Work Text:
- So, let's figure out the roles. I will be Dejan, and you will play Agatha, my character’s girlfriend. In this scene, Dejan comes home late from work, and Agatha starts a scandal because Dejan is lying to her.
- Okei, I understand. - Jere looked at the page with remarks on the phone screen, briefly skimming through the words, and looked up at Bojan. - What does Agatha look like? What is she like?
- Jere, it is not that important. Just read the text, please.
- Important. - Finn insisted. – I have to immerse myself in the character.
- Honey, this is mainly my task. You can just read Agatha's lines.
There was no agreement. Jere stared persistently at Bojan, waiting for an answer to his question. Jere's random adherence to principles sometimes drove Bojan into a frenzy. But Finn seemed even smaller than usual in a new gray hoodie and wide sweatpants, and Bojan’s tenderness to this unbearable man finally overcame common sense.
- Let’s do it this way – you can imagine what she’s like if it makes it easier for you. And let's get started quickly.
Jere nodded actively and slightly threw his head back, closing his eyes dreamily. Bojan exhaled heavily. After half a minute, Jere’s imagination did its job, and he returned to reality.
- Can I wear a long black wig and high heels from your closet?
- Jere, these things are for a different kind of... games.
- Okei, then we can start.
- Reread the lines to yourself. If some words are unclear, I will explain.
- No time. If anything happens, I will improvise.
- Jere!
Finn chuckled, looking at the slightly annoyed Bojan.
- Yes, I got it. Everything is strictly according to the text.
- Thank you. - Bojan breathed out with relief and flipped through the script of the scene to the beginning. - You can start.
***
- I already thought you would never come home. - Jere said coldly, glaring at Bojan.
- Yes, sorry. There was a lot of work. Pasic’s case will not solve itself. - Bojan rubbed his neck, mechanically moving around the room without looking at Finn to not distract himself.
- You could have warned me. - Jere snorted displeasedly, meaningfully tossing imaginary curls over his shoulders.
- Sorry, sorry, sorry. Darling, I promise we will definitely go on vacation as soon as I finish working on this case. - Bojan babbled sweetly. There was no response, and he turned his perplexed gaze from the screen to Jere. Finn was looking straight back.
- Now it's your turn, Jere.
- No, yours.
- Let me show you. - Bojan approached Finn and pointed his finger at the line. - These are the words below.
- No. - Jere insisted categorically. – What do the scene directions say for your line?
- “Dejan approaches Agatha and tries to kiss her on the cheek, but she moves away.”
- You didn't do it.
- Jere! I beg you, let's just read the text! – Bojan began to regret more and more his life choices. He definitely should have asked Nace or Jan for help. Jere paid no attention to Bojan's reaction.
- Are you going to talk to the director like that?
- God, how I hate you sometimes.
- But this is a lie. - Jere pointedly raised his index finger above his head. Bojan could not help but smile disarmedly.
- Okay, if there is no other way. Let's go back to the beginning of the scene.
***
Bojan did what was indicated in the scene directions for the cue and felt someone else’s hand touching his chest. Jere gently but firmly pushed him away.
- I’m just curious. - Finn said a little irritably, moving away from Bojan. – Since when did Zoran Pasic look like your former secretary... what was her name...
Jere sank into a chair, crossing his legs. Bojan swallowed nervously. Not that the Finn's languid intonation and his gaze from under half-closed eyelids awakened any thoughts in him. He just got into character. Still, he thanked himself for not allowing Jere to wear high heels.
- What are you talking about?
- Oh, yes. - Jere lightly touched his temple with fingers and threw his palm into the air. - Exactly, Maxine. That was her name.
- I still don’t get it...
- Dejan, stop it! – Jere shouted, jumping up from his seat. Bojan flinched in surprise and covered his mouth with his hand to hold back the laughter. When he looked at Jere, there was no trace of a smile on Finn's face. He was furious and somehow remained cute: his wide-open eyes of piercing blue looked straight at Bojan, and his hands, clenched into fists, were lost in his too-long sleeves.
Bojan wanted to open his mouth, but the next line did not belong to Dejan.
- Martha saw you today in the restaurant. - Casually stated Jere. - I didn’t want to believe her. But what happened two years ago...
- You promised that we would not remember this. - Bojan answered dryly, having come to his senses.
- But it's her again. And you're lying to me again! - Jere exclaimed. Bojan ran his eyes over the text and screamed when he saw Finn quickly heading towards the coffee table. “Agatha grabs the mug from the table and throws it at the wall.” His heart sank with fear. Bojan barely had time to snatch the mug from Jere's hands and put it safely in its original place.
- Jere, stop!
- But that’s what it says there. - Finn answered confusedly, looking sadly at the coffee table.
- Please do whatever you want, just don’t damage my apartment.
Bojan saw how intensely Jere was thinking about his request. In the end, Finn nodded favorably, smiling at Bojan.
- Okei.
- Great. - Bojan sighed with relief and returned to the scene. - Agatha, what the hell has gotten into you?!
- I don’t want to forgive you anymore, Dejan. - Jere answered, pretending to control his breathing. His shoulders trembled, and his lips became a thin line. Bojan was frightened - for a second it seemed to him that Jere was about to cry. - I’ve been a fool all these six years. Six years of nothing. Six years of deception, betrayal, and endless pain. – Jere shamefully covered his face with his palms, and his voice broke through the lump in his throat and heavy sobs. - Tell me, have you ever thought about marrying me?
Bojan immediately threw the phone onto the sofa and covered the distance between them in two steps. He worriedly grabbed Jere's shoulders and pulled him closer. Jere's tears, fake or real, brought back the most painful memories in him that he never wanted to experience again.
- Honey, please stop.
Jere pulled away slightly, resting his elbows on Bojan. The palms remained on his face. He spread his fingers a little, as if they were not acting out a movie scene, but starting a childish game of hide and seek, and giggled ominously.
- Bojan, I'm not crying.
Slovene looked at the face revealed in front of him. Jere was no longer giggling, but laughing out loud, his shoulders trembling with laughter in Bojan’s hands.
- You are such a wonderful actor. - Bojan stated with warmth in his voice.
- I can replace you in the film. Contact me. - Finn said sarcastically, smile still spread on his face. Bojan smiled back and tightly hugged his restless boyfriend to himself.
- I really love you.
- This is not in the script.
- I know. It is improvisation.