nubiawrites

[nubiawrites]

the actor and his muse || masterlist

chapter one

[nubiawrites]

Pairing: Aaron Pierre x Black Original Character

Warnings: None as of yet. Summary: When an up-and-coming screenwriter meets her match in a rising actor, their worlds collide as the lines blur between business, pleasure, and maybe love...

Notes: It's been a minute since I wrote any fanfiction, but I was inspired by the community that has emerged out of love for Aaron Pierre and the many characters he has played. So, hopefully, I make people proud. If you want to be on the tag list, reblog or like, and I will add you. Enjoy, and tell me how you feel! CHAPTER ONE

A deep breath in. A deep breath out. Iriye had to remind herself of this as she looked up at the water tower of her workplace. The Warner Brothers emblem shines down from her view on the lot. This was what dreams were made of. But her path wasn’t the easiest. She was grateful for the coffee runs, errands, reading, and research she did for others as she tried to make her way up the food chain. And it paid off.

Iriye turned towards the office on the lot, Telfar bag on her shoulder and box in hand, looking at her home away from home for the next few months. Many halls led her to the office door with a placard that read the name of the production company she shared with Tamara: Lanoire Productions. Iriye pushed through the door and smiled brightly as she saw Nelly slide into view.

“You’re not supposed to be here yet,” Nelly whined as Iriye placed her things in an empty chair. Iriye smiled at Tamara’s little cousin, who doubled as Lanoire’s one and only intern turned assistant. “I had a big surprise planned. There were going to be balloons and everything and these,” Nelly went to grab a confetti shooter, and with a pop, she let it go off. 

The pop brought Tamara out of her office, smiling as she saw Iriye.

“Let the woman breathe, Nels!” Tamara stated, pulling Iriye in for a hug. “Look at our little space. Isn’t it everything we dreamed of?”

“Well…” Iriye took in most of the space and smiled happily. “We don’t have the chocolate leather couches or Michael B. Jordan banging down our door, but it’s something,” Iriye teased. “But we have plenty of time for that,” Iriye wrapped her arm around Tamara’s shoulder.

“Took us nine years to get here, but it was worth it,” Tamara reminded Iriye. Iriye just shook her head playfully.

“Listen, I can wait nine more years for Michael,” Iriye teased as she grabbed her bag.

“Don’t you guys keep up? Michael is so last year,” Nelly declared.

“Nah, don’t say that,” Iriye shook her head, goddess locs moving. “Who is this year then?”

Nelly approaches Tamara and Iriye with her phone, clicking through her photos until she plays a video of a tall, light-skinned Black man dancing through a spirit tunnel for the Jennifer Hudson show.

“Ain’t that Malcolm X?” Tamara asked, Nelly shaking her head as Iriye chuckled.

“That’s Mufasa,” Nelly sang along with the video. “Aaron Pierre, to be exact. The South London heartthrob,”

“Right,” Iriye rolled her eyes at the words. “A new one comes and goes every month,” She grabbed her bag and box. “Let me get my stuff set up in my office. We got that meeting anyway with the executives, right?” She said.

“Yes. Two pm sharp. Don’t be late,” Tamara teased.

“Yes, ma’am,” Iriye teasingly salutes. “Nelly will keep me on time. Part of her job,” 

After setting her belongings down, Iriye entered her office and organized her desk. She then took out her laptop and reviewed the notes and questions she had prepared for her meeting later that day.

Iriye and Tamara had secured a first-look deal with Warner Brothers after many years of creating their short films and funding an indie feature while working for others. It was a whirlwind, and all their hard was paying off. 

Iriye prepped for a little longer before opening a PowerPoint file and working on a lookbook for her new idea. It was a romantic drama, something she was doing to challenge herself. She went through the slides, beginning to go through the different photos and such on the slides. But then she caught sight of the one picture she had pulled from her selfies. She and her ex-boyfriend, Jay. She sighed, seeing the beauty in the photo of them holding each other and how it connected to what she wanted to explore in the script. But it hurt still, and she shut the laptop.

Iriye got up and headed out of her office to see Nelly setting up more knick-knacks and memorabilia to make their production office more welcoming.

“I’m gonna go for a walk. Grab some coffee,” Iriye told Nelly.

“Isn’t that my job?” Nelly asked Iriye.

“Not right now. I need the air. You want anything?” Iriye asked.

“Oh, I would love a cookie,” Nelly pleaded. 

“Your wish is my command,” Iriye headed out to the lot, taking familiar steps to the cafe on the lot.

Iriye headed for the path she usually took, but with several new productions happening on the lot, she had to take the same routes some of the studio tours were on. She found herself in familiar territory, remembering her first job as a tour guide on the lot. She walked until she caught sight of one of the soundstages that were usually left empty for the walking part of the tour.

Iriye slipped inside, footsteps hitting the ground and her taking in the sound stage. She looked around, wrapping her arms around herself as she took it all in. She knew she had ten minutes before the next group came in.

Iriye shut her eyes, imagining a set on the sound stage. Two actors portraying forlorn lovers settled in their house while Tamara called cut. Iriye sat in a chair, headphones on, watching from the video village. It was so close yet so far away. Her fantasy was cut short by the sound of heavier steps entering the space.

“My bad, I didn’t know this stage was taken,” The light-skinned man spoke with a heavy British accent, adjusting his glasses as he looked at her.

As this stranger stood on the soundstage, Iriye felt unnerved, her fantasy disturbed. His presence was something else, though, as he smiled at her.

“It’s not, but you shouldn’t be here,” Iriye stated matter of factly. “It’s the sound stage the tour uses. No one is supposed to be here,”

“You’re a tour guide?” He asked, Iriye trying her best not to scoff.

“I am- I was,” Iriye admitted. “Do I look like a tour guide?”

“No. Not at all. I mean no offense by that,” He explained, moving closer. Iriye held her ground, realizing that she should probably move away as he was so damn tall. “I was just-“

“Because I was trying to look like a professional now. And the tour guides wear button-ups too,” Iriye was trying to be calm as she smoothed out her button-up shirt. 

“You look good. Dope,” The tall man reasoned. Iriye raised her eyebrow at him, taking in his jawline and those eyes. Man.

The rumble of a tour bus coming to a stop broke Iriye from her trance, and she focused on the entrance behind him.

“We should go before we get kicked off the lot. I mean, I won’t, but you might,” Iriye stated, heading towards the exit and leading them out. The footsteps entering the space made the tall man follow behind Iriye, and she looked over her shoulder at him.

“My bad,” he whispered, as they exited the sound stage. They made it outside the stage, and she pointed back to where the tour guides usually congregated with their groups.

“You might want to return to your group before they notice you are missing. The tour guides can get in trouble if they lose someone,” Iriye stated. The man just chuckled, and Iriye crossed her arms. She raised an eyebrow at him.

“Trust me, I probably would cause more commotion being there with them. Would probably get me in trouble.” He said. Iriye shook her head at him. 

“So I’m guessing you’re new to the lot. What production are you working on?” Iriye asked. With that question, the man looked at her curiously before a smile crossed his face. 

“Lanterns,” He said. “I’m Aaron,” He offered his hand to her.

“Iriye,” Iriye shook his hand, feeling almost dainty as her hand was in his. “Nice to meet you, Aaron,” She said. “Hope you don’t get into trouble while on the lot. It’s an amazing place to be,”

“It is from what I can see. What’s your favorite place here?” Aaron asked her, and Iriye found that question intriguing. 

“My favorite place here?” Iriye thought about it for a moment. “Anywhere I can see the water tower,” She said. “If you’re driving to the lot, it’s welcoming you. And once you get inside here, you can see it down the main road. Right down there,” Iriye pointed out.

Aaron looked the way she pointed, taking in the lingering smile on her face. “Not to get you in trouble like myself, but do you mind showing me?”

“Are you mocking me?” Iriye asked. “Because you asked me what was my favorite place here,”

Aaron put his hands up in defense. “I just don’t want to get you into any more trouble than I already might cause,” 

Iriye smirked before motioning for him to follow her. “Come on,”

Iriye and Aaron walked down one of the roads until they reached a path with a clear view of the water tower, which was lit by the sun. 

Iriye stopped, taking in the view, and she turned to see Aaron beside her. She took in his side profile as he stared ahead, gold-rimmed glasses on his face. From her eyes, she fell to his full lips and then the chiseled jaw with a trimmed goatee. And though she couldn’t see much, she could tell under his hoodie and sweats that he was tall and muscular.

“So what are you doing on Lanterns? You know, job-wise?” She asked, still taking him in. Aaron looked at her directly, and his eyes were so bright and open, her masking her surprise and failing. She couldn’t tell the emotion on his face, but it was quickly washed with a warm smile.

“I work with talent,” Aaron stated. “Yourself?”

“I’m a writer working on the lot here,” Iriye stated. “The production company I co-own with my best friend got a deal with the studio,” She explained.

“Congratulations,” Aaron applauded her. Iriye shook her head. 

“Don’t clap too soon. We have to get something greenlit first,” She stated.

“What makes you think it won’t happen?” Aaron asked.

Iriye turned to Aaron, seeing the curiosity. “You know how fickle this industry can be. One day, you’re in, and the next, you’re out. If I keep my hopes low and realistic, I won’t be let down if it doesn’t come to fruition,” Why was she spilling her guts to him? It must have been those beautiful blue-green eyes.

“Maybe I have too much faith, but I have a feeling you’re going to get everything you want,” Aaron said with a smile. “It’s okay to be hopeful,” 

“Maybe so,” Iriye shot back. Her eyes were stuck on his, seeing how hopeful and solid he was. It should have scared her, but it wasn't very safe in a good way. The sound of a golf cart going by them broke off their stare, and Iriye fidgeted on her feet. “I should get going. I have so much to do. And I still have to get coffee,” she explained. “Plus, I’m sure your second AD is not gonna like one of his below-the-line crew running off,”

“Right. I shouldn’t keep you any longer,” Aaron said. “Thank you for the mini tour. Maybe you can show me some other places on the lot soon." His face was filled with a hopeful smile.

“Maybe. Make sure you have your badge on you, too,” Iriye reminded her. She waved goodbye before walking towards the cafe.

Coffee, water, and two cookies later, Iriye made it back to her production offices, goodies in hand, as Nelly came over to hold the door.

“You okay? Was worried when you weren’t back so quickly,” Nelly asked. Tamara came out of her office and saw the treats. 

“If I would have known, I would have walked with you. Especially after the email I got,” Tamara stated. Iriye offered her half of her cookie, seeing her friend's forehead wrinkling.

“What was the email about?” Iriye asked before taking a sip of her coffee. Nelly dug into her cookie with a hum.

“Davis wants us to meet in his office instead of them coming to us. I guess they’re expecting a few more people in this meeting,” Tamara chewed a piece.

“Thank God. This place wasn’t going to be done in time,” Nelly declared. “I can only do so much. I’m one person,”

“Well, you can take a break 'cause you’re coming with us. Tamara and I were serious about including you in this production company. The best way to learn is to get hands-on experience,” Iriye smiled. She had to keep calm for the three of them. “Tamara, we’re going to nail this pitch, get the green light on this project, and be on our way to showing what we can do,” Iriye had to take the bull by the horns, especially as she was just as nervous.

“What would I do without you?” Tamara pulled Iriye into a hug, patting her back. 

“Team Lanoire,” Nelly put her hand out. Tamara pulled back and added her s before Iriye did the same. They cheered before Nelly put on her music, blasting it through the office and starting an impromptu dance party.

As Megan Thee Stallion rapped throughout the office, Iriye got hyped about the presentation. The representation she wanted to bring. But even more so, her brain kept wondering to Aaron’s kind words. He was a total stranger and yet, he was able to leave an impression on her. And not because he was handsome. Tha was a plus but it felt like he was trying to speak something inside of Iriye into existence.

His words were still on her mind even as they made their way to the one of the main offices on the lot that housed the execs they were meeting with. An assistant led the three women into the  conference room and were met with a smile and hand shake from Davis, a  executive who had been championing their work for the past two years.

“Sorry about the shake up, ladies,” Davis stated as he waited for them to sit down. 

“Nothing we can’t take in stride,” Tamara said, looking to Iriye with a smile.

“I’m guessing we’re going to be expecting more people today for the meeting,” Iriye inquired, grabbing a bottle of water that was on the table for them.

“We are actually. Some executives wanted to bring in an actor that’s working on the lot for the next few months. You know how it goes. Give him some options of films to star in,” Davis explained. Iriye tried her best not to roll her eyes. Nelly had to hold a chuckle in as she looked at Iriye.

“You know how grateful we are for this opportunity,” Tamara said before Iriye jumped in.

“Davis, you know that’s not us though,” Iriye admitted. “We really want to be on the forefront of breaking new talent,”

“You know I want that more than anything for you guys. And I will keep in my mind. But you know some things are out of my hands,” Davis took a sip of his drink. 

“We know,” Iriye nodded, even if she had to bite her tongue. 

“We really appreciate everything, Davis,” Tamara reasoned. 

“You the man, Davis,” Nelly added on. The older gentleman nodded along.

“So, do you know who the studio wants to try and partner with us?” Iriye asked, wanting to get straight to the point. 

“He’s this up-and-coming actor. I’m shocked because he requested to be here. He’s working on the lot for a bit, so the studio wants to maintain a good relationship with him and all,” Davis said. 

Iriye was ready to retort when the conference room door opened, and three other execs poured in. Iriye began digging through her bag for a few pens, moving to hand Nelly one, but she noticed the woman had frozen up.

“You good?” Iriye asked her. Nelly nodded, taking the pen. Iriye turned back to the door, and she tried her best to keep a poker face as she looked at the man she had met earlier. 

The tall stranger whose presence had slowly wormed it’s way through her head as she prepared for this meeting. I have a feeling you’re going to get everything you want. Those words were ringing true now.

He stepped forward to Tamara, shaking her hand. Iriye was sure her brain turned off until he got to her.

“I’m Aaron Pierre,” Aaron said, glasses no longer on as his grayish-green eyes bore into her.

“Nice to meet you, Aaron. I’m Iriye,” Iriye kept her composure. They were in a professional setting now. No need for the theatrics, even if the man she met on the soundstage seemed anything but it. But he was an actor. Aaron had a role to play, and Iriye did too.

[nubiawrites]

coming soon...

aaron pierre x black original character

when an up-and-coming screenwriter meets her match in a rising actor, their worlds collide as the lines blur between business and pleasure and maybe love...

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