#actor! lads

"So you are the Lord of the Nether Realm... " You ask him. He gives you an mmh hmm without opening his eyes and lips. Avoiding to distract the work being done.

"So... You..." You chuckle before you can even finish your sentence and you break into a sort-of sing-laugh fit, "so you come from a land down under... "

It still doesn't sink in and his makeup artist snorts before answering you with, "yeah, he does. The one where women glow and men plunder... Can't you hear the thunder? "

She taps him signalling that the makeup is done and he needs to stay still and let it dry for a few minutes.

"What are the both of you saying---"

He doesn't even finish the question before you and her sing out loud,

"I COME FROM A LAND DOWN UNDER! WHERE BEER DOES FLOW AND MEN CHUNDER! CAN'T YOU HEAR, CANT YOU HEAR THE THUNDER? YOU BETTER RUN, YOU BETTER TAKE COVER, YEAHHHHHH! "

He walks out.

You feel kinda feel guilty. But you also know that it's not your fault he is a bit uncultured, you head to the set anyway. You step out of his trailer, and speed walked to the shoot. You pass by MC's trailer and spot a lazy Zayne lounging on the coach through the window. He spots you and waves, you waive back and point to the general direction of the shoot, letting him know where you're headed. He just raises a thumbs up.

You reach the set only to see just in time the director growing pissed at Caleb who has his head on his hands, sitting on his chair, with MC beside him trying to rub his back and console him as the director looms over his sitting form, hands on his hips.

"What is the problem, Caleb?! You used to do this in one take, we've already had three? You just have to kiss her! "

You stare intently at the breakfast buffet, the freshly made bread and butter calling out to you. You put a slice in your mouth before grabbing a cup and the coffee maker to pour yourself some coffee.

MC's eyes dart up to a familiar form. You. Unsuspecting. Breakfast on mouth and coffee pot in hand, it's perfect. You're perfect.

"I know! If Caleb can't kiss me, maybe he isn't the problem. What if? We use a body double? For Caleb to kiss.... "

"MC we don't have any body doubles for yoy available for today, we didn't make an effort to because this wasn't a problem before ---", the director scratches his nape.

"Aw come on, Bossman. That wouldn't be a problem! Just put my wig on the double and make do with the angles."

"Even if we could do that, who would be... "

"That's not a problem! " MC beams, grin so big all her teeth are showing, she calls your name and Caleb almost stands up to attention. The director turns his head to look at you.

You turn to her, bread still in your mouth and hands busy. You raise your brows in question. MC comes up to you and tugs both the director and Caleb with her. She hugs you, arms pinned by your side and all. Likea vice grip with puppy eyes and cute pout, looking up at you.

"Will you make out with Caleb in my place? Pretty please???? " She makes a show of pouting AND puffing her cheeks, as she rests her chin against your chest, like a cat.

The bread falls from your lips and you grow limp in her arms.

"Help us. Please." The director joins her.

The messages from you doesn't change. You reply when he texts you, you miss a few calls when calls (this makes him uneasy) and what he hates the most though, is the fact that you don't linger anymore. He tries to reach out and somehow, even if you reach back out, you don't do it in the same warmth. 

In your defense, being away from Caleb after he hit you with that "real talk" you didn't ask for made you realize that he is, in fact, very much correct. It's not an easy thing to make ammends with; the hard to swallow pill turns out, is aside from purple eyes and brown hair, and the soft voice, and the warm embrace and laughter... you didn't make an effort to seek a world beyond him even if it hurt you. 

You didn't bat an eye even if he asked for your help how to woo MC. You seemingly convinced that that's how unconditional love is, being happy when he's happy. You bury it in the deepest parts of your brain that no laughing gas can make you spill, how much it made you jealous of MC. You hate yourself for it because you love her too. You love her not because of Caleb but because she has been with you even in the times he hurt you.  MC was the first to notice when you seemingly tried to take a step back from the group. How can you bear ill feelings for someone like that? 

Actor! Caleb calls you a little before midnight. You're in that plain of existence between sleep and awake and wanting to throw your phone for ringing because, damn, that sleep was good. You open one eye, squinting to see who the hell would want to call you at this hour (you're fully prepare to nag the hell out of Sylus if this is him,  because come on man, you need sleep to keep the creative juices). It's Caleb, you answer. 

"Caleb... "

"Hey you... " He softly calls out. 

"I just want to preface this by saying if I don't respond to you, I probably fell back again to sleep. Some of us actually has a sleeping schedule. Even if it's not healthy. " You murmur. You say as you place your phone on your pillow. You close your eyes again and roll to your side. 

"I know... I know... " He chuckles. He stares up his ceiling. "I just wanted to hear your voice, I can't sleep.. "

"You sure you're not talking about your darling pipsqueak? " The moment you finish your sentence your eyes fly open. Fuck. You did'nt even meant it to sound like that! You silently scream into your hands. 

There is a deep, sharp, breath on the other side of the phone. "Hey, come on, don't do me like that... " oh god here comes the puppy voice and you want to call him out for it but the embarassment of sounding bitter is occupying you right now. 

You don't respond. 

"Hello? " He calls out. You don't respond. It takes him three more hello's before you make an attempt to drop the call but--

"You fell asleep? " Actor! Caleb who doesn't even know what he's doing right now. Honestly what is up with him today, he doesn't even know himself. Where this boldness is coming from he also doesn't know. He also rolls to his side and stare at the city scape out his window. 

"There's a lot of things I haven't got the chance to talk to you about. Are you asleep? " He doesn't receive a response. You probably did. Good. 

"You are, aren't you? That's good. Because I honestly don't have the balls to tell you this to your face.. but I know I should. This counts , right? It's stupid. Humor me as you sleep. " He bites his lower lip. Knawing as he stares at your picture tucked in his wallet he accidentally left open by his bed side.

"I binged your works recently. Took me a month. Can you believe it? And you know who told me to? Sylus. And you know what, baby? I can't help but feel like you wrote about me."

There is a difference from point A and point B. Point A is writing all your feelings for a man who doesn't have the slightest idea of the overflowing emotions you have for him. Point B is him knowing. The difference is that you want the Earth to eat you up and make you disappear. He wasn't supposed to know. You're not prepared for --

"And... And by the time it dawns on me, you're already where you are now. You know? You don't reach out for me and I hate myself for hating it. Because I can't make peace with the fact that I basically told you that your affection of me, in all its artistic glory, doesn't reach me. Because it did. Why didn't you tell me baby, I would've listened. "

You almost levitate from the bed because, what in world?! He would've listened? Really? REALLY?! After all the time had passed it only reaches him now? Oh how much you want to punch his perfectly chiseled face because where is this coming from? 

"And I know it may be too late and I don't want to make you feel used. Because for the longest you may have felt like it but, you have to believe me I didn't meant it to be that way... I'm stupid I know. Ignorant? Very much yes. But I'm going to do everything in my power to prove to you that I lo--" A doorbell rings from his front door.

Door Dash Notification: Order Delivered. 

The ring brings him back to reality. "I'll see you when I see you, baby. Goodnight."

The calls drops and you scream at your pillow. "What the fuuuuuu..... "

Actor! Caleb mind to kick where it stood but decides to keep it to himself. His footsteps taking him into the complex, taking almost two steps at a time before stopping at your door. Leaning his ear against the door and trying to make out sounds within before trying to dial your number. You don't answer. He texts you, delivered but not read. So he almost childishly pulls your spare key from his pocket, and lets himself in. He pushes the door open and hits a body with a thud and a muffled "ow! "

Actor! Sylus who stops in his tracks. Spoom still inside his mouth as the door hits his side. Only to see Actor! Caleb. 

"Oops... " is all Caleb says. Raising two fingers in a peace sign. 

"I was about to open the door."  Sylus answers, words mumbled as he takes out the spoon out of his mouth. 

"Wow, you look like shit." Caleb takes note of Sylus' ruffled hair that he kept from pulling out of frustration the night before, and the dark circles under his eyes. He reaches his index finger to press on it before Sylus slaps it away. 

"Tell me about it, my makeup artist's gonna kill me. " He answers, rubbing his eyes before yawning. 

Actor! Caleb who controls himself and musters every single muscle in his body, every cell in his being-- to not address the fact that Sylus us wearing his shirt. Clenching his teeth so hard it might've cracked his molars. Because if Sylus had been wearing HIS shirt, that  HE specifically left for unexpected sleepovers, then that means this motherfucker had slept here... With you. 

"Where are they? " There is  fake kindness in his voice, tries to hide in a smile that doesn't even reach his eyes. 

Actor! Sylus, who is no stranger to the other's temper tantrums. They share the same circle and been in each other's space long enough to feel that there is something wrong. He raises a brow at him and... it clicks. He subtly sneaks a smirk and oh how glorious it is to see Caleb practically seething. Fuming from ear to ear. Sylus feigns innocence, shrugs , and leads the way with casual strides along the corridor, relaxed. Yeah, I've been here... for a couple of days, actually. 

Writer! Reader who is passed out on top of the coffee table. Noise cancelling headphones still on, with a phone that remained dead and uncharged. Papers strewn out across the table, scribbled, crumpled, marked with red markers. The only comfort is the couch blanket Sylus seemingly draped over you and a pillow under your head. 

"I assure you, I tried to bargain that the script can wait and rest is necessary. But here we are... " Sylus gestures to you. Scratching the back of his neck. Caleb lets out a small, knowing, chuckle. Oh, he knows, alright. Knows how you often go into a writing frenzy when the inspiration and caffeine hits in fear that the idea escapes you. Knows how you probably skipped meals in the process, but seeing that Sylus is here, he doubts the man ever let you starve. So he begrudginly thanks him for that.

For what it's worth, the fact that Sylus is such a gentleman enough to know not to touch you while you're asleep calms Caleb down. He offers Sylus a small nod before making his way to where you are, carefully removing the headphones off of you and placing it next to your phone before softly rubbing your back. 

"Hey there Shakespeare... " He whispers to you, softly. Your nose twitches but you don't answer him. Caleb readjusts the blanket to wrap your shoulder more and it shakes you awake. 

"Caleb... " You mutter, eyes slightly open. But make no move to push him away. "You're here? "

"You weren't picking up my calls, I figured something must be wrong. Cmon' let's get you to that couch at least." He tells you, as you let him lift your limp body in a burrito blanket and place you on the couch. He makes sure to make a show out of it too, an accidental look behind his shoulder to see an irritated Sylus. Yeah, that's right... bring it on.

"Sylus... " You softly call out. 

"Mmmh?" 

"I think... I think Caleb can help us."

Hiya!!! I'm back. Guess who got Zayne's Mythhhh!

Well, there was that one time that his nephews made a surprise visit while you were in a writing session with him that you learned that, aside from being essentially introverted, he's good at kids. He was really apologetic for it, given that Luke and Kieran decided not to let go of your legs because -- their words not his:

"Cool auntie is better at games than you, Uncle Sylus."

"Yeah and she let's us win, Uncle Sylus. "

Luke and Kieran aside, it's endearing actually to be able to learn these things about him. He isn't necessarily secretive, he also had a few college friends here and there, but it seems that Sylus genuinely enjoys company of very few people. Sure sometimes he gets invited for a bar nights, but after that he takes a few weeks to recharge his social battery. Yet for some unknown reason, he's the one who always, ALWAYS, reaches out to you for writing sessions.

You also learned and hatedly admit, that as much as your creative viewpoint expanded now that it's not about Caleb, it's hard without him. Not that it has to be with him, it's just that... it came naturally to write about him. But you know what? Fuck that.

You come head to head with yourself after you wrote an intimate scene with the lead characters. You don't really feel it needs to be sexual, no, that's not the direction of this film, but more of a love confession. A bare, intimate and truthful confession that bears all the characters heart out. You tried simulating it with yourself in the mirror, trying to replicate looks, trying to deliver the lines by yourself and all it makes you feel is stupid. The blinking cursor mocking you, the blank page teasing you. You grunt and slump your head against the table. The soft bang gets Sylus' attention.

"I got nothing, Sy." You groan. He mulls over it for a minute before getting up and heading into his room. You hear the sound of plastic before he sits beside you and hands over a ball???

"Open it." He gestures to you. You look at him in confusion but do as told. It's a motorcycle helmet, with pink and black accents and cute cat ears.

"Listen, I didn't know what you like but it looked cute and reminded me of you and --" Honestly a flustered Sylus is something you'll never get used to. He's big, confident and strong but during times like this, it dawns on you that just like everyone else, he's just a boy.

"So you think I'm cute? " You try to tease him and the redness crawls from his neck up to his ears and he scratches his nape again.

"I...I mean yes? Listen. All I'm saying is i... if you want to get some fresh air, maybe we can go out for a drive? Of course if you don't want to we can just stay here and.. "

"Sure. Let's go."

Actor! Sylus who admittedly likes the way your arms feel the way around his waist. Not that he forced you too? But he makes a mental reminder to at least look for handle bars he can intall just incase you decide to ride with again and you don't want to hold on to him. (But he likes it... You holding on to him) .

He takes you by the lake. It's a hidden spot really. Well, technically, it's private property. But you don't need to know that. He guides you by the dock. Taking your hand in his as he pulls you by the edge. He dusts the spot next to him and gestures for you to sit in it. You do.

"This is gorgeous, Sylus! Thank you! " The orange illuminates your skin, reflecting on the water. You take off your shoes and dip it in the water. He smiles to himself at the sight of you.

"It is, really." He doesn't take his eyes off of you.

The view gas you zoning out, eyes happy to finally see something else aside from a laptop screen and a scribbles on paper.

"I've been stuck on writing the climax scene, Sy. I try can't properly write it if I can't act it you know? It's supposed to be a confession but I just can't get a grip on how I should describe it because I don't know how it looks."

You ramble. Blinking but never removing your eyes from the view. Toes tracing circle patterns in the water. You hear him grunt and you continue your rant.

"Like how the hell are you supposed to look at someone, with adoration? Like you want to tell them but can't find the words to. Like you hope they get it just by seeing the way you look at them."

"Like this? "

You turn to see Sylus look at you. In a certain way that makes your instestines knot themselves, the heat crawl all over you, and your heart hammer. Like it eats you alive.

"Wow. That's exactly it! Damn, you are really good at acting, Sylus."

"I'm not acting."

You stare at him.

He stares at you.

You stare at him.

He stares at you.

And it clicks.

Oh.

You turn to Actress! MC, your eyebrows almost disappearing into your hairline as you try to ask her what the hell is so funny. 

"I'm sorry, Sylus!" She says in between giggles as she wraps - tries to - wrap her arm around your shoulder and pull you in, "they just get too intimidated by handsome men."

"That's 100% true! I get intimidated, by you, because you know, you're gorgeous. " Your mouth moves before you can even speak and the heat in Actor! Sylus' cheeks grows hotter by the second. 

"Thank you, I guess." He murmurs and it amuses Producer! Zayne and Actress! MC practically cries from laughing.

"Oh you two will go a looooong wayyyy"

------

Actor! Sylus, who you realized is as goofy as anyone gets. He likes music, has hobbies of his own (quite expensive ones, frankly) and he's a good conversationalist. It's charming really. 

Actor! Sylus who offers his place as a start to brainstorm. His idea is simple: a Bonnie and Clyde type of film, with an explosive plot twist at the end -- one of them is just a figment of the other's mind, and the crime is commited by one person only, but it's not who everyone thinks it is. 

He has a vision for it, excerpts scribbled from a black (and kinda worn out) note book. There is a boyish mirth in his eyes as he shows it to you, like the rigid and cold exterior has shed of and he's just too excited to finally share these parts of him. 

In the times that you speak to him, he can't help but feel the sides of his mouth hurt when, genuine smiles fall from his lips as you tell him about your ideas that fall perfectly with the fish bones he presented. Hell, you even suggested story boards along with it. 

Actor! Sylus who feels the excitement he hasn't had in years. His lounging beside you, in his old college shorts and baggy shorts he's had since high school (his dad accidentally bought two sizes big and decided to keep it) and dialling for pizza as you scribble your ideas on his notebook.

Writer! Reader who looks no better. With a shirt that practically drowns you (Sylus thinks that this suspiciously fits someone he knows but chooses not to speak about it), some soft and plush baggy pants and mismatched socks. 

"I've hit a wall... " You tell him, dropping the pen and rubbing your eyes with your fingers. Leaning against the seat of his sofa and extending your legs straight flat in his carpeted floor. 

"Well, do you want to have some fun? " He hopes you dont hear the shyness in his voice. (What the fuck? What is he? Seventeen?) 

------

Actor! Sylus who sucks at Kitty Cards but is one hell of a champion and swipes the floor clean with your pride at Yu Gi Oh! 

Actor! Sylus who definitely has the newest Tekken update in his carefully set up gameroom. Your practically gasp at his Warhammer figures carefully arranged in his oak center table. Your eyes twinkle and jaw oj the floor. Motherfucker had the audacity to be beautiful and have a personality? Well fuck  (you, please) 

The way you look at it though makes him feel like a boy again and he doesn't know how to deal with it, it's like theres a sudden itch in the back of his neck that he can't stop rubbing. Did the paint always looked chipped like that---

"Sylus... " He gets back on Earth with your hand on his shoulder, you look at him (look up, actually because well, were you always this small?, he thinks) You look at him with determined and fiery eyes, fist raised like you were expressing support, "You , my guy, are a very cool and badass person. "

He takes a breath, don't look at me like that! He looks at you and he feels like a kettle, and before he realizes it, his hands are covering his face. It's hot and he feels so fucking giddy inside that he doesn't know what do with it. 

"Are... Are you okay? "

He just gives you a thumbs up. 

------

Actor! Caleb who lounges on Producer! Zayne's couch like a lazy ass cat. He stares at the dark haired man, typing in his laptop as Actress! MC makes something in the kitchen. 

He keeps refreshing your messages, he gets frustrated and practically tosses his phone just to stare at Zayne again. 

"If you want to tell me something just say it. Stop looking at me like you're trying to see the folds of my brain." Zayne closes his laptop and takes off his glasses, leaning on his chair. 

Actress! MC who conveniently comes out of the kitchen with two tea cups, placing it in front of him before taking a seat on Zayne's lap. 

"He wants to ask about a certain someone and what do you think about them and another certain someone. " There it is again that knowing smirk, WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN????? 

"Am not." Caleb murmus taking a sip before sitting in a ball, he should've just come to Gideon. 

Zayne finishes takes a sip before rubbing MC's knees. Caleb rolls his eyes, it's too cheesy it's making him have diarrhea from looking at these two couple alone. 

"I think they are good together. The film will be great. "

"Together????? "

"See, this is what I'm telling you, Caleb. You have this perfect eyesight for flying planes but too fucked up to see obvious things. " MC speaks a little too loud at makes Zayne's hand squeeze her thigh a little harder. 

"Oh yeah, cause you're too smart are ya? " Caleb bites back.

"Yeah, I am. Want me to spell it out for you dumb ass?! " 

"Honey, I don't think this is something you need to discuss while you're in my lap---"

"YOU LIKE THEM! NO, NO, YOU HAVE FEELINGS FOR THEM! But instead of coming out and just saying it nooooooo, Little Mr. Pilot wants to explore the world, ha-ha-ha  cause he's a star and when all is said and done, he can always come home to them and they'll take him back... "

"Honey... " Zayne tries to hold her hand. 

"Well guess what motherfucker, I hope they get the man they deserve." 

There is a beat of silence. MC's hands on her hips, she was always the fighter among them three. She looks at her with fierce determination, yeah come at me bro. 

Caleb darts his look at the exasparated green-eyed man. He looks back at him before rolling his eyes, ah shit here we go. 

"You believe in that, Doc? "

Zayne let's out a tired sigh. Before looking back it him with pursed lips. Before slowly nodding. 

---- 

"That was mean." Zayne tells her as MC returns to his lap, nuzzling his head against the side of her neck. 

"Which part of it? I mean, I didn't lie. " Her fingers combing though his hair and massaging his scalp as she scrolls through her phone.

"The man they deserve, huh?" His voice muffled by her skin.