londoncallingrpg

The hardest part was keeping the lies straight.

"I thought you were only having one of your eyes done?"

"I did, the other I had done abroad- It was a spur of the moment choice..."

"Your so pale now..."

"The medication, it doesn't sit well with me."

"You're so thin!"

"No appetite. It'll get better though, I'm sure."

He'd anticipated that though. He'd known he'd need to lie and fib left and right, until people just accepted he could see again- And that perhaps he was still a touch unwell. What he hadn't anticipated, however, was the resentment that many of his old friends seemed to suddenly feel towards him. It was one thing when Fin was a rising star- But pitiable because of his disability. Now, however... Now he was already receiving television and film offers left and right, and that... That apparently upset a few people.

He'd been leaving one of his favourite coffee shops when he nearly walked right into Phil. A man he'd worked with many times in small productions. A good actor, but older- Perhaps past his prime in the eyes of many.

"Oh! Phil, how brilliant to see you," Fin had smiled, offering his hand, and looking puzzled when it wasn't taken.

"Brilliant is it?" Phil replied, raising a brow and ignoring the offered hand. "So posh sounding these days, Fin. I don't remember you being posh- Not when you were sleeping on the streets, begging for parts. ...Wouldn't know you were dragged up in Manchester with that posh voice you put on."

Fin's smile faded slightly, and he forced an uncomfortable laugh. "Bad habit, I suppose," he said awkwardly.

"Not a habit," Phil assured him. "Just as fake as the rest of you, that's all."

Fin's smile faded completely then, aware that people were staring now. "Right," he said awkwardly. "Well, I should... I should be off."

Phil smiled then, a vicious smile. "I suppose so. That casting couch wont get warmed without you. ...Catch something, have you?" he added, looking Fin over with a sneer. "Should be a bit more cautious, Fin. ...Or is it Finlay now?"

Fin didn't answer that, he simply turned away trying to hide the embarrassment he felt as he started walking and brushed off a young woman who tried to stop him for a selfie.

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"I look forward to it then," Fin smiled. "Though I've never actually watched something I'm in with someone else. I always get too embarrassed."

"You don't have to," Anael told him easily. "I won't mind if you leave me alone to watch it."

"You're sweet, Anael. Maybe you can watch it with Willy," he suggested. "I never watch with him either."

"Perhaps," Anael agreed with a small smile, and a tilt of his head.

"That's a nice change. You'd have baulked at the idea not that long ago. You a bit more eager to break bread now?" Fin asked curiously.

"I've agreed to a perhaps before," Anael replied with a half shrug. "I will give him a chance, if he gives me one." There was simply no assurance of the results.

"Hopefully this perhaps will actually happen," Fin smiled.

"Well," Anael returned the expression, "I'll certainly do my best."

There was a knock on the door, and a woman's voice called out that he needed to be in makeup in five.

"I hate makeup," Fin admitted. "Very weird having stuff on my face."

"One of the burdens of the trade, isn't it?" Anael asked, pushing out of the couch. That was his cue to go, after all. "It's always been, for as long as I've known actors."

"I imagine you've had time to know plenty," Fin smiled. "I bet you have some brilliant stories, Anael.

"I carry my lot of brilliant human stories, yes," Anael confirmed, eyes shining warm. "Why do you think I love you all so much?" He smiled again. "I'll let you get ready."

Fin nodded, sad to see him go.

"You could drop by later- If you like. If you're not busy, I mean."

"I ought to get back, at some point," Anael told him with a smile. "I've my own duties to attend to."

"Right- Right, of course. I know you've more important things to do than wait about for me," Fin nodded, smiling somewhat sheepishly.

"I'll stop by your flat, next time I'm around," Anael offered. At the risk of running into Willy, yes, and without Fin to ask as a buffer. "And the next few times after that, if I don't find you in."

"I'd like that. I don't see you nearly enough, Anael- Pun not intended," he added with a faint smile.

"I would say I'll try to make myself less scarce, but I've made that sort pf promise before, and never quite been able to honour it," Anael answered with a small smile, that of someone who was very aware of this flaw in his nature. "Time doesn't mean the same to us, and I can never quite get a handle on it, when I'm in Heaven."

"It's alright, i understand," Fin assured him. "It was good seeing you though. Truly. ...It was nice being able to talk about what's happened. It's not exactly something I can be open about with most people."

"I'll stop by," Anael promised him that much, with a small, genuine smile, then stepped closer to lay a hand on his shoulder, meeting his gaze. "Have faith. And take care of yourself, Fin."

Fin nodded, then leaned in and kissed Anael's cheek with cold lips. It was a bold gesture of friendship from someone who used to be so timid, and he was smiling as he pulled back.

"Goodbye, Anael."

Anael's smile reached his eyes as Fin pulled back, and he gently stroked his cheek. "Goodbye, Fin," he echoed lovingly, and turned to go. He ought to see if Coby was home, and if not, head back. If he was, he could draw out his stay here for an hour or two. After seeing his friend so cold and lifeless, losing himself in Coby's warmth seemed even more appealing.

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