Chapter Text
It was Monday, 7:00 am.
A new week was starting on the set of 'The Walking Dead' TV show, South of Atlanta.
The weather forecast was a 'classic' in this area: heavy scorching heat, damp air and possible monsoon-like showers in the afternoon. So everybody expected to shoot that day was generally arriving very early to go through makeup and all – the good part being the relatively 'cool' morning air allowing to enjoy a short respite before they all began to melt down again quite soon and bitterly regret the refreshing air-conditioned atmosphere of their cars and crave for another much-needed shower. Oh well…
Andrew was arriving on set after the weekend break and had just caught a glimpse of Norman parking his bike near his trailer. As much as he tried, Norman was not really a morning guy and needed a large amount of caffeine to feel operational at this early hour of the day. So Andy had brought two large coffee mugs on his way to the set. He knew his buddy would appreciate sharing a quiet coffee-time moment before tackling the day – unless Norman had already gulped three down, that was. In truth, Andrew had brought some very special coffee for Norman and really hoped it wouldn't be spoiled. Nah, Norman would NEVER spoil good coffee! Andy grinned to himself.
“Normskyyy!” Andrew yelled while approaching Norman who was sitting on the steps of his own trailer, with his very own eternal-teenager-slash-gypsy appearance, disheveled and drowsy looking, just adorable. Norman's looked up and his face immediately brightened and looked more 'awake' as he focused on Andrew.
“Andyyy, my man! How 'r ya?” Norman greeted back to Andy, with that special smile Andy knew he offered to him only – or so he hoped, unable to prevent a tiny pang of good-humored jealousy toward Jeffrey, Norman's other (long-time) 'BFF' - 'Best Fucking Friend' as Norm liked to say. But Andrew felt touched by the warm welcome the man had just granted him.
Now, what a welcome! Norm surely seems excited to see me, Andy thought with delight.
He felt a rush of affection engulf him and had to restrain himself not to run to Norman.
Don't over do it, Andy! You don't want to spill this coffee!
Having at last reached the trailer with his precious cargo without spilling a single drop of it, Andrew carefully put down the coffee paper mugs on top of the narrow trailer steps from which Norman was standing up. Both men indulged into a fierce hug – a 'classic Monday hug' to them actually, but one which, to any witness of this scene, would sure look as if the two men hadn't seen each other for a full year. Such was the rare friendship these two had.
“Hey, sleepy head, I suppose you've already had one, but I brought you some EXCELLENT coffee, from Aurora on the way. They got a brand new brew, you'll tell me what you think of it. Here, take this!” Andrew said cheerily, picking one of the large paper mugs and thrusting it into Norman's hand.
The smell of hot coffee filled Norman's nostrils and he closed his eyes with delight.
“Aaaaaah yesss! You've read my mind, buddy! Makes my day! Thanks!”
Norman's squinted his eyes in the morning sun and graced Andy with one of his too rare bright smiles, to which Andrew responded by his own Norman-special full-teeth smile.
“So what've you been up to this weekend?” Norman asked.
“Nothing much, relaxing family time, watched a game with my son... made love to my wife - before they all had to go back to London... the usual…” Andy winked to Norman. “What about you?”
"Same old, same old, man. Pretty cool actually. The sky was clear so I went for a ride 'n visited some friends up 'bove Atlanta."
"You did well. Good to get away, get some air, live the real thing when you can, meet real normal people… The hell with all these fake zombies and fake blood, right? Although I once met some 'real' people who acted like 'real' zombies – creepy!”
They both chuckled and sat down to enjoy their hot and deliciously fragrant coffee, Norman's on his trailer's steps and Andy on one of the deck chairs purposefully left nearby to relax during their spare time. When their shooting schedule matched, both men were bound to be seen sitting closely together in the mornings enjoying coffee and small talk, a good way to gather positive energy for the long hot working day to come.
Everything was still rather quiet around them, and they just wanted to enjoy this precious moment of peace preceding their daily load of zombies-slaying, weapons-wielding, tears-shedding and whatever other crazy stuff the script asked from them. What a crazy life indeed it was to be part of the 'TWD' cast, and they both enjoyed it like two kids on a Ferris wheel.
After a few sips of his coffee, Norman happily said: “You're right man, this IS a tasty coffee!!!” hijacking Samuel Jackson's burger cult phrase from 'Pulp Fiction'. He chuckled as Andy smiled and rolled his eyes at the reference. Typical Norman!
“Yeah, and wait 'til you see how good it'll make you feel!” Andrew replied with a shit-eating grin.
They continued drinking their coffee in companionable silence.
Not long after having finished his, Norman straightened up and slightly startled Andrew as he cried out:
“Oh! I gottcha som'thin', man. Nothin' much, just a gadget but I figured you'd have the need for one. Wait a sec.”
This coffee had apparently quickly worked its way into Norman's body and brain, because as soon as he had uttered these words, he got up briskly and in one swift jump reached the highest step of his trailer. Andrew was always a little amazed at how the man moved and the fleeting image of a leopard leaping out of the bush to catch its prey immediately came to his mind. Norman definitely had in him the same grace and velocity as the noble and feral felines. No wonder his best buddies were cats.
Andrew heard him rummaging about in his 'organized mess' – as Norman named the content of his personal trailer – and saw him reappear two minutes later, holding a small package, a shy smile dancing on his thin lips, handing it to Andy.
“Maybe you already have one o' these – well you'll see."
Norman looked half thrilled half anxious, which Andy found absolutely endearing.
“Norm! You got me a present?! Wow... I think this is a first!” Andy chuckled. “Now… I just hope it doesn't blow up in my face of something? I cannot decline, can I? I'll have to take the risk then."
"No worry 'bout that, man. Hey, you just brought me some exquisite coffee so I'd be a fuckin' dork to play a trick on you. Not this time at least. Anyway, it's really nothin' much, ya know, just to show you I'm not an utterly selfish guy, ha!"
"I never though you were a selfish guy, Norm. A complete nutcake yeah, but-"
"Hey, you sonava…!” Norman pretended to be offended and fake-punched Andrew's shoulder in the sweetest way.
“Humpf, I'll leave it for now… and next time you're surrounded by walkers, I'll let 'em take care o' ya!” he smirked.
“Soooo? What is it?!” Andrew grinned and asked eagerly.
“Well open it up, man! Let's see if I'm totally off-base when it comes to finding something of interest for you!” Norman chuckled.
Andy felt like he was buzzing with anticipation but also still felt slightly apprehensive of what was in the package, knowing Norman's tendency to prank him anytime he could - even though he'd just denied wanting to do it now.
Wait for it, Norm! I'll get my own back at some point!
He chose not to worry too much now and sent Norman a confident smile while quickly tearing up the brown paper protecting the gift. He ended up holding what seemed like… What was this?