Fic: Pinto Round Robin - Divalicious, Chapter 2/10
Title: Divalicious, Chapter 2/10
Pairing: Pinto
Rating: I have been promised eventual NC-17
Word Count: ~1700 (this chapter)
Warnings: None
Summary: AU - Zach is developing a reputation in the business for being an out-of-control diva. John's head of his management team and, in a last ditch attempt to save Zach's career, brings in Chris, the PA from hell, to whip Zach into shape
Chapter 1
Chris had arrived at his client's place mid-morning in his Mini Cooper to pick him up.
"Zach?" he called out, rapping on the door. He had a key to Zach's place, but decided to see if Zach would both remember the engagement and let him in.
"Come in."
And Chris had stepped in with some satisfaction that things were starting off well, finding himself immediately snuffled by... Noah. Noah the reason for that morning's charity event attendance. He had seen pictures of his client walking his dog, looking completely at peace, ignoring the paparazzi and the world around him. The research that the firm had done indicated that Zach had a fondness for animals. That's what clued him in to searching for an upcoming event with animals present. Not rocket science, but they needed to make certain their first outing was a success.
Noah barked a greeting and then wandered off to where his master's voice was cursing the closet. He was next inspected by a large black cat. Harold. Who stretched and then wound his body between Chris's legs over and over, purring. Chris had his hands buried in black fur when he heard a noise.
"What?"
Zach shuffled over in bare feet wearing a garish striped shirt, dirty jeans, and a crumpled hat.
Chris didn't miss the once over, then twice again when Zach looked him over.
"He doesn't like anyone," Zach remarked with no small amount of wonder in his voice. "But me," Zach continued, chin jutting out.
Harold arched his back and swatted Chris's wrists with his tail before slinking off.
Chris had shrugged at Zach and herded him out of the door, refusing to wait for another clothing change. Zach had been mollified by a fresh cup of soy latte for the drive.
He hides behind his newest pair of sunglasses, hands on his hips, and tries to suppress any feelings of victory. He watches as Zach is surrounded by dogs that are just thrilled to be near him, all wagging tails and furry faces. Zach is kneeling and petting as many of them as he can reach, smiling as his face is licked. Chris doesn't hesitate to stare for a minute or two at the exposed skin where Zach's shirt has ridden up. One of the photographers for the event circles taking picture after picture. Chris finishes a bottle of water from the free refreshments table.
Now his gamble of what to do with Zach first was paying off. Zach looks happy and is answering questions about saving abandoned animals earnestly. Now if he can just hold it together, Chris and the firm can get the kudos for getting Zach through this and to the next challenge of the day.
"Wait! Where are we going? You said we were going to lunch," Zach glancing around at the scenery speeding by, his voice edging into shrill.
"A place that I know..."
"Absolutely not. I need to be seen. Drive me to..."
"It's not your choice."
Zach crosses his arms and stretches his legs.
"So you've arranged for me to get noticed at a hot new location? That's acceptable."
Chris remains silent for the rest of the drive, their only other interaction is him slapping away Zach's hand from reaching for the radio. Zach retaliates by whistling Row, Row, Row Your Boat for the next twenty minutes. If Chris grips the steering wheel a little bit more tightly than usual, it's just so he doesn't lose control. Of the car.
He pulls up to a tiny building and parks abruptly.
"Let's do this," Zach says and climbs out.
Chris waits a beat. Then another. He looks up as knuckles tap on his window, slender hips leaning against the car, barely holding up Zach's jeans.
"Where are they?" Zach asks, waving one arm around, the other hand adjusting his hat.
"We're here to eat lunch," Chris replies, getting out of the car and locking the doors. "And talk business."
"To eat?!"
"If you like."
"But..."
Chris steps into Zach's personal space backing him up against the car. He places one hand on the car, effectively pinning his client. Zach leans forward, drawing them closer, lips pursed together. Chris can't deny that Zach smells good and is fit and he needs to step back and away for a moment.
"You and I are going in and we're going to sit and share a meal. I need to run down for you how things are going to go from now on."
"Like hell."
"You just spent the morning acting like a person who actually wants to work again. Let's not screw that up."
"Anyone would be grateful to have me in their project!" Zach shouts at Chris.
"Once we get a few things straightened out, that will be the case. That's exactly what I'll do for you," Chris flashes his most arrogant smirk.
"I don't need you," Zach whines and tries to shove at Chris.
And that's when it slips into place that he will stay on this contract, that he won't be walking away from Zach.
"We're going inside and ordering a meal. I'll explain what will be happening and what is required of you. Your life is about to get a lot easier. If you're willing to trust me."
Chris steps back and answers his ringing phone as he turns and crosses the parking lot, entering the restaurant.
"Without a hitch."
He hangs up and asks for a table, grinning as the door opens and closes behind him. He's momentarily jostled by Zach walking into him clumsily and they exchange muttered approximations of apologies.
"You aren't scolding me," Zach remarks after ordering.
"You can be as particular as you want about food," Chris replies, placing his phone on the table.
Zach blinks at him, surprise evident on his face for only a moment before the mulish expression returns.
"When I drop you off later, I'll give you a packet of information that will include a list of the tasks that I or someone at the firm will be handling for you. We won't go over that now, but I do want to straighten out a few possible misconceptions."
Zach pointedly stares at the formica table, twirling a spoon between his fingers.
Chris continues, "We will take things one day at a time. You will have some say in the future about what auditions you try for and what events you attend."
This gets his client's attention judging by the utensil slammed loudly on the table.
"In the future? I decide that now and I don't need to audition."
"You're right."
Lips purse, eyebrows curve as confusion settles across Zach's face.
"You don't need to audition right now. Because no one would hire you."
The silence between them stretches as Zach's mouth opens and closes, his cheeks turning a bright shade of pink. It's another tantrum building, the second of hopefully few to come if he can work this client likes he's done others in the past. Chris tilts to the side, digging into a pocket with the intention of bringing out a pack of smokes. However, he notices Zach's gaze fixate on his exposed skin from his shirt riding up and that the tantrum has stalled. Interesting.
Chris pushes the pack across along with a lighter and nods at the door, his more seductive smile plastered on his face. Zach's eyes meet his for a moment, then glance away.
Long, dark-furred fingers swipe away the offering and Zach slinks off, heading outside to pace and smoke.
"He hasn't screamed at you yet."
"Hey Kristen," Chris grins at the petite, blonde waitress.
"Hey yourself. Should I bring the food out or is he going to start throwing it?"
"He did a number with a coffee yesterday."
"I might have to insist on a raise in my tip," Kristen muses, a smile quirking the corners of her mouth.
"If he starts a food fight, I'll see what I can do."
"What you do had better be more money not this getting me into a new club bullshit," she teases, refilling his water glass.
"You loved it."
"Yeah, as much as you love blondes," Kristen scowls at him and saunters away. Chris watches her go, delicate legs perched in high heels. Maybe if she dyed her hair... he glances back to the window, but doesn't see Zach.
The sound of a familiar car engine revving has him out of his seat and flying out of the door just to see his client flip him off from the driver seat of his car. Zach is wearing a shit-eating grin, music blaring, but Chris is still in motion running directly for his car. He yanks open the driver door before Zach can think to hit the button for the locks.
"What the fuck? Do you want me to call the police and have you arrested for stealing my car?"
Zach just looks up at him serenely, middle finger pointed determinedly in the air.
Chris grabs Zach's arm and hauls him bodily out of the car and throws him onto the pavement before climbing in behind the wheel and bringing the car around to be parked again.
"I could have you arrested for assault!" Zach shrieks at him before he can even leave the car.
Zach continues his tirade, a combination of filthy insults and threats of what he will do to Chris. Chris gets out and pops the trunk, rummaging around in his bag for his first aid kit while Zach stands right next to him and shouts. He tears open an antiseptic wipe and grabs Zach's arm, swiping it several times and getting a bandage onto the scrape before Zach
can even process what is happening. Chris finds a fresh white t-shirt and shoves it into Zach's hands.
"We'll talk about this in the restaurant. Over our food. Now change so we can go eat."
Zach studies Chris for a minute and yanks off his shirt. Chris takes in the thick chest hair, lean torso, strong defined shoulders which look even better as the t-shirt stretches across muscle. Zach throws the dirty shirt at Chris, but he lets it go as he watches Zach return to the restaurant.
Pairing: Pinto
Rating: I have been promised eventual NC-17
Word Count: ~1700 (this chapter)
Warnings: None
Summary: AU - Zach is developing a reputation in the business for being an out-of-control diva. John's head of his management team and, in a last ditch attempt to save Zach's career, brings in Chris, the PA from hell, to whip Zach into shape
Chapter 1
Chris had arrived at his client's place mid-morning in his Mini Cooper to pick him up.
"Zach?" he called out, rapping on the door. He had a key to Zach's place, but decided to see if Zach would both remember the engagement and let him in.
"Come in."
And Chris had stepped in with some satisfaction that things were starting off well, finding himself immediately snuffled by... Noah. Noah the reason for that morning's charity event attendance. He had seen pictures of his client walking his dog, looking completely at peace, ignoring the paparazzi and the world around him. The research that the firm had done indicated that Zach had a fondness for animals. That's what clued him in to searching for an upcoming event with animals present. Not rocket science, but they needed to make certain their first outing was a success.
Noah barked a greeting and then wandered off to where his master's voice was cursing the closet. He was next inspected by a large black cat. Harold. Who stretched and then wound his body between Chris's legs over and over, purring. Chris had his hands buried in black fur when he heard a noise.
"What?"
Zach shuffled over in bare feet wearing a garish striped shirt, dirty jeans, and a crumpled hat.
Chris didn't miss the once over, then twice again when Zach looked him over.
"He doesn't like anyone," Zach remarked with no small amount of wonder in his voice. "But me," Zach continued, chin jutting out.
Harold arched his back and swatted Chris's wrists with his tail before slinking off.
Chris had shrugged at Zach and herded him out of the door, refusing to wait for another clothing change. Zach had been mollified by a fresh cup of soy latte for the drive.
He hides behind his newest pair of sunglasses, hands on his hips, and tries to suppress any feelings of victory. He watches as Zach is surrounded by dogs that are just thrilled to be near him, all wagging tails and furry faces. Zach is kneeling and petting as many of them as he can reach, smiling as his face is licked. Chris doesn't hesitate to stare for a minute or two at the exposed skin where Zach's shirt has ridden up. One of the photographers for the event circles taking picture after picture. Chris finishes a bottle of water from the free refreshments table.
Now his gamble of what to do with Zach first was paying off. Zach looks happy and is answering questions about saving abandoned animals earnestly. Now if he can just hold it together, Chris and the firm can get the kudos for getting Zach through this and to the next challenge of the day.
"Wait! Where are we going? You said we were going to lunch," Zach glancing around at the scenery speeding by, his voice edging into shrill.
"A place that I know..."
"Absolutely not. I need to be seen. Drive me to..."
"It's not your choice."
Zach crosses his arms and stretches his legs.
"So you've arranged for me to get noticed at a hot new location? That's acceptable."
Chris remains silent for the rest of the drive, their only other interaction is him slapping away Zach's hand from reaching for the radio. Zach retaliates by whistling Row, Row, Row Your Boat for the next twenty minutes. If Chris grips the steering wheel a little bit more tightly than usual, it's just so he doesn't lose control. Of the car.
He pulls up to a tiny building and parks abruptly.
"Let's do this," Zach says and climbs out.
Chris waits a beat. Then another. He looks up as knuckles tap on his window, slender hips leaning against the car, barely holding up Zach's jeans.
"Where are they?" Zach asks, waving one arm around, the other hand adjusting his hat.
"We're here to eat lunch," Chris replies, getting out of the car and locking the doors. "And talk business."
"To eat?!"
"If you like."
"But..."
Chris steps into Zach's personal space backing him up against the car. He places one hand on the car, effectively pinning his client. Zach leans forward, drawing them closer, lips pursed together. Chris can't deny that Zach smells good and is fit and he needs to step back and away for a moment.
"You and I are going in and we're going to sit and share a meal. I need to run down for you how things are going to go from now on."
"Like hell."
"You just spent the morning acting like a person who actually wants to work again. Let's not screw that up."
"Anyone would be grateful to have me in their project!" Zach shouts at Chris.
"Once we get a few things straightened out, that will be the case. That's exactly what I'll do for you," Chris flashes his most arrogant smirk.
"I don't need you," Zach whines and tries to shove at Chris.
And that's when it slips into place that he will stay on this contract, that he won't be walking away from Zach.
"We're going inside and ordering a meal. I'll explain what will be happening and what is required of you. Your life is about to get a lot easier. If you're willing to trust me."
Chris steps back and answers his ringing phone as he turns and crosses the parking lot, entering the restaurant.
"Without a hitch."
He hangs up and asks for a table, grinning as the door opens and closes behind him. He's momentarily jostled by Zach walking into him clumsily and they exchange muttered approximations of apologies.
"You aren't scolding me," Zach remarks after ordering.
"You can be as particular as you want about food," Chris replies, placing his phone on the table.
Zach blinks at him, surprise evident on his face for only a moment before the mulish expression returns.
"When I drop you off later, I'll give you a packet of information that will include a list of the tasks that I or someone at the firm will be handling for you. We won't go over that now, but I do want to straighten out a few possible misconceptions."
Zach pointedly stares at the formica table, twirling a spoon between his fingers.
Chris continues, "We will take things one day at a time. You will have some say in the future about what auditions you try for and what events you attend."
This gets his client's attention judging by the utensil slammed loudly on the table.
"In the future? I decide that now and I don't need to audition."
"You're right."
Lips purse, eyebrows curve as confusion settles across Zach's face.
"You don't need to audition right now. Because no one would hire you."
The silence between them stretches as Zach's mouth opens and closes, his cheeks turning a bright shade of pink. It's another tantrum building, the second of hopefully few to come if he can work this client likes he's done others in the past. Chris tilts to the side, digging into a pocket with the intention of bringing out a pack of smokes. However, he notices Zach's gaze fixate on his exposed skin from his shirt riding up and that the tantrum has stalled. Interesting.
Chris pushes the pack across along with a lighter and nods at the door, his more seductive smile plastered on his face. Zach's eyes meet his for a moment, then glance away.
Long, dark-furred fingers swipe away the offering and Zach slinks off, heading outside to pace and smoke.
"He hasn't screamed at you yet."
"Hey Kristen," Chris grins at the petite, blonde waitress.
"Hey yourself. Should I bring the food out or is he going to start throwing it?"
"He did a number with a coffee yesterday."
"I might have to insist on a raise in my tip," Kristen muses, a smile quirking the corners of her mouth.
"If he starts a food fight, I'll see what I can do."
"What you do had better be more money not this getting me into a new club bullshit," she teases, refilling his water glass.
"You loved it."
"Yeah, as much as you love blondes," Kristen scowls at him and saunters away. Chris watches her go, delicate legs perched in high heels. Maybe if she dyed her hair... he glances back to the window, but doesn't see Zach.
The sound of a familiar car engine revving has him out of his seat and flying out of the door just to see his client flip him off from the driver seat of his car. Zach is wearing a shit-eating grin, music blaring, but Chris is still in motion running directly for his car. He yanks open the driver door before Zach can think to hit the button for the locks.
"What the fuck? Do you want me to call the police and have you arrested for stealing my car?"
Zach just looks up at him serenely, middle finger pointed determinedly in the air.
Chris grabs Zach's arm and hauls him bodily out of the car and throws him onto the pavement before climbing in behind the wheel and bringing the car around to be parked again.
"I could have you arrested for assault!" Zach shrieks at him before he can even leave the car.
Zach continues his tirade, a combination of filthy insults and threats of what he will do to Chris. Chris gets out and pops the trunk, rummaging around in his bag for his first aid kit while Zach stands right next to him and shouts. He tears open an antiseptic wipe and grabs Zach's arm, swiping it several times and getting a bandage onto the scrape before Zach
can even process what is happening. Chris finds a fresh white t-shirt and shoves it into Zach's hands.
"We'll talk about this in the restaurant. Over our food. Now change so we can go eat."
Zach studies Chris for a minute and yanks off his shirt. Chris takes in the thick chest hair, lean torso, strong defined shoulders which look even better as the t-shirt stretches across muscle. Zach throws the dirty shirt at Chris, but he lets it go as he watches Zach return to the restaurant.