Disclaimer: Yep, I totally own two human beings. Oh, wait, I'm in America. Let's just look at the Amendments, shall we? No, I don't own them. I also don't know them, really doubt this is true, and mean no harm. And I make no money by it. Sadly.

Warnings: Angst, awkwardness, and all kinds of other depressing things. Ooh, and these boys – and the narrator (heh heh, that's me) – have quite the potty-mouths.

A.N.: Sorry for the lack of updates in forever. I'm not even going to try to make excuses because, really, it was my own damn fault. I am truly sorry. I mean it. I was looking at some of the photos Norman has taken on his website (I can claim it's research to my friends who read my fic) when I realized, holy crap, I am a terrible human being who hasn't updated. This is dedicated to the wonderful RedBrick, who proofread chapter two and saves my life with her editing skills.

Thank you to everyone who has reviewed thus far. Your reviews are very encouraging. Also, to any other Flandus authors reading this (I've seen more and more popping up!) I'm glad we are keeping the fandom alive. Keep up the amazing work, all of you!

~PurpleRanger

Chapter Three: Awkward Turtle Doesn't Even Come Close

Norman throws his backpack in the back of the cab and slides in after it. He mumbles the name of the hotel to the driver, then sits back to stare out the window as the cab pulls away from the airport. Oh Canada, you look the exact same as America. In fact, you are pretty boring. He leans closer so he can watch his breath fog up the glass. It is October in Toronto and that means cold. Maybe that's for the best, though. Cold means Sean will be wearing a shirt at most – if not all – times. Which will help Norman not ogle him. And maybe – really unlikely, here, but, hey, keep the possibilities open – it will help Norman get over him. Maybe obscuring the exquisite body beneath the clothes will make Norman see some yet-unknown bad things about Sean's personality. Because, in all honesty, even though Sean hurt him horribly, Norman still sees him as perfect in every way. It's kind of a problem.

Norman mentally shakes himself out of his brooding and sees that they have arrived at the hotel. He shoves some money into the driver's hand, grabs his backpack, and gets out, not bothering to wait for change. His photos sell online for $500 each.* He can spare a couple of dollars to be alone as soon as possible. He walks into the hotel and asks for his key at the front desk, like Troy instructed him to. It was nice of Troy to check him in and all, but the staff didn't even ask for identification. Would they just let anyone take the room key? He knows he's B-list and all, but even B-listers can have random people creeping on them and wanting to get into their rooms. He would just like some security measures.

It's not until he's in the elevator that he realizes they probably have seen either a movie with him or a picture from Troy. And he does have that distinctive little mole by his mouth, so it's not like anyone random who looks vaguely like him can waltz in and get his room. He feels better about the hotel security situation. But not better about Sean. Because he's supposed to get settled and then call Troy, who will come pick him up – or send someone else to – and take him to talk to him and Sean about the script and different scenes. Oh, God. This is going to be difficult. Maybe he should fall down in the shower and knock himself out. No, that would be unprofessional, and unfair to Troy, who didn't put him in this predicament. Not to mention it might lead to him knowing the truth and Norman doesn't think he can deal with that. Troy is his friend and all, but not close enough for this. Oh no. This is a little too private.

Norman lets himself into the room and is relieved to see that no random, slight-look-alike creeper is in there. He is happy to discover that the box of stuff he mailed ahead is, because he only packed a toothbrush, books, and an extra pair of boxers in his backpack. He brushes his teeth in the bathroom, puts his clothes in the drawers, and pulls out his cell to call Troy. Troy picks up after two rings.

"Hey, are you fucking ready yet?" Troy's voice sounds tinny over the phone.

"Yeah, can you come pick me up? What is the plan, anyway?"

"I'll send some peon to pick you up. You, Sean, and I are going to hash out the scenes we're doing in the next couple days, you two are going to meet Cliff, who plays Romeo, and then I'm spotting you and Sean for a bonding dinner. I want you two to get back to being the twins, perfectly in sync and whatnot."

"Okay, thanks man. See you in a few. I'll be waiting for the ride in the lobby." Norman hangs up the phone and stares at it. He bangs his head against the wall once for good measure. Bonding dinner with Sean. Because regular time spent with him won't be awkward and painful enough.

Norman steps into the room apprehensively, knocking on the doorframe to announce his presence. Sitting around a small table covered in papers are Troy, Sean, and that new guy – what's his name again? Some sort of land formation… Mountain? Eddy? Cliff! That's it. Short for Clifton, if he remembers correctly. Troy gets up and bounds over to him. "Norm!" he yells happily. He embraces Norman, who half-heartedly returns the hug.

"Hey, Troy. Good to see you, man." Norman replies, looking surreptitiously – he hopes – over his director's shoulder at Sean. Sean is hovering somewhere in between standing and sitting, clearly unsure whether or not hugging Norman is a good idea or not. He stands all the way up after a few moments – he has to keep up appearance in front of the oblivious Troy, and he really does want to hug Norm again. Even if it ends up being the last time, he wants to feel the strong, warm body against him. Even a platonic way sounds amazing at this point.

Troy releases Norman and stands aside to let Sean at Norman, who, he remembers, is pretty much his best friend. The two were so close that he knows these ten years can't have broken the bond. He knows that they kept in close contact after the first movie was finished, so this must be a great reunion for them. They aren't as excited as he has expected, but they are both tired.

Norman stiffens ever so slightly as Sean wraps his arms around him. It reminds him of something he's missed so much. Okay, taking the part in the sequel was a really bad plan. He realizes that now but twenty-twenty hindsight doesn't help at all. He remembers that Troy is watching and expects the old friendship they had, so he wraps his arms tightly around Sean and tries to fake an excited voice. "Hey, Sean. It's been forever, man. How are you?" Christ, it sounds fake even to him.

"Pretty good," Sean lies cheerily, pasting on a brilliant smile. He can hear that Norman's faking it too. Well, at least they're on even footing. "How about you?"

"Can't complain," Norman says. Nothing could be farther from the truth. He's torn up inside, but Sean sounds happy. Well, it sounded a little fake to Norman, but that must be his imagination trying to console him. Sean doesn't like you anymore, remember? he berates himself. He's had five years to get over you.

Sean lets go of Norman and sits down. That was painful as fuck. He kind of wants to cry, but Troy and Cliff are here. Also, he's a Texas man; he isn't supposed to cry, damn it. He watches as Norman takes a seat across from him. This session can't end soon enough.

"So turn right at the end of the street, and it's on your right, next to a little bakery. I've got a table reserved to run on a tab for me. So keep it cheap, fuckers." Troy bade Sean and Norman goodbye and sent them on their way to the restaurant.

"You know, if he doesn't want to spend money, why spot us? He could just make us do it," Sean says after a moment, breaking the uncomfortable silence that had fallen.

"It's nice that he wants to, though," Norman mumbles back. He starts walking in the direction Troy indicated. "Come on, let's go. I'm fucking hungry." He subconsciously brings his left hand up to his mouth and starts chewing on his thumbnail.

Sean falls into step next to him. "Stop," he says, grabbing Norman's hand and pulling it down before letting go quickly. "I know it's awkward as hell, but let's try to relax and have a good time?" He knows he's asking the impossible, but he can't help it. He hates seeing Norman upset.

Norman knows he should just agree and avoid the conflict, be he can't stop what comes out of his mouth. "Sure, that will be really easy. Let me just forget you cheated on me and broke my fucking heart and we'll go back to being best friends. Great plan, Sean."

*Yes. 500 fucking dollars. That's what his website said. I told you all that creeping was research.

A.N.: This is the closest I have ever come to a cliff-hanger. Do you like it? I shall try to update it soon, my darlings, but these next two weeks are AP exams. We'll see. Writing may end up being my de-stresser…. I love you all very much. Please review. I am vain and thus like compliments.