OTA

[prince_of_nymphs]

 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.

Comments

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Really? You- With other people?" Fin asked curiously. "He doesn't mind?"

[just_hex]

"I don't really talk about it. I don't know if he minds...he's pretty practical, yeah? Spencer knows I want sex and he's just not ready to do...much."

But then he smiled softly.

"I do like snogging him, though. We spend time just kissing and touching. I adore those days. Do you do that? Have days where you and Will just lay about and kiss and touch just because you can?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

"Sometimes," Fin replied, though his attention was back on the tentacle toy, thin fingers exploring the strange texture and unusual shape.

[just_hex]

I like to have the time to be slow and soft. I like it rough, too...I haven't really shared much about that pat of me life with him. I want him to understand why I like going to Hitch and The Hoist and not think I'm someone dangerous, yeah?"

He was talking, yeah, but he was watching Fin delicately explore the toy with curious fingers and he couldn't help that the sight went straight to his cock.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"You should just be honest with him, Hex. I don't think anyone would mistake you for a dangerous man- Your heart's too good for that sort of thing," Fin said. "I'm honest with Willy. When you told me I needed to tell him I wanted to be more adventurous in the bedroom, I did, and he listened- Though I'll admit we've not had much chance yet. It's been one thing after another recently."

He turned the toy over in his hands, then put it down.

"Will's good like that though, he's very open. At one point he even told me I could be with other people if I wanted- Though I never took him up on it. Not many other people tend to catch my eye- Pun not intended."

His gaze lingered on Hex though, the look meaningful, if not slightly innocent.

[just_hex]

Hex was used to pulling and being pulled and he saw the light in Fin's eyes for what it was. Shy though it may be, it was clearly interest.

He smiled just a little and tilted his head.

"Maybe someone'll catch your eye and you can cash in his offer, yeah?" he asked, lingering to look in Fin's eyes, then he tore himself away to make up the tea.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Again, if Fin could have blushed, he would have. As it was he just smiled and ducked his head, hiding behind his shaggy dark hair as it fell n his face.

[just_hex]

Hex came back with his tea and Fin's too and put the cup in front of the young man. Hex could clearly see why everyone loved Fin. He was attractive and seemed to not realize it. He was either the most genuine person Hex had ever met or the best actor on the planet. Or maybe both.

"So..." he said awkwardly, not sure what to talk about.

[prince_of_nymphs]

"So, tell me how you've been," Fin prompted. "Your show is doing well, Stanley's told me more than once. He says I've an eye for talent, but I told him it was a lucky one off. I don't see talent, I just saw you."

[just_hex]

That made his smile positively shine.

"Shut up," Hex said. "Don't be daft."

He paused.

"I do appreciate it, though. I do. Little bit of fame is alright with me...and I like doing it."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I'll be able to watch them now, your videos that is. I imagine it's much better to watch them, rather than simply listen," Fin smiled.

[just_hex]

"I'd like to think they'd be better to watch. Listening...do you notice how many times I flub my lines?" he chuckled. "When you watch I take me shirt off."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"A sight I've certainly missed," Fin smiled, holding his tea in both hands to try and warm them- Impossible though that was. "For whatever my opinion's worth though, I think you speak your lines beautifully."

[just_hex]

"THanks for that," Hex smiled. "So...go on, out with it now that we're alone because I'm dying to know. How'd you get your eyes back?"

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin's smile faded, and he looked down into his mug.

"I traded for them. Willy and I were- Well, where we were isn't important I suppose. The point is I was offered my sight in exchange for something I didn't fully understand- And it worked, but..."

Putting his tea down, he got to his feet and crossed over to Hex, taking the man's hand and putting it over his heart.

[just_hex]

At first Hex grinned, thinking Fin was having a laugh. But then he felt no beat and the nurse in him took over. His face became serious and he put his fingers to Fin's throat to feel for a plse not there.

"You're impossible," he said. "You should be dead, not having bloody tea. My god, you traded your life for your eyes? But...your magic heart..."

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I am dead, I think," Fin said quietly. "Animated, breathing, but not living. ...I went to see a man about it, and he said if I keep a very special diet I'll remain like this forever."

[just_hex]

"Forever?" he replied in wonder. "Fin, that's brilliant. You and Willy really will have always. You'll never get older or sick? Bang on!"

[prince_of_nymphs]

"I'm dead," Fin replied. "And no, I'll never get old or sick, but look at me. I'm- I'm skin stretched over bones like glass."

[just_hex]

Hex stroked Fin's cheek and held his shoulder.

"No, you're not. I've seen the dead, the dying. Pensioners who've starved to death. You don't look like that, Fin. You look like sculpture."

He paused.

"Really skinny, pale sculpture." And he laughed and braced for a punch.

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin didn't strike though, he smiled, touched by Hex's words and moving to embrace him.

Thin arms wrapped around the other man's shoulders, and he pulled Hex close for a moment before letting go.

"I hope you're right."

[just_hex]

"Of course I am," Hex replied, feeling quite cocky after earning a hug. His hand remained on Fin's shoulder, then he slid it down his arm and let go.

"You're working again, yeah? Not that you quit. I heard some of your radio plays. God stuff. Who was that I saw leave when I came up on you? He looked like an actor."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin's smile soured slightly, and he nodded.

"Phil- He's done theatre work mostly. My stand in when I was doing Reap, actually. ...I think he's- Not to sound full of myself- I think he's jealous that I've landed a lead in a mini series," he admitted. "He had less than pleasant words for me."

[just_hex]

"Less that pleasant? That your nice way of saying he was being an arse?" Hex asked. "I wondered because you didn't look very happy."

[prince_of_nymphs]

Fin hummed, then shrugged, attempting to act as if it hadn't bothered him.

"He said my new accent is, and I quote, 'as fake as the rest of me', then implied I'd shagged my way onto telly."