Chapter 34 - Under the Lights
The morning of the shoot they arrived at the studio, which was a hive of activity in stark contrast to the cavern of black-painted concrete in the old railway tunnels where it was being held.
The curved ceiling hummed with huge lighting soft-boxes, filling the space above with an unforgiving daylight effect. The venue was packed with photographers, assistants, lighting technicians and grooming artists. All unpacking, setting up, hovering, all waiting for Julian to arrive.
Callum could tell that Julian was nervous, but he imagined also eager to get this over and done with and return to a normal life. It had been a huge commitment and one that he’d met head-on, making Callum very proud of him.
After being introduced to Elena, the lead photographer, they were shown to a side room where Julian got undressed, ready for Callum to help apply fake tan for the photos.
“Get ready, big boy,” Callum said. “You know you’re going to get aroused as I do this but try to control yourself.” Julian nodded, knowing full well that he wouldn’t be able to, no matter how nervous he was.
Callum squeezed some of the liquid tan onto his gloved hands and started on Julian’s back first. He massaged the liquid into his skin, trying to get an even coating.
Once he’d done his back, top of his rump, shoulders, arms, and legs, he stood back.
According to the instructions, he had to let the liquid dry slightly before buffing with a special cloth provided.
“Turn around, please.”
Julian turned, a sheepish look on his face. Callum looked down. “Figures!” Julian was, of course, aroused. “What happened, man?” Callum asked.
“You know I can’t control it. It’s just you.”
Callum ignored it, continuing to apply the fake tan to his front and arms. Once he’d done the front, he turned him again and buffed off the back, followed by the front.
Julian was now super-tanned, and it looked quite genuine.
There was a professional make-up artist outside waiting to enhance his face with proper makeup.
Once the liquid had fully dried, Callum did another check. It was fine; he’d done a good job. Julian reached for his underwear and the shorts provided by the magazine, but Callum stopped him and instead fished out a small black bag from his holdall.
“What’s this?” Julian asked.
“The secret weapon,” Callum whispered. “It’s a tad small. It’s going to be snug, and it’s going to be uncomfortable, but I promise you, nothing is moving.”
Julian looked at the shop logo on the bag, then at Callum. “You went to a Soho fetish shop for me?”
“All part of the service, Mr Newman,” Callum said. “Now get to it. The Titan has a public image to maintain.”
Callum had to help Julian into it. The jockstrap was fine, but the fitted cup was a different matter. Every time he tried to get his junk into it, something would escape the cup. It was a real squeeze, and this was the XXL, thought Callum…
They laughed together, and Julian’s nerves were the only thing that prevented him from getting further aroused, with Callum’s hand practically repositioning his dick and balls.
Eventually everything was contained, shaped, and secured in the fitted cup, snug inside the jockstrap.
The khaki green shorts provided by the magazine followed, and Callum declared he looked fine.
Julian put on a robe, then went into hair and makeup.
The last preparations before the pictures would be taken were a set of exercises with a pair of dumbbells, moving through a rapid-fire sequence of lateral raises and curls that Callum had devised for that final ‘pump’.
Julian did these in the grey robe, and when he shed it, a collective audible gasp could be heard across the room.
After sixteen weeks of Callum’s relentless programming, Julian didn't just look like a billionaire who hit the gym; he looked like a force of nature.
Every muscle fibre in his chest and deltoids was etched with surgical precision.
The veins in his forearms mapped out a story of discipline and deprivation.
With his blood-infused muscles and the diet and water regimen, the true ‘Titan’ had fully emerged. He looked nothing less than incredible.
Callum looked at him with a big smile on his face, feeling a real sense of accomplishment. Together they had achieved this through hard work and determination. What was it he’d said to Julian after their first session? Ah yes, grit.
“Looking good, Julian. Positions, please!” Elena instructed.
Julian stepped onto the platform in front of the backdrop and, with guidance from Callum, adopted the first of the poses that were defined. Lights flared, blinding white.
Flash. Click. Flash. Click.
“Chin down. Tighten the core. Give me that Titan look, Julian!” Elena shouted.
Flash. Click. Flash. Click.
For the first hour, Julian was a machine. Callum assisted with odd adjustments, and the secret weapon did its job with no issues.
Julian hit every pose Callum had taught him. A slight twist of the torso to emphasise the serratus, the expansion of the lats to make his waist look impossibly narrow.
But as the shoot wore on, the exhaustion of the cut began to show. His movements slowed. The spark in his eyes started to dim under the oppressive heat from the lamps above.
Callum stood behind the photographer, calling out cues: “Big chest, Julian! Crunch the abs! Look at the lens like you own it!”
“He’s fading,” Elena hissed, looking at her monitor. “The muscles are there, but the soul is gone. We’re losing the shot.”
“Give me a moment, Elena. I’ll talk to him,” Callum said.
“Five-minute break, people,” Elena shouted, and people disbanded.
Callum walked to the edge of the platform with an energy drink in his hand for Julian.
“Julian,” Callum called, his voice cutting through the noise. Julian stepped down next to him.
“Drink this and listen to me. I know you’re exhausted, but we need to get this done.
Think about the gym,” Callum said, his voice dropping low.
“Think about the night the bed broke. Think about the rice and beans at Mamma’s.
You need to find the energy within yourself.
Don't do this for them. Do it for the man who didn't think he could finish that last set. Do it for you and me. Do it for us.”
Julian’s expression shifted. The fatigue was quickly washed away by memories of happy moments they had shared together.
He smiled at Callum. Callum knew his tactic had worked.
Julian downed the rest of the drink, and a raw, predatory hunger came over him.
He had a look of pure, unadulterated power now. This had nothing to do with the energy drink, or money, but everything to do with the man standing in front of him and the amazing relationship they now shared.
“Ready?” Callum asked.
“Ready,” Julian replied. He turned and stepped back up to the platform, assuming a pose that was full of power, energy and attitude.
“Perfect. He’s back. I see it!” Elena shouted, her finger flying on the shutter, photographs being taken like rapid artillery fire.
Flash. Click. Flash. Click. Flash. Click.
Elena shouted for joy. “That’s it. That’s the Titan. People, we are back in business!”
***
After another eighty minutes, when Elena finally yelled, “That's it, that’s a wrap,” the whole room erupted in applause.
Julian thanked everyone profusely, relieved it was over, before he and Callum retreated to the dressing room.
In the quiet there, the frantic energy of the crew muffled by the heavy door, Julian let out a long, ragged exhale. He took off the shorts and carefully peeled off the secret weapon with a grimace of relief.
“Jeez, that was seriously uncomfortable, but it served its purpose.” He moved to kiss Callum a thank you, but he recoiled.
“Oh no, you’re not coming anywhere near me until you have taken at least two showers. Look at the state of you! You’re the colour of a Giant Redwood.”
Julian looked in the mirror - he wasn’t wrong. He jumped in the shower and started scrubbing away the fake tan.
By the time he’d finished, the shower tray was orange, but he, less so. He dressed and went out to check everything was okay with the crew.
Everyone was happy; Elena got what she needed. Job done.
In the car on the way home, Julian let out a big sigh, squeezing Callum’s hand tightly. “Thanks for everything, Cal. I couldn’t have done that without you, for multiple reasons and in multiple ways.” He smiled a very happy and grateful smile.
“I’m so proud of you today, Jules. I think the pictures are going to be amazing.
I already rate Elena’s work from what I saw on the monitors.
” He leant in and kissed him. “I’m looking forward to the office photo-shoot tomorrow too, though, and I thought I might take my camera along to take a few of you in the new suits Sophia made.
The boring old corporate photos might need to get filed.
This is Julian Newman 2.0 and Callum West, photographer.
Step aside, Rankin, I’m coming through!” Callum laughed.
“That’s a great idea,” Julian replied. He sat back in the seat as his stomach grumbled so loudly that even Callum heard it.
“Was that your stomach?” he asked, laughing.
“Yes it bloody well was,” followed by “Coco, please can you take us to the nearest McDonald’s where I am going to have a Big Mac, a strawberry thick shake, a Quarter Pounder with Cheese, chicken nuggets, a Filet-O-Fish, oh, and a McFlurry and a hot apple pie…”
Callum just laughed.
There was no way he was denying his Titan anything today.
***
Saturday 26th April 25
The next day Julian was called to repeat his modelling moment, but this time in his office, which was of course deserted. He wore his favourite of the new bespoke suits Sophia had designed for him, the dark grey with violent pink and crimson striped lining.
Sophia insisted on being there to oversee him wearing it, which Callum knew was just really a ploy to bask in the glory of her creation, take as much credit as possible, and join them afterwards for a celebratory lunch. Just an excuse to spend time with them, really.
Elena wasn’t available today, so the photographer from Men’s Health this time was a young guy called Sebastian, who introduced himself with a firm handshake to Julian and Callum.
The hair and makeup team were on hand for minimal preparatory work today, set up in the gym area outside Julian’s office.
Whilst Julian was being prepared, Callum chatted to Sebastian, who spied his new camera.
“Wow, that’s the new E5 Mark 2,” Sebastian exclaimed. “What a beautiful piece of kit.”
Callum let him have a play with the camera, and soon they were comparing notes about lighting and composition.
Over a coffee, their discussion turned to the office and various set-up options, and they were soon bouncing ideas between them about some innovative poses and different angles.
Sebastian took an instant liking to Callum’s ideas, and they were soon scribbling notes between them.
Once Julian was ready, Sebastian led the session but did let Callum use his camera to take some of the more unusual pictures.
He reviewed them and declared they were good and that if he gave his consent and signed a waiver for the magazine, they might even be used with the article if the creative director liked them.
Once the official shoot was over, Julian, Sophia and Callum found some interesting corners where they took new profile headshots of Julian in his fancy new suit.
The Callum-led pictures captured a more modern side of Julian with his newfound smile. “You’ve got nice teeth, Jules. Let the world see them now and then, hey!” This, of course, made Julian laugh, which in turn resulted in a great photo of a more relaxed Titan.
One picture of Julian and Sophia together was declared the best. They were both fake-smiling and looked at each other, descending into fits of laughter. Callum had clicked the shutter that split second and caught the absolute truth of the moment between them. It was a stunning picture.
Once Julian had washed the make-up off and changed into casual gear, they headed into town and celebrated with a nice lunch and some very fancy champagne at the revolving restaurant, The View, enjoying the city spread out below them.
Both shoots were finally over. All their work had led up to this, and it was a huge relief that it was now done.