Chapter Text
Oh fuck how did he get here-
Frozen in place; staring into sparkling, too wide eyes. Purple- They were purple. There's absolutely no way those were real- His own gaze began darting around the other's face, trying to calm down but failing miserably; eyes catching on faint freckles and marks the makeup team failed to hide, especially now that a crimson blush illuminated his face. Vision tracing the way the other tried, and failed, to subtly bite at his own lip. He was nervous. Actually nervous. He could feel his own face absolutely burning-
Fuck-
His waist was so small in his hands-
Fuck-!
He was screwed, he couldn't do this- How the hell did it come to this- His mind flickered back to the start of it all.
He hasn't been an actor super long, he really hasn't. He started just kind of on a whim and with a bit of strong encouragement from his roommate, Cub. They'd met back in freshman year of college, and have been inseparable—and insufferable—ever since.
Cub was just starting on his degree in biochemistry back then, while Scar was just trying to get his mandatory credits done while he figured out what to do with his life. They had barely spoken most of that first year; not through no effort on Scar's part, but christ on a stick was that glasses wearing guy antisocial as hell. It wasn't until Scar had brought up his hybrid heritage that Cub had started to open up, mentioning offhandedly about having Warden blood flowing through his veins. Both hybrids that struggled with day to day society, something flickered to life there in that normally quiet dorm room. Things moved fast after that, cramming months of talking and bonding into weeks.
When time came to figure out dorm assignments for the following year, they didn't hesitate to pick each other. Refusing to separate after they started to bond, and the trend continued through that entire semester. Then that entire year. And then into the next one. So close and talking so often that it was hard to imagine them ever being apart; that there was ever a time they didn't know eachother. A few months into year three is when the topic first came up.
""Has anyone told you that you're a hell of a looker, Scar?""
Scar looked up from his assignment, an eyebrow raised in befuddlement. He swallowed the noodles he had been mid bite into, setting down his ramen cup and trying to figure out where this was coming from. Cub wasn't even looking at him at the moment, nose buried in a textbook as thick as his head.
"Uh-" Scar paused, clearing his throat. "Once or twice, I guess? Mom used to say I was a cute baby? Big eyes, chubby cheeks, baby stuff, ya know?" He wasn't entirely sure what to say here. It was an odd topic to bring up. Sure there was that one drunk night back in the winter of second year, but they never really talked about that- This is weird. That was weird. What was he talking about again? Oh yeah-
He watched Cub flip to the next page in his book, chest tightening slightly as the silence stretched between them. Where was this going? Was he going to ask him something? He hoped he wasn't getting invited to a mixer or party or anything, those always got way too loud way too fast for him. He usually didn’t mind showing up for his friends, but he had too much on his plate already right now. He didn't want to deal with the anxiety that a party naturally caused. He already had an excuse on his tongue when Cub spoke again.
""You ever think of getting into acting?""
Oh. That's what he meant. Cool. Ugh, stupid stupid Scar, Cub would of known better than to invite him to something like that- Dude would rather throw himself off the top bunk than attend anything with more than 5 people.
"I mean maybe? I like helping out with the theater club, it kinda seems like fun I guess-" Scar answered with a noncommittal shrug of his shoulders; wincing almost instantly when the previous day's work out came back to haunt his muscles. He really needs to get better at stretching after the fact- Cub glanced up finally, clearly suppressing a snort at his pain; setting his book down next to him on the bed as he patted his lap with one hand. Scar didn't need to be told twice as he instantly scooted forward, already melting the moment Cubs hands began to work their magic on his shoulders. Ah, the pros of studying anatomy; knowing just where to press to make muscles stop trying to end your existence.
""You have this whole "hot boy next door" look going for you."" Cub continued, working his way steadily across his right shoulder. ""Like look at me I'm some stereotypically hot lady and I'm gonna wash my car in a bikini while you mow your lawn shirtless-"" Scar snorted as Cub paused to dramatically tuck some hair behind his ear. Void, the hell is he gonna do with this guy? ""Not to mention all your markings making you look unique from all the other tanned buff white guys out there. People like that kind of stuff these days.""
Scar couldn't stop the huffed laugh that tumbled out of him, eyes rolling in mock annoyance. But he couldn't stop his eyes from landing where they did. He could see some of the markings Cub was talking about; patterning his hands and arms, pale markings that only got more visible the tanner he got. The curse of going outside, he figured. Unlike some people, he actually enjoyed the outdoors. Apparently, the lesion like marks came from his vex heritage; though they were usually either super faint, or only visible under a blacklight. He was born like this, for the most part; minor scars stemming from childhood injuries and drunken stupidity, each a raised dusty pale pink instead of the nearly white almost tattoo like marks patterning his skin. Cuts and swirls marring practically every inch of his skin.
His parents told him once that they had called him Scar as a child more than they called him by his actual name, and it just stuck from there. He used to hate the name when he was younger, reminded constantly of how different he looked to the rest of the family; the recessive hybrid genes hitting him like a truck. The pointed ears, the unnatural glow to his eyes, the pale markings that ripped across his skin like lacerations-.. The name seemed especially obvious to all those childhood bullies who took half a second to connect the dots, taking one look at the huge scar that crossed his face—that refused to be hidden by even the best of concealers—before they began their torment and teasing.
Scar's hand traced over one of the marks on the inside of his palm, feeling the smooth skin turn into his normal callused palms. He was small and sickly as a kid, common traits for vex kin apparently, terrified and wide eyed with a name that stuck to him like a warning sign. He had reclaimed the name as he got older though; growing more confident and showing off his markings whenever he got the chance. Damn it, if he was gonna have them, might as well embrace them! They say beauty marks are where angels kissed you before sending your soul on its way. Maybe his markings were something similar? Battle wounds from his past lives? Maybe. But damn did he know it was a fight to get him to keep his shirt on half the time nowadays-
""Scar?""
He was definitely more confident now than he use to be. Working on himself not only physically, but mentally as well. Gym, therapy, group outings; anything to keep him active and get a smile on his face. Hell, he even started rock climbing recently-
""Scar?""
His head snapped up, Cub now kneeling in front of him; he could see skulk creeping up the side of his cheeks, something he knew was associated with Cub getting a little too emotional or stressed-.. When.. did he even move-?
""You okay? You've been zoned out a hot second now. Don't think my massage was that good, was it? You all good up there?"" Cub said, his voice thick with concern but clearly trying to cheer him up. Scar took a second to answer, looking down at his hands again. He was okay, wasn't he? He flexed his hands for a second. Open. Shut. Open. Shut. Open... Shut.
"Yeah." He finally managed. "Yeah, I'm good man. Was just thinking about a lot. You know how my brain likes to run off without me-!" He tried to laugh it off, but it definitely came out weaker than intended.
Cub's brows furrowed.
Damn it.
""It was just a question, you don't have to put your full focus into planning it right now."" The hybrid said, cool toned eyes softening. ""Was just curious, is all. Big B finally got an agent to pick him up, and apparently, their company is looking for fresh faces. Thought you fit the bill."" Cub explained, ruffling his hair. ""But I'm not going to make you do anything you don't want to."" Scar swatted him away with a scoff, mumbling something huffily, and the topic was quickly dropped.
But the idea was planted.
He found himself thinking about it more often than he meant to. Catching himself looking at applications online when he should have been working on homework. Walking around, trying to see himself on the different billboards around town. That.. could be him? Really? Him?
Damn it. It's not like he had anything planned. Might as well give it a shot.
And give it a shot he did. A few phone calls, an interview, and a quick set of tests later, he was matched up with an agent and he was signing a contract. His head spun with all the legal details, but Cub helped break things down into more manageable bites.Thank void he decided to come along. Cub even signed on to be Scar's council, whatever that meant. Apparently it was like an agent but more just for support? An assistant maybe? Scar called him his first groupie and got rightfully smacked for it.
It was an absolute whirlwind after that. Headshots and photoshoots and scrip readings and more interviews and oh God that's so much paperwork why did he even agree to this- Scar was overwhelmed almost instantly with offers and invites, all trying to get a bite out the fresh-faced newbie from the agency. Nothing huge, but more than expected nonetheless. Even his agent, a demon hybrid with kind eyes named Impulse, was shocked by the sheer quantity of everything.
""I told you you'd be a star!"" Impulse's voice rang in his ear that one day, excited laughter trailing his words.
Impulse took care of getting his schedule together, trying to keep things simple for his first few runs; Cub was joined at his hip whenever his schedule allowed. It was mostly photoshoots and a few nonspeaking roles in advertisements, just filler stuff. An extra. Though that didn't last long when his advertisement for a beach getaway hit the market. He was just supposed to be in the background, playing volleyball with a group of guys to just make for some background noise for the main actors.
Turns out, they decided to use a lot more footage of them than he thought they would. Making him specifically the eye candy that drew the two main actresses to "book" at the location. Shot after shot—with the occasional slow motion shot—of him shirtless and in shorts half a size too small had the actresses practically drooling over the idea of booking in the same place he was. So, easy to say that the ad had the money rolling in.
And then the calls started to come in. And they kept coming.
"Cuuuubbbbb-" Scar whined, flopping down on their shared couch. "I'm tireeeddddddd."
Cub scoffed at him, absolutely earning the pillow that proceeded to peg him in the face. They had been at this a good couple of months now, long enough that they were able to move out of the dorms and into a not too shabby apartment that the agency helped cover. Scar was still doing his courses, but it was mostly online now, doing them when he had time. He knew Cub was still working on his degree as well, needing to go on campus more often for labs. It was Impulse's one stipulation about college, after all, support so long as they both continued their education.
Papers were scattered across the desk, all offers that Impulse wanted them to look over. But honestly, all Scar wanted to do was nap. Too many words. Too many things he could do but wasn't currently doing. It was driving him insane. His skin itched with inactivity. Maybe he should go to the gym today? That would be nice-
""Hey, what about this one?""
Scar glanced up from where his face was buried in the couch cushion, looking at the paper Cub was offering. Looks like an advertisement? The vex shifted onto his side, taking the sheet and starting to read it over. Something about.. a hotel, maybe? Woah woah wait- He was one of the main roles?? Oh wow okay that's more zeros than he expected- Wait- What was..?
"Cub, look at this." He said, holding the paper back out. "This part here says I'd be working with another actor as a love interest. But what's this part about a "diversity romance"??"
He proceeded to watch as Cub nearly spat out a mouthful of coffee. He sat there, baffled as to what was so funny as Cub hit his chest to try and stop the coughing.
"Dude?? What's so funny? What does it mean??"
""DIVERSITY?!?!?"" Cub barked out a laugh, barely managing to set down his cup as he proceeded to nearly fall out of his chair. As nice as it was to actually hear Cub laughing—this hard—for once, WHAT WAS SO FUNNY???
""Scar-"" He mumbled from his doubled over position. ""Y- You- hahahaha- You know how Impulse said it was okay for you to put your sexuality on your profile, right?""
"Yeah..??" Scar tilted his head. What did that have to do with-...
.
..
...
Oh.
OH!
"I GOTTA KISS A GUY??"
""HAHAHAHAHAH-""