imaginethetruth | FIC: Perfect Strangers [Canadian Actor RPF]

Title: Perfect Strangers
Author: [Unknown site tag]imaginethetruth (M. Willoughby)
Fandom: Canadian Actor RPF
Characters/Pairings: CKR/OFC with mentions of CKR/HD
Rating/Warnings: Gen
Disclaimer: None of the events depicted are real and I am in no way affiliated with CKR or anybody else in this story with the exception of Sienna, who is based off of a person I know. I have her permission to post this.
Summary: While in Toronto, Callum contemplates his existence, angst ensues, and he eventually finds aid and insight in the most unlikely person imaginable.
Author’s Notes: I originally wrote this story for a friend, a few years back. She's never liked CKR and couldn't understand what I could possibly see in him. In an attempt to change her mind, I wrote her this. Sienna is loosely based off of this same friend, and it was really fun writing a character with which I am personally acquainted. Recently I came back to this story, edited it a bit, and I'm using this as my first comeback fic after a long hiatus. I hope you enjoy reading this, as much as I enjoyed writing it.

The balcony at The Canoe has always held a certain fascination for Callum. It doesn't just give him a place to smoke – it has one of the most spectacular views in the country. Even Callum who is quite possibly more devoted to Vancouver than anyone else, has to admit that Toronto is one hell of a city.

He's standing on that balcony now, cigarette resting between his fingers. A plume of smoke puffs out from the end, veiling a skyscraper in a smokey, gray haze. He sighs – Liz will be wanting him back any minute now. Callum hates these dinners she makes him go to. He doesn't give a shit about the big shot American producer waiting for him at the reserved table inside, he'd much rather spend the night alone in his hotel, or maybe with some of his old friends who he doesn't even have to pretend to give a shit about. He's been meaning to visit Don – he hasn't seen him since Tracy's funeral. Callum feels bad, but he knows Don doesn't blame him. He was, after all, the one who convinced him to take on more projects in the first place. Still, Callum feels like a bad friend, especially since he knows how much Don has done not just for his career but for him, Callum himself.

And then there are all his other friends whom he hasn't seen in forever. People like Paul and...Hugh...and the rest of that whole little club of Indie film talent. Bruce he recently spent time with, but it's weird not seeing him every day like old times. He just misses...everything.

And the worst part of it is, he knows it's all his fault. He's isolated himself in Vancouver.

He's made friends over the years, but Molly and Liz are the only people who really know him well out there in B.C, and his old friends visit less and less. Callum managed to escape from Hell-A, but now he's locked into Vancouver. He can't mentally get out, and even physically here in Toronto he still feels out of his element. Maybe he'll call Paul or Daniel later, see about going--

“Oh my God!”

Callum hears the sharp intake of breath, and wheels around quickly, but there's no one else out on the balcony other than himself and the posh looking young couple.

Cautiously he asks them if they saw anybody. They shake their heads in haughty unison and go back to their conversation, leaving him perplexed.

He edges over to the glass doors and scans the restaurant.

Most of the people sitting at the table are deeply animated in their conversations. Waiters bustle about, busy with their work. Only one person looks horridly out of place.

A girl of maybe sixteen or seventeen is badly obscured behind one of the empty tables. If Callum didn't know better, he'd think she was...hiding...?

Her eyes widen as she notices him watching her. He raises his eyebrows.

“Come here,” he mouths without even thinking about it.

She actually shivers, shaking her head vigorously.

Utterly perplexed, Callum tosses the cigarette filter into a potted plant.

The girl seems oddly frightened of him which is quite unusual. Perhaps she has mistaken him for somebody else. That must be it, he decides, but still Callum shakes his head in exasperation.

He turns back to the girl. She is still crouched behind the table though she has now badly disguised herself by putting her jacket on top of her head.

Callum actually laughs and impulsively walks over to her.

“Hey,” he says, leaning over as he stops in front of the table. “Can I help you?”

She shakes her head quickly, not looking at him.

Callum sighs, sticking his hands into his pockets. “Okay, if I'm wrong, forgive me for sounding like an arrogant prick, but you seem to have some kind of problem...with me. What I want to know is, is there anything I could possibly do to convince you to come out from underneath that table and tell me why?”

“I'll come out,” she mumbles, “but there are certain terms you'll need to agree with first.”

Callum raises his eyebrows. “Okay?”

“First, you'll have to promise not to sexually violate me.”

He blinks at her, mouth slightly open.

“Swear,” she says sternly.

“Um, okay. I promise not to do that.” Callum says, bemused.

“Second, please try and be as normal as possible. Don't do that weird close-talking, lean in, whisper thing you did on BSG.”

“That was for a character,” Callum laughs.

She glares up at him. “Do you accept my terms?”

He nods, still chuckling.

“Good,” she says, satisfied. “I'll come out and talk now.”

She stands up, brushing off her dress.

Callum gestures towards the balcony and she nods, following him out.

“I'm Callum,” he says lamely, holding out a hand.

Her eyes follow it, but she doesn't take it. “Sienna,” she says. “My name is Sienna.”

“Pretty,” he says, smiling slightly.

“Um, thanks,” she pauses. “Look, I'm sorry about the whole 'Oh Em Gee GASP' thing. I was just surprised to see you here, that's all.”

Callum nods.

“And I'm actually kind of scared of you.”

“Why?” he asks, surprised.

“Well, you – you always look like you're either going to kill, violate, or molest somebody,” Sienna says bluntly. “It's the worst when you have shots with children. Somehow I can't get it out of my head that you're a child molesting, rapist serial killer.”

Callum laughs, running a hand through his hair. “I had no idea I was so bad...”

Sienna crosses her arms. “Yeah, well, I have a friend who is completely fucking obsessed with you, so I have to deal with your creepiness just about every day of my life,” she rolls her eyes. “That girl is incorrigible.”

Callum laughs, slightly embarrassed. “I'm sorry to have caused you any pain.”

She shakes her head. “Mostly just fear. It would be nice if she was obsessed with someone, oh, I don't know, who DOESN't look like a child molester. AND a woman ravisher. Hey, why limit it just to women? You know, you should really play some roles that aren't creepy.”

He grins, leaning in slightly. “You know, I got this hot shot producer in there right now and he wants me to sign on to some big American miniseries. If I take it, I get to play the hero! Can you believe it?”

“Good for you,” Sienna says, rolling her eyes. “And cut it out, you're doing the leaning thing.”

“Oh,” Callum takes a step back. “Sorry. Old habits.”

“Have you ever just considered getting married and having kids?” Sienna asks curiously. “You know, the whole settling down thing?”

“Thought about it,” Callum admits, taking his cigarette pack from his pocket, “but...it's just not me. I couldn't handle that. I'm not...emotionally equipped, you know?” He pulls out two cigarettes. “Cancer stick?”

“I only smoke plants that are green,” she says, waving his hand away.

Callum laughs and sparks his. “Probably wiser your way.”

“Yeah. Plus it's a little immature isn't it? Those things have been scientifically proven to kill you, yet people carry on like we're all on Mad Men or something.”

Callum nods. “Completely immature.”

“So why do you do it?”

He gives her a wry smile. “Well, I suppose the generic reason would be that I'm 'addicted'.”

She puts her hands on her hips and regards him sternly. “Yeah? Well what's the real reason?”

“That it's just another tiny little part of my past that I can't seem to let go of. I'm shit at giving up on the little things.”

“It's not a little thing when you can die from it.”

Callum smiles slightly. “Well we all have to die eventually, don't we? Might as well have a say in how I go out.”

Sienna looks disgusted. “That's totally cryptic, Callum.”

He shrugs. “I don't have an issue with death. Just time.”

“Yeah? What about it?”

He looks thoughtfully out at the sky-rise. “Not having enough of it. Getting stuck in the past. Growing up. Or not being able to grow up. I don't know...”

“Callum,” Sienna says, and her voice is almost gentle. “You're what, forty-eight years old--”

“Fifty,” he corrects with a dry smile.

“Whatever. My point is, whether you like it or not, you're not a fucking kid anymore.”

“Yeah, I know,” he agrees, “and I don't know why I'm telling you all of this. Maybe because I don't know you. Maybe because we probably have about the same emotional maturity level which is just fucking sad because I'm half a century old, and you're not even double decades yet. But I just can't let go of all that. You know, in the beginning.”

“Okay, I'm going to give you some advice,” Sienna says firmly, “and I want you to listen up because I don't just tell people things like this every day. I have a friend who once told me something when I was upset about moving on from an experience. She said to me, “Sienna...sometimes, you've got to cut a bit of yourself off...in order to grow. Yeah?”

Callum nods.

“I think it's about time you take that advice.”

“I can't. I don't know how.”

Sienna smiles, and puts her hand on his shoulder. “Callum. Whatever it is that's irking you, just let it go. It's so simple.”

“How?”

She looks thoughtful. “That's up to you to find out. Just accept things for what they are. Shit happens – it's the natural cycle of life. Understand that and see it for what it is.”

“What if I can't accept it?” he asks gloomily.

“Then ten, fifteen years down the road you'll be exactly in the same place you are now. Do you really want to still be there?”

Callum doesn't say anything, but he knows that she is right.

“Callum, look at me.”

He does.

“You've got a lot, yeah? Great career, people who know it. And as much as I hate to admit it, you're a damn fine actor. Get the fuck over yourself, okay? Just because you're an artist it doesn't mean you have to be a fucking drama queen.”

“You're right,” Callum agrees, putting out his cigarette. “I guess I'm just scared.”

“Of the miniseries? Or letting go?”

“Both.”

She smiles. “Well. If you want to do the miniseries, then do it. If you don't, don't. As for the other thing, there's nothing else I can say to help you.”

“Thank you,” he says quickly. “For your insight. My head is a whole lot clearer.”

She shrugs. “It's nothing. Besides, I've always wanted to give that speech to somebody. I guess I'll just have to settle for you.”

Callum laughs. “You are wise beyond your years, Sienna.”

She smiles. “You know, perhaps Marianne – she's my friend who is in love with you - could do worse. Afterall, you have about the same maturity level. And you're both blonde.”

Callum flushes. “Pathetic, aren't I?”

“A bit. But drop the whole 'tortured soul' image and there'll be a vast improvement.”

“It's sort of who I am,” he says glumly.

“Yeah? And how happy does that really make you?”

Callum shrugs. “It's more of a dull acceptance at this point.”

“Don't be such a fucking prima donna,” she snaps.

“I'm not! I'm telling you the truth. Jesus, you're mean...”

Before he can react, her hand smacks against the side of his face. His skin heats and stings immediately.

“Fuck,” he curses, covering his cheek with his hand. “You hit like you got left at the alter or something. Shit.”

“Don't make me do it again,” she warns, crossing her arms.

“Fuck,” he mumbles again, massaging his face. “I'm going to go back in there with a massive fucking five star imprinted onto my face. Assess the damage?”

She inspects him closely. “Um it's pretty red. A little purple here and there,” she looks up at him sheepishly. “Oops.”

He winces. “Fuck. Liz is going to go ape shit.”

“Liz?”

“My manager, also known as the angel from hell. Love her to death, but she can be a little bit terrifying when I do something to piss her off, which can be easily arranged.”

Sienna grins. “I'm glad to hear that there's one woman other than myself not won over by your winning ways.”

“Ah well,” he laughs. “She's a breath of fresh air, that's for sure.”

“Why aren't you married?” Sienna asks curiously.

He smiles, a little mollified. “Well it's like I said. It wouldn't suit me. Plus, I've never got that far in a relationship. Almost, but not quite.”

She raises her eyebrows.

“I was engaged once,” he explains. “For about...24 hours.”

She laughs, shaking her head. “You're hopeless, aren't you?”

He shrugs, making the mistake of smiling. He winces. “Guess so.”

She sighs. “We gotta find you a girlfriend or something.”

“There's no point. Not like it would ever come to anything.”

Sienna's eyes widen. “Oh my God, you're gay aren't you?”

“Er, not exactly.”

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing, it's just,” he pauses. “I'm kind of stuck on one person. I can barely even think about anybody else.” He exhales slowly. “God, what a relief to just finally fucking say it.”

Sienna's eyes are actually sympathetic, level, soft. “How long?”

“Too long,” he says, clearly his throat sharply and turning away slightly.

“Did anything ever come of it?”

He nods quickly. “Yeah, yeah, but that was...part of another life.”

“So leave it there,” she says gently. “When you think of this person, send them love, send them light, and good thoughts. Then let it be.”

“Harder than it sounds.”

“Callum,” Sienna says gently. “You can love somebody without breaking your heart over them.”

He nods. “You're right. Old habits, you know?”

He thinks of the bus, the set, the tour, and suddenly Callum just wants to cry.

Sienna must have noticed, because suddenly, and very much to his surprise, she's giving him a very gentle hug.

Callum bites his lip and almost fiercely hugs back.

“It sucks, doesn't it? Love and all that?”

“Yeah,” he says, squeezing his eyes shut. “It sucks.”

“Just let it be,” she says again, taking his hand as he releases her. “You're not the first person to be cursed with a broken heart, you know.”

“I know.” And he really does, so Callum closes his eyes and tries, tries with all his heart to do as she told him to; tries with every fiber of his being to send out all of the love and good feelings he has left, and when he's done, yeah, he's still hurting, but it's just a little less painful than it was before.

“See,” Sienna says, and Callum knows that she understands. “It helps. Just a little, but it helps.”

He nods slowly.

“Now. We'd better decide what you're going to do because it's not fair to keep your friend - not manager, friend – waiting for much longer. Okay?”

Callum smiles slightly and nods.

“So. You going to sign this contract or not?”

He bites his lip. “What do you think?”

“Me?” she says, surprised. “It doesn't matter what I think. This is about you. What do you want?”

“I have no fucking idea,” he admits.

“Actors,” she mumbles, rolling her eyes. “Right. Helpful. How do you ever make decisions?”

“I don't. Liz usually decides on projects I'm unsure about. Saves time, I guess.”

“Well, lets do pros and cons. Pros?”

“I'd be playing the hero. For once.”

“Anything else?”

“I'd make loads of money. I could buy a new golf club.”

She rolls her eyes. “Right. Anything else relevant?”

Callum frowns. “Golf is relevant,” he starts, but the expression on her face stops him in his tracks. “Right, uh, well that's about it. Other than that it's a great fucking part.”

“Good,” she says encouragingly. “Now cons.”

His face falls. “It's out of Canada. I'd be away from home for a year, and it's with a director I've never worked with. I don't know any of the other actors, and, well...I don't know if I'm ready for that.”

Sienna's eyebrows furrow. “But you've done that number before right? BSG was out of Canada, wasn't it?”

He nods. “Yeah, but...I didn't mention a very important factor. This is the lead. And it's...period drama. I'm not sure if I'm ready to...don the britches, so to speak.”

Sienna grins, almost evilly. “If you actually go through with this movie, I am seeing it on the night it opens.”

“My point exactly,” he mumbles.

“Callum,” she says, “it's really simple. Too simple. If you want to do it, do it. If you don't, don't. Jesus.”

“Ah,” he groans, “you make it sound so easy.”

“It is!!!”

“Okay,” he says slowly, holding up his hands. “I just want to know. Who are you??”

“I told you,” she says, confused. “My name is Sienna.”

“No, I mean, what are you?”

“Um, a sixteen year old girl?”

“No,” he says, shaking his head. “That is where you are wrong. There is no way you are just a normal teenager. You know things. It's creepy.”

“I'm not an alien,” she says, looking at him dubiously. “Really, I'm not all that unusual. Maybe it's you. Maybe you're mentally unstable! Like delusional, or something!”

“No not an alien,” he says, ignoring her as he paces back and forth. “More like some kind of arch-angel or something! A prophet, a messenger. Yeah something like that. I don't know.” He stops pacing and looks at her shrewdly.

She laughs. “Angel, huh? Alright, I could get into that.”

“You don't have wings under there, do you?”

“No wings,” she grins. “Honestly. I'm not so odd as you seem to think. I'm just Sienna. I mean, I'm from fucking Iowa. Of all places. Let me tell you, there's nothing even the tiniest bit celestial about Iowa.”

“Do they put something in the water? Like, something to make the youth extremely smart?”

She grins. “I wouldn't know.”

He shakes his head in disbelief.

“Maybe,” she says shrewdly, “you just needed a perfect stranger to just force you to take a step back and take a closer look at who you really are, hmm?”

Callum doesn't have anything to say to this proclamation.

“Hey,” she puts her hand on his shoulder once again. “This has everything to do with you, and nothing to do with me. In the end it's just about you and the choices you make. I'm just telling you what you already know. Okay?”

“Okay.”

“Now,” she says, clapping him on the shoulder, and looking up at him. “You're going to go back in there and tell that producer what you want. What you really want. Can you do that?”

Callum nods, and suddenly he knows exactly what to say, and he is utterly sure of himself. “Yes,” he smiles. “I can do that.”

“Excellent,” she grins. “You ready?”

He nods.

“Awesome.”

“You coming back in?” he asks quickly, realizing how much he wants her to stay with him when he goes back inside.

“Nah,” she says. “I think I'll stay out here for a while.”

“You sure?” he asks, almost pleadingly. “I really wish you wouldn't.”

She rolls her eyes. “Don't make me smack you again.”

He chuckles and then smiles, holding out a hand. “It's been real, kid.”

She smiles too as she takes it. “Yeah. It has. Good luck, Callum.”

He hesitates for a moment. Then, he leans down and presses his lips gently to her cheek. “You're a wise one, Sienna,” he says kindly. “In a way beyond your years.”

“See you around, Callum,” she says, smiling slightly. “Stay non-creepy.”

He gives her hand a final squeeze before retreating to the glass doors.

“Oh, and Sena?” he pauses with his hand on the white handle.

She turns back towards him. “Yeah?”

Callum's eyes soften. “Thank you. For everything.”

She grins. “Any time. Now go get 'em, tiger.”

Laughing, Callum steps back into the restaurant, a smile on his face, and his heart just a little less heavy than before.

Finis.

FIC: Perfect Strangers [Canadian Actor RPF]

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