Chapter 15 of Swimming Upstream
This is a multi-part story featuring the pairing of Sean/Viggo with multiple OTC’s and other actors. It is set in near future RL. Absolutely none of this is true nor intended for profit or harm.
Rating: Very adult (NC-17) for the most part so beware if you don’t like slash or porn
Chapter 15: Deadline
Pairing this chapter: Viggo/Sean
Summary: Viggo gets a script written by someone from his childhood that brings back a few memories and sets a course of action in place. This chapter - On the set of Sean's television series (as you can see I wrote this when he was signed up to do a pilot which at this point may or may not happen).
Huge, ginormous thanks to my beta, the amazing and talented Jess aka darknight999
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14
The knock on his trailer door came just as Sean finished changing back into his own clothes. This week’s filming had finished and none too soon. The schedule was grueling right now as they struggled to finish the remaining shows in time for sweeps. Yelling permission to enter, Sean ran a hand through his shower damp hair and finished packing his kit.
“Sean.”
Looking up, Sean quirked an eyebrow at Jerry Levinson, one of the studio heads in charge of the show. “Jerry? Shite haven’t seen you down on the set in some time.” Sean smiled and pointed toward the nearby empty chair. “There’s water and other drinks in the cooler.”
Jerry waved his decline for a drink as he settled into the chair nearby. “Sorry for interrupting you before you head out for the weekend…” Jerry’s voice was hesitant, not like the usual straightforward even tones he used at their other meetings.
Sean’s radar went off and he leaned against the make-up counter, showing mild interest only. “No problem Jerry.” He casually took a sip of his own water though, forcing the other man to speak first.
Nodding once, Jerry began to speak. “Sean, I came down here out of respect for you. I and the studio couldn’t have asked for a better actor, leader even, for this series. You are the same consummate professional I worked with so many years ago.” He paused to look directly at Sean, regret in his eyes.
“I have to alert you though that there has been discussion about the show. You’ll remember I’m sure that we all agreed it might go down that your character would get killed off sometime.”
“Are you telling me that time is now?” Sean kept his tone even though his stomach was clenched.
“No… but… perhaps.” Jerry sat back and sighed heavily. “Look nothing that we talk about is going to leave this room. It’s none of my business who you are involved with.” Jerry waited until he was sure Sean was looking at him. “But in your contract, as in all the contracts, we have language dealing with any kind of issue that might negatively impact the show - the usual collection of things.”
Sean choked out a brief laugh. “You accusing me of drinking too much or shooting up?”
Jerry grimaced but answered quietly. “No, I’m telling you that the studio doesn’t like the rumors that are all over the internet right now about your choices for a bed partner.”
Sean knew the surprise was showing in his eyes but he couldn’t help it. He and Viggo had been really careful. They had even made sure to include women in their group get togethers. He cursed himself, thinking that he’d been lax about keeping on eye on the situation.
“Look Sean, I know he’s a old friend of yours but the rumors are getting worse. Viggo’s past is catching up with him which probably won’t surprise him since he’s lived the way he wants to for a long time. And hell, nobody on this production team wants anyone punished for being gay. But this studio gets nervous when they think the ratings might be impacted by one of their macho characters getting outed in public.”
Jerry stood up to leave. “Nothing’s been decided. But there are a lot of jittery people over there. I’m not going to tell you what to do - that’s your decision. I just didn’t want you to be blindsided if the worst happens.”
He moved to the door. “And for the record…” Sean looked over at him, still stunned by the last few minutes. “I wish you guys the best. No matter what happens here, if I ever have hiring rights, you’ll get my call. Same for Viggo.”
Sean sat down heavily in the chair as soon as Jerry left. His thoughts were muddled, unable to sort through any kind of action plan. Jerry’s last comment in particular had sent him reeling - were the rumors that believable that the man had assumed, nay, declared his belief in them? It wasn’t like Viggo had been down to the set. Had their interest in each other been so obvious to everyone at the recent events? In vain, Sean wracked his brain trying to remember Jerry even socializing with them at the last party.
Sean fiddled with his phone, fingers itching to call Viggo, needing to hear his familiar voice. Finally, he picked it up and keying quickly he waited, his foot bouncing anxiously.
“Hello? Sean is that you?” His agent’s voice filled his ear, her voice notably cooler than normal.
“Annabelle? Yeh, it’s me. I need you to do something for me. On your computer.”
“My computer? What’s going on Sean, you sound odd?”
Sean rubbed his face hard. He tried to explain what he needed her to do. Her questions and wary tone caught at his heart. “Annie, I just need to know what’s being said. It’s important or I wouldn’t ask you to do this.”
“Ah Sean. You want more detail beyond some pillock at a hotel says he saw Viggo leaving your room in his clothes from the night before and looking freshly fucked?” She hit him with both barrels and he winced, knowing he’d been dismissing her phone calls the last few weeks.
Tamping down the frustration and anger, he answered. “Yes, I need that and more. I need to hear all of it.”
He could practically hear her thinking. Finally, she spoke again. “I’ve been collecting stuff - I and Lynn, Viggo’s manager - just to prepare ourselves you see. I’ll forward it to you. Where will you be?”
“My place if you can get it to me before Sunday.” He didn’t need to tell her that he had planned to drive with Viggo to Palm Springs for yet another award show. Sean supposed she already knew it was likely and really what could she say. They’d had a rough truce on the subject of Viggo since the Globes and her paycheck was tied to keeping it.
Her voice softened. “God Sean, I’m really sorry. I know I’ve been a shit about this before. I just… I didn’t want you to be fucked over by the hypocrites in Hollywood.”
“I know Annie. I always knew that. It’s alright, really.” Sean sighed softly as he rang off. Slowly gathering his kit, he straightened his shoulders and left the trailer. He didn’t notice anyone paying particular attention to his exit but it was a struggle to ignore the itchy feeling between his shoulders. “Christ, now I’m suspicious of everyone.”
Viggo called him from the road, checking to see how he was feeling. Sean didn’t have to mask a sick feeling as he lied and detailed his plan to have a lie down. His hand was shaking by the time he hung up, hating the concern and worry in Viggo’s voice. It had taken everything in him to convince Viggo to go to Palm Springs without him. Only the consideration for Dennis Hopper who was being honored had forced Viggo to agree to go.
Restlessly, Sean started pacing again, stopping every so often to pick up another print out from Annabelle and Lynn’s files. Files! There was that much speculation from a myriad of sources - some the type certain to get a studio exec’s attention. The first few things he had read had made him so angry that he’d nearly broken a table. The lamp on it hadn’t faired as well.
This time though, he forced himself to really go through the information. He was embarrassed to see Annie and Lynn’s comments in the margins but he understood their intention. And after reading a few, his heart warmed as he saw that they were planning options for him and Viggo - spin as it were to help them hang onto their careers if and when pictures came out.
And he could see that it did all hang on pictures. Certainly, the group shots were being used to discuss their relationship. In a way, the speculation and photo manipulations weren’t any worse than right after Fellowship hit the theaters. He knew that most of the attention was actually well intentioned and flattering even though the fanfiction made his ears burn bright red.
Trying to read through their updates on various fansites had made Sean so uncomfortable, feeling like a spy on another’s fantasies but from what he could understand, most of the people commenting didn’t seem to be all that upset at the idea of them together. The few odd groups of people and a few arsehole gossips ‘demanding’ their outing were more of a shock; their comments seemed to suggest that Viggo and Sean owed them something. “Guess our desire for privacy isn’t more important than their ‘right’ to know every bloody inch of our lives?”
The bigger underlying issue the two women had wrestled with according to their margin notes was whether the studio money people would get gun shy to the point of not hiring them after the truth came out. After Sean’s meeting with Jerry, he had no doubts on that score.
Both Annabelle and Lynn had concluded that the outcome depended on two key things - a revealing picture and a public statement. Sean knew that both he and Viggo had long agreed on the ‘no comment on personal life’ issue, so really it was the picture that needed to be controlled.
Setting down the last packet, Sean poured himself a hefty drink. He sipped it slowly, staring at nothing, letting his thoughts settle. Pulling his notepad closer, Sean grimaced to see the question marks doodled mindlessly over it. Ripping off the page, he hunched over the pad and started again - this time writing furiously, not couching his words or spelling, just wanting to get his thoughts on paper - good, bad, and ugly - he needed to get it down so he could deal with it. Deal with what they needed to do - what they would do.
TBC
Rating: Very adult (NC-17) for the most part so beware if you don’t like slash or porn
Chapter 15: Deadline
Pairing this chapter: Viggo/Sean
Summary: Viggo gets a script written by someone from his childhood that brings back a few memories and sets a course of action in place. This chapter - On the set of Sean's television series (as you can see I wrote this when he was signed up to do a pilot which at this point may or may not happen).
Huge, ginormous thanks to my beta, the amazing and talented Jess aka darknight999
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14
The knock on his trailer door came just as Sean finished changing back into his own clothes. This week’s filming had finished and none too soon. The schedule was grueling right now as they struggled to finish the remaining shows in time for sweeps. Yelling permission to enter, Sean ran a hand through his shower damp hair and finished packing his kit.
“Sean.”
Looking up, Sean quirked an eyebrow at Jerry Levinson, one of the studio heads in charge of the show. “Jerry? Shite haven’t seen you down on the set in some time.” Sean smiled and pointed toward the nearby empty chair. “There’s water and other drinks in the cooler.”
Jerry waved his decline for a drink as he settled into the chair nearby. “Sorry for interrupting you before you head out for the weekend…” Jerry’s voice was hesitant, not like the usual straightforward even tones he used at their other meetings.
Sean’s radar went off and he leaned against the make-up counter, showing mild interest only. “No problem Jerry.” He casually took a sip of his own water though, forcing the other man to speak first.
Nodding once, Jerry began to speak. “Sean, I came down here out of respect for you. I and the studio couldn’t have asked for a better actor, leader even, for this series. You are the same consummate professional I worked with so many years ago.” He paused to look directly at Sean, regret in his eyes.
“I have to alert you though that there has been discussion about the show. You’ll remember I’m sure that we all agreed it might go down that your character would get killed off sometime.”
“Are you telling me that time is now?” Sean kept his tone even though his stomach was clenched.
“No… but… perhaps.” Jerry sat back and sighed heavily. “Look nothing that we talk about is going to leave this room. It’s none of my business who you are involved with.” Jerry waited until he was sure Sean was looking at him. “But in your contract, as in all the contracts, we have language dealing with any kind of issue that might negatively impact the show - the usual collection of things.”
Sean choked out a brief laugh. “You accusing me of drinking too much or shooting up?”
Jerry grimaced but answered quietly. “No, I’m telling you that the studio doesn’t like the rumors that are all over the internet right now about your choices for a bed partner.”
Sean knew the surprise was showing in his eyes but he couldn’t help it. He and Viggo had been really careful. They had even made sure to include women in their group get togethers. He cursed himself, thinking that he’d been lax about keeping on eye on the situation.
“Look Sean, I know he’s a old friend of yours but the rumors are getting worse. Viggo’s past is catching up with him which probably won’t surprise him since he’s lived the way he wants to for a long time. And hell, nobody on this production team wants anyone punished for being gay. But this studio gets nervous when they think the ratings might be impacted by one of their macho characters getting outed in public.”
Jerry stood up to leave. “Nothing’s been decided. But there are a lot of jittery people over there. I’m not going to tell you what to do - that’s your decision. I just didn’t want you to be blindsided if the worst happens.”
He moved to the door. “And for the record…” Sean looked over at him, still stunned by the last few minutes. “I wish you guys the best. No matter what happens here, if I ever have hiring rights, you’ll get my call. Same for Viggo.”
Sean sat down heavily in the chair as soon as Jerry left. His thoughts were muddled, unable to sort through any kind of action plan. Jerry’s last comment in particular had sent him reeling - were the rumors that believable that the man had assumed, nay, declared his belief in them? It wasn’t like Viggo had been down to the set. Had their interest in each other been so obvious to everyone at the recent events? In vain, Sean wracked his brain trying to remember Jerry even socializing with them at the last party.
Sean fiddled with his phone, fingers itching to call Viggo, needing to hear his familiar voice. Finally, he picked it up and keying quickly he waited, his foot bouncing anxiously.
“Hello? Sean is that you?” His agent’s voice filled his ear, her voice notably cooler than normal.
“Annabelle? Yeh, it’s me. I need you to do something for me. On your computer.”
“My computer? What’s going on Sean, you sound odd?”
Sean rubbed his face hard. He tried to explain what he needed her to do. Her questions and wary tone caught at his heart. “Annie, I just need to know what’s being said. It’s important or I wouldn’t ask you to do this.”
“Ah Sean. You want more detail beyond some pillock at a hotel says he saw Viggo leaving your room in his clothes from the night before and looking freshly fucked?” She hit him with both barrels and he winced, knowing he’d been dismissing her phone calls the last few weeks.
Tamping down the frustration and anger, he answered. “Yes, I need that and more. I need to hear all of it.”
He could practically hear her thinking. Finally, she spoke again. “I’ve been collecting stuff - I and Lynn, Viggo’s manager - just to prepare ourselves you see. I’ll forward it to you. Where will you be?”
“My place if you can get it to me before Sunday.” He didn’t need to tell her that he had planned to drive with Viggo to Palm Springs for yet another award show. Sean supposed she already knew it was likely and really what could she say. They’d had a rough truce on the subject of Viggo since the Globes and her paycheck was tied to keeping it.
Her voice softened. “God Sean, I’m really sorry. I know I’ve been a shit about this before. I just… I didn’t want you to be fucked over by the hypocrites in Hollywood.”
“I know Annie. I always knew that. It’s alright, really.” Sean sighed softly as he rang off. Slowly gathering his kit, he straightened his shoulders and left the trailer. He didn’t notice anyone paying particular attention to his exit but it was a struggle to ignore the itchy feeling between his shoulders. “Christ, now I’m suspicious of everyone.”
Viggo called him from the road, checking to see how he was feeling. Sean didn’t have to mask a sick feeling as he lied and detailed his plan to have a lie down. His hand was shaking by the time he hung up, hating the concern and worry in Viggo’s voice. It had taken everything in him to convince Viggo to go to Palm Springs without him. Only the consideration for Dennis Hopper who was being honored had forced Viggo to agree to go.
Restlessly, Sean started pacing again, stopping every so often to pick up another print out from Annabelle and Lynn’s files. Files! There was that much speculation from a myriad of sources - some the type certain to get a studio exec’s attention. The first few things he had read had made him so angry that he’d nearly broken a table. The lamp on it hadn’t faired as well.
This time though, he forced himself to really go through the information. He was embarrassed to see Annie and Lynn’s comments in the margins but he understood their intention. And after reading a few, his heart warmed as he saw that they were planning options for him and Viggo - spin as it were to help them hang onto their careers if and when pictures came out.
And he could see that it did all hang on pictures. Certainly, the group shots were being used to discuss their relationship. In a way, the speculation and photo manipulations weren’t any worse than right after Fellowship hit the theaters. He knew that most of the attention was actually well intentioned and flattering even though the fanfiction made his ears burn bright red.
Trying to read through their updates on various fansites had made Sean so uncomfortable, feeling like a spy on another’s fantasies but from what he could understand, most of the people commenting didn’t seem to be all that upset at the idea of them together. The few odd groups of people and a few arsehole gossips ‘demanding’ their outing were more of a shock; their comments seemed to suggest that Viggo and Sean owed them something. “Guess our desire for privacy isn’t more important than their ‘right’ to know every bloody inch of our lives?”
The bigger underlying issue the two women had wrestled with according to their margin notes was whether the studio money people would get gun shy to the point of not hiring them after the truth came out. After Sean’s meeting with Jerry, he had no doubts on that score.
Both Annabelle and Lynn had concluded that the outcome depended on two key things - a revealing picture and a public statement. Sean knew that both he and Viggo had long agreed on the ‘no comment on personal life’ issue, so really it was the picture that needed to be controlled.
Setting down the last packet, Sean poured himself a hefty drink. He sipped it slowly, staring at nothing, letting his thoughts settle. Pulling his notepad closer, Sean grimaced to see the question marks doodled mindlessly over it. Ripping off the page, he hunched over the pad and started again - this time writing furiously, not couching his words or spelling, just wanting to get his thoughts on paper - good, bad, and ugly - he needed to get it down so he could deal with it. Deal with what they needed to do - what they would do.
TBC