[FIC] I Got Your Back

[sungreen70.livejournal.com]

Title: I Got Your Back
Author: Sun Green
Pairing: Jeff/Wayne
Rating: PG
Summary: Wayne has always had Jeff's back. My Trick or Treat fic for ktnflag

 

 

 

Kwick Witz was supposed to be Jeff’s big break. He had to get this right. Sitting alone in the packed studio commissary, Jeff anxiously reviewed the morning's rehearsal in his mind.

 

“Great work this morning.”

 

Jeff looked up to see bright teeth gleaming against smooth dark skin.

 

“Oh, thanks, uh…”

 

“Wayne,” the other man supplied. He nodded at a chair. “You mind?”

 

“No.” Wayne flashed another grin and sat down across from him.

 

“You really nailed the evangelist sketch,” Wayne commented through a mouthful of burger.

 

Jeff looked at him doubtfully. “You think? No one in the booth reacted much.”

 

“Gary and Jim?” Wayne scoffed. “All they react to is ratings. You can’t go by them. What you want to watch for is how the rest of the players deal with what you’re giving them. If they pick it up and keep it going, you’re doing it right. And that sketch was smooth sailing right to the end.”

 

“I thought it was,” Jeff said hesitantly. “But then up in the booth…”

 

Wayne waved his hand. “Forget that. I’m telling you, we all got it. And the audience will – that’s the important thing.” Eyeing Jeff over his Dr. Pepper can he added, “So stop thinking you bombed.”

 

Jeff had to smile despite himself. “How’d you know what I was thinking?”

 

Wayne chuckled. “Personal experience.”

 

That grin of his was infectious. Jeff felt his tension beginning to drain away. He smiled back at his newfound friend and reached across the table to snag a couple of his fries.

 

 

 

******

 

 

Jeff waited restlessly, chain smoking and staring at the heavy glass doors. Finally, they burst open and Wayne sprinted down the steps. Jeff dropped his cigarette on the asphalt and ran to meet him.

 

“Did you get it?” he demanded. Wayne hurled himself at Jeff.

 

“I got it,” he gasped.

 

”Holy shit, Wayne!” Jeff threw his arms around his friend, but Wayne pulled back from the embrace.

 

“Jeff, you gotta get in there. Hurry up – fourth floor, second door on the right. You have an audition.”

 

“What?” Jeff blinked in confusion.

 

“There’s no more regular spots, but they’re looking for rotating players. They want to see you. Now!” Wayne gave him a shove in the direction of the building. But Jeff remained rooted into place.

 

“How do they know about me?”

 

Wayne grabbed his arm and pulled him along. “The Easter Bunny told ‘em. How do you think? Look, do the Keanu Reeves bit. Patterson likes impressions.” He stopped at the door and gave Jeff a quick once over. “You don’t have any spare clothes in the car, huh? Ah, won’t matter. Stiles is dressed like a slob. You’ll be okay.”

 

“You talked to them about me?”

 

“We got each other’s back, right? Now go! Don’t make me look like an idiot by not showing up! And get the damn job! Go!”

 

Jeff went.

 

 

******

 

 

“I think it’s time to retire Christopher Walken from your repertoire.” Colin’s voice was light, but his eyes conveyed his irritation.

 

Jeff squirmed. “Sorry about that.”

 

Colin shrugged. “Don’t apologize. It’s just some friendly advice.”

 

“Don’t worry about it, Col,” Ryan broke in mildly. “The rest of it was fine.” Though his words were kind, his expression was amused as he eyed Jeff. Jeff wasn’t sure which was worse as he glanced helplessly from Ryan to Colin. 

 

Suddenly Wayne was beside him. “You talking about Weird Newscasters?” He shook his head. “Shame how you couldn’t recover, Col.”

 

Colin and Ryan turned on Wayne, outraged.

 

“I couldn’t recover? If he hadn’t -”

 

“What the fuck do you know about it? You -”

 

“That’s what improv is, right? You gotta respond in the moment, whatever gets thrown at you. And make it work.” Wayne met Colin’s gaze levelly as he quoted the very words Colin was known for spouting in interviews.

 

The four regarded each other in silence for a moment. Then Ryan snorted derisively and nudged Colin's shoulder. "I need a smoke." Without another word, he and Colin turned in their bizarrely synchronized manner and stalked off.

 

Jeff glanced at Wayne. “Thanks.” 

 

“Hey, I got your back.” Wayne’s hand closed on Jeff’s shoulder briefly. “Don’t let ‘em get to you.”

 

“They don’t bother me.” 

 

“Right.”

 

Jeff smiled. Wayne always saw through him. It could be inconvenient, but most of the time it was a relief to not have to pretend. “You want to get a beer?”

 

“I’m buying.”

 

 

******

 

 

“You are not going to take this shit anymore.”  

 

Jeff shrugged and looked away.

 

“Jeff!” Wayne grabbed his arm and forced him to turn around.

 

“It doesn’t matter, Wayne.”

 

“The fuck it doesn’t. He treats you like crap whenever his wife’s around. When she’s not around, for that matter. And he’s never going to leave her.” Wayne put his hands on Jeff’s shoulders and spoke more gently. “You deserve so much better than being Proops’ side dish, pal.”

 

“It doesn’t matter,” Jeff repeated flatly. “I’m never going to have anything better.” 

 

“What the hell are you talking about? Jeff, you could have anyone you -”

 

“No, I can’t.”

 

“Why not? Look, Greg isn’t -”

 

“It’s not about Greg, all right?”

 

“Then what - ” Wayne broke off and looked at Jeff closely. “Is there someone else?”

 

Jeff was silent for a long moment before he replied. “Yes.” His voice was nearly a whisper.

 

Wayne squeezed his arm gently. “Then go for it, man!”

 

Jeff pulled free of his grasp. “I can’t.”

 

“Why?” Wayne demanded, exasperated. “Why can’t you -”

 

“Because what happens when it doesn’t work?” Jeff burst out, turning back to face him. “When it’s over and he doesn’t want anything to do with me anymore, and I… lose my best friend?”

 

Wayne’s startled eyes met Jeff’s fearful ones. After a long pause Wayne spoke again, softly this time.

 

“What makes you think it wouldn’t work?”

 

 

 

 

******

 

 

Wayne’s smile was the first thing Jeff saw when he woke. He instinctively smiled back, but his eyes betrayed him.

 

“What?” Wayne asked. “You still think it isn’t gonna work? After that?”

 

Jeff avoided Wayne’s eyes, twisting the sheets around his hand. “What if it doesn’t?”

 

“We’d still be friends.” Wayne’s voice was certain. “Whatever happened.”

 

“How can you be sure?”

 

Wayne cupped the back of Jeff’s head, making him look up.

 

“Don’t you get it by now? You’re never gonna be rid of me, Jeff. I’ll always have your back.”