this. ( tradley - tristan evans : bradley will simpson )

a tall blonde stood at the train platform, in one hand a battered case, the other a steaming cup of coffee in a white polystyrene cup. he wore black jeans and a sweater, jacket folded neatly over one arm. he checked his watch, looking up just as the train pulled into the station, rolling and sparking alon the tracks. a crowd of people; young families, elderly and businessmen alike all drew towards the train, the boy caught up in the mass. he stepped onto the train between two women in suits talking over portable mugs of cappuccino, dropping into an empty seat at the back of the carriage, though not far enough away to escape the hum of conversation. he made himself comfortable, pulling out a dog-eared book in preparation for the journey ahead.

2 hours and he would be meeting one of his new band mates.

though he was nervous, it was integral not to let brad detect this, so the blonde boy attempted to calm himself by taking regular sips of lukewarm coffee and reading an old book. it worked, until the train pulled into birmingham some time later. the boy looked up, seeing only tall grey buildings surrounding, realising that he was here. folding the corner of his book down and collecting his case, he downed the last of his drinks and stepped off the train. the forecour ws fairly empty, save for an elderly couple and a teenage boy sitting alone at a metal bench. newly arrived and unsure where to find brad, he seated himself on the other end of the bench, setting his case down between his feet and reaching for his phone.

"tristan?"

he looked up, slightly startled, to find the other boy staring at him eagerly, dark eyes framed by thick lashes.

"brad?"

"yeah, hi."

brad blushed shyly, pushing stray curls back from his forehead before gesturing towards tristan's case.

"you need a hand with that?"

the blonde shook his head no.

"nah, it's alright thanks."

brad nodded, standin and tucking his phone into the back pocket of his jeans.

"shall we?"

brad motioned towards a small flight of stairs leading underground, obviously towards the network of trains running below the city.

"sure."

tristan smiled slightly, following the younger boy's lead down the steps and into a crowded station, diesel perceptible in the air. the smaller boy leaned up, resting a hand on tristan's shoulder.

"basically, we need to shove. don't be afraid to use your elbows, us brummies can be really stubborn."

tristan laughed, feeling a likening to brad already. he willingly followed once more as the curly brunette pushed through throngs of people towards the barriers. producing two small tickets from his pocket, he handed one to the taller boy.

"here, i bought some earlier so we wouldn't have to battle."

tristan smiled his thanks, accepting the ticket and pushing through the silver metal barrier separating them from the series of platforms connected by long staircases.

"right. this way, tris, to central."

brad announced, turning and pushing tristan towards a waiting train, hand firmly on the small of his back. once safely seated, brad across from his new counterpart, he leaned forward and rested his elbows on denim clad knees.

"so, tris, there's only so much i can learn about you over skype. tell me stuff."

tristan bit his lip, unsure of where to start.