Let's Make a Deal 16.5
Title: Let’s Make a Deal
Fandom: RPS
Story: Highway: Business Loop 16.5
Characters: Alan Davies and Robert Sean Leonard
Authors: michelleann68 + evila_elf = evila_ann
Prompt: None
Word Count: 1799
Rating: PG
Summary: Stephen calls Alan to a posh restaurant for several discussions
Authors’ Notes: Feel free to friend us if you want to read a day ahead of the communities.
Click here for the timeline If you need to get caught up or relive the good old times.
Previous story:
Pen to Paper
Alan shifted on the balls of his feet, completely not at ease. He felt like an under-dressed penguin. No tux, but the tie felt like it was choking him and the silk of the dress pants were slippery against his skin. He was out of his element and would much have preferred to head to the local pub down the street than some posh restaurant. Alan fidgeted again and cursed himself. He knew Stephen would scold him like a little kid if he continued to fidget. He looked around, running his hand through his nearly scalped scalp, and the feeling that he had somehow stepped into some strange time warp was complete. He finally saw Stephen sitting at a booth, near the front, but not on display, a glass of white wine at the table in front of him. His menu was open and Stephen was considering the choices, like one would read a book, glasses perched on his nose. He had a serious look on his face, but it dissolved into a smile as he found something that would tickle his pallet.
Alan approached the table and he shifted his body in the suit, trying to get it to feel comfortable and swore a silent string of obscenities directed at Stephen for his choice of venue.
"Good afternoon young Alan!" Stephen said upon noticing his dinner guest. "Don't you look all dapper today?"
"Your choice of venue," Alan reminded him as he took a seat.
The waitress set a glass of water on the table without hesitation and asked Alan for his choice of beverage. He looked at Stephen for a moment and thought about ordering a beer, but then decided on a glass of Chardonnay.
"Excellent choice. And would you care to explain?" Stephen waggled a finger at Alan's noticeable lack of hair.
'"The good news is I have 12 weeks to grow it out. Piper took a little aggression out on me head."
"It is not your best look, but better than the reverse."
Alan let the barb hang in the air and he scanned the menu. He knew about half the items listed and struggled to find something that he could eat. He finally decided on an Eggplant, stuffed with Mushroom Risotto with Truffle oil and pine nuts. He set the menu down and smiled at the waitress when she brought over the glass of wine and set it in front of him. They both ordered and Alan thanked her as se gathered up the menus and left.
"Flirting?" Stephen gave him a light warning.
"Being nice, that's all." He waved away Stephen's amused look. "So, why the formal meeting?"
"Oh my yes, of course. You probably want to know why I asked you to stuff yourself into the only suit you own and eat pouncy food over a nice quiet conversation?"
"Something like that. You always have a reason, Stephen."
"You are right about that, but let's enjoy the ambiance and the company. No need to rush headlong into business matter."
Alan brought the wine to his lips and sniffed the golden liquid. He took a slow sip, trying to relax. He closed his eyes and took another sip, letting the flavor coat his tongue before settling the glass down. He relaxed a little more into the cushioned seat and looked up expectantly at Stephen.
"So you and Master Robert worked out the messy differences that kept the two of you stupid for far too long?"
Alan blushed and resisted the urge to gulp the remaining wine. Instead, he trailed his finger around the rim of the glass. "Yes, we did. I think we still have more to work out, but we are back in sync. It was hard to watch him go back to the States."
"And yet you let him go."
"That would be the one area we still need to work on, but I'm heading over for a long visit, if we can call it that. Including seeing his parents for Thanksgiving."
"The temperature seems to have changed. So his parents know? What brought about such a swing?"
"The time apart really. I was a mess, as you know. But Robert...he tried to move on, but he just felt he was not being true to himself and he was tired of all the lies...so he decided that he needed to be honest with everyone. So he was."
"He is a wise man."
Alan looked up, waiting for a punch line that would be a slight against him, and was a little surprised not to hear one. "Yes, he really is." Alan looked down, missing Robert for the umpteenth time that day. He looked back up at Stephen and used a sip of wine to allow him time to gather himself. "Robert talked to his mom, and she was less them embracing of anything that Robert told her; she wanted me to reject him and send him back to the nearest woman."
"Not likely to happen."
"We all know that. But telling was good for Robert, in the long run. He'd been so tightly wound for so long over the pressure that I had been putting upon him to tell them. That honesty...it really has changed how we relate to each other."
"For the better of course."
"Absolutely. And we left for Portugal. I had planned a solo vacation there to drown my grief and get past it all once and for all, but we went together, and it was the first time we both relaxed, and we really became closer...it changed so much for me." He spoke the next words slowly, as if he was finally voicing his inner feelings for the first time, "I really think I am ready to settle down, in one place, but he is not there yet. He still is not ready for that conversation, and I find myself biting my tongue about it. I will ask him, but only when the time is right."
"Alan, are you going to propose?"
"Oh, nothing so conventional. I want us to live together, I don't care where. Honestly, I am just tired of the frequent flyer miles."
Stephen took a long look at Alan, noticing a shift in him. He had noticed it even before the breakup. Alan seemed much more serious about his commitment and Stephen was happy for him. He had watched Alan ricochet from one bad relationship to another, and he finally was getting to the point where he appreciated some stability. This would be a very good thing, as long as Alan did not bugger it up. "Have you developed the scheme to settle on a home base?"
"No, not yet. I want us to make it through the holidays. Traci and Joan really want Robert to fly out here for the holidays, but I am going to surprise them and take them to the States. I need to clear it with Robert, but I think, with his schedule, it should all work out."
"A Davies' Family Christmas?"
"Something like that. New York is lovely at Christmas, we can get a suite and enjoy the city, take in a few shows and museums. Robert would be off for the week, but I still need to talk to him and make sure it's possible."
They paused their conversations as the waitress brought their meals. Alan avoided looking at her and Stephen chuckled as he unfolded his napkin to lay across his lap, Alan, after a glare, doing the same. Little was said as they tucked into their food, but the silence wasn't uncomfortable, strained, or unwanted. It gave Alan a chance to think. When would be a good time to talk to Robert about living together, permanently? The next time they would see each other, face to face, would be November, but with the stress of the family get-together, Robert would probably have enough stress on his plate. Alan sighed and reached for his wine, glancing over to find Stephen watching. "Sorry," he apologized for his silence. "You've given me lots to think about. But enough about my side of things. I know you are eager to have out what you invited me here to say."
"Oh quite the contrary, I really enjoy these updates, it is like a private soap opera, quite entertaining." Stephen smirked and took a healthy sip of wine, adding a wink.
"Well, I think I have caught you up on most of the action, the new series will start in January."
"I'm looking forward to the holiday edition, should prove quite dramatic."
Alan rolled his eyes and shook his head, he could banter with Stephen all day and he was comfortable with the direction of his and Robert's relationship: It still had an undercurrent of emotion, but was comfortable, it was a warm friendship, and at times when he was confused he trusted Stephen to listen and just allow Alan to find his way out of the dark, unless he was being a wanker, then Stephen would give him a swift kick. "So, what do you have on your many burners?" Alan decided to force the subject change.
"Yes, yes, let's get down to business. I have a new movie that has just been green lit."
"Oh?" Alan leaned forward with genuine interest.
"Have you thought about a wig?"
Alan leaned back and ran his hand through his scalp. "No, it will grow, soon enough. What's this new movie about?"
"It is an adaptation of ‘The Moonstone’ by Wilkie Collins."
"You did the adaptation?"
"Of course and I would like to offer you the part of Franklin Blake the protagonist."
"Really? That is wonderful, but I would of course like to read..."
"Where is the trust?"
Alan laughed and drained the last of his wine. "Just need to know what I am getting meself into."
"You'll love every darling little minute of it."
"Or else?"
"Or else," Stephen confirmed. He held out his hand and raised his eyebrows.
"Fine. I'll do the bloody picture." He shook Stephen's hand. "But I do want you to send the script over."
"It will be sent in due course. There will be fittings and of course you will need to travel up north. We have secured a filming location."
"When do you need me?"
"My pet, I always need you, as of course you know, but please reserve early January for your return to the British Isles."
Alan looked up, and smiled. "No worries, that should work out well. I suppose an eight week schedule?"
"Details Alan. Just have Martha call Jeremy and they can work all those out." Stephen picked up his glass and raised it towards Alan. "To fair weather and following seas."
Alan smiled warmly and clinked his glass against Stephen's.
A/N The first person to tell us why The Moonstone is a well-known classic gets a free drabble from us
16.06 Time to Let go
Fandom: RPS
Story: Highway: Business Loop 16.5
Characters: Alan Davies and Robert Sean Leonard
Authors: michelleann68 + evila_elf = evila_ann
Prompt: None
Word Count: 1799
Rating: PG
Summary: Stephen calls Alan to a posh restaurant for several discussions
Authors’ Notes: Feel free to friend us if you want to read a day ahead of the communities.
Click here for the timeline If you need to get caught up or relive the good old times.
Previous story:
Pen to Paper
Alan shifted on the balls of his feet, completely not at ease. He felt like an under-dressed penguin. No tux, but the tie felt like it was choking him and the silk of the dress pants were slippery against his skin. He was out of his element and would much have preferred to head to the local pub down the street than some posh restaurant. Alan fidgeted again and cursed himself. He knew Stephen would scold him like a little kid if he continued to fidget. He looked around, running his hand through his nearly scalped scalp, and the feeling that he had somehow stepped into some strange time warp was complete. He finally saw Stephen sitting at a booth, near the front, but not on display, a glass of white wine at the table in front of him. His menu was open and Stephen was considering the choices, like one would read a book, glasses perched on his nose. He had a serious look on his face, but it dissolved into a smile as he found something that would tickle his pallet.
Alan approached the table and he shifted his body in the suit, trying to get it to feel comfortable and swore a silent string of obscenities directed at Stephen for his choice of venue.
"Good afternoon young Alan!" Stephen said upon noticing his dinner guest. "Don't you look all dapper today?"
"Your choice of venue," Alan reminded him as he took a seat.
The waitress set a glass of water on the table without hesitation and asked Alan for his choice of beverage. He looked at Stephen for a moment and thought about ordering a beer, but then decided on a glass of Chardonnay.
"Excellent choice. And would you care to explain?" Stephen waggled a finger at Alan's noticeable lack of hair.
'"The good news is I have 12 weeks to grow it out. Piper took a little aggression out on me head."
"It is not your best look, but better than the reverse."
Alan let the barb hang in the air and he scanned the menu. He knew about half the items listed and struggled to find something that he could eat. He finally decided on an Eggplant, stuffed with Mushroom Risotto with Truffle oil and pine nuts. He set the menu down and smiled at the waitress when she brought over the glass of wine and set it in front of him. They both ordered and Alan thanked her as se gathered up the menus and left.
"Flirting?" Stephen gave him a light warning.
"Being nice, that's all." He waved away Stephen's amused look. "So, why the formal meeting?"
"Oh my yes, of course. You probably want to know why I asked you to stuff yourself into the only suit you own and eat pouncy food over a nice quiet conversation?"
"Something like that. You always have a reason, Stephen."
"You are right about that, but let's enjoy the ambiance and the company. No need to rush headlong into business matter."
Alan brought the wine to his lips and sniffed the golden liquid. He took a slow sip, trying to relax. He closed his eyes and took another sip, letting the flavor coat his tongue before settling the glass down. He relaxed a little more into the cushioned seat and looked up expectantly at Stephen.
"So you and Master Robert worked out the messy differences that kept the two of you stupid for far too long?"
Alan blushed and resisted the urge to gulp the remaining wine. Instead, he trailed his finger around the rim of the glass. "Yes, we did. I think we still have more to work out, but we are back in sync. It was hard to watch him go back to the States."
"And yet you let him go."
"That would be the one area we still need to work on, but I'm heading over for a long visit, if we can call it that. Including seeing his parents for Thanksgiving."
"The temperature seems to have changed. So his parents know? What brought about such a swing?"
"The time apart really. I was a mess, as you know. But Robert...he tried to move on, but he just felt he was not being true to himself and he was tired of all the lies...so he decided that he needed to be honest with everyone. So he was."
"He is a wise man."
Alan looked up, waiting for a punch line that would be a slight against him, and was a little surprised not to hear one. "Yes, he really is." Alan looked down, missing Robert for the umpteenth time that day. He looked back up at Stephen and used a sip of wine to allow him time to gather himself. "Robert talked to his mom, and she was less them embracing of anything that Robert told her; she wanted me to reject him and send him back to the nearest woman."
"Not likely to happen."
"We all know that. But telling was good for Robert, in the long run. He'd been so tightly wound for so long over the pressure that I had been putting upon him to tell them. That honesty...it really has changed how we relate to each other."
"For the better of course."
"Absolutely. And we left for Portugal. I had planned a solo vacation there to drown my grief and get past it all once and for all, but we went together, and it was the first time we both relaxed, and we really became closer...it changed so much for me." He spoke the next words slowly, as if he was finally voicing his inner feelings for the first time, "I really think I am ready to settle down, in one place, but he is not there yet. He still is not ready for that conversation, and I find myself biting my tongue about it. I will ask him, but only when the time is right."
"Alan, are you going to propose?"
"Oh, nothing so conventional. I want us to live together, I don't care where. Honestly, I am just tired of the frequent flyer miles."
Stephen took a long look at Alan, noticing a shift in him. He had noticed it even before the breakup. Alan seemed much more serious about his commitment and Stephen was happy for him. He had watched Alan ricochet from one bad relationship to another, and he finally was getting to the point where he appreciated some stability. This would be a very good thing, as long as Alan did not bugger it up. "Have you developed the scheme to settle on a home base?"
"No, not yet. I want us to make it through the holidays. Traci and Joan really want Robert to fly out here for the holidays, but I am going to surprise them and take them to the States. I need to clear it with Robert, but I think, with his schedule, it should all work out."
"A Davies' Family Christmas?"
"Something like that. New York is lovely at Christmas, we can get a suite and enjoy the city, take in a few shows and museums. Robert would be off for the week, but I still need to talk to him and make sure it's possible."
They paused their conversations as the waitress brought their meals. Alan avoided looking at her and Stephen chuckled as he unfolded his napkin to lay across his lap, Alan, after a glare, doing the same. Little was said as they tucked into their food, but the silence wasn't uncomfortable, strained, or unwanted. It gave Alan a chance to think. When would be a good time to talk to Robert about living together, permanently? The next time they would see each other, face to face, would be November, but with the stress of the family get-together, Robert would probably have enough stress on his plate. Alan sighed and reached for his wine, glancing over to find Stephen watching. "Sorry," he apologized for his silence. "You've given me lots to think about. But enough about my side of things. I know you are eager to have out what you invited me here to say."
"Oh quite the contrary, I really enjoy these updates, it is like a private soap opera, quite entertaining." Stephen smirked and took a healthy sip of wine, adding a wink.
"Well, I think I have caught you up on most of the action, the new series will start in January."
"I'm looking forward to the holiday edition, should prove quite dramatic."
Alan rolled his eyes and shook his head, he could banter with Stephen all day and he was comfortable with the direction of his and Robert's relationship: It still had an undercurrent of emotion, but was comfortable, it was a warm friendship, and at times when he was confused he trusted Stephen to listen and just allow Alan to find his way out of the dark, unless he was being a wanker, then Stephen would give him a swift kick. "So, what do you have on your many burners?" Alan decided to force the subject change.
"Yes, yes, let's get down to business. I have a new movie that has just been green lit."
"Oh?" Alan leaned forward with genuine interest.
"Have you thought about a wig?"
Alan leaned back and ran his hand through his scalp. "No, it will grow, soon enough. What's this new movie about?"
"It is an adaptation of ‘The Moonstone’ by Wilkie Collins."
"You did the adaptation?"
"Of course and I would like to offer you the part of Franklin Blake the protagonist."
"Really? That is wonderful, but I would of course like to read..."
"Where is the trust?"
Alan laughed and drained the last of his wine. "Just need to know what I am getting meself into."
"You'll love every darling little minute of it."
"Or else?"
"Or else," Stephen confirmed. He held out his hand and raised his eyebrows.
"Fine. I'll do the bloody picture." He shook Stephen's hand. "But I do want you to send the script over."
"It will be sent in due course. There will be fittings and of course you will need to travel up north. We have secured a filming location."
"When do you need me?"
"My pet, I always need you, as of course you know, but please reserve early January for your return to the British Isles."
Alan looked up, and smiled. "No worries, that should work out well. I suppose an eight week schedule?"
"Details Alan. Just have Martha call Jeremy and they can work all those out." Stephen picked up his glass and raised it towards Alan. "To fair weather and following seas."
Alan smiled warmly and clinked his glass against Stephen's.
A/N The first person to tell us why The Moonstone is a well-known classic gets a free drabble from us
16.06 Time to Let go