Fic: Stages of a Storm, Part 3: Energy Spending (or 'Take My Breath Away')
Stages of a Storm
Part 3: Energy Spending (or ‘Take My Breath Away’)
Pairing(s) in the story: Jemaine/Bret (Flight of the Conchords)
Author Name/Pen Name: she_burns1
Beta: lordstarfish
Disclaimer: I do not own Flight of the Conchords, or Hbo, or Bret, or Jemaine…though I will glad take donations of Bret/Jemaine!
Rating of story: PG
Word Count: 1,903
Brief summary: There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm-Willa Cather
Notes: I never listed how many part this whole story has! Silly me! This story has only 4 parts…so after this bit I’m posting today, the next thing I post will be the end! :D
Jemaine returned from the restroom and looked at Bret, who yet again had his head ducked behind a curtain at the window looking intently outside.
Jemaine shook his head. “Why are you looking again? Storm’s not going anywhere.”
“Yeah, but it’s neat to watch. You should see all this rain.”
“Let me guess, its water and it’s wet?”
“And there’s these little flashes of lighting…they’re quite cool. And the thunder…I think it made the glass of the window move at one point. D’you think it could break the glass?”
“Unlikely.”
“What about the power? It could go out-”
“Possibly, look do you maybe want to start the movie again?”
“How did I become the remote? You’re up too, why don’t you-”
“Sat back down all ready, you’re the only one up now, so-”
“Fine, fine.” Bret left the window and went back to the VCR, pushing play and starting the film once again as he returned to his seat on the couch.
“So let’s see, the main guy-”
“Maverick.”
“Maverick, right, he just got rejected by the hot blonde girl and he and his friends all have silly names and look at each other in disturbing fashion…think that about sums it up, right?”
“You need to summarize it? You only left a few seconds ago.”
“Mind wanders,” Jemaine muttered as he grabbed some more popcorn. As the film played it suddenly revealed that the hot blonde was actually named Charlie and one of Maverick’s instructors. Jemaine leaned back in his seat a little, “Oh! I see, she’s like his boss - maybe we should get a lady-boss - like a lady Murray.”
Bret’s mind went again to the man-man-man threesome and he shuddered. Murray wasn’t ugly, but not attractive… Jemaine wasn’t really that bad looking. He had had some pretty hot girlfriends in the past. Murray dropped out of the daydream and suddenly it was just a man-man vision.
Bret jumped and eyed the can Dave gave him. Maybe Jemaine was right, maybe this drink was a bad idea. Jemaine looked at Bret and nodded sympathetically, “You’re thinking of Murray with bosoms, too, aren’t you?”
“What?!” This shocked Bret out of everything.
Jemaine let out a breath, “Yeah, it’s just weird to even think about. Even if he wore a wig and had nice bosoms and, was, you know, a woman. Just…weird…”
“If he’s wearing a wig, how does that make him a woman all of the sudden?”
“I think we’ve had this discussion before, no need to rehash it. Oh! And look they did the bird-finger! We learned that! And now…hang on; see, now he’s acting a bit gay with that Goose guy. Is he really trying to get the girl or not?”
“Of course he is.”
“I dunno. First there was all the eye sex with the best pilot and now he’s all over Goose and I think the girl is even named Charlie-”
“Short for Charlotte.”
“Still, it seems kind of…and ok, shower locker scene with shirtless guys and towels and…you say this is your favorite movie?”
“It’s essential to the plot.”
“He’s - um - Maverick, he’s kind of close to that pilot again. Is that essential to the…is-is he going to kiss him?” Jemaine looked at Bret as he asked this question and suddenly Bret’s throat was tight. He swallowed, “Er, ah, no.”
Jemaine raised an eyebrow and turned back to the movie only to be greeted with a shirtless volleyball game, “Wow, it just continues.”
“Tom Cruise was popular back then. Girls liked him.”
“I know that, I wasn’t aware you did.”
Bret blinked and felt his cheeks heat up, “Wh-what?”
“This movie seems to be a showcase for Tom Cruise-shirtless and being all…dream boaty. I didn’t know you had a crush on him.”
“I don’t.”
“You said this movie is the best-”
“It is, but-”
“And that it gives you a hard-on-”
“I didn’t say-”
“It’s ok, you know…if…if,” Jemaine scratched at the back of his head, avoiding Bret’s eyes.
“I don’t have a crush on Tom Cruise.” Bret stressed.
“Well what about Maverick then?”
“Tom Cruise IS Maverick.”
“Oh. Riiiight.”
“You’re just looking for things in the movie to rip on me.”
“How so?”
“You keep pointing out all this inherent gayness you think you see-”
“I don’t just think it, I see it - there’s a lot of man nudity-”
“I think you just want to see a bit of gay in it.”
“Wha-? Why would I want to see gay in it?”
“I don’t know, man, that’s something I think you should figure out for yourself. Sort of a personal problem.”
“Look, there’s no - I don’t have a personal problem-”
“Except that you keep wanting to see gay in my movie.”
“Look, never mind - all right? I’m wrong, ok, there’s no gayness in the film.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“And I don’t have a crush on Tom Cruise.”
“Why would I say I don’t have a crush on Tom Cruise? Of course I don’t have a crush on him.”
“No, I - I want you to say that I don’t have a crush on him.” Bret pointed to himself.
“Oh no, I don’t think I can say that.”
“Why not?”
“You seem to be a pretty big fan of this movie, and since this movie showboats him, it just seems to me that you have a crush on him…that or maybe you want to be like him. I suppose if he had a beard, and a smaller nose, and was skinnier he might look a tad like you. Personally I don’t think you should try to acclimate his qualities, you know, I like your beard and your nose is good.”
“…thank you?”
“You’re welcome,” Jemaine beamed, he felt he had pretty much mastered compliments since the last time he had had to give them, “Oh, look, Meg Ryan! This helps the movie a lot then. She’s hot.”
“Not as hot as Charlie.”
“True - Charlie is hot. Meg Ryan is more cute than hot.”
Jemaine and Bret both reached for the popcorn and their hands brushed. They both pulled back, momentarily awkward. Jemaine tipped his head slightly, “Go ahead.”
Bret muttered a ‘thank you’ and took a handful. Jemaine went after him and there was a bright flash of lightning that actually illuminated the apartment from the inside out, followed by another disconcerting rumble from outside. Both Bret and Jemaine froze, a little disconcerted by it but eventually relaxing despite the sound of the rain growing more heavy and turbulent. Bret frowned, “Sounds like a war zone out there.”
“Sounds like a war zone in here too, would you stop that?”
“Stop what?”
“Aside from the film and the thunder, your feet have been tapping out a staccato on the floor for about an hour now.”
“Hasn’t been an hour.”
“Nevertheless.”
“Can’t help it. I can’t keep still.”
“It’s because of the drink, isn’t it? You’re hyped.”
“I’m not.”
“You are. Glad I only took a sip or two of mine.”
“Even if I am, I don’t know how to fix it.”
“Find some place for your feet to be. Or maybe you could separate them.”
“What?”
Jemaine shifted forward, not looking at Bret, “You…could put one foot behind my back and keep the other on the floor. If they were separated maybe you’d be less wound up.”
Bret wasn’t quite sure how that would work, but figured it was worth a try. He rearranged himself on the couch until one leg was stretched out and the other was on the floor, his back propped up against where the arm rest met base of the couch. It was actually quite comfortable and the relaxed position did make him feel better.
He looked warily at Jemaine, “Don’t lean back. If you do, you might crush my leg.”
“Don’t worry, not going to happen.” Jemaine was sitting up rigidly towards the end of the couch, his fingers interlinked, hands in front of him as he watched the screen intently, “They keep playing this song now. First they were playing the ‘Danger Zone’ too much and now it’s this ‘Breathless’ tune.”
“Do you not like the music?”
“No, actually I rather like this song.”
Bret and Jemaine both watched as Maverick and Charlie kissed, the song cresting as the scene cut to a dark, blue tinted room where they began to make love. Bret had somehow completely forgotten this scene was in the movie and cleared his throat, his arms tightening around himself.
Jemaine realized he was rocking a little in his seat while he watched and he immediately stopped. Why was it so hot in here? It seemed hot. Stifling. It was like the air had stopped moving. Or that it had been replaced with a thicker, denser substance. Breathing was very difficult.
He felt like there was some intense heat on him, like a laser. He could feel something behind him, where Bret’s foot rested and worse, to his right where the rest of Bret sat.
Jemaine spoke, even though he didn’t quite remember making his mouth move, “Don’t look at me while this scene is on.”
“I’m not looking at you.”
Bret’s voice sounded like it was right in his ear and Jemaine broke out in goose bumps. He rubbed at his arms and kept looking at the screen, unable to turn away. The kissing in this movie was rather…explicit. Even more so than the actual sex part. There was all this…tonguing.
Bret made sure his eyes were glued to the screen. He had told Jemaine he wasn’t looking at him while this scene was on and he wasn’t. He was instead worrying that his whole body might burst into flame. He was quite positive he was the worst shade of red imaginable. Why was this so embarrassing? It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen the movie before.
Once it was all over, both men let out a sigh of relief. The movie featured yet another men shower room scene but this time Jemaine didn’t comment on it. The sound of the rain drumming outside could still be heard in spite of the film and it was soothing.
Without realizing it, Jemaine had scooted fully back onto the couch, resting comfortably upon it, Bret’s leg wedged between him and (a bit beneath) a cushion.
Bret had edged the popcorn bowl closer to himself and was close to finishing the last few pieces off.
He loved this movie but as he was beginning to come down from his sugar high (and the unease of the sex scene) he too, was starting to feel lethargic. The couch suddenly felt very comfy and his one leg was so snug and warm that it somehow seemed to extend to the other and then through-out his whole body.
Jemaine leaned his head back on the couch and closed his eyes. Bret didn’t even notice as he kept trying to pay attention to the film but felt himself drifting off as well.
Urg...I ate too much dip & chips! I need to eat more wholesome foods!
Part 3: Energy Spending (or ‘Take My Breath Away’)
Pairing(s) in the story: Jemaine/Bret (Flight of the Conchords)
Author Name/Pen Name: she_burns1
Beta: lordstarfish
Disclaimer: I do not own Flight of the Conchords, or Hbo, or Bret, or Jemaine…though I will glad take donations of Bret/Jemaine!
Rating of story: PG
Word Count: 1,903
Brief summary: There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm-Willa Cather
Notes: I never listed how many part this whole story has! Silly me! This story has only 4 parts…so after this bit I’m posting today, the next thing I post will be the end! :D
Jemaine returned from the restroom and looked at Bret, who yet again had his head ducked behind a curtain at the window looking intently outside.
Jemaine shook his head. “Why are you looking again? Storm’s not going anywhere.”
“Yeah, but it’s neat to watch. You should see all this rain.”
“Let me guess, its water and it’s wet?”
“And there’s these little flashes of lighting…they’re quite cool. And the thunder…I think it made the glass of the window move at one point. D’you think it could break the glass?”
“Unlikely.”
“What about the power? It could go out-”
“Possibly, look do you maybe want to start the movie again?”
“How did I become the remote? You’re up too, why don’t you-”
“Sat back down all ready, you’re the only one up now, so-”
“Fine, fine.” Bret left the window and went back to the VCR, pushing play and starting the film once again as he returned to his seat on the couch.
“So let’s see, the main guy-”
“Maverick.”
“Maverick, right, he just got rejected by the hot blonde girl and he and his friends all have silly names and look at each other in disturbing fashion…think that about sums it up, right?”
“You need to summarize it? You only left a few seconds ago.”
“Mind wanders,” Jemaine muttered as he grabbed some more popcorn. As the film played it suddenly revealed that the hot blonde was actually named Charlie and one of Maverick’s instructors. Jemaine leaned back in his seat a little, “Oh! I see, she’s like his boss - maybe we should get a lady-boss - like a lady Murray.”
Bret’s mind went again to the man-man-man threesome and he shuddered. Murray wasn’t ugly, but not attractive… Jemaine wasn’t really that bad looking. He had had some pretty hot girlfriends in the past. Murray dropped out of the daydream and suddenly it was just a man-man vision.
Bret jumped and eyed the can Dave gave him. Maybe Jemaine was right, maybe this drink was a bad idea. Jemaine looked at Bret and nodded sympathetically, “You’re thinking of Murray with bosoms, too, aren’t you?”
“What?!” This shocked Bret out of everything.
Jemaine let out a breath, “Yeah, it’s just weird to even think about. Even if he wore a wig and had nice bosoms and, was, you know, a woman. Just…weird…”
“If he’s wearing a wig, how does that make him a woman all of the sudden?”
“I think we’ve had this discussion before, no need to rehash it. Oh! And look they did the bird-finger! We learned that! And now…hang on; see, now he’s acting a bit gay with that Goose guy. Is he really trying to get the girl or not?”
“Of course he is.”
“I dunno. First there was all the eye sex with the best pilot and now he’s all over Goose and I think the girl is even named Charlie-”
“Short for Charlotte.”
“Still, it seems kind of…and ok, shower locker scene with shirtless guys and towels and…you say this is your favorite movie?”
“It’s essential to the plot.”
“He’s - um - Maverick, he’s kind of close to that pilot again. Is that essential to the…is-is he going to kiss him?” Jemaine looked at Bret as he asked this question and suddenly Bret’s throat was tight. He swallowed, “Er, ah, no.”
Jemaine raised an eyebrow and turned back to the movie only to be greeted with a shirtless volleyball game, “Wow, it just continues.”
“Tom Cruise was popular back then. Girls liked him.”
“I know that, I wasn’t aware you did.”
Bret blinked and felt his cheeks heat up, “Wh-what?”
“This movie seems to be a showcase for Tom Cruise-shirtless and being all…dream boaty. I didn’t know you had a crush on him.”
“I don’t.”
“You said this movie is the best-”
“It is, but-”
“And that it gives you a hard-on-”
“I didn’t say-”
“It’s ok, you know…if…if,” Jemaine scratched at the back of his head, avoiding Bret’s eyes.
“I don’t have a crush on Tom Cruise.” Bret stressed.
“Well what about Maverick then?”
“Tom Cruise IS Maverick.”
“Oh. Riiiight.”
“You’re just looking for things in the movie to rip on me.”
“How so?”
“You keep pointing out all this inherent gayness you think you see-”
“I don’t just think it, I see it - there’s a lot of man nudity-”
“I think you just want to see a bit of gay in it.”
“Wha-? Why would I want to see gay in it?”
“I don’t know, man, that’s something I think you should figure out for yourself. Sort of a personal problem.”
“Look, there’s no - I don’t have a personal problem-”
“Except that you keep wanting to see gay in my movie.”
“Look, never mind - all right? I’m wrong, ok, there’s no gayness in the film.”
“And?”
“And what?”
“And I don’t have a crush on Tom Cruise.”
“Why would I say I don’t have a crush on Tom Cruise? Of course I don’t have a crush on him.”
“No, I - I want you to say that I don’t have a crush on him.” Bret pointed to himself.
“Oh no, I don’t think I can say that.”
“Why not?”
“You seem to be a pretty big fan of this movie, and since this movie showboats him, it just seems to me that you have a crush on him…that or maybe you want to be like him. I suppose if he had a beard, and a smaller nose, and was skinnier he might look a tad like you. Personally I don’t think you should try to acclimate his qualities, you know, I like your beard and your nose is good.”
“…thank you?”
“You’re welcome,” Jemaine beamed, he felt he had pretty much mastered compliments since the last time he had had to give them, “Oh, look, Meg Ryan! This helps the movie a lot then. She’s hot.”
“Not as hot as Charlie.”
“True - Charlie is hot. Meg Ryan is more cute than hot.”
Jemaine and Bret both reached for the popcorn and their hands brushed. They both pulled back, momentarily awkward. Jemaine tipped his head slightly, “Go ahead.”
Bret muttered a ‘thank you’ and took a handful. Jemaine went after him and there was a bright flash of lightning that actually illuminated the apartment from the inside out, followed by another disconcerting rumble from outside. Both Bret and Jemaine froze, a little disconcerted by it but eventually relaxing despite the sound of the rain growing more heavy and turbulent. Bret frowned, “Sounds like a war zone out there.”
“Sounds like a war zone in here too, would you stop that?”
“Stop what?”
“Aside from the film and the thunder, your feet have been tapping out a staccato on the floor for about an hour now.”
“Hasn’t been an hour.”
“Nevertheless.”
“Can’t help it. I can’t keep still.”
“It’s because of the drink, isn’t it? You’re hyped.”
“I’m not.”
“You are. Glad I only took a sip or two of mine.”
“Even if I am, I don’t know how to fix it.”
“Find some place for your feet to be. Or maybe you could separate them.”
“What?”
Jemaine shifted forward, not looking at Bret, “You…could put one foot behind my back and keep the other on the floor. If they were separated maybe you’d be less wound up.”
Bret wasn’t quite sure how that would work, but figured it was worth a try. He rearranged himself on the couch until one leg was stretched out and the other was on the floor, his back propped up against where the arm rest met base of the couch. It was actually quite comfortable and the relaxed position did make him feel better.
He looked warily at Jemaine, “Don’t lean back. If you do, you might crush my leg.”
“Don’t worry, not going to happen.” Jemaine was sitting up rigidly towards the end of the couch, his fingers interlinked, hands in front of him as he watched the screen intently, “They keep playing this song now. First they were playing the ‘Danger Zone’ too much and now it’s this ‘Breathless’ tune.”
“Do you not like the music?”
“No, actually I rather like this song.”
Bret and Jemaine both watched as Maverick and Charlie kissed, the song cresting as the scene cut to a dark, blue tinted room where they began to make love. Bret had somehow completely forgotten this scene was in the movie and cleared his throat, his arms tightening around himself.
Jemaine realized he was rocking a little in his seat while he watched and he immediately stopped. Why was it so hot in here? It seemed hot. Stifling. It was like the air had stopped moving. Or that it had been replaced with a thicker, denser substance. Breathing was very difficult.
He felt like there was some intense heat on him, like a laser. He could feel something behind him, where Bret’s foot rested and worse, to his right where the rest of Bret sat.
Jemaine spoke, even though he didn’t quite remember making his mouth move, “Don’t look at me while this scene is on.”
“I’m not looking at you.”
Bret’s voice sounded like it was right in his ear and Jemaine broke out in goose bumps. He rubbed at his arms and kept looking at the screen, unable to turn away. The kissing in this movie was rather…explicit. Even more so than the actual sex part. There was all this…tonguing.
Bret made sure his eyes were glued to the screen. He had told Jemaine he wasn’t looking at him while this scene was on and he wasn’t. He was instead worrying that his whole body might burst into flame. He was quite positive he was the worst shade of red imaginable. Why was this so embarrassing? It wasn’t like he hadn’t seen the movie before.
Once it was all over, both men let out a sigh of relief. The movie featured yet another men shower room scene but this time Jemaine didn’t comment on it. The sound of the rain drumming outside could still be heard in spite of the film and it was soothing.
Without realizing it, Jemaine had scooted fully back onto the couch, resting comfortably upon it, Bret’s leg wedged between him and (a bit beneath) a cushion.
Bret had edged the popcorn bowl closer to himself and was close to finishing the last few pieces off.
He loved this movie but as he was beginning to come down from his sugar high (and the unease of the sex scene) he too, was starting to feel lethargic. The couch suddenly felt very comfy and his one leg was so snug and warm that it somehow seemed to extend to the other and then through-out his whole body.
Jemaine leaned his head back on the couch and closed his eyes. Bret didn’t even notice as he kept trying to pay attention to the film but felt himself drifting off as well.
Urg...I ate too much dip & chips! I need to eat more wholesome foods!