Closing Night 7.9
Title: Closing Night
Fandom: RPS
Story: Highway: Victoria Station 7.9
Characters: Alan Davies and Robert Sean Leonard
Authors: michelleann68 + evila_elf = evila_ann
Prompt: coclaim100 90 Passing
Word Count: 1311
Rating: PG
Summary: Robert’s final performance, Alan shows up, and they make plans.
Authors’ Notes:
Where it all began:
Big table of prompts is here:
Order of the story is here:
Previous story:
A Day: Three Acts
It was nearly 11pm Saturday night and their final performance was arguably the best. The chemistry with the cast was spot on. Nothing went wrong, it was a slice of nirvana, and it showed in the glow on Robert’s face. As he took the hand of the lead actress and they stepped forward to bow for the third encore, Robert looked out into the audience and caught a glimpse of Alan sitting up in the fourth row. As the curtain fell for the final time, Robert was excited, but at the same time saddened. It had been so nice these last two weeks, his life had fallen into a comfortable routine. He had found himself looking forward to both heading to the theater each afternoon and rushing home at night to spend time with Alan. It was almost idyllic. If he was honest with himself, then he might admit to being a little nervous about the next two weeks. It would just be him and Alan, no play to distract them or keep them in at night because he needed the rest. They could head out properly and see the town. Together.
That made Robert somewhat nervous. He liked--no loved--Alan, but that did not mean he was ready to shout it from Big Ben. He liked what they had and he was not willing to share that with anyone else but them. And he was not sure if he could face the truth of being in love with a man if his private and public life suddenly collided.
Robert had seen way too many actors lose roles because of the gender of who they happened to be dating and, after twenty years of acting, it played into his anxiety, of being public with his new found relationship. It really should not matter who he hangs out with, much less who he sleeps with, but somehow in this judgmental world it did, and that was a reality that Robert had learned to deal with. And that was part of what was keeping him from letting go and just accepting and fully enjoying his relationship with Alan.
He returned the hug that surprised him and the playful kiss on his cheek. He looked at Miriam, his companion these last five weeks on stage and congratulated her on a wonderful run and wished her luck. He returned congratulations, smiling at everyone who approached, happy to have been a part of the magic they had created on stage.
Robert had no time left to think because the stage manager was walking up to him, letting him know that there were a few fans waiting to see him if he had time and he handed Robert his glasses. Robert smiled and followed; it was part of the game you played, but meeting with fans could be fun, if not a little overwhelming. They always seemed so complimentary and that was hard for him to understand since he was so critical of his own performances. But tonight was a good night and he accepted the compliments with a smile and a hand shake.
He was corralled behind the squirming girls and looked up to smile as a camera took a few shots of the group of them. He glanced behind the photographer and his smile grew a little broader. Alan had made his way backstage and was quietly waiting for him, half way hidden behind a curtain, tucked mostly out of sight. Robert appreciated the irony. Breaking out into his most charming smile, he bid the girls goodnight and thanked them for attending the performance, then watched them reluctantly file out. He turned and smiled, watching Alan walk over, noting that he kept his distance once he was finally by his side. Alan had attended three of the performances, not enough for anyone to take serious note of him.
Robert turned to walk back to his dressing room. He had taken his personal items home earlier that day and all that was left were a set of clean clothes. He walked into the small room and shut the door, knowing that Alan would follow shortly. He undressed and took off the stage make-up, then ran a hand through his hair, trying to flatten it back down. His hair seemed to be getting more and more unruly. He puzzled; Alan had not come back, and he was missing the frenzy of secret kisses that they’d had on the other two occasions, His stomach tightened, and he felt a pull in his core. Right now Robert was more concerned with getting home and being able to touch Alan than he was with eating.
Robert looked in the mirror one more time and said a fond farewell to the small dressing room. He ran his hand up and down the flimsy wood door and smiled at the memory of Alan pressing him hard against the door on opening night. Still confused as to what happened to Alan, Robert thought that maybe he had been imagining seeing the other man. He opened the door and literally ran into his missing friend, his hands grabbing hips to keep them both from toppling over. Then Robert pulled away like Alan was on fire. “There you are,” he said in quick, hushed manner.
“You are not the only one with fans, sorry.”
“No problem. I was spoiled by your attention last time, and the time before.”
Alan laughed and rested his hand on Robert’s hip and pushed him back towards the dressing room.
Robert grabbed Alan’s hand, stopping him. “That ship has sailed, I’m afraid. Let’s go.”
Alan frowned and shrugged his shoulders. He turned and walked a few steps forward, waiting a beat or two for Robert to catch-up.
“No argument? I expected at least a little one. You aren’t one to take no so easily.”
Alan smiled. “We do have plans tonight. I want to get a start before it gets too late.”
Robert laid his hand on Alan’s arm, forgetting where they were for a second, “What…” His voice was interrupted by a voice to their left:
“Robert, hang on for a second.”
They both stopped and turned around. The Director was walking over and was smiling. “A group of us are celebrating the end of the run at The Lucky Nipper. You want to join us?”
Robert paused for a second and resisted the urge to look at Alan to gauge his reaction. He had no idea what Alan had planned for them tonight, and he was torn. He didn’t know what to choose. Dragging Alan out to a very public event? He knew he was not ready for that. He could tell Alan he would meet him home later, but he really wanted to spend time with Alan, and did not want to leave him behind. Or he could beg off saying good bye to the cast and head out with Alan. Not as gracious as he usually was, but tonight that was his choice.
“I’m sorry Stewart. I have plans, if I would have known I could have made other arrangements.”
“Not a problem.” Stewart extended his hand and shook Robert’s with a firm grip. “You are a true professional, it was a pleasure working with you.”
Robert blushed a little bit. Compliments were always hard to take. “Even when I hated it, I still loved it. Thanks for everything, Stewart.” Robert turned to leave and Alan fell into step beside him.
“What are our plans?” Robert turned to ask Alan.
***
‘How on Earth did Robert Sean Leonard, a closeted stage actor from the US, meet Alan Davies, a forward British comedian and star of Jonathan Creek, who hadn’t set foot in America for nearly a decade?’ Stewart thought to himself as he watched the two men talking as they walked out of the theater.
7.10 Pub Crawling?
Fandom: RPS
Story: Highway: Victoria Station 7.9
Characters: Alan Davies and Robert Sean Leonard
Authors: michelleann68 + evila_elf = evila_ann
Prompt: coclaim100 90 Passing
Word Count: 1311
Rating: PG
Summary: Robert’s final performance, Alan shows up, and they make plans.
Authors’ Notes:
Where it all began:
Big table of prompts is here:
Order of the story is here:
Previous story:
A Day: Three Acts
It was nearly 11pm Saturday night and their final performance was arguably the best. The chemistry with the cast was spot on. Nothing went wrong, it was a slice of nirvana, and it showed in the glow on Robert’s face. As he took the hand of the lead actress and they stepped forward to bow for the third encore, Robert looked out into the audience and caught a glimpse of Alan sitting up in the fourth row. As the curtain fell for the final time, Robert was excited, but at the same time saddened. It had been so nice these last two weeks, his life had fallen into a comfortable routine. He had found himself looking forward to both heading to the theater each afternoon and rushing home at night to spend time with Alan. It was almost idyllic. If he was honest with himself, then he might admit to being a little nervous about the next two weeks. It would just be him and Alan, no play to distract them or keep them in at night because he needed the rest. They could head out properly and see the town. Together.
That made Robert somewhat nervous. He liked--no loved--Alan, but that did not mean he was ready to shout it from Big Ben. He liked what they had and he was not willing to share that with anyone else but them. And he was not sure if he could face the truth of being in love with a man if his private and public life suddenly collided.
Robert had seen way too many actors lose roles because of the gender of who they happened to be dating and, after twenty years of acting, it played into his anxiety, of being public with his new found relationship. It really should not matter who he hangs out with, much less who he sleeps with, but somehow in this judgmental world it did, and that was a reality that Robert had learned to deal with. And that was part of what was keeping him from letting go and just accepting and fully enjoying his relationship with Alan.
He returned the hug that surprised him and the playful kiss on his cheek. He looked at Miriam, his companion these last five weeks on stage and congratulated her on a wonderful run and wished her luck. He returned congratulations, smiling at everyone who approached, happy to have been a part of the magic they had created on stage.
Robert had no time left to think because the stage manager was walking up to him, letting him know that there were a few fans waiting to see him if he had time and he handed Robert his glasses. Robert smiled and followed; it was part of the game you played, but meeting with fans could be fun, if not a little overwhelming. They always seemed so complimentary and that was hard for him to understand since he was so critical of his own performances. But tonight was a good night and he accepted the compliments with a smile and a hand shake.
He was corralled behind the squirming girls and looked up to smile as a camera took a few shots of the group of them. He glanced behind the photographer and his smile grew a little broader. Alan had made his way backstage and was quietly waiting for him, half way hidden behind a curtain, tucked mostly out of sight. Robert appreciated the irony. Breaking out into his most charming smile, he bid the girls goodnight and thanked them for attending the performance, then watched them reluctantly file out. He turned and smiled, watching Alan walk over, noting that he kept his distance once he was finally by his side. Alan had attended three of the performances, not enough for anyone to take serious note of him.
Robert turned to walk back to his dressing room. He had taken his personal items home earlier that day and all that was left were a set of clean clothes. He walked into the small room and shut the door, knowing that Alan would follow shortly. He undressed and took off the stage make-up, then ran a hand through his hair, trying to flatten it back down. His hair seemed to be getting more and more unruly. He puzzled; Alan had not come back, and he was missing the frenzy of secret kisses that they’d had on the other two occasions, His stomach tightened, and he felt a pull in his core. Right now Robert was more concerned with getting home and being able to touch Alan than he was with eating.
Robert looked in the mirror one more time and said a fond farewell to the small dressing room. He ran his hand up and down the flimsy wood door and smiled at the memory of Alan pressing him hard against the door on opening night. Still confused as to what happened to Alan, Robert thought that maybe he had been imagining seeing the other man. He opened the door and literally ran into his missing friend, his hands grabbing hips to keep them both from toppling over. Then Robert pulled away like Alan was on fire. “There you are,” he said in quick, hushed manner.
“You are not the only one with fans, sorry.”
“No problem. I was spoiled by your attention last time, and the time before.”
Alan laughed and rested his hand on Robert’s hip and pushed him back towards the dressing room.
Robert grabbed Alan’s hand, stopping him. “That ship has sailed, I’m afraid. Let’s go.”
Alan frowned and shrugged his shoulders. He turned and walked a few steps forward, waiting a beat or two for Robert to catch-up.
“No argument? I expected at least a little one. You aren’t one to take no so easily.”
Alan smiled. “We do have plans tonight. I want to get a start before it gets too late.”
Robert laid his hand on Alan’s arm, forgetting where they were for a second, “What…” His voice was interrupted by a voice to their left:
“Robert, hang on for a second.”
They both stopped and turned around. The Director was walking over and was smiling. “A group of us are celebrating the end of the run at The Lucky Nipper. You want to join us?”
Robert paused for a second and resisted the urge to look at Alan to gauge his reaction. He had no idea what Alan had planned for them tonight, and he was torn. He didn’t know what to choose. Dragging Alan out to a very public event? He knew he was not ready for that. He could tell Alan he would meet him home later, but he really wanted to spend time with Alan, and did not want to leave him behind. Or he could beg off saying good bye to the cast and head out with Alan. Not as gracious as he usually was, but tonight that was his choice.
“I’m sorry Stewart. I have plans, if I would have known I could have made other arrangements.”
“Not a problem.” Stewart extended his hand and shook Robert’s with a firm grip. “You are a true professional, it was a pleasure working with you.”
Robert blushed a little bit. Compliments were always hard to take. “Even when I hated it, I still loved it. Thanks for everything, Stewart.” Robert turned to leave and Alan fell into step beside him.
“What are our plans?” Robert turned to ask Alan.
***
‘How on Earth did Robert Sean Leonard, a closeted stage actor from the US, meet Alan Davies, a forward British comedian and star of Jonathan Creek, who hadn’t set foot in America for nearly a decade?’ Stewart thought to himself as he watched the two men talking as they walked out of the theater.
7.10 Pub Crawling?