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Chapter Text

Memorizing the script was easy enough. He could recite his lines backwards and forwards a full month before the first readthrough was scheduled. However, sitting in a room full of experienced and qualified actors made his hands shake as if he had neglected to prepare a single line. It didn't help that Jayce didn't land himself here through the "proper" avenues. He had no agent, no booked audition, and no formal film experience.

Jayce had posted one video online. One. He had prepared an original monologue, filmed it, and accidentally posted it while trying to save it as a draft. Within minutes, the video had gone viral, and within days, he had received a personal message to meet with the Director of Performing Arts from the Academy he had graduated from a few years prior. 

In what he hoped would be a congratulatory meeting from his old mustached mentor, Heimerdinger, became what could only be described as an intervention where his mentor revealed a finalized script of a romance film that had strikingly similar themes to Jayce's original monologue. The public had latched onto the viral video, and given the connection between Heimerdinger and Jayce, would spread rumors surrounding plagiarism in every corner of the media that the new film showed its face in. 

As a last-ditch effort to spare the film from bad press and accusations of fraud, Jayce was asked to remove the video and make a career-ending public statement. His finger rested over the "Delete" button when he received a personal message from the Assistant Director of the film, Viktor. A simple message. Let's talk . And so, the video stayed up.

Jayce sat in a round room with the main cast, behind a placard with his name next to the words "Male Lead'. The last few months had been a whirlwind of preparation and more than a few conversations with Viktor, who assured Jayce that he was the best choice for the role. Jayce's co-star, household name Mel Medarda, sat to his right with her glowing reputation and excellent training from birth. It did not have to be said that he felt out of place.

To his left sat Viktor. Whether it was for support, or just because Jayce was the lead and Viktor was Assistant Director, he wasn't sure. Again, lack of formal film experience. Viktor turned to meet Jayce's nervous expression, and provided a silent nod. Jayce's nerves calmed but did not dissipate, and he returned his gaze to the large script in front of him. Time for the first readthrough.

---

Viktor took his coffee black. There were assistants to the Assistant Director, yes, but it had become a routine these last few weeks of readthroughs to get Viktor a cup of coffee after the morning sessions. It made Jayce feel like he was repaying him for this opportunity, in some small way. Viktor's fingers curled around the cup Jayce handed him, blowing steam off of the surface of the hot drink, "You were tense at today's readthrough, Jayce." 

Jayce sat at the table and held his head in his hands, groaning, "I know, I know. I feel like I can't focus on how to develop my character in a way that's… believable."

Viktor hummed, "You had no issue conveying the appropriate emotions in the video you posted. Did that actor disappear last week?" 

"He didn't, I just don't know how to convey the same things in front of all those professionals."

Viktor takes a sip of his coffee, "Do I not qualify as a so-called professional?"

Jayce sputters, "No- Well, yes! At this point we're pretty close colleagues, so it's a lot easier to speak to and act in front of you because it feels comfortable."

A small smile made its way onto Viktor's face, "Okay... Colleague . Viewers will leave bad ratings if they don't believe you're truly in love with Mel. Convince them."

The man stood, placing his crutch under his arm and turning to leave, "Convince me ."

---

WEEK 1

It was the first day of filming. Readthroughs had completed last month, and the set had been completed last week. Jayce had been to more wardrobe fittings and hair and makeup trials than he thought were possible to fit into a thirty-day period, and today was the first take to see how it all showed up on camera. They were starting with the climax of the movie, the "long-awaited" kiss scene. It boasted the most complex cinematic lighting of the whole movie, and Heimerdinger and Viktor wanted to get it sent to the editors and lighting experts to color correct before they continued with the rest of the film. 

This meant that Jayce had even less time than he expected to muster up a convincing love confession with the script he had been provided. He had run through the lines with Mel what felt like thousands of times, to the point where she was concerned about his wellbeing and told him to get some rest before the cameras started rolling. In an effort to look put together, he pretended that the suggestion itself hadn't been a huge blow to his ego.

A small knock on his trailer door snapped him out of his ruminations. He opened the door to Viktor, holding a latte, "You're late for costumes."

"Shit!" Jayce ran to get his coat and Viktor held up a hand, urging him to sit down.

"I asked them to give you a bit more time. Let's talk."

Jayce sat down on the trailer couch and took the latte, slumped over, "Viktor, I don't know if I'm ready for this. I keep getting tripped up and the last thing I want to do is let you and Heimerdinger down."

Viktor sat next to him, leaning his crutch against the wall, "Heimerdinger and I believe you have the talent for this role. It's why you're here. Everyone here knows you have what it takes."

Jayce wrung his hands nervously, meeting the thin mans eyes, "And you're not just saying that because we're friends?"

Viktor let out a breathy scoff, "I would not lie to you about talent, I would just fire you if you were bad. Let that be some reassurance."

The pair exchanged a smile and Jayce stood, "Well, I better get going or costumes will fire me before you get a chance to."

Costumes was pissed. Jayce was pretty sure he was stuck with a safety pin on purpose for putting them behind schedule, but he had no proof. Makeup was less pissed, and did absolute top tier work given the time crunch. The whipped cream on the untouched coffee gifted by Viktor had melted. Viktor knew Jayce wouldn't have time to drink it, as both costumes and makeup forbade any food or drink besides water once at their stations. It sat as a dulcet peace offering nonetheless. 

Even though he hadn't tasted a single drop, the sweetness of the latte lingered.

"CUT!"

Jayce snapped back into himself, hand lingering over Mel's face in the anticipation of an embrace. The kiss hadn't even begun yet and Heimerdinger had called for a break. Had he really been so unconvincing? Heimerdinger pinched the bridge of his nose, "Jayce, my boy. This is the pivotal moment for the two main characters who are very much in love. I'm not sensing much love from your side of the room."

Mel gave Jayce an apologetic and meager smile before stepping back, mouthing " You've got this " and taking her leave. 

Jayce let out a large sigh, shaking out his arms, "I know. I'm getting there, I promise. A couple more tries and I'll get there."

He looked off to the side, meeting Viktor's eyes. Viktor returned a nod of reassurance. Jayce took a deep breath and tried again.

---

WEEK 2

Mel's face was soft in his hands as he pressed his lips against hers, the quiet mutterings of the camera crew closing in as their kiss deepened. He tried to loosen his tense shoulders, his arms snaking around her waist. It was awkward. Forced. He could feel himself coiling in and hiding during a moment when his character was meant to be letting loose.

"CUT!"

Jayce pulled back immediately, running a hand through his hair in exasperation, "I know, I'll relax. Give me ten and I'll be back."

The cast had moved on to filming the primary scenes, and the pivotal climax moment had been pushed back due to Jayce's… difficulties. He felt like it was cursed. He was cursed. The buildup of such a significant moment in the film caused him to freeze. He needed to push through this, and then it would get easier. It had to.

Before he realized where he was, he stood in front of Viktor who was giving him an expectant look, "Can I help you, Jayce?"

Viktors finger pressed against the button of his headset, putting whoever was on the other line on hold. His eyes were curious, and a tad irritated. Jayce shook his head, "No, just… I could use your advice later."

The man nodded, "Sure. Now can I get back to my call? I don't have the time."

Jayce couldn't place the reason why, but his chest felt tight as he walked away. 

---

Many hours had passed since filming had concluded for the day. The sun setting over the horizon created a dim warm glow through the slots of the blinds on the trailer, and every time the shadow of a thin frame passed by the windows Jayce could feel himself perk up. After dozens of disappointments when a knock didn't appear, he had resigned himself to the fact that Viktor wasn't coming. He sat in darkness as the digital clock on the wall flashed 11:00 PM.

Time for bed. He had an early morning.

---

"You didn't come talk to me last night."

Viktor looked up, spoon full of cereal hovering mid-bite, "Good morning to you too."

It was unprofessional, but he didn't care. It was, however, the first time he had stepped foot into Viktor's trailer. Papers were strewn everywhere, clipboards and folders shoved onto every flat surface and splayed across the unmade bed. Viktor was eating on the couch, bowl in one hand and spoon in the other. His hair was disheveled and he looked like he hadn't slept in days, which would have been a shock if Jayce hadn't been privy to the knowledge early on that Viktor had a horrible case of insomnia.

It was 5:00 AM, and the rest of the cast hadn't even woken to their alarms yet. Jayce may have been unprofessional, but he was also aware of their morning tradition. Jayce sat on a chair opposite Viktor, holding out the standard paper cup full of black coffee. He sighed, hanging his head, "I needed you last night, Viktor."

Viktor sat his cereal down on top of the papers next to him, taking the cup, "I had a lot of work to finish up and I didn't have the time. I can't manage everyone and have the time to schedule after-hours meetings as well. I'm sorry, Jayce."

"I didn't need a meeting. I needed my friend to sit across from me while I talked about how hard this is!" Jayce groaned, pressing his palms against his forehead, "Are we really friends? Or are we just colleagues who happen to hang out?"

Viktor opened his mouth to speak, but Jayce continued, face flushed, "At this point I can't tell. Last night when you didn't show up, all I know is that I felt like such a fool. Such a fool to think that we were close. This whole time, I thought we were friends!"

Before he knew it, Jayce wiped his teary eyes with his sleeve and stood to leave, "Forget about it. I'll see you at first call. I have lines to run."

Jayce recoiled, his hand inches from the handle, as Viktor's crutch slammed against the door with a resounding thud.

"Stop," Viktor lowered his crutch, and the sound of his footsteps approaching was almost deafening in the early morning silence. An uncertain hand was placed on Jayce's shoulder, "We are. Close, I mean."

The crutch clattered to the ground as Jayce's arms quickly wrapped underneath Viktor's in a tight squeeze. Viktor's breath catches in his throat at the sudden display, freezing. The pair stood silently in the warm embrace, Viktors hands relaxing to softly rest against Jayce's back. A moment of stillness passes, both men frozen in place as if scared to move from the expression of affection first. The sound of Viktor's alarm clock blared through the silence.

This sobered Jayce as he shuddered, pulling back as if he was just burned, "Sorry- I don't know if you're okay with me hugging you."

Viktor was not a touchy person. He didn't fly first class because he liked the luxury, he just wanted to minimize the number of times someone would be touching him during his travel. That was only if the distance wasn't close enough of a drive, in which case Viktor would have preferred driving alone. Viktor cleared his throat, "No, it's fine, you can. I just... wasn't expecting this warm of a welcome this morning."

Viktor picked up the still-warm coffee gifted from Jayce, his hands trembling slightly. Whether it was from the lack of sleep, or the physical contact was unknown. All he could focus on was that he needed caffeine. Jayce gave him a large smile, they exchanged small morning pleasantries, and then Viktor was left alone in his trailer again.

Viktor wet his lips and swore under his breath, his heart skipping a beat as he remembered Jayce's arms around him, "Fuck."

Suddenly he was craving a little more than cereal for breakfast.

Chapter Text

It was late. Too late for them to be up. They had work in the morning. Jayce was hot, overheating, even, as he pulled his shirt off to quickly grasp the body in front of him. Desperate touches began to morph into something more. Hands upon hands, lips upon lips, creating a heated tension between him and... him and Viktor.

Jayce woke up with a start, gasping for air as he gripped the back of his neck. He tore the covers off of himself, padding over to the sink and sticking his face under ice-cold running water. With a quick yank he turned the faucet off, beads of water dripping down his face and hair into the empty sink basin. The digital clock above the sink blinked back at him mockingly. 01:47AM. Everyone would be asleep in their trailers right now. 

He groaned and rubbed his hands across his face before slumping onto the couch, damp and slightly nauseous. Today was a holiday and as a result, the cast and crew had the day off. And because he was overly conscious of his skills, underprepared, and unaware of what his dreams would show him, Jayce had asked Viktor to accompany him through running lines. At this point he dreaded the idea of facing Viktor. The mere memory of the dream made his face flush and his stomach tighten in anxiety. Or was it anticipation? Regardless, he needed to find a way out of it.

The morning air was cold and dry, and the flannel jacket he wore provided little warmth to Jayce's cold arms. The operation would be swift. Go into Viktor's trailer, hope the insomniac was asleep, write a note saying he wouldn't be able to run lines today (something had come up, no specifics), and then he would proceed to either hide in his own trailer or leave the city. Who knows. As Jayce approached the other man's trailer, a soft glow of a lamp filtered warm light through the blinds. Jayce cursed under his breath, looking around in the cold morning air to see if anyone was near.

He had prepared for this. He grabbed a slightly-crumpled hastily-written note from his pocket and a spare piece of mic tape, aligning it on the door of the trailer. Pressing down on the tape with his thumb, the door clicked open and Jayce held his breath.

Fuck. He didn't want to talk, but he had already made himself known. Taking a deep breath, he peeked inside the trailer, "Sorry, Viktor, I was just-"

Viktor was sitting up, leaning back on the couch with his chin hung low. His chest rose and fell steadily, and Jayce suddenly realized that he was asleep. Sitting up. Papers that Viktor had probably been holding were strewn all over the floor, his hands opened languidly. While he seemed peacefully at rest, Jayce knew that the stiffness in Viktor's neck would not go unnoticed once he woke. With a slow step and careful maneuvering, Jayce picked up the strewn papers and set them atop the cleanest flat surface he could find and sat down next to Viktor.

He placed his hand on the other man's shoulder, gently shaking him and speaking in a hushed tone, "Viktor... you should move to the bed."

No response, but the thin man's breathing increased in pace slightly. Jayce bit his lip tensely, looking around at the contents inside the trailer. Dozens of empty paper coffee cups littered the counters and even a few laid on the floor. Viktor must have been working nonstop the past few days. With his insomnia it wouldn't have been unheard of, but a pang of worry shot through Jayce's chest at the thought of his friend burning out.

Jayce thought for a moment, gaze drifting between the untouched bed and the thin sleeping frame in front of him. In a swift and deliberate move, Jayce slid his arms under Viktor's legs and behind his back for support. So light,  Jayce thought, tinged with concern. When was the last time Viktor had a decent meal? The only dirtied tableware were coffee cups. No bowls, plates, or flatware. With careful steps, Jayce carried Viktor towards the bed. The warmth of Viktor's breath on his chest was distracting, and a quick flash of his dream appeared for a moment before he shook it away.

Bending at the waist, Jayce slowly released Viktor onto the soft mattress. The man sunk into the plush bedding, and Jayce was struck by how at peace Viktor looked. The Assistant Director almost always had either a pensive or sour look on his face, save for rare smiles when Jayce or another cast member said something particularly amusing. But Jayce had never seen him so calm and content. On top of the covers.

Jayce winced at his sleep-deprived mistake, running a hand through his hair as he glanced around for any blankets. None. Of course he shouldn't have expected the insomniac workaholic to have throw blankets around, but he was exasperated at the lack of provisions nonetheless. He had three options: try and get Viktor under the blankets without waking him, leaving his flannel there for Viktor to see, or to leave Viktor completely uncovered during the cold night. The last two options seemed, respectively, embarrassing and tactless. So option one it was.

He kicked off his shoes and knelt on the bed, one arm lightly raising Viktor and the other attempting to slide the covers out from under him. The attempt required more core support than he was expecting, and he wavered slightly. With a great deal of effort to not fall on top of the sleeping man, Jayce found himself straddling his sleeping form and wrestling with the blankets above them both. Once the blankets were straightened, Jayce made to roll to the side and slip out of the trailer discreetly.

A cold hand wormed its way under Jayce's flannel, and he froze. Viktor was still asleep, but his eyes were moving rapidly behind his eyelids and a jumble of murmurs were whispered from his lips. He was dreaming. Viktor's lithe fingers gripped the inside flannel pocket, and Jayce attempted to gently peel the other man's fingers off. At this point he was too far in the attempt to wake Viktor up now, so he laid back against the pillows and relaxed. Once Viktor released his flannel and rolled over, Jayce would slip out to his escape and avoid embarrassment. 

The same model digital clock flashed back at him. 02:13AM. Plenty of time before the sun rose. A cold hand slid over the hard lines of Jayce's chest and stomach, and he deliberately halted his breathing. He wished away his impure thoughts and prayed that the hold on his flannel would release soon.

___

A stream of bright sunlight caused Viktor to stir, blinking away the sleep from his eyes. He moved to raise his arm to cover a yawn before realizing it was trapped under something heavy and warm. His eyes snapped open, realizing he was in bed with something on him. An arm wrapped around his waist. A leg hooked around his ankle. A dark-haired man tucked into the crook of his arm. Viktor jolted in surprise and then became motionless, afraid of waking the sleeping man.

He scanned the room. It was his trailer, at least. He hadn't taken up sleepwalking, thank god. He was wearing the same uncomfortable slacks and button-up he was wearing the previous night, so no late-night fraternizing with the man in his arms. The man's face was tucked into his arm, so Viktor couldn't get a good look at him. The hair was dark, skin tanned, and arms - oh.

A flush crept up his chest at the realization he recognized his colleague... friend... (colleague?) from the way his muscled arms wrapped around him. Viktor swallowed thickly and sat for a moment, the low breathing of Jayce against his clothed chest creating a blooming warmth within him. He hadn't the faintest idea of how they had ended up in this position, but Viktor knew that the second he shook Jayce awake, he would have to face whatever it meant. Or didn't mean. Although Viktor didn't understand it, this could be a friendly gesture. A friendly gesture he really didn't understand.

Jayce began to move, tugging the other man closer until Viktor's back was pressed flat against Jayce's chest. Viktor bit his tongue, looking around for an escape route that would not manifest itself. And he really needed to take a piss. A beat passed and Jayce's hot breath drifted over the back of his neck, sending shivers down Viktor's spine. A strong hand was splayed across Viktor's midsection, holding him close to the body behind him. The warmth and proximity had stirred something within Viktor that he desperately wanted un-stirred. He suddenly realized he needed to be out of this predicament immediately.

He cleared his throat, "Jayce, is there something I can help you with?"

Jayce groaned quietly, pulling the other man closer. Viktor's heart rate sped up quickly, "Jayce. Wake up so I can tell Heimerdinger that we need better locks on these trailers."

The sleeping man hummed in agreement, eyes still closed as he released the thinner man and curled to the side. Viktor slid out of bed, nearly tripping on the shoes left at the foot of it. He stepped over them and shook Jayce's leg over the covers, "Jayce. Wake up."

Jayce sat up groggily, wiping his eyes, "I'm up, I'm up... I'm-" 

The man nearly rocketed out of the bed, tripping over his own feet and grabbing his shoes before pulling them on haphazardly as he bumped into the table. Papers fluttered to the ground and he began to scoop them up, babbling apologies as he did, "The door opened, and I didn't know what to say, you were sleeping - I'm sorry I didn't leave in time - I promise it wasn't what I planned -"

Viktor placed a hand on Jayce's shoulder and the tension melted away slightly, the taller man standing straight with the most pitiable look Viktor had seen in a while. Jayce's jaw was shadowed with an unshaved five-o-clock shadow, and his eyes were positively filled with a silent plea to forget this happened. Viktor sighed and took the papers from his hands, "Jayce, relax. Grab us some coffee and we can start running your lines. It's already..."

01:09PM. Viktor blinked in shock, "... Past lunch time."

Either his body had forgotten about his insomnia, or sleeping in Jayce's arms was the only way to get a decent night's sleep. Both options were cause for trouble.