[#064] Unpredictable (FAKE)

[badly_knitted]

Theme Prompt: #064 – Rainy Day
Title: Unpredictable
Fandom: FAKE
Rating/Warnings: PG
Bonus: Yes
Word Count: 1000
Summary: The unexpected rain is seriously going to mess up the movie’s filming schedule, unless the stuntmen are willing to work in the downpour.
A/N: Stuntman AU



Dee peered out the trailer window through the driving rain, watching people scurrying about with waterproof tarps, trying to protect expensive equipment.

“Whelp, that’s us royally screwed,” he said dismally. “Was this even forecast?”

“Why’re you asking me?” Ryo was sitting at the table, going over the blocking for the next stunt. “I was last night’s shoot, the wire stunt, remember? I didn’t stick around to check the weather forecast; I hit the hay right after I was through for the night, so I’d be rested and ready for today.”

“Right, sorry, forgot. It’s just, you usually know this stuff; you don’t leave anything to chance if you can help it.” The life of a stuntman was dangerous enough without taking unnecessary chances with things like the weather.

“You could’ve checked the forecast yourself,” Ryo pointed out, glancing over his shoulder at his friend and fellow stuntman.

They’d grown used to sharing a trailer and hanging out between takes; this was the third time they’d worked together in the eight months since they’d first met on the set of a big, star-studded action movie. This movie had a much smaller budget, but it was paying work and it slotted into their schedules neatly; it should wrap before they were due on set to begin filming the next Devon Hall movie, where Ryo was to be the star’s stunt double while Dee once again doubled for the villain. Although, if the rain kept up filming might well fall behind schedule, which would be bad.

“Could’ve but I didn’t. Obviously.” Dee flashed a grin at the man he wished was more than just his friend. “Maybe they could change things around a bit, shoot the stuff inside first.”

“Maybe.” Ryo sounded dubious. “But if the rain’s set in for the day it won’t help much.” He reached for his phone and pulled up the forecast, making a sound of annoyance.

“What?”

“According to this, we’re getting the edge of a tropical storm that’s unexpectedly changed direction. We can look forward to heavy rain for the next three days.”

“Oh great.” Dee sauntered over, slumping into the seat opposite Ryo. “Not just screwed but officially sunk. All we’ve got left are the outdoor stunts; if production’s halted for three days we’re gonna be stuck here longer than planned and that’s gonna screw up the filmin’ schedule for the next movie. We still gotta get across country when we’re wrapped here.”

This movie was currently filming on location in New Orleans whereas the next one was shooting at one of the major studios in Hollywood.

A thoughtful look came over Ryo’s face as he studied the sketches and plans in front of him. “There’s another option, if you’re up for it.”

“Whaddaya mean?”

“Maybe filming doesn’t have to stop. How d’you feel about getting a bit wet?”

Dee stared across the table. “You can’t be serious! You wanna go ahead and film in this?” He gestured towards the rain streaming down the trailer’s windows. “It’s like a monsoon out there; we’d drown!”

Ryo snorted, amused. “Drama queen! Okay, it’s coming down pretty hard, but that could work in our favour. No equipment required for the next stunt, it’s a straightforward fight scene, just slugging it out in the middle of the street; the rain will add drama.”

“Yeah, but then you’re supposed to break away, I give chase, and there’s the fall where you lose your balance and go over the railing, and I try to save ya. I checked the spot earlier and it’s a long way down.”

“Into an airbag.”

“Well yeah, but in weather like this it’ll be like fallin’ into a lake!”

“Hello, have you met me? Water stunts are my specialty, remember? If I can fall from twelve storeys up into a swimming pool I think I can handle falling from sixty feet up into a few inches of water on an airbag without drowning.”

Dee sat back. “Yeah, you’re right; you know what you’re doin’. Fine; if you’re game, so am I, guess that means we’d better see what the director and camera crew think.”

The director was game for anything that wouldn’t put the production behind schedule, and the actors Dee and Ryo were doubling for said they didn’t mind getting wet, agreeing that the rain and slippery conditions might actually work better for the scene in question, making more sense of Ryo tumbling over the railing. It would be a tragic accident instead of a foolhardy mistake that lead to the character being seriously injured.

Protection was soon rigged for the camera equipment, and in the pouring rain, the fight was on.

Dee and Ryo staggered from one side of the street to the other, drenched to the skin, kicking and punching, falling down only to get back up again, floundering through puddles as the rain cascaded down around them, obscuring their faces enough that no one would be able to tell it wasn’t the two lead actors beating each other up. At the prearranged point in the action, Ryo ‘kicked’ Dee, leaving him dazed on the ground, and took off down the street. Dee dragged himself to his feet and set off in pursuit at a limping run.

The next scene had Dee catching up on a rain-soaked terrace, Ryo backing away, slipping, and then falling over the edge, clinging to the railing. Dee grabbed for him, but Ryo’s fingers slipped off the slick, wet metal and down he went, with Dee leaning over, hand outstretched. Everyone agreed it looked very effective.

As Ryo sat up on the airbag below, Dee impulsively leapt over the edge to join him, landing in a massive spray of water.

“Are you crazy?” Ryo laughed.

“Just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

They both looked like drowned rats but Dee didn’t care. Who made the first move neither man could say, but suddenly they were kissing.

“I think I love you,” Ryo murmured.

“Finally. Took ya long enough.”


The End











 

Comments

[sarajayechan]

This is an interesting AU you've built! The voices are true as ever, and I love the last few lines.

[badly_knitted]

Thank you! This is my second stuntman AU story but I still haven't posted the first one to my journal, I keep tweaking it. I will post it eventually. I plan on expanding this one a bit too. Glad you liked it!

[peaked]

I really enjoy how distinct your dialogue is between the two characters. I'm canonblind, but I really like how rich the language was in their dialogue—I felt the impatience and the disappointment and even the exasperation. The bantering and chemistry between them is great!

[badly_knitted]

Thank you! They are two very different people, but like the saying goes, opposites attract. Dee is very confident in his sexuality, while Ryo spent a lot of time in denial and can also be a bit of an airhead, but when it comes to work they're both highly competent. I've been having fun with the stuntman AU, but in canon they're NYPD detectives. Writing banter between them is one of my favourite thing.

Glad you liked it!

[m_findlow]

A very interesting take on the prompt! I like it. :)

[badly_knitted]

Thank you! It was fun revisiting my stuntman AU!

[polarissruler]

I read the whole thing with a smile, but the last line cracked me up. I loved their banter through the whole thing.

[badly_knitted]

*grins* Thank you! The boys were really on form for this one.

[rivulet027]

That was awesome! Loved the ending! I really liked how you made it feel like this romance is a slow build for them, in not a lot of words.

[badly_knitted]

Thank you!

Dee has been after fair Ryo for months, poor boy, but it looks like he's finally won his man. All it took was getting soaked to the skin!