Chapter Text
It all happened because of one dumb argument.
Which was a phrase that could be echoed through out all of human history—a story as old as time itself.
"Listen, if he tries anything with you again, come to me, Dan or Jody. We'll handle it."
Colt Seavers faced his twin brother in the car seat next to him. This wasn't the first time that Ryland Grace had visited his brother on the set of one of the movies he worked on, yet he still felt the need to repeat the same warnings he'd given a hundred times already. As if he would have already forgotten.
It was practically a tradition for Tom Ryder, movie super star, to flirt horrendously with Ryland any time he walked on set. Just one of many ways for him to irritate his own stunt man, the man literally throwing his body in harms way so he doesn't have to. Unfortunately for Grace, it was also a highly effective one. Since they were young, his brother had been very protective over him. Maybe it was down to his self-proclaimed older brother status (despite the fact they had no idea who had actually been born first) or maybe it was just down to Colt's fierce personality.
Either way, Ryder messing with his brother sent Colt into a rage.
Which only meant that he messed with him even more.
Colt seemed to be under the belief that Ryland hated it so badly that he needed rescuing, but Ryder's flirts were cheesy and stupid and had even, on occasion, made him laugh. While it was entertaining the way that Colt would defend his honour like some innocent maiden, it was pointless—they all knew it wasn't serious or mean-spirited.
"Yeah, yeah," Ryland replied, "Same as always."
"Good." Colt pulled open the car door and, like that, their day started.
Entering a movie set was like stepping into a new world. On one side there was the real world and then there was the set. Massive equipment and tech littered both sides—lights, cameras, scaffolding. Walking through felt like wading through water, with people running all around each with their own jobs and responsibilities. Most people ignored Ryland, he was a nobody to them, except for the odd few who had carried over from Colt's previous movies.
As they walked, Colt explained to him the different stunts he'd be doing and Ryland listened… partially. Most of his attention was stuck on keeping a careful watch of his steps. Too often he'd tripped over loose wires on sets and almost damaged something he couldn't afford to fix. It was a wonder they still let him visit at all.
"Colt!" Someone called out, interrupting their conversation. "We're ready for you."
"Be right back." As much as Colt wanted to follow his brother around like his own personal bodyguard, he was forced into doing his actual job, aka the reason they were allowed on set to begin with. He was led off into a trailer, leaving Ryland to stand around awkwardly.
Of course, almost as soon as Grace was alone, Ryder approached him. "If it isn't the handsome twin. Hello, beautiful."
The designation of 'the handsome twin' was something even Ryland enjoyed teasing his brother with, though it was somewhat hollow considering how Ryder had mistaken Ryland for Colt when they'd first met. Although, ever since he'd never made the same mistake again…
"Hey Ryder," he greeted him casually, in direct opposition to the instructions his brother had given him.
Ryland hadn't liked the actor at first, Colt had relayed too many horror stories about him for that. In depth his brother had described his arrogance, his impatience, his flair for the dramatics. Problem was he'd left out how charismatic he could be. What had begun with Ryland ignoring Ryder had slowly transformed over time. Eye rolls became scoffs became laughs became conversations.
"Just Tom for you." He winked.
"Colt's in hair and makeup right now." Translation: There's no point in you trying anything.
"I don't want to talk about him," he dismissed with a flick of the wrist, "I'm only interested in you, Ry-Ry."
"Okay." Liar. "Well, what's up?"
"Notice anything different?" he asked, very obviously flexing his arms. Ryder answered for him before he even got the chance to open his mouth. "Got started on a new workout routine-" He began a long spiel filled with talks of protein and dumbbells and sweat, which would ultimately turn into him trying to get Ryland to touch his muscles. It was routine as interactions went.
While he wasn't particularly interested in the details of Ryder's workout, he still listened and when Ryder started to spout extremely incorrect facts about dieting, he interrupted. "That sounds like you're in a nutritional deficit," he explained, surprised that someone so rich couldn't afford a better dietician. "You absolutely need calories and carbs and sugars."
"Oh really? Would someone 'in deficit' look this good?" He started flexing again.
"Well, yeah. Absolutely."
Instead of acknowledging his point, Tom just grinned and said, "You think I look good?"
"I think you're getting off track. You-"
"Hey!" As if on cue, Colt stomped forward with tightly closed fists ready to split them up. Clearly he had just gotten done in costuming, because he was sporting an outfit identical to Ryder's. Before he could finish the approach, Ryder sped off with a quick farewell to Grace.
Colt's rage did not simmer though. He crossed his arms, staring at Grace with a levelling look. "What'd I say?"
He rolled his eyes, "I'm fine."
"No, that's not it. I remember it went a lot more like: Go find someone if he bothers you again."
"Well, I was fine. It didn't bother me."
Rather than listen to his brother, Colt decided drag Ryland away by his arm. Ryland tried to pull out of Colt's grip, to no avail. He had always been stronger than him even when they were little. "I don't need babysitting anymore, I'm not ten."
"Apparently, you do."
"You're overreacting. It was just a conversation."
"I'm not going to let that asshole mess with my baby brother."
"Were the same age!"
Ryland's protests fell on deaf ears. Colt only let go of his arm once they reached their destination—Dan Tucker, Colt's best friend and stunt coordinator. "Keep an eye on him, please."
Dan looked up from the mechanism he was in the middle of checking confused, "You do realise I have got a job to do too, right?"
"C'mon, man, just shoo Ryder away if he gets too close."
"He harassing your brother again?" Colt nodded and Dan sighed, standing up. "Alright. Can't say no to putting that asshole in his place."
"That's why you're my favourite."
While Dan and Colt talked, Ryland sulked. There was something about spending time with his brother that brought out his immaturity. Eventually work once again rang and Colt had to leave.
Even though Ryland was annoyed by his brother's pushiness, he still stuck with Dan. The guy was cool as hell—he had a ton of interesting knowledge on film and especially stunts. He'd even listen as Grace went on about the actual science behind it, numbers and all. It was natural to see why he was Colt's best friend.
Ryland always felt lucky that he was allowed to visit his brother's movie sets and watch him work. The people and places were all so interesting and cool. What he enjoyed less, however, was watching as his brother crashed cars or got flung across rooms or fell massive heights. Each time always followed with a thumbs up. No matter how many times he saw him do it and no matter his knowledge of the science behind it, his heart jumped every stunt.
Whenever Colt had a break he'd walk over to them, if he didn't get distracted by Jody, and join in the conversation. Always checking in to see if his brother was okay, like he hadn't been the one in imminent danger.
Then, one little comment from Dan started a spiral that changed everything.
"Grace, tell your brother he needs to get off his ass and tell Jody how he feels."
"Wait, you still aren't together?"
Colt rolled his eyes, the faint blush to his cheeks betraying his attempts to hide his feelings. "We're just friends."
Dan punched his arm lightly. "Stop kidding yourself."
"All you ever talk about is her." Seriously, any time Colt called or texted him it was Jody, Jody, Jody. How smart she was, how beautiful she was, how amazing she was. Non-stop.
"Not true," he retorted, "I sometimes ask how you're doing."
Ryland huffed, "Before you start talking about Jody, yeah."
"I'm not listening to anything you have to say," Colt crossed his arms stubbornly, "you don't know the first thing about relationships."
"So what? Its clear you have a thing for her, just ask her out."
"It's easy for you to say. You've never even flirted with anyone before."
"Not true. I have."
With a straight face, Colt replied, "You cannot expect me to believe you. This is you we're talking about."
"Colt… You're being a bit harsh on the kid," Dan interjected.
Frustrated, Grace turned his head away from his brother. Some argument died on his tongue as, out of the corner of his eye, something came into view and he had what was either a brilliant or terrible idea. "Okay. I'll show you."
Before Colt could ask what Ryland meant or stop him, he had stormed off. In the direction of Tom Ryder.
Seeing Ryland striding towards him, Ryder quickly waved away the people he was talking to. "Hey gorgeous," Tom said with a sly smile, his eyes shifting between Colt and Ryland. "What's up?"
Ryland faltered. Now that he was in front of him, all his thoughts went blank. As if the floor was ripped out from under him, abandoning him to sink or swim. "You."
He titled his head. "Me?"
"Uh… Yeah." He desperately searched his mind for anything he could say. Only one thing came to mind. "I think you must be a star, because I can't stop orbiting around you."
Ryder's face scrunched up in a genuine laugh. "Was that a pick up line?"
Grace groaned and covered his face. Terrible idea. Colt was right. "Never mind, forget it. It was dumb."
"No, no, don't cover up." Gently, he peeled a hand from Ryland's face. "It was cute. Promise."
Ryland didn't believe him, yet he let his arms drop. "Look," he said, immediately changing strategies, "how about I just give you my number?"
"I knew you couldn't resist my charm," he teased, though he didn't need to be asked twice to slide his phone out of his pocket and hand it to Ryland.
"I mean who could?" As he typed in his number, a twinge of guilt swirled in his stomach. He knew it was all a ploy to annoy his brother, right? He had to, that was why he flirted with Ryland at all.
When Ryland handed the phone back, Ryder purposefully grazed his hand against his. "I'll be sure to call you."
"I'll be waiting," Ryland replied with a wink.
Suddenly, Ryder sputtered a cough. "You okay?" Ryland lightly patted his back.
"I'm fine, I'm cool." He recovered quickly. Though his face was red, likely from the lack of air or embarrassment. Straightening out his posture like nothing happened, he said, "I'm so cool. The coolest."
On his way back to his brother, after he made sure he really was fine, he glanced back to see Ryder wave and wink at him. Yeah, he knew it was all for show.
His relief didn't last long as he reached his brother. "Never do that again." If looks could kill, then Ryder would have been ripped to shreds a million times over by the glare that Colt was giving him.
Ryland crossed his arms, mimicking his brother. "Ask Jody out."
Their eyes locked. A challenge of will that both were too stubborn to drop. Whoever looked away first would lose. Ryland cleared his head, focusing on just staring at one spot of Colt's face. He refused to let Colt get out of this one.
"Fine." Colt threw his hands up. "But when he calls you, block his number."
"'Course," Ryland laughed. He wouldn't call anyway.
And he didn't. Ryder did, however, text.
Hey its Tom
Ryder
Tom Ryder
Movie star Tom Ryder btw
This is Ryland right?
It wasn't technically breaking his promise to reply. Even though he knew for a fact it had been implied. The thing was Ryland couldn't help but feel guilty about ignoring him, over text he didn't sound all that conceited. Plus, he had told him to message. It would be rude to not reply.
Yeah its Ryland
I wasn't expecting you to actually message
How could I not?
What r u doing rn?
Working
Can't really text
Lets call then
I wanna hear ur voice ;)
Ryland hesitated. That would be breaking his word to Colt. Ryland didn't think of himself as a dishonest person that didn't follow his word. No one really wants to be seen as someone who you cant trust. The thing was, however, Ryland was naturally curious. It was what had drew him so much to science and academia. Curiosity was a staple of the field.
I should focus on this
It wasn't a lie. He was sat at the desk in his hotel room in the middle of preparing some school materials for when he went back at the end of the week. Though it wasn't all that important, he could push it back without any issue.
You can put me on speaker
Idk
Please?
I'll be good
What do you wanna talk about?
You'll have to call me and find out ;)
With that he had him trapped. 'It wouldn't hurt,' he thought, 'It's just one call.' He'd practically broken his word to his brother anyway. The numerous excuses flew into his head as he clicked the little call button.
The phone only rung once before Ryder's voice came through, "Hey beautiful."
"You don't have to call me that." It wasn't like Colt was around to hear.
"I know. I choose to, gorgeous."
He sighed and placed his phone back on the table. With Ryder on speaker phone, he returned to working on his laptop. The typing of keys filled the silence for a few seconds, before being interrupted by Ryder. "So, what are you working on?"
"Just my lesson plan…"
"Explain it to me." The request sounded neither like a question nor an order. If anything, to Ryland it sounded like an invitation. "Talk science to me."
"It's nothing…" He scratched his hair absentmindedly, feeling self-conscious. "I probably won't follow it anyway. I like to make things up on the spot. I'm just teaching the kids about the electromagnetic spectrum right now. The different frequencies and wavelengths."
Tom hummed along as Grace launched into a ramble, explaining the different regions and their uses. As he talked, he even got some ideas for the lesson that could make it more interesting for the kids. Whenever he taught it he tried to at least get a microwave as a physical demonstration. Usually the kids were more likely to understand if they could see what he was explaining.
After a while of talking, Ryland suddenly noticed how Ryder hadn't asked a single question. All he had done was repeat one of three phrases: "Cool", "Yeah", "Uh huh".
He paused, then asked, "Are you listening to a word I'm saying?"
"Yeah, of course," Ryder feigned offence.
"Okay, what was I talking about?"
"Um… You know… The- the Earth? And the stars?"
"That's-no. Not even close."
"Sorry, I got lost in your eyes…"
"You can't see my eyes."
"Okay, okay, I didn't understand a word you said," he confessed, "but you sounded hot saying it."
Ryland shook his head laughing, unsure if it was in disbelief or genuine entertainment.
"Don't laugh. Maybe I need you to tutor me…" His voice went deeper, innuendo hidden in his words.
"Unfortunately for you, I don't offer private tutoring."
"You won't make an exception for this hot piece of ass?"
"Nope."
Ryder sighed dramatically, "Guess I'll stay ignorant then."
"Guess you will…" His laptop lay forgotten in front of him as he balanced in his chair, warm smile on his face. "How was science for you in school?"
"You're really asking me that? I don't know." He chuckled. "I know I look youthful, but I'm not that young. It's been a hot minute."
"Sorry," he said, realising it may not be an area he wants to talk about. "I was just curious…"
"Don't apologise. I just missed a lot of school 'cause of acting, so I don't really remember."
"You were acting even back then? How old were you when you started?"
Ryland knew bits and pieces about Tom Ryder—it was hard not to, he was talked about across TV and the internet. Finding things out through conversation felt so much more interesting though. The internet could be wrong or biased or exaggerated. While Tom could too, his perspective felt more real.
"I've been acting my whole life. My parents probably had me auditioning for roles when I was in diapers. With this face? It'd be a waste not to."
"Oh…" Grace replied, feeling conflicted. He couldn't tell if it was sweet or sad. "Did you enjoy it?"
"I love it. I sell out cinemas worldwide. Brands want my name for their products. My face is everywhere."
"But, what about before that?"
There was a pause. Each second it stretched on, the tenser Ryland's shoulders got. Right as he was about to dismiss it and try to change the subject, Ryder said, "It wasn't all perfect. Work dried up and… But I stuck with it and here I am. Living the dream." He sighed, slightly forcefully. "All the roles that rejected me. It's their loss."
For a second it felt like Ryland could see through a crack in the wall. Like he caught a glimpse of Tom behind all of the theatrics and arrogance. Even without having to see him. "Yeah, you are doing pretty well for yourself."
"What about you?"
"Hm?" The question was unexpected. He was used to Ryland speaking about himself, the mirror being pointed back at him was eerie.
"Did you always want to be a science teacher?"
"I-" Ryland's eyes ventured to the laptop in front of him, the screen was blank reflecting his face back at him. He wiggled the mouse, causing the screen to light up again. The number that popped up was unexpected, it was nearly midnight. "I gotta go."
"Aw, no need to be shy, gorgeous."
"No seriously, I just saw the time. Its late and I need to get some sleep."
"Really?" Ryland could heard the pout over the phone.
"Yeah, I got an early start with Colt tomorrow." The mention of Colt made his gut twist like a cheese string.
"Fine…" Eventually Tom said, his tone sounding almost hopeful, "I'll see you tomorrow?"
"See you tomorrow."
The call disconnected, filling the room with silence. Ryland didn't move.
Everything that had just happened slowly dawned on him. What was that? No, why was that? Ryder's flirtations were just a way to annoy Colt. But Colt hadn't been there to hear the call… and they had talked. Talked about their lives and their interests and jobs.
Usually when he didn't understand a social interaction, he'd message Colt to ask his opinion, but he couldn't really do that here… Could he?
His finger hovered over Colt's name in his contacts. Sure, he might be mad about Ryland not blocking Ryder's number, and about him messaging him back, and then calling him, and being friendly with him, and…
He turned his phone off. There was no need to stress his brother out over nothing.
He'd have to do figure it out himself.
What would Ryder benefit out of this?
He stood up and paced around the room. Movement helping him focus on his thoughts.
He ran the conversation back through his mind. Then ran back through all the conversations he'd ever had with Ryder. He tried to compare each interaction, find any correlation. Obviously the pet names carried over, the compliments, the pursuit. Actually considering it, Tom had been a fairly constant variable among all their interactions. The one who changed was Ryland.
Ryland was the one to give him his number, which caused the whole mess. Maybe Ryder was just being friendly, and adapting to Ryland's change in behaviour.
Or maybe it was a long game. He asked about seeing each other tomorrow, maybe that was to see if he could tease Colt about the call.
He nodded to himself. It was probably just something like that. Nothing to think too much about (thought the chronic over-thinker).
With that finally settled, Ryland got ready for bed, sufficiently satisfied that movie star Tom Ryder had not actually been flirting with him. It was after all an insane notion. Ryder dated celebrities and models, he wouldn't be interested in some random science teacher. There was just no benefit to him.