fic: Four Letter Word
Title: Four Letter Word
Pairing: Zachary Quinto/Eric Bana
Rating: PG
Genre: fluff, BFF!fic
Warning: A tiny dusting of angst, but mostly just bittersweetness and maybe a hearty helping of cliche
Summary: "You can't help who you fall in love with."
Disclaimer: None of this is true outside of the confines of my imagination.
A/N: This story took a lot longer to write, and turned out slightly different than I had originally planned. And I feel like I rushed the ending, but that's really my own quibble with it, and probably (hopefully) not an actuality.
This story came about because Zach and Eric are turning into something so fluffy and snuggly I can't stand it, and I couldn't pass up the chance to play around with them a little. Really, I should blame ewinfic . It's all her fault these two have firmly planted themselves in my brain.
Feedback is always much appreciated :)
****
"Kick his ass, Chris! Show that sheep fucker how it's done!"
"You hear that, Urban? It is on like Donkey Kong!" Chris shouted as he followed Karl to the pool table across the room.
Eric cackled into his beer. Grinning, he slowly pulled his eyes away from the backs of his retreating friends and looked across the table at Zach. His smile faltered when he saw the look on Zach's face. The way he was looking at Eric. It was only there for a brief moment, a ghost, if anything...but Eric saw it. He tilted his head, "What's wrong, Z?"
Zach's eyebrows shot up, "What? Nothing." He shook his head frantically, and whatever it was Zach might have been feeling was instantly covered up by a smile so wide and brilliant it made Eric's chest tighten.
Eric's eyes narrowed, "Mhmm..."
Zach softly cleared his throat, and his eyes seemed to dart to every point in the room that wasn't Eric Bana. "I'm just, uh...gonna go get some air, I think," Zach mumbled and downed the rest of his beer. His eyes never left the floor as he quickly stood and walked away from the table.
Eric watched Zach awkwardly bump into a few people, and mumble his apologies on his way out the door.
Zach meant a lot to Eric. They'd grown close over the course of shooting, both having an affinity for trickery and geekiness that made the close bond they'd formed seem like the most natural thing in the world. "Hmm..." Eric hummed to himself in thought as he turned his attention absentmindedly back to his other friends across the room. Chris appeared to be attempting to break Karl's concentration by making dirty gestures with his pool stick. Eric smiled as he watched the two, but his mind was still with Zach.
Something was wrong.
Eric stood quickly and headed for the door.
***
He stepped out into the quiet, the noise from the bar instantly muting as the door closed behind him. He took a deep breath, letting the night air fill his lungs and awaken his senses. He hadn't realized how stuffy he'd gotten inside. After a few moments he slowly turned his head to the left where he knew Zach was standing.
Zach was hunched over with his hands shoved in his pockets. He was staring at the sidewalk in front of him. His feet shuffled lightly on the pavement, the gravel crunching softly beneath his shoes, and he worried his bottom lip between his teeth. Eric regarded Zach a little more carefully, noting just how young he looked. A sharp contrast between the troubled pout and boyish slouch, and the Italian leather shoes and sleek designer jeans making him look easily fifteen years younger.
Eric blinked and looked away, "What's the matter, Zach." It wasn't a question. He heard soft sigh and glanced back at Zach out of the corner of his eye.
"Nothing."
"No, something's wrong. What is it?"
"Nothing. I just..." Zach huffed and ran a hand through his hair.
Eric turned to face Zach with a stern look, and crossed his arms. Zach glanced at him with a pained look on his face. "Seriously, Z. We're not leaving this spot until you tell me what's wrong." Eric paused a moment. "Is it family stuff?" his voice was quiet. Zach shook his head. "Boyfriend, then." Eric nodded knowingly. Zach winced slightly and shook his head. "Noah take a dump on your carpet again?" Zach looked at Eric and laughed softly, he shook his head 'no.' "Um..." Eric gasped, "You lost your hat! Your favorite hat! NO, Zach, that's TERRIBLE!" Eric wailed, and grabbed Zach, pulling him into a tight hug, squeezing as tight as he could and not letting go, even as Zach flailed against him. "Why, God? WHY? Not the hat! Not that god-awful HAT!" Eric wailed again, and Zach started laughing. He laughed until he cried.
Finally, after a long minute of breathless struggling in Eric’s arms, Zach pulled himself free. He stumbled backwards and took a deep breath, “Jesus, Eric!” He barked out a loud laugh, his eyes twinkling as he smiled at his friend. He reached up and hurriedly smoothed down his hair, which had gotten disheveled in the attack, “Warn me before you do something like that!”
Eric grinned, “Sorry.”
Zach suddenly frowned, “And, hey, my hat is not ‘god-awful.’ None of them are.”
Eric just smiled.
Zach shook his head and laughed, and just like that, silence filled the air between them again.
“Seriously, Zach. I know something’s bothering you.”
“Yeah, you’re right, but Eric, when I say it’s nothing, I mean it. It’s just…stupid, and….” Zach sighed heavily.
“Come on, Zach! Just tell me! This isn’t like you to be all…flaily!” Eric gestured to Zach with and exasperated flip of his hand.
Zach’s lips formed a thin line and he stared hard at Eric. Eric could tell he was mentally struggling with the words…what to say, what not to say…usually so quick to form a snappy, elegant response to literally any question posed, right now Zach was having such a hard time trying to say anything…so Eric just waited.
After a few long moments, Zach blinked and looked down. His shoulders sagged and he rubbed a hand over his face.
“Just tell me, Z,” Eric said.
Zach didn’t look back up, “I’m…I…” Zach let out a shaky breath, “I love you, Eric.”
“I love you too, Z.”
Zach responded with a bitter snort, “No. Eric. I love you,” he looked up into Eric’s eyes, “I’m in love with you.” Zach shook his head and threw out his arms like it should have been the most obvious thing in the world, and he couldn’t figure out why he even had to say the words at all.
“Oh” was all Eric could think to say. What do you say to something like that?
Zach groaned softly, “God, forget I said anything. Shit. Why did I say that…” he was talking more to himself than Eric now. “Look, I’m gonna go.” He nodded to the door, “Tell the guys I said ‘bye.’” He turned and started to walk away.
Wait. “Wait. Wait! Zach, wait a minute.” Eric reached out and grabbed Zach’s wrist.
“What, Eric.” Zach spun around with an angry look. Eric had to laugh. This was ridiculous. Who cares if Zach was in love with him. Why are people so fucking scared of that word?
“Why are you acting like this…like it’s the end of the fucking world?”
Zach shot Eric a disbelieving look, “Because, Eric, we’re co-workers. You’re straight, you’re married, you…have kids…you’re…fuck, it’s just silly! I feel silly! And I can’t believe I just admitted this all to you.” Zach looked like he might throw up.
Eric laughed loudly and Zach looked slightly offended. “Zach, I’m sorry, but you’re being ridiculous. This,” he gestured between them, “This…Zach, I love you. Maybe not in the same way you love me, but I love you, and I’m not angry or embarrassed or whatever it is you think I might be feeling right now.”
Zach rolled his eyes.
“Look, this isn’t a big deal! So you’re in love with me!” Eric’s voice turned quiet, “It’s love Zach. Sure, this is a little cliché, and out-of-the-blue for me, but so what?” Eric shrugged. “Zach…you can’t help who you fall in love with.” Eric said it with such finality that Zach looked slightly taken aback, and just blinked at him stupidly.
Eric smiled fondly, hoping Zach could see the sincerity and adoration in his eyes. He reached up to grip the side of Zach's neck, letting his thumb rub Zach’s cheek a little before shaking him lightly, “Just go with it, Zach.” Eric’s smile widened, “I love that you love me.”
Zach smiled a little and took a deep, shaky breath. He reached up and gripped Eric’s wrist tightly, holding on like he might die if he let go. “Okay’ he nodded.
“Okay,” Eric nodded back pointedly, and squeezed Zach’s neck once before letting his arm fall back to his side. He smiled and turned on his heel, heading back into the bar without another word.
Pairing: Zachary Quinto/Eric Bana
Rating: PG
Genre: fluff, BFF!fic
Warning: A tiny dusting of angst, but mostly just bittersweetness and maybe a hearty helping of cliche
Summary: "You can't help who you fall in love with."
Disclaimer: None of this is true outside of the confines of my imagination.
A/N: This story took a lot longer to write, and turned out slightly different than I had originally planned. And I feel like I rushed the ending, but that's really my own quibble with it, and probably (hopefully) not an actuality.
This story came about because Zach and Eric are turning into something so fluffy and snuggly I can't stand it, and I couldn't pass up the chance to play around with them a little. Really, I should blame ewinfic . It's all her fault these two have firmly planted themselves in my brain.
Feedback is always much appreciated :)
****
"Kick his ass, Chris! Show that sheep fucker how it's done!"
"You hear that, Urban? It is on like Donkey Kong!" Chris shouted as he followed Karl to the pool table across the room.
Eric cackled into his beer. Grinning, he slowly pulled his eyes away from the backs of his retreating friends and looked across the table at Zach. His smile faltered when he saw the look on Zach's face. The way he was looking at Eric. It was only there for a brief moment, a ghost, if anything...but Eric saw it. He tilted his head, "What's wrong, Z?"
Zach's eyebrows shot up, "What? Nothing." He shook his head frantically, and whatever it was Zach might have been feeling was instantly covered up by a smile so wide and brilliant it made Eric's chest tighten.
Eric's eyes narrowed, "Mhmm..."
Zach softly cleared his throat, and his eyes seemed to dart to every point in the room that wasn't Eric Bana. "I'm just, uh...gonna go get some air, I think," Zach mumbled and downed the rest of his beer. His eyes never left the floor as he quickly stood and walked away from the table.
Eric watched Zach awkwardly bump into a few people, and mumble his apologies on his way out the door.
Zach meant a lot to Eric. They'd grown close over the course of shooting, both having an affinity for trickery and geekiness that made the close bond they'd formed seem like the most natural thing in the world. "Hmm..." Eric hummed to himself in thought as he turned his attention absentmindedly back to his other friends across the room. Chris appeared to be attempting to break Karl's concentration by making dirty gestures with his pool stick. Eric smiled as he watched the two, but his mind was still with Zach.
Something was wrong.
Eric stood quickly and headed for the door.
***
He stepped out into the quiet, the noise from the bar instantly muting as the door closed behind him. He took a deep breath, letting the night air fill his lungs and awaken his senses. He hadn't realized how stuffy he'd gotten inside. After a few moments he slowly turned his head to the left where he knew Zach was standing.
Zach was hunched over with his hands shoved in his pockets. He was staring at the sidewalk in front of him. His feet shuffled lightly on the pavement, the gravel crunching softly beneath his shoes, and he worried his bottom lip between his teeth. Eric regarded Zach a little more carefully, noting just how young he looked. A sharp contrast between the troubled pout and boyish slouch, and the Italian leather shoes and sleek designer jeans making him look easily fifteen years younger.
Eric blinked and looked away, "What's the matter, Zach." It wasn't a question. He heard soft sigh and glanced back at Zach out of the corner of his eye.
"Nothing."
"No, something's wrong. What is it?"
"Nothing. I just..." Zach huffed and ran a hand through his hair.
Eric turned to face Zach with a stern look, and crossed his arms. Zach glanced at him with a pained look on his face. "Seriously, Z. We're not leaving this spot until you tell me what's wrong." Eric paused a moment. "Is it family stuff?" his voice was quiet. Zach shook his head. "Boyfriend, then." Eric nodded knowingly. Zach winced slightly and shook his head. "Noah take a dump on your carpet again?" Zach looked at Eric and laughed softly, he shook his head 'no.' "Um..." Eric gasped, "You lost your hat! Your favorite hat! NO, Zach, that's TERRIBLE!" Eric wailed, and grabbed Zach, pulling him into a tight hug, squeezing as tight as he could and not letting go, even as Zach flailed against him. "Why, God? WHY? Not the hat! Not that god-awful HAT!" Eric wailed again, and Zach started laughing. He laughed until he cried.
Finally, after a long minute of breathless struggling in Eric’s arms, Zach pulled himself free. He stumbled backwards and took a deep breath, “Jesus, Eric!” He barked out a loud laugh, his eyes twinkling as he smiled at his friend. He reached up and hurriedly smoothed down his hair, which had gotten disheveled in the attack, “Warn me before you do something like that!”
Eric grinned, “Sorry.”
Zach suddenly frowned, “And, hey, my hat is not ‘god-awful.’ None of them are.”
Eric just smiled.
Zach shook his head and laughed, and just like that, silence filled the air between them again.
“Seriously, Zach. I know something’s bothering you.”
“Yeah, you’re right, but Eric, when I say it’s nothing, I mean it. It’s just…stupid, and….” Zach sighed heavily.
“Come on, Zach! Just tell me! This isn’t like you to be all…flaily!” Eric gestured to Zach with and exasperated flip of his hand.
Zach’s lips formed a thin line and he stared hard at Eric. Eric could tell he was mentally struggling with the words…what to say, what not to say…usually so quick to form a snappy, elegant response to literally any question posed, right now Zach was having such a hard time trying to say anything…so Eric just waited.
After a few long moments, Zach blinked and looked down. His shoulders sagged and he rubbed a hand over his face.
“Just tell me, Z,” Eric said.
Zach didn’t look back up, “I’m…I…” Zach let out a shaky breath, “I love you, Eric.”
“I love you too, Z.”
Zach responded with a bitter snort, “No. Eric. I love you,” he looked up into Eric’s eyes, “I’m in love with you.” Zach shook his head and threw out his arms like it should have been the most obvious thing in the world, and he couldn’t figure out why he even had to say the words at all.
“Oh” was all Eric could think to say. What do you say to something like that?
Zach groaned softly, “God, forget I said anything. Shit. Why did I say that…” he was talking more to himself than Eric now. “Look, I’m gonna go.” He nodded to the door, “Tell the guys I said ‘bye.’” He turned and started to walk away.
Wait. “Wait. Wait! Zach, wait a minute.” Eric reached out and grabbed Zach’s wrist.
“What, Eric.” Zach spun around with an angry look. Eric had to laugh. This was ridiculous. Who cares if Zach was in love with him. Why are people so fucking scared of that word?
“Why are you acting like this…like it’s the end of the fucking world?”
Zach shot Eric a disbelieving look, “Because, Eric, we’re co-workers. You’re straight, you’re married, you…have kids…you’re…fuck, it’s just silly! I feel silly! And I can’t believe I just admitted this all to you.” Zach looked like he might throw up.
Eric laughed loudly and Zach looked slightly offended. “Zach, I’m sorry, but you’re being ridiculous. This,” he gestured between them, “This…Zach, I love you. Maybe not in the same way you love me, but I love you, and I’m not angry or embarrassed or whatever it is you think I might be feeling right now.”
Zach rolled his eyes.
“Look, this isn’t a big deal! So you’re in love with me!” Eric’s voice turned quiet, “It’s love Zach. Sure, this is a little cliché, and out-of-the-blue for me, but so what?” Eric shrugged. “Zach…you can’t help who you fall in love with.” Eric said it with such finality that Zach looked slightly taken aback, and just blinked at him stupidly.
Eric smiled fondly, hoping Zach could see the sincerity and adoration in his eyes. He reached up to grip the side of Zach's neck, letting his thumb rub Zach’s cheek a little before shaking him lightly, “Just go with it, Zach.” Eric’s smile widened, “I love that you love me.”
Zach smiled a little and took a deep, shaky breath. He reached up and gripped Eric’s wrist tightly, holding on like he might die if he let go. “Okay’ he nodded.
“Okay,” Eric nodded back pointedly, and squeezed Zach’s neck once before letting his arm fall back to his side. He smiled and turned on his heel, heading back into the bar without another word.