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Chapter Text

he plan was made. The surfboard was ready. All that was left now was to say goodbye. The four friends looked at each other sadly, hardly believing this was it. Tanner had to believe himself the saddest. This time he'd spent in the future had opened his eyes to so much. For instance when he'd found out that here, it was perfectly fine for boys to love boys and girls to love girls! He'd startled two boys kissing at Brady's school when he was jumping around in excitement. They were annoyed and said a word Brady told him he should never say. Ever since then, Tanner was looking at Brady in a whole new way. And now he had to leave and never find out what it meant. Now he had to go back to pretending he was in love with Lela. He now knew it had been the plot of the movie that had made him do that, but he'd never felt it. Not really. He hugged Brady the longest and felt the worst when he pulled away.

"Okay, now we haven't got much time! Let's get you two home!" Mack said, picking up the surfboard with Brady. Lela gave Tanner a small smile before following them. And that's when Tanner was struck by the best idea he'd had in his entire fictional life. He grabbed Lela's hand to stop her going further. She turned to him, confused.

"Lela wait. Be honest with me, do you want to go back to our movie world?" He asked her.

"Tanner, we have to go back. If we don't-"

"Be honest!" He said and she bit her lip, hesitating.

"No. I don't, I love it here! I mean I love my brother and our friends but... if there was a way for me to live and grow up here I'd take it. Where girls can do anything they want to and..." She looked over at Mack, "And I can write my own story." She said.

"Well I've got good news for you! Mack! Brady! Come back!" He called to them. They came back over but Mack looked a little annoyed.

"Tanner I don't think we have time-"

"This is important! We could be making a big mistake! See, Lela wants to stay. And I know, I know she has to come back to star in the movie. But what if someone else played the biker who fell in love with a surfer and got swept up in a turf war? Then the movie could go on as normal, just with one different character." The other three exchanged confused glances.

"You mean I should take Lela's place?" Mack asked.

"Not you, Brady!" Tanner said. Lela fought back a smile, Mack stared, Brady choked on air.

"Me!? Tanner that's- that's crazy!"

"Not really! To me it makes perfect sense! Lela loves it here and so does Mack. They love the modern real world, and I think they love being with each other too!  But Brady, I know you were happier in my world than here. You said yourself, going there was a dream come true for you! If you come with me you can live in that dream forever!" Tanner said. Brady was looking at Tanner starry eyed, until he broke the gaze and glanced nervously at Mack.

"You wanna go with him don't you?" She said. Brady nodded.

"I'm sorry but- I mean we haven't really working and... I think it's because since I saw what was out there, I was wishing I was there instead of here." He said. Mack nodded.

"I get it and honestly? I'm not sad about breaking up, I'm sad that if you go I won't see you. You're still my best friend." Brady pulled her into a hug.

"Maybe we can find a way to go between the two worlds whenever we want. With Tanner's genius and my inventor skills, I think anything's possible." She laughed a little.

"It honestly is genius, i was dying inside thinking I'd never see Lela again." She whispered. "I think I like her."

"I think I like him. That's why we have to do this." He whispered back.

"Good luck."

"You too." Brady looking over at Tanner, bubbling with joy. "Shall we?" He held out his hand to him. Tanner beamed and took it. The start of the new story, he was sure of it.

Mack and Lela watched from the shore as Tanner and Brady disappeared into the waves. They looked at each other, smiling.

"Guess I'm gonna have to explain to my grandpa why my new friend has to live with us.." Mack said. Lela burst out laughing, jumping in delight and throwing her arms around Mack. Mack laughed too, grabbing her and spinning her around on the beach. When they parted Lela was still giggling.

"I can't believe it! I'm here in the future, Mack! For good!" She said.

"It's the present now for you doll. You might need to educate me more on sixties slang."

"No, you have to teach me on modern day slang! Because bae, I live here now!" Mack smirked at Lela, spinning on the sand.

"Close enough." She said fondly.

In the world of Wet Side Story, Brady and Tanner walked out of the ocean, still hand in hand, completely dry. The rest of the bikers and surfers were waiting for them on the beach and seeing them, Tanner dropped Brady's hand. They looked at Tanner in relief, to Brady in bewilderment. Butchy stepped forward.

"Why's he here? Where's Lela?" He said.

"I'm sorry Butchy, Lela's staying in the future. But Brady's here to take her place so things can still work here! And it must've worked because everything's here, and you're all okay!" He said with a grin. The gangs looked at him like he was crazy or doing one of his goofball jokes. But Brady knew just how much he'd thought about this, and looked at him like he was the smartest person who ever lived.

Chapter Text

"How do you think they took it?" Brady asked Tanner.
"For them? Pretty well!" Tanner replied. They were both tied up back to back in chairs in the middle of the dancefloor at Big Momma's. The bikers and surfers were arguing around them, except this time it wasn't a war between the two gangs. It was a war between those who thought Brady should stay and those who thought he should be thrown back into the sea where he came from. Butchy whistled for quiet and approached the traitors.
"Alright! I could maybe understand you wanted to bring Brady back. But Tanner how could you leave Lela out there in that freaky other world! Out on her own! She'll get pummeled!" He said. Some of the others on the "throw Brady back" side made shouts of agreement.
"Butchy I'm sorry but I told you, she chose to stay! If she'd wanted to come back I never would've suggested it!" Said Tanner.
"Well- well- I wish I could yell at her but she's not here!" He stamped around, trying to come up with another point.
"Butch, I'm sad that Lela's not here, really but I think Tanner's got a real point! Brady can sing, he can dance, he fits right in with us! He belongs here!" Seacat came to the rescue. Tanner smiled at his friend.
"Exactly! It was... meant to be." He added, holding onto Brady's hand inbetween the rope tieing them together.
"But I don't get this!" Butchy came back to face them. "What were you expecting Tanner!? That- that Brady takes Lela's place in the story?"
"Yep." Said Tanner.
"Her place as your love interest?"
"Uh-huh." Said Brady.
"And- and he's going to dance with you!?"
"What are you implying? He's a great dancer!" Seacat added.
"And- kiss him!?"
"Only if he doesn't mind." Said Tanner.
"I wouldn't mind." Said Brady with a smirk. Butchy made a few exasparated noises before sighing and giving up.
"Fffine! But then he ain't my brother. He's not Lela."
"Of course not," said Tanner. "He's Brady. I wouldn't change him for anyone." Seacat and a couple others untied them and began hugging Brady, welcoming him to the family. They all sat down and listened in awe as Tanner told them something many of them had always hoped could be true. That loving someone the same gender as you was okay! And Brady could play his love interest because the truth was- Tanner didn't feel attracted to girls that way! He loved Lela as a best friend and companion but now he knew he didn't have to pretend that he loved her any more than that. The story had been changed and now all of them, could choose how they wanted theirs to go. Butchy had been pounting in the corner for most of this speech. But all that talk about falling in love with boys... he looked over at Seacat and a small smile grew on his face. Maybe this surfer had a bit of a point.

Chapter Text

Tanner faced himself in the mirror. The moment he'd been waiting for was soon approaching. He practised the dazzling smile he was known for. Still got it. But he looked different now. He felt different too, like he was introducing himself to the person he'd always been inside. He turned at someone coming in the bathroom. It was Seacat.

"Hey pal. You almost ready?"  He asked.

"I think so! I'm a little nervous!" Tanner replied with laugh.

"It'll be fine. You've done this hundreds of times!"

"Yeah, with Lela. This is different..." Tanner looked back at his refection. "For Brady.. I can't make sense of what I'm feeling- I tried so hard not to show how happy I am around him and it never worked." He smiled, pure and genuine. "I can't hide anymore."

"Then don't hide it Tanner. Be happy." Seacat put a hand on his shoulder and Tanner beamed at him.

"I will!"

"Yeah! You go out there and catch Brady when he falls for you!"

"Oh- Me and him talked about this, he's not singing Lela's song. I am!"

"You're singing Falling for Ya?"

"Yeah, it's kinda been my dream... forever. Can you join Giggles on back-up?"

"Well I have had some practice with that song so sure." Tanner tilted his head at him. "Oh, long story. Let's go."

Tanner took his place on stage on his cue. He nodded at the band they started playing. The lights were shining down, everyone's eyes were on him. His nerves evaporated as the music seemed to take over him. He swayed slightly from side to side, smiling before he began singing.

"The day started ordinary, boys walking by..."

Seacat and Giggles sang back up for him, feeling giddy at Tanner singing about boys. The dance floor filled with teens dancing to the dreamy song. The surfers performing the number wasn't the only change of course. Brady was at the back of the room leaning against a wooden beam, gazing at Tanner. Hardly acting at all. He was singing his heart out and had such a beautiful voice. Brady couldn't help but think back to when he could only see Tanner through a screen, questioning his sexuality every time that handsome boy entered the scene. And now he was more sure that he was not straight than ever.

"Feels like I've tumbled from another world, into your arms and it's so secure. Maybe I'll stumble but I know I can't, head over heels I'm gonna be your man." Tanner swayed and spun to the music, his heart leaping for what was about to come. When the time was right he danced a little too close to the edge of the stage and fell backwards. He landed securely in Brady's strong arms. Their eyes locked and Tanner put his arms around him, never wanting him to let go.

"And now I'm falling for ya! Falling for ya! Can't hold on any longer, and now I'm falling for you!" Tanner touched Brady's nose making him blink out of his dream like stare. The music, the dancing all seemed to fade around them. "Guess I really fell for ya, huh?" Tanner said softly. Brady was almost speechless, it was like he was living in a fantasy. "Thanks for catching me..." Tanner added as Brady put him down and they faced each other on the dance floor.

"My pleasure..." Said Brady quietly. Tanner smiled up at him, Brady could swear he was blushing. Brady took his hands and lead him into the dance he'd memorised since he was 12. They knew they didn't have long before the fight would brake out exactly as planned. But right here, right now that song was written for them. They were falling for each other.

Chapter Text

Lela is probably the only teenage girl in the world who rolls out of bed looking perfect and full of energy to start the day. Mack's theory is there's still a bit of movie magic in her. She's still the same bubble-gum pink sixties sweetheart she met the first time her and Brady washed up on the beach of Wet Side Story. Mack was groggily dragging herself to the bathroom in the morning when she caught a glimpse of Lela dancing around her family's spare room. In some new clothes they'd bought that weekend for her to wear to school, a frilly pink blouse with little white flowers and comfy light wash jeans with lots of accessories. Her favourite new items to her modern wardrobe were her purple sneakers she wore with every outfit. "It's like walking on a cloud!" She'd exclaimed in the shop where she'd tried them on. She had music playing through her iPod that was hooked up to a speaker, Taylor Swift's You Belong With Me.

"Mack! You're awake!" She stopped mid twirl, seeing Mack lingering in the doorway.

"Barely. I don't know where you get your energy from this early." Mack yawned.

"The early bird catches the worm Mackenzie!" Lela giggled and sang along to the music. " She wears short skirts, I wear t shirts- Come on Mack, I know you know it!"

"Uh- And I'm on the bleachers."

"Dreaming bout the day, when you wake up and find,"

"That what you're looking for has been here the whole time!" They danced around the room, singing along and laughing and despite Mack being so not a morning person she couldn't help having fun when Lela was around. She slowed down near the end of the song.

Can't you see that I'm the one who understands you

Been here all along so why can't you see

You belong with me

Mack found her eyes locked onto Lela's. It was happening again, and worse now they were so close and Lela was holding Mack's hands. 'No,' Mack thought, 'Don't ruin your friendship with the best person in your life, just don't'. Because she had been so happy to see Brady and Tanner literally walk into the sunset hand in hand, and she knew their liking each other was mutual, but her crush on Lela was hopeless. She doubted that Lela liked girls, and even if she did, she had a whole new world of options now. Options better than her. Mack stepped away, shaking off the tingling feeling in her hands where Lela had touched them.

"I better get ready. Big day today, your first real day of high school."

"I know! I'm excited but… well, you don't think I'll be behind do you? Living in a movie, we didn't really have the best education. And this is the modern world, everything's so new here!"

"You're really smart Lela, I'll help you catch up, don't worry about it." Mack smiled. "Let me get dressed and we can walk to the bus stop." She left Lela alone. Lela sighed quietly to herself, getting her bag ready. She wondered how Tanner's plan was working out for him. She hoped he was happy. She just wished she could talk to him and ask him for his help. She needed to figure out what these new feelings she had for Mack were, and what was she supposed to do about them.

Lela walked with Mack through the school hallways between classes. So far so good, she hadn't made a total fool out of herself because Mack had always been there to explain when she didn't understand something.

"What am I going to do for the classes we aren't together? I'll be all by myself." Lela said.

"Maybe you should try making some new friends. You don't always have to depend on me. I'm sure lots of people will want to be friends with you."

"Maybe… but you'll always be my best friend." Lela hugged Mack's arm as they stopped by their lockers. Mack smiled and shook her head fondly.

"I won't always be around. I don't want you to feel like you can't talk to other people."

"But how am I supposed to make friends when I don't know anyone?"

"I guess you have to find people you have stuff in common with." Mack suggested. Lela scanned around the corridor of modern day teens. She noticed how the girls were all so different from each other, some liked wearing all black with heavy make up, some liked skirts and cute handbags. Some wore cheerleading uniforms with the school logo, some carried instruments for band. Lela had to wonder who she was, where she fit in. Then her eyes fell on the school noticeboard and she was drawn towards a big poster right in the centre. Audition for this year's School Musical: The Prom!

"School.. musical..?" Lela murmured in a dream like trance.

"Yeah. They're usually pretty well done too. You should audition Lela! You'll definitely get the lead, you're made for this stuff."

"But- in the movie world the singing and dancing came so naturally! It was like my body was a bike and when the music started playing someone else was steering. In this world I might not be any good!"

"Lela I've seen you sing, you're incredible."

"But I've never acted before!"

"You're… literally a movie character."

"But I didn't know it back then!"

"There's no harm in auditioning is there? You'll meet the other theatre kids, they're just the types who'll be your friends."

"I don't know… I've got jitters just thinking about it… wait! What if you audition too!"

"Oh no, I swore off musicals after I was almost trapped in one."

"Oh come on, it'll make me feel so much better if you came for support! Please Mack? For me?" Lela pleaded with her glittering, other-worldly doe eyes and Mack felt her heart melt into a puddle.

"Oh.. alright. I'll audition for the ensemble or something. I don't even know what this year's musical is."

"The poster says it's called 'The Prom'"

"Hm, never heard of it. But then Brady was always the theatre nerd. He was in every show, last year he was Link Larkin in Hairspray." Mack's smile faded slightly and Lela knew what she was thinking about. Or rather who.

"You miss him don't you?"

"Yeah… but, not like that. I always thought we were better as friends than as… boyfriend- girlfriend."

"Really? So, you're definitely not keen on Brady anymore?"

"No way. He's already moved on, and I'm happy for him." Mack smiled to herself, remembering what Brady had told her before he left.

"So… you don't have a special someone at the moment?"

"Not really." Mack shrugged. "But life's too short to be fussing about boys. We'll be graduating at the end of the year, I don't have time to think about anything else." 

"Right… right, who needs boys when we have each other?" Lela said and Mack smiled putting an arm around her.

"Exactly!" And Lela smiled back at her. But deep in heart she wanted more than to be Mack's best "girl friend". She didn't want the space in between the words.

Chapter Text

Brady gazed out at the shimmering crystal waters, too beautiful to be real. Waves were building on the shore, inviting him in. The sun was high in the sky, as it always was. Time seemed to jump around to the best times of day here. It was either high noon, midnight with thousands of shining stars or occasionally a glorious sunset. Brady felt a tap on his shoulder and spun around to see Tanner's beaming smile.
"Race you to the waves!" He had his board under his arm and started running down the beach. Brady laughed and grabbed his surfboard, following him to the water. The boys paddled out into the ocean, anticipating the perfect wave that was sure to come soon. Tanner dangled his legs in the water, and watched Brady. The way drops of water rolled off his skin, not like Tanner and his friends who came out of water completely dry. The way his blonde hair looked when wet, his warm brown eyes, his bare chest… Tanner looked down at his surfboard, feeling his cheeks heat up and not just from the sun's warmth above them.
"Here it comes!" Brady paddled his board towards the oncoming wave. Tanner began to follow him and saw Brady steady himself up on his surfboard and ride the wave like the natural surfer he was. Tanner smiled proudly and tried to join him but he had no sooner stood up on his board than he toppled backwards off it and the force of the wave dragged him underwater. He spluttered and flailed, struggling in the turbulent water. He had swallowed some salt water and couldn't make it to the surface for air. He was taken off guard- he'd been a surfer as long as he could remember and he'd never fallen in before. His movie world made everything he did as easy as it looked… Tanner was losing strength as he sank down deeper, the last thing he remembered was seeing a silhouette against the sun coming towards him in a flurry of bubbles.

Brady lay Tanner's body on the sand, panting and catching his breath. The waves were calming, vanishing into the ocean as quickly as they arrived.
"Tanner! Tanner can you hear me?" Brady shook Tanner's shoulders. He lay there, unresponsive. Brady felt his heartbeat quicken in a panic and scrambled through his memories to his junior lifeguard training when they'd taught them CPR. He pressed down on Tanner's chest at a steady pace, pleading inside his head for this to work. When Tanner still wasn't breathing, Brady didn't hesitate. He took a deep breath and leaned down, pressing his lips to Tanner's and gave him all the air he had. He pulled away, looking down at Tanner's still face in desperation. After a second when all of Brady's worse fears were overtaking him, Tanner suddenly gasped. He leaned to one side, coughing the sea water out of his lungs.
"Tanner!" Brady smiled as relief washed over him. He rubbed Tanner's arm as he recovered and blinked up at Brady, squinting in the sunlight.
'Brady.."
"You really scared me there! I looked around for you and you were just gone! I dove down and saw you nearly drown-" Brady shook his head, the memory replaying. "Please don't do that to me again."
"I'm sorry…" Tanner managed to sit up and touched Brady's face, making him meet his eyes. "You saved my life…" Brady laughed a little despite himself.
"You know, when Lela said that to me when I caught her falling off stage, I told her she was exaggerating. But this… yeah I'll give you this one."
"I guess you're my knight in shining board shorts now." Tanner giggled and Brady grinned.
"That was a cheesy line."
"We're a movie musical, every line is cheesy."
"I didn't even know the movie would let any of you get hurt like that! Nothing like that ever happened in the original! The surfing was all perfect!"
"Well.. we usually can't get into life threatening situations.. unless it's good for the plot." Tanner winked. "By the way.. was it just my temporary coma or did you kiss me-"
"Hey! We should get you back inside huh? You need lots of rest and water, here I'll carry you!"
"I think I can walk- oh!" Tanner found himself being swept up in Brady's arms and carried across the beach. Tanner let his unanswered question slide. It only made him wonder what it would be like to kiss Brady when he was fully conscious but it crossed his mind, was this all for the sake of their romance in the movie? Or did Brady feel these things for real?

Chapter Text

Lela was lucky Mack was living with her grandpa and not her Aunt Antionette. From what she'd heard, Mack's Aunt wouldn't have been as understanding and welcoming as her grandpa had been to her. Apparently Mack's grandpa, known as Big Poppa around town, had been a big fan of Wet Side Story just as much as Brady. Mack and Lela had worried at first that he would recognise Lela from the movie but he hadn't heard of it or her. The moment Brady stepped back into the water, Lela's story was erased and Wet Side Story was changed completely. The girls had asked around video stores in town but had yet to find anyone that stocked it. They planned to keep trying a few each weekend until they found it.

"Lela!" Big Poppa called her into the kitchen and held out two plates of sandwiches. "Tuna melts for you and Mack, would you go give it to her?"
"Gee thanks Big Poppa! This is righteous!" Lela smiled. Big Poppa chuckled.
"You know, you talk like how my friends and I did when we were younger. I didn't think teenagers these days talked like that."
"Oh well, I'm an old soul you know. Everyone says it’s as if I stepped straight out of the 60s! Ha, but no I’m just a regular modern teen girl…”
“You’re anything but regular, Lela. You’re a real special kid.” Big Poppa smiled at her. “What have you and Mack got planned for today? More video hunting?”
“Maybe later but it’s the auditions for the school musical today! Me and Mack are going to school to audition.”
“Mack auditioning for a musical? I never thought I’d hear that. But she’d do anything for you wouldn’t she?”
“I’m afraid so. See you later!” Lela said and ran back upstairs.

That afternoon every kid in school who was auditioning was scattered around the hallways near the auditorium, finding discrete corners to practice and friends supporting each other in this time of worry. Lela was pacing around in an alcove under a flight of stairs, singing under her breath. Mack was sat on the floor against the wall, more concerned for Lela than for herself.
“Lela. You have nothing to worry about. Just be yourself, they literally couldn’t ask for better than you.”
“That’s really sweet Mack but the thing is- being in Wet Side Story was my life, it just came naturally. I didn’t know anyone was watching me! I’ve never performed in front of anyone before!”
“You performed at Big Momma’s.”
“But that was just me and my friends.”
“I was there. You were incredible.” Mack reached out and touched Lela’s hand. She stopped pacing and looked back at Mack.
“Really?”
“Would I lie to you?”
“Hm..” Lela smiled as she pretended to consider it. “Doubtful.”
“There. Now just relax, you got this in the bag.” Mack held out her arm and Lela sunk down next to her on the floor and leaned into her, finally relaxing.
“Hey, what are you gonna sing?”
“Hm, haven’t really thought about it.”
“Mack! We hardly have any time left!” Lela said. Mack shrugged as one of the theatre kids came around the corner and looked down at the two of them on the floor.
“Oh, hey! Have either of you got a Samsung charger? My phone is dying and my backing track is on my phone.” They asked.
“I have one.” Mack pulled a charger out of her bag and handed it to them.
“Thanks! I’m River by the way.”
“Nice to meet you! I’m Lela and this is Mack!”
“I know Mack, we have PE together right? She is an incredible athlete, unlike me who gets winded after 10 metres of running.”
“Ah well, I’m not a great actor like you. You were in Hairspray last year.” Mack said.
“Yeah, Penny Pingleton. Brady was the best in that show. Did you know where he moved to? It was all so sudden. It seemed weird he didn’t say goodbye to his theatre friends.”
“Yeah… it was sudden. He definitely would’ve said goodbye! The move just kind of… happened.”
“Right..” River seemed unsure of Mack’s clearly bad lying but didn’t press on it.
“Um, River? I’m a little foggy on my musical knowledge- anything produced after 1962 that is.. Could you explain to me what this musical is about?”
“Fan of the Golden Age huh? I get it. Well “The Prom” is a brand new musical and it’s really great. It’s about these two girls who want to go to prom together but the school committee says no and all their classmates and community are being really homophobic towards them. The news of this travels to Broadway where these four, out of work, down on their luck, old school Broadway stars hear of this injustice and travel to this small town in Indiana to help them have the prom of their dreams. I'm auditioning for Trent Oliver, it’s a secondary part but really fun and he has the best song in the show.”
“So it’s about two girls… in love..?”
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing! Nothing! I just think that’s… amazing!” Lela beamed. Mack looked at her, in surprise and hope. They hadn’t talked about this stuff before and she was from the 60s after all. “It’s so incredible to see.. What’s the word again? Thespians?”
“Lesbians, Lela.” Mack whispered.
“Right! Lesbians on stage! It sounds like a great show!”
“It’s pretty good yeah.” River smiled. “Well the main female leads are Emma, slightly anxious but determined and out to the world as gay who has the most interaction with the Broadway stars. And Alyssa, her girlfriend who is in the closet and struggles with a relationship with her overbearing mother but has a really pretty song. Then there’s Dee Dee Allen the main Broadway star role, self centred and over the top drama queen but comes around to doing what's right in the end and then there’s Angie who exists only for a tribute to Bob Fosse.”
“I definitely want to be one of the lesbians.” Lela said. Mack stared at her and Lela saw her looking before quickly adding. “I just think I’d be better at playing a teenager than someone older.”
“Well this is just my opinion but having seen the show you strike me more as an Alyssa than an Emma.” River said and their eyes drifted to Mack. “Mack would make a good Emma though.”
“Me? Oh no, I couldn’t do a main part. I wasn’t going to audition at all, I’m only here to support Lela.”
“But Mack I’ve seen you sing, you’re definitely good enough!” Lela said.
“That was just the..” Mack stopped herself just as she was going to say ‘movie magic’. “That was just us. I couldn’t do that on stage.”
“Isn’t that what I said to you minutes ago? And you told me that I’m just as good in real life and I only have to be myself. Now I’m telling you, you could have that part if you wanted it.” Lela put a hand on her shoulder and Mack looked down thoughtfully. One of the drama teachers came out and told them they could come into the auditorium. Lela stood up and felt her hands shake until Mack held her hand and squeezed it. Then she felt steady and prepared to conquer the world.

Chapter Text

Butchy had had to deal with a lot of change in a short amount of time. First, discovering his life was a movie people watched decades in the future. Next, learning to get along with surfers since the turf war was fictional too. Then his sister disappeared into another world without a word of goodbye, and in her place was this… annoyingly eager pretty boy who in Butchy's opinion didn't pass for a Rodent. Just because he had a leather jacket and knew their songs didn't mean he was one of them.
Butchy was enjoying a rare moment alone, polishing his motorbike to a shine when a loud, peppy voice behind him startled him and made him spill the polish
"Hey Butchy! Oh… oops.." Brady said. Butchy turned his head towards him, his irritation plain on his face. "Sorry. Is it all gone? I could go get some more?"
"Forget it." Butchy grumbled and stuffed the rag in his back pocket, standing up and stretching.
"Okay.. well I was wondering. Maybe you and I should.. talk more!"
"Why?"
"Because we're both bikers.. in the movie at least- and I feel like you don't like me?"
"No! Whatever gave you that idea?" Butchy rolled his eyes, walking around Brady to a stack of crates to get a bottle of Coke.
"Look. I know you hate me because I'm Lela's 'replacement'. But I've been trying to figure out how to use the movie magic to create a bridge between our worlds. I'm not sure how to do it yet but I know one thing for sure: we have to finish our version of Wet Side Story first. Until we do, it won't exist in Mack and Lela's world and we won't be able to create a bridge. So… as fellow bikers maybe we should try and get along and move the story forward?" Brady said hopefully. Butchy looked at Brady for a minute, deciding, then held out a bottle for him. Brady smiled and took it and joined Butchy where he was leaning against the wall and they drank together.
"Can I ask you something?" Butchy started after a few minutes. Brady nodded quickly. "In your world.. when a boy likes another boy.. how does that work? Like- who asks who out? How do you know if they like you back?"
"Believe me I wish I knew. I've known I'm bisexual for a couple years now, but I've never dated a boy before. And Tanner.. sometimes I get my hopes up that he might like me back- but he's so sweet and affectionate with everyone it's so hard to tell."
"So.. you and Tanner, that isn't just for show? You like him for real?"
"Well- yeah. Why else do you think I left my entire life behind, everyone I love, to follow him into the ocean?"
"You care about him that much, huh?"
"I just couldn't let him go. I knew I'd regret it for the rest of my life if I let him disappear.."
"Hm." Butchy downed the last of his drink and stared off thoughtfully. "Do you think.. we're allowed to change the story too?"
"Of course! Butchy, I want this life to be yours now, you can do whatever you want! Be with whoever you want." Brady smiled at him. "Which I'm guessing is why you were asking me about boys?"
"Well… maybe." Butchy admitted quietly.
"Oh I knew it! Go on, who do you have a crush on?"
"Now wait a minute, I'm not telling you anything-" Butchy started walking away and Brady followed him across the sand.
"It's Seacat isn't it!"
"No! Shh!"
"It is! Oh my god you like him!"
"Shut up Blondie!" Butchy snapped, regretting ever opening his mouth. Brady held up his hands in an ‘okay I'll stop gesture’ but stood there clearly hoping Butchy would say more. He sighed after a minute. “It's- stupid, he probably doesn't like boys too what would the chances of that be? And the chances of him liking me? Even smaller.” Butchy spun on his heel trudging back into Big Momma's.
“I don't know, stranger things have happened. Like I don't know, riding a wave to an alternate dimension where your favourite movie is real and you can effect the outcome of the movie through your actions in the other world. Compared to that is the idea that Seacat might like you really so far fetched?” Brady asked, tagging after him into the seafront diner.
“Look Sunshine, would ya just leave it- I'm not going to tell Seacat I have feelings for him!” Butchy turned back to him. “There are some lines you don't cross in this world and me and him, would never become a thing!”
“You like Seacat!?” A chorus erupted behind Butchy's back. His shoulders dropped. He turned, slowly. And all of his gang the Rodents were gaping at him. Cheechee's bubblegum bubble popped in her mouth and left a pink splatter on her face. Lugnut dropped the straw from his milkshake he'd been guzzling his chocolate milkshake from. Butchy spluttered a few times, straightening his jacket and trying to play off his embarrassment but his cheeks had turned the red of his motorbike.
“Look- I uh… it's not what you think- I didn't mean that..” he sighed in defeat, knowing there was no way he could deny it now. “Eh what the heck. I admit it- I like the cute surfer in the orange bucket hat. Anyone here got a problem with that?” He folded his arms and tried to look menacing. But inside he was trembling, worried about what his friends would think. They hadn’t said anything bad so far about Tanner and Brady's movie romance.. but would they change their tune if one of their own admitted such feelings? After what felt like an age Cheechee stood up and Butchy tensed slightly. She was the most outspoken of all his friends. If she had a problem with this she would most certainly make it known.
“That.. is..” she said, his anticipation hanging on every word. “Great!! Y'know I've always thought you two would be cute together. I mean- not before Brady came but it's like since he did, anything’s possible right?” All the other Rodants raised their voices in agreement, a couple coming over and clapping hands on Butchy's shoulders, giving him an affectionate shake.
“You dog Butchy, I can’t believe you'd been holding that in! Ha, dog! And you're in love with a Cat, that's funny.” His best friend Lugnut said with a grin. Butchy glanced behind him at Brady who was smirking back at him. He had a nagging feeling this had all been a set up to get his confession out somehow. Like Brady had known everyone would hear when they walked back into the diner. Butchy would pummel him but.. he was relieved the secret was out now. It was a weight off his chest.
“You guys are taking this really well. And Brady and Tanner's thing- all of it. None of it ever seemed weird to you?” Butchy asked.
“I thought it was supposed to be weird at first- boys liking boys. I mean us girls used to sing that song “boys like girls like me” and it was all very…” Cheechee pulled a face and a couple other biker girls shook their heads. “We're glad that's cut out of the movie now, I don't wanna sing about baking a boy a pie. But when you see Brady and Tanner together it just makes sense. And.. I have a confession to make too- someone hold my gum!” One of her friends shuffled forward and held out her hand for Cheechee to place her wad of gum in so she could make a formal announcement without the hindrance of constant chewing. Everyone grimaced watching that but held their attentions on Cheechee who was taking a breath. “I.. think Giggles from the surfers is cute. And I don’t like boys, they're loud and they stink. If boys liking boys is okay- is it okay if I like Giggles?” She asked, particularly towards Brady. He smiled and nodded.
“Of course Cheechee. You can like anyone, that's what's so great! It's all okay. Surfers, bikers, girls or boys.” He said. She and many of the other biker girls seemed to sigh in relief.
“Do you think Kiki from the surfer side might like girls too? Asking for a friend.” Struts muttered.
“I mean I always thought Rascal had really nice hair.. but now I'm thinking it might be something more and it's not normal that I've thought about touching it.” Lugnut mumbled, slurping the last of his milkshake loudly.
“Oh my God- are all of you- are we all- like Brady??” Butchy exclaimed. Brady was in awe too, not expecting so many of them to be nodding slightly in confession.
“Wow… this movie is going to be so gay..” Brady said. “We're never going to get past the Hayes code.”