Forgotten age [a Martin Freeman fanfic]

2.

"Camera. Lights. Action!" Lilian yelled from the other side of the camera. "Take one!"

"Jesus, dad... you're so stubborn!" I muttered lowering my gaze.

"I get that you don't want to talk about it, but at least tell me if you're okay." Martin pleaded.

We locked gazes for a few seconds. His eyes were sparkling under the lights, his soft hair was messy, strange in him, but once again, this was not Martin, this was Nate.

"We're not together anymore, alright? Is that what you wanted to hear?" I continued, forcing myself to let out a tear.

"Hey, hey, honey..." He slowly walked towards me and rested his hand on my shoulder. I bit my lip in between the sobs, his touch was electric. "I'm sorry."

I grabbed his hand from my shoulder and closed my eyes strongly. "It's okay."

Martin took a step forward and passed both of his arms around my back embracing me in what would be one of the best hugs anyone had ever given me. I passed out in between his arms, his scent surrounded me as my hands reached for the back of his neck. I kept crying. Wondering if the cause of some of those tears was the fact that I would die for him, yet couldn't show it.

"Cut!"

Martin pulled away. "Great job, Melissa."

"You can call me Mel, you know," I said bitterly. I wasn't in the best of humors, it sort of happens when the person you love doesn't love you back.

"Sure thing, anything for my daughter," He laughed and winked an eye.

I faked a laugh and looked asides awkwardly. Trying to get Martin to think of me as a grown up was going to be a harder task than I expected.

I decided to go for a walk in the break, re-read my script and prepare my next scenes. As soon as I was about to cross the door something unexpected happened.

"Ooh, Mel," Martin raised his voice from my back, "Mind if I join you?"

I shrugged.

"It's such a beautiful day outside. I don't get why they all stay in here, sometimes it's good to breathe some fresh air, you know?" He explained.

It was a sunny day, the warmth of the sun hit our skins pleasurably. We started wandering through the little town's empty streets.

"You know... You got me thinking. I know nothing about you. Surprise me," Martin said suddenly.

I laughed. "What do you mean "surprise you"?"

"I don't know, I bet you have some really interesting stories to tell. I'm a good listener."

We stopped walking to face each other, the sun was hitting his face, he closed an eye to avoid the excess of brightness.

"My name is Melissa Johnson," I started.

"Good to know!" He arched his eyebrows sarcastically.

"I'm 17–"

"Damn." He muttered. "If I was your age..."

He sighed as I furrowed my eyebrows.

"I'm older than you. Won't say, though."

I grinned, I already knew his age.

Suddenly, my phone started ringing, I sent Martin with a warning look and answered the call.

"My agent." I mouthed so he knew.

"Mel! I'm afraid I won't be able to pick you up tonight, I had some trouble with the car, something about the wrong petrol? I don't know... Please ask someone to get you home, hope it isn't a problem."

"Sure, don't worry. I'll call you back as soon as I get home," I faked a smile.

Fuck.

"What happened?" Martin asked taking a peek at my phone.

"Nothing. She just wanted to... uh... know how I was doing on my second day." I lied.

"I heard it all, Mel," He confessed with a cheeky smile. "I can drive you."

"No! Really, don't worry! I'll find someone else!" I insisted, I didn't want him to think I was in any way taking advantage of him.

"Wait, you don't want me to drive you?" He asked while resting his hand on his chest.

I rolled my eyes. "It's not like that! It's just I don't want to bother you," I lowered my head.

"Oh gods, that's the last thing you'd do! I need some vitality around me, I'm getting old, you know?" He whispered.

"I don't think so," I whispered back.

—

On my way home with Martin we talked mostly about me, I tried to change the subject numerous times but he seemed interested. I asked him about his past, family... yet he always managed to draw the conversation focus back to me.

The sun was starting to set, it was breathtaking, the red colors of the sky tinted Martin's skin.

"It's beautiful, huh?" Martin whispered without taking his eyes off the road.

"It is," I whispered back, my eyes fixed on him. But I tested them away almost instantly, I didn't want to fall in love with him. I already loved him, in a way. The celebrity crush kind of love. But having him near, hearing his voice... I wasn't sure I would be able to get used to him being around me without falling for him.

I didn't want to get hurt. I didn't want him to break my heart. And the worst of all things was that he had absolutely no idea.

"This is it, huh?" He asked while pulling over.

I nodded. "Once again, thank you Martin."

I then noticed Martin furrowing his eyebrows funnily at someone or something behind me. I turned around and was surprised by my older brother Wes staring through the window.

I opened the door and quickly got out of the car, Martin did the same.

"Martin Freeman!" Wes shouted.

He arched his eyebrows as I mouthed "I'm sorry."

Wes kept staring blankly at Martin, as if he was trying to process the situation.

"Is your boyfriend okay?" Martin asked me in a whisper.

I elbowed his ribs while holding my laugh, "That's my brother, dummy."

"Oh," He smirked. "Good."