his old regulars. Niall hated the marks Butch left on him, the way he’d degrade him when he was in the moment. But it was a price Niall was willing to pay to ensure his survival.

Niall rushed off the small boat that ferried him from the ship to land. He wanted to put as much distance between him and Butch as possible. Soldiers met him and the other convicts on the beach and marched them to a simple timber building where a robust army surgeon inspected him. 

“Fit for labour. He should be put to work.”

He was then taken to a shack and told to sleep on the floor; he’d know his fate soon. Butch had taught him about the different roles he could be assigned, not many of them pleasant. Niall hoped he’d be allowed to continue as a carpenter’s apprentice, hopefully to a settler or freed convict that wouldn’t demand sex. The other convicts that were deemed fit for work trickled in. Niall found a small corner and laid down for uninterrupted sleep for the first time in ages. It wasn’t comfortable, but at least there were no hands grabbing for him, asking for him to repay an earlier kindness with his body. In his dream, his mind wandered to the single thought that had kept him sane during the arduous journey: 

Ruben.

If he were still alive, he’d be 20. Niall couldn’t picture Ruben as a man. Even in his dream he still saw the 13 year old boy with red-gold hair who held his hand as they crossed the busy market to run errands for their Master. The boy he shared a hay covered pallet with in a small room of their stone house. The boy that made sure they always had enough wood to keep a fire going and enough food to keep them working. The boy that tried to make their lives better and paid the price for their misery. Niall vividly remembered the first night he spent alone in that cold room after Ruben was arrested. His hand rested on Ruben’s side, tears freely falling from his face. He still remembered running after the carriage that took Ruben from the courthouse destined for some port in England that would take him to the other side of the world.

When Niall woke up he dampened his hope. He knew firsthand how easy it was for convicts, especially young ones, to die on the voyage. Even if they got the protection of a self-interested official like Butch. He remembered the handful of burials at sea he witnessed. Almost all of them boys or young men like him, like Ruben. Niall found the Anglican services strange. The same men who marched them onto the ship bowed their heads in prayer over the dead. He tried not to think of a young Ruben, lifeless and wrapped in a shabby blanket, receiving prayers he wouldn’t recognise to commend his soul to God and his body to the sea. He could never bring himself to look overboard and see what became of them.

A guard started calling out surnames, eventually getting to his. They were being taken to the Government Yard to be assigned. Niall felt his woollen clothes grow heavy with sweat because of the hot sun and his nerves. Whatever came next would be his life for the next 7 years. If he lived that long. They were marched through the settlement, only a few people acknowledged their existence. Some of them looked intently, Niall felt like an animal at market. 

They arrived at a large dusty square, the guards shouting for them to stop and remain still. Government Yard was rustic, like everything else in the settlement. Niall saw a table of official looking men in red coats and powdered wigs on the far side of the square, looking through papers in front of them. Behind the officials were other men, their clothes much more simple. Many of them looked like they had come directly from their work. Niall tried to make out their faces, but the sun was too bright.

“Mrs. Chamberlain,” the official called out. A well dressed woman stepped forward. 

“One female convict, Bowers.” A young woman only slightly older than Niall stepped forward.  Mrs. Chamberlain beckoned and they left the yard. The process continued as convicts were assigned their new Masters. 

Niall looked at the ground; the sun was too strong to keep up with the proceedings. 

Then, “Mr. Pallister.” 

Niall’s head snapped up quickly, he couldn’t have heard correctly.

A man stepped forward. Tall and broad shouldered, with skin that had been tanned by years under the unforgiving sun. His arms were strong from years of labour. His linen shirt hung open just enough for Niall to see his strong chest. Niall felt his stomach flutter just like it did whenever he saw a man he liked. The man took off his hat and Niall saw the red-gold hair he used to play with when they were meant to be sleeping. And then he saw the eyes, still a bright blue, almost like the colour of the sky in this strange land. He saw the twinge of recognition and the man, Ruben, took three large steps toward Niall, stopping just before the guards.

The clerk looked at his ledger and yelled 

“One male convict…Kennedy. And it is your lucky day Mr. Pallister, this one was a carpenters apprentice.”

Niall stepped forward closing the distance with Ruben. He wanted to hug him. Ruben’s arms looked like they wanted to envelop him too.

“Let’s go,” he said. His voice was deeper, his accent less broad. He was handsome. Niall noticed the dark red stubble on his face. He felt a knot in his chest, one he hadn’t felt for years. One that Ruben had first triggered in him when they were younger.

They fell into step with one another, neither knowing exactly what to say. The settlement was busy, touching publicly felt dangerous. They stole glances at each other as they walked, the reality of their reunion settling in. They arrived at a small wooden house set somewhat back from the others. When they were boys Ruben talked about spiriting them away to the country to live in the woods, it seemed he made that wish come true.

Ruben’s hand landed on the small of his back, leading Niall inside. The house was well appointed inside, better than the other buildings Niall had been in so far. Ruben’s talent was evident in every corner of the home. Ruben pulled out a chair from beneath a small, well-made table. 

“Sit. You must be tired. Are you hurt?”

Niall looked at the chair then at Ruben. Instead of sitting as directed, he stepped up to Ruben and threw his arms around his neck, burying his face into his chest. Ruben wrapped him up immediately, resting his head on Niall’s, breathing him in to confirm that this was really his Niall. His eyes started to glisten. Niall wasn’t sure how long they held each other for.

When they broke their embrace, Ruben took hold of his hands and studied him. Niall wasn’t the little boy he’d last seen. Niall had always been slight, but even as a young man his body showed signs of years of hard graft. The kind of graft Ruben had tried to protect him from.

“You’re in good nick for such a long voyage. One of the officers?”

Niall looked away, he didn’t want to talk about it. Ruben still had his answer.

Niall glanced back at Ruben, he was even redder with anger, his fists bunched. The vein in his head that would pulse when he was angry was still there. Ruben strode outside and drove his boot into the small bench. Again. Again. Again. The timber splintered beneath each kick until nothing recognisable remained.

“I did what I had to. We lost 5 boys on the journey.”

“I know. I still want to kill him. Which one was it?”

“The Spanish-looking one, he goes by Butch.”

“Aye I know the bastard.”

“I never want to see him again.”

“He’ll be gone soon. The ships never stay too long. They have to go to Canton next. For tea. More money in that than in convicts.”

Ruben had clearly adapted to the rhythms of the colony. He led Niall to a small clearing behind his house to a basic tub filled with clear water. He instructed Niall to strip and bathe. He would take his clothes and wash them. They needed to rid Niall’s hair and clothes of any critters that had made a home there before Niall could go to his room. Niall protested that he didn’t have any other garments. Ruben assured him he would lend him some of his until they could go to the market and get fabric, the seamstress next door owed him several favours.

Niall eased himself into the tub. It had been an age since he'd been immersed in so much fresh water. Butch had offered him a small washing basin, Niall knew this meant he was going to be used. He scrubbed his body and used a small cup Ruben had left to rinse his hair. He finally felt like a person again.

He pulled himself out of the tub and walked back onto the small veranda at the back of the house. Ruben met him at the door with a towel. Niall noticed Ruben's eyes travel over his naked body, taking in every bruise, every mark the voyage had left, before wrapping the towel around his shoulders.

“Thanks.”

“Nae problem. There’s a shirt in your room. Probably too big. I don’t think my breeches will fit you. I’ll get some at the market tomorrow.”

“Don’t they tell you who your convict is?”

“No. I put in for one a year ago. You never know who is coming in on the ships. It’s up to Lady Luck which poor bastard will be unlucky enough to be sent here.”

Ruben led Niall to a small room, a small cot in the corner, and an ornate chest of drawers that seemed too grand for the setting. Ruben had made it himself, he’d become a highly skilled carpenter. Ruben mentioned to Niall that he needed to rest up, they had a lot of work to do before Christmas. Niall approached his bed and saw a clean linen chemise waiting for him. He dropped the towel and pulled it over his head. It was clearly Ruben’s and too big on Niall, the neck opening falling off his right shoulder. Niall didn’t care. He laid down to sleep and for the first time since before his arrest, let sleep take him gladly.

Ruben hadn’t been exaggerating, there was a lot of work for them to do. Ruben had been selected as an apprentice to one of the only carpenters in the settlement the moment he arrived. The man was kind to him, he had seen the skill their former Master in Glasgow had nurtured and continued to teach Ruben their craft. As the date of his emancipation approached, Ruben was highly sought after by government officials and freemen alike. The Governor had proudly proclaimed that Ruben was a true success of the system, a poor boy who had received proper intervention and had become a true asset to King and Country. Ruben accepted the praise but later told Niall it was bollocks.

“We do what we must to live.”

Most days when they returned home they were too tired to do much. Ruben hired a servant girl to keep their house and cook. She was usually gone by the time they returned. It was over the food she left ready for them that Niall slowly caught Ruben up on what had happened at home since he was transported. The influenza outbreak, the deaths, the thefts Niall undertook to survive. Ruben knew he was leaving something out but he didn’t push.

As they eased into their new life, Ruben became more physically affectionate. A lingering hand on Niall’s shoulder, standing closer than needed when Niall needed help with a task, a playful pat on the arse when he sent Niall to run errands. Niall welcomed Ruben’s touch, he’d let himself linger, feeling empty when Ruben had to pull away. He needed him like he needed water.

One night after they had gone to bed, Niall tossed and turned in his cot. He knew what he wanted, he knew what Ruben wanted from him. He stood from his bed and crossed the small house to Ruben’s bedroom door. He could see light from a candle emanating under it. He knocked, not waiting for permission to enter. Ruben was in bed wearing only his shirt. He looked at Niall like he was the most precious thing in the world. Niall slipped his own shirt off and got into bed with Ruben, softly kissing him. 

“We shouldn’t,” Ruben whispered as he pulled away from Niall.

“You want me and I want you.”

That was all Ruben needed to hear before he pulled Niall into his bed and had him. Niall gave himself gladly.

A few days later they were summoned along with the rest of the settlement to Government Yard for the Christmas service. As Scots, they had little concept of the holiday. Ruben had tried to explain to him how the Anglicans celebrated it as a major holiday. They sometimes received small gifts from the Governor.

“What about Hogmanay?” Niall inquired hopefully.

“The English don’t celebrate it. For them, it’s Christmas.”

“How sad for them.” 

After the tedious sermon by the boring Vicar, Ruben had been invited to a small gathering of freemen and respectable settlers. Niall rushed home, he knew Butch was still about. They had seen him the week before when working on the Governor’s house. Butch looked at him like a piece of meat he wanted to devour. Ruben had stepped in between them, making his claim on Niall known and a warning Butch to stay away.

Ruben came home a while later. A small dram of whisky in his right hand. Compliments of the Governor for Hogmanay. He found Niall naked in his bed.

“He’s even given us the day after off.”

“An Englishman with a heart? I’ve seen it all.”

“Aye, a frontier miracle. Fuck, you’re beautiful, Niall.”

He stripped his own clothes off and joined Niall in what was essentially now their bed. He put his fingers into Niall’s mouth, asking him to coat them, before using them to tease Niall open. He took his time, enjoying the soft moans escaping from Niall. He crooked his fingers once he’d found Niall’s spot, gently pushing against it over and over again until Niall came screaming his name. He hadn’t meant to make Niall cum so soon. No bother, he knew Niall would take care of him later.

A few days later they sat on the veranda of their house, each holding a glass of whisky. Ruben raised his and Niall followed.

“Happy New Year, Niall,” Ruben proclaimed.

“Happy Hogmanay! Don’t become too English now.”

They laughed, letting a comfortable silence settle. Ruben reached out for Niall’s hand. Niall let him take it.

“We’ll be alright.”

Ruben’s face is red, almost crimson. 

His breath catches, and his eyes close.

He taps Niall’s shoulder. A quiet signal.

Niall stays where he is, head bobbing.

RUBEN (moaning) Christ, Niall!

His arm falls over his eyes.

He comes back to Earth slowly.

Niall shifts back up. His cheeks are flushed and his hair is a mess. 

He settles beside Ruben.

Neither speaks, attempting to catch their breath.

For a moment, they are only two young men in a warm bed on a cold morning.

Ruben reaches over and brushes a strand of hair from Niall’s forehead.

NIALL (smiling) What?

RUBEN Nothing.

Ruben smiles too. Then his expression changes. Something has caught up with him.

He looks at Niall, unsure.

RUBEN Did you...

He stops.

Niall understands immediately, his smile widens even more.

NIALL Yeah.

Ruben sits up on one elbow, now alarmed.

RUBEN Bambi. You didnae have to do that.

NIALL I know.

RUBEN No, I mean it. I’m sorry.

Niall blinks.

Then laughs softly, fondly.

NIALL Rubes, it’s alright.

RUBEN I didn’t ask you to.

NIALL I know.

RUBEN So why—

NIALL Because I wanted to.

Ruben has no idea what to do with that.

Niall watches him try.

NIALL If I didn’t want to, I wouldn’t have.

Ruben nods slowly, mind still thinking.

Niall gently pulls him back down.

NIALL Come here.

Ruben lets himself be pulled.

Niall kisses his shoulder.

Outside the fog presses up against the windows.

Ruben’s eyes stay open.

INT. RUBEN'S FLAT – KITCHEN – LATER

The kettle boils.

Niall stands in Ruben’s T-shirt, making tea like he still lives here.

Ruben sits at the tiny kitchen table, watching him.

Toast burns slightly in the toaster.

Niall notices first.

NIALL Toast.

Ruben jumps up.

RUBEN Shite.

He rescues it.

Too late.

Niall takes the plate from him, and looks at the toast.

NIALL Rustic.

RUBEN Burnt.

NIALL Rustic.

They sit and eat. And for a while it is ordinary.

Breakfast. A newspaper neither of them reads.

Then Ruben looks at Niall again.

Niall puts his mug down.

NIALL You’re still thinking about it.

RUBEN No.

Niall gives him a look.

Ruben sighs.

RUBEN Aye. Maybe.

NIALL There’s nothing to think about.

RUBEN There is.

NIALL Not really.

Ruben struggles for words.

RUBEN I just don’t want you thinking you have to do things.

For me.

Niall’s face softens.

NIALL I don’t.

RUBEN But—

NIALL Ruben, I don’t.

I wanted to.

I liked that I wanted to.

Ruben looks down at his tea.

That has somehow made it worse. And better.

Niall sees the panic beginning again and smiles despite himself.

NIALL You’re making this very dramatic.

RUBEN I’m not.

NIALL You are.

RUBEN I’m being normal.

NIALL You are spiralling over breakfast.

Ruben almost smiles.

Niall reaches across the table and touches his hand.

NIALL Trust me.

Ruben looks up.

NIALL Please.

That lands.

RUBEN I do.

NIALL Then trust this too.

Ruben nods.

INT. RUBEN'S FLAT – SUNDAY EVENING

Niall’s bag is packed by the door.

He is dressed for the train.

Ruben hovers nearby, holding Niall’s scarf like he has forgotten what it is.

Niall takes it from him.

NIALL Thank you.

Ruben nods awkwardly.

Niall watches him.

NIALL Rubes.

RUBEN Mm?

NIALL You’re doing it again.

RUBEN What?

NIALL The face.

RUBEN I don’t have a face.

NIALL You have several. 

This one is your guilty face.

Ruben looks away. He’s caught.

Niall steps closer.

NIALL I’m not upset.

RUBEN I know.

NIALL Do you?

Ruben doesn’t answer quickly enough.

Niall sighs. He’s not annoyed, just patient.

NIALL I had a lovely weekend.

Ruben looks at him.

NIALL All of it.

NIALL I’ll ring when I get in.

Ruben nods.

RUBEN Aye.

Niall kisses him softly.

Then he picks up his bag and leaves.

Ruben stands in the quiet flat after the door shuts.

INT. PUB – GLASGOW – WEDNESDAY NIGHT

The pub is warm and noisy.

Ruben sits opposite DARREN (23).

Two pints between them.

Darren is mid-story, animated.

Ruben isn’t really listening.

DARREN So then he says, “That’s not my wife.”

Darren waits for the punchline to land. Nothing.

DARREN That was the end.

Ruben looks up.

RUBEN What?

Darren stares at him.

DARREN Christ, you’re miles away.

Ruben takes a drink.

RUBEN Sorry.

DARREN No, no, don’t apologise. I only wasted my best story.

Ruben smiles faintly.

Darren studies him.

DARREN Right. What’s wrong?

RUBEN Nothing.

DARREN You’ve no' touched your pint. And you let me finish the story without cutting in. So either you’re dying or Little Shakespeare has done something.

Ruben exhales.

RUBEN Don’t call him that.

DARREN You love when I call him that.

RUBEN I don’t.

DARREN You do. Trouble in paradise?

Ruben rubs a hand over his face.

RUBEN No.

Yes.

I don’t know.

Darren leans back.

DARREN Go on then. What’s Wee Billy done?

Ruben glances around the pub, mortified before he’s even spoken.

RUBEN Mate, I don’t think you want to hear this.

DARREN How bad can it be?

Darren grins.

DARREN He didnae try to stick it in ya, did he?

Ruben goes bright red instantly.

Darren bursts out laughing.

DARREN Mate!

RUBEN Fuck off!

DARREN I’m joking. Mostly.

Ruben glares.

Darren puts both hands up.

DARREN Alright! I’ll behave, tell me.

Ruben takes a long drink.

Too long.

Darren waits.

RUBEN Niall was up this weekend.

DARREN Aye…and?

RUBEN And we were in bed...

Darren’s mouth twitches.

RUBEN Don’t.

DARREN Didnae say a word.

RUBEN He was...

Ruben gives an awkward downward nod.

Darren stares.

DARREN Looking for lost change?

RUBEN Darren!

DARREN Fine. I’m sorry! How terrible for you. Your boyfriend loves you and wants you to have a nice time.

RUBEN You’re a bastard.

DARREN Aye, but go on.

Ruben looks into his pint.

Voice lower.

RUBEN I let him know I was close.

And he…he swallowed.

Darren waits.

Ruben waits for Darren to understand.

He doesn’t.

DARREN Right. And?

Ruben looks up.

RUBEN And?

DARREN Aye. What’s the problem?

Ruben groans.

RUBEN The problem is I didnae ask him to.

DARREN Did he seem upset?

RUBEN No.

DARREN Did he say he was upset?

RUBEN No.

DARREN Did he throw a book at you?

Ruben almost laughs.

RUBEN No.

DARREN Then I’m lost.

Ruben leans forward.

Now the real thing comes out.

RUBEN I keep thinking I degraded him. Or made him feel like he had to. Or like I only see him as…I don’t know, something to use.

We’ve been, you know...shagging since he was 18. We’ve never done that before.

Darren’s face changes.

The joke leaves the table.

He takes that seriously.

DARREN Ah.

Ruben looks embarrassed.

RUBEN I know. How embarrassing. My boyfriend loves to shag and I’m complaining.

DARREN No, I get it. Did you talk to him?

RUBEN Aye. Straight after.

And at breakfast.

And before he left.

DARREN And?

RUBEN He laughed, said he wanted to. Said if he didnae want to, he wouldn’t have.

Darren nods.

DARREN Sounds like him.

Ruben laughs despite himself.

RUBEN Aye.

DARREN So why are you deciding he’s lying?

Ruben stops.

That lands harder than expected.

RUBEN I don’t think he’s lying.

DARREN You kind of do, mate.

Ruben looks down.

Darren lets it sit.

Then—

DARREN Rubes, this is Niall. The wee man has opinions about everything and he shares them freely.

RUBEN He does.

DARREN If he didnae like something, would you know?

Ruben laughs quietly.

RUBEN Aye.

DARREN Exactly.

But if you don’t like it, that matters too.

Ruben looks up.

RUBEN I do like it. Feels…nice.

DARREN Then tell him that. Not the whole tragic opera version. Just...

“I got in my head about it.”

Ruben takes that in.

DARREN And tell him why. Not that he needs saving from his “sinful” ways. But 'cause you love him and you’re trying not to be a prick.

Ruben smiles faintly.

RUBEN That’s romantic.

DARREN I’m wasted in this pub.

Darren nudges his pint.

DARREN You’re learning, mate. That’s all.

Ruben nods, relieved.

Still embarrassed but less alone.

RUBEN Thanks.

DARREN ‘Course. Now get the next round because I’m about to kick your arse at darts.

Ruben laughs properly for the first time all night.

RUBEN You wish.

DARREN I’m serious. You’re emotionally lighter now, an easier target.

Ruben stands, shaking his head.

INT. TRAIN – FRIDAY AFTERNOON

Ruben sits by the window of the Glasgow to Oxford train.

Fields pass. Then towns. Then fields again.

He has a small bag beside him.

On his lap, an unread paperback Niall lent him.

He opens it and reads the same line three times before closing it again.

He looks out the window, Darren’s advice on his mind.

Ruben shifts in his seat, practicing silently.

RUBEN I got in my head about it.

No.

He tries again under his breath.

RUBEN I didnae mean to make it weird.

No.

He looks out at the countryside.

RUBEN Trust your boyfriend, ya idiot.

A woman across the aisle glances at him.

Ruben clears his throat and looks back out the window.

EXT. OXFORD TRAIN STATION – EVENING

The train pulls in.

Ruben steps onto the platform, bag over one shoulder.

He scans the crowd and finds Niall almost immediately. He always does.

Niall stands near a pillar in badminton kit, his jacket too light for the weather, his shorts scandalously short, waving at him.

Ruben stops for half a second.

All his practised speeches vanish.

Niall walks over, smiling.

They hug a little longer than necessary.

When they pull apart, Ruben looks him up and down.

He adopts a terrible American accent.

RUBEN Mr Kennedy.

Are you trying to seduce me? I’m a taken man!

Niall laughs.

He punches Ruben lightly on the shoulder.

NIALL (smiling) Shut up.

Ruben grins.

He slips an arm around Niall’s shoulders. Mostly to keep him warm. Mostly.

RUBEN Let’s get you home and out of these scandalous clothes.

What would the good people of Oxford think?

NIALL They would think I have excellent legs and that my boyfriend is very lucky to have me.

Ruben looks down.

Considers.

RUBEN Aye. They would.

Ruben’s hand smacks Niall’s arse.

Niall smiles back.

They start walking.

EXT. OXFORD STREET – CONTINUOUS

They walk close together.

Ruben’s arm still around Niall.

For a while they talk about ordinary things: Badminton, crap train food, Niall’s supervisor, Ruben’s course.

Then Ruben goes quiet.

Niall notices.

NIALL There it is.

RUBEN What?

NIALL The face.

Ruben sighs.

RUBEN I hate that I have faces.

NIALL You have a full gallery.

They walk a few steps.

RUBEN I spoke to Darren.

Niall looks up at him.

NIALL About?

Ruben hesitates.

RUBEN Last Sunday.

Niall’s face softens.

NIALL Ah.

RUBEN Not in detail.

NIALL I assumed.

RUBEN I just...

I was in my head about it.

Niall waits.

Ruben keeps looking ahead.

RUBEN You told me how you felt a few times and I wouldnae let it go. I’m sorry.

Niall stops walking.

Ruben notices after half a step and turns back.

Niall looks at him.

NIALL Ruben, you’re allowed to feel uncomfortable.

RUBEN It’s no’ that. I liked it too.

I’m just…sorry I didn’t trust you.

NIALL It’s ok. Next time.

Ruben (smiling)

Next time? Offering me an encore, Bambi?

NIALL Make me breakfast tomorrow and we’ll see!

Niall reaches for his hand and squeezes it.

They start walking again.

After a moment—

NIALL Darren gave good advice then?

RUBEN Eventually.

NIALL Eventually?

RUBEN He started by asking if you tried to stick it in me.

Niall stops dead.

Then bursts out laughing.

NIALL He did no’.

RUBEN He did, aye! In the pub on darts night.

NIALL I like him.

RUBEN You would.

NIALL Tell him Little Shakespeare approves.

Ruben groans.

RUBEN Don’t encourage him.

Niall laughs again and bumps his shoulder into Ruben’s.

They walk on through the Oxford evening.