Chapter Text
This wasn't what Isak had signed up for, he never wanted this to happen. He truly wished that he never would have auditioned for that stupid role.
***
Auditions always came and went and roles would do the same. Isak Valtersen had been a normal sixteen year old until he landed his first big role in a television show about high school students with secrets. The tv show was good for Isak, he had made a name for himself and ended up being well known in Norway. When the show ended after a year, he had wanted to try to make the move into the world of film.
When the opportunity to land the role in a new coming of age film that depicted a gay love story came up, Isak jumped at the chance to audition. His previous work had earned him some accolades but Isak wanted to be taken more seriously as an actor and he felt that this would be the project that could do that for him.
In theory it was perfect, if he could be a part of this project, he could express his true feelings on gay rights and in turn he might even come out to the world. His small circle of family and friends had always known but when Isak's popularity grew, he became more anxious about revealing that part of himself.
When Isak learned that he did in fact get the role of "Anders Johansen" (a closeted gay teen who enjoyed thrill seeking and spending time with his best friend "Thomas Solberg") he was thrilled. The casting director had wanted him to play the role so badly that they cast him before anybody else.
The hard part came when it was time to cast the role of Thomas. The movie's plot required the characters to have enough chemistry to convince an audience that these people were in fact in love with each other, and not just best friends.
Hundreds of boys auditioned opposite Isak but none seemed to work. It was a lengthy process until Anette, the casting director, told Isak that they were sure they had found someone perfect.
That day Isak's worst nightmare walked into the room, Even Bech Næsheim.
***
Isak and Even had never properly met but Isak had definitely heard of Even. Even Bech Næsheim was the bad boy of the film world. He had crashed parties, almost fallen off roofs, and was even rumored to have gotten a couple girls pregnant. Isak had never wanted to be associated with Even because being friends with Even put you in a group that Isak felt would have tarnished his squeaky clean persona that he had created for himself.
It wasn't like Isak was completely innocent though, he had once been caught way too drunk at a party and had slurred some negative things about mental illness, this made people sometimes wary of him but after that he managed to keep his private thoughts to himself and soon people forgot the incident had ever happened.
When Even walked into the room Isak felt himself visibly wilt. He knew that he couldn't play opposite the extremist that was Even and he hoped Anette would see that too.
"Hi, Isak right?" Even walked straight to him and extended his hand out to him. He was surprisingly gentle and it caught Isak off guard. He barely managed to reach out to shake but some how his hand found his way into Even's.
"Yeah" Isak had muttered after his hand rested back at his side.
"I'm so excited to be here! When Anette called me I really wasn't sure but I read the script and I've got to say, this film really feels groundbreaking doesn't it?" Even was much more enthusiastic than Isak expected so he only nodded half heartedly in response.
"Alright, for the read through can we try doing the canoe scene?" Anette commanded the room and set the camera up to record the boys.
Isak flipped open his script to the marked page quickly. He had read through this scene already with so many people he was growing tired of it and the last person he wanted to read with was Even.
Even on the other hand looked positively ecstatic. "You ready Isak?" He raised his eyebrows in question and again Isak only nodded in response.
"Okay, begin whenever you're ready" Anette said clicking record on the camera.
Isak began, "You know Thomas, I don't get why people like floating down rivers like this. It's not even that fun, I mean we're literally just paddling down water and then what?" Isak could get into character quickly, so he did as he was supposed to and recited the lines.
"Anders you hurt me, riding down the river isn't the reason people canoe, people canoe so that they can be isolated from everyone else. When you're out here it's like there's nobody else, just you" that line had been spoken to Isak many times before but something about Even saying the words made him feel them.
"Well then why are you here?" The line was joking, Isak knew this, he knew the scene very well at this point and he knew what would soon follow.
"Because being isolated isn't nearly as fun as being with someone you care about." This was the line that was meant to change that atmosphere, and somehow Even conveyed the words in such a way that Isak felt the mood actually shift around him.
Isak felt himself tense under Even's intense stare but he knew better than to stop the scene now. "So you're saying you care about me? Even if I find canoeing boring?"
Even moved closer and put his hand on Isak's cheek, barely brushing his skin, "you know that I'll care about you no matter what."
Isak knew this was when he was supposed to lean into Evens touch so he did. His eyes unconsciously fluttered closed at the contact. Even moved his other hand up to Isak's face in that moment and Isak kept his eyes shut, "Anders" Even sighed, "I think I'll care about you for he rest of my life"
And that was the moment.
After that the script instructed the characters to lean in for the kiss but before it was possible Anette spoke up, "okay I think we've seen enough, thank you Even we will get back to you with what we decide!"
And with that Even stood up and patted Isak on the back "it was a pleasure to read with you" he said before grabbing his things and heading for the door "thank you again Anette" he spoke once more before leaving the room.
Before Isak could start Anette began talking, "Isak, I really think he's the one we need to play Thomas! You two had palpable chemistry not to mention how nice you'll look on screen, I'm tempted to call him back in here right now and give him the part"
Isak wasn't sure what he wanted to say but he knew he had to get some sort of words out of his mouth before she made this terrible decision, "no, Anette I really don't think he's right, Thomas is meant to be- he's supposed to-" Isak knew his words were getting jumbled so he fought to come up with something coherent, "Thomas is supposed to be really down to earth and lovable, I just don't think Even is capable of that" he finally managed to get out.
"Isak sweetie," Anette started "did you not see how well he did? You looked like you were actually in love with him, that's not something that has happened with any of the other guys that have auditioned. It wasn't easy to get him to agree to come in for this so I really hope you'll think this through. Obviously I want you to be comfortable though so how about you sleep on it and let me know in the morning?" Anette was too understanding with Isak a lot of the time and he knew it but he was grateful for her words right now.
"Thank you, I'll do just that"
"But Isak, I really do hope you'll agree with me, I think Even may be the answer." Anette had something in her voice that made Isak feel bad for going against her words.
"I'll let you know in the morning Anette." And with that Isak packed up his belongings and left to think over this big decision.
Would it be so bad to work with Even? Maybe, maybe not. Isak wasn't sure but he knew he had a lot of thinking to do.