Time Discovers Truth
Co written by mrstotten and veritas_st. Our first official piece together, although we have been playing “one sentence” at work for WEEKS without posting anything. Title is a quote from Seneca, a Roman Philosopher.
We had fun with this, hope you enjoy it as much as we did writing it.
1.
“I’m telling you that you couldn’t be more wrong”
“I disagree”
“You would.”
Randy sighed in mock exasperation as he surveyed Gale, sitting with his long fingers wrapped around a warm latte, a small smirk on his face as he surveyed this week’s script. They were filming the scenes where Justin wins King of Babylon and the diner scene afterwards and had gotten into an argument about Brian’s feelings for Justin and where the scriptwriters were taking their characters.
“I’m telling you,” Randy continued. “Justin is a diversion for Brian; they are aiming for a Brian/Mikey relationship.
“Bullshit,” Gale contradicted.
“No its not I’ve seen the UK series Gale, not all of us choose to ignore it you know and in that ‘Brian’ falls for ‘Mikey’.”
“What’s your proof?”
Randy looked at Gale startled at the question. “What?”
“Your proof that in the British version Brian loves Mikey?”
“You mean other than that they end up together?” Randy asked, the sarcasm in his voice evident.
“Yeah other than that, there is evidence much earlier than the last episode. What? I never said I didn’t watch it, I just said it was crap and I stand by that, our show is better.”
“He gets jealous,” Randy exclaimed triumphantly.
“Bingo,” Gale replied. “In the British version ‘Brian’ is jealous of ‘Mikey’s’ boyfriends.”
“Brian IS jealous of Mikey’s boyfriends.”
“Uh uh,” Gale replied. “In ours he resents them, he resents them taking time away from him, taking his friend away from him but he isn’t jealous. What scene are we doing next?”
Randy shook his head, he would never keep up with Gale and his rapid change of topics.
“The scene in the diner,” he replied. “The one where...right, I get it.”
“Exactly, the one where Brian turns into a jealous possessive baby when Justin goes off with someone else, proof that he cares, in that way. When you care in that way you get jealous, possessive. Ergo Brian loves Justin.” Gale finished in a sing song voice, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest.
Randy shook his head at the self satisfied smirk on Gale’s face.
“Ok ok you win. Now we better start going through these lines.”
“How did you get on last night?” Gale asked casually, in another seemingly random change in topic.
“Oh my date?” Randy replied. “Ok.”
“Just ok?” Gale asked.
“Yeah he was a little, I don’t know...grabby”
“Grabby?” Gale asked a dangerous tone entering his voice.
“Yeah you know one of those octopussy guys, hands and eyes everywhere and ok I’m up for a little fun but there is only so far I’m prepared to go when I barely know the person, think he mistook me for Justin to be honest.” Randy finished with a smile.
It took him a few seconds before he realised he had made the wrong decision, two minutes later Gale was in full on lecture mode about the kind of guys he should and shouldn’t see. He was just about to tell him to calm down when he noticed something in Gale’s eyes mixed in with the concern and protectiveness, a gleam of possessiveness and an almost angry glint of jealousy.
So according to Gale people only got possessive over something they loved? Interesting.
2.
He could never have predicted it the first time it happened, they had been working late, running lines and joking about the next day where Brian and Justin were going to lay down the ‘rules’ of their relationship.
“You hungry?” Gale asked a smile on his face as they finished up.
“I could eat,” Randy answered, mirroring the smile.
“Chinese or Thai?”
“Chinese”
“Your place or mine?” The line was cheesy but Randy couldn’t help but grin at Gale.
“Mine.”
They had headed off a companionable silence falling between them, it wasn’t broken till much later after they had demolished their weight in Chinese food and were discussing the progression of Brian and Justin over the last few episodes.
“I told you Brian loved Justin,” Gale had said with a satisfied smirk.
“Hey there is still no proof of that,” Randy had argued half heartedly. “Just because Debbie says it is so doesn’t mean it is”
“Oh come on, it is obvious, of course he loves Justin, how could he not.” Gale said, shifting closer. “He’s cute, smart, doesn’t put up with my...Brian’s shit...”
The air had shifted between them at those last words, all of a sudden it didn’t just feel natural to lean towards each other, it seemed imperative, as necessary as breathing. When their lips finally met in a soft kiss, deepening and shifting suddenly into something more, Randy knew he was in trouble, he was falling in love with his straight co-star and he didn’t know how to stop.
He didn’t know if he even wanted to.
3.
It wasn’t like he was jealous or anything. Randy could see who ever the hell he wanted. It wasn’t like Gale owned him. But there was something about the guy, Simon, that grated on Gale. Something about the way Randy said his name, the way his eyes lit up and his lips curved at the corners, like he was trying to hide a smile and doing a very bad job of it. It irritated Gale, because gone were the late night line running sessions that turned into drinking session that had, once of twice, or maybe 5 times, turned into make out sessions that left Randy flushed and Gale breathless and wondering what the hell he was doing. Then Gale had had to go and say that he was straight, which he kinda was, whilst Randy was watching, and Jesus, the way Randy’s face had fallen had made Gale want to take it all back then and there.
It was too late though.
And now Randy was seeing Simon. Who was nowhere near good enough to Randy. And Gale was not jealous. He missed Randy. Missed talking to him and seeing that smile pointed his way, he missed the way Randy would whimper slightly when Gale kissed him, like he was dying a little inside. And he wanted to punch Simon’s ugly face in. But there was no way in hell he was jealous.
Jealousy would mean that he cared. In that way. And he didn’t. He wasn’t jealous.
4.
“You’re straight.” Randy stated with no pleasantries as he pushed through Gale’s door. Gale could practically feel the fury rolling off him in waves. He knew this was coming, hell, he’d regretted the words as soon as they fell from his mouth. But what was he meant to do? Tell the reporter that he was in huge danger of falling massively in love with his co-star. His very male co-star, who was out and open and proud of who he was. Gale wasn’t so much of a coward that he couldn’t admit to himself that thought of admitting on air to that scared the living crap out of him.
Still, Randy was glaring at him, arms crossed in front of his chest like a barrier. Suddenly Gale had the urge to kiss him, to stop that look of anger and disappointment, to make it the way it was before, before Simon, before Gale went and opened his stupid mouth.
“Randy...” He pleaded, for what he wasn’t sure, taking a step forward. Randy stood his ground but kept his arms crossed.
“You’re straight. Let me just remember what you said...I believe it was “No, I’m straight...very much so.” You coward. You fucking coward.” Randy poked a finger into Gale’s chest. “You have any idea how that made me feel?”
The look of anger and hurt on Randy’s face made something inside Gale hot, bubble under his skin, and he snapped.
“I’m a coward? What about you? You can’t even admit that there might be something between us so you go and hooked up with the first thing that comes along?” He threw it back in Randy’s face. Randy recoiled like he had been slapped. His face falling, anger draining from his face, replaced by disappointment and regret, and Goddammit hurt.
“I can admit it Gale. I love you. You’re the one that can’t admit...or commit...to anything. God knows I want you to. So, I am doing what I have to. You do what you have to. Tell the world you’re straight when you and I both know better. I don’t care anymore. Just like Brian, you’re too scared to admit that you care about me and you want me. And just like Justin, I’m done.”
5.
“Randy?”
“Yes Gale?” Randy huffed with exertion as Gale decided that talking meant less using his limbs and more of his weight fell onto him.
“I think I’m a little drunk.”
“Gee you think buddy.”
“Well no, I know I’m a little drunk, ask me how I know?”
“How do you know?” Randy asked as he lowered Gale onto the bed.
“Cos I’m not scared anymore.”
“That’s good,” Randy said with a chuckle, “But if you don’t mind me asking, when have you ever been scared?”
“Always” Gale said an almost comical frown on his face. “I’ve spent five years being afraid, afraid of what I want, afraid of how I feel, afraid to tell you….”
Randy stilled, his heart racing as he suddenly found the situation a lot less comical. It was their ending, the wrap party was the last time they would probably all see each other, of course they would all say different, they would all make promises about keeping in touch, but secretly they all knew that this was it, the end, surely not even Gale Harold would pick this moment to finally say what Randy had spent the last five years wishing for? Gale’s eyes had slipped shut and Randy took a moment to study him, the few extra lines on his face, the way his hair fell across his forehead. Randy suppressed the urge to sweep it back.
“Afraid to tell me what Gale?” Randy’s asked and Gale’s eyes opened again, took a second to focus on Randy’s face. He looked deadly serious and so sure of himself.
“That I love you”
Randy froze. His heart trip hammering in his chest, Gale’s fingers tangled in his shirt, pulling him down, closer, until he could feel Gale’s breath on his face and it all came hammering home.
Gale’s interview, Simon, the years spent putting thoughts of Gale out of his mind, and suddenly, nothing mattered. Nothing but this moment. Gale’s brave outburst, even though it probably had a lot to do with Dutch courage and it was four years too late, but he’d still said it, still had his fingers tangled in Randy’s shirt. His eyes were searching Randy’s face, hoping, waiting for Randy to say something. But words just weren’t coming. They stuck in his throat as he looked down at Gale.
“Randy?” Randy closed his eyes, lowering his forehead to Gale’s. “Randy...” Gale’s fingers lifted from Randy’s shirt, cupped his face and bought their lips together, oh god finally.
Randy pushed away.
“I...can’t...I’m sorry.”
6.
Randy froze as he saw Gale standing outside his apartment. He had known this was coming, it had been four weeks since Gale’s drunken declaration and Randy’s subsequent bail out and there had been no contact between them since.
“Hi,” Randy offered a tentative greeting, his stomach knotting as Gale replied with a raised eyebrow, his tongue pushed into the side of his cheek. He looked so like Brian in that moment that it made Randy feel like Justin, young and afraid. Reaching out past him, Randy slid his key in the lock trying to ignore the butterflies and the slight shake in his hand as his skin brushed past Gale.
“I guess you want to come in and talk?”
Randy took the brief nod of Gale’s head as assent and opened the door walking in front his mouth spilling with the most asinine information he could muster, chatter about Peter, Hal, anything to fill the awkward silence.
He turned at the loud slam of the door and before he could get out another word, felt himself being firmly backed up against the wall. Gale trapped him there neatly, his arms on either side of Randy’s head, his face inches away from Randy’s own, his lips even closer. Randy licked his lips instinctively and tried to ignore the sharp thrill that went through him as Gale’s eyes followed the movement.
“So you wanted to talk?” Randy cursed the tremor in his voice.
“Yes actually I did,” Gale replied. His eyes had an almost feral edge that made Randy’s blood chill and boil over at the same time. “I heard you and your little boyfriend broke up, I heard that he moved out, I heard that he is running around town telling everyone who will listen that you broke up because you were in love with your co star. Now the funny thing is, as you aren’t answering your phone I didn’t hear any of this from you. So go ahead Randy, talk.
It sounded like a command, with a hint of promise underneath, and Randy couldn't suppress the shiver than ran through his body and Gale pressed in a little closer.
"Talk."
"I...You...uh..."
"Talk Randy." This time it sounded like a plea. Desperation under his words, desperate for Randy to say what had been on the tip of his tongue of god knows how many years, since he had done his first read through with Gale and sent up a silent prayer that Gale got the part of Brain. Since he had first kissed Gale, in front of cameras, and felt that jolt of something other than joy at a job well done.
"Simon and I broke up."
"I got that part." Gale replied, edging closer, his body lined up with Randy's now, pressing in from chest to thigh. "See that part I am a little fuzzy on is the last part."
"What was that part again?" Randy asked. He knew he was biding for time, and Gale knew it too. Gale moved then, whether on purpose or by accident but his thigh slipped in between Randy's and Randy's eyes went wide, his breath catching in his throat.
"That part where you're in love with me." Gale said, his mouth so close, too close, right there.
"Who said it was you? I always had a bit of a thing for Peter." Randy tried to sound light and teasing but the tremor in his voice gave him away and Gale was having none of it. He closed the gap, pressed his mouth to Randy's. It was so different from kissing Brian. Yet it was the same, the same mouth, the same tongue running along his lips, the same tongue that licked into his mouth.
"I'm in love with you." Randy managed to say when Gale pulled back, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. Gale kissed him again then, harder this time, his hands coming up to frame Randy's face.
"Say it again." He murmured against Randy's mouth. And Randy did.
.
We had fun with this, hope you enjoy it as much as we did writing it.
1.
“I’m telling you that you couldn’t be more wrong”
“I disagree”
“You would.”
Randy sighed in mock exasperation as he surveyed Gale, sitting with his long fingers wrapped around a warm latte, a small smirk on his face as he surveyed this week’s script. They were filming the scenes where Justin wins King of Babylon and the diner scene afterwards and had gotten into an argument about Brian’s feelings for Justin and where the scriptwriters were taking their characters.
“I’m telling you,” Randy continued. “Justin is a diversion for Brian; they are aiming for a Brian/Mikey relationship.
“Bullshit,” Gale contradicted.
“No its not I’ve seen the UK series Gale, not all of us choose to ignore it you know and in that ‘Brian’ falls for ‘Mikey’.”
“What’s your proof?”
Randy looked at Gale startled at the question. “What?”
“Your proof that in the British version Brian loves Mikey?”
“You mean other than that they end up together?” Randy asked, the sarcasm in his voice evident.
“Yeah other than that, there is evidence much earlier than the last episode. What? I never said I didn’t watch it, I just said it was crap and I stand by that, our show is better.”
“He gets jealous,” Randy exclaimed triumphantly.
“Bingo,” Gale replied. “In the British version ‘Brian’ is jealous of ‘Mikey’s’ boyfriends.”
“Brian IS jealous of Mikey’s boyfriends.”
“Uh uh,” Gale replied. “In ours he resents them, he resents them taking time away from him, taking his friend away from him but he isn’t jealous. What scene are we doing next?”
Randy shook his head, he would never keep up with Gale and his rapid change of topics.
“The scene in the diner,” he replied. “The one where...right, I get it.”
“Exactly, the one where Brian turns into a jealous possessive baby when Justin goes off with someone else, proof that he cares, in that way. When you care in that way you get jealous, possessive. Ergo Brian loves Justin.” Gale finished in a sing song voice, leaning back in his chair and crossing his arms over his chest.
Randy shook his head at the self satisfied smirk on Gale’s face.
“Ok ok you win. Now we better start going through these lines.”
“How did you get on last night?” Gale asked casually, in another seemingly random change in topic.
“Oh my date?” Randy replied. “Ok.”
“Just ok?” Gale asked.
“Yeah he was a little, I don’t know...grabby”
“Grabby?” Gale asked a dangerous tone entering his voice.
“Yeah you know one of those octopussy guys, hands and eyes everywhere and ok I’m up for a little fun but there is only so far I’m prepared to go when I barely know the person, think he mistook me for Justin to be honest.” Randy finished with a smile.
It took him a few seconds before he realised he had made the wrong decision, two minutes later Gale was in full on lecture mode about the kind of guys he should and shouldn’t see. He was just about to tell him to calm down when he noticed something in Gale’s eyes mixed in with the concern and protectiveness, a gleam of possessiveness and an almost angry glint of jealousy.
So according to Gale people only got possessive over something they loved? Interesting.
2.
He could never have predicted it the first time it happened, they had been working late, running lines and joking about the next day where Brian and Justin were going to lay down the ‘rules’ of their relationship.
“You hungry?” Gale asked a smile on his face as they finished up.
“I could eat,” Randy answered, mirroring the smile.
“Chinese or Thai?”
“Chinese”
“Your place or mine?” The line was cheesy but Randy couldn’t help but grin at Gale.
“Mine.”
They had headed off a companionable silence falling between them, it wasn’t broken till much later after they had demolished their weight in Chinese food and were discussing the progression of Brian and Justin over the last few episodes.
“I told you Brian loved Justin,” Gale had said with a satisfied smirk.
“Hey there is still no proof of that,” Randy had argued half heartedly. “Just because Debbie says it is so doesn’t mean it is”
“Oh come on, it is obvious, of course he loves Justin, how could he not.” Gale said, shifting closer. “He’s cute, smart, doesn’t put up with my...Brian’s shit...”
The air had shifted between them at those last words, all of a sudden it didn’t just feel natural to lean towards each other, it seemed imperative, as necessary as breathing. When their lips finally met in a soft kiss, deepening and shifting suddenly into something more, Randy knew he was in trouble, he was falling in love with his straight co-star and he didn’t know how to stop.
He didn’t know if he even wanted to.
3.
It wasn’t like he was jealous or anything. Randy could see who ever the hell he wanted. It wasn’t like Gale owned him. But there was something about the guy, Simon, that grated on Gale. Something about the way Randy said his name, the way his eyes lit up and his lips curved at the corners, like he was trying to hide a smile and doing a very bad job of it. It irritated Gale, because gone were the late night line running sessions that turned into drinking session that had, once of twice, or maybe 5 times, turned into make out sessions that left Randy flushed and Gale breathless and wondering what the hell he was doing. Then Gale had had to go and say that he was straight, which he kinda was, whilst Randy was watching, and Jesus, the way Randy’s face had fallen had made Gale want to take it all back then and there.
It was too late though.
And now Randy was seeing Simon. Who was nowhere near good enough to Randy. And Gale was not jealous. He missed Randy. Missed talking to him and seeing that smile pointed his way, he missed the way Randy would whimper slightly when Gale kissed him, like he was dying a little inside. And he wanted to punch Simon’s ugly face in. But there was no way in hell he was jealous.
Jealousy would mean that he cared. In that way. And he didn’t. He wasn’t jealous.
4.
“You’re straight.” Randy stated with no pleasantries as he pushed through Gale’s door. Gale could practically feel the fury rolling off him in waves. He knew this was coming, hell, he’d regretted the words as soon as they fell from his mouth. But what was he meant to do? Tell the reporter that he was in huge danger of falling massively in love with his co-star. His very male co-star, who was out and open and proud of who he was. Gale wasn’t so much of a coward that he couldn’t admit to himself that thought of admitting on air to that scared the living crap out of him.
Still, Randy was glaring at him, arms crossed in front of his chest like a barrier. Suddenly Gale had the urge to kiss him, to stop that look of anger and disappointment, to make it the way it was before, before Simon, before Gale went and opened his stupid mouth.
“Randy...” He pleaded, for what he wasn’t sure, taking a step forward. Randy stood his ground but kept his arms crossed.
“You’re straight. Let me just remember what you said...I believe it was “No, I’m straight...very much so.” You coward. You fucking coward.” Randy poked a finger into Gale’s chest. “You have any idea how that made me feel?”
The look of anger and hurt on Randy’s face made something inside Gale hot, bubble under his skin, and he snapped.
“I’m a coward? What about you? You can’t even admit that there might be something between us so you go and hooked up with the first thing that comes along?” He threw it back in Randy’s face. Randy recoiled like he had been slapped. His face falling, anger draining from his face, replaced by disappointment and regret, and Goddammit hurt.
“I can admit it Gale. I love you. You’re the one that can’t admit...or commit...to anything. God knows I want you to. So, I am doing what I have to. You do what you have to. Tell the world you’re straight when you and I both know better. I don’t care anymore. Just like Brian, you’re too scared to admit that you care about me and you want me. And just like Justin, I’m done.”
5.
“Randy?”
“Yes Gale?” Randy huffed with exertion as Gale decided that talking meant less using his limbs and more of his weight fell onto him.
“I think I’m a little drunk.”
“Gee you think buddy.”
“Well no, I know I’m a little drunk, ask me how I know?”
“How do you know?” Randy asked as he lowered Gale onto the bed.
“Cos I’m not scared anymore.”
“That’s good,” Randy said with a chuckle, “But if you don’t mind me asking, when have you ever been scared?”
“Always” Gale said an almost comical frown on his face. “I’ve spent five years being afraid, afraid of what I want, afraid of how I feel, afraid to tell you….”
Randy stilled, his heart racing as he suddenly found the situation a lot less comical. It was their ending, the wrap party was the last time they would probably all see each other, of course they would all say different, they would all make promises about keeping in touch, but secretly they all knew that this was it, the end, surely not even Gale Harold would pick this moment to finally say what Randy had spent the last five years wishing for? Gale’s eyes had slipped shut and Randy took a moment to study him, the few extra lines on his face, the way his hair fell across his forehead. Randy suppressed the urge to sweep it back.
“Afraid to tell me what Gale?” Randy’s asked and Gale’s eyes opened again, took a second to focus on Randy’s face. He looked deadly serious and so sure of himself.
“That I love you”
Randy froze. His heart trip hammering in his chest, Gale’s fingers tangled in his shirt, pulling him down, closer, until he could feel Gale’s breath on his face and it all came hammering home.
Gale’s interview, Simon, the years spent putting thoughts of Gale out of his mind, and suddenly, nothing mattered. Nothing but this moment. Gale’s brave outburst, even though it probably had a lot to do with Dutch courage and it was four years too late, but he’d still said it, still had his fingers tangled in Randy’s shirt. His eyes were searching Randy’s face, hoping, waiting for Randy to say something. But words just weren’t coming. They stuck in his throat as he looked down at Gale.
“Randy?” Randy closed his eyes, lowering his forehead to Gale’s. “Randy...” Gale’s fingers lifted from Randy’s shirt, cupped his face and bought their lips together, oh god finally.
Randy pushed away.
“I...can’t...I’m sorry.”
6.
Randy froze as he saw Gale standing outside his apartment. He had known this was coming, it had been four weeks since Gale’s drunken declaration and Randy’s subsequent bail out and there had been no contact between them since.
“Hi,” Randy offered a tentative greeting, his stomach knotting as Gale replied with a raised eyebrow, his tongue pushed into the side of his cheek. He looked so like Brian in that moment that it made Randy feel like Justin, young and afraid. Reaching out past him, Randy slid his key in the lock trying to ignore the butterflies and the slight shake in his hand as his skin brushed past Gale.
“I guess you want to come in and talk?”
Randy took the brief nod of Gale’s head as assent and opened the door walking in front his mouth spilling with the most asinine information he could muster, chatter about Peter, Hal, anything to fill the awkward silence.
He turned at the loud slam of the door and before he could get out another word, felt himself being firmly backed up against the wall. Gale trapped him there neatly, his arms on either side of Randy’s head, his face inches away from Randy’s own, his lips even closer. Randy licked his lips instinctively and tried to ignore the sharp thrill that went through him as Gale’s eyes followed the movement.
“So you wanted to talk?” Randy cursed the tremor in his voice.
“Yes actually I did,” Gale replied. His eyes had an almost feral edge that made Randy’s blood chill and boil over at the same time. “I heard you and your little boyfriend broke up, I heard that he moved out, I heard that he is running around town telling everyone who will listen that you broke up because you were in love with your co star. Now the funny thing is, as you aren’t answering your phone I didn’t hear any of this from you. So go ahead Randy, talk.
It sounded like a command, with a hint of promise underneath, and Randy couldn't suppress the shiver than ran through his body and Gale pressed in a little closer.
"Talk."
"I...You...uh..."
"Talk Randy." This time it sounded like a plea. Desperation under his words, desperate for Randy to say what had been on the tip of his tongue of god knows how many years, since he had done his first read through with Gale and sent up a silent prayer that Gale got the part of Brain. Since he had first kissed Gale, in front of cameras, and felt that jolt of something other than joy at a job well done.
"Simon and I broke up."
"I got that part." Gale replied, edging closer, his body lined up with Randy's now, pressing in from chest to thigh. "See that part I am a little fuzzy on is the last part."
"What was that part again?" Randy asked. He knew he was biding for time, and Gale knew it too. Gale moved then, whether on purpose or by accident but his thigh slipped in between Randy's and Randy's eyes went wide, his breath catching in his throat.
"That part where you're in love with me." Gale said, his mouth so close, too close, right there.
"Who said it was you? I always had a bit of a thing for Peter." Randy tried to sound light and teasing but the tremor in his voice gave him away and Gale was having none of it. He closed the gap, pressed his mouth to Randy's. It was so different from kissing Brian. Yet it was the same, the same mouth, the same tongue running along his lips, the same tongue that licked into his mouth.
"I'm in love with you." Randy managed to say when Gale pulled back, a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. Gale kissed him again then, harder this time, his hands coming up to frame Randy's face.
"Say it again." He murmured against Randy's mouth. And Randy did.
.