This isn't Colby Brock's first prank he's gone through with, not even close. He's performed countless of them on just about anyone. Which is why It definitely won't be his last either. That vital fact doesn't change the childish thrill he feels while pulling them, however. They always bring a giddy smile to his face.
He'd just never expected that giddy smile to fall, never had seen the possibility of one going so badly, never expected his luck to run out. He supposes that it is his fault though, that he should've been more careful. Planned it all out better.
______
Pranks, you either loved them or you hated them, loved pulling or being on the receiving end of them or hated them.
He's amidst pulling one on a roommate of his at the moment, has bracketed himself in a closet. Waiting for his moment to jump out and spook the other. Quietly he breathes through his costume mask, the pearly plastic material gleaming in the dim light. On queue air puffs from his nose whistling out of the slight holes meant for his nostrils as he barely contains his own amusement. He tells himself that he has to, he can't give in to the merriment he feels, tells himself that he can't be laughing too loudly if he hopes of not giving away himself or the prank. Especially considering the fact that Aaron doesn't know he'd stayed home, that he's here at all. That Aaron's under the impression that there's no one home, even though Colby knows that nobody is here except for him and Aaron and him and Aaron only. He'd like to keep it that way, would like to keep the other unaware of his presence until he can undergo the plan he'd set for his prank.
That'll probably change shortly, he's guessing Aaron'll know someone's here soon enough, keywords - Aaron will know someone is here but not that it's him necessarily. If the plan goes how Colby wants it to and he can jump out at the right time with his mask on then Aaron won't know it's him, the other will be in for the shock of his life. At least that's what he's aiming for, he's hoping it doesn't all go south, that he'll at the very least be able to get an entertaining reaction out of his friend.
At the mere thought of it Colby barely manages to stifle his laughter as the closest door he's behind, Sam's closet door, slams to a close by his own hand. He's hiding out in his friend's room, making as much noise and clatter as possible so as to alert his friend, Aaron. Once done with creating all the ruckus, he'll jump out into the hallway at the other, masked and all, just to scare the ever-living shit out of his friend.
It seems like a good enough plan for him, sounds promising even. If asked, Colby would have to say that it really wasn't his fault for coming up with it either. Wasn't his fault that Sam, Kat, Elton, Corey, and Jake had decided to leave for the time being, or that they were all gone at the moment. Wasn't his fault that now it only happened to be he and Aaron at home. Yeah, It wasn't his fault but it sure as hell was convenient for him.
If anything, the pranks cause fell on them. They couldn't seriously have not have expected him to come up with something to pass the time. Especially knowing that he'd been itching to get someone back after they'd pulled that icy hot prank on him.
Right, it wasn't his fault he wanted to get back at them. Plus all's fair in the Traphouse during the prank wars they hold. So yeah, getting back at his friends after all of the jokes they'd pulled on him lately seems good enough for him, after all, It's only fair.
Having zoned out due to his thoughts, Colby shakes his head, dispersing his thoughts as he focuses on the task at hand, realizing how shaky his camera work is. Immediately he angles the camera better, acknowledging how his filming skills could use some work, due to how shaky his hands are with adrenaline. There's not much time to reflect on it though since In that moment, Colby hears the sound of Aaron's bedroom door creaking open, the man stepping out of the bedroom's doorway and into the hallway. There's the sound of footsteps trekking about for a second then a soft call of,
''Sam, you there?'' Aaron inquires, sounding relatively unsure. Colby can hear it all bleeding from his friend's tone, glimpses upon the hesitance, the fear, and the caution in the man's voice. ''I didn't know you'd come home,''
The sound, Is enough to make anyone feel a spike of guilt. The grip Colby's hands have on his camera shakes, he very well finds himself nearly lowering it. There's a split second where he thinks about it, where he thinks about abandoning the prank. But he doesn't, he shoots the idea away.
And now, Aaron's eyes fall on the room he's in, the room that's door happens to be slightly ajar. Cautiously his friend pushes the door opened.
Padding closer to where Colby's hidden form is, to where he's readied to jump out, the other takes small hesitant steps forward, surveying the area for any signs of what could've caused the noises. Colby makes sure to stay extra quiet at that point, gradually It eases Aaron into a sense of false comfort. Probably thinking that the sounds had been a figment of the young man's imagination or just a matter of the house settling. It eases Aaron, so much that there's a faint sound that passes ladened with a sigh.
When his friend ultimately falls short of finding him or anything out of the ordinary and also finding no more sounds the man turns to leave the room. Heading toward the door, Colby takes that moment and strikes. His body struggles with the telltale signs of adrenaline as he jumps out of the closet, jumps out at Aaron. And releases whatever noise he can conjure up.
He isn't certain what he's expecting, maybe a hoarse shriek in reaction at him having scared the other? A dazed shove to get him away in fright, he doesn't know. There'd been no set reaction he'd hoped of having, no intended reaction he'd wanted. Even then he doesn't get any of what he'd just listed. He gets Aaron freezing up on him, back still to him, posture defensive. He doesn't have the time nor the grace to think of what that means for him or what's in store for him.
Before Colby can even blink it all changes on him. The reaction is immediate, it's one that could be expected just not one that Colby himself had foreseen. It's then that his friend swivels around to face him, he sees Aaron inching on the heels of his feet to lunge at Colby's slightly taller form. And before he knows it, before he even has a second to react - Aaron has already struck him. Aaron had put all of the young man's weight into that punch, Colby knows his friend had.
He knows it because he feels it, feels the other's fist bashing against his cheek meanly, producing shock waves of pain as it does. Instantly his head pounds and It's a wonder to him how his cheekbone hadn't shattered, how it hadn't splintered into a million pieces inside the protective casing that was his skin. Part of him wonders if it had and he just wasn't aware of it.
It's after that thought and the fact, after his heads jerked back upon the impact of Aaron's fist, after the fact of it all that Colby tastes the metallic tang of blood. It's only then does he notice that Aaron's hit had knocked the mask he's wearing slightly askew. And yet, Aaron still hadn't recognized it to be him. His friend hadn't recognized him at all, hadn't noticed his lithe build to be his own, hadn't noticed the brunette strands, no, to Aaron Colby was still seen as an intruder. And his friend was still too fueled off of adrenaline to know any better or realize that that wasn't the case.
Which brought him to his next mind-reeling thing to think over. The fact that Aaron had just struck him in the face, had hit him.
He'd been punched by his friend. It's a delicate matter, one he's not sure his mind has entirely caught up to that fact, not yet. He's not even sure he's come to terms with what'd happened. Doesn't know when it will. Fortunately for him, it does however register the pain left behind for him to acknowledge. Because of course, it does, what's his life without a little bit of pain?
So he does, he allows himself to feel it all, to react to what has just transpired. In illy contained shock Colby lets himself double over, threads of brunette wisps falling in front of his eyes. Subsequently, Colby finds himself wrenching a breath out while he gazes at the floor. His lanky build sagging in pain even as Aaron comes closer. There's a seed of pain that blossoms throughout his cheek, throughout where Aaron's fist had mashed against his cheekbone.
But Aaron isn't stopping, no, his friends still stalking forward. Stomping closer to him with a sense of purpose, with the intention to hurt, probably thinking him to be an intruder. Aaron's coming forward as Colby allows himself a moment of short-lived vulnerability. It's brief, It has to be short-lived because he knows Aaron isn't done yet, and that his friend still sees him as a potential threat. And Colby? Colby can't hurt the other, won't throw out so much as a single punch or fist toward someone he cares for. Especially not over something he'd unwittingly caused.
And that - that is dangerous. It's a fatal flaw of his, one that's gotten him hurt so often. It's not good for him because it means that Aaron rightfully has an advantage, Colby is at a disadvantage since refusing to defend himself. It's dangerous, dangersome enough for Colby to uncrumple his posture and stumble backwards, stumbling away from Aaron in his own panic.
The distance isn't much. Aaron just follows, follows Colby even as he fled the bedroom and ends up into the hallway.
''Oh my god,'' Colby exclaims, backing away from his frightened friend. It doesn't do much however, Aaron is already too inconsolable, too frightened to realize it's him and not a threat. Not an intruder. ''Aaron, Aaron, hold on,''
Aaron's eyes hold none of the familiar softness he'd grown accustomed to, even now upon hearing his voice there's no recognition. Distantly, he wonders if it's because his friend isn't listening, or if it's because his voice is the smallest bit muffled behind the mask. He doesn't know, doesn't get a chance to think on it, or abandon the mask with how Aaron is actively advancing on him. And wow, okay - that's.. that's just fine.
''Aaron, it's me!" Colby shouts, vocal cords hoarse and raw with terror. He shuffles backwards just in case but it's enough. Enough to stop it all for just a second because, in contemplation of what he'd just uttered, his friend freezes. In hindsight, he thinks it'd been the fear in his voice that'd had Aaron stopping.
Even if it is what halts Aaron in the man's place, Colby can't risk it, can't have the other close the distance between them or trek the few steps in place between them. Can't have any of it, and he especially can't fathom having another hit sent his way at that intensity. He needs Aaron to understand, needs the other to know it's him. So to display his point, Colby plies the damaged mask away from his face, wincing as his fingers scrape against his cheek. Once removed he releases it from his shaking hands. The mask drops, falling to the carpeted floor. It doesn't clatter as it would on hardwood or tiled floor. But it doesn't make the reveal any less dramatic. Aaron's eyes follow the mask, never leaving it and following it to its descent to the floor. Only to slowly flicker back up to his ocean water-colored eyes, expression nothing short of looking horrified.
''Colby?''
''Hey,'' He breathes out, aiming for casualness. Wincing when he misses it by a long shot. His voice is still wrecked to oblivion, the internal fear still lingering though he doesn't want it to.
To Aaron's utmost credit, the man understands his hesitance. Doesn't take things too fast. His friend doesn't try to progress or speed up the situation by coming closer to him. By remedying it or trying to put in place a hint of damage control. There's none of that and he's grateful for that, not knowing what he'd even say in that occurrence.
Thankfully enough, Aaron just stands there. Rendered entirely speechless for the better half of a second. The other is unsure of what to say just as he is. The silence, It's oddly fitting for what'd just happened.
Or rather it had been up until the point that Aaron broke it. Shattering into the elusive silence that'd rained upon them.
''Oh shit, you scared the shit out of me, no, actually...I think you almost just gave me a heart attack..''
And then it all stops, all that recognition he'd missed beforehand finally fully clouds over Aaron's eyes. His friend's posture loosened with it. Colby lets himself appear more open, more unguarded, even when he's not. He's still waiting, undeniably tense. Still readied for the moment it all goes to shit again, for Aaron to reveal how little his prank was appreciated and to come after him again as a result of it.
It's an irrational thought, a stupid fear of his based off of nothing. There's nothing to back it up, nothing that'll show that Aaron would ever even do anything like that. And he knows it. Part of him thinks Aaron doesn't need filled in on his thoughts. Because the other already seems to know, undeniable guilt etched across the man's face. Guilt that doesn't belong there when Colby had been the one to start this.
Colby had been the one who'd fucked up, so he sets out to fix it. Tries to set in place a sense of normalcy.
''That's what I'm here for,'' Nonchalantly he grins back at Aaron, his cocky personal making an appearance. It's only half for the camera, the other half is to coax the unyielding guilt from his friend.
It of course - doesn't work.
''Jeez,'' Aaron says, culpability pulling at soft features. ''I'm sorry, I didn't mean for that to happen,''
His friend says so once, and then when Colby's reaction is too brief, too indistinguishable for Aaron's liking, does the apology get repeated. More sure this time, the other's voice is much more prominent and invasive to Colby's ears this time.
''I really am sorry, I didn't know it was you,''
Trashing the idea of replying Colby only plays up a reaction for the camera, unsure of what to say to Aaron personally.
''Dudeee','' Colby says, rubbing at his sore face. His fist knocks against his wounded cheekbone and it's enough to have him fighting off a wince. ''That was crazy,''
''You have to know I didn't know what to do, or realize it was you,''
''Don't worry about it, just remind me to never scare you again, holy shit,''
''Will do,'' Aaron agrees almost breathlessly, ''You're okay though, right? I didn't - I didn't hit you too hard or anything, did I?''
There was no such thing as a gentle hit. Regardless of which he doesn't dare voice as such. Not wanting to up Aaron's guilt anymore than it already was.
''You're fine, man. Don't even worry about it. Seriously, It was my fault,''
''Your apologizing? As if I wasn't the one that just fucking punched you, dude, why the fuck are you the one apologizing?''
''Still my fault,'' Colby reminds.
''No, Colby -''
He doesn't process what else is said, for all he knows Aaron may not have even of said anything else. He wouldn't know, because Colby's already running about the hallway. Gestures animated and full of energy that in all actuality he doesn't at the moment even possess. It's for his viewers though he tells himself. It's for them, for his content. So realistically he doesn't get much of a choice. Has to keep his energy high and lively unless he wants his viewers to start speculating. For them to start assuming that he was pissed off or that he now has something against Aaron. He didn't need anyone speculating him holding a grudge, much less with someone he didn't even have one with.
Swallowing heavily, Colby ceases his exaggerated movements. Getting a chance to turn to the camera for an outro,
''Remind me to never scare Aaron again. But anyway guys, can I get a yess for Team Colby,'' He yells out, kicking at his mask for extra emphasis. ''Yeah!''
He ends the filming portion of him pranking Aaron at that, his friend however doesn't leave the apologies alone. What happens instead is the other delving into more and more apologies by the second. He doesn't deny them yet as much as Colby appreciates them he doesn't see the need for them. Besides, Aaron's apologetic nature only reminds him of the pain that's registering to Colby. Pain that he doesn't exactly want to think on, pain that also has him leaving the room in favor of his own.
What goes unnoticed by him is how Aaron's guilt-riddled eyes track his form, following him as he leaves the room.
______
Bleary-eyed and a tad disoriented near the eye he'd been punched at, Colby turns toward his room. He doesn't bother looking in the mirror at all, and isn't interested in checking on the swelling or blossoming colors that he knows will be there, apparent as ever on his face. No, Colby doesn't even bother sulking over what state his face is in, doesn't even bother mentioning it to anyone either. There's no point, it'd been his fault.
Instead, he just eases himself onto his bed, curling up comfortably next to his computer. He supposes he could stand to watch something on Netflix, the editing for his latest footage could wait just a second.
Except it turns out to be more than a second, the time consistently all seems to blur together. And Colby loses track of it, curling his forearms tighter around the pillow he's gripping before pressing his face into the fabric of his pillowcase.
it turns out to be hours that he allows himself to be consumed into the show he's watching. Hours until Sam Golbach, his best friend of all people, comes into his room.
The second his door opens his head lifts from his pillow ever so slightly. Glancing at the uninvited guest automatically. Colby doesn't have the sense to hide his face from the other, mind not yet having caught up on why he should.
''Hey, finished up some editing so did you want to go to Taco Bell with - wait, Colby,''
It does catch up with him, albeit too late. He knows why he should have hidden his face the second that Sam's eyes visibly dim upon seeing his face, already coming forward despite Colby having turned away.
''What's up?''
''Could you turn to face me real quick?''
No.
''Nah, man, I'm just not sure I'm feeling all that prolonged eye contact crap today, maybe tomorrow though,''
Sam doesn't settle into his joke, not deterred from the original question. The bed dips beside him, Sam's knee digging into the mattress as the blonde lowers onto it beside him.
''Colby, look at me,'' Finally, like a magnet gravitating toward metal, he does. Colby gives into the magnetic pull that his friend's eyes have on him. ''Fuck, what happened to you? When did this happen to you?''
''It's nothing,''
''Be serious, man, your face is obviously what's up,''
''Sam, you've got to calm down, man, you can't actually think a little thing like this is going to stop me,''
''That's not little though. Your face, It's all busted up...are you like alright?''
''Yeah, just told you I'm fine, I'm telling you though whatever you do don't prank Aaron,''
''It's almost like I told you that was a bad idea,''
''I know you did,'' Flippantly Colby grins back. ''That's why I did it,''
Halfheartedly Sam's eyes roll, landing back on his face a mere second later. With the sole intention of helping, of fixing his pain.
''You're impossible and dude, you don't look fine to me. Your lip is split, and you're bleeding. What happened, how'd your prank end this badly?''
''Uh, you know, had a small mishap, I kind of caught him off guard when I went to scare him and he didn't know it was me,'' Colby chuckled. Sam didn't seem impressed,
''Probably should've planned that a little better, shouldn't I of?''
''Probably,'' Sam admits distractedly. ''Does it hurt?''
Does it? He doesn't know anymore, Colby'd been trying to block it all out.
''I mean, I'm not going to say he doesn't pack a punch. Because he does. But I will say I've had worse,''
Distressed at his response, Sam releases a noise, blonde head shaking.
''That isn't what I asked, Colby, It doesn't matter if you've had worse or not, I asked if it hurt,''
This he knows he isn't getting out of answering, he lowers his eyes.
''Okay, yeah,'' Colby confesses. ''Yeah, it does. A little,''
At first, there's a noncommittal hum beside him. And then the familiar weight that he'd grown accustomed to gracing his bed is no more. Sam's left, or rather Sam is trying to and Colby can't at the moment voice how that makes him feel. He thinks a noise of protest escapes his lips, his hands reaching out in hopes of stopping Sam from leaving, from leaving him. The blonde doesn't sidestep his attempts. Samuel lets it happen, lets Colby's fingers dance along the other's wrists. Only to place a hand over Colby's wrist whereas Colby's fingers had gently latched ahold of Sam's.
''Not leaving, okay? I'm not, I'm only grabbing what I need to help with your face,'' Sam gazes at him, those blue pools swimming with all of the conviction and love in the world.
So much that it astounds but comforts him. Because Colby believes in his best friend. And his trust isn't something that's freely given. It doesn't seem to even be given to anyone but Sam. His friend's eyes dart down to their interlinked hands and... Oh, right. He'd forgotten, his hands drop from the blondes and Sam gives it a moment before heading to the bathroom. Gathering the first aid kit and any supplies needed. To him, it seems the elder had even gone a little overboard if the armful of supplies Sam walks out with says anything.
''C'mere, Colbs,'' Sam murmurs softly, letting the gathered materials fall onto the bed. And adopting the spot beside him that Sam had adopted prior. On command Colby does, coming closer to the other. Sam smiles at him ruefully, holding up a package of cotton pads and a bottle of rubbing alcohol. ''Let me know if you need anything because I think you know this is going to sting,''
''Yeah, I know,''
Samuel takes his answer in stride, dousing the cotton pad in the antiseptic and creeping closer to him with it. Dabbing at his wounded face with the sharp liquid. Colby closes his eyes, whether the reason being for the close proximity or out of pain, he doesn't know. And then he peeks them open, peering at Sam through his lengthy bangs. Apparently, he does it for long enough that Sam notices. Going as far as to call him out on it.
The drenched and slightly bloodied cotton pad falls from Sam's gentle hands, vision meeting his.
''Alright, spill it. You're never this quiet so what's going on?'' Sam asks Colby.
''Nothing's up with me, man,'' Samuel's eyes continue scrutinizing him, and let it be known that Colby never had been able to lie. Not to Sam. ''It's just - don't get mad at him over this, okay? It wasn't his fault,''
''Who ever said I was mad at him?''
''Oh, I'm not sure, your face said it maybe? Sam, you look about ready to beat him with his own arms,''
''Okay, so I'm a little mad at him,''
''Could you try and not be?''
Sam stops, like the idea offends the man. As though it was breaking every hint of loyalty the blonde had for Colby. But then Colby places the change in the other's expression. Sees a contemplative look assault Sam's face before a heavy sigh follows.
''For you, I think I could try, can't promise anything though,''
It's as good as he's going to get for now, Colby's considering it a work in progress.
______
Here's my first posted Colby oneshot! So hopefully you enjoyed this. It's pretty much just my take on the video of Colby pranking Aaron but more dramatic. Since It's just my take on it it definitely doesn't follow the video exactly.
But anyway please let me know if you have any requests.