WLIIA (UK) :: Secrets :: Rated PG
Title: Secrets
Chapter: 1/1
Fandom: Whose Line is it Anyway UK
Pairings: References Ryan Stiles/Colin Mochrie and casual Tony Slattery/Richard Vranch
Rating: PG
Summary: Ryan's late, Colin's absent and Tony's wondering what all the fuss is about.
Disclaimer: This fic is in no way intended to portray a true representation of the people involved. As far as I know, this never happened.
Notes: This fic was inspired by nausicaarabbit's fic, Revelations, in which an innocent comment about Ryan not telling Tony turned into a workable bunny. The result is this.
Crossposted to britline and wl_fanfiction. Submitted to fanfic100 for prompt 089 - Work.
Secrets
“Sorry I‘m late.”
I look up with a start as Ryan’s voice jolts into the general buzz of conversation all around. There’s a tone to it, something that says “Don’t ask me why or else.” Which, of course, means that the first thing everyone does is crowd round him to find out what’s going on.
I take a few steps forward before he looks round and meets my gaze. There’s something cold and almost hateful in his eyes, stopping me from getting any closer without having to say a word. I try to express my confusion in the same, non-verbal manner, but he has lost interest and is now updating everyone else on whatever it is that’s going on.
I turn and walk away, trying to act as if I don’t care that he’s leaving me out. I shouldn’t be surprised, after all; there’s always been that indication that he at best tolerates me. I always get the distinct impression that I irritate him, somehow; where he has a good natured laugh or smile for everyone else, everything I do is met with that same cold look of contempt. Even on the rare occasions we’re paired in games, I struggle to get anything back from him.
His audience is dispersing now, most of them satisfied with the tale he’s told. A few stay close, seeking more details - Dan, of course, will want to know the deeper implications of the situation; Clive I suspect is staying so he can appear important enough to be in on these “crisis talks”. The other performers, though, have all lost interest and have gone back to their clusters; doubtless there will be some discussion of what I wasn’t deemed worthy of knowing.
Around us all, schedules are checked and phone calls are made as the crew try to determine the best plan of action. Eventually, I gather that Colin is a no-show, although no-one will tell me why. The chaos is getting ridiculous, so I head out for a smoke. It’s chucking it down, but I manage to find a sheltered enough spot.
I soon lose track of time, and have to suppress the sound of surprise when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn around and see Richard watching me, clearly concerned. “Alright, mate?”
I nod, letting the cigarette butt in my hand drop to the ground. “I take it everything‘s sorted?”
Richard nods, a thoughtful look in his eyes. “I just hope it shifts soon - and that Ryan doesn’t end up with it.”
“Hmm.” I try to make that sound as non-committal as possible. I refuse to ask what he means - I refuse to let it show that Ryan’s attitude towards me is bothering me. Of course, I should have known better than to think Richard would be fooled by this.
“I don’t understand it, either.”
I shrug, suppressing the inner delight that I hadn’t just been imagining things. “I don’t want to understand. It’s his problem, not mine.”
Richard leans against the wall, still watching me. “Yeah, but why the big secret over Colin being a bit unwell? It’s not like Colin would object to you knowing, is it?”
I raise an eyebrow, concerned in spite of myself. “Colin’s ill? Nothing serious, I hope.”
“Just a bad cold, from what I gather.” Richard frowns. “I don’t like it.”
I think I know what he means, but I’m not going to ask. Playing dumb, I ask, “What, that Colin’s got a cold? I don’t think there’s much he could have done about it.”
“You know what I mean.” Richard comes closer, and my breath catches slightly. Ever since a certain performance we did together, we’ve had a bit of a thing going on - nothing serious, but it doesn’t stop my pulse quickening whenever he’s in reach. But this time, I know his intention is purer.
I don’t look up. I’m afraid to, in case he sees how much Ryan actually bothers me. He’s probably seen it already - Richard’s not exactly stupid - but I’m still not going to make it easy.
“Come on. Let’s get in there and find some way to embarrass the bastard. It is your specialty, after all.” Richard winks at me, and I allow myself to relax and grin in response. I should have known that Richard wouldn’t push for details - he knows me better than that.
I follow him back into the studio, smirking as I see Ryan glare at me. I’m still not sure what I’m supposed to have done, but I’m resolved now - if he hates me anyway, there can’t be anything I can do that will make things any worse.
Rather sounds like my kind of challenge.
Chapter: 1/1
Fandom: Whose Line is it Anyway UK
Pairings: References Ryan Stiles/Colin Mochrie and casual Tony Slattery/Richard Vranch
Rating: PG
Summary: Ryan's late, Colin's absent and Tony's wondering what all the fuss is about.
Disclaimer: This fic is in no way intended to portray a true representation of the people involved. As far as I know, this never happened.
Notes: This fic was inspired by nausicaarabbit's fic, Revelations, in which an innocent comment about Ryan not telling Tony turned into a workable bunny. The result is this.
Crossposted to britline and wl_fanfiction. Submitted to fanfic100 for prompt 089 - Work.
Secrets
“Sorry I‘m late.”
I look up with a start as Ryan’s voice jolts into the general buzz of conversation all around. There’s a tone to it, something that says “Don’t ask me why or else.” Which, of course, means that the first thing everyone does is crowd round him to find out what’s going on.
I take a few steps forward before he looks round and meets my gaze. There’s something cold and almost hateful in his eyes, stopping me from getting any closer without having to say a word. I try to express my confusion in the same, non-verbal manner, but he has lost interest and is now updating everyone else on whatever it is that’s going on.
I turn and walk away, trying to act as if I don’t care that he’s leaving me out. I shouldn’t be surprised, after all; there’s always been that indication that he at best tolerates me. I always get the distinct impression that I irritate him, somehow; where he has a good natured laugh or smile for everyone else, everything I do is met with that same cold look of contempt. Even on the rare occasions we’re paired in games, I struggle to get anything back from him.
His audience is dispersing now, most of them satisfied with the tale he’s told. A few stay close, seeking more details - Dan, of course, will want to know the deeper implications of the situation; Clive I suspect is staying so he can appear important enough to be in on these “crisis talks”. The other performers, though, have all lost interest and have gone back to their clusters; doubtless there will be some discussion of what I wasn’t deemed worthy of knowing.
Around us all, schedules are checked and phone calls are made as the crew try to determine the best plan of action. Eventually, I gather that Colin is a no-show, although no-one will tell me why. The chaos is getting ridiculous, so I head out for a smoke. It’s chucking it down, but I manage to find a sheltered enough spot.
I soon lose track of time, and have to suppress the sound of surprise when I feel a hand on my shoulder. I turn around and see Richard watching me, clearly concerned. “Alright, mate?”
I nod, letting the cigarette butt in my hand drop to the ground. “I take it everything‘s sorted?”
Richard nods, a thoughtful look in his eyes. “I just hope it shifts soon - and that Ryan doesn’t end up with it.”
“Hmm.” I try to make that sound as non-committal as possible. I refuse to ask what he means - I refuse to let it show that Ryan’s attitude towards me is bothering me. Of course, I should have known better than to think Richard would be fooled by this.
“I don’t understand it, either.”
I shrug, suppressing the inner delight that I hadn’t just been imagining things. “I don’t want to understand. It’s his problem, not mine.”
Richard leans against the wall, still watching me. “Yeah, but why the big secret over Colin being a bit unwell? It’s not like Colin would object to you knowing, is it?”
I raise an eyebrow, concerned in spite of myself. “Colin’s ill? Nothing serious, I hope.”
“Just a bad cold, from what I gather.” Richard frowns. “I don’t like it.”
I think I know what he means, but I’m not going to ask. Playing dumb, I ask, “What, that Colin’s got a cold? I don’t think there’s much he could have done about it.”
“You know what I mean.” Richard comes closer, and my breath catches slightly. Ever since a certain performance we did together, we’ve had a bit of a thing going on - nothing serious, but it doesn’t stop my pulse quickening whenever he’s in reach. But this time, I know his intention is purer.
I don’t look up. I’m afraid to, in case he sees how much Ryan actually bothers me. He’s probably seen it already - Richard’s not exactly stupid - but I’m still not going to make it easy.
“Come on. Let’s get in there and find some way to embarrass the bastard. It is your specialty, after all.” Richard winks at me, and I allow myself to relax and grin in response. I should have known that Richard wouldn’t push for details - he knows me better than that.
I follow him back into the studio, smirking as I see Ryan glare at me. I’m still not sure what I’m supposed to have done, but I’m resolved now - if he hates me anyway, there can’t be anything I can do that will make things any worse.
Rather sounds like my kind of challenge.