Fic: Let's Not Make This Awkward, OK? (Chris Pine/Zachary Quinto RPS)
Title: Let's Not Make This Awkward, OK?
Pairing: Chris Pine/ Zachary Quinto
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2130
Disclaimer: Not true. I'm a perv.
Summary: Silly fluff. Zachary doesn't like the word 'bromance'.
A/N: Quick and unbeta'd. Any corrections or concrit is welcomed, but I don't take this too seriously. I just had to get this out of my brain because AH I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. Basically this is set sometime in between all those hilarious (and freaking addicting) video interviews they were doing. So they're at some hotel. Somewhere.
---
Zach was the sort of person who really enjoyed his privacy.
It wasn’t that he was shy, really. It wasn’t about shyness of any sort. He was just quiet. He liked his own space. Because really, what business did other people have knowing about the intricate details of his personal life? He just didn’t see how it mattered.
This was part of the reason he found the relentless interviews and press junkets and conventions and all that other publicity nonsense to be so damn tiring. He wasn’t one to complain, of course, especially when he had felt so fortunate for the sudden bit of luck he had been having career wise. Still, being thrust into the public eye lately just wasn’t really his thing.
All things considered though, he thought he had been handling things fairly well. He had been relaxed and patient and putting up with repeating and rehashing the same old answers to the same tired questions. He had even had a good amount of fun with it, which really surprised him. Dealing with the damn near endless publicity hadn’t been so bad with Chris around.
Ah, Chris. Mr. Chris Pine is where all the trouble started. And really, he should have known that actually enjoying himself for once wouldn’t lead to anything but trouble.
---
“Another interviewer asked about you today.”
Zach spoke in the general direction of the small table in which Chris was scanning over a local newspaper.
“Mm,” Was the disinterested response. Zach finished untying his shoe and chucked it at his lounging friend.
“Hey. You. I don’t appreciate your… heedlessness.”
Chris dipped the corner of the paper so an arched eyebrow was visible. “Heedlessness? That’s all you got? I’ve heard better.” His eyes returned to his paper. “I said ‘mm’,” he mumbled, as if that should be the end of the matter.
“Okay, yes. Anyway, the word ‘bromance’ came up again. It’s been tossed around a lot lately.”
“Bromances are all the rage, apparently.” Chris was still flipping casually through the paper, not even bothering to look up.
“Yes.”
Zach stood staring at his friend, willing him to look up from the goddamn paper that he probably wasn’t even reading.
Silence. Annoyed huff. Page flip.
“Doesn’t it annoy you?” Zach asked in a rushed, higher than usual tone. “Doesn’t it bother you that the media is practically calling us a couple?”
“Aw, man, I’m hurt that you don’t want me as your man-wife.”
“I’m glad you admit that you’d be the wife. But hey, no, that’s not…I mean…” Zach trailed off, scratching the back of his neck in thought. He couldn’t seem to phrase it properly. It didn’t help that Chris wasn’t even listening to him. “I was just thinking, isn’t it a shame that two guys can’t be friends without the media distorting it as something more? Just because you love a guy doesn’t mean you’re secretly masturbating to thoughts of him in the shower.” He let out a short laugh. “Or something,” he finished lamely.
Chris was still immersed in the newspaper in front of him. If anything, he seemed to have brought it up even higher, completely blocking his face from Zach’s view.
“Yeah. Listen did you want to get something to eat from that restaurant they have downstairs or do you want to go adventuring and search for something around the area?”
Zach’s head tilted to the side in frustration. “Come on, man. I’m complaining about the evil press and their malignant hold on society and how it’s skewing human relationships here. You always love to bitch about the media with me.” He cupped his hands together innocently and pouted his lips. “Please. Please bitch about the media with me.”
Chris rolled his eyes and finally set down the paper. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Damn reporters cracking jokes about us. The nerve they have!” He stood suddenly and punched the air dramatically. “We’re actors! We deserve respect! Now let’s get us some fucking food.”
Zach laughed, shrugging off the confusing nervousness he had felt a moment before. “Aw, come on. I just took off my shoes.”
Chris was already halfway out the door, grabbing the room key off the nightstand. “Shoes? Shoes are for commoners. We are above shoes!”
“Now you’re just…man, you’re not even making sense anymore.”
“Got a little carried away, didn’t I?”
“Yes. Yes you did.” Zach shoved his shoes back on, twisting awkwardly until he felt his foot fall into place, and followed Chris out the door.
---
Zach wasn’t being honest with himself when he wouldn’t admit to why the ‘bromance’ questions bothered him. He knew. He knew exactly why. He knew that sometimes he felt a little too comfortable invading his close friend’s personal space.
It just could be so… nice. He had met so very few people in life that really ‘clicked’ with him the way Chris did. He could have intelligent discussions with the guy, and then be laughing his ass off the next second. It was better with him around.
Everything about Chris just seems to radiate comfort. He just wants a little piece of that comfort, that’s all.
And yes, he does know how strange that sounds, thank you very much.
That’s why it's getting to him lately. That’s why he keeps trying to bring it up in conversation, as casually as possible. (Which isn’t very casually at all, as it turns out.)
He needs to know if Chris feels anything similar to what has been burrowing its way into his brain for the last few months. He just wants some kind of sign that he isn’t completely pathetic and making a big deal out of a simple friendship.
But he couldn’t be completely crazy, right? People don’t just feel amazing, unparalleled connections and not think about something more. Right?
Wrong. He had to be wrong. Every single time Zach brought it up--even hinted at it, for Christ sake--Chris would remain oblivious. Just sit there, being all carefree and Chris-like. He was tired of it.
One of these days, he was going to do something about it. One of these days.
Or, you know, he could just do nothing. Yeah, that’s probably the best option.
---
The sound of their drunken laughter echoed through the hotel hall as they stepped off the elevator onto their floor.
“And then you, you, dude,” Chris jabbed his pointer finger into his companion’s chest, “You completely tripped over her little-rat dog. You nearly killed that girl’s hideous puppy half-breed.”
Zach was laughing so hard he could hardly catch his breath, leaning on Chris’s shoulder because he didn’t have the strength to laugh and stand simultaneously.
“I know, I know! I literally was this close to being like, ‘Sorry, but I did sign an autograph for you. You owe me the life of your dog.”
“First the Chihuahua, then the world!” Chris laughed in agreement. “Oh, Zach, man,” He pulled his friend to a stop, still managing to keep his arms loosely held around Zach’s shoulder. “I think this is my room.”
“So it is, so it is,” Zach agreed absently. He was feeling kind of off again, sort of in an odd, tingling way. He must have had a few more beers than he thought.
“Well…” Chris tapped his fingers playfully on his friend’s shoulders. “I’m feeling pretty awake. And I’m pretty sure there’s a mini-fridge full of overpriced alcohol with our names on it.”
Zach grinned. Chris was still tapping out a rhythm less beat on his shoulder, and Zach could smell the thick aftertaste of beer coming from his friend’s mouth. A mouth that looked very close, with a tongue that quickly darted out to wet very pretty lips. All things that he found fascinating, for some reason.
“Well?” Chris waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “Sound enticing?”
Zach felt a sudden rush of warmth, and he let out a short laugh that may or may not have been an excuse to break eye contact. “Very enticing.”
Chris swiped the room key through the electronic lock and opened the door when the light flashed green. Zach trailed closely behind him, squinting his eyes to try and see through the darkness.
“Hey man, why don’t you turn on the li-oh!” Zach was cut short by Chris suddenly grabbing him by the side and shoving him back to the closed door. “Hey, what the hell? What are-”
“Just…” Chris interrupted in a harsh whisper. His eyes scanned over Zach’s face in the dark, his usually light eyes dilated in the black of the room. He sighed, voice softening. “Just shut up for a second, okay?”
Zach had his lips parted as if to speak, but he stayed silent. Zach was feeling the heat from Chris’s body, and he had to admit it felt nice to be so close to him. Kind of like how he always found himself leaning into Chris wherever they were, but even closer, even better. He lowered his head slightly and raised a questioning eyebrow.
Chris smiled. “Thanks. This won’t take long.”
That caught Zach off guard. “What won’t take long?” He was painfully aware that Chris could probably feel his heart beating. It seemed to be going at an unusually fast pace at the moment.
“Hey. I said quiet, you.” Chris said, sounding more amused than annoyed. “I just want to try something.” He paused, tongue playing on his lips. “I just… I need to know.”
Chris’s eyes scanned over Zach’s face carefully for another long moment. When he met Zach’s gaze again, his eyes looked almost completely black, all trace of the striking blue hidden by the darkened room. There was a seriousness there that Zach wasn’t used to, one that made his breath hitch without him even realizing.
Very slowly, Chris leaned in to Zach even more, pushing his body fully against his. One hand rested on the door, and the other was pressed onto Zach’s chest, pulling him down to his height and willing him closer. Zach felt his heartbeat in his fingertips, his mouth completely dry, and his eyes widening against his will as he thought, oh god.
Chris hesitated. He stopped just short of Zach’s mouth, their breath meeting together and heating each other’s lips. Chris cocked his head slightly, a sly smile threatening the corners of his mouth. His eyes flashed from Zach’s lips to his eyes, and then back down. He positioned his mouth in an attempt to get closer to Zach’s ear, but his lips ended up lightly brushing against Zach’s cheek.
“Tell me to stop,” he said barely above a whisper. Zach shivered.
Chris licked his lips, breathing gently into Zach’s cheek. When Zach didn’t answer, he lowered his head. Chris felt the muscles in Zach's throat move as he swallowed hard. Chris nibbled lightly on his neck, creating a trail of half-kisses. Chris shifted slightly and repositioned his hands and he made his way down Zach’s chest, hands tugging at the hips of his pants and finding their way back up his shirt.
Zach gasped at the contact. “Chris! I…”
Chris’s hands immediately stilled as he looked up questioningly.
“I…um.” Zach attempted to catch his breath. Which, really, he didn’t remember the last time he had this much trouble breathing.
Chris’s face broke into a large grin at Zach’s fumbling words. “I think, well,” Zach started again, “I mean, I…” He trailed off. Chris was giving him that I’m-so-amused-at-how-much-of-child-you-are look. Zach frowned. “Oh, fuck it.” He grabbed Chris by the shirt and drew him in for a hard, messy kiss. He could feel Chris’s shock at his sudden boldness, and he felt an indescribable rush when Chris relaxed into him. Chris’s arms trailed up his chest and wrapped around him, and he felt himself melting at the touch.
Everything about it just felt right. Everything about him just felt right. The wet, forceful feel of his lips, the hungry, roaming hands, and how everything between them felt like a fire of skin against skin. Zach felt himself arching off the door into Chris, and Chris responded with an appreciative groan.
He had never felt intensity like this, never felt a spark that made him burn quite like he felt now. He knew it was cheesy, and yes, his inner cynic might have been rolling his eyes. Might have been, that is, if he hadn’t been so preoccupied at the moment.
Later on in the evening, after many broken moans and bitten back swears and whispered names, Chris smiled happily to himself. Tracing a lazy path down Zach’s navel with his fingers and tapping out staccato beats on his skin, Chris spoke: “You know, this is all very bromantic.”
A beat.
“I hate you. I hate you so very, very much.”
----
Pairing: Chris Pine/ Zachary Quinto
Rating: PG-13
Word Count: 2130
Disclaimer: Not true. I'm a perv.
Summary: Silly fluff. Zachary doesn't like the word 'bromance'.
A/N: Quick and unbeta'd. Any corrections or concrit is welcomed, but I don't take this too seriously. I just had to get this out of my brain because AH I LOVE THEM SO MUCH. Basically this is set sometime in between all those hilarious (and freaking addicting) video interviews they were doing. So they're at some hotel. Somewhere.
---
Zach was the sort of person who really enjoyed his privacy.
It wasn’t that he was shy, really. It wasn’t about shyness of any sort. He was just quiet. He liked his own space. Because really, what business did other people have knowing about the intricate details of his personal life? He just didn’t see how it mattered.
This was part of the reason he found the relentless interviews and press junkets and conventions and all that other publicity nonsense to be so damn tiring. He wasn’t one to complain, of course, especially when he had felt so fortunate for the sudden bit of luck he had been having career wise. Still, being thrust into the public eye lately just wasn’t really his thing.
All things considered though, he thought he had been handling things fairly well. He had been relaxed and patient and putting up with repeating and rehashing the same old answers to the same tired questions. He had even had a good amount of fun with it, which really surprised him. Dealing with the damn near endless publicity hadn’t been so bad with Chris around.
Ah, Chris. Mr. Chris Pine is where all the trouble started. And really, he should have known that actually enjoying himself for once wouldn’t lead to anything but trouble.
---
“Another interviewer asked about you today.”
Zach spoke in the general direction of the small table in which Chris was scanning over a local newspaper.
“Mm,” Was the disinterested response. Zach finished untying his shoe and chucked it at his lounging friend.
“Hey. You. I don’t appreciate your… heedlessness.”
Chris dipped the corner of the paper so an arched eyebrow was visible. “Heedlessness? That’s all you got? I’ve heard better.” His eyes returned to his paper. “I said ‘mm’,” he mumbled, as if that should be the end of the matter.
“Okay, yes. Anyway, the word ‘bromance’ came up again. It’s been tossed around a lot lately.”
“Bromances are all the rage, apparently.” Chris was still flipping casually through the paper, not even bothering to look up.
“Yes.”
Zach stood staring at his friend, willing him to look up from the goddamn paper that he probably wasn’t even reading.
Silence. Annoyed huff. Page flip.
“Doesn’t it annoy you?” Zach asked in a rushed, higher than usual tone. “Doesn’t it bother you that the media is practically calling us a couple?”
“Aw, man, I’m hurt that you don’t want me as your man-wife.”
“I’m glad you admit that you’d be the wife. But hey, no, that’s not…I mean…” Zach trailed off, scratching the back of his neck in thought. He couldn’t seem to phrase it properly. It didn’t help that Chris wasn’t even listening to him. “I was just thinking, isn’t it a shame that two guys can’t be friends without the media distorting it as something more? Just because you love a guy doesn’t mean you’re secretly masturbating to thoughts of him in the shower.” He let out a short laugh. “Or something,” he finished lamely.
Chris was still immersed in the newspaper in front of him. If anything, he seemed to have brought it up even higher, completely blocking his face from Zach’s view.
“Yeah. Listen did you want to get something to eat from that restaurant they have downstairs or do you want to go adventuring and search for something around the area?”
Zach’s head tilted to the side in frustration. “Come on, man. I’m complaining about the evil press and their malignant hold on society and how it’s skewing human relationships here. You always love to bitch about the media with me.” He cupped his hands together innocently and pouted his lips. “Please. Please bitch about the media with me.”
Chris rolled his eyes and finally set down the paper. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Damn reporters cracking jokes about us. The nerve they have!” He stood suddenly and punched the air dramatically. “We’re actors! We deserve respect! Now let’s get us some fucking food.”
Zach laughed, shrugging off the confusing nervousness he had felt a moment before. “Aw, come on. I just took off my shoes.”
Chris was already halfway out the door, grabbing the room key off the nightstand. “Shoes? Shoes are for commoners. We are above shoes!”
“Now you’re just…man, you’re not even making sense anymore.”
“Got a little carried away, didn’t I?”
“Yes. Yes you did.” Zach shoved his shoes back on, twisting awkwardly until he felt his foot fall into place, and followed Chris out the door.
---
Zach wasn’t being honest with himself when he wouldn’t admit to why the ‘bromance’ questions bothered him. He knew. He knew exactly why. He knew that sometimes he felt a little too comfortable invading his close friend’s personal space.
It just could be so… nice. He had met so very few people in life that really ‘clicked’ with him the way Chris did. He could have intelligent discussions with the guy, and then be laughing his ass off the next second. It was better with him around.
Everything about Chris just seems to radiate comfort. He just wants a little piece of that comfort, that’s all.
And yes, he does know how strange that sounds, thank you very much.
That’s why it's getting to him lately. That’s why he keeps trying to bring it up in conversation, as casually as possible. (Which isn’t very casually at all, as it turns out.)
He needs to know if Chris feels anything similar to what has been burrowing its way into his brain for the last few months. He just wants some kind of sign that he isn’t completely pathetic and making a big deal out of a simple friendship.
But he couldn’t be completely crazy, right? People don’t just feel amazing, unparalleled connections and not think about something more. Right?
Wrong. He had to be wrong. Every single time Zach brought it up--even hinted at it, for Christ sake--Chris would remain oblivious. Just sit there, being all carefree and Chris-like. He was tired of it.
One of these days, he was going to do something about it. One of these days.
Or, you know, he could just do nothing. Yeah, that’s probably the best option.
---
The sound of their drunken laughter echoed through the hotel hall as they stepped off the elevator onto their floor.
“And then you, you, dude,” Chris jabbed his pointer finger into his companion’s chest, “You completely tripped over her little-rat dog. You nearly killed that girl’s hideous puppy half-breed.”
Zach was laughing so hard he could hardly catch his breath, leaning on Chris’s shoulder because he didn’t have the strength to laugh and stand simultaneously.
“I know, I know! I literally was this close to being like, ‘Sorry, but I did sign an autograph for you. You owe me the life of your dog.”
“First the Chihuahua, then the world!” Chris laughed in agreement. “Oh, Zach, man,” He pulled his friend to a stop, still managing to keep his arms loosely held around Zach’s shoulder. “I think this is my room.”
“So it is, so it is,” Zach agreed absently. He was feeling kind of off again, sort of in an odd, tingling way. He must have had a few more beers than he thought.
“Well…” Chris tapped his fingers playfully on his friend’s shoulders. “I’m feeling pretty awake. And I’m pretty sure there’s a mini-fridge full of overpriced alcohol with our names on it.”
Zach grinned. Chris was still tapping out a rhythm less beat on his shoulder, and Zach could smell the thick aftertaste of beer coming from his friend’s mouth. A mouth that looked very close, with a tongue that quickly darted out to wet very pretty lips. All things that he found fascinating, for some reason.
“Well?” Chris waggled his eyebrows suggestively. “Sound enticing?”
Zach felt a sudden rush of warmth, and he let out a short laugh that may or may not have been an excuse to break eye contact. “Very enticing.”
Chris swiped the room key through the electronic lock and opened the door when the light flashed green. Zach trailed closely behind him, squinting his eyes to try and see through the darkness.
“Hey man, why don’t you turn on the li-oh!” Zach was cut short by Chris suddenly grabbing him by the side and shoving him back to the closed door. “Hey, what the hell? What are-”
“Just…” Chris interrupted in a harsh whisper. His eyes scanned over Zach’s face in the dark, his usually light eyes dilated in the black of the room. He sighed, voice softening. “Just shut up for a second, okay?”
Zach had his lips parted as if to speak, but he stayed silent. Zach was feeling the heat from Chris’s body, and he had to admit it felt nice to be so close to him. Kind of like how he always found himself leaning into Chris wherever they were, but even closer, even better. He lowered his head slightly and raised a questioning eyebrow.
Chris smiled. “Thanks. This won’t take long.”
That caught Zach off guard. “What won’t take long?” He was painfully aware that Chris could probably feel his heart beating. It seemed to be going at an unusually fast pace at the moment.
“Hey. I said quiet, you.” Chris said, sounding more amused than annoyed. “I just want to try something.” He paused, tongue playing on his lips. “I just… I need to know.”
Chris’s eyes scanned over Zach’s face carefully for another long moment. When he met Zach’s gaze again, his eyes looked almost completely black, all trace of the striking blue hidden by the darkened room. There was a seriousness there that Zach wasn’t used to, one that made his breath hitch without him even realizing.
Very slowly, Chris leaned in to Zach even more, pushing his body fully against his. One hand rested on the door, and the other was pressed onto Zach’s chest, pulling him down to his height and willing him closer. Zach felt his heartbeat in his fingertips, his mouth completely dry, and his eyes widening against his will as he thought, oh god.
Chris hesitated. He stopped just short of Zach’s mouth, their breath meeting together and heating each other’s lips. Chris cocked his head slightly, a sly smile threatening the corners of his mouth. His eyes flashed from Zach’s lips to his eyes, and then back down. He positioned his mouth in an attempt to get closer to Zach’s ear, but his lips ended up lightly brushing against Zach’s cheek.
“Tell me to stop,” he said barely above a whisper. Zach shivered.
Chris licked his lips, breathing gently into Zach’s cheek. When Zach didn’t answer, he lowered his head. Chris felt the muscles in Zach's throat move as he swallowed hard. Chris nibbled lightly on his neck, creating a trail of half-kisses. Chris shifted slightly and repositioned his hands and he made his way down Zach’s chest, hands tugging at the hips of his pants and finding their way back up his shirt.
Zach gasped at the contact. “Chris! I…”
Chris’s hands immediately stilled as he looked up questioningly.
“I…um.” Zach attempted to catch his breath. Which, really, he didn’t remember the last time he had this much trouble breathing.
Chris’s face broke into a large grin at Zach’s fumbling words. “I think, well,” Zach started again, “I mean, I…” He trailed off. Chris was giving him that I’m-so-amused-at-how-much-of-child-you-are look. Zach frowned. “Oh, fuck it.” He grabbed Chris by the shirt and drew him in for a hard, messy kiss. He could feel Chris’s shock at his sudden boldness, and he felt an indescribable rush when Chris relaxed into him. Chris’s arms trailed up his chest and wrapped around him, and he felt himself melting at the touch.
Everything about it just felt right. Everything about him just felt right. The wet, forceful feel of his lips, the hungry, roaming hands, and how everything between them felt like a fire of skin against skin. Zach felt himself arching off the door into Chris, and Chris responded with an appreciative groan.
He had never felt intensity like this, never felt a spark that made him burn quite like he felt now. He knew it was cheesy, and yes, his inner cynic might have been rolling his eyes. Might have been, that is, if he hadn’t been so preoccupied at the moment.
Later on in the evening, after many broken moans and bitten back swears and whispered names, Chris smiled happily to himself. Tracing a lazy path down Zach’s navel with his fingers and tapping out staccato beats on his skin, Chris spoke: “You know, this is all very bromantic.”
A beat.
“I hate you. I hate you so very, very much.”
----