Behind the Scenes
Author: http://dmitrimolotov.tumblr.com
Recipient: http://achievemen-puns.tumblr.com
Summary: It’s the red carpet premiere of Geoff’s controversial directing debut, and just another rodeo for Hollywood’s sweetheart and lead actor, Ryan. The film was drenched in drama, allegations of violence, speculations of a falling out between actor and director. But something else had been going on behind the scenes too…
Warnings: mentions of torture, allegations of abuse, hurt/comfort.
WordCount: 5359
Behind the Scenes
Geoff stepped out of the limousine and onto the plush red carpet; his black leather shoes shined to almost-mirror quality, the immaculate folds of his jet-black trousers falling to the perfectly-tailored length, smoothing his matching single-breasted jacket over them as he stood up tall. He checked his cufflinks on his freshly pressed ivory-white shirt and straightened his signature black bow tie. He should have been in his element.
He was not.
Luckily, it didn’t show on his face, as he twisted his moustache into place and ran a hand over his slicked-back hair. His heavy-lidded blue-grey eyes the only thing giving away his apprehension as they darted over the crowd.
Ryan wasn’t here yet.
He relaxed a little and made his way past the strobe lights of camera flashes with barely a smirk and a wink for them, ignoring their requests of “Mr Ramsey, over here!” and “smile for the insert-shitty-news-rag-here.” He made a beeline for the champagne and vaguely wondered if he was eccentric enough to demand a whiskey on the red carpet. Probably not the best night to test that. Things would be tense enough as it was. He snatched up a champagne flute and downed the meagre amount in one gulp, glancing around to see if anyone had noticed, but they were too busy fussing over some blonde starlet’s choice of backless sequinned gown. Although Geoff had to admit, he did look stunning in it. He set down his empty glass and took another, topping it up with the contents from a third before stalking away from the drinks table, with slightly more nerve to face the crowds. They were here for him after all.
Yeah, just keep telling yourself that.
He had every intention to, in fact. It was his film. Motherfucking Geoff Lazer Ramsey directed a goddamned film. It was his idea, his story, he’d written most of the screenplay, admittedly he’d needed a little help adapting it, but otherwise, at its core, it was almost entirely his work. He should be proud. It was a shitfight, but it was over and it turned out fine and he was proud. He was also nervous. Incredibly nervous.
His thoughts again drifted to Ryan.
He took a sip of champagne that was probably a little too long to be considered appropriate, but again, it went unnoticed. Ok, so actors generally get more recognition than their directors, that’s not unusual. Especially when they’re A-listers and you’re barely a blip on the radar. Too distant and alienated to be a Hollywood darling, not rich or mysterious enough to be considered an eccentric genius. There was plenty of drama surrounding him though; controversial enough because of its content, the film had a legacy of its own already, and its reception tonight could make or break him. He had to fight the urge to rub his hands over his face. Granted, that was easier holding a champagne flute. Instead, he took another long sip, straightened up and stepped into the crowd of reporters with a welcoming grin on his face.
“Mr Ramsey!” The first of the cries for attention went out and Geoff spun nearly a full 360 degrees to locate the source: a young brunette woman with her hair pulled fiercely back into a bun and some trash TV channel microphone with a bright pink logo emblazoned on the side.
“Care to say a few words about the alleged fallout between yourself and Ryan Haywood?”
Geoff instinctively rolled his eyes. Of course… it was always about him.
He reminded himself of the diplomatic answer he’d been rehearsing just for this moment… and probably several more over the course of the night.
“It’s not unusual for people with such, uh, such different and strong personalities to …lock horns on issues of direction.” Perfect. Diplomatic, not too passionate or involved, no hint at what was actually going on. “So while things occasionally got heated, uh, on set, Ryan and I still have a healthy and professional respect for one another and maybe we’ll even work together at some point in the future. Who knows?” Geoff gave her a winning smile, keeping his emotions under strict lock-down.
Barely batting an eyelid, she added, “So how do you respond to the allegations that you physically assaulted him during filming? That you resorted to measures that some would describe as psychological torture in your direction?”
“Oh come on. That’s bullshit.” So much for those emotions being on lockdown.
As soon as he said it he could visualise the headlines, the click-bait titled articles: Ramsey lashes out over allegations of physical violence on set.
He sighed and fought the urge to pull at his hair, carefully considering his next words.
A loud growl from an engine started a rolling murmur through the reporters and everyone turned to the entrance, craning their necks or shifting to find a better position to see, silently scoping out their plan of attack, all the while pretending to continue to give a shit about who they were currently talking to, when all they really wanted was to drop everything to run to interview the man who’d just arrived.
Ryan fucking Haywood.
Asshole always liked to make an entrance.
The reporter Geoff had been talking to didn’t even bother excusing herself, just muttered a quick “thank you for your time,” as she hurried off to join the throngs already positioning themselves to compete for Ryan’s attention.
Geoff went back to the drinks table to top up his glass and hung back to watch the show.
Ryan arrived in style. He always did. It was a little quirk of his. This time he pulled up in a slick black and green supercar of some kind with an engine that could be heard even over all the music and chatter and commotion of the premiere. When Ryan got out of the car it was from the driver’s seat. He threw the keys to the valet, who was caught entirely off-guard, assuming her job was just waving through limousines and not that she would be parking any actual cars that evening. Still, she seemed more than happy to slide behind the wheel of Ryan’s car, and even happier when he slipped her what was probably an excessively generous tip.
Even Geoff had to admit Ryan looked good. Really good. He didn’t often get dressed up, and during filming he’d been getting around in a T-shirt and jeans when he wasn’t in costume.
Not that he was really ‘dressed up’ tonight; he was wearing a fitted, plain black T-shirt paired with a simple black blazer over matching suit pants and black polished boots. He pushed waves of sandy hair back off his face, a few days’ worth of stubble softening the harshness of his all-black outfit, the ginger tinge in his beard accentuating the impossibly clear blue of his eyes.
“No date tonight?” One of the reporters yelled out from the crowd.
Geoff hadn’t even noticed. Ryan sometimes was accompanied by a pretty young thing, Geoff had assumed his publicist was responsible, but tonight his lack of escort made Geoff feel a little bit proud.
Ryan laughed easily, “No, but you never know who I might go home with.”
He gave them a wink and Geoff could’ve sworn he saw half a dozen people swoon.
Geoff rolled his eyes and turned away.
It’s good publicity. Better than you could’ve paid for.
Their public fallout had generated a sensation among the media. They never could resist drama, second to casting Ryan Haywood as lead; it had been the best thing to happen to his story since he wrote it.
Behind him, Ryan started an easy conversation with a reporter; Geoff heard him laugh and couldn’t help but eavesdrop.
“No! Geoff is a pleasure to work with… mostly… well sometimes.” Ryan laughed again. “We had our differences.”
Geoff stole a glance over his shoulder. There was that smile again, the one that made Geoff’s knees a little weak every time.
The reporter pressed on, “there have been allegations of physical abuse…”
Geoff turned away again, slinking out of earshot, and took another long sip of his drink. He didn’t want to hear how Ryan responded to that, how he might escalate it.
“Geoff!” A young reporter with bright green eyes, shaggy blonde hair and a distinctly English accent flagged him down excitedly. “Sorry,” he instantly bit his tongue, “Mr Ramsey, I have some questions if you don’t mind.”
The lad was wearing an ill-fitting suit that somehow made him look remarkably charming and Geoff took an instant shine to him.
“You can call me Geoff,” he took a civilised sip of champagne this time, “what can I do for ya, kid?”
The reporter seemed a little flustered, “Uh, my name’s Gavin, I’m with…”
Geoff would’ve liked to have said he paid attention, but he was a little mesmerised by the animated way the reporter was going on, he couldn’t have remembered the paper or show or whoever he was interviewing him for if he’d tried. He’d probably regret that later.
“…so I guess my first question is: How does it feel to be walking your first red carpet as a director? I mean, is it different than as a writer? Especially since for this one you’re both?”
The kid seemed really flustered, Geoff felt a little sorry for him, giving him a warm, relaxed smile.
“It’s not really any different. Especially with Mr Bigshot over there hogging all the attention,” he jerked his thumb in Ryan’s direction, where he was effortlessly dealing with a circus of reporters and the public crowds, alternately answering questions, signing things and posing for photos.
Geoff winced, he needed to stop shifting the focus away from himself, “I mean, I’m mostly here for the free booze…” He laughed, not sure how truthful he was being, “But no, it is great to see everyone that’s turned up, and …uh… I hope they can get something meaningful out of the film.”
Gavin hardly glanced in Ryan’s direction, continuing with his line of questions as if Geoff was the only other person in the world. Maybe the kid was more professional than he’d given him credit for.
“So you’re film, Behind the Lines… It’s rumoured to be quite controversial. Just, in your own words, what was the inspiration for the story?”
Geoff huffed a laugh, immediately dismissing his previous thought, ok maybe professional, but definitely not experienced, that was a rookie question at best. Still, he seemed nice and he’d learn; Geoff cut him some slack.
“Well, it’s semi-biographical. You learn a lot as a journalist in the military… as you can imagine, it’s not really champagne and canapés. There are some amazing stories out there and we don’t get to hear about them because they’re not the stories that play well on the nightly news. They’re not the stories that add to the tally on our scoreboard… but they’re stories of courage and bravery and people going through hell and sometimes not coming back.” Geoff cleared his throat, feeling a wave of emotions wash over him, fire burning in his chest with the same passion that started him writing the script for the film… “And they need to be told.”
He’d wanted to do the story justice, to make sure it was told in exactly the right way, because it was the story of his friends and colleagues and enemies and allies who no longer had a voice to tell it. It was the same passion that had driven him in directing the film, the same intensity he’d tried to convey through his actors…
* * *
“Cut!” Geoff yelled, rubbing both hands over his face. “In fact, take five, I need a minute here.”
Ryan started to skulk away, but Geoff put an arm out to stop him, “Not you.”
The way he’d said it, almost growled it, made some of the crew uncomfortable enough to wander out of earshot over to the snack table. Geoff noted others keeping a close eye on the action.
Strangely, it intrigued Ryan. He was used to directors letting him do pretty much his own thing these days, especially ones as fresh as Geoff Ramsey. Ryan was experienced and respected enough in the industry that directors often asked him for advice, so to have a relative rookie stand up to him like this was almost refreshing in a way. He saw it as a challenge.
“You got some tips for me, boss?” Ryan expertly managed to sound simultaneously cajoling and impudent and it made Geoff’s blood boil.
Geoff had had his fair share of asshole actors and producers try to walk over him already and he was having none of it. He’d worked hard to get where he was and this story was far too important to him to let an A-lister with an ego to stroke get to him, even if it was Ryan.
“You’ve uh… you’ve never been in the military have you, kid?”
Kid? Now Ryan’s attention was well and truly piqued; he wasn’t young by Hollywood standards, it’d been years since anyone even jokingly called him kid.
“Can’t say I have,” he confessed. “Seen a fair few films about it though.” His words dripped condescension.
Geoff wanted to slap him. Ryan Haywood had been a starring actor in several “war films”, but despite hiring consultants – seemingly expressly to have their opinions ignored – none had been remotely accurate in their portrayal. It was mostly action movie bullshit. A glamorized version of the “success stories” of war.
Geoff promised himself his would be different.
“You need to be taken down a peg, Haywood.”
Ryan raised an eyebrow in defiance, “oh yeah, you think so?”
Geoff shook his head, “You’re playing him too cocky. This kid would’ve been scared shitless; I know, I was there. I want you to experience just a little bit of what he would’ve gone through so you get a better idea…”
“I’ve done stuff like this before...”
“And that’s why I expect more from you.”
“Ouch.” Ryan deadpanned.
“I don’t think you’re understanding me.” Geoff got up in his face, recalling his drill sergeant using a similar intimidation tactic to break in new recruits.
“Ok. Make me understand then. I want to understand.”
* * *
Geoff shook off the memories, reminding himself to stay present.
“So your film really pushes the boundaries in terms of content…” The reporter continued, “Do you think people will be put off, especially after hearing about your somewhat unconventional motivation tactics?”
“Not at all,” Geoff jumped in defensively, “I think that’s something that’s been overblown in the media… I did what I thought was necessary to get the performance the film needed from its actors. It’s hardly revolutionary for a director to find ways to help actors get into character.”
* * *
Geoff had originally thought Ryan was challenging him, but it turned out he was genuinely eager to learn and to get into character. Geoff told him stories, talked him through the emotions, the justifications they had to make to themselves to just exist in that kind of environment. Ryan took it all on board willingly. Granted, it wasn’t an easy thing to do. Geoff left out no details, he was graphic and visceral and Ryan was attentive, asking questions, taking notes.
Still, his performance was critical and Geoff needed him to truly understand…
“Again!”
“Again?” Ryan was hitting the edge of exhaustion.
Ryan was right where Geoff wanted him, so close to the right mindset, but too defiant and stubborn to realise it.
“Yep, you heard me,” Geoff insisted.
Ryan was not well-known as a method actor; he’d always been very private about his motivations and it was something that irked Geoff – he liked to know what his actors were up to, where they were drawing their inspiration, where their heads were at going into a scene. Geoff had been pushing him hard.
The scene demanded Ryan kneel on concrete, nearly naked with his hands tied above his head. After several hours of filming, take after take, his knees were raw, he was visibly sweating from the lights, his muscles were straining from the position; if you looked closely you could see his veins bulging beneath his skin. It was a physically and emotionally demanding scene, critical to the film. It would be the make-or-break moment. Ryan was close to losing it. But it was so close to perfect.
“Surely we have something we can use?” Ryan pleaded, a bead of sweat breaking on his forehead and rolling down his face into his eye. He blinked it away and Geoff noticed he’d started trembling.
“Not even close,” Geoff waved dismissively, “Again.”
“Geoff!” Ryan’s voice cracked. He swallowed hard. “Please?”
Geoff glared at him and raised an eyebrow, “Work through it Haywood.”
Ryan’s head fell in defeat, actual tears collecting at the corners of his eyes.
“Again.”
“No! I need a break. Let me down. Now.” Ryan snapped.
Bingo.
The crew began to move to let him down, fetch him food, water, clothes, whatever he needed, but Geoff held up a hand to stop them.
“No,” Geoff said simply, “Again.”
“What? No! This is fucked up Geoff, I need a break –”
The crew wasn’t sure what to do, glancing between the two of them, but hesitating.
“Again!” Geoff repeated.
Ryan’s eyes were rimmed red, stress and tears building, he was visibly shaking now, whether from rage or exertion, holding himself in position for so long, it didn’t matter; this was exactly the performance Geoff needed. Exactly the desperation.
“You’re done when I say we’re done.”
Ryan swallowed, holding back the tears and channelling his emotions into his performance.
Just once more…
* * *
“In an interview with Ryan Haywood, he said he was forced to endure ‘hours of physical torture… and isolation’, designed to mimic torture conditions…”
Geoff cut him off before he could say any more “-And that was all with consultation. We both wanted a genuine reaction and Ryan’s a professional who made it very clear he was happy to go along with my suggestions.”
“Does that really excuse your actions though? Especially for the sake of a film designed to expose the hypocrisy…”
Geoff stopped paying attention. It felt like he had been punched in the gut. He never wanted it to come out like this.
There was so much he couldn’t say… If only they knew…
* * *
“And cut! Good job everyone; I think we have what we need.”
The crew immediately attended Ryan, who very quietly snuck back to his dressing room. The look on his face wasn’t unfamiliar to Geoff and he felt an acute pang of guilt.
Geoff waited until the set was relatively clear and crept back to Ryan’s dressing room, knocking softly at the door.
A voice that sounded far too small to belong to Ryan answered, “yeah?”
“Ryan? It’s me.” Geoff cracked open the door, “I just wanted to check you were ok…”
Ryan was sitting in the middle of the floor, his knees drawn up to his chest, a blanket draped over is shoulders, forearms wrapped around his shins, with his ear resting on his knee, a vacant, faraway expression on his still tear-streaked face. How much of that was genuine or from his performance Geoff couldn’t tell.
Geoff instinctively went to him, putting one arm around him, and pulling him in close. Understanding the need to feel reassuring human contact after such an ordeal, even if it was only a recreation. Ryan leaned into him, and Geoff could feel him trembling. He felt sick.
They had been dating since Geoff cast him in the role. They’d clicked instantly. No one knew. It might have been seen as a conflict of interest and they didn’t want it getting out just yet. Ryan had a reputation to protect and Geoff was still an up and comer, he wanted to make it on his own merits, not just because he was Ryan Haywood’s boyfriend.
But seeing Ryan like this, Geoff needed to be close to him.
They loved each other, but the situation was delicate, fragile, something to be handled with care.
“I am so sorry buddy. I never want to put anyone through that again. I was a jerk.”
“No… it’s ok, sometimes I need it… I know how important this is to you,” Ryan mused, “I want it to be perfect.”
“Buddy, it was perfect,” Geoff reassured him, squeezing him in a little tighter, “thank you.”
“I love you, Geoff.”
“I love you too, Ryan.”
* * *
The reporter pressed on with his questions and Geoff felt a pit open in his stomach.
“…And how do you respond to the allegations of physical abuse?”
Geoff had been terrified this was coming…
* * *
“I love that you give a damn, Geoff,” Ryan mumbled, his lips still pressed against Geoff’s own. “I’m sorry I caused a scene… again.”
Geoff kissed him back, still calming down after his outburst.
Geoff had called a break after Ryan stormed off mid-take. Knowing each other so intimately off-screen had led to some more passionate outbursts on set and Geoff was now acutely aware that the crew suspected something else was going on. Geoff had been careful not to push him so hard, but there were still moments where he would get carried away. Like now. Geoff hadn’t been able to keep his cool with Ryan any longer and exploded at him about being unprofessional, petulant, childish… he couldn’t remember the specifics of what he’d said, but there was no doubt he was being hugely hypocritical… After Ryan stormed off, Geoff had chased after him, finding him behind an unused set, pacing the way he would when something was bothering him and he couldn’t say.
Now, Geoff could feel him unable to hold back his cheeky grin, the same one he flashed when he was deliberately trying to rile Geoff up on set.
“You asshole,” Geoff pushed him back against the wall and kissed him harder.
Ryan kept trying to talk between breaths, “I’ll try to do better, ‘kay?”
“Shut up, Ryan, you’re doing great.” Geoff just kept trying to kiss him.
“I think someone’s coming – ” Ryan, startled, broke away from the kiss but Geoff still had his hand pressed against Ryan’s chest.
The grip who’d come around the corner was confronted with a very scared looking Ryan and a still disgruntled Geoff pinning him against the wall. The grip immediately turned on her heel and scurried away.
“Shit,” Geoff muttered, “That’s not gonna look good…”
* * *
Geoff couldn’t think of anything to say. He was on the defence again, feeling like he’d been backed into a corner.
“What kind of bullshit picture is being painted here?”
Gavin wasn’t even slightly taken aback by Geoff’s sudden outburst, instead pushing forward with his questions, “Your film takes a tough stance on torture, does your condoning it for a genuine performance really justify its use?”
Geoff was hyper focused now, the priority to defend the film almost forgotten in the moment; all he could think was to defend his relationship with Ryan. “Everything that happened with Ryan, he consented to.”
“Or is he just scared to speak up?” Gavin continued, checking notes on his phone, “Crew members alleged you would take him aside, alone, and that they were worried for his safety. An anonymous source from the set alleged Haywood was wary to keep an eye on you at all times.”
That sly motherfucker. He wasn’t a rookie at all, he was a manipulator. He’d already gotten under Geoff’s skin. Everything about him was fake, planted to make him feel comfortable before springing the hard questions to get a reaction out of him. The guy was a goddamned pro.
“So what’s really going on between you and Ryan Haywood?”
Geoff was quietly seething now, defensive, irritated, a little drunk. All those emotions he was trying to keep in check bubbling away just beneath the surface.
“None of your goddamned business.”
He wanted to hit him, but he at least had the sense to keep that under control. Instead he downed the remainder of his glass, planted it on a nearby table and walked away; noticing Ryan breaking free from the crowd and heading towards the entrance to the reception hall as the premiere was about to get underway. Geoff intercepted him, grabbing him by the wrist as he stormed past, hurriedly pulling him towards the bathrooms inside without a word.
A flurry of reporters rushed after them, rapid-fire camera flashes and questions following them, a mass of confusion and concern; the unsuspecting security personnel getting rushed by the wave of press as Geoff and Ryan pushed past them to the relative privacy of the rear bathrooms.
Geoff dragged Ryan inside and locked the door behind him.
“Geoff? What the hell?” Ryan looked flustered, his hair tousled, cheeks tinted pink with embarrassment at being swept away.
A heavy knock on the door, followed by the rattling of the door handle made them both jump.
“Everything ok in there?” A deep voice boomed from outside, “Do you need assistance?”
Geoff exhaled into his hands, rubbing his face. Ryan glared at him sceptically.
“Everything’s fine,” Ryan replied confidently, “just need a moment of privacy. Thank you.”
Ryan narrowed his eyes at Geoff, “care to explain?”
Geoff pulled at his hair and drew a deep breath.
“I can’t do this anymore, Ryan.”
“What are you talking about? Are you ok?” Ryan was genuinely concerned; his eyes scanning Geoff’s face for what might be bothering him so much… He had his suspicions.
“I’m sick of always being the bad guy… What did you say to them, Ryan? What did you tell them about us?”
“I didn’t say anything!”
“They’re all going on about torture! Saying I abused you, I hit you…” He could hear the quaver in his voice.
Ryan bit his lip and looked around nervously. “Look, Geoff… I’m sorry! They kept setting it up, saying that they had heard rumours from the set. I tried to make it like a joke, but it came out all wrong. I tried to stick with our story as much as I could, but they backed me into a corner and I had to run with it. I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry. I fucked up.”
“I didn’t want it to be like this…”
“Geoff, it’s the press, they’re always gonna blow stuff like this up.” Ryan was calm and reasonable, used to dealing with the media, “It won’t last forever; it’s good publicity for the film and soon, they’re all going to forget about it anyway. It’ll be ok…”
“It’s not ok Ryan. They’re right, I shouldn’t have treated you like that,” Geoff’s voice cracked, “I don’t deserve you.”
Ryan could tell Geoff had managed to work himself into a state. He tried to steer him towards the sinks, but Geoff was starting to pace again.
“Geoff, stop,” Ryan put his hands on Geoff’s shoulders, giving them a reassuring squeeze, “it’s over. It’s all done. I’m fine, you’re fine. We’re here to celebrate. You’ve done a great job. Really.”
Geoff shook his head, “It’s not even about the film anymore… I just don’t want to pretend anymore, Ryan. Take that how you will.”
“How am I supposed to take it? Are you –” Ryan’s brow furrowed – “do you want to end it?”
Ryan’s hands slid off Geoff’s shoulders and hung limply by his sides, almost helplessly.
Geoff scratched at his head, looking around, anywhere but Ryan’s face, “No! …I don’t know… I just… I don’t want things to be like this anymore. I want to come clean.” Geoff paced a little, still avoiding eye contact. Had he looked up, he would’ve seen Ryan’s eyes shimmering. “I want to be allowed to love you. I hate pretending like we’re fighting. I hate that it doesn’t seem to bother you at all.”
“Geoff, please… you don’t really think it doesn’t bother me?” Ryan sniffed, “I’m an actor! It’s literally my job to pretend. It doesn’t mean I like it, I just roll with it. I never wanted it to be like this either…”
He put a hand on Geoff’s arm again, trying to make him look him in the face. Geoff took a deep breath and tentatively looked up at him.
“But you know what? Things don’t have to be like this. We don’t have to keep hiding this from people. We can work something out. It’s not a big deal,” Ryan smiled gently.
It took a moment for it to sink in. “Wait, what? I thought… That’s something you’d be ok with?”
Ryan huffed a laugh, “Of course!”
“You’re not worried about your reputation?”
“Geoff, really? I thought you were… You’re not worried about your reputation?”
“What reputation? Dude, I love you. I don’t care what anyone thinks about it. I’ve just had enough of this bullshit drama. I just… I never wanted to hurt you. I want to be able to explain…”
“Hey, you don’t have to explain anything. I can handle this one.”
Geoff took a minute to compose himself, nodding, trying to calm his nerves, wiping the tears away before they could start properly. He felt like he needed another drink.
“I don’t know what I did to deserve you...”
“Aww, Geoff. That’s really sweet. I love you too, you old softie.”
Geoff laughed, “Yeah, alright, that’s not a reputation I want…”
“Geoff. Shut up,” Ryan pulled him into a kiss.
Relief washed over him as he melted into it, forgetting where they were, the act they were supposed to be keeping up and he just let himself get lost in the moment. This is what he wanted.
“Wanna blow this place?” Geoff murmured, only just pulling away from the kiss.
Ryan pulled away a little breathless, “what about the film?”
Geoff smirked, “The story’s been told, that’s all I wanted. It’s out there now.”
Ryan nodded, “If you’re sure.”
“I am,” Geoff kissed him again.
* * *
Geoff woke tangled in the bedsheets of Ryan’s king-sized bed. He’d slept better than he had in a long time. Without disturbing Ryan, who was still sleeping beside him, Geoff grabbed his pants off the floor, fished his phone from the pocket and started to check for news of the films reception. Instead, he stumbled across an article:
What happened in the bathroom?
Writer-Director Geoff Ramsey was seen leaving the red carpet premiere of his debut film Behind the Lines, with lead actor Ryan Haywood last night in a bizarre move that left people scratching their heads. It was a tense moment on the red carpet when Ramsey abruptly ended an interview and dragged Haywood into the bathroom in front of journalists and onlookers. There were fears for the star’s safety as allegations of physical violence and abuse between the pair had surrounded the film during production. However, it seems the two got rather cosy in there, emerging some time later in good spirits; they were snapped holding hands before skipping the screening entirely. Ramsey left with Haywood, who earlier that evening commented “you never know who I might go home with.” We never would have guessed! So it seems assumptions about the pair’s relationship on set were wildly misplaced. Despite the disappearance of the men of the hour, the film was well-received by audiences and critics alike, with Haywood’s performance being praised as award-worthy. Both Ramsey and Haywood declined to be interviewed, leaving everyone wondering: what happened in the bathroom? And does Hollywood have a new power couple?
Geoff smiled, turned off his phone and rolled back over to put his head on Ryan’s shoulder. Ryan stirred and softly kissed the top of Geoff’s head, pulling him in closer.
“I take it the premiere went well?” Ryan murmured, still sleepy.
“You know what? Doesn’t matter.”
Ryan smiled, eyes still closed, “Well, you seem happy this morning.”
“Yeah,” Geoff sighed contentedly, closing his eyes to go back to sleep, “That’s because I am.”